Pushing through the manipulation
It starts at an early age... manipulation ... It would seem we are born with the ability and learn to master it more and more over the course of our lives! As a parent of two teenagers, I have watched the progression grow from the earliest of ages when my toddler...
Help for all…
I'm pretty sure I would never revisit my teenage years. I mean...how many of us would? In my opinion, they are the worst of times (ok...maybe with some highlights, but not enough to pull me back). The early teenage years are written like a bad novel mixed of...
Respecting Differences
Earlier today I saw a post... Ironically, a blog post... so in a sense, I'm blogging about a blog post.... That's what a good blog does... don't you agree? This particular post was about a woman, more specifically, a wife who realized after her husband's death, that...
How do you handle your scars…
Life is a mixed ball of... well.... you know.... It's a constant barrage of ups and downs.... blows to the ego, blows to the soul... Some days are better than others.... No one gets out alive.... But the question is this.... How do you get past the lows in your life?...
Finding Our Identity
Do you ever wonder who you are? I know I do. My identity changes more often than I ever knew it would. It was easy when I was a kid. No identity.... just a kid... But as I got older and started seeing the difference between me and the other kids, I started...
The allure of Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast..... the Disney cartoon version came out in the 90's. I remember seeing it with my sister in law at the theaters. TWICE at the time... one show, and the one right after.... My sister in law dragged me back into the theatre, and I was happy to...
The Struggle between parenting and spreading wings…
Teenagers... if you have one, the word in and of itself should send shivers down your spine. Gone, are the days of the clingy children with open minds that allow the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa Clause in their worlds... Instead, their souls are replaced with...
The influence of our elders
I have a dream life. Not gonna lie. Is it perfect? NO. But do I recognize I'm blessed on many levels... Yes.. I was watching Moana (Disney animated film) and I cry every time. EVERY.TIME.... My kids wonder why I can't dial it down, but as I was watching (again)...
Ode to Mothers Everywhere
MOM.... One word... three letters.... infinite meaning.... I'm gonna say it... I took my mom for granted. I was a kid. A kid who had a mom. Every.Day.of.my.life.... I didn't know any different. She was just there....always... And just like most kids, I didn't...
An incomplete life
You never know how you will impact the life of another. I find this statement in truth in many ways.... Years ago, when I was a child - back in the day - I walked to school....alone....and I was 5. Scares you to think about it doesn't it? Makes you cringe a bit....
What I see behind the lens
I am a photographer. In my opinion I have the best job on the planet. Is it always appreciated? No. No job is. But I don't care. Because I know what I know and that's all that matters. My job has taught me so much over the decades of my shooting. My brain works a...
They have to hurt
I hate when my kids cry. I hate when they hurt. I feel like a failure when I can't save them from their pain. Tonight, my daughter came home crying that she didn't achieve what she aimed for. She fell shorter than she expected. To see her pain ripped me to the...
Go adventure where you are
Today was an amazing day. That says a lot, because I haven't had a lot of great days in recent months. I have been struggling a bit with my kids getting older and their need for me is becoming less and less. I still have things that can fill my day, but there is a...
Your apology to your parents
Dear current day parents. I challenge you. Now that you have children, and you see how hard parenting is, I beg you, to write a letter to your parents. THIS...is the day they waited for. I will go first. Dear Mom and Dad. THANK YOU. I had NO idea how hard parenting...
Follow your heart
I am a mom of teens. I wish I had a mom of teens back when my kids started school, so they could shake the self righteousness out of me, so I would leave the elementary school principal alone to deal with more pressing issues. Just so you know, I was born in the 60's...
The country’s losing it’s civility
I'm officially fed up! I just read that someone decided to take a sledgehammer and pick ax to Donald Trumps star on the walk of fame..... I'm disgusted on so many levels, I don't know where to start. And before you get up in arms with your political views, this is...
Stop the judgement
We live in such a judgmental society today. Everyone has something to say about EVERYTHING!! Everyone has an opinion and everyone else wants to judge any opinion that's spoken or any decision that's made. I have seen more ugly in recent times (and not just...
Over analyzing and Love
I find it interesting that whomever reads my blog tends to internalize what they read and wonder if I'm writing about them! And the answer is...if you are thinking it...then YES, I AM! But maybe not..... See, I'm in my head all the time. I can't look at a noodle of...