“Success is not a doorway. It’s a staircase.” – Dottie Walters


We were moving things around in our house and had to temporarily remove a couple of doors. Which gave me a great opportunity to talk about the origin of the phrase “coming unhinged.” And to show how to put things back on their hinges.


Taking turns



Interesting things seen in the neighborhood


Making friends at home; and at one of our favorite winter rainy day places — the viewing room at the dump.



Getting ready for Christmas and our Thanksgiving Day outfits. I just want to say — Mr. D did his ALL by himself. Including tying the pair of gold Converse shoes.


We woke up one morning and discovered a car parked directly across our driveway. The kids were so excited to investigate – which really was going around and talking with all our favorite neighbors. When someone suggested that it might be stolen and noticed that the driver side door was jimmied, we tested the door and it was unlocked.
Miss O and Mr D wrote down all the clues and we reported it — and then about 15 minutes later, we looked out and the car was gone! Impaired driver? Stolen car? Still not sure…but boy did they have fun with the mystery! And talking to all the neighbors who were amused by the enthusiasm.


The heart of the week (a potato chip) and the sign of the week. It may be the last day of the month, but I think this “No” vember sign could still apply to all our holiday interactions and beyond.
That is the cutest Little Free Library I have ever seen!
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I thought so too, Darlene! So clever!
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Gold converses and dinner jacket and tie? Why didn’t I think of that. The boy is stylin’. And Miss O looks like she’s getting you all decorated for Christmas. I’ve gotta raise my game. Ha ha. Happy Thanksgiving.
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I’m with you, Brian. I never thought of that style but wow, he is intent in figuring out his look. It’s funny — and remarkable! 🙂
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what a lovely mix, and my fave is the car mystery, and I was always creating and trying to solve mysteries in my neighborhood growing up, and even had a detective club with my sisters and friend. great that mr. d learned to tie his own shoes, the world is now his oyster. p.s. love the heart chip, I adore finding hearts in unexpected places.
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I love the car mystery too, Beth! It was so much fun — and a great chance to go around talking to people. 🙂
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You have found your way to making the ordinary extraordinary for you kids, Wynne. Now I’d like my car back!
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I should have known it was you all along… 🙂
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Mr. D could be in a band with his groovy outfit! That’s a fun expression on Miss O’s face with the leaning door. And that’s a very cool Little Free Library design!
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Oh, I like your band idea, Dave! Yes!
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I am with Beth, as a kid, mysteries abound. When we grow up we let mysteries become fears and worry. It is better to curious and full of wonder. I love the sign, learning to say NO is a good thing, we need to focus on positive things and possibilities, instead of road blocks and things which bring us down. It is the last day of November or Movember as I’ve been growing a mustache to raise awareness to men’s health. I am going to make the day count! I know you three will, too.
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Oh my goodness, Clay. Your comment about mystery turning to fear and worry has so much truth to it. Yes! Here’s to making the day count! Thanks for the comment!
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We had a legit stolen car end up in our driveway when we lived in Vancouver, WA. Had to call the cops and everything. I was annoyed because I had to call in late to work – couldn’t get my car out of the garage. At least your kids were more in awe than aww!
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Yes, it would be annoying if you had to go somewhere! I can’t believe people park stolen cars in and across driveways but I suppose if you are stealing cars, that kind of consideration isn’t probably what you are focusing on.
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I’m impressed with the door hinge op. Your engineering background comes in handy in all sorts of ways!
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You are so right about the engineering. It does come in handy!
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Be still my heart…can this week be my new favorite weekly roundup? The kids look so grown up and they’re taking in all the good Wynne-Wisdom…including making the most of the ‘unhinged’ moment. Love it. And at the risk of repeating what Dave said, I second his thought about Mr. D’s outfit. He’s grooving and vibing and I dig it. Much love to all! 🥰
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Ha, ha, ha — I love that you have a new favorite week, every week. 🙂 Thanks for coming along on our adventures! Love you! ❤ ❤ ❤
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🥰🥰🥰
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Love these weekly photos. Cute one of decorating the tree. That gas station sign has words to live by!
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Thank you, Rebecca! I agree about the sign – it’s a good reminder!
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Good message on the sign!
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Yes – a great reminder!
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Very impressed by D’s getting dress up so nicely and especially his shoe tying! That’s next level stuff! Hilarious about the car. I wonder how long they’ll be saying, “Remember when that car was parked in front of our driveway? I’ll bet it was stolen,” in a super serious tone.
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“Next level stuff” – you nailed it, my friend! And I’m chuckling about the super serious stolen car tone — you nailed that one too! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, dear Betsy!
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Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well, Dear Wynne and family!
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The No Vember sign is really good advice, always cut off people that drain your energy or avoid them if you can’t cut them off completely.
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I agree, Pooja! A good reminder for sure! Thanks for commenting!
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My pleasure!
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Love that heart-shaped potato chip. And YES to NO vember. We need to come up with something similar for December.
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Shoot – I was going to link to your great post for NO vember. I’ll do that now. Good point about December!
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Love the children’s festive head gear!
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Thank you, Mary!
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What an interesting mystery. I am glad you were all safe, and no surprises awaited when you tried the handle. Love the gas station sign, and interesting neighborhood findings. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, MSW! You’re right – it was lucky there were no surprises when we tried the handle! Hope you have a great week to come!
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Lovely photos! I believe my son once wore a tie with shirt that didn’t have a collar when he was around Mr. D’s age. Cute. Both kids looked great! Seeing your tree makes me want to get ours up pronto! Happy belated Thanksgiving.
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Thank you, Susan! They are so cute, aren’t they?! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Im with everyone else. I loved everything … the little library, the Thanksgiving outfits. I cant believe how much Mr D has grown. I also loved the car mystery and the No vember sign … speaks so much to me.
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving weekend x
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Thank you, Brenda! Yes, it’s all good! Thanks for commenting!
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Miss O is growing like a weed, and I see that she’s already adopting the fashion philosophy of young women everywhere. “Style before warmth”. (I love your shoes, Miss O!) And go Mr D! (I love your shoes, too.) It’s a lovely Christmas photo of them, Wynne. Can you believe it’s already that time of year again?
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Thank you, Susan! To be fair, I was in short sleeves too because all the cooking and people makes the house (especially the kitchen) so warm! But you’re right – she’s trending that way. 🙂 Happy December!
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looks like a busy week Wynne!
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It was – busy but good! Thanks, Cristiana!
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Your kids look so sharp and cute in their holiday outfits. Those gold Converse also rock! Way to go for figuring out laces too. We haven’t even tried on our end! 😆
The mystery of the car must’ve been a lot of fun. It’ll be curious to see if your report will ever be followed up on!
And I love the message about coming unhinged and how to repair those moments. Always a valuable life lesson behind every door, so to speak!
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A lesson behind every door…you are so clever, Ab! 🙂 And so true!! ❤
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What a great and interesting week Wynne. The car is a real mystery. And I love the rainy day favoured place. Too funny. Love all the little neighborhood places. The sign of the week takes the cake. December is a good time to keep the sentiment going. 🚫😁
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I agree, Alegria! A great time to keep the sentiment going! Thanks for coming along on our adventures, my friend! ❤ ❤ ❤
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What a fun week, especially investigating the mystery around the car!
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Such a mystery! Isn’t it fun? 🙂
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I’m just over here loving all the stories in photos, and then got stuck that $4.99 sign at the gas station. Whaaat?? Per gallon?
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Oh yes — there’s that. That’s got to be the most expensive gas in the state – I never get gas there no matter how much I like the sign. But it’s pretty expensive in Seattle overall because of the gas taxes that hopefully they are using wisely to curtail emissions. 🙂 Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, David!
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What a great set of pics and adventures- the dump, the car, that damaged tree.. And great job D on the Thanksgiving threads!
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Mr. D keeps stepping it up so he can be in your band, Todd! 🙂 Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, my friend!
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😂😂 Send him over- we’ll make a spot!
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Loved the pictures and the opportunity that you had to talk about “coming unhinged,” which I almost did when I saw the sign showing $4.99 for regular. 😲
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I LOVE how you weaved those two together, Edward!
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Thank you, Wynne, and I hope the gas price went down.
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I never buy at that gas station…just take pictures!
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Your kids are growing so fast. I miss a few weeks and it really is shocking. And I love the hinged, unhinged concepts in life, especially things that hinge on each other like peace and love, virtues and truth, laughter and family…so good. Hugs, C
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Isn’t it amazing to see the growth? Thanks for coming along for the ride!
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