My very first diary, from fourth grade, was an American Girl-branded notebook that only provided a handful of lines to write about my day. A few decades later, I easily fill three to five-ish pages every day, even though I only spend about 15 minutes a day journaling. It’s a practice that has gotten me through life in more ways than one. When I don’t know what to think about a situation? I … [Read more...]
Oops, Daisies, and Plot Twists: My Life as a Writer
I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest childhood memories is of me, sitting at a desk in my third-grade classroom, flipping through a hardcover encyclopedia for the letter ‘S,’ because I wanted to research the sun for a short story I was working on. I’d even asked my teacher, Mrs. Engle, to let me stay inside during recess so I could work. Despite the … [Read more...]
Letter to My Son as He Kicks Off Travel Soccer
Hey there, Buster, I’m going to be honest: this is brand-new territory for me. It’s no secret that I was never very athletic as a kid or, frankly, ever… unless we’re playing catch, and then I can catch just about anything you throw near me. To top it off, your sister’s sports are ones I’m familiar with: softball and gymnastics. But soccer? And a travel team no less? Like I said: Brand. … [Read more...]
Reflections on 2022: Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going
Let me start this by saying: this blog isn't going anywhere. I may be sharing my reflections on 2022, but I also recognize that it's been a loooong time since I've posted to my Oops & Daisies blog. A whole lot has changed since I last wrote and shared a post on here, nearly a year and a half ago. But I think just about everyone can agree that, over the last few years, little has gone as … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Taking a Road Trip with Kids
My family and I recently got back from a two-week vacation up in northern Michigan - my happy place! It’s a trip we make often since my family owns a rental home there. While we always have a wonderful time, it’s not a quick drive by any means: we’re looking at a minimum of 4.5 hours, and that’s if there’s no traffic… or tantrums from the kids along the way. Over the years, I've braved … [Read more...]
