Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friend. Let me be the cheeseball/ball of cheese that I am for a second, OK? I’m here to remind you 1) that you are ❤️ loved, 2) you are capable, and 3) you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be in life, even if you don’t feel like you’re quite “there” (wherever that “there” is) yet in your journey. I’m thankful every day that we’ve somehow, through the magic of the interwebz, gotten to know each other.
Like a lot of women, I crave connection. Need it. Thrive on it. Feeling like I’m part of a tribe makes life feel a little less…well, tedious. Like I don’t have to go it all alone.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this line I heard recently in a horror show I watched on Netflix called The Haunting of Hill House (of all things!), where one of the characters talks about preparing children for the dangers of “the real world,” and what she says stuck with me. “It [the real world] has teeth. It is hungry, and it is stupid, and it eats and eats mindlessly.”
Sometimes, I feel like I’m being chewed up and consumed by all of the adulting I have to do all the time — bills, work, the drudgery of everyday things like vacuuming the couch and cleaning the bathroom. How do you get through it all without feeling like you’re stuck on a hamster wheel? How do you feel less lonely?
Answer: You find friends where you can, and you hold onto them. Tight. And that’s what I cherish most and am thankful for the most here at MBB — all of the friendships I’ve made along the way (since 2007!). Without you gals, I’d be outta my frickin’ mind by now. Really. Granted, that may sound a little dramatic (what, me dramatic? NO WAY!), but if life had taken a different turn and I were doing something else instead, like teaching underwater basket weaving to tourists on a remote island, I know that I’d probably be fine…but there would most definitely be a hole in my heart. An emptiness. There would be something missing.
I am so, so thankful that we found each other in this little corner of the world. I’m grateful to you for your thoughtfulness, your compassion, your wit and your joie de vivre, and I’m happy to say that I’m one of the lucky women who has a tribe of girlfriends to turn to.
Thank you for being a friend, and yes, I just quoted The Golden Girls! ? Thank you for having my back, because I’ll always have yours.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat an extra helping of mashed potatoes for me, will ya?
With lots of love, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lisa says
Right back at you! Thank you for the kindness, the laughs, the ever so helpful tips, and sharing your family with us! Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen says
Thank you, Lisa! Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Noemi says
Happy Thanksgiving !
Karen says
Same to you, Noemi! I hope you had a wonderful day.
Tatiana says
Happy Thanksgiving to y’all!!
Karen says
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your dear daughter and your hubby! (And Nibbler the cat too of course!)
Amalia says
Happy Thanksgiving with health, love and happiness, to you and your family. Big hugs from Greece!
Karen says
Thank you, Amalia! Sending you a hug back from Northern California!
Diana says
Thankful for you – for creating such a warm, witty, fun, informative place to be! Happy Thanksgiving!! Wishing everyone many blessings xo Diana
Karen says
Happy Thanksgiving, Diana! I hope you had a wonderful day.
kellly says
In a food coma right now. When I come back to life, I’ll say THANK YOU, too, for the reviews, commentary, hilarious insights and fellowship! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Karen says
I’ll join you in that food coma, Kellly! I just came back from dinner and we ate all the things!
Daphne B says
Happy Thanksgiving to you, El Hub, Connor Claire, and of course, Tabs!
Thank you for the beautiful photos, the funny stories, the hilarious comments, and sharing your adventures with all of us. Life would definitely be a lot lonelier and much less fun without you and your wonderful blog. You have created such a wonderful community of funny and thoughtful women, and it feels like visiting with friends every day when I read your blog. It is something I truly look forward to every day. Thank you for all that you do! Happy Thanksgiving, ya’ll!
Karen says
Daphne, thank you so much for your friendship. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Denise S. says
Happy Thanksgiving Karen and family! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face.
Karen says
Happy Thanksgiving, Denise! Did you cook this year? We went to a restaurant and it was great. I just got to show up and chow down, LOL!
Syahidah says
I’m glad I found you, Karen! Now to get my hands on some Spanx tights!
Karen says
You and me both, girl! Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan says
Grateful for you! I keep meaning to make a list of all the fabulous things you’ve turned me on to over the years, starting with MAC Nymphette lip gloss way back when! I also have a beloved soulmate tabby cat, so that’s why I consider you a kindred spirit. I was afraid when you had Conor, the Tabs posts might take a back seat. You didn’t disappoint. Here for Tabs! And you.
Love, Susan xx
Karen says
Tabs is here for you, too, Susan. Sending you purrs and hugs! Happy Thanksgiving.
Ruchita says
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you and your family have a wonderful day. Thank you for posting such great and positive content. So glad to have found your little corner of the internet. 🙂
Karen says
Thank you, Ruchita. I hope you and your fam and your fur babies had a wonderful day. 🙂
Jane says
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I am so glad to have you as my friend.
Karen says
I’m glad to have you as my friend, too, Jane. Happy Thanksgiving!
Rachel says
Great post! Happy thanksgiving to you and your family and give Tabs a piece of turkey for me!
Kate says
Thank you, Karen, for making your blog my daily escape for a couple of years now. (How did I find you? Was it YouTube? Googling a review for a makeup product?) Regardless, it’s been other things besides makeup now. I value your writing for the insights you give about mom stuff, aging, Trader Joe’s finds, good writers/articles, pets, fashion, and all the ways beauty affects our lives. Lately, you’ve been my companion when I pump at work, which is equal parts tedious and stressful when given a 15 minute time crunch. So I really appreciate that you post so often because it make sure it so much more bearable. Happy Thanksgiving!
Michele DiCola says
Happy thanksgiving Karen . Love your blog since I found it forever ago .your writing , your insight . Your stories about Trader Joe’s , El Hubs andTabs really mean a lot to me . Your makeup reviews are priceless . Beecase they are so honest .
You didn’t mention what dishes you made for Thanksgiving. Any classic Filipino dishes ?
I had to modify some recipes because of my daughters Gluten isssue .
One was Italian Wedding Soup . I made the meatballs w almond flour and instead of tiny pasta I used cauliflower rice . My daughter said she loved it !
Happy Black Friday shopping ! I’m doing online app shopping lol ?
LindaLibraLoca says
Happy Thanksgiving, Karen. We don’t celebrate in Germany, but I´ll eat some mashed potatoes anyway.
Karen says
Well said Karen! Without female connections I would feel lost as well! I love visiting your blog at night when my kids are asleep and I’m in my bed with my iPad decompressing (while hubby is snoring). Thank you for all you do!!
Should I be watching that show on Netflix??
Xoxo
Julia says
Thank you Karen! You are the best! I read your post daily, and although I don’t often leave a comment, I feel that I can relate to you and feel connected to the group. Happy Thanksgiving! From your friend in Montreal, Canada.
Julia
Chelsea says
I’m so happy I started commenting on your blog and becoming a part of your life! I love hearing your tales of Tabs, Connor Claire, and life as well as the cosmetics talk!
Renee says
Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Karen! Thank you for your hard work and wonderful blog!!
Kim says
Happy belated Thanksgiving and ditto, ditto, ditto!!! 🙂