You're a Firework!

Kass, YOU.are.A.FIREWORK, baby girl.

I love this song... we listened
to it on the way home this evening after I took Kass and a "bunch" of her BFF's to the park.  Time is flying by and I can’t believe how much she is growing up before my eyes.  Where is my baby?

Here's one of the pics from the park late today... and here are the lyrics to the Fireworks song by Katy Perry along with more pics from the evening at the park:

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin

Like a house of cards

One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under scream

But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light

And let it shine

Just own the night

Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst

Make 'em go "Oh, oh,oh!"

You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road...

More pictures from the evening at the park…..

 

Technorati Tags: Katy Perry,Fireworks,parks,Roanoke Valley Parks,tween,friends,nature,swings,photography,photos,pictures

Snowflakes

   Last night while it snowed outside, we were busy making snowflake crafts for the Christmas tree inside.  Mr. M had this great idea to buy snowflake forms and use beads from his jewelry making (and I bought some colored beads to match my tree) to make these snowflakes.

The kiddos and I drove home later through the beautiful winter wonderland as the snow piled up on the grass a few inches, but the roads were fine.

It was a wonderful Christmas memory we were making along with those snowflakes.

Here’s my tree I finally got put up earlier that day.  We have another one in the dining room the kiddos and Mr. M’s boys decorate. (Yes we have two large Christmas trees in the tiny house.)

Even my son, Jas got in on the snowflake making:

Here’s his creation.

 

What Christmas memories are you making this year?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

The Proposal

We were supposed to be writing down our 2 year and our 5 year plans.  Mr. M didn’t want to give me his first, nor did I.  So we agreed.  Write them down and we would hand them to each other at the same time.

When you sit down with your significant other and talk about the future, it can be a happy time or a stressful time.  I wanted our discussions to be happy.  Plus I wanted to know what he was thinking now that we have been seeing each other over 18 months and counting.  I felt like we were getting to “idle” mode and I didn’t know what that meant.  I only dated my X for a collective six months before we were engaged. (Yeah long story there.)  So this long ongoing relationship was a record and we enjoy what we have, but I like to plan… you know me and my lists.

This is so different from when I was dating as a single mom.  I vividly remember those days; and you have read about them, many of them.  Back during that time I searched the web for other single moms dating.  We embraced each other over the vast network of interlocking technology and cabling and became “like sisters,” vicariously living through each other when one of us met someone new or when we were battling the online dating saga.  There were Ms. Single Mama, Single Mom Still Seeking, Desperately Seeking Sanity, and Modern Single Mom.  I say were because we have all moved on now to a new season of our relationships.  Modern Single Mom and Desperately Seeking are now married and blessed, while the other two are planning the big day, engaged. 

And me?

Well, a few nights ago I was holding a piece of paper folded with Mr. M’s 2-year and 5-year goals on it, focusing on our relationship and where it was heading from his perspective.  He was holding mine.  Quickly we opened them for our ‘reveal.’

I squealed.

Here’s what his said:

2 year plan – I want to see what you wrote first.

5 year plan – I want to continue to always be right.

Nice.

I had been had.

Mine of course broke down marriage, buying a house, getting my PMP certification, and preparing for my kids college days.

It all turned out ok, he finally filled out the real thing and listed marriage etc. but I told him I am still expecting an official proposal.  He smiled and said, “But you already asked me.”

Yeah, it doesn’t work that way.  He knows I am still waiting.

I will let you know when the big question gets popped.  Maybe next year, or the next… but I will be waiting.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

My new favorite

I took about a dozen photographs of this gorgeous butterfly last weekend.  I had a hard time choosing a favorite.  There were a few great shots IMHO.  But this one is my current fave.

Later this week when I was reading a book I am currently using for personal devotions, I read this passage and it made me think of this beauty as well as reflect for a few moments:

…If we look closely at the workings of creation, we find that God nearly always works through process.  Think of it.  First there is a seed, then a sprout, then a blossom, and finally fruit.  God does not begin with a butterfly, but with a larva that becomes a chrysalis and finally a creature with wings.  Neither does God speak a star into existence, but sends dust floating into space, then interstellar gas that slowly heats up, and eons later a star is formed.  Perhaps most mysterious of all is the unfolding process of ovum, fetus, baby, child, adolescent, adult.  The universe is designed to move stage by stage, from incompletion to completion.  Now why should we suppose that God has designed the heart any differently than the rest of creation?… (pp. 69-70, Firstlight, The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd)

The heart goes through stages just like the butterfly.  It is a process, it takes time.  I’m currently trying to be more aware of the stage of my heart.

Where is your heart? What stage or level in the process of becoming… more compassionate, more aware, more tender?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  Katherine Shinault, SOLO dot MOM (http://kitkat4real.blogspot.com)

Technorati Tags: relationships,personal development,photography,photos,nature,butterflies,butterfly,metamorphosis,devotions,God's love,God's creation

A Day at the Lake

Part of our weekend celebration for Independence Day included a day at Smith Mountain Lake.  We tried a different community park this time: it wasn’t crowded and was very relaxing.  As the kiddos played in the lake, this butterfly got Jas’ attention so I grabbed the camera and caught it in mid-flight. 

He enjoyed trying to catch it literally.

I enjoyed catching him and one of God’s beautiful creations on film.  (Correction they are both God’s beautiful creations, just don’t tell him I got all sappy, ok?)

Earlier that day we were getting everything together and ready to head out.  The list included beach towels for each of us, sunscreen, a mat, plus my big beach blanket.  And I was able to get all of that into my new personalized beach tote I received for a review post from www.simply-bags.com.  I absolutely love it.

When they contacted me about doing a review on my blog, I had to stop and think about it for all of twenty seconds before I hit reply with a resounding “Absolutely!”  Totes are my weakness, I will admit and this one is my new fave.  It is not only roomy but it also zips across the top to keep all my goodies from falling out while carrying it across the sand.  We had quite a bit in there for our trip as you can see.

Our day was as full as the beach tote.  The kids had a blast.  Here’s Kass and our neighbor, E, enjoying the water…

I didn’t get any good pics of the guys…but

 

…I captured this other beauty that landed on my knee and beside me on the blanket several times. 

And of course, Mr. M, himself…(quite the catch isn’t he?)

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo credits: Katherine Shinault

Technorati Tags: beach totes,personalized bags,www.simply-bags.com,family time,holidays,lakes,vacation,photography,butterflies,dragonflies

Caught in the act

I just realized I never posted this blog of pics taken hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Enjoy:

While Mr. M was taking this picture of me on the Blue Ridge Parkway back in April…

I was taking pictures of…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: Blue Ridge parkway,photography,black and white photo,nature,hiking,landscapes,flowers,walking away

A woman’s value is NOT based on her BRA size

True Story:

I was at Target with my sister.  She needed to buy her daughter (who is a year younger than Kass)  a bra for the first time.  She wanted me to help and I decided to buy one for Kass as well.  We were looking through the juniors department and I picked up one I knew would fit her daughter and a similar one for Kass.  Without revealing the size here in print, I made the statement how Kass was getting close to wearing my size already.  My sister in a shocked voice said, “You are still in size *&?”  “YES, thank you very much, I am,” I replied.

I have always been thin. Even as an adult I have kept my small frame and thereby I’m not very big -- in any area of my proportions (if you get my drift).  But just because I am a small framed woman, doesn’t mean I am any less of a woman. 

Now for my sister’s benefit (she reads this occasionally) I know she meant nothing negative by that comment.  As a matter of fact she followed by saying, “Well even though you are small, the good thing is you kept your metabolism.”  So all is well between us.  No worries, sis.

A woman’s bra size doesn’t determine her value. But this brings me to my point:  Women are constantly concerned about their appearance and many times equate their self-worth based on their perception of that appearance.  Some think their size is too large while others think they are too small or not proportioned correctly. (Ladies, am I right?) But in fact we are all different and are all seeking for that perfect size that doesn’t exist. (Let me interject here: There is something to be said for eating healthy and exercising consistently; I am not speaking of simply trying to stay healthy in this blog post.)  But this obsession about body appearance is proven every January by the fad diets that are promoted and advertised because so many people (women especially) are listing diet as their new year’s resolution.  How we think of ourselves and our appearance affects our confidence, don’t you agree?

In preparation for a podcast interview about appearance, I put together six keys about inner beauty and self worth.  I plan to share these in the coming weeks in parts 1, 2 and 3; so be sure and subscribe to the RSS feed or emails above, if you don’t already receive updates, so you will get a chance to read the keys about self-worth and feeling confident ‘in your own skin.’

Back to my story:

After Kass tried on the bra in the size I bought her, we realized it was too small.  I had to take it back and actually get her the same size I wear after all!  I knew she would catch up with me soon, but not this soon.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: photoXpress.com \ cvrgrl

Technorati Tags: bra,self worth,self-esteem,confidence,body appearance,obsessions,diets,body size

The Kite Festival recap with photos

 

The kite festival proved to be a success.  At least for those of us who settled on our blankets on the park grounds and became enthralled with all the colors and designs floating near us.  The day was windy and a little cool, but the sun was shining. The rain in the forecast had come and gone overnight, thankfully.

I read estimates that we had 12,000 people in attendance. 

Families had fun; it was evident by the many groups that sat or stood nearby our resting place. Kass and Mr. M’s two boys tried their hand at flying kites amongst the best of them.  We enjoyed watching the action in the beautiful blue skies above.

See some of our flying colors photos (Kass included): Here’s the link

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: kites,flying kites,recreation,family time,festival,parks,Roanoke Valley

Embarking on a New Decade

This month I hit a new decade.  The month is almost over and even though it was “me-month” I didn’t actually blog about my birthday yet.  I won’t tell you which decade I have embarked on… but it’s one of them.

Getting older makes you think, makes you evaluate your life… blah blah blah.  But I did appreciate this quote about aging:

"We did not change as we grew older; we just became more
clearly ourselves."-- Lynn Hall

So while I am working on becoming more clearly myself with this “decade”…  here are a few things that were touching and memorable about my b-day this year:

• My aunt who always highlights the “big” birthdays shared these thoughts with me:

I can only say that *##'s were some of the best years of my life.   Imagine, while you are in your(insert decade here)s your children will graduate school, go to college.  What a life change that will be.  Who knows what the next decade holds for you.   Enjoy!  Life moves quickly and so will you, so much will change and the chapters of your life will fly by and at some point you will start a new book.   So hold on to your hat and enjoy everything as much as you can.     Enjoy your life and what you have learned in these (##) years to make you a much stronger woman.

Needless to say, she made me cry.  (Her reference to my age is replaced in the quote above.  You didn’t think I was going to tell you did you? Yeah right; and if you are on my facebook- you already know anyway!)

• And then there was my fave birthday card from a great friend:

• I also want to thank my best friend, TB, for taking me on a fun night out – for my birthday.
• And last but definitely not least I want to thank Mr. M. for the beautiful set of earrings, necklace and matching bracelet he made especially for my birthday.  They are gorgeous. 

What do you think about birthdays?  Do you embrace getting older and becoming more clearly yourself?

I am learning to embrace a new decade, but still fighting the idea of ever “looking” my age.  Nah – go ahead and card me at a Rated R movie, I don’t mind. (During my previous decade that actually happened!)

Find yourself… keeping it real… in a new decade.

Technorati Tags: birthdays,aging,decades,celebrating,night,personal development

A Life Lesson from LOST

Another Mom and Son Moment

“But what if the man in black is NOT the devil?”

My son asked this question as he went on to discuss Tuesday night’s episode of Lost.  He thinks it’s all going to be revealed as the reverse of what we have been led to believe at the end of the series.  He thinks the man in black is really the good guy and that Jacob represented the devil and so on… and that getting off the island for non-Locke(man in black) is a GOOD thing.

I don’t agree.  I think it is still Jacob (good) vs. man in black (smoke) non-Locke and I told Jas I choose to believe that if they allow Locke to get off the island, that Hell will be released as indicated by the bottle of wine comparison in Tuesday’s episode. 

Like I told him, it’s all about choices.  The whole show.  (Well that and redemption.) My choice is to believe in Jacob.  Jas just thinks Jacob is deceiving us all.

The Life Lesson

But this brought me to a great Life Lesson for Jas.  In talking about the possibility of the deceit between these characters in the show, Lost, I asked Jas.  “Do you know how people – the ones trained – know how to detect counterfeit money?”

Jas said, “They study the different kinds.”

“Nope,” I said. “They study the real thing and know it so well, backwards and forwards and every detail about it; so that when someone tries to slip in a counterfeit that is really close to the real thing- but isn’t, they know it.”

Then I said, “You already know…Jesus is the real deal.”

“This show is a reminder that it’s important to know the real deal (Him)– and know what He stood for, know it so well, that when someone tries to tell you something about Him (or about going to heaven) that is ‘close’ but not the real deal, you’ll know it.”

Ok, was that a good ‘mom and son’ life lesson sharing together inspiring moment, or what?

He started talking about Lost again, but I think he got the point.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Technorati Tags: Lost series,ABC,LOST,Jesus,life lessons,personal development,parenting,deceit,counterfeit

The Secret to Love that Lasts

Well if you haven’t been keeping up, February is relationships month on SOLO dot MOM. With Valentine’s Day around the corner and the official one year anniversary for me and Mr. M., what better time to talk about relationships.

I can talk about relationships all day and they don’t have to be romantic; all relationships in our lives are important and worth evaluating to make them better.  With this thought in the back of my mind, I recently read a blogpost, “The Key to Lasting Love May Surprise You,” by my fave author, Donald Miller.  He references an article found in Scientific American Mind magazine, titled: Fall in Love and Stay That Way, by Robert Epstein. 

There were several exercises outlined in the original article that the author also uses in the classroom as they study increasing bonds in relationships.  They range from “Soul Gazing” (staring into the eyes of your partner) to “Let Me Inside” (closing in on each other’s space intentionally getting as close as you can without touching) or “Secret Swap” (sharing a deep secret).  Through research he has determined these to be effective “Love Building Exercises” increasing positive affection toward the other person (even when they were strangers). Several exercises make up his full list. 

I enjoyed Miller’s post and  after reading the mentioned article in full I could appreciate his summarizing positivity as a key factor.  He also mentions another article, The Happy Couple by Suzann Pileggi which highlights the fact that “thriving couples accentuate the positive” in life as a couple. Recently I shared about being a cheerleader for your spouse in my tips for newlyweds.  It’s nothing new for me to agree with this idea.

So is this the secret key to long lasting happy marriages?  Keeping a positive attitude and approaching your significant other with the idea that the glass is half full not half empty will be encouraging, uplifting, and should be reciprocated… well most of the time.  So that’s promising.

Michele Dortch shares in her latest blogpost some other keys that I think are also important and tie in with with this idea.  She reviews the book, titled: The Language of Love & Respect: Cracking the Communication Code with Your Mate by: Dr. Emerson Eggrichs.  The communication ‘codes’ simplified are: for the ladies to communicate respect to their spouse and for the men to communicate love.  How profound.

Perhaps there is more than one key to happy long lasting relationships.  Communication and commitment also rank pretty high.  But trying them out and keeping them in the forefront of our minds are more important than just knowing what they are.  Practice makes perfect.  So I plan to practice these keys.  I know I have tried to be a positive person for many years, but I also know there are times I can speak with a lack of respect to someone (especially those closest to me).  Even if it’s subtle disrespect, it still is… disrespect.  I’m just being transparent.

This is where I want to focus on my relationship skills: communicating with respect consistently. And this goes for all relationships in my life: with my children, Mr. M., family members, and friends.  Now that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try out those other “love building exercises” I read about.  “Soul Gazing” sounds interesting, for example as well as “Let Me Inside”.  But respect will be primary.

February is not only going to be relationship focus month, but also having fun in your relationships month!  Well… you know what I mean.

Leave a comment below with what you consider to be a key to happy long lasting relationships.

Find yourself… keeping it real

Photo Credit: PhotoXpress.com/dip

Technorati Tags: communication,relationships,personal development,respect,Scientific American Mind,Donald Miller,IntegratedMother.com,positivity,positive attitude,happy successful relationships

Snowed In By 18 Inches

I have to tell you I love having this “forced” down time.  Snowed in with 18 inches of snow piled up between my Infinity and the street, I haven’t been anywhere since it started on Friday a little after two.  Kass and I have been making boxes, bows, and gifts when she; her friend, E; and Jas aren’t out playing in it.  A true white Christmas… even if it is a few days early. 

For Christmas this year, not only have we received the gift of a special snow – that isn’t normal of this magnitude… but we received the gift of some downtime, at home, just me and kiddos, while enjoying the winter wonderland and all the things we normally don’t find the time to do during the season.

The only thing missing is Mr. M. since he is also snowed in with his 2 boys… across town.

Here’s a few more shots of the kiddos enjoying the white stuff…all eighteen inches of it.

 

 

 

Find Yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: snow,photography,photos,Christmas,snowed in

List for Newlywed Marriages, Part 4 of 5

7.  MAINTAIN A SUPPORT SYSTEM: 

Keep your support system intact, instead of withdrawing from family and friends.  I’ll never forget the falsehood I was told when I was about to get married, “Now you will have to give up your friends.” I believed that back then, but realize now – what a mistake!  You  need to retain your support system of close friends and family.  Getting married doesn’t remove your need for others in your life: People to talk to, share your ideas with, or from whom to ask advice.  These people earned that position in your life for a reason.  Why would anyone think you have to give up that support system, just because you get married?  This idea is reiterated and expanded upon in the book, Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness and Transform Your Life by Lauren Mackler.  Even though her emphasis is referencing establishing this support system while you are still alone and single, that support system continues to be important when you are in a relationship.  

8.  COUNSELING FOR ALL COUPLES: 

Counseling for couples is a good thing and doesn’t mean you are a doomed couple; instead it means you are a smart couple trying to maintain a healthy perspective of each other’s needs by having an insightful mediator.  Participating in a newly developed healthy relationship I realize, no matter how much you have in common, no matter how well you get along, there’s still going to be ‘stuff’ that needs to be hashed out.  Having a mediator there to guide the conversation and keep you on a productive efficient track is a helpful and healthy way of addressing the tough issues.  Since I just started back to counseling, I will be sharing more on this idea in the near future.

Please check out the other posts in this series of things I wish I had known when I got married:

List for Newlyweds, Part 1

List for Newlyweds, Part 2

List for Newlyweds, Part 3

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/images/couch.gif

Technorati Tags: relationships,marriage,newlyweds,counseling,support team,networking,friendships,conversations

List for Newlyweds, Part 3 of 5

Well the list continues from my previous posts on what I wish I had been told before I got married.  I hope you are gleaning from these tips.  Please feel free to comment and add your own, or provide feedback about these ideas.  I would love to hear from you!

5.  BECOME PLAYMATES: 

(Remember the blog post about Boys and their Toys?)  A book was written about this very idea titled, Boys and Their Toys: Understanding Men by Understanding Their Relationship with Gadgets by Bill Adler.  It is intended to help women understand men by understanding their need for toys and gadgets. 

I have skimmed this book, but plan to read it because it has some great parallels that can open your eyes to understanding personality traits of your man based on what ‘toys’ or gadgets intrigue him and why.  Since they need this outlet of “playtime,”  playing with your guy can nurture your relationship. 

Try taking time out and getting involved with your guy’s favorite toys.  Does he like to play video games, for example?  Take some time to play the games with him – then he may be more responsive to compromise by giving you some time to communicate with each other.

6.  KEEP YOUR IDENTITY: 

Even though you are a couple you should continually work on becoming a whole person.  It’s true you aren’t single anymore – but you need to keep your identity and continue the process of becoming the person you want to be with. 

Don’t say “I have arrived: I am in a relationship so I don’t need to work on knowing who I am as a person anymore,” nor  fall into thinking “I have this issue, but my spouse offsets it – he or she completes me.” You should continue to improve upon the person you have become. Continue learning about who you are.

We all have stuff to deal with – owning it (acknowledging it exists) and working through it are still our jobs as individuals.  Besides, if you don’t keep your own personal identity in tact – you may be prone to extreme co-dependency which can cause problems for your marriage. 

Don’t take that to mean I am advocating self-centeredness or selfish acts.  Quite contrary to that notion, I am simply warning you against becoming so dependent upon your spouse that you cannot even go shopping or to do an outing by yourself because your self-worth relies upon that spouse, outside of your control. 

In my own experience I was in a marriage with a man who had become not only possessive of me but also obsessed with me.  He would not let me go anywhere by myself or have activities with friends on my own; in turn, I became less and less confident that I could do anything alone or have friends.  It was a vicious cycle and it took effort to break that cycle in order to be released from it’s grasp.

Please check out the other posts in this series of things I wish I had known when I got married:

List for Newlyweds, Part 1

List for Newlyweds, Part 2

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/2184797/relationship-main_Full.jpg

Technorati Tags: relationships,marriage,newlyweds,dating,single moms dating,identity,playmates,boys and their toys

Who Is This Guy?

I’ve been getting random emails from this guy with the same last name as mine to my Gmail account.  The first one I disregarded as spam, weirdly.  Then I continued to get mail from him, calling me “babe” and would I look at this or would I call such and so.  They read as if he knew me; but he must have me confused with someone else.

The latest one I received and here I quote his email (without giving you the link):

I was going to surprise you with this anniversary gift (since we don’t have kids on the 25^th); but I thought I’d run it by you first.

Isn’t that something… and I was afraid to open the link since it refers to “rollergirls”.  I know it may be nothing risqué … but I don’t want to see what he is thinking about doing with her for their anniversary, quite frankly (just in case).

After getting this one, I just hit ‘report spam’ in Google so it would hopefully place his mail in my spam folder automatically. 

Goodbye, Brandon!  It was nice knowing you….but it’s over between us. Oh and Happy Anniversary!

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  http://www.nasddds.org/images/email.jpg

Technorati Tags: relationships,rollergirls,dating,email,spam

Lovely Blog Award

I am so honored. 

I received an award from Flory of A Woman’s Life Stages blog. 

By accepting this award… now I get to pass on the award to fifteen other bloggers newly found with blogs that I think are lovely…hrmmm… who will they be?

Rules for this "One Lovely Blog Award" are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Now it's my turn to pass it along!

Who’s Who in the Lovely Blog category?

• Your Fun Family
• What Will I Ever Do With My Life
• Telling It Like It Is
• Mommy Loves Giveaways
• Lily Hydrangea’s Anonymous Blog
• J. Leigh Designz
• I Don’t Want to Be A Mom Today
• Anonmom
• A Closer Walk
• Harassed Mom

Yeah, I know I only have ten listed.  But that’s recent blogs I have found… that were lovely.

Now pass on the bogging award.

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: awards,lovely blogs,single moms,parenting,blogging

Boys and their Toys – What’s a Girl to do?

Who Are These Men?

Men are just little boys in big bodies playing with bigger more expensive toys.

If there is anything I have learned about the opposite sex, is this:  You like to play.

Now let me start right off the bat with this disclaimer.  I love guys…. I do… and I have dated a few over the years since the divorce prior to my serious relationship with Mr. M. and got to know others I wasn’t dating, plus there is this guy I call my older brother.  And this is meant with all due respect for you ‘ahem’ men… sincerely:  But every one of you… love to play. 

I don’t mean play games in relationships with your GF’s emotions… although some of you do.  That will have to be another post for another day, lol.

Playing With Complex Toys

But I mean you love: playing video games, mastering the latest techno gadgets; making complex paper airplanes that can fly a mile or model battleships with live ammo to compete with out in the river; buying an old car and restoring it to mint condition; building things with power tools; or riding on long boards, downhill, with no brakes. (And if you don’t know what that last one is, check out searching down hill long boards on YouTube… interesting.)

Simply put, you love to keep your hands and minds entertained… from cell phones and all their accessories to dirt bikes in the back woods.

I like to play too, mind you…. but not to the extent you guys do…

Does that mean men having their toys – is a bad thing? 

No.  That’s the short answer. 

But the longer synopsis is:  No, but we need you to understand how to keep balance in your perspective and make that balance a focused choice, instead of empty words.  The games and the playing (whether it’s with cars or boats or computers) shouldn’t take priority over work, for example, nor family, nor other responsibilities (and that includes paying your SO some much needed attention).  Setting aside designated time for “play-time” should be discussed  by both parties in the relationship. 

Playmates

And ladies, we need to participate in that allotted time for playing… whether it’s competing with the latest video game, or trying our hand at building a new battleship destroyer.  Maybe you don’t like battleship making – as much as the guy in your life enjoys it… but you like spending time with your guy, right?  So instead of fighting it – try to become his playmate and enjoy the ride.

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