I woke early this morning, as I often do, around 5 a.m. to check Ava’s blood sugar.  The veil of sleep was still clinging to me, my eyes blurry, and my body aching with the symptoms of aging that on some days seem inevitable.  Once I was reassured that she hadn’t gone low, I fell … Continue reading Gratitude

I have been sooo excited for school to start again, that I spent the first day behaving like a real housewife.  I vacuumed, washed the floors, scrubbed the bathrooms, did 4 loads of laundry and left the 5thin the washer, went food shopping alone, used the bathroom without closing the door, cleaned the kitchen and … Continue reading Back To School – The Joy of Field Trips

A few weeks ago Ava lost a tooth, on a Friday, before she went away for the weekend with her dad.  She was worried she’d miss the Tooth Fairy, so I told her to leave it under her pillow and the Tooth Fairy would come.  Well, as all mothers can attest to, I forgot about … Continue reading The Tooth Fairy Is Dead… And How to Get Your Kids Outside On A Hot Day

Oh my, where do I begin?  My mom and I are very close.  I haven’t written a piece about her, both because – like it’s sometimes difficult to buy gifts for those closest to you, so is writing about them – and because I was afraid it would sound too gushy, or too typical – … Continue reading Mom

So I’ve been MIA for a while.  My dad called me yesterday to report that my brother is MIA out in Texas.  Not to worry – he’s not a missing person yet.   He just forgot he has parents.  It’s okay.  I mean, we were all 22 and in college once.  Parents just don’t exist until … Continue reading My Life Is Shit

Gracie’s 21st Century Café & Catering (casually referred to Gracie’s) is located just over 3 miles out from the nearest town and easily accessible from local highways.  Driving out into this country, one might suspect they are heading the wrong way, until suddenly the pink neon Gracie’s sign appears ahead, beckoning the curious.  Situated amidst … Continue reading The Restaurant

On this, my 100th post, I decided to revisit the 99 that came before.  Here follows excerpts from Finding Joy cum Tara Versus. Or, you can just skip over them all for a really boring final reflection at the bottom.I feel like the captain of some strange aircraft I have no idea how to fly.  And … Continue reading 100 Posts Later

I’m staging a comeback.  I fell off the wagon.  I buried my head in the sand.  I healed.  I fought for change.  I found joy.  I fought against change.  I got caught speeding down the path of least resistance.  My engine quit.  I got distracted by the changes and lost my way on the path.I … Continue reading I’m Staging A Comeback

I ran exactly no more times than I could count on one hand.I gained about 5 more pounds, got what my sister-in-law sweetly referred to as a “muffin top,” and subsequently bought new jeans that don’t leave my ass crack less of a mystery to the public at large.  Probably because I stopped running.  Or … Continue reading 2013 – A Year In Review

It’s the day after ChristmasAnd the house is a mess,Littered with paper and dishes,Cookie crumbs and a dress.The dishwasher’s fullAnd more dishes to wash.The fridge is overflowingWith leftovers to nosh.Our presents are scatteredAll over the room,The glittery bowsLifting the gloom.Pine needles are falling From our big Christmas tree,Which now leans to the leftAs if down … Continue reading Twas the Day AFTER Christmas