June 18, 2010

It's a Girl's Weekend

As the school year comes to a close, my girls host an annual end-of-year-sleepover for their friends. And because daughter Amanda finally protested that she and her friends wanted to sleep outdoors in the camper too, we relented and have split the weekend. So instead of sixteen girls for one night, there will be eight on Friday and eight on Saturday. I haven't decided which is worse...

Seriously though, my girls have great friends. I've heard so many stories about teenage girls that I often find myself feeling a little guilty that we seemed to have escaped all the drama. I know we have a way to go - we've already survived one driver's license, dating dilemmas, and college tuition with their big brother - but we feel enormously blessed to be surrounded by such confident, smart, and caring little women.

Some of these relationships started when they were just in kindergarten, while others are new just this year. Yet each girl brings out the best in one another. Having my own BFF, I know what's it's like to find someone who understands who you are and accepts you on every level - warts and all. It makes me deliriously happy to know that when I can't look out for them, these girls will.

I recently got a glimpse into the future not too long ago... I picked up Kate from a sleepover, and there they were - the Fab 4 (the original group of BFF's) - all bustling around the kitchen putting on their shoes and eating the last of the cereal, when I suddenly had a vision of them getting ready for prom, walking down the aisle to get their diplomas, and saying good-bye as they went their separate ways toward college. I had to steady myself against the door-jam just for a minute, but I felt at peace, too. I know they will be there for one another through the good and the bad. I know they will love each other like sisters – with any luck – for the rest of their lives. And I know that the relationship that my girls have with one another has somehow fostered the relationships they have now and in the future. Thank God.

So this weekend, I plan to take it all in. The video camera will be ready to capture this small space in time. And I will send a little prayer to the heavens that this is just the beginning.

June 17, 2010

Time

A few years back, I had the opportunity to take an extended vacation with my family and I fell in love. I realized then and there this would become the norm instead of the exception.

We're all working so hard to achieve goals, climb the corporate ladder, and make a living, that we often burn ourselves out before seeing any results. And like many of you, I was/am on that same schedule. But after getting knocked back by the economy, watching my girls grow up much faster than I liked, and realizing success is not about numbers - I said enough.

I had established and sustained a successful business for enough years to learn how to juggle being away, yet still stay in touch. I also learned that it was imperative that I gain a fresh perspective so I could actually run my business more efficiently - and that certainly wasn't happening breaking my neck to meet deadlines. I now know that I NEED the time to re-group, relax, and re-purpose my business and my life.

So what exactly do I do? I completely (or almost completely) unplug. There is no television on my vacation and I keep telephone and computer communication to a minimum. I’ve even decided that this year I’m not going to blog the entire time either. After posting 5 days a week for nearly a year, I gave myself permission to take a break from this, too. Instead, I use this time to write articles, essays, and new curriculum. And I write for pleasure.

Aside from keeping my business running, the whole purpose of this time away is to reconnect with family. We’re all in this together. The girls do not grumble about our time away or complain about my un-plugging "rule"; they cherish it as much as we do. We are all in constant motion swimming in salt and fresh water on a daily basis, and having real conversations whenever we’re not. We see who can read the most books (or pages) in friendly competition. We enjoy long bike rides, soft-serve ice cream at our favorite drive-in, and counting the stars at night.

Time is something we never get back no matter how hard we work. I’m learning to work smarter and enjoy the time I have a little more each day.

June 16, 2010

Camping for Grown-ups

By all accounts, I'm what you might call an 'indoor girl'. Dressing up each day for work or dinner was part of my regular routine - until I moved to the woods! We built our house on several acres just outside of a beautiful small town, but little did I know that cable television and street lights would become a thing of the past. Instead, I spent my first summer up here listening to the sounds of the coyotes outside my bedroom window, and praying for the loud beeps and constant rush of city traffic instead. However, if you stick a girl in the country long enough, she learns to adapt. If you asked me what my favorite room in my house is right now, I'd tell you it's my porch. I'm taking two-mile walks with hubby through neighboring woods on a regular basis. I've slept under the stars and showered outdoors... and I gotta tell you - I really like it.

Ever since my dad built my sister and me our own little house when we were children, I've been hooked on creating little hide-aways and secret places all my own. I couldn't wait to take my children to see the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse at Disney World, knowing that they would love it as much as I did. As an adult, I've longed for my own 'little house' in my own backyard. I'd even settle for a stylish treehouse like the ones creatively crafted in the movie Robin Hood. And that's when I found these pictures. In my little dream world, there are no creepy crawlies, slithering snakes or rain to spoil the fun - only lots of fresh air and sunshine followed by cool breezes that lull you to sleep. Camping for grown-ups is anything but child's play.

Inspired? If you can't build something as elaborate as the tent structure pictured above, this version uses a simple platform floor instead of decking. If you plan to build a semi-permanent structure, some type of flooring is ideal so you can keep furnishings (and yourself) away from damp grass.

This simple canvas and pole structure can go up in a matter of minutes, and a no-fuss outdoor rug will make it cozy.

Images scanned from my collection

June 4, 2010

Taylor Made

Six months ago, David went online (with millions of other people) to purchase Taylor Swift tickets and he got them! The concert sold out in less than 15 minutes. For three weeks we secretly grinned at one another, and then on Christmas morning, we presented them to our two daughters. I can't even describe the joy on their faces. My youngest absolutely LOVES her and won her middle school talent show by belting out a Taylor tune. Let's just say tears were involved.

Now, six months later, we're finally going - tomorrow night! Just us girls and 68,700 friends!