I am really getting into the Holiday spirit. And since Christmas is my favorite, I just have to share my favorite Christmas movie. Every song in this movie is awesome, but I do love this one.

Karl Malden spent 21 years reminding us on TV commercials “Don’t leave home without them.” Without what? Why, your American Express Traveler’s Checks, of course…

Sigh. Yet another celebrity has moved out of this world an on to the next. I loved Karl Malden. He was the veteran cop assigned to the Homicide Division and tasked with the job of teaching Michael Douglas all the tips and tricks of being an effective detective. Michael Douglas was the pretty one…but I loved Karl Malden. He was the Reverend Paul Ford in Pollyanna–a childhood favorite. He reminds me of family. Karl Malden died today. He was 97. He had a long life, married to the same woman for 70 years. A great career, great offspring. He won an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for his role as…

Great new article in the NY Times about changing parenting styles. It’s one of those articles that makes me feel like, yes…someone finally understands me! I grew up in a time where it was safe to ride my bike to the park, and I did it on a daily basis. One of the reasons I love living in a (very) small town is because I feel relatively safe allowing my kids to walk or ride their bikes to their friends house, or let them go to one of the two local pools without adult supervision. I am limited in the “opportunities” for extra-curricular activities available for my kids, which makes…