PIPPY LANE

I have been reflecting a lot lately on what it is going to be like for my girls to raise their own children. To be totally honest, it really gives me anxiety. I personally feel like this world is getting harder to survive in. Let’s face it, it’s already hard enough to parent even when you have support and everything is falling into place as you hope it would.

I find myself thinking about how things are so different from when I was raising my girls. I think about all the challenges that are present now that I didn’t have to think about or worry about. Times change and people change which is what makes the world go round but it does scare me.

Remember when it was safe to let your kids ride their bike around the block? I do not feel like that is the case any longer. Kid’s are getting stolen right out of their own homes now a days. Remember when you felt like if you ever needed anything, your neighbor would help? A lot of people don’t even really know their next door neighbor. Remember when it was safe to stop and help someone who’s car broke down on the side of the road? Or you would feel a sigh of relief if you were broke down and someone pulled over to help you? Now, if were being honest, at least for me, if someone pulls over to help me, I am praying that it’s truly a nice person that won’t do me any harm. I hate that this is how our world is now. I want my grandkids to be able to play and be able to be a kid. I want my daughters to not to have to worry about their children getting kidnapped. The list could go on and on. I am told that I worry too much about things that I can’t control. I am trying to get better at giving my troubles to God but the minute I turn on the news and hear the horrible events going on in this world, I am remembering when…

I hope and pray that my girls are able to enjoy life with their kids and have safe places and activities for them. I think that sometimes I feel anxiety over the world that my grandkids will grow up in because I miss the simplicity of how things used to be when my girls were little. Times really have changed things and I know it’s perspective too. There is an old saying that says “You don’t miss something that you never had.” I love this saying but hate it too. I don’t have grandkids YET, so yes, here I am worrying about something that is in the future, but I have come to the conclusion that just as we thought our grandparents were outdated at times and old fashioned, so will my grandkids and it will all be ok. I will be the crazy grandma that worries too much.

I would love for you to comment on this post and let me know how you feel. I know I can’t be the only one to think about these things. Or at least I hope not! LOL. Thanks for reading everyone!

This is for all the girly girls and even for the not so girly girls. You don’t ave to be girly girl to want to feel pretty. Feeling pretty can mean different things for different people. Hopefully my ramblings about this subject will help you find what makes you feel pretty and special.

I am a Mom of two daughters and I have ten nieces that are all girls. That’s right! All ten born within seven years. Needless to say boys are a rarity in my family. Lol. It’s not just my family that I have noticed this tendency for girls to navigate toward certain things that make them feel pretty. It is twenty-seven years of nannying other peoples children that I base my opinion off of that little girls are drawn to things that make them feel pretty.

First, I will talk about my youngest daughter. She is now a Cosmetologist and Make-up artist. She is more of a girly girl than my oldest daughter. I knew by the time this child was eight months old that she would be in the beauty and fashion industry as a professional. She had a fascination with shoes for as long as I can remember and it was undeniable. She would sit for hours trying on everyones shoes and pretending to tie them. Then, Oh Lord! She had to walk in them and fall because they were too big, time and time again, but that didn’t bother her.

Make-up was another adventure for my youngest. She wasn’t allowed to wear make-up in public until she was thirteen years old. This made her so mad because as young as eight years old she was watching videos and self teaching herself techniques that were pretty awesome if I say so myself. But her Dad stuck to his rule of no public make-up until thirteen years old. She would spend hours upon hours applying full on make-up, taking it off and trying the next technique. Practice makes perfect right? Even as young as two years old she would say she was getting her “pretty on.” Love this girl so much.

As my youngest daughter grew up into a an older child, my vision of her in the beauty field became even more evident as she became quit talented at doing fancy hair styles, beautiful make-up designs and she started making videos and doing other peoples hair and make-up for events and special occasions. Her talent is way more than she realizes and way more than I envisioned. God has big plans for this girl and I am so excited to see them unfold. Yes, proud Momma here. Looking back as she has evolved, it is true that starting out at such a young age, she was drawn to the pinks, purples, sparkles, shining and glimmer things that little girls seem to love. Oh, lets not forget the pretty, painted fingernails and toe nails. I think at one point, I had over one-hundred bottles of nail polish.

My oldest daughter, who was not as much of a girly girl, preferred books over a lot of the things that I talked about for my youngest daughter. Although my oldest daughter enjoyed girly things, it wasn’t a every day desire. Nancy Drew would always win over sparkles and glitter and a the library was the always the best idea ever. Still, as a little girl there was that same tendency to go for the pink and purple and the glitter and shiny things. Now that she is grown and is a Police Officer, she wears minimal make-up and usually puts her hair up in a pony tail or bun. Let me tell you though, don’t be fooled. The girl can rock the make-up and hair if she had something to dress up for.

Now, referring to the all the children I have had the honor to nanny for, all of them at different ages, different races, different family backgrounds, low income, middle income, high income, you name it, I have probably seen it over the past twenty-seven years. Yet, one thing that is true, all these little girls, no matter what their story is or what background they come from, they all lean toward the girly, sparkly, shiny and shimmering things. Have you ever went to Dollar Tree and bought the cheap tiaras with the sparkles and gems and the colored beaded necklaces? You know they probably won’t last longer than a week but you buy them any way and when you give them to the girls, they are on cloud nine. The smile and sparkle in their eyes are forever ingrained in your head because these things are fun, girly and shine and shimmer. They love it.

Finally, Let talk about how us big girls like to go get pampered! Yes! As teens and adults, we love spa day, mani and pedi days, going to get our hair cut or highlights put in. We routinely get our eye brows waxed and do the girly things that make us feel pretty and special. I don’t feel guilty, do you? Also, it might be something like taking your car to get detailed or washed that makes you feel pretty. It may be getting a new shampoo or body scrub that smells good or buying a new outfit that you look great in. What ever makes you feel pretty you deserve it. Go for it. I should say that I am not encouraging other, more important bills or priorities that you need to pay attention to, but budget to treat yourself once in awhile. Self care is important.

Things you can do to help you “feel pretty.” Get a manicure or a pedi. I love the gel nail polish on my natural nails and the hot stones with the pedi are amazing. Buy a piece of jewelry you love, buy a outfit that you know you will look fabulous in, Get new shoes. Shoes can make or break an outfit. Try a new eye color or lip liner. Go out of your comfort zone. Live a little. Lol. Get a new hair cut or color. You know you will rock it! Put perfume on or take a hot bubble bath. Find what works for you and do self care! You are worth it. Please leave a comment and let me know what you do to “feel pretty.” Hugs!

I can only imagine that “home” has many different meanings. I was very blessed as a child. My parents divorced when I was four years old and even though they were no longer married, they co-parented very well and remained friendly for my sake. I had two older sisters. One was sixteen years older than me and the other one was eleven years older than me. So growing up, I had many homes that I stayed at and it wasn’t until I was older that I realized how different I was from the majority of my friends. Most of my friends had the normal family or at least in my mind they did. They had both parents living together, they had siblings, usually younger, and of course the family pets.

Although, my family was different, I loved it, even though I thought all my friends had the normal family that somehow had passed me by. My life was interesting for several reasons. Because of the fact that my sisters were so much older than me, I would frequently stay with them and I felt very at home with them. They played a huge part in raising me seeing that they were so much older when I was born. I was always included in their life activities and it was like I had a separate home with each of them. I was one lucky girl. On top of having my sister’s homes to go to, my Dad remarried and in the summer I would go stay with him. Much of my time spent with my parents were between the states of Illinois, where my Dad lived and California, where my Mom lived. So between my two sisters and both my parents, I already had four homes to consider my home. But that’s not all! At some point (I don’t exactly remember when) but my Mom was struggling with depression and I went to live with my Grandparents. They were wonderful and I felt right at home there as well. I was a well loved kid. Thank goodness. I had five wonderful homes that I was considered to be a part of. It wasn’t as if I was a guest either. I truly was wanted and felt like all these different houses were my home.

So when asked what does “Home” mean to me? I will probably have a very different answer than some of you reading this. I personally think that “home” is the place that you feel wanted, safe and loved. Where you can lie your head down and night and sleep knowing that you are in a good and welcoming place. A place that you will wake up happy.

Home at my oldest sister’s home meant talking, giggling so much and not really knowing what we were giggling about. Home with her was being together and cooking tacos. Oh, the tacos! I still love tacos. Her home was my home because together we shared so much. She taught me how to be Sassy too! I was the little sister that wanted to hang out with the big sister and luckily she loved me enough to include me. Thanks Sis!

Home at my other sister’s house meant talking and being silly. I always remember grocery shopping with her and being included in day to things. I remember going boating and eating at restaurants with her and my niece. I babysat a lot for my niece and I loved it so much. Her home was home to me because we made memories and jokes that nobody else understood.

Home at my Grandparent’s house meant lots of food and fun times with family. Grandma would cook every day and expect people to show up. She would start cooking every morning, not knowing how many people would be there for lunch or dinner, but somehow she always had enough for everyone. The amounts of food that woman could cook in such a short time was amazing. Home meant desserts too. I don’t remember a time where there wasn’t something sweet after a meal. Yes, I do blame Grandma for my sweet tooth. Home meant pure silliness and dancing and playing video games with Grandpa. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t beat me. Those were the days. Home meant love, joy and time spent with each other.

Now as an adult with my own home and family, the meaning of “home” to me is different. Home to me is still where the love is and where I feel safest, but home is where my family and friends come. Home is a warm and inviting place where we share stories, memories, make new memories, love each other and if I am being totally honest, occasionally have a disagreement or argument. But because it’s home, that’s where we can be honest and open with the ones we love. Home is my happy place where I go to escape the rest of the world and try to make sense of all the crazy stuff going on in this world. Home is where my grown children come to visit. Home is where we give each other hugs and forgive and encourage each other. Home is what we make it. It’s like legos. You learn to build a home one brick at a time. There is not the perfect home, but there is a home that is perfect for you.

I would love to hear your stories of what “home” means to you. Please share if you feel so inclined. It would totally make my day to hear from you. Have a great day!

If you think about it, communication is the key to life or maybe I should say is the key to finding success in life. We use communication every day. Communication isn’t just talking. It’s in our actions, it’s in our body language, it’s how we say things and how we put extra effort into someone else to tell them we care about them. Communication can be as simple as speaking to someone you know or maybe don’t know. Your communication can cause someone to have a great day or a horrible day. It’s up to you to decide how you communicate and it can be a lot of work for people who struggle with positive communication skills.

I really want to talk about tone of voice. Think about it. When your talking to a child, most likely you are using a more quiet voice and not screaming or yelling your words to them right? If it’s a baby or a young child you probably even change how your voice sounds. I know I do and my family tells me I sound silly, but I don’t mind. Kids love it. It makes them more comfortable. No, I am not suggesting that you go around talking in a funny, little voice to everyone. I am suggesting that paying attention to tone may help you have successful communication with people.

When you are talking to a boss or going on a job interview, you tend to carry yourself a certain way. You want the job right? You dress to impress to communicate that your professional, you answer questions to the best of your ability without saying “Um” too many times and you don’t walk away from your boss while he’s still talking to you. It speaks volumes when you put an effort to make the other person feel heard and acknowledged through communication. It’s not always easy, but I do feel these are reasonable standards to go by.

One thing that I do not like personally is when people won’t look at you when you are talking to them or they are talking to you. Eye contact is something that I feel is no longer being taught with the younger generation. I am not sure why but it really bothers me. I feel like when people won’t look at you when talking to you or being talked to, that they may be hiding something or arebnot trustworthy. Am I alone in this thought process? I understand that there are people with anxiety and some disorders that may be the reason and I am not down playing that. I just think it’s important to be comfortable enough to be able to look at someone when they are talking to you.

I absolutely hate it when people point or shake their finger at you when they talk to you. Stop doing that! It’s belittling and demeaning. It makes you look like a “Know It All.” It comes across as overbearing and sometimes as bullying. I get it that some people are animated and need to do something with their hands when they are talking, but for me, pointing and shaking their finger at me causes me to focus on their finger instead of what they are saying. Just throwing this out there for people to think about.

Another big thing that can cause a problem in relationships and communication is a person’s body language. If I am telling someone something and they have their arms crossed, rolling their eyes or looking away as I am speaking, this is very disrespectful and I will call you out right there. If I am trying to have a conversation with someone and they are paying more attention to their phone than to what I am saying, I will probably ask you to repeat what I just said. Most of the time the person can’t tell me. So frustrating. Put the phone away and actually communicate people!

People communicate differently. I understand that and I am not asking for perfection. I just want people to be aware in today’s fast paced world to slow down and take time to listen, talk and respect each other not only in professional atmospheres but also at home with your kids, spouse, siblings, grandparents, the waitress, the cashier, etc… Think about how many people you communicate with every day. A smile or a wave of the hand can be a friendly hello. Communication is key to many different types of relationships.

Most importantly, I have found that having good communication skills will actually help in scenarios that there is miscommunication. Having good body language, staying calm, having eye contact, talking respectfully and with good tone can go so far in helping a uncomfortable or upsetting situation. Work on it folks! It’s not rocket science but it doesn’t always come natural either. My husband is very socially awkward. All this that I have discussed here is not a natural or easy thing for him. He thinks I am over the top with some things too. LOL. All I want to do is encourage better communication so that relationships, rather casual or professional can be improved and easier. Thanks for reading my ramblings. Please share your thoughts with me on this topic. Would love to hear from you.

What does the word “Gratitude” mean to you? So much goes through my mind when I think of gratitude. I have a picture that hangs above my couch that says “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Does this resonate with you? Are you grateful?

This might seem like a rant at first but hang in there with me. I am so frustrated with the attitude of entitlement from people, especially kids. Kids are so spoiled now a days. Little kids are carrying around VERY expensive cell phones, parents spending hundreds of dollars on brand name clothes that the kids will outgrow in 6 months, some kids do not have any sort of schedule or bedtime and they rule the roost! Parents are bribing their kids with things and promises to get them to behave. Parents are afraid to tell their kids no! Kids are mad if they don’t have the best of the best and I personally think this is ridiculous. Have you seen the extravagant proms and homecomings? How many extra hours does the single mom have to work so that her kid can wear that $400.00 dress and help pay for the limo? I feel like if kids are expecting this kind of greatness at prom or homecoming, then what will they expect for their wedding? Just something to think about.

Are we as a society encouraging our kids to not be grateful or not have gratitude? I get it, I have been there. My girls did the prom and homecoming dances with all the fancy stuff, so please don’t feel judged. These are things I ask myself too. Just wondering what the balance is. It’s so easy to get caught up in the aspect of wanting your kids to fit in as well as wanting to be the parent that can give their kids the best. I don’t begrudge anyone giving their kids the best, but sometimes I feel like we do a disservice to our kids because they don’t have an appreciation for what it takes to get the nicer things in life. I have also seen a trend, even in my own kids, who are 21 and 24 years old, that they feel like they are behind in life because they can’t get the things they want. Kids seem to want in an instant what takes most people 30 plus years to achieve. Does anyone else feel this way? Or is it me?

As a Mom and as a Nanny, I have kids say please and thank you. Ask your kids what they are sgrateful for each day. Teach them gratitude. It’s important. Instead of letting your kid complain that the mashed potatoes are too lumpy to eat, teach them to be thankful that they have mashed potatoes to eat and moreover be grateful for the person who spent time making the mashed potatoes. If you don’t teach them to be grateful for the little things in life and the big things too, I believe that as adults they will struggle to find contentment with the things they have and maybe even feel inadequate because they are always feeling the need for more. More money, a bigger house, a better wife or husband, a better job, etc… I could list a hundred things that could be a factor. Think about who you want to be and who you want your kids to be. Isn’t gratitude one of those things we should want? instill it into your kids. It’s a great feeling when people compliment you on your children and their gratitude.

I admit, I can be a brat sometimes. I like instant gratification. This drives my husband nuts. Lol. When our kids were little we lived in this house that I did not like at all and it wasn’t in the best of neighborhoods. I wanted to move from this house so bad and it just wouldn’t sell. So we took it off the market and I decided that I was going to be grateful that I had a house and learn to love it and be ok with what I had for the time being. So what did I do? I made the house my happy place. I painted, I decorated and told my husband that I was content to stay there because I had made it into what I wanted. Well… God has a funny sense of humor sometimes. As soon as I finished the last room to that house, I had an interested buyer. I honestly believe it was because I had gratitude for the house that I had and I had become ok with where I was at.

I hope you got something out of my ramblings about gratitude. I feel like in today’s fast and furious world a lot of important things and values are getting lost. Tell somebody your grateful for them and you might just make their day. I am grateful to you for reading my blog. Thank you. Be blessed always and tell me about what your grateful for or respond to my rant.