The GypsyNester | out-of-the-box memories

Tag Archives: out-of-the-box memories

The Best? (Worst?) Funniest. Family Portrait. Ever.

Every family has ‘em. Piles of throw-away snapshots that you can’t bear to actually throw away. Before digital cameras our generation put every picture, no matter how bad, into a photo album. After all, they were precious – and we shelled out big bucks to have them developed.

Then there are the CLASSICS. The ones you should have thrown away, but instead you frame them. This one is ours.

Think about it, we thought we were sitting for a lovely family portrait. Clearly, all heck is breaking loose and none of us could… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, charmed life, comedy, Decibel, empty nest, grandkids, gypsy nester, holidays, holy crap, homecoming, in-laws, out-of-the-box memories, the, The Piglet, things going terribly awry

Exclusive GypsyNester Merchandise for Celebrating Life After Kids and Breaking the Empty Nest Rules!

Go Ahead Punk…Make My (Father’s) Day

Whenever Father’s Day would roll around when I was a youngster, the inevitable question arose, “Why isn’t there a kid’s day?”

Every parent ever to draw a breath gave the same reply, “Everyday is kid’s day.”

Thinking back, there was a lot of truth to that statement. We did celebrate kid’s day nearly everyday, and I certainly don’t remember going out of my way to make my father’s days resplendent on any regular… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, big ideas, covert actions, empty nest, gypsy nester, holidays, lawn ornaments, memory lane, out-of-the-box memories, yard apes

16 Boxes

Almost everyday we hear somebody say “I live vicariously through you” or “ I wish we could do what you’re doing.” As inviting as it may seem, it’s probably not the lifestyle for everybody. There is actually quite a commitment to chucking it all and becoming a gypsy. It takes a dash of nerve and a pinch of intestinal fortitude to get rid of everything you own except a handful of personal items that can be fit into a few boxes.

16 boxes to be exact. Close to 30 years of marriage and 3 kids later, we’re whittled down to 16 boxes, most them in storage. Many of these boxes are tagged to go directly to the kids… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged change, Decibel, empty nest, fear conquering, gypsy nester, out-of-the-box memories, packing, planning, sell the nest, semifictitious characters, The Boy, The Piglet, Veronica crying

The Not-So-Healthy Benefits of Walking

Live longer, feel better and perhaps even keep your original knees and hips…blah, blah, blah. We’ve all heard the healthy reasons we should get off our rumps and out in the world.In case your joints aren’t that important to you, here are some not-so-healthy rewards that might inspire you to take that first step.The GypsyNesters are glad to share some of the reasons that walking is such a substantial part our lives (in the ever popular… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged appy crawl, cheesy tourist diversions, finding money, ground level travel, gypsy nester, out-of-the-box memories, street food, street performers, top ten lists, travel, walking, weird shop owners

No Home for the Holidays

Selling the nest and becoming GypsyNesters has given our adult chicks the joy of being the hosts in their homes for the holidays.

Christmas is the one time we allow ourselves to hands-down spoil our kids – and, boy, do we ever! As thrifty as we are during the non-Jesus-being-born part of the year, we let loose the coffers when we visit The Spawn during that “most wonderful time of the year.”

Oh, the anticipation! The joy!… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, change, Decibel, empty nest, food, ground level travel, gypsy nester, holidays, new york, out-of-the-box memories, sell the nest, The Boy, The Piglet, urbanite offspring

Love and Spit-takes

Have you noticed that the older we get, the less we laugh? As a mother and someone who has worked in academic settings, I find myself envious of teenaged girls who can work themselves into hiccup-inducing hysterics over the slightest thing. Admittedly, the tears come just as fast, and I have to say I’m glad I’m past THAT nonsense but just witnessing a spontaneous giggle-fest sets my heart a-singing.

As a society, we unfortunately chalk uncontrollable laughter up to immaturity. How sad is that? I feel blessed anytime I’m with someone who can find humor in… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, Decibel, empty nest, flying spew, gauntlet dropping, googling at the drop of a hat, gypsy nester, laughter, new york, out-of-the-box memories, spit-take, The Piglet, urbanite offspring, wine

HOliday HOmecoming HOopla

The holidays are fast approaching so now is a good time to explore some of the unique aspects of family gatherings for empty nesters.

(A little note from the authors: When we refer to Christmas, please feel free to substitute Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Saturnalia, winter solstice or whatever it is you celebrate. We are only using Christmas as an example because it is our family tradition, and to keep from having to write three or four names every time we refer to a holiday. Absolutely no slight is intended or any preference for one over another. If your family is like ours, no doubt any one of them can be just as crazy as the next.)

Thanksgiving, Christmas or both… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, college, empty nest, grandkids, gypsy nester, holidays, homecoming, in-laws, new york, out-of-the-box memories, pitfalls, thanksgiving, The Boy, urbanite offspring

Facebook and Memory Lane

About a month ago, a thought popped into my head. What ever happened to Tamera? Where did that gangly, sweet and truly unique little girl with the pig tails and big glasses that I went to Junior High with end up? What did she become?

We were the original Valley Girls. We hung out with boys who skateboarded, went to the beach every weekend and said “Like” and “You know” like, way too much, you know? I wonder if Tamera finds it ironic, as I do, when she hears today’s college girls speaking like this, while most of us old school Valley Girls don’t anymore? Actually, I’ve managed to completely kill off the “likes,” but the “you knows” keep sneaking in… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, big ideas, college, covert actions, empty nest, GN Guides, googling at the drop of a hat, gypsy nester, memory lane, messed-up fads, old friends, out-of-the-box memories

T-Rex and the City

There’s passion on Manhattan. I felt it as soon as I arrived on the island. For me, a major part of this enthusiasm radiates from my fast-walking, subway-chasing, black-wearing, taxi-flagging urbanite daughters, The Piglet and Decibel. The New York I know is viewed through their eyes and it is a very youthful place. The Piglet recently moved in to her first studio apartment (all by herself!), so it was decided I’d stay with her. Between work and school, Decibel is fitting me in where she can.

I’m on my own during the day (as a matter of fact, I’m sitting in a Starbucks with my laptop, just for the experience. Very civilized.) and at night, we go out. I have to say I’m a bit flattered that The Piglet feels she can drag this old T-Rex around everywhere she goes. But, apparently, this dinosaur can… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, bang-up people watching, cheesy tourist diversions, comedy, Decibel, dinosaurs, drunken college kids, empty nest, gypsy nester, new york, out-of-the-box memories, rushes, The Piglet, travel, urbanite offspring, walking, wine

Honey, Who Are We Again?

I’ve read that one of biggest pitfalls to having kids is that couples tend to forget who they were prior to breeding (though I personally think the the loss of perky breasts is high on the list). As a Gypsy Nester, one who is looking forward to life after kids, I thought I’d share a secret.

David and I offset this pitfall with “date nights”. Admittedly, most of our date nights were spent talking about the kids, ordering soda water to get the baby puke off my little black dress and worrying that the nanny cam may have malfunctioned. Difficult as it was to apply lipstick while avoiding chocolate covered toddlers… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged baby boomers, date night, empty nest, flying spew, gypsy nester, magic elixir, out-of-the-box memories, pitfalls

From the Minors to October

Ah, autumn. A nip in the air, the trees are changing, football is back, but mostly… October baseball.

I’m a sports fan. I grew up on minor league baseball. The Wichita Aeros were a big part of my youth and the first professional sporting event I ever attended. That sticks with a guy, I was hooked. Back then the minors were a bit different than today. Of course you had the young prospects fighting to make the bigs but there were also some old vets playing out their string. You don’t see that anymore. The parent club won’t pay the freight and wants the roster spot for a possible future “player to be named later”. I saw some good ones coming up and going down. Vida Blue as a teenager throwing… CONTINUE READING

Tagged Americana, bang-up people watching, baseball, beer, driving, ground level travel, gypsy nester, heroes, kansas, out-of-the-box memories, sports, stadiums, travel

Traveling Low To The Ground

Traveling low to the ground is our style of getting around. We’re not big on throwing money into all inclusive resorts, hate being told what to do and enjoy meeting the “real people” at our chosen destinations. It’s all about discovering things for ourselves and jumping into the culture at hand. No set plans.

We love to be afoot, seeing everything from ground level. You’d be surprised at how much you miss whizzing by at 60 miles an hour (though we have found that the best way to find out about a place is from a good taxi driver–the true ambassadors of the world–and the snarkier they are the more we love ‘em!). Street food”>, weird shop owners and cheesy tourist… CONTINUE READING >>

Tagged bang-up people watching, cheesy tourist diversions, driving, ground level travel, gypsy nester, international sign language, out-of-the-box memories, snarky taxi drivers, street food, travel, weird shop owners