her attitude helped me.

it's cliche, i know, but whenever i am asked about an influential woman in my life i immediately think of my mother.  she's not just the woman who gave me life, but she's the woman who taught me how to live my life.

she and i have a pretty typical mother-daughter relationship.  it's not a perfect relationship, but it's definitely a loving relationship.  she and i are so alike that it's scary {at least that is what my husband tells me}.  it seems that we get a little closer the older i get.  and, now that i am a mother, i am finally understanding the reasons why she was so hard on me & my sister as we were growing up.

i think the thing about my mother that has influenced me the most is her attitude about life...and death.  nearly five years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  the news came as a shock.  she had already lost a sister to breast cancer.  the news of my mother's diagnosis certainly sent shock waves through the family.  but, she was fortunate because it was not only caught early enough, but my mother had a doctor who rallied for her and was just as stubborn and demanding as my mother.  my mother did not endure chemo or radiation, but she did choose a radical procedure {in my opinion} to battle the cancer:  she opted for a single mastectomy.

my mother said goodbye to her left breast three days after christmas in 2006.  what most men glorify as a sex object, my mother saw it as the enemy.  to her, losing her breast meant losing something that could have possibly killed her.  i cried and cried when i saw her scar for the first time.  it started in her armpit and ran down and across her chest where her breast used to be.  she did not understand why i was sad.  she said that losing a breast did not make her any less of a woman.

not once did my mother ever show me that she felt vulnerable.  i know that behind closed doors i'm certain she was scared, frustrated and nervous about what could happen.  but, she never stopped being a mother.  even though she was fighting a battle against breast cancer, she never stopped fighting for her family.  she remained positive, encouraging and nurturing.  she was strong.

even today she still has a great attitude about life in general.  she's not scared of dying.  she lives life each day with no regrets and she does all that she can not just for me and my family, but for my kids and for my sister and her husband as well.  she's truly an inspiration, not just to me, but to anyone who is feeling a bit uncertain about their life whether they are battling an illness or not.

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in honor of mother's day, please consider purchasing a gift for your mother {or any other influential woman in your life} a gift from macy's heart of haiti collection.  you can view the collection in its entirety by clicking here.

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disclosure:  I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

Mother's Day - Take Two

It's just after 11pm and, as usual, I am up at the computer. The house is quiet. All I hear is the hum of the computer and a commercial on the television. Other than that, nothing else is going on. Nothing at all.

Because I am alone and I just don't feel like doing anything else.

The hubs has headed to North Carolina for, hopefully, a successful fishing trip. I am going to dream tonight of Yellowfin Tuna and dolphin (no, not Flipper, but Mahi Mahi or Dorado). The kids are with family - visiting with their great-grandparents who are in town from Florida - and they are spending the weekend with their aunt, er, great aunt.

Why am I here? That's because I have plans for tomorrow. Plans that were made LONG before this impromptu fishing trip came up. For once I didn't have to worry about making arrangements for the kids or worry about having to back out (yet again) on another commitment. The hubs actually took the initiative and got things all worked out. Granted, there were tears shed on my part mainly due to frustration, but I'm happy it's all worked out. Everyone is happy.

I know I am happy. Because I really do enjoy a quiet house.

ANTICIPATION

Seriously, this has been, like, the week from hell. It wasn't a long week, but it was a trying week. I am certain that there are a few people out there (you know who you are) that will agree whole-heartedly with me when I say, "Thank goodness it's Friday!"

With the weekend upon me, I am looking forward to a few things:

• Spending time with my MOM - granted, the first part of our day will be consumed by my appointment with the genetic counselor, but still...it's time spent with my MOM.
• Getting my hair did - Mom and I are going to see my friend, Kristin, tomorrow after the counseling thing and we're both getting new 'dos!
• Trader Joe's opens tomorrow - woo hoo - so guess who's going grocery shopping?!
• The dress I want at Ann Taylor Loft goes on SALE tomorrow (they're doing a promo on all of their dresses for the next few days) -- it's going to be my Mother's Day present to myself.
• Mother's Day - all I want to do is sleep in and, knowing that dear hubs of mine, I'm fairly certain that's what I'll be doing (and, of course, I'll get up and fuss about how he let me sleep too late).

It's the weekend -- what are you looking forward to?

Overworked & Underpaid

As Mother’s Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to discuss the many roles I portray on a daily basis:

• Maid – Cleaning the toilets is the worst part about this gig.
• Short-order Cook – Consider this my two week’s notice because you’re just going to have to go hungry if you don’t like what’s for dinner.
• Waitress – this goes hand-in-hand with that short-order cook thing because it seems like everyone wants to be served and cleaned up after. The least they can do is leave a tip (in the form of cold, hard cash) on the table…but that’s wishful thinking.
• Nurse – whether it’s kissing a boo-boo or wiping a snotty nose or cleaning up vomit, I’m the girl everyone calls. Too bad I can’t write my own prescriptions.
• Psychiatrist – I heart reverse psychology.
• Referee – I am there to mediate and get both parties to calm down and be fair.
• Chauffeur – I need a meter for my dashboard.
• Laundress – it’s important to make sure you have on a clean pair of underwear every day just in case, right?
• Banker – Thank goodness for online banking and bill pay.
• Reporter – because you know Dad gets a full report of all that has gone on whenever he’s not home.
• PR rep – I keep track of any and all functions that take place within or outside of our household (the "Kate Calendar" from Em Tanner Designs was the best $55 I’ve spent in a long time!).
• Fashion Designer – I keep the kids looking hip (the hubs, too)…this is one perk of the gig I enjoy because it means I can go shopping!
• Nutritionist – the goal is to eat healthy, organic food…nevermind that tub of Rocky Road in the freezer. It’s not for you anyway.
• Veterinarian – I hate hairballs!
• Animal Control – Damn those cats and the dead animals they bring home.
• Pest Control – Am I the only one in our house brave enough to kill a spider…with someone else’s shoe?
• Teacher – Show me your homework, now…I am not afraid to use a red pen!

So this is just a sampling of the many roles I morph into at any given point during the day. Being a mother is hard work, so this Mother’s Day be sure to be especially nice to your (tired) mother…give her a hug, tell her thank you, but do NOT ask her to lift a finger. This is the ONE day out of the year that she gets to take a break and YOU get to take on all of these roles just for her.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE PRESENTS?!

My favorite Moody Mommy (besides myself, of course! LOL) is having a Mother's Day swap. The rules are pretty straightforward...head over to Confessions of a Moody Mommy and add your name to the Mr. Linky list and put the Mom Swap button in your side bar (like I've done). There is a $20-$25 price range and you must mail out your gift by May 1st. Don't worry...you will be told who your Mom is and the rest is up to you!

What a fun way to show appreciation for another mother and what a great idea because it's always nice to receive a small gift in the mail. Bills are NOT the kind of appreciation us mothers are looking for, ya know?!