Work in progress… deck stain

We bought our house with the knowledge that this deck needed some attention. First priority came last year when we had the front porch steps, that were literally held on by some lattice, replaced. This year, I took on the project by myself. Powering washing and scrubbing, then staining a 12-year-old, likely-never-touched deck. In one … Read more

“Blog-storming” a life plan

Now Distant Thoughts

“Blog-storming” a life plan Forming a plan. Not as easy as it sounds. I had this fantastic idea last night, that I just need to sit down and truly plan what I want out of my life. Hell!? Where do I begin? Short term? Long term? What aspect of my life? This isn’t a new … Read more

The Plan

Today was day one of my vacation. Last night I was thinking online status messages: “Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life, today just is…” I have said this so many times, and I know I am not alone is the thought processes: I need a plan. First and foremost I … Read more

Eye on the Prize ~ Reflecting on life as a single mom

When I first became a single mom, I turned to running to maintain my sanity. Single parenting has been a lot like endurance sport training. I must pace myself, sustain myself, take cut-back weeks and most of all, keep my eye on the prize. How do I pace myself at this? Sick kids, challenging behaviours, … Read more

Anti-focus

Sometimes a blank page is a curse. Where on earth do you begin? My life feels that way sometimes. Only it’s not a blank page, there are so many things written all over it, and I can’t focus on any of them. It’s like I have A.D.D. But only in the most abstract way. I … Read more

Children & divorce

I’m going to offer just a handful of my observations as a soon-to-be-divorced parent: children are far more insightful than we ever give them credit for; there are considerable differences in how siblings view their lives; as the primary parent with whom they reside for more than 85% of the time dad’s weekends when the … Read more