Tag: children

Chronicles of a SAHM, Journaling

Spring Break?

Sonja Hollis

As you probably know already, I’m a stay-at-home mom. That means when spring break for the kids rolls around – my mommy duties increase dramatically.  There is no break for me. There are more meals to make, clothes and dishes to wash and my “me” time is eliminated entirely.

I thought that at least this time around would be different.  My son isn’t home and it’s just me, my husband and my five year old daughter.  HOWEVER… on day one of spring break, my daughter complained of an earache.  So, I of course decided to try some home remedies and prayer because I was not trying to sit in anybody’s hospital for nine hours.  I tried the essential oils on cotton I found on Pinterest. I tried the neck massage I found on YouTube. I even tried the steamy bath water. It worked…for one night.  But then, the next morning, my baby girl woke up with her eyes stuck together.  Now mind you, the school had been sending paperwork about children having pink eye in school since September but so far, it hadn’t affected my daughter…that is, until this week – spring break.

So, off to the doctor’s office we went.  Turns out, she had a double ear infection and two pink eyes…(because one just won’t do for a princess.) She couldn’t see or hear me. Poor thing – although, I’m not sure which of us to whom I’m referring.  We received her prescriptions, came home and started to work on her right away.

Today, she’s much better.  Her hearing isn’t back 100% yet, but at least she doesn’t have crusty eyes.  Spring break is almost over and I haven’t gotten much work done nor have I had any time to myself, but my daughter is feeling better. That’s really what matters to me.  It should also be noted that she isn’t in school to pass along the germ that she’d received from that petri dish they call kindergarten either, so maybe the cycle is broken.  Perhaps my daughter saved the school from shutting down entirely due to a pink eye epidemic (my words).  Maybe, just maybe she saved other parents from having to take off work and take their children out of school to care for them for a few days. clipart-superhero-6

My child is a hero.

So I guess it has been a pretty good spring break after all.

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Chronicles of a SAHM

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Sonja Hollis

I was having the conversation at the studio the other day with some of the dance parents about how our kids love to hug each other.  Whenever they see each other, it’s like they haven’t seen each other in years.  They can’t stop hugging, holding hands and giggling but they’ve only known each other for a few months.  One parent told me that hugging isn’t even allowed at her daughter’s school – because touching others is not permitted.

It hit me and the other parents simultaneously.  Why can’t adults do the same thing?  Why can’t we just go up to people who look interesting and ask them to be our friends?  Our kids do it all the time and it works.  We have so many hang ups and prejudices and misconceptions about people we don’t even know. I’m sure we’ve missed out on so many possible friendships by being afraid of the unknown.  When did that end? IMG-7439

My daughter entered preschool two years ago and met the most amazing little girl.  They are “besties” to this day.  Although they now go to separate schools, they keep in touch by phone, Facetime, with play dates and Girl Scouts. The friendship is so pure and innocent. 

I was also blessed with a friend because by our daughters becoming so close, her mom and I have established an amazing friendship.  They’re part of our family. I don’t believe I would have met her otherwise, which is sad. However, I’m thankful to know her and her family. IMG-8087

So now, I plan to be more open to speaking with people in the airport, at the grocery store or at my daughter’s activities because I never know what type of interesting people I may be missing out on.  Now, my quest for you today is to go out and make a new friend. 

The world needs more love.

Chronicles of a SAHM, Saving Money

Amazon Wins Again

Sonja Hollis

First things first.  I recently became an Amazon Affiliate because my husband and I buy something from Amazon at least once a week and I figured – I might as well get paid. I don’t really get out much to shop unless it’s for groceries so, I do most of my shopping via Amazon. It’s so much easier to point and click and receive what I ordered in two days than it is to find a parking spot at the local mall.

Anyway,  I was in Target last week looking for t-shirts for my daughter.  They only have miniature bras now for little girls.  My daughter is five so…no.  I opened up my trusty dusty laptop and headed to Amazon.  I was initially going to purchase some Hanes tanks for girls as usual, but then ran across some great reviews for Feathers . 71LHisSYO0L._UX679_.jpg

I had NEVER heard of Feathers camis for girls, but decided to try them.  (Amazon Prime provides a great return policy.) I received them two days later as guaranteed and let me tell you…  They are amazing!  My daughter has a long torso and they fit her to a “t.” (See what I did there?)  I bought the butterfly printed ones and the plain whites.  They are super soft – my daughter calls them “snuggly.”  I’m hooked.  So, if you’re shopping around for little girls camisoles – just check out Feathers.

I’d take a pic of her in her cami – but that’s weird, so no. LOL

 

Chronicles of a SAHM, Journaling, organization

INSPIRED TO ORGANIZE

Sonja Hollis

 

So after watching a friend’s Youtube video, The Winey Budget  I was inspired to get organized.  That notion passed quickly though as I am a creature of chaos

I have purchased notebooks, planners, phone apps – all with the intent on getting organized.  I’ve watched videos, searched Pinterest for ideas and created calendars of every size …to no avail.  I doubt I will ever be as organized as I’d love to be, but until then, I’ll keep trying.

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This is just the right side of my desk!

Last night, my husband gave me a bullet journal that I told him that I had seen on Pinterest. I’ve actually started using it – not because I know what I’m doing, but because I know he will ask me about it later.   My husband is also responsible for setting up my office in my basement.  AND OF COURSE my monitor size is ridiculous – a man set it up! (You should see the TV in the family room!)

Anyway, I’m trying to juggle this thing called stay-at-home mom’ing that people think is such an easy task.  Well, I’ve worked from the time that I was fifteen up until the time that I retired and let’s just say this stay-at-home stuff is way harder. Before I retired, I worked 8-10 hours in a scout car, went home, cooked, ate and went to bed.  Now, I have to schedule one day to myself every month just to decompress from the ridiculousness of my unorganized life. So, I need to get my stuff together.  I mean, I saw it on TV!  Moms cleaning, cooking, doing laundry while wearing high heels and mascara, taking kids to their activities, then coming home and being “wife”… and they did all of this with a smile. What the heck am I doing wrong?

I’m supposed to be retired. Yet, here I am doing all of the abovementioned activities, being a girl scout mom, a dance mom, a swim mom and a small business owner. So yeah, I’m a work in progress. Follow me on my adventure as I get my life in order or die trying. LOL

Chronicles of a SAHM

I Need a Better Hiding Place

Sonja Hollis

Stay-at-Home-Moms (SAHMs) typically look forward to the end of the day, when every one and every thing is quiet. That’s when we go to our hiding place. My hiding place happens to be my bathroom. I can close the door and think, or dream, or beautify, or just sit quietly and meditate.

Recently however, my hiding place has become no longer that. It has been compromised. This is what has been happening lately:

As I’m sitting on my vanity chair, I hear from a distance, “Mommm.” It’s my five year old daughter. She should be sleep, but has decided that finding out my location is a top priority- as I had not received clearance from her to disappear. I know she’s coming, so I sit as still and stay as quiet as I can.

“Mommmm. Dad, where’s mom?” I listen for his response, because of course, he’s got my back – I am he, he is me. We are one. And of course, he knows it’s after her bedtime and he needs to direct her to go back to her room and go to bed. But no. He tells her my exact location. “She’s in the bathroom.”

Snitch.

So, now I hear footsteps coming closer to the door. “Mom, are you in there?”

No response from me…I’m hiding.

“Mom, are you in there?”

“Yes. What do you want?”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing. What do you want?”

“Are you on the potty?”

“Sure. What do you want?”

“Did you have to boo boo?”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?”

“Are you mad?”

Face palm. “Omg. What do you want? I’m in the bathroom. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Can you put on my band-aid?”

“SERIOUSLY? GO ASK YOUR DAD!”

Now, I’m rushing through the shower just so I can place my hands around my husband’s neck. He heard all of this, but didn’t rush to help me (or her for that matter). I love my kids with my entire heart, but I definitely need a new hiding place.

Chronicles of a SAHM, Lavender Fields Creations

My First Blog

Sonja Hollis

IMG_20141211_131055So I’m sitting here trying to figure out how this whole “blogging” thing works.  There are so many things to learn, so I guess I’d better delve right on in and figure it out as I go along.

My company, Lavender Fields Creations, LLC  was started in November, 2014.  I began creating jewelry – mostly bracelets – but I never sold anything.  I used to give away everything I made.  My husband noticed last year that my interest in making jewelry had increased.  I was now making earrings, necklaces and even keychains.  So, he suggested that I get online and sell my wares.

I began by trying to sell items on Facebook, but then realized it was too difficult to keep track of everything people were requesting because the posts would show up so randomly.  I then decided to start my Etsy page, which has been somewhat successful.  The only draw back is that customers have to sign up for an account in order to purchase something and most people are uninterested in doing that, unless of course, they are your closest friends and family.

So here I am on WordPress, with my own dot com, hoping to draw additional interest to my jewelry.  In addition to jewelry posts, I will occasionally post poetry that I’ve written over the years.  (I love the art!)

Feel free to browse my page and just let me know what you think. I thank you in advance for your interest!

Sonja