Category: family

Faith, Hope, and Charity

by Karen, posted in Angels, family

My grandmother Emily, my mother's mother, was the only girl in her family of five. Yep; she had four, count 'em, four brothers. At least, that was what I thought when I was a girl. When I got older, she told me that she actually had three sisters. Triplets. They were named Faith, Hope, and … Continue reading Faith, Hope, and Charity

The kindness of strangers

by Karen, posted in Angels, family, friends, teens

My daughter was working in a project for her history class that required her to do a Jackie Chan impersonation. This required her to wear a gi ( full disclosure: until I googled it I was spelling it 'gee'-my bad). Izzy did take karate years ago...for about 5 minutes. Needless to say, we did not … Continue reading The kindness of strangers

Cardinals

by Karen, posted in Adult children, Angels, family, good grief, Life in the cube, restaurants

I recently spent a few minutes (okay, hours) trolling the Facebook news feed and something caught my eye. Someone (sorry, I have no idea who or what or when exactly) posted that every time you see a red cardinal, that is a sign that a loved one that has died is saying hello to you, … Continue reading Cardinals

Still becoming

by Karen, posted in Adult children, Angels, family, good grief, Midlife Crisis, movies, no fear, relationships

When my mother was 51, she was busy getting ready to die, but she didn't know this yet. Well, maybe she did know it on some level, but she never talked about it with me pre-diagnosis so I really can't be sure. Certainly none of us, her children, her husband, knew it yet. I'm 51. … Continue reading Still becoming

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

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’

Cicely’s Japanese Maple Tree

by Karen, posted in family, friends, gardening

We have a Japanese Maple Tree in our backyard. We brought it here when we moved from another house, and we had brought it to that house when we moved from another house. Even that wasn't its original location though. In all, moving it to this home was its third transplantation. From whence did it … Continue reading Cicely’s Japanese Maple Tree

50: The year I got old

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, Adult children, family, fitness, health, Midlife Crisis, no fear, Turning 50

I was thinking about how I have been in a funk these past several weeks, when I realized, no, it's actually been several months now that I've been feeling this way.  I realized what is partly affecting my mood and my decisions is this: I feel old. My skin looks old. All of my joints … Continue reading 50: The year I got old

Birthdays

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

My lovely daughter is turning 14 in a couple of months. We have given her a birthday party every year of her life, so there is a  fair chance that she will be expecting one this year too. What to do? There is some pressure not only to do something that is new and different … Continue reading Birthdays