I admit I am not always the most optimistic person you’ve ever met. Sometimes, I see the half-empty glass and become convinced it’s closer to a third. I’m not always shocked if things don’t turn out how I want them to. On the flip side, I can then enjoy...

My parents are flying in today, and I couldn't be more excited. I love having my parents come to stay. When my kids were little, my parents coming meant that Nana and Papa were also coming, and they were bringing gifts, clothes and distraction. They were babysitters, advisors, and...

They say leading by example is one of the most important ways to teach your child about money management. So I've already put my kids behind the curve, I guess. Managing money is not my strong suit, probably because a) I don't like math, b) I'm a teacher, and...

To all of the people braving the airport in Puerto Vallarta this holiday season, I salute you. We can salute each other, actually, because I’m spending a bit of time there myself during December and January with family coming and going. It’s not easy navigating inside or outside this...

I'm typing this on Christmas Eve as my husband watches The Grinch Steal Christmas on TV, my daughter sleeping beside him on the couch. The Christmas tree is softly lit before me, guarding the wrapped gifts underneath. Best of all, my son is upstairs in his room after five...

It never fails when you are a parent, am I right? You get past MILE ONE in your car, and a sweet little voice pipes up, "I have to go to the bathroom! It's a 'mergency!" Or you spend all evening and patience and tears doing the math homework...

I don’t keep a journal as such. I suppose I would consider this column a sort of journal, although I’ve heard that journals are supposed to be private. Meh. So much for privacy. I like to write with my audience in mind. I picture them as the people dug...

This past weekend we almost lost our little terrier/chihuahua/something-we-can’t-quite put-our-finger-on dog, Max. Actually, we DID lose our little street rescue for a while, but he’s back now. He’s ever-so-slightly worse for wear, but right where he should be. He’s been sleepy, but to be quite honest, that’s not a...

I had the best Christmases as a child, with all the great traditions you can imagine. Cutting down the tree in the woods (once, before my dad almost buried an ax in his own shin), shortbread, Bing Crosby’s Christmas album on the record player; we did it ALL. I...

I vividly remember being sick as a parent with young children. I think the experience must be like army boot camp. You stumble through the day, muddy and exhausted, with body parts aching, but there’s no rest. And that’s because a drill sergeant is shrieking in your face making...