Search Results for: topic tag tells

Stages of Grief-Bargaining

Over the past few days I have presented two other stages of grief; Denial and Anger. At some point both children and adults will come to the realization that their anger over the death of a person or pending divorce is just not netting any positive results. When the pain of reality becomes too much to bear, often people will attempt to bargain their way through a situation. Children are especially vulnerable during this stage as they plead with mommy or daddy to not get divorced. They make promises such as, “I will take out the garbage every day, and … Continue reading →

Captain America: The Noblest Avenger

“Avengers, Assemble!” With these words, Captain America calls together the many scattered members of Marvel Comics’ crime-fighting squad. It’s appropriate, then, that Captain America is the subject of Marvel Studios’ last superhero flick before next summer’s “Avengers” ensemble piece. When first perusing the list of this summer’s comic book films I figured I’d give “Captain America” a pass. The straight-laced always-been-a-do-gooder Steve Rogers (the Captain’s alter ego) has less character development than some of his more conflicted counterparts, and thanks to an overabundance of History Channel specials on the topic I’m currently experiencing a little of World War II-era ennui. … Continue reading →

Beware the Green Eyed Monster: How Jealousy Can Impact Your Blended Family

I tiptoed up to the topic, believing that most of us are pretty sensitive about it: “Sometimes step parents feel…I don’t want to call it jealousy, but…” at which point Kelly, eight years into her step mom experience, interrupted, “Oh, you can call it jealous! I was definitely jealous!—of a six year old, no less!” We were talking about what can often become a defining dynamic between children and step parents, and consequently, a divisive issue for a biological parent and their spouse. It’s not an emotion many of us are willing to cop to, especially if the trigger is … Continue reading →

Gardens Reveal so Much

It’s always good to branch out into other areas. That’s what I’m doing as I come to join you on the Home blog. Up till now, I’ve been writing for Marriage and Christian Family and I will still be doing that, but Michele thought I might like to contribute some ideas about home, so here I am. I’m planning on doing some articles about gardening. Gardening? I hear you say, as anyone who knows me knows me or has been reading my other blogs, know I don’t do gardening. But I do love gardens and do have a lot of … Continue reading →

Tips for Starting Conversations

The two situations I wrote about yesterday started me thinking and I suspect I’ve also been guilty in the past of shutting people down with my answers. So, here are a couple of guidelines for initiating conversations 1. Don’t ask people – ‘What do you do?’ Even though experts say this is a good question, I disagree. It sounds to me too much like pigeonholing and tacking a label on. This question was one that used to make me run for cover when I was a stay-at-home Mom. It made me feel in the eyes of professional men and women … Continue reading →

Why am I so Sore?

Typically, I hit my marathon wall around mile 18. That’s when my legs feel like heavy wet logs en route to a paper mill’s pulp masher. For years I blamed my pain and stiffness on lactic acid. Lactic acid. If you run, lift weights or simply know someone who does, then you are probably familiar with the term. Heck, even my cousin, who complains about strolling to the end of the driveway to fetch the newspaper, knows about lactic acid thanks to a marathon volunteer, who insisted he bring me over to the massage tent post race so I could … Continue reading →

Book Review: Adoption is a Family Affair–What Family and Friends Must Know

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Prolific adoption writer Patricia Irwin Johnston is herself an adoptive parent of three. Her husband and sister-in-law were also adopted. Pat has been a writer, speaker, educator and advocate on adoption topics for nearly 20 years. While moderating an internet support group for waiting parents, she found many prospective adoptive parents reporting insensitive comments and myths about adoption that they were hearing from family members. Many waiting parents also noted that people didn’t seem to know what to say when they announced that they were adopting, and that before and after the baby arrived they didn’t have the traditional supportive … Continue reading →

What is Faithbooking?

Enter into a whole new world of scrapbooking. It gives you hope, it helps you have faith and it gives you a new perspective on life and how you choose to live it. It’s called Faithbooking and it has brought people who have never scrapbooked before into the world of cute embellishments and papers. What is Faithbooking? Faithbooking is a method of scrapbooking that provides you a visible reminder of your faith, why God loves you, what blessings your family holds because of Him and a whole new perspective and reminder of His love and grace. There have been dozens … Continue reading →

Marie Osmond—Her Lips are Flapping But is Anything Coming Out?

Here we go again… Apparently, there are very few stars in Hollywood who understand that there are benefits to remaining mum on certain topics. No, discretion is not a celebrity strong point and Marie Osmond is a perfect example. The former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant has decided the world would be a better place if we all knew how she felt about the Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair picture brouhaha. Yesterday, Osmond went public blaming Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus for leaving his 15-year-old daughter alone during the photo shoot (F.Y.I. Miley’s grandmother and teacher remained with the teen when … Continue reading →

A Passion for Rhodesians: An Interview with Author Maris Soule

I’m kicking myself for not getting my tail in gear and publishing this interview last week. Posting romance (and mystery) author Maris Soule’s interview on Valentine’s Day would have been mighty apropos. Ah well, I goofed. But…at least it’s still being posted in February, the month of love. That works. What does Maris love? (Besides writing.) Well, I’ll give you a hint. They’re often furry, four-legged, and what us other pet lovers love…our animals! Below she tells us about what kind of animals grace both her life and her work. Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? … Continue reading →