Reflections? Me, my turn? Oh, um...where to start...

Feels at once, somehow, like a slog of marathon and a brief page flip. Let's sum up: 2015 was a rebuilding year. I've learned what an incredible man my husband Joe Kowalski really is, and I've learned how lucky I am that so, so many of you are truly real friends. I can't begin to even express...what can I even say, you guys rallied and saved my life. That's real. I've learned about mental illness and self-respect. 2016's theme is going to be...

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Just when I decide to write more and Facebook less...

...a friend I never see gets the cutest puppy in the world.  Must see all puppy pics forever. ...

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Generation X Problems

When I was little I demanded to know why Goofy wears clothes and talks, but Pluto goes bare and makes dog sounds. Can you DO that? Can you have two dogs in one franchise and only one is anthropomorphic? Were they ever in a scene together? What does Goofy have to say to Plut...

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Stop the glorification of "busy." It's OK to be happy with a calm life.@ActionforHappiness...

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That's Not A Hoverboard

Why is everyone calling those two-wheel things "hoverboards?" Roll. No hover. We're just calling shit whatever now? Then I didn't get a Mazda 3 Zipcar and go to Target to find a new trash can. I got a spacebuggy and went to Narnia to find a Horcrux. You can't just say stuff is other stuff when it clearly isn't. ...

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Christmas Day

Uncle Joe and the girls waiting for pie....

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Cardullo's

Who went to Cardullo's for Torrone? Marone, the place was a madhouse! On a Friday at Christmas? You don't say. Do you know this box? For the un-initiated, this is a box of Italian nougat candies. They come in lemon, orange and vanilla. In our house, mom placed them on the Christmas tree along with the candy canes and popcorn balls. Torrone is individually boxed. I used to wrap the individual boxes (after I ate the candy) in bits of wrapping...

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Recipe: Loaded Potato Chowder

I whipped up this decadent soup the other night, making it up as I went along -- that's usually how I approach soup-making -- but this one came out so good that I've got to write it down. Sorry, it's not for vegans nor Atkins people. This is a hearty, fatty winter soup that's a stick-to-your-ribs meal in a bowl. You non-bacon, non-dairy, no-carb guys might live a few years longer, but then again, you don't get to have this soup. Let's call...

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Throwback Thursday: 2007

Cherry Hill, NJ Joe's mom puts up two trees. "The tree" and "the other tree." This is the other tree. Every time Joe snaps a selfie, one of us is cut off. It's okay. Love my tall man. 💓 Related: WII Cook, WII Eat, WII Drink, WII WII Related: Christmas 2007: Part the Second...Dog Da...

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Throwback Thursday: 1986

Photo: Sharon Lombardi Young people need role models. Having a young and creative woman like my aunt Sharon was great. I had a not-so-happy childhood and she seemed to sense it, seems she went out of her way to spend time with me. She tried to teach me how to drive a stick, and she'd find reasons for the two of us to hang out. I remember this day when she and I went for a walk, she wanted to take pictures of me. I resisted. I hate pictures of...

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Christmas in Harvard Square Bears

Harvard Coop bears are ready for Santa. Cardullo's gingerbread house. Sure it's big enough, Paisans?...

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