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Enjoying the quietness of a Midwest winter.
Life is the midwest is not for the faint of heart, y’ all! It’s tough, hard to deal with, very cold and involves lots of snow and ice. Having grown up in the South, most of my experiences with winter are pretty mild. I wouldn’t even call it “winter” there. 60 degrees and above is not what I describe as winter. It’s all relative, however. This winter in Iowa was just brutal. Locals told me that it was one of the worst winters on record. Awesome! after spending a year back in Louisiana weather, it was going to be a tough winter already. I’m not one who likes to sit…
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Carol Maltese: One year Later
March 5th. Yep, that was Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras. Of course, that day meant something very specific to me. As everyone knows, I grew up in New Orleans and Mardi Gras is one of my favorite days of the year. March 5th also marks the anniversary of my step-mother’s death. It’s hard to believe that it has been a year that she’s been gone. Carol and I didn’t always see eye to eye. We always had mutual respect for each other. However, taking care of her for the last 3 months of her life, we became so much closer. We had many wonderful conversations and each of us let down…
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Cancer Sucks: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day
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FREEDOM in 2019
It’s been a long time since I’ve found the inspiration to write. Probably at least 18 months. What can I say? Actually, it was the trials and tribulations of life that got in the way of my inspiration to write about my life. I’ve always been honest about my life, and this time in my life is no different. We are NOT a Pinterest, Social Media Perfect, family. As many friends and family members know, 2018 was a trying year. In fact, it was probably the most difficult year I’ve experienced as an adult. There was lots of loss, the death of my stepmom Carol, grief, secrets revealed, changes around every…
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10 ideas to reconnect with your spouse
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Cancer Sucks: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day
As I have mentioned before here on the blog and on my Facebook page, Cancer has entered our lives and is not leaving anytime soon. First of all, this post is not about me. This past July, my step-mother Carol was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, Stage 4. She had been not feeling well for several months. It didn’t come as a shock that something was wrong, we just didn’t expect it to be cancer or the stage it was in. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this particular cancer has affected my family. In 2004, my father-in-law, Bob, passed away from Pancreatic Cancer and COPD. It is quick, horrible…
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Carol Maltese: One year Later
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10 ideas to reconnect with your spouse
In the last year , 3 different friends have announced that they were divorcing their spouses after 20+ years of marriage. Let me just say… these couples appeared to be rock-solid. They were the type of couples that everyone wanted to be like. It was shocking to read/hear that their relationships were coming to an end. I was talking to my friend, Melissa, about her situation. She said, I’m not really sure what happened. Everything seemed fine until Gabby graduated. One day, I woke up and realized things were very different between us. I didn’t really know who either of us were. ” After 6 months of trying to fix their…
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FREEDOM in 2019
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Getting Ready for Act II of Life
As our family races toward another chapter in this adventure called life, I can’t help but think back to all the other “chapters” and how those began. Mostly I think of the different versions of myself I’ve created over the years: Teenage Me, College Me, Married and Mama Me. Everyone and everything changes. We have to in order to survive, adapt to our circumstances and live our life. I remember being a teenager imagining of what my life would be like when I was 40-something. It is quite different I assure you. Sure, I knew I’d be married with children, dogs and other responsibilities. However, the way/how my life would evolve…
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Empowered Women Empower Women
As I wrote a few weeks ago, I grew up with a small number of strong female role models available. I had my grandmother and watched other empowered women like Carrie Fisher and Mary Tyler Moore. I didn’t want to accept whatever people perceived to be my lot in life. Growing up, I was taught to believe that I could do just about anything I wanted to do or to be. I was raised by a strong, faith-based, family-centered women who not only taught but empowered me to believe that. They showed me through their actions and intentions as well through their achievements. However, it was more than just happy…
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Not That Type of Girl
Back in the 70’s and 80’s, many young girls growing up dreamed of being a princess, a wife, a mother and usually involved marrying Prince Charming. They loved to wear dresses and play with their dolls/Barbies. I’m not that type of girl. I wanted to play sports, to be an athlete. I didn’t mind getting dirty. I didn’t want to be the Princess who was saved by Prince Charming. I wanted to save myself. I wanted to be involved in the action. The Day Everything Changed It wasn’t until I saw first saw Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia that I realized I COULD BE that type of princess. It was…
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This is 44
Today, I say goodbye to 43 and hello to Year 44! Woohoo … I’m still here! I have reached an age where I know exactly WHO I am and what I want to accomplish in my life. I’m not afraid to be my real, authentic self. It’s true that between the mood swings, night sweats and gray hairs that refuse to leave… I’m a HOT MESS, Y’all! (Thanks Perimenopause) However, this is what happens as you get older. So, it’s time to embrace all the wacky things my brain and my body is doing. (or in some cases NOT doing) I’m wiser, more knowledgable about life, and ready to take on…
