A few months ago,  I realized how much of my life force was being sucked out of me by dating the wrong men.  And, sometimes, dating the SAME wrong men more than once!  Shocking, I know, in light of my “Wash, Rinse, Repeat” dating story… but yes, dear reader, even I make errors in judgment.  This realization led me to go on a “Dating Hiatus”….something I’ve done before, but have never really done wholeheartedly…and for the right reasons. Before, I’d say something like, “I should really stop dating and concentrate on my work and my children.”  Of course, after 3 weeks of no dinners out (and, even more distressing, no kissing and/or sex)…I would always cave.   Probably because I didn’t REALLY mean it when I said I should stop dating. In reality, I still had my heart set on finding the right man. Finding someone to fill the void left when I lost Drew. I still felt that the rest of my life wouldn’t make sense without that puzzle piece being replaced.

Read more on The “Date-Us-Hate-Us.”…

There are two sounds that can simultaneously awaken me from a deep sleep…and strike fear into my heart.  The first is the sound of a gargantuan pine tree falling onto my house (see my “Oh Tannenbaum” blog post from the end of February).  The second is the sound of a child. Vomiting. IN MY BED.

Read more on WANTED: Soul mate…with throw-up bowl….

(I may have written this story a few years ago…but it continues to ring true, dear readers!)

After being involved in a variety of dating situations with a variety of men…and after experiencing a variety of levels of frustration…I eventually realized something that was rather disturbing.  And very, very sad.  Many men have been married…many men have ended up divorced…yet, many of these men have never really been in love. They got married, but they weren’t head-over-heels, madly and passionately in love.  Never.  Not even on their wedding day.  This was shocking to me.  Truly.  I suppose I just always imagined that all people felt the way that Drew and I felt about one another when we tied the proverbial knot.

Read more on Love, Marriage. Horse, Carriage….

Today would have been Drew’s birthday. His 50th. Yikes. I always know I’ve come a long way in my grieving process when I’m awake for an hour or two before it dawns on me, “Today would have been _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .” (fill in the special occasion of your choice). In the early days, months and years….I’d live in dread of the upcoming holiday/ anniversary/birthday, etc. Eventually, I didn’t live in dread, but what would happen was almost worse. Because I’d be going along, living my life…aware that one of these special days was approaching, but not really focusing on it. Then…BAM! ZOWIE! it would suddenly be before me and I’d just fall apart.

Read more on Happy Birthday, sweetie….

Turn that frown upside-down with a frothy cappuccino….served in your own very special white, feathered mug!  This elegant mug comes from the  estate of Madame Monique Le Bateau…a ballerina who, in her final years, could no longer perform en pointe due to an abundance of bunion surgery.  Her  Russian lover, Vladimir, told me that the loss of his soul mate has made it too painful to drink his vodka from this cup, but he begged me to find someone who would cherish it.  Could that someone be you? *

Read more on “Swan Song” Mug…

Surprise and delight your date, gentlemen. Do not surprise and disappoint!

Toss the lacy little thongs and keep a pair of these in your panty drawer, Ladies!

“Male Plumage: He -Men Return to Elegance”

Do not settle for crumbs, ladies!!

What we can learn from vintage sheet music.

Revelations on mid-life dating.