What's this? What's this? There's something way back there What's this? The smell is everywhere What's this? I can't believe my eyes I must be dreaming Wake up, Gretch, this isn't fair What's this? What's this? What's this? There's something very wrong What's this? It's been here way too long What's this? Containers … Continue reading The Nightmare in My Kitchen
A Common Affliction
I believe I suffer from a common, but seldom-discussed condition; I've coined it Parental Attention Deficit Disorder. Not with the Hyperactivity component though. Certainly not that. Anyone who's ever seen me on the sidelines at one of my son's games can confirm that I'm definitely not hyperactive. In fact, once at a basketball practice, I … Continue reading A Common Affliction
Corn Maze
No one wants me on their team for the Corn Maze. The "discussion" goes something like this... Dad: "We're going to the Corn Maze tomorrow! It's going to be so fun!" Me: "Yay! Who wants to be on my team?" Silence. I'm met with silence as my whole family stares awkwardly at the floor, waiting … Continue reading Corn Maze
Butternut Squash
I tried a new recipe last night- seasoned roasted butternut squash with chicken sausage. It was yummy. (Warning: this post contains the most profanity per paragraph than any piece I've written about food, or even parenting, for that matter.) Cutting that damn squash would prove to be The Biggest Pain in The Ass of The … Continue reading Butternut Squash
God Bless The Outcasts
I am not in this picture. I don't know why. There are gaps in my high school memories, huge and numerous holes that I'm trying to fill in, even if just a little. I've enlisted the help of Facebook Messenger... and my old friends who were there, of course. I know the kids in this … Continue reading God Bless The Outcasts
Most Likely To…
I spend an inordinate amount of time in my car: after school activities, clubs, sports, practices, dance, and regular mom-errands. That will surely change when Middle Daughter gets her license, but for now, well, it's not. Sometimes I can put 90 miles on my car in a single day, without ever leaving town. And I … Continue reading Most Likely To…
The Second Goodbye
A little over a year ago we were driving our first born to college, to her new home in Washington, D.C. It seems so weird to say that, "new home". It was an emotional ride, literally and figuratively. A lot has changed in a year. I've learned a lot about myself, about my college-adult-daughter-kid, about … Continue reading The Second Goodbye
My Three Words, Teen Edition
I've often said how thankful I am that, as a parent, we (collectively) get to grow into the phase of parenting teenagers... that if I had to learn how to parent teens first, I'd have suffered a nervous breakdown within the first month. Parenting babies and toddlers, by comparison, now seems easy to … Continue reading My Three Words, Teen Edition
Ready, Set, Type
I'm pleased to announce that I've now reached the age that comes with exclusive membership in a club only for parents. Membership in this club includes, but is not limited to, having teens or tweens in your household, immunity to eye rolls, constant use of the word "whatever" (by everyone), and almost daily story telling … Continue reading Ready, Set, Type
Oh, You’re FINE
If you're a parent of children who are old enough to communicate, chances are you've said this phrase to them more times than you can count. Falls, scrapes, scratches, bumps, bruises, bug bites... sometimes our kids complain so much that we become immune to it. It's a parenthood survival coping mechanism, I think. It doesn't … Continue reading Oh, You’re FINE
