As I write this, it is December 1st.Light snow flurries are falling outside.  Steaming coffee, in one of the snowman mugs I always pull out this time of year, sits dutifully by my side. Before me? A notebook. It's list-making time. For gifts? Nah.  That list was done ages ago.  Gifts have all been purchased.  I'm one of those "get 'er done before December 1st" types of people.  Are those gifts wrapped? (Add to list: purchase wrapping paper) I'm not a fan of the "hustle and bustle" of the holidays.  I don't enjoy making a mad dash towards Christmas, only [...]

I had to pilfer a buck from my son's chore jar to purchase a cup of coffee today. Wednesday is my "writing day", and I don't dare attempt to prepare my Pittsburgh Mom post from my house - for whenever I try to work from my actual office I inevitably get roped into folding a basket of laundry or wandering into the kitchen to unload the dishwasher. Then there are the bookshelves lined with a film of dust.  Distractions plague my work from home environment, so I vacate, opting for a window seat at a local coffee shop where I [...]