Tag: featured

Tyler Perry pays off $434,000 in Christmas layaway accounts at Walmart stores in Georgia.
Celebrities, Good News, Great Giving, Kindness, Uplifting Stories

Tyler Perry Pays Off $434,000 In Christmas Layaway Accounts At Walmarts In Georgia

Tyler Perry was trying to be an anonymous Santa Superstar producer, director, writer, actor Tyler Perry was trying to be an anonymous Santa. He’s successful at so much. Playing Santa and staying under the radar, not so much. Perry reached out to two Walmart stores in the Atlanta area and paid off $434,000 in Christmas layaway accounts. Perry confessed on his Twitter feed and told the lucky folks what they need to go do next. I was trying to do

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The holidays are dead to me.
Daryn's Blog, Family, Food, The Hard Stuff

The Holidays Are Dead To Me & Other Things That Make Me Happy

The holidays are dead to me.      Which is a big reason this is one of the best times of the year. By “dead,” I actually mean THE dead, as in those who have passed.      I love how they have a way of taking a seat at my holiday table. Something tells me they might be at yours, as well.      From the moment I pull my grandmother’s pressed glass serving pieces from the cabinet that came from great

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I would've sworn I wasn't going to cry as I launched into Empty Nest time. Then this happened on one very crowded airplane.
Daryn's Blog, Family, Parenting, The Hard Stuff

Those Were Not The Empty Nest Tears I Was Expecting

What really went down after I dropped off our youngest at college This was not the plan.      Not the plan for the plane at all.      “How do you think you’ll do?”      This question has come from multiple directions all summer long.      All in anticipation of what mothers around the world dread.      The Empty Nest.      I could’ve placed one hand across my heart and the other on a stack of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and answered entirely truthfully.      “I’m fine. Actually,” I’d

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Daria and Jim get five boxes each. What would go in yours?
Daryn's Blog, Overcoming Obstacles, The Hard Stuff

What Do You Keep If Your Entire Life Had To Fit In Five Boxes?

Daria and Jim are a nightmare. At least to certain forces we face every day. The companies and marketers who bombard us with romance of stuff. No matter how much you have, you need more. Clothes, shoes, boats, houses, trinkets. Daria, especially, gets that. Stuff-loving hoarder. That’s how she described herself. So much stuff it led her to having one of those “How’d we get here?” moments. “We looked up and realized we had lived in the same house for

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The shocking thing I caught my husband doing in bed inspired the perfect gift for our anniversary.
Daryn's Blog, Marriage

The Shocking Thing I’ve Caught My Husband Doing In Bed Inspires Perfect Anniversary Gift

At least I have his anniversary present figured out. That’s what I’m telling myself. To calm down. After discovering what I discovered my husband doing. In bed. Where he wasn’t alone. He was there, Happily, With my beloved tweezers. Watching TV, relaxing, and removing random old man hairs. I pause early in this column to share, That all those years I dreamed of having a husband, A wonderful man in my bed, The image that came to mind, Well, safe

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Animals, Daryn's Blog, Dogs, Dogs, Pets

Why You Should Hire My Dog As Your Next Commencement Speaker

An opportunity has been missed. In this Graduation Season I see a long list of celebrities, politicians, and business giants asked to give commencement speeches. I watch. Looking to be impressed. Instead, I’m left with the feeling that once you get past the famous name, there’s often something missing. The feeling that, well, My dog could do better. So, graduates of the Class of 2018, let me fill in the blanks where perhaps your commencement speaker left you wanting. I

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At least my intentions were good when I ruined my four-year-old neighbor's birthday party.
Daryn's Blog, I Screwed Up, Life Lessons Took Me Long Time To Learn

How My Brilliant Idea Managed To Meltdown A Four Year-Old’s Birthday Party

It’s not that I meant to meltdown my four year-old neighbor’s birthday party. Just talented, I guess. And giftless. Yes, I dared to walk into a four year-old’s party without a gift. Crazy week, whatever. I know when you’re four, you know birthday equals presents. I did have what I thought was a brilliant idea. I just happened to have an old Hot Wheels car laying around. It must’ve been left over from a long ago visit from one of

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Best cure ever for my worst pity party of my life.
Daryn's Blog, Family, Overcoming Obstacles, Parenting

The One Who Cured The Worst Pity Party Of My Life

This week I have the story of one lucky girl.      A story that starts with a pathetic pity party.      Mine.      On a Sunday night, long ago.      What is it about Sunday nights?      How they magnify lonely and sad.      Which is what I cried to my best friend.      It wasn’t the first time we’d had this talk.      Which is probably why she cut short the empathy and sent me a link.      With a simple note.      “I think you need to do this.”      It

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