Yesterday marks the five-year anniversary of the first of many Covid lockdowns. I have been reflecting on the pandemic a lot lately because of this; for me as for most, it was a time of despair, depression, anxiety, and fear. I have also discovered that I have a lot of shame and embarrassment due to […]
Five For Friday: The Pandemic Habits That Stuck Around For Five Years Edition
March 14, 2025 by 48 Comments
Forward March
March 3, 2025 by 50 Comments
It’s a strange phenomenon that, no matter how long I’ve been away, it always takes the same amount of time to catch back up on life, which is two solid days. Three weeks, one week, four days: it’s all the same. It’s similar to Rex’s reaction to my return whether I’m picking him up from […]
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Entering My Tankini Era Edition
February 28, 2025 by 51 Comments
About four months ago I was purposefully striding down the hall with my arms full, heading for the donation bags I had set up in the laundry room. My older son was home at the time and observed my unusually stern expression. Whatcha doing, Mom? he asked and when I informed him that I was […]
There’s Too Much Confusion, I Can’t Get No Relief
February 3, 2025 by 69 Comments
They’re Both White Guys This is a strange confession to make, but I constantly get Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp mixed up in my mind. Before you say anything, I know. I know! They are essentially opposites: one is famously kind, generous, and charitable, and one is absolutely not. One lost his longtime girlfriend in […]
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Jan Stan Edition
January 30, 2025 by 48 Comments
I asked my son if people still used the word “stan,” and he said what do you mean, like the Stan countries? When I explained that no, I wasn’t talking about the Central and South Asian, mainly former Soviet countries, I was talking about describing how I feel about things I like, he tilted his […]
Those Days Are Gone Forever
January 27, 2025 by 70 Comments
Typically I am a person who likes to finish jobs in a reasonable amount of time, the exception to this rule being putting photos into albums. I have photos from January 2024 and on that I have printed, but that are still awaiting their placement into the albums that have been purchased for the purpose. […]
Noelle, The Non-Blooming Christmas Cactus
December 9, 2024 by 52 Comments
In September of 2022, my husband and I were at a farewell party for friends who were moving out of the country. As we were leaving, I was, as I am wont to be, getting emotional, and my friend asked if I would take custody of her Christmas cactus, as she couldn’t really take it […]
