Currently: Thinking about Colleges, Hybrid cars, Rest & Food

It's Monday and I'm back home. I went to the National PTA Convention this weekend and my daughters tagged along with me. Yes, it takes special kids to come along to a convention and actually attend some of the sessions.  During the convention, I was the featured blogger for the Family Reading Challenge launch and our family inspiration videos were posted.

Along the way, we stopped by Wake Forest University for a college tour (how did we get to this point already?!)  When I was in high school, I didn't do any college visits, I fully picked my school site-unseen.  Nowadays, however, college visits are expected and encouraged - and lots of them. I know folks who have visited ten, fifteen and more colleges with their soon-to-be-grad.  I don't think we'll do that many, we'll have to find a reasonable number.  If you've got a high schooler or recent grad, how many college visits did you all go on?

I drove a Ford Fusion hybrid for the trip.  Somewhere around 400 miles into the trip, the "E" light finally came on, I pulled over to fill up and with about 11 gallons, $30-some it was full and ready for another 500 miles.  Wow!  I usually drive an SUV (because we have to fit a family of six) so you can imagine the comparative cost and gas-savings.  I've got a while until my next car purchase, but this hybrid movement is something to think about.

When we checked in the hotel, I recalled again, my desire to one day check in to a hotel with no agenda but to get my full money's worth of the room rate. I want to sleep late in the comfy bed under the overstuffed comforters, have lunch on the pool deck, sip a drink during Happy Hour at the bar, sit on my room balcony reading a book.  Generally, I'm at a hotel for a convention or on vacation. Obviously, a convention schedule is crazy packed. And vacation, sometime is not as leisurely as we expect because we've got to get to the thing today before the lines get long.  One of these days, I'm going to stay in a hotel for no reason at all.

I'm recommitting to my workout plan that has sadly fallen to the wayside for no real apparent reason. But after a few days of grits, biscuits and sweet tea, I need to get back on it.  (More on what to eat in Charlotte coming up in separate post.)

I'm ready to cook. After a few days away, it's time to clean out the fridge and cook a meal, gather around the table with my full family and catch up.  Admittedly, it may take a few days for all that to come together with swim practice, PTA meetings, and basketball practice, but we'll get there.

What are you currently up to?

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Currently...Checking off my Almost Summer ToDo List

I've got a week left until the end of school, until the end of morning alarms, rustling kids up, fussing about breakfast and packing lunch.

Well, in a way.  School will be over, but then swim team, summer basketball, summer classes, and hopefully, a summer job, will take the place of yellow busses and school bells.  But there is a slightly calmer feel to the long summer days.  So what am I doing in my last kid-free (relatively) week?  Here's the stuff on my to-do list.

Brunch with mom-friends. It's our last kid-free get together!  Through June, July and August, we may gather at the pool or someone's yard this summer with the family or take the kids all somewhere, but it'll be our last morning of mimosa without having to listen for "m-o-m!!" and having to decipher to whom the call is being directed to.  This mom get together is essential. Sometimes you just need to be with others in your same life phase to commiserate, support, laugh at all the mistakes you've made and reassure each other that it's gonna be all right.

My own wellness and health checks. Nothing like trying to get kids to wait patiently in the waiting room while you go to your doctor/GYN/mammogram appointment. These are must-do's while the kids are in school. And they are must-dos!  Moms are good at keeping the kids on schedule, but we've got to keep our health appointments up, too.

Summer workbooks and reading lists.  The terrible summer slide, when chemistry and Shakespeare and fractions hide in the corner of backpacks shoved in the backs of closets, not to be dusted off again until September (even for those of us in schools that start in August.)  The long days of summer are long enough to fit in a little bit of mental work.  I saw an idea for a daily journal - art, writing, something creative - I might try that this year, see what the kids think of that. In addition to a math workbook on the appropriate level and a reading list.  And not to be left out - the creative journal and reading list are for me, too!

Sweet tea. This is my summer staple. I've got a jar brewing now.  I always use Luzianne tea bags, the requirement for sweet tea. Every now and then, I find a flavored tea like peach or mango that I'll brew along with the regular tea bags for some different flavor. And I've also added orange slices or strawberries to be a little fancy. But the basics stay the same - Luzianne tea, sugar, water.  Add ice and enjoy.

Here's to the beginning of summer! What's on your list to kick off these sunny days?

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Currently... Exhausted by my Calendar

If I was rich and famous, I think I could be hospitalized with a press release saying I was suffering from exhaustion.  And people would check on me and I'd be given some time to rest.  Instead, I'm a regular mom of 4 and this is my regular state of being. Pass the coffee and the water, because according to my primary care expert, WebMD, I may also be dehydrated.

Why, oh, why would I be tired?  Here's a few ideas. Maybe some look familiar.

I've put stuff on our summer calendar.  My mind is already boggled looking at the grid of sports schedules, possible championship/next level events if kid/team qualifies, pre-college activities (still grappling with that), conventions.... all during the restful summer.

I'm looking at the end-of-school calendar. Exams, concerts, award ceremonies, summer registrations. Oh, and graduation! My oldest/first niece is graduating from high school!  We're so proud of the beautiful, talented young lady she has become and wishing her the most success as she ventures off! But - how did we get to this point? It seems like not too long ago that I went to her pre-school graduation. Her next big step is the first domino of a succession to fall, with my other nieces and nephew and own children in line, one after another. So understand, this isn't just my niece graduating and moving on with her new adult-ish life - this is all the blood-related children in my life leaving me.

I'm thinking about getting back to a real exercise plan. You know how bad it is when the thought of exercising makes you tired? Yeah. That's bad.

There's still a stack of to-do's on my desk and in my email box.  Even with the strategy of ignore it long enough and it will be too late to do it anyway, there's still a bunch of stuff to do. The trick, of course, is figuring out what must be done and what would be nice to do if there was time, because a lot of us get bogged down with getting it all done, even the stuff we don't even care about or someone else put on our list.  The list needs to be triaged to: must do, want to do, don't care to do.

Whew. I think I need a nap.

How do you carve out vacation and fun and relaxation on your calendar?

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Currently... Appreciating The Change of Seasons

It's May already! I know, it seems every month we're in wonder that oh-my-gosh, another month has gone by.  I'm excited in knowing that the winter is really really over now. Maybe there could be chance of a cold wind or late late snow in April, but May we're clearly moving on to open shoes and sun hats.  As I'm embracing this meteorological change of seasons, I'm looking forward to more sunny days in other ways, too.

Watching Baltimore.  Last week, Baltimore erupted into protests, looting, and rioting. The match that sparked the unrest was the death of a young man named Freddie Gray as a result of a spinal injury he suffered when arrested.  However, I believe that the protests are about more than the death of one person and any sociologist or politician would examine the events further. In a deeper sense, it’s the manifestation of years and years of frustration that are difficult to put into words. If we look at the socio-economics of Baltimore in general, but particularly, as highlighted this week, the conditions in the blocks of the city called Sandtown, where Gray was from, we notice an alarming rate of unemployment, high school dropouts, and imprisonment.  The unrest may have been quite surprising to those who have never ventured beyond the Inner Harbor, M&T Stadium and Cambden Yards.  But perhaps, this past week has shed a spotlight on the Baltimore blocks beyond the tourist area and will bring some kind of resolve to this great city.

Raising my son to be chivalrous. Yesterday at my daughter's tennis match, there were no seats for the spectators so my son and I dragged seats from the nearby outdoor tables, about the length of 4 tennis courts. When my son got up and wandered off, a lady made a move to sit in his seat and I let her know, that he'd be back. So question moms -in rules of chivalry, a guy should give up his seat for a lady. But does that count when the guy dragged the seat to that spot for his specific use?

Being appreciative of supportive voices. Every now and then, we need someone to say “good job” and “I’ve got your back.”  Someone outside of your family and small circle of friends who are supposed to say that anyway. When that voice comes from someone outside of that normal circle, it’s comforting, inspiring and refreshing.

Making no plans for Mother’s Day.  I’m perplexed by the get ready for Mother’s Day hoopla in women-oriented venues. For instance, mom blogs, women’s publications, and Michael’s storefront are filled with ideas of what to get mom for Mother’s Day.  Other than tearing out the article or buying the supplies for a hand-painted #1 Mom flower pot and slipping it to my husband and kids, I’m not so sure why this is being directed at me.  (And I admit, I might’ve left a Pandora ad on my husband’s desk at some time.)  I take no ownership in the planning of Mother’s Day festivities. Each year, my sister-in-law will try to get me to weigh in on family plans or make a reservation somewhere. Nope. For one day, I don’t want to make any decision other than which hat am I wearing.  Everything else is on those folks who define my motherhood.

Hats I decorated to welcome spring (and a day at the races)!

Enjoying the sunshine. On the lighter side, today I’m soaking in a little bit of the sun, writing this blogpost sitting outside in our little town square. Often in the spring and summer, I will take my computer and sweet tea outside. It’s so much more pleasant getting work done while feeling the warmth of the sun on your face.

Any changes coming your way this month?

Happy May!

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Currently... Checking My Phone Less & Reading More

According to Goodreads, I’m behind on my reading goal for the year, which is disappointing.  Its an indication, perhaps, that I’m spending way too much time goofing around checking what my friends are having for lunch than spending time on my true favorite hobby.  I’m intending to do better.

Less phone check-ins. I read somewhere recently that the average person checks their phone 150 times per day.  Assuming 8 hours for sleep (I wish, but let’s pretend), that’s almost 11 times an hour, about every 5 minutes. And yes, I calculated that on my phone.  It’s so convenient and the norm, though, right? Waiting for a meeting to start, sitting in traffic, in line at the grocery store, sitting in a boring meeting – pull out the phone and read any emails or breaking news from friends that may have come in since you last checked your phone.  And no-one really pays attention when you do.  But if you pull out a book or a crochet project while waiting in line, folks look at you like you’re committing some type of social faux pas.  But imagine how much more reading I’d get done.  So I’m going to consciously try to not pull out my phone during those waiting times and doing something else, or even do nothing.

I did read God Help the Child this weekend.  As I mentioned in my last post, I bought it on day one and took it with me while I was traveling. Thanks to a seat all to myself on Amtrak and a few stolen moments (that waiting time) during the weekend, I finished it.  A whole book in one weekend, I was so excited.  I need to let this winding story about a very dark-skinned girl and her battles with herself and everyone around her marinate a little bit.  It might even need a second read.

Reading What Alice Forgot.  I had started this before Toni Morrison's book was released, at which point every other book on my to-read pile was set aside.  Now I'll return to this and the books overdue to the library.

Read more magazines.  I like magazines, though am surprised at how expensive they’ve gotten. Some are close to $15 ($14.95) which I don’t really get, nor buy. For that amount, I’m looking for a plot and characters, not a pile of articles and tips on lipstick or where to eat.  I recently picked up Baltimore and Food Network magazines, which were reasonably priced.

Although I don’t live in Baltimore, I like this magazine. The stories are usually pretty interesting and this edition has plenty of day trip ideas for visiting Baltimore, as well as to areas around Maryland and Virginia, perfect for the long days of summer.

As for the Food Network magazine – isn’t the big ole cupcake on the cover reason enough? Between my love for baking, my family's love of sweets, and my daughter’s new pinch for decorating, this edition will end up well dog-earred and butter-stained.  (You can check out some of my daughter’s recent cakes and cupcakes on our Pinterest page.)

Speaking of magazines… I’m feeling some kind of way about the Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazine covers.

Why is the women’s cover’s highlighted article about “Your Sexiest Body” with a half-naked woman and the guy’s get “Cut Your Gut” and a fully clothed guy?  What’s the message on the women’s magazine?  Only if you look this good naked are you healthy?  Although I have bought Women’s Health in the past, this cover is clearly not for me because even in my best work-out schedule, I’m not going to look like this woman. I’m looking for articles on healthy eating and exercise tips, not pictures of half-naked women.  But not to be left out, the men’s cover does manage to squeeze in a small picture of a bra-clad woman in its corner.  These are more examples of the sexualization of women, even when the message is supposed to be about our health. 

I went to a luncheon last week and the keynote speaker was talking about doing things for yourself. It’s similar to all the chit-chat about “me time,” but it was deeper. She said to think about what you do to feed your soul, that doesn’t benefit anyone else.  I would definitely say that reading feeds my inner self much more than checking my phone. I need to pay attention to that fulfillment more.

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Currently... Enjoying the Sunshine

We just came off of Spring Break, which, as it turned out was a bit chilly and a little rainy. But, hey, it was unscheduled days and we were away from home a few days.  We went to Virginia Beach, did a drive-thru tour of Hampton Univ., spent a day in Colonial Williamsburg, and camped out at Great Wolf Lodge.  We also went to Annapolis for a day of advocating on the Maryland budget, particularly funding for schools, and watching a little bit of Senate and House sessions, and as payment for doing educational stuff for the morning, had a delicious lunch at Chick & Ruth's: BiPartisan Crab Soup (crab soup and cream of crab in the same bowl) and crab cake for me.  Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Currently...

I am ready for spring to really, for real, come.  I love the flowers blooming and the sun shining and not bundling up in a heavy coat and, of course, the new shoe options the warm weather brings.

I'm doing my taxes. Comment below if you are actually finished - I'll be impressed.

Looking forward to attending my sorority's fashion show to raise money for our scholarship fund. It's such a great time and a fun excuse to don a beautiful spring hat.

Getting back in gear for Girls on the Run. It's been a long, cold, lazy winter. And I can't let these little girls outrun me (again.)  We're about three weeks into the spring season, but the weather's not been great. I think we'll finally get out this week.

Doing my taxes. Did I say that already? Well, as an indie-writer and publisher, I'm doing business taxes, too.

Enjoy the sunshine!

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