They have a Friday night “Moms Night Out”, a impromptu comedy group, singing and various skits were included. I had not laughed that hard in a very long time. One of the BIG highlights for me is seeing friends I only see there. They are college friends and we are spread out across the state. This weekend is the easiest time to get together. I spent the night with another group of friends of mine and had a mini-dance contest. Just a blast.

The fun and conversation was such an encouragement to me. I look forward to it every year, and being able to volunteer with the speakers and meet people I generally would not, is always a great time.

Other elements keeping me busy included getting a few more photography jobs and working my PartyLite business. We have our son in Boy Scouts this year and it has been great fun. Every now and then it seems like it could be better planned, or something, but our son does enjoy the time he spends there.

Life has been pretty good and I am slowly working my way out of my waiting place. Closer and closer every day I feel.

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When we got to the Waiting Place section and started reading, I realized, I was in my “Waiting Place”. I have been waiting for something to happen either with my photography and PartyLite business for quite some time.

And the key is neither is going to improve unless I start taking more action. Looking into why I am not getting phone calls, e-mails anything on inquiring on orders, showings or events.

I’m not making an effort on any level. So I sit and I wait.

Both endeavors require me to talk to others, not just send out social media invites and messages, or the occasional e-mail. Talking to people still carries more weight than written correspondence. Following up on the phone after I send an e-mail and connecting with people while I am out. Getting family to share the news of my endeavors.

How many of us are sitting in a Waiting Place, not taking action, but going on as normal? I expect many of us are. Some readers, I am certain, are moving towards their goals or are very happy where they are in life.

So once again, how can I try harder to get out of my Waiting Place I seem to be in?

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In a sense, I may start to sound like Yoda, but his line is “Do, or Do not, there is no try.” I feel like by the end of last year I started to give up. I had lost hope in feeling good about myself, and decisions I had made. After my “Angel” visited, I decided to turn a new leaf and try to be happier. Sure, various things may annoy me, but I’m going to not to let it get to me.

Sometimes the mindset will lead to just Doing things, but if you Try and come up short you can look at the accomplishment you made in the small steps, and how close you came do Doing it. Or if you Try and succeed you Did it, no failure, just success!

So items I am going to Try Harder at:

• My appearance. Use more accessories by wearing more jewelry, my wedding band is the most I usually ever do; stepping up the make up routine, and figuring out a hair style (the fight of my life).
• More exercise. I have Just Dance 3 game for the Kinect and it is just fun along with other games we have. Dancing has always been a fun hobby and while in college dropped a decent amount of weight due to dancing every Friday night and other activities and keeping me busy during the week. I don’t expect to get back to my college weight, but dropping a simple 20-30 pounds would be great.
• Better eating habits. I have discovered a smart thing to do with microwave popcorn. I do not make it often, as I look at the bag and think how I should not eat the whole thing, but you do not want the rest to go to waste. Once it is cooled, put popcorn in a ziplock bag as single serve amounts ready for snacks. Such a simple option for a great snack!
• Being Happy. Sure there are times when life stinks and there does not seem to be a way out, but just stop and think of what is good in life. And just remember I am loved by family, friends and God who is always forgiving.

But really it comes to a mind set, generally when I set out to Do something and fail, I get depressed and discouraged. If I at least Try and come close, then inner strength will get me to finish even if it is a little later than I first planned.

What about you, thoughts for new year and items to Try and accomplish?

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Much of this year was spent dealing with discipline/ADHD challenges with our son, and my husband in and out of jobs, due to downsizing after he was hired. If we could have had any clue about what would happen, I would not have let him leave the job he started the year in.

But you don’t know these things, when making job changing decisions. You go on faith the next company is stable and will not downsize after a few weeks. The economy is such a roller coaster, all many of us can do is ride it along and hope to make it and jobs stick around. Some families are better prepared for the financial challenges, and I am glad for them. We are not one of those families. We have always been a pay check to pay check family and breaking out of the loop is hard.

So what should my “resolution” and goal be for 2012? Will be to get to a point we are saving something and our paying down our debts. Or just be more cheerful, try to remember how lucky my family is that we can put food on the table and we have a roof over our heads.

I guess the biggest kick start for me is the fact I had an angel at work leave me an early Christmas present. I don’t know who it was but I am thankful. There was only a note saying, In the Spirit of the Season, Merry Christmas and God Bless.

It gave me hope and encouragement there is someone(s) rooting for me. I hope I can do them proud in the coming weeks or even next year by being a little more cheerful and not quite so gloomy.

There is a song which really hit home for me later in the day. It is by MikesChair and called “Someone Worth Dying For”. The video focuses on a photographer helping the people he photographs realize what they have to look forward to in their life. Really listen to the lyrics of the song. I hope it will encourage you if you become down and worried.

My 2012 goal is going to be simple, start to enjoy all the little things in life, no matter what the obstacles may be. Always remember angels are watching and they will be there when you need them.

Merry Christmas Everyone! Enjoy the season and the company of others.

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But alas, it seems it is not meant to be. My husband’s job was just eliminated, so we are back to square one. Where it is my income only via my full time job, PartyLite and photography work.

I am still working on finding my voice on this blog and what type of items to cover. If I can find the right niche’ I hope to start selling ad space. Yet, everyone in the world tries to do that so what can make me special? Why come to my blog other than to listen to my odd rants?

Times like this, I go to a song by the Christian artist Mandisa, “Stronger”, I have linked to her video before and will do so again. It truly is my song of 2011. No matter what trials I am through, some how we make it through with God’s help.

There is another song by Laura Story called Blessings. This link is of my sister sang it at our church over the summer and did a wonderful job.  This song is so effective in reminding all of us there is so much more than just the here and now in life.

What songs encourage you when you are down? Share the titles and artist, and your comment will go through.

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In the book, libraries, books, printed information of any kind (including education books) are banned and if found, burned. The firemen, no longer put out the fires, but light them up. It no longer matters where the fire starts. With the exterior of each building safe, they can burn all kinds of things and not worry.

The populace is driven by nothing more than the current moment. No thought of past events, or what could happen in the next 5 minutes. And while a few people exist to be different, they are the minority and considered outsiders.

And is this what happens as Twitter and Facebook starting to fill more of our time, just quick words and events of the moment from friends? How often are we looking at hand written letters or books?

Recently I sent e-mail to my college roommate in reply to something she sent me. We exchanged a few e-mails to catch up with what we were each doing, and it was like we were on the phone. It was “real catching up” not just checking the Social Media for the “latest update”.

I had a face-to-face conversation with a friend a few weeks ago, someone I see 2 or 3 times a year. I missed an update on his Facebook page and soon discovered he is separated from his wife. It took me off guard. I asked my husband later if he knew and he thought he mentioned it to me, but so often it is almost “expected” to be known if it is posted on Facebook.

I felt horrible not knowing what and asking him about the family and life and such. It is the reason I am starting to e-mail more friends to get updates and share what is going on in my own life. Social Media lends to the quick updates, but generally nothing of substance.

But there are also some topics not meant for the over all public, relationship issues, money problems, kids in trouble, where does a person draw the line in over sharing? How many of the friends we have on social media really know what is going on or are they like the “TV walls” in the book? People just blasting words and sharing pictures with each other, but very little meaning behind them? We peek in on a small slice of their lives, but do we really know what is in their hearts?

The lead in the book, wrestled with this after he met a 17-year-old girl who talked to him about how things were. How her family would sit and leave lights on and laugh at jokes told to each other. He started to realize he could not remember where he met his wife of 10 years because society did not encourage memory of any sorts. Just always live in the moment. Is this where Social Media is leading us? Share the quick fun times and forget the heartaches and troubles?

Or should we start taking more time to read books again and have the face conversations the help us all think and encourage the thinking. Or at least start writing to specific people to see how they are. Is it jus a terrible thing?

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The title was “5 Strategies to Take Care of Yourself”. I hope you enjoy reading and it was quite the challenge to write with the word limit, 400.

So often a Mom’s needs end up in the background. We focus on kids, jobs, the house and much more. But how can we take care of ourselves? Here are a few ideas to help keep us sane in the chaos of life:

1. Take a 10 minute break

This can be much easier than it may sound. By taking just 10 minutes in the car before walking in the house after work or before picking up the kids from school. 10 extra minutes getting ready in the morning with the bathroom door closed, who says you can’t just be sitting down and enjoying the silence?

2. Go for a walk WITH others

Most often a walk alone makes my mind run a mile a minute and there is no relaxation. I try and take my son along so he can distract me from other thoughts. He is 6 years old so he sees the neighborhood in a new sense. He’ll tell me where his friends live, and want to go in new ways to explore the neighborhood. And taking the entire family will bring even more fun conversation.

3. Enjoy a book

There comes a time when kids need to read for school. Start a family reading time, where everyone can read their own book. It will encourage them to keep going through those difficult topics, and give you a chance to read something other than the newspaper. Take a trip to the library or borrow from friends.

4. Go out on ‘‘Dates’’

A date with one of the kids to talk, a date with the girls to a movie or out for a snack, and the always important, Significant Other/ Spouse. Those dates could even be sitting at home, once the kids are asleep.

Talk about something other than parenting and kids, remembering life outside of parenting, I have been learning, is essential.

5. Call a friend

Social Media only goes so far, to help keep in touch. There are friends who would love to hear from you. Take a few minutes to call one, even if you only leave a message to say HI! Real life interaction is best in keeping relationships strong and moms sane.

Which of these five simple ideas could you start incorporating to your life? Here’s to remembering to take the time for OUR SELF!

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Liz is in the pink shirt, it was so great to see her at the 2011 Race for the Cure in Peoria.

Recently, someone I looked up to lost her battle with Stage IV breast cancer. She fought for 6 years. When she was first diagnosed it was Stage IV. She was told not to expect much or to live very long, only around one out of 100 live a few years after being diagnosed at that level. I am happy to say I knew her during 4 of those years.

I met Liz, when she was the HR director of my day job. Liz was willing to share her story with me for a few projects. One was a cookbook put together to raise money for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The company had just lost a long time employee and breast cancer survivor, when the cancer came back. Liz shared her stories of how they supported each other while they each went through chemo. When I was taking a speech class and wanted to clarify some information with her story, she shared again. Mainly listening and nodding as the chemo made it difficult to talk some days.

In May 2011, my day job named our Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure team, for Liz to show we supported her. She was on an extended leave of absence from the company to keep fighting, to rest and spend time with family. We raised a record amount for the team. She was so surprised and humbled, as I was being team captain.

Liz and her family and friends joined our team and made it to the walk. It was wonderful seeing her and her entire group of supporters that Mother’s Day weekend! She was so energetic and so full of life and encouragement.

But with every fight there comes an end. In late July, no more medicine could keep the cancer at bay or kill it. Her family faced cancer winning this final round. She spent her last moments surrounded by family and knowing her friends loved and supported her, before she passed in August.

She is an inspiration to everyone who knew her or will hear her story. NEVER let the first diagnosis scare you into giving up. Always think YOU are the one who will beat it. Give yourself that courage to keep fighting, and surround yourself with educated people, family and friends, who will help you fight and not give up.

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Being a mom, brings a level of responsibility. You are expected to mold your child in a way which is good for the community and acceptable, but what about the quirks to define your child? I can’t deny the fact I love the original Star Wars Trilogy, I have knowledge of nearly 4 different role play game systems in my head, I enjoy playing XBox 360, science fiction rule my top 10 movie list.

These elements will be passed on to my son, and it is wonderful that my husband is just as much of a Geek as I am. We have different areas of interst, but they overlap very well.

We had a proud “Geek Parent” moment when watching the Original Transformers movie circa 1986 with our son. It was the scene where Optimus Prime died, our son looked at us and was very worried about what was going on. We told him that Optimuswas broken and couldn’t be fixed. He put his hand over his mouth and just looked with worry and sadness. As he looked away to process the moment, we smiled at each other as he connected with the other characters as they mourned Optimus’ death.

It is one of those challenges as a parent you have to balance how much “geek” you pass on to your child in a sense. For now I can be like this and not worry. Once he starts hitting 4th or 5th grade, it won’t be as cool to like the same things he does or be a geek when his friends are around. We have 3 more years before we have to worry on that one.

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My new phone is so wonderful to get some great pictures easily. I photographed a rainbow the other night after a storm went through, just wonderful!

Remember I screen all comments, and only 5 have ever been published. Give me ideas for what to write about and maybe it will be published!

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