Our life has always brought more mini-getaways than full-blown multi-week excursions to exotic locales. It was our reality, so we learned to appreciate daytrips and weekends away. We’ve also had no problem mixing work with pleasure. If one of us was a delegate to a conference, the other tagged along. Getting together at the end… Read more »
When I showed up for my ten o?clock hair salon appointment, I was surprised to see all the stylists in a semicircle. I thought I’d walked into a staff meeting; instead, it was an in-service training session with a guest instructor. The topic was men’s haircuts. During the two and a half hours I was… Read more »
Five hundred words won’t allow me much time for a backstory, so here’s the scoop. In September, an aide at the local school asked me to come to the classroom as a guest artist. I needed more info about expectations, so I met with the teacher. She was tasked with teaching grades five/six and seven/eight… Read more »
On Christmas Eve, while you were wrapping gifts or tearing through the mall or baking or just waiting in anticipation, I was delivering a eulogy. It wasn’t my first and I doubt it’ll be my last. The death of my cousin was not unexpected in that he had spent the better part of his 57… Read more »
This column originally appeared February 17, 2012, in issue 2007. Have you ever wished you had the house all to yourself? That those people making demands on your time, energy, and patience would take a long walk on a short dock? Those people might be kids, teenagers, spouses, or parents. All the annoying stuff they… Read more »
Despite being bombarded with advice on how to save our sanity during the holidays, most of us still get caught up in the madness. The mall shopping crowds seem well, ?crowdier,? and the list of needed gifts continues to grow. The November credit card statements confirm we are part of the growing debt load problem…. Read more »
How is it possible that It’s already mid-December? Unbelievably, there are only two more issues of The Voice before It’s put to bed for another year. I guess It’s the old ?time flies when You’re blah, blah, blah? phenomenon. This year, as always, there’s so much to do and so few days left to do… Read more »
Like everyone else under the sun, I have some talents. Unfortunately, the list of shortcomings is equally long. I can craft a sentence better than I can bake a pie. I’m good at teaching a preschool-aged grandson, but abysmal at algebra. I can read between the lines but struggle with . . . well, you… Read more »
Several years ago I wrote a column extolling the virtues of handyman extraordinaire Mike Holmes. Actually, it bordered on becoming an ode. I talked about his gold necklace, bib Carhartt overall, and bulging biceps. That sexiness aside, I said that what most women really love about him is the commitment to get the job done,… Read more »
Calendar season begins in earnest in November. Mall kiosks spring up overnight, offering their wares. Larger vacant spaces are rented by calendar stores. Retailers like Staples and Grand & Toy carry a full line of dated planners in every size, description, and price point. Even Dollarama has a few affordable styles. Seemingly there are calendars… Read more »