Practicing gratitude even when it is really hard

As someone who practices gratitude as a sort of religion - or as close to religion as this gal gets - I have to dig deep to reap that chunky muddy murky ultimately life giving reward. I am not blessed. I reap what I sow and I have sowed some shitty business along with all …

Summering and Mothering without Alcohol

The smell of bug spray permeates the air and the sunscreen bottles are eternally empty. We have to walk out the door 10 minutes before leaving to perform our elaborate spray routine before scooting to camp. Their caps are sweaty and their socks are muddy. The blow up pool has been rotated around he backyard …

Affirmations for kids (and adults too)

A few years ago I started doing affirmations for my kids each night at bedtime.  It was simple and you can read the post I wrote about it here - You are funny smart clever kind. I wrote that four years ago.  I remember when I started whispering these words in their ears at night, …