Wordless Wednesday

Post-Birthday High

Issa doing her best Marilyn Monroe impression.

This last week went by in a whirl-wind!  I had so many things to take care of before my birthday debauchery began.
;-D 

I turned 38 on Friday, May 20th, and the entire weekend was filled with celebration.  Much needed and (if I do say so myself) much deserved celebration.  I usually set my birthdays up as my own personal New Year's Day so that with celebrating comes retrospection and a commitment toward my future.  Even with the fun that was had, this year was no different.

I had been battling a Depressive episode for over 6 months, gained 30 pounds, dealt with a disabling wrist issue, and of course, dealt with the isssues that come up around "co-parenting" with my son's father.  Oh, yeah, and then there was a kid to raise in the midst of all of that as well!  Feeling like the evil tendrils of Depression have greatly receeded, it felt good to be able to go out and actually celebrate Issa.  I hadn't been able to do that in a very, very long time. 

I want to take this moment to thank all of my family and friends who made it a point to come out and celebrate with me.  You made my weekend rock!  I also want to thank my Mom for staying in NYC (which she hates doing on the weekends), to deal with handing off/receiving Theo during his visitation weekend at his father's.  Not having to deal with lateness and an absence of consideration and integrity during my birthday weekend was an immeasurable gift to me.  Oh!  And my BFF gave me the best gift ever -- she sent her cleaning lady to my house to clean up on Sunday!  Can it get better than that?  I think not.  ;-)

I feel truly grateful today.  There is so very much to be thankful for. 

What are you most grateful for today?

Wordless Wednesday

The Center for Health & Healing

Ove Topfer / Stock Xchng

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with the Center for Health & Healing today to find out about what it is that they do there.  Alternative forms of addressing medical issues has always been important to me, as I feel that the best response to most issues is usually a combination of Western and Holistic practices.  At the Center for Health & Healing they insure a holistic approach to a myriad of issues for both you and your children.  They offer private Yoga Therapy sessions that address problems such as low energy, headache & sinus pain, and much more; consultations with a certified Integrative Medicine Nutritionist to find out if you or your child's diet is contributing to things like ADHD or other disorders (or even just to get ideas on how to get that picky eater of yours to eat his veggies!); or schedule a visit with The Center's resident Nurse Practitioner of Homeopathy to address medical issues without having to go to heavy drugs first.  Their website also has a very useful tool in which you can pull up a condition that you are experiencing and it will tell you which alternative forms of healing would be most useful for you.

I was most impressed with The Center's committment to the children they serve, and was glad to hear that they accept many of the major insurances that most families have in New York City.  Too often, alternative forms of medical treatment can be extremely expensive, so the fact that they take insurance came as a pleasant surprise.

If you are in the NY/NJ/CT Tri-state area and are looking for a place for you or your children to get alternative treatment, you would do well to check them out.

Happy Mother's Day!

The best day of my life; the day I became Mama. Thank you for choosing me to be born into this world through, Pun'kin.

"I held your hand and I was born." - Maxwell

The Importance Of Never Giving Up

Sharell Cook / Stock Xchng

These past several months brought a darkness that hadn't visited my life in a very long time.  There were many reasons for that and I have taken the time to, slowly, address many of them.  This week I have been able to feel a little light on my face for the first time in months and it feels really darn good.  I have learned so many lessons during this time, but the most important one?  To never, ever give up.  Nothing stays the same forever, my friends.  The only thing you can consistently expect in life is Change.  And while someone like me who is resistant to change might not like that because when things are going well you don't want that to change, it's really helpful when things aren't going so well.  During the most painful places in your life, reminding yourself that, "This too shall pass", is very important. 

If you are feeling down, if things seems like they will never get any better and you don't think you can stand it much longer, please, hang on.  Just get through today.  You never know when the clouds will part a little - and they will - and a tiny sliver of sun will come shining through.  When you've been in the ice cold darkness for what seems like forever, even a single, thin ray of light can bring light and warmth to our lives.  And that ray can fill you with hope - the one thing that disappears during Depression.  With hope, anything is possible.  When you wake up and think, "I can't face this day", let me be the one to tell you that yes, you can.  And you will.  If your love for your babies has brought you this far, it will continue to see you through.  And while your love for them isn't enough to create for yourself a truly full life right now, it will give you the courage to see the day when you find enjoyment in the little things again.  From there, the sky's the limit.

So, Sisters, please, hang in there.  It will get better.  I promise.

I've Been Nominated For Best Single Parenting Blog!

I've been nominated for Best Single Parenting Blog along with 24 other AMAZING blogs!  One of the reasons I started blogging was that there was a sizeable void in the Single Parent blog space.  It's so wonderful to see so many other single parent blogs out there now!

If you would like to vote for me it's just a simple click, no registering or anything like that: http://bit.ly/igpZhM


Thank you!!!