Category Archives: Things I wish I would have known when I was 15.

I sat in the stands of a sporting event with my heart breaking for a mother I hadn’t met or seen. Near me a group of women were gossiping about this mother and her child. From their loud conversation, I … Continue reading →

Last week my daughter came home from school and told me she didn’t think she’d ever be a very good singer. “Why is that?” I asked. “Because I can’t find the tune as easily as everybody else does.” (I’m pretty … Continue reading →

Have you ever met someone who seemed to focus on only the negative side of life? No matter how small they’re bothered by something or someone, and this is all they can talk about. Now I’m not saying I’m perfectly … Continue reading →

This week I had the pleasure of reading through the histories of my grandparents. The stories made me smile. I also came to realize a lot of my Janelle-isms aren’t original. A large part of who I am is a … Continue reading →

The unknown can be a scary, but there is a first time for everything. Just look at a baby. Their first steps, their first words, and a zillion other firsts that happen before they reached the age of five. You’d … Continue reading →

“I want to be famous,” a young girl said to me recently. Her mother stood close by, her expectant gaze hoping I might offer some advice that would bring her daughter’s head out of the clouds and back to reality. … Continue reading →

I spent time with young adults over the weekend so I find my thoughts still swirling around dating. You’re gonna have to bear with me. Before I married my husband, I always dated the same type of guy: outgoing, with … Continue reading →

After talking to single adults this past weekend, one question seemed to pop up more frequently than any other. “What if I no longer want to date a particular person, how can I let them down easy?” Well…the truth is … Continue reading →

I happened to be at the high school this week waiting for my daughter’s violin lessons to finish when I heard some loud thumping going on in the main hall. Curious, and let’s face it, nosy, I walked out and … Continue reading →

To live a life without mistakes is impossible, but trying to cover up those mistakes, as my daughter found out this week, only makes the initial mistake worse. She loves accessories, bows, flowers, pretty things for her hair.  I’m far … Continue reading →