Hi Everybody!

Karen Ski · Post by **Karen Ski** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:50 pm

Hi to all! I am Karen Ski. short for Kowalski. It is a nickname I picked up at the local bar as there were three Karens to tell us apart. That was 10 years ago and it has just stuck.

I doubt my beginnings are not very different than many of yours, started with Mom's and sister's stuff way back when I was about 10 and have been at it ever since. I live in the Seattle area but was born and raised in Detroit.

As I said I started at about 10, I am 54 now, but didn't come out of the closet until about 12 years ago. It was baby steps at first, a late night drive at first then the local CD bar until today I spend probably 80% or more of my non-working time as Karen, My only regret is I didn't do it sooner.

I hope I can contribute something here rather than be just a lurker.

Karen

SilverLady(SO) · Post by **SilverLady(SO)** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:57 pm

Hi, Karen, and welcome to the Forum!

I'm also Motor City-born but raised in Warren . . . Detroit is a good place to be from!

Kowalski, eh? Sounds like you should have been from Hamtramck!

Go Maize and Blue!

- SL

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:10 pm

Hi Karen!

Hope you hang around and get to know us girls a little bit. We are an interesting group of gals here.

Karen Ski · Post by **Karen Ski** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:36 pm

Thanks for the welcome! Funny you bring up Hamtramack Silver Lady, many years ago right after I moved here to Seattle my sister sent me a sweat shirt that read "University of Hamtramack" across the front complete with the Polish Eagle crest, I have always joked it was the screaming chicken but I digress. Wore it a few times out here but no one got it. Guess it is an inside joke with us Motown gurls!

Kay · Post by **Kay** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:44 am

Hi Karen
Welcome to this wonderful forum from me across the pond

Kay

Frances Jewell · Post by **Frances Jewell** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:49 am

Hi Karen, welcome to our group. I think that you will enjoy getting to know us.

Love
Fran

Marjory · Post by **Marjory** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:56 am

Welcome from another "ski" . You'll really like this site, I'm new and love it.

Carol Ann · Post by **Carol Ann** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:39 pm

Hello Karen,
Sorry I am late to welcome you but this old girl has plants to plant before the sun is to hot.

You will find an interesting bunch of ladies here, some way down the path other feeling their way along. Nice to meet you and again

Post by **DonnaT** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:47 pm

Hello Karen,

to the forum.

Carla L · Post by **Carla L** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:06 pm

Hello Karen
Welcome to the forum.

SilverLady(SO) · Post by **SilverLady(SO)** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:39 pm

Hey, Karen, the best thing about good ole PoleTown (aka Hamtramck) is Fat Tuesday and the *wonderful* Punschke!!

- SL

Hailey · Post by **Hailey** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:30 pm

Hi Karen. Welcome to the site. My SO(CarlyAnn) and I are new here too. Only a few weeks. We like it here. Hope you do too. We are your neighbors to the north, south of flint.

ChristineK · Post by **ChristineK** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:31 pm

Hello and welcome

Karen Ski · Post by **Karen Ski** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:19 pm

Thanks again everyone for the warm welcome. I knew the community out there in cyberspace was warm and friendly but i never realized how warm and friendly.

So I have heard Silver Lady, my sister still lives in the area and has told me about them. We then started to reminisce how Grandma used to make homemade punchkies. Wish I had that recipe for those. There used to be some great restaurants in Hamtramack too. "Under the Eagle" and "The Ivanhoe" come to mind. Don't ask me why but The Ivanhoe used to be called the "Polish Yacht Club." Either of them still there?

Deidre Taylor · Post by **Deidre Taylor** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:21 am

Welcome Karen! I grew up in Detroit and still live in the area. Yes, both of those are still around as well as the great bakeries all along Jos. Campau, you know the ones where you can feel your girdle getting tighter just from the smell.