• How To,  Review

    Hallmark Card Shower Them With Love!

    When I turned thirty, my husband and my sister threw an epic surprise party for me. It was epic for many reasons, including: 1. It took place in my own home. (I still can’t believe they planned a huge party IN MY HOUSE and I–a control freak–had no idea) 2. My first crush and my first kiss flew in from Tennessee to surprise me (yikes, they did!) 3. The posters that my sister made and hung all over my house were amazing (I still have them!) 4. It was a great night, being surrounded by almost all of my loved ones. I also got one of my best gifts ever…

  • Review

    Sometimes The Actual Surprise Is A Surprise

    Eleven years ago, Jim came home from work with the news that he was headed to Orlando, Florida for a conference. We decided that it would be fun if the boys and I tagged along and took advantage of the fact that his company was providing a stipend for Jim’s accommodations and flight: the trip as a whole would be less expensive for us personally. The plan was that I would take the boys to the Disney parks during the day and Jim would join us there in the late afternoons when his sessions were complete. We decided to surprise the boys and not tell them about the trip until…

  • Best Thing Ever,  Fun in Chicago,  Proud Moments

    The One In Which I Give You Action Items

    Big stuff today. Unfortunately, for you to get the most out of it, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Let me explain. First of all, I am so very excited that I have been selected by Hallmark to be a contracted blogger in their “Life Is A Special Occasion” campaign for the entire year. Once each month, I will be writing about the special moments–big and little–in my family, as well as all kinds of other things that may, if you’re not careful, cause you to have the warm and fuzzies. I’m especially proud of my inaugural post for this campaign; it’s all about my chronic dance…

  • Review

    Reframing The Mundane: Every Day I’m Shufflin”

    Something that many people–probably fortunately–don’t know about me is that I’m a very musical person. I hum or sing to myself constantly. I sing in the car. I hum in the shower. I “la la la” as I maneuver my car into a parking space. I sing ridiculous songs to my dog. And I dance. I love to dance. Seriously. I’m not just talking about the Chicken Dance, either. Though I am the first person on the dance floor at any reception when I hear the first notes of the Chicken Dance or any of the following: ~ The Electric Slide ~ YMCA ~ The Cha Cha Slide ~ Hava…