en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/327646 Comments by Irishmom http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036211 ooops! Sorry my comment was too long and I copied and pasted and then got it all screwed up. Hope you can understand it! Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:14:36 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036211 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036099 It's the universe telling us to slow down and listen to ourselves. I swear it is. :) I wish you much rest and healing and let that wonderful man of yours nuture you. There is nothing nicer than good nurturing and when you are a single mom and someone's everything, there's not much room or time for yourself. You are so inspirational to us all. But it would make me happier than anything to see you getting fully healed. The blog posts can wait. And so can we. :) Thanks for replying on the forum last night. Being sick brings out vulnerability and I don't like feeling that way. But we are human. Even when we think we are superwoman. I can attest to that. You have the rest of your life to dream about what's coming. Just go inside and have quiet this week. And take time for yourself. Is B able to go to his Dad? I hope so. Take care and we'll wait for you! :) Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:14:02 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036099 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036072 I am so glad that you are resting at last. It's always easy for me to tell everyone else to take care of themselves, but for some reason, like you, I am the last one to take my own advice and usually do keep going, like the energiser bunny, except when .... the batteries run out! Mine did last week. I rarely get ill but I got that nasty flu and was on my knees. (Literally...). I had to ask for help, which I hate, but there was nothing to do but lie in bed with a horrible fever and just get better. I feel so much for you, because you remind me of myself - always doing taking care of, onto the next project. Tricia :) Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:13:43 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/21/shedding/#IDComment25036072 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/16/smiles/#IDComment24628304 Oh Alaina, this is so beautifully written. I'm sorry your Dad couldn't be here to share the wonderful things you've achieved. But he's proud of you. My Dad was diagnosed with cancer last year and his life has also been changed irreversably. I haven't seen him in three years due to distance and the cancer, but am trying to get to Ireland where they'll be heading this summer. He too is a wise man and has taught me so much about life. Thank you for sharing this. :) Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:18:55 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/16/smiles/#IDComment24628304 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/10/everything-youll-ever-need/#IDComment23925266 When something feels right and it is right you know it. I'm glad that you know it. :) I liked what you said about fear being what your gut was telling you all along. I think I got so used to living with the fear of change, that I failed to listen to my gut, my soul. Thank you for inspiring me. It's nice to know that down the line, there is a chance that I will trust again. Not yet, by a long shot. But, like you, I hope my time will come. :) Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:52:08 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/10/everything-youll-ever-need/#IDComment23925266 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/07/the-weekend/#IDComment23632025 Beautiful pictures. So glad the universe seems to be on your side. I think your Bear is amazing from what you've described. I wish you both plenty of happiness. :) Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:02:06 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/07/the-weekend/#IDComment23632025 http://onwingsofpigs.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-smart-you-are.html#IDComment23482228 Aren't they amazing? It always means mama is doing something right. (that's what I tell myself). My kids are both incredibly perceptive and sensitive and I know it's because we talk about things like that all the time and use examples from their day. I love your blog and have finally been able to get onto it - I tried several times and got an error message. Your son is beautiful and looks alot like you. You are doing an awesome job on your own there mama. And I know how hard it is, believe me - I am a single mom too. We've spoken on twitter on and off. I'll add you to my reader, now that I know your blog does exist! Tricia Sat, 6 Jun 2009 01:55:38 +0000 http://onwingsofpigs.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-smart-you-are.html#IDComment23482228 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/05/on-weddings/#IDComment23455913 I have to say, for me, it was one of the best days of my life. I totally was in love with my husband and truly believed it was forever. I had also moved countries to be with him, given up my wonderful job, friends and an extremely wonderful social life. When I look back now, I think my trust was too open and big. I think I should have thought it out more. But, our wedding itself was glorious and I choose to remember it that way. We got married in the house I grew up in in South Africa and it was beautiful. Those memories will never change for me, despite the pain that has followed thirteen years after the event. Ironically, we met at none other than, a wedding! :) Fri, 5 Jun 2009 15:54:10 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/05/on-weddings/#IDComment23455913 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/03/shipped/#IDComment23212768 Sounds like you had a great couple of first days! And I am waiting with baited breath for my new necklace - a symbol of a new start for me this year.... : ) Thanks for making it possible to have it symbolised materially. I will make sure to tell everyone where I got it if they are asking. (which I'm sure they will...). Too funny that B is peeing in front of the church - if anyone DOESN"T mind, it would be God. People are way too uptight if they have a problem with that at all. My son (six) still prefers the yard to the toilet, it means he doesn't have to interuppt whatever it is that holds his fancy at that very moment. Hope all your dreams continue to be realised....:) Wed, 3 Jun 2009 18:51:18 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/06/03/shipped/#IDComment23212768 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/31/on-quitting-your-day-job/#IDComment23028196 Awesome and good for you! Your courage will be rewarded. I feel that I am on the verge of something similar now that the fog of grief has lifted somewhat. I hope that I can once again become the courageous woman I used to be, some twelve years ago. I hope that I can take leaps of faith like the one you have. I know it's in me. And in the meanwhile, I wish you only the best, in this, your new journey. : ) Tue, 2 Jun 2009 02:32:29 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/31/on-quitting-your-day-job/#IDComment23028196 http://mssinglemama.com/your-new-leaf/#IDComment22978480 waiting (patiently) for my symbol of hope. Thank you! : ) Mon, 1 Jun 2009 12:08:13 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/your-new-leaf/#IDComment22978480 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/31/the-grocery-store-bathroom-a-protest/#IDComment22940034 I first encountered this issue when my son was potty training too. Because when you think about it, when would you generally use the restroom at a grocery store? The store that I encountered a similar looking bathroom was Giant, but this was quite a few years ago. The variety of what you will find is astounding from pretty clean and decent to downright disgusting. I don't care what anyone says - how their public bathrooms are kept will have a strong influence on whether or not I will shop there again, especially with little ones in tow - who inevitably need to use the bathroom even when they are potty trained. I would give Target and Harris Teeter (in our area) the biggest thumbs up and this is mainly where I shop. Sorry you had this bad experience and thanks for drawing attention to it - is there any way you could approach the manager? Mon, 1 Jun 2009 01:22:19 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/31/the-grocery-store-bathroom-a-protest/#IDComment22940034 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/27/unexpected-reality/#IDComment22527340 Others, my children take my breath away. And that's what keeps me going. It's my number one priority - they are my number one priority and like your friend say's dating is no longer about you. (Not that I've had the courage to try that yet, but reading your blog keeps me hopeful that it can be done..). You are very wise Alaina. Keep going. It will all work itself out. : ) Thu, 28 May 2009 12:33:27 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/27/unexpected-reality/#IDComment22527340 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/27/unexpected-reality/#IDComment22527336 I totally relate to the "being it" for your child part of this post. It feels overwhelming sometimes. Last year, I got a serious kidney infection and was sent to the hospital by the doctor. My soon to be ex could not come and get the children - he was "busy" and I had to call the neighbours and a friend, who very kindly stepped in and took them from the night. As I was driving myself home from the hospital at 6am the next morning, exhausted and overwhelmed, that's when I felt the "singleness" of it all. I have no family in this country and his is not even an option - but what do you do in emergencies like this? It sucks. It really does. And it feels like your ex has all the flexibility and choices as to when he will see them and under what circumstances, but you have to do it all and deal with life at the same time! That's what gives us strength I suppose. We have to be creative, smart and ingenious and nurturing all in the same breath. It's not a job for wimps or people who can't handle responsibility. Some days just suck. Thu, 28 May 2009 12:33:18 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/27/unexpected-reality/#IDComment22527336 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/26/thanks/#IDComment22318475 Man, that was hysterical! And yes, my son did the same thing on the beach a few years back. (He's six now, and still does it unabashedly in the yard though, in front of the neighbours!). He is too beautiful, seriously and your post was very touching. I'm sure your Dad is laughing up above! :) Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:53 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/26/thanks/#IDComment22318475 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/23/so-theres-this-dog/#IDComment22215139 and ps : that child of yours is utterly deliciously gorgeous. What a picture! :) Mon, 25 May 2009 02:10:08 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/23/so-theres-this-dog/#IDComment22215139 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/23/so-theres-this-dog/#IDComment22215077 oh my gosh, that dog looks alot like ours. Except ours is bigger and his name is Benji. But on my life, the dog we had before this was called Murphy. Is this Murphy a goldendoodle or labradoodle. Benji is a Goldendoodle who doesn't shed (my son has allergies and asthma which is why we got this breed). He's a handful for me, but AMAZING with my kids. Totally and utterly loving and tolerant. They LOVE him to death. I think Benjamin will have a hard time saying no to this guy. Regarding the future, follow your head, but your heart a little too... *smile* Mon, 25 May 2009 02:08:25 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/23/so-theres-this-dog/#IDComment22215077 http://mssinglemama.com/are-you-a-twirgin/#IDComment22084674 Thanks! I am/was one of the newbies and let me tell you I had no clue what I was doing. But, slowly it's becoming clearer and this really helped. I enjoy the fact that it's not Facebook talking to people that you know. It's nice to see people (esp. Moms) talking back and forth about things that affect us universally. I really appreciate the info! : ) Sat, 23 May 2009 02:10:20 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/are-you-a-twirgin/#IDComment22084674 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/21/over-the-edge/#IDComment21980285 Heh heh,now that reminds me of my two feuding lovelies. It's a love/hate relationship and very stressful for the parent! I would love to try something so out there. The scenery was beautiful - gosh, I really need to visit Canada! Thu, 21 May 2009 15:15:22 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/21/over-the-edge/#IDComment21980285 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/19/the-non-date-that-wasnt/#IDComment21857522 OK, I apologise Alaina, what I really meant to say was AWESOME and I am SO HAPPY for you. I'll shut up now! :) Wed, 20 May 2009 00:47:07 +0000 http://mssinglemama.com/2009/05/19/the-non-date-that-wasnt/#IDComment21857522