Joe pointed to my husband’s shirt hanging up on the clothes rack and said, “Dada.”
“That’s right, Joe. That’s Dada’s.”
Then he pointed to my husband’s sock and said, “Dada.”
Me, thoroughly impressed: “Yes, Dada’s.”
Then he pointed to Read the rest of this entry
Author Mike Allegra, featured last week here, is kindly hosting me on his blog this week. Check it out!
Hi, Betsy! Come on in. Pull up a chair. How do you like your waffles?
Thanks, Mike! I’m so honored to be here. As to my waffles, normally I just have syrup, but since this is a special occasion, I say go all out: gimme some whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries. I feel like living large today.
Then live large you shall. How did you get started in the advice book business? Was there an epiphany, an aha moment when you thought, “Hey, this stuff I’m doing might help others?”
There kind of was. I remember lying in bed one night running through a potential scenario with my kids, advising them how to handle whatever situation had befallen them, as I tended to do whilst trying to fall asleep, and I thought, these situations may never happen, but I should still write this stuff down.
And then I never did. Read the rest of this entry
I’m honored to be asked by Mike Allegra to participate in his Waffles with Writers feature from his blog, Hey, look! A writer fellow!
Mike Allegra is the author of the picture books Sarah Gives Thanks (Albert Whitman & Company, 2012), Everybody’s Favorite Book (Macmillan, 2018), and Scampers Thinks Like a Scientist (Dawn, 2019). He also not-so secretly pens the Prince Not-So Charming chapter book series (Macmillan, 2018-19, pen name: Roy L. Hinuss). He received an Independent Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, won the 2014 Highlights Fiction Contest, and received a 2019 Creative Access Fellowship. In January, he giddily signed a deal to write a new chapter book series, Kimmie Tuttle (ABDO, 2021). You should check out his blog and befriend him at www.facebook.com/mike.allegra.
Today I get to feature Mike’s latest book, Scampers Thinks Like a Scientist. Next week on his blog he’ll be hosting me and my book, Be a Happier Parent or Laugh Trying. But first!
Mike, I made these waffles for you myself. To that end, I recommend toppings–strong-flavored toppings. So, what can I get you? Read the rest of this entry
When he spills water on my pants, it looks like this.
Heart-shaped water spot. It got fatter and wider while I called for someone to grab the camera. It was actually more distinct earlier on, but you get the idea.
The other day I heard him calling me from across the house, “Betttssyyyy…. Betttsssyyy….”
Yeah, and as if that weren’t bad enough, more recently, he opened the screen door from the outside, leaned in and yelled, Read the rest of this entry
A friend came across these notes she’d written about her daughter and kindly and boldly sent me photos. She even allowed me to share them with you. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry
Twice actually. A few weeks ago, the 99c sale was on, calling me like a siren song. I hoped I’d see the CM guy so I could continue our funny banter. I was nearly disappointed until I saw him at the last check stand on my way out. (Click here and here for the first two encounters with the Chex Mix guy.)
“Hey, Chex Mix guy.” [I actually used his real name, but you know, privacy and all that.] When he looked up, I said, “Time to restock the Chex Mix again.”
Without missing a beat, he said, “Yeah, I knew it when I saw you come in.” [He probably didn’t see me come in.]
My spoils.
Today I was back. He walked by as I was checking out. Read the rest of this entry
My friend and her husband, having met at University of Virginia, where he played basketball, were overjoyed when VA won March Madness some weeks ago.
At the time, I sent her a congratulatory text. She wrote back that she was impressed I knew. It’s true I know and care little for professional sports, but my husband sometimes keeps me informed.
I texted back: “I care about stuff you care about. I mean, not your kids or your husband or your dog, but basketball I can get behind.”
Here I figured she must be wetting herself from my masterful command of humor, and yet, a second later, she wrote back: Read the rest of this entry
My thirteen-year-old daughter and I were invited by her friend and her friend’s mom to one of those places where you paint or sculpt. We had a great time, and both came home with a painting we were fairly proud of. Until I saw mine next to my daughter’s and realized I’m no better an artist than my 8th grader. Not that I should be, but shouldn’t I be? I might even be worse.
Here are our paintings. Can you guess whose is whose? Read the rest of this entry
I think this company should’ve had a focus group meeting on the name of their product. People who are interested in getting leg cramps, however, are in luck. Two for the price of one! You wouldn’t want one leg to be left out! Get cramps in both legs!
Here’s a story I’m sharing for a particular BBB (Beloved Blog Buddy). Let’s see if she knows who she is. 😉 [If this story involved a cat, I’d mean you, Julie and Andrew.] Read the rest of this entry
Have we run out of adjectives for shampoo?
Writing and Martial Arts 