Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

The “happy frog” shower curtains in Alex’s bathroom were replaced long ago by sleeker more sophisticated motifs, which now provide the backdrop for perfecting hair and applying prudent amounts of Axe products. Alex celebrated his 15th birthday at the beginning of this month and Nate and I have noticed that he’s developing into a compassionate,… Continue reading Kayaking: Now There’s a Wholesome Date Idea for Teens!

Plants scream in terror when I walk past them. I’m pretty sure of it. They’ve told one another—word traveling far and wide—that I kill plants. They know I mean well; I just don’t have that coveted green thumb, but darn it—I’ve got a hankering for cilantro and according to Washington State University’s “Home Vegetable Gardening… Continue reading The Cilantro is Calling! (Or Is It Screaming?)

A diabolically foul odor that not even the Scentsy people could erase sometimes stalks me—haunting me as I work—driving me insane—causing me to accuse people I love of things they didn’t do. Here’s an example: “Quit opening cans of tuna! Ugh! It stinks—all the way up here!” I shouted to Nate, from my upstairs office… Continue reading Rub-A-Dub-Dub, the Cat Needs a Scrub!

Magical blueberry bushes—free from scary bears and as tall as trees—really do exist, thanks to blueberry nymphs that rain down from the skies and sprinkle the earth with plump berry goodness. (At least, that’s my theory.) On Sunday morning, Nate, Alex, and I scampered through wide acres of the Mountain View Blueberry Farm in Snohomish,… Continue reading Getting Picky: It’s Blueberry Picking and Scone Season!

My yoga pants have witnessed more adventures than they were meant to see. They’ve endured the miles I’ve run and hiked. They’ve been pressed against the sticky seats of movie theaters, city buses, and my Subaru. They’ve even slept with me, doubling as pajamas. I’ve just never used them for their original purpose: yoga. That… Continue reading Yoga Pants Pep Talk: Rollin’ with the Flow in Yoga Class

Fireworks wars broke out in our neighborhood during the Fourth of July and our house was in the crossfire. To be fair, every house in the neighborhood was under attack. Sure, it was the most fantastic and free-of-cost fireworks display I’d ever seen in my life, but we were surrounded on all sides by burning,… Continue reading Fireworks Frenzy: Protecting the House on the Fourth of July

After the last square of toilet paper is gone, there’s no need to feel sad or anxious. I have great news: It is possible to actually extend the life of the toilet paper roll! Just turn the cardboard tube into a compostable bird feeder. I’ve actually seen this done recently at the Whidbey Island Fort… Continue reading Super Easy Bird Feeder: Seriously, You’ve Got This!

Dentists and swim meet volunteer coordinators have to answer similar questions: Will it hurt? How long will it really take? When will I be able to eat? On Saturday, I added another question: Have volunteer swim timers ever fallen into the pool during a meet? I asked my husband this question as we pulled into… Continue reading The Time of My Life: Serving as a Swim Meet Timer

“Thrilling,” “wobbly,” and “bouncy,” are not words I’d like to associate with a bridge—ever. I can’t remember a time when I’ve said, “Hey, should I take my child and husband across a wobbly structure or the one that mainly stays in place?” Yet, there I was: creeping along the 230-foot high “thrilling, “wobbly,” and “bouncy”… Continue reading Hanging On By A Dread: How I Survived the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Despite a Fear of Heights

Sporting Wonder Woman-themed underwear, red boots, a towel-cape, and an aluminum foil tiara, I ventured into the backyard to fight “villains” when I was eight-years old. I wanted to be strong and powerful like Wonder Woman, so I trained at gymnastics. Then, I just became super lazy in high school and college. After my junior… Continue reading Make Spicy Chicken Sandwiches to Grow Strong Like Wonder Woman