Merry Christmas

This entry was written on Dec 24, 2009 by our Single Women Guru Laura Brown

I try not to type Merry Christmas until the big day itself. Quite a few people don't celebrate Christmas, you probably know at least one person who may be Jewish, an Atheist or Jehovah's Witness. Some people just chose not to celebrate Christmas as a personal decision. Whatever the reason, I like to include everyone when I say Merry Christmas. So I usually type Season's Greetings.



Today, on the 24th, Christmas Eve Day, I feel it is the right time to say Merry Christmas. This day has always been the most exciting day of the holidays. More than Christmas Day itself. I love Christmas Eve.



That last day when our house would be full of the smell of Christmas baking. The Christmas tree would be up in the magical front room where we were not allowed except for speical occasions. The fireplace was in that room too and it would be on! The presents were under the tree and the lights would be sparkling over the ornaments. What could be a better sign of real magic in the world!

Thank you

It´s never out of date or old fashioned to send a written thank you note to someone who´s extended an invitation for a dinner party or other social event. Have you ever noticed how many other women, of all ages, want to make sure that you have somewhere to share Thanksgiving dinner, or if you have a date for the Christmas charity party? It takes time to be considerate and it isn´t always convenient. Make sure that they know how much you appreciate their invitations and loving concern!

Season's Greetings

This entry was written on Dec 22, 2009 by our Single Women Guru Laura Brown

Season's Greetings. Nice to have the Christmas shopping done but all the Christmas dinner stuff is still ahead. We will be going down to my sister's house again this year. I had hoped to have the dinner here. But, she just had a baby boy and can't travel.

I made icebox cookies and have managed not to eat them all. My brother's girlfriend is making a turkey and I will be making plans for the rest of the dinner today and tomorrow. Mostly vegetable dishes and assorted essentials like buns, seasonings, etc.

Season's Greetings to all who read here.

Family Holidays Don't Need to Make you Lonely

The holidays can be kind of sad at times when you are single. I find myself feeling a bit left out when I am going to family gatherings and I don't have children or a family of my own. Being single is ok. There are advantages such as being able to come and go as I please and not having anyone to get ready but myself. When I Christmas shop I can get in and out of the mall pretty quick, or sit back with a great latte and watch everyone else still hustling along.

I seldom feel lonely because I am busy or just enjoying myself as I am. I don't think about what I don't have. I think about what I do have. If you get feeling the blues over family holidays, like Christmas, think about what you do have rather than what you think you wish you had.

It also helps to talk to the women who do have kids. Catch them at a moment when they are feeling overwhelmed and then be glad you are single! The grass really is always greener on the other side of the fence. Appreciate the grass you have!

Midlife Woman

This entry was written on Dec 18, 2009 by our Single Women Guru Laura Brown

Do you consider yourself to be midlife?

Tomorrow is my birthday, I will be 45. It seems so much older than I feel. Five more years to 50. The birthday has been hitting me a little hard the past few months, knowing it is coming, like it or not.

Each of us has our own idea of what midlife is and what it means. Some may stretch it out to start at 50 or 60, others would rather jump that shark and just dive in. I would say I am midlife, a little reluctantly. I think I will be fine once the big day itself is over with tomorrow. It is the day itself that marks us from our past to our tomorrows.

As long as the tomorrows keep on coming and I can still get out of bed feeling ok each morning, I am just fine.

Christmas Cookies All Year Round

Icebox cookies are a simple recipe. There are a lot of varieties for it online or in cookbooks, pick one that sounds good to you.

The best thing is having the cookie dough, rolled up in wax paper kept in the freezer for any time you want to bake up some cookies. You don't have to bake them all at once. They store very well as long as you make sure they aren't freezer burnt (wrap them up well).

My Christmas icebox cookies have red and green candined cherries to give them that added Christmas spirit!

You Don't Have to Have It All

This entry was written on Oct 09, 2009 by our Single Women Guru Laura Brown

I read a great quote today in a print newsletter:

"Arrange whatever pieces come your way and make them work for you." - Virginia Wolf

I like this one. It reminds me of my Grandfather who was always happy with what he had in his life, his family and his job. All of it. He never looked around and felt he needed more or was lacking in this or that. He never judged anyone harshly and he was happy with us all, even when we weren't exactly perfect. It was ok to not be perfect, to not have it all or handle it all. Just be who you are.

Patiently Quiet and Still

This entry was written on Sep 27, 2009 by our Single Women Guru Laura Brown

One of the best things about being a single woman is being alone. I absorb the quiet, the sense of being in my own place by myself. It is nice. I'm alone but far from lonely.

I think it is one of the things you really only appreciate when you don't have it for awhile. Like when I babysit for my sister a couple of days. When I get home again the first thing I feel is that quiet, the atmosphere of peace and patience. My place is just patiently waiting for me to decide what I want to do next. I can take an hour, just doing nothing at all if I want to.