It’s November. And it’s been a minute.
I just turned 59 last month. The year before THE year. My brother-in-law came up with that one, he’ll hit the six-oh 6 months ahead of me next year. My husband had a very low key birthday when he hit it – I offered to throw him a party like I did for his 40th. He loved that celebration. For 60 – no f*cking way was he going there.
Most of my classmates on Facebook have already experienced that milestone- another benefit of skipping a grade in elementary, when they still did that back in the day. Since then I’ve had a love-hate relationship my age. When I was 10 years old starting grade 7 (when everyone in my class was 12 ) – life was not so great. I was a tiny pipsqueak when everyone was going through puberty. I was reminded of that every day of my pre-pubescent life.
When I was in university, I didn’t feel so guilty about taking an extra year to graduate so that was a win. As was having kids later in life.
Nowadays I’ll be honest, it’s helpful. I feel like it’s cool to be in my 50s. I’m still able to feel youngish enough to hang out with girls in their 30s. I could be kidding myself, but they keep inviting me to events so I’ll take it. All the retro 80s bands are coming back onto the concert circuit so we’re going to gigs like we’re in our 20s again.
I’m on another work break. I had the perfect gig for the last 5 years – I felt I had hit the jackpot career wise. It was perhaps too good to be true so when it came to an end, I decided to take at least the summer off, maybe the rest of the year, before thinking of next steps. November is two months to the end of the year, and my life is going at a good pace. I have more time to see my mother (still my hero, going strong at 87); the big boy is on the precipice of leaving the nest permanently; the baby is away at school and hubby who is semi-retired, has a good routine. I go to the gym 5 days a week; I’ve lost weight and gained muscle. I’m not in a rush. I’m in the middle of a memoir writing course – and loving it.
So I’m signing up for NaBloPoMo to blog again. If you want to follow along check out San’s blog and sign up. I’m also reading more, and contemplating taking the writing thing to the next level.
Looking forward to catching up and meeting new bloggers!
At a time 
Yay! A post from Karen, and a whole month of them to look forward to! I didn’t know you knew San and that group, so this is extra fun! Gaining muscle at our age (I turn 59 in 2 months) is not easy, so congratulations. I’ve seen your progress on FB, and it’s definitely impressive. I guess that dedication pays off. ❤
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So happy to see you on the list too Julie :)!
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Hi Karen! Great to meet you. I’m a memoir writer, too. Although – to be honest, I write stories and I’m not great at weaving in ‘lessons’ at the end of each chapter. Maybe it won’t be defined as memoir when I’m done. We shall see. Good for you taking time between jobs and not being in a rush. I’ve been at the daycare thing for 10 years. I always said I’d do it for 10, but now I don’t think I can give it up yet. Dare to dream.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to getting to know you. Where do you live?
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Hey Ernie, thanks for your comment. Yes, I’m learning that memoir can be pretty fluid, can be parts personal essay. It’s not like blogging that’s for sure, and a lot more creative writing is involved than I thought – but I am loving it :). I’m from Ontario, Canada!
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Hi Karen! Well, we have a few things in common. I’m 58 and our kids are around the same ages (oldest one in college, and my daughter is a sophomore in high school). I also love being in my 50s! Research actually shows that people get happier and happier with each decade (just imagine what’s ahead for us!!!)
Glad you’re doing NaBLoPoMo!
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Yes Jenny, 50s are great. I think the older we get, we learn not to sweat the small stuff as much. Still a work in progress on that one 😉
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Welcome to the NaBloPoMo group! Nice to “meet” you 🙂
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Thanks Elisabeth, you too 🙂
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Woohoo – always fun to have new blogs to follow during NaBloPoMo! I hope you talk more about your memoir-writing class (or memoir writing in general) because that’s something that interests me.
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Yes, there is much to learn, it’s inspiring me to look at other courses to explore other genres of writing too. Bending my brain in new ways can only benefit right?
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Karen, welcome and so nice to meet you. I am so glad you found us just before we head into NaBloPoMo – so happy you’ve decided to join us. I am looking forward to getting to know you this month!
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Hi San thanks for introducing me to so many other new blogs 🙂
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Nice to meet you Karen! I am looking forward to learning more about you in the coming weeks. I am glad to hear that the 50s are good as my 5 0 is coming up this month.
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So nice to stumble unto your blog for this NaBloPoMo. I’ll be looking forward reading about you and your life and get to know you.
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