Tag: family

Ramblings

Changing Traditions in the Empty Nest – Five Things You Need to Know

by pearlsandpantsuits13 Comments on Changing Traditions in the Empty Nest – Five Things You Need to Know
Changing Traditions in the Empty Nest – Five Things You Need to Know

It’s that time of year again. The Holiday Prelude. Not quite the Thanksgiving/Christmas season yet, but definitely the pre-planning stage. You just finished with the Halloween festivities. You’re probably planning your Christmas shopping list, scheduling your Christmas Card photo shoot, Scanning Pinterest for dressing and sweet potato casserole recipes. Before the empty nest, I always made the first pot of chili on Halloween night before the kids went trick or treating or to parties. Thanksgiving and Christmas were ALWAYS at our house, and I decorated every square inch of the house. My brother used to joke that the house “threw up” Christmas. He was right. But the empty nest has kind of changed all of that. And I wasn’t ready. Continue reading “Changing Traditions in the Empty Nest – Five Things You Need to Know” →

Ramblings, Resilience

Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years

by pearlsandpantsuits9 Comments on Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years
Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years

As you get older you start to realize that time passes much more quickly than when you were younger. You remember events as happening just a couple of years ago, and when you think back, you realize that it was actually five, ten or even more years ago. It still blows my mind that 1997 was actually 20 years ago, and not 10 years ago! But what’s really startling is when you take inventory and think about changes that have happened in your life. Sometimes these life events just snowball, and that carefully planned route on the roadmap of life causes you to take a detour. Sometimes they occur slowly, and you don’t realize how much your life has changed until you take notice and take inventory.  Continue reading “Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years” →

Ramblings

My Five Favorite Shopping Apps

by pearlsandpantsuits2 Comments on My Five Favorite Shopping Apps
My Five Favorite Shopping Apps

I got my first cell phone back in 1994. It was a gigantic Motorola flip phone that had to be plugged into my car’s cigarette lighter to charge. And it was strictly for emergencies. So I never used it. Through the years our family’s gone through flip phones, bag phones, Razr phones, Nokia phones. (and those are just the ones I remember) Seems like cellphone technology changes faster than Carrie Underwood at the CMAs! Smartphones have made our lives easier by allowing us to connect via social media, messaging and voice. But have you used your cell for shopping? The ever-changing landscape of shopping apps available for your cell phone can make shopping EASIER and can even SAVE YOU MONEY! Which is nice when you’re a busy working woman on a budget like me! Here’s a list of my favorite shopping apps. Continue reading “My Five Favorite Shopping Apps” →

Ramblings

Preparing for the Empty Nest (while you’re still young)

by pearlsandpantsuits20 Comments on Preparing for the Empty Nest (while you’re still young)
Preparing for the Empty Nest (while you’re still young)

This may surprise you, but this message isn’t for those moms about to send their babies off to college, or marriage, or out into the world to spread their wings and fly. It’s actually for you busy young mamas who are in the early years of their marriage. You know who you are. You might have spit up on your yoga pants, your hair is probably in a ponytail, you don’t remember the last time you wore makeup or even left the house for something other than grocery shopping. Or you’re running that perpetual taxi service to school and dance practice and ball practice and church and birthday parties. I was you, once upon a time, not too long ago, and I know you’re super busy and overwhelmed right now, but let me tell you, if you’re not preparing your marriage for the empty nest, you’re making a huge mistake. Do I have your attention? Great! Keep reading! Continue reading “Preparing for the Empty Nest (while you’re still young)” →