SINGLE MOM SEEKS SANITY!!

I was thinkin about my sanity. . . . . . . . Oh, right, my sanity. As a single mom, I can really focus on how difficult life is. No husband; teenage children; teenage driver; running two businesses; dishes; laundry; grocery shopping; etc. That can all get me down. But it usually doesn't. What really gets to me is . . . WHERE did my sanity go? So, NOT desperately seeking single male, etc. Just seeking sanity. Then, maybe I can begin to work on when and where the bills get taken care of, what and how to take care of meals, and excel in business. Oh, one of the days, I thought I might try getting a life, too. You know, on second thought, I think I rather enjoy rattling around as I am. Bring it on, house! Bring it on, kids! Bring it on Business World. I am so ready for you! I guess I do have a life after all. And you know, I absolutely am enjoying the ride! Come on, kids, keep up!

Lists

I was thinkin about lists. We make all kinds of lists. There's the to-do list to help us stay on track and get to our goals. There's the shopping list which is supposed to keep good things going into our carts and keep bad things on the shelves. There's the best-dressed and worst-dressed lists so we can keep up with what should and shouldn't be worn this season. There's the top ten bestsellers to guide our reading. And, of course, the laundry list. The laundry list is our list of grievances. I am not sure why people keep these laundry lists, but we do. I do. So do you. Admit it. All it takes is an offense at the right moment of weakness and out comes our laundry list. We indignantly go through this list reminding ourselves of others' short-comings, errors and mistakes. Somehow, this is supposed to make us feel better, I guess. What I have found is that it only takes a few minutes' reflection on this list before I begin to feel worse, not better. So, I started keeping a different list. It is my lucky list. Why am I so lucky? After all, it wasn't part of my plan to be a single mom. It certainly wasn't part of the plan to be in my 40s and trying to make a new business into an overnight success while my teenagers act like -- well, teenagers. I could go on -- but instead, let's turn the corner and check out my lucky list. I like being single. I went from my parents to my husband with almost no time on my own. Now I am in the position of responsibility. If I choose to give my time, my money or my passions to something, I can. That means I get to take on the challenge of being my own boss; well, as long as my twin sister & partner agrees. I like what I do for a living. I chose to go into sales, an arena I had long been invited to compete in which I was afraid of in the past. I like working with my family. My twin sister and I are partners in this venture, her husband is the technician and our parents guide us as mentors and co-workers. They believe in us enough to invest their money, their time and their experience. Since our parents have run successful businesses individually and jointly, we have a huge well of experience from which to draw. Did I mention that I am a mother? Well, I really like my kids. I have a wonderful 16-year-old daughter who is receiving invitations from every college in the USA and several European institutions as well. She is a beautiful, creative, delightful young lady who I greatly admire. I wish I had had it so together at her age. Then, there is my handsome 14-year-old son. He has grown so tall lately and he works out with his grandfather four days a week. Much to his delight and my squealing fright, he can now lift me up! He has a great sense of humor and a fantastic sense of gentleness and honor. Both of my children make me proud. When they aren't too busy, I love just spending the day or the evening with them. I like my friends. Since my separation from my husband, I have added so many new and supportive friends to my life that I have difficulty counting them all. And the very best friends that I have are also my family -- friends who are hard to lose! Oh yes, my lucky list goes on and on. It makes me smile and keeps me focused on what's important, what gives me energy and guides the decisions that steer my life. Let me ask, what is on your list today? Who will you let make it onto your list? Does your list help you or hinder you? Can I suggest that you throw away your laundry list and begin your lucky list? I believe you will find new delight in your everyday life -- after all, it is extraordinarily wonderful and full of good things just for you!

Privacy, Please

Wow, so OK, my sister and I found out today about a couple of web sites that can publish all kinds of information about you. We searched up our names. It is really scary the information available out there. Have we all lost all concept of the true right to privacy? Is the whole, living-my-life-on-web thing taking away what used to stand for common sense? I wonder, what happens when we have all been reduced to the numbers that represent us and these numbers are so freely available? What happens when we no longer have true identity and we socially seek more and more ways to create individual identities? I mean, what do you think? Are you silly enough to believe that coding our identities into computer chips we place under our skin will be do it? Don't believe that for a minute! This is definitely something we all must fight. What about DNA? After all, this is supposed to be so unique, right? Remember, this all gets coded back to numbers, stored on data banks, etc. Information stored this way, becomes information other people can tap into. Some day, DNA identity theft will be as common an occurrence as the modern-day identity theft is....and probably sooner than we all think. Any ideas, comments, or shared phobias on this one?

Camp Director

I thought I'd say a few words about our Camp Director. I know she won't toot her own horn. Our Director is courageous, fun, funny, loving, loyal, generous, integritive and smart. Courageous - Courage is not the abscense of fear. It is having fear and facing it head. CD does this continually in work, home and friendship. Although she doesn't like to "fight" she won't back down either. She stands her ground when she know's she right and won't let anyone take advantage of her, her friends and her family. Fun - she's always thinking of things to do and places to go and she even makes working out at the gym a fun time. Funny - she's got a great sense of humor. She can make you laugh with out much work and her laugh is a contageous one. Loving - Once your "in" her circle she'll lavish you with love. Affection show by phone calls, hugs, encouragement, praise. CD is definitly a BALCONY person. Loyal - very loyal, until you do something to prove you're not loyal to her. She'll give you the benefit of the doubt once, maybe twice, but she expect loyalty to be two way street. And who can blame her. I wouldn't want my friends to be disloyal to me and expect me to roll over and accept it. Once the bond is established between her and her friend/family/business associate, she will do everything in her power to help, encourage, talk to, defend, and promote, them. Generous - Generous to a fault. She'll give her friends and family her most vauled possesion. Her time and as much of it as you're willing to take (sometimes to her disadvantage). What's funny is those same people (and I'm guilty of it too) who keep her occupied frequently are the same ones that give her a horrible time for being late! Let me be the first to apologize for doing that and I'll try better in the future. Integritive - CD will be honest and truthful and still try to be tactful, soft and gentle if its somehting that you don't want to hear or is difficult to hear. Smart - We all have opinions and we give them to our friends and family quite frequently :) CD's however is usually right on the mark. She can give you such perspectives on issue and problems and fun times that it makes you see things from more than just your tunneled vision will allow. She is quite the friend. I am truly, truly grateful she's in my life. Grateful I can count her friend, sister almost. My life and the lives of my family are enriched by her generosity, love, laughter and spirtuality. Keep it up CD - you're place in heaven is most assuredly reserved.