New England Mamas

Let Go

That's a funny saying, isn't it? "Let go". It could mean a variety of things. Some good, some bad, some indifferent.

(A couple weeks ago), for me, "let go" was a very bad thing.

I was let go from my job. With a company I've worked for for 11 years. Purely budgetary reasons, I'm assured - nothing at all personal against my performance. I'm not the only one to go.

Still - it sucks.

I spent (that day) with Hubby, my mom, and Sweetie. I networked via email with friends, family and blogging/writing associates. I made the most of my day.

I'm glad I did, as it all helped me realize something very important.

I'm good. Hubby, Sweetie and I are all good. This is an opportunity. This is the kick in the butt I needed. Now I can get on with my life, pursuing the sort of career I truly feel passionately about.

I'm actually excited. I'm optimistic. I'm setting off on a brand new path - eager to realize my dream career. Writing, editing, educating - these are my passions. These are the areas I'm skilled in and the career path I'm eager to finally - confidently - plant my feet on and march on down. I can do these things. I've been doing them. Now's my chance to actually make a career out of them.

I'm good now. Soon, I will be great!

Oh, and one more thing. I'm going to make the most of this extra time with Sweetie before she heads off to kindergarten in the fall. This, right now, is the last bit of time when Hubby and I can really decide how she'll spend her days. This time with her is truly a gift.

Here's to the future. Here's to pursuing one's passions.

Here's to letting go.

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Reprinted from Sweetie & Me: Spina Bifida Moms.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane...

Nah, it's just Lil' ol' me, Mom on Coffee, and I blog for the most part at my website, MomonCoffee.com.

First and foremost, I need to extend a huge thank you to Mrs. Chicky for allowing me to join this group of amazing moms who certainly know the best place in the country to live, New England. I'm honored to have this opportunity, truly. Now onto the MOC Crew...

We are a family of 5(myself, Big Daddy, Little Man(6), Busy Bee(almost 5), and Rolly Polly(VERY MUCH 3) and we live in the most gorgeous state in New England, if I do say so myself, Maine. Our little town in the Western Mountains is quite famous actually. It is the place that a certain Dreamy TV Doc got his start at a certain Odd Fellows Theater. This village is also the home of some devious men who found the secret to Mentos and Diet Coke. We may not even have a single stop light(hell, we don't even have one of those fancy blinking lights), we may not have those golden arches, or even a shopping center. We do, however, have a community. The Cheers theme song should play upon entering town as whenever you make the trip to the only "market", everyone knows your name, your kids names, even the dog's name. Its why we love our town and our state so much.

Well, I should probably tell you about us a little more. LM and BB, are both in school full time now. So, if you heard some crazy lady screaming with joy from this direction last Thursday, you can now rest well, it was just me. We spent much of the summer exploring and travelling around much of the state. We spent a day panning for gold out at Coos Canyon, we spent a week camping on the beach in Weld, we spent a few days in hell(OK, the locals call it Limestone) visiting Mamere and Papere, and the last day of our summer was spent at Popham Beach getting crispy.

Big Daddy is a commercial contractor, who spends most of his days installing the kitchens in those golden arch places. Little Man is a really sweet boy. He is affectionate, compassionate, and kind. He's my big helper and Lord knows I need all the help I can get with my 2 crazy girls. Busy Bee is the child who scaled walls before she could walk and a whole host of other things that would blow your mind, but lately she's really been coming into her own. Then, there is Rolly Polly, the kid who has yet to sleep through the night, enjoys chocolate frosting way too much(I've really got to lock that fridge), and makes me laugh until I cry, everyday. Well, I suppose all that is left is me. I am a stay at home mom, PTO President, recent therapy graduate. I have very large feet. If I don't have music playing, I'm miserable. Speaking of miserable, that's also me, if I have not consumed copious amounts of coffee by noon. Well, I'm not so much miserable, just non-functioning. OK, lets be honest here, I'm both.

So, that's really us in a long-winded, babbling nutshell. Ayuh!

The Ryka Iron Girl Event

I have never considered myself a runner, per se. I run, but I'm not a die-hard. I mean, seriously, I buy my workout gear at Target. How hard core can I be? And with 3 little boyz, finding the time to exercise is an exercise in itself!

But today? I ran the Ryka Iron Girl 5-Mile Event with my Sis. It was only the 2nd year this run has taken place in Boston. What a great event!

We drove right into Boston without hitting any traffic. (Well, it was before 7 a.m.) Parking was a breeze all around the Seaport World Trade Center, although we did have to shell out $11. We got cool Ryka running shirts for entering, there were tons of vendors, a sweet medal was placed around our necks at the finish line (which my boyz are now fighting over) and there was a yummy breakfast buffet after the race! (where I may have snarfed down an entire bagel..with cream cheese...and fruit...and some croissant.)

The best part? It was all women. AND the course was completely FLAT. Bonus!

This was the first race I have done since having children. Sis and I made a pact that we will participate every year going forward, it was that much fun.

Up next? The Boston Half Marathon on October 7th. Methinks I have bitten off more than I can chew run. I'll let you know!

*Anyone know of any 10K races taking place before October 7th? I'm thinking I'd like to run one before the--gulp--half marathon.