Will you celebrate when your kids leave for college or university? You may or may not have an empty nest yet, but there are still reasons to be joyful when at least one of your chicadees takes flight and is on their way to a post-secondary education. Let’s turn things upside down, shall we?...
Continue readingOde to the Neighbourhood Empty Nest
Choosing the right neighbourhood to raise your family in is super important. I was pregnant with my first when we bought our first house. My husband pushed to move into this weird little dated community in the north end of the City of Toronto called “Bathurst Manor.” I hadn’t grown up in Toronto, so...
Continue readingWhen being green with envy is a good thing
Have you ever had that not-so-wonderful shade of “green envy” wash over your body? You know what I mean. It was a time that you noticed you actually felt green with envy, or inadequate or envious because you wanted what someone else had. Now that you’re older, you may have even thought that...
Continue readingBye Bye New Year’s Resolutions
Just checking in… I know you probably made some shiny New Year’s Resolutions this year. Were they about a new job? Weight loss? Exercising more? How are they working for you? Just thought I’d ask. I really hope you’ve made the changes you wanted to make. But… Somehow, I doubt it. It’s quite possible...
Continue readingSuddenly fearful about flying: Would you book a flight on September 11?
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 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 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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