That new? Nah, that wouldn't be cool

By Laura Snyder | February 17, 2012 - 4:55pm

You know that feeling you get when you buy new clothes and wear them for the first time? Don’t you feel great?

Pros and cons of pet ownership can be hard to weigh

By Laura Snyder | February 10, 2012 - 7:25pm

There are pros and cons when it comes to owning pets. Before you adopt or buy one, you have to weigh these carefully.

Airborne cheese curds add injury to accident

By Laura Snyder | February 3, 2012 - 7:15pm

There once was a bag of cheese curds that was destined for more than a hungry man’s snack.

Adults already know, but kids won’t listen

By Laura Snyder | January 27, 2012 - 6:01pm

I wish I could somehow take all of the knowledge and information I have gained over the years and export it into my children’s heads.

Tropics don’t meet isle ideal

By Laura Snyder | January 20, 2012 - 7:36pm

Believe it or not, the Bahamas are not warm in December.

Shipboard life reveals family's ways

By Laura Snyder | January 13, 2012 - 6:07pm

If you want to learn about another person’s personal habits, the best way to do it without asking is to go on a five-day cruise with them.

Details separate ‘good strangers,’ ‘bad strangers’

By Laura Snyder | January 6, 2012 - 7:28pm

You want to keep your kids safe but sometimes it’s difficult to explain to them how to stay safe.

The definition of an adult – as seen by a 10-year-old

December 30, 2011 - 7:59pm

‘I’m 10 years old now. I’m an adult.

Carol runs behind modern holiday

By Laura Snyder | December 23, 2011 - 3:07pm

There is a season for plumbers. It’s called the “holiday season.” It never fails.

‘Satisfaction’: Take that, Mr. High Beams!

By Laura Snyder | December 16, 2011 - 6:41pm

The trouble with the world can be characterized by an example of human behavior that is readily recognized but nonetheless unexplainable.

There still is so much to do

By Laura Snyder | December 9, 2011 - 6:49pm

I’m not in denial. It’s just that 50 years old isn’t as scary as it used to be.

Mother Nature’s work easily undone

December 2, 2011 - 6:02pm

Winter is upon us. I celebrated by dragging my potted plants indoors and placing them in front of my windows.

Child sets an example for parent

By Laura Snyder | November 25, 2011 - 5:12pm

Six months ago, I realized I had a choice.

Gratitude beats wishing for more

By Laura Snyder | November 18, 2011 - 7:26pm

This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving, I tend to reflect on all the blessings in my life. I wouldn’t change my life for anything.

Kids quick to figure out dating scene

By Laura Snyder | November 11, 2011 - 9:40pm

As a mouse in our car, you would have heard the following conversation: Thirteen-year old girl: I’m never getting married.

Politics, economics and preferences go into chair choice

By Laura Snyder | November 4, 2011 - 8:11pm

My bedroom also doubles as my office. We do have an office in our house, but my husband’s computer menagerie has been procreating, it seems.

Domestic diva gene skips a generation

By Laura Snyder | October 28, 2011 - 5:26pm

My house has never been a bastion of domestic bliss. I am simply not talented in the domestic arts.

Unearned advantages go unappreciated

By Laura Snyder | September 30, 2011 - 4:18pm

In America, every person is entitled to a public education. Whether he or she decides to learn anything or not is totally up to the individual.

Family’s hospitality is for all

By Laura Snyder | July 1, 2011 - 3:32pm

We have two cats that bask in my daughter’s adoration. Unfortunately, my oldest son is allergic to cats, so they bask outdoors.

Daughter, dad share memorable meal

By Laura Snyder | June 17, 2011 - 5:24pm

Mommies are great — super, in fact. Still, there are some things that only a super daddy can fix.

What happens in the freezer shouldn’t stay in the freezer

By Laura Snyder | May 20, 2011 - 5:38pm

My freezer is full. One would think if one has a full freezer, there would be something in there to make for dinner.

If apocalypse rocks, my son will roll

By Laura Snyder | May 14, 2011 - 8:00pm

My son is not a Boy Scout, but he likes to be prepared. He also likes to know what’s going to happen before it happens.

Bribery – and candy – motivate son

By Laura Snyder | December 27, 2010 - 11:04am

Candy is the great motivator, but I resisted it, even fought it.

Writer's tools are hard to come by

By Laura Snyder | November 5, 2010 - 8:11pm

Nothing frustrates and de-motivates a writer more than a power failure. Writing a column is sort of an evolution of words.

Rules are great – until they leave Mom out in the cold

October 29, 2010 - 8:00pm

There I was, standing outside my front door in the freezing cold, in bare feet, wearing nothing but a bathrobe.