I come from a long line of agricultur ists - my father was a landscaper, my grandfather and both my great-grandfathers were master gardeners to noble families in Europe - and I often tell my children that gardening is in their blood. "Ewww, get it out!" My 8-year-old son has this habit of taking things literally, lately. So, anyway, what I was trying to say is that I grew up surrounded by flower beds and falling in love with the sweet smell of wet dirt. It's intoxicating, really. A lot of people ask me why I put some much time... Read more →

Last week, I wasn't feeling very well and asked my oldest daughter (she's 13) to stay home and sit her sisters, including Mini-me. "But, you said you'd bring her?" Whoopsie. "Um...well...you know, I'm old and guess I forgot." So, I allowed Mini-Me's little friend play with my cell phone and I spent the next 2 hours, squirming on very hard bleachers and trying to stay warm with my vanilla chai, at my 8-year-old son to his baseball practice. "I don't know what it is, really, besides the fact that I'm turning 43 and feeling, you know, very hormonal!" Okay, I'm... Read more →

My 8-year-old son's 2nd grade class hosted a tea and poetry reading, Friday afternoon, that the children have been preparing for, for weeks, and were put to task with having to create their own invitations, for up to 3 people. It was very cute and I would love to be able to share it with you, only, I can't. Because, I gave it to his grandparents and forgot to take a picture of it - not to mention, show his father - but, I thought that perhaps my parents would enjoy the handwritten envelope marked "By invitation only" and "To... Read more →

Although, I am NOT pregnant (knocking on wood until my knuckles bleed) I expect I'm feeling a little bit of baby-envy, especially now that my bloggity-good friend, Mom-101 has given birth to a beautiful little girl (welcome aboard, Sage!) and - not to mention being surrounded by newly and happily married - I can't help but feel this terrible urge to kiss someone and signed nearly every end-of-the-year permission slip my children have brought home from school...xoxoxo! SIGH. Why, yes - I'm premenstrual, so what! - I had a very lovely weekend, all things considered, and was feeling pretty good,... Read more →

We have a very busy weekend planned - of course, because it's Mother's Day - which starts early tomorrow morning, where at precisely 8:45 a.m., I will be planting flowers at one of our neighborhood playgrounds with Mini-Me's girl scout troop. Why? Well, because my little Daisy is earning a badge, or something, I think, or maybe not...all I know is that the notice specifically stated - PARENTS HELP! Guess which one? So, I'll just pretend it's just another school day - ignore the fact that it is really a Saturday, with no baseball, soccer, volleyball, or anything - and,... Read more →

I have already confessed my obsession with cutting the grass and having been dubbed the resident Lawn Mower Mom, but never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever imagine a more perfect day, than the last two days, spent outdoors in the glorious sunshine and warm weather that has long eluded us, until now. So, I finished up early and ventured out to the backyard with Doofus Dog and made sure he had a nice, shady place to sit under his favorite tree. What a sorry sight it was, indeed - typically, I would have had this cleaned up and... Read more →

Growing up on the Jersey shore, there's nothing better than taking a leisurely stroll on a nice, quiet beach, somewhere far away from the increasing sprawl and turmoil of living a suburban life - especially, now that I have done my part in adding to the population growth - unless, I'm with my husband and we decided to getaway and, you know, leave all of our children at home. "Who's got the kids?" I tried not to look guilty. "Well, you know, it wasn't an easy decision." Especially, since nearly everyone on our short list of babysitters was also away... Read more →