This week I feel every one of my 49 years. My nerves are shot. I’m tired and more than a little cranky. I’m in need of a makeover, or more appropriately, a rewrite. After years of guiltily reading romance novels, I’ve decided to take a page from one and reframe my life. I may even put a picture of my dishwasher dressed in a flowing gown on the cover. The … [Read more...]
The Princess and the Parent Intake Form
The clock said 2:30. I took a sip of tea and did my best to enjoy the remaining moments of calm before the kids started coming home from school. Then the phone rang. A sweet, young voice was on the other end. It was a psychologist from our daughter Lizzy’s school. Usually I panic whenever one of the kids’ schools call. This time I didn’t ask if all was well with Lizzy. … [Read more...]
Another Day at the Fun House
The last few days, my nine-year-old, Peter, has been doing such a good job of driving me crazy that I swore he was trying to actually bug me to death. His barrage of questions and requests for everything from going to the beach in the pouring rain, to begging me for a magic wand to turn him into a teenager like his older brother, had me scraping the bottom of the barrel for … [Read more...]
This Average Family
This piece originally ran on the Dishwasher, August 5, 2012, under the title, A Day in the Life. It has been slightly edited.Thank you for allowing me to revisit it today. I’m the mother of three amazing children. I married my best friend, and we live in the suburban neighborhood I grew up in. I even drive a minivan. On paper, we sound like a very ordinary family. Even … [Read more...]
It’s All Good
The other day my daughter LIzzy and I were out to lunch with my parents. I was having so much fun watching her tell our favorite waitress what she wanted to order. “That one” Lizzy proudly says as she points to the macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. This is the whole reason we’re having lunch at Friendly’s instead of someplace my parents and I would find a bit more … [Read more...]
