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I love being a mother.  It’s rewarding beyond words and gives more satisfaction than any other experience known to man.  My daughter turned 11 on Friday, therefore moving closer to the teen stage of life.  Before her birthday, I found myself looking at her baby pictures and marveling at how fast the time has ticked by.  One day, she was this very plump cutie pie with cheeks so round, they blotted out her neck.  The next day, she’s standing at 5′2″ and making her own RPG video game and moving up the ranks on XBOX Live playing Turok, Gears of War 2, and Viva Pinata!

She’s a tween and I know this, but knowing it does not make it any easier to digest the fact that my “baby” is growing up…quickly.  We have already had the disagreements about what outfit will look better with a certain pair of shoes and whether the bangs will be needed when we go out.  She has not played with Barbie, Bratz, or any other doll since she was 5, but has learned all things electronic with an alarming speed.  So much so that I am afraid she will become a computer chip one day!  That aside, she is smart, sweet, sensitive, and loves animals and I could not have asked for a better child.  I am aware that she is changing with each year that passes and see a lot of myself in her.  That could be good…depending on which characteristic of mine she is exhibiting.

Being her mother is an absolutely wonderful experience.  Her “tween-hood” contains a mixture of hilarious and annoying moments, but all of it is interesting.  I am watching my daughter become a woman and look forward to each day because I know something new will develop.  Puberty should offer up moments that trump even the worst tween moments and make life more interesting, but I will be ready.  If you have a tween who just HAS to have the latest video game or electronic gadget or likes asking you, “Can’t you see my side?”, you know what I am talking about.  Yeah, raising a tween is fun!

There are many people becoming frantic over the state of the country’s economy and for good reason.  As of this moment, the fate of this nation is anybody’s guess and people are scared.  Now that the anticipation of an economic stimulus package is over, we are left with more questions than answers.  The number of lost jobs in recent months is staggering and may point to even worse times in the future, however, there is a silver lining in the clouds.  Though many people have lost their jobs, some are reporting what could be akin to having an epiphany about their lives because they have been able to spend more time with their families and pursue interests they did not have time for when they were employed.  Others have been able to land job opportunities outside of their fields and find happiness at the same time.

Though these results will not apply to most of those who have become unemployed recently, there are opportunities out there.  The most important thing everyone must do in these times is to remain positive and keep pushing forward, regardless of what is going on in their lives.  Surely, this is easier said than done for many, but giving up should never be an option.  Right now could be the best time for people to use their hobbies and talents as businesses to generate income.  For example, if you’re in the financial industry, look for opportunities, temporary or permanent, that may be lucrative for you.  If you have been stuck in a creative rut, step back from your current situation and evaluate everything you have to offer.  You may just be surprised by what you will find and what it will do for you.

We have all heard that exercise, whether it is walking, weight training, running, or doing aerobics, strengthens bones and helps to prevent osteoporosis, especially in women.  What is now being said is that women who run long distances without working their bodies as a whole run the risk of making their leg bones stronger while the bones in their upper bodies become weaker from a lack of proper training.  This BBC News article explains more about the recent findings and warnings on ignoring the upper body when training for running long distances.

When I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon a few months ago, I trained my entire body because I knew that upper body strength plays a huge role in helping the body maintain a proper form during long distance runs.  Although there were days when I would run only, I maintained a fairly regular regimen of upper body exercises such as push-ups and weight training.  It is easy to forget to train the upper body when training for a long distance run, especially when one is focused on making the legs stronger and preventing leg and ligament injuries.  Training the upper body not only contributes to good running form, it also helps to prevent bone loss.  Since women are especially vulnerable to developing osteoporosis later in life, it is extremely important for female runners to integrate upper body strength in their running routines.

Next week is Thanksgiving.  It is the time for spending the evening or entire holiday weekend with family and friends and enjoying a break from the rat race.  It is one of the few times of the year when families get a chance to come together, put aside their differences, and enjoy a delicious meal.  It is usually my chance to catch up on personal errands and endeavors.  I try to use it wisely.

Thanksgiving will be especially joyful for me because I will be able to see one of my step-sisters after 14 years.  We have been keeping in touch via email and web cam, but I have not seen her in person since I graduated from high school in 1994.  The best thing about this Thanksgiving is that fact that I and my daughter will be closer to my mother and be able to spend the holiday with her.  I cannot wait to sink my teeth into a meaty piece of turkey breast, stuffing,  and macaroni and cheese.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy eating turkey year round, but there is something about Thanksgiving that makes it especially tasty.  It is going to be great to have four days off and hop off the beaten track for a little while.

The day I became a mother, my perspective on life changed for the better in an instant.  I suddenly found myself inundated with feelings I had never experienced before.  My life before having my daughter seemed a lifetime away when I held her for the first time and looked at the new person who was half me.  While giving birth, I learned that the human body can endure great pain, yet one can still maintain a sense of humor.  The doctors made me laugh between contractions and pushing.

Upon seeing my daughter for the first time, I realized that love can hit you instantly and blot out every emotional hurt you have ever endured.  I learned how one can fear for another’s well being to the point of obsession for I felt instantly protective of her.  I also learned that being a mother goes beyond giving birth.  It involves staying up late to comfort your child when they’re sick, being amazed at their emerging personalities, and loving someone else more than you love yourself.

These are just a few examples of what I learned when I had my daughter.  I continue to learn other lessons as the years pass and look forward to watching her grow into a woman.  The years as a mother have been the happiest of my life.

I went to the grocery store again and it was just as scary as it has been for the last 15 trips.  Right now, I am missing the Walmart Super Center so much, I am ready to drive there now!  Since when does a pomegranate cost almost five dollars?  I was floored when I saw the price, but my desire for those delicious little juice-filled seeds outweighed my common sense, so I bought it.  What is even crazier is the fact that I bought two…yes, two.  The other was for my daughter and so I would not have to share my pom with her.  Dually selfish and selfless, but we both ended up happy.  Well, she was happy because she did not have to pay for it, but I was crying on the inside. 

I remember when pomegranates used to cost a little over a dollar.  Of course that was in the 1980s, still those prices were wonderful.  The prices today are ridiculous and I am tempted to begin offering body parts to pay for large grocery bills.  Let’s see, I have ten fingers and ten toes so I should be able to get enough to last for a few months, right?  OK, that may be a little extreme, but so are the prices of basic food.  A head of lettuce was on sale for $1.69, the price of a loaf of Wonder Bread is now $3.00, and a dozen jumbo now costs almost $3.00.  I would be better off I raised a chicken myself and used it to lay eggs.  I am also glad I stopped eating bread years ago.  Pretty soon, turkey dogs will cost $7.00 and my beloved red potatoes go for around $8.00 a bag.  The potatoes will always be on my grocery list since I can never stop eating them.  Call it a spud addiction.    

I truly miss the food prices of 1988 (random year I picked) because that was when a $200.00 grocery bill lasted for almost a month straight.  Now, one will be lucky if they can stretch it to three weeks.  Since I have always been able to grow plants, I am going to try my hand at growing my own vegetables and herbs.  The prices of spices (hey, that rhymes) have gotten way too expensive.  Now it seems as though eating healthy really will cost an arm, leg, and foot.      

Living, working, and sightseeing in Washington, DC can be one of the most exciting experiences.  The city is rife with great restaurants, museums, theaters, and historical sites.  One can always find something to do alone, with family, or with friends.  The best way to get around in D.C. is to take the Metro because parking in the city is limited and if you are not careful, can be costly.  For those who have not visited the Nation’s Capital before, the Metro is comprised of five Metrorail lines servicing destinations to parts of Maryland and Virginia and within Washington, DC.  Driving in Washington, DC can be quite a hassle and visitors are urged to use the Metro to quickly access what the city and outer areas have to offer.

For natives and visitors alike, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind when using the Metrorail system.  First, always expect it to be crowded and make plans to arrive at the station a little earlier than you had expected if you want to allot time for unexpected delays.  Secondly, if you are traveling during the morning or evening rush hour blocks, expect to be nearly mowed down by large groups of commuters and be prepared to move out the way when you can.  You may want to practice moving with the crowed or staying away from them.  Believe me, I used to be one of those commuters.  Next, if you suddenly find yourself standing on a train with no room to even move your arms, do not become alarmed.  There are usually enough people leaning on you to provide adequate support when the train is in motion.  Finally, try not to let yourself get too upset by the droves of people who become lost and stand in front of the elevators.  They are only trying to find their way around.

If you keep these Metro survival tips in mind, your commute to work and home or visit to the home of the Washington Nationals will be a pleasant one.  You may even get treated to free music along the way

I have come across many funny pictures and articles pertaining to females and the suffering we endure every month, yet none are quite as funny as what I found here.  I cannot comment on the source or validity of the author of this “letter”, but I was overwhelmed with fits of laughter at its contents as I read it.  There have been many times that I felt something similar to what is described in the letter, but never at such an extreme degree.  Oh, there was the one time I left work early because the sound of anyone talking was enough to make me want to pull my hair out.  They all seemed to have endless words to spew out of their mouths.  That was a long time ago and since then I have learned to deal with my “visitor” a little better.  Now I just listen to music and pretend not to hear my name being called.  It has been working well so far, but I will have to find a better way soon.

I’m going to be honest and tell you that I love the holiday season because it allows me to get time off from work.  It is my chance, before the start of each new year, to be able to sit back, relax, and spend time with my family and reconnect with old friends.  I have never been one to get stressed out over finding the perfect gift for someone or which house I’m going to visit.  My holidays plans are not really plans at all, but rather “spur of the moment” type decisions because they’re based on how feel at that moment.  There have been holiday seasons where I strolled every mall in the region and others where I bought gifts online, wrapped them up, and gave them to their recipients.  My daughter always receives money and gifts, my mom gets a special gift and a crocheted item, and everyone else gets something I know they will like.  I don’t worry about receiving gifts, not since I entered adulthood.  This may be due to the fact I do a little shopping for myself when I shop for everyone else. 

Anyway, I am glad the holidays are so close.  I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing for Thanksgiving, but one of those turkeys will be eaten.  One thing I am not going to do is overeat because I don’t want to work harder when I start running again.  Don’t have any plans for Christmas either, but I’m going to enjoy shopping. 

What are your holiday plans? 

On this day in 1918, the Armistice was signed by Germany, thus ending World War I.  This day is celebrated to honor every person who has ever signed on with the Federal government to defend this country and put on a uniform.  We use to this day to remember those who have fallen in the distant past, recent past, and those who continue to fight for us now.  Being a Marine Corps veteran, I am especially proud of the men and women serving our country today and to have worn the uniform and served this country with many other great Marines.  This day, however, is not just for Marines, but for all members of American’s military force.  Let us not forget their sacrifice and deep sense of duty.  Honor them and keep them in your thoughts.