The Tree Where Unicorns Play

I have never had my own Christmas tree. I have never needed one. The only Christmas tree I have ever known lives in the living room of my parents’ home in Minnesota. The Christmas tree that is the centerpiece of a cherished family tradition. — I was six years old when my mother first said [...]

Arriving Safely

It was getting late. There was only a moment of pink left in the sky. Except for the bright lights in the parking lot, everything was dark. I was sad to be leaving, to turn my back, to go in a different direction, especially after we had been through so much. I tried to explain [...]

The Year of Titanic

It was the year of the Titanic. That ill-destined ship and little blue-haired lady rocked my world and the world of millions.  You couldn’t go anywhere without the sound of teenage girls screaming LEEEEOOOO.  LEEEEOOOO.  Theaters sold out for weeks – I knew a girl who went eleven times.  ELEVEN times.  She had to get [...]

A Place to Become

(This post is written in honor of Studio 360 (spinning/indoor cycling) and their charitable event “Ride for Their Lives.” This is a Three Hour Spinning marathon to raise funds for Arizona’s HomeBase Youth Services – an honorable organization that takes at-risk homeless youth off the streets of Phoenix and gives them a place where they [...]

Goal #29: Visit NSA

(To read about my 101 Goals in 1001 Days project go here). We were having a domestic incident. Michael was chasing me and I was screaming. It was a blood-curdling-deep-from-the-gut-heavy-on-the-shrill scream. Straight from the horror movies — fitting because I was truly horrified. I ran from the kitchen, I ran around the living room. I [...]

The Actual List of Goals

To read about my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list go here. I have had many people request that I post my list of 101 Goals. Ug. I did NOT like hearing this. I was perfectly happy blogging about the goals I had completed, all the while keeping the rest of the list to myself [...]

Inflexible

I was in gymnastics in 1st grade. I had a purple leotard with a bear on it. One time, I planned ahead and wore my leotard to school under my dress so I wouldn’t have to change into it after school. However, I did not plan ahead for the extra step in apparel removal when [...]