I'm Back! {Sort of, Kind of}

Celebrating my birthday back in December

Wow! So, has it been a minute or is it just me?

Yeah, it's been a minute. It's been a year and a half actually. But who's keeping track?

Oh, you are? Well, you're in for a treat, in that case.

So, here we are. It's January 27, 2025. 2025? The last blog post I wrote was on May 30, 2023.

Let's start with the backstory. In May 2023, my daughters were 17 and 21. When I started this little blog in 2008, my daughters were 2 and 6 years old. Crazy, right? Mom blogs were just starting to take off in 2008, and I was considered one of the early adopters. Blogging was like the wild, wild West back then. Anything went and no one cared about blog design and aesthetics. We wrote what we lived, and we wrote from the heart with reckless abandon, not caring about SEO, analytics, or income.

The years ticked by and along came blog designers with all the bells, whistles, and color schemes. Affiliate marketing made its way onto our blogs, and for the first time, we had an opportunity to make money from something other than ads and sponsored content. We could now share what we were wearing, using, and loving, and earn a buck. And we could share it in a pretty space with branded colors and designs.

Through the years, my girls grew up and were less interested in being fodder for my blog. They no longer wanted to be the subjects of my blog posts. Their friends and the moms of their friends were blog readers. Why would they possibly want their trials and tribulations shared among my readers? I couldn't argue with that logic, and so I didn't. As a result, my blog evolved, and so did I. I was no longer a mom to little girls, or even tweens, for that matter.

So, I started sharing more of myself. I shared the things I loved doing from reading to fitness to eating to weekend happenings. And then I stopped. It just didn't seem fun anymore. I had lost my inspiration to write engaging content. I lost my inspiration to share bits and pieces of myself. In one sense the blogging market had become saturated and in another, it had become a graveyard of sorts as content consumers flocked to other platforms.

Over the past year and a half, I have thoroughly missed writing. It's the only way I accurately and effectively express myself. I truly value any kind of communication, but writing has always been the best way for me to get my feelings across. About a year ago, I started journaling using an app on my phone. It's certainly not the same as a handwritten journal, but journaling is more about expressing what you are feeling in a safe space than the method by which you do it. I've found it to be therapeutic, but my blog was always a sort of journal for me as well.

I can't promise that I will write here every day, as I once did. But I hope to start sharing more frequently here and that my content will make a connection to you and resonate in some way.

And just in case the math isn't mathing, my daughters are now 18 (almost 19) and 22. My youngest is a freshman in college, and my oldest is about to embark on a real estate career. They are full-fledged adults now.

I hardly feel old enough to have daughters who are young adults, but that's a blog post for another day.

xoxo

0

3 Reasons To Get the Help of an Expert Rather Than Go It Alone

photo via

Being independent is a wonderful thing, and being able to do certain things by yourself without the help of others is a great way to live your life. It gives you a sense of accomplishment when you are able to do something on your own, especially those things that others may need help with. There are times in life, though, when you may require outside support and help. Certain situations arise where you need a professional standpoint and some expertise. Here are a few times in life where this may happen.

0

Keep Moving Forward

Over the course of the past few months, I've received emails and DMs from readers inquiring about the state of the blog and social channels, specifically my inconsistent posting schedule, lack of content, and my general state of being MIA. While these questions were not a complete surprise to me, I have to admit that I was surprised that you care enough to reach out (thank you to those who have!). I appreciate your concern both for my wellbeing and that of the blog as well.

I realized months ago that there was a definite shift away from posting on the blog and on my social channels. Part of it was intentional and part of it wasn't. It's difficult to feel inspired and to think that my blog content inspires others in this current state of the world. My social posting is scarce because I hardly go anywhere or do anything. Most days I hit the gym (fully masked up), Starbucks drive-through, maybe the grocery store, occasionally the pharmacy, and sometimes restaurants to pick up take out.

0

Remember To Take Care of Yourself

I had a different post slated for today but in light of Wednesday's horrific events in our nation's capital, I decided, at the last minute, to shift gears. When something as monumental and as disturbing as the insurrection on the Capitol building occurs, it's easy to succumb to feelings of terror and horror. As soon as I saw a friend post about protestors storming the Capitol, I immediately turned on the TV (something I haven't done in months). For the next two hours, I sat mesmerized in front of the TV. I couldn't focus on anything else. Then I began to obsessively check social media for updates.

After a few hours, I was emotionally overcome and overwhelmed. I needed to step back and step away. I turned off the TV, got in my car, and ran a few errands that were planned for earlier in the afternoon but obviously never happened. It was good to take a break from the noise. But more importantly, it reminded me how important it is to take time to take care of yourself.

0

Aging With Dignity: Tips For Choosing A Memory Care Facility

There's no avoiding getting older, but some people are more fortunate than others and stay healthy and mentally sharp. For others, general health deteriorates, resulting in mobility and pain issues. Some people are no longer capable of independent living because of mobility or mental acuity problems. For many midlifers, either caring for an aging parent or growing older themselves has prompted them to think about care options for elderly relatives. There are several types of care facilities for senior citizens depending on their physical and mental health, including memory care facilities.

0

Life Lately

Hi, friends! It's been a while, so I thought I'd jump back in to blogging with a Life Lately post to check in and catch up. How is everyone doing? Anyone have COVID fatigue and burnout? 🙋‍♀️ I'm over here raising my hand for all of the above and then some. Sheesh. It hasn't been easy. Here in New Jersey, the number of cases has been steadily increasing, and further restrictions have been put in place. We aren't as confined as we were back in March and early spring, but limitations have been put primarily on restaurants since that seems to be where people have been gathering in groups sans masks and social distancing.

We just returned from a week in Florida, so we are in quarantine mode here at home, although I'm not quite sure why since our caseload and Florida's are probably similar. But, we just do what we are told. We had our annual trip to our timeshare in Captiva Island, Florida, and it was great to get away. I was very apprehensive about flying, but it was actually fine. All the passengers were very good about wearing masks and keeping them on during the flight and while in the airports. South Seas Island Resort requires masks indoors and social distancing both indoors and outdoors at the pools, beach, etc.

I posted only once on Instagram stories from South Seas while we were away. I was concerned about backlash for going away, and I thought is was best to keep a low profile while we were traveling. Plus, the weather wasn't great, and our trip was very low key. I took advantage of both of those to unplug and unwind and try to relax before returning to New Jersey. I usually take over 500 pictures in Captiva, but only have about 60 to show for this trip. 

This was the sunset our first night there. The clouds made it look like some sort of explosion. Sadly, there wasn't another sunset until our late night there (second picture).

Both are pretty spectacular though, and South Seas Resort never disappoints no matter the weather.

But now, we are back home and back to business. Harper is not permitted in school for two weeks since we traveled to a state on the quarantine list, so she is home working remotely until after Thanksgiving. When she returns, she'll now be there 5 days per week from 8 AM to 12 PM. I wonder how long that schedule will remain in place. Emma does all of her college work remotely, which has been an interesting college experience for her, and working part-time at a tanning salon. Tomorrow Emma has to have a COVID test in order to return to work next week. She'll be the first one in our family to have the test.

I've been doing a lot of reading lately and have tons of books to share with you (in separate posts). I read three books while in Captiva. I started the fourth season of The Crown last night. Anyone else watching? I've loved all the other seasons and am hoping this one is just as captivating. In other news, my gym opened last month, and I've gone several times. I had really grown to love my outdoor runs and walks, but on days when it's either been too cold or raining, I've gone to the gym. Plus, I've been taking a yoga class on Fridays and Sundays by one of my favorite instructors. I was never able to get into doing yoga at home via video during quarantine. I am thrilled to be back doing it and doing it safely with limited class size. For me, yoga helps to tame my anxiety (which, hello, has been at an all-time high lately).

Speaking of anxiety, how about the election? Whew! Glad that's over. I read an interesting article last week about the number of influencers who had chosen to remain quiet about where they stood this election, and that it has hurt them because they didn't take a vocal stand. I always struggle with how much to share when it comes to politics. This election year, I didn't hold back, which was evident in my IG stories, if you were following along. I'm happy to say that I didn't lose followers on Instagram. It's often hard to know what to share and not to share whether it pertains to politics or not.

I have to tell you. It feels good to sit down and write this post. It feels good to be getting my act together  to blog as well as pouring my heart out here. I always feel like something is missing from my life when I'm not keeping the blog updated.

I can't think of anything else for now. If you have something to share, I'd love to hear about it in the comments or via email at piecesofamom@gmail.com. Sharing is caring!! ❤️

Until next time...xx

0

Getting a Mortgage in Your 40s: What To Know

photo via

By the time many of us reach our 40s, we get the impression that we should be feeling and acting… well, older. Even though many of us have kids, we still feel much the same way as we did in our 20s. And our lives tend to be a little less financially ordered than perhaps our parents were at the same age. But fear not! That doesn’t mean that we're financially irresponsible. It’s simply that times have changed. When our parents were younger, mortgages were easier to come by and property prices were infinitely more affordable.

There was a time when even those with a modest income were able to own their own homes. But times have changed, and soaring property values combined with lenders being a lot more cautious after the financial crash of 2007-2008, many GenXers and older millennials have rented their entire lives. And this has had a knock-on effect on all of their finances. Since rent repayments are typically higher than mortgage repayments, many people in their 40s find it difficult to budget and save.

0

Where I Stand

The events of the past week have been nothing short of disturbing, horrifying, and eye opening. These events are nothing new in this country nor are they isolated incidents. This has happened over and over again and will continue to happen until we take action.

I am acutely aware of my white privilege. I understand how my skin color, geographic location, and socio-economic status contribute to that privilege. But I am waking up to the world around me. I want to do better. I want my children to do better. The best thing I can do right now as a mother is teach my daughters about racial injustices and to raise them to be intolerant of it and to empathize with those who experience it.

0

Eighteen

Eighteen years ago today I became a momma. After months of wondering what kind of personality she would have, what color hair and eyes she would have, she was finally here. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. She was perfect. I took one look at her and fell in love instantly, and that love has only intensified as the years have passed. The moment I held her in my arms for the first time, I knew it was a love I had never experienced before.

0

Tips To Help You Care For Aging Parents At Home

photo via

If you've made the decision to care for your elderly parents at home, then you'll know what a big deal it can be. You may feel as though you want to make them feel comfortable but at the end of the day, you also want to make sure that you are looking after yourself as well. I asked a good friend of mine who is currently caring for her parents to share some tips on caring for aging parents without compromising your own mental health.

0

How To Keep Your Kids Occupied During Quarantine

We’re living through some pretty strange times at the moment and none of us really knows how things are going to pan out or when life will resume as usual. Chances are, your little ones have been thrown out of their routine too. In many countries across the world, schools have been closed and we’ve been placed in a lockdown situation where we need to keep our little ones indoors. This, of course, can be challenging. Kids get bored easily. They’re not going to school. They’re not attending their hobbies and extracurricular activities. They’re not seeing their friends. They can’t get out to play at the park or go for fun days out. But that doesn't mean days at home should be dull. There’s so much you can do to keep their minds occupied and their imaginations entertained. Here are a few suggestions:

0

How To Plan For The Future You Want In Uncertain Times

photo via

The world is full of uncertainty right now. As we wait it out, many countries across the world are in a state of lockdown, and it feels like there are so many unknowns. Forget wanting to thrive, we just want to know if we and our loved ones will survive this testing time. It’s easy to forget what life was like without the constant ticking of bad-news headlines and worrying new developments. Although this particular situation is something none of us have experienced in our lifetimes, it’s fair to say that life has always been about overcoming challenges.

From accidents and illness through to redundancy, divorces and bereavement, no life is completely without its testing times. In fact, it's not these crises which define us - it's our emotional resilience and our response to them and how we handle them. In fact, being confined to our houses is presenting us with a unique opportunity to re-evaluate our lives, to assess the direction we’re heading in, and to set some goals for our future. Planning for better days can be a savior in turbulent times, as it allows you to focus on the positive and take back some control. So, how can you use this time in self-quarantine to plan your next move and actually improve your life?

0

An Emotional Roller Coaster

Life sure does look differently these days. A few months ago if you had told me our state (and much of the country) would be on lockdown in March, I would have laughed. How silly that would have sounded back then. Now, it's our reality, and there isn't anything we can do about it except adjust, cooperate, and hope our efforts pay off quickly so that we can jumpstart life again.

The fact that this situation unraveled so quickly is daunting. Two weeks ago everything seemed fine. I was going to the gym everyday. The girls were going to school everyday. We were more vigilant about hand washing and touching unnecessary objects as well as our faces, but other than that, everything seemed as it always was.

0

We Can Beat This & 10 Things To Do In Quarantine

This is a crazy time in the history of the world. A global health crisis not only poses a threat to our physical wellbeing, but also to our mental and financial wellbeing as well. As much as I support social distancing (I've been doing it since Friday afternoon), it's difficult to see some of my favorite small businesses suffering in order to support these efforts. But I know our collective efforts will pay off in the end by limiting exposure and therefore, stopping COVID-19.

In the meantime, it's overwhelming to take in the abundance of information that's coming from all directions and try to maintain some semblance of sanity and control. While it's been hard for me to limit my time on social media each day as I am constantly checking Facebook for updates and Instagram to see how everyone is doing, I know also that I need to take a break from the constant news stream.

As hard as it is to be quarantined, it's also the only way we will end the spread of COVID-19. Rather than live in denial, embrace your limitations and use this time as a chance to accomplish things you never seem to have the downtime to do.

0

How To Broach Sensitive Topics With Children

photo via

There comes a time in your life as a parent where you will have to broach sensitive topics with your children. Since my daughters are 14 and 17, I seem to be doing a lot of this lately since they are at the ages where they are hyperaware of what is going on around them and in the world. Whether it's the issue of loss or explaining the hardships of life that may have presented themselves too soon, or helping them overcome issues such as bullying at school, all this can take a toll on your child, and so providing a place of safety and comfort for them to learn about these issues and slowly digest them is necessary.

Additionally, sometimes it can be that the topic is extremely sensitive and requires careful thought and protection. For instance, the boy scout abuse lawsuits of recent times have made us all aware just how anyone can be a victim. This can be a tough job for any parent, but of course love, respect and the safety of our child makes this approach less of a difficulty for us and instead a must, and a task for which we must find the right approach. Since our daughters have been raised in the Catholic religion, they've had many questions about the sexual abuse in the Catholic Church that we've had to address both honestly and delicately.

We've gone about our discussions with the following things in mind:

0

Ways To Spoil Yourself On A Budget

photo via

There is no shame in spoiling yourself every once in a while. Especially when you have kids, you need to find time to focus on you. Forget about everything else and relax and unwind, even if it is only for a few hours. You deserve it. After all it is your life too and without a little ‘me time,’ who are you? Pampering and treating yourself doesn't need to cost a fortune. Here are some ideas when you are on a budget:

0

Why Does It Seem Like Everyone Is Dying?

Last night as we stood in the kitchen, Emma turned to me and asked, "Why is everyone dying?". I wasn't expecting that question, and I fumbled for the right words to answer it. I find that death comes in waves. It's like the "bad things happen in threes" thing. You experience a series of deaths over a certain period of time, and then none at all for a while.

Last week a kindergarten teacher from the girls' former elementary school lost her long and courageous battle with cancer. Later that same day, a friend of theirs father passed away. And then, of course, on Sunday Kobe Bryant and his daughter along with 7 friends perished in a tragic helicopter accident. Because of Bryant's notoriety, his death is at the forefront of the media, and no matter what you do, it's difficult to escape it. It's a constant reminder of how short life is.

0

How To Avoid Going House-Poor When Buying A Home

photo via: Pixabay

Owning a home is a quintessential part of the American Dream. Many people believe that once you own a home and property, you have it set. Unfortunately for many of these people, they are unprepared for what awaits them. They end up sinking so much money into their house that they have to sacrifice in other areas of their life. They essentially live lower-class lives, even though they may have a beautiful house to come home to. This is what is known as being “house-poor”. So how can homeowners prevent overspending on their homes and avoid this problem? Here’s how to avoid going house-poor when buying a home.

0

In Defense of Taking a True Vacation (And Why The Blog Has Been Quiet)

Two weeks ago we embarked on our annual vacation to Captiva Island, Florida. We own a timeshare through Hilton Grand Vacations at South Seas Island Resort, and every 45th week of the year, we head to Captiva and stay in the same townhouse (we don't have flexibility in our timeshare the way many others do, but we like it that way). Being tied down to a particular week each year forces us to (and guarantees that we will) take a vacation. But is it a vacation if we are working while we are away?

This is a question I pondered extensively while I was away. One day while sitting at the pool, I saw two different people with their laptops propped up on their laps, typing away feverishly with a fruity cocktail at their side. My own husband opened his laptop at least 3 times per day to check and respond to emails. While I didn't take a true vacation this time around, I did learn the value of stepping away from work to recharge and refresh.

As an independent contractor, I don't get paid when I am not working. So for me to miss out on 10 days of work isn't feasible. Unfortunately, I have to fill some of my vacation time with billable hours to clients. It's just the nature of my job and the industry I work in. Fortunately, because I work in social media, when I am "off", I tend to do less social media in my personal life. It was on this vacation that I posted on Instagram less, had zero desire to share every detail of my vacation with my followers, and was reminded how important this quality time away with my family really is.

Vacations are just that...vacations. They are a vacation from work, from the domesticity of home life (cooking, cleaning, etc.), from the daily grind that keep us moving forward. Vacations are a time to slow down, to appreciate that our jobs give us the opportunity to take a vacation, and to re-charge so that when we return home, we have a renewed desire to get back to our daily lives.

When we returned, I had every intention of jumping right back in to the blog head first. But I still wasn't quite motivated, and the last thing I want to do is to bring you content that isn't coming from my heart and soul. In addition to all that, I've been dealing with a persistent cough that has lasted almost two months. I've been back and forth to my general practitioner who has been wonderfully patient with me as we try all sorts of medications and options. Some days I feel great, and others not so much. On those off days, I've tried to take it easy and rest in hopes of speeding up my recovery.

Finally, after two months of coughing and endless journaling of my symptoms, I think I've finally figured out that it could be exercise-induced asthma. Anyone else have it? My symptoms flare up just after exercising and take hours to work through my system. By the time I'm feeling better, it's time to work out again. Hopefully, he can prescribe an inhaler to see if it alleviates and eliminates my symptoms.

But for now, I am back and ready to dive right in. The busy holiday season is coming up, and I'm excited for lots of good holiday content and much more good stuff to come. Thanks for sticking around and for your support. So many of you emailed me asking if everything is okay since the blog was quiet, and I truly appreciate your concern. xx

0

How To Appeal To A Moody Teen

Parenting teenagers is no joke. If you ask any seasoned parent whether they’d like to look after a newborn baby for a day, or a teenager, most of them will probably say the newborn. Newborns are hard, but at least a newborn eats, sleeps and burps. They’re content with closeness and cuddles, with milk and a diaper change every few hours. Teenagers? They’re terrifying on their best days. Moodiness, rebellion, questionable friends, whining about boredom - spending time with a teenager can be painful.

The key to tackling teenagers isn’t a deep secret or a puzzle to be solved. Just like that newborn, they need love, understanding and patience. They also need some communication - which means we need to be proactive in how much you interact. Appealing to a moody teenager is no easier than reasoning with a toddler having a tantrum, but that doesn't mean it can't be done! Below, are a few of the ways I communicate effectively with my moody teenagers!

Talk

Your teenager may love to stay in their bedroom and do nothing, but that doesn't mean that they don’t want to have a conversation with you. Aim to have at least fifteen minutes for casual conversations with your teenager every day, and aim for a time they CAN talk, like at a meal or just before bedtime when there's less chaos.

Listen

As much as it’s about talking, you need to listen when your teenager is talking, and listen without judgement. Be open and ask them what they want to gain from the conversation. Do they need you to solve a problem? Do they need you to talk it out? Do they need to vent and want you to just listen for a moment? Either way, try to listen carefully to what they’re telling you. You’ll build a high level of trust with your teenager that you wouldn’t get any other way.

Spend Some Time Together

What does your teenager love to do the most? Spending time with your teenager is just one way you can encourage your bond, and Dear Evan Hansen tickets is a great way to expand their horizons and get them talking about something new. Not only that, you’ll get to spend a couple of hours together making new discoveries. Even if they grumble and say the theater isn’t their thing, they’re still going to have a great time - you just wait and see!

Enforce Boundaries

Teenagers are notorious for testing limits and trying to bend the rules. It’s always important to be open and honest with your teenagers, but that doesn't mean you need to allow them to get away with anything. Boundaries are important and you need to ensure that those boundaries are followed. Teenagers must learn which behavior is acceptable, and they do that even with the boundaries that they push against.

0