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I have spent the last 13 years of my life exercising. I fell in love with it in high school, studied it in college, and made it my favorite pastime as an adult.

For years, I worked out with number-specific goals in mind, usually related to my weight or dress size. I counted calories, tracked fat grams, and most recently, became obsessed with my ( Read more... )

I celebrated my 29th birthday this week. For me, it’s the last big hurrah, the last celebration before things turn serious, and the beginning of the last year I can claim age as a catalyst for irresponsibility. Once I turn 30, I expect to hear, "You’re 30. You should know better."

I’m not entirely afraid of 30. I’ve heard 30 is the new 20, or maybe ( Read more... )

Today is the third anniversary of our oldest son’s adoption. Placed in our custody at birth, Jeremy was legally adopted at six months old. Celebrating Adoption Days, or Gotcha Days, as some say, will be as important as birthdays in this house, complete with favorite meals, small gifts and special time with Mom and Dad.

It was only after Jeremy ( Read more... )

So here's what happened yesterday.

We had made loose plans to get together with James and Christy since Chuck didn't have to work. We said we'd call each other to firm things up sometime on Sunday. You know how it goes. Well, I began calling her around 10 a.m. No answer. Called James' cell phone. No answer. The day goes on.

I call around lunchtime ( Read more... )

When I found out our first child was going to be a boy, I knew it was a special gift just for me. I desired and hoped for a son. (To be more specific, I was terrified to have a girl, but that's an entirely different entry...)

As soon as Jeremy was born, a desire for another son was born as well. I used to think that I wanted a handful of children ( Read more... )

I watched an old rerun of Desperate Housewives today and a particular scene with the Scalvos struck me. It was a flashback to when their daughter was born and Lynette was in recovery from giving birth. In the hospital room, she expressed to Tom her desire to stop having more children, as Penny was No. 4.

"But we've been so happy," Tom petitions.

" ( Read more... )

Garlic burns easily, first birthday parties are overrated, and toys with flashing lights and music have no long-term appeal. These are just a few of the things I learned in 2004.

As my son and I were flying home from Chicago after a two-week stint at my sister’s house, I discovered that I learned much more this year than I realized. For example, ( Read more... )

Springtime means spring-cleaning and, in my case, a yard sale was long overdue. After 24 years of collecting junk, it was time for me to part with it.

I started thinking about having a yard sale when we moved into our house. Every other box was full of things I either forgot I had or haven't used in years. As I unpacked, I found things like my ( Read more... )

I consider myself to be someone of sound mind, a responsible nature, and a person who others look to for counsel.

But sometimes I just need to let loose.

This past weekend will be written down in history as a weekend I went wild. For only a few moments, I threw caution to the wind, tied my hair up, and held on tight. For the first time in my life ( Read more... )