State Folding

I live in Chesapeake Virginia. I have been in this area since my 13Th birthday. I went to high school and college here. I am blessed to have worked for the same company for 19 years. My friends and church are close and awesome. There is one thing I would change... if I could. No I would not make the beaches less crowded. I wouldn't make the summers less humid.Heck I wouldn't even make sweet tea our state drink. What I would do is make the proximity of Virginia closer to both Florida and New Jersey. My mother has come up this ingenious idea. We just haven't figured out how to implement it. We call it state folding. What we would do it connect New Jersey to Virgina and Virgina to Florida. Now for those of you in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, we apologize for the inconvenience. We just need to be closer. We could help relocate you. If you are west coast... you too could try it. In fact any state that does not interfere with our plan is welcome to help with research and development.This past weekend I had the luxury (and I am being sincere)- luxury to have my sister and her family, my parents and my other sister all in for the weekend. I cannot tell you what a wonderful weekend I had. I felt happy and complete. I just wish my family was closer so we could enjoy each other more often. For those of you separated from your family by miles my heart goes out to you. Please take the time to pick up the phone, or write and email or letter and let your family know you love and care for them. If you like the idea of state foldingand your family wouldn't objet send them to my blog and let's get working on it... If they live in Maryland or one of the other for mentioned states.... ask them to consider relocating... I'm only kidding but if I could ... I would.

Rights of Passage

Goodness this summer is flying by. The kids have been busy all summer long and I am convinced that as they get older, it only gets worse. My oldest is 11 1/2, she like many her age is in that awkward tween stage. She is caught between girl and young lady. Unfortunately the media and peers are pulling her towards the latter. She wants a cell phone, new camera, to go to friends houses instead of being at home. I can remember this stage, wondering why my mother was plotting against me by not allowing me to wear make-up, or get my ears pierced. There was an appropriate time. "Elizabeth if I let you do it all now-you will have nothing to look forward to." she exclaimed.
Well I have given in, I allowed Anna to shave her legs, she had what I would call light hair on her But for at least 6 months I have heard "Mom look at it-it's gross." and "Its so dark!" So today I had her draw a bath and I taught her how to shave her legs. I made sure to point out to take it slow around the ankles and knees. To be sure to make sure to wet the razor, and to moisturize with lotion afterwards to keep her legs from drying. She was excited and even allowed me the privilege of feeling how silky they were afterwards.
If you are wondering what the right of passage was, it was really not about Anna shaving, it was about me, letting go a little. Allowing her to begin to make some of her own choices and then teaching her the proper way to complete the task. Next will be make-up I guess. I suppose she will seem to young then too. She is a beautiful girl inside and out. I cannot imagine she will ever need make-up. But I know the day is coming. I will take her to the mall, and have an "expert" help us choose the most natural look. She will walk out as proud as a peacock, and I a little prouder of the beautiful girl who is becoming a young lady.

Encouragement

WOW! I have a fellow blogger named Edie that proofs my work from time to time. She gives me tons of encouragement and advice on how to improve my writing and blog. She tells me of new blog sites to visit, how to track who's looking at my posts and ways to improve my writing. She most recently turned me on to a blog that....promotes blogs. It's a sisterhood of sorts with all kinds of creative ladies. I have gotten great downloads, decorating ideas and recipes. The site is.... over there to the right (click on it to check it out). What do you call that? The sidebar?It's amazing. Last night I jumped from blog to blog looking at great writing, neat downloads and overall really talented ladies.

At first I felt inadequate after viewing these sites. I mean who would want to read about my inner thinking's when there is free download-able scrapbook paper on a blog. But then I remembered the reason I blog: to encourage others, to help others see the good and beauty of this world through everyday occurrences. So come on back, I will continue to let you in on my thoughts and I will keep you updated with new blogs I am following.

10 Degrees

Once again I find it has been longer than I would like between posts. However, my hope is to win your interest with the quality of my work, not quantity (lol). Today's post has been a work that has evolved....over the course of days, weeks, heck even months.

When my children were younger, we would frequently go to the beach with friends. First, we were at their sides holding little hands to prevent them being tossed around by incoming waves. As they grew, the adults migrated up the beach to dry sand, our eyes were still fixed on their precious little bodies. We would give firm directions and point to the spot we had laid claim to on the warm sand. "Stay in front of our blanket". "Don't talk to strangers". And, lastly, "No deeper than waist high". They nodded intent of following our directions; however, as they began to play, they would drift of course ever so slightly. Not a big deal if corrected but, over a long period of time, that gentle drift can turn into a mighty current that takes you off course and in a completely different direction than originally planned.



I am trying to stay on course, eyes firmly set on the horizon a constant in an uncertain world. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and that you are taking time to enjoy the little things, like lightening bugs and longer days spent outside doing something you love, hopefully with someone you love.