Stories About Muddled With Family

Sleep Apnea? Not Me. No Way.

Except It Seems So

I’ve been a “teensy” tired lately. Well, honestly, I’ve been exhausted for months. I wake up tired no matter what time I go to sleep. No matter if I nap. No matter what. Sleep apnea, you surmise. No way, I say! Read more

, ,

Prodependency Like the Pros

Ina and Her Jeffrey. HH and Me

Prodependency

First of all, who knew prodependency was a word, no less a thing? But sure enough, it is both.

So, now you — and me — know.

This new buzzy psychological term is different than codependency, which most of us are familiar with. Read more

,

The Way to a Man’s Heart is Through His …

All Hail the Spicy Crab Pot

the way to a man's heart

Last week was our 35th wedding anniversary. You might think after all these years that passion has abated in our marriage, but you’d be wrong. Handsome Hubby is still one hot honey. As for me, I thought I knew the way to a man’s heart, but this year … Well, this year was a bit different. Read more

, ,

Why Can’t We Get Along? Punch Drunk or Just Punch It Out?

A New Holiday Tradition?

Getting along

Why can’t we all just get along? Why can’t we set aside our differences and let bygones be bygones? It’s a common enough lament in families, politics, religion, and life.

While we all want to get along, it is admittedly tough to do. Yet, in Peru, they’ve got a system — a Christmas tradition, in fact — where they do just that. Read more

,

Tale of the Toilet

It's Potty Time

Tale of the Toilet

We just splurged on a fancy-pants electric toilet with a seat warmer and all sorts of bells and whistles. Unfortunately, it’s so complicated, it requires instruction to operate! Instead of taking reading material to the toilet, we’ve had to study before sitting! And so, with this tale of the toilet, please indulge me in a little potty talk! Read more

,

Clean Freak Meets Her Match

Dust and Debris, One. Housewife, Zero

Clean Freak Meets Her Match

I’m a clean freak but I’ve met my match. I’m sitting in the middle of my house, surrounded by dust. I could clean, but I’ve given up. Yes, I’ve thrown in the dust towel. Read more

,

Machismo on the Road

Fast Times. Big Trucks and Third-Finger Salutes

Machismo on the road

Here in the West, machismo on the road rules. It’s all about fast times. Big trucks. And go, man, go! Especially at a yellow light.

Just yesterday Handsome Hubby and I were reminded of that speed-up-at-a-yellow-light rule when Read more

,

My Face Has Gone to the Dogs

More Bow Wow than Wow

My face has gone to the dogs

When I was a child, my Uncle George would grab my cheeks so hard I thought he’d lift me off the ground.

“Such a shayna punim,” he’d exclaim with joy. (The term is Yiddish. It literally means “pretty face” but colloquially means what a pretty girl.)

“Yes!” my parents would reply with equal joy.

At 6, I hated Uncle George as I rubbed my aching cheeks, and I hated my parents for allowing this unwelcome greeting. Read more

, ,

My New Career

Fellow Eaters, Take Note!

My New Career

Attention, fellow middle-aged muddlers,

I’m excited to inform you I’m starting down a new career path. Read more

,