Juicy and sweet; bright; crispy when fresh; sometimes slightly tart; with a flavor all its own: these were a few of the words commonly used on the handout labeled, "How to know your apples," we received at the pick-your-own orchard that Mini-Me and I visited earlier today. Funny. As I was thinking back on the field trip - alone, again, in my car - how those words can also be used to describe my five-year-old daughter. Juicy and sweet. Lined up, wearing name tags and holding hands like a bunch of little criminals, I quickly recognized Mini-Me (she's one... Read more →

Celebrating the wonderfulness that is "Hump Day" - the week is half over, baby! - this blog is going to the dogs. A friend of mine (who also happens to have a love-hate relationship...with her dog) sent me this email, which answers the age old question: How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb? 1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?  2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not... Read more →

A mom was sentenced to 5 years in jail for allowing her 18 month old daughter to suck from the mother's...bong: "Ms. Durham allegedly remarked that smoking improved Michala's appetite and left Michala lethargic and mellow - a manner she found consistent with her own experience smoking marijuana," Judge Louis Pollak of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in summarizing the case. The report goes onto to say, the court ruled she should have to spend no more than two years in prison and I'm thinking...dayum...sure, it seems a bit harsh...but, where were they when my mother was... Read more →

 Most people from Europe - including my family - refer to their homeland as "the old country." Though the accents - especially in my neighborhood - may have been different, the meaning was still very much the same. In my parents' case, they were forced to leave behind everything - and I mean stepping on American soil, for the first time, with nothing more than the clothing they wore, most of which had been donated at the refugee center, before leaving Austria - for a chance to live in America, where everything (even something as basic as freedom) was... Read more →

My husband and I had a fight, last night and it wasn't bad or anything in particular - mainly about "bullshit" as a friend and fellow mom-who's-been-there-done-that, later agreed - but, I left the house and considered attending the first (of three) back-to-school night a joyful escape. Yes, I guess it was bad. To think leaning against the wall of the "all-purpose room" (used for...you know...all things) of Little Man and Mini-Me's school in a standing-room only crowd of people - not to mention having a really bad back and still crying, a little -as anything more favorable than torture...it's... Read more →

There's a Hungarian saying that my grandmother would always refer to (especially in bad times) that loosely translates as: "A dog will almost always crap, where crap already exists!" Well, I wonder if they use bull horns in heaven? Because, I swear to you...on all that is good and covered in semi-sweet chocolate...with the shitload of trouble I've been getting into - not to mention out of - lately, someone's been watching out for my sorry butt! [remember, our dishwasher blew up less than a month ago] Not to get too superstitious, or anything - although, I am knocking on... Read more →

My bloggy-friend, Amber, takes some of the most awesome pictures of her children (of course, she's working with some really great material) and visiting her blog makes me feel all warm and fuzzy - sort of like sinking into my favorite over-stuffed chair and sipping on a deliciously fruity red wine. Letting down and inspiring tranquility, when chaos threatens to dampen even the strongest of spirits. Then I got this idea. After taking the kids to school this past week (can't remember which day, exactly, as they all seem to sort of meld together after a while) I walked the... Read more →