Abby Off the Record — The scoop on life, writing & raising kids

Flashback Friday: Old Tom Turkey & Rusty the Snowman

November 25, 2011

When I was searching for my go-to Thanksgiving recipe, Emeril’s cranberry sauce, I found this post in my archives from when my oldest son was the same age as my youngest is now. Enjoy! And don’t get trampled at the Black Friday sales. Me? I’m waiting for Cyber Monday. Old Tom Turkey & Rusty the […]

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What I’m Thankful for and Why

November 23, 2011

To warm up for Thanksgiving, we asked our boys to tell us what they’re thankful for. Miles, age 5, said “My brother and toys.” Riley, age 2.5, said candy and one of his friends in the neighborhood. I like those answers; they’re honest. If someone asks me what I am thankful for, I’ll usually rattle […]

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“Will You Carry Me?” or Hiking with Small Children

November 21, 2011

Funny thing about toddlers: one minute they’re “too tired” to walk another step, and the next minute they’re sprinting around the playground like they just shotgunned a Red Bull. I’ve dubbed this phenomenon “selective energy.” It’s comparable to selective hearing — kids don’t hear you when you say it’s time to clean up but they […]

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Girls’ Getaway: Miami

November 18, 2011

What happens when you fly 5 overworked wives and moms to Miami and pack them all into one hotel room for the weekend? A whole lotta fun, is what. We talked, we relaxed, we ate, we drank, we danced, we shopped, we complained about the prices, and we talked some more. Here are some pictures […]

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Winning the War Over Family Dinner

November 16, 2011

Weary from combat, the mighty mom warrior raises herself up on the battlefield once again. She smooths her armor apron and raises her sword spatula to the sky. “I will win this battle or die trying!” she cries, her voice cracking. “I will triumph over my adversaries and win the war over … family dinner!” […]

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Meet Parent Coach Meghan Leahy

November 14, 2011

A while ago, my sister-in-law invited me to a mom’s night out at her home near Washington, D.C. featuring a special guest speaker: “parent coach” Meghan Leahy. A chance to see my niece and nephew, mingle with fellow moms over wine and cheese, AND get parenting tips from an expert? I’m in. The minute I […]

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Miami, Here We Come!

November 11, 2011

By the time you read this, I will be on my way to Miami for a girls’ weekend with 4 friends who are scattered across the country. Back in our single days, we used to live in the same city and get together weekly. Now, we can barely manage it annually. While I am going […]

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Catalogs

November 9, 2011

The Christmas toy catalogs have arrived. Or as I like to think of them, the little boys’ version of the Victoria’s Secret catalog, Brookstone, and Sports Illustrated all rolled into one. (If you’re wondering why my older son has horns, he’s wearing a Batman mask. Because, well, why wouldn’t you?)

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Money, Food and Clogs

November 7, 2011

I found Geneen Roth’s book Lost and Found at the library one day when I was wandering the aisles, looking for something that spoke to me. This is actually how I pick out a lot of my reading material. That day I was looking for something that dealt with the current state of our economy, […]

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Word Nerds, and Oprah

November 4, 2011

We’re kind of word nerds in my family. We love a good game of Scrabble, a good pun, a good play on words. My 5yo’s current favorite joke is: “What’s that under there?” “Under where?” “Haha! You said UNDERWEAR!” I once overheard my mom (a retired English teacher) explaining the word “tardy” to my toddler. […]