New York Nanny Center » friends

Girls’ Weekend

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:02:32 +0000

I asked my bestie to accompany me to my daughter’s bachelorette party. I thought it would be more enjoyable to have a buddy my own age to pal around with. After some discussion, we decided to leave a couple of days earlier and enjoy the beach ourselves. After 35 years of friendship, we never took a vacation without kids, so the two of us it was. From flight to train to bus to hotel, we didn’t even get lost! We were so proud of ourselves. And it was wonderful to just hang out and do our favorite things– walk, shop, eat and enjoy ourselves in the sun.

You realize your age when the music across the street keeps you up all night and the smokey smell of a non smoking room is too much to bear. So instead of bringing kids, we talked about them. Some habits die hard. Thanks Bestie for sharing another special time with the family.

Love,

Mama Bell

Garage Sale Mania

Alison Gore — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:38:30 +0000

I’ve had many garage sales through the years, mostly when the kids were young and I’d sell toys and clothes to make money for new toys and clothes. And everytime I had one, I’d say to myself that it’s the last one I’m going to have. But when my oldest pal called me and told me about this neighborhood garage sale of all garage sales I couldn’t say no to her request to help. So within two days my husband’s truck was again packed to travel this time across Ohio with all my junk–I mean treasure.

Worth all the work to hang out with friends!

It was a lot of work to produce a little pleasure. Collecting, dusting off, pricing and boxing is time consuming and exhausting. I traded yoga for the exercise I got running up and down the stairs for those two days. Then there is the unpacking. I hope my friend knows that a second set of hands will be needed when I arrive. Do you remember that I mentioned a little pleasure? Well, that is being able to hang out with her and laugh like hyenas when the customers want to pay 10 cents for an item marked 25 cents or just reminisce about our crazy years at BGSU. Tune in next week for the results.

-Mama Bell

Mommy Dating?

Alison Gore — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:32:08 +0000

Being a happily married woman, I didn’t think I’d ever have to start dating again. However, when I found out I was expecting, I knew that I had to get out there and start “dating” more expectant moms or I’d spend a lot of time on my own while my husband went to work. It was hard to put myself out there again, to show up someplace where I knew no one, but, in the end, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. There is some support that even Spanx can’t help you with.

I joined a Prenatal Aqua class through Chicago’s Northwestern Hospital. It didn’t sound like my cup of tea at first, but I decided to jump in feet first (literally) and see what it was like. The class was great because the leader, Megan, always started every class with introductions, due dates, and fun tidbits about each expecting mom. It helped break the ice and give us all something to talk about. We soon exchanged email addresses and voila! A support group was formed!

This group has been an amazing source of comfort and support!

The group continues on and includes 9 wonderful moms whose babies were all born within a 6-7 week period. It has been amazing because we can exchange stories, ask each other questions, vent (a little…), and find comfort in the fact that we’re all experiencing similar things. We go to Stroller Strides together, have weekly playdates, and even get out sans babies to enjoy some MUCH DESERVED girl time while our husbands babysit.

We’re a group of very different women who have formed an amazing friendship. We respect each other’s differences and celebrate all the new and amazing things our children accomplish as they grown and reach new milestones. We’re even going to introduce our husbands soon–things are getting SERIOUS!

Henry’s excited about his support group too!

I’m so happy I started “dating” again. It was really hard and nerve wracking in the beginning, but I’ve got a great support system now and a whole new group of friends for me and Henry!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!

Visiting Friends Never Gets Old… You Do!

Alison Gore — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:57:38 +0000

I just got back from a weekend visit with my college roommate. Her invitation sounded great in the midst of a cold January winter. My sister-in-law came too as they had met at my daughter’s wedding and hit it off. We spent the first afternoon baking Valentine treats that she and I send to our adult kids. After all these years they should be sending us treats. Then off to a movie on a cold winter’s night. And just like kids, the popcorn and raisinettes came out to munch on. Later that night as we watched TV in our pj’s I found my two middle-aged buddies with their eyes closed.

It’s your friends that keep you young as you get older.

Saturday was shopping day. Something we all love to do. Too bad the weather wasn’t cooperative as we went to an outdoor mall in 40 mph winds. Therefore, shopping was short lived and it was round two at the movie theater. This time while munching on the same fine cuisine of popcorn and raisinettes we were yelled at for talking too loudly and too much. At dinner it seemed like we had twenty questions about the food we were about to order, trying to get the best deal both with our money and calories. Back at the ranch we reminisced about school and old boyfriends while turning the pages of a yearbook. It was a great time spent with good friends, special requests, frequent trips to the restroom, and talks about our aches and pains. So keep those old friendships going strong. As our bodies get older it’s the friends that keep our minds young.

-Mama Bell

Showering Wishes for Babies

Alison Gore — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:41:29 +0000

Over the holidays we had a shower for my daughter who is expecting twins. I love planning events such as this, but unfortunately cannot so easily pick a convenient date for everyone. Since all the kids live on the east coast, events are planned around vacations and holidays when they all come home to Ohio. Two days before Christmas was not the ideal shower date for me or guests. Nonetheless, the shower was a hit. Pink and white were the color palate, and cupcakes were the theme.

Loved getting everyone together to celebrate!

Thanks to Google I found how to make diaper cakes and cupcake centerpieces. Boy have diaper prices gone up since I had to use them! Cupcake cookie favors adorned the tables and there were tons of cupcakes on the dessert table. (Thanks again Rose!). I took apart the red and green Christmas tree at the venue and redecorated it in pink and white. My daughter and I turned Christmas bulbs into really cute baby rattle ornaments, and I used her Precious Moments’ dolls as ornaments too. The food was great and so was the company. We were both so appreciative of the great turnout and it was so nice to see everyone. She has some very special friends from her childhood that not only came to the shower but also traveled quite a distance to her wedding last fall.

So many wonderful family members and friends came to show their love

Thanks to all of you for showering my future grand babies with some lovely things to start their new lives .

-Mama Bell

Auld Lang Syne

Alison Gore — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:55:58 +0000

Now with the New Year celebrations behind me I think about the year ahead, but not without the New Year’s theme song in my head , auld lang syne. Should old aquaintance be forgot? Absolutely not. This makes me reflect on the special people in my life and all the memories we have created. I have been blessed with some great friends. Unfortunately, I can’t mention them all so I would like to introduce my oldest and dearest ones. One, I met in college,one at work, and two through my daughters’ friends. Life gets crazy and sometimes I am guilty of letting too much time pass without a call or a visit. For that I apologize because you are all too important to me.

These friends have become an extension of my own family

So to Claudia, who was the best roommate,friend and sorority sister a girl could want. Karen, the coworker/confidant extraordinaire who also shared with me the memories of daughters who became best friends. Dona,the kindest, most thoughtful person who we also share the memories created by our daughters who became best friends. Funny story of their friendship begins with my daughter getting on the school bus first day of school and looking for a seat. She notices a girl looking at her who says “What are you staring at?” And Kathy who is such a good hearted, fun-loving person who says “Honey” a lot, thank you for your friendships and your cups of kindness over the years for Auld Ang Syne.

Thank you all for years of friendship and family

-Mama Bell