Two things are about to happen in the Cooper home. Thing one: Elijah is getting his driver's license next month. Thing two: Elijah is getting a job ASAP. This isn't my first rodeo with teens and cars and jobs. But the whole process is still overwhelming for the kid...and the mom. That is why I … [Read more...] about Helping Your Teen Balance Work, School, and Sports: a guest post
What I Learned in 2018
Welcome to January! Of all the months, January is my absolute favorite – with all its clean slates and fresh starts and uncluttered surfaces. I also love that it immediately follows the holiday season, where everything is more cluttered than usual (most notably, slates and surfaces.) One of my … [Read more...] about What I Learned in 2018
Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part Three: People Pleasing
This one is for all the People Pleasers out there. You know who you are because one or more of the following is true for you: 1) You are participating in a gift exchange you can't afford. 2) You have agreed to host an event, but you are secretly resenting everyone you invited because you don't … [Read more...] about Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part Three: People Pleasing
Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part Two: Steering Clear of the Comparison Trap
I have never met a woman who does not struggle with comparison on some level. She may exist, but I've never met her, is all I'm saying. We already know that falling into the Comparison Trap steals our joy on a regular day, but did you know it can actually ruin the holidays? This is because … [Read more...] about Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part Two: Steering Clear of the Comparison Trap
Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part One: Your Holiday To-Don’t List
If you struggle with balance on a regular day, the holiday season -- with all its obligations and expectations -- can send you into complete and utter chaos. What is aggressively marketed as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year feels more like stress and debt and five pounds of fat around your … [Read more...] about Finding Your Holiday Balance, Part One: Your Holiday To-Don’t List
Balance Tip: Consider Your Future Self
Present-Moment Sandy often gets irritated with Past Sandy. Present-Moment Sandy (we'll go ahead and call her PMS....you know...because she's irritated) will wake up to a sink full of dishes and think, "Darn you, Past Sandy! Why didn't you wash these yesterday?" PMS will walk into the bedroom, … [Read more...] about Balance Tip: Consider Your Future Self
Weekend Links {23} and a life update
Apparently, I've been remiss in keeping up with Weekend Links. The last version, Weekend Links {22}, was published in March---of 2017!!!!!! Ahem. You may be asking yourself, "What in heaven's name is Sandy doing with all her time, if not curating for us a weekly list of worthy weekend reading … [Read more...] about Weekend Links {23} and a life update
When We Ask
My daughter, Elliana, has this amusing habit when she wants something from me. Not just any old something, mind you, but something she thinks I won’t give her. She’ll say with a big heavy sigh, “I wish I could have candy.” Or she’ll drop her head and shoulders and mumble, “I bet you won’t let me … [Read more...] about When We Ask
How Routines Help Us (and Tips for Establishing Them)
I love mornings. This, coming from the girl who used to need to set an alarm to get up at the crack of 10. I have created a well-established morning routine* that has taken me years (!) to tweak and perfect. As my kids grow and seasons of life change, so do some of the details of my morning routine, … [Read more...] about How Routines Help Us (and Tips for Establishing Them)
First Ask Why: A New Book by My Friend Shelly Wildman
Today I am handing the blog over to my blog-friend-turned-REAL-LIFE-friend-Shelly. Over the last 10 years, Shelly and I have had extensive conversations over email and in person and met up at conferences all over the country, where we shared our mutual love for writing, cooking, parenting, and … [Read more...] about First Ask Why: A New Book by My Friend Shelly Wildman
