My daughter was 7 years old when she spent her first Christmas with my Ex after the divorce.  Having spent the 3 prior Christmas’ with just the two of us, the thought of not having her with me filled me with mixed emotion.  To add to this, I do not have any family that lives within 1000 miles of where I lived and faced the prospect of spending my Christmas alone.    Wanting to have a joyful Christmas, I lived by the three following guidelines.

Blogging is a funny thing. At times, I am repelled by this need to share stories with strangers. Who am I to think others should care? Why do we collectively want to share so darned much? At its worst, blogging is digital proof of  the unparalleled narcissism that has taken hold of this era. Yuck.

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The first Holiday after a divorce can be a challenge on so many different fronts; especially when you have children.  For me, how to handle my Ex In-Laws and Ex Stepchildren were the waters I’ve had to navigate over a few years.  The following points can be used to maintain healthy relationships:

Eight years, six weeks, and a handful of days into parenting, and it finally happened: My daughter no longer believes in Santa Claus. How this dreaded moment unfolded was particularly heartbreaking.

I was sitting with my children, waiting for a class to start when a woman, whom I like very much, said (to someone else) in a loud voice, “Can you believe a teacher was fired for telling the children there is no Saaaan….”

I snapped like a brittle gingerbread cookie.

At 8:45 tonight I kissed and hugged my thirteen-year-old good bye as she walked through the security gate at LAX. My daughter Marla just took a quantum leap for what’s possible in her life. She is moving to Brazil with her dad and grandma for, at least right now, two years.

Here it is, 2 weeks before Christmas and we have no tree.  We have the majority of the kids' shopping done but nothing for extended family or eachother.  What is going on here?  I'm well known for being on top of all things holiday and this year, I've just dropped the ball.

Saturday I left my cell phone at home.  24 hours - no cell phone.  At first it was completely unsettling; I kept searching my purse, checking under my car seat asking my husban

Once upon a time there was music, pure fun, entertaining, and enjoyable. What has happened to the sound that once had a purpose, and a place in our lives?

Schools, taught the importance of music, the history, of music, how to read music, how to play music, and finally how to sing music.

Where in our schooling did we ever learn that being graphic in music was an art form? One that should be supported, and accepted in our society.

Has our lyrics in music gone too far and crossed over the line of creativity?