My Life As A New Wife: The Year In Review

Celebrating my first wedding anniversary made me feel kind of like Miss America coming to the end of her reign: triumphant, honored, and just a little bit sad to give back the tiara and say goodbye to my title of newlywed. But I must, because now at end of Year One, I am officially a […]

When Your B.F.F. Turns Into A P.O.S.

There are friend breakups, and then there are friend blowups. You know the kind: a falling out with a friend that turns into a spectacular flameout of epic proportions, complete with bad-mouthing and betrayal. A friendship can blow up over something as simple as a little misunderstanding, to some deep seeded jealousy and resentment. As a result, a civilized […]

Married People: Who’s F**king?

When I was single I used to wonder about my married friends’ sex lives. How often do they do it? Is it good? Does it stay good? Is married sex better? I always wondered, but never asked– maybe because I didn’t want to pry, or maybe because I didn’t want to know if the news […]

My Vows: A Dream Writing Assignment

Finally getting the chance to write my marriage vows was more than just this bride’s dream come true. It was this freelance writer’s finest hour. The dream assignment that had previously been out of reach for so many years, was now mine. I had waited patiently and worked tirelessly, but I finally got the job. […]

Vintage Bob Mackie, New Mrs. Scharf

Well, I did it. It was the world’s longest walk down the aisle. Only a few yards, but it took a lifetime to get there. It was a journey that had more twists and turns than a Hitchcock movie, more starts and stops than the Indy 500, and more bumps and bruises than a mixed martial […]

One Last Blast Before Take Off

When you’ve been single as long as I have, every night is a sort of a bachelorette party. With no husband, no kids, not even a pet, I’ve been able to come and go as I please. I can get wild, go crazy, live it up, party hard, stay out late or not come home […]

Sexy Lingerie + Mature Bride = Old Floozy?

If you look inside my drawers – not those drawers, but yes, those drawers too – you’ll find a lot of beige. Beige underwear, beige bras, beige everything. Nothing too exciting, nothing too fancy, sexy, lacey, or daring, just a lot of functional, practical beige that gets the job done. I know what you’re thinking […]

Still Single? Throw Yourself A Wedding!

When I took the stage at Boardwalk 11 Karaoke Bar at my 50th birthday party last February, I was triumphant. Victorious. I felt proud of who I was, and what I had accomplished – getting to 50 as an independent, self-reliant woman. That wasn’t exactly the picture a few months before though. In the run-up […]

Diamonds And A Girl’s Best Friends

Every girl loves diamonds, but not every girl is educated about them – like me.  Don’t ask me about about cut, clarity, color, and carats, or the difference between trillions and trapezoids, because I have absolutely no clue.  Mountings, galleries, pave, micro pave, filigree…say what?  It’s all another language I never learned, but a lot […]

WTF And Other Beautiful Sentiments

As word spread of our engagement, I suddenly realized how many of my friends and family had given up on any chance of me ever getting married.  Their reactions ranged from shock and awe, to stunned disbelief, to much joy and elation after it all sank in.  But the prevailing emotion by far was relief.  […]