While I like the idea of of the Elf on the Shelf and see the fun behind it, I have decided to ban the elf on the shelf from my home. I find these 7 reasons against it too compelling to invite this little doll into the house. What is the Elf on the Shelf? You buy a kit that has a book and a small doll that looks like an elf. (The Santa kind, not the Tolkien kind. If it were the Tolkien kind, I'd have 20.) The books sets up the situation: The elf gets its Christmas magic when you record the name you give him/her on the certificate in the back of the book. Then the elf watches the children all … [Read more...]

I’ve been suffering with a disease for most of March. This sickness is rampant, and it doesn’t care who you are or what you do. And while illnesses like the bird flu and influenza hit the headlines, this one is only whispered about, leaving the person who gets it stunned, helpless and isolated. What is it? Quiticitis. Quiticitis grows silently, undetected, until it takes over, and there’s a fight for your life to get rid of it. Think you might have it? Take a look.  People Who Get Quiticitis Anyone who is working on a big dream is a target. This disease will stalk you like a lion … [Read more...]

A gift I received for Christmas has shaped my New Year’s resolution. And no, my husband wasn’t foolish enough to buy me any sort of exercising equipment for my present. My one and only resolution for 2014 originates from a simple gold necklace. In the flurry of Christmas, I almost missed the significance of what I had received. My husband and I were on an eight day trip which took us from Montana to Kansas with 20 plus hours in the car, 3 hours on airplanes, and 6 hours of mindless waiting in airports, and 2 winter storms. But somehow through all of this activity, I had time to ponder … [Read more...]

My Grandpa told me that it is best to be pessimistic because you are either right or pleasantly surprised. With Thanksgiving approaching, I have decided to follow his advice and take a different approach to the season by trying to list all the things that I am not thankful for. After contemplating this for several days, I came across an incredible discovery. I can't think of one thing in my life that I am not thankful for.  My sleepless nights mean that I have a healthy girl in my house. Pain and sickness mean that I am still alive and kicking. An empty bank account means that there is food … [Read more...]

Halloween gives me the creeps. I realize that this is the basically the heart of Halloween, but I hate almost everything that surrounds us this time of year. I often feel like just hiding until it's all over because nowhere is safe. Rent a movie and all you see is horror. The costume aisle in Walmart is just as terrifying. Even our local grocery store is selling horrible looking decorations. And if it's not scary, then it's sexy. Sometimes I don't know what's more horrifying - a zombie costume or a sexy witch costume for 5 year old girls. I'm worse about it now that I have a daughter. I … [Read more...]