2011 September | Theta Mom®

09.13.11

After the Storm

Perhaps it’s sitting upon the couch cushion or nestled above one of the picture frames.

Maybe you’ll find it stuffed in the back of the cabinet between the pasta and the corn puffs…or maybe it’s buried beneath the crackers and granola bars.

You may come across it stuck to the center of the hall mirror or glued behind the bed frame.

You‘ll see it tucked away in the liquor cabinet as well as beneath the stacked row of dishes.

Maybe it’s within the fabric of the curtains or on the edge of the wind chimes or even hanging from the top of the fishing pole.

Actually, it’s found on every square inch in that place from the rug to the ceiling.

It’s on the kitchen countertop, in every pot and pan, every coffee cup and lounge chair. It’s on the bedspread, the closet door and the beach towels. It’s in the shower, on the phone and along the television screen. It’s found on the radio, the glass windows and outside on the flowers within the garden. It’s on the roof, in the air conditioner and the table on the porch. It’s on the top of the surfboard and within my flip-flops in the closet. It’s rested above my pillow and snuggled in the air I breathe.

Every single ounce of that home has a memory.

This has been our summer house in our family’s name for over 61 years – this house has watched me dance in the waves as a little girl right up to the time I was engaged and walked down the aisle – it even saw me bring two children into this world.

Memories…millions upon millions of memories …filled with salty air and sand beneath my toes…the kind of memories I had as a child are now being passed down to my own children.

Hurricane Irene may have swept away the majority of the “things” within that home, also leaving us with the need to rebuild every wall, roof and structure – but what that storm could NEVER take away from me is the 35 years of memories I have from spending every summer there.

You can knock down walls, change the color of the tile and replace the furniture, but the spirit of that bungalow remains strong and intact.

Irene may have tried to wash it all away, but she failed to realize that even the strongest of storms couldn’t change what remains in my heart.

And what will be there – forever.

{ 26 Comments }

09.9.11

Featured TMC Blogger: How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

TMC welcomes Stephanie from How to Survive Life in the Suburbs. I must add that Stephanie happens to be one of my very first blog followers. Yes, she has seen me through multiple blog designs, platforms and tons and tons of posts. I am honored to have her here today, someone who has supported me from the VERY beginning. She is an amazing blogger so I hope you take a moment to get to know her, too! Here is how she describes her blogging journey in her own words:

“Hello all! My name is …..okay, it’s Stephanie. My name is something I have just recently stopped hiding from the blogging world! I blog about what really happens behind the closed and often competitive doors of the suburbs. Sometimes sassy, sometimes smart, always honest, I try and take my moments of joy and humiliation and share them with the world.

When I first began blogging I wrote anonymously, hoping to be able to write from the heart, unrestricted and without fear of recrimination. The only soul in the world who knew I was baring it all on the net was my sweet Hubby. As the Mama of two strong, beautiful and brilliant girls I felt I could write my heart out this way, protect them from embarrassment and find something…something that was missing in my life? I wasn’t sure what that was.

Now I know.

Blogging has given me a place to be creative and a bonus…find a community of friends I never could have dreamed existed! The blogging community has given me a place to laugh, and cry, even a soft place to land when I needed it most.

As my three year blogoversary rolls around I am slowly coming “out of the closet.” I have a real picture of me up on my twitter account, occasionally flash my pearly whites right on my blog, and have even confided my secret blogging passion to my BFF and my sister. Blogging is quickly opening up a world of opportunity for me and I’m thankful every day for the people I have met and the places I’m going! Massive thanks to Heather for the opportunity to be her Featured Blogger this week, I’m a huge admirer and hope one day we meet in real life!”

Be sure to check out the blog and follow her on Twitter! New to TMC? Join us! We LOVE new members!

*To be considered as a Featured TMC Blogger, be sure to comment and visit on this week’s feature! Have a great weekend ladies!

{ 25 Comments }

09.7.11

Emily Press: Labels that Stick with Style

Emily Press Labels is owned and lead by Maureen, a woman who set out to find durable and stylish labels for many of her nieces and nephews. She always heard complaints from other moms about losing or misplacing various items (since they were not labeled), so she knew there had to be a better solution. She jumped at the opportunity to start her own business with children, as well as adults, in mind. She researched and tested tons of different labels through numerous dishwater and laundry cycles. She also continued to design various label collections through this process – everything from sippy cups to office supplies. Maureen wanted to create a company that could be loved by every member of the family. Thus, Emily Press was born.

The first set of labels that caught my eye was the Allergy and Medical labels. Many of you know my son has a severe nut allergy, so you can understand why I personally think these labels are so important for parents of children that have allergies – any kind of known allergy. You have three lines of text so you can fill this info in however you see appropriate. It can give parents a little extra peace of mind knowing that others will be immediately aware of your child’s allergy.

Other great labels found online are from the many designs created within the Hip and Whimsy and Emily Press Chic Collection which are both functional and fun! You could make specific design selections within multiple packs.

Tag-a-tag labels are also an Emily Press favorite because they peel and stick so there is no ironing involved!

But if you are looking for more than clothing labels, be sure to check out labels for products kept around the house to stay organized, such as Spice labels, Tool labels and even Book labels!

Lastly, back to school means fundraising isn’t too far behind! Emily Press Labels happen to make great fundraisers which not only help to raise money for your child’s school, but they also help reduce the lost and found pile! An Emily Press fundraiser is easy to run and can be set up in a day or two. You can track your commissions online in real time so for more information, be sure to check out the fundraiser information.

Emily Press knows that the kids are back at school and you still may be in need of these important labels! This company is currently offering Theta Mom readers 7% off every order by entering the code THETAMOM7 at checkout. This offer is valid through 9/18/11. In addition, Emily Press offers free standard shipping for any order over $39 (before shipping, taxes and after any promotions is applied). For the latest information and deals from Emily Press, be sure to connect with this company on Twitter and Facebook.

Theta Mom® abides by word of mouth marketing standards and believes in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. Emily Press is a proud sponsor of Theta Mom and I was compensated for this post. However, all opinions expressed are purely my own and the content of this post was not influenced in any way.

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09.2.11

Kindergarten and Letting Go

I remember at this time last year I blogged about the very first time in FIVE long years that I experienced a few hours to myself – with no children at home.

For the first time.

In five long years.

Being a WAHM, I always manage to juggle work and motherhood and last year, my daughter turned two so she entered a preschool morning program allowing me a few glorious hours alone (a few days a week) since my son was also in a full-day program. BOTH children were out of the house for a few hours and it was beyond fabulous.

I felt like a brand new woman again.

Kind of like what it felt like before I gave birth to my kids.

And this year?

My son starts Kindergarten.

I know – many of you will tell me to grab my tissues and be prepared for an emotional storm since I’ll be a complete wreck. But the truth is, as emotional as I usually get over these things – I’m ready to let him go.

I’m ready to watch him fly and spread his little wings – and as a Theta Mom, I’m ready to begin writing the next chapter, my own chapter.

I wasn’t one of those moms sobbing at his preschool graduation and I certainly won’t be a helicopter mom at the Kindergarten drop-off because I’m SO ready for this next phase in our lives to begin.

Maybe ask me again in a few years when my little girl (my last and final baby begins this process) because I may need to borrow some of your tissues then.

But until that time, September 6th is on the calendar baby, and it’s party time!!!

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