I had to book my flight. So I finally took care of the details. I made my flight arrangements for an upcoming work retreat in California. I was so excited. I love California and whenever I “have to go,” I’m over the moon! Except this time. As I was booking my flights, that little...
Continue readingAre they ready for university? Fundamental life lessons from a midlife mom
August and September mean university. College. Kids leaving the nest. I panicked, even though I had another son who had already left for university. Even though I had lots of lead time. Even though I had been through it before. Even though I thought I was prepared. While we were driving our super full mini-van on the...
Continue readingUnsurpassed boredom—when the older siblings leave for college
Leaving for college isn’t the best day in the world for everyone. The day is fast approaching. In fact, it’s the day that my youngest child has been dreading. The day that both of his older brothers leave for college and he’s left alone….with us. Actually, I think the bigger issue is that he...
Continue readingThe case of the missing cheese grater—and midlife memory
The mini cheese grater is missing. Midlife memory? Or something else? It’s been missing for a week now and it’s driving my husband and me crazy. This cheese grater was not kept in the kitchen. It was the cutest little green MINI grater that’s used for things like garlic and spices. Or for grating...
Continue readingSummer camp can be bittersweet when it’s your kid’s last year
Camp is part of our summer tradition. Or at least it has meant that for the past 10 years. So the fact that I got to go to camp last weekend felt like going home. I also got to see my youngest son, now 16 years old, as the male lead in the camp...
Continue readingFacebook greetings and and their surprising positive effect on your birthday
I had 154 Facebook greetings on my 52nd birthday. I have never had this many friends in my life, let alone wish me a happy birthday. Ok, ok. We all know they aren’t all the same “type” of friend. They all haven’t gone to Knapp Elementary School. They didn’t take tap lessons with me...
Continue readingThe unusual combination of success, insecurity and being a woman
Insecurity was alive and well at a conference recently; I was surrounded by really successful women. It’s funny the way insecurity pops up in our lives. At this conference, no one looked particularly insecure. In fact, I thought everyone looked completely confident and happy. I would say they looked “normal.” Not any smarter than...
Continue readingThe long-term job—a blessing and a curse
Who knew that my long-term job could be both a blessing and a curse? I never even imagined I would be the type to have a long-term job. Seriously. It didn’t seem like something that would have my name on it. I landed my first professional job in 1989. I remember it well. I...
Continue readingThe power of old movies, memories and midlife
Memories from childhood are much easier with the help of old movies. Have you had the pleasure of watching old movies from your childhood? I did and it was amazing. My mom had the foresight to transfer all of the old 8mm movies to videotape in the late 80s. I lived about 500 miles...
Continue readingTurning 50? Lots of ways to leave your 40s
Turning 50 is so interesting. On just about every level. I hate the idea of a “bucket list when you turn 50.” Really, it turns me off. It’s not that I don’t want to embrace the fact that I’m growing older. I just don’t like the idea of talking about things I really want...
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