Taking a break

Hello readers......

I will be taking a blogging break- not for long I hope- while relocating to Virginia.

Once I get "settled in", I will be back in the blogging circle!

So don't go too far...... I will be anxious to catch up on my favorite blogs!

and that would be you

Have a wonderful November~

Peace&Love

Lis

A Mom of Teens

Not too long ago I was ask to talk (blog) about what it is like to raise teenagers.

I should probably stop here. laughing. Before I continue I will disclose a warning to readers:

I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. ANYTHING YOU READ MAY BE HUMOROUS TO ME (THE PARENT). ANYTHING YOU MAY READ IS TRUE.

Teenagers. In my small corner of the world I find most teens to be just fine. They are normal breathing humans that love nothing more than to have their parents remind them endlessly about brushing their teeth, making their bed, putting the toilet seat down, cleaning the hair out of the sink, stop slouching, stop smacking your lips while eating, stop rolling your eyes, pick up your dirty clothes, scrape the plate- load the dishwasher.........

I love my teens. sometimes I don't like them

I love being a Mom.

I love knowing these two teenagers in my care, who we are raising will one day turn out to be.....oh, boy like me? Or like Football Superstar?

Having a teenage boy who is shy of turning 16 isn't so bad. Honestly I must admit he is quite a walk in the park compared to what some parents are dealing with. Yes there are days I wish I could place a fire cracker under his bum. I would like to have the bathroom shower on a timer- after 15 minutes it turns off. That'll get him moving! I would like for Freckle Boy to not feel the pressure of his peers- but as we all know that is impossible. It's happening on the football team as well as in geometry class. What we do see from Freckle Boy is strength to not be a follower. Thank God we see that in him..... at least for now. We know there may come that day where we need to attack a situation.

As for China Doll we see a more dramatic behavior. Like most 15 year old girls she turns 15 in December there are the highs and lows. No in betweens. No fire crackers are needed to wake her up in the morning- but like the shower timer- I would have a timer placed in the "girls" bathroom in order for the electricity to be completely turned off- where she would not be able to redo what was redone several more times. crimping hair/straightening hair to eye make up or no eye make up The once a month syndrome is not to be taken lightly.

Oh I sometimes wonder how something so beautiful can turn into something from a Steven King movie. Even the dogs run and hide. Freckle Boy is proud to be a male- this we know.

I can laugh after the crisis ends. Of course I always have stash of Hershey's chocolate at hand

I remind myself that this will end- one day. And China Doll could possibly have a teenage daughter of her own one day- where I can sit back and watch her glorious black hair turn gray within months. Well, my hair isn't completely gray, but I do announce to both teens they are the cause! And we all get a good laugh.

We feel it's important to have an open dialogue with our children. They may come to us at any time for anything.

Sex, drugs and alcohol discussions take place on a regular basis. Temptations are in every nook and cranny of their lives. We try to give the tools they both need- it's what they do responsibly with each tool. As I say; Trust is something you earn. Forgiveness is something that is purely given out of love. That is my Mom-Motto.

With todays verbal communication taken over by texting and e-mail, {we} are in complete understanding that our teens today only choose to converse in sound bites. I'm hip....I get it.

BUT I don't allow the "tech hits" to interrupt the importance of verbal communication.

Speak to me. I'm your mother- no need to text me. Chances are I won't text you back.

I have a friend who informed me her daughter had a very large text message invoice. She was stunned by the amount of text but not stunned by the cost. I mean.....if you have unlimited texting then why is it necessary to text over 3000 a month? Is she not sleeping? Does she text in her sleep or while on the toilet? When does she have time to eat? Oh, yeah..... duh you can text while eating because you don't need to use your mouth!

sorry I'll get off the texting topic

Bottom line, teenage years can be and will be difficult. You can do everything correct as a parent. You can read every book on the shelf. You can pray for guidance and you can work on better communication. We can argue with our teens one moment and the next be laughing. We can laugh with them one moment and argue the next.

As soon as we become parents we are not given a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

I mean when adopting China Doll I was the one giving the guarantee I would commit to being a parent to her- love her unconditionally- perfections and faults.

Same with Freckle Boy. Perfections and faults.

Our children are given direction and guidance. They are given love. Unconditional love.

I placed Medusa Mom in the closet and became a Mom of Forgiveness. Our children want to be independent - but at the same time are struggling with the reality of leaving the cozy nest and moving on with their lives. They may not want to fully digest this- but they will one day understand and come to terms why their parents said no, or why we had structure and boundaries in our home. It's pure love. Unconditional love.

It's going to be a long time until Football Superstar and I are empty nesters. a very long time

Having two teens and one preschooler certainly changes your life. I can't imagine my life being any different. I'm all about Abercrombie&Fitch and Angelina Ballerina. I'm fine with their style of music in the car as long as they don't crumble about my singing.

Nothing is perfect in our home that's for sure. But I will say that the perfection is watching your son and daughter(s) smile. Watching Penn State football isn't exactly what is on my agenda for Sunday afternoon, but it's what made Freckle Boy smile. especially when he needs to explain plays to me

Taking China Doll to the mall with 4 of her friends wasn't exactly what I had wanted to do on a rainy evening, but it's what made her smile. In the end we are all smiling. I was a teenage girl once. I know what made me smile.

So to those of you who haven't gotten to the teen years yet with your kiddo's...... you will survive. And so will they.

Stay tuned..... I just may need to post an update on the teen years!

Peace&Love&Chocolate

Lis

Corner talkin' and Corner raiding

I feel disconnected to my blogging friends. My hours/days/weeks have turned into resumes/schooling/locations.

I did take a time out in my daily routine to enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to the local and national news. Have I been not listening? How can so much junk take place within a week or two of my nonsocial networking?!

I'll spare you my grief of world issues. And I'll spare you the dozen stories that had my skin covered in goosebumps and chills.

But I can not spare you the one national story that just completely had my emotions rattled.

Death is a time for mourning and yet to celebrate the life of our loved one who past.

Funerals can be formal, they can be private and depending on the culture last for days.

Funerals should be respected- please do not rubberneck when driving past the funeral service.

Funerals should be a time for family and friends to have no interruption from outsiders.

Then why would a christian based church- a place where people claim to love God and others (maybe I missed when they claimed to love others) raid, yes raid a funeral for ones son?

What genetic makeup do these people have? I ask myself.

I was numb. I was sickened. I too felt raided.

During a recent service, our Pastor spoke bluntly of these "christians".

It was reassuring to know that Pastor S. too felt raided. How can you claim to walk with Jesus, believe in God and have pure hatred in your heart?

Are we not to love our neighbor? Are we without shame? Are we without sin?

If you have a moment..... link onto my friends blog Blah Blah Blah.

His post from 9/25/10 "Street Corner Talkin' " is a good read.

55blahblah.blogspot.com

I'm done - I'll step down from my soapbox and walk away from my little corner on the brick lined street. But before I walk away.... is it possible for us to truly, unconditionally love our neighbor? No matter his or her race, color or religion?

Peace&Love,

Lis

Before and After

Apple Cheeks before and after (during)

Another Lesson in Letting Go

I thought perhaps I would share my latest experience with you.

With my recent post on "letting go" and "riding the roller coaster"...... I must say that I have learned to really let go. I took a ride on the style of coaster where the floor drops out- thanks to my sweet adorable 4 year old daughter!

Allow me to set the scene: Monday morning (8:45 ish) - coffee brewing- Football Superstar is

reciting his routine- I am filling my coffee mug good to the last drop

dogs and cat are fed-all is well........

Apple Cheeks in her squeaky-excited little voice asked to finish a craft she started Sunday afternoon for Grandma Ice Cream. As she begins to collect her craft supplies, there is a request for her craft box. The craft box includes; tape-glue stick- stickers-washable markers-age appropriate scissors and retired greeting cards.

As Football Superstar and I continue to discuss our daily schedule, I walk over to Apple Cheeks to see her finished project. Grandma Ice Cream a.k.a Grammie will LOVE this screeches Apple Cheeks! I notice a pile yes a pile of blonde hair directly underneath her chair.... we own a Golden Retriever, so finding hair is nothing out of the ordinary in my household. I did not have my contacts in, or my glasses on so of course I needed to really examine the clump of blonde locks- knowing darn well this was not Sam's clump of fluff..... I was thrown off- for the first time had nothing to say- nothing would come out of my mouth! My eyes had to be as wide as a deer in headlights or better yet when it sees a hunter in the woods.

Apple Cheeks noticed I found the secret stash.

Now, looking directly at her little round cheeks you couldn't notice where the clump of golden locks were clipped from until I combed my fingers through her long golden wavy hair. My ride floor just gave out.

There wasn't a lot of talk- a few tears from Apple Cheeks- an appointment was scheduled with our stylist- the remaining 7 inches of golden locks were cut and placed in a plastic sandwich bag.

Apple Cheeks sat so proud in the stylist chair- she was given praise for sitting so still- the perfect client. I took a few photos - before and after. I cried a few happy tears.

The scissors will remain in the craft box. Under much more supervision of course. A new revised lesson on scissors was conducted.

If Apple Cheeks is willing to "let go" 7 inches of her hair..... her momma certainly is willing!

I did plan on having her hair cut- perhaps she didn't want to wait any longer?!

Another Life Lesson learned.

Funny thing is.... I did the same thing when I was her age. Mmmm.... isn't it funny how life makes complete circles.

Enjoy your day! Go ahead- take the ride! Just be sure you are strapped in!!

Peace&Love,

Lis

Resumes.....Cover Letters....Interviews...OH MY!

Today I take a break. one with coffee and chocolate

I've completed two separate resumes. One for the education field- the other resume is prepared for the human service field.

I've sent out a total of 12 resumes. All complete with cover letters-detailed I must add.

I now sit and wait for the phone call. Or e-mail. The magic phone call from the Human Resource Director- the call that tells me let's set up a time for an interview! I'm waiting- patiently for the call....e-mail....snail mail.....or white dove.

As I patiently wait, I also continue to tidy up loose ends of Simple Dimple Primitives. My Closing Sale was fantastic....I never even shed one tear. I had a few "regulars" who came by to purchase and say good-bye. And even with those few who had a tear in their eye....I had not one. I had no regrets.

As my Coachman brother and his wife watched - and took on a few duties here and there- they both noticed my excitement- my peace of letting go.

This week held a lot of a lot to do's. Major tweaking, planning, seeking and with that comes prayer. I feel for the first time in my life, I am making adult decisions. Trying to hang onto "things" that have no true value, except for the price value we may have paid for that particular item. House, business, investments, ....... what is your thing?

What was once extremely important to Football Superstar and myself, has taken not just a back seat- we took "it" to the land fill. Priorities have been completely adjusted on the list.

What freedom that brings!! Pride- set aside. sorry, Dr. Seuss Left foot- right foot- right!

As I watch my husband prepare for a new career change- I have no doubt that he will become successful in the change. And in this successful change, he will begin to find peace and calmness- high power sales have been taken to the land fill. Stress...no more. So when we speak of success- it no longer means financial success or the fear of not having "it".

This new path will be challenging I'm sure- it will bring days of glory and days of defeat.

We are prepared for the storm(s) as I mentioned in a recent post.

I've shared with Gracie during our time together yesterday about the amazing roller coaster ride I recently experienced. I was strapped in, safety bar latched as the coaster whipped at record speed- surviving the loop and the drop. Walking off the coaster feeling refreshed...I wanted to ride it again! Gracie began to give me that look "what are you talking about"- you know the look- head titled....lip curled at the side of her mouth....nose wrinkled.

"OH!!! I get it!" she screams. She wants to ride the coaster now too. wink

Life Lesson: When riding the roller coaster- sit in the front.

Peace&Love,

Lis

Decision

Today I made a decision. This decision will bring sadness....yet with this decision I will have peace.

My decision came easy....but there was a spark of regret.

After this decision became final....my heart pounded out of my chest.

That was a week ago.

Today....I'm so ready again my heart is pounding out of my chest.

I decided to close my little business.

Simple Dimple Primitives came to life April 2007. A dream, put on paper with the assistance of my business advisor Football Superstar and my partner Gracie.

A little red cottage was transformed from ugly duckling to adorable prim style swan.

Perfect location for this business. Directly outside my door- sitting on the edge of our property.

And our property sits in the midst of antique shops and gift shops near historic Gettysburg.

What big plans we had for Simple Dimple Primitives. Huge! We were going to be so huge there would come a time for us to purchase the one room school house that sits beside our property and create Simple Dimple Vintage! Yeah yeah..... well then comes the big bad wolf-

Economy. With this economy we are all effected by- my little business suffered from lack of sales, lack of traffic from tourist and too much inventory.

So, my last day in the biz will be September 11th. The next huge in Simple Dimple is a closing out sale. A huge closing out sale. Feel free to stop by if you live close by.... you can begin your Holiday shopping by saving $$!!

Like Kathleen Kelly You've Got Mail I will be just fine. New adventures will be coming my our way. We are now moving forward.

Football Superstar is working on a career change. I am ready to return to work.

Human Services/Teaching

Our children are doing fine. We may have a move on the horizon.

We have no idea what's around the corner for us.... but one thing I do know is that today- tonight I will go watch my Freckle Boy play one heck of a football game. I'm proud to say he was moved up to second string varsity. I will cheer China Doll while she plays "middy" on the field hockey turf. And I'm proud to say she was given the title "Team Captain".

Apple Cheeks, of course is not on any sports team....but her number 5's are looking fantastic!

These troubled moments of decisions have brought Football Superstar and I even closer.

What can rip apart couples, families and business partners has made us stronger.

I'm anxious but nervous for what's ahead. Like the photo of the tight rope walker- I remain steady. Today.....I'm at peace.

Life Lesson: Let Go.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Peace&Love,

Lis