Resolutions for 2018: “Excessively Diverted” in a Productive Way

Note about the featured photo: My husband gave me this perfect tote bag for Christmas. (I’m a Jane Austen geek, and I already have the “I [Heart] Mr. Darcy” tote bag.) “I am excessively diverted” is something Elizabeth Bennet says, but also what the invisible sign over my head says whenever I’m completely engrossed in…

Grinchy Christmas Musings and a Holiday Party to Remember

I was looking forward to impressing all of you with a heartfelt blog about how I found my Christmas spirit this year. Grinch No More! Maria the Reformed Elf Welcomes her 40th Christmas with a Renewed Sense of Peace and Love for All Humanity! Ah, if only. I don’t know what it will take to…

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Introduction to Another Creepy Love Story?

Star Wars: Episode VIII Movie Review — Are Rey and Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) Destined to Become Tragic Lovers? Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VIII—whatever you want to call it—opened last week and has already made a gazillion-jillion-quillion dollars, and your geeky best friends have already seen it five times, at least.…

Am I Too Old to Go Sledding?

Or Do I Just Suck at Sledding? Or Does Sledding Just Suck? I should have asked myself if I was too old to go sledding before I went sledding last weekend. My poor, aching neck and rear end are constant reminders of my sledding “fails.” Maybe what my husband says is true: My age isn’t…

Inexpensive, Classic Christmas Gift Ideas for Children: $10 or Less, No Batteries Required

These classic Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers will make the children on Santa’s “nice” list smile, and won’t break your holiday budget. Trendy electronic toys and gadgets are fun for a short time, but a lot of these less-expensive toys, games, and art supplies will delight and entertain children for years to come.    …

Where Did Mommy Hide My Christmas Presents?

A Guide for Curious Children Hi, kids! I’m very sorry to hear that you haven’t been able to find your hidden Christmas presents. Moms and dads are so annoying. Don’t you hate how they leave you with a boring babysitter and go shopping for hours and hours, and then hide your new stuff while you’re…

Thanksgiving Tidbits

Happy Thanksgiving! I have lots of excellent excuses for not writing very much this month, but no one wants to hear about my new job…You do? Really? Well, if you must know, I’m a “professional” proofreader now, which is fantastic, because I actually get paid to read stuff and correct all the errors I find.…

A Letter to My Future Robot Overlords

In response to Kevin Drum’s mind-blowing article, “You Will Lose Your Job to a Robot—and Sooner Than You Think” Every once in a while, I read something that shakes me to my core, forcing me to reconsider my life and my fundamental beliefs. Kevin Drum’s series of articles about artificial intelligence, most notably, “You Will…

Growing Up in the 1980s: Things My Kids Should Know About My Childhood (Part 4)

1980s Video Games, Computer Games, Board Games, and Playground Games Previous posts in this series: Part One—a brief discussion of my favorite 1980s movies, the Reagan presidency, and Michael Jackson Part Two—a fun look back on my favorite ’80s television shows and books Part Three—a trip into my old toy chest full of ’80s treasures…

Growing Up in the 1980s: Things My Kids Should Know About My Childhood (Part 3)

1980s Toys and Collectibles My whole family loves the Netflix series, Stranger Things, which is set in a small town in the early 1980s. While binge-watching Stranger Things 2 this weekend, I’ve gleefully pointed out Nancy’s Trapper Keeper, Dustin’s Three Musketeers bar in the white wrapper, and many other instances of retro product labels and…