Valerie McGee
Valerie was born in 1985, which means she identifies with both Gen X-er's and Millennial's depending on the time of day. She grew up on Florida's treasure coast, and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in History and Literature. This is where her love for reading and writing blossomed. After working many years in Retail throughout the east coast as both a manager and district trainer, she and her husband, Rick, moved to northeast Columbia. There she took the opportunity to become a SAHM. Valerie has both a smarty-pants little girl, Mary Sue, and an overly mischievous baby boy, Connor. In her spare evenings she is a local Girl Scout Co-Leader for younger girls. Her interests also include expanding her talents in the kitchen, as shown by her participation in a local Baking Club and a general obsession with all things Food Network.
What Selling Girl Scout Cookies Is REALLY About
I remember being eight years old and standing outside a Publix in the sweltering Florida heat. I was trying to work up the courage to ask,
"Would you like to buy some girl scout cookies?"
For...
Holiday Shopping Do’s and Don’ts from a Pro
Before becoming a SAHM I had a career in Store-line Retail Management. In fact, I worked 13 holiday seasons in retail; 10 of those in management.
By Halloween, I would already attend several holiday planning...
Where Is My Volume Button and Who Is in Control?
On a scale of one to ten everyone hopes to be speaking around the volume level of a five. Maybe a seven when drinking with friends, and animatedly telling a story. Lately, I find...
Celebrating Grandparents Day is Even Sweeter This Year
Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13. While this is not generally met with much enthusiasm by the general public, it is in our household.
I lost both of my grandfathers before I could remember, to...
Returning to the School Classroom :: A Teacher’s Perspective
The following is an interview with a local fourth grade teacher in Columbia. She has been teaching for more than 16 years in elementary education. I hope this individual perspective gives you insight into...
One Mom’s Guide to Surviving a Lice Infestation
I am sharing my family's first experience with lice as we remember it in the hopes that it finds someone who needs comfort.
It began as a sneak attack...
About a month ago my daughter had...
Downsizing My Closet With Project 333
The pollen has fallen, so it must be time for spring cleaning.
Like many of you, I have taken notes from Marie Kondo's Konmari system of tidying up. And like many of you, my closet...
What I Want for Mother’s Day in Isolation
Mother's Day will inevitably look different to all of us this year.
Most of us won't be traveling to see our moms, go out for a fancy brunch, or head to the malls and nail...
Spring Break Without the Travel! Take a Day Trip to Walt Disney World From...
Spring Break is upon us! Not traveling anywhere? With a little extra effort and a sprinkle of "magic" you too can take your kids to Walt Disney World from the comfort of your own...
A Letter to My Friend With the Messy House
Dearest friend,
In the short years we have known each other, I'm so grateful for how close our relationship has grown. With that in mind, I must tell about what I saw when you first...
My Child Needs Glasses?!
About six months ago I was sitting at our pediatrician's office waiting for the results of my daughter's wellness visit screenings. That was when her doctor showed me the optical camera's findings. She seemed...
How Cake Saved My Motherhood
About three years ago I attended one of the first Baking Club meetings in Northeast Columbia. The founder, Nikki, was inspired by her travels as a military wife to bring women together through food....
Soups On! Fall Recipes from Our Family to Yours
This is the first week that I have felt the fall season upon me. The weather is cooler, leaves are changing, pumpkins are appearing outside the neighborhood, and I can finally convince myself to...
When Mama Gets Sick
Let me preface by saying that I have one of the most considerate and helpful partners around. I am blessed that he genuinely wants to help make my life easier. Yet when he received...