First Baby I Loved – Journey to Motherhood, Part 1

children tell us why we can try

When I was a child, I didn't think too much about motherhood or becoming a mother myself.  I suppose I knew I would have a baby one day, because that's what girls seemed to do, but I never planned it out. I did play with dolls though, and there were a few I loved. One of my babies had a hard plastic face with swath of painted yellow hair curling on its forehead.  It was stuffed hard and wore a yellow and white check outfit.  The doll, including the outfit, was all one piece.  Nothing was removable, not even the head.  That hard head had a harder plastic zip-tie-like piece holding it … [Read more...]

Best of 2012

February Collage

I was two completely different people in 2012.  That's what I took away from reviewing this year on my blog.  Good grief!  The first three months of the year were depressing.  Thank you for sticking it out. I'm joining Musings of A Housewife for a 2012 Recap.  Visit for more of your favorite blog's reviews of this past year. And here is the button code: Today we're skipping January altogether.  It was that bad. The Day My Cell Phone Aged Me This past weekend I lost my cell phone.  Since it was my birthday, I chalked it up to age and hoped my next mishap wasn’t losing my … [Read more...]

Family Tree – DIY

Me & My Mother-in-Law

This weekend we attended a family reunion for my husband's side of the family.  We had tons of fun and ate the most amazing food all day long, but what really impressed me was that my husband's cousin came up with the idea of making a family tree.  She's a genius.  I looked all over facebook for a photo of her at the family reunion and I couldn't find a good one.  My mother-in-law commissioned me to take photos, but I had to use her 35mm disposable camera, so I don't have the photos from it. To be honest, I couldn't remember how to use the stupid thing.  I mean, film?  What's that?  … [Read more...]

Heart of A War Bride

vintage war bride ring of love

Today I am linking with a Mom2MemphisAndRuby for Thrifty Finds Link Party. Hope over and see lots of other great finds...after you read this post and see mine. ;-) My name is Ade Johnson.  I was born in Brooklyn, New York  on a warm summer's night in 1920.  I am the oldest of four children, three of us girls and my brother, Patrick.  He was drafted nine months ago and his last letter arrived in October, eighty-three days without correspondance.  My mother sits in her room and cries for hours.  My sister's can't understand her melancholy, but I know. Now, I do know. I met Jim at … [Read more...]

I’m Having a Baby: My Pregnancy Story

My Pregnancy Story

    I remember the year of my second pregnancy as the waddle and wail.  Showing at two and a half days into conception, I walked like a duck for a full forty weeks.  Near the end, I had to arch my upper half so far backwards that I feared I would never again remember how to walk fully upright. I was an anomaly – the hunchback in reverse. Crying on the table in the examining room, I repeatedly begged my doctor to induce me.  My baby had to be unhappy since she was folded into an envelope sealed with amniotic fluid; however, my doctor was hardened by the hormones of … [Read more...]

DIY Canvas Photos

DIY Canvas Photo tutorial

Today I'd like to welcome Alissa from The Illiterate Author.  We go way back to the long-ago days in Maine when I had teeny little babies.  Alissa is an inspiring young woman who has bouquets of good things to offer blogland.  I'm so happy she's here to share this DIY project with us. Welcome Alissa! *Clap Hands Now* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I love canvas photos. I love how they turn memories into art, and special pictures into masterpieces.  I love them, but at $30 a pop for an 8x10, they don't … [Read more...]

The Things Kids Remember

rainbow sprinkled donut

It's funny what kids remember.  The best memories are the ones parents least suspect.  My fondest childhood memories are: Homemade pizza on a snow day After-school walks with my grandmother that too often took us to a pizza place Playing Othello with my grandfather Stopping for a Wendy's Frosty after my orthodontist appointments Picnics in the park Summer days in my cousin's pool Going to work with my uncle and then stopping at Friendly's for the biggest sundae they served Illegal fireworks on the fourth of July Watching the A-Team with my family None of these memories are … [Read more...]

Summer is Synonymous With Swim

sharkweb

Some things transport me to summer even on snowy days when the windchill plummets temperatures below freezing.  The smell of sunscreen warms my heart and thaws my chilly mood.  I should skip the Vitamin D during the long gray days of winter and simply sniff sunscreen.  Seasonal Affective Disorder doesn't stand a chance against SPF30. Like sunscreen, the sound of an ocean's roar calms my soul and brings summer fun to the forefront of my mind.  I love laying sand-side while I watch my children jump through the frothy break of salt water. Green.  I don't see it all winter, but when I … [Read more...]

Experience The Thrill of Indoor Camping

0629111757

I spent many summer nights in my childhood room with sheets spread from corner to corner, a coat stand propped in the center to keep the entire tent from collapsing on my slumbering head.  My kids are carrying on the tent-making tradition.  They spent last night on the floor between chairs and under blankets.  My daughter said she had a very good sleep.  My son said he slept so well he even dreamed. The only real camping experience I have is making blanket tents in the house.  I've not slept under the stars, nor have I gone potty while propped up by a tree.  I haven't made dinner over … [Read more...]

The Road Trip that Made me Wash My Daughter’s Mouth with Soap

caprice

Today I'm over at An Army of Ermas reminiscing about everything but the kitchen sink.  Come join me on a road trip from Maine to Florida and hear about the totally gross and completely disgusting thing FringeKid did on a trip to the bathroom. After that lead, who would wouldn't want to go read my story! For me, road trips began... My brother and I eagerly climbed up into the back of our 1977 burgundy Oldsmobile Station Wagon.  Because vacations of my childhood always began in the pre-twilight hours when most of the world was tucked into their beds, my parents folded down the back … [Read more...]