First, thank you all so much for voting for me in the Cannonballs. Guess what? I won! I am currently basking in my slightly-above-average mediocrity. Later I’ll be basking in vodka, too, which will just tie this day together in a neat little bow of triumph and tragedy. I know you’re all on the edge of your seats, wondering if we did indeed become a victim of the American version of Ebola (minus the whole pesky spewing blood thing) and... Read more

Thank you for your votes! Although the Crescat has not made it official yet, I believe that I have won the “Most Under Appreciated Blog” category. I’ll let you know when I know for sure. Last night, I woke up in a cold sweat at 4 a.m. and began to pray furiously that I would lose. Why would I do such a thing after begging so ardently for votes, you may ask? Because just two days ago I realized that... Read more

When we left you, I had made the decision to take my middle child to the hospital. After six hours of solid puking and (TMI alert) diarrhea, she was pale, her lips grey, her eyes sunken, and she was beyond lethargic. I was advised by my pediatrician, Sasha Feroce, and the Ogre to take her in, cost be damned. So I stormed through the house like a tornado, gathering up extra clothes, towels to sop up puke (look, guys, the... Read more

Gah, what a day. My House of Horrors post is currently being worked on, but I just wanted to let you guys know that today is the last day to vote for the Cannonball Awards. Since I’m getting my rear handed to me in the competition, I’d really appreciate if you vote for me. Or Secret Vatican Spy. Or Fr. Mathis. Whoever. Just go vote.  That way, I can’t say I didn’t win for lack of begging. And now, uncooked... Read more

I promise to finish the tale of the plague tomorrow, but I haven’t participated in quick takes in a while, so I figured I might as well make the most of this Friday. #7 Seriously, though, there are small people everywhere today. Sasha Feroce is shooting a wedding this weekend, the Coach has to work all day, and the grandparent-shaped reinforcements aren’t coming round to collect the two children who aren’t mine until late afternoon.  Five is a lot of... Read more

There I was last Wednesday night, drinking wine and watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer with my sister-in-law, happily anticipating the arrival of my Ogre the following evening. Sienna had completed all of her homework for her second day of her homeschooling co-op, it was all neatly hole-punched and safely stowed in her binder, her lunch was packed, her hair was washed, and all in all, I was feeling like, for once, I had things together. The Ogre and I had... Read more

First of all, I want to thank you all so much for the thoughtful, encouraging emails I have been receiving. I took a break from blogging in part to step back into my daily life and try to get a handle on things, and in part out of sheer discouragement and something akin to despair. Getting a handle on my daily life was an abysmal failure. Nothing improved; circumstances, in fact, spun so wildly out of control that there was... Read more

I haven’t been writing much about my personal life lately. I know that one of the things I was good at, until recently, was taking an honest look at my personal life and identifying moments of grace and areas where I needed to grow in virtue. I haven’t been able to really look at my life lately because just living it is so exhausting. It’s harder than I could have imagined to be without the Ogre. Some things are wonderful.... Read more

Yeah, these are supposed to be quick, but I’m feeling sluggish and under the influence of a crappy week and strong martinis. So I make no promises about what is to follow. #7 I Miss My Ogre Yesterday was…well, it was shit, incarnate. I know I don’t often just come out and swear boldly on this blog, but sometimes there is no other word for how terrible something can be. And yesterday was that. Shit. The Ogre had really good... Read more

Remember that last re-run I was going to put up on Sunday? Here it is, a day late and a dollar short. Sorry, again. But I hope you enjoy it. See you later this week! *** This Lent has been difficult. I’ve seen that on lots of blogs, actually. I don’t know what’s going on this year, but it seems that everyone has been fighting an uphill battle. I’ve been looking forward to Palm Sunday all Lent. It’s one of... Read more