My life
Hearing from daughters
Maddy is in Disneyworld with a friend - she has a knack for getting the coolest invitations! She just called me and it is raining, but they are wearing ponchos. As she said, "It's all good!" She's called home a couple times a day since she left. So has Sophia,...August 19, 2008 - 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Taking Sophia to college
Tuesday I drove Jonny to Fairfax for a checkup on his foot - he's still on one foot and crutches - then drove home to drop him off and pick up Maddy and Sophia and all Sophia's stuff to drive down to Liberty. The night before we'd had a little...August 14, 2008 - 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Channeling Florence Nightingale - who, me?
You know those moments when you feel like you got this mother thing right - as opposed to those many when you fall short somehow? I don't know whether it's because of my own early lack of nurturing, but taking care of sick children has never come naturally to...August 11, 2008 - 8:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Gmail shut down ??????
I cannot get into my Gmail account - getting this message: Temporary error (502) We're sorry, but your Gmail account is currently experiencing errors. You won't be able to use your account while these errors last, but don't worry, your account data and messages are safe. Our engineers are working...August 11, 2008 - 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
What is MommyLife about, anyway?
I will be honest with you. My default position is now writing. I have so much more to say than I have time to get it all down. It's a good thing I write so much about putting motherhood first because I have to rein myself in constantly - especially...August 7, 2008 - 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack
Moving update
I. Am. So. Tired. My toes and fingers are tired. But bright spots: my next-door neighbor came over yesterday with a pie! Another neighbor family left a box of goodies on our doorstep when we weren't there. And I found out that we know our other next-door neighbors from...July 30, 2008 - 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Loudoun Extra interview - thanks, Rachel!
Last week Rachel Dickson came out to Waterford and sat down among the packing boxes to ask me questions about my life. As usual I had a lot to say :) Click below to read how she made sense of it all: Up Close: Barbara Curtis This LoCo mother of...July 29, 2008 - 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Still moving - happiness bigtime
Still moving. I go to bed each night and wake up each morning aching all over - and can't imagine what Tripp is feeling since he is 53 and doing super-human wonderful lifting and carrying and getting big things through small doors. As I wrote once before in Why I...July 28, 2008 - 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
Moving -
Moving is one of those times when I am convinced that I am married to the best man in the whole world. I mean it! Tripp and I have been married 25 years and this is our ninth move. How in the world that happened, I do not know....July 24, 2008 - 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
A father to the fatherless
This piece originally appeared in World magazine June 13, 1998 - my Father's Day tribute. His Little Girl I remember the day my dad left. He knelt and hugged me and cried. The skimpy dress of a five year old girl couldn't protect me from the chill that gathered...July 21, 2008 - 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Beyond family skeletons: redemption and freedom
Follow-up to the story about my father sperm donor (SD) - after what just happened I just can't use that word in association with this vile man, so I'm grabbing Dr. Laura's epithet. I've shared here the long saga of my SD tracking me down through Classmates.com after 20 years...July 21, 2008 - 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack
Five things that might surprise you about me
Five Things That Might Surprise You About me: *I have not one, but three tattoos (circa 1970 or so). *I am terrified of roller coasters and ferris wheels. *I don’t like gardening or sushi. I've tried gardening and may give it another try someday. But the idea of sushi makes...July 21, 2008 - 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Our financial collapse - and starting over
[Warning: very long - you'll need to click below to get to the collapse part] Tripp and I have been married for 25 years. During that time we've made a fortune and lost it. When we got married, I brought two daughters into the marriage and we began having...July 16, 2008 - 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBack
July 4th at our house - Maddy off to Walpole Island
Awesome July 4th at our house with 26 people and complete chaos - but happy chaos - all day. Sam and Kip, my five grandchildren, Josh and Hattie, Zach and the six Curtis kids still at home, a couple of Sophia's friends and a family with five kids we've been...July 5, 2008 - 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Family skeletons - breaking free
This is very heavy and very long. You will need to click below to read the entire story - which I think some of you may find worth it: In January 2007 I shared with readers how my father had contacted me after 20 years through Classmates.com in An Unexpected...June 30, 2008 - 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (25) | TrackBack
Coming home from Camp Easter Seals
I said I was driving down to Harrisonburg today to pick up the Downzers (my four sons with Down syndrome - see Why I Call Them the Downzers) from Camp Easter Seals. What was I thinking? Harrisonburg is only halfway there. The camp is 4 1/2 hours away from us....June 27, 2008 - 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Let It Go - keeping a tender heart
I had to drive to Alexandria this morning - about an hour and a half away in traffic time - to an office only half a mile from where I lived in 1969 when Samantha was born. I popped in a CD Zach had made for me. I LOVE...June 25, 2008 - 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Maddy confirmed as Catholic
From one big event to the next. Yesterday: Sophia's graduation. Today: Maddy's confirmation/First Communion Note the sweet white lace dress we found for her to wear. I wanted it to be special for her. Tripp bought her a Daily Missal. rosary, and a St. Cecelia medal. Melissa, her sponsor, who...June 20, 2008 - 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
Sophia graduated today!
Sophia graduated from Loudoun Valley High today. It was a gorgeous day! Big sister Samantha came. Afterwards at lunch we reminisced about her high school graduation 21 - that's right! 21! - years ago. And to think I still have five more to go. Last one will be graduating class...June 19, 2008 - 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
My life - full speed ahead, but some CyberBumps
While my life is hurtling past at the speed of - well, at the speed of life - my CyberLife has slowed to a crawl. Maybe this sounds weird, but since you all are an important part of my life, this is very disturbing. It's like being sick and...June 18, 2008 - 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Where I've been
June 14, 2008 - 7:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
500 headaches/500 cures - book entries
Regarding my 500 headaches, Lori suggested soliciting ideas for a book. So how about it? What gives you a headache? But then, because my writing motto is "Say something simple and real, something with hope in it" (from the Frank Capra movie, Meet John Doe), let's also give the...June 13, 2008 - 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
500 headaches
As I contemplate taking the last two aspirins from this bottle, I'm wondering: What in the world possessed me to buy a bottle of 1000 aspirins? It's been so long ago, I can't remember. Was I so overcome with the per unit price at Costco (note the Kirkland brand)...June 13, 2008 - 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Going gray - on my way!
A couple years ago I announced on my blog that I was going to go gray. I never made good on that resolution. When my hair started growing out, I found that having the amount of gray I had at that point made my hair look very dull and unattractive....June 9, 2008 - 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Purcellville Gazette - home of my new column Family Matters
Loudoun readers who've been looking for my writing locally can now find it in The Purcellville Gazette, a free weekly which arrives in western Loudoun mailboxes each Friday. The Purcellville Gazette began publishing in May of 2004 and has a circulation of 16,500. My column there is titled Family...June 6, 2008 - 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Real Life in Loudoun - tangling with tornados
I am still sick so not much energy to post. Jonny's IEP/transition to Loudoun Valley High was yesterday and I had to pull myself together for that since it involved 10 people's schedules and postponing might mean waiting another six weeks for the empty spaces on our calendars to coincide....June 5, 2008 - 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Feed a cold? Starve a cold? What?
While blogging makes for a lot of transparency, a blogger may be keeping up with a few things, but one thing you won't know unless she says so is that she's sick. Which I am. Along with Justin, I missed the strep/sore throat epidemic that went around our house a...June 3, 2008 - 6:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
My birthday - unbelievably 60
I can hardly believe that I have lived this many years. But everything I could say sounds trite. I guess the important thing is that I still feel like I'm young - which is good, since I still have six kids at home to finish raising. Well, five after...May 26, 2008 - 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack
My life in a nutshell
My friend Ann Stewart, a writer/mom who lives a few miles from me, is working on her third published book: Preparing My Heart for Motherhood. Each month she is posting an excerpt at her website. This month's is based on my life. So if you'd like to, please visit Ann...May 15, 2008 - 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Barbara Curtis - Lovettsville Library Thursday May 15
LIVE! Barbara Curtis, Author, Speaker Lovettsville Library Thursday, May. 15, 10:00 AM Register Online or call 540-822-5824. The Lovettsville Library has invited me to talk with moms on teaching children to read, book selection, and encouraging young readers. Hope to see some of you there! Come meet author, Barbara Curtis....May 13, 2008 - 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Every Mother's a Working Mother
My article at Crosswalk.com for Mother's Day: Every Mother’s a Working Mother Barbara Curtis, Contributing Writer May 5, 2008 It was the kind of splendid September day when sending kids to school just feels wrong. Fortunately, that year I was homeschooling and calling the shots. Plus we were living in...May 9, 2008 - 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Sophia and Mom's Incredible Amazing Trip to New York
I'm back! It's taken a while - including five hours this morning to pull together the 270 photos we shot in New York. Yes, I know, it's a tough life being a parent. This past weekend I had to pick up my cross and go to New York once...May 6, 2008 - 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
In New York for the weekend
Just a note to let you know I haven't dropped off the planet. I'm in New York - once again. Kind of a spontaneous trip with Sophia, my 18-year old daughter. Will explain when I get home!...May 3, 2008 - 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic #22 - Celebrating the Ascension
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...May 1, 2008 - 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
The fox in my life
Last month I told you about the Fox in My Life. Caught him outside this morning, enjoying the wet greenery: And now, off to work. . . . ....April 21, 2008 - 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Celebrating birthdays at our house yesterday
I have so much to be grateful for! The downpour yesterday put the kibosh on sports (* kibosh - isn't that a great Yiddish word?) and meant that our house was filled with cheer. This means grandchildren are here: Yay! Here is Aunt Maddy with my youngest grandson Jeffrey: Maddy...April 21, 2008 - 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Proof that prayer works
We try to get our family together every Sunday. With try being the key word. But with my grandchildren very involved in soccer and baseball - spread out on four different teams - plus Tim has umpire jobs - sometimes it's not possible. On Thursday, facing my grandchildren's extremely...April 19, 2008 - 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Jennifer and me
It's always a blessing when I get to meet someone in person that I've only known online. Last Saturday, Jennifer Merkel was in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia with her kids - who were participating in a Civil War reenactment. For some reason, my children were very busy on their own....April 15, 2008 - 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Taking Daniel to Dr. Capone today
It's cold again today - glad I never found the time to do the big wardrobe switcheroo. I'm off to Baltimore this morning with Daniel to visit Dr. Capone at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, which is part of Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Daniel has Down syndrome, but he is really...April 14, 2008 - 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Jonny & Me: Our Amazing NYC adventure
Jonny's amazing New York adventure is now ready for viewing - along with my random commentary - just click below: NYC: Jonny's amazing adventure More random observations: * In our three days in New York City, I never saw another individual with Down syndrome - nor have I in my...April 11, 2008 - 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Barbara and Jonny's amazing adventure
I wan't expecting to post so soon, but since Jonny got up at 5 - I got up at 4, but I don't count :) - I am giving him a little break after checking into our room. He's watching a silly movie with Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, and Red...April 8, 2008 - 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Jonny & Me: Counting down to NYC
If you have emailed me in the past week, chances are I haven't answered yet. Between Maddy's singing over the weekend and trying to get things in order for Jonny's trip to New York - plus selling a bunch of stuff on Ebay - I have been scrambling to leave...April 7, 2008 - 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
My life - full speed ahead!
Maddy and I drove down to Old Dominion University in Norfolk Friday morning for the second level of the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition. She had placed in the state competition and so was moving on to regionals. I am not a trained singer, but several of...April 6, 2008 - 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Easter at church and at home
We went to Easter Vigil at St Francis deSales Saturday night - a wonderful three-hour service in which traditionally new converts are received into the Catholic Church. Tripp, who had been baptized in a Protestant denomination as a baby, then wandered until 1987 when he became a born-again believer, was...March 25, 2008 - 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Personality and Multiple Intelligences test: I'm ENTJ
I am a consistent ENTJ. Note the small percentage of women with this personality type. No wonder I'm so weird :) This site is interesting because it also has a Multiple Intelligences test. You might want to take these too: Click on the box if you want to take the...March 23, 2008 - 7:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Greetings from California
I am in Redwood City today - will be giving a talk to moms tomorrow at Peninsula Covenant Church. This is exciting because I'm going to see an old friend, Anne Gaddini, who I've known since before she was married - 20 years ago, I think? - and whom I...March 10, 2008 - 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
The Loudoun Times-Mirror has dropped my column
After four years of publishing a regular column for the Loudoun Times-Mirror, I have received my walking papers. My guess is that the GLBT activists and supporters - like sharks who've tasted blood after their penguin victory - were demanding "Off with Her Head!" Because I disagreed with them politically,...March 8, 2008 - 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
The Fat Flush Diet: how hard is it and did it work?
From the comments: I'm wondering whether you found the Fat Flush diet hard to stick to, and did you have a hard time breaking free from the sugar cravings? Yes, I found it hard to stick to the first few days!!! But that's not the point. I realized that one...March 8, 2008 - 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
My WaPo copyright issue follow-up
On Monday, after sharing my WaPo problem with you all, I wrote to the editor of the LoudounExtra section: Dear Mr. Bernstein - You printed an article of mine without my permission. See The Washington Post breaking copyright law? I'm not sure what you were thinking. I know most people...March 6, 2008 - 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Do I really need two blogs?
Posted at the MizReport this morning: I know there's nothing here to read lately. . . . please visit MommyLife instead Sorry I am not currently posting here. Although I must have been in a compartmentalized mood when I started this blog - trying to move politics off my MommyLife...March 6, 2008 - 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic #20 - Catholics Come Home video
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...March 5, 2008 - 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Feminism - a quiz and a little personal history
How well do you know the history of feminism? To find out, take this quiz. I scored 9/10. But of course, I was one of the founding mothers of the second wave. Charter member of NOW, abortion rights activist - and so on and on. Actually, maybe you'd like...March 5, 2008 - 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The Washington Post breaking copyright law?
Apparently the Washington Post printed something of mine without a contract, payment or permission today - you can read it here. As I never sent this to and never received any prior communication from them, this is a complete surprise. I do not donate my work to newspapers and have...March 2, 2008 - 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
My life - and diet update
This cast is driving me crazy!!!!! Still dreaming of getting out of it. . . . . Yesterday I was able to use a pair of gigantic toenail snippers to trim down another ½” on my thumb where the edge of the fiberglass was rubbing my skin raw. The fiberglass...February 28, 2008 - 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Speaking in Redwood City, CA March 11
You are invited! If you can come, please RSVP for free childcare:...February 26, 2008 - 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dreams
My dreams last night were like a set of Russian nesting dolls. Have you ever dreamed you were dreaming? I dreamed all night about somehow getting out of my cast. Remember how this week Tripp trimmed 1/2 inch around each of the edges - my arm, my hand, my...February 24, 2008 - 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Grace and peace to you this morning!
Wow. That was luxurious - sleeping in and having my hubby bring me my lemon juice in bed (btw, one of the sweetest things: Greta had stocked a bowl of lemons for my visit and Chap squeezed them for me each morning I was there since I couldn't do that...February 22, 2008 - 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic #19 - Sola Scriptura
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...February 21, 2008 - 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Home from Seattle
I am home! On Sunday I flew to Seattle to spend a few days with Greta, who began reading my blog several years ago and has gone through some major life changes since - including changing her mind about having children :) And boy, did she change her mind -...February 21, 2008 - 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The fox in my life
We had another ice storm yesterday. The kids had off school and Tripp even stayed home from work and made pancakes for everyone. When he spotted a fox outside, he told me to grab my camera. I used my telephoto lens and waited a good ten minutes to get a...February 14, 2008 - 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
My broken wrist revisited
It's been two weeks since I broke my wrist and it seemed to be getting worse. The brace just wasn't immobilizing my arm and hand properly - trying to do anything hurt like crazy. So back to the doctor this morning. She said that in addition to the break, my...February 12, 2008 - 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
What a wonderful world - no matter what's broken
I'm back from the orthopedist for my break - officially "nondisplaced distal radial fracture." Great news! I do not have a cast, but a brace which locks my arm/wrist/thumb in rigid support, but frees my fingers completely (yes, that's it in the picture above - note the color coordination...February 5, 2008 - 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #18
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...February 3, 2008 - 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack