This past week was Spirit Week at the school where I run an after school program. Friday was “Character Day.” I was going to throw on a ball gown and tiara and be a princess. But the ball gown didn’t fit, so I ran around for 30 minutes trying to figure out Plan B. Finally, [...]

Have you ever seen that Ikea commercial (click “Ikea Commercial” to see video) where the kids are fighting, and the mom comes in and says, “Someone here needs a time out!”? And the kids watch the mom go shut herself in her beautiful sanctuary of a room, filled with things purchased at Ikea. I’ve been [...]

Monday is craft day at the after school program I run. Most Mondays we do a simple craft kit from Oriental Trading Company, partially because I just can’t compete with the cost. I really enjoy creating my own crafts for the kiddos, but I can’t justify spending $50.00 (or even $20.00) on supplies when I [...]

When I was a kid, I had this fantastic child’s roll-top desk with a matching chair. Dad says it was my Aunt Ruth’s desk originally. Aunt Ruth wasn’t really an aunt; she was a good family friend who was called Aunt Ruth. I loved that desk. Actually, it was more than love. Some kids have [...]

So, apparently, it’s a lot of pressure for me to say that I want to post an essay to this blog each Friday. So, I’m opening myself up to post whenever I want. What a concept! Who’da thunk that would suddenly give me an outpouring of ideas to write about!
So, check back more often! Hopefully, [...]

“Good evening, The Melting Pot. How may I help you?” said the voice on the other end of the phone.
“Yes, I’d like to make a reservation for two for tomorrow evening,” my boyfriend Aaron responded.
“Of course. What time?”
“6:00 p.m., please.”
“The closest we have available is 4:45 p.m. Would that work for your party?”
“Hey, Val? 4:45? [...]