In the car the other day, we were listening to a report about a women's shelter somewhere in the middle east. The woman who runs the shelter was telling the stories of some of the women who'd come to them, desperate and alone. Sometimes, she said, they didn't get to...

While I was trying to untangle a knot in a string Maddie brought me, she said, "Look on the bright side Mom." "And what, my dear, IS the bright side?" I asked. "If you can't do it, Daddy will be able to. 'Cause he's stronger than you."And then, because I'm stubborn...

I think I may need to build an office in the graveyard. Not just any graveyard - the graveyard where my son is buried.Whenever I need a little peace and quiet, and perhaps some clarity of thought, I visit his grave. It's become a bit of a ritual. I often take my...

Customer Service? Does ANYONE know what that means anymore? (Yes, I AM aware that I'm sounding like a grumpy ninety-year-old.)1. I have been trying ALL DAY (since about 9:00 this morning) to get through to the federal government's 1-800 number for the child tax...

I think I'll take this blogger up on his challenge. It's a good one.Anyone have their eye on any of my stuff? Let me know and I'll see if I have the guts to give it up.

I arrived at work late this morning, and just before I dashed over to the meeting I had to attend at the hotel next door, I glanced down at my shirt. There it was - the telltale sign of sadness. Snot on my shoulder. Little four-year-old snot from a sad little girl who...

This is what happens when a four-year-old learns to use a video camera.Videography: MaddieDirection: MaddieCamera-person: MaddieScript: MaddieStarring: MaddieSongwriting: Maddie

All over the internet, people are remembering 9/11. Though I’m a country away, and may not have been impacted as much as our neighbours to the south, I remember too.It was Nikki’s first day of kindergarten. Few thoughts were on my mind that morning, other than the...

- Although I'm not a very orderly person, I love order. I love it when all the pieces are lined up and fitted into their designated slots. I spent a little bit of time finding order in our lives this weekend - lining up the budget, cleaning house, doing laundry. I get...

Just thought I'd try this whole "Thursday Thirteen" thing on for size.1. When Nikki packs her school bags, she makes sure everything fits in an orderly fashion. Before she went to bed last night, she came to see me to list off all the things she'd packed to make sure...