There are a few days each year that are sacred to Americans. Independence Day is important, and folks love to get together for Memorial Day and Labor Day barbecues. But for some, there is a day that trumps them all: Super Bowl Sunday. With this widely-celebrated (especially for Panthers and Broncos fans) just around the corner, it's a great time to stop and think about what aspects of personality are found in devout sports fans. … read more

When I was a kid, I was the skinniest string bean in my class. My friends used to jokingly tell me that I needed to "go home and eat a gallon of ice cream" in order to fatten myself up. This was all well and good…until my metabolism caught up with me. All of a sudden, I wasn't the skinny little girl that I once was, and I didn't know how to handle it. It was time for the dreaded D-word: Diet. … read more

Have you ever looked at the people in a drive-thru lane early in the morning? They appear to be stressed, rushed, or most likely, incredibly under-caffeinated. Very rarely do you see a surprised smile from any of these drivers…until they hear the words, "Don't worry about it — the person in front of you paid for your coffee." … read more

In the traditional Christmas carol "Deck the Halls," the lyrics do not only encourage you to hang holly plants around the house, but they also insist that it is the time of year "to be jolly." Sure, the holidays may mean buying presents, attending parties, and cooking meals, but when you really break things down, the holidays are about spending time with family. And if your family is anything like mine, then there is certain to be QUITE a bit of laughter emanating from around the fireside. … read more

Just the other night, I was getting ready for bed and decided that I would get up early the following morning to go for a run. When my alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., I opened my eyes to find that it was still completely dark outside. With a disappointed sigh, I muttered, "Summer is really over" and collapsed back onto the bed. … read more