When Monaciello first opened its doors, I attended a media preview night; I recently dug out my notes from the event, and I noticed these words that I had scribbled down as I was sampling the night’s offerings: “Life-changing carrot.” It’s not often that a root veggie is preceded by …
Read More »Candy Cane Express: Insider Tips for an Afternoon of Christmas Joy
My 7th grade Nevada history instructor from Clayton Middle School, Mr. Gandolfo, would likely do somersaults in his grave if he could hear the following admission: I’ve never ridden the V&T Railroad. So very sorry, Mr. G. But I made it up to him today (and seriously thought about so many of the things …
Read More »An Emotional Ode to the Profound Sanctity of Mommyhood
I am so fucking tired of being fucking tired. The End
Read More »Reno Mom Creates Cute Clothes for the No-Bra Zone
OK moms, so tell me if any of these scenarios sounds remotely familiar: You’re off to drop your beautiful child at daycare, but you have no desire to take off your cozy sweatshirt, put on a bra, then put your sweatshirt back on — and yet you do. Because decency. …
Read More »Introverted Parents, I Have Good News and Bad News
As I type this, my adorable, amazing, spectacular 4-year-old is adjacent to me. Notice I did not say “next to me”; I said, “adjacent” — in mathematical terms, “having a common vertex and a common side.” In mommy terms: touching me. So. Very. Much. Touching. My child is always touching me. …
Read More »The Tale of the Headless Easter Bunny
I have issues. I get that. But perhaps during no season are my issues more prevalent than during the run-up to Easter. And there’s one massive reason. The Easter Bunny. But not the cute, fluffy, imaginary one (sorry kids if you’re reading this) that stops by my house every year to set …
Read More »Dear Anyone Who Is NOT My Child: Please Don’t Call Me ‘Mom’
My 4-year-old daughter was recently in the hospital. And I don’t mean “in the hospital” as in “visiting a friend and then scampering down to the cafeteria for a chocolate fro-yo.” I mean “in the hospital” as in “hospitalized.” For days. Yet every nurse, doctor, CNA and hospital food service …
Read More »As a Parent, I’m Thankful for These Small Joys
Let me get this out of the way from the outset: I never take for granted how blessed I am to be called “Mom” by three spectacular souls. They are everything to me, and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it allows me to truly recognize and express gratitude …
Read More »4 Family-Friendly, Secret(ish) ‘Things to Do in Reno Before You Die’
When I was contacted by a publisher and asked if I would write a book about Reno, my first thought was this: Am I being Punk’d? But then I realized it was legit and that Ashton Kutcher was not about to show up at my door; the publisher was asking …
Read More »An Open Letter to my Graduating Son: Whatever You Do, Don’t Set the World on Fire
If you know me, Dylan — which, considering you’ve been with me for 17 years, I hope you do by now — you know how I feel about aspirational platitudes. The words “Live every moment, laugh every day, love beyond words” (or their equally annoying truncated version: “Live-laugh-love”) make me want …
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