Maybe it's just this wearisome winter or perhaps I'm growing soft with age, but I've been more emotional than an Olympic gold medalist lately. So when we recently rescued a shelter dog, speaking the words "You're home now," instantly choked me up. Call us suckers for sympathy, since the sad faces in the dog cages were all it took to convince us we could provide a good place for a homeless companion. The innocent looking tent at the Fire and Ice Festival was filled with furry friends that most … [Read more...]
Sew as you go
February 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
About a year ago I was given the gift of a sewing machine. It was sleek, modern, and had pretty stitch designs already programmed in. It fashionably sat atop my desk and I loved it. The problem was I had no idea how to make it perform its magic. When I signed up for an introductory class, I arrived early, eager to learn. But the lesson was almost a disaster because the teacher assumed her students knew how to thread a bobbin and what a presser foot was. Unfortunately this pupil had not the … [Read more...]
Only the lonely
January 22, 2014 by 1 Comment
Last week was rough. I had been pushed to my sanity limit by a list of constant demands and overwhelming busyness that was out of my control. I found myself retreating to Facebook and Pinterest in short intervals, in an attempt to find respite in the swirl of chaos happening around me. I thought if I could connect somehow to the outside world then I would survive the day. But that prolonged testing of my patience caused a pang in me in a way I hadn't expected or noticed in awhile. I … [Read more...]
Eating for your Immune System
January 7, 2014 by 1 Comment
There's vitamins, essential oils and prescriptions, oh my. When sickness strikes, we will try anything. Many of my friends have kids who are struggling to fight off stubborn infections this winter, and they just don't know what else to do. Though I don't claim to be an expert, one way our family stays healthy is by taking a proactive view of what we eat, and we do it in conscious thought of boosting our immune system. You can feel stuffed and satisfied in your belly and yet your body can be … [Read more...]
The Holiday Hangover Cure
December 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It's December 26th, and there's a good chance you woke up with a hangover. Not literally (well, maybe some of you), but you likely just spent the at least 24 hours overindulging in holiday spirits. The giving, the treats and the gatherings can be very intoxicating. The electricity of the season envelops us in a way no other time of the year does, but to our dismay, it's over in a blink. Even if you still have gifts to give or a gathering to attend, Christmas 2013 has officially … [Read more...]
Thumbs up! (w/video)
December 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment
There's a powerful phrase constantly displayed on Facebook, and though you've read it, you've likely never thought about it. The phrase simply says, "Be the first person to like this.” Written under any new post or picture that pops up in your newsfeed, this short sentence can hold a lot of power in certain situations. Clicking this virtual "thumbs up" is a way of acknowledging that you agree with what is posted or that you just flat out like it. But if you are similar to me, you don't put much … [Read more...]
Tackling your treadmill
December 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I'm finally an owner of a treadmill for the first time in my life. I'm actually writing this article as the belt zips under my feet. The cold reality that my extra post-pregnancy pounds won't simply vanish has finally sunk in. Harsh temperatures that brought my long stroller walks with my toddler to a halt. The bank account notes that I can't afford a Lifetime Fitness membership. So, thanks to finding the cheapest treadmill around, I'm done with excuses. This new feeling is kind of scary. … [Read more...]
The “Pinnacle” breaks ground with fanfare in Oakland Township
November 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Hold onto your hardhats, because the most extraordinary spectacle in home construction has just begun in Oakland Township. On November 6, 2013, the groundbreaking of “The Ultimate Homearama at Pinnacle” commenced with a ceremony as grand as the homes it boasts to build. Despite a steady rain, the acclaimed patriarchs in luxury construction were proudly ready to celebrate with silver shovels in hand. The inspiring event, complete with catering, a shuttle trolley, and a bevy of encouraging … [Read more...]
Hearts of Hope – Quest for a Rett Syndrome Cure
October 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
When you watch a new house under construction, you anticipate confidently that one day the builder will indeed finish it to completion. With the right plans, and the adequate funding, there’s an expectation that the project will succeed. This same philosophy describes the passionate certainty that Bridget MacDonald and other families like hers feel about curing the consuming and debilitating disorder that is known as Rett Syndrome. Bridget MacDonald is the Rochester mom of beautiful Annie, … [Read more...]
Piercing Grace
September 11, 2013 by 1 Comment
For years, I have told my now 8-year-old daughter that she would need to wait until her 10th birthday to get her ears pierced. That was the way my parents had done it for me, and I wanted to carry on the tradition with my own daughter. I envisioned this event as a defining moment in her life, marking the beginning of becoming a young lady. But this idealistic notion changed this year when I gave into her pleadings that had grown increasingly incessant. She desperately wanted her ears pierced … [Read more...]
