http://www.record-eagle.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:05:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_326070539.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_326070539.html Watching the generations before us get to middle age -- kids grown, finally having freedom and money to travel, buying a cottage or RV in anticipation of retirement -- set the tone for what many of us pictured for ourselves. But that is not the case for baby boomers. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:15:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_312081638.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_312081638.html The phone rings. You recognize the voice as your nephew's. He's calling from Canada, where he says he's been on a fishing trip with some buddies. They've unwittingly caught fish on tribal land and have been arrested by authorities there. Then wants to know if you can help by wiring him money. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:30:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_298083141.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_298083141.html Age 22, he was waiting at the door of the Father Fred Foundation in Traverse City early one morning recently when the staff arrived. It was cold and damp out, and he said he'd been walking all night -- all the way from Northport -- because he got word the previous evening that his mom had fallen seriously ill and was in the hospital in Charlevoix. With no money or car, he walked through the night, to the foundation, hoping to get help with a bus ticket. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:05:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_283210558.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_283210558.html When I first saw him, it was early evening. I was on my way home and in the distance, could see the outline of a tall man walking on the rocky shoulder of what is a busy road. Slowly, steadily, he moved. He was wearing shorts, and as I got closer, I realized that his limbs below the knees were too skinny. Steel prosthetics, both legs. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_269200140.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_269200140.html During the past few months, I had the opportunity to work in a private nonprofit organization. It is often a stop of last resort for people who need help with utility shutoffs, paying for medications, getting food and myriad other needs. With little or no income, it's impossible for them to cover the basic expenses of everyday living. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_255200137.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_255200137.html Recent months since have been all about rebuilding and figuring out what the next step should be, couched in no small amount of self-doubt, confusion about the best choices to make going forward, and plain old worry. Then I saw some new words of wisdom on a business sign that I drive by regularly and that over the years, at times, seemed to speak directly to me. This latest message read, "It's never too late to start over." Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:00:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_241220439.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_241220439.html There are times that you do things for other people, just because you want to. Receiving anything in return is the last thing on your mind. Something happened recently, though, to make me think that while these things may happen separately, they can be inextricably linked. Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:50:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_227195119.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_227195119.html You know your kids are probably going to get married. When they find someone you are certain in your heart is a perfect match, you know it all the more " and that was the case here. With her at his side, he grew up and into a man who knew where he was going and what he wanted. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:45:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_213204533.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_213204533.html At the checkout, the cashier rings it up, then says, "Oh, but I have to give you a discount," and deducts 13 cents. Huh? What discount? Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:40:55 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_199204056.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_199204056.html At 53 and in the job market for the first time in 17 years, it had never occurred to me that age could be an issue until I was at an interview a few months ago. Two of the three interviewers were around 30. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:25:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_185192725.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_185192725.html Today, when so many marriages end in divorce, you can't help but be moved by love and commitment that spans a lifetime. There were these two, having weathered not one, but two losses that most parents can't imagine enduring. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:25:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_172072829.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_172072829.html Pete Torrey has a lot to celebrate this Father's Day. Until a few weeks ago, the 43-year-old Traverse City father of two was unemployed. When he lost his job seven months ago, he also learned that his mother had breast cancer. But a few weeks ago, Torrey started a new job as operations manager at Bloxsom Roofing and Siding in Traverse City. Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:20:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_157212333.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_157212333.html Today marks the beginning of a new direction for this column for a while. After writing for the past 17 years or so about life in general, starting today I'm writing about one particular part of life: doing whatever it takes to find a job and pay the bills right now. Sat, 23 May 2009 21:25:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_143212615.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_143212615.html There are a lot of weird things about being divorced and dating your former spouse. Like, how do you refer to each other when making introductions, especially to strangers or acquaintances who don't know the story? Sat, 09 May 2009 21:05:57 +0000 http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_129210535.html http://www.record-eagle.com/kathygibbons/local_story_129210535.html It was my last day of restaurant ownership. I'd started the business not quite a year before, full of hopes and dreams and ideas. But as time went on, it became clear to me that I was underfunded and overtaxed -- literally and figuratively.