I procrastinate.  Even when there's no need to procrastinate. And sometimes usually it gets me into trouble. I decided about a week ago what my daughter's big Christmas gift was going to be this year.  This is our second year to have a real saved-all-year Christmas budget, and honestly . . . I thoroughly enjoy choosing one large gift for each … [Read more...]

I used to buy ONLY used clothing for my kids.  I could claim that it was because I was so green, but the truth was . . . I was cheap. I'm still cheap, but since I've (mostly) banned myself from going to garage sales, I generally end up paying a lot more than I used to for my kids clothes.  I do love thrift stores, but I don't often have time for … [Read more...]

Several months ago, my husband and I decided to go on a crazy two-week diet of only fruits and vegetables. Actually, he decided.  I grudgingly went along for the ride. Well, we're doing it again.  And this time I'm (strangely) all for it.  I realized how much better I felt and how much I need to kick my sugar addiction. This time, I know … [Read more...]

  Next week, it begins. The early mornings.  The early bedtimes.  The homework. And the lunch-making.  Which is not really my favorite part. The first day that my first child went to kindergarten, I packed his lunch sack so full that it wouldn't close. It had a sandwich, chips, string cheese, an apple, carrots, and … [Read more...]

Have I mentioned that I was a cheerleader in Jr. High? Actually, it started way before that.  From doing stunts with my best friend on the sidelines of my brother's pee wee games to studying books of proper stretching techniques . . . cheerleading was EVERYthing to me. I had the silver megaphone dangle-ring. I covered my walls in blue … [Read more...]