Another reason I can’t write
A former middle school counselor turned writer, Lisa Batten Kunkleman is also a closet genealogist and preserver of stories, who looks for the humor in life. She spends a great deal of time letting her dogs in and out of the house while working on her upcoming book, Just Because I Used To Could…Life Stories and Beyond. She publishes regularly on her blog, which sports the same name. www.lifestoriesandbeyond.com
Lisa has written stories throughout the years, from back before she developed stretch marks, to the present, when she’s embracing age spots, gray hair, and wrinkles. Lisa hopes that her stories will provide entertainment, as well as information for folks in that situation called life. Lisa also hopes you enjoy her blog enough that you might consider recording your own day-to-day life.
Lisa is the mother of twenty-five-year-old triplets and her original model, a married thirty-two-year-old daughter, and is now the doting grandmother of two smiling little boys, Wesley and Levi. Lisa and her husband Dan, now experienced , empty-nesters, live on a farm tucked away near Charlotte, NC. Surprisingly, their adult kids flutter in and out of the empty nest, often bringing friends, a spouse, baby, and four-legged grand pets for extended visits. No problem. Bring ’em on. Lisa and Dan have two dogs, a cat, and a horse already so what’s a few more critters. It’s all life stories.
July 13, 2014 at 9:09 pm
Hi there! I wanted to let you know I nominated you to receive the Versatile Blogger award and the Sunshine Award. Please visit my post, An Act of Kindness That Means So Much To Me to see your post listed. I really enjoy reading your blog! Ellen @ http://wickedgoodteens.com.
July 14, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Thanks so much Ellen. I appreciate the positive strokes. It’s nice to be read and valued. I have been away from the computer for over a month now but hope to get back to writing very soon with lots of fodder for new entries. Feeling inspired. I’m enjoying your blog too and look forward reading more of your delightful blogging. Thanks again. Lisa K.
April 17, 2016 at 7:36 pm
Hi Lisa–– Diana brought me here, and I’m happy she did! I’m currently pursuing a career in school counseling and also love to write. In an ideal world, I’ll find a way to combine the two more often than not. It sounds like you did. I enjoyed your writing, here! RJ
April 21, 2016 at 7:08 pm
I’m so glad you came over to check out my site. Being a school counselor gives you lots of fodder for writing, confidentiality considered always of course. I’ve met lots of folks who spurred thoughts of characters, good and bad. I hope you can make it all work without too much stress. Your job is a stressful one. For me, writing, especially with a little humor was a perfect outlet. Me time. Let me know how it all goes. Lisa
April 29, 2016 at 6:03 am
Hello Lisa I love the aesthetics of your blog, and this “about” intrigues me, I’ve travelled high and wide but never been to North Carolina, which in my imagination is the quintessence of non-urban USA 🙂 Bringing up triplets must have been an experience! Thanks for following my blog, I’m considering some changes and can use all comments. I’ll be dropping in here too…
April 29, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Hi Bea. Thanks for coming by. Yes, NC gets a rough rap through the news and TV shows that make us look entirely rural even to the point of being uneducated and goofy. Not so. It’s a beautiful state worth visiting from the mountains to the ocean. We are a large state filled with a wealth of nature and lovely cities to experience. Please, swing by NC if you are ever in the area. Thanks for the compliment about the aesthetics of my blog. We are blessed with beauty right outside our door, thanks to my husband’s family buying this land a half century ago. Our children have grown up in the country just outside the city, Charlotte. The best of both worlds. Triplets plus an older daughter has been an exhausting, exhilarating joy and provided great amounts of fodder for stories and laughter. I look forward to following your blog. Write on! Lisa
April 30, 2016 at 7:10 am
You too!
May 24, 2016 at 9:00 pm
Hi Lisa! First, thanks for following my blog. I’m so glad you found it because that led me here to you. It seems we have much in common, such as a love of writing, humor, country living and ~ oh, yes ~ stretch marks and age spots. I’m looking forward to following your great-looking blog.
May 26, 2016 at 1:14 am
Your bio was more than enough to intrigue me! Eager to explore more!!
Hugs
May 26, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Yay. Nice to meet you. Look forward to learning more, also.
June 14, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Lisa, how nice to meet another blogger! Thanks for following my blog, and I’ll be glad to browse through some of your posts and learn more about your world!
June 15, 2016 at 2:43 am
Thanks Debbie. I look forward to reading more of your pieces.
July 4, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Hi Lisa,
It’s so nice to find another Carolina Writer in this massive blogosphere! My youngest daughter lived in Charlotte after her graduation from College of Charleston, and I visited often. She now resides in Washington DC and although I can’t get there as often, I still manage at least twice a year. I’m thrilled you took a stroll through my cow pasture. Welcome to the fence jumpers. I look forward to hearing more from you and BTW, love your blog.@sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
July 6, 2016 at 3:25 am
Thanks Sheila for the visit and follow. It is delightful to meet you. Looking forward to all the fences ahead.
July 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for following my blog. It has led me to your blog, which I am now following.
I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Happy blogging!
Nancy
July 16, 2016 at 8:03 pm
Thanks Nancy.
July 29, 2016 at 10:54 am
Hello Lisa – nice to find your blog. Our empty nest years are fast approaching – 2 in college and 2 teenagers at home. I’m looking forward to your posts – found you through Jennifer’s Journal. Have a great day! Barb at Book Club Mom
July 30, 2016 at 4:26 pm
You have a great topic for a blog. I’ll pay attention to your recommendations and refer back to your top ten list when I’m out of ideas on reading material. I’m now following you so you’ll pop up regularly.
July 30, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Thanks Lisa – see you out there!
August 2, 2016 at 11:58 pm
Thank you Lisa. Hope you find some good picks! And thanks for visiting my blog.
January 25, 2017 at 6:53 am
So glad you found us and therefore I am finding you. Love the humorous approach. You are too funny! Looking forward to reading you.
Peta
January 25, 2017 at 7:21 am
I look forward to reading lots from you. Thanks for the kind words. It’s 2:20 am here and I’m gonna go to bed and appreciate my plumbing and electricity and mattress thinking about you. It’s amazing what you can do without when you decide to. Sleep well whenever your bedtime is in your time zone.
January 26, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Lisa, Lovely to get to know you. I love the phrase empty nester. All the best with your writing.
January 26, 2017 at 5:03 pm
ps love your blog layout and menu flow it so nice and professional.
January 26, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Thanks. I must say I’m having trouble with the about page. I want to edit it and it won’t let me. I want to change my kids ages and a few things. Gonna try support services again.
January 26, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Oh that is strange, you should be able to edit it.
January 26, 2017 at 11:12 pm
I talked to support and got it figured out. Had to go in a different way.
April 1, 2017 at 2:49 am
My sister bought a cabin, well it’s bigger than a cabin, but we call it a cabin at Lake Lure, are you familiar with that area? She lives in Florida right is about to retire in 3 weeks, is going on a year long tour of the waterways throughout the country. She bought a boat that you can live on to do this and then she plans on selling it and living in Lake Lure. I plan to go vacation there with her when she comes back Summer of 18. Love your sense of humor!! Look forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
April 1, 2017 at 2:55 am
Aw. Thanks. Yes I know about Lake Lure. It’s in the western part of the state on the way to two of our kids college. Western Carolina University. It’s beautiful over there. We’re in Charlotte about three hours away. Year of waterways. That’s exciting.
April 1, 2017 at 3:04 am
Yes the pictures I’ve seen are gorgeous! Three hours, that’s not too far. Yeah she’s living her dream, I’m so proud of her for actually doing it. There’s so many things I say oh wouldn’t it be fun to…but she’s following through! Wow triplets you sure had your hands full huh! Time for some much earned ME time!! 🙂
June 2, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Hi Lisa it’s nice to meet you, and thank you for visiting my blog. I agree, life stories are wonderful to share. 😊
July 5, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Hi Lisa, so sorry for the long delay in finally visiting you blog! Thank you for being so patient and for you wonderful comments and the time you spent on mine 🙂 And now I´m off to discover yours – look so much forward to it! Have a happy day! Sarah 🙂
July 5, 2017 at 1:56 pm
You’re most welcome. My pleasure. I hope you enjoy my little corner of the world.
July 5, 2017 at 9:01 pm
I did! And I look forward to read more! 😄
July 7, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Looking forward to reading your stories!
July 7, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Aw. Thanks so much. And I, yours.
July 29, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Ha – embracing age spots, gray hair, and wrinkles – we could all do with a lesson on that. 🙂
August 1, 2017 at 4:37 am
many tx for visiting my blog – am much enjoying your great site – love your black doggie 🙂
August 1, 2017 at 11:37 am
Thanks to you also. Sadie is a cutie.
August 26, 2017 at 11:10 am
I can relate to so much in your About Me – stretch marks, dogs, gray hair, writing, humour, no triplets, 2 boys 30 and 25 empty nesters. Life is good. Thank you for the follow. Long may your empty nest harbour your passions 🙂
August 26, 2017 at 11:15 am
Aw thanks.
December 1, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Hi Lisa, thanks for stopping by my blog and giving a shout out! We have a few things in common, writing blogs, we’re both empty nesters and I love antiques too! 😁
December 1, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Love going commonalities. Fun.
May 2, 2018 at 8:58 pm
It sounds as if your home is a little peace of heaven!
May 2, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Thank you so much. We love it. I thank my in-laws for their foresight in purchasing this land decades ago. I hope I thanked them enough while they were living to know how much we appreciate this slice of paradise.
May 2, 2018 at 10:32 pm
That is awesome…………having a slice of paradise to live in makes life just that much sweeter.
October 7, 2018 at 1:26 pm
“She spends a great deal of time letting her dogs in and out of the house . . .” This made me laugh out loud. I can relate, sister!
October 7, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Helps with the daily steps count and makes me stretch.
February 9, 2019 at 3:52 am
Amazing story, thanks for sharing!
November 25, 2019 at 4:20 am
I had to laugh. You let your dogs in and out while writing your book while clear across the country in Western Oregon I am doing the same for my cats. Us pet owners lead a busy life. By the way, thank you for following my blog.
November 25, 2019 at 4:45 am
You’re quite welcome.
February 27, 2020 at 1:12 am
It’s almost that time of year again when parents take their children shopping to spend hundreds of dollars on school supplies or post-secondary items. but, for Haitian parents its so difficult due to the extreme financial hardship they face with. Haiti is one of the poorest Countries in the Western Hemisphere, about 80% of its population live under $2 a day. Children and young adult don’t even know what to do any more they strapped in a cycle of poverty even basic necessities is a luxury for many. Just to let you know,Haiti is less than 2 hours away from America.. to make a long story short the question is “Could we change that” If yes how?
School supplies needed!
March 11, 2020 at 2:34 pm
I feel that same way about the area of Peru we work in. Sadly, there are “the poorest of the poor” scattered all over the globe. I wish you great success in your attempt to get the word out and get help for the Haitian people. It feels so decadent to have so much when so many have so little. Many hands make light work. If more people would help and educate and contribute, yes things could change. I believe that.