Our Personal Trainer

by Arlene Pellicane | | 4 comments

Friend to Friend 

One Christmas, my husband, James, had an unusual gift request. He asked if I would work out with him every day for one month.

Hmm…in one way this was an easy present. No need to spend any money or stand in line to buy that perfect gift. In another way, this was a hard gift. Exercise every day for a whole month???

I was struggling with back pain and foot pain, and James saw this as an opportunity to fix all that was ailing me. It’s kind of hard to say no at Christmastime so I accepted this holiday challenge. 

James kept a notebook with our exercises listed. The first days were tough. “Can’t you do more?” he would say. “Is

Therefore Encourage

by Arlene Pellicane | | 4 comments

Friend to Friend 

When my father-in-law passed away at age 93, we held a celebration of life. Family members and friends shared stories of the many ways dad had impacted their lives. My husband James talked about how his father had taught him a solid work ethic. Dad was an ophthalmologist (eye doctor), and he had a peculiar habit before stepping into his private practice. He would pick up the trash around his building. That made an impression on James–watching his father, the doctor, pick up trash every day.

Dad also instilled a love of learning in his kids. While other boys received presents like video games, James received a dictionary and a bookshelf.

The words of affirmation and appreciation poured out lavishly

The Pit Crew

by Arlene Pellicane | | no comments

Friend to Friend 

Sometimes my kids ride bikes to school. It’s just under 10 miles round trip to the high school. Personally, I would have a hard time making it to class if I had to bike. I’d need a lot of breaks (or an electric bike). One cold morning, I decided to drive my two teenagers in with their bikes. They could bike home, saving me an afternoon pick-up.

I’m not the kind of mom who waits in the eternally long line of cars to drop their kids off at the flagpole. Nope–I’m the smart mom who drops her kids off several blocks away, steering clear of the crazy school traffic.

We unloaded the bikes, and I waved goodbye to my kids.

Remembering at the Doctor’s Office

by Arlene Pellicane | | 10 comments

Friend to Friend 

I suppose I have my hot flashes to thank.

The changes in my body sent me searching for solutions. I saw a doctor in the medical center near my house, but I didn’t like the options I was given. I decided to look up the doctor who had helped me birth three babies (along with two miscarriages). Although her office was a bit of a commute, it felt like coming home when I walked through the doors. It had been twelve years since I’d visited her office.

Looking at the pregnant woman sitting across from me in the waiting room, I remembered with a smile what it was like to be in her place. That was a long time ago!

Cupcake Spirit

by Arlene Pellicane | | 8 comments

Friend to Friend 

There’s something my husband James calls the cupcake spirit.

It all began years ago when I promised to bring cupcakes to my child’s classroom. I was up late baking those cupcakes because I didn’t have any time earlier in the day to get it done. It made perfect sense to me. I was doing it out of necessity. James thought it was a ridiculous use of time.

“Why don’t you just buy cupcakes tomorrow morning?” he asked as I fired up the oven well past 10. “I planned to make cupcakes and that’s what I’m going to do!” I huffed. Truth be told, I didn’t want to make those cupcakes, either. I just wanted to go to bed. I’m not

Magic Laundry

by Arlene Pellicane | | 12 comments

Friend to Friend 

More than two decades ago, my husband James and I lived with my parents for about a month while we were waiting to move into a new house. One of the perks of living with my mom was the magic laundry. She would take my laundry basket and not only do the laundry, she would fold every single piece of clothing meticulously. My t-shirts looked like the folded shirts you see at upscale boutiques. The items I usually toss into a drawer were tightly folded and neatly stacked. James and I called it magic laundry because we would open a drawer and our clothes would magically appear–clean, fresh, and folded.

The kicker was my mom never even complained or

Calling Out for Wisdom

by Arlene Pellicane | | 5 comments

Friend to Friend 

You know when you get those unsolicited phone calls from telemarketers? My husband James has a funny way of dealing with them.

He picks up the phone and says cheerily, “You got the questions? We got the answers!”  That usually causes unwanted callers to hang up abruptly. Sometimes he’ll answer, “Pizza Palace, what would you like to order?” which also confuses them. But one of the funniest things he does is ask them for money. “Do you have any money I can borrow?”

Isn’t it nice that talking to God is never like that?

When we call up to heaven, He never says to an angel, “Oh no, it’s this lady again! I better make up an excuse so I don’t

Did You Cut My Hair?

by Arlene Pellicane | | 4 comments

Friend to Friend 

“Lucy, did you just cut my hair???”

I was sitting, minding my own business, typing away on my computer. My four-year-old daughter Lucy had come behind me with her stool. She was using me as her life-size doll, combing my hair, pinning and braiding it.

Suddenly, I heard a snip!

I whipped around to see my preschool beautician holding a pair of scissors and one inch of my hair. She was frozen in place, caught hair-handed! It was plain to see she knew she had done something terribly wrong because her face registered shock and awe.

I wanted to react and scream at her, but she already looked so troubled. I said, “You feel bad about cutting my hair and you want

Why Am I So Angry?

by Arlene Pellicane | | 6 comments

Friend to Friend 

When my two daughters were younger, I decided to use a little drama to teach a lesson about anger. I gave them the following scenario to act out:

Noelle walks into the room to discover her younger sister Lucy is wearing Noelle’s favorite dress and jewelry, prancing around like she is Cinderella.

Noelle freaks out, yelling like a crazy girl, “You can’t wear my things! Take that OFF this instant! You’re gonna be sorry!”

You can imagine that was kind of fun to act out. Next, I had them reenact the same scenario except this time, Noelle calmly says, “That is my dress. You didn’t ask to borrow it. Take it off now, and I’m going to tell mom.”

You may be

May I Pray With You?

by Arlene Pellicane | | 6 comments

Friend to Friend

My daughter excitedly told me she had a God-moment at church (that’s always a good thing!). She was helping the 6-year-olds who were working on drawing something they wanted. One kid drew a puppy; another drew a dragon. But one little girl didn’t draw anything at all. When my daughter asked about it, the little girl said she wanted her grandma but that her grandma had died.

Instead of only saying “Oh, I’m sorry” and moving on, my daughter asked if she could pray for her right then and there. She explained that God could do anything, including comforting her while she was sad. They prayed together and after the prayer, the little girl started drawing. The end result

Don’t Follow the Crowd

by Arlene Pellicane | | 1 comment

Friend to Friend 

A few years ago, I got a speeding ticket on my way home from the grocery store. I remember telling the police officer I was very sorry, but I was speeding for a good reason. My son really needed to use the restroom and my daughter was overdue for a nap. Those are good reasons, right?

I got the ticket.

I appealed to mercy but I got justice…and that’s okay. I got what I deserved. I had broken the law. Have you noticed lately how many drivers are blasting through red lights? Speeding down the road going way too fast? Ignoring stop signs? My oldest is about to get his driver’s license and I’m constantly telling him to “drive defensively”