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...]
Best health-related gifts to give this year
December 4, 2013 by 2 Comments
Deck the halls with apples and reflective running gear, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaa! The healthy revolution continues in our family and yours this holiday season. So why not support the wellness endeavors of your loved ones with gifts that might bring more return than any toy or gadget might. (OK, there are some fun fitness gadgets that might be on the list, but that’s not the point!) This week, the Rochester Media team rounded up a few of the best health-related gifts you can give this … [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...]
Opposite days give reason for praise
August 14, 2013 by 1 Comment
If warm weather in the fall is called an Indian Summer, then should we label this cold snap in summer a Pilgrim Spring? The Pilgrims came unexpected to the American Indians, and so has this unseasonable weather, which has literally knocked the socks back on us. I'm fighting the urge put a straw bale decoration on my porch, and I'm suppressing my stomach's strong desire to patronize the cider mill. There have definitely been positives and negatives to the summer of 2013. It's great to be … [Read more...]
Welcome to my summer house
July 17, 2013 by 1 Comment
I have coined my own term to define the status of organized living, or lack thereof that we currently have around our home. It's simply called, “summer house." Summer house means grass and dirt chunks endlessly seem to gather on the floor. Summer house means that unfinished art projects linger in various locations and piles of shoes create little mountains by each door. Summer house means that all the daily cleaning I generally get to while the kids are at school gets half done, making it … [Read more...]
The Joneses are stressed, but you don’t have to be, too!
October 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Last week I was catching up with a friend, discussing the new school year. While chatting, I was surprised to hear the detail of her daughter's extracurricular activities. It was so full, we could scarcely find a night to have the two families together for dinner. She justified the enrichment, like many parents, as simply the way to keep her child well rounded. My advice to the mother was to be careful not drive her own-self crazy, in the process of attempting to keep her daughter exploring all … [Read more...]
Life Lessons from the Lawn Mower
September 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I love to cut the grass. Okay, so I just started taking on the chore, but I've been swept off my feet. You see, I am a stay-at-home mother of three. I feel like I run around all day trying to get organized only to crawl into bed with just as many toys on the floor and just as big a stack of dishes in the sink as there was in the morning. There's a perfect quote that reflects this honestly, that says, "Picking up after your children when they are home, is like shoveling when it is still … [Read more...]
Simple Tips for a Productive Summer
June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Most of us want summer to be relaxed, carefree and fun, but often we feel just as stressed out as the rest of the year. The best way I've found to maximize the openness of the vacation weeks is by putting a little thought into the time management of your days off. Often, we find the most satisfaction in accomplishing something, so by planning the ways you'll be productive, you can actually feel more relaxed overall. Trying a few of these simple steps can help even the busiest of families embrace … [Read more...]
