Will Today's Blog Post Be Funny or Sad?

It's Day 20 in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and I'd like to say "thank you" to all the new blogs/writers I have been introduced to through this group. You have enriched my last 20 days with your inspired posts!

Today's Topic:

1)What topics or posts have worked to get your readers talking? 

2)Write about the 3 or 4 blog posts that you have received the most comments on.  Were those comments positive or negative?  Were the posts controversial?  Is there a theme of some sort?  Will you be writing more on that subject?

My website is a personal site presented from my point of view as an empty nest parent (yep, that's me sitting in a gigantic nest at the Phoenix Zoo!).  I started it the day after my youngest daughter went to college and the house was officially empty of children.  I wanted to explore my feelings not just about this new status but also write about all the ideas that fill this head of mind, with the hopes that I might possibly be able to sleep through the night once my thoughts were spilled out on the site!  It's been an emotional roller coaster and the words that have followed have also had their ups and downs.....................

In the end, there are two distinctly different types of posts that have gotten my readers talking and sharing: 

• The heart-wrenching posts about missing my children and trying to fill their void brings my audience of other empty nest people to my rescue.  Or they are experiencing the same feelings and are looking for camaraderie and/or advice.  I have no control when these lonely days will occur and they cannot be forced into my foreground, therefore, the posts come out naturally and in rhythm with my heart.  I almost feel obligated to write on these days but its also quite therapeutic for me.  (I recommend writing either in a blog or diary to many of my readers).  But, I am also glad that after three years of being an empty nester,  I don't have these emotional days as often as I once did, because they are exhausting.  I wish you could see me.....I am typing and crying and usually want to nap afterwards. Or have a big glass of wine!
• The second category are when I am feeling a little whacky.  A little wicked.  A little sarcastic. The topics are all over the place....maybe my husband doesn't read my blog, maybe I am heavy and my pants have split in the middle of a meeting or maybe I am laughing about our political system.  The common denominator is they all are humorous and many other people in my "shoes" can relate or have had the same thing happen to them.  Laughing at ourselves and common occurrences bonds the writer/reader and we laugh together...through the internet. Everyone needs a good laugh.  I cannot always write these types of posts; the ideas seem to come out of thin air or......they don't.  It's best not to try to be funny when you're not thinking funny.  (Of course, I cannot seem to find one single example of me trying...unsuccessfully....to be funny. That's funny, isn't it!)   
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• Finally, sometimes I just feel like writing on a serious matter or about politics.  This is dangerous territory because, really, no one reads posts that have opposing views with an open mind.  So, I am just writing for myself.  Which, in itself, is not a bad exercise in itself.  Just don't expect to learn anything from the process.  Negative comments can be hurtful, too. They just aren't my cup of tea.  (Warning, never write a guest post for the Cubs on a Cardinal's fan page......you will learn 4000 new ways to say go f**k yourself!)
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•  Today's writing exercise was interesting....it was fun to think about my blog and why and what I write about.  Thanks for suggesting it!

New Freedom That Comes With The Empty Nest

Image via WikipediaOne of the great aspects of being an empty nester is the greater amount of flexibility you have in your daily schedule.  Owning my own small business allows me even greater freedom than most.  If Herman Cain called me up this morning and said, "Beth, can you work for me for the next month, traveling to whatever city I need you to be in, and work at whatever function and role I need you for.?...", I could pack my little bag like the PanAm stewardess do in that cute new show and say, "Why, of course, I'd love to help you....where do you need me first?!"

My husband and dog would probably enjoy my absence for a little while.  Let's face it, when you are relatively young and healthy like Bill and me (except for this little candy corn addiction of mine), you know you are probably going to be together for possibly 40 more years. So, running off to help the citizens of new Orleans after the hurricane or to a war-torn country that needs help is not out of the question.

Life is such an adventure.................

I remember when my life was centered around a soccer team schedule.  Every day of the week was different and like a good working Mom, I had a ironclad schedule system that the Pentagon would have been proud to use.  I had very little "me" time.  And, I couldn't of cared less.  I was happy playing the role of Mom and Wife in my family.  My role has changed drastically now that the kids do not live at home anymore.  Over the past 3 years, I have spoken to so many empty nest people who have trouble with this particular transition. My advise?  I have told them to embrace the freedom that comes with an empty house and not to focus on the loss of the children's presence.  That's what I am doing and it's working quite well.  So, Mr. Cain....it's beth@emtnester.com or beth@anythingbutbs.com......I am ready for service!

Lending A Helping Hand

Photo Courtesy of International Orthodox Christian Charities

Lending a hand.........................

Were you brought up in a household that encouraged helping out those less fortunate?  Have you carried that concept into your won adult life?  And have you noticed how good it feels?!

When I was young, my Mom used to drag my sister and me to downtown Chicago where we would deliver whole meals to people (Meals on Wheels).  I use the term "drag" because if you had asked either one of us, it probably wasn't high on our list of things we wanted to do on a Saturday afternoon.  Going shopping in the suburbs and eating lunch at Cock Robin would have been our preference, if anyone had asked us.  But no one did, so off we went to some scary homes and apartments in the heart of the City.  I was often struck by  how neat and clean some of the apartments were of the folks we delivered the food to.

After church, we took the flowers to nursing homes and I vividly remember the stench of the hallways and was glad we were bringing a better smell to those places.  We stuffed envelopes for fundraisers, we cleaned and painted homes for people from a sister church group from a poor rural area.  There were so many "opportunities" presented to us as kids, I think I just got used to this kind of lending a hand to others as routine.

When I got older and had children of my own, I found many ways to introduce the notion of lending a hand to others for the kids.  Plus, our schools and church had the kids running from one volunteer opportunity to another.

Now that the children have left the nest, I find this empty nester involved in new events like the recent fundraiser for Special Olympic of Arizona. I have recently been introduced to the valiant efforts of the IOCC, that offer emergency relief and development programs around the world. But I also have found giving a helping hand at the micro level is very important.  Helping family members around you is very rewarding.   Sometimes, being super supportive of your spouse is where you need to spend a majority of your time and effort.

Whatever you do, keep it as a part of your daily routine.  Make it apart of your children's routine.  Lend a helping hand every day.  It just feels right!

 

I Love Eccentric People

I have no idea why this is so, but I love eccentric people.  They fascinate me.  It probably stems from the fact that there is not a real, eccentric bone in my body.  I don't get how they think, or where they are coming from.  But they are never boring..and always interesting, don't you think?

Take my new favorite person, the little flower girl in William and Kate's wedding (the "other" wedding, as we commonly call it around my household!).  I think she absolutely adorable and when I have time, I want to read all about her and follow her throughout her royal life.  What will she be like as a teenager?  I bet she will be an interesting royal to follow!

I also have a niece who posts the most unique videos, quotes and stories on her Facebook account.  They seem so far out in left field, but rarely do I NOT enjoy them.  She'd make a terrific blogger....

Then, there's a guy who attended my high school and was in my sister's class....he has moved to the Phoenix area....WITHOUT a car!  He's lived in large cities and uses public transportation and thinks he can live the same here, through our 120 degree heat and all.  Well, I say, way to go!  I am so impressed by him and wish I would figure out how to do the same.  (Maybe I will feel differently in about two months....)

As I get older, I have noticed a few quirky behavior traits in me and I hope this trend continues.  And I am sure there will be comments from this post from people who may think I am eccentric, too.  That would be a compliment in my eyes.  Being an empty nester can bring out the eccentric in anyone, that's for sure!

That's it for now...have a quirky day!

Shopping, Planning, in Empty Nester Style

I just have a few minutes before I am off to finish stimulating the economy with Christmas presents for family, friends and charities.  The last day of shopping always seems so strange to me.......how many gifts is too many?  If Billy gets 4 presents, must Susie get the same?  Or should you spend the exact amount on each person?  I hate thinking about these things.  I prefer impulse buying which can sometimes lead to an inequality of gift allocations.  Shame!

I am definitely stopping by Trader Joe's on the way home. They better have those sea salt chocolate caramels or I might just have a personal meltdown right there in the middle of their recycled floor.  I wrote a poem about these delicious morsels a few years back......yes, they are that good!  

I have become quite an efficient little empty nester when it comes to planning and preparing for the return of my household, even if it's just for a few days.  Most meals are planned, the house is ready and screw the Christmas cards for now; I'd rather get a picture of all the kids home for a picture and maybe send out cards later.  I know the time when everyone is here will fly by at record speed, so I am already prepared for the letdown when they leave.  I have scheduled an afternoon at the spa.  Truth is, I miss the flurry of activity that exists when children live with you.  The most I can get out of Bill these days is a 'harrumph' and Wrigley is only excited when his dog food comes out or just before we go on our daily walks on the golf course.  I am perhaps the most boring and blah one in the bunch, too.  But that is going to change after the new year.

The Arizona sky is clouding up with a 10% chance of rain tomorrow, not exactly a winter wonderland, but it'll just have to do.  At least it looks a little more like Christmas everywhere I look!