Posts by Jennifer Dougan
Car Conversations and Teen Talks
She climbed into the back seat of my car two weeks ago. “How was your day?” I asked. Short brown hair falling into her eyes, she buckled her seat belt as we drove away. After a few minutes of conversation, my teen daughter burst out, the story tumbling from her lips. Someone had made barbed…
Read More5 Sure Signs You Haven’t Been Working Out Consistently
1.) You have to introduce yourself to the new childcare staff when you drop off your son. 2.) The baby diapers in your work out bag are two sizes too small. 3.) Your locker lock is still at home in your “Let’s go to the outdoor pool!” bag alongside sunscreen bottles. 4.) Counting laps around…
Read MoreAutumn is Here: Children’s Homework and Pumpkin Pies
Are your windows flung wide open too? Crisp autumn air streams through my windows, almost making us cold. Navy storm clouds hover in the horizon teasing with their threat of storm. My two teens lean over the kitchen table, working on a history project together, speaking of the Mayflower, William Bradford and the New Plymouth…
Read MoreRomance in the Moment to Moment –Plus Free Information & Free Giveaway!
The first aisle or two had hors d’ouevres– small, savory, bites of all types. Next we ambled through the aisles with main dish samples. Stroganoff, pizzas and sandwiches. With a few more aisles to go, we were thrilled to discover that for this store’s anniversary extravangaza, there were even dessert samples! A college professor passed…
Read MorePotty Trips and Persistance
He reached down and with one flash flip of his hand, he sprinkled me and the wall behind me with wet droplets. Euuuh! It was my fault. Trying to be efficient, I had left an old pull up in the potty chair, to act as a sponge for fast clean up. My preschooler, surprised by…
Read MoreA Peek into a Last Summery Weekend
My brother flew in from out of state this last week and stayed with our family for five days. With my parents and sister, we were the “Original Five” again, sharing laughter, conversation, endless games of Rook, bike rides, picnics, and boccee ball with our extended families. One day, we drove up to a rural…
Read MorePlaying Phone Tag With the Police
Nine or ten days ago, the local paper posted a cryptic one-liner in its Police Beat section. “A camera and video recorder, reported stolen from a garage in the 2400 block of _______, were later returned to the owners with a note.” The freelance writer in me perked up instantly. A mystery! Who took the…
Read MoreYou Had Me at …Avocados
He was waiting outside the bathroom door for me, flowers in one hand and two avocados in the other hand. I grinned and kissed him, pulling him close. It was our wedding anniversary, and my husband was speaking romance to me in my own language. Having lived overseas for many years as a kid, I…
Read MoreCaptain, My Captain … and God as the Greatest Psychologist
Okay, some feedback from yesterday’s post reminded me that you may not know me well enough for me to not explain myself. Yesterday’s post spoke of me threatening and forbidding my husband and being critical of him. That’s wrong of me, obviously, and partly tongue in cheek! And actually in our house, my husband is…
Read More“Fine, But Like a Spy!”
I begged him. I cajoled. I bargained. I threatened and forbid him. Finally I caved, “Fine, but like a spy!” Tiptoeing away, my husband braved the gauntlet. For the last four weeks, midnight fiascos have been occurring at our house. My family’s late night trips to the bathroom are waking up our three year old.…
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