This week I have had two separate instances where something that I expected to have done could not be because of liability concerns. The first was when I contacted the Salvation Army to come and pick up a mattress we had purchased on Craigslist that ended up not being usable (long story). When the guys… Continue reading Liability
Category: Family
Black and white
I am not known for my love of the police. This dates back to a now infamous encounter my senior year at North Park with two of Chicago’s finest WHOM I FLAGGED DOWN one night a few blocks from my apartment. I had left my apartment to catch a cab when a creepy man started… Continue reading Black and white
Needed: perspective
Often I feel like life here is filled with sacrifice and costly choices. I can even focus on this at times and feel like the joy and life embedded in those things is not accessible or believable. It has been a strange season for me here in many ways. Having lived without many comforts and… Continue reading Needed: perspective
Happy Day
Let’s just say that my husband and four very dear friends pulled the most amazing surprise celebration for me for my birthday this weekend. Highlights included: • A song written by my husband with the repeated line: “Happy no-bun-in-the-oven-for-the second-time-since-the-weddin’ birthday” • Walking around downtown wearing a dinner roll with a big X drawn through… Continue reading Happy Day
T.G.I.F.?
Today has been one of those days and it is only 10am! I am always really careful about handling beverages on my desk: where I place them, what they sit on so as not to leave a ring, etc. This morning I dumped a large, hot cup of coffee all over my desk and legs.… Continue reading T.G.I.F.?
Preach for America
Everyone is familiar with “Teach for America”, where individuals are placed in underserved urban public school settings to live and teach for two years. This program attracts a variety of folks but holds an especially strong appeal to new and recent college grads, often from prestigious schools, who sincerely desire to use their gifts and… Continue reading Preach for America
An email I just received from one of my favorite people in the world who just discovered my blog:
I have spent the past 30 min reading your thoughts. In order to do so, I have had to do a substantial amount of yelling at my children. “Wipe your own bottom. I’m reading about spirituality.” “I can’t read about Christ’s call for love when you are jumping on the bed and singing.” Then it… Continue reading An email I just received from one of my favorite people in the world who just discovered my blog:
Top ten highlights from a long weekend in Florida
10. Sharing a house with two Chihuahuas, four canaries, and two of the largest cats I have ever seen9. Discovering that, in extreme heat and humidity, your eyes actually sweat 8. Living in a house with Tivo for five days 7. Sharing a backyard with a very large iguana 6. Eating Amy’s delicious “sauce” dinner,… Continue reading Top ten highlights from a long weekend in Florida
A new motivation to clean my house
You know how people say that you should always make sure you are wearing clean underwear in case you end up in an accident and are taken to the hospital? I have a new one: always make sure your house is tidy in case you have to call the police to come and do a… Continue reading A new motivation to clean my house
Welcome
A few days ago I wrote about how it feels to negotiate travel with two small children, and how I can feel like a nuisance or even an offense to those around me. Like the women seated in the row directly behind us on the plane. As soon as my body turned to begin the… Continue reading Welcome