Everything Else, Parenting, Writing

A Currently Post that Includes Birthday Musings

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I’m currently having a tough time getting back into blogging. This is probably because of my extended break over the summer (and my wish to still be sitting on the beach watching Florida sunsets!) and my own questions about blogging in general. I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching, in an effort to figure out where I want to go with The Latchkey Mom. I haven’t come to any conclusions. I’m not quitting, but I am trying to decide where I’m going. Does that make since? If it doesn’t – well then maybe you have a little glimpse into the turmoil I’m experiencing. I love writing, but I also have other wants and needs and I need to find a way for my blog to serve those wants and needs, rather than hinder them. I do have a couple of projects in the works and news to share – I promise. Just a few more days.

In the meantime, I thought I’d try a currently post and a FTSF link up, to try and get the blog juices going. I was afraid to post another road trip update (one more coming, though) and lose you all!

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What else am I doing?

Reading. But y’all knew that, didn’t you? I enjoyed some fantastic books this summer, both on paper and audio. Some of my faves were: The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave, The Precious Ones by Marisa de los Santos, Happily Ali After: And Other Fairy True Tales by Ali Wentworth, Tiny Little Things by Beatriz Williams, and The Knock Off by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza. With the exception of The Nightingale, all were easy reads (some more than others) and fun and just what the doctor ordered after a bevy of tough reads this past spring.

Watching. I haven’t been watching much television this summer. Since we’ve been back, I’ve been catching up on our Tivo-ed episodes of Halt and Catch Fire and The Astronaut’s Wives Club. Once we’re caught up, it’ll be on to season three of Orange is the New Black. I’ve only seen TWO movies this summer – Minions and Ant-Man. I wasn’t excited about Ant-Man, but it was a family affair and I had to go. Guess what? I LOVED it!

Eating healthy. After the road trip I wasn’t feeling very good. I’ll spare you all the details, but I went to see a couple of different doctors and had a bunch of tests done and lots of blood drawn. The good news is that I’m healthy, but we’ve found no real explanation for my lack of energy – except perhaps, age. I started the Whole 30 program in an attempt to jump start things and only lasted fourteen days. While on the program my food allergy panel came back – and it turns out I’m allergic to eggs. I was eating a lot of eggs during that fourteen days, so I wasn’t experiencing any of the energy benefits I was expecting. I’m also allergic to wheat and corn – and so I’m now off to an Allergist to relearn how to eat. I’m currently wheat, corn, and egg free and starting to see some benefits. I’ve also eliminated dairy and sugar – except for the flavored creamer in my coffee. I just couldn’t do black coffee anymore. I’ve kind of tweaked the program to my liking, and allowing myself weekend cocktails.

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Poor Cammy – we always seem to be away from home when his birthday rolls around. Summer birthdays suck for the little ones.

Planning. I’ve got two events I’m planning. I’ve already started on next year’s road trip, because I want to a) start paying for it in advance and b) I want the jump on good hotels (if you recall we weren’t able to get into any of the Yellowstone hotels on our trip). The other event is my daughter’s birthday. She’s in fifth grade this year and I’m hoping it’ll be the last big childhood party I’ll have to host for her. That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? It just gets to be so expensive, and the gifts she’s asking for are no longer plastic toys that cost $20 a pop. When I think of birthdays, I think of family, friends, cake, and wishes. I don’t remember ever having a bad birthday when I was a child, yet not one stands out as EPIC. They were simple and happy. These days it always has to be a big deal and I’ve been doing this too many years to get excited. I remember the planning of Barrett and Hunter’s first birthday was more fun than planning my wedding. And yet, I have to remember for her, it is a big deal. But I’m not having the party at our house! I once prided myself on being the party hostess of the mostess (and not for crafts – but for food, drink, music, and company), but the last few years I’ve felt more like the Mary Richards of party throwing. With the exception of one, every party I’ve thrown in the last two years has had some drama – kids and/or adults. Not doing it anymore.

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Hunter’s first day of high school. He had to be at cross country practice at 6a.m., and then shower at school. #awholenewworld

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The elementary school round. Cammy, 2nd grade; Aud, 5th grade.

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Barrett, 7th grade.

Hoping my children have a great school year. I just got some good news about Barrett. He’s being moved up – he’ll be joining another class once a day for a reading segment. His teacher has also started some long-term planning for Barrett’s high school years and she’s given me a lot of hope. I’m hoping this will be Cammy’s year. He’s matured a lot over the summer, and I’m managed to do enough summer work with him that I’m confident he can do well – as long as he pays attention in class!

Enjoying my child free hours. Basically, I spent every single hour of this summer with my children, most of it in the car. I got nothing done. I’m really relishing the solid six hours I have, five days a week, without them.

Stressing about extracurricular activities. Speech, OT and track (in the spring) for Bear. Three dance classes, chorus, and faith formation for Audrey. Cross country/track and confirmation classes for Hunter. Karate, swimming, and First Communion class for Cammy. Days of the week when I don’t have to drive someone somewhere – Zero. It’s going to be a long year, not to mention the cha-ching of it all.

Wishing. Wishing I had more energy. Wishing time would slow down. Wishing I had a clearer vision for my future. Wishing I could resolve certain conflicts. Wishing I could relax and let go.

Thinking about high school. Hunter started high school last week and I’m in a funny place. I remember so much about starting high school, the nostalgia has been overwhelming. And the reality that I have a child who’s in high school and only four years away from leaving me is hard to fathom. I’m excited and sad. And scared. I grew up fast in high school and I have sheltered this child. Will he be okay? Will he stay out of trouble? Will he do the work? Will he understand that from here on out, it all counts?

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One day soon, It’ll be just the three of them on the first day of school.

Feeling discombobulated. My emotions are all over the place. I had some family stuff going on this summer that made me extremely anxious and sad. I was thrilled by all that we got to see and do on our travels, ready to come home, but sad that it was over. I was scared about my health, but relived to be okay. I’m excited about the start of the new school year, but worried about the kids. I’m dreading the running around, but grateful for some time alone. I’m super excited about a new opportunity, but worried about my lack of writing inspiration. I’m worried about money for our next adventure, and yet grateful that I don’t have any needs that are unmet. I miss my friends, but find myself in a place where I really want to be alone. I have so much I want and need to do, but I’m mired in thoughts and memories and dilemmas that are both real and imagined.

Enough about me. What have you currently been doing? I’ve totally over-shared, so please make me feel better and leave a comment about what you’re reading, feeling, hoping, stressing and/or thinking about!

BlogHopButton[1]This post is also part of the Finish the Sentence Friday link-up. This week’s prompt is “When I think of birthdays…” Our hosts this week are Kristi of Finding Ninee, Stacey of This Momma’s Rambling and Mimi of Mimi Time.

28 thoughts on “A Currently Post that Includes Birthday Musings”

  1. Oh Allie!! You have had SO much going on!! I’m so so glad you are ‘healthy’- and also glad you found your source of feeling crappy. What you have been feeling both physcially and emotionally are SUPER similar to me… I have a feeling I need to be gluten free, or dairy free or something free, because I’ve been feeling like crap and lethargic for months…

    I also have been struggling with anxiety big-time, and I’m guessing it is surrounding some family issues, financial issues and nerves for the starting of school too.

    I love that you are taking a step back (in a sense) and assessing what and where and how and why – I think we all need to do that often. I’m so excited about what you might be announcing soon!!

    And btw- I LOVE your posts about your trip! I kept coming back to check and see if you posted over here, and was sad there wasn’t a new one with more pics and stories!!

    XOXO

    1. Thanks for the support Chris, I really appreciate it! I think., along with food allergies, I have regional allergies. I really noticed a difference when I was out west and at the beach. I can’t wait to see the allergist. I just started taking some allergy meds, which I don’t like to do, but it has helped. I’m so glad you like the road trip posts – I’m often afraid of how people will take them.

  2. I love all your birthday musings…and I think that’s what can make birthdays useful as they force us to take stock of things in our lives. I too have not been blogging a lot lately and I’m also trying to figure out where to go next with my writing (as you read in my post). Oh and I’m with you on hoping I don’t have to throw anymore birthday parties. My youngest is now going into 6th grade so I too am hoping last year’s party (which was on the smaller side anyway) was the last one!

    1. I have good news – my middle schoolers didn’t want parties and weren’t invited to any either – but they’re boys. And apparently Sweet Sixteen parties are making a comeback. I think the summer is a slow blogging time. I’ve noticed a sharp decline in my feed traffic. It’s good to know I’m not alone!

  3. So so glad you’re healthy! I need to schedule my yearly check-up. I really avoid the doctors and know that I really can’t any longer (at my age sigh). Tucker doesn’t start school until Sept. 8 so we have a few more weeks. I feel guilty that we didn’t have a big trip this summer so may bite the bullet and take him to Florida in October when my brother’s family is going. I recently read The Girl on the Train and LOVED it. Same with Big Little Lies. Glad you’re home and healthy. Let’s catch up.

    1. Thanks Kristi, I’m glad too. In my head, I’d written myself off! Of, how I wish we didn’t go back till September. I don’t care that we get out earlier – no one will ever convince me that August is a SCHOOL MONTH. It’s NOT natural! Call me, btw:).

  4. Wow. You do have so much going on. You should give yourself credit. You have read more books (thus have gained so much more knowledge) in one summer than I have in a year. I have had a busy few months myself…We sold our house and bought another one. For anyone who has ever done this, it’s a lot of paper work and negotiation and it’s almost done. I launched my speaking engagement business and created the platform to do it. I’ve been blogging much less and still active on social media but differently during the summer. I, too, will make some changes this fall. I’m excited for school to start in September.
    xoxo

    1. Caryn, books are my passion. I LOVE to read. And when I don’t have time, I get my fix from audiobooks (for driving, exercising and housework). Although I will say – I never read while in the midst of a move (and I’ve moved a lot). So exciting about your speaking engagements – congratulations.

  5. I hear you! blogging is such a tough “business”. We start out loving to write, then do everything we can do get stats to get $$$. For me it’s taking a backseat too eventually.

  6. I am not sure where I am going with my blog, either. I am revamping my eating as well. I haven’t been brave enough to do the whole 30 but I really am trying to eat clean and lean out a little.
    You have a TON on your plate – be kind to yourself!

    1. I’m so glad I’m, not the only one unsure! Thank you for that. I read on your post that you were cleansing, so I’m glad I’m not alone in that either:). Here’s a virtue cheers – with green tea, of course.

  7. I feel like as women and others we are always pulled in a thousand directions and are needed in so many ways. Eventually, things get out of balance and we have to push a reset button. I am glad you shared your heart with us and even gladder (?) that you aren’t qutting the blog!

  8. I read The Nightingale too! Not an easy read indeed.
    I saw two movies so far this summer – Inside Out and Ant-Man. I loved both a lot!
    I have a theory that if we all got allergy bloodwork done, those panels would show stuff for everyone!
    My mom very much has allergies and she went to her doctor and he said she was allergic to nothing. Nothing.
    I told her to go to.. you know.. an actual allergist!
    We shall see.

    1. Don’t even get me started. My GP wouldn’t do the allergy test. I was at the gastroenterologist – and he’s the one that ordered the test! I didn’t even ask him. But he said most stomach troubles are related to food allergies/insensitivities.

  9. Allie, I know the feeling well and since getting back from Disney a few days ago and having cut back a lot on blogging and designing, too this past summer, I also have been struggling a bit as to where I want to go with it all. We have two more weeks of summer vacation here and am planning on re-evaluating now as we are winding down. I love blogging and designing, but also not sure I can keep up with the crazy hours I once did in the past myself. So, we shall see if I can find more balance and a better schedule for myself at the very least. Hugs to you and hope you can also come to a better conclusion, as well.

    1. You did keep crazy hours – sometimes I wondered if you slept at all. I love blogging, too, I do, but the racing that’s involved – I think I’m too old for that. Hugs right back to you and if you find the secrets to balance, you must share.

  10. You do have a lot to muse about, Allie. Most importantly, you are healthy.

    So many of us seem to be re-evaluating this blogging thing – I’m finding it hard to get back into it too. With so many other changes in your life regarding your kids, it’s just one more thing to stress about. Thinking of you…and if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me! I’m totally okay with oversharing. 🙂

    1. Thank you so much Dana. I know, the reevaluating does seem to be an epidemic – based on the comments here and other posts I’ve read. I think it’s the hamster wheel aspect of blogging that can get many of us down. I really appreciate your support and the sweet comment. And I think I perhaps will need to do a little more oversharing in the future. This has been cathartic and comforting.

  11. I totally get the blogging-slump-questioning situation. If you look on my blog you’ll see I’ve written about 5 posts this year. A combination of being busy, but if I’m being honest, also about where I want to go with this, and why I am doing it in the first place. Still not sure, but I think the months off gave me a better idea.

  12. Allie, I’m sorry I’m more than a week late here. But I loved reading this. I can relate to so much of it, especially that discombobulated part. I hope you keep blogging and keep writing. Can’t wait to hear your news. xoxo

  14. Fabulous post! Road trips and family are so much fun, and the vacation ending is always hard. I have not been to the movies in ages. Good luck and have a great weekend!

    1. Thanks Stacey. I still haven’t seen any movies, since we’ve been back. But I think I’m going to go and see A Walk In the Woods. I loved the book.

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