When Veronica and I came up with the idea to write about life after raising kids, and actually looking forward to it, one of the first things I did was Google "empty nesters." I wanted to see if anyone was looking at this the same way we are. You know,...

It took me a long time to convert to digital photography.  As in most things I do, I'm just trying to keep up with my  kids.  I have an I-Pod...but it's still in the box it came in last Christmas. Instant messaging?  Forget it, that's...

I'm an advice column junkie. I can't help it. I kick off my morning with a frothy soy latte, my “Crack”berry and a heavy dose of the “Dear crew”. When I'm lucky, I can persuade David to play along with a game of “What would...

I've read that one of biggest pitfalls to having kids is that couples tend to forget who they were prior to breeding (though I personally think the the loss of perky breasts is high on the list). As a Gypsy Nester, one who is looking forward to life after...

Since I had to retire the biggest fear I have is becoming one of those old farts that just sit at home, or around the local coffee shop and gab about what they used to do.Please don't get me wrong if your health or money keep you in that boat, then row...

Hello and good to 'see' you.  I wanted to introduce myself, give you a chance to see who I am and figure out if you really care what I have to say.  It's my first blog online but I do keep a journal (started book 2) of things that happen to me...

I started writing LEAP because I wanted to learn what it feels like to do the next years well. People at this age tend to fall into three groups: those who are being forced out of their work and feel like Willy Loman, desperately trying to stay in the...

I recall the Labor Day weekend when I was about 12.  My family (Dad, Mom and sis) had gone to a barbeque at a friend’s house.  They had 5 children and their house was always bustling with friends and family.  It was a healthy,...

I dont' profess to be an expert in the field of religion or spirituality.  I have been a catechist for years, and have always been actively involved in my church.  That said, I still have a lot to learn.  My work over the years with...

    Mother's Day is undoubtedly one of my favorite holidays.  Ever since my sweet children were little, I would always love to see for just a day their level of appreciation for all I did.  To see their hand-made cards with...

Tropical Strom Fay: The 3 Stupidest Things I Saw OK...I have been in hurricanes before and tropical storms and I have seen some pretty amazing and dumb things. However, as tropical storm Fay pesristed for days and flooded out most of the state of...

After 50 years I finally understand how CBS came up with the name of the Art Linkletter Show, Kids Say the Darndest Things! For women in menopause, the new version of that show is:  Kids Ask the Darndest Questions.    In Church...

Trick or Treat? By Tatjana “Irongeezelle” Eggink & Cliff “Irongeezer” Eggink Since October is the month of Halloween, Irongeezelle thought it might be apropos to provide a mixed bag of morsels, most tasty and most foul:...

Hi All – I belong to an on-line support group for patients with Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. (CMT)   With each posting by a parent whose child has had to endure unprofessional, unpleasant, uncooperative, unresponsive behavior from the...

For my birthday I just got three books from my sister who has been listening when I talked about books I have been wanting to get.  So now I have book 6 and 7 of the Harry Potter series.  Then are so fun to read. You can get your mind off your...

In this corner … we have the men and women in the 55+ age category, representing the Villages Aquatic Swim Team. Wearing dark swim suits and yellow swim caps, the swimmers weigh in between 100 and 300 pounds, and come ready to rock. They cheer: "this...

  Mother's Day Weekend – May 9,10,11 – Matt, Lesli, Solomon, his friend Daniel, Daniel and myself went to Oak Creek

In 1937, Ruth Hamilton traveled to Europe to visit family in Denmark and to embark on a fact-finding mission for her radio program in the States. Her trip started out memorably when she came face-to-face with the son of a famous painter, and she even was...

You know how a smell can trigger a memory? For me … Earl Grey tea is one of the most powerful smells around. Not because of the delicate herbs and spices -- but because Earl Grey smells like summer afternoons with my grandmother. Grandma Kathy was...

This is the time of year when many of us take a few moments to slow down and give thanks for what we have. It's something that personally, I wish I did more often. I don't think it should take a date on a calendar to force me to take stock of my life,...

Psalm 55:22 "Friends are God's way of taking care of us." This was written by a of Metro Denver Hospice Physician: I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter...

The look on Christina's face is priceless. Monkey boy knows no fear. He has even taken to scaling the jungle gym at the playground down the street from the house. He'll find some fear and caution after that first good but minor tumble. At least that is...

I also love to write about it!  My story was selected for inclusion in the Woman's Day archive for 2007.  You can view it online at www.ilovelibraries.org.I sent the info to the Orlando Public Libray and they liked my story as well, so they...

  This story is about the trip we took to see my mom at Christmas, 1982. She lived in Evans, Colorado and we lived in Page, Arizona. We had decided to take our four sons in our Dodge van not knowing what the weather had in store.   We...

RADICAL RIGHTSIZING FOR TOYS Now here’s a novel idea: don’t give potentially dangerous toys for Christmas. "Why I'd NEVER do that!" you say? Since some 80-90% of all toys come from China—this isn't going to be as easy as you think....

A little over two years ago, I suffered from depression.  I gave up the career I thought I had always wanted to be full-time stay-at-home mom. I suddenly found myself no longer the same person.  I was no longer contributing an income and our...

Proceed with caution. I know what I'm talking about. I've done my research. I've been to nearly every 50-plus nook and cranny of cyberspace and let me tell you… This one is way out of the ordinary. Here are some of the reasons that stand out right away....

I want to take a few minutes and share with you my thoughts on living in a virtual world. I am approaching my 58th year of living in an actual world, and I must admit that I am a long way from having that mastered. Now, thanks to creative folks like Mark...