Parenting Part Deux

I try to ride my exercise bike for 30 minutes most days.
It's really hard because I seem to do my best thinking during this time. I am constantly wanting to get off and do some of the things I am thinking about. This drives me crazy and makes the 30 minutes last F O R E V E R.

So yesterday while riding the bike, I started thinking about my son, whom many of you know is off at college, and his latest goings on, and that prompted the whole thought process on raising children. I'm tellin' ya it's amazing what can go through my head in those 30 minutes!

I don't mean to discourage any mothers of young children out there, really, because as we all know, with every challenge they may present to us, the rewards are so much greater and long-lasting. It's just that as your children are growing you constantly find yourself saying something like, "If I can just make it through this stage or phase, it's going to get easier." Am I right? And then it seems the next phase really ends up being even more challenging!

We made it through the sleepless nights when baby cries and you're not really sure how to help. We survived baby learning to walk, say "no", and exhaust us both mentally AND physically! And now I can say that the simplist stage is the early school years. Yes, those are great. Especially say 3rd grade through maybe 6th, in some cases 7th grade. They are independent enough to do their work on their own, and peer pressure is still pretty much nonexistent. High school can be a bit of a challenge. You have to make sure they are motivated since every year of high school will determine their college acceptances these days. And I'm not even going to go into parties, driving, drinking underage.....

And then comes the time when you must let them go. You can only hope that most of what you taught them got through, even though it didn't seem like it at the time. I got a call the other night, at 10:15 PM (is he crazy, does he not know that just him calling me instead of texting is enough of a cause for alarm, but at 10:15 PM!??). He was purchasing a ticket for a concert in a few weeks 200 miles away from his campus. I asked him a few pertinent questions like who was driving, did he realize he would also need money for food and a place to stay, etc..... and as I expressed my concern and doubt, he let me know: "Mom, I'm getting ready to click the button (you know, the one where the money automatically appears to pay for said concert), and just wanted to let you know."

THIS IS HARD LADIES, THIS IS HARD!

Phew, why is it that it takes much longer to get stuff like this out of my head than it does to pop into my head!

later gators!

Thoughts on Parenting...

Parenting is HARD.

More soon!

Ha, ha
later gators

Tagged!

OK, so I was tagged in a comment on my last post. It looked like fun questions, so I am going to play along.
Answering the questions at least.
I really can't tag 8 more people because I REALLY have to get busy this week stocking the shop. I have a Junior League show called MarketPlace in Macon, GA coming up in October and this Friday is my "mommy and minnie" giveaway on the TomKat Studio blog.

Before I answer the questions though, let me share a couple of pictures from my daughter's formal event she attended this past weekend. She is a Freshman in high school, so this is her first formal, and we had a great time preparing for it! Here she is in all her glory with her date and then with friends.


Now, the questions...
1. How/where did you meet your best friend?
Actually, when I started a new private school in 8th grade, she was assigned to show me around!
2. What would your theme song(s) be?

3. Name an accomplishment in your life you are proud of?
I was very proud way back when, when I was finally promoted to "store manager" of The Limited after having started in part time sales. It made me much more proud than school ever had.
4. Where is one place you really, really want to visit?
Wow, I have many of these actaully, but the one that has been on my mind a lot lately is Greece! I think it will be absolutely gorgeous.
5. Favorite ice cream flavor?
I'm more of a sorbet lover, and definitely raspberry is my favorite.
6. One item of clothing or accessory you are dying to own?
I'm thinking something Kate Spade.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
Spending waaaay to much time on the computer!
8. What made you decide to start a blog?
I think it was to help promote my business initially.

OK, that's it for now.

later gators!

Time Management

I have issues.
I admit it.
In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it is the bane of my existence.
And I'm not alone. No, I don't mean any of you. I mean my whole family. My poor kids, my hubby and I are both SO guilty of this.

Try as I may, I cannot believe how little I can get done in a day. Yes, I know, perhaps if I spent a little (ok a LOT) less time on the 'puter. But look at this poor little blog, I don't even take the time most days to scrawl a little something out here. And I see people who post on their Facebook business pages and write elaborate posts on their blogs, complete with photos and links and.....

And I'm up before 7AM every day!
Does anyone have any suggestions out there. Some foolproof way to kick start my productivity?
I'm not opposed to drugs. Haha!
No really, I have considered checking into ADD meds. I'm just not a pill popper. I can't even get a handle on my Calcium and Vitamin D I should be popping more reguarly than I am.

Speaking of which, I better go do that now.....

Please, fell free post an ideas you may have for me!!!

later gators

Making my way back

Well, I am happy to report that I feel myself making my way back.

If you have read some of my previous posts you know that my oldest just went off to college. It wasn't quite as hard as I thought. I think maybe because he had a full time job for the latter part of the summer and spent nearly every night out with his buddies. I don't know, but I do know one thing, I am now in a purging mode! I've purged my son and now I am ready to purge everything else. Just kidding, just kidding. Has anyone else experienced this when their firstborn left for college???

I've spent the last few days clearing out both of my children's extra clutter, and it is freeing!
Now I am feeling my creative mojo making it's way back, because believe me, I was feeling a bit empty for a couple of days there.

Oh, and by the way, we set up Skype a couple of nights ago and it was the BEST getting to actually SEE my boy while talking to him!!! Love it and hope to do it again soon. I highly recommend it for connecting with friends and family that live away.

okie dokie,
later gators (and yellow jackets!)

I'll be honest...

There are moments where I am barely hanging on right now.

Like just now when I logged into Facebook and saw the post of one of my boy's best friends mom's saying they were hitting the road to take their second son off to college. This is the same friend that told me of her first experience with her oldest son and how she basically cried the entire way home, from Alabama!

I have one week left, and I'm about to lose it right now.
Better go....

later gators!

Change is good...... right???

There are lots of changes going on around here right now.
I am trying to be positive.
And I really do feel positive. Really, I do.
It's just that I know that soon, quite soon, I will be questioning everything.

Have I prepared my son to head to college and be ready to fully take charge of his life? Will he be able to balance classes, social life, studying, laundry, meals, maintaining his health, keeping his room livable.......
on and on.
You know?!!!

My daughter. Starting high school! Will we pick the right classes? Will she be ready to get down to business? OMG, driving in a year or 2??? Parties, late nights, good group of friends???

And my shop. Am I giving it the right amount of effort and time? Should I take it to the next level? Should I forget about it and get a real job (as my hubby would prefer)?

Well, for now, I am just hanging in there. Still working on getting supplies, books, uniforms, getting things into the shop. Just holding steady... for now.

wish me luck!
later gators