Turn Out The Lights The Party's Over

I knew it would happen eventually but I did not realize how soon.Looking back I realize I did not know just how spoiled I was.Working from home for nearly ten years, a girl gets accustomed to a certain “lifestyle”.You know, roll out of bed when the kids come in begging for milk, take the ten step commute to the office and work in my flip flops.I took breaks at the park with the kids and had “staff” meetings at the pool.My staff being the almost two year old intern and 3 year old tenure professor.

Life at the Crooked Tree has changed.I am still Chief Officer Mom but now have other obligations; that actually pay.Hubs and I thought long and hard about whether or not I should go back to the real world. After selling our business last fall I was privileged to take some time and hang out with the boys. During that time I remember thinking how hard I had it.I would be so spent at the end of the week it was all I could do to undress myself for bed.Keeping two small, energetic boys entertained is hard work.Not to mention the other responsibilities that go along with being a stay at home mom.Hubs and I decided the boys needed more structure and stimulation that I was not providing, and I really wanted something for “myself”. So last week I started working for a great non-profit in town as their web and data specialist.I absolutely love the organization, the people, and my job!

I have not given up any of my previous responsibilities; I have merely added more.I now fight traffic that I never knew existed in this town which makes my 8-5 day really 7-6. By the time I get home, it is time to feed, bath and put the boys to bed. I end up falling asleep in Little Man’s bed before he does. I am awakened to him tapping my forehead asking me to tell him a story or talk about his favorite Higgly Town heroes.

This change in lifestyle has provided me a new perspective on things.I once felt that stay at home moms were completed underrated; and I still do. The work of a stay at home mom is never done and she gets little if any recognition.I used to think that being a working gal would be a piece of cake; you get a break every day!You get recognition for your efforts!While that may be true, for me, being a working gal is even harder than a stay at home mom.My work is still never done and not only do I get less time with my family, but much less time for myself.I am so fortunate that to have experienced both sides of motherhood.My hat goes off to all the moms out there, whether at home or the office.I hope the key for all of us will be a routine.The newness will wear off and we will not be so out of sorts.It does not help that Little Man, The Babe, and I are sick.The boys started a new school and brought home some new germs and so did I!The new school had a water pipe break this week so the boys have been home with hubs which is unusual for all of us.How do you working folk do it?How do you find time for you and your family without feeling like someone I getting neglected?

Turn Out The Lights The Party's Over

I knew it would happen eventually but I did not realize how soon.Looking back I realize I did not know just how spoiled I was.Working from home for nearly ten years, a girl gets accustomed to a certain “lifestyle”.You know, roll out of bed when the kids come in begging for milk, take the ten step commute to the office and work in my flip flops.I took breaks at the park with the kids and had “staff” meetings at the pool.My staff being the almost two year old intern and 3 year old tenure professor.

Life at the Crooked Tree has changed.I am still Chief Officer Mom but now have other obligations; that actually pay.Hubs and I thought long and hard about whether or not I should go back to the real world. After selling our business last fall I was privileged to take some time and hang out with the boys. During that time I remember thinking how hard I had it.I would be so spent at the end of the week it was all I could do to undress myself for bed.Keeping two small, energetic boys entertained is hard work.Not to mention the other responsibilities that go along with being a stay at home mom.Hubs and I decided the boys needed more structure and stimulation that I was not providing, and I really wanted something for “myself”. So last week I started working for a great non-profit in town as their web and data specialist.I absolutely love the organization, the people, and my job!

I have not given up any of my previous responsibilities; I have merely added more.I now fight traffic that I never knew existed in this town which makes my 8-5 day really 7-6. By the time I get home, it is time to feed, bath and put the boys to bed. I end up falling asleep in Little Man’s bed before he does. I am awakened to him tapping my forehead asking me to tell him a story or talk about his favorite Higgly Town heroes.

This change in lifestyle has provided me a new perspective on things.I once felt that stay at home moms were completed underrated; and I still do. The work of a stay at home mom is never done and she gets little if any recognition.I used to think that being a working gal would be a piece of cake; you get a break every day!You get recognition for your efforts!While that may be true, for me, being a working gal is even harder than a stay at home mom.My work is still never done and not only do I get less time with my family, but much less time for myself.I am so fortunate that to have experienced both sides of motherhood.My hat goes off to all the moms out there, whether at home or the office.I hope the key for all of us will be a routine.The newness will wear off and we will not be so out of sorts.It does not help that Little Man, The Babe, and I are sick.The boys started a new school and brought home some new germs and so did I!The new school had a water pipe break this week so the boys have been home with hubs which is unusual for all of us.How do you working folk do it?How do you find time for you and your family without feeling like someone I getting neglected?

Word Snob

Maybe it is due to my love affair with words. Maybe it is due to my father hammering in my head the fact that we do not end sentences with prepositions. Maybe it is because I am just a snob.

I had the good fortune to go shopping by myself today. While I was perusing the racks of clothes I overheard a woman on her cell phone. "Where you at?" she asked the person on the other end. "Where you shopping at?" she asked again. Don't get me wrong, I am guilty of many language faux-pas. I do make a conscious effort, however, to eliminate the word "at" from my vocabulary. It is just an unnecessary word. Why could this woman not ask "Where are you shopping"? Asking it in this method accomplishes a couple of things. (1) It does not take any more energy, as she would be using the same amount of words. (2) She would sound so much more intelligent. (Kind of like that old saying "Keep your mouth shut and let them speculate, open it and prove them right", or something like that)

I give my husband a hard time for doing the same sort of thing. I think having children has made me acutely aware of the way I speak, and the way others around us speak. I notice the way Little Man puts his words in order and make a point to correct him if necessary.

This isn't the only thing I have noticed about the use of our beloved language. What ever happened to writing thank you notes or letters? I know how much I love to get snail mail so I can only imagine how it makes others feel. To think that someone took the time to pick out paper or a note card, physically put thoughts together and on paper, and then find a stamp and mail the envelope makes me feel good.

The interesting thing about this is that it does not discriminate. I hear it from reporters on the news, kids at the mall and people working at the bank. Is it that we don't know or we just don't care what we are saying? At this rate, it can only get worse. What are earth are my great grandchildren going to say to me and how are they going to say it? Will they even have an English teacher in school?

Word Snob

Maybe it is due to my love affair with words. Maybe it is due to my father hammering in my head the fact that we do not end sentences with prepositions. Maybe it is because I am just a snob.

I had the good fortune to go shopping by myself today. While I was perusing the racks of clothes I overheard a woman on her cell phone. "Where you at?" she asked the person on the other end. "Where you shopping at?" she asked again. Don't get me wrong, I am guilty of many language faux-pas. I do make a conscious effort, however, to eliminate the word "at" from my vocabulary. It is just an unnecessary word. Why could this woman not ask "Where are you shopping"? Asking it in this method accomplishes a couple of things. (1) It does not take any more energy, as she would be using the same amount of words. (2) She would sound so much more intelligent. (Kind of like that old saying "Keep your mouth shut and let them speculate, open it and prove them right", or something like that)

I give my husband a hard time for doing the same sort of thing. I think having children has made me acutely aware of the way I speak, and the way others around us speak. I notice the way Little Man puts his words in order and make a point to correct him if necessary.

This isn't the only thing I have noticed about the use of our beloved language. What ever happened to writing thank you notes or letters? I know how much I love to get snail mail so I can only imagine how it makes others feel. To think that someone took the time to pick out paper or a note card, physically put thoughts together and on paper, and then find a stamp and mail the envelope makes me feel good.

The interesting thing about this is that it does not discriminate. I hear it from reporters on the news, kids at the mall and people working at the bank. Is it that we don't know or we just don't care what we are saying? At this rate, it can only get worse. What are earth are my great grandchildren going to say to me and how are they going to say it? Will they even have an English teacher in school?

Take The Long Way Home...

Sometimes you feel like you're part of the scenery

Heading North out of Gulf Shores after a week at the beach. Gustav made for a long drive.

Take The Long Way Home...

Sometimes you feel like you're part of the scenery

Heading North out of Gulf Shores after a week at the beach. Gustav made for a long drive.

Trick or Treat

Although I am fairly competitive; I really try not to get caught up in competitive parenting. You know, when one parent says "look what Johnny can do." Or better yet, "Johnny, have you showed Suzie how you can...?"; I love it when folks talk through their kids. I know we are all proud of our kids, and no one blames us for wanting to show off their new tricks. It is kind of funny though, when the kids get tired of being puppets. Take for instance, Little Man. He has a new puppy trick that I have been "practicing" with him. He loves to do it with me but has a hard time doing it for others; even Nana! The whole reason I taught him this "trick" was to (a) capitalize on his fabulous memory, (b) try to supplement the silly tricks "we" (meaning hubs) teach him like saying "pay up sucka" while pointing to his hand, and of course (c) teach him the states.

Just remember Little Man, unless you are going into organized crime, I think my trick will serve you better than "pay up sucka".




(By the way; I know he has GA and FL swapped. Give the kid a break! We still have 35 to go so I will of course add more as applicable!)

What tricks do your kids have? You know you want to tell me....