I must shout it from the top of some place very high: “I survived ski season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I don’t usually blog about my husband’s absences till after he’s home (that’s wise, dontcha think?) but now that ski season is officially over for us, I can tell you what the last 8 weekends have been like for…
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In Which I Learn the True Meaning of Lent
I’m about to tell you something that will no doubt confirm the sneaking suspicion in your mind that I am a complete ditz. “He gives grace to the humble.” OK, here we go… My Confession: I used to think that Ash Wednesday was the anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helen and when I…
Continue Reading2 Tips for Fighting a Slump {Or What to Do When You Have a Mold Problem}
Then there was that time that we evacuated our house in the middle of winter because of a mold problem. We knew we had mold in the downstairs bathroom, especially since a particular 4 year old left the tap running two years ago and flooded the aged carpet in there. The real problem was not…
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Hooray! Here Comes (In) Real Life!
It’s happening again, girlfriends! That conference that comes to your living room! All the fellowship and richness of a gathering of women, without having to purchase plane tickets, hotel room, or figure out how to leave your kids for a whole weekend! I did this last year and had such a blessed time with 6…
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What we did with all that snow
We actually got snow this year!!! Yeah, I know, seems like a given when you live in upstate NY, but the fingerlakes have their own little weather system and usually only get the fringes of everyone else’s storms. Except this year… since we don’t have a sledding hill, I decided to introduce Jesse to the…
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If I have not love…
The other morning in the few minutes I had alone under the warm Christmas tree lights before the monkeys came down demanding breakfast, my Father gently reminded me that, I needed this reminder, people, because though these photos show all the shiny parts of our month so far, there have been plenty of those moments…
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An Interview with Yours Truly, and Thanksgiving in ‘Bama
I’m usually offline on Wednesdays, but I had a couple of guest posts go live today, so I thought I’d hang around and take tomorrow off instead. Ya’ll good with that? (Do you take off for the holidays, or do you use it as a chance to get caught up on your writing or reading…
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Enter Wig, Stage Left {and discard that mask}
The first night at Allume, I roomed with my mentor and friend, September, and her fun and funky daughter, Sarah. (Have you noticed I have an appreciation for funkyness? It’s like the highest compliment I give people. “You’re funky. I like you!”) Sarah brought a friend, as well. Her 3 foot wide afro wig. I…
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Of Pitchers and Torches and Swag
At last. Packing was done. Friends had arrived, connections had been made, and a van of 5 woman were headed down the highway to the Allume conference. I was giddy. The hardest part was over. Well, the second hardest part. I still had my talk to give on Friday, but the packing and getting on…
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This is NOT an Announcement {As much as it sounds like one}
I was stressed, people. My life is full of things that I love, that give me energy, that excite me. But sometimes they all converge to get me really stressed out. I love travel. I love our crazy, gypsy, life this year, splitting our time between our home in the Fingerlakes of Upstate NY and…
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Setting the Stage {A Flashback to Last Year’s Allume}
(Read part first of this story here) First we must set the stage. You must at least have a snap shot of where we have come from. I have this really great group of friends. We call ourselves the Ladder Bloggers. And before you think that’s all cute, try switching the first sounds of each…
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Shaking in my Boots Obedience
I’m afraid to write about Allume. Afraid I won’t get the words right. Afraid the right words won’t come out. I need to listen to my friend Kristina’s Allume session RIGHT NOW. I heard her practice it, I know it’s about writers block, and I know she would tell me in perhaps the only voice…
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My Alligator Pitch {re: Traveling with Small Children}
Our family has spent more time on the road this summer than the past 5 years combined.We spent 7 weeks living in Alabama (that’s an 18 hour trip of you drive straight through, folks) and were home only 12 days before flying down to Dallas for 5 days. The fall holds at least one more…
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Anyways, what IS the best feeling in the world?
His almost-6-year-old questions can be so random. And deep. Sometimes I laugh. Sometimes I’m left breathless and with no answers. Sometimes his questions lead me to answers I’d forgotten… “Mom? Is dirt in the same f’lamily as sand?” “Mom? Why do we call it ‘sewage’? “Anyways, what IS the best feeling in the world?” This…
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Of God, Mountains, and how I met {and married} my Husband, Part 6
We all have mountains in our lives. I’m sharing this story of how God brought me and my husband together–despite mountains of shyness, living in the boonies, and other challenges–to encourage you with this truth: Our God is a mountain mover. Today, after years of busy, contented singleness, we finally see some romantic action… …
Continue ReadingA Night on the Bus {& a Question on Voice}
I did something stupid last night. As we drove through town (ironically, on our way to check out the local farmer’s market in search of good, whole foods) I saw a sign at Sonic, “Shakes half price after 8”. I thought how long it had been since I’d indulged in a milkshake. And how I…
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