• Confessions,  Do I Really Want My Readers To Know This?,  How To,  I've Got Mad Skillz,  Too Funny To Ignore

    The Best AND Creepiest Way To Discourage A Door-To-Door Salesperson. Maybe.

    August 18, 2012

    We have lived in our current home for nearly twelve years. Our neighborhood is on the smallish side, and our elementary school is smack-dab in the middle. Both of my boys attended that school from Kindergarten through fifth grade (D started Kindergarten there when we were living in a rental home in another subdivision nearby). One of the things I love about this neighborhood is that it feels a lot like Mayberry: it’s quaint, neighbors know neighbors (for the most part), and until the last couple of years it was not very transient compared to other areas in my town. I have seen lots of kids grow up here alongside…

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  • Friends,  I've Got Mad Skillz,  My Friends Have Mad Skillz,  Spreading the Bloggie Love,  Too Funny To Ignore,  Travels,  We Are An Awesome Couple

    Flat Sue Goes To #BlogHer12!

    August 7, 2012

    I have attended the BlogHer conference four times now: Chicago ’09, New York ’10, San Diego ’11, and, just this past weekend, New York ’12. When I tell non-blogging friends about these weekends away, I get a goofy grin on my face and say things like, “These have been some of the best weekends of my adult life.” It’s totally true. Say what you want about any online presence you might have; it’s when you connect IN PERSON with friends–old and new–that really solidifies relationships. Sue from As Cape Cod Turns was my roommate for the first three years, and was unable to make it to New York this year…

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  • My Kid Has Mad Skillz,  Too Funny To Ignore

    There Are Definite Disadvantages To Having A Tall Kid

    May 10, 2012

    On Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. I was in my usual spot on the couch, typing away on my laptop. Seventeen-year-old J, who was getting ready for school and had been in the kitchen just a moment before–presumably eating his breakfast–entered the room. I looked up as he walked towards me, and noticed the huge grin on his face. He said, “You will NEVER guess what I found!” Without allowing me even a second to give it a shot, he held his hand out to me. In his palm were two Hershey’s Eggs. Easter candy. It’s like gold around here. He sat on the couch next to me and scooted over…

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  • Reflections on Parenting,  Too Funny To Ignore

    Teen Interpretation Gone Wrong

    April 27, 2012

    Seventeen-year-old J came home from his after school job and found me upstairs in my room, putting away laundry*. I asked him about school and work and then we talked about family plans for the weekend. He mentioned that his girlfriend wanted to know if he was busy tonight. I said, “I don’t know. Are you? All I need for you to do tonight is put away your laundry.” He said, “Okay, I’ll find out if she wants to hang out and…” His text notification went off and he looked at his phone. “Yep, she wants to hang out. So I guess I’m going to put away my laundry, make…

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  • My Kid Has Mad Skillz,  Too Funny To Ignore

    I Guess My Job Is Done. (Alternate Title: I Didn’t See THAT Coming!)

    April 6, 2012

    D is home for a four-day weekend, and he took a ride with me earlier today to run some errands. We made four stops and then I said, “I’m starting to feel like we might need an Icee before we go home.” Besides the fact that Icees aren’t our “normal” treat and that made the offer special in itself, D is a typical college student in that he would never, EVER turn down something like this. (I remember practically jumping for joy as a college student whenever my mom asked if I wanted to go to the store with her because I always came home with stuff I didn’t have…

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