Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Dear Moms,

I never had a pink nursery for my girls. Because we never learned the sex of our babies, our nursery was gender neutral, decorated in bold, primary colors with little teddy bears.

Hanging over my bold red rocking chair was a poem.



Cleaning and  scrubbing 
Can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up
As we've learned to our sorrow... 
So quiet down cobwebs
Dust, go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby
And babies won't keep. 

In roughly 48 hours, we'll load up like Clampetts and drive to Mercer University to leave Miss Whimsy for her Great Junior Year Adventure. From there, Super Dad will continue to Atlanta to work in his mother's yard. ('Cause he's Super Son, too...)  

Me? I'll return to a very quiet and empty house once again.  Once again, I'll have plenty of time on my hands for the lively art of homemaking and the livelier one of blogging about it. 

If I had one tip to share with young blogging mommies, that poem would just about sum it up. Never, ever squander your rocking time. The intangible home you're making is eternal. The tangible one, notsomuch.

Put down the paint brush and play. 

Along those lines, my domino playing for this first week of August has doubled as daughter time

We rocked Whimsy Land from closet to drawers to that under-the-bed storage where she keeps the 4,728 extra t-shirts that come with a college diploma.   

Yesterday, we rocked our way to the outlet malls to replace items lost in The Great Closet Purge.  The Farm Sister came along too. That's because I always play Barbie with the Farm Sister, and the other three dolls are all grown up.  

The Duchess came too, of course. If there's anything cute left on Hilton Head Island, don't blame the two of them. They tried... 

Actually, Whimsy didn't need a lot. Much to her dismay, she stopped growing long ago. We mainly purchased things to go with what she had.  

See these paint chips? That's tip #2.




They represent the color families from the skirts we were trying to match. Carrying a handful of paint chips is infinitely better than playing a guessing game as to whether that pink or orange or green is the right pink or orange or green.

And tip #3? Mention to the nice sales clerk that you're in need of more hangers for the aforementioned skirts. She might just give you an entire bag of them.  Woo. Hoo.



So that's where I've been and why I haven't been as visible in Blog Land recently. Please indulge me. Sooner rather than later, I'll be back in the swing of things. In the meantime...

Quiet down Blog Land...
Put Pinterest to sleep
I'm rocking with daughter
And daughters don't keep. 

*****
Can I get an AMEN
 from other mothers out there?
  



42 comments:

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

A big AMEN from me, Debbie. And I had that exact poem (that yours truly embroidered, no less) hanging in my little one's room. Nothing could be truer than that poem.

No need to rush back to the intangible world of blogging. Enjoy your time with the daughter.

Shanee said...

AMEN. Time waits for no mama....rock on and enjoy your time with your daughter, we will be waiting. Now, I'm gonna drive over to the high school and hug Mini!

Chatty Crone said...

Debbie no truer words were ever said. I know I've gone through it twice and on my 3rd time with my grandson who is in middle school already. That is my main reason for being late and behind on blog time.

I am so glad you spent the time with her.

You are a wonderful mom and will be a great grandmother!

Is your daughter pre-med at Mercer?

Love,
sandie

Linda W said...

Amen, amen, amen! You are so right as the years pass much too quickly and how important are the mundane, daily things anyway? I think about and wonder if I squandered away some of my time. For that very reason, the time spent with my Sweet Duo, my darling grandchildren are spent playing and taking time to smell each flower we pass.

You, my friend, are right on target. Enjoy the next 2 days with Miss Whimsy and continue to smell the flowers.... Blogging can wait.

Ruby Jean said...

Amen, Amen and Amen!!! So very precious. Spending time with our children is so VERY important!! have a Blessed day!

Vee said...

Amen! You've chosen the better part... Keep having fun!

Sarah said...

I'm not a mom, but AMEN to this. As an elementary teacher I agree. Even in the classroom it is important to know when to step away from academics and let nurturing take center stage. ~ Sarah

Gaby said...

My amen to this is the fact that I have not blogged in weeks and only read and respond to a handful of people (one being you, of course!). Life is in the way and I'd rather be living than living virtually.

Maryann said...

Amen and amen. I have several young moms that I am friends with and that is the one piece of advice this seasoned mom gives them...they are little for such a short time enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!Love the color chip idea when shopping to match clothing

Barbara F. said...

An Amen! from a non-mama but nurturing soul.... I would love to come along on one of your shopping trips!! xo

Anonymous said...

Amen - and yes - that poem was in my nursery, too.

our family college days are over. Now, me daughter is planning her November wedding - and I'm staring empty nest square in the face. I admit - I'm a bit panicked as to how to make these last couple of months with her under my roof joyful and memorable. We do take our loved ones for granted, don't we? Still, I've had her in my home for a quarter of a century - maybe she'll be hosting Christmas this year!

Crazy!!
Kathy

Sue said...

And now I can add to your list of many talents, writing poetry!

I love the first poem you shared, Oh how true. Some very needed advice you have given to young mothers. The time we have with our children passes so swiftly, you have chosen the most needed! Great post, enjoy this time.
Hugs,
Sue

Tricia said...

Amen! And I also wanted to comment on your first post, about decorating a gender-neutral nursery, because back in OUR day, we didn't know whether to expect a boy or girl. My daughter-in-law is expecting in December, and I visited last week, before they knew the baby's sex. There is virtually NO gender-neutral bedding available -- I guess because most people now know beforehand! We found out a few days ago -- it's a girl!

Debbie said...

Well your getting a GREAT BIG AMEN over here! I just couldn't agree more. How I hung onto my daughter as first of all she was my only girl, but also because she was my baby. It was many years of this will be that last time....a child of mine starts KG, loses a tooth, plays a school sport, etc. etc. And so when she walked across that final stage getting her college degree I just lost it. I could still weep just picturing it in my mind and remembering how I felt. My "baby" was graduating and it was finally all over....she married 2 weeks later, and moved 1000 miles away. Still can't quite believe it happened. Yes, hang on tight and enjoy every little minute of the ride, because it will come to an end sooner than you think. A new one begins for sure, but it isn't the same. HUGS

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Amen, sister!

Deanna

Denise said...

A big AMEN from this corner! They do grow up so quickly. Sigh. Thanks for sharing your day yesterday with our precious Miss Whimsy. I had fun finding the "fun" stuff for her. I hope we're one day blessed with some grands to rock together.

Miss Char said...

What a wonderful reminder Debbie, my children are grown but I hope I gave them all the attention you obviously have given yours. Your post really touched my heart.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Ditto and that goes for grandbabies too!

Christine said...

ITA
(I Totally Agree)

renae said...

Superdy - Dooperdy AMEN!

Wondered where you have been. Take care and I loved your poem.

Lynn said...

Amen Sista! Have fun:@)

Always Nesting said...

As the mother of 3 grown daughters, I'm singing it

AAAAAAAAAAAmen! AAAAAAAAAAAmen! Aaaaamen, Amen, Amen.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

You will definitely get a big "Amen" from me, as well. I loved that poem when our son was little, and I still love it. His 22nd birthday is coming up next week, and then back to college for his SENIOR year. I can't believe it!! It seems like yesterday I was driving him down there for the first time, a nervous college freshman and a nervous Mom. Dad was pretty calm about the whole thing.

Have fun with your daughters every chance you get; the worldwide web will still be here when you return. :)

Hugs,

Denise

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Great post...and it even hit closer to home because I started my cleaning as you prompted and what did I do...I folded my kid's baby blankets and put them in new boxes.

As for this summer...well that is just what I am doing...playing with my little guy...I am not going to miss it...I know too well how fast it goes

Great list

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Amen, so well put...You sound a tad bit down......

So, cheer up my blogging friend
kids coming and going will never end
And when you feel, a little blue
Look at your clean house and scream...YAHOOOO!

Amen
Carol

Sue said...

Amen and AMEN! I have always loved that poem, and it's even more true for grandbabies!! They grow up twice as fast as our kids did.

I've been pretty absent from blogland, and it's all because of that poem. Real life with 4 precious grands is taking my time and I love every minute. The house will still be here when they are in school.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

I loved Sarah's comment (an educator).

Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly go the days...

Hugs to you. Enjoy this time together.

Ann said...

I too lived by that poem. Our children are precious and their childhood flies by in record speed.

I have one, same age as Miss Whimsey, you know that... he's the last one home...but not for long. This time next year, he will sprout wings and fly.

His sisters both have flown...leaving behind a lot of stuff. I'm sure #3 will also leave a lot of stuff.

So I will be faced, soon, with 35 years worth of stuff. Wanna come help me sort, save and toss? It will be like they never left.

Cheers!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

1000 amen's!!! That litle poem about covers it, doesn't it? How those years fly, and the minutes and hours spent DOING with those precious lives are beyond priceless!

Loved this Debbie! :)

Mary said...

I'm not a mom unless four-legged children count :) but I can't imagine where you would find blogging time with toddlers or tweens in the house!
Chuckling over anything cute on HHI!
Love the paint chip/clothes shopping tips~ you should link this to Yvonne's TT&T party after your daughter time! Enjoy~

Tanna said...

Amen, girl!! And, you keep rocking every moment of that mother/daughter time you can get, because that poem is as true now as ever!!! xoxo ~ t.
ps great idea about the paint chips!!

Renée said...

I used to think things could wait while I raised my five kids. Now they added 5 more and with 18 grandkiddos I have more cobwebs than ever!

Renée said...

I meant to add, love the poem, chips and have the best trip and time together.

Unknown said...

AMEN, sister, amen.
I'm enjoying the last couple of weeks with miss B. Even though we are not shipping her out, school will start and the long, lazy days will be gone. I hate that transition.
xo
lynn

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Just returned this evening from seeing MY baby and her babies, so you know I'm REALLY going to give you a big Amen tonight! How quickly the years pass...

I'm so glad Miss Whimsy will still let you play/shop for clothes with her. My girls liked to shop for clothes alone - or with friends - so you are one lucky gal! And to let the Farm Sister and the Duchess tag along ... well you are one REALLY lucky gal! Sounds like lots of fun, and I'm happy you've been enjoying these last days of her Summer. I'll be praying God's very best for her as she begins her Junior year ... and for her Mama, too.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

oh yes. I remember my mil coming over, I was playing on the floor with my son and daughter. Mil was upset because there were dishes in my sink. I told her there would always be dishes to do and dust to clean but my babies wouldn't always be babies. And I use the paint chips too, not only for clothes but for upholstery, pillows, curtain colors etc. so handy !
Sigh, our babies grow up too quickly.

Amy Kinser said...

Love the idea of the paint chips. I have never heard of doing that.

I am in total agreement about the time we spend with our children. Oh, how I miss the days of rocking. My nine year old still does crawl up in my big chair with me at night time and I love it.

Blessings to you all, dear friend.

Kelli said...

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Hope you found a match for the skirt :) Cherishing the moments when my almost 11 year old asks me to rub her back as she drifts off to sleep.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

So true!

Lucky you that you got some skirt hangers! I've found it really hard to be able to keep the hangers from the clothes I buy. They used to just automatically give them to you. I guess it saves them money to reuse them.

xinex said...

Amen Debbie! Enjoy your time with daughter and enjoy the rest of the summer too....Christine

corners of my life said...

Your daughter is very, very lucky.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Amen! We are sending son no.2 off to college this coming weekend. He is going to be nearby at USC but is living on campus. I totally get the whole putting down the blog for a bit thing. I am so there right now. It will be here when we return. Until then!

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