A short list of things that made me happy today, in no particular order ( Read more... )

Yesterday was my dear husband's birthday, and you know what that means, right? CAKE! Cupcakes, this time around. He's watching his calories, so I figured a small batch of cupcakes fit the bill. You know how it is: if the sweets are there, they get eaten. If we finish it up quickly, there's no temptation! Definitely the way to go, even if it means ( Read more... )

Oh, internet, how I love you. You give me ideas and inspirations; sometimes I get excited and actually make those things happen. Let me just mention, again, how grateful I am for my very tolerant husband. He puts up with me! He nods and smiles when I show him my plans! He even sets aside skepticism when I say things like "painted wallpaper" and " ( Read more... )

Several hours a week, I help out in my kids' school library. The librarian has more than she can deal with, and honestly, I'm not sure how she could keep her head above water without a handful of parent volunteers. The kids at this school really, really like to read - and I'm happy to encourage that, even if it's just by re-shelving books so they ( Read more... )

Last time on "Words in My Life", we left you with lingering thoughts of shelves in closets... and how they come to be built by a lady who doesn't really know what she's doing. What better way to figure it out, though, right? ( Jump in, head first! )

It's best not to do the math. How long has it been since I've written anything other than a quick email here or there? So very long. At some point, the words just weren't there anymore; they sprouted wings and flew away. That was kind of scary, because writing has always been something that I did without question, without any external prompt. I ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

Those people on the internet who said they used a wire brush to remove grout from their tile were either lying or have a very different type of grout. I've spent a fair amount of quality time with the Dremel on the bathroom floor, and it's taking WAY too long. It gives me kind of a sick satisfaction to see tile after tile freed from the grout gone ( Read more... )

Max wants to dive into programming. Any suggestions on where he should start? Is BASIC too... well, basic, these days? He has been using Scratch for almost two years now, but mostly for simple animations and little movies. Should I help him find more complicated tutorials to move forward in that direction? Help me, nerd-friends. You're my only hope ( Read more... )

Poor Josh got no dinner tonight. Despite making extra casserole, there was none left after Max's five helpings and Khai's respective three helpings. I got one helping. Where do they put it all? They are so skinny! Seriously, how will I feed them once they are in junior high? I guess this will teach Josh to come home late-- you snooze, you lose ( Read more... )