Category: family

Gratitude continued

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, Gratitude Journal 2013, Marriage

January 24, 2013 1 For my husband, who took my daughter to school when it was 1 degree below zero so that both I and she could stay warm. 2. My Grampa's Garden microwavable body blanket. Enough said. 3. My washer and dryer. I remember hauling laundry to the laundromat. 4. My crock pot. Best … Continue reading Gratitude continued

Gratitude

by Karen, posted in books, family, friends, Midlife Crisis, no fear, Turning 50

I passed by the TV in the common area at work and they were interviewing someone or other (I am guessing it was Gretchen Rubin) who was talking about how important it is to write down things for which you are grateful. Further, if you take the time to write a gratitude list, you will … Continue reading Gratitude

Mantra for 2013

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, Midlife Crisis, restaurants, teens

At a company that I worked for a while back, the atmosphere was dark and heavy. People often described the job as "Well, it is what it is." Body language and facial expressions left no doubt that what it was, well, was yucky. After years of hearing this "It is what it is" crap, it … Continue reading Mantra for 2013

Ode to snow, part 2

by Karen, posted in Adult children, family, fitness, health, Marriage, Midlife Crisis, teens, Turning 50

My thoughts wandered, fueled by cold and the discomfort of muscles that are rarely used screaming their displeasure at being exploited in the manner required by shoveling. I remember being handed a shovel and instructions to go "do the front steps" of our house. We had a house with 14 concrete steps at that time. … Continue reading Ode to snow, part 2

Ode to snow, part 1

by Karen, posted in family, health, no fear

It snowed last night. A lot. You know; the kind of snow that makes it almost impossible to open your freakin' back door and get out of your house? Worse, it fell on top of the same kind (and amount) of snow that fell two days ago. The large accumulations that always come when the … Continue reading Ode to snow, part 1

Oh Christmas tree

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

Oh my God, what a big pile of crap Christmas has left in its wake. Wouldn't it be great if those damned elves showed up after Christmas to help pick up the house instead of before Christmas to help demolish it? I am usually a put-the-(fake -tree-up-the-weekend-before-Christmas-and-take-it-down-the-day-after kind of gal. This year, however, with the … Continue reading Oh Christmas tree

String theory

by Karen, posted in family, good grief, relationships

I recently attended a memorial service. I didn't know the woman who died, Mary, very well, but that didn't stop me from crying almost from the time the first words were out of the celebrant's mouth. Like Lt. Columbo said, "...death reminds you of death" (or something close to that). Not only was I sad … Continue reading String theory

Second act

by Karen, posted in family, friends, Marriage, Midlife Crisis, no fear, relationships, Turning 50

I was watching the second episode of the new season of The Middle on TV. In it, Frankie has just unexpectedly lost her job and decides that instead of just running out to get another (crappy) job, she is going to treat this event as an opportunity,  a 'second act' in her life. She decides to … Continue reading Second act

The right words at the right time

by Karen, posted in Angels, family, friends, good grief, Midlife Crisis, no fear, relationships

Today, someone told me something that I really needed to hear. We have been dealing with an ongoing issue for years and things rarely go our way. This year there are some new people involved, one of whom we know from another area of our lives. These were the words: "I'm on your side." After … Continue reading The right words at the right time

Looking for clues

by Karen, posted in family, local fun, relationships

Now that I've started walking regularly again (well, this week at least), I'm finding that it reminds me of other regular walking routes I've had in the past. I had a regular loop that I walked when I lived in a different city. I was twelve or thirteen years younger (and about twenty pounds heavier...but I … Continue reading Looking for clues