Here’s the thing. Most of my features come from my Romanian roots. I’ve always liked having dark hair and blue eyes. I am most psyched that my “gray” hair is silver, some people will even pay for that! After all, Dracula was Romanian and by many accounts was a particularly handsome man-thing. »more»

Almost everyday we hear somebody say “I live vicariously through you” or “ I wish we could do what you’re doing.” As inviting as it may seem, it’s probably not the lifestyle for everybody. There is actually quite a commitment to chucking it all and becoming a gypsy. »more»

It’s Mother’s Day. This one is a milestone for me. It’s my first without chicks in the nest. I’d received phone calls from all three of my children -- the fast-walking, subway-chasing, black-wearing, taxi-flagging NYC urbanite daughters, 24 & 22, and The Boy, 18, sending their love and best wishes. »more»

On the same day that we officially became empty nesters, the very day our youngest started college, we got on a plane headed for Zürich. We didn't really plan for the two events to happen on the same day, it just worked out that way. »more»

One of our readers sent me an email that really touched me: »more»

Now that the chicks are out of the nest I'm nurturing a new side effect--fearlessness. Okay not exactly fearlessness, but I'm finding that I'm more drawn to crazy antics than I used to be. Perhaps this effect is common in empty nesters--or at least with the baby boomer ones. Were we not the VW bus driving, world-changing, stickin' it to the man, try-anything generation? »more»

What are the chances? »more»

One of the many advantages to having an empty nest is the freedom to swap your nest with other adventurous types. We decided that before we sold our house, we would try using it as bait for a cheap month in New York City. Being in the habit of Googling at the drop of a hat, we decided to take the online approach to finding suitable exchanges. »more»

I've read that one of biggest pitfalls to having kids is that couples tend to forget who they were prior to breeding (though I personally think the the loss of perky breasts is high on the list). As a Gypsy Nester, one who is looking forward to life after kids, I thought I'd share a secret. »more»

There may be more than ten ways to chase off your boomerang kid -- in fact we're sure there are! The GypsyNesters have assembled ten sure-fire, never-miss, bound to run 'em off suggestions to send your boomerang kid screaming out of your house for good. »more»

I'm an advice column junkie. I can't help it. I kick off my morning with a frothy soy latte, my “Crack”berry and a heavy dose of the “Dear crew”. When I'm lucky, I can persuade David to play along with a game of “What would Abby do?” If he's is in a particularly sporting mood, we can delve far beneath the layers of the written word. »more»

David and I have one chick left in the nest. He graduates from high school on June 8, 2008. And I am marking the days. I keep a gigantic calendar and mark a red X each day. For my son's sake (and to avoid horrified looks from house guests), I keep the calendar between the mattresses of my bed. »more»

When Veronica and I came up with the idea to write about life after raising kids, and actually looking forward to it, one of the first things I did was Google "empty nesters." I wanted to see if anyone was looking at this the same way we are. You know, isn’t it great that the kids have moved out and we have life to ourselves again? »more»