I am the ward Temporal Prepardness person, which means I go to the cannery. A lot. I am on a first name basis with the guy who runs it. The last time I went, which was yesterday, I picked up 229 empty cans, corresponding metal and plastic lids, oxygen absorbers, and about [...]

Today’s guest post comes from Emily Watts, acclaimed author of Being the Mom. You can find more of Emily’s writings at her own blog and at Light Refreshments Served. Emily has 5 children and 2 grandchildren. Welcome to Segullah, Emily! Thanks for being here.
I have heard horror stories about [...]

I happily took my husband’s name when we married. Well, before even. I set up my login at grad school to include the “o” as my last name well before he got down on one knee. I dreamily wrote my full name out in loopy letters in my journal, just like every [...]

On Memorial Day, we did our patriotic duty and supported our economy by blowing a ridiculous amount of money at the movie theater. We debated between Prince Caspian, or Indiana Jones. In the end, the realization that Indiana Jones’ PG-13 rating practically screams “YOUR 6 YEAR OLD WILL HAVE NIGHTMARES IF HE SEES [...]

Dh and I got in a fight last weekend. A real doozie. And it lasted longer than a day.
Let me first say that this is not normal for us. We don’t fight, or not that often, anyway. And when we do fight, it’s often short lived, about stupid things, and, although I [...]

Yesterday in book group, we were discussing Jane Austen’s “Emma”. I said, “Are we supposed to like Emma? I mean, it is hard to like somebody who already has everything.”
A woman in the group said to me, “You’re one to talk.”
I was taken aback. What? What is she saying? Does she [...]

I just saw a commercial for Old Navy where everything shimmers. I guess they are introducing a metallic sort of line, or something, but it’s a sort of new age commercial that leaves those of us who are inherently style channeled just a bit confused. But the one thing I was VERY clear [...]

This is how I interpret the essay Keeping my Passport, by Lee Ann Setzer. Life is tough, and you gotta stick with it.

Almost every week we get a little envelope with a bag in our mailbox. This envelope has some kind of charity listed on the front, with a plea for donations of knick knacks, clothing, what have you to help the vets, the children, the starving of the world. This week, in true Fly [...]

I hate ants. With a passion. Growing up in Southern California, our home was plagued with them, and it drove me crazy. There is nothing worse than pouring yourself a bowl of cereal, adding milk, and watching ant corpses bob to the surface. It was enough to make an 8 year [...]

I’ve got them.  Yes, yes I do.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, try this experiment.  While wearing a short sleeve shirt, stand in front of a large mirror, and pretend you are conducting a choir.  Or trying to fly away.  If it looks like your flappers could actually generate enough wind speed to [...]

5 year old son: I’m giving this note to Lucy (next door neighbor girl).
Me: What does it say?
5 year old: It says I love you.  Because I do, you know.  Me and Lucy, we love each other.
Me: Hmmm.  Are you planning on marrying Lucy?
5 year old:  Well, not yet.  We’re just taking it kinda slow.

To get to Funger Hall at The George Washington University, you get off the subway at Foggy Bottom.  Take the escalator up, and you will be deposited in the heart of campus, such as it is.  Turn right, and walk down 23rd St, until you hit G St.  Funger Hall is on the corner.

I am over 30 years old.  I have given birth to two children.  I backpacked through Eastern Europe before the time of cell phones, Mapquest, and GPS.  I have lived in major cities in the US,  I am good at parallel parking, and I can even change a flat tire.
But when I travel with my [...]

Last Thanksgiving I was 11 weeks pregnant.  And on bedrest.  And terrified I would lose my baby.