Sarah VanderMeiden
Here’s The Dirt on Gardening
Have you ever seen the commercial from that big home improvement store, where the couple starts out with plain dirt and 30 seconds later their yard is bursting with technicolor blooms? If only gardening...
Living the Dream, Driving a Beater
Oh, the excitement of buying a brand new car! The confidence of knowing no one else has used (or abused) it. The comfort of experiencing how CLEAN it is, and what is it about...
Get the Lead Out: Stay Safe At Home
The bunk beds.
They are definitely old school, like you would see on The Brady Bunch. Brought into our household through marriage, my husband’s siblings reminisce about the wrestling matches and one unfortunate upset stomach...
Love at -36 Degrees: Surviving a Family Weekend on Ice
All is quiet. Daddy and friend are fishing, Auntie is sleeping, and daughter is cuddling with dozing Grandma. The thermometer is hovering at -9 degrees during the typically warmest part of the day, but...
Stories, Lies, and a Swing Set That Flies
Well, we made it through Christmas and my daughter STILL believes in Santa Claus.
She’ll be 8 in a few months.
How can this be? I never thought in a gazillion years she would still have...
Countdown to Christmas: 25 Ways to Stress Less This Season
For the past several years, I have been very intentional about the amount of stress I allow into my life. In my opinion, life is just too short and precious to have a load...
Facebook Nice: Selling to Strangers on Marketplace
People have a lot of opinions about Facebook. Whether you love it, hate it, or are somewhere in the middle, there is no denying that this social giant has worked its way into our...
Hello Again, Pain
OUCH! Hey, WATCH IT!
Oh. It’s you.
It’s been awhile, how are you?
You know what, never mind. I don’t care how you’ve been.
Even though we were together for seven months seven years ago, I’ve got to...
Have a Great Time at the Great Minnesota Get-Together!
It’s time for the Great Minnesota Get-Together! The Minnesota State Fair starts Thursday and runs through Labor Day.
I always get nostalgic around fair time because I grew up practically on it’s door step in...
How to Survive (and Even Enjoy) Your Class Reunion
OK class, time for a pop quiz!
You receive your class reunion invitation. What do you do?
Ignore it
Groan and hit delete
Shout “Woo-hoo!” and click “Register”
Make a note to call your friends...