Once Upon a Time: My Visions of the Future

“If youth only knew, if age only could.” – Henry Estienne

When I was young, living under my parent’s roof and abiding (for the most part) by their rules – I used to fantasized about what life would be like when I grew up.  Who didn’t?  But, as I’m sure is the case for most people, my childhood musings about adulthood were quite different from its reality.

Believe it or not, I wasn’t necessarily planning to have children.  I assumed I’d have a child, someday in the way distant future, but I certainly couldn’t “picture” it.    Seriously.  I baby-sat for one family when I was an eighth grader, and that pretty much snuffed out any motherly yearnings I had.  After a few hotel nanny gigs in college, the flame of motherhood flickered out once again.  Today I have four children and for a long time, I was perpetually on a quest for just one more.

high-rise-apartment-jpg[1]I grew up in small beach town, so I dreamed of a life in a big city.  I was certain that I’d live in a high rise apartment.  I remember once walking on the beach in Fort Lauderdale with my friend Barbara, when I was visiting her on vacation, and she pointed to one of the tall condominiums that lined the coast.  She commented that I’d probably live there one day and I readily agreed.  I did eventually live in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, San Juan, Baltimore and Atlanta, but never in a high rise.  Today I technically live in a suburb of a city, but it’s far enough out that it really feels like the country to me.  We’re nestled among the trees, surrounded by neighborhood horses and far away from traffic and smog.  I love it.  Never in a million years did I think this would be my Shangri-La. Continue reading Once Upon a Time: My Visions of the Future

Emmy Predictions and a Contest

 

Emmy-Awards[1]The Emmys are on tonight and it’s one of my favorite award shows.  This year I am particularly invested, because I just came off of a serious Netflix binge and I am now officially a fan of House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.  Both shows have been nominated in multiple categories.  There are some pretty good races this year, so I think it’ll be an exciting night – not to mention all the fashion.  I’m hosting a contest, too.  I’m breaking down all my predictions for the major categories, but I also want to know who or what you’re pulling for and/or think will win.  Share your picks in the comment section (or e-mail me allie@thelatchkymom.com).  The person with the most predicted wins will score a $20 Starbucks card!  Rumor has it that the Pumpkin Spiced Latte will be launched any day now!  I need your guesses by 8:00 P.M. tonight.  Be sure to check back tomorrow to see if you’ve won and read my Emmy commentary.   Continue reading Emmy Predictions and a Contest

Dreams of Being Mary Richards

When I was a kid,the-mary-tyler-moore-show-4-700x540[1] I loved the Mary Tyler Moore Show.    I was too young to watch it when it aired during prime time, so I got my fix in syndication.  I had such a girl crush on Mary Richards, who was played by the spectacular Mary Tyler Moore.  I also really dug her clothes.  I’ve always believed that I was a 1970’s Boho chic (and this was recently confirmed by a quiz on Play Buzz).  I coveted both her apartments, but over the years I’ve gone back and forth on which Mary-apartment combo I loved best.  Long-haired-brunette-studio-apartment-in-a-house Mary, or the reddish-bobbed-haircut-high-rise-apartment Mary?  I thought it was so cool that she worked in a newsroom.  I adored the father-daughter relationship she had with Mr. Grant – um, that was until I grew up and realized that there was some serious sexual chemistry going on between them.  Personally, I don’t see it, but hey, most people are baffled by my attraction to Kid Rock.  To each his (or her) own. Continue reading Dreams of Being Mary Richards

A Day in the Life…

I’ve been reading a bunch of books on the craft of writing and my reading binge was triggered by a writing class that I’m taking. 18108577[1] I just finished, Write Every Day, by Cathy Yardley and it gave me an “aha moment.”  I think one of my greatest obstacles to achieving my writing goals is time management.  And so, as suggested in the book, I’m keeping track of how I spend my time.  Here in Georgia, the kids are already back in school and that means my days have gotten very busy.  This is how I recently spent an ordinary day.  Reader be warned, ordinary can sometimes mean boring!  Continue reading A Day in the Life…