tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post5569831876742329507..comments2024-03-26T04:24:19.478-07:00Comments on Sweet Romance Reads: It's Never too Late to Learn by Karen RockDonna Fasanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386295931460318306noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-1656092584095482452019-05-19T03:59:44.861-07:002019-05-19T03:59:44.861-07:00I am constantly surprised by the amount of informa...I am constantly surprised by the amount of information accessible on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well written to get your stand on this over to all your readers. Thanks a lot my dear. <a href="https://kissenglishcenter.com/" rel="nofollow">https://kissenglishcenter.com/</a><br />Saqib Khatrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07730556578524554655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-62958567746285066102015-09-02T12:58:08.629-07:002015-09-02T12:58:08.629-07:00You have a lot of good points here, Karen. For me ...You have a lot of good points here, Karen. For me it was a heartbreak when my kids left for college. But having them visiting on college breaks was a big feast. They loved it as they were treated as guests of honor.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061074150561582898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-87185123296524944262015-08-30T17:50:47.509-07:002015-08-30T17:50:47.509-07:00Hey Karen, It's been several year's now si...Hey Karen, It's been several year's now since the youngest was off to college. Back then my oldest who still lived at home had it into her head she should leave home first. I had that to deal with first. She moved in with a boyfriend in a neighboring town. When my youngest was getting ready the battles began. We argued over such stupid stuff. I'll explain that to you later. Anyway's, Since my oldest was named after Barry Manilow's song Mandy.... I didn't realize until just before Melissa left home that Barry had a song that said ," sweet Melissa" in it! So, there was two Barry song's with my daughter's names in music. Everytime the commercial came on tv I would hear "sweet Melissa". The actual day she left and had walked out the door I cried . I cried buckets! Doug held me and let me. Then for a long time I would hear Barry's song an cry all over. I just hated that she was gone. Over time it stopped. She kept in touch when ever she was alone by cell phone. She graduated out of college, has had jobs, moved several times, had a cat that is my " grand kitty", and now is engaged to be married next fall. I still miss her. I know I will cry again when she get's married. I just can't help it! As for Mandy? She still lives at home so my empty nest didn't even hit!!!! PamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-66383044609555443452015-08-30T12:25:55.176-07:002015-08-30T12:25:55.176-07:00Wow! Thanks, Kathy :) My next book comes out in No...Wow! Thanks, Kathy :) My next book comes out in November- it's a holiday wedding anthology and was lots of fun to write- WIINTER WEDDING BELLS- with Jennifer Snow and Kristine Rolofson. Would you believe I actually put my puppy on Skype with my daughter? I never would have imagined doing that before but, like you said, there are lots of wonderful experiences to look forward to as the parent to an adult. Today she told me about how she signed up to join different clubs and I felt so excited for her and for me because we have lots more to share with each other :) thanks so much for stopping by the blog!Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-21666527908144104182015-08-30T12:19:42.966-07:002015-08-30T12:19:42.966-07:00Thanks, Liz! It is a time for reinvention and I...Thanks, Liz! It is a time for reinvention and I'm discovering a lot about myself that is either knew or parts I had to put aside while child rearing :)Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-86417644122735937062015-08-30T12:17:51.580-07:002015-08-30T12:17:51.580-07:00What a wonderful life you and your husband share! ...What a wonderful life you and your husband share! I love bird watching, too and we have great mountains to hike here in the Adirondacks. I bet you and your husband are fit and happy which brings your children the same joy you gave them :)Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-46848502913388669062015-08-30T12:14:36.834-07:002015-08-30T12:14:36.834-07:00Awww! I didn't think of the grand babies aspec...Awww! I didn't think of the grand babies aspect which is the best part of seeing your children grown and starting their own lives! I can't wait to spoil grandkids. And community service is a wonderful way to give of yourself. I applaud you for doing that. My puppy, Zoey, has been going to training and if she makes it far enough, I'd love to take her to Nursing Homes as she's so soft and loving- the perfect dog to cuddle and warm hearts :)Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-45914732219093889532015-08-30T12:10:13.312-07:002015-08-30T12:10:13.312-07:00Lol- cheers to less arguing and more getting along...Lol- cheers to less arguing and more getting along and respect, Wes! You made great points. I was afraid of the transition, but having made it, I see all of the wonderful benefits of being the parent of and adult. Thanks!Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-90662804619993043072015-08-30T12:08:10.674-07:002015-08-30T12:08:10.674-07:00Hah! Leave it to you, Dale, to bring the romance i...Hah! Leave it to you, Dale, to bring the romance into it- and a very very important point :) As couples we can see each other as partners in finding happiness with each other and bringing joy to our lives. Children do such a wonderful job of that, but when they leave, it reminds us to focus on each other :) thanks for your great comment.Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-88135480151614771892015-08-30T12:04:47.521-07:002015-08-30T12:04:47.521-07:00Hi, Janet :) knitting is a great skill to learn an...Hi, Janet :) knitting is a great skill to learn and so relaxing as well! Understandably, our focus is our children but when they become independent it's great to find something special just for us. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog.Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-31280435671273229972015-08-30T12:02:19.030-07:002015-08-30T12:02:19.030-07:00I feel your pain on the over-cooked meat- lol. My ...I feel your pain on the over-cooked meat- lol. My husband is all about grilling :) I'm excited for you to take the class and have this chance to focus on yourself :) Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-20946455338446830952015-08-30T07:29:15.242-07:002015-08-30T07:29:15.242-07:00I remember when I had to figure out how to use sky...I remember when I had to figure out how to use skype for the first time!! My baby still teases me but I think I'm getting the hang of all the new and hip tech!! But I agree getting to know your children as adults is such a rewarding experience!! (By the way I can't wait for your next book! I loved a league of her own!!) <br />~ KathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-49584798011327067392015-08-30T04:40:35.685-07:002015-08-30T04:40:35.685-07:00I remember being so shocked that after the tears d...I remember being so shocked that after the tears dried, I had such fun re-inventing myself. It sounds as though you're all on the right track. Have fun!Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-88032511532849894532015-08-29T20:08:44.633-07:002015-08-29T20:08:44.633-07:00Karen you are so right about empty nest syndrome. ...Karen you are so right about empty nest syndrome. It was incredibly difficult to let our first born go off to school but we still had our two other children to take care of. Then our nest slowly got emptier as the other two left for school. My husband and I mourned for a while, but then we took up a few hobbies. We started bird watching and going on hikes when it's warm. And we skate on our pond out back when it's winter for exercise. The kids keep commenting on how fit we've gotten! <br /><br />Best, <br />Jennifer Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-64954739924602747442015-08-29T18:38:54.367-07:002015-08-29T18:38:54.367-07:00Thanks for the post Karen! I found getting involve...Thanks for the post Karen! I found getting involved in community service helped me fill the extra time, and meet some wonderful people after my babies left. So glad our empty nest is now filled with little grandbabies though! <br />- BarbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-43988637212718428782015-08-29T17:54:36.965-07:002015-08-29T17:54:36.965-07:00Sending your kids off to college is never easy. Th...Sending your kids off to college is never easy. Thank you for this well-written post, Karen! It brought back old memories of when we drove our only child Jack to college. It changed our relationship a lot because now, we're all adults with lots of love and mutual respect for one another. But, it seems it's for the better (since we almost never argue and fight now)! <br /><br />WesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-30197036170655436922015-08-29T17:38:20.693-07:002015-08-29T17:38:20.693-07:00Well put, Karen! There's still so much to do a...Well put, Karen! There's still so much to do and say. And it's also the perfect time for couples to rediscover each other!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-44888805655030538902015-08-29T17:29:20.551-07:002015-08-29T17:29:20.551-07:00I know just how you feel Karen! When I sent my son...I know just how you feel Karen! When I sent my son, Ethan, off to school for the first time a few years ago I was devastated. But I picked myself back up and started knitting. I had always wanted to learn to knit and I decided to go for it. Now I can make scarves and blankets in a lot of different colors! Sending your child away is never easy, but I think having a distraction helps ease the pain. <br /><br />-Janet Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-65844042284918044862015-08-29T17:24:16.525-07:002015-08-29T17:24:16.525-07:00Thank you for your wise words Karen! I send my dau...Thank you for your wise words Karen! I send my daughter, Julie, off to school next year. I just don't know how I'll cope without my not-so little one. I think I'll take your suggestion have some self-improvement time. Maybe I'll take a cooking class of my own. Judging by my family's groans of disappointment whenever I bring out some over cooked meat, I could use a few pointers-LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-15470638367098590812015-08-29T11:56:05.747-07:002015-08-29T11:56:05.747-07:00I hope for that, too, Merrillee. It must be wonder...I hope for that, too, Merrillee. It must be wonderful to have that proximity and closeness to your adult children and to get to see your grandchildren grow! I joked to my husband that we'll sell the house and get one of those nice RVs and just follow Danielle around when she graduates ;) (actually- it really wasn't a joke...)Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-63016194933893497852015-08-29T11:12:47.069-07:002015-08-29T11:12:47.069-07:00Karen, your post brings back memories of when we t...Karen, your post brings back memories of when we took our daughters to college. They grow up fast, but having an empty nest is a new adventure. We live close to our younger daughter now that she is married and has children of her own. It is nice to relate to our kids as adults. We rely on each other. Merrilleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-90378625867622530142015-08-29T08:23:48.727-07:002015-08-29T08:23:48.727-07:00Thanks, Magdalena :) So often people talk of the e...Thanks, Magdalena :) So often people talk of the empty nest in negative terms, but like you said in your beautiful post yesterday, we can change our lives, downsize, and have a new phase of our lives that's just as rich and meaningful!Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-15109203290576696782015-08-29T06:51:23.017-07:002015-08-29T06:51:23.017-07:00Beautifully said, Karen! My experiences during our...Beautifully said, Karen! My experiences during our son's college years were similar. Now he's 25 - successful in his career, and in a strong marriage. Even though my "nest" has changed drastically, it's a happy place because we're both living our dreams. (A fun thing about my studio apartment - when son & d-i-l come to stay, it's like camping!)Magdalena Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09674381212999247449noreply@blogger.com