Getting prepared for the next "BIG ONE"
 I’m ashamed to admit that we’ve never discussed disaster preparedness or emergency plans with Darius.  I’m not sure if it is because, when he was little, it was OUR job to make sure he stayed safe if there was an earthquake or fire.  I’m also sure that we’ve gotten lazy and complacent.  Where we live in Northern California, there hasn’t been a big disaster since the ’89 Quake.  Yes, there’ve been fires – but not where we live.  There’s been mudslides – but not

Remembering my Grandfathers on Veteran's Day
Both of my Grandpa's were military men.  Both grew up dirt poor in the rural South.  Both knew what it felt like to go hungry.  Both felt the military was the only option to pull themselves out of deep poverty. My mom's dad, Skip, was a career Navy man. He enlisted in the Navy when he was just 17.  He loved everything about the Navy - even boot-camp.  I remember my Grandpa saying that it was the first time in his life that he felt like home.  Three square meals a day, a cot to sle

If I wasn't so environmentally conscious, we'd eat on paper plates
You know it's gonna be a long week when you go to bed with a clean sink and the dishwasher running, but then wake up to this It's like the mother's edition of The Twilight Zone.  Finish cleaning the sink and dirty dishes reappear immediately. It's enough to make any sane person go out of their mind.  I wouldn't be surprised if the reason that centuries ago when doctors recommended labotomies to women that those women had gone crazy from the housework alon

Should companies promote charitable giving?
My spouse called me from his office on Monday to tell me to arrange for a sitter (aka Grandpa) to watch our son on Thursday night. He was just invited to a wine tasting event where some of his company’s executives would be attending. I could tell that he was excited at the opportunity and anxious that his individual contributor title would interfere in networking with Senior Directors and Vice Presidents. While one of my strengths is being able to work a room and make lots of small talk, my spouse is more

Granny panties
In a crowded restroom... "Mom, why does your underwear go so high." "Because I like it that way." "You want your belly button covered?" "Yes.  Now sshhh." "Are you afraid that people are going to poke your belly button?" "No, Darius.  I'm quite certain that no one is going to poke my belly button." "Well I think you have some growing up to do, Mom.  Your undies are WAY TOO BIG."