This is 50 . . . A Self-Reflection on Aging

It's been a while since I've done a reflective, personal post . . .but this morning, when I pulled out my journal to do my daily writing, the words just flowed . . .and I felt a move to share them with you.  So here we go . . .

This is 50 . . .so many ideas swirling around about this number, this season, this time in my life. It seems both profound and yet just another day, all at the same time.

Baby steps forward, always improving upon what I know and what I've learned. More comfortable in my own skin, yet the skin feels and fits differently. It looks different. No judgement - I'll be 50 soon, I've learned to try and leave judgement behind - it serves no positive purpose.

49 Things I Am Grateful For on My 49th Birthday

Birthdays roll around once a year. Like it or not, every 365 days we add another number to our age. For years, when we are kids, we can't wait to get older. As we move into early adulthood, that eagerness begins to wane. Sometime around 30 the groans begin. Before you know it, you're 40, and then 40something . . .

I've always considered age nothing but a number, it truly is about how you feel. With 50 as my next approaching number in a short 365 days, I'd be lying if I told you I haven't considered what getting "older" means to me and how it makes me feel. Want to know a secret? I feel pretty good about heading into the second half of my life.

A Look Back at Nineteen Years of Marriage

 I was not one of those little girls that dreamed about getting married. I didn't play "bride" and I'm not even sure my Barbie had a wedding dress (she MUST have - right?). But despite all that, I am lucky enough to be celebrating 19 years of marriage today - to the same man. That's a long time, and I am a lucky girl.

I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends and family that have had both successful and happy marriages, and some not-so-great marriages. I have friends going through really terrible divorces, and my heart aches for them. Not because my situation is so storybook (because it isn't - marriage is hard yo), but because the process of ending something and beginning new can be hard and scary. There is something for me to learn form all of them, and I'm grateful.

John and I met, in the parking lot of The Philadelphia Art Museum, on a January night in 1991. We were both attendees of a very memorable ski trip, organized by a mutual friend - we had never met before. He wasn't my typical "type" at the time, which is probably why it all worked out so well. Four years later, he proposed at the top of the Empire State Building and I said YES. That was before Twitter or Instagram - so there are no "selfies" from the event. But I remember it, as if it was yesterday. Down to the gigantic issue of Modern Bride I bought at the newsstand on the street the very same day.

We planned a fall wedding, and in front of family and friends exchanged our vows. We are both children of divorce, so whether that has impacted the way we approach marriage or not, I don't know. Marriage isn't easy, and we have had our share of issues. We work them out - together.

We have two wonderful boys and we work together to give our kids all the love and protection we can, with a supportive and nurturing extended family. I remember the first day we brought Ryan home from the hospital, set him on the coffee table and looked at each other, "What do we do now?" I asked him. We are very lucky, and I know that, even on days when I take it all for granted.

I am not the perfect wife - I probably never will be. But I work hard for the life and family that we have together. The love I feel is deeper than I can find the words to describe and to me, that is really what marriage is all about.

So dear reader, are you married? How long have you been married?

catch you soon -

One Little Word - 2014

And just like that. . .the perfect word just jumps out and grabs a hold of you. . .that's how you know you've chosen wisely (or did it choose you?)

If you've been around the blog for a while, you may know that rather than make new year's resolutions, I choose a word. The inspiring Ali Edwards set me on this course, and I have chosen to follow it for 6 years (since 2008). Some years, the word flows through my life regularly. Sometimes - it hits in flashes of clarity.

Either way, for me this is the best way to set my course for the upcoming year, and for 2014, my One Little Word is Journey.

Journey - an act of traveling from one place to another

Where will 2014 take me? I am excited to see where my journey will lead this year. My journey of work in blogging and social media, my journey as half of a married couple, my journey as a mother to two wonderful boys, my journey as a woman . . . we set upon the path of many journeys in our lives, and this year, I plan to pay attention to mine - to chart a course if you will.

I hope you'll join me in my journey this year - I plan to check in here with you once a month.

Are you selecting a word to guide you this year? What's your One Little Word?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | Favorite Theme Park

This week's #vlogmom prompt is from Jenn over at Mommy B Knows Best. Jenn asked us:

"What is your favorite theme park, and why?"

And here's what I had to say. . .



How about you? Are you a theme park fan? What's your favorite?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | It's Just a Little Crush

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Alissa over at Clever Compass. Alissa asks the ladies of #vlogmom:

"Who was your first crush?"

I don't know about you, but this crowned "Class Flirt" has had her fair share of crushes, and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. According to the dictionary, a crush is a brief but intense infatuation of someone unattainable or inappropriate.

And perfect for a warm summer day. . .



Time to 'fess up . . .who are YOU crushing on?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | Growing Pains

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Kelli, who blogs at Momma Needs A Beer. Kelli asked us, "What is something you've outgrown?"

Here's my take on how I've evolved as a person . . . or not. . .



So share with us, what is something you've outgrown?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | Heritage and Geneology

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Bay over at Queen Mother Blog.  Bay asked us, "What is your heritage? Are you interested in genealogy?"

Here's my response, and while I may not be a family tree nut, I am a little obsessed with old pictures and threw some into the video from about 60 years ago.  Enjoy!



How about you? Do you have an interesting family heritage story?

catch you soon-

If I Were President. . .

Photo courtesy of Dresden from www.creatingmotherhood.com

Madam President. . .

My friend Jessica over at Found the Marbles, had an idea for a great link up today in honor of President's Day:

"If YOU were President, what laws would you pass?"

How many times do you say, "there ought to be a law. . ." only to remember that there IS in fact a law. . .like using your turn signal - come on people - EVERY car comes with them - STANDARD.

But sometimes, there isn't a law, and there really should be. So for a minute, let's imagine I had Super Powers to pass laws with no regard for the House or Senate. . .what would I pass you ask?

There Ought To Be A Law - When the sign says, "10 items or less" it MEANS 10 items or LESS.

There Ought To Be A Law - No Uggs with shorts.

There Ought To Be A Law - You can only use ONE parking space per vehicle (hmm that might already BE a law - hard to tell some days)

There Ought To Be A Law - Clipping your nails and other personal grooming habits should ONLY happen in private places - not on say, a train.

There Ought To Be A Law - No Line Cutting - wait your turn like everyone else. This law should apply to ANY line - people, cars, etc.

There Ought To Be A Law - Everyone should get to go to Disney at least once.


So tell me readers, if YOU had super Presidential Powers - what laws would YOU make?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | tales from the dating circuit

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Michelle at Honest and Truly. Michelle asked us, "What was your worst date ever?"

I have to admit, no horror stories came to mind. . .maybe I ended up so lucky in the dating game, that anything bad melted away. . .maybe I'm just too old to remember dating. . .I know you can't wait to hear what I have to say. . .




How about you? What is your dating horror story? Or, like me, was it overshadowed by true love and melted into forgetfulness?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | My Teenage Life

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Jenn over at MommyB Knows Best.  Jenn asked us, "What three things would you tell your teenage self if you could go back in time?"

A totally fun question - right?  Here's what I would tell that young woman. . .



So tell me. . .what would tell YOUR 16 year old self?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | My Life List

 
This week's #vlogmom prompt is from Jessica over at Found The Marbles.  Jessica asked, "Do you have a Life List? If you do, what three things are you most eager to cross off that list, and why?"

Now I consider myself a big list maker. . .this one. . .not so much. . .




So, what say you? Are you a Life List maker?

catch you soon -

Scattergories: The Blog Slump Edition - brought to you by the letter F

So Dresden, over at CreatingMotherhood.com did a totally fun game on her blog today.  Have you ever played Scattergories? You know, that game with the weird shaped letter die?

Well today, she created a blog version. . .and I decided to play along, because it's fun!  It looks like this:

Use the first letter of the answer to the first question to come up with answers for the rest.
(and have fun – this is silliness!)

1 )What is your favorite thing to write about?
     Fashion.

2) Something you would never write about
     Formidable topics like sex, religion and politics.  Although, you never know. . .

3) Something you would love to read other people writing about
     Fashion (have I used that word already??)

4) Something you would cook from a recipe on someone’s site
     French bread.

5) Something you would tell strangers about your blog/ site
     Full of GREAT information and helpful tips!

6) Something you would tell your mother/father/ parent person to write about
     Fashion. . .okay, maybe not. . .although my mom was a TOTAL Fashionista.

7) Some place that you would love spend the day writing
     France. . .south of

8 ) Something you would say to your neighbor if she had a comment section
      Find more time to play bridge!

9) Some blogger you would like to have dinner with
     Fadra from AllthingsFadra.com

10) Something you will tweet when you finally write a post after a slump
      FIST BUMP this post is done!

Feel free to play along on Dresden's blog, in the comments section here, or on your own blog.

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | The First Time

For this week's #vlogmom prompt, Jessica from A Parent In America asks, "When did you first start reading blogs? What captivated you about this medium? What are some the of the first blogs you read?"

So here is what I had to say. . .about my very first time. . .



How about you? How long have you been reading blogs? Do you remember some of the blogs you read first? Are they still around?

catch you soon - 

#vlogmom | You Say It's Your Birthday

This week's #vlogmom prompt comes from Kelly over at The Centsible Life.  Kelly wnats to know, "What would your ideal birthday be like?"

I have had many birthdays . . .some better than others. . .but what do I think is the "ideal" birthday? Watch and see:



Now it's your turn - what would your ideal birthday be like? Leave a comment, or create your own vlog and link up with #vlogmom in the linky below.

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | Good Enough

This week's #vlogmom prompt is from Brandi at MamaKnowsItAll.  Brandi asked, "Besides being a mother, what are you really, really good at?"

So this topic, really gave me something to think about.  I know I am good at lots of things. . .but to me, they just seem like everyday things that a LOT of people are good at.  When someone asks this questions, I always wish I was a great singer, or could play an instrument. . .but my answers tend more towards things like being good at putting outfits together, being a good friend . . .take a look:



How about you? Do you have a special talent or super power? Share it here, or make your own vlog and link up with #vlogmom.

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | $2000 Spending Spree

This week's #vlogmom prompt is from Jessica at Found The Marbles: "If you had $2000 to spend on YOURSELF, where would you go and what would you buy?"

A $2000 spending spree sounds like a dream right about now. . .



So, what would you buy with $2000 to spend ONLY on yourself? Leave me a comment or make your own video and link up with  #vlogmom.

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | A Peek Inside My Fridge

This week's #vlogmom topis is from Dresden over at Creating Motherhood.  Dresden asked: "Give a tour of your freezer or refrigerator (what's the oldest thing in there?)"

Remember Cribs on MTV? (is it still on??) Everyone would show off the contents of the refrigerator. . .which in most cases consisted of some energy drinks, beer and a few condiments.

Well my refrigerator is a little bit different. . .



What's in your fridge?

catch you soon -

Type A Parent Conference - Finding my Roots

When I told John the name of the conference, he asked, "So you're going to spend time with your people?"

At the time I didn't know how very right he was. . .now with my very first blogger conference in my rearview mirror, I know that they are indeed "my people".

Mostly women (a few men were present - some bloggers, some sponsors), who spend all or part of their life writing online.  The Type-A page says that the "Type A Parent Conference . . . is designed to help social media/blogging parents and the companies who want to connect with them, take it to the next level."

Sort of like speed dating.

So what did I do there? First and foremost I got to meet women whose writing and style and drive I admire, in real life.  I not only got to meet them, I got to room with them, eat with them, drink coffee and Brain-tini's  and walk all over Charlotte with them.

The Type-A schedule is jam-packed with informative sessions.  In fact, on more than one occasion, I found myself wishing I could sit in on two or three sessions happening at the same time.

I learned about ranking, I learned about telling a story, I learned that I am not doing NEARLY enough with Google+, I learned new things about vlogging, I learned about pitching and the art of pitch-back, I learned about using Pinterest, I learned about improving my blog design and I was reminded, that ALL of it, is about my written words.

My story.

Why did I start a blog? Well, I started my blog as an online extension of my scrapbook hobby, a place to record memories.

I've always had a flair for the dramatic, and very quickly, if I look back at those 2005 posts, my blog became a place for me to share what was on my mind and happening in my life.  Good things, not so good things, things and places I loved, milestones and achievements.

What Type-A has helped me realize is that none of that has really changed. . .it's evolved.  My blog is the platform I am using to create this new career for myself that involves me as a Social Media Consultant, Brand Ambassador, Blogger Outreach Coordinator . . .and more roles involving new media.  I thrive on the connections. . .they make me happy (though sadly not rich - yet).

I had the chance at Type-A to meet with some wonderful people from some amazing brands. . .embracing a new way of reaching their customers.  Brands interested in sharing their STORY. . .not just their product.  Brands and companies that want to give their customers an experience, rather than just a broom.  How wonderful is it that those brands that make things I LOVE - may want me to speak on their behalf, as an ambassador, reviewer or something else? It's an honor.

This was the first time I have traveled (airplane) by myself in over 11 years.  The world and I have changed a great deal in those 11 years.  Type-A introduced me to this person I am becoming, and it made it okay that I'm becoming her.  I am so lucky to have the support of my family behind me, there is very little grumbling even though we've made many sacrifices and lifestyle changes to accommodate this new me. 

Kelby and Type-A taught me that I'm not alone.  There is a whole group of women (and men) finding a better way and paving new ground. . .and it all starts with the words they are writing.

What's the best blog post you've read lately? What was it that made it SO good?

catch you soon -

#vlogmom | If You Could Travel Anywhere

This week's #vlogmom topic comes from Elizabeth at edVAcation.com  Elizabeth asks, "If you could travel anywhere (no expenses) where you go and why?"



So I'm curious. . .where would you go?

catch you soon -