• Random Thoughts

    On The Couch

    Yesterday I came down with some kind of bug, feeling worse and worse as the day went on. At first I thought it was just my sinuses, but gradually I became more and more nauseated, and tired. And achy. I spent half of the afternoon laying on the couch, and the other half wandering around the house in a fog, trying to feel better. I wondered if I had eaten something that I shouldn’t have, or if I might be coming down with the flu. By evening, I was so nauseated that I didn’t even feel like I’d be able to eat dinner. This, my friends, is a major thing.…

  • Family Fun,  I've Got Mad Skillz,  Pretty Pictures,  Travels

    Word-full Wednesday: The Lake Michigan Edition

    I have a friend named Tara. Many of you know Tara too. If you are one of the lucky ones who know her, you know that she is a very, very talented photographer. Her pictures of the beach, in particular, completely blow me away, and when I see that she has posted new pictures of the beaches near her home in Florida, I always have a couple of thoughts in my head: 1. “My God, is that beautiful!” 2. “Tara is so talented!” 3. “I wish I could take some pictures near a beach right now!” On Monday, I finally had my chance to try my hand at grabbing some…

  • Random Thoughts,  Reflections on Parenting

    At This Rate, We Won’t Even Have To Stop The Car When Senior Year Begins.

    We took D back to college yesterday. As I mentioned last week, emotions are very different from this time last year. Driving D and all of his belongings–well, all of his belongings that he wanted to take into that tiny dorm room of his–to school was going to be a pretty average experience emotionally, this year. We didn’t know the half of it. About a month ago, D ever-so-delicately came to Jim and me and said, “Um, I was wondering. I don’t want to upset you guys or anything, but I wondered if it would be okay if you just help me move my stuff TO my room and then…

  • Review

    Bump Club And Beyond, Live From The Microsoft Store In Oakbrook (Come And See Me!)

    As both the mom of two older teenagers (16 and 19) AND someone who is extremely active online and savvy about social media, I often marvel at all of the resources younger moms have at their fingertips today (and I don’t even think they realize just how lucky they are!). I mean, truly. Baby has a rash? Kid has separation anxiety? Not sure where to get those environmentally-friendly diapers the neighbor was talking about? Need a little bit of moral support or adult interaction? Moms nowadays can use the internet to search for answers to any question and get that needed interaction with just a couple of clicks. When my…

  • Amazing People,  Chicken in the Car,  Fun in Chicago,  Proud Moments,  Something That Could Change Your Life,  Travels

    Make No Little Plans.

    “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will themselves not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die.” ~Daniel Burnham, American architect and urban planner, 1846-1912 How much do you know about your hometown? Could you tell somebody about its history? Do you take advantage of what it has to offer in the way of entertainment, architecture, parks, and all of the other good stuff? Do you feel comfortable exploring the entire area, as opposed to staying in the cocoon of your neighborhood? Do you know anything about the…

  • Proud Moments,  Reflections on Parenting

    Transitions, Part Two

    Yesterday I wrote about D’s return to college, and how different it feels this year compared to last. There are some changes where J is concerned, too. He has just begun his junior year in high school, which is really hard to believe in itself, so let’s all just pause for a moment to think about that. *pause* At the beginning of June, J got his first real job, working for an internet-based company. The owners of the company, a husband and wife, are members at our temple and gave him a chance for the summer, even though they were initially looking for a college student. J jumped right in…