YOB: #22. Dress Up For Fast Food

By Lara

At this point in the Year of the Birthday, I was looking for something easy for us to do. The year was half over, and we needed more check marks on the list. I warned Beth to bring dressy clothes with her when she came to visit. I figured, since she was coming to my house, I would just match whatever kind of dressy she picked. I was kind of hoping for bride's maid dressy, but I was prepared for anything.

Beth came to my house bearing stockings. Beth hates stockings, so I knew that she was committed to the whole idea. "Dress Up For Fast Food" was scheduled for after the massage. We came home to nap first. Getting a massage makes one sleepy. Trust me.

Click to read more ...

Life Is Funny: Irrelevant

By MAD21

One of our favorite teens told me about something that happened in one of her classes at school the other day. It's just too funny not to share.

Click to read more ...

YOB: A Short Break From Adventures

By Beth

I am taking a break this week from the usual telling about a recent Year of the Birthday adventure. I do hope you will forgive me. It's just...well...it's been one of those weeks here in good ol' PA. Work stuff, home stuff and my back hurts so much that I've already had to take a break from this entry. Plus, I just didn't feel the creativity flowing enough to write about a cave. I want to do the story justice and I feel I just can't this week. So, here is something I wrote last week which some of you may have seen on my Facebook page.

Lara called me Wednesday night after hitting a deer on her way home. We talked for a bit, she was concerned it wasn't dead. I hope I made her feel better amidst the police interruptions and confirming that the deer was actually dead. I was very glad to know that she was okay and that the Jeep was not terribly injured.

The thing about inspiration is that it comes on me at such odd times. The following day, Thursday, I found myself with about an hour to kill while sitting at my son's dress rehearsal for a show he's in this Friday. The first verse of a poem floated through my head and I ran with it.

Click to read more ...

Life Is Funny: Teaching by Example

By MAD21

Most parents know that children learn best when they see your example. And as most of you know, it's not beyond me to go that extra mile to be the best example I can be.

We've had beautiful weather in the area this past week and my kids and I have spent a lot of time outside in it. Jumping on the trampoline, riding bikes, drawing with sidewalk chalk... riding scooters...

My oldest has gotten really good with riding her scooter. So good that she tends to ride it really fast and is trying "tricks." Much to my dismay, I might add. But I haven't said anything except that she needs to be aware of all the ridges in the sidewalk and that the scooter may come to an abrupt stop.

You see where I'm going with this yet?  ...No?

Click to read more ...

YOB: #27. Get A Massage

By Lara

I left my mother's house early last night in order to get home to write this article.  I collided with a deer about half a mile from her house. Apparently, I need to do a more thorough search of my co-workers cubicles in order to find the voodoo doll that I'm sure one of them is harboring in my image.

I'm physically fine. My jeep was drivable. I called the sheriff's office. They told me to go home. I did. They called me back regarding the license plate I had left in the road. Sigh. Now that I have filed a claim with my insurance, taken the jeep to the body shop, and gotten a rental car, I just have to work through my moderate animal-lover's guilt and rental car paranoia.

Now. Down to business. The next item on the Year of the Birthday list was "Get a Massage." I had a massage once before. My friend Jill had suggested that we do a spa day. She planned it. Included in the spa day package was: a massage, a facial, lunch, a manicure, a pedicure, and hair styling.

Click to read more ...