tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post6554955086286655537..comments2023-10-26T06:54:19.095-07:00Comments on The Cozy Corner: Wide Open SpacesStephieAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17543298283557610542noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-16328081811568304062008-01-08T15:00:00.000-08:002008-01-08T15:00:00.000-08:00Oh the guilt! It starts when you push your child o...Oh the guilt! It starts when you push your child out (or reach out and grasp your child for the first time) (or maybe sooner) and it never stops. And this is just children guilt. Why do we as women always feel guilty. Also, we tend to push each other over instead of lending a helping hand. <BR/><BR/>I have though a lot about this because I (like you Steph) will have to keep my counseling/school license up somehow or go back to school. I hope that whatever I choose I can feel supported by the women in my life. So far, for the most part, I have felt that support.<BR/><BR/>Interesting enough, we put the guilt apon us more than any other person ever could!<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your decisions and with processing this transition. I can imagine what it feels like and I would be overwhelmed!<BR/><BR/>I am praying for you!Coliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00377070496504862468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-10371542055575391842008-01-08T14:44:00.000-08:002008-01-08T14:44:00.000-08:00Sept. 08 - when both kids are in school all day - ...Sept. 08 - when both kids are in school all day - and it is a Franklin Covey calendar, Hollie.<BR/><BR/>Heather, I'll have to look that up - I just use it in the morning when I'm reading the Bible/my computer/the newspaper and eating oatmeal....StephieAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17543298283557610542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-70723436285628495082008-01-08T13:49:00.000-08:002008-01-08T13:49:00.000-08:00p.s. Steph, I found a great site on SAD, light the...p.s. Steph, I found a great site on SAD, light therapy, etc. You can take a "morningness-eveningness" questionnaire that helps you determine the optimum light treatment time:<BR/><BR/>www.cet.org<BR/><BR/>Apparently there is a lot of controversy over the blue lights as a SAD therapy, which I didn't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-31688966424996959572008-01-08T12:44:00.000-08:002008-01-08T12:44:00.000-08:00September '08? Did I miss something?September '08? Did I miss something?HollieHobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801666784988137537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-51279575446027817342008-01-08T10:08:00.000-08:002008-01-08T10:08:00.000-08:00You guys are awesome - thank you so much!First of ...You guys are awesome - thank you so much!<BR/><BR/>First of all, Hollie - the daytimer is just one that you would find at Target - the one with colors on it for each month. However, I decorate it with the stickers - and if that's the info you want, I'll get it to you.<BR/><BR/>Second, I did talk to Nancy and she keeps her day full taking on activities and being there for others and her kids - pretty much what I'll end up doing.<BR/><BR/>The idea of working someplace if I don't have to really doesn't appeal to me. I think it would bring a sense of satisfaction, but the idea of "having to be there" and working for someone and fulfilling expectations gives me anxiety even thinking about it!<BR/><BR/>A lot of what I am feeling probably comes from a sense that there's more I have to offer and am withholding it due to lots of excuses - particularly in the realm of ministry. Sept. '08 strips some of the most obvious excuses, so I am feeling like I better get some ideas in mind now and start praying about them so I'll be prepared to answer - one way or another.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, all of you, for your words of encouragement. This is a typical January thing for me, but even listening to "Come Fill this Place" while exercising helps me to see the bigger picture. When I get "it all figured out" - I'll let you all know!StephieAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17543298283557610542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-27912956653460778942008-01-08T09:23:00.000-08:002008-01-08T09:23:00.000-08:00Steph,Thanks for being brave enough to share. Ofte...Steph,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for being brave enough to share. Oftentimes we know there's a gap between what we're supposed to do and believe, and what we just can't stop thinking and worrying about, but it's so hard to close!<BR/><BR/>I always wonder how you manage the busyness, because I am just the opposite; a full calendar means a grumpy, preoccupied, drill sergeant Mommy. If you love it, I admire that! But if you're keeping yourself busy because you feel like otherwise you don't have worth, or don't somehow deserve to be an at-home Mom, that's not right...<BR/><BR/>I work for a career woman who on the one hand will say she regrets not being there for her kids more, and knows some of their problems in life were due to her absence (as adults they've now they learned to extort a lot of guilt money from her); but on the other hand, she resents when I won't work overtime or join her service club or do anything else that will take me away from them any longer than I have to be. I have learned to be secure in my own belief that raising kids is the most important job in the world (why does everybody agree with that, but look down on people who LIVE that?). Most people are not going to really get that or respect you. As they say, the first thing out of someone's mouth after you're introduced is, "So, what do you do?" And women are pretty much the worst about it because no matter what we're doing we feel guilty and tend to judge others to make ourselves feel better.<BR/><BR/>Steph, don't ever feel guilty about a day full of laundry and errands and exercise, especially if that guilt is coming from what you think others think of you. From what I can tell you work extremely hard at being a great mom, have sacrificed much, and have a faith that can help you weather the storms of life (and young adulthood). My job sitting at a desk pushing papers around is such a joke in comparison to being a full time mom. <BR/><BR/>Yeah, it is terrifying to think at some point in the near future they'll be out of our control. I always think of Billy Graham's son Franklin, who was raised in what some would call an ideal home, but sent his mother to her knees in prayer as he got in trouble with the law and partied his way through his teens and young adulthood. But that prodigal son is now the leader of his father's ministry! God can do *all things* especially when a child has had a stable foundation laid, as you and John and doing.<BR/><BR/>I'll be praying for you...thanks for sharing some stuff all us moms worry about...and believe me there's guilt aplenty for those of us divorced, and working full time...we also have to trust God will fill the gaps, and not take it personally when others (often at church, and from the pulpit) share statistics about children of divorce, and children who spend their days in daycare.<BR/><BR/>:) Sorry for the superlong post-Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-70010995447091219872008-01-08T08:41:00.000-08:002008-01-08T08:41:00.000-08:00This is why I love you so much! I don't think you...This is why I love you so much! I don't think your kids could ever 'hate' you. Rebel, perhaps; but never hate you. I am sorry you are feeling this way. I was wondering when it was going to start to sink in. I should have known that it would have been around the time K-Bear turned six. I love you!!<BR/><BR/>Also, please kick me when you see me tomorrow to remind me that I have a check for you and I have had it in my possession for about a week now.......Stephietoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15462001124026576240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-78841027199097707662008-01-08T08:40:00.000-08:002008-01-08T08:40:00.000-08:00ps: what do you use for a daytimer?ps: what do you use for a daytimer?HollieHobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801666784988137537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-54326063990510631412008-01-08T08:39:00.000-08:002008-01-08T08:39:00.000-08:00I have a few years before I will be "alone" during...I have a few years before I will be "alone" during the day, but people have been asking that question to me too. I think I want to make sure that I go to all their assemblies, parties etc, so I cannot say I will really head back to the workforce. But I have been thinking that I'd like to learn to make the perfect latte, so being a part time barista is attractive to me....for about five minutes. haha<BR/>What does Nancy do? She is a good one to confer with on this because she seems like she took it in stride and very much so fills her time with intriguing, creative, happy things.HollieHobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801666784988137537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15605159.post-44431600879622493542008-01-07T22:07:00.000-08:002008-01-07T22:07:00.000-08:00This is sooo funny because I've been meaning to ha...This is sooo funny because I've been meaning to have a discussion with you about this since we are both facing the "kids in school all day" thing next Fall. Perhaps I will postpone indefinitely that conversation...<BR/>;)LiteraryGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04998481996493899769noreply@blogger.com