ArchivesJanuary, 2009

My kids' interest in classic rock has been fueled in large part by playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero with their friends.  Even the first-grader gets into the act.  He likes to do his "Phil Collins" impression:  lead singer and drums at the same time.  Naturally, the older kids are mortified by his antics, but Continue Reading

I actually enjoy doing laundry.  It's a very satisfying chore--at the end of it, you have baskets of nice clean stuff waiting to be put away.  And waiting.  And waiting. I'm good at doing the laundry--but not at getting it put away.  Worse, the kids seem to have inherited the same tendency.  I'll write down Continue Reading

Last week I was sitting here "on hold" with my husband's doctor. He asked me to call and reschedule an appointment he has for early next week.  So I was listening "to the entire menu as our options have changed..." (the menus always say that. But the options always sound the same to me! And Continue Reading

Remember that commercial from the 80s where the woman says to her friend, "Shopping and I...have a love-hate affair"? That's me. The LOVE:  I enjoy grocery shopping and I particularly like it when I get to do that job solo. I enjoy making my list, checking it twice, finding the right coupons to match with Continue Reading

I appeared on Jeopardy! on October 31, 1995. Not being Ken Jennings, I came in third on my first (and only) appearance on the show. But I did OK, despite the obtuse categories like "Texas Airports" (HUH?) The only question I got wrong was Final Jeopardy (who cares about the U.N. anyway?) and I even Continue Reading

Just for fun, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on movies. I don't often get to see a movie in the theater, and I don't feel like I'm missing much.  In fact, I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater that didn't involve Sponge Bob or a Muppet or Continue Reading

You know you're getting old when your children and their friends are following the same fads that you wished you could follow when you were a kid--but Mom wouldn't let you.  Suddenly, young athletes are running around in short shorts and tall socks--with big colorful stripes just below the knee.  Remember those?  You could get Continue Reading

One of the benefits having a computer is the ability to keep in touch with people you don't see often--or haven't seen in years. I originally joined facebook so that I could spy keep my eye on my teenage son, since he was on that site, sharing photos with friends.  I've recently discovered that I Continue Reading

Books are great for nosy people like me.  The other day I wandered around in a big bookstore, coffee in hand, browsing through the nonfiction section and the tables featuring special topics.  I could easily have spent the entire afternoon there.  If I had more time, I would have taken a teetering pile of books Continue Reading

It's the first day of a brand new year, and I know I'm not alone in resolving to get a little more physically fit this year. Yes, it's time to put aside the "breakfast of champions" I've been eating during this holiday week.  That would be Christmas cookies and bacon, with coffee.  Delicious, but hardly Continue Reading