What do you say when your friend calls off her wedding?
A dear friend of mine was all set to get married after getting engaged earlier this year, but recently ended the relationship and called off the wedding. I reached out to let her know I was there for her, and to let me know if I could do anything for her. But I just don’t know what to say to comfort her, especially as I plan my own wedding. Has anyone else experienced this? I’d love your insight on how I can help her out during this extremely trying time.
Sandbox in the city: how I used an old fire hose to build a sandbox in my small backyard
Five years ago my wife and I bought a great house with a small yard in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Our firstborn, Sam, was about six-months-old when I started designing his sandbox. He was born in July so this gave me the winter to get it down on paper.
How to track your cycles and chart your fertility without going super insane
So we all agree: Charting is a super, insanely useful way to get really amazingly in touch with your body and your cycles. But if you’re not careful, charting can drive you super insane. When you put a lot of time into something if it doesn’t immediately pay off, it can be emotionally and intellectually devastating. Based on what I learned during my 44 months of charting (…I KNOW), here’s a little guidance on how to chart without going super insane.
Christmas: Emotional baggage topped with a bow
My fiance and I are from different cultural/religious background. He’s Jewish, and the closest thing I have to a set religious upbringing is Catholicism. What we both have in common is a tendency towards atheism and skepticism. We had a number of discussions about various holidays, but there was one issue that we never could get resolved: Christmas.
The Christmas Notebook: The Christmas tradition from a semi-nomadic family
During this holiday season, with lots of Offbeat Homies out there getting ready for the winter, I was struck by the thought that many of you are probably getting ready to travel or spend the holidays someplace different than normal. And I thought of one of my family’s traditions that anyone can start, so I wanted to share it with you!
Melinda and Paul talk marital teamwork, solo time, and commuting craziness in the Lone Star State
Since we got married we’ve both graduated — we’re Doctors now! We’ve almost moved a ton. Paul moved from Chicago to a town north of Houston and I followed shortly after I finished defending my thesis. Right now our lives are dominated by commuting. Paul commutes to his job at Texas A&M, and I commute to my job at the medical examiner’s office in central Houston. We drive… and drive… and drive.
Why part-Vulcans make bad partners
I recently came home from a couple’s therapy session that left me sweating through every layer of clothing that I had on. It dealt with the two things that I struggle with the most: emotions and the expressing of them. See, there’s a reason why that guy I married calls me “Foxy Spocksy.” We both believe that I’m part Vulcan.
My husband and I are friends with my ex
I am never quite sure how to introduce Steve to others. So to make everyone else more comfortable I usually say “This is my friend, Steve.” It’s just easier that way. As the relationship moves forward — be it a coworker, new friend, neighbor, etc — eventually they learn who Steve really is. Steve is my ex-husband. And after five years of this we STILL hear how “weird” it all is.