Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Welcome, Zoey!
Welcome, Zoey!
Yes, we did it again! Welcome to the newest addition to our family, Zoey! She...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Babies, Bongos and Remembering Dad
Babies, Bongos and Remembering Dad
Although it is a week into January, this Christmas season keeps on giving! My...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Now, the Work of Christmas Begins
Now, the Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone,...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Epiphany
Epiphany
And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on It’s That Important
It’s That Important
I don’t usually share other people’s YouTube videos, but I think...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on A Little Effort Can Make a Difference
A Little Effort Can Make a Differenc...
Today, another example of what happens when someone meets with something...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Purring Nemo, After His Bath
Purring Nemo, After His Bath
November 25, 2013. Nemo, like most kittens, is pretty messy. He walks through...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on November Thankful Challenge Day 24
November Thankful Challenge Day 24
November 24, 2013. Today, I am thankful to be able to share these past 31+...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on November Thankful Challenge Day 21
November Thankful Challenge Day 21
November 21, 2013. Today, I am thankful for Veterans and for those who...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on See The Fly?
See The Fly?
A common housefly can be a source of irritation. Or amusement and comfort....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Bananas!
Bananas!
Bananas are a staple in my house. They are the perfect add-in to my oatmeal....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on 40 Years of “Pro-Choice” – What Does That Really Mean?
40 Years of “Pro-Choice”...
“The only differences between the Herod of old and the Herods of today...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on It All Started With a Dance…
It All Started With a Dance…
Love is like an earthquake: unpredictable, a little scary, but when...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on When Momma’s Happy, Everyone is Happy
When Momma’s Happy, Everyone i...
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Remember the Born Alive Infant Protection Act?
Remember the Born Alive Infant Prote...
“President George W. Bush signed the federal version of the Born Alive...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Life’s a Dance
Life’s a Dance
“Life’s a dance you learn as you go Sometimes you lead, sometimes...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Obama: Government, Privacy and Dreams
Obama: Government, Privacy and Dream...
“As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Pro-life – The Only Choice
Pro-life – The Only Choice
On this day, in 1973, abortion was made legal in the United States. Since...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on What Do They Mean By “Choice”?
What Do They Mean By “Choice...
“If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on That First Kiss Revisited
That First Kiss Revisited
I originally wrote a version of the following piece in my journal following...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Fun With Comcast
Fun With Comcast
Calling Comcast about a bill increase is always fun. For me, it goes...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Ladies Home Journal: Dispelling Myths About IUDs?
Ladies Home Journal: Dispelling Myth...
But because we live in an age of science, we have a preoccupation with...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on And Boys Will Be Men
And Boys Will Be Men
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on And Another Year Passes
And Another Year Passes
Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes. ~Gloria Naylor Today...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Take the Time
Take the Time
If a dog jumps into your lap it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on SB 136: Killed But Still Kicking
SB 136: Killed But Still Kicking
On Thursday, February 17, 2011, Senator Edward Maloney killed SB 136. When I...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Contact Sen. Ed Maloney to Oppose SB 136
Contact Sen. Ed Maloney to Oppose SB...
Please contact Sen. Ed Maloney, and let him know that you oppose SB136. This...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Tell Senator Ed Maloney to Withdraw SB 136 – and Do Not Amend It!
Tell Senator Ed Maloney to Withdraw ...
Yesterday, thousands of homeschoolers traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Sen. Ed Maloney discusses SB136 on WLS Radio
Sen. Ed Maloney discusses SB136 on W...
Earlier today, Senator Ed Maloney discussed SB 136, the proposed bill to...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on SB 136 – A Hot Topic for Illinois Homeschoolers
SB 136 – A Hot Topic for Illinois Ho...
Earlier this week, I wrote in to the SouthtownStar Newspaper about the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Illinois: Trying to Regulate Homeschoolers
Illinois: Trying to Regulate Homesch...
Last week, Senator Edward Maloney, Illinois 18th District, introduced SB136,...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Ask Them What They Mean By ‘Choice’ Blog Day is January 21!
Ask Them What They Mean By ‘Ch...
“The undeniable fact is that those who defend the destruction of...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Christmas Eve 2010
Christmas Eve 2010
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day; their old familiar carols play,...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Remembering Uncle John
Remembering Uncle John
“Trust in God’s timing. It’s always right.” (This...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Remembering Remo
Remembering Remo
He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on It’s That Time of Year
It’s That Time of Year
The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on It’s All in the Family
It’s All in the Family
Today, I had the pleasure of attending a family reunion. This was for my...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Chase Bank and Creative Finances
Chase Bank and Creative Finances
Back in the day, as my sons like to say, my husband and I refinanced our...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on An Early Memory
An Early Memory
“Memory is a net.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.I remember going to...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Patsy and a Mouse
Patsy and a Mouse
“You’re never too old to learn something new.””Right...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Quotes for Friday
Quotes for Friday
I stumbled across some quotes today as I was reading through some magazines....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Is Silence Really Golden?
Is Silence Really Golden?
” I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on A Fundamental Right?
A Fundamental Right?
“….is it surprising that today we have become so morally blind...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Perhaps the Grinch was Correct
Perhaps the Grinch was Correct
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Counting My Blessings
Counting My Blessings
“If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Sugar Cookies, Pizzelles and Fudge
Sugar Cookies, Pizzelles and Fudge
Last week, my sister mentioned that her boys would love to come over to meet...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on It’s “Merry Christmas, ” Not “Happy Holidays”
It’s “Merry Christmas, ”...
A recent conversation on Facebook was started when a friend of mine posted...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Meet Kitty Number 3!
Meet Kitty Number 3!
Last week, I adopted a new kitten. She is a domestic short hair, about six...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Friends, Family & Fate
Friends, Family & Fate
You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Two Kittens and Ten Months
Two Kittens and Ten Months
July 3, 2009. Today is the ten-month anniversary of the death of my dad,...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Along Came A Kitten
Along Came A Kitten
Jethro became a member of our family back in October 2007. He was a mere 6...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | Comments Off on Meet “The Boys”
Meet “The Boys”
I realize that I may be in serious danger of becoming the “crazy cat...
