Empty Nest Archives - Curtains are Open

Five Benefits of Using a Cleaning Service (even when you live alone!)

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Colleen ODea

You would think that as an empty nest mom, someone who lives alone in a lovely space decorated to her liking with no other people to leave empty dishes or track in dirt…that I’d have lots of time to keep things clean! But, let me tell you, as an entrepreneur who works from home, I fully appreciate the indulgence of having Maid 4 U Cleaning Services keeping my place in tip-top shape! Continue reading Five Benefits of Using a Cleaning Service (even when you live alone!)→

Tidy home, tidy brain…

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Colleen ODea

About this Post: I’ve partnered with Maid 4 U Cleaning Services to keep my home clean and tidy! In this post, I chat about the fact that my house is messier when my mental health is suffering! Thanks to Maid4U, we’re cleaning up the mess together! Continue reading Tidy home, tidy brain…→

As high school season ends, my “nest” gets a little bit sparser #VolleyballMom

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Colleen ODea

The ending of High School volleyball has me feeling melancholy…right to my bones. There’s an ache I’m all too familiar with as my youngest of three, finished her stint this weekend with the Halifax West Warriors. (A 5th place win Continue reading As high school season ends, my “nest” gets a little bit sparser #VolleyballMom→

A night out with Beauty (and the Beast)

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Colleen ODea

It was a Friday night, Opening Night, and when I asked Megan if she had any plans, I was fully prepared for the teen-aged “but it’s the weekend” explanation…so much so, that I already had another friend in mind to Continue reading A night out with Beauty (and the Beast)→

Getting comfy and cozy for back to school with SportChek…

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Colleen ODea

This week has been a whirlwind…and it’s not over yet! I knew when Monday hit, that we were in for a ride. Between throwing himself an 18th birthday party, finishing his last shift at work before he heads out-of-town, figuring out Continue reading Getting comfy and cozy for back to school with SportChek…→

Helping with the Back-to-School Blues and Sears Canada

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Colleen ODea

Over the last few weeks, multiple people have asked me how I’m handling things as Noah is about to head off to university. I’ve done my best to push the question away but the fact remains, I’m feeling the back-to-school blues. For Continue reading Helping with the Back-to-School Blues and Sears Canada→

The heart of the home…

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Colleen ODea

I’ve put my house on the market…spent HOURS purging and cleaning all of the “stuff” that a house accumulates…and it looks fantastic. So great in fact, that I almost want to keep living here! Except that, it’s time to go. Continue reading The heart of the home…→

This is the story, of the boy I fell in love with…

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Colleen ODea

This is the story of the boy I fell in love with. The one I can’t say no to. The one who will always have a grip on my heart. It could be the dimple. The smattering of freckles across his Continue reading This is the story, of the boy I fell in love with…→

Bitter sweet…

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Colleen ODea

For the past six years…the end of August has always left me a little on edge. While friends are still enjoying the final days of summer with their families…I have that one child who’s just a wee bit older than the Continue reading Bitter sweet…→

Emily’s Mom…

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Colleen ODea

I wish I could turn back the clock and bestow some advice on my former self…and if I could…I’d tell me to not be so afraid. That everything would turn out just right. That life has a funny way of Continue reading Emily’s Mom…→

Kisses when you least expect them…

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Colleen ODea

I’d received a few pieces of mail a solid week or so ago but hadn’t opened the card I THOUGHT was from my Aunt Mary Lou because she’s a bit of a prankster…and more than once, I’d been hit by a Continue reading Kisses when you least expect them…→

The big flight…

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Colleen ODea

I’m not good with change. That might be a bit of an understatement. And…considering my life has been nothing but change in the last few years…I’ve been forced, more than once, to stand there…completely vulnerable…not having a sweet clue how Continue reading The big flight…→

And she’s off…

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Colleen ODea

She’s moved out a few times now. The last four years of university…stuffing the car every September with all of her worldly possessions as we’d head down the highway for the drop off. You’d think I’d be used to it. Continue reading And she’s off…→

Ick…

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Colleen ODea

“Mom, smell this…it’s disgusting!” Really? Here’s the thing…if you smell something…and it’s disgusting…why must you share it with me? Do I really need to smell/look/touch the thing you find revolting? Is there somewhere in my “mom contract” that says that’s Continue reading Ick…→

Empty nest…

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Colleen ODea

The Tall Blonde moved out. I mean…it’s not like she’s been living here for the last four years. She was at university…which included a year abroad…she came home on the odd long weekend and holidays…her room neatly waiting her arrival. Continue reading Empty nest…→

Seven days in Cuba…

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Colleen ODea

Well…thanks to Air Canada Vacations and their little advertisement on my blog that runs the daily specials…The Tall Blonde and I found ourselves on board an Air Canada Rouge flight…on our way to Cuba! Here’s how it went. Day one… Continue reading Seven days in Cuba…→

For fear I’ll burst…

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Colleen ODea

It was the graduation cards that finally sent me over the edge. As I stood in the store reading one sentiment after the next…trying to find the words that described how I felt about The Tall Blonde as we’re heading Continue reading For fear I’ll burst…→

Better days ahead…

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Colleen ODea

It was pretty much a stupid week. There was the concussion, black eye, broken nose and compromised neck. Throw in a pulled groin, two cavities, one tooth that needs to be pulled and two trips to the physiotherapist. Top it Continue reading Better days ahead…→

Sometimes, you have to take a few hits to figure out who you really are! Curtains are Open is about moving forward, accepting change and finding happiness in the craziest of places. I write about life as a single Mom of three fantastic kids...how I returned to school in my forties, started a new company and began putting my life back together again...better than I ever imagined. I'm thrilled so many of you have been along for the journey and find inspiration in my story. The curtains are open. Read more...