When our kids were younger we used to have “Family Game Nights.” Also known as “Family Trauma Nights.” Thanks to a game called, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” “How can you NOT remember that North America is a continent?” I asked my 8th-grade daughter, trying not to explode. “It’s the one we live […]
Are You Smarter Than a Kindergartener? Read More »
Do you remember the movie, Freaky Friday? That’s my life now. Except, instead of Steve and I switching bodies, we’ve switched lives. There was no earthquake that caused this or fortune cookie that reversed it, but trust me it happened. Steve retired this past year and now I’m the working stiff. “What are you up
“I have so many ideas,” my sister-in-law, Catherine gushed, when I told her I would be making holiday plants for my daughter’s Christmas market. “Like gluing succulents to driftwood…” “Uh, huh,” I muttered. “Or you can put the succulents in antique Christmas cups,” she added. Unfortunately, I was plum out of antique Christmas cups. And
The Nightmare Before Christmas Read More »
I go through sunglasses at an alarming rate, which is why I try to keep three pairs on hand at all times: a regular pair, a spare pair, and a desperation pair. My desperation pair usually has parts missing, but it gets the job done. Unfortunately, sometimes all three pairs go MIA, and that’s when
Hasta La Vista, Sunglasses! Read More »
In 2018, Steve and I went on vacation to Kauai with our daughter, Parker and her friend, Cass. On our last night, we enjoyed dinner on a rooftop bar, overlooking the ocean. The four of us talked about the hiking and snorkeling we had enjoyed that week. At some point, the conversation turned to marriage,
Trouble in Paradise Read More »
My husband, Steve, and I have 11 pillows on our bed right now. Once upon a time, we had two pillows. This is my pillow. That is your pillow. Good night. Those were simpler times. Over time, the pillows multiplied. Two turned into four, and four into eight, and so on. It was like Noah’s
If you read my recent story about my mom, Nina (read: https://midlifebloomer.com/bong-boy/), you’d know that she is living her best life as a one-woman neighborhood watch. Nina continues to keep tabs on BongBoy as she peers at him through the front shutters. He is usually parked right across the street so they see each other
A Chip Off the Old Block Read More »
Steve and I were walking through our neighborhood a few weeks ago when something caught his eye. He stopped, mesmerized. “Wowza,” he said. My eyes followed his gaze. Seeing the object of his affection, I sighed. Who could blame him? “Definitely fake,” I said. “Nope, definitely real,” he said, unable to pull his gaze away.
I live in California. California is full of sunshine and beautiful beaches. What it’s not full of is friendly people. Whenever I go for a run I say hello to my fellow runners. What I get in return is silence. Okay, this is the part where you say hi back. Or hello. I’d love a
Shiny Happy People Read More »
In the past year, I’ve noticed a trend with a certain greeting. At first I thought the greeting was harmless, even pleasant. But now I know better, and I’m here to tell you that strangers who call you MY FRIEND are anything but. I’m not saying they’re diabolical, but trust me, they’re about to take