Barbara Valentin's Blog, page 4
June 5, 2016
The Incessant Ouch of the Revolving Door
Kids. They come, they go, they break your heart, and then they return, full of hugs and smiles. It’s their job. It’s what they do. Never is this more evident than when they’re in college and beyond. Had I realized when I was their age that I was inflicting so much heartache on my mother […]
May 28, 2016
Cherishing Vets..and Pie
It’s Memorial Day weekend. That’s right. We devote an entireweekend to remembering the sacrifice others have made on our behalf so we can do the things we want to do whenever, and wherever, we chose. Aswe relish an extra day off of work, plan cookouts, attend parades and get lured into stores with the promise […]
May 24, 2016
Why I’m Letting My Son Skip Graduation
With five kids, three of whom have already graduated from high school, I know the drill – the ceremony always takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend in our community college’sfield house and the students need to pick up their tickets weeks in advance. When it was son #4’s turn to do just […]
May 10, 2016
Birthing a Book
I am pleased to announce that after months and months of hard labor, I have given birth to a fifty-eight thousand word manuscript. While no stitches were required (ebook), I’ll admit I did indulge insome anesthesia (red wine…don’t ask how much). A welcome addition to my Assignment: Romance series,I decided to name my fourth baby […]
May 5, 2016
Just in Time for Mother’s Day
If your mother is anything like mine, she loves to read. So, in honor of mother’s everywhere, I present…(drumroll, please)…a book sale! Twenty amazing books – everything from cozy mystery to nonfiction fun to light-hearted romance, allfrom my esteemed publisher for just .99 cents from May 5th – 8th only. Happy Mother’s Day to all […]
May 2, 2016
On Parenting Parents
Sorry it’s been awhile. Lots going on. Through someweird twist in the time-space continuum (see highly technical diagram) my sibs and I have become our parents’ parents. Clearly, this is the result of all that we put them through as kids – well, not me of course, but my brothers and sisters (random speculation on […]
March 19, 2016
No Vacancies
It’s Spring Break season and Casa de Plate Spinner isopen for business! Guests canrelax in our clean, but cluttered accommodations, sleep in cramped quarters, luxuriate on the overstuffed couch in the family roomwhile bonding over video games not enjoyed since Christmas break, and consume delectable homemade meals and snacksprovidedby the doting staff around the clock. […]
March 5, 2016
Plate Spinner Tip #137 – The Bacon Bribe
As the mother of five boys, I learned early on that food was one of the most potent tools in my maternal manipulation arsenal. It works so much better than guilt which, studies have shown, can lose it efficacy if overused and end up costing thousands of dollars in therapy when they’re older. Here’s a […]
March 1, 2016
Speaking of Help Wanted
Are you a fan ofmy second Assignment: Romance book, Help Wanted? If so, would you like to: Know who inspired the lead characters? Read the deleted scene I still regret leaving out? Learn how to makethe Puerto Rican Rice that Paul makes for dinner at the beginning of the book? Share your worst job story? […]
February 21, 2016
No Helicopters Allowed
OK, yes. I’m one of those moms – the kind who waits until the last minute to return my children’s permission slips, make annual checkup appointments, submit all required camp paperwork, and never volunteers for anything because, hey, on top of taking care of my kids, parents and house, I have a full-time day job […]
