It’s 2012.
We aren’t children anymore.
We are turning another year older in 2012 (God make it stop… I’m kidding!).
Are we cool…?
Does it matter…?
What does it mean to be cool?…

My New Year’s resolution is to be cool.  I’m not giving anything up in 2012.
I am being cool this year.
Easier said than done?  Maybe not…

I read an article awhile back that discussed coolness.  George Clooney was mentioned.
He definitely seems cool.
But why?
The sly grin… the clothes… the trappings of stardom?
I don’t think so.
George Clooney seems to be ‘cool’ because he’s comfortable.  He’s comfortable with himself, he’s comfortable with his life.  Yes, one could say, ‘How could George Clooney not be comfortable?’  But money and especially fame, do not make you cool.  What is cool, then?

Going back to that article – it was interesting… and long.  Out of that whole article, 5 sentences stood out to me as a mother.

“Coolness is relaxation.”  That may seem hard at first.  But being relaxed doesn’t mean you aren’t busy.  Being relaxed is merely taking things in stride.  And moms are the best at this.

“Coolness is courage.”  Coolness is taking a deep breathe and your son’s hand on the first day of kindergarten and telling him how much fun he’s going to have.  Coolness is smiling at everyone on your way out, even though you already miss him a little.

“Coolness is knowing what’s going on.”  Or coolness is at least knowing how to change a diaper, get little people dressed and fed, while trying to figure out what is going on.

“Coolness acknowledges the limits of life while affirming that life is worth living.”  No one can be a parent and not be reminded everyday that life is worth living.  And no one can be a parent and not be reminded everyday, especially during flu season and potty training that there are limits to life.

“Coolness is the freedom to be yourself.”  How cool is it that we are older now…  There is no cookie cutter for the perfect mom (trust me, I’ve looked).  We are tall and short and blond and brunette.  We laugh and cry and sometimes hit our heads against the wall (when no one is looking).

Coolness isn’t clothes.  It doesn’t matter how much a pair of jeans cost, they’re really just jeans.  
Coolness isn’t a purse or a particular diaper bag.
Coolness is being a mom, and trying your best and being your best for your kids and yourself.  
Coolness is understanding that you aren’t perfect and your kids aren’t perfect… 
and when you’re tired at the end of the day and thinking, ‘What else do I have to do, what am I forgetting?’  you pick up your child and give them a hug.

That’s cool.

Moms are cool.

Period.

]]> http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2012/01/my-resolution-to-be-cool/feed/ 2 http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2011/06/being-cool-2/ http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2011/06/being-cool-2/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:19:25 +0000 http://bananablueberry.com/?p=1806

It’s 2011.  We aren’t children anymore.  We are turning another year older in 2011.  I will be in less than a week.   Are we cool…?  Does it matter…?  What does it mean to be cool?…

My resolution is to be cool.  I’m not giving anything up this year.  I am being cool this year.  Easier said than done?  Maybe not…

I read an article awhile back that discussed coolness.  George Clooney was mentioned.  He definitely seems cool.  But why?  The sly grin… the clothes… the trappings of stardom?  I don’t think so.  George Clooney seems to be ‘cool’ because he’s comfortable.

He’s comfortable with himself, he’s comfortable with his life.  Yes, one could say, ‘How could George Clooney not be comfortable?’  But money and especially fame, do not make you cool.  What is cool, then?

Going back to that article – it was interesting… and long.  Out of that whole article, 5 sentences stood out to me as a mother.

“Coolness is relaxation.”  That may seem hard at first.  But being relaxed doesn’t mean you aren’t busy.  Being relaxed is merely taking things in stride.  And moms are the best at this.

“Coolness is courage.”  Coolness is taking a deep breathe and your son’s hand on the first day of school and telling him how much fun he’s going to have.  Coolness is smiling at everyone on your way out, even though you already miss him a little.

“Coolness is knowing what’s going on.”  Or coolness is at least knowing how to change a diaper, get little people dressed and fed, while trying to figure out what is going on.

“Coolness acknowledges the limits of life while affirming that life is worth living.”  No one can be a parent and not be reminded everyday that life is worth living.  And no one can be a parent and not be reminded everyday, especially during flu season and potty training that there are limits to life.

“Coolness is the freedom to be yourself.”  How cool is it that we are older now…  There is no cookie cutter for the perfect mom (trust me, I’ve looked).  We are tall and short and blond and brunette.  We laugh and cry and sometimes hit our heads against the wall (when no one is looking).

Coolness isn’t clothes.  It doesn’t matter how much a pair of jeans cost, they’re really just jeans.
Coolness isn’t a purse or a particular diaper bag.
Coolness is being a mom, and trying your best and being your best for your kids and yourself.
Coolness is understanding that you aren’t perfect and your kids aren’t perfect…
and when you’re tired at the end of the day and thinking, ‘What else do I have to do, what am I forgetting?’  you pick up your child and give them a hug.

That’s cool.

Moms are cool.

Write For Charity is looking for a few good writers!

They are working on an anthology of short stories and poetry all centered on the topic of parenting. They are currently in their last month of their call for submissions and really want to see your stuff!
Funds from the sale of this book will be going to children’s charities!

What’s not to love-

You Write,
Get Published,
And it benefits Kids!

Love the Mom Power!

Visit their Site For Submission guidelines!

]]> http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2010/03/call-for-submissions-write-about-parenthood-for-charity/feed/ 0 http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2010/03/help-and-support-for-divorced-moms/ http://bananablueberry.com/index.php/2010/03/help-and-support-for-divorced-moms/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:50:30 +0000 http://bananablueberry.com/?p=1116 You just walked out of divorce court,
wondering where do I start now?

You no longer have the same support system you had as you did going through the divorce process. It’s easy to feel scared and insecure. But the good news is, there is life after divorce and you can have a more passionate and fulfilling life than ever before…

A friend of mine has a website for divorced moms,

her name is Colleen Bushby,

and she’s created a great support community ,

complete with a blog, free resources, a blog radio show,

as well as cds to buy.

Her site is Savvy Divorced Chicks,

And you can go there and get her FREE GUIDE,

Jumpstart Your Life After Divorce,

5 Savvy Steps You Can Take Now

and you can contact Colleen at colleen@savvydivorcedchicks.com

Mom Power!

I was planning on ending the week highlighting SpiritJava.  As you can see in the logo, SpiritJava consists of ‘Caffeinated Meditations’.  If you click here you can enter your name and email and receive at the start of each day a quote, and a few lines written by Gregg Kennard.  

Imagine my surprise when I opened this morning’s SpiritJava email and it was about Susan Boyle, the same as my post yesterday…

Here it is:

“I dreamed a dream…” Susan Boyle’s excerpt from Les Miserable 

The Britain’s Got Talent contestant’s dream is coming true. Good for her.

God’s desire is that all of our dreams come true. It may require some patience, persistence, courage, and action, but manifestation of your best life is definitely what God is about.

He put the dream and desire in you, so keep believing, hoping, and moving forward. 

You never know when that defining moment may come. A week ago, Susan Boyle was in virtual obscurity, now she is a household name, an international star. 

Keep dreaming!

How’s that for Karma?

I love starting out each day with my SpiritJava email,

it is a reminder to decide at the start of each day, to go into that day with the intention of it being your best day yet…

and that’s pretty important, after all, you’re living it, it’s your day!

Check it out!

The Sisterhood Award represents Attitude and Gratitude.

I received this from A Frugal Friend. 

I love her blog for freebies and coupons and all things to save money-

that aren’t on my radar!!  Go check out her site!

I thank her also for giving me the excuse to spend an hour cleaning up my sidebars…

I’ve updated them a little, scroll down on the right for acknowledgments I’ve gotten.

So with a little attitude and gratitude,

I’m spreading the love; Here are 5 ladies that I love reading-

Tech Savvy Mama– for all her WONDERFUL ideas for parenting

A Parent In Silver Spring– for her great information and sunny attitude

The Big Piece of Cake– for making me laugh and definitely having attitude

Smiling Mama– for her delightful take on life

Fabulous Miss S.– for her terrific takes on being a mom

There you have it!

As with any award- some rules:

1.  Post the award button on your site- if you would like

2.  Link me, if you would like

3.  Pass it on, when you have time, if you would like 

EVERYONE have a great week!!

We usually meet for business dinners because that works with my schedule and her schedule and it’s fun to catch up, and there is food involved, which is nice.

I told my son that Daddy was taking him to McDonald’s and I was going downtown to a

business dinner meeting.

“Business meeting?”  my son asked.

“But Mommy, you don’t work!“

I couldn’t help but grin.  My grin turned into a chuckle and then a full blown laugh.

Ahhh.  My little guy, who amazes me with his awareness, surprises with with his astuteness, just reminded me that he is only 4 years old.

Little man, little man, you have a lot to learn.

I’m posting it!

Wow, has my life come to this?

I guess it has because I’m thrilled with this.  I am so knee-deep into motherhood that I am actually watching my artistic progression when it comes to these box transformations.

I am a painter, albeit a beginner. And when I see my advancement in the art of construction paper, a gluestick and markers, I think to myself, ‘Pick up that paintbrush!’

I’m kidding… but not totally.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.

– ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Remember when you are busy making dinner and changing diapers and doing art projects that you are appreciated.

And you will be appreciated more as time goes on!