At church this Sunday, I got several compliments on my western-themed costume. Folks thought it was perfect for the Dolly Parton song (“Wildflowers”) that I played percussion on. Someone even asked if I had rented it from a costume shop.  I loved the positive attention and feedback. But I wasn’t wearing a costume. I was…

Even though this is just a two person play, sometimes I’m not the co-star. Sometimes, I’m not even on stage.  After 30 years of marriage, I’m just starting to learn the lesson that sometimes, Chad isn’t thinking about me.  This may sound a little harsh, but it’s actually rather freeing. This shift in perspective is…

There are some things that I move quickly on (maybe too quickly): Replying to an email, buying tickets to a concert, blaming Chad for something. But for other things, I can put off making a decision or taking action for a long time.  I often delay making purchases. It’s not because I’m not materialistic–I like…

Chad’s quest to become a minister was almost thwarted by my chip eating habits.  “WHAT are you doing?!” he recently asked as I was digging around in a chip bag trying to retrieve the smallest chip bits.  He wasn’t exactly disapproving–just deeply confused. So confused that I could see his brain shutting down. He was…

This year I took my birthday observance to a new level (not saying in which direction) and decorated a birthday tree. My birthday tree was initially our Christmas tree. We broke with our tradition and put up an artificial tree this year. I was excited by this change–I didn’t think Chad would be up for…

I had high hopes for my recent vacation to Mexico for Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna music festival, but I never dreamed I would experience the enchanting sight of a crowd batting around small inflatable horses.  We were watching the band Muna perform their song “Anything But Me,” which opens with the awesome lyric “You’re…

I just bought a fanny pack. I don’t know who I am anymore. Okay, I do know who I am. I’m a middle-aged lady who is about to embark on a vacation to Mexico to attend Brandi Carlile’s music festival, and I got sucked into a time vortex at Target trying to find gear* at…

I ran 1770 miles in 2024.  Whoo-hoo? I won’t humble brag–I am proud of this achievement. I think this is the most miles I have ever run in a year. But I also know this may not have been the best use of my time and effort. It took me slightly over 290 hours, which…

I sincerely thought my life was in danger.  It was June 2011, and Chad and I had just climbed up a mountain in Scotland. It was extremely windy, so windy that I literally had difficulty standing up in the wind. The wind blew me down at least once. It was also extremely foggy, so I…

Me: “It’s impossible to find underwear at Target that isn’t thongs or boyshorts!” Chad: “I think you’re exaggerating.” Of course I was exaggerating, but I was extremely frustrated. I had just spent soooo looong at Target looking at underwear, and I despaired that all my time and effort had been wasted. (I spent even more…