You’ll notice I didn’t ask about a second marriage because that’s practically a Gimme. It’s expected, even. It’s considered a sign of moving on. A third marriage? That’s more like a Mulligan (you will use it judicially and with caution). Why the golf analogy, you may be wondering. I don’t even know, it just popped into my head. Maybe because my ex was an avid golfer.

This writing prompt from Writer’s Digest asks “Write a story or scene that includes “sound words” that set the scene. What is going on? What do the characters hear, or what sound waves do they feel?”

The objective of the prompt is an exercise to get the writer using onomatopoeia (sound words). I haven’t heard that word since grade school 🙂 This writing prompt motivated me and I know it’s something I should challenge myself to more often for practice.

Before we start, let me apologize for the length of this post. I tried to reduce it but there was just so much to talk about. Soon after watching the finale of Big Little Lies, I was compelled to write a review of sorts. Of course, I’m no expert on television except to say that I’m a fan of HBO. I also tried to get this published while it was still fresh but a week has passed. Let’s hope my Escapees still care and maybe even other women looking to understand this complex set of characters.

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of this much anticipated season two of Big Little Lies. It’s been highly criticized this season for not living up to the hype surrounding its premiere. Before you read further though, know that this contains *spoilers*.

We’re in full swing summer season now. Do you have a summer bucket list? What have you checked off?

I’m not one to make bucket lists. I keep my to do’s in a journal and in my brain. Every summer though, there are certain things I know I want to do. Like, take a dip in the ocean. Full-head-in-kind of dip. It’s colder than heck but it feels amazing. Picking the berries right off the bush, is also a must-do for me.

It’s easy to let summer’s fleeting season pass us by. It comes and goes so quickly but luckily I have a summer fun recipe you’ll love…guaranteed to make your summer joy happen. This post has been updated from the archives.

Going no-contact with a narcissist takes a great deal of determination, strength and a strong will to let go and move forward. My video on that subject is here.

There is no question that going no contact results in a better life for you but it does not necessarily erase all after effects of the narcissist. One of the things that is typical of narcissists is that they want to control you even after you have gone no contact. How can they do that if you have zero contact with them?

Are you like me and have a hard time asking for help? You don’t want to burden your friends so you tell them you’re okay when you’re actually falling down a hole so deep you fear bumping into Alice?

I can’t think of a more appropriate time than during separation and divorce that we require help from family and friends. All at once we’re single parenting, dealing with lawyers, moving, starting a new career or educational program. Yet we try to manage it alone. We think if we can’t manage it all alone, we must be weak. There must be something wrong with us if we need help.

There isn’t a whole lot of information out there regarding special needs spouses, and/or disabled spouses. That said I was able to come up with six important things to know if you’re divorcing or are a special needs spouse.

Note that there is much more information on having special needs children of the marriage, which could and may be dealt with in a whole different (future) post.

I want to focus here what you can expect during divorce if special needs are a part of your situation. Obviously, disabilities refer to any sort being physical or cognitive or degenerative.

“Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight?”

The words to that old Elvis song always tug at my heartstrings. I picture my grandmother mending socks, humming along to this song playing on her kitchen radio. She became a widow quite young. She wasn’t even 60 yet. She lived alone until the day she died (excluding her final years in a care home).

One of the hardest adjustments during divorce, is finding yourself alone. Alone. Just that simple word conjures up all kinds of not so nice feelings. When you’re alone, is it because no one wants you?

A few years ago I wrote this little post on family dynamics. It still gets comments every now and then. Last week I received a beautiful comment from a reader. I’d like to share it with you:

I’ve recently discovered the show “Better Things” on FX. I was taken with MC, Samantha (also my Starbucks pseudonym) when I happened upon an episode featuring her getting frustrated with her lover. What she said to him, few women dare to go there in bed. I’ll leave it at that. Do I have your imagination going in a few directions?