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Hey Reader,

It's been a few weeks!

I spent most of May watching all the end of year grandkid programs and teaching my 16 year old grandson how to drive.

That last one was a lot more time consuming than I anticipated and at times I felt like I had bitten off more than I could chew!

One way I survived it was to make a Starbucks run every time we went out driving.

And this time I was NOT ordering any non-fat low calorie drink.

NO - It was a GRANDE Mocha Frappucino with all the whipped cream. And calories.

What I really needed to get me through these lessons was a wine cooler from the convenience store, but that would have been neither appropriate or legal.🍷

So a high calorie, sugary, over-priced drink from Starbucks it was!

The good news is Parker is scheduled for his road test in a week he'll be off to the races!

Meanwhile, his sister Maddie (11) is already talking about "When Gaga teaches me to drive..." LORD!!!!

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Thrive by scheduling FUN

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My daughters took me out for a belated Mother's Day lunch last week at a fancy place called Annabelle Brasserie.

The food was delicious and the time with just us girls was priceless.

Since the girls became mothers, we have done something for Mother's Day on a day other than Mother's Day.

That gives them the chance to be celebrated by their own families "on the day".

And then we celebrate ALL OF US, without husbands or kids at another time.

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Thrive by being a LIFELONG LEARNER - Thrifting Round 2

In my last newsletter I told you about my master-thrifter daughter, Allison and how I asked her to take me thrifting.

She's the middle one in the picture above, and of course, her whole outfit is thrifted and probably cost $2.

My experience thrifting for clothes was a nightmare for me. Going through racks of clothes, finding nothing, getting a headache...

I love a bargain, but I am not interested in working so hard for it.

Fast forward a week after I designated myself a "non-thrifter" and vowed to never go into a second hand store again.

I decided that after 11 years of living in this house, we needed to invest in some furniture for the front porch so we can sit outside. The furniture was NOT THRIFTED and pretty much blew my whole outdoor decor budget.

With the addition of the porch furniture, I noticed how PLAIN the porch looked.

(Mind you, before I bought the furniture, the porch was totally devoid of any decor and it never bothered me.)

That's when Allison encouraged me to try Goodwill for porch decor and with her help I came home with a truck load of great stuff!

I bought lots of pots, silk plants, large vases and a wreath for a steal!

Thrifting tip that I learned from Allison - Goodwill is a great place for fake plants, home decor and art work.

She has purchased lots of art work there just for the frames. Crappy artwork often times comes in expensive frames. Who knew?

I don't know that I'll be the dedicated thrifter that Allison is, but I'm glad I tried again.

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Thrive by SERVING OTHERS

My church had a blood drive on Sunday, so I took that opportunity to donate at a time that I was already there.

I also baked an extra lasagne to have ready in the freezer for the next Lasagne Love delivery I make. If you're making one, why not make two?

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What I bought:

This cute short sleeved swing dress from Amazon. Perfect for every day. So many colors and patterns and super comfy.

​Pretty layered necklace with 3 strands. Comes in silver, gold or rose gold.

​Monte Sandals by Easy Spirit - Lots of colors. I bought the white. Comes in wide.

Have you learned something new in your empty nest/retirement years? Taken up a new hobby? Pursued something you didn't have time to do when you were working and raising kids? Write back and tell me! I really want to know!

Until next time,

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Cathy

Thriving through SERVICE, LEARNING and HAVING FUN!​

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P. S. - I so enjoyed the book Empty Nest Joyride: Hope, Love, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment by my friend, Linda Hanstra. It's a bike ride through the ups and downs of a long marriage, raising 4 very different kids and navigating the unique ways each launch into the world. Such great reflections that all empty nesters or those on the cusp can relate to.