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Sep 24th, 2010 by admin

I’m starting to think a lot about home.  I’ve been away from my physical home for some weeks now and am missing it.  Then I ask myself, what is it, exactly, I miss.

Do I miss the physical structure?  Sometimes; I designed our home myself and, though I now wish I’d had some professional help, it works well for our lifestyle.

Do I miss the landscape?  Yes.  I miss the shade trees, the blooming plants, the variety of shades of green across our lot.  I love it because of the care my husband devotes to it.  You can take the farmer away from the land, but you can’t get that need to work the land out of a farmer’s heart.  He is great with all aspects of our landscape.

Do I miss the weather?  This time of year, rarely.  I’ve had enough summer and am ready for some cooler weather, so not really on the weather.

Do I miss my two cats?  Definitely.  Alex is our old girl, around 18.  She’s not as spry as she once was and is losing her hearing.  She can still bring a smile to my face though.  And Sam, the male who adopted us about 7 years ago, is dog-like, but still definitely has a cattitude.  I often see Sam following my husband around the yard as plants, trims and waters.  Sam is the only true lap cat I’ve ever had and I love having him there.

What I miss most, though, is the companionship of my husband.  Each time I’m away I realize anew that what I told him once is true.  For me, home is wherever he is.  He said that was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to him.  I’m glad.  And I’m happy that soon, I’ll be heading home.

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Half way there…and counting

Sep 22nd, 2010 by admin

It’s the middle of week two and we are half way to our move date.

It’s been a busy time for me.  Much of the preparation for the move is left to me.  My mother is helping, but she has low vision and it is often just quicker for me to evaluate and make some of the decisions.  I’ve been clearing out old papers and sorting those that need to be filed.  I’ve been emptying drawers and getting various pieces ready for the movers.  We’ve been in the kitchen selecting utensils, dishes, pots and pans.  So much to do.  And it’s been a long time since I moved into a place with nothing.  It’s hard to remember all the things you need to start a new home.

I’ve made a list.  I’m a great one for that.  So far I think I’ve covered most of the important things.  Incidentals like toilet tissue, paper towels, soap, bath towels, coffee cups and coffee (though I personally prefer tea), sheets for the bed and pillows are on the list.  I want my mother to start getting settled into her new place as soon as possible.

So, a few more days of preparation for me then my brother arrives with all the packing boxes and the next phase will begin.  Final decisions will be made.  As we get closer, I can see the strain of leaving her old life behind is wearing on my mother.  I hate it for her.  And, as my brother has said, I don’t see any other way to deal with it except to push on through it.

Soon a new life begins.  We’re half way there…and counting.

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Everyone needs a break

Sep 16th, 2010 by admin

How are you feeling today?  I need a break.

Although I’ve only been working with my mom for about a week on her upcoming move, it seems much longer.  So much emotion involved in reducing a full, long life to a couple of rooms.  And so much of her life to turn through to make those important decisions.

Most interesting to me is that she doesn’t seem to want to be the one to make those important decisions.  Sure, some come very easily to her — definitely this piece of furniture, definitely these pictures.  But so many of the decisions that I would want to make if it were my life, she defers to me.  And I’m uncomfortable with that position.

My values, and what I value, is different from her values and what she values.  Sometimes that means she’s quite unhappy with the decisions I make.  Yet, even when I give the decision back to her, she won’t accept responsibility to make a different choice.  This confuses me.

And frustrates me.  And sometimes makes me angry.  And I wonder if there’s something going on that I just don’t understand.

So I take a deep breath, clear my mind, lower my voice, and start again.  I am constantly asking God to provide the right words and tone to make my point without making this transition harder for her than it already is.

With a couple more weeks before the move, I can see I need to take some time for myself.  Though she doesn’t understand now, I’m hoping that someday she will.  It’s hard, sometimes, being the daughter of a “people person” when I prefer my solitude most of the time.  I’m hoping she finds that she, too, needs a break.

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Preparing for the big move

Sep 13th, 2010 by admin

The decision has been made.  It’s time for my mother to move from her familiar surroundings to a new home much closer to mine.  Now the real work begins.

Now it’s time to start sorting and sifting through a lifetime of accumulation.  In my mother’s case, that’s mostly the last 40 years.  Forty years ago is the last time we moved and had the chance to clear out the chaff.  And my mother has been on the receiving end of many generous friends over these past 40 years.  They have constantly filled her home with plants, kitchen utensils of all sorts, furniture, knick knacks, and mountains of clothing.

Like the rest of us, my mother has her own personal collections of items as well.  These have varied with the stages of her career and personal life — papers, articles, books, magazines, china, crystal, shoes, and a variety of other objects.  We now face the task of setting priorities and deciding which of these many beloved treasures are important enough to carry forward into her new life.  And, which are ready for a new home.  Easier for me, quite a challenge for her.

How do you go about reducing a 3-bedroom, 2-bath lifetime into a one-bedroom apartment?  How much of your old life will you be required to leave behind?  How do you choose what’s really important to YOU?

These are the questions my mother and I are facing together.  So far, we seem to be making good progress.  Soon, though, the difficult decisions will come.  I’m just hoping to be the support system she needs to get through those, help her make decisions she can live with.  Someday it will be my turn.   And that’s the kind of help and understanding I’ll want too.

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Let’s talk tea

Sep 6th, 2010 by admin

I love tea.  I love it hot.  I love it cold.  I love it straight.  I love some teas with a little touch of sweetener.  I even love when tea is used as an ingredient in other foods.  I just love tea.

That’s probably how I finally ended up selling Tealightful Treasures teas and accessories.  I wanted everyone to learn more about tea.  And, in the process of tasting some of the thousands of blends available, find a few they could love too.

Here are a few of my Tealightful Treasures favorites.  Christmas Morning – a wonderful orange and spicy tea.  It brings back many childhood memories – of instant tea and Tang and spices (probably dating myself here).  As a child this was my only experience with teas other than the grocery-store bagged type and we only had this during the holidays.

Honeybush – straight-forward and delicious rooibos tea.  No need to add anything; just sip and relax.

Mim Estate Darjeeling – I love darjeeling teas, the champagne of teas.  I usually drink mine straight and caress the cup lovingly.

Royal Tea – Though I’m not a bergamot fan, this tea blend is different.  It’s rich flavor is laced every so lightly with jasmine and bergamot.  I inhale deeply and sip slowly, imagining I’m attending a royal tea.

Sunshine – If you love iced tea, you have got to try this one.  It’s a great summer tea – full of bright citrus flavors and definitely no sweetener needed.  Kids are crazy about this one, too.

My list wouldn’t be complete without Cocoa Kisses – all the decadence of chocolate without all the calories.  I’d only had chocolate tea once and fell in love at first sip.  If you’re looking for a great dessert tea or one to treat yourself, this would be an excellent choice.

Thank you for indulging me my love of teas.  Our Tealightful Treasures teas are starting to show up on the Tea Review Blog, with reviews from their panel members.  I encourage you to check them out.  When you find a tea you love or that intrigues you, you can link directly to my Tealightful Treasures website, place your order and have it delivered right to your door.

I see it’s tea time.  Grab yourself a cup and take a break with me.  Life is more wonderful with a cup of great tea.

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Getting older – when do I move?

Aug 29th, 2010 by admin

I’ve spent lots of time over the past three years on I-95 between my home and my mother’s home.  My mother has lived alone since my dad died about 3 years ago.

My mother lives in the same town where she was born and lives in the same house for at least the past 40 years.  She still has dinner with her friends from high school about once a month, attends church where she knows not only most of the members, but their parents and assorted relatives.  She knows stories about all the major events that have happened in this town over the past 70+ years.  Recently, though, her world has started to change in ways she hasn’t liked.

Over the past year, my mother has fallen on ice (and thankfully didn’t break anything), spent time in rehab, has had to face diminishing vision and the likely loss of her driver’s license.  Many of her friends are facing similar or worse health issues. Though she still counts on them to help her when she needs it, they cannot offer her all the help she needs at this stage of her life.

Without more help, she has to ask the big question — when do I move?  When do I leave all I have known and face a new world?

For my mother, that answer is now.  And, happily, she has chosen to face her new world much closer to me.  We found a great place for her to live, one with a very pro-health attitude and facilities.  She can still have her own place with her own furniture and memories, new friends her own age and never a worry about transportation or meals.  It was scary for her at first, the thought of leaving behind all she’s ever known, but she’s starting to get excited about life again.  I will keep you posted as we make the final move in early October.  We still have many challenges ahead, but with the right attitude, this will be an exciting adventure.

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Time for more shopping!

Jul 2nd, 2010 by admin

I recently told you about the wonderful group of women I network with.  I look forward to our GAB Group meetings each month, to renew our friendships, learn what I can to improve my own business and SHOP!

In June, our Thirty-One Gifts consultant, Tracy, hosted. If you haven’t seen them yet, you really must check out these bags.  The variety is amazing. You can be sure if you need a bag for almost anything, Thirty-One Gifts has one that will work for you. And you can personalize most of them with a monogram, name, initial, or saying. I ordered a bag to use for overnight travel with “My Cup of Tea” on it. I can’t wait to see it. Sturdy, good-looking, functional – exactly what I want in a bag.

This month, July, our Scentsy consultant, Glenda, is hosting. Although I’ve heard about Scentsy, I don’t actually know much about these products. I know they offer wickless candles and I am intrigued. I love having candles in my home. In Florida, however, with the air-conditioning running most of the time, candles don’t always burn the way I’d like. They melt down one side faster, drip and the flames can waver wildly if not properly located. So – candles without wicks? Can’t wait to see them!

This month my Tealightful Treasures newsletter launched, too. I’m very excited to share all the tea news with my friends and customers. This month’s featured recipe is Smores Scones served with Coconut Dream iced tea. Yum! Great tastes for summer to make and revive wonderful memories. I hope you’ll check it out. And, to the person who tried to use my link before, it works this time. I hope you’ll give it another try.

Looks like it’s time for a glass of iced tea. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend!

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Becoming parents to parents

Jun 21st, 2010 by admin

It’s happening.  I’m becoming a parent for the first time.

My first “child” will be my mother. For me, this is an odd place to begin being a parent. I have no experience being a parent and it’s a bit scary.

My relationship with my mother is typical. Like others, I went through those awkward teen years of thinking she didn’t know anything, when we had some very loud “discussions” on various topics.  Then I went away to college; my views began to change. I started to see her as a person rather than just my parent.  This was eye-opening and our relationship grew.

Now I find myself feeling like that teen again — with my mother looking to me to have the answers. And, just like my “first” teen years, we are back to having some loud “discussions” about issues mostly related to her care.  Like any good parent, sometimes I have to tell her things she doesn’t want to hear but that she needs to hear. That’s hard.

And I often wonder where some of her ideas and actions are coming from. She’s been an educated, intelligent woman who’s spent her whole life helping other people with their problems. So what makes her act like she’s completely forgotten that person now?  What makes her so difficult to deal with some days?

Scarier for me is that I see much of my mother in myself. Will I be this difficult as I get older?

Will I forget that I am always a teacher, no matter what job I have?

Will I lose the courage to try new things and be willing to go new places, meet new people?

Will I find myself surrounded by years of acquired “stuff” and be unwilling to part with it?  Will I forget that the “stuff” is only “things” and not the people who gave it to me or who I got it from?

My sincere answer is — I don’t think so and I hope not. I hope that by being my mother’s parent and viewing her experience with a somewhat objective eye, I will learn what not to do, how not to act. There are times my mother’s life seems so sad to me and I don’t want that for myself. I choose instead to live a happy life as long as I’m here, filled with great memories and great relationships.

Enough for now. I’m going to grab a cup of tea and reflect on the person I want to be — today and tomorrow. See you back here soon.

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Where have I been?

Jun 18th, 2010 by admin

Hello, again. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I was last here. Life, I think, took over more than I realized. We’ll talk about that another day.

Today, I want to talk about where I’ve been and where I’m headed. I want to focus on my GAB Group. I started this group almost 3 years ago with one of my friends, Debbie. It’s a networking group for direct sellers in our area. And our name stands for Growing a Business Group. Since we’re all women you may have expected something different.

We have the following companies represented in our group: my Tealightful Treasures, Debbie’s Tastefully Simple, Tracy’s Thirty-One Gifts, Cathy’s Princess House, Anita’s Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Annie’s Premier Design Jewelry, Glenda’s Scentsy, Ann’s Send Out Cards, and Joan’s Jockey Person to Person.

I get together with this fabulous group of ladies once a month and we talk briefly about our products and about our businesses.  We share ideas for booking parties, sharing our business opportunities with others, games that make parties more fun, ways to push ourselves to achieve more. We have fun!

As for where the GAB Group is headed, the future is bright if uncertain. I’m hoping that soon we will be hosting an event to showcase all our products at one time — meet new people, gather new customers. We also love to support organizations in our community. Currently we support Serene Harbor, a women’s shelter, whenever we can. Perhaps a new opportunity will present itself soon.

So, grab yourself a nice cup of tea and check out these great products that my friends sell. You just might find something you love.

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It’s Christmas Eve!

Dec 24th, 2009 by admin

It’s Christmas Eve! Are you ready for the big day?  I can hardly wait!

The gifts are all bought, wrapped, shipped and delivered as required. The menu is planned. The grocery shopping completed yesterday.

Christmas Eve is my day for relaxing and reflecting. Grab a cup of tea and join me for a moment.

How has your year been?  Mine has been an interesting one. I’ve tried some new things – like an internet business (not for me right now), joyfully learned a few new things – blogging is fun, discovered a few things I’m not so good at just yet – something to work on next year.

I love that I found tea as a home-based business.  All my experiences up to now have lead me to it and that’s an interesting thing to contemplate. I’ve loved tea my whole life.  Somewhere along the way I started collecting teapots and a few teacups. Funny I can’t seem to remember my first cup of hot tea, but I’m sure I was young. Probably had it with lots of sugar. I grew up in the South. Tea always required lots of sugar, hot or cold. It was, and is, a comforting beverage, lovely to look at and a lighter and more complex flavor than coffee. Today I generally take my tea straight. I enjoy flavored teas as well as a nice cup of Darjeeling. It’s easy for me to get lost in a great cup of tea. Like now…

On this Christmas Eve, let me wish each of you a glorious and blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, however you define that. I’ll be thinking of you over my cup of tea.

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