So Much To Do

Me and the fam in Canaan Valley

I grew up in a house with two working parents (well, actually four working parents because of divorce). My mom worked full-time as a nurse. She was never homeroom mom. She didn't make it to many soccer games or swim meets. Our weekends weren't full of fun things to do (that's what we went to my dad's house for :-)). It was chores and grocery shopping and church.

I'm not coming down on my mom, well, maybe a little, but it's more about me as a mom and my kids these days.

My husband and I both work. My kids' schedules are insane between speech and occupational therapy, and faith formation classes. And we have a puppy that I swear requires more attention and caring than a newborn!

I think I'm a pretty good parent--weaving fun into our weekends be it with hiking, playtime at the park, going out to eat, going to the movies or science center or zoo. We have our fair share of fun. Yet, my darling mini-mes are ungrateful to say the least.

I swear, I must have heard "I'm bored" from my six year old 25 this weekend. He spent more time than even a mediocre mom would allow on the computer. Then to the iTouch, then TV. It was beautful out. We were washing cars, playing in the yard, etc. He didn't want any of it.

Then, he decides he wants to go to the park, so my husband takes him (it's literally four houses away from my house). He sees some of our neighbors there. He plays with them. Then, it is time for dinner. He comes home, inhales his dinner, takes his shower and then asks to go back to the park. We say no because we have planned outdoor movie night in the backyard. He cries. He never gets to go to the park. Blah, blah, blah. Waaaa, waaaa, waaaa. I settle it simply by saying "you should have been raised by your grandparents."

I did what my parents wanted. Always what my parents wanted. Don't get me wrong, we did trips to the amusement park, vacations, etc. but the "little things" didn't exist. There wasn't time. They didn't make time. We were raised that we, as their children, entered their lives, not the other way around.

I swore I was gonna raise my kids in a similar manner, but with a bit more fun. And we do more fun, but my kids have come to expect it and it isn't appreciated. That's where I have failed them and me.

I will try harder to ignore my children. I will try harder to not give them everything. I will try harder to let them be bored...a lot. This may make me sound terrible, but boredom is the gateway to creativity. My sister and I played some awesome things. I was always making up stories in my mind. Imagining the future, the past, everything. I was, what some would have deemed a dreamer. I wasn't living it, so I had to dream it.

Every parent wants to give their child what they didn't have. And I want to give my children all the attention that there just wasn't time for in my growing up. But, I need a break from all the fun...or maybe just a drink!

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Happy Hump Day!

Wednesday…typically referred to as “Hump day”, is a day that most people look forward to.  It’s the middle of the work week, one day before “Thirsty Thursday” and two days from Friday.  So why do I find Wednesday’s to be the absolute WORST day of the week?

I think it’s because Wednesday’s are really the start of my very busy work week.  Owning my own bar/restaurant and working my “big girl” job really fills my schedule.  On Wednesday’s, I wake up at the butt-ass crack of dawn and go to my office for a full day.  Then I rush home, change, make dinner, do the dishes and I then I rush down to the bar to start my shift.  By the time I get home it’s very late and before I know it, my alarm is going off and I’m up, logging in to my computer and working my “big girl” job.  I then shut down, jump in the shower and back to the bar to get it opened.  Again, I get home late and then it’s up again to work the “big girl” job.  I then have to call in the liquor order for the bar, pick-up the liquor, take the liquor to the bar and check it in and put it away.  Then it’s back home again to get some housework done whether it is cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.  I make dinner, clean-up, jump in the shower and back to the bar.  By Saturday, I’m exhausted but I know I just have to get through one more long night at the bar and then finally…it’s Sunday.  Precious Sunday.  The day where I don’t get out of my jammies, I don’t answer the phone; I don’t cook, clean, do laundry…nothing.  I lay on the couch with my hubby, watch mindless TV, order pizza and take a million naps.

Now don’t get me wrong…I love my life and I’m very happy with both the bar/restaurant and my “big girl” job.  Sometimes I feel pretty damn lucky…like I “have my cake and I’m eating it too” kind of thing. What drives me crazy is that everything needs to run on a very tight, strict schedule or it all won’t get done and I can’t have that.  My list each and every week has to get done or I feel like everything is falling apart.  I know, that’s slightly dramatic but, it’s the truth.  This must be what it’s like to have children.  I can’t imagine all of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, running around and craziness that goes into to being a parent.  Especially if you’re working parents.  I think you guys are crazy but I give you mad props.  Because if my week is this crazy and it’s just because I own my own business and work another job…I can’t imagine what it’s like to have kids. 

So I guess this blog post is dedicated to all of the hardworking people and parents who just don’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done but somehow always managed to get done…like me!

Happy Hump Day!

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Emmy's Heart

I was watching NBC Nightly News and saw this great piece about Emmy's Heart, an organization that makes tutus and capes for kids who are in the hospital. What a great idea! The video ’Tutu Lady’ delivers joy to sick kids told the story of how the creator, Laura Pita, got the idea because her son was sick in the hospital as well as her mom and she needed something to do to keep her mind busy.

All of the tutu and cape makers are volunteers, Laura's friends. I think this would be a fun thing to do for a girls night! Laura is currently doing this for a couple of hospitals in Florida but encourages you to try it in your town.

If you can't be creative, we can still help because Emmy's Heart also accepts monetary and supply donations. So the next time you take a trip to JoAnn Fabrics or Michael's clearance bin, or your mom or grandma's sewing closet, pick out a few extras that they have and donate them! On the website, they state, "We use rolls of 6-inch tulle to make our tutus and crowns. Capes are make from poly/cotton blend broadcloth with felt appliques. Our hair items are made with grosgrain ribbon. We also use 3/4 inch no-roll elastic and velcro. Did I mention buttons? We love to embellish our hair items with fun buttons too!"

If you and your friends decide to create some flare, Laura promises it doesn't require much! Why not make a couple of tutus or capes to make a child's day brighter? I am sure Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh would gladly accept your donation. In fact, a friend of the WWB and local designer, Angie of Sew Addicted in Pittsburgh said she already has a ton of tutus that she would love to donate. Follow her and Emmy's Heart on Facebook!

Let me know if you do donate or make your own designs. I would love to see them!

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