Main Street, Michigan Calling President Bush
Posted on 12. Dec, 2008 by Karen.
Today has been like a roller coaster here in Michigan as we watched the request for help for the Big 3 automakers shift from a big “no” from the Senate to a “maybe” from President Bush. My sister and I were up at 6am, both tuned into the morning news from our respective homes, [...]
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Gifts on the Cheap
Posted on 09. Dec, 2008 by Karen.
The holiday shopping season is upon us–and digging into our wallets. But many wallets are staying shut. I know my wallet isn’t open like years past when the warm feelings of holiday cheer often had me spending more than I should on Christmas presents. I also know I’m in good company as many people figure [...]
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It’s Not Just Friday
Posted on 05. Dec, 2008 by Karen.
Today isn’t just Friday. So as not to get hung up in the fact that another week has ended, I’ve decided to celebrate the rest of my life with this wonderful video. As you celebrate your weekend, don’t forget the great next week that lies ahead.
Here’s to TGITROML — Thank God it’s the rest of my [...]
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Taking a Career Pulse Check
Posted on 04. Dec, 2008 by Karen.
In these uncertain economic times, so many people are feeling equally uncertain about their careers because of the growing number of lay-offs in just about every industry we used to consider stable. Are you wondering about your exposure to downsizing, maybe after having been at the same company for years? Or do you [...]
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What’s Your Color Today?
Posted on 03. Dec, 2008 by Karen.
Oh I’m not talking about the color of your skin. I’m talking about what color appeals to you today. As I write this I’m looking out on a gray Michigan day–one of many I’ll see over the next 4-5 months. My garden that was so brightly colored this summer has toned down to faded shades [...]
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Beyond Black Friday – Holiday Shopping for Seniors
Posted on 29. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
I didn’t go out on Black Friday this year but I remember the many times in the past when I did — running around looking for the latest greatest, must-have, got-to-get-it-now gift for someone on my holiday shopping list. But not once do I recall a Black Friday that included racing around searching frantically for [...]
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The Great Thing About Thanksgiving and Bloggers
Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
It’s Thanksgiving eve and I’m about to start making the cranberry sauce that’s my main contribution for our multi-family potluck dinner tomorrow. But I’m bringing something else. It’s my attitude of gratitude.
Lately I’ve been doing some pissing and moaning here at Midlife’s A Trip and offline as well. I won’t regale you with the list because [...]
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Spring Karen’s Kick-Ass Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Posted on 24. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
My sister, Meno Mom and I were just planning our family Thanksgiving. Usually turkey day would be hustle and bustle as my sister creates a masterpiece holiday dinner with turkey, cornbread dressing (yes, like Grandma used to make), greens, macaroni and cheese and the best sweet potato pie I’ve ever had. The rest of us provide the sides and [...]
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Motown Meltdown?
Posted on 21. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
Anyone else feeling the stress as the Big 3 struggle for survival through a hoped for government bailout? I certainly am. Never mind that I completely understand the politics behind the reluctance of Congress to fish the Detroit automakers out of the sinkhole they dug for themselves by somehow not heeding the memo to build fuel-efficient cars sooner. [...]
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It’s Never Too Late to Think and Grow Rich
Posted on 18. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
Last night I came across an iTunes gift card in my purse. I won it in a raffle at a conference I attended recently. I’ve been feeling antsy about the economy lately — haven’t we all — and decided that I shouldn’t just let the gift card sit there. Something led me to the audiobooks [...]
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Get Smiling With the Puppy Cam
Posted on 15. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
The latest craze on the Internet is the “puppy cam”. This is a live video of 6 Shibu Inu puppies who were 5 weeks old this week. Their owners just wanted to find them good homes by showing the puppies in day to day action on a live video cam. What resulted [...]
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Shards of Memories
Posted on 13. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
Isn’t that an incredible title — shards of memories? I wish I could claim it as my own creation but it comes by way of friend Steve who was responding to a recent email from me. I wrote about spending time with my cousins this week in Virginia as we all gathered for the funeral [...]
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What A Midlife Crisis Feels Like
Posted on 11. Nov, 2008 by Karen.
In the next hour I will be at my aunt’s funeral. Aunt Hazel died last Friday at 79. And to be honest, I can’t imagine the world without her. My earliest memories of her are of a loving woman who always said what she meant and meant what she said. “No nonsense” was her mantra. [...]




