Class Dog (and my involvement)

It’s my child’s week to take home the class pet. . . . Thankfully, this is not a live fish, hamster or turtle that would not recover from being suffocated, trod upon, or dismembered.  But he’s plenty of work and worry just the same. This is because instead of doing.. Read More

Art Child

This is my child taking up the entire floor to “work” on coloring.     I thought this was so funny that I wanted to take a picture.  I was thinking, what an interesting child I have!   An anomaly.  A kid who is very serious about her art.  Maybe.. Read More

You Ruined Christmas (Eve)

It is a very long-standing tradition in our family that at some time during the gathering someone will furrow their brow, rise up with mock angst and horror in their voice, and point to someone else with a quivering hand and say, “YOU RUINED CHRIIIIIIST-MAAAAAAS!”  (or Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, or Easter).   (I realize.. Read More

Craigslist (and no more debt)

reflectivemom buying on craigslist

It started out looking like one of those days where it takes a whole pot of coffee just to sit on the couch. After a weekend without that deep restful sleep that comes when you snuggle into your own bed, a couple of late nights, losing an hour to “Spring Forward”,.. Read More

Misha’s – The World’s Best Coffee

Misha's Coffe Alexandria VA Photo Credit: http://www.c21redwood.com/homes-for-sale-near-mishas-coffee-alexandria-va

THE WORLD’S BEST COFFEE Our family, once upon a time, discovered the World’s Best Coffee and it became part of a much appreciated Christmas tradition.   This tradition started when my oldest brother was graduating from law school in D.C. and we’d all piled in the car to go up there.  At.. Read More

Saturday Morning (and a new cat)

our new cat mew mew

This is Muffin in her living room “Fork” with our new cat “Mew Mew.”     She has pronounced “Fort” as “Fork” every day for a week (while she has dismantled the couch and beds and proudly built and displayed her work in our living room).   Until today.  .. Read More

Birthday Visits

Reflective Mom Birthday Visits

My baby turned FOUR!   I can hardly believe that on this day in 2012 I was holding such a tiny newborn bit of life in my arms.   Wondering how could ever be possible that she would one day be running circles around me, talking a mile a minute,.. Read More

Muffin’s 92 Year Old Friend (Mine Too)

Our 92 year old next door neighbor has an in-home studio from 50+ years of playing the piano at church and parties.   Muffin is his latest accompanist.     He doesn’t seem to mind that, at 89 years his junior, she’ll slobber into the mics, constantly fiddle with his soundboard, and hopelessly crush and.. Read More