Sunday, January 22, 2017

This Place Called Motherhood

A family photo taken 8 years ago!

It's been many months (years?) since I visited my blog, and for quite a few good reasons; a new full time job, a daughter off to college and a side hustle flipping houses with Husband that has monumentally disrupted the flow of motherhood.

Call it the next stage, a new season, or as one of my friends calls it, "a mid life crisis," it' all the same but different, depending on what you do with it.

I used to tell other moms the story about how motherhood changed my life...and my emotions, my body, and my career. Wasn't it funny that everything I knew, was suddenly gone and in its place was a small being whose needs were so demanding, I was literally in a state of shock. The first baby.

And now, all the new mom questions: why didn't anyone tell me that going to the bathroom after giving birth was going to be painful? Why do I feel like a mother lion with her cub? Did I actually fall asleep when I was nursing? Who is going to HELP me, because I feel like I need help.

But, for Husband, nothing really changed. He went back to the same job and the same body. Basically picking up where he left off except with one more mouth to feed. I on the other hand, was a hot mess.

Fast forward seven years later, I was now a mom to three children. Motherhood was fast and furious and slow and debilitating all at the same time. Meals, laundry, a dirty house, juggling schedules and worrying about how to pay the bills for a family of five was the norm. That was a time when "the years went fast, but the days were slow," to quote a mom from a Hallmark movie (of course.)

Oh, there were many moments of joy, some even posted on this blog or on Facebook or in a physical scrapbook (because that was before smartphones and Instagram.) I remember fondly the crayon artwork, bedtime reading rituals, singing, snuggling, and catching our kindergarten-age daughter and her three year-old brother throwing dog food into the pool trying to bait the dog to jump in. Good memories, but they were all tied tight like a rubber band ball of chaos intertwined with hopes of a getaway to Target and a rare date night with Husband.

And now there is today.

As an older mom of a college freshman, a high school sophomore and a sixth grader; a new season has arrived. I was once a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) and then a work-at-home (WAHM) and now a mom who is reinventing herself and rebuilding a career full time and away from home.

Gone are the days of DIY projects and dinners on the table by 5pm. Instead, Husband and I are trying to create a "new norm" that will somehow keep our family communicating, keep a marriage thriving and allow me to pursue the next part of my life. Time has become a precious commodity.

So my question is this; did anyone tell you that aside from how motherhood changed you, that one day you would also have to reinvent yourself ?

A mom friend I recently spoke with reminded me that many moms have similar struggles, just not always a place to voice them. Well, voice them here. Share your story. Where are you now in this place we call motherhood?




Tuesday, May 13, 2014

At The Dog Wash

Who couldn't love a face like this? Juno, our three-year-old English Mastiff is the most loving and sweet-tempered dog. The perfect family pet. But without a regular bath, she stinks to high heavens.

So I was super excited when e-cloth came knocking (well not literally,) and asked if Juno could try one of their products. Juno said "r'okay…"


e-cloth is a brand that has been enabling chemical-free cleaning in the UK since 1995 and in the US since 2008. e-cloth®'s cleaning products work with just water to meet all cleaning challenges. We picked the large cleaning and drying towel, because if there's anything that this dog is, is large. Maybe even extra-large. My guess is that she's just short of 140 lbs.


Husband and I picked the one day that was forecasting 75 degree weather and hosed her off. (Here in Wisconsin, we are celebrating any day that is above 60! Brrr...) A dog this large cannot get washed in a bathroom, otherwise it's fur ball city and days of wiping off walls!


She doesn't look happy, does she? She hates baths with a passion, but when she is dirty, our whole house is dirty. *sigh* Although you only need water when using e-cloth products, we did opt to use our dog shampoo because it has been a long stinky winter for Juno.


After the shampooing and more hosing off, we got to use her new towel.


Oh yeah, look how it picked up all that hair! The towel also absorbed a lot of the water, so she dried faster than when we use regular towels.


"Please be done soon, I'm exhausted."


Ooh, that smoochy face! Thanks again to e-cloth for the towel, I was able to wash and dry it, no problem, and we're looking forward to using it over and over again! You can sign up for their emails for special promotions and follow them on Facebook! Stop by their website and pick one up for yourself, I know your pet will love it!



*Disclaimer: I was sent the large towel from e-cloth to review. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.


Monday, April 28, 2014

Out of Hiatus

I know, it's been forever since I last posted. I'm sure you've been wondering what I've been up to…

1. I wish I had been doing this all that time…

Instead I decided to read more, journal more, pray more, exercise more, enjoy quality time with Husband more, and chill out with my girlfriends more. :)


Husband and I commiserated together over the Badgers loss… :(

2. I've also started tackling our sunroom (aka the computer room, the music room, the dog's room,) I ripped out carpet and padding and was going to paint the concrete floor until I realized the owners before us had glued some of the carpeting directly on the floor…soooo, now I will have to put in flooring (and eat the cost of all of that because I am not even going to try to scrape heavy duty adhesive off concrete!)


Speaking of the sunroom, I really, really want to add wainscoting or board and batten on my own, but I'm scared to tackle such a project all at the same time! I also want to paint the paneling, but can't decide on a color, so basically, I'm in a state of DIY paralysis!


3. One of my previous clients has become a friend and I'm excited to read the book she is working on (if you are wondering who she is, all I can say is she used to write for major primetime television shows and she is awesome! Stay tuned on all of that!)

4. I once wanted to start selling my cheesecakes and I'm dabbling with the idea, again. So I've been baking. This weekend I made key lime cheesecake, it must have been good, because it's all gone!


5. Husband and I continue to travel and learn about the nano/micro brewery business, we've attended a few local wine and beer tasting events and are planning more trips within the next three weeks! Woohoo!

6. One of my best-est friends Christina and I have reconnected and are playing worship music again! We are looking forward to this event:


In the upcoming month I will celebrate my birthday/mother's day, chaperone a third grade field trip, try to get away with Husband for an advance anniversary trip, have a garage sale, sing and play for offertory at church, meet my magazine deadlines, attend our children's softball and baseball games and basically try to enjoy any day where the weather is 50 degrees and above!

Friday, December 20, 2013

A Christmas Guest Post and Giveaway

I'm over at Steph's blog today guest posting about Christmas traditions. Stop by for your chance to win a Target gift card for your last minute shopping needs.


This is my little way of saying thanks to all of you who have visited my blog. May your house be filled with love, peace and joy of the season. Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Cookies: Peanut Butter Blossoms

Every Christmas I make these cookies, I've been making them since 2000! You don't have to use Hershey kisses, you can use any star-shaped chocolates that are available. Please note that I doubled this recipe (because I have a lot of people to bake for!) If you like peanut butter and chocolate, you'll love these Christmas cookies.



PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS

MAKES BETWEEN 55-60 COOKIES

1 C shortening
1 1/2 C peanut butter
2/3 C granulated sugar
2/3 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
4 Tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
extra granulated sugar to roll cookies in

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat shortening and peanut butter in extra large bowl until well blended. Add the sugars and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, milk, vanilla and beat well.

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually beat into PB mixture.

Shape dough into 1" balls, roll in granulated sugar, place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately press chocolate piece into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges.

Remove from cookie sheets to wire racks to cool.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Last Minute Christmas Stocking Stuffer Gift

Santa always has good ideas. This year instead of the usual candy and sugary treats or the little toys that will break in a day, how about stuffing that stocking with some money?


Here is an easy DIY gift idea for any age.

1. Get a roll of quarters or dimes from your bank.

2. Wrap with wrapping paper.

3. Cover with clear cellophane, twist ends and tape with clear tape.

This is a cute and easy gift for when you're scrambling at last minute. And seriously, who wouldn't want a little money for all those post-Christmas deals...


Come back on Friday for my pre-Christmas giveaway...