Blog

NaNoWriMo, here I come!

by Karen, posted in NaNoWriMo, no fear, writing

So I think it's true that the more you write, the more you write. Why? Because it's almost 11PM and I've been up since 5AM and I am sitting here writing this. Because it's Day 1 of National Novel Writing Month and I have been sitting here on this hard, hard chair writing for the past … Continue reading NaNoWriMo, here I come!

Boldly going

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, Date night, Marriage, no fear

My 51st birthday was this year. When I picked out a cake and asked the person behind the bakery counter to write on it, this was what she wrote: "Happy 50-First Birthday Karen". I know, right? I decided that might be a sign.  What if,  I thought, I did some things for the 'first' time in … Continue reading Boldly going

The story of Sheri

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, friends, good grief, Gratitude Journal 2013, Life in the cube, Midlife Crisis

My husband's friend Bob died earlier this year. My friend Sheri died earlier this week. Early in 2006, Sheri became my mentor at my new job. Shortly thereafter, Sheri became my friend. To be fair, she was pretty much everybody's friend. She was just one of those warm, kind, caring people to whom others gravitated. Need … Continue reading The story of Sheri

Hair today, gone tomorrow

by Karen, posted in family, Midlife Crisis, teens

I have long hair. Whoops, I used to have long hair.  I have a tradition. Every few years, when my hair gets long enough, I cut it off and donate it to Locks of Love. I have done this for years. My daughter donated her hair from her first hair cut. I wasn't sure how … Continue reading Hair today, gone tomorrow

An old dog, a new (cheap) trick (part two)

by Karen, posted in local fun, Marriage, relationships

Then Cheap Trick (did I mention that’s my husband’s favorite band?) came to town. Sure, they had come to town before, but he never brought it up and I never did either. It was the elephant in the room until the show date came and went. There were usually plenty of good reasons (child care issues, … Continue reading An old dog, a new (cheap) trick (part two)

An old dog, a new (cheap) trick (part one)

by Karen, posted in Date night, local fun, Marriage, Midlife Crisis, relationships, Turning 50

You know how they say that your tastes change as you get older? I have found this to be true in my own life. I never liked cheese on my pizza. When I was little, maybe 4 or 5 years old, my parents used to scrape it off (and onto their own slices, I imagine) … Continue reading An old dog, a new (cheap) trick (part one)

Lost at sea

by Karen, posted in local fun, Midlife Crisis, no fear, the beach

I love to go to the ocean. I go every day that I possibly can, rain or shine, summer or winter. Even if I only have 1 hour...hell, even if I only 5 minutes, I go. One thing that I don't often do, however, is swim in it. It's not that I don't want to … Continue reading Lost at sea

Library book sale

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, family, friends, teens

My daughter and I ventured into new territory together last year when we volunteered together for the Friends of the Wells Public Library annual fundraising book sale. We had such a good time volunteering last year that we are planning to do it again this year. We mostly sorted and carried books to their proper … Continue reading Library book sale

Alive and Kickin’

by Karen, posted in family, Midlife Crisis, teens

Want to make your daughter's day?  Sing a song from your youth. I did this today, and in front of her friend, no less. What the hell was I thinking? I don't know. I was inspired. In my defense, the song came on after "Operator" by Lady Gaga, catching me a little off guard. Yes, … Continue reading Alive and Kickin’

Getting married at the wedding

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, Date night, Marriage, Midlife Crisis, relationships

When my husband and I got married, we had very little money. To make our dollars stretch as far as possible, we decided to have our wedding at home. We contacted a Justice of the Peace who was happy to perform the ceremony in our living room. I chose a bouquet of mostly carnations with … Continue reading Getting married at the wedding