Author Archives: Barbara

About Barbara

Barbara has been working for a small liberal arts college in the cornfields of Ohio for about 15 years. In addition to teaching Spanish she runs a somewhat unconventional language center. Prior to this adventure in higher ed she taught high school Spanish and loved it. She wishes she had more time in her life to write, read, swim, and watch the Red Sox. And sometimes she blogs over here and here as well...

UFOs

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Barbara

Unidentified Frozen Objects.  My mom had them in her freezer,  I haz them in the bottom of my chest freezer.  So for dinner tonight I pulled out these five containers  and set them on the counter to thaw.  I have  … Continue reading →

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Getting rid of the schtink of chlorine

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Barbara

Yeah, okay so I swim.  I enjoy it but I do not like carrying the schtink of chlorine around on me for an entire day.  I smell like a bottle of Clorox, especially on the days after they have “done … Continue reading →

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Feeding the kid

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Barbara

This is what breakfast looks like for the eating machine that is also know as my younger son.  Most mornings it is just waffles ( made from scratch because it is just as easy and way cheaper) and bacon.  Some … Continue reading →

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See a doctor at a Cleveland Clinic campus? Check your monthly statements. Now.

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Barbara

There is one benefit to be in charge of Mom and Dad’s bills: I have  a very healthy dose of skepticism when I review medical invoices.  I  have become horrified at what doctors/HMOs get away with charging when they know  … Continue reading →

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Paperwork

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Barbara

My siblings and I have divided the tasks that Mom and Dad need to have done, and I took on the paying of the bills.  I hate paying my own bills, so somehow there is a cruel irony in the … Continue reading →

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Playlists

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Barbara

I go to Pilates classes 2-3 times a week.  I love my teacher ( she is ten years older than me and can easily whup me and everyone else in the room…damn) but her choice of music during class is … Continue reading →

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Lowering the bar

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Barbara

Precisely one year ago today, Ryan and I thought it would be fun to participate in Inkygirl’s  “250 words a day” . I blogged about it here.   250 words seemed do-able, low stakes and possible. I was filled with … Continue reading →

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The news from there

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Barbara

 Mom and Dad are now in Assisted Living. Together. Hooray. The past few months have been a whirlwind of sorting, storing, clearing, tossing, and  donating about 65 years of accumulated stuff belonging to my parents. Getting their  current house ready … Continue reading →

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Mistakes

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Barbara

This was the sign outside the AmVets Hall where we donated my dad’s electric wheelchair and scooter.  In addition to spaghetti dinners and steak fries, they seem to have a good sense of humor and an awesome  philosophy on life…and … Continue reading →

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Lost in the continuum

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Barbara

My son, who just finished his first year in college, is living at home this summer. It feels weird and uncomfortable and horribly limiting. He knows he is almost 19, but every now and again he feels as if he … Continue reading →

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