Positively Mom Street

My kids are home-schooled  🏚 Facebook is my only friend  🖥 Will this quarantine ever end?  🤷‍♀️ My face is hairy  🧔 My hair is scary  👩‍🦱 It's only week 4  😱 How much more? 🤷‍♀️ My pants don't fit  I don't care  🍪 I'm not going anywhere!  🛋 Time for work - let's head upstairs  👩‍💻 Oh wait - my kids asleep up there!  🛌 Social distancing is lots of fun!  🎉 I just can't wait until it is done  🙌

Okay, so maybe it isn't an actual sisterhood with meetings, wine and cookies - but please tell me I'm not alone in this weird compulsion to hold on to clothes that JUST. DO. NOT. FIT. The infamous Express jeans Why? Why would I keep a pair of jeans that pre-dates my oldest child (who - for the record - is 15!) and I have not worn regularly in at least a decade.  If I remember correctly these jeans cost $50 in 2003. I'm pretty sure I've got the best return on my investment possible. Or does it have to do with holding on to a lost part of my life? The identity I had before I became head butt wiper and crisis mitigator.  When I was just Kim - this glorious 28 year old with nothing but time, money and my entire 30's still in front of me. 24 year old me & my scruffy hubby I honestly don't know.  Maybe it's to prove to someone (ok - myself) that despite being just shy of 45 I've kept it together enough to squeeze my two kiddo body into pa...

I was 6 years old and my Mom was getting remarried. My Dad died when I was two, and I was anxious and excited for her fiance  to be my new Dad. I remember the day he took my brother and I to meet our new Grandparents. He was very stern in the car and told Jeff and I the rules. We could say "Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Racquet" and be very quiet and respectful. I was so nervous - what if t hey didn't like me?  As we walked towards the house, they stepped out to meet us, two strangers destined to be family. I will never forget her smile, or how she hugged me as she said "My name is Grandma Betty and this is Grandpa Hersch!! We're so happy to finally meet you." All my nervousness disappeared in her  . <3 She was a constant in my life - always spirited, always unique and always 100% her authentic self. Forever young at heart and full of life, she simply inspired me. I  <3   you Gram. Give my love to Grandpa - I'm sad you are gone but so happ...

"Son of a bitch, give me a drink"  I think this pretty much sums up election night 2016. Regardless of candidate choice, drinks were drunk  - in celebration and commiseration. The question is - are you ready to put down the bottle?  Be cause whether your candidate won or lost - we're in it for the long haul.   "Meet the new boss...same as the old boss" Did you know only one half of our entire nation actually VOTED in the election?  And only HALF of them voted for either major party candidate?  So that means just about 25% voted Trump, and 25% voted Clinton - and 50% said "None of this is for me" and opted out.  Why? Alienation?  Discrimination?  Disenfranchisement? No matter but the fact remains that less than half of the nation felt the candidates were running "for them."  And that's pretty depressing.  "Darkness has a hunger that's insatiable - and lightness has a call that's hard to hear" ...

...to get through this thing called life. 1987.  I'd just turned 13 years old and received a cassette tape for my birthday.  "Purple Rain" by Prince. This is a cassette tape!  It played music in the dark ages. Now, we won't go into what would compel otherwise solid parents to give a 13 year old this music, but they did.  And to put it mildly - it rocked my world. I listened to that tape relentlessly.  Every. Single. Day.  I knew all the words to every song - even Darling Nikki - though I really had no idea what he was talking about.  Still not sure I do at 42 - but that is another blog for another day. But I loved it.  Loved it.  I was blown away by the sound - but mostly by the man.  I'd never met anyone in real life ANYTHING like Prince.  Granted - I should preface this by saying I grew up in a very rural, very white area of Upstate New York.  So - my world view was a smidge limited - but that didn't dim the wond...

Happy New Year! 2016 is here and along with it comes a hefty dose of reality.  I'm not sure about you, but I'm fairly certain I survived solely on sugar and alcohol in December. I am feeling it in January.  I know I should get serious and get back on track - and I will - I always do - but wonder if I need to enlist an old foe - the scale. A little background.  About 2 years ago I decided I was not going to weigh myself anymore.  Just wasn't going to do it.  Mostly because for the past 20 years or so the scale has ruled my life.  The slightest fluctuations (up or down) set the tone for my day.  Lost .1 pounds?  It was a red letter day of joy and happiness.  Gained .1 pounds?  It was a truly terrible, horrible, no good day.  And so it went.  Day after day, year after year I allowed this tool to determine my moods, set the tone for my day and generally control my life. One day I decided enough was enough.  I stopped ste...

I've been thinking about my younger years.  A lot. My husband and I have been a couple since 1992 - I was 17 when we started dating; I just turned 41 this past summer.  It's an incredibly amazing yet bizarre experience to share that many years with one person.  To grow from child to full fledged adults. When we got together I didn't think we'd last through the summer (my track record was love 'em and leave 'em) but this was different.  He was different. In 1995 we lived in a small walk up on Lark Street in Albany.  We were both full time students working internships without a spare penny to our names.  We had a beat up car that would overheat every time we drove it.  We would eat maybe one meal a day and it was usually cereal (thanks Cheerios).  I always worried about money but somehow - even when it was super tight and things got tough - we made it through. This morning I heard "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers.  That song always makes ...

I went to the prom...with my 11 year old.  Technically - it was the 5th grade "senior" prom - aka "senior citizen" which means you are supposed to bring Grandma - but since all our family lives in NY I was the only choice.  To be honest - I wasn't sure what to expect.  5th grade is a hazy blur in my mind - but I vaguely remember boys and girls pretty much avoiding each other and spending time with your parents - in public - to be one of life's great humiliations.  I was curious, cautious and hopefully optimistic that things had changed in 30 years. :-) In preparation we bought Hayden a snazzy new outfit (and - if I do say so myself - he looked incredibly handsome) and I tried to figure out my own clothes. Honestly - what does a 40 year old woman wear to a elementary school dance?  With the help of Facebook (and some wonderful friends) I decided on a simple tunic top and leggings - though the suggestion of sparkly yoga pants and my wedding dress (from Harly...

So, this week I had to say a tough goodbye.  We'd been together for almost 20 years, and while it was a great time, I knew our relationship was going downhill.  For the past year or so I convinced myself we could still be together, that a change wasn't necessary, but finally, on Monday, I knew it was time to say goodbye. Diet Coke, I'm sorry.  It's not you - it's me. Well - actually - it's a lot about you.  Ya see, I had my first sip of your so sweet yet calorie free self just about 20 years ago. I was a high school senior convinced I needed you to keep the weight off and my eyes open.  I'll be honest - it wasn't love at first sight - you tasted pretty TERRIBLE. :-) But then you kinda grew on me and I couldn't stay away. And for years - you served your purpose well.  Not a day went by that I didn't turn to you - late night study sessions, early morning classes, mid day pick ups - you were always there for me.  Cold, refreshing, bub...

So, I went to see the new Fifty Shades movie . I'd read all the books during the great soft porn hype of 2013.  They were okay - I'd definitely read better...the author really wasn't a very good writer...but I enjoyed the story line.  I mean - come on - what girl doesn't secretly dream of a super rich, good looking guy swooping in to take her away from her life of drudgery?  So I read, I enjoyed, I discussed, and then I kinda forgot.  I probably read another 50 books between the time I finished the FSG trilogy and the movie premiere last night. I think that helped.  A lot. 'Cause even though the books weren't well written I definitely had an idea in my head about Ana and Christian.  And I think the movie producers did an awesome job casting Ana.  The actress (I don't know her name but she IS the offspring of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) did a great job being Ana.  And her clothes?  Score!  I loved EVERY OUTFIT she wore. ...

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.  A nation does not need to be cruel in order to be tough.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hello from the Big Apple! So, I’m actually writing this from the train – I feel so very urban!  As you may or may not know – I work from home in the beautiful state of Colorado.  My employer is located in Manhattan and I was lucky enough to fly out and spend a few days meeting everyone and seeing the sights.  Right before I left, I was telling  my boss I was a bit nervous about getting from Newark all the way to Times Square – and he laughed a bit and said “Just ask anyone on the street for help – New Yorkers LOVE that.  Ya know – being so nice and all.” Gulp. Now I don’t necessarily believe the hype that New Yorkers are mean.  I mostly believe they are busy people that don’t have the time for lost Coloradans wandering their streets asking for random directio...

“Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day’s chalking.”  ― Frederick Buechner,  The Alphabet of Grace Goodbye 2014 – Hello 2015. I wanted to write a really eloquent post about 2014 and how doing the Kind Year changed me.  I was ready to wax poetic about how great it’s been, the joy I found in helping others and how the past 6 months have brought so much good to my life. But the words didn’t come.  I don’t think I can end the year (or start a new one) talking about the good without discussing the bad. Yes – being part of this experience has been amazing.  It truly has.  It’s made me think outside the box, put others first, and try to BE the change I’d like to see in the world. It’s also been hard, challenging and somewhat depressing.  What I do is never enough.  The changes I make feel small and ineffective. ...

My job as Santa to my adopt-a-family is almost over.  The gifts are wrapped and set to be delivered today. Can I tell you that this has been – by far – one of the most amazing experiences of my life? To start an experiment in kindness as a lark and see it become a full fledged reality blows my mind. One person CAN make a difference!  And while my Kind Year is only half way through – I already know that kindness and caring really can bring people together. Continue to give of yourself and be the magic of Christmas.  Positively, Kim

“The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.” - Billy Graham It’s the season!  The season of  over indulgence.  Excessive food, excessive drink, excessive fun.  I am guilty.  I partied like a rock star this weekend and I am feeling the effects.  I’m tired, and cranky, a just a bit toxic.  Ugh  - there is truth in the old saying about too much of a good thing.  I also believe the concept applies to Christmas and gifts.  I am personally focused on doing  a “less is more” holiday this year. Since I’m a year round shopper I have a gift closet where I stash my “goodies”.  I took everything out last night and tallied it up.  I thought there would be a lot – but surprisingly, there really wasn’t.  While I love a “steal” and can’t resist a bargain, I actua...

“If you can live with less of what you have. You can be more of who you are.” – Celso Cukierkorn As many of you know, this year I’m running an Adopt A Family program – sponsored through my side business – and dedicated to my Kind Year journey. So far so good – we got people excited, raised the $200 goal – and I got to go out and shop! I am bound and determined to stretch this budget to it’s limit – I REALLY want to do a lot with the money. I started shopping – ticking items off the kids wish list (a little boy and girl) – and watching the stash grow. Then I hit a wall. I know these kids don’t have a lot – but do they really NEED a bunch of “stuff” to make it Christmas?  I spent roughly $80 of our goal money and received some very kind donations – and the kiddos gift pile was growing quite large. Lots of love and caring went into the collection of these gifts! Very proud of my peeps and all their generous donations! I’m taking a step back. Yes – I want the...

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.” — Robert Holden Friends, this has become my truth.  I am many things but as this year progresses I find I am more and more grateful.  I appreciate small things (like the older couple that offered my family of four their dinner table when were out the other night) despite the gentleman having his arm in a cast. I give more readily – of myself and of my time.  I want to BE THERE living every moment to its fullest. My little worries have fallen to the wayside – and I see potential where I once saw failure. As we come to Thanksgiving I want to ask you all to take a moment and think about what makes you TRULY grateful.  Is it something simple like having a loving family?  Food on the table?  A roof over your head and enough money to keep it there? For me – I’m grateful for opportunities.  Opportunities to be a better person.  Opportuni...