8 Dealing With Graduation Emotions (Tips for Mom)

Graduation...New Life Ahead! What about the people you leave behind?

College Bound Babies...What's a Mama To Do? 

Exciting Times!! A New Chapter, New Beginnings, New Dreams....but wait!!!

How does that chapter look for Mom?

Graduation Blues

Rarely do I talk to a Mother who doesn't think she will need a box of tissues (or two) to get through the emotional roller coaster of a child graduating from High School. (or college)

Questions I'm frequently asked..

How did you deal with your youngest moving away to college? 

How did you adjust to the girls being on their own? 

How do you deal with the sadness?

I want to thank my friend Laura for inspiring me to write this post, she recently shared that her daughter is leaving home to attend grad school...although she is filled with joy and happiness for her daughter's accomplishments she is also overwhelmed with how much she will miss her...

Those darn mixed emotions...we ALL experience them.  On one hand we are a proud parent and on the other hand we are panicking....What is next for ME??!!!  For US? How will this affect our relationship?

8 Sometimes...Life Happens

Where in the world have you been? Everything okay at the Nest?  

Where have I been? I last posted on my birthday over two months ago...when I asked myself some tough questions....honestly I've been searching for answers.

Priority Check

I took these last two months to get some priorities in order.   I have been doing a lot of growing and changing since my girls left the nest... I find myself wanting different things from life:

• to play
• to sit back and enjoy
• to experience life to the fullest

 My life used to remind me of a song by Alabama

I'm in a hurry to get things done....

I Rush and Rush until Lifes No Fun

Immersed in my career; working full time (50-60 hours a week) as an Elementary School Teacher, raced around bringing the girls to after school activities, spent every weekend running errands....As I look back, I'm disappointed that I rushed around without taking the time to stop and "smell the roses."

Now the advice I give to friends with young children, "Enjoy every moment, turn around twice and they are grown!"

Life One Day at a Time

I realize that my priorities have changed due to some life events.  The death of three friends (around my age) and my amazing sister, who has been battling cancer for the past 10 months.  (please keep those thoughts and prayers coming!)

As I wake up each morning, I don't focus on the negative but embrace the miracles of each new day.  Although I absolutely LOVE my job I no longer "Live to Work" but instead "I Work to Live".

I try to capture the beauty in each day....I recently purchased a Canon Rebel T5i and have been spending the weekends taking photographs instead of running errands. 

11 Facing Some Mid-Life Reflection

Happy Birthday to Me...

 I love to celebrate...I want to...another year of precious memories I've collected...
however this year I'm facing a Mid-Life Crisis Reflection.

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16 Roasted Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Red Potatoes

It's A Boy!!

What??!! When?? How?? 
Don't worry dear readers...I'm NOT trying to fill the nest...but one of my blogger friends is starting to fill hers!
I'm so excited to participate in a virtual baby shower for my blogger buddy Katie.  If you aren't familiar with Katie she has two amazing blogs! One is her cooking blog, Katie's Cucina and the other is my favorite type... a D.I.Y. blog she shares with her handy husband, Sew Woodsy.

Katie and her hubby Jon are expecting their first child, a BOY,  in March.  What better way to get them prepared then with a virtual Baby Shower! Easy meal and craft ideas for a new Mama...(or any Mama because we are all extremely BUSY!)

Roasted Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Red Potatoes

There is something extremely comforting about a roasting chicken in the oven...the warmth and aroma which permeates throughout your home screams COZY to me.  The thought of a wee newborn and Mama sleeping while Daddy whips up this EASY but Delish dish fills my heart with joy.

I have adapted this dish from the One and Only Martha...it was in an issue of my Fave magazine, Martha Stewart Living you can find the original recipe here.

3 Are You Ready for Some...Superbowl Recipes and $500 Giveaway?

Most of you know I am a HUGE College Football Girl.  I'm still on "Cloud 9" since my Florida State Seminoles ended their AMAZING season as the National Champions.

But another "big" game is approaching in 7 days....The Superbowl!!
I'm always up for a great Superbowl Party....Nothing like the four "F"s  - Friends, Fun, Food and Football!  

3 Try Amazon Prime for FREE!

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I LOVE to save money.  Who doesn't right? I have never met a person that says "I love to throw my money away" Join my Saving Money in 2014 group here.
One of my most popular posts from last year was when I shared our experience of Cutting the Cable Cord. 

Our cable bill just kept creeping up and before I knew it we were paying  over $120 a month for TV with no special channels like HBO, Showtime... To me this was ridiculous, we are not big TV watchers and with all the streaming options out there..we Cut the Cord and I have No Regrets!

Read How we Cut the Cord

Amazon Prime 

One thing that made the no cable transition easier is that I'm a member of Amazon Prime.  Amazon Prime is a special membership program that offers participants premium benefits for just $79 per year.

I joined years ago, mostly because I am a reading teacher so when I see a children's book or a professional book...or any book for that matter I want it right away! Patience is NOT a virtue for this gal!  Amazon Prime has FREE 2 day shipping which was a selling point for me!
Before I became a Prime member, I would need to increase my order to $25 dollars to get free Super Saver Shipping, (I don't like paying shipping) causing me to buy something I didn't necessarily need.

As of October 21, 2013, Amazon Super Saver Shipping has increased from $25 to $35.  That means unless you have a Prime Account, you have to purchase over $35 on some items to get the free shipping.

What I LOVE... now that we Cut the Cable Cord is the ability to watch over 40,000 movies and TV episodes, anytime.  We have been watching the Good Wife recently...

Downton Abby is another awesome show I enjoy on the nights when the Lieutenant is at the fire station.

Plus, since I am a Prime member and receive FREE two-day shipping on millions of products with no minimum order size - I did ALL of my Holiday shopping in my PJs! (I have to admit that is my favorite way to shop!)
The Prime membership also includes access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.  My hubby loves this feature since the girls bought their Daddy a Kindle for his Birthday last year. He can "check" out an e-book and return it when he is finished...no due date looming...no stress of not finishing before the book disappears from your Kindle.

Right now Amazon is offering a FREE 1-month trial of Amazon Prime.

Starting December 26 through January 10, 2014, sign up for Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial.

See what you think....if your aren't happy you can cancel.  But if you are like me, you'll end up being a Prime member for years to come!!

Who else is a Prime member?  What do you like about it?  What are you watching (or did you enjoy?)...I need some more ideas!! Leave me a comment below!

Join in on the Saving Money and Getting Organized in 2014 Support Group here!

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Thanks for Reading!
xoxo