SOLO dot MOM

My DOTMOM Eyes

2013-02-13T12:40:00.001-05:00

I am trying out a new site to post about my day-to-day joys along this journey as a single mom, a position/status that will be changing in the near future.

Don't worry, I will still be posting at this site (SOLO dot MOM) but also hope you will check out the new tumbler - at http://dotmom.tumblr.com titled: "My DOTMOM Eyes" and check out the latest happenings in my world.

Let me know what you think....

Share a comment below or share a comment at the new site: My DOT MOM Eyes.

Find yourself... keeping it real.
SOLO dot MOM

I'm in Love...for real

2012-08-28T19:20:00.001-04:00

I have loved before. I have loved deeply and have committed to a love relationship before. But I have never felt a love nor been in love like this before.

During the last few weeks, I have announced a new relationship and I'm already talking about a future with a man that lives over an hour away. (I know it sounds crazy.) Yet our bond is so strong, so undeniably unmistakably remarkable, that he has already made plans to move closer.

In other words: Yes, it's serious and yes, I'm happy.

Everyone we run into together can see it on both our faces... we are ecstatic about finding each other.

I am at a loss at trying to explain it. We stopped trying to understand it on the second day of our incredible discovery. A discovery that you can feel so much for one person and find yourself so caught up in your own emotions, you think you are a teenager all over again... and then you start to question this magical, amazing relationship that is blooming in front of your eyes like a dream come true. Because you want to try to find the logic in it.

But all these weeks later, we are still there. Frozen in our emotions, yet moving forward with our future plans, together. Plans that include making this a journey as one couple...someday.

Here is what he wrote last night in the wee hours of the morning, just for me:

When I First,

When I first heard your voice,

It was thick and sweet as honey

It called to me like a siren calls a sailor

Listening wasn't enough

I wanted to wrap that voice around me

Use it as a blanket when I was cold

When I first saw your face,

I knew what Angels looked like

Your eyes captured mine with just a blink

Your hair floated on the breeze

Your smile brighter than the evening sun

Melted any doubts that might have lingered

When we first touched,

There was a current flowing from your body to mine

Touching you was like running my fingers through strands of silk

Holding your trembling body brought strength to my resolve

Touching your cheek was like touching heaven's clouds

Holding your hand was like grasping a fistful of rose petals

When I first kissed your lips,

My heart was set on fire

Lips so soft and full that they melted my loneliness

Lips that were refreshing as a glass of ice water

Lips that were as hot as a steel forge

Lips that thawed the desires of my soul

When I first heard you say "I love you",

My heart stopped beating

My chest felt like tighter than a vise

My breath caught in my throat

Your expression the most beautiful sight in my life

The use of my name left me soaring to heights unknown

When I first realized you had become my best friend,

I wanted to tell my deepest desires

Listen to your deepest desires

Take away any pain you feel

Take your hand for all to see

Hold you close and wipe away your tears.....

By: Chadwick Clark for Kathy Shinault

So, what am I saying?

We are in love. It feels so wonderful.
We are happy and yes, this is serious.

True love...

Find yourself...keeping it real.

And so it goes…

2012-04-18T19:33:00.000-04:00

God is good all the time and all the time, God is good. So no matter what happens, what difficulty you may be facing, what challenge has been set before you, what mountain you have in front of you in your journey, that statement is true.

This too shall pass. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger (so the song goes). You have heard all the phrases that people say when they know someone is facing a difficult time in her life. And yes, the phrases are true. But from experience, do they make you feel any better about your situation?

Probably not. But you can rest assured that whatever you are facing – it will pass with time and you will get through it. And during that time – you must use caution, wisdom, and previous experiences to make good decisions in the middle of this crisis. Pray about it, people.

In other words – just because those “phrases” don’t make you feel better, don’t act upon what you “feel” (and your emotions that come with those feelings) but act upon what you “will,” as my boss would say. Because during the difficulties, it is your feelings and how you “react” to those feelings (or lack of feelings) that will get you in trouble down the road – when further consequences play out and you have to contend with them.

So what am I saying exactly? Well I am going through one of those difficult seasons in my journey. And during this time I am finding these few things to be truth:

God is real.
God is good.
You can’t always trust your feelings, but you can always trust God and His Word.
You should make decisions based upon the outcomes you want to have in life instead of “reacting” to the current situation.
I like wearing heels, I love chocolate chip cookies, I love the immeasurable soft feeling of my new furry slippers when I put them on in the evening (thanks LoveSac.com), and I love watching my daughter play her soccer games. (Not necessarily all at the same time nor in that order, mind you.)

And there you have it. In a nutshell, what I have been learning over the past few weeks.

…and so it goes…

P.S. As a short word for LoveSac.com, a recent sponsor, let me also point you to their sactionals department. If these customized basic pieces that make up endless combinations of comfy furniture feel anything like their furry slippers… you will be sitting in nothing less than the epitome of comfort in their cozy and relaxing sectional sofas.

It’s already the middle of January?

2012-01-14T22:46:00.001-05:00

I have pictures to post on my blog from our Christmas celebration, I really do. I look at recent posts and I realize – time is flying by…faster and faster. It seems that only Facebook has seen posts from me lately, so I have been thinking – I want to get back to my blog. I miss it.

Most likely my readership will have to be rebuilt and my page ranking, but that’s not what my blog was ever about anyway. Not really. I love blogging, remember? At least when I had time to blog, I did. Looking back at my posts, I see many favorites and it gives me the itch to start this up again…more frequently.

So let’s hear from you. Anybody still out there? Anyone…Anyone… (I’m hearing crickets ) Do you even want to keep up with this “Solo DOT mom’s” life – even through the lens of a thumbnail view?

Waiting

2011-11-17T18:48:00.001-05:00

As Jas and I sit at the urgent care clinic to get his ear checked out, we both sit with our tech devices in full swing. I decided to look for the blogger app so I could possibly post for my readers and I found it!

Being a single mom is full of challenges and those challenges change as the children age. Tonight would have required bringing both children, one well, into an environment with germs and other niceties when they were younger. Now that i'm dealing with teens (Kass is just two weeks from it being official) I can leave one to tend to herself while escorting the other to be seen for treatment.

That doesn't mean the other challenges aren't just as difficult; in some ways they are more complex. But for this moment in time I can appreciate the difference. Come later tonight or tomorrow morning, it may be a different story.

Now we are into a room, but still waiting for a doctor, or at least one in training, to determine if Jas has an ear infection or if he's just been sniffing his runny nose back into his head too much. But at least his hypochondriac will be put at ease.

Watch for updates over my twitterfeed.

One boyfriend, one curfew, one text message at a time

2011-10-18T20:55:00.001-04:00

While the debate is on in the background, I wanted to sit down and finally f.i.n.a.l.l.y. write another blog. I have so much to share with my readers, but I will spare you the boring and only share the highlights.

The kiddos

Jas and Kass, the kiddos… I now refer to them in public as “the bigguns.” They are growing up so fast I can’t keep up; and I am with them every day. (Well almost every day. But I digress <= already!)

Kass has a boyfriend. Seriously you don’t want me to get started on that point. Trust me when I say, I am just going to leave it at that. And yes, she now has the “worst mother ever” because of the guidelines I have instructed about me being “in-the-know” regarding their conversations and “text messages.” (Can I just skip this part of her life and do a fast forward?!) Sadly if I did – she would be out of college and married after that blink. Let the roller coaster ride begin, then.

Jas went to his homecoming dance. (Yes, can you believe a formal dance!) And he dressed for it: I have pictures to prove it. He is talking more and more about college plans, taking PSAT tests and I am still reminding him he needs to start applying for those ever lovely scholarships. Can you believe I will be getting his senior portraits done in just 8 months?! Yeah, I need to stop before I hyperventilate.

The House/Move

Not sure if and/or when we will be moving/selling the house. That seems to be in an “on hold” mode right now. But with recent home improvement projects and “other” improvements on the list, we are still enjoying the process of making this one just like we want it. My kiddos love living here.

Goals

I have been working on creating my goals for the next 5 years and trying to simplify exactly what that means from finances to my children’s spiritual growth. One thing I do realize more and more each day is this parenting thing is tough. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s easy (even with two parents partnering together in one house). It gets tougher as they mature into these ‘tweens’ and teens; and sometimes I have to step back and ask God, “Can I do this?” Then I am reminded, “I can do all things, through Christ…” even when I feel like pulling my hair out.

Interjection here… I am watching the debate and it’s almost comical as they deliberate about “apples and oranges” for this 9-9-9 plan on the taxes. That is all.

But in the meantime…day by day…

As I prepare for those goals and discuss my kiddos’ (the bigguns’) futures with them, we continue pressing on each day-- one at a time: one hairdo, one curfew, one text message, one XBox match, one girl scout session, one church service, one grade, one boyfriend, at-a-time.

Technorati Tags: teens,tweens,family time,college,scholarships,parenting,personal development,Faith,persistence

The Magic of Disney World

2011-08-10T21:34:00.001-04:00

To take you away from the recent gloom and doom in the news from the stock market decline to London’s riots and Philadelphia’s youth vandalizing (What’s up with that, right?), let me share with you some sense of escape for a few minutes about a magical place…

We have now returned from our “magical” vacation. This is the one I have wanted to take the kiddos on since they were young and finally was successful doing so. Even though they fought like cats and dogs - yes they don’t get along right now at the tender ages of being a tween and teen on the brink of adulthood. But between their disagreements on rides, and where to eat and… and… and… we had a great time. Sincerely, we did.

They also flew for the first time and we were impressed with Allegiant Air, with their prices and their services, so I will give them a shout out here. Kass was the unlucky one in our group randomly chosen for the extra security check: But she did great and didn’t freak out! Can you believe it?

Jas now says he is meant to travel. He loved flying and even considered the possibility of making Florida his home someday… well maybe. And to his own surprise, he found some rides that he enjoyed amongst the many parks we visited during the trip, between Disney’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and especially at Universal Islands of Adventure.

Kass tried a roller coaster at Magic Kingdom and enjoyed it! She even had her hands up on the 50 foot drop! However, when we ventured out and did the Expedition Everest Coaster in Animal Kingdom---even I thought it was intense; and now she says she will not get on another coaster again. Oh well.

Mr. M and his boys joined us on the trip. (No worries, they had a separate hotel room, people.) The four kiddos actually got along pretty well, except for the few times they seemed to gang up on and pick on Kass… with three boys and one tween girl, what do you expect, right? But for the most part they did great together.

Here are a few pics from the trip for your enjoyment:

There are plenty more where those came from. I will keep you posted of when I load the album designated just for Disney….

Warning: Playing games with your children will make them Happy

2011-07-14T16:43:00.001-04:00

Take some time out this weekend and get the kiddos outside. I know how much they all love video games and being on the computer. Trust me. I do.

But it is healthier for them to have some time in the sun and to be exercising. Plus time spent with you and potentially other children will make them happier.

“But I’m bored”

This is one famous common phrase said by so many children, yet in today’s world – they have so much more stuff than “we” did when we were their age. But in many ways with so much “more,” some of our little ones might have lost the incentive or the initiative to use their imaginations!

I remember times when I would act out a part in the backyard from a summer movie I had just seen; or just playing with friends from the neighborhood.

You don’t know any games to get them started, you say?

Here’s a link to just a few all-time favorites.

So pull out those memory banks, look at this link, put on your “play clothes” and go play with your kiddos outside this weekend!

Technorati Tags: happy children,single moms,parenting,health,active,exercise,playtime,playdates,outdoors

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

2011-05-24T16:27:00.000-04:00

For all my readers, I wanted to share a great article with you that a friend of mine shared with me.

Here is the link below. All parents have to take measures to protect their children and to know what to look out for. This is especially true when around the water.

So if you plan to visit the beach this summer, the lake over Memorial Day, or even if you just plan to go to the pool nearby, take a few moments to read this article, Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning by Mario Vittone.

A new fave

2011-05-07T15:55:00.001-04:00

Technorati Tags: Photography,photos,children,creeks,water,light on water,nature,outdoors,pictures,single moms,girls,tweens

The Final Summit

2011-05-04T21:32:00.001-04:00

After reading The Final Summit, I was intrigued. Not only were facts from history included that I had never heard revealed but I also enjoyed the concept of having so many great men (and women) in the same room passionately solving the greatest problem of humanity.

Andy Andrews puts life into perspective and brings history to life similar to his recent book, The Butterfly Effect. In my younger years, I never enjoyed reading history books or history classes; but this book, full of facts and quotes, would have brought even me out of a fog of boredom when reading the relevance of each historical character and their contribution to our current day’s prosperity.

My favorite historical reference was the life of Eric Erickson. What boldness and humbleness it must have taken, ironically combined, for someone to live with each moment being a new risk like he did, along with his wife. All this Eric did for the sake of saving his homeland; and ultimately his sacrifice affected the success of the biggest war in history.His life story is spelled out in the book from Andrews’ own research.

I give the book high marks and recommend it. The overall purpose of the book as well the intriguing research make this worthy of your time.

When you find nothing but desperate hopelessness around you, when all seems to be adding up to constant opposition, what should you do? Read the book and find out.

Technorati Tags: The Final Summit,Andy Andrews,Life lessons,history,personal development

Making the Most of Easter and Other Holidays Alone

2011-04-25T10:36:00.001-04:00

Spring has sprung and Easter arrived to celebrate new life, and for Christians – the new life you received when you accepted the very Easter story. His story in history is what gives us joy unspeakable.

I celebrated the day without the kiddos (it was their dad’s weekend, you know). Following a morning of worship celebration at church, I went with friends to a dynamic 2 hour drama of the Resurrection of Christ in Radford that night. The day was full and the focus was obvious.

It is tough when you have to celebrate some of the holidays without your children being there. I know. I get it. But making the most of your holiday, even when you are alone, is where you have to focus your time, your energy, and your planning.

It can be so easy to let yourself get caught up in the gloomy, oh-my-life-stinks mode. But how much more enjoyable it could be if you would just refute that mode and with intentionality make the choice to fill your day with friends and things you enjoy.

Plan a special time to celebrate with the children on a different day than the holiday falls, if they will be “visiting” on the holiday itself.
Make the tradition and fun be about the holiday season – not just the specific day. Spread out the celebrating so it falls on more than one day during the season.
In advance, contact friends and make plans for the day when the children will be away. Plan a meal with friends or family, an outing, or plan to join them in their family time.
Make a list of things you don’t get to do when busy with the children. Have it available to pull out when you feel the “blahs” of your me-time. Here’s my list for me-time I put together three years ago.

These are just a few simple ideas to keep yourself from focusing on the negative when you have time on your hands without the children, especially during a holiday.

It’s normal to think about them, wishing they were near. But just think, when they are off to college and doing their own thing on holidays throughout the year, you will be this much more prepared for it.

For some of us, those college days are closer than we like to think about.

Technorati Tags: Easter story,Easter Holiday,holidays,me-time management,single mom,single mother,unspeakable joy,Christ,Christians,Resurrection,holidays without children,lonely,Easter,planning,lists,family time

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Silence is golden

2011-04-09T13:43:00.001-04:00

The kiddos are gone for the weekend. As I sit here, I take advantage of a few minutes between loads of laundry and gather my thoughts. We have been doing this “visitation” for over seven years now and yet I still get that feeling in my heart on the Fridays when I realize they will be leaving to go with their dad after school.

These weekends are scheduled to be productive time, me-time, or a combination of the two for me. And I try to spend some time, in silence, enjoying… the… quiet. The rumble of the heater is all I hear (after I let the dogs back outside following their whining to go) as I sit hear typing this blog.

I do love music and I have a very eclectic collection of tunes I listen to, depending on my mood. (Maybe I will share a playlist or two here sometime.) I also enjoy catching some regular shows on the HGTV channel and having them on in the background during my day’s activities around the house. But there is nothing like the sound of silence as I relax, eat some grapes, and ponder on what’s coming up next for our family, from the big vacation in our future, to buying a new house with Mr. M, big enough for all the kiddos.

Aaah the silence. Do you hear that?

Yeah, me neither.

Love that.

Photo Credit: photoXpress.com / Mykola Velychko

Soul Surfer while I wait…

2011-04-06T14:09:00.001-04:00

While I sit waiting on Kassity to finish with her Orthodontist appointment… and waiting, at least they have Wi-Fi available.

Surfing the web and going through my emails, I found the release on this upcoming movie this weekend. Soul Surfer: This is one I do want to see. Have you seen the previews? A girl who suffers from an accident that results in amputation, finds her true purpose and passion in life while supported by her family and her faith.

The storyline is excellent and I look forward to sharing this one with the kiddos (well at least Kass).

Here are some fan’s testimonials below and some clips from the film.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Soul Surfer,tweens,family time,family movies,family entertainment,faith,personal development,Life Lessons

You're a Firework!

2011-03-18T20:04:00.000-04:00

Kass, YOU.are.A.FIREWORK, baby girl.

I love this song... we listened
to it on the way home this evening after I took Kass and a "bunch" of her BFF's to the park. Time is flying by and I can’t believe how much she is growing up before my eyes. Where is my baby?

Here's one of the pics from the park late today... and here are the lyrics to the Fireworks song by Katy Perry along with more pics from the evening at the park:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

Like a house of cards

One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under scream

But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh,oh!"

You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road...

More pictures from the evening at the park…..

Technorati Tags: Katy Perry,Fireworks,parks,Roanoke Valley Parks,tween,friends,nature,swings,photography,photos,pictures

Do You Believe in Magic

2011-03-16T16:57:00.000-04:00

I saw the phrase today, “Do you believe in Magic?” and it got me thinking of ‘back in the day.’ I got nothing out of whatever I was reading after that because all I could think about was Shaun Cassidy and this song.

So I found it being sung by him on youtube, and wanted to share it with you.

Interesting thing I noticed just today though, this guy favors my daughter’s current love of her life, Justin Bieber. Do you see the resemblance?

Enjoy….

PHOTOS credit: google search…

Technorati Tags: Justin Bieber,Shaun Cassidy,70's,Music from the seventies,Do You Believe in Magic,youtube.com

Spring is peeking at us in Downtown Roanoke

2011-03-14T16:45:00.000-04:00

Walked through Elm Park this past weekend, while the temps were in the high sixties and low seventies. The trees were budding!

Spring: We anxiously await your arrival. Not only I, but some trees I know as well.

Technorati Tags: downtown Roanoke,spring,photography,photos,nature,flowers

Keeping the Sabbath and other justifications for taking vacation

2011-03-09T23:01:00.001-05:00

Well it’s just a few minutes after ten and my kiddos are in bed. (CAN YOU BELIEVIE IT?) Mr. M would say, wow, that’s a first. (I know you well enough by now, Mr. M.)

No, I am pretty tight about the 9:30 and 10:00 o’clock rules for bed time. Kass slides in just past 9:30 (yes most nights) but she goes to sleep fast and is asleep by the time I get Jas off to bed at 10:00. They have learned I am a strong advocate of sleep. And usually (as of the last several months at least) I go to bed shortly after they do and get to sleep about 10:30. Sleep helps us regenerate for the next day when we get up and do what we do all over again.

Sleep is sort of like keeping the Sabbath, or allowing yourself to have down-time. Although you need some “down-time” while you are still awake as well. Do you ever take a day of your weekend to do nothing? A half day? (This is rare for me, though I try to get in a good nap on Sunday afternoons after church. Oh wait, that’s sleep again, not just down-time.) But I do at least plan a vacation each year.

That is what is in the works around here. We have at least requested some dates off from work for our ‘joint’ family vacation again this summer. What we have in mind is a biggie with the kiddos, but I don’t want to share exact details just yet because we need to clarify some of the plans before we go wild and crazy and start talking about it on the world wide web for all to see. For now, dates are being set and secured with our employers and more calls will have to be made and budgeting calculated…. then we can start looking forward to a week of wonder and memory making.

Oh and I haven’t taken pictures of the kitchen changes yet. But do you really want to see it while it still needs a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling (because of the scars behind the old light fixture)?

In the meantime, below are some pics taken in the past few months, that I don’t think you have seen just yet. I picked some of my fav’s.

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Technorati Tags: vacation,sleeping,Sabbath,single moms,budgets,photography,photo fun,downtown Roanoke

Single Parents Everywhere…and Others

2011-03-04T23:06:00.001-05:00

Single parents must catch Terry Hitchcock’s story, told in MY RUN, in theatres 3.31. He proves that we are all heroes. But it’s for more than single parents…

When I watched this trailer it moved me. Not just because of women I have known that have battled breast cancer, and not just because a dear woman of 48 years passed away this week from her own battle with cancer, and not just because we all have our own struggles in life, but because of a combination of these things: I want to do my part of being “someone’s hero.”

Here’s some info from the press release:

We’re all running a marathon one way or another. Whether it is staying afloat as a single, working parent, battling a disease or trying to conquer a fear, it all involves a fight. Join us for an unforgettable inspirational story about a 57-year-old man who ran 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days. The award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary MY RUN is coming to movie theaters nationwide for an exclusive one night premiere event on Thursday, March 31st at 7:00pm (Local Time).
Terry Hitchcock battles the grief of losing his wife to breast cancer by setting out on a journey to bring awareness and a voice to the struggles faced by single parent families and their children. Narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton, this powerful and uplifting documentary exemplifies a commitment to something greater than yourself and achieving something deemed impossible.
Following the feature, audiences will take a deeper look into the story through interviews with the star Terry Hitchcock and his son, support team member Chris Hitchcock.
A portion of proceeds from the MY RUN Premiere event will benefit the Livestrong Foundation.

Watch the trailer below:

Technorati Tags: single parents,breast cancer awareness,single moms,single dads,movies,My Run,Terry Hitchcock

I’m Back

2011-02-28T12:46:00.001-05:00

Well I hadn’t really went anywhere, but my blogging has been anything but frequent. My plan is to update you more often and I wanted to start today.

This past weekend I started spring cleaning (a little early) and did some deep cleaning in my kitchen. I spent most of my Saturday working on the tops of cabinets and washing all my “Coca Cola” decorations that sit atop them and my shelves. I changed out the lighting in the kitchen just last week, which put me in the mood to get a head start on my spring cleaning. The lights replaced an old utility style 6 foot tubular fluorescent light across the ceiling. Now it looks more up-to-date and modern - but now the ceiling needs painting.

I know you want pictures. I will post them soon.

Thanks to Mr. M for his hard work putting the new lights up, I am very happy with the new look. I also changed the setup of my decor and condensed some things. You know modern is – “Less is More.”

Sunday we visited a different church. My goal at present is to find one the kiddos will get more connected to and become involved with the youth group. We have been lacking in seeing that with both sets of kiddos and our intentions are to work toward finding a place they can connect.

At my day job work is busy busy busy and I am still waiting on a quote to get some electrical work done at the house. You know the ever-looming goal of getting the house ready to sale…so Mr. M and I can buy a bigger house for all the kiddos to have their much needed space. And, of course, that means we have been talking even more seriously about our futures together and even the M word: Marriage!

This is nothing new, but I like to keep you up-to-date in knowing – it is a slow going process for us to get our ducks in a row… but never the less a big step we are excited about taking.

And my photography hobby? Recently we took a trip downtown and I took tons of pictures as we pretended once again to be tourists in our own backyard. If you have never done this, give it a try. We have lots of fun every time we venture out.

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

In The Moment

2011-02-09T13:10:00.001-05:00

Remember this famous quote:

Tyrone, you know how much I love watching you work, but I've got my country's 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it; I'm swamped.

The Princess Bride

I’m so busy anymore I don’t know what to blog, or when. I love this quote from this classic movie. My own statement about blogging would be close:

Blog, you know how much I love sharing with you and the world wide web, but I’ve got my office’s 100th anniversary to plan, my kids to take to the doctor (four times a month lately), a boyfriend to cater to, my house to get on the market, and I need to find a way to pay for all of it; I’m swamped. (j/k Mr. M!)

I took off the month of January, for the most part, from my blog, to get focused. I participated in a 21 day fast that I would love to share more about soon. But in that time – I did get focused and found my priorities again.

My priorities are my faith and my children at the top. (Even though my children at times try my patience, thereby my faith… but I digress.) My relationship with Mr. M follows in that sequence and we are looking toward our future. But I didn’t find any extra time lying around to squeeze all the “stuff” into.Sometimes I have so many plates spinning between my children, their “stuff;” my home, its ‘stuff;’ Mr. M, his ‘stuff;’ my job, and its stuff that I lose my focus on what’s important. Life is spinning crazy by all of us.

So with that thought I want to say:

Take time to be in the moment where you are right now. Appreciate all the little things in your world and pay attention to whatever it is you might be doing – while you are doing it. Whether it’s doing the laundry or making jewelry with your daughter – give it your full attention and be in that moment. Once it is gone – it’s gone and is only a memory of what we make it.

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: life lessons,relationships,gratitude,appreciation,time management,parenting

Super Bowl Memories

2011-02-06T20:39:00.001-05:00

As I sit here and watch the half-time show of the Super Bowl, I am a little disappointed; but the commercials have been pretty good.

Jas, Kass, E, and I are watching it at our own private party. Mr. M. and his boys didn’t want to watch the game, they had no desire, so they decided to stay at home and play video games and watch movies. I didn’t want Jas to miss the game, so here we sit at our house for the evening.

E has to leave before the second half, so our party is dwindling down. Kass has to be in bed by 9:30, so our party will be over soon.

As I sit here, I am thinking about two Super Bowls ago. Remember that night? If you read my blog you might remember that memorable night.

Here’s a link to Superbowl night, two years ago.

Enjoy.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: thedailygreen.com

Technorati Tags: Super Bowl,dating,single moms,single moms dating

TOP TEN Biggest Little Things of 2010

2011-01-26T21:10:00.001-05:00

I wrote this list in December and didn’t ever post it because it needed links.

Here’s the TOP TEN for 2010… with links and all. Finally.

Enjoy.

10. Jas’ comment recently “Do I get to take my bed when we move?”

9. Funniest Christmas memory of 2010

8. Writing a procedure manual on the side– and getting paid for it.

7. Getting the book, Eat, Pray, Love for free on PaperBackSwap.com

6. The coolest birthday card.

5. Writing for Examiner.com

4. Finishing the “work in progress” half-bath. Finally.

3. Excavating the back yard to level the lot and re-seed as prep for putting the house on the market.

2. Refinishing the hard wood floors.

and the Number ONE thing in the list of Biggest Little things was:

1. The reveal of Mr. M’s 2 year and 5 year plans.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: PhotoXpress.com, author: scalesy

Funniest Christmas Moment 2010

2011-01-01T13:32:00.001-05:00

We had a lot of fun this Christmas from making snowflakes to getting snow Christmas Eve. We blended our traditions this year as Mr. M. and I plan possible future Christmases together.

But one moment sticks out in my mind as the funniest.

Mr. M’s sister and her family came in town the day after Christmas. My kiddos had already left for their dad’s house the night Mr. M and I exchanged presents with her family. I brought the gifts for Jas and Kass home with me for them to open when they returned later that week.

When Jas and Kass opened their presents from his sister’s family we were at our house. When Jas opened his present he pulls out a box kit of Rice Krispy Holiday Treats Maker. He looks at me with a look of bewilderment. I said, “Well maybe she thought you like rice krispy treats, so we could make some.” He said, “Okay,” and put the box aside under the tree.

Later that day, the neighbor and Kass’ dear friend, E came over to see what they had gotten. When Kass started telling her about the gift from Mr. M’s sister… she showed E what Jas had received and that we thought it was funny (since Jas is almost 16). E said, “There’s tape on this box. Did you try to open it?”

Well I hadn’t seen the tape and he hadn’t tried to open it. Jas came back into the room and opened the “Treats” box to find a cool hoody from Foot Locker inside. It fit him great – and he loves it. What a surprise!

I got so tickled over us thinking he got the treat making kit that I couldn’t stop laughing later when I shared the story with Mr. M. His response: “What a dork.”

What’s your favorite funny moment from Christmas 2010?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: Rice Krispies Treats,Christmas,Funny,family time,single moms,blending family,traditions

Single mom says “What?”

2010-12-29T13:45:00.001-05:00

When I got the news from the doctor who called me about 5pm on my last day of work before the Christmas break, I was mad.

There, I said it.

But after taking time to process the information and taking Kass to see the Orthopedic surgeon, the specialist, and just days later the gentleman who will be customizing her special brace (because I don’t know his official title at the moment); I started to evolve to a point where I am grateful. Yes, grateful we found this issue while she is 12 and still growing so we can work with her spine and hope, with a brace, she doesn’t progress toward a higher degree and have to have surgery.

Kass has scoliosis of the spine at 25%. (At 5-20% you only have to monitor the issue, so she just passed the cutoff that requires a brace.)

She took the news well. She seems to be ok about it as we begin this journey. I am bracing for when she has to wear the thing 24/7 (except gym class and during our yoga at home). (Oh, and no pun intended there.)

I am proud of her attitude and am thankful my reaction has progressed with prayer and processing all this new information.

So I was putting it all to the side to enjoy the Christmas holidays and make memories this year before it was all over…but tomorrow we go for her next session with the gentleman who will be making her brace. Time to face it again, face the fact that my little girl who is wearing braces on her teeth will be adding to her current required apparatuses. Just like the orthodontic braces, this back brace isn’t cheap. But they are allowing me to use a payment plan. (I know you are thinking: Oh goody, another monthly payment.)

If I sound cynical, I apologize for that. I am sincerely doing better about all this, and do know God is good, all the time: He will provide and take care of this for Kass. I have faith.

So what issues are you facing as a mom or as a single mom as the new year approaches?

We all have our ‘stuff’ to deal with – some new – some old.

Find yourself… keeping it real

Photo Credit: (photoXpress.com / Chad McDermott)

sponsor: http://helpforsinglemother.net/

Technorati Tags: scoliosis,back,brace,braces,children,single moms,payment plan,yoga