If you have a school-aged child, you are probably already aware of the do's and don'ts when it comes to birthday party invitations. Really, there's only one -- DO invite EVERY child, and DON'T bring invitations unless there's one...
When my daughter and her classmates returned to in-person school in October, one of her (and my!) favorite differences from online school was the return of the Classroom Jobs. As I learned over the first few weeks, the jobs...
When I met the woman who I now consider to be one of my best friends, she was already engaged. I knew right away that her fiance was bad news, but I couldn't say anything, we weren't that close...
Holidays are supposed to bring happiness, joy, and peace, right? If anything can test a relationship with your spouse, it’s decorating the Christmas tree. Growing up, my dad didn’t have much input with holiday décor or plans. Many times,...
It is well known that mommin’ ain’t easy. And juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and the demands of the workplace can drive even the strongest career woman to the brink of insanity. But, as I've said before, working moms...
What is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is generally hosting a Thanksgiving meal among friends a week before the actual holiday. I've been doing Friendsgiving for a few years now, and I can officially attest that every person needs to experience a Friendsgiving at...
The first year I lived in New Orleans, I was safely ensconced on the campus of the Baptist seminary in Gentilly. Everyone else was also new in town and we had a little Mayberry of sorts inside those seminary...
I have struggled with loneliness off and on over the years. Before I had children I struggled some, but more so since having them. The truth is I don’t admit to many people that I struggle with loneliness because...
Have you ever had one of those deja vu moments?
I had one a couple of months ago. There I was, nonchalantly avoiding a task and perusing my Facebook feed. I mean, we've all done it a time or two,...
Picture it, New Orleans, March of 2016... (in my best Sophia Petrillo voice) three of my girlfriends went out to dinner one night. As they sat there eating & chatting, they talked about how we could manage to get...
Silver Lining
I am the first person to paint the world silver, putting a positive spin on anything bad or uncomfortable that happens in my life. People say "That's so you, always with a smile!" and I flash my teeth...
Forgiveness is tricky.
Forgiveness isn't about excusing someone's behavior. It isn't allowing someone to get away with a wrong they have done. It isn't an easy religious belief that comes with being a Christian. Forgiveness is personal. It's allowing your...
Guest lists for my kids’ birthday parties are always an ever-growing task. There’s the obvious friends' list which includes my kids’ classmates or sports team buddies, and then there’s the understandable family list involving the grandparents, aunts and uncles,...
We have all heard the expression “It takes a village!” when it comes to raising our kids. But what happens when your village is small? What happens when you look around and everyone seems to have a huge tribe...