blaugra's Profile

My cousin recently moved from San Diego to Tucson, where he is shacked up in an RV park with his husband. Years ago, he kicked cancer and I said this, quoting Mystikal. Now, he has cancer again, in nearly the... Continue reading

Posted Dec 8, 2021 at blaugra

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Hanukkah Princess strikes again: 8 gifts, please!

Hanukkah starts Sunday night and I'm almost ready with Salty D.'s eight gifts (our tradition is we exchange gifts every night). I bought most of them local, but a couple of them haven't arrived yet -- as we all say... Continue reading

Posted Nov 26, 2021 at blaugra

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You won't find this deliciously moist chocolate cake on Pinterest!

Why? Because 1) the photo below is TERRIBLE. and 2) it's an old family recipe. I just baked this for my mom's 81st birthday. All she wants for her birthday now are some lottery scratch-offs, a nice dinner, and for... Continue reading

Posted Nov 15, 2021 at blaugra

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Friend Break-ups are the Worst

Some friendships just drift away, there's no real ending, and there's no feeling of animosity between the two. It just happens. But others, oy. There's a turning point. Is there a turning-back point? That's what I've been thinking about lately.... Continue reading

Posted Nov 4, 2021 at blaugra

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Fancy Like

I've been listening to a lot of country radio lately. I love it, I hate it. That Applebee's song comes on and I hate it then I love it. I want tequila-little time with you. Hair piled high big hoops.... Continue reading

Posted Nov 2, 2021 at blaugra

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My dad's gift of gab

I talk to my dad every day. He's almost 82. Last week: Dad: Do you know Pat Boone? Me: Yes. Dad: Well he's been around! Me: Yah, Debby Boone's dad. Dad: There's a TV ad with him selling TV Ears.... Continue reading

Posted May 29, 2020 at blaugra

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Does this unemployment make my butt look bigger?

I've been unemployed for 7 months. I knew way beforehand that I was going to be unemployed, so there's no bitterness or resentment to deal with. My factory closed. So I had built up my LinkedIn contacts (and I hate... Continue reading

Posted Jun 6, 2019 at blaugra

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"What are you grateful for?" Nineties edition!

I'm Marie-Kondo-ing my home office and found my attempt at a Gratitude Journal. From 1998.For a few months, I wrote daily. 5 things I was grateful for each day. I'm going to discard the journal but before I do I thought I'd consider what I was grateful for... Continue reading

Posted Feb 4, 2019 at blaugra

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Everyone's Writing About Election Day

I'm not going to talk about my political beliefs. But just to say I am heartened that so many more women have been elected this year. Women get shit done. Some guys do too, but we need equal representation and... Continue reading

Posted Nov 7, 2018 at blaugra

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Laura Anne, with the shaky hand

That title's a take on the The Who song. Why? Because I have a shaky hand. So Salty D. sings it to me all the time. Why? Because I barely feel bipolar anymore. A few months ago, my doctor upped... Continue reading

Posted Dec 12, 2017 at blaugra

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I luv Plantar Fasciitis: new shoe edition!

At the Joan Jett show, I was jumping to Crimson and Clover in my comfy high wedge sandals, and there was a weird popping sensation in my foot. Soon it became nearly impossible to walk in flats. Then I headed... Continue reading

Posted May 27, 2017 at blaugra

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Better than Blaugra

At a holiday party, a friend said he was going to start a new blog that would be called Better than Blaugra. Because I haven't posted in a while. Understatement. I'm not sure, I think there was wine involved in... Continue reading

Posted Dec 14, 2016 at blaugra

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On success

In the process of updating my resume and damn LinkedIn profile (why do I despise LinkedIn so much?) I am mired in my career path and thinking about successes. It's a slow process. I find it hard to talk positively... Continue reading

Posted Jun 10, 2016 at blaugra

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On Control

I have bipolar disorder, and because of a crushing depression earlier this year, I tried a couple of new drug cocktails. The last one was very surprising to me. I told the doctor that, and I asked him, "Is this... Continue reading

Posted May 16, 2016 at blaugra

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On Giving Up

I was in my kitchen last night, trying to come up with dinner because the leftover Mardi Gras gumbo with all its seafood was not appealing. And I just thought, I want to give up. Not just in the kitchen,... Continue reading

Posted Feb 12, 2016 at blaugra

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"You don't have to be a veteran for it to work"

That's what my therapist said to me last night. She got started conducting EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy - with veterans, and absolutely loves doing it because it gets results. I still have no idea how it... Continue reading

Posted Aug 19, 2015 at blaugra

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Brief Intermission

My dad called me after watching Father of the Bride. "Steve Martin and his daughter played basketball in the driveway. Did I ever play basketball with you?" Me: "I don't think so. I think I mostly played with friends in... Continue reading

Posted Aug 13, 2015 at blaugra

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What does EMDR stand for?

I have a new therapist. Not because my former therapist didn't do it for me, but because that therapist discontinued her practice. Gee, was it something I said? This new therapist, I like her too. A few weeks ago she... Continue reading

Posted Jul 28, 2015 at blaugra

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Happylicious

I haven't written in a while, huh? I even forgot my Typepad password. Oy vey! But my friend Katey told me she just went to a blogging conference in North Dakota and I thought, heeeeeey I haven't blogged in a... Continue reading

Posted Jun 10, 2015 at blaugra

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Playing it forward or bagging it? My adventure with the viola

It's been 8 months since I first picked up the viola. I had long wanted to play the violin, and when I talked about it with Salty D., he said, "Why not the viola? It won't be as squeaky as... Continue reading

Posted Mar 6, 2015 at blaugra

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How I spent $696 on face shit: #Clarins

It was an evening like many, I was feeling like crap and shopping for scarves or some sale-priced accessory at a local department store, when I walked by the Clarins cosmetic counter. "Would you like a facial? And a skin... Continue reading

Posted Sep 12, 2014 at blaugra

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Things are looking up.

Over the past couple of years, when I've walked down the street or through the park, I've looked down at my feet navigating the pavement, at the sidewalk going by. I guess it's because of my low self-confidence, of feeling... Continue reading

Posted Aug 29, 2014 at blaugra

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The Final Straw

I've noticed over the past year, my hair getting frizzier and frizzier, and more hair falling out or breaking. Frizz-Ease wasn't helping, extra conditioning at home wasn't helping, oil on the ends wasn't helping. My hair had become really dry. Continue reading

Posted Jun 16, 2014 at blaugra

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And you turn yourself around

Sunday morning broke as a glorious June day. Absolutely perfect conditions outside to do...well, anything. It was the kind of summery before summer gets annoying and humid. But all I saw was blackness and all I felt was pain in... Continue reading

Posted Jun 2, 2014 at blaugra

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The Best Most Versatile Dress You Should Buy Right Now

I'm not a fashionista, or any -ista. I tried being a barista once but it didn't stick. As a non-fashionista, I often look at Land's End because 1) I'm over 40 and 2) I'm all about ease of access and... Continue reading

Posted May 28, 2014 at blaugra

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