I saw Claire Danes in the airport years ago and I wanted to run up to her and tell her that she’s one of my favorite actresses. My So Called Life should have been called The Story of Tiffy’s Life because it was a spot-on adaption of my awkward adolescence. Alas, I did not go…

My son is going into 7th grade. I still remember 7th grade vividly. As a mom, it makes me a little nervous because that’s when I started pushing the boundaries that I’d always stayed within before. I passed my classes but I was kind of a “bad” kid. I started smoking in 7th grade. I…

I was just sucked into a moms fb page and I started feeling really badly about myself. The original poster asked which neighborhood she should move to from out of state. All these people chimed in and of course if I didn’t know them already I had to see what they looked like. So many…

Last week we got Hulu. There were some shows I wanted to see on it, so as if we didn’t already watch enough TV and have enough channels, packages, what-have-you … we added it. We’re saving on gas during the quarantine, right?? Side note: Yes, we’re still quarantining. No, I don’t think it’s time to…

A guy jumped out of the bushes and blind-sided my friend and me when I was giving her a ride to the bar on my bike many many many moons ago. We crashed to the ground and got bloodied elbows and chins. The assailant wasn’t a stranger. It was someone we knew. We were sure…

About 7 years ago I was the only person in the world without a smart phone. I was very content with my little flip phone that looked like a small, grey egg. All I wanted was to feel safe with the ability to contact someone if I got stuck on the road. PJ would say,…

And let your poor heart break a little 🎶 To get through this pandemic with our love for each other still in tact, these song lyrics are true in the Petti home. You gotta give (up) a little: Before the pandemic, electronics were not allowed at the table at meal time. Now at lunchtime, they…

I try not to get into Facebook wars. It’s really silly; grown men and women getting all fired up while not even being face-to-face with the person they’re fighting with, tapping angrily away on their phones or keyboards and hitting send. Then sitting, angrily waiting, watching the “… … …” and anticipating the response. But…

There’s a little boy in my 2nd grader’s class, we’ll call him R. I think my son is jealous because he knows how much I adore R. Whenever I’d walk into their classroom, I’d get hugs from most of the kids, but R would hang back and walk up after everyone else so he could…

Hi. If you’re reading this we’re probably friends. But my finger has been on the trigger with this one for a minute and I wasn’t sure if I should shoot. I almost didn’t, but now I’m going to. So if you don’t agree, I sincerely hope we can still be friends. However … Let’s all…

As I’ve mentioned before, I love Larry David. Prettyyy, prettyyy, prettyyy much anything he’s ever done. I know a lot of people who don’t like his show Curb Your Enthusiasm because of all the confrontation he creates. I love it because he’s just doing what no one ever does – speaks his mind and calls…

Biff and my doctor friend have (somewhat) gentle ways of opening my eyes to things. I’m not saying their opinions are always on point because they’re the same ones who claim Dirty Dancing isn’t a good movie, but this time I’m going to err on the side of caution and accept their not-so-subtle criticism, which…

Remember in The Goonies when the Fratellis were trying to get Chunk to talk so they stuck his hand in a blender? He started spilling his guts about all the messed up things he did in his life so they wouldn’t hurt him. That’s kinda the tone of this blog entry. When I was a…

Here’s a little story for y’all to peep it’s called “Me and my friends on four-twen-ty.” *Please read the above sentence in the same rhythm as the first line of Mike on the Mic from the quintessential Beastie Boys album Paul’s Boutique. Thank you. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past…

Today is the last day of spring break for my kids. Tomorrow will make this upside-down bizarro world even more crazy than it’s already been. So many times I’ve thought to myself, “I’m giving in! I’m not doing this! Come Monday when it starts up again, I’m opting out!” But a very wise friend gave…

Some people are just inherently good. I think I have good qualities, but I definitely have a vindictive, childish, Petti side (see what I did there?) I do know, however, a handful of people (or less) who are just good. One of them is my friend Kelly. In all the time I’ve known her, I…

I’m taking this opportunity to thank all the men out there who still believe in chivalry. Maybe chivalry isn’t the right word. I’m talking more about the men who treat women as their equals. I’ve known so many “tough guys” in my life. Tough guys is in quotes because the “tougher” you act, the more…

My diet has reached an all time high of gluttonous gluttony. I just caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror after doing my: wake up in the middle of the night angry because people aren’t practicing social distancing / go to the bathroom / check on my kids routine, and I didn’t even recognize…

Here are some sayings that need to go. And before you get all mad and need to calm down over a glass of wine, I admit that I catch myself saying them and even annoy myself. 1. Anything “Karen”. Leave Karens alone already. Go ahead, start calling the women who want to see a manager…

The night before last, my family and I were having dinner and my boys were saying how happy they were that the Easter bunny came around the neighborhood to give out candy. They were also wondering if he would still show up that night to hide the eggs we dyed even though the Corinavirus is…

I don’t know who’s worse: People who think rules don’t apply to them or the pathetic followers who are so scared that they won’t be liked or included that they go along with them even though they know better. I pick the latter. My reasoning is because the first set of people are too stupid…

I hate the news. I hate it’s scare tactics, the dramatic background music, the bullshit feel-good story at the end trying to say, “Hey, what we just showed you for the past hour is as awful as we could possibly make it, but here’s a story about sidewalk chalk drawings to make you feel better…

I really want to get on board with this sidewalk chalk movement. The boys and I took a walk yesterday and it was so nice to see all the sweet messages written to make others feel better in this dark time. The problem is, I really really hate chalk. The feel of it, the dust;…

Yesterday was Taco Tuesday (or Tac Tue as I like to call it) and we wanted to support the economy by getting Taco Bell. Since we live in a time that I’ve often dreamed of – where fast food is delivered straight to your door, that’s what we decided to do. We’re also taking social…

Even if it is. I love that movie. I’ve often put it on my list of favorite movies. But I do have to tell you that when I did, a little voice inside me said, “If I put Shawshank Redemption on this list, they’re going to think I’m smart and cultured…” Now don’t get all…