Seriously, today was insane, and it’s only 11:30 AM! I had a full day so I dropped the kids off to the school a bit early. I needed to hit the ATM, but had received a notice saying our bank branch was closing and to go elsewhere. So I found another one to go to. It was inside a building, … Read More
This Mother’s Day Thing is a Mixed Bag
We love our mothers. Of course we love our mothers. But they drive us crazy. They raised us wonderfully/strangely/amazingly/poorly or they didn’t raise us at all. They fill us with love or hate or guilt or horror or remorse. We take care of them or they take care of us. Perhaps we have never met them. Perhaps we like it … Read More
Rest In Peace, Beautiful Thug Bunny
I don’t even know how to start this post. It’s a love story. Once upon a time I was looking at the local shelter’s website, and I found a picture of a black bunny with terrified eyes. The shelter had saddled him with the ridiculously unimaginative moniker “Shadow.” I told my best friend, the Angry Ginger, that I had found … Read More
Covering Hate With Love
This is something that happened last year, but I came across these pictures and wanted to share it. I find it more timely than ever. This is hateful graffiti that was left at my children’s elementary school. Yes, I know the original origins and meaning behind this symbol, but I think it’s a safe bet that when you see it … Read More
Miss Murder’s Black Philip Eye.
So this strange eye thing happened a few months ago. And it has changed everything. You might remember that I was nearly killed in July by a scorpion sting. Since then, I’ve had a few difficulties getting back on my feet. Nerve damage, twinges, mental fog, etc. It laid me pretty flat and it’s taken me quite a bit of … Read More
My Six-Year-Old Demonstrates what to do in the Case of an Active Shooter.
No parents should ever have to listen to this. No child should ever have to learn it. But this is the world we live in, and no matter how uncomfortable it is, we need to do what we can to keep them safe. This is Littlest, my baby, explaining what to do if an active shooter comes to her school. … Read More
Welcome to the Family, Marsh Cat!
Two years ago I met and fell in love with this beauty. He’s a gorgeous, skinny, fearful-yet-friendly rag doll cat whom the girls named Marsh. Because he’s fluffy, like a marshmallow, but he’s also a boy, and Marsh is a manly name, they explained. We also call him Mystery Cat. Murder Cat. Mom’s Boyfriend. Mr. E. Murder Paws. Baby. I call … Read More
Thank You, Delivery Workers! <3
I saw this somewhere, and the idea touched my heart. I wanted to thank those who were working so hard during this holiday season to bring us our packages. Every time I go outside, find a package, and see a missing treat, it feels like Santa has taken a bite out the Christmas cookies we left for him! It’s a … Read More
Christmas Gifts for Children with Special Needs
This is a toughie. It can be downright hard, because there are so many emotions tied up with the holidays. We have expectations. Christmas is supposed to be a time where we express our love and gifts are a way we do that. What if the child, who has special needs, doesn’t like their gift? What if they don’t play … Read More
2017’s More Realistic Holiday Newsletter
After reading a few glowing family newsletters, I am more inspired than ever to continue the tradition of the Yardley’s More Realistic Holiday Newsletter. If you ever wanted to see how we really live, this is the way to do it. And here we go! 2017 started with a bang and ended with a whimper. LUKE travels constantly for work, … Read More