In this season of appreciating our mothers, teachers and fathers, I’ve been feeling particularly thankful for all the amazing people who have cared for my kids in their early years. I looked it up and it turns out that tomorrow (May 8) is National Provider Appreciation Day. As my daughter prepares to head into her […]
Finding Jewels in a Sandbox
Every other week or so, my daughter, LC, comes homes from preschool clutching an envelope containing a handful of colorful sequins and plastic rhinestones. This means the “Jewel Fairy” has recently visited her preschool, sprinkling jewels in their sandbox area. Often on these special days when I come to pick her up, I’ll find a […]
The Art of Roast Duck
The other day, my son wrote this story (it’s either a tragedy or slapstick comedy, not sure which.) It felt like some sort of milestone — the first “voluntary” story he wrote, completely initiated and executed by him. He worked so hard on it, asking his dad and me how to spell various words over […]
The Valentine’s Ninja
I have a conflicted relationship with Valentine’s Day. Growing up, I always associated valentines and chocolate hearts with my birthday, which is two days after Valentine’s Day. (I suppose it was harder to get excited about President’s Day.) On the other hand, I have an allergy to overpriced flowers and dinners and a day that […]
Being With
In one of my coaching trainings a few months ago, we were charged with the task of writing down a list of things we couldn’t “be with.” The goal of the exercise was to become more aware of our blind spots so we could more effectively manage ourselves as coaches. I started thinking of things […]
Year End
I wanted to squeeze in one final post in these last hours of 2014. I started this blog a little over a year ago, and for anyone who knows me or follows this blog, you know I err on the reflective. On this blustery winter day, warmed by a toasty fire and recent memories of […]
Pinkie Toomer Day
Nine years (+1 day) ago, Nice Tall Guy and I were officially married at a courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia by Judge Pinkie Toomer. We were planning a wedding with friends and family the following summer, but for practical reasons (i.e. so Nice Tall Guy could take advantage of in-state tuition for the graduate program he […]
Giving Thanks to Poetry
I feel lucky to live in the digital age, where unlimited information lies at my fingertips. For a research junkie like myself, it’s heaven. But often, I feel overwhelmed by the enveloping tsunami of information. Reading often feels reduced to skimming, to wolfing down bytes of data. To counteract, I’m trying to bring poetry back […]
Yes Please to Playing Big
You know those products you always rave about to friends, family and complete strangers, and you feel like you should be a salesperson for them? That’s how I feel about Tara Mohr’s brilliant new book, Playing Big. While I was about halfway through the book, I left my copy in a restaurant (and had to […]
An Ode to the Sweet Potato
Oh, darling sweet potato, Sweet apple of the earth, How I love thee. You astound me with your flexibility: I can bake you, boil you, mash you or broil you, And always, you are delicious. Where are the love songs for the sweet potato? I sprinkle you on salads, nestle you next to […]
Alphabet Scramble 