Old Man Winter....

Here in CT we just beat our snowiest month on record…. The old record is 45.3 inches.  With today’s storm we beat the total with serious spirit… 56.9 inches.  The best part? We still have a few days to go… So here is my little letter to Old Man Winter. 

Dear Old Man Winter, 

So, I’ve known you for 40 years now, we’ve had a love hate relationship for as long as I can remember. 

I loved you when it meant learning to ski, taking college bus trips to ski (and drink), weekend getaways with my boyfriend at the little Vermont Bed and Breakfast, snow days, snow angels and snowmen. 

I hate you when it means,shoveling, slipping, sliding, mess, sensible shoes, kids home for days on end, delays that mean I am late for meetings, white knuckles from my power grip on the steering wheel, early wake up calls from the superientendant of schools and lots and lots of checks written for the snowplow man who now has a broken plow (on the day of a major storm) 

You get the picture… when I was young and foolish I loved the snow, as a 40 and fabulous mom, wife and professional, I hate the mess…. So, today at age 40 I feel confident enough in my own skin to simply call this one the way I see it… I don’t like you anymore.  I truly don’t need you in my life.  You bring me down, you  don’t bring out the best in me and I am trying to surround myself with those who bring me joy.  Yes, you are a challenge, you are a bit charming when your little flake sparkle in the street light.  I enjoy seeing our busy road when you bring it to a quiet place…. But I am done.  I would really like our relationship to end now.  Please respect my wishes and stay out of my life.  Don’t make this harder than it has to be.   

Best wishes,

Paper Mom

Divorced Women Helping One Another...

A Sisterhood of divorced women…

A friend of mine is going through a divorce. 

She had some important medical tests scheduled while still on her husbands “good medical insurance”

The appointments were cancelled by the doctor’s office and rescheduled for a time frame that her divorce would probably be final and the “good medical insurance” would be gone.  She happened to mention this little tid bit to the receptionist and sure enough the woman greeting patients at the office was divorced too, a fellow sister of divorce.  She quickly scheduled my friend for the following Monday with the “good medical insurance” still in place.

I love this little story because I firmly believe there is a sisterhood of divorced women.  Now, that may seem silly coming from a happily married, mom/step mo to five kids.  The thing about the sisterhood is… no woman wants another woman to go through the pain, the trials, and the ugly of the journey.  Even when divorce is the BEST option, it is still hurtful, a process, an ending.  As women, I believe we generally want to lift one another up and although the rules of our little sisterhood are not truly documented the sisterhood is about a code of sharing so that one may learn from our personal journey.  I know that sometimes sharing means… sharing too much, coming off as a know it all, or butting in… that is the risk of membership. 

When I shared this tale with my husband he asked if there was a sisterhood of married women too? He said, if not, why not?  It got me thinking…. And now hopefully, you are thinking too…. What do you think favorite Paper Mom peeps?  Is there a sisterhood for married women? 

More to come on this one… let’s chat.

Baking is all about precise measurement

Well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  I have passed down my baking talents to my daughter.  It warms my heart.  Yesterday she begged me to make cupcakes with my new mini cupcake pan.  I agreed but made it clear that she was in charge and needed to read the recipe from start to finish.  When it was time to “add water” she proudly announced “add water” and proceeded to march the bowl over to the faucet to add ¼ cup directly from the spigot.  I of course screamed whoa, whoa, whoa and stopped her and asked that she get down the measuring cup instead.   She had no clue, she was simply ready to add water.  Yes, my mother passed the baking gene on to me and now I have passed it on to my little girl.  Circle of Life, baby.

Five for Friday

It's Five for Friday already?
Seriously?
Where did this week go?
Here are five great things about today...
1.  The latest snow storm was a quickie.  The sun is shining.
2.  Two of our five were honored with a perfect attendance certificate for this quarter.
3. I am going to work on some Paperly things today and this weekend.  I've been on a little hiatus when it comes  to my paper obsession and I need to get back in the groove.  Look for some exciting news and promotions.  If you haven't hosted a party yet, you will want to consider hosting - it is sure to warm up your  heart between snow storms....
4. My six year old son is seriously cute.
5. My online grocery shopping is complete, I'll pick it up at 9am.... now that is a time saver!

What makes the World's Greatest Husband unique and lovable?

Mama Kats weekly writing prompts are fun and the little boost the posts offer to my bloggy traffic makes me giddy.    This weeks assignment… 

Something unique you love about your significant other.

Well  let’s get to it.

The funny thing about love is… it’s so personal.   The World’s Greatest Husband has many qualities that make me love him.  But I imagine many of us who truly love our men would say things like, He is an amazing father, a hard worker, a solid provider, a friend, and a lover.  It’s easy to label his strengths, those things that connect us, the little between us things that makes us feel love.   Honestly, the special thing about my man that is different than any other relationship I’ve ever had…. The thing that makes me love him with every ounce of my soul is… his awareness of gratitude.  He thanks me for loving him.  He thanks me for the little things like making dinner or doing laundry, and for big things like caring for our family and our kids.  In addition, he thanks our children for tiny tasks completed and big life moments, he gives love freely and is grateful if it is returned to him.  His ability to find gratitude in most situations has been a guide and teacher to me.  He is a smart wise man and I am thankful to be his partner.  He has shown me what an open, grateful heart is capable of.  

Always trying to be a better person...

Another day of sloppy winter weather and it’s only mid week.  Another storm is expected Friday.  We spent the day like every good snow day should be spent… vegging out in front of the TV in our jammies.  Because we watch so little television in our house, this is a HUGE treat. 

Just want to plug that darn O magazine again, Favorite Paper Peeps, O magazine is like a little present you can give yourself each and every month.  A little tool in your “I want to be a better, stronger mom, woman and wife tool box.”  I always love, love, love, the Donna Files… this month Donna Brazile offers advice on how to reach your goals… pick up a copy and get a little kick in the butt.

Her best advice…. SUCK IT UP. Not everyone will support you. Accept that.  The blurb follows up with Donna encouraging folks to imagine your naysayer with the head of the animal he most resembles.  She says it’s hard to take someone seriously when his words are coming from the twitchy mouth of a little white mouse.  That Donna Brazile is one hot ticket!  Get the magazine and read on.  I must admit, years ago I worked with a group of men that I called the teeny peenies.  I know it’s crude and so unlike me, but it certainly helped me not take them too seriously.   Truth is… I learned a few things from that group.

So peeps – Suck it up! 

Five for Friday

Five Great Things For Today:
1. I lost 4.6 pounds this week.
2. I have a date with my college BFF next Saturday, can't wait!
3. I am training to be on the olympic ice chipping team... that darn driveway! Today I bought some ice melt.
4. I bought a super huge bag of yumm-o oranges.
5.  I have crafted several times this week! Yippee for me!
Hope your Friday sparkles and weekend shimmers!

Winter Stinks!

This little video says it all....
But let me remind you...
I HATE winter and although it is nice to be tucked in tight, the thought of snow until May is depressing.
To my Florida friends & family.... you get the last laugh again!!

Need a motherhood pep talk?

Every once in a while life gives you a moment that makes you feel like you are absolutely in the right place.  I love when that happens. Sunday was that day, that moment for me. The World’s Greatest Husband took our five kids sledding yesterday and I got to sit with a fabulous cup of coffee and my audio book.  I’ll be honest, I don’t usually listen to audio books as my commute to work is only 4 minutes not allowing for much of a chance to pop in a CD.  You may have read my past blog posts about author Kelly Corrigan, Yes,  I am a fan.  When I learned she read her book Lift on the audio version, I knew I had to listen to her as she is a woman with wisdom, humor and grace.

The video book trailer for Lift dedicates the work to “For everyone who has been caught off guard by the pace and vulnerability of raising children” Really, I am not the first to state this but seriously, the woman is a genius.  She has the power to say and write the things that are in my heart and honestly that can sometimes be a complicated place when it comes to raising kids.   Her work encourages me to acknowledge my weaknesses, take sock in my strengths and simply be the best I can be….

The “moment” for me was when the first CD ended with a song.  Not knowing the title or the musician but alone, in my bedroom, on my big comfy chair in the still and quite of my house, that song became a prayer. I listened, closed my eyes and gave myself those few minutes to let the lyrics and melody wash over my soul.   Take a listen for yourself… Someday by Mike Errico.

 

Like all of you, I juggle.  Sometimes I drop a few balls in mid air.  Other times I can feel the rhythm of the toss and it feels so good.  We are women, it’s what we do… we juggle and someday we’ll get there.  Find a few minutes to listen or read Kelly Corrigan’s letters to her daughters in the book Lift.  It is a quick read and worth every moment.

Five for Friday

Five for Friday returns in 2011!
Here are five great things about today!
1. Got my butt to Weight Watchers today.  I did the program 12 years ago and lost 35 lbs!  I started today at the exact weight that brought me to the weight watchers doorstep 12 years ago... I wonder if I can do another 35? Of course, lets not forget (like I would let you do that...) I lost 39 lbs since August of 2009, since the holiday season I put 6 back on... which means I now have to say 33 pounds --- so wish me luck.
2. spent some gift card money at my favorite craft store today (thanks to my dear sister in law)
3. started working on a paper project that has been on my agenda for a few weeks (I'll post when complete)
4. Snow is expected and I don't need to arrange for school or work snow chaos.  I just need to be tucked in tight.  I love weekend storms...
5.I am drinking the best cup of coffee as I type.

I hope you weekend is full of wonder (the good kind that makes your heart feel warm and cozy)

Link -a-dinky- doo with Mama kat

Linking up with my favorite Mama Kat's Losin it.  She poses the writing prompt, question.... 
If the way you spent your New Year’s Eve is any indication of how the rest of the year will go, how would you say your future is looking right about now?


So I celebrated the start of 2011 with 5 kids running around the house, laughing, screaming, blasting Selena Gomez, dancing, arguing, eating ice cream sundaes, making a mess, and debating wether they could actually stay up until midnight, add to that a little hustle and bustle over which station we would actually watch the ball drop on....  Yep just another day in our crazy blended life. things are looking normal around here.  Happy New Year!  Our future is bright here at this house...

crafting is so much fun!

I've been rubber stamping with my new clear block stamps.  I've been stamping since 1995 and only started using clear mount stamps this past Christmas.  WOW! what a fun difference!  I love that you can actually see the stamping happening (no wood mount in the way!)  So if you are an old school stamper, consider switching it up.  Call me crazy, but a fresh, new, wet stamp pad, makes me happy! Here is a glimpse of my recent therapy session.

It's a new year, a new day!

I’ve always been a believer in karma, spirit and those “good vibes” that sometimes strike us when we simply “just know” something good is about to take place.  I became a believer when I shed 300 lbs.  Well, let me clarify, when I divorced my husband.  I guess I should say, it was the absolutely hardest time of my life and once I had worked through the grief, the hurt, the fear, the anger, I felt lighter.  I felt like I had the weight (that’s where his 300 lbs comes in) of the world lifted from my pretty little shoulders.

Others noticed….

It made me a believer in the power of a positive outlook. It’s contagious, it feels good, it looks good, and sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it.

As I cleaned up our Christmas mess, I boxed it, I bagged it, I stored it…. All like a crazy woman.  I seriously burned some new years day calories while taking on this project.  As the house became less cluttered I started to open my heart to the spirit… well, I actually got really crazed with the amount of work I had to do…before I let the spirit in… but then I felt accomplished, ready,clear, willing and able…  Of course that new OWN - Oprah Winfrey Network is going to help me keep that positive spirit burning bright, have you watched it yet?  It is just the thing I need to keep me on track with living my best life as fabulous 40!

So today, on my first day back to work and back to not stuffing my face with holiday treats… I feel good.  Oh wait, speaking of “feeling good” Favorite Paper Mom readers will recall that Michael Buble, “I feel good” is my theme song…. Well as I contemplated going to Weight Watchers, the new Jennifer Hudson commercial has her singing that song!!! Is that Karma?  Gods way of lighting a fire under my butt and telling me to get to Weight Watchers?…. A sign for sure!

Mama is back to blogging and I am happy!  Happy New Year!

 Now I have to go back to work after 11 days of vacation!  Wish me luck!