Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Love Is...Love Isn't...

Love is a funny thing. You expect it to be easy. You expect it to be a world of roses and laughs and perfect moments that you find only in movies. You expect him to always say the right thing, and always know exactly how you feel, or exactly how to react to it. You expect him to calm you down when you’re yelling or to chase you when you run away. You expect so much that you feel entirely, utterly defeated when something doesn’t exactly match up with all your plans. But that’s the thing. Love isn’t a plan. It doesn’t have a certain beginning and it certainly has no end or visible finish line to those deeply in it.
Love is so incredibly messy. People around you can’t comprehend why you do the things you do, or why you fight so hard for something that seems to cause you so much pain, because simply, they can’t see. They can’t see the invisible ring of insanity that surrounds you when you’re in love. It’s inconvenient and painful and devastating at times, but we can’t live without it. What you don’t learn is how hard love is. How much work it takes. How much of ourselves we have to put into it. How it isn’t worth it until we are complete and utter idiots about it.
Love isn’t him calming you down when you yell. It’s him yelling, just as loud, just as hard, right back at you, right in your face to wake you up and to keep you grounded. It isn’t him bringing you roses everyday or cute things that make your relationship appear more presentable. 
It’s after a long fight, that drains the life and bones right out of you both, and yet him showing up at your door the next morning anyway. It’s not him saying all the right things or knowing exactly how to handle you. So no, it’s not her caressing your hair and telling you that everything’s going to be alright. It’s him standing there, admitting he’s just as scared as you are. You have to remember that with love, you’re not the only one involved. You’ve unknowingly put your life, your heart into the palms of another person’s hand and said “here. Do what you will. Mash it into mince meat. Or forget I ever handed it to you. As long as you have it.”
It makes us crazy. It makes us invisible and it erases all the lines that we shouldn’t cross. Because love isn’t about fencing ourselves in; feeling safe, feeling sure about the future. It’s about scaring the crap out of every nerve in our body, but pushing forward anyway. Because all the fighting and all the tears and all the uncertainty is worth it. And it’s a lot better than being 100% happy without someone to show us that there is a world of difference between feeling ‘happy’ and feeling whole.
Life is a challenge, and so is love. Things never come easy in life; if they do, memories are rare, suffering won’t get you through the tough times, there’s nothing to look back on. There’s no mistakes that you learn from. In the end, it’s all worth it.  - Excerpt from "Life is a Beautiful Struggle"

When you stop and take a look at the loves of your life, you will look and see that holding on to those memories is what made you the person you are today. That, finding that kind of love, is worth fighting for. It may not be the perfect situation but eventually it will be just right for you.

Sometimes, perception is wayyyy off! Sometimes, people are not seeing what is really there. It takes two to make it work, it takes two to letting go, it takes two to move on...Think about it this way, when you get married, two people vow to be one. When you get divorced, two people agree to part. So, when you want to question whether you are wrong for holding on to that love you know still exists, don't question, don't allow to be questioned. You have no one to answer to and no one to seek approval from. That feeling exists because despite life's curveballs, love transcends. Happiness is your perception, not someone else's opinion.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

One Door Closes....

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. - Helen Keller
Often I have found myself staring at that closed door and trying to find ways to break it open. But in doing so, I definitely missed another open door, window, floor board..lol..a way out of being stuck! So, yeah, when you start to feel stuck and can't open that closed door...take a step back, take a deep breath and look around you. Figure out whether the chaotic dungeon you are living in is where you want to be. Because until you realize that you don't want to be in your own prison, you will not see that other open door!







Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Posted By Our Mommy's Links Site Owner, Jen Nevadomski:
Bullying is everyone’s problem… Fighting back, the stakes couldn’t be higher

CBS NEWS presents a 48 HOURS SPECIAL ON BULLYING IN THE DIGITAL AGE, to be broadcast this FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 at 8pm- ”Bullying: Words Can Kill”
See a sneak preview:




Today, I attended a round-table discussion/luncheon with the producers and correspondent of 48 Hours, an amazing panel, and a group of about 15 bloggers to discuss the problem of BULLYING. Thank you to CBS, 48 Hours, and The Role Mommy Network for including me in this discussion. Children in every school in every part of the country need us to help them. As bloggers, we can help spread the word to parents, teachers and friends. As parents, we must do whatever we need to do to protect our children. Children should not live in fear, especially in school. Bullying can begin at a very young age, younger than we might thing. Bullying can end in tragic consequences. It IS our responsibility to help these children.


As a new school year begins across the country, more than 160,000 children will stay home every day because they are afraid of being bullied. That is just one of the startling facts in the CBS News/48 HOURS presentation “Bullying: Words Can Kill.” Reported by correspondent Tracy Smith, the program airing Friday, Sept. 16 (8:00 PM, ET/PT) reveals how the explosion in technology is only making bullying worse, as victims cannot find relief from their tormentors in a 24/7 digital world. The report, with links to the CBS News website, will have important new information for parents, educators and legislators about how bullying affects children and how to address it. Plus, viewers can join the conversation online on Facebook and Twitter.

For six months, producers and camera crews were allowed in-depth access to the classrooms, cafeteria and gym at a Rhode Island middle school that is one of the few in the United States that has openly acknowledged it has a bullying problem and has taken action to address it. The 48 HOURS special documents the real lives of students at that particular school, and has the powerful stories of other young people and their families from around the country who have felt the impact of bullying firsthand.

One constantly harassed 13-year-old told Smith, “They got inside my head. They did it because they knew it would hurt.” His mother said dropping him off at school was like “sending him off to war.” Tragically, more than 150 children have taken their own lives in recent years because they were victims of harassment in school and online.

Among those featured in the broadcast:

Dara Genovese, 13, bullying victim: “If you have ever been bullied, harassed, tortured, which I hope you haven’t, let me tell you, it is the worst. I mean, worst feeling ever.”

“You’re laying in bed and you’re just thinking, like… what would it be like if you’re not here? Like… would it be better? Or, like, would people be happier – or just – just you wonder, you think a lot of questions.”

Johnny Cagno, victim of bullying who attempted suicide at age 14: “When you’re tortured every single day, it gets to you. I was very, very scared to go to school every day.”

Lisa Cagno, Johnny’s mother: “He was hurting himself. He was cutting himself, and he would just (say), ‘I hate myself, I don’t want to live anymore. I hate my life. Nobody likes me, no one cares about me.’ And I just – I would just have to constantly just reassure him. I couldn’t get those feelings out of his head."

Cynthia Logan, a parent who lost her daughter because of bullying: “We have principals in our schools and superintendents who don’t want to acknowledge the problem. They don’t want it to be their problem. I did as much as I could do as a parent, knowing as little as I did.”

This broadcast is produced by Deborah Grau and Judy Rybak. The senior producers are Kathleen O’Connell and Paul Ryan, and Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Mommy's Links....Are you a member yet?

I wanted to share with all my blogger friends this great new social network for NY Metro Area Moms!! It's called Mommy's Links! I have been a member from its inception in January 2011 and have watched it grow trememndously. So much so that I decided to help in its quest for greatness. You can find me as a member on the site as Ms.TwoCents, of course! But I am not only a member now, I also the Managing Editor of the site! I would like to invite all you moms to come check us out. And though our events are for NYers, our site is for all moms!

Just a little background on Mommy's Link:
Started in 2010, Mommy’s Links is THE Social Network for New York Metro Moms BY moms, FOR moms. As motherhood is the most rewarding and wonderful job in the world, it can also have its challenges.  We all need a place to go to be ourselves, get and give advice, share stories, make friends, vent, and find a little time in our hectic day for US.  That’s what Mommy’s Links is here for. 
Not only do we have this great social network but we also have an awesome meetup/events group! In our meetup group, we have all events and meetups posted. We also give our members a voice and ask them to make suggestions on meetups and events they would like to see happen! How great is that?

So....take a few minutes and check it out! I know I love it and have become a great supporter! That's my two cents...and they count!!!

Mommy's Links



 Mommy's & Daddy's Links Meetup Group


Thursday, March 31, 2011

Back from Hiatus

Hello to all my followers!
I have been a little bit of a hiatus..life of a single mom has been full of changes! Well, I embarked on a new mission...my very own business! You should check it out at www.onceuponacupcakeny.com . I have been busy building a website and baking away.

I decided to make some charitable donations and I have started with a great cause....Cookies for Kids Cancer Organization. My company will be hosting three (3) bake sales, one a month for the next three months. The proceeds will go to benefit children fighting cancer...


I have other projects in the works and will keep you posted as the details solidify.

Happy Blogging!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2011 Is Here and Here Are My Letters

A year ago, I embarked on a blogging adventure and here I am one year later....better than last.
2010 was not ideal for me but it brought me to where I am today. It helped me to grow, though I went through some painful days, it made me realize that my best days are ahead of me. 

So, now here I am 7 days until my 32nd birthday and thinking its time. Time to embark on my future.

I realized that I made some poor decisions over the years and I have a lot to make up for. I wanted to write a letter to those people, you know who you are and why this pertains to you.

I have experienced many things over my lifetime and have come to be who I am today because of all those experiences. Some involved you, some were because of you, some were in spite of you, some were because of your absence, and some were just plain ole stupid. Many times you have reminded me that I am where I am because of myself! I have accepted what I did and regret many things but most of all, I regret never being honest with myself and never realizing that what I wanted and needed were always there. A friend once told me that actions speak louder than words...and I believed that and then I remembered the power of love. Love can be in an action, it can be shown through kisses, hugs, gestures....Love can be spoken, it can be LOUD and ring in your ears with three simple words that are so complex in meaning (I LOVE YOU)...how often do we use those words so simply without merit? When we hang up with our loved one, when we say goodbye, in the thralls of passion....but how often do we say it when it really counts? I missed my opportunity to love you and say it out loud. I'm not afraid of that anymore. I'm ready to love again and be loved in return. I can only hope that the one who is the one...knows it and can say three simple words to me that mean more than an I Love You....those words are...I Forgive You. 

To the others in my life that have been burned in my wrath,
Go! Go forward knowing that I no longer wish you malice. I want the people in my life to be happy and love. Experience life. I want to forgive and not forget....because if I ever forget, I will lose my way and know that I can be pained in such a way. I don't hate you. I just wish you would've known what you caused. But I thank you because without this drama, I wouldn't have found what I know is my happiness. 

God Bless You All...and I look forward to a promising 2011.



Ready To Love Again

Monday, December 6, 2010

Our Decorating Day

This weekend we FINALLY finished decorating the tree and the house. Every day we put it off because it was late and then  we dedicated a day for Christmas! We decorated the tree, the windows, the counter (separated the kitchen from the living room), and then we made homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies! It was a great day!

How are you preparing for the holiday?