My Weekend…Planned

January 23, 2015 properleigh

Fridays are all about the weekend plans. After a busy week, the weekends can be even more hectic! My weekends aren’t all fun but they are always well planned and productive.

Friday

I’m working from home today, no meetings except with my husband who is both co-founder of my family and business ventures. My work day will end at 3:00pm to get the kids from school. No bussing and no after school program on Friday means we have to get our kids from separate schools, across the city, at the same time! On, Fridays I need my husbands help to accomplish this mission.

Most days, after school pick-up, homework and snacks, I continue to work until dinner, but not today! My oldest daughter is trying out for Broadway producers hoping to earn a role in Mary Poppins! She’s been working so hard and I am so proud and excited for her! Next up? Roller skating! Yay! My husband will be taking the girls roller skating while I catch up with a friend. She’s been travelling for a little while and we have a lot to discuss. We’ll happily do so over a glass of wine while enjoying some great live music.

Saturday

I usually wake up at 5:45am or 6:00am. Make a cup of tea, straighten up the house and work for a bit before it’s time to get dressed and go. My oldest, has musical theatre from 9:00am to 1:00pm. I either drop her off and find a spot to get some work done or come back home for laundry and more cleaning. My 7 year old, will start dance and art classes soon, I haven’t quite worked out that plan yet. Saturday afternoon is all about the girls and having lots of fun. This Saturday afternoon we’ll check out the new “Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood” exhibit at the Heinz History Center. We are all huge Mr. Rogers fans, and I personally feel a special connection, having met Mr. Rodgers and appearing on the show as kid. My kids think that is a big deal!

Saturday evening we’ll prepare and eat dinner together at home, and enjoy an evening of music, dancing (laundry in between) and a movie.

Before heading to bed, I’ll press and prepare our clothes for church.

Sunday

Sunday morning is all about Belgium waffles (with strawberries and whipped cream), the girls love my husband’s recipe. Then church, aka mission impossible. The goal every week still remains the same…to make it to church on time. It never gets easier! Going to church as a family is very important to us. Not only do I love mass but I love that hour with my family. The girls always squeeze together during mass. They hold our hands and show so much love and affection for one another. It’s a beautiful thing.

After church we’ll enjoy a nice quick lunch. After that it’s back to work for me. My husband will entertain the girls while I meet with a new client and prep for another meeting. Sunday evening I’ll prepare for the week. I review my work calendar, our family calendar and press the girls uniforms for the week.

The goal of a well planned out weekend is to make sure we get the important things done and still have some fun. Even with so much to do, we stay flexible and down for whatever. We love spontaneous fun!

Uncategorized

Then and Now. I Just Realized I’m Not 25 Anymore…!

January 21, 2015 properleigh

Last Sunday we celebrated my older sister’s 40th birthday. Although I had an absolute blast, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that soon, I would also be turning 40…ugh! In her speech, my sister said that it was hard for her to imagine being that age. In fact, it’s hard for all of us. In 5 years I will be 40 too. That almost seems impossible, because I still feel like 25! I guess the reality is that although it doesn’t feel like things have changed, many things have.

Then…

At 25 I was a new wife and a new mom. My husband and I had been married a little over a year and we had our precious little Sofia to complete our family. Back then, I was always thinking about doing things right. I wanted to be the best wife, best mother, be the best daughter in law, best sister and be the best at my job. I had many challenges and I made mistakes, I couldn’t let them go. Overall, I am proud of the way I handled my life, my challenges and my expectations.

Now…

At age 35, I’m a not so new wife, married almost 12 years and a mother of 3. I still work, but I am an entrepreneur and more focused on helping others than moving up the ladder. I still want to be the best mother, and on occasion, the best wife, sorry, I do have 3 kids! My expectations of / for others…slim. I’ve realized that just because a relationship is important to you doesn’t mean it’s important to other people. Or, because you have high expectations for someone it doesn’t mean they have high expectations for themselves. It’s not about what other people do or how they act. It’s about what I do and how I react.

I still put forth 100% effort into everything I do but with more knowledge and experience behind it. I have solid beliefs, but know there’s so much more to learn. I try to limit my opinions, unless asked or I am ranting to my husband. I am focused on giving my kids a great life and building my business. I am self confident and self aware. I make mistakes, I still don’t let them go. I’m kind until you’re not, then I move on.

At age 25 I would hang on to relationships, jobs, people, everything, trying to make them / it better. Now, it’s about me. A decade later I am building the life that I saw for myself back then (actually as a child) with the kind of people and purpose I saw in it. Frankly, I don’t give a damn. And, I like it. My life by design requires me to be surrounded by people that respect me, inspire me, make me laugh and love my kids. Personally, I don’t think that is too much to ask for, but if it is?…we’re probably not friends. Can’t wait for 40!

Uncategorized

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day

January 19, 2015 properleigh

Martin Luther King day always leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand I am so moved by Dr. King and all of the people who were a part of the civil rights movement but on the other hand, I get overwhelmed by sadness thinking about the kind of world they lived in versus the kind of world we live in now.

To celebrate the day, I used to volunteer. Now to celebrate, I spend time with my children, out in the community at the Kelly Strayhorn MLK event. I love this event because it’s geared toward children, the arts and the community.

I spent some time earlier in the day listening to Kings speeches with my girls. The “I Have a Dream” speech from the March on Washington and his last speech before his assassination. I cried. Actual tears. I heard both of those speeches a thousand times, but today, I cried. Thinking about that world, this world, his strength, my children, and the experiences I’ve had. I cried.

There was so much hate back then. But there is so much racism today. There is still so much work to do.

On this day people are hopeful, happy and celebratory. We all love Dr. King, his messages and his story. For me, I think about my message, my story and my impact. How will I make the world a little bit better for my children, all children. The truth is…I’m not sure. The real truth is, I’m going to try. I know for a fact I’m not racist. I know for a fact I don’t hate. I know for a fact that I judge others based on the content of their character. I’m blessed to think that way.

Happy Martin Luther King Day. Continue to live as though the fight is not over. Continue to focus on his dream. Our dream.