At fifty-four-and-a-half, my funny bone holds me up more completely than all the other bones in my body. I depend on it to get through the 21st Century.
In real life, I am a medical researcher and writer. I do drugs and get paid for it. Great work if you can get it. And all surprisingly legal. I work for a small consulting company that studies the side effects of drugs. I have one job, one husband, one son, one dog, and all of them make me laugh.
Recently I have been writing up some of my observances. I hope you enjoy them.
FiftyFourandAHalf 
Just found your blog – I, too, am 54 (and 1/4) – a single empty-nester and fellow blogger. I started blogging after experiencing a house fire about 2 years ago because it helped me deal with the enormous experience of dealing with the aftermath of a fire and other related events. I moved on from that, but couldn’t stop blogging, so now I write observations on whatever topic jumps out at me. I look forward to dipping into your blog!
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Therapy blogging is a terrific way to deal with life’s shit, isn’t it Shosh! Glad you are passed that time — although I imagine it is the stuff of nightmares still.
Welcome to my blog. I am no longer 54-1/2, though. My blog name was chosen in a fit of pique at the fact that I was 6 months away from the age where folks will qualify for Medicare. It has since, ummm, morphed!
Thank you for stopping by — I will check out your blog too. (When I’m not late for work, that is!)
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Hi Elyse,
I nominated you for a Liebster Award, but I just noticed that you already have one… Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I think your blog is great!
Happy New Year!
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My dear friend. I usually come up with names to call folks based on their blog name. But of course you’re much more than your diagnosis. I hope that your treatment is progressing well.
Thank you for thinking of me — it is an honor. Yes, I do have that award, though. I am way behind (like you were which makes me feel better) on accepting these.
Thank you for liking my blog — I have a special affection for the Liebster as it was my very first award.
I will now head on over to your site and investigate it.
Be well. Or on those days when you can’t be, bitch. (I have 40 years experience with Crohn’s Disease, so I know of what I speak. Occasionally, you just have to bitch.)
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Wonderful, wonderful site! I’m glad I stumbled across it!
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Thanks, David. This was a nice comment to receive, especially while standing in line at the grocery store checkout. I was grinning from ear to ear and everybody else was grumpy.
Since then I’ve checked out your blog and subscribed. Because working is soooo very overrated.
Thanks for the like, the nice comment and the follow. I look forward to getting to know you.
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Congratulations, you have been nominated for the Liebster Award!
ttp://wp.me/p1se8R-3tY
The Liebster is an award you accept with the intention of paying it forward. When accepting, you choose other blogs that you feel are deserving of more subscribers and pass the award on to them. You are not obligated to accept the award or to even pay it forward. This is just a way to get the word out about new blogs that your followers may not know. I always enjoy your blog and I hope you’ll accept!
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Thanks, D&O! And congratulations to you. I look forward to reading your post on it!
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I know you’ve been there and done that, but I really do love your work! I’m nominating you for the Beautiful Blogger award! Enjoy!
“I love Elyse for her lefty politics as well as her wit and wisdom about life and all of its ups and downs. She’s another thought provoking, humorous writer who makes me feel like I’m not crazy and I’m not alone!”
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Why thanks, Moms. I will head over to your blog and see all the merry-makings.
But, ummm, Moms? i make you feel like you’re NOT crazy? Damn. I screwed up again. Sigh.
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so cute (little) introduction 🙂
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Thanks, G. Welcome. I see you just became a cult member ;).
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Hey there! Guess what? I’ve nominated YOU for an award! I have several you can choose from. So pick the one you like best:) http://fortyteencandles.com/2012/10/02/so-many-awardswwsfd/
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Thanks, Fortyteen — I’ll head on over there!
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Hey Elyse! I just stumbled upon your blog through another blog! And you’ve no idea how glad I am that I did! I absolutely loved the way you write 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading more of your stuff!!
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Thanks, Shalvika. And welcome!
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Hi Elyse!! I have nominated you for the one lovely blog award!! 🙂
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Why thank you Shalvika. I just noticed you had a lovely blog post that I was just about to click on — I didn’t know I would be in it.
Thanks and congratulations!
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Good.. I can keep this here for if I forget! Thanks, Frank.
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Just covering my bases.
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Thanks for the like on my blog post!
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Any time. Your photos are fabulous!
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Egad, just realized you’re not on my blogroll. That serious oversight has been corrected!!
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Thanks Moe!
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Always love playing in a sandbox and a great sense of humour. I stumbled on your blog through a friend and decided to stay. Pass the bucket and spade please…
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Nice to meet you — thanks for joining in!
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Hi Elyse. Delighted you commented at my place but I’ve had to come here to say thanks, since your comment appeared not under a post, but under a stand alone pix used in a post. Just odd. It’s here if you want to look:
Perhaps you know what the deal is? In any case, always happy to say welcome to a new reader. Hope you come back – I’ll certainly be visiting here again!
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Thanks, Moe — how odd. I thought I’d responded to a comment on my Lock-step piece.
But I’ll be going back for more of yours — beautiful picture, so I’m glad it happened. I will go back for more when work is done!
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Very weird things are happening here! I just looked to see if you had commented on my latest blog and I didn’t see one! Strange! Anyway, at least now I know where to find you!
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Oh dear, it just happened a second time! This time the email message was “Elyse liked your post ” but no specific post was named. I’ll look thru recent ‘likes’ and see if I can find it. We need to solve this because I really like that you stopped by again!
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I just posted my “tag” piece yesterday! I’ll go see yours, though, And thanks, I think!
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Tag, You’re it! Come see what mess I’ve gotten you in. Love, Vickie
(I know you just got 100’s of these, so just dismiss. 🙂
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Love your “off beat-tedness” …is there such a word in English?
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If there wasn’t such a word before, let’s make it one. I am absolutely certain nothing similar can be found in French though.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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it’s really greatful thing…………I got known many things through this blog……..thank you….
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Thanks for visiting!
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Actually, I am a bit of a work-a-holic. I love my job. And, yes, I’m sorry about the child too — wish she were still with us AND wish I could still happily use my line without a family history of the listener!
Thanks for coming by.
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Paid to do jobs? How come I always get the crap jobs? Gonna poke around and see what else you got.
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Whoops meant…to do drugs…who wants to get paid for just doing a job? Must be because I’ve got to go to work.
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I knew you had updated, but couldn’t find the comment. My joke about getting paid to “do drugs” was funnier before I said it to someone whose child had died of an overdose, though. I don’t say it so much anymore.
And I thoroughly believe that “Work” is a 4-letter word!
Thanks for coming by — twice!
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I’m sooo sorry about the child! Sometimes the words seem to come out before we give them thought…
And yes work is a 4letter word…a very dirty but necessary one.
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Funny that the coast and an inland province can look similar, isn’t it? I’ve never been to Saskatchewan, as I try to only go to places I can spell! Thanks for visiting.
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Where was your header picture taken
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Maine — the west side of Mount Dessert Island. Lovely spot, isn’t it?
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Very much, reminded me of a spot I used to go to in Saskatchewan
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I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. You can see it at http://dyingbraincells.wordpress.com/
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Thanks Vickie, I appreciate your thinking of me.
I will head on over to look at some pieces by the bloggers you’ve nominated.
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Congratulations on your recent nomination by Island Traveler for the Hope Unites Globally HUG Award. To accept the award and learn how to share it with others, please read the Guidelines at http://ahopefortoday.com/2012/01/14/hope-unites-globally-hug-award-guidelines/. Blessings, Connie at A Hope for Today
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Hi Connie,
Thank you so much for letting me know about this award.
I lost your comment in the intervening weeks, so my apologies for saying thanks so late in the game!
Elyse
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Good choice! Thanks!
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55 is the speed limit on our rural roads, but don’t let that stop you.
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I take speed limit signs as a suggestion. Then again, with all deer on the roads around here, I do keep to under 55 because hitting deer, like being my age, is gross!
Thanks for stopping by.
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Oops — Sorry, J.A., I thought your comment was on my birthday piece (https://fiftyfourandahalf.com/2012/01/17/people-my-age/), not here. So I guess I need to update this page a bit! Thanks for the reminder.
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I am the one who chose “Other” on your naming poll and suggested adding “and Holding” to the blog’s title. It would retain reader recognition, and you could stop aging!
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I love your Sense of Humor, do drugs and get paid for it and you write about it and other laugh, like me. I am in IL and wish I lived next door to you…I would ask Santa to bring me awards and more crap in my stocking: LOL♥Jackie
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Hi Jackie, thanks for your comment. Yes, doing drugs and getting paid for it IS fun, but the line was MUCH funnier before I said it to someone whose daughter had died of an OD — so now I am reluctant to use it without a family tree.
Your blog, unlike mine, is USEFUL!
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Where do you live? This looks very familiar. I’m in the Pacific NW.
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The picture is from where I spend as much time as I can — Mount Dessert Island in Maine. But I actually live in Northern Virginia.
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the funny bone is the most important bone, that’s for sure!
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Where would we be without it?
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Hey Elyse,
I have presents under the tree .. so make you come over! 🙂
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Thanks Frank — I’ll be right there!
Merry merry!
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I read some fun posts on your blog and enjoy your sense of humor. I’ll be back.
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Thanks and Welcome! Mutual admiration is so good, isn’t it!
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Elyse, love your sense of humor! I’m a following you now.
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Thanks, MJ! Welcome!
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Thank you for visiting and subscribing to my blog .. I enjoy what I’ve found here in yours. Cheers! MJ
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Welcome to you too!
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As a former (low level) lobbyist, I’m really interested in politics and in the humor of politicians and current events. But you and my husband are right — and I try to keep relatively anonymous so that I can express myself safely. Cause like you, I try to keep my head down! Thanks for visiting.
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Hi, Elyse! Did I miss you saying where you’re from? Or could you tell me where your beautiful masthead photo came from? It reminds me so much of Ketchikan, Alaska where I once lived.
Do those drugs include caffeine? I would love to a get a job drinking coffee for Starbucks.
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I don’t give too much info in the About. I had originally wanted to do lots about politics, and my husband made me promise not to let anyone bomb our house. I don’t do so much about politics, AND no one has bombed our house, so, life is good.
I’m from Fairfield County, Connecticut, but now live in Northern Virginia. However, the picture is Downeast Maine — at a place where I often go in the summer. It’s lovely.
Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog, and I’ve only recently discovered it. You have a hilarious take on life!
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Thanks, Elyse, for your kind words. The east coast is gorgeous. And I agree with your husband on keeping the politics off your page (purely from a safety standpoint). My career was birthed by politics so I can’t help but sprinkle dabbles of it on my blog occasionally, mostly in a light and self-deprecating manner . . . and then I head for cover 🙂
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Thanks, Barb! I’m now getting closer to 55, which is good because they will not take away MY Social Security or Medicare (at least they always talk about nothing changing for folks “55 or older” which was what first set me off, and gave me the name.
So I’ll have to figure out whether to change the name when my birthday rolls around. I’m leaning against it.
Thanks for visiting and subscribing!
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Here, here again for playing and visiting and enjoying the blogosphere all day. Your blog name got me – because that’s exactly my age right now! And it’s so like a kid to include the “1/2”. I love that! Happy to meet you and find your blog – I think we’ll have much in common.
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Thanks, Les. I’m looking forward to trading lots of comments with you. And as someone with GI problems, I love your blog name.
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I like your writing!
Les
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Hi Elyse. I just noticed that you subscribed to my blog and wanted to express my appreciation. Thank you so much. I’ve written 16 humorous stories so far on various topics. Please drop by and read more when you get a chance. All the best. From one humorous storyteller to another. . . .
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I’ll be back often — well I have to now that I subscribed! Who wants to work anyway …
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Thank you for visiting this morning. I will snoop around and read some more.
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Here’s to not needing to work and staying here in the blogosphere all day!
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Elyse, your blog is addictive!
I just spent way too much work-time catching up on your delicious posts. See what you’ve done? You’ve reduced my work-effectiveness – shame on you and your super-excellent blog writing!
Lisa
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Well, now I am pissed off and I am only 41 and a half…. Bravo on the new blog! Look forward to reading more….
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Thanks Jamie. If Connecticut and Jersey get pissed off, the world is ours!
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