Happy Serendipity Day! Well, actually it’s tomorrow, August 18, but I’m posting early in case you want to wrap your head around it. The purpose of this whimsical holiday is quite simple; it encourages us to block out the distressing rhetoric swirling all around, and at least for one day, embrace the positive happenings right in front of us and celebrate the gifts of everyday life that we so often miss! Goodness knows we can all use a break from the non-stop negativity; so, count me in! Continue reading “Make the Most of Serendipity Day … Celebrate Life’s Unexpected Pleasures”
Shift Shop: I’m Happy I Did It…and Even Happier I’m Done!
My skepticism kicked in as soon as I heard Beachbody’s latest super trainer, Chris Downing, promise I’d get leaner, faster and stronger in three weeks. But as he rambled through his spiel, his enthusiasm seemed refreshingly genuine and once he flashed that infectious smile my resistance softened. I was in. Now that I’ve finished Shift Shop, I’ll admit this trainer and his breakthrough “ramp-up” method was worth my time. I say that even though my performance tanked on day fifteen, of the 21-day program. Reflecting on my experience objectively, I can see the problem wasn’t so much with the program, at least not technically; it was that this old lady simply needed a longer ramp. Continue reading “Shift Shop: I’m Happy I Did It…and Even Happier I’m Done!”
Cheers to Lake Hair, Tan Skin, and Months of Living in a Swimsuit!
How can you not love summer? The days are longer, the colors are brighter and life moves to the great outdoors. For many, summertime means the frantic pace of their everyday existence slows a bit; kids are out of school, people take vacations, traffic is lighter, and everything seems just a little easier. For me the opposite is true. Right about the time everyone else is taking that deep breath to welcome the summer respite, my life is speeding up. From May through August the pace is intense, my workload peaks and despite it all, or maybe, because of it all, I’m my happiest self. Continue reading “Cheers to Lake Hair, Tan Skin, and Months of Living in a Swimsuit!”
Oops! Did I Forget to Mention I Was Taking a Little Break?
It’s not usually my style to lead with an apology, but since a couple of you have contacted me this week expressing concern regarding my suddenly dormant blog, let me start by saying all is well. Better than well, great really. And I’m sorry for dropping out of sight without warning. I’ll confess, I was sort of surprised anyone even noticed. Continue reading “Oops! Did I Forget to Mention I Was Taking a Little Break?”
National Sunglasses Day: Five Reasons You Can’t Have Too Many Sunglasses
I’m assuming National Sunglasses Day is another one of the hundreds of commemorative days intended to help improve our health and therefore, our quality of life. From what I learned on Twitter (you can see my research was extensive) it’s sponsored by The Vision Council and they hope to remind us that our eyes need as much protection from the sun as our skin does.
They say 75% of Americans are worried about UV eye damage but only 31% wear sunglasses consistently when outdoors. I’m proud to say I’m in the minority. I’m obsessed with sunglasses; I wear them all the time. Sunny days, cloudy days, summer days, winter days. Continue reading “National Sunglasses Day: Five Reasons You Can’t Have Too Many Sunglasses”
I May Have Been a Dog Person for a Second
We fell in love with our adorable little fur ball the moment we met him last October. That’s the thing about puppies, they’re so damn cute they hook you before you remember the upheaval a baby of any species causes to your life. But by the time we drove the twelve hours from Erie, PA to Knoxville with the little guy, it was coming back to me. Still, I wasn’t too worried because my husband, Tim, had always taken the lead with our dogs. I did kids, he did dogs. That was the deal with the first pup, and I never saw a reason to change it. Continue reading “I May Have Been a Dog Person for a Second”
The Rhythm of Summer
Every summer has a beat. It varies from year to year, but once it kicks in we all march to it. Some years I pick it up by Memorial Day, other years it takes a little longer to resonate. To most casual observers and our Facebook friends I’m sure each of our summers appear the same: weekend gatherings of our summertime family joined by an interesting array of guests with a backdrop of water, sun, boats, food, drinks, laughter, music, hugs, and smiles… Good times always rule, but trust me, each year has a distinct beat all its own. Continue reading “The Rhythm of Summer”
Message of Love and Peace Delivered by a Kick-Ass Superhero
Seeing a sold-out summer blockbuster on opening day is not something that would have crossed my mind before I retired. But now I love having outings to put on my calendar that don’t have anything to do with doctors, financial planners or the grocery store, so when my daughter and I saw the massive Wonder Woman promo billboard in Times Square a couple of weeks ago we immediately made a date.
Superheroes have never been my thing. Well, practically never. I did have a mad crush on Superman many years ago – specifically the 1950’s TV character played by George Reeves. Continue reading “Message of Love and Peace Delivered by a Kick-Ass Superhero”
New York City Through the Eyes of My Forever Child
This trip was years in the making and like most weekend jaunts, just as we picked up the pulse of the city it was over. But then I never have enough time in New York City. Fortunately for my daughter, Stephanie, it was everything she had dreamed it would be and since this getaway had one specific purpose – to celebrate her thirtieth birthday – having it live up to her expectations was all that mattered. Continue reading “New York City Through the Eyes of My Forever Child”
Why Do Food and Fun Have to be Such Great Companions?
I rolled over and looked at the clock: 3:52 a.m. The grumpy stomach and foggy brain that awakened me Monday morning was unmistakable; it’s a hangover. . . a food hangover. It doesn’t take long to realize going back to sleep is not an option; my head is throbbing but it’s mostly because I’m pissed at myself for ruining the start to what I expect to be a very special week. Continue reading “Why Do Food and Fun Have to be Such Great Companions?”