Category Archives: Life Lessons

2014 – A Year in Review

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Whew — What a Year!!  I am going to End this Year, by revisiting the quote that topped my Vision Board for 2014.  It turned out to be self fulfilling prophecy.

“The Well Rounded Adventurer is adaptable, flexible, and versatile.  They know that things don’t always go as planned, so like trees, they bend with the wind, course correcting as often as necessary.  Their capability to do many things competently keeps them pressing forward, staying mentally alert and undistracted in focus.  Frustration has no room in their minds to sabotage their determination or to kill their confidence.  Prepare, Posture, Position, Arise and Be Wise in 2014!!” – Author Unknown

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This year has truly been one for the record books, or at least “My Record Books”.  And, the journey has been that much more interesting for the many amazing people that took it with me.  My friends and family, who were always there to encourage and support.  And, yes, even the naysayers, who helped me to push myself over and beyond what I thought my limits were.

On February of this year, we launched Our Etsy Store.  It was our original intention to just sell Decorative Throw Pillows.  After all, we knew that we could make those and were pretty confident in our choices when it came to fabric/texture/quality. So easy enough… Stage Presents went from just a Lifestyle Blog to an actual store.  As time went on, we ended up adding physical prints, digital prints, Vintage Items and other One of a Kind Home Decor Finds. And, with each change, our following and our audience seemed to grow.  What an amazing feeling to have a vision and have it received by so many.  We jumped on the Social Media Bandwagon and joined Instagram and Pinterest and Twitter.

We shared with you Trends in Home Decor, Asked your Opinions, Gave you some Amazing Free Printables and even offered you the Option to Subscribe to the Blog for Exclusive Materials.(We will be doing so much more with this in 2015.)

This year we also hosted Our Very First Handmade Holiday Gift Guide, and a corresponding Giveaway.  We got to interact with amazing vendors, sponsors and shops.  And, it was truly a fulfilling experience.

Over the course of this year, I invited you guys into my life, more than ever before.  Sharing the struggles of balancing all aspects of my life, of excepting change and of “progress versus perfection.”  The joy of family outings, our favorite recipes and a little bit of the pain, that comes with just living. And, the joys of decorating my home, as the seasons changed.

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As always, I look back and think how quickly the year flew by.  And, of all the things I wish I would have been able to pack into this year.  But, all things considered this was a great year full of love, laughter, and great memories.

 “Surrender to what is.  Let go of what was.  Have faith in what will be.” – Sonia Ricotti

I project that 2015 will be ever more epic, than 2014!!  And, I’m claiming it, Hang On We Are Taking 2015 By Storm!!

For Taking this Journey, with us here is a Free 2015 Device Wallpaper.  Enjoy!!

Click Here to Download the Take the World by Storm 2015 Device Wallpaper.

For Directions on How to Install Your Wallpaper  – Follow this Link.

We Wish You a Happy New Year and Infinite Blessings for the New Year!!

From Your Stage Presents Family!!

What I learned about hosting the 2014 “Handmade with Love” Holiday Gift Guide?

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What I learned about hosting the 2014 “Handmade with Love” Holiday Gift Guide?

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  1. First and foremost the most crucial component of prepping a Gift Guide is TIME.  Make sure to give yourself enough time on the Front End and on the Back End, FOR LIFE.  Because, it is definitely going to go on regardless of what you have to do.
  2. Be Clear.  Decide up front who your target audience will be. Research and Reach Out to those who you feel will meet your criteria.  Pick Your Categories and Advertise in Places that you think you will find participants best suited for each category.
  3. Create a Detailed Marketing/Advertising Plan.  Decide on the front end what is expected from each participant, and what you as the host have to offer your participants. (Provide information on how many people you reached in previous years, if applicable.  And, what avenues you utilized to advertise)
  4. Create Realistic Deadlines.  Stop accepting Applications After that Time.  Provide Participants with Hard Deadlines that you can stick to.
  5. Work your Plan.  Use All Available Social Media Outlets to get the word out for your Gift Guide.  Create a HashTag (#stagepresentshandmadewithlove) and Encourage All Participants and Sponsors to Share Info Across the Board Using the Same Hashtag.

Things I would probably do differently.

  • I would probably charge a nominal fee for those wishing to be showcased in the Gift Guide.  For no other reason than, time is money. I would also hope that if you put money out for advertising, you would be more likely to do your best to promote the Gift Guide.
  • I would probably start the Entry Process out at the end of September, beginning of October.  I feel this would give applicants, more time to get their entries in.
  • I would publish the completed Guide Mid-November.  I feel this would allow the items and shops that are showcased a greater lead time to get their items noticed.
  • Now, that I have Year One, under my belt.  I have a template within which to work and I will request all necessary information up front, as to avoid the constant need to reach out to applicants, and wait for their responses. **I know everyone is busy during the Holiday Season.**

Things I would not change.

  • The completed project.
  • The amazing artist/shops that were showcased.
  • The opportunity to help share their talent with consumers.
  • The opportunity to promote Hand Made.

Again, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the participants and the Sponsors that contributed and participated in the Gift Guide, the corresponding Giveaway and its promotion.  I could not have done it without you!!

“I feel like every project I work on is a dream project, so long as I am learning.”
― Simeon Kondev

How to Beat the B-O-R-E-D bug over the Holiday Break?

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How to beat the B-O-R-E-D bug?

Holiday Breaks take on a different meaning when you are a Stay at Home Mom. When I was working full time, I treasured the days of being at home with the kids.  I would get 2-3 days off at the most and those days were so jam packed with activity, it seemed like they were over before they even started.

Fast Forward to this year, when the Board of Education saw fit to make Thanksgiving Break a week long, sending this Mommy into Panic Mode.  A Week off in the Cold, with little to no chance of Outdoor Activities means I have to find a way to keep these girl’s entertained to combat the B-O-R-E-D bug.

The B-O-R-E-D Printable Beat the B-O-R-E-D bug

For the Free Printable Click BORED.

So my mind switches into List Mode….

What can we do?

  • Board Games
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Bowling
  • Learning Disguised as Fun
  • Read-a- Thon & Library Trips
  • $3 Movie Theater Trip
  • Holiday Decorations
  • Scrapbooking
  • Making Christmas Lists
  • Mini-Golf
  • Baking

I am feeling pretty proud of myself, until I realize that my entire list could probably fit into a 4-5 hour time Span, which sends me into an even bigger panic.

So it’s back to the drawing board, also known as Pinterest.

Here are some of the links that I found….

The Chirping Moms on

10 Things To Do When It’s Too Cold To Go Anywhere!

Pint Size Treasures on

9 Fun Inside Activities to Do With Kids — Perfect for Cold and Snowy Days!

The Madhouse on

The Ultimate No Spend or Low Spend Bored Jar list

**My favorites from these links – Spa Day, Puzzles and Any Other Activity that Includes Helping Mommy with her Chores, lol.

SO…WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE’S OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAKS??

A Quest for Answers: Motherhood Part 1

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“The days are long, but the years are short.” – Gretchen Ruben

Summer Break is over, here at our house, so I am trying to jump in with both feet, and get back into a Blogging Routine.   In a previous post, I Walk The Line, I promised to share with you some of the findings that I came across about Motherhood.

So here goes… I reached out to several Mothers in my Circle.  Surprisingly, I think they were all a little reluctant.  But, I get it, no one really wants their parenting called into question.  So I offered to post each response anonymously.

Mom 1 writes:

Honestly, I am both humbled and honored when someone mentions that I’m doing a great job parenting. I can’t tell you how many times I felt like I was doing a terrible job…cuz it’s a really tough job! Parenting is particularly challenging if you have more than one child, since each child requires customized parenting…that’s just my opinion.

I have three daughters. What works for my youngest daughter, does not work for my older twin daughters, and I’m convinced it has nothing to do with the age difference. It’s sheer personality!

Here’s one rule of thumb. As parents, I believe investing individual quality time with each child makes a world of difference. You’ll learn how to communicate with that individual child, separate from communicating with all your children as a group. You’ll find that this is more effective if your children all feel they are perceived as individuals with unique needs. They will respect and honor your views more. Try that for a change!

My Notes:  I really loved what Mom 1 had to say.  Especially because it’s easy to fall into the habit of trying to get everyone on the same page in a family setting. But, more often than not, EVERYONE really is not going to enjoy the same things.  I remember growing up my Mom made these awesome Chicken Croquettes, (which reminds me, I need to get that recipe), and we(my sister and I), loved them.   At some point, she stopped making it and when we asked her why, she said because Daddy didn’t like them.  I remember thinking …. SOOO…. lol.  I am sure it was just easier for her to make something that everybody wanted to eat than have to cater to our individual preferences.  But, I remember thinking that we outnumbered Dad and certainly should have had the deciding vote.  I said all that to say, we all want to have our individual needs catered to.  As adults and yes, as children.  I will be trying(Key Words:trying) harder on my end to consider the needs of everyone.

Question for Thought:  Just like with anyone else, do we teach our children how to treat us? I recently asked a friend how she taught her children to recognize and accept that Mommy needs both quiet and alone time.  She didn’t have an answer.  And, I haven’t found one either.  But, I have a greater need to make that known now that I am a Stay At Home Mom.  Love you guys, but now that you are little older, we don’t have to be together ALL THE TIME.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this as well.  (Mind you this was written, as my four year old was sitting as close to me as was humanly possible.  I literally had to put my headphones on in order to get in a good writing space.

Are you Interested in Teaching Your Children to Be Givers?        Check out this Great Post by Money Saving Mom.

Mommy Taxi Cab Confessions — The Summer Edition!!

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Blogging over this summer is proving to be quite the challenge.  I feel like I need to get a voice to text app and start recording my thoughts in the car since that’s where I’m spending most of my days lately.

My 9 year old started her extended school year this past Monday.  And, as always, at least in our house, with change comes anxiety.  We had been talking about this since before the regular school year ended.  But, as the days grew closer, I could sense the “stomach clench”, maybe because mine was doing the same thing.  The days before were filled with lots of questions, which I tried my best to answer with the information I had.  The morning of we got to the school early, and as we sat outside and waited, I could see the tears welling up in her eyes.  New School (not her home school), New Teachers and New Kids. Ugh!!  And out came her teacher Ms. D.  She was a ball of sunshine and energy. And, even though she was scared, she took her hand and walked into the school.

Less than an hour later, I got a pic of a Happy Little Girl and I breathed a Sigh of Relief.  The next 4 days went perfectly and she told me she made a friend.  And, just like that, all is right with the world.  Whew!! These Growing Pains are as hard on the Parents as the Kids!!

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I have also spent a great deal of time driving my 17 year old around trying to help him find a job.  And, finally he scored a gig at Chick-fil-A. – Insert 1 Happy Momma!!

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The only person relaxing this summer is my little one.  She rides with me when she feels like it, and hangs out with Dad when she’s tired of the running around…

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So there you have it!!

Roots and Wings ….

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PARENTING IS SUCH A DEEPLY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

If you want to see a Mom or Dad lose it, call into questions their methods.  Challenge their ability to parent effectively or even blame them for their child’s shortcomings, and you are almost sure to get a less than pleasurable response.

Parenting Quote - Roots and Wings

Photo Source: Pinterest

 

Roots:

plural noun: roots 

1.  the part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous branches and fibers.

2.  the basic cause, source, or origin of something.

Wings:

plural noun: wings

1.  any number of specialized paired appendages that enable some animals to fly in particular.

2.  a rigid horizontal structure that projects from both sides of an aircraft and supports it in the air.

So when it  comes to our little people, what exactly constitutes roots.  I have always thought that had something to do with teaching them to be grounded.  As well as teaching them about their history and their heritage.

Wings, I see wings as providing them with the tools necessary to be successful, compassionate, loving and empathetic humans.

The fact of the matter is that (at jumping off point), most of us have a general idea of what kind of child we want to raise.  After all we have had 9 months to think on it.  We’ve tried our hardest to diligently plan every detail.  If you are like me (a lil anal retentive), you created a Excel Spreadsheet with every item you thought your lovejoy could possibly need and you checked off each item.  You packed your bags and waited for what you were sure would be a Chart Stopper of a day and it was!!  You bring your lovejoy home only to realize, well he’s not all that lovable or joyous, lol.  He’s got colic, wants to be held all the time, and came out  all Type A and demanding your attention all the time.  Which maybe wouldn’t be so bad, if you didn’t have two other kids on deck.

Fast Forward through some years and you’ve managed to get a General Ebb and Flow, you’ve found a way to cater to all the little and BIG personalities in your home.

And, you finally learn that:

1.  EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT.

2. TO PARENT THE CHILD YOU’VE GOT AND NOT THE ONE YOU WANTED.

3. AND MAYBE BY NOW YOU’VE LEARNED THEIR INDIVIDUAL LOVE LANGUAGES.

You think you are finally getting this Insane Ride of Motherhood Down Pat.  You’ve got Square Pegs – Fitting Into Circle Holes.  You are rocking the Hell out of Life.  Only to Realize…. You are Just Getting Started.

I walk the line…

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As a Mom and even as a wife, there is definitely a line of demarcation in the sand.   You want your family to be independent, but you also want them to need you. You want your children to be able to enjoy their childhoods as much as is possible, but you also want to teach them a sense of responsibility and accountability.  What falls into the arena of things that they should be responsible for and what are things that I should be responsible for?  And, like most things that come with raising kids, there is no manual.  We are left mostly to our own devices.

With my oldest, I held his hand way longer than I should have probably.  But, I blame that on the fact that he was an only child for almost 9 years.  Rounding the second trimester of my second pregnancy, I realized that I couldn’t possible take on the responsibility of being a new Mom, and continue to hold his hand too.  So, we went through a crash course on things he could do himself.  To my surprise, and probably my relief, he already could do most of the things that I had been doing for him, but wasn’t, simply because I was doing it.

Fast forward 9 more years, and that little baby I was pregnant with is now 9 years old.  And, I find myself in a similar predicament.  Except there are other existing variables.  1.  I have a 4 year old, who I think was born independent. 2. My oldest daughter has an significant speech delay   Because she had such a challenging road ahead of her, I again I did most of the things that she should have started doing earlier.

But, now that we are coming up on the other side of her circumstances, I find that we are constantly having to remind her to do things, she should know how to do already.  I even think she has gone backwards a bit, because Mom always swooped in and saved the day.

I know.. I know.. Bad Mommy. Hubby and I have had to stay on both girls to make sure that they keep their rooms cleaned, do their chores, don’t leave their things all over the house, etc., etc.

All of this had me thinking about exactly what kind of children I want to raise. So, I started doing some research talking to other Mothers that I admire, Mothers whose children have succeeded in life and excelled, and even Mothers who gave their all and had their kids go left instead of right.  I was shocked at what I learned, or at the very least humbled.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will share those findings, books, printables, and conversations that I have had. Hope you all will let me know what you think of my findings, what wisdom you want to impart to your own kids, and what worked for you, and even what didn’t.

The Dust Up In the Family Room!!

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Can you play two ends of the same coin?  I like to say that I push the envelope when it comes to my Home Decor Choices, but more often than not, my choice ends up being very main stream and even a bit conservative but with a contemporary flair.

Last year we decided it was time to update our Family Room. And, our jumping off point was the sofa.  I never anticipated the mayhem that would ensue.  After numerous trips to the furniture store.  We decided on this sofa.

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Or so I thought.  We didn’t really measure the space.  And (maybe), since I’m not sure even after a year, that I am ready to acquiesce that it was too big for the room, it was a bit large.  But, I loved that sofa.  So for peace sake the sofa went back and hubby was tasked with finding a new sofa for the family room.  I was still pouting, so I stayed at home.

So you can imagine my horror and surprise when hubby came home with a red leather sectional.

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Little did I know that [1] I would fall in love it.  [2] It was the perfect match for our space.  [3]  It would inspire such creativity on our part(our Mantel Decor- shown above).

It is easy to pick safe choices, but I must admit that” flying a little close to the sun” worked for us, this time.

If only… I could…

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Do you remember the lyrics to that old Regina Belle song, If I Could.  It went a little something like this… “If I could, I’d protect you from the sadness in your eyes, Give you courage in a world of compromise…. If I could I would teach you all the things I’ve never learned, And I’d help you cross the bridges that I’ve burned…..If I could…” She goes on to lament about the things she would save her children from if only, she could.                  Listen to Song Here

As a mom of three, my heart often breaks when I think of the heart ache that their future holds.  In a world where deceit, dishonesty and confusion reign supreme, one can’t help but to wonder about the future on every level, which leads me to my second point.  As a Mom, how do I prepare my children to handle the inevitable pain, disappointment and even betrayal that could potentially be at every turn?

I find myself  caught between a rock and a hard place, conflicted in my own thinking.  I firmly believe that a large part of childhood should be magical, because there are many years of hard truths and reality up ahead.  But, how do I create a balance between magic and  fact?

I think the answer to this question will only continue to grow as we all grow and mature, Mom and Kids.  But, this is what I came up with.  I try my best to mold well rounded little people.  I try to expose them to joy, and I guess some pain.  I give them their fair share of responsibility while still allowing them to be children.  I teach them about loss, about hard times, about how fleeting status can be and how important gratitude is.  I teach them how important it is to be accepting and forgiving, and able to roll with the punches, while holding on to their own personal integrity. I give them a real example of how they should be treated by my relationship with my husband and how in turn they should treat theirs.  I push the importance of an education, of pursuing your dreams and being able to stand up on your own two feet.  I teach them to own their choices(however, painful that may be), and deal with the consequences.  It’s honestly a long list and a lot of things on it were things I had to learn for myself, but even still they are things I hope to impart to them.

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All of this brings me back to a quote on whose back I plan to ride for 2014.  I shared it at the beginning of the year, and I suspect, it won’t be the last time you hear it from me this year.  I hope it speaks to you… as it speaks to me.

“The well-rounded adventurer is adaptable, flexible and versatile.  They know that things don’t always go as planned, so like trees they bend with the wind, course correcting as often as necessary.  Their capability to do many things competently keeps them pressing forward, staying mentally alert and undistracted in focus.  Frustration has no room in their minds to sabotage their determination or to kill their confidence.  Prepare, Posture, Position, Arise and Be Wise!!”

I have asked several of my girlfriends what they would like to tell/teach their children, even what they wished that had known, before being out on their own.  I would love to hear what you all think as well.  Please leave your opinions in the comment section below.

 

The Strength of the Tree — Direction in 2014!!

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“The Strength of a Tree  Lies In It’s Ability to Bend.”

Stage Presents was birthed out of the concept of surrounding ourselves with only those things, persons, places or things that bring us joy.  As we grow and mature, I believe our concepts of beauty and joy mature with us, and therefore tend to be redefined.  Stage Presents is a forum where all aspects of life are embraced.

Stage Presents encourages women to aspire to be well rounded and learned.  To that end we try to share information that runs the gamut.  In 2013, we focused a lot on home decor, motivational and inspiration thought, art, music,  and family to name a few.

In 2014, we plan to broaden our scope of topics.  My Vision for Stage Presents is to make it more interactive.  We would love to get your opinions and find out what your interest are and what you would like to discuss.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by both powerful, smart and insightful people.  So, I believe wholeheartedly that there is power in suggestion, advice and the counsel of like minded individuals.  I know that we will not all see things through the same eyes, but I have learned a lot by listening to the opinions and points of view of others.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to greatness in 2014.  Your continued support and vital contributions(comments), are they key to Stage Presents being a True “Blueprint to Better Living”.

I am looking forward to 2014 with bated breath.

I leave you with this Quote which is at the top of my 2014 Vision Board, I hope you find meaning it.

“The Well Rounded Adventurer is adaptable, flexible, and versatile.  They know that things don’t always go as planned, so like trees, they bend with the wind, course correcting as often as necessary.  Their capability to do many things competently keeps them pressing forward, staying mentally alert and undistracted in focus.  Frustration has no room in their minds to sabotage their determination or to kill their confidence.  Prepare, Posture, Position, Arise and Be Wise in 2014!!” – Author Unknown

All the Best for the New Year!!

Your Stage Presents Family