Tag: gratitude

I think we’ve all witnessed people with bad behavior. I’m not talking about personal choices, I’m talking about treating someone poorly.

It turns my stomach to see someone hurting someone else with their words or actions. Many times, there is nothing we can do in the midst of the situation, but as this woman from central Wisconsin demonstrates, there is plenty ... Read More


How do you see yourself? Is the image you see in photos the same image you see in your mind?

Maybe you picture yourself being ten years younger, or ten pounds lighter, or ten shades less grey.

My friend, Andrea, sent me a photo from last week’s trip to San Diego. We were waiting for a yoga class when she looked at ... Read More


What’s on your mind? Are you excited about the possibilities of this new year? Or are you feeling like you need fewer problems and more solutions?

I’ll be honest, I spent a good part of Christmas break seeing the world’s problems and trying (unsuccessfully) to be the solution.

The harder I tried to be the answer, the trickier the questions ... Read More


There is a packet of hot chocolate sitting on my desk. I don’t care how cold the wind blows in South Dakota, I am determined not to drink it.

It’s not a weight loss or healthy eating thing. It’s a kindness thing.

I took my boys to Minneapolis for a weekend at the Mall of America to celebrate, well, nothing. We just ... Read More


Jordan, my 15 year old daughter, is learning to drive, so I had her give me a tour of all the hidden neighborhoods in Aberdeen this weekend. She’s a runner, so she has seen way more of this town than I have.

The grass is always greener in other people’s yards, so while we have only been living in our ... Read More


I told you I was shutting down my blog this summer as my family moves from Ohio to South Dakota, but I just gotta share something. Then I’ll go dark again, I promise.

We are temporarily living in a college rental house. Think keg parties and red Solo cups. Come August, this grand house will get all the excitement she can ... Read More


What are you remembering this Memorial Day?

Are you remembering to take the potato salad to Aunt Lucy’s picnic?

Are you remembering the people who have fought for our freedom?

Are you remembering the person who took a huge piece of your heart when he or she died?

I’ve been living on the edge of uncertainty for several months now. My basketball coaching husband ... Read More


Are you flipping out about life right now? You may be happy to know you’re not alone. I have some teacher friends who will tell you this time of year is wack-a-doodle. Frazzled nerves, to-do lists up the wazoo, and a strange combination of melancholy and glee.

Next, we have the parents who are planning graduation parties for their high school ... Read More


I know there are kind people all over the world, but there are certain things that come across my computer that leave me thinking, “That could only happen in North Dakota.”

Or maybe it’s a small-town thing. I don’t really know, but isn’t it nice to hear that goodness still exists in our communities and people will go out of their ... Read More


Are you okay? Is everything alright? Are you waiting for someone?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

The last place I expected to find myself last Friday night was on a curb outside a Speedway gas station in a town with no posted population.

But there I was. Desperately wanting to be home after a week on the road and instead stranded in a parking ... Read More