I ventured into the world of book (and blog) writing to fulfill a promise to my beloved mother-in-law. Sue's bright light was extinguished on December 2, 2010, after a valiant 13-year battle with breast cancer... just five month's after her first grandchild (my daughter) was born. Now as a mother, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, wife, and torch-bearer of a legacy, I paddle my boat, one wave at a time, toward that promise to her—and now to myself. In death as in life, Sue continues to motivate and inspire me. Follow me, and I'll do my best to pass the inspiration along. To life!
What has the year 2013 meant to you? For me, it’s been a year of trial and error, acceptance and surprises, joy and friendship. For my daughter, who turned three, it’s been a flagship year, too. She began to experiment with being her own person, complete with her own goals and opinions. (Oh, the opinions!) … More 2013: An Ode to Friendship
Sure, gifts are nice and all, but how do you really make someone happy? The GNH formula is a great place to start. That’s “gross national happiness,” as developed by Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck back in the ’70s. It’s rather fascinating (see the video below, if you want to know more), but the gist is that: … More Make Someone Happy
My mom came up with the “hour gift” idea when I was 12. At first I absolutely hated the idea. But with time, it’s grown to be one of my favorite holiday memories. And now it’s a tradition for my own little family. Maybe it could help slow down the Christmas craziness at your house, too. The … More Hour Gifts
Ready to throw that list to the wind and enjoy the last few days of the holiday season? Here are five ideas for some free Seattle holiday fun. Bundle up, have a cocoa, and most of all, get out there and be merry! Life is too short to stress over cookie exchanges and finding a gift for … More Free Seattle: Holiday Fun
No, really. Here’s a full list of affordable, wow-worthy ideas for everyone on your list. It’s my gift to you, so you can put that research and shopping time toward a warm bath and good book. Don’t believe me? This should about cover it, right? Kids 3-8 Kids 9-12 Teenagers Collegiates and Twenty-Somethings Moms Dads Grandparents … More Ideas for Everyone on Your List
As many of you know, this blog began because of Sue. I needed a positive way to cope with grief, new motherhood, and the task of teaching my child about the amazing grandmother she’d never know. My hope was to help other parents as well. Szaba was five months old when Sue passed, so for several years, that … More The Hard Part Begins
Yep, you heard me right. Criticism is awesome. It may go against our very nature and need for acceptance, but “attaboys” don’t really get us anywhere. If anything, they give us a false sense of security and a tendency to relax and let things happen as they will. Great things don’t happen as they will. Have … More Criticism Is Awesome
It’s the holiday equivalent to the car chorus, “Are we there yet?” Is it [insert special occasion] yet? Let’s face it. Kids have a different sense of time than us, and understandably so. Think about how long one month is as a percentage of their entire existence, compared to ours as adults. Now perhaps you … More Countdown
Three years ago today, we lost Sue. It hardly seems real when stated so bluntly. And yet there it is. The facts belying a long journey of emotional pitfalls, resilient hopes, and surprisingly strong motivation. On the first anniversary, I wrote that it “wrung my soul out to dry.” That emotion has mellowed over time, though it … More 10 Things in Honor of Sue
As a thank you for your support and readership over the past three years, I’ve rounded up a feast of holiday ideas—crafts, dinner party fun, and hostess gifts—in one handy post. You have plenty to take care of. Let me help check something off of your list. Then, take that extra time to really be … More A Feast of Holiday Ideas
My Castle Heart Publications 