Baby Louise is safely here!

Three weeks ago today, I went to my weekly check-up appointment (because lucky me, I had a high risk pregnancy). My due date was two weeks away, yet I was told to go directly to the hospital.

Crazy Cat Lady Indeed

I am an unashamed cat lover also known as a “crazy cat lady” to many. I mean, look at the feline theme around my website (I credit Jennifer Buddin with coming up with that, but it certainly fits).

CML all about “play” and fun

I sure do wish The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (CML) had been around when I was growing up. But I really didn’t even know what I had been missing until I started going with my daughter two and a half years ago.

Since 2003, the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry has been engaging the little minds of children from birth to 10 years old with their families. This non-profit organization invites families to explore environments and experiences that spark imagination. This is done all through the power of play.

Lending a helping hand to parents

We all can use a helping hand from time to time. A few weeks ago, my inbox showed an email from child and adolescent therapist, and parent coach, Bonnie Compton. Bonnie is also a fellow mother as well as a grandmother.  She informed me that I had won a free parenting coaching session, as part of her sponsorship offering for Listen to Your Mother Charleston. Woo-hoo, I love winning free things! But yikes, I thought, I was going to have to really ‘fess up about what I was doing in regards to parenting.

United We Stand

I was finally going to post a new blog this week. It has been a while, a long while. My subject matter for this blog changed as dramatically as our community and country were impacted by the racially motivated church shooting last Wednesday night.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A good childhood friend of mine was obsessed with her birthday and would often tell me how many days it was until her big day.

She even knew when her “half birthday” was. It was endearing- really.

I never really figured out my “half birthday”- ok, I just did it- easy peasy.

I have always been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. I know Hallmark, the florists and the bakeries make a killing. But I think it is super fun to share Valentines with friends- and it doesn’t hurt to receive them too. Do I go to a nice dinner, receive roses (my husband did get me some beautiful hydrangeas this year), etc? Not a chance. Do I go to the dollar store, grocery store, Target a month out and start stockpiling Valentine stickers, candy, odds and ends? Yes, indeed. And I was doing this well before I became a mother.

When January 2013 rolled around, and Elizabeth was five months old, it didn’t take me long to recognize that her half-birthday was on Valentine’s Day. I think as new mothers, those first months are so crucial. I would give myself a virtual high five for making it through another month of motherhood.

Remembering Mrs. Rhett

The holidays are a time to be thankful. But for those who have lost a loved one, festive days are a painful reminder of those who are no longer with us.
There is a huge void with the death of beloved teacher, Dottie Rhett, who passed away on November 21 from ovarian cancer. I did not even know she was sick. When I got word of her passing from another favorite teacher, Mrs. Croft, I was stunned.

Fall is here- and the holidays are coming- ready or not!

So, I finally had to pull out the winter sweaters, coat and scarf. The temperatures have been chilly!
But I have been thinking about the holidays for a while now (although I might be on the later side with decorating and getting my tree up). Please see the Fall issue of The Little Black Book for every busy woman.
I loved photographing the tablescapes for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many thanks to Mitchell Crosby of JMC Charleston and Randall Felkel of The RSVP Shoppe for pulling together an amazing Thanksgiving tablescape (shown right). And thank you to Lois Daughtridge of The Boutique for the beautiful Christmas tablescape. Kit Bennett and Mary Silsby of Lotus Flower graciously worked their magic with stunning floral arrangements for both tablescapes.

Charleston Animal Society- Helping animals for 140 years and counting

You don’t have to twist my arm to get involved with any organization that has to do with animals. Yes, I am a huge cat-lover AKA “Crazy Cat Lady” (My tuxedo kitty, Bella, is presently sitting and purring in my lap). I also love dogs too!