Who are you and what the heck are you doing creating a blog? And why in the world would you name it etcetera? Isn’t that those letters you put at the end of a list when you can’t remember everything, but you know there’s something else you need to remember? And why the heck should I bother to come here to read this thing?

Good questions all.

I am a woman, a wife of over 35 years as of this writing, a mother, a foster mother, and a grandmother. I’ve spent a good part of my life as a computer programmer, another part raising children, all while keeping house: cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping (which I loathe), juggling bills, homeschooling, working retail at the holidays to afford gifts, keeping my own personal pack of dogs (what can I say, they follow me home) and being bipolar.

I’ve lived more than half a century and have done many things wrong in my life but many more things right, I believe. I am not an eternal optimist; I am the quintessential pragmatist. I see things as they really are and I make things work, not by changing myself or others, but by changing the way I (or others) do things, based on what works best for me or them.

I have also found – and this is the kicker – that each stage of life really is better than the last. I don’t understand people who don’t find this to be true. If it isn’t for you, then your circumstances have very much deteriorated over your life or you are doing something very wrong. You are trying to be something or someone you are never going to be. Get to know and love your own skin. You’ll find it’s not as bad as you think.

Which leads me to this blog. I decided to write down all of the things that people seem to ask me about, and advice I give to friends or my kids, and recipes I’d like passed down and don’t want to lose, and any of the other intangibles that make life… better. You know, the etceteras.

If you like it, I’ll be pleased as punch. If you don’t, it won’t hurt my feelings. Go and find another blog that speaks to you, with my blessing. But come back again some time because I may come up with something that’s just what you needed to hear.