I haven't quoted any singers lately on this blog, so I thought I'd title my post after an 80's tune by Night Ranger that I still sometimes belt out while driving. (Yes, I am cheesy, but I accepted that fact long, long ago!)

This Saturday, I say good-bye to a dear friend. I'm returning to my alma mater, Ohio University, to spread the ashes of Christopher Bobo, a very close friend of mine who died in February.

When it comes to kids, health, and life in general, I believe with all of my heart and soul that strong friendships keep us grounded, smiling, less stressed, and therefore, more healthy. I hope that both of my boys are lucky enough in their lifetimes to have have a friend like I had in Chris. This post is dedicated to him.

I met Chris 16 years ago. He was simply walking down the street, and my roommate and I were carrying a giant rug from a store to our dorm room. She was 6’ tall. I was 4’10.” Since we were both journalism majors – “word people” if you will – I don’t think we even considered that carrying this rug home downhill was an engineering impossibility.

     Many onlookers glanced at our moving Leaning Tower of Pisa, but moved on. Finally, one stranger stopped to help. That was Chris. During the half-mile journey back to our dorm, we became fast friends. More like family, in fact.

     I look at my boys, and I know that Chris had many qualities I hope to instill in them. He was nonjudgmental. He didn’t care that I had to work at the student cafeteria to make ends meet. Instead, he bet me $20 that I wouldn’t wear my hairnet to class, and when I did, he paid up. (I didn't weigh enough to give plasma, so I had to make money somehow!)  

     He was kind and loved helping others. I would have failed geology if not for him. He was hilarious. At one makeshift Thanksgiving dinner, as we all sat around the table in his apartment and said what we were thankful for, his reply was “miniskirts.”

Earlier this year, Chris lost the greatest battle of his life, his ongoing struggle with depression. Chris took his own life, and with it, a huge part of me and our small, close-knit group of college friends.

So this Saturday, just say a little prayer for me. It's going to be one of the hardest days of my life.

Still, I will always have Chris to judge my own sons' friends by. I will remind them to look for friends just like Chris: Nonjudgmental. Kind. Helpful. Hilarious. If they find just one friend like that, it will be worth any sorrow they may go through if and when they lose that friend. 

I moved into a new cubicle a few weeks ago, and lo and behold, I found a bra that I'd been missing! 

Now, I realize what that must sound like, but I assure you, it is completely innocent.

As a working mom with two kids under two, I simply have no time to shop. So, I snuck this piece of lingerie into my work bag, so I had with me the exact SKU and manufacturer's style code from the label. I intended to call a few stores to see if they still carried it before wasting a few hours driving around town with the lil' guys in tow.

I never had time to make the calls, and the bra ended up shoved in the bottom of a desk drawer for a month. Oops! I know that a normal person would have written this information down at home, rather than choosing to bring the item into the office. Thankfully, I've never claimed to be normal.

I'm also thankful that I'm not the only busy mom at Amway Global with such issues. Just this morning, a great friend (also a working mom) in my department got dressed in a darkened room, and didn't realize until she got here that she'd worn a green bra under a white shirt.

I told her, "C'est la vie. All the teenage girls are dressing like that anyway - you look hot!"

Still, the subject did peak my curiosity: Parents - What's the weirdest thing in your desk drawer? Can you "top" mine?

This isn't really a post about food. It's more about life. 

My husband and I are in the Sandwich Generation, caring for our kids and our parents at the same time.

I don't talk about it much, because despite being a blogger, I'm still a pretty private person. But I just read a tip about successful blogging in Wired Magazine yesterday. It said: "Go a little beyond your comfort zone; share something you're hesitant about sharing."

So, here goes.

Hubby and I are responsible for his aging father (Grandpa Fred). We also spend as much time as we possibly can these days with my dad (Grandpa Don), who has inoperable Stage 4 Lymphoma. It's challenging to say the least, and our emotional roller coaster just took an upside-down turn when Grandpa Fred had a minor stroke last week.

I've always found the term "Sandwich Generation" rather funny, though. I'm the Peanut Butter Sandwich - mushy and clingy, especially since I've always been a big-time Daddy's Girl. My husband is the Corned Beef Reuben - a tough (toasted if you will!) exterior, and unmistakably strong.

I wish I could be a Corned Beef Reuben - just for a day. They might not be healthy for you to eat, but they sure get off the roller coaster unshaken. Any tips on becoming one?

Grandpa Don in his truck with A.J. (top) and Grandpa Fred holding Alec as a newborn (below).

What was I thinking, sending ten pairs of new white socks with my daughter to camp? You can imagine what happened. The bottoms of her socks were embedded with grime and dirt. Sort of like the floor in the cabin.

Well, no worries. Although my daughter wanted to throw the socks out, I told her we would use the White Socks Recipe.

For those of you who have never heard of it, the White Socks Recipe has been part of the SA8 laundry culture for years. I searched the website for this old gem, and found it under Use Instructions on the White Socks and More product page.  It looks like this particular bundle is going to be discontinued soon, but the individual products, SA8 Bioquest Laundry Detergent, SA8 Solutions Tri-zyme Stain Presoak, and SA8 Solutions All Fabric Bleach all are available.   

First I presoaked the socks using the SA8 products, then I ran them through a long wash cycle to shake out the dirt. The result? Clean socks.

Now if only there was a Teen Daughter Washes Clothes Recipe. The one I've been using has not yet been perfected.

Do you have any laundry stain stories to share?   

Just when the baby started sleeping through the night, our two-year-old has started to wake up. I don't know if he's having bad dreams, or maybe, it's because we need a new filter for his Atmosphere Air Purifier, so it hasn't been running. (It does make a very soothing noise.)

Either way, it's made for an interesting few weeks of sleeplessness that catches up with me right around 2 p.m. every day. I certainly can't skip all my afternoon meetings, but I'm starting to think the concept of "siesta" - practiced in Spain, China, and a host of other countries - is a good one.

I'll surive, but I can't help but wonder what he dreams about, as do all parents. This wonderment even made it into a song by the Barenaked Ladies, the band that I've seen live the second most times. (Jimmy Buffett is first. I've seen him 11 times. I've seen BNL four times.) So, today's lyrics are from "What do you dream about?," in which they sing about a sleeping newborn:

"Do you dream about music or mathematics or planets too far for the eye?...

Do you dream about Jesus or quantum mechanics, or angels who sing lullabies?"

I can't wait until he's old enough to tell me. What was your child's first dream that he/she could communicate to you? How did you respond? Would love to hear your story...

The boys in their pajamas, just before dream-time!

Can you believe it - the summer is half over! I can't get over how much faster time flies as I grow older. I remember as a kid/teen, time seemed to stand still and a week = a lifetime. It seems like the summer is passing me by, which makes me a little crazy and in a rush to do something fun and family oriented - all the time. Fortunately, my husband is very patient. But, after purchasing a brand new trailer this past weekend, family + fun should no longer be an issue.

Growing up, we were always camping during the summer. In fact, since our family is so large - aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. - we would literally take over the majority of a campground for a week. If it was a smaller campground, we basically had family or friends at every site. Every day was filled with swimming, eating, laughing, fishing, and being together. We also have a spot of land in the middle of nowhere where again days were filled with eating, laughing, fishing, moving away from the campfire smoke, etc. It really didn't matter as long as we were together. In fact, we still tell stories of those days and they still make us laugh. They are some of my fondest memories growing up.

These are the types of memories I want to make and share with my daughter - quality time together, without the everyday distractions, enjoying nature and family. Memories for which she will then pass on to her children someday. We have a good start since Lauren and I actually started out camping in a tent when she was 2 1/2. My husband camps occasionally with us, but not always. This allows for some good mother/daughter bonding time. But now, after a few years with a pop-up, the whole family will be able to enjoy the great outdoors! There's even enough room, and air conditioning, for the dog - which should be an experience for all of us.

So, enjoy the rest of your summer and spend some quality time roasting a marshmellow with your kids!

My daughter Lauren, who will be going into 2nd grade, started in Girl Scouts this year. I was all for it and excited to have her continue on with a timeless tradition - and let's face it, I then had a direct line to the GS cookies. I always knew she had an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for making money, but I didn't realize how much until this past weekend.

Do you remember the craft kits that kids can make potholders with - I think we all had one growing up and made countless gifts for mom, grandmas, and every other relative. Well, my daughter devised a method for braiding the looped material and has been working for the past few weeks with making rings in an assortment of sizes and color combinations. Now she's only seven so there's a little to be desired for the craftsmanship, but I give her an A+ for creativeness.

After making about 20 or so of these rings, she decided to sell the rings and give the proceeds to the Girl Scouts. A very admirable notion. So on Saturday, with her Girl Scout sash on and rings in a hand, she informs me she is going to go outside and sell her rings to whomever comes by. We live in Grand Rapids where folks usually are walking by on the sidewalk but unfortunately it was a hot Saturday afternoon and not many were out and about. At first I was a little hesitant but decided not to squash her spirit so I agreed with one stipulation - she had to stay on the front porch steps so that I could see her at all times. Out she went, my little salesperson, who I know, thought she was going to every one of her rings and make a ton of money.

After 10 minutes I went out to check on her and asked how much she was charging. She replied, "$.43 cents, but I take tips." I had to bite my lip to stop from busting out laughing. Of course I bought one but she had to count out the money - practice for 2nd grade. Shortly after my husband came home and said he bought one from her as well because she looked so pitiful sitting there with no customers. When I asked him how much he paid, he said $1.00. I laughed and told him what a steal I got at $.43.

Even though she only sold two rings that day, I can see the drive she has for selling. Hmmm, I think I see a business opportunity in her future.