Are You An Easygoing Pack Rat…or Uptight Purger?

  You know which category you fall into. It’s rare to find someone who encompasses both. My husband Randy and I are extreme examples of each side, so trust me…I get this. At times, I’ve even wondered if our marriage could survive such challenging, pervasive, teeth-gnashing differences. Not sure whether you’re packrat or purger? Here […]

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Inside the Crazy, Mixed-Up World of Retirement

Life is backwards these days. In what seemed like seconds, I went from many years of my husband Randy away on business (while I stayed home with two kids) to the kids gone and Randy home. We’ve become this interesting hybrid of our bohemian twenties and creaky sixties. Some things I thankfully do less of […]

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Is It True? Do Opposites Attract?

My husband Randy and I are a good team. We always have been. And yet, as we’ve both adjusted over the years to his retirement — and him being home all the time — I see now how different we are. I’ve even wondered how we managed to survive all these years, still loving and […]

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Gulp…Is It Time to Finally Downsize?

I try not thinking of the D-word. Moving is hard enough without that emotional tug. Picking up stakes will be like leaving part of ourselves behind. Yet it’s undeniable. Our house is quieter these days. One son is gone. The other’s a working adult with a life of his own. He’ll be out before we […]

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Who Do These Annoying Fembots Think They Are?

I try not to show jealousy. Its only infatuation, I tell myself. Still, she appeared brazenly in my kitchen a few weeks ago, sleek and modern. She makes no secret of the fact she’ll do anything for my husband. “Alexa, play Beethoven,” Randy commands. She lights up at the sound of his voice, a cool […]

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If Our Bed Could Talk…

  Don’t worry, this is not going to be some kinky “tell-all.” But you know when you can’t put something off any longer? That’s how we felt about buying a new bed. After twenty years, the old one was so lumpy and beaten-up, I’m surprised it didn’t leave on its own. We finally roused ourselves […]

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Seriously…What Do You Get the Man Who Has Everything?

  I’m not being rhetorical here. I need help. What do you get the man who has every gadget, device, musical instrument, wine accessory, wine, article of clothing, and even neon-colored sneakers? This happens every December, the time of year I’m handed one of my biggest life tasks… I must buy a Christmas present for […]

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6 Things I Wish I’d Told my Mother-in-Law

Have you ever wanted to tell someone something, but the words never came?  Maybe you were embarrassed or got busy, but the moment didn’t arrive. And then it was too late. And you have regrets. This happened to me recently. Here are 6 things I wish I had told Joyce, my mother-in-law. You amazed me– From the first moment my […]

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How To Pick a Really Good Husband

PUBLISHED IN THE HUFFINGTON POST, FEBRUARY 10, 2017 I came upon my wedding picture recently, taken June 7th, 1980. My husband Randy and I were 23 years old. We knew nothing much except we loved each other. But looking at this young bride, I gave her kudos for one thing. She knew how to select a mate. To […]

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