Published in Growing Grief·PinnedThe Future Anguish of a Million Lost YearsWhat happens if we are all grieving? — “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” ~ Dr. Seuss The quote from Dr. Seuss appeared, cut out in an adorable cloud shape and taped to my mother’s monitor, a few months before she died. I didn’t appreciate the print-out until afterwards, and my husband and I joked…Covid 196 min read
Published in Growing Grief·Oct 11, 2021It’s My Party and I Can Cry if I Want ToTaking control of my birthday. — October 10th marks the second birthday without my mother, and I honestly thought it wouldn’t matter. I made it through my last birthday, so why would today be any different? …Grief3 min read
Published in The Bad Influence·Feb 6, 2021Why I’m Just Like Taylor SwiftAnd more blessed. — Last night I realized I’m just like Taylor Swift, but maybe an obese, way less wealthy version of her. If I haven’t already lost you, I’ll tell you why. On top of both of us loving cats, I also wrote a song in elementary school. My best friend and I composed an extremely moving piece about a child whose dad did something horrible and went to prison. …Taylor Swift5 min read
Published in Growing Grief·Feb 6, 2021Where Is My Don’t-Remind-Me Button?When Facebook reminders hurt. — Today would have been my mother’s 71st birthday. A few days ago, I briefly thought about how the day was coming up. I was pleased that I wasn’t feeling emotional about it. My mother always made a huge deal about her birthday. After my father died when I was a…Grief2 min read
Published in Being Known·Jan 27, 2021Not All Valentine’s Days Are Happy MemoriesThe story that shadowed my life — February 14, 1978 was a lousy Valentine’s Day I was four months old when a drunk driver hit my father while he was riding his motorcycle home from work. They stored his motorcycle all winter, and Spring peeked her head out from her slumber for the first time on Valentine’s Day. My dad, itching to ride his bike…Relationships6 min read
Published in Being Known·Jan 21, 2021How Many Frogs Do You Have to Kiss?A love letter to two men — For the two men who I have loved I have kissed two men in my life and married both of them. A favorite joke with my second husband is that I failed to mention that kissing me meant marriage. He doubtless would have rushed screaming for the hills if I sprung that on him when we first met. …Life6 min read
Published in The Bad Influence·Jan 18, 202110 Steps to Become the Ultimate Douchebag, Guaranteed!A guide to living your worst life. — Over the last week, I’ve grown tired of seeing so many dang self-help posts. I stopped clicking on them. I don’t need another 5 tips to find financial freedom (hint; the person posting the blog isn’t financially free and is hoping you will click so they get 1 penny closer). …The Bad Influence5 min read
Published in April smiles·Jan 16, 2021I Think I’m Famous and Noteworthy NowLegend in my own mind. — The other day I wrote a blog about obesity-related issues and got a smidgen of attention on Twitter. We’re talking 2 re-tweets and an organization asking to post part of a paragraph on their website. So in the grand scheme of things, this is small potatoes. But for a new…Humor4 min read
Published in April smiles·Jan 12, 2021My Mother Died a JunkieLaughing with Grief. — A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. ~ Madeleine L’Engle My last act of charity towards my mother was turning her into a junkie. She grew up straight-laced; didn’t smoke, drank little, didn’t do drugs. My ex and I got her drunk one night at happy hour at the…Mental Health5 min read
Published in Yard Couch·Jan 11, 2021My Quest to Find the Best Budgeting SystemUsing the envelope method — In November 2020, my husband and I sat down for a frank conversation about our finances. He’s an accountant at a local bank, and we both have a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. …Money Management5 min read
