So. This isn’t something I usually write or talk about here, but depression has been an on-and-off companion of mine for a very, very long time and we’ve recently hooked up again. Naturally, I’m not to pleased about it. Depression can take over every single thing in your life, sapping it of even the simplest pleasures. Yesterday, we went pumpkin picking. It was a beautiful day on the North Fork of Long Island. The kids had fun. I think. (more…)

My son Bjørn is motivated by money & always has been (he routinely beats us all at Monopoly). This morning he started his day by asking if I would pay him again to rake the leaves under our large Maple. The boy remembered that last year I’d been rather green and over-paid — by a lot. (more…)

I’m writing from a Bed & Breakfast in Washington, DC today & even though this is a quick business trip, I’m still thinking about my little family an awful lot.

When work takes me away from home I make a point of making sure all the laundry is done & the kitchen as tidy as I can get it (I am not a naturally tidy person), and I write up a list for Tomas of all the things the kids have going on — even though I know he doesn’t really need it. (more…)

Kimberly Grommes and Heedan will be hearing from me today so I can arrange to send them their very own copies of Klutz’s Paper Fashions Fantasy. I love giving things away

To select today’s winners I plugged in the entries I received into Random.org and clicked to randomize nine times (in honor of my son Bjørn’s ninth birthday), the first two listed won.

School started up again this week for the kids, and amazingly, did so without too much drama. The night before Day One, we talked to the kids about the new routine over dinner and everyone got to contribute to the planning & final decisions. I have to say (with a huge sigh of relief!) that this schedule looks like it’s going to work for us. Hooray! (more…)