August 24, 2011
Try as I might, I’ve never been able to find a manual for raising kids. I’ve searched bookstores, googled the topic until my thumb turned blue and visited what feels like thousands of parenting sites all purported to be experts on the subject.
Um..right.
Here is what I have learned. While gathering advice is good, it really depends upon your child and your parenting techniques. There is no “right” way to raise a child and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you different. Even those well meaning friends. I’m not saying that doctors don’t know what they are talking about. All I am suggesting is that you take the advice, and mold it into something that works best for you and your child. The hair on my chest curls when I read about “parenting methods” that are fail proof. Maybe they are for other children, but certainly not mine.
On a side note, don’t you love the parents that talk about how perfect their child is? How they certainly NEVER experience what you are going through, which translates into “you really suck as a parent.” I just got another gray hair, thanks. And they are full of crap or on crack. I vote for both.
My husband and I have finally figured it out. Our method? Fly by the seat of your pants. Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times and for goodness sakes, don’t forget your seat belt. I guarantee you one thing. Once you think you have figured it out? It will change.
In the mean time? Just love them. They are really cute when they are asleep.
Posted in Kids 
1 Comment »
November 11, 2010
There are days when I am so homesick for California I feel as though I will snap in two from the force of emotions. I’m not so sure it’s the people I miss (though I do miss my brother and his family, and my Robin “PHO!”) as much as it is the familiararity. The feeling of acceptance. A comfort zone, if you will.
The south, at least where I reside, is a hard nut to crack. We live in a Naval town and also a place where people have lived their whole lives. They develop social circles where you dare not attempt to cross the line or you will face contempt which knows no bounds. Bless their hearts.
We have Military vs. Non-Military, Black’s vs Whites, Baptists vs any other religion (does your Bible thump?), and many women who do work outside the home are constantly slammed up against the Good Ole Boy network and sent scurrying on our way, wiping our hands on our aprons as we go, as if we should know and agree with “our place.”
Despite all of that, I (actually my whole family) really love living here. We’ve managed to carve a little niche out and the girls have made plenty of friends. I guess it’s much easier when you are young because your friends have no preconceived notions about how things should be.
Most days, things don’t bother me. I can let them slide off of my back much like the jello slides off of my spoon and on to my shirt. Some days, I can’t ignore it.
Some days I have to fight it.
Like today.
Posted in Musings, This and that, mental health 5 Comments »
October 13, 2010
Yesterday, while preparing for a huge meeting I have today, I received an urgent text from my daughter Meelie, who was at school.
Her: Come get me right now!
Me: What’s wrong honey? Are you sick?
Her: No, I just don’t feel like being here.
Me: ………….
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Yesterday, I was working on huge report that is due by noon today. I had it nearly 3/4’s of the way done. I had to be home by 5:30 in order to take Meelie to practice, so I packed up all of my stuff, intending to finish it up at home. I dropped the girls off, and fired up the work laptop and opened up the file.
It was the one I had downloaded that morning (raw data). None of my work had been saved. None of the formatting, comments or updates. NOTHING.
Me: ……………… I purposefully blanked out what I said at that time because my mom reads this blog and I don’t want to have to wash my mouth out with soap. I will say that I overheard my oldest tell my youngest: “Mom’s pretty mad, I hope it wasn’t something we did.”
So I put on my big girl panties and got down to work. I’m nearly halfway there. I think I can make it. I’ve got five more hours.
What do you think? Think I can make it?
Posted in Kids, This and that, Work 4 Comments »
October 11, 2010
Goooooooooooooo team!!
Mom…would you turn the camera on already?
Thinking, thinking, thinking……
Rah, Rah Ree, Kick ‘em in the knee!
Rah Rah Rass, Kick ‘em in the ass! other knee!
Come on Mom! My bloomers are giving me a wedgie!
Can we go now? I see Dairy Queen in my future.
We lost……..
Badly…but the Cheeleaders were HAWT!!!!!!
Posted in Kids 1 Comment »
October 6, 2010
Lately, I have found myself in an insurmountable amount of emotional pain. Pain that reverberates through my entire body, leaving me limp, and hopeless, with nowhere to turn. People? I lost all ability to cope, with even the most minute of issues. It has been next to impossible for me to function in what I would consider a normal way. The way that I have always been.
I am incredibly angry. Irritable. Irrational. One moment, happy, the next sad. The next? So angry that I have walked out on my family (twice) and spent the night in a hotel room by myself, ranting at what I don’t know. That brief respite, however unjustified, left me feeling drained and comatose. Depression cuts you off from everything that is important to you. I don’t have the energy to talk to my parents or the rest of my family or friends, because oh my Lord, I just can’t fake it any more. In my mind, why even try because most people, sadly even my family, just don’t get it. Let’s be frank here. How could they understand when they haven’t gone through it themselves?
Much of my family and friends have told me that I just need to get past it. I am overreacting. Granted, in my youth, I was good at that. Perhaps I should have been an actress. So who can blame those who believe that what I am going through is nothing more than an emotional tantrum?
Those who love me most just don’t get it. My way to deal with it, though not what one would consider the best, is to shut them off. Not to call. Not to email. Cut off all but the absolutely necessary contact. Is this the right thing to do? In my heart, no. They love me despite who I am. I guess I just want them to understand. If I were to be truthful, how can they understand unless I take the time to tell them? To tell them until they HEAR me?
“You need to pray more. You need to get more sleep. You need to break through all of this instead of giving in. You need to…you need to…” I had to, as much as it hurts me, stop listening. Because there is something wrong with me. Terribly wrong. That can’t be fixed by prayers or just “getting up off my ass already and dealing with it.” That’s life you know. Get over it. Or so I am told.
Here I am, going through this. Struggling at how I ask for help. In comes, my yearly check up. I have been having physical (read female issues) for about a year and a half now. I am in what is believed to be a peri-menopausal state (or is that country?). Well below the age of the average menopausal woman. The symptoms and other tests I have point to several things, and of course Endometrial Cancer is the only one I can remember. The same day I had my annual, I had a Endometrial Biopsy done and today I got the results.
I am cancer free (even precancerous free).
The doctor talked to me for over an hour and a half after she gave me the results. I talked (babbled), she listened. Can you imagine that? She LISTENED. She had already read my file before my appointment (ya, I know!) and had quite a bit of options for me. Oh my the options. From the least invasive to the one I want to avoid at all costs.
So now? I have a plan. And am moving forward. Tonight? I am happy.
It also helped me, that when I started crying, and became incoherent for NO REASON AT ALL, she put her hand on my shoulder and said “I’m sorry. Let me help you. You poor thing. Let me help.”
And I cried more.
I don’t have cancer. I am going back on antidepressants. I’m not just faking it. And someone believes me. Physically, I have a plan to help me control the aspects of what I am going through. I can do this. More important, I want to.
Watch out world. I am coming back.
Posted in Uncategorized 8 Comments »
August 19, 2010
Woooohooo! It has been a busy but very productive (and good) week. Work has been crazy (but good) as we are heading towards fiscal year end. This happens every year and you would THINK I would be used to it by now, but it always blows my mind. I actually really enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up with everything so it’s all good. It does become a little sticky because the beginning of the Fiscal Year “Crunch” coincides with “The Beginning of the School Year.” (insert Twilight Zone music here)
All is well though. I think that we’ve finally gotten “the schedule” down pat.
Note to readers: Not a good excuse for the lapse in blogging but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Hope y’all have had a fantastic week. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Posted in Family, Kids, Work 2 Comments »
August 8, 2010
I am going to call this a guest post, even though it really isn’t. This was written by a new friend of mine, that I have had the pleasure of getting to know on-line. She has gone through so much in her life, yet she perseveres, and continually moves forward. I couldn’t me more proud of her. This post is powerful and something that was first written quite some time ago. The reason that am sharing it is because the impact of her words and the honest, open pain that she shares is far reaching, and comforting to those of us who have gone through a difficult past, or for those of us, like myself, who are fighting a battle with depression. She is a REAL person, just like you and me. Please, go read “The Scream“.
I hope it affects you as much as it did me.
Posted in Guest Bloggers 1 Comment »
August 3, 2010
Goodness, where has the summer gone? School starts up for the kids on August 12th and as I have posted before, I have braved those barbaric things called “THE MALL” and gotten most of the clothes shopping done. We have just a few more things to get this weekend but I have time to fortify myself and continue to beat my head against the well to give me strength. That and Vodka. I’m just saying. Hint: When there is blood involved and it is on your clothes, spot treat it with your favorite stain fighting detergent, in cold water before you put it in the washer.
Speaking of summer! Chickie has started band camp and they practice from 8-5. In the heat. In the incredible heat. With indices of 110 degrees. Fortunately (????) the only time they are outside is from 8-12. Phew, for a minute there, I thought they would have a hard time of it (tongue in cheek). She lathers herself with sunscreen and still ends up coming home slightly sunburned and sore. And tired. But, surprisingly enough, quite happy. She had practice all last week from 8-12 but it was indoors. She has practice all this week from 8-5 (did I mention half of that is in the heat) and then on the following Monday and Tuesday from 8-12. One day off and the SCHOOL STARTS. Already?
So that is how the last couple of weeks have been going. It’s all good. The kids are happy. I am happy. My man (go leave a comment and say hi via me) is happy. Can you get any better than that?
Posted in Uncategorized 1 Comment »
August 3, 2010
We are slowly building up the site by small leaps and I couldn’t be happier. I thought I would take the time to introduce you to the wonderful people who are part of Moogie Shops! As others join, I will let you know about them here. You can also find them all! At one time! In one place! At Moogie Shops!
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WEBSITE: Bumbleberries Boutique
DESCRIPTION: Beautiful fabric flowers, chic totes and handbags, and more! Fast and easy tutorials that anyone can make. Plus beautiful 100% quilt weight cotton fabric from top designers.
CONTACT: Georgianna Gray
EMAIL: bumbleberriesboutique@gmail.com
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WEBSITE: AJs Art Studio – Etsy
DESCRIPTION: Paper Goods: Tags, Cards, Upcycled
CONTACT: Audra Jones
EMAIL: audraljones@hotmail.com
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WEBSITE: AJs Art Studio
DESCRIPTION: Watercolors, Mixed-Media Collages, Prints
CONTACT: Audra Jones
EMAIL: audraljones@hotmail.com
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WEBSITE: Kim’s Cases, Facebook
DESCRIPTION: Personalized Pillowcases, Blankets, Tote Bags, T-shirts, Onesies and more!
CONTACT: Kim Marshall Vasquez
EMAIL: kims-cases@att.net
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WEBSITE: Sea Glass Jewelry
DESCRIPTION: Authentic sea glass jewelry. Each piece has been hand crafted to detail by sea glass artist Danielle Renee’. Visit “Sea Glass Jewelry by Danielle Renee’ to view a vast display of colorful wearable art created with vintage sea glass.
CONTACT: Danielle Renee
EMAIL: Sales@jewelrybydaniellerenee.com
PHONE: 978-270-1021
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WEBSITE: Patti’s Precious Jewelry and Crafts! and Fan Page.
DESCRIPTION: Handcrafted and Unique Jewelry and Crafts.
CONTACT: Patti Martin
EMAIL: ppj2006@hotmail.com
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WEBSITE: Pappilon Jewels
DESCRIPTION: Bookmarks, bracelets, ankle jewelry, beaded rings, toe rings, handbag/phone jewelry, necklaces, curtain tiebacks, beaded bra straps and more!
CONTACT: Lynne Burton
EMAIL: admin@pappilon-jewels.com
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WEBSITE: O. Sebastian Jewelry HERE or HERE.
DESCRIPTION: Chain maille jewelry and evening bags, as well as other jewelry.
CONTACT: Karen Snyder
EMAIL: KSnyder169@aol.com
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WEBSITE: Archer Lane Designs
DESCRIPTION: Hand crafted Jewelry…as unique as you!
CONTACT: Michelle Marsan
EMAIL: Michelle.Marsan@bluegreencorp.com
PHONE: 407-325-7101
Posted in Art, Crafts, Fabric and Things, Hand Made Crafts, Jewelry, Moogie Shops, Paper Crafts, Sewing No Comments »
August 1, 2010
School starts up again for the girls on August 12th. I think they are, at the same time, looking forward to it and dreading it. I can’t blame them because I really feel the same way.
Be that as it may, school time brings up the topic of school clothes shopping. I HATE school clothes shopping. When they were younger, it was so much easier. Now they have their own tastes. I have learned to take a step back and relax. I am only along for the ride. We start with one mall, and move on to the next. The girls have specific tastes, which if I let it, make me absolutely crazy. Now, I just follow them around, hold up a pair of pants or shirts, watch them roll their eyes or show interest, and move on to the next rack.
We first went shopping Saturday. That was a bust and we had little to no luck. Let me just state here that Meelie gets frustrated very easily. She was absolutely, positively sure that she was going to have no new clothes to wear. I tried to explain to her that just because you don’t find something right away, it’s not the end of the world. She was having none of it. Both of the girls knew we were going to head downtown to shop today. Chickie was fine with that and looking forward to it. Meelie didn’t see the point as she had already figured out she would be nude during the entire school year.
This morning dawned, and with it brought new attitudes, and it clearly showed in Meelie’s face. There was HOPE! Once AGAIN! I am happy to report that we were lucky, even though I didn’t agree to buy her a $80 pair of Sperry’s so she had to settle for the knock-offs. Which ended up being a good thing because she found out a couple of her friends did the same thing. I mean really? $80 for a pair for shoes for a 12 year old? NOT!
So, next weekend, we only have a few more things to get. The bulk of the shopping was done today. As I was writing this, I realized that we haven’t even delved into the area of school supplies yet.
Guss we’ll be eating rice and beans for a few more weeks.
Posted in Kids, School 2 Comments »
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