I remember my mother during her 40s. She was working, cleaning, remodeling, raising 2 kids and 2 dogs while Dad came round on weekends (travelling salesman). And I also remember early mornings and headaches and biofeedback naps. She was having it all and set the bar unreasonably high. What I realize looking at… Continue reading 40-Something Struggles
Category: Blog
Pay Your Kids for Chores
It’s a common debate now-a-days. Do kids get cash for chores or are they unpaid family responsibilities? Ron Lieber, the New York Times’ “Your Money” columnist and author of the new book The Opposite Of Spoiled, says don’t pay your kids for chores. One reason? “According to Lieber’s philosophy, kids should look at chores just like… Continue reading Pay Your Kids for Chores
The Truth about Money and Happiness
“Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” say folks mostly from the middle class. Rich and poor people know it grants tons of happiness and scientists also know it does… to a point. The point is about $75,000.00. I see money buy me happiness nearly every day. I buy artichokes and basmati rice and salmon. When my son… Continue reading The Truth about Money and Happiness
Your Unknown Value
What you do today matters in ways you could not possibly know. I believe The Gaia Principle (think butterfly wings affecting weather across the globe) applies to human social interactions. Each smile you give today, or angry word you mumble, is influencing not only your life but the lives of those to whom you give little… Continue reading Your Unknown Value
Having a Soul in Business
I never wanted to work in the business world. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but professor, writer, bartender — all seemed more appealing than “Marketing Manager.” And yet, here I am, managing social media marketing projects (and loving my work, incidentally). So what was the fear anyway? Well, it still exists. I… Continue reading Having a Soul in Business
Gender Bending Elementary Kid
Yeah, so my son just wore press on nails to school today. I wouldn’t be a mother and a blogger if I didn’t post about it. International Motherhood code = not wanting child to suffer at the hands of the world, or most immediately, other children. So when the boy child — LGBT, future glam… Continue reading Gender Bending Elementary Kid
Honest Atheists
Love this article on New Atheism vs. the time honored Nietzsche and Camus and Larkin: http://theweek.com/article/index/241108/where-are-the-honest-atheists In addition to the authors insight that a secular world is not all progress and roses, I would like to add that I have trouble envisioning a moral world without religion. I simply do not have that kind of faith… Continue reading Honest Atheists
The Media Will Protect its Own
Sandy Hook has three major issues swarming around its center of grief — gun control, mental health care and the media. I take issue with the media. I hate the 24 hour news cycle. It exists to sell advertising and the best way to get viewers is to spread fear. Can this happen in your… Continue reading The Media Will Protect its Own
A Letter to My Older Self
I have no idea what it’s like to inch toward your last 10, 20, or 30 years. But people I love dearly are right there, right now, and I like to empathize and imagine it in my own life. I want to be ready to counter the challenges, which I believe include: Being devalued as… Continue reading A Letter to My Older Self
One Nation, Under God
It’s almost election time! Hairball. I hate politics, but I love history. So, I guess I like old politics because the emotion and sense of urgency has been drained out of it. Plus, one gets to act so clever through hindsight. I was doing research for my Barn Door Post about Manifest Destiny when I… Continue reading One Nation, Under God