Quote of the Month

May 7, 2008 in Creativity, Family, Quotes

It’s May! It’s May!
I just love May – maybe because it’s Spring, or Mother’s Day or maybe because it’s my Birthday month. I’ve always had such positive associations with May. I love the Quote of the Month that Kris brought us for this month. “Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.” Being grateful and happy for all that you have in your life and then making something beautiful with those gifts is really what makes your life a success and is such a joyful way to live with appreciation. I certainly appreciate being reminded of that simple, yet meaningful lesson. Kris also went to her Scrap Bin for all the materials to embellish and decorate her quote which brings a double meaning to these words.  Use what you have! (especially your talents) That’s one of the many reasons why we love Crafting – we use our resources and create something tangible. Happy, Happy May!

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Mother’s Day is Coming (soon!)

April 30, 2008 in Family

May is nearly upon us and it’s time to focus on Mother’s Day. While there’s still time, here are a few ideas to celebrate your Mom:

1. Is she a gardener or just loves Spring? I have a  great new assortment of garden-theme products  available at JoAnn’s to choose from. A garden organizer or watering can along with some gardening gloves and  clogs will get her in the right spirit to enjoy a Sunday in her own backyard. Add a few seeds to plant and if you volunteer to help out for a couple hours you’re sure to make her smile.
2. There are a lot of Moms out there that are crazy about scrapbooking. Add some new papers and stickers to her collection.
3. Paint a flowerpot in her favorite color, trim the edge with beads and add an easy-to-care-for house plant.
4. Knitters can never get enough you know what – YARN! Along with a fresh set of needles and a subscription to a knitting magazine, your gift will inspire her next project.
5. If you make her a hand-beaded necklace or  bracelet, she’ll be able to say with a proud grin, “Why thank you, my daughter made it for me,” every time she receives a  compliment.
6. Impress her with your craftiness by making up one of our projects from the website. Just right for Mom and if you get started now, there’s just enough time to whip up the one you think will please Mom the most. Click on our link for instructions to make a Garden Dangler, a decorative Chalkboard or a simple quilt throw.
7. The classics always work and are appreciated – Sunday brunch and tickets for two to the theater or an upcoming stage show.
8. If your Mom is anything like mine, a card that expresses your grateful and loving words that come from your heart is all the gift that she really wants.

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Countdown to College

September 25, 2007 in Family

The last few weeks have been all about lists, prep and planning for Murphy moving into the dorm and starting college. What an interesting combination of managing and letting go - and the tug of war between resisting and embracing both of those concepts.

I did see a new level of mature behavior from Murphy that included making LISTS!!....and then systematically checking off task after task. Don't get me wrong - there were still several moments (okay, days and weeks) of procrastination, but on moving day - he was ready.

I was even ready.  After three major melt-downs (aka crying jags), even I was feeling -- "let's just get on with it!"  It's not just the culmination of weeks of preparation, it's really years of anticipation. Today was the day, Move-in Day. I had grown the biggest canker-sore known to man and my neck was in spasm. So, even though I was ready, I was exhibiting some classic physical signs of stress.

It was a beautiful day and a well orchestrated send-off. I'm not worried at all about my son. He's poised for an incredible opportunity for education and in an environment that is exciting and caring. Honestly, it's me that I'm worried about. Learning a whole new way of living without my son as part of my day-to-day is a little daunting. So, bear with me.....I admit to be suffering a little from the "empty-nest" syndrome.

I had a late flight home that evening....I was spent, I was wiped out, I was the one next to the window curled in a ball with blanket over my head and a wad of Kleenex on the next seat.
Debbie

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Back to School Preparations

August 1, 2007 in Family

Back to School hasn’t taken on such significance for me since Murphy’s early school days. This fall it’s off to College for the first time.  We just went to College Orientation and it was so great to get some of the unknowns addressed, especially for Murphy.  He started out the morning nervous and stressed and ended it excited and smiling. 

He spent his first night in the dorm and his roommate for the night was quite the social butterfly. Apparently it was a little hard to sleep with visitors coming and going until the wee hours.  The kids and parents split up to learn about a lot of the same stuff – but addressed from our differing perspectives.  Drama students acted out some of the phone conversations that many kids and parents exchange early in the college experience – you know like, “Mom, I’ve made the worst mistake of my life,” or “Dad, send money now unless you want me to starve, “ or “I can’t keep up with my classes– but my social life is great,” or “My roommate and I aren’t speaking,”  or “I’ve made my own plans for Christmas Break – but I need you to make my reservations and pay for it,” etc, etc…. They helped us plan ahead as parents and students for some of the inevitable transitional issues that are just around the corner. 

And of course, we learned about meal plans, dorms, philosophies of a Jesuit education, talked to other parents, and saw a bunch of kids who didn’t look old enough to be going to college. 

All in all, I am SO PROUD and THRILLED that Murphy will have this kind of opportunity.

Oh, and he started his summer job working at a restaurant – it was a banner week!

Debbie

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Pomp, Circumstance and Bill Gates

June 14, 2007 in Family

Winding down to Graduation day for my son felt more like amping up to me. Trauma, tests, and fruit trays; plenty of pomp, parties, pushing and being pooped; for "Circumstance" -there was good, gracious and god-awful; and, College - dealing with denial and acceptance!; Spending (whether it was cash or energy) -it was some, lots and endless.......

I must admit - the emotions of getting through these last several weeks leading to graduation have been all over the spectrum. As busy and crazy as my life can be -- it all paled in comparison to getting Murphy to and through graduation.

All in all, it truly was wonderful and I feel accomplished myself in surviving it all. 

Graduation Day was beautiful and personal and on the school campus. My son was lucky enought to attend the same small private school for the last 12 years. When he transferred from Preschool with an enormous amount of tears and trepidation to St. George's - little 5 year old Murphy begged that he never have to change schools again.

I was never one to regret seeing Murphy move on to the next stage of life and graduation from HS was no different to me in that respect. (but for the record, that may all change when he takes off for college!)

Each of the 36 graduating seniors was acknowledged and described in startling accuracy by the Head of School. Parents, family, and special teachers handed off the diplomas, and each graduating senior then shook the hands of Bill and Melinda Gates. Yes, you read that right! They were the Guest speakers at St.  George's graduation. (OK, so Bill's niece has been a classmate of Murphy's for the last 12 years - so that may have had something to do with his appearance) The best quote from his speech was, "...the final measure of your life won't be how well you live - but how well others live, because of you." (I love that!)

It felt like quite an honor to all of us. However, even if he is one of the most famous (not to mention wealthy and powerful) people on the planet - it was still our seniors who were the stars of the day.

I must admit, as wonderful as it all was - I'm so glad it's done. Now, if I can get him to find a summer job - that may be my greatest parental accomplishment ever.

Debbie

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Prom Night

June 7, 2007 in Family

Since I'm exposing you to most of my Murphy Milestone's.....it was Senior Prom last night. We have a tradition of getting together at one of the parent's homes to take pictures of the group and then individual photos of the "couples." It's been fun to watch them "evolve" in their comfort level with the whole thing over the years. The first few formal dances they were so awkward and uncomfortable and by last night for the Senior prom - it was like "old hat!"  But it was still a milestone - the last High School formal dance. Murphy has dated the same girl for almost a year now - so that also felt comfortable. Not feeling awkward in the company of a "girl."

After photos they were off in the pair of giant LIMOS to dinner and a lake cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  Hopefully, today when I hear about it, I'll get more than, "It was fun." Getting details out of a teenage son can sometimes be like "pulling teeth!" I'm sure all you mothers of boys know what I'm talking about.

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Happy Mother's Day!

May 11, 2007 in Family

Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to acknowledge your Mom in a special way for being an important mentor in your life?

I recently had that opportunity. I was interviewed by Entrepreneur.com about how my mother had influenced me in my business. Even though they chose a single quote from the interview – I sent her the whole thing so she knew how I felt. I was very happy to be able to think about and share the meaningful influence she had me.

My best wishes and thanks to all Mother’s on their important and positive influences they have! (even when they don’t realize it or are thanked for it)
Debbie

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Murphy's Escapades

December 17, 2006 in Family, Games

My son braved a bitter cold (17degrees) night camped outside Best Buy last night so he could purchase himself the Wii!  A buddy of his had managed to get one in the first shipment and Murphy was hooked after a few intense sessions.  (anything to avoid studying for finals!)  Last night around 9:00 PM we were running around like crazy looking for thermal socks, long underwear, hats, blankets and a thermos that I was willing to part with if it didn't make it back. He, trying to convince me ... "I'll be fine, Mom."  And me throwing extra blankets and coats at him as he was trying to make his escape. Murphy and his two buddies were in good position as 6th in line.  I called him at midnight to make sure he was set up to survive and said goodnight.  I kept stirring all night and looking at the clock just hoping he wasn't freezing his tooshy off. But somehow, I still managed in sleep in (after all, it was Sunday morning!). When I did wake up - I peeked in his room to find him with a down comforter tight around his neck and a space heater turned up full blast.  And luckily, there was the Wii box sitting on t he kitchen counter.

So tonight we got to play.....it is fun!  Murphy and his girlfriend and I all took turns.  Yes, even a 50 year old woman can learn to play video games on a Wii.  You make characters that resemble you and then actually simulate playing tennis and bowling and golf (you know, games you've actually heard of).

Hopefully, I won't wind up in physical therapy with tennis elbow. I'm not kidding - I had to stop because my arm was sore!

Debbie 

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My Idaho Thanksgiving Adventure

November 26, 2006 in Family, Food and Drink, Friendship, Holidays

I just have to tell you about my fun Thanksgiving.  I have a very special group of friends that I consider "family."  In fact we call ourselves "Ohana" which means extended family in Hawaiian.  So, as tradition has it, we spent the holiday together.  This year we went to Lynn and Neil's who live on Hoodoo Mountain in Idaho.  Packed with pies and all the ingredients to make a new Cranberry Yam recipe, my son and I drove up right after work on Wednesday.  All 14 of us decided to spend the night (just because it's so much more fun).  Big, huge, silver dollar size snowflakes started to fall just as I was starting to drive up the mountain.  And they never stopped.  It was fun to watch them coat the ground, the trees and the power lines.  You get where I'm going now, don't you?  (Power lines was the clue)  Early (like 4 am) on Thanksgiving we lost power.  The 26 lb turkey was suppose to go in the oven at 6:30 am for dinner at 2:00.

We never feared that we'd starve, but our Turkey dinner was in jeopardy.  (Oh, and the pump that keeps the plumbing working is electric - so, no water or facilities either!)  Of course, being on a mountain in Idaho, they have a wood stove.  So we huddled around that in our jammies for a few hours.  On the stove we heated a ration of water for coffee.  Mary even managed to cook some chicken apple sausage and scrambled eggs on the stove for us.  Much to our relief (and a touch of disappointment) the power was back on by late morning.  And the turkey went in the oven. I managed to stay in my jammies until about 3:00pm when it was my turn to use the shower.  What a great day.  Dinner was about 4 1/2 hours later than planned - and what a feast it was.  Much to all our surprise, my 17 year old son asked if he could cook up the cranberry sauce. My pies were gone long before dinner and the new recipe for Cranberry Yams got rave reviews and we decided it was a keeper. Debbie 

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