Real Moms, A Belated Happy Mothers Day & Misc

This Mom Blogger wishes all of you Moms out there a belated Happy Mother's Day. Again I find myself MIA and have to make a more serious commitment to my blogging activities. I am sure all Moms out there can relate. Too much to do, not enough time to do it in....

There's been a lot happening on the Mom Businesswoman front here and it's all exciting, challenging and believe me keeping me busy!

Over the past few months I've welcomed some new business partners in my Home Gourmet Candle Business from around the country. Each of them is a wonderful addition to my candle business family and brings their own talents, gifts and enthusiasm to the table.

I dare say I am blessed because there is so much negative swing on the economy and small business. It's why I rarely watch the news or listen to the media anymore. I choose to put blinders on and not "buy into" the propaganda.

While I can not refute that today's world economically is different than it was a few years ago, opportunities still exist out there! You have to look a little harder to find them. Often times they are disguised as hard work, often for very little pay in the beginning but in the long run so worth it. It's a time to reinvent yourself....who you are, your WHY, your goals and what you want your life to look like months and years down the road.

We have to become believers - in the system and in our own destiny. I know for some it's hard to find that faith in light of all the negative spin on the economy but we can create our own opportunities to survive, if not prosper, despite what is going on all around us.

Thanks to my circle of customers, business partners and networking friends I consider myself truly blessed. My business and opportunity still presents itself to me every day and that in itself is a blessing.

Okay, so I'm off the soapbox. You know what I am saying. I have become even stronger in my convictions on some things:

First, that we must support our small businesses, local economy and that Made In The USA is more than just a slogan but saves jobs in America. I am finding ways to support my fellow WAHMs, local small business and companies that value the American worker instead of buying from Corporate giants who import from other countries.

Second, I have become more creative in my personal finances. Figuring out where I can get the most value for my money, how I can benefit from that purchase by shopping online and receiving discounts and/or rebates or some benefit to my family. Locally, I am taking advantage of those coupons and discounts too! I find myself being more frugal and looking for the greatest benefit from all the purchases I'm making today....

Third, that going green and saving our planet is something we all need to do and think about! Our national economy does depend on that as we are so dependent on products and companies that pollute our environment, ruin our national resources and nature and just generally do stuff that is not good. I can't turn a blind eye to that.

Onward to another fun and exciting happening in my life. I became City Leader and Director of Operations for a social networking site for Moms here locally. It's been a wonderful opportunity and it's exciting and growing daily. I thank my new friend and associate Dayna and City Mommy for making that happen.

I've added a link to City Mommy to the blog where you can visit and if you are a Southwest Florida Mom sign up and join in the fun!

It's an online social network. Think of us as the Facebook of Southwest Florida Moms. Online there is a Message Board/Forum, Groups of interest, Calendar of Events, Shopping Links, Business Directory and more....

Offline we are in the planning stages of events in Southwest Florida that will be fun, family-friendly, include our children and provide some fun outlets for get togethers and play dates especially this summer when the kids are out of school.

So if you are a Southwest Florida Mom please be sure to join us today and create your profile by clicking the City Mommy button.

If you are interested in promoting your business to Moms in Southwest Florida please get in touch with me because this group and venue is going to provide you with an excellent opportunity to do so! You can email me at my email address for the group which is citymommyswfl@embarqmail.com.

So that's my life on a professional level of late...

On a personal level I had a wonderful Mother's Day and hope all of you did also. I had a nice little getaway with my son and a group of family friends at Fort Myers Beach. We stayed at a hotel, the kids played and had a blast and it was just overall a good time.

It's hard to believe this is my 9th year of being a Mom. Where did the time go? My baby boy is now very much a young man and amazes me every day!

I created this fun trip down Memory Lane for those of you who know us and wanted to share it. Several have told me it made them want to reach for a box of tissues but it's a great look back on my little man. I made it for him. He loved it and so did others so we decided to share it on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdzSkeBny7A

I look at my son today and he's grown so much. That little angelic creature is now a big boy with long legs and a typical 8-1/2 year old boy complete with all that goes along with it....

I shared this on the City Mommy Message Board recently but wanted to share it with my Mom Blogger friends as well. It's entitled Real Moms and is a tribute to Moms as well as a statement about the growth pattern of our children from baby to tween to teen to adulthood.

It touched me on several levels. First because admittedly I'm a Real Mom and my life although I strive for the best can be crazy at times and a Murphy's Law kind of existence. I'm sure a lot of you can relate.

Second because when I look at the growth pattern part it saddens me because most at age 45 are supposed to be asking "Wonder what Mom thinks about it?" As a forty-something woman I lost my Mom already and this was the first Mother's Day without her with us. It was bittersweet in that sense. I miss her daily and I don't think I'll ever get over that feeling.

So here it is with my wishes for a belated Happy Mother's Day to all. I'll catch everyone next time. Stay happy, productive and blessed!

REAL MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother....

The Images of A Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Mom doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She's clueless.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman?!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom thinks about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!