Midlife’s A Trip

Peanut on Obama

Posted on 06. Nov, 2008 by Karen.

On election night we all gathered over at my sister’s to watch the poll results come in.  My 4 year old niece, the “Peanut” was thrilled with the company, the festive atmosphere and the party spread of food.  Oh — and the fact that she was allowed to stay up long past her bedtime. 
You see, my [...]

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Obama Wins — Oh Happy Day!

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by Karen.

This music video sums up the joy I feel over Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States of America. Enjoy the song and savor this historic moment!

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An American Prayer for Obama

Posted on 03. Nov, 2008 by Karen.

As he heads into the last hours of a grueling but historic campaign, Senator Barack Obama now carries the heavy burden of grief after the loss of his beloved grandmother this afternoon.  I don’t know about you but I think he needs an American prayer from all of us–never mind what your political affiliation is. [...]

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The One Vote Barack Obama Won’t Get

Posted on 03. Nov, 2008 by Karen.

I’m here to report that there’s one vote Barack Obama won’t get in this historic presidential election — my 89 year old mother’s.  But don’t get excited John McCain.  This isn’t a vote for you.  You see, Mom’s not voting for Senator Obama simply because she can no longer understand what the voting process is all about.  The dementia [...]

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Lipstick Was My Favorite Halloween Costume

Posted on 31. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

I know it sounds weird but lipstick was my favorite Halloween costume.  I didn’t care what I dressed up as that day as long as lipstick was involved.  Remember, I grew up during the 50’s when the standard, at least what I saw on my friends’ mothers and women in the movies was really, really, really RED lipstick.  And [...]

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Being Big Sister

Posted on 30. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

This week I had to pull rank on my sister.  She’s the one I refer to as “Meno Mom”, the mother of the now infamous Peanut, my 4 year old niece.  Meno Mom has become a wonderful caregiver in midlife.  She’s a single mom raising the Peanut and is infinitely patient and loving with my mother [...]

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Karen’s Back at the Keyboard

Posted on 27. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Since last Thursday I’ve been in Baltimore attending the 2008 Coaching Super Summit with over 100 amazing coaches from all over the world and experts on everything from latest trends in Internet marketing to how to really get in touch with the pain of your target audience.  The speakers, many of whom may be resources [...]

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In Memory of Dad — Notes of Hope and Change

Posted on 23. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

This week marks the 6th anniversary of my father’s death. Dad was a true Renaissance man — a dedicated physician, an accomplished artist, mentor to many and hero to me. He was the grandson of a slave and the slaveowner’s son and son of a domestic servant and a sharecropper turned factory worker. [...]

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Mom, Dementia & Me — Sharing Sushi

Posted on 21. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

This evening I went to visit my 89 year old mother who has severe dementia.  I stopped at my favorite Trader Joe’s on the way and picked up a few things including sushi to have for dinner.  When I decided to eat my sushi at my mother’s assisted living home, I offered her some.  And even though [...]

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Podcast with Author and Alzheimer’s Caregiver Mary Ellen Geist

Posted on 20. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

I’ve graduated from just blogging (well it’s never really “just”, is it) to my first podcast interview with author Mary Ellen Geist who left her successful career to come home to Michigan to take a new job as caregiver to her father, Woody who is a victim of Alzheimer’s.  Talking with Mary Ellen was like [...]

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Colin Powell Speaks Out

Posted on 19. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Watch Colin Powell as he discusses his decision to endorse presidential candidate Barack Obama.  But also listen to this senior statesman’s thoughtful comments on the Iraq War, the tenor of this year’s campaign and taxes.  
Embedded video from CNN Video

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Manifesting Peanut — A Midlife Adoption Tale

Posted on 17. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

Once upon a time, there was a woman who wanted to be a mother more than anything.  But she never found the right man and had no luck with the scientific alternatives.  Finally, she decided to adopt despite the overwhelming odds of being single, a minority, having limited resources and family who tried to talk her out of taking this [...]

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The Path to Peace in Midlife

Posted on 15. Oct, 2008 by Karen.

As you can see from yesterday’s posts, I’ve been pretty stressed out about the tone and tenor of the presidential campaign lately. But today is a new day and I got to thinking it should be more about peace. For me peacefulness comes with meditation.
I learned about meditation early in life. Although [...]

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