Family
Finding That Groove Again
My parents live a half mile from me. This short distance was by design: when we moved them here, we chose the best, close nursing facility so that I’d be able to see them often. And in the days before COVID-19, I visited them every day. Now, I can only see my mom a few…
Read MoreCarry You
When Z and T were eighteen months old, we moved from a 900-square foot apartment to a four-bedroom, two-story house. The girls took little time to adjust to the new territory, with the exception of a set of stairs. The two steps from the living room to the sunken family room were met with glee.…
Read MoreThe Button
Monday evening, 8:14 p.m. Just as I’m getting ready to head up to put Melina to bed, my phone rings. A call from the place my parents live at this time of the night doesn’t bode well, especially when it’s not my dad doing the calling. “Christina? It’s Pam. Your dad is complaining of chest…
Read MoreThank You for Your Service
My sister works for the VA, so I’ve become accustomed to thanking members of the military for their service when I see them. Just a quick word or two at the grocery store or bank usually does the trick. My reward? A return “thank you” or a small smile. Telling these folks thank you is…
Read MoreSunscreen, Shinguards, and Cleats, Oh My!
Aaron is playing on the junior varsity high school soccer team this year. I can’t remember how many years he’s been playing soccer. Maybe ten? I think his soccer days date back to when he was four and first entered the little recreation leagues we have out here. Since then, he’s moved onto more competitive…
Read MoreScottish Date Cake
I have no idea where this recipe actually came from, but it’s one that Tim found after eating something similar at a restaurant back in Ann Arbor. “We can’t share our recipe,” the owner said, “but I can tell you that if you search for XYZ, you’ll find something similar.” I don’t remember what XYZ…
Read MoreWhat I Realized
While I’m grateful that 2019 is behind us, I’m also grateful for the realizations I gained over the prior year. I’m listing them in no particular order. Acquaintance circles might stretch for miles, but the number of true friends a person has is very few. Using people is something that much of humanity…
Read MoreGingerbread
In all my years of baking, I have not once baked real gingerbread nor made any gingerbread people. But my children love most of the gingerbread man book variations out there. So this year when Melina said, “Can we make some real gingerbread people?” I said yes. I would have scoured the internet for a…
Read MoreI Am
Ever since she discovered HGTV, Melina envisions becoming an interior designer. Thanks to shows like Property Brothers, Fixer Upper, and Love It or List It, she talks about open floor plans, wainscoting, and the difference between coffered and tray ceilings. She draws floor plans of houses she might like to help build someday, and her…
Read MoreThe One About the Reindeer
This post isn’t for the wee little beasts, unless you want to answer a few questions that deal with a somewhat more mature subject matter. Two Christmases ago, we bought Zoe and Talia a pair of swants. University of Michigan-themed swants to be exact. What are swants exactly? Pants made of sweater material. Apparently these…
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