While it may still feel like 2020 has been the loooongest year ever in the history of man… look up, and here comes the Class of 2021, right around the corner. And I believe it’s just what we need. As the world adjusts to the new realities, we balance between tradition and innovation, and we move forward with hope and prayers that working together, we can right the ship and enjoy the voyage. One of these traditions, of course, is Senior Pictures. For just a few fun hours, our kids become America’s Next Top Senior Model. A chance to shine, … Continue reading Here Comes the Class of 2021

If we circle the cars in the parking lot, build a podium in the center and live stream the Mass, everyone can still attend graduation. Innovation rules for the Class of 2020! Once again, I have to say I am so impressed by how school officials and parents have re-invented graduation. Two weeks after Saint Joseph Academy (see previous post) our grand daughter graduated from Saint Bernadette’s School in Westlake. The new celebration included awesome Fathead Photos of the graduates’ kindergarden photos, a car parade with friends and families, and a socially distant Mass in the gym. After Mass, the … Continue reading Celebrating a 2020 to Remember!

I don’t know about you, but I have felt like the days are crawling by, but wait a minute, where did April go? As the weather finally warms up here in Ohio, and life is oh so slowly and carefully moving back into gear, I am looking forward to reconnecting with family, friends and clients! (Slowly and carefully) Portraits in front of the house have always been one of my favorites, since it will give children a reminder of the house they grew up in. We actually have a front porch photograph of my husband’s great grandparents’ family. Truly priceless. … Continue reading Mother’s Day Already?

As we settle into this new way of family life, I remember the great Aretha Franklin song, “Who’s Zooming Who?” from 1985. If you don’t know it, you can find it on YouTube. Now ZOOM has entered the international consciousness as a verb, defining the way we communicate. No longer does a simple phone call suffice. We want to SEE each other too, especially since we can’t do it in person. A wonderful idea, in my humble opinion! Now, we live a scant 10 minutes away from two children, but still connected with them and our youngest via Zoom for … Continue reading Who’s Zooming Who?

Life, Part IV. That’s how I think of our latest adventure, here in Cleveland, Ohio. Part I was growing up in Chicago. All the fun of a big family in a big city. We were city kids, roaming the neighborhood and spending a surprising amount of time downtown. Mom worked in the Loop, and we were at her office so often, she may have invented Take Your Children to Work Day (unofficially). Part II was getting married and moving to Ohio, my new husband’s home. Our children had the best of both worlds, enjoying a cozy life in a small … Continue reading Finding Our Way Home

Can you believe it is almost Christmas again? And the end of a decade? 2020 around the corner. Grab the reins and enjoy the ride… You know I talk about our kids and grandkids all the time. They are the light of our lives. So it came as no surprise to most of you when I announced we were (semi) retiring and moving to Cleveland to be near them. Well, we did it, and here we are, five minutes from the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, getting to know our new home and loving hanging out with our family. Hopefully … Continue reading Countdown to Christmas!!!