Happy Birthday USA!

It's the 4th of July and time to celebrate! The USA is 233 years old today.

Our country has been through a lot over the years. Things have been more than a little rough for the past couple of years, but we're a strong, hopeful and resilient nation filled with amazing people. We have to believe that things will improve and the country will bounce back stronger than ever.

Be sure to fly your flag today and take some time to think about the fact that we live in such a great country. Be thankful today, be careful today, and enjoy today!

It's Dad's Day!

Today is Father’s Day.

First of all, I want to wish my husband a Happy Father’s Day. I’m thankful that he’s always been a great father to our three kids.

This is always a bittersweet day for me. My own father passed away over 30 years ago. I still miss him, but even more so on Father’s Day. I don’t think I ever truly let him know how much I appreciated him and how thankful I was that he was my Dad.

If you are lucky enough to have your father, make sure you let him know how much you love and appreciate him, especially today. Get in the habit of saying “I love you” to your Dad more than once a year and make sure to thank him for all the things he’s done for you.

And to all the fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day!

Graduation is a Time to Celebrate!

Graduation season is in full swing at this time of year. When we think of graduation, we usually think of high school or college commencement ceremonies. We think of students going out into the "real world" and commencing, or beginning, the next stage in their lives.

Graduation doesn't only have to be about school. Think about it. We all have many grduations in our lives. Sure, we have school graduations, but what about when a person gets married? Isn't that a sort of graduation, from single life to married life? And how about when a couple has children and they graduate into parenthood? We graduate from raising children, to becoming empty nesters and then perhaps graduate to becoming grandparents. We can graduate from one job or career to another and then completely graduate from the working world into retirement.

Perhaps you don't know anyone graduating from school this season, but you may know someone graduating to a new stage in their lives. They may not be happy about their commencement (think about reluctant empty nesters or people forced to graduate from a job too soon due to layoffs, forced retirement, etc). Try to help them see that even though their commencement might be challenging, it might also open new doors for them and a world of endless possibilities. If you are one of the reluctant graduates, take time to do some soul searching. You may just find that in the end your graduation is a time for celebrating.

To all the graduates out there, commence the celebration!

Welcome To Karen's Kitchen Chat

As you can see from the description of my blog, I will be writing about everyday types of things. I want to put a positive spin on the things that I chat about, in the hope that it will put people in a good mood. I believe that a positive attitude can help you get through life much easier. I’m also a firm believer in finding something each day that makes you feel grateful. It doesn’t have to be anything big or earth shattering.

I’m always grateful for my wonderful family and the fact that I have a roof over my head and food on my table, but sometimes being grateful for the little things in life can help you have a better and more positive outlook on life in general. Sometimes just taking time to “smell the roses” can make you feel better.

Normally, I plan to find gratefulness and joy in the little things, but today is Memorial Day. It is a day to remember the brave men and women who died serving our country. This is not a little thing to be grateful for – it is a huge thing. Be sure to take some time today to be grateful for the ones who gave their lives, so that the rest of us could live in freedom in the good old USA.

Enjoy and be grateful!