The house we are currently inhabiting was rented site unseen. The pictures online looked nice and we were unable to make the trek from Philly to see it, so we figured…what the hell. It’s only three weeks, right? Plus, the description read: “Views of the beach and marsh.” Nice! I thought. Ocean views! And what’s [...]
With nine days left before my boys head back to school, our afternoons have become suddenly peaceful. The electric guitar lays silent, the television screen is dark, and no one is trying to kill anyone on Call of Duty. The brothers have retreated to their respective serene corners of the house – Chase on the [...]
It has been an interesting week. Last Thursday, we packed up the majority of our earthly possessions and completed what we are calling “Phase One” of our move to Massachusetts. Phase One is a three week seasonal rental, Phase Two is our post Labor Day monthly rental, and Phase Three is contingent on the sale [...]
Musthav A. Swingset, nee Pinetree, of Wallingford, Pennsylvania died on August 15, 2012 after a brave and prolonged battle with wood rot and neglect. He was 12 years old. Born in 2000 and adopted by the Mendell family that same year, Mr. Swingset never quite lived up to the promise inherently implied by the sales [...]
Dear MOB Readers: As you read this, I am (hopefully) en route to our new digs in Massachusetts. Anyone who has moved knows that the whole process can get a little..err..tense. There may have even been moments, like when I was scrubbing finger paint off the bathroom wall minutes before a house showing, when I [...]
This past week, Mom and I took leave. In what has become an annual retreat, we jetted off to the Bahamas for a few days in search of serious nothingness. And we achieved just that. Halleluiah. Our travel plans took shape in the usual way. At some point in June, both of us got that [...]
Dear Phoebe, Today you are 3. Or as you would say, “FWEE.” I find it amusing that it is also Bob Marley Day, considering Three Little Birds is one of your favorite tunes. As my co-pilot and self-appointed car DJ, I can expect the first song request before we even leave the driveway: “Mom! How [...]
This past week my oldest friend Lisa shared with me the following story: Both of her daughters are enjoying sleep away camp this summer. They are gone for several weeks and during the mid-point visiting day, Lisa, in her enthusiasm to see her children (and display the impressive fitness prowess she has achieved during the [...]
Last week my mom called to report that Kerry Kennedy had been arrested for driving under the influence…of Ambien. I am not sure if she was telling me this because: a. she knows I take Ambien periodically, or b. Irish-Catholics love to talk about the Kennedys like they are distant cousins. (“Did you hear what [...]
