“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they’d make up their minds.” Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Wanted to share this today because it made me laugh.
I hope it made you smile.
Photo Courtesy of cliff1066 (Creative Commons)
With being new to the blogging world, I’m finding it way too much fun! One goal I know I’m suppose to have is to craft my blog so it’s supportive of others. People don’t want to hear about the minutia of my life but about life issues that can help them in some way, encourage them, or strengthen them.
That’s why I read other’s blogs. I want to be told I’m not alone in parenting. I want to know it’s okay to question life. I want to read about another’s mom desire to run away and never look back…at least for 30 minutes.
However, today I want to brag about my writers group. We are all mama writers who are trying to balance our families, our responsibilities, and our writing. We applaud each other for our accomplishments and support one another when we crash. These ladies push me when I want to sit back and whine. They tell me to move on when I need to. They also make me braver than I’ll ever be. I am blessed by these women.
Thank you, ladies.
Photo courtesy of fdecomite (Creative Commons)
Here’s a picture of Janna Mock-Lopez, owner and publisher of Portland Family and Goodness magazines, and….me. I will try to not sound star-struck because here I am, a relatively new freelance writer standing next to a publisher! (And she’s very personable, warm, and quite a visionary for Portland.)
But this post is not about Janna (Sorry, Janna.) but about your dreams, desires and wishes. What do you want to do with your life today? I’m sure there are quiet ambitions you have that maybe you haven’t ever shared with anyone. Or are you the type that complains about why you can’t achieve whatever goal you have because of somebody elses’ fault, or the economy, or that you have small children, or whoever isn’t supportive of your aspirations? Stop…and think about what you can do today towards that goal? Make a phone call, do a little research, sign up for that class, or get out those art supplies. Just do it.
Last year, I pulled down a goal I had shelved high up in a dark closet, blew off the 16 years of dust, and opened it…figuratively, of course. I signed up for an online writer’s course. And my journal began. Was I scared? Did I doubt myself? Do I still doubt myself? Yes, yes, and yes. But I took the step.
What are your unspoken dreams? Courage is stepping forward even if you’re terrified. Be courageous!
I have a very important article in Portland Family magazine’s May issue. A Need to Belong is about a foster child camp that gives foster kids a chance to reunite with their siblings who may or may not also be in the foster care system. Many foster kids don’t have the normal childhood experiences like birthday parties with another blood relative. They don’t stand next to their sister or brother while brushing their teeth at night. Camp to Belong which runs entirely on volunteer hours and donations, is making a difference in these kids’ lives.
When I first took the assignment, I thought it was going to be a nice story about a nice camp for foster kids. No, I was thinking too small. Way too small! You will be impressed with the staff and these resilient children. Please check it out.
Total chaos reigned this morning at breakfast because, you see, my biggest is home for the weekend. There were five different conversations going on. Kids running back and forth. Hubby was asking a question about what someone said but he didn’t hear it correctly. Dishes were clanging. Our cat complained because she had to be removed from her favorite chair where she sleeps so someone could sit at the table. Blowdryers and washing machines were humming. There were seven different breakfasts being made by their owners as well as wise cracks and laughter. I thought to myself, “Since oldest son and oldest daughter have been away at college, it’s been a lot quieter. And now since they’re home, we’re back to normal…well…at least OUR normal.
I’m often entertained by people’s responses to my answer “5, Yes, I have 5 children.” There’s a quick, shocked look and then a sigh of relief when they realize that they don’t have that many. I frequently hear, “Well, I’m glad it’s you and not me.” You know, I am glad it’s me, too!
No matter, how many you have, Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Photo courtesy by zoonabar (Creative Commons)
I want to applaud my mom today because it’s her birthday.
What I have always admired about my mom is that when I turned 18, I got to make my own decisions. She was supportive of me while growing up, and now as I’m trying my hand at freelancing, she continues to be encouraging.
She gets on a plane twice a year and endures my family of seven. My kids love her because she still tells it like it is. Her visits now, however, are getting shorter and shorter which is somewhat distressing. She’s slowing down and seems to get tired quicker. We laugh about our lack of memory. And drink loads of coffee.
Mom, I hope you have a special day.
Love you.
Photo Courtesy of PSD (Creative Common)
Okay, so let’s talk about guilt and your kids…Oh, do we have to?
Yesterday we went to my middle daughter’s track meet. I dropped her off with a friend and ran an errand. When I got back to the school, my husband who came from work met me in the parking lot and told me that “the parking sucks,” which my youngest must have repeated 3 times. He told me that I could go home and he’d stay and watch our daughter. Inside my head, I smiled. Hubby and I talked for a few minutes and decided I’d go home. (after I looked for 15 more mins for any parking space I could squeeze into.)
And that’s when it hit me! What mother leaves her daughter because she couldn’t find a parking space? In my mind, I saw the faces of the thousands of moms and dads that have attended their kid’s sport’s events. Would they leave their child? Well, this one did. And daily I have to redefine my picture of the imp3rfect mom.
What makes you feel guilty about your kids? Share with me.
Yesterday, I attended a luncheon at Belly Restaurant with Portland Family magazine. PF invited small local business owners, writers, and PF readers to share their vision of who they are and where they want to go. More about the luncheon in future posts but just let me say the meeting made me proud to be a Portlander. Here’s a photo of Mary Rarick, editor extraordinaire and me. She’s warm, funny and a great lady to work with.
When I was younger, I thought old was 30. And now as I’m way beyond that, my viewpoint has changed. I’ve come to appreciate “more mature people” and their wisdom. When I’m driving behind an elderly person and my kids say “Get out of the way, geezer,” I ask them would they like it if someone talked to their grandpa like that? They just laugh and say, “Grandpa drives too fast!” Oh..
On my writers’ blog, a fellow writer asked me how did I come up with so many ideas for parenting articles? I laughed and told her, “I’m old.” However, it’s allowed me to be able to talk about young children and young adults and everything in between. It’s provides scads of issues to ponder and then craft a piece to sell.
If you’re feeling old today, don’t despair. Read Michelle Rafter, reporter and technology blogger, and fellow Blogathoner and her reassuring words in Experience matters. Check it out.
Photo courtesy of mcohen.chromiste (Creative Common)
I heard my 3 daughters outside giggling on the porch Sunday. You see, my oldest daughter came home Saturday from college and she brought home new ideas, more self-assurance and a ton of dirty laundry. My youngest daughter came in the house to proudly show me her newest acquisition. She had a beautiful henna tattoo on her ankle. What?
Now some of you moms out there may think it’s no big deal. But you are talking to the mom who didn’t allow her kids to watch Power Rangers because of the violence. I overwatched everything and anything my two oldest did. They still tease me to this day.
However, the years and more children have loosened me up and at times, have softened my hard and fast rules. I listen more and try to talk less. I try to laugh with them and enjoy each of my five. Who knows? I may get one?…not.
“Photo courtesy of dreamglow pumpkincat2 (Creative Commons)
