Have you ever thought that your idea of happiness would be to spend a week’s vacation preparing for and holding a yard sale? That you would be just beside yourself with delight at digging through boxes that hold years of foolish purchases, projects you were going to do, and clothes you bought and never wore? […]
When little is big
June 11, 2012 By 22 Comments
It’s a conundrum, really. How can something little actually be bigger than it initially appears? Well, consider this: Have you ever helped a friend with something simple, perhaps picking up something at the grocery store, and they gushed with appreciation? Have you ever given a small gift that the recipient treasured more than it’s actual […]
Finding gratitude amidst the storm
June 4, 2012 By 43 Comments
Gratitude can be a funny thing. We let it roll glibly off our tongues when life is good: I am so very grateful for this brand new car, my beautiful home, the college graduation/wedding celebration/baby shower with the abundance of amazing gifts. Those are the easy ones because we are happy at our good […]
The parable of the frugal traveler and the coin operated bathroom
May 29, 2012 By 29 Comments
Are you old enough to remember that stores did not always have free public bathrooms? You had to pay to use them, and they didn’t look anywhere near as sleek as this. You have not lived until you and your six siblings who are all under 10 years old are doing the traditional We’ve waited […]
In grateful remembrance
May 28, 2012 By 1 Comment
June 6, 1944, D-Day, marked the day our military landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, and Operation Overlord began. Thousands of our service persons died in that initial assault and over the course of World War II as we battled against evil. That willingness to serve to the death is what Memorial Day is […]
5 Tips to Help Your Friend (even if she says she doesn’t need help)
May 21, 2012 By 18 Comments
“Hello! How are you?” you ask your friend, and again, she insists on brightly answering “Ok!” while you can see the worn out and tired of worry in her eyes. You know she is not being honest, but in lieu putting her in a headlock until she cries Uncle!, you just don’t know what else […]
If I’m not ok, will you offer me your loaves and fish?
May 14, 2012 By 18 Comments
Polite society demands that when we run into a friend, we ask how they are doing. Polite society then requires our friend to respond with a short and sweet, and often untrue, answer. What good does that do any of us? If we are not willing to open up and admit our infallibility to say […]
What if I lose my identity?
May 11, 2012 By 19 Comments
Who am I? What is my identity? I can hear the legions of women asking themselves that question as they ponder Lisa-Jo’s weekly prompt over at The Gypsy Mama. I’ll bet that “Mom” tops the list. After all, when you have children, you become a parent. You might still have a job outside the home, […]
The Secret to choosing a Mother’s Day gift that hits the heart
May 7, 2012 By 7 Comments
Tell me if you’ve been here before. You spend a great deal of time, energy, thought, and money to pick out the absolute perfect gift for your mother. Just a note here for husbands: this could equally apply to how you choose the gift for your wife. To keep this simple, however, we will […]
Four Insights for Moms from
Lucille Ball and The Chocolate Factory
April 30, 2012 By 15 Comments
Whether you’ve previously seen the clip of Lucy and Ethel working in a chocolate factory or not, you need to watch it below before you go any further. Go ahead and enjoy a bit of humor for this morning. I’ll wait. Their frantic behavior and makeshift solutions hit home every time and make […]
