Somethings Just Need To Be Said!

Since I started blogging I have come across blogs of Moms out there that have been inspiring, uplifting, funny and just simply, relate~able. And through those many hours of blog hopping I have seen her name but never, for a reason I don't know, I never took that path to her blog. I did today. And what I found was probably the most important bit of life I could have stumbled on.

I try to be as positive as I can on a daily basis, and if you know me, you know some times I accomplish that task with great stride. And for those of you that know me, you know, that sometimes I fail miserably at it! As mothers, women and, well, just people I am sure that we all struggle with feelings of aggravation, feelings of inadequacy and obligation. We let the stresses of our daily life overcome the beautiful moments. I am certainly guilty of that. Before becoming a Mommy I envisioned my life and my dreams of motherhood being very June Cleaver with a healthy dose of Martha Stewart. My husband would feel like king of his castle. My home would sparkle. My children would be quiet and well behaved. My kitchen and my workspace would be my Eden and the creations that came from those spaces would be divine! And I just have to mention this....I would do it all as a happy size 6. So much for the best laid plans.

The reality is that I struggle with all of that. I admit that I feel aggravated. I admit that I have HUGE feelings of inadequacy. And I feel obligated to do many things when I would rather take the time for myself. My home doesn't sparkle. {As a matter of fact, fearing that you will all think me disgusting, the amount of dog hair floating around this house is overwhelming at times.} While my Kitchen is beautiful and my workspace my own, I rarely find time to actually create masterpieces ~ {But when I do ~ watch out!} And as for the size 6....

But I digress...today I took that trip down the blogging path over to Nie Nie. And what I found was humbling to say the least. I found a person who can take the worst, the devastating and the tragic and make it sweet and loving and put life into perspective. I am most sure that her life's journey and her new reality comes with a myriad of internal struggles. But she is stoic and her love of her family is amazing! Recently she was on Oprah talking of the day her life changed and how her love for her children and her husband are what keep her going. While I didn't get the chance to see her on the show I did visit Oprah.com and read her story and found a taped interview on the Oprah site. As I sat watching it I began to feel ashamed. Stupid. And while I know that my feelings of aggravation, inadequacy and obligation won't disappear over night, I will think of Nie Nie often and take that moment to adjust my thinking.

Please take a moment, as a busy mom, friend, wife, sister or daughter and watch

{this video}.

And take that blogging path over to

{her blog}.

She is amazing.

I haven't blogged in quite a while. I know that's not how you are supposed to do this blogging thing. But I have to admit....since becoming a mommy of twins, I've forgotten how to do a lot of things! I used to be the most organized person I know! Now I can't find the piece of paper I just placed on the kitchen counter or God forbid I try to find my keys, sunglasses or my mind...because I've lost it all!

But in the midst of all the chaos in my life I have so many things to be greatful for and so many people to be blessed to love and who love me! Today I want to tell you about my Aunts, Lynn and Keri!

Aunt Keri was always the adventurer in our family. At least in my eyes she was! She was always the fashionable, chic, urban hip chick who lived in Guam and Hawaii! The one that traveled the world as a young, sexy woman! I love you Auntie KK! Recently she moved from Las Vegas to Douglasville, Georgia to live with her sister and my other amazing Aunt, Lynn.

Aunt Lynn was my second Mommy! My cheerleader! She has always put so much thought and love into everything she's given to me or done for me! From tea parties to Christmas get-togethers she was my own private Martha Stewart! And I loved being her assistant in the kitchen, in the planning of parties and everthing in between. Aunt Lynn gave me my Grandmother's sewing machine and taught me to sew. Which has now become my biggest love! Thank you so much 'Lat Lynn! I love you!

Since moving in together (not really they live in seperate homes on the same property) they have taken on the task of caring for a 125 year old farm house in rural Georgia. And being the witty, talented people we tend to be, Aunt Keri has started a blog herself called Spit and Glue. I am so impressed by it that I sent a letter off today to Martha Stewart, Oprah and to a few shows on HGTV in hopes that they may offer to help my Aunts out with the daunting task they have gracefully accepted! Below is the letter that tells a bit more about their life in Georgia....move over 'Designing Women' there's some new Southern' Belles in town!

Dear Martha,

About 25 years ago, my aunt and uncle moved to Douglasville, Georgia and purchased a 100 year old farm house. Over the years my Aunt Lynn and Uncle Doug created a quaint home for themselves in this old house. Since their move, the home has witnessed many events in their life together from hearing the news that each of their daughters joined the Marine Corp and the Navy to giving their youngest daughter her dream wedding on the property's 2.5 acres to building a cottage on the property for my Grandmother to live in. Shortly after the cottage was built my Grandmother passed away followed by my Uncle Doug who lost his battle with prostate cancer in 2005. After almost 30 years of marriage my Aunt began to make her way on her own. With my cousin, Michelle, serving in Iraq and my Uncle gone my Aunt Lynn has bravely taken on the daunting task of working full time and trying to maintain the now 125 year old farm house, alone! Even starting up the old Lowe's riding lawn mower, my Uncle once used, to mow the acreage herself.

Recently her youngest sister, Keri, moved from Las Vegas, Nevada to live in the cottage once built for their mother. And in the short time they have lived on the property together my 63 and 57 year old Aunts have begun the task of tending to the now 125 year old home with good nature, humor and extremely limited funds. Thinking it would be intersting to others my Aunt Keri started a blog to chronicle their life there. The blog is called Spit and Glue as sometimes that is all it seems they have to hold the old home together. It's a quaint, sweet, funny blog that chronicles their life living in and keeping up a 125 year old farm house with their limited funds and their limited brawn.

With all the TLC the home requires and with the lack of available resourses I am amazed at the resolve, love and ingenuity that is poured into whatever task they've taken on that day, weekend, or month! I am so proud of both my Aunts, Lynn and Keri, for their strength, their determination, and their humor! They are the product of a loving mother who let them lead their own way in life and a father that taught them that they themselves are their greatest strength and that alone you can be whomever or whatever your heart desired!

Please take a moment to visit the blog and become a follower. www.SpitNGlue.com

Thank you so very much!

Below is a sample of the blog for you to read:

Spit and Glue
And so we Mow!
Mowing the lawn is traditionally "A Mans Job" right? however, I know many women who don't think twice about dragging out the mower and edger to do the job themselves. But on this property, they'd be thinking more than twice about "taking on the lawn". The difference here is that we're talking about 2 hairy acres that need mowing at least twice a month in spring & summer. We don't put on a cute gardening hat with matching gardening gloves and clogs to push a shiney-red mower up and down the yard until it's perfect. No, we pretty much gear up with machine washable head covering, goggles, long sleeved shirt/pants, and nasty canvus shoes so as not to lose a toe or an eye to flying debris. It's all about getting the job done without the company of fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. We ride an old, noisey rickety lawn tractor, nursing it along as it spits, groans, hickups, and sometimes stops all together, leaving us in the learch, and at the mercy of a handiman who knows a little about mechanics. We then convince him to fix it, but at the least possible expense. If he can do it with Spit & Glue, even better!

Sincerely,
Nicole Ross
Pembroke Pines, Florida