• Inspiration,  Relationships

    A Message for a Single Mother

    Well into her 80s, Oma shuffled along with her cane everywhere she went. Tap, tap, tap. Everyone heard Oma coming before they saw her. She always carried peppermint candies in the pockets of her cardigan, handing them out to the children at church, in her neighborhood, at the corner grocery store she faithfully visited twice a week — wherever little people crossed her path. She’d reach down to pat their tousled hair and patiently admire their artwork or an interesting rock they’d found in the dirt. It was her custom to walk to the park on Saturday mornings and feed the pigeons. Not because she particularly liked birds, but simply…

  • Just for Fun

    10 Random Things I’ve Discovered this Week

    Random Discovery #1 A security screen door with a deadbolt AND a sturdy wood front door with an additional deadbolt is NOT going to deter a serial killer from getting in our house if we are going to keep our front room window, which has a flimsy thin screen in it, open wide all night. Random Discovery #2 Rice Krispies cereal from Mexico and the United States both “speak” the same language! I understood it perfectly! (You DID know that, when you pour milk on Rice Krispies, the cereal speaks to you, right? Just checking.) Random Discovery #3 Drinking coffee from a chalky, boring styrofoam cup tastes vastly different than drinking it…

  • Just for Fun

    Age is Just a Number – Seriously

      “Mrs. Felty,” a student called out during social studies class, “I’m going to dye my hair with grey streaks like yours. It looks cool!” Exactly the look I was going for — cool. Right. I started growing out my “cool” grey streaks somewhere in my 30s and have added to the look ever since. My husband thinks the grey streaks look distinguished. I think he’s just softening the blow for me in coming to terms with aging. Since he started shaving his head years ago, I guess he’s missing out on all this “distinguishness” (I’m pretty sure that’s not a word). They’re good at hiding it, but I just…

  • Relationships

    Relationships & Commitment: Are You Ready?

    I saw my phone light up with another text message from him. “Why can’t we get together Friday night?” he asked. I could feel my frustration level rising. I had already told him I was busy Friday. We’d hung out two days this week already and I wanted to go out of town with my girlfriends shopping this weekend. I didn’t feel obligated to explain that to him. I enjoyed our dates and talking on the phone but he was starting to encroach on more of my time and I wasn’t appreciating it. I hope this guy isn’t expecting more from this relationship than I want it to be… I…

  • Holidays,  Just for Fun

    Catching Up With Christmas (Am I the Only One Not Ready?)

    The first week of December and the tree is up and decorated (Thank you, Felty Tribe)! Sara has the house decorated all Christmassy and I came home on Monday to Christmas lights hung up outside – “Husband of the Year Award” to Andy! I’ve started buying Christmas cookie ingredients for the endless cookie exchange and Christmas parties of the season. (Sideline curiosity: Why don’t we just make a ton of extra cookies to freeze for next year’s parties and add a little extra vanilla so no one notices the freezer-burn taste?) Yikes! I’m Not Ready Yet! The wrapping paper, clear tape, and gift tags have all been purchased but…I haven’t…