One Small Change: Unloading the Dishwasher

I’ve been thinking about last week’s post, about choosing one goal for this time of year and really focusing on reaching it. I’m trying to work on stretching myself to think about others, especially my family. It’s easy for me to stay holed up in my bedroom, or out in my car, keeping busy with my own thing. Especially since …

Strengthening Your (Future) Marriage

Hi, all. I hope you had an easy fast this week and are having a great summer so far. I’ve been busy planning a trip with a friend, and I’m so excited but I also have to admit that I can’t wait to be home, safe and sound! (Nerves). In the meantime, I’ve been listening to audiobooks and tutoring on the …

Single, No Kids, Reads Parenting Books

Do you ever think about the kind of mother you’ll be?   The truth is, as a teenager, the thought of being responsible for raising children one day used to make me anxious. I really wasn’t confident around kids. (Would never babysit). And I thought babies and little kids were so boring, and their mothers were more boring still.   …

Pen-Pals

My first grade teacher and I are pen-pals. (Snail mail, ink and paper pen-pals). We’ve been writing letters since she retired and moved down South, some thirteen years ago. Before she moved away at the end of her last year teaching, she visited each of the classrooms of students she had taught, took pictures with us, and gave out her …

Ollivander’s

Sometimes I think my dating life is like Harry Potter’s visit to Ollivander’s to buy a wand. It’s an encouraging thought. (Can we expect great things?)   …”Right then, Mr. Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave.” Harry took the wand and (feeling foolish) waved it …

Ma’ariv

Over Pesach at my grandparents’, I read parts of Tuesday at Dawn by Ruth Attias, a short collection of the teachings of Rebbetzin Kanievsky a”h. The rebbetzin was known to advise people in need of a yeshuah to add a new tefillah to their daily line-up.   Well, I’m in need of a yeshuah.   Since high school and seminary, …

100th Date Commemoration

My friend and I went out for lunch after her one-hundredth date. We ordered ourselves a milchig spread and talked for over an hour, about how much we’ve grown over our years of dating, how we’ve learned how to make ourselves happy, how we’ve found teachers and books and learning modalities that have helped us develop. How proud we are …

Where You Work

So I’ve mentioned before that I work in a school setting, and that I recently changed jobs. Earlier this year, I divided my time between two schools in a nearby district. For the first time, I had no frum coworkers. I figured it wouldn’t be much of an issue. I’m a friendly person and pretty comfortable with anyone. I was …

“Time-Out” Nails It

Ok, did you read “Time-Out,” by Rikki Ehrlich, in last week’s Family First? I thought it was terrific! So creative and different and real and funny. I laughed my head off.   The story is about 31-year-old Shuli, who is invited to a shidduch retreat to take a “brake” from decision-making. She’s seriously dating someone and feeling stuck. The retreat …

How Do You Celebrate Birthdays?

A few friends and I have a tradition of celebrating our birthdays together.    Recently, as our default, we’ve been going out to eat (usually to a steakhouse, with cocktails). For one friend a couple years ago, we did a Strayboots hunt on Fifth Avenue followed by dinner. For another friend, we bought salads and cheesecake and had a picnic in a park …

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