The other night I found Jim Brawner glued to a documentary. I have to be careful about what I see in the evening. After watching The Man Who Killed Osama Bin Laden, I took out bad guys slinging huge machine guns with a tiny pink can of mace all night long. I woke up exhausted. He assured me this one … Read More
Competition and Hair Maintenance
I’m not much of a game player. I think it all started in college when the definition of Date Night was spending three intense hours playing cards or a board game with other newlyweds. When you put three or four university football players around the table with their wives for a friendly game of Spoons or Coup Fourré the competition … Read More
Adrenaline and a Happy Meal
It’s gotten to the point we can leave home, run all our errands, and pull back into the garage without ever getting out of the car. Recently I drove through Starbucks, the bank, the cleaners, the pharmacy, dropped mail in the big blue box, picked up a salad at Wendy’s, and headed for home. I was at an oriental buffet … Read More
Good Friends, Perfect People and Dog Poop
One of my first friends in school was Anne. She had it all together, even in first grade. Her papers were perfect, she made A’s in everything, she had the best handwriting in the class, and she always smiled. My first feelings of being inadequate showed up when I was six years old. In mid September I got a new … Read More
Whiners, Complainers, and a Little Black Dress
It was probably one of the nicest events I had ever been to. The location was one where I’d never go unless invited. Opulent, is the only word I can think of. It was one of those occasions that requires digging around in the back of the closet to find something appropriate to wear. As we made our way through … Read More
Tonsils, Umbrellas, and Self-Checkout
Some things will always be a mystery and it only uses up valuable energy and brain space straining to figure them out. No matter how hard I try, I will never understand things like why we have an appendix and tonsils, why it rains when the umbrella is in the car, and why Wal-Mart calls two of their checkout areas … Read More
Cracker Jacks and Hot Yoga
Cracker Jacks and Hot Yoga I was honored to be the junior bridesmaid for my aunt when I was nine. Part of my responsibilities was to help with my five-year-old cousin, Gary, the ring bearer, and my six-year-old brother, Russ, the ribbon cutter. I still question why they gave him scissors. After walking the aisle and cutting the … Read More
The Power Of A Hug
The Power Of A Hug Statistics prove the importance of physical touch for newborns. It can be life giving. But think about it … do we ever really outgrow the need for a pat on the back or, more importantly, a hug? Hugs are powerful. Did you know a hug can actually lower blood pressure and reduce heart rate? There … Read More
Right Or Left?
Hey ____________, so good to see you again! Those little peel and stick nametags have helped me save face more times than I can remember … unless they’re curled up on a lapel or have fallen off. Once I wore John Bailey’s nametag on the seat of my pants for an afternoon. I don’t even know a John Bailey. Now … Read More
The Power Of A Little Bit
Have you ever found yourself looking at a mess so tangled it seems there’s no way to straighten it out … wet sheets twisted in the washer, Christmas lights jammed into a box last January, or a life so messed up and confused peace is only a dream? The thought of lining things out is so overwhelming walking away seems … Read More