It’s #nationalselfieday, which seems like the perfect time to introduce myself.

My name is Kara.

I am 51, which used to sound old to me but now that I’m here, it doesn’t really feel old.

I have a wonderful husband and two grown children. 

I have the sweetest dog ever. She is a miniature goldendoodle and she loves everyone but is scared of thunder, hot air balloons, skateboards and loud noises.

I love to garden, hike, read, talk, love and laugh.

My favorite flowers are lilies and hydrangeas.

I love to take photographs and I have a really cool collection of my old cameras, starting with my first Kodak Instamatic.

I love prosecco or a good mixed drink.  I’m not a big wine person. On a hot, day, I like a cold beer.

I make a great margarita.

I like art and I wish I could paint.

I love beauty counters because they are filled with so much possibility. I guess I’m a skincare junkie.

I love good shoes and pretty handbags. I choose them thoughtfully.

I love to sit on the couch and watch pretty much any sappy, sweet, predictable rom-com (current favorite is “Set It Up” on Netflix).

I want to own the house from “Something’s Gotta Give” or the one from “Home Alone” or the one from “North by Northwest” (but that house is fake).

But I love my house.  It’s a 1930s white stone cottage on a wide, quiet street. There are tons of hydrangeas in the yard and a teeny tiny lily cutting garden.

I like helping people and I like learning about people. 

I worry too much.

Other people say that I volunteer too much and sometimes I get overwhelmed, but overall I enjoy it.

I search for heart shaped things everywhere. You can see my finds on Instagram @theheartshapedlife

My favorite place to be is sitting beside a lake in Maine in summer. Or sitting in a movie theater with a bag of popcorn and a Coca-Cola.

When I drive around town, I sing along with the radio.

I believe you should type two spaces after a period, not one.

Sometimes I think about writing a novel. But most of the time, I just write whatever comes into my mind.

I try to be kind, all of the time.  But I’m not perfect; sometimes I slip up.

I am new here.  I have jumped in and started a blog.  I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m hopeful. xo