Here’s a little info about each of us…

Piper – I’m 50 and have an 11-year-old daughter. I got a bit of a late start on the parenting thing. I’ve been married twice and have two stepsons that are grown and out doing their thing, but that doesn’t mean I don’t worry about them. Worry is my middle name. 

I would say I haven’t really had a specific career, but worked until about 8 years ago when I started staying home with my daughter.  Most of my work was done in the non-profit world. I have a BS in Journalism and a masters in Public Administration.  I LOVE fashion and beauty.  I have literally tried every beauty product out there – and believe me have learned some valuable lessons.  I also love to travel. The beach is my happy place and I suffer from mild anxiety, not always great for those who love to travel. 

I’m an only child and my mom is an only child. My dad has a larger family, but in general, I have a very small family and am now married into a very large one! That was a big eye-opener. I’m not anywhere near perfect, but continually try to work to improve myself and my family. As Carol would say “every day is a school day!”  The rest of me you will learn about through this blog.

Polly – I am soon to be 51 and I am trying to get used to saying that age.   I am a mother of two daughters and I have been married to my starter husband since I was 21.  I grew up in the country in Kentucky.  My parents divorced when I was 8 and I lived with my dad.  Imagine having your dad take you to buy your first bra and tell you about your period – there were some interesting moments. I attended Eastern Kentucky University (English degree) and Miami of Ohio (Masters degree in Organizational Communications). 

When I was 26 my husband and I moved to the beautiful area of Door County, Wisconsin and opened a small retail store in an old barn.  Today, we have over 8,000 square feet and own an interior design business as well.  I never thought I would still be working retail, but I love it and it has taught me so many things about life and people. Last year our oldest daughter, who was 21, was tragically killed in an ATV accident – our youngest had just left for college and our empty nest days were turned upside down. 

Today, one year later, we are doing our best to navigate this crazy thing called grief and hold our family and our business together.  We have started a foundation in our daughter Ellie’s name and we are working hard to pay it forward in our community.  We have a whole new perspective on life and what really matters.

Carol  – I am a self-described “strong cup of coffee.” As you get to know me throughout this series, you will discover what I mean by that and why I openly describe myself with that phrase. Raised in the small western Kentucky town of Hopkinsville – aka the armpit of the US – population 32,000, I am the youngest of the three children and the most accomplished – at least I think so. (I’m sure both my brother and sister would disagree.)

I’m “50 something” years old, single, no children and having never been married I’m sure I have a better chance of being eaten by a crop of crickets while on a flight to Antarctica than I do of ever getting married. (But I’m not bitter, dammit.)  I am however very fortunate to have lots of nieces and nephews – some by biology and some by luck. I have lots of “philosophies” about life and use humor to survive the fact that, as Piper pointed out “every day is a school day.” Some are those horrible middle school days I’d like to forget and some are days I get an A on every test.

While my life has certainly not turned out as I expected – my dream was to become a famous movie star with a band of handsome men servants and have my hands forever imprinted on the streets of Hollywood Blvd- I still hold out hope that I will be crowned prom queen, named the most popular girl, and earn an Oscar for best actress.

While my career has taken many different twists and turns, the marbled halls of Humana finally beckoned me and I walked through the doors to big, bad corporate America. I’m working on my second Master’s degree (you can never have enough education) and in my spare time enjoy running naked down the street – all in hopes of finding Mr. Right, or at least getting a date. Makers Mark bourbon is my drink of choice and I secretly want to be on Survivor. In my opinion, there is no better iPhone app than Crasher Squirrel.  I hope to publish a series of manuscripts that will have Paramount Pictures knocking at my door begging to make the movies. I will, of course, play the lead and Crasher Squirrel will have a major part. Here’s the truth…because as women, we can handle it!