One of the first things I learned as a child was to say, “please” and “thank-you.” It was important to my parents that I learn good manners at an early age. I liked having good manners. Is that no longer a thing? I am beginning to wonder if respect has been removed from the dictionary because it certainly appears to be missing in our society…
I have always been a proponent of celebrating birthdays in a big way. Why not? It’s the anniversary of the day you were born, and that’s pretty special as far as I am concerned. Mostly, it’s an excuse to go out to dinner (or have someone make you dinner) and imbibe in a big fat piece of cake. Who doesn’t like that…
It’s mid-January and my house feels naked. Gone are all the wonderful, glittery, Christmas decorations that made our home feel cozy. The house no longer smells like pine. Our cookie tins are empty and already packed away. I think I am suffering from Christmas withdrawals. Is that a thing? I feel sad. My son and I respectively returned to school and work last week. My husband resumed…
This is a guest post written by my daughter, Erin Rederscheid. Tis’ the season of giving everyone! Malls are packed, postal services are open late, and people are busy trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. The holiday season is filled with material things and how many presents’ my budget can buy, but is that the true meaning of the giving season?  …
In some ways, I feel like I am part of a secret cult. Years ago, I was approached to join a women’s book club. They had already met two times, so I was a couple of books behind when I started. I have to admit I was a bit intimidated. I only knew a few of the women in the club, so I thought it would be an…
It’s that time of year that we are inundated with gym membership commercials, miracle pills that melt fat away and financial gurus promising to get us out of debt. Advertisers are playing on our emotions and banking on us wanting to begin 2020 with new goals/resolutions. Most people that make new year’s resolutions target exercise, losing weight and handling money better as their main goals…