Welcome to my second half

It’s time.

No, I’m not in labor, thank goodness. It’s time to start a new blog. I thought it would be relatively easy to do, but as it turns out, I wrestled with it for quite some time. Mostly because I didn’t know what to call it.

I kept thinking about what a new blog should entail. I had a successful blog for several years as part of a previous job, but recently I have had a few life-changing events, including taking a new position as the Director of News and Information for Radio Works. It’s such a great title, isn’t it?

After eight years as a crime reporter for a newspaper, working in radio is an interesting change. I literally thought in column inches for a long time, and am now adapting to thinking in minutes and seconds. Hence, the name of my new blog.

“Minutes” is rather self-explanatory, but the seconds part actually has a dual meaning – when I changed jobs, I also changed a significant part of my life. I feel like I have entered a second half. The later years? Another chapter? Call it what you will, life has changed.

My first blog focused on the craziness that comes with being a mom. I have three kids, and they kind of ruled my life for a long time. Then had the audacity to grow up and move. I know! Ungrateful, right?

My husband and I have adapted well to being empty nesters, if you ignore the fact that the dog now gets way more attention than he was used to receiving. For the most part, we’ve gone into the childless part of our lives with satisfaction and an amount of glee that may actually be slightly inappropriate.

Forgive us. We’ve been parents for a long, long time.

So, with the kids gone, what will I write about now? Oh, I never really have a lack of inspiration. There’s always something that catches my attention or tickles my funny bone. Just the process of this old dog trying to learn new tricks in my new job is generally worth a chuckle.

For my loyal Dirty Laundry fans, thanks for reminding me regularly that you missed my silliness, my stories and my family. For anyone new to my ramblings, I’ll give you a quick rundown.

My husband is Eric, my dog is Jeffrey, and life can be confusing if you get the two names mixed up. I know this from experience. My oldest child is Maggie, her husband is Luke, their daughter - the radiant smile in my heart - is Layla. My boys are Nick (and girlfriend Jess) and Matt, the baby. He objects to that term, which is why I use it as often as possible. Why have kids if you can’t mess with them?

Hopefully you will enjoy getting to know them as I tell you stories about the craziness that is my life.