I'm part of the Sandwich Generation. Sandwich Generation. What a quaint term. Until quite recently it's not something that I thought applied to me. But now, blam, here it is, I am part of a multigenerational sandwich. A sandwich, something tasty and quick you serve up for lunch. What I pack into my kids' school bags every Monday to Friday. Pack I think is the key word … [Read more...]
Reorganzing When Your MIL Moves In, Or Life as a Sandwich
Reorganizing your home after an elderly parent or in-law moves in can be challenging. I mean, I think I know now why they call this whole caring for elderly parents thing the Sandwich Generation. It's because you are squished flat, underneath piles of STUFF. See, a little over a year ago my mother-in-law moved in with us. For a long while, she had been focused on taking … [Read more...]
No Wifi? Netflix to the Rescue!
A bit over a year ago now, Netflix unleashed this new download feature where instead of streaming as you watch you can preload shows into your device. Last summer, they pointed out how handy it would be for road trips or for stays in cottage country. You can download a show before you hit the road and you’ve got a handy distraction for the kids. At one point they even had these … [Read more...]
Alzheimer’s SUCKS and Here’s What We’re Going To Do About It
My father-in-law has Alzheimer's, a disease I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. In the nine years since he's been diagnosed, I've watched as one by one his hobbies and abilities have been robbed from him. His body is still tall and strong, but his mind has been eaten away by this heartbreaking disease. So that he can no longer play baseball, or go bowling, or play cards, or … [Read more...]
7 Life Lessons Learned While Kayaking with the Dolphins in Sebastian Inlet
I spent a morning kayaking in Sebastian Inlet Florida State Park, and it taught me a bit about motherhood, about being a caregiver, and about surviving my "sandwich generation" moments. Stick with me here guys. Life happens. It just keeps on happening. Kids. Aging parents. Health issues. STRESS. Non-stop worry and stress. I feel like my life has devolved into some sort … [Read more...]
Adjusting and Growing Our Family (with Netflix)
Everything is change and adjustment over here right now. A few weeks back we welcomed a fifth family member to our household, and not in any of the ways that may immediately spring to mind. We didn't get a pet, have a new baby, or adopt a child. Rather my husband's mom moved in with us. Having my mother-in-law move in with us has been an amazingly positive experience. Having … [Read more...]
The Secret Society of Blogging, What Our Readers Never See
There is a secret underside to blogging, one that our readers never see. A secret virtual room where we all meet and sit around the water cooler and chat. From the outside, there's a lot going on that you as a reader may not notice. We make blogging friends and connections. We meet in person at conferences. We email each other back and forth. We have private Facebook … [Read more...]