Sidetracked Stories

" I am not a product of my circumstances, I am the product of my decisions. " --Stephen Covey (author of The "7 Habits of Highly Effective People") Wow...just. wow. In today's episode, Judy and I are talking about " Kids--Same or Different ". In my Legacy Writing, I quote a poem that I love by Kahlil Gibran that you can read here . We get into thoughts on the debate between "nature versus nurture"...

"Good idea: Finding Easter eggs on Easter. Bad idea: Finding Easter eggs on Christmas." --Jack Handey (American comedian) At my house, we hide plastic Easter eggs outside. Unfortunately, those eggs may be found months, if not years later. Sometimes this results in... deteriorated contents (to say the least). In this episode, Judy and I talk about some disgusting forms that money can take, the peri...

There is nothing wrong with talking to your toys. It's wrong when they start answering you. --Anonymous Well, when I googled a picture of a Zippy doll from today's interview--I thought, "NO WAY would kids go for this doll these days!" Today we talk about Judy's family traditions of hiding eggs, making bunny cakes, and going to church. She also talks about this little doll that she wanted so much--...

Some people have Easter memories of sacred events, some love the tradition of coloring eggs or sharing a meal with family. One of Sandy's favorite Easter stories is highlighted by dodging flying cow poop... What can I say? In this episode, we discuss wearing hats and Easter fashion, hiking the hills of Black Earth instead of sitting around watching t.v., and then we get into makeup tips from a 12-...

Easter is approaching and, in our family, the matriarchs annually pick up traditional candies for Easter treats: jellybeans, malted eggs, chocolate bunnies, and various pastel-wrapped candies. And Michelle needs a single package of Peeps--not Peeps Chocolate Pudding or Peeps Rice Krispie treats, not warm Peeps s'mores or Peeps flavored milk. No. She likes her Peeps plain. and. STALE--the marshmall...

“Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as primitive, dull and dimwitted. In fact, of course, they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, surprisingly affectionate and very sophisticated.”   --Sir David Attenborough (English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and author) I don't think the reptiles in my life have ever been, or ever will be, "lethally fast", but I def...

Enjoy the little things in life for someday you will realize they were the BIG things.  When I was a kid, I dreamed of one day having a little hobby farm where I could have kids, dogs, cats, and critters of all kinds. But breeding was never in my vision of the future...unlike my Aunt Judy and her desire for a PAIR of hamsters. In this episode, we discuss the adventures she had as a child when...

I run and I run and I run and I get out and I've gone nowhere. NOWHERE!  --Hamster in "The Secret Life of Pets 2" Oh...the futility of being busy all the time but never achieving anything important or reaching your goal. Who'd have thought that hamsters are so wise? In this episode, Michelle and I are talking about "Pet Memories".  We discuss our childhood Saturday morning pet cage clean...

I really think that if you ever have a lull in a conversation with someone, ask them about their pets. The unpredictable nature of our interactions with animals makes for interesting stories and insightful information about people. In this episode, Sandy and I are talking about "Pet Memories". We get into teaching birds to talk and disagree about how well I carried out my responsibilities to keepi...

"Little sisters can be a pain, but the big sister heroine worship can't be beat." --Allison M. Lee When my little sister Michelle was born, I was 5 1/2 years old and my mom told me how important I would be in her life. As the big sister, I was to teach her and guide her--like a second mom. Well, somewhere along the next few years, I heard that a child's personality was formed and solidified by the...

"I smile because you're my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it." This quote beautifully captures my mom's multi-dimensional relationship with her sister Judy. She loves her to death and gets absolute glee from seeing her...react! In this episode, we discuss how Sandy's older sister Kathy was the queen, her younger sister Judy was the princess. That left her cast as the fro...

What is the definition of a "big sister"? The only person in the world who will pick on you for her own entertainment, and murder anyone else who tries. For Judy, this saying captures her relationship with her big sister, Sandy. It is as true today as it was 60 years ago. In today's episode, our topic is "Sibling Memories". Judy and I discuss childhood bedrooms and the joys that come along with sh...

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."  --Amy Li In this episode, Michelle and I talk about the SIGNIFICANT influence I had on her growing up.  We reminisce about events from early childhood through grade school, high school, college...up to now. I was definitely a trailblazer and she was a willing disciple....

"Just as there is no warning for childbirth, there is no preparation for the sight of a first child. There should be a song for women to sing at this moment or a prayer to recite. But perhaps there is none because there are no words strong enough to name that moment."  --Anita Diamont My sister Michelle is a birth rock star--she has such short, vivid birth experiences! This episode is about a...

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." --Ralph Waldo Emerson I can honestly say that I believe this with my whole heart!!! In today's episode, Judy interviews me about a Birth/Adoption story. We talk about making decisions in life--you know there are no guarantees, but it is vital to keep moving toward your dream. We also discuss having short-term sacrifices as you m...

"Wisdom oft comes from the mouth of babes." --George R.R. Martin (American novelist paraphrasing Psalms 8:2) This quote definitely applies to Judy's step-daughter, Kiley. She acted the prophet when out of the blue, she told Judy that she should have a baby of her own! In today's episode, Judy and I talk about Birth/Adoption stories. We discuss ideas on how to educate a young child about conception...

However much we know about birth in general, we know nothing about a particular birth. We must let it unfold in its own uniqueness. -Elizabeth Noble In today's episode, #37, I am interviewing my mom, Sandy about Birth/Adoption stories. We talk about my birth and how she blames me for making her life crazy. I dispute this idea and contend that she has NEVER been one to extensively plan or execute a...

Were you ever made to stay at the dinner table until you had finished your food--or some portion of your meal--as a child? Well my sister was born a picky eater and lived to tell the tale! In today's episode, Michelle and I talk about "Favorite Food". We discuss the details of being a picky eater, and birthday cake successes and failures. Then we get into school lunches and something called "Good...

What is happiness? Judy definitely believes that it can be found watching the man in your life cook for you. I would add...that a man who cooks for you is good, and a man who does the dishes is AMAZING! Today I interview Judy about "Food Memories". We get into sweet 16 traditions and her favorite foods from childhood. We discuss the whole plan/shop/cook/clean progression. Then we wrap things up wi...

What is the most INTERESTING thing you have ever eaten--on purpose!?! We aren't talking about the last time you ate a butg while talking and riding a bike. How about tongue, liver and onions, or...squirrel? In today's episode, Sandy and I talk about "Food Memories". she reminisces about growing up with a father who was a meat salesman. We talk about how much TIME it takes to shop/put groceries awa...

There is no place like home--except Grandma's house. -Anonymous I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house growing up. I would walk there after school and spend the whole day in the summer when my parents worked. Talking about my favorite lunch takes me right back in time. In this episode, Judy and I talk about grandma's cooking and about watermelon parties. We get into things like jello add-...

"If I could give my daughter 3 things, it would be the confidence to always know her self-worth, the strength to chase her dreams, and the ability to know how truly, deeply loved she is."  -Anonymous I think the three additional life necessities my mom would want to give me are colorful sweaters, chic pants, and stylish shoes! Today Sandy and I talk about ALL of her closets and how she has ma...

Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There's no road map to style. Its about self-expression and, above all, attitude." -Iris Apfel (American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon) Today, Juday and I get into "Clothes and Shoes". We talk about finding super comfy boots and about that elusive concept--STYLE! I share a...

My sister Michelle has a comfortable, casual, classy style. She has always been comfortable in her own skin and possessed a confident fashion sense. In today's episode, we talk about her past love of wearing matchy-matchy outfits. Back in the 80s and 90s, she loved wearing bold and fun mixable/matchable items that NOT everyone thought attractive. This somehow led us to her OCD tendencies when it c...

You've heard that "diamonds are a girl's best friend"? Well, Judy may argue with me, but she OBVIOUSLY believes that SHOES are a girl's best friend! The proof is in the math and there is no arguing with these cold hard numbers. In today's episode, I talk with Judy about clothes and shoes. We get into the stages she's gone through in life which is exemplified by the kinds of shoes she wore. Then, w...