Recently I found myself in a position where the last thing I could do was feed my own family. We (even the Fourth Gal) received many phone calls from people who wanted to help feed us while I was ill. I have to admit there was nothing more comforting than a home cooked meal from a dear friend. If my culinary challenged wonderful  husband was in charge of feeding himself, two kids, and a sick wife we would be eating tater tots, frozen burritos, and boxed mac & cheese. A wonderful group of people knew I needed nourishment to help recover from my illness and set up a meal circle.

If you are like me and enjoy helping someone by feeding them good home-cooked food, you must check out Take Them A Meal. I’ve personally used the site to help coordinate a meal delivery system, but I have never been on the receiving end of the website until recently. What a wonderful, convenient way to get the job done! The coordintor’s job is easy, and the recipient is well-informed about what is happening. Take Them A Meal is simple and organized!

I am grateful for dear people who knew we were struggling and kept my family fed with some awesome food. When I am 100% you’d better believe I will be cooking for and nourishing the next person who needs something besides frozen meals and takeout.

The fourth gal - My mom, Mary.

From November 11th to now, I have been dealing with meningitis. It was a rough time for all of us, but it seems to be looking up as we are poised to enter 2012 – THANK GOODNESS. For 7 weeks I have been in and out of the hospital and dealing with the nasty effects of this illness. Through the entire ordeal there has been one constant – our fourth gal, my mother.

Mom is one of those “go to” people. She is one smart cookie and is a problem solver. Her strength is indestructible and her calming personality is profound. She always comes in like a superhero when disaster strikes and saves the day. Through my recovery she has been ever-present and has run two households.

You don’t mess with Mama Mary. We have lovingly begun to refer to her as “Shirley” – as in Shirley McLain. When something wasn’t being done (or done to her satisfaction right) in the hospital, “Shirley” came out in my mother. We all know that Terms of Endearment scene:

 Though I was not dying, I was in a great deal of pain and one sick puppy. I know from my own experience as a mother – you can’t stand to see your babies sick and in pain. Apparently it is no different when your baby is in her 40′s. Number one lesson learned as a result of meningitis – Don’t mess with “Shirley.”

Though my mom is not officially a contributor to the site, much of her is with us. She is ever-present and always contributes positively to our lives. Much of what I do and have learned is a result of the fourth gal, Shirley Mary.

 Mary Beth’s Senior Photo Shoot

The Three Gals

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”  ~Stanley Horowitz

Each year I am thrilled to say goodbye to the heat of summer and welcome everything autumn! Spring may bring a feeling of renewal to some, but fall provides me with an energy like no other. I am thrilled with the crisp mornings of November, and love the evenings curled in a comfy throw.

Each year we begin this season with the tradition of Pumpkinfest, homemade applesauce, and a plethora of Starbuck flavors we love. November is the doorway to the Christmas season, and brings that feeling of anticipation even to the adults in our family. Even though the air is turning colder, there is something warm and welcoming with the month of November.

This year I am taking part in the 30 Days of Gratitude and reflecting on all the things – big and small – I am grateful for in my life. I am also pulling together a beautiful little “Tree of Gratitude” for my second grader’s class. They will write their sentiments on decorative little leaves, and hang them on the branches of the little “tree.” I cannot wait to read the comments from these children, and to see what their little 7 & 8 year old hearts appreciate.

After many years of being away at Thanksgiving, we are going to remain at home. We are going to enjoy our turkey and trimmings, and spend time doing -well, nothing. It will be difficult being away from other family members we do not often see, yet there is a great appeal to spending a day in PJ’s watching movies with my family! This November is being welcomed by all of our favorite things, as well as much needed down time!

My dear friend, Thea, sparked my work from home nostalgia in her recent Lint Trap post! I also worked at home with a small child, and often walked that same fine line of balance as Thea is doing with her Sassy Lady Baby. Thea’s post also reignited my plan to get my office back into working order rather than a place to pay bills and store board games. I still work from home here and there, and have ideas to gain even more productivity  – not to mention more style – in this space of mine.

Operation Office Re-do  has been in motion for years, but the timing was always off. The operation was recently revived when my husband announced that he was going to add another built in shelf system – Oh, the excitement! This means my plans to do what I want to do are more than hatched – Now I have bargaining power (enter diabolical laughter). As I have often mentioned my husband is ADD Type B, and takes forever to finish a big project. You see where I am going? If I allow him to do all that he wants to do with the shelves – I will be able to do what I want to do with the design/decor.

I have been collecting ideas for my dream office since the days of conference calls, loads of laundry, marketing plans, babysitters, and virtual staff management. I will now be able to incorporate all that I love from my gallery (aptly titled “Home Office Love”) into my very own small, but treasured, office space. I think you will agree these office spaces are magnificent.

Kaye Winiecki has rescued me and millions of other parents with this amazing idea. I believe I am going to steal borrow her idea for Sarah. Having a child who adores art,and is constantly creating something new, causes space issues in my house. Now I can catalog all of the wonderful pictures and save them forever.

 Thanks Kaye – now I don’t have to look into those big blue eyes and know that I am crushing dreams of being the next Picasso.

The stress level for a high school senior is so great and it impacts the entire family. Applying to college is a hyper-competitive, ever-escalating frenzy. The combination of everything that has to be done in the life of a senior is a formula suited for the men in white coats. Let’s face it – the college application process is essentially the first step in the adult world of deadlines, acceptance and rejection. The harrowing journey of college planning can shake both parents and students to the core.

Recently I found out about a documentary called Race to Nowhere that examines how  students are pushed to the brink  and looks for ways to “best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.” So many students today are basing their entire life on one letter and it is causing stress-related illness, depression and burnout.

For me, the difficulty of being a parent at this stage is watching my child under so much self-imposed pressure.  The most important thing I can tell Mary Beth is that I know who she is as a person and that she will succeed at any university. It may sound cliche to say everything happens for a reason, but it does. I have faith she will end up where she is supposed to be and where she is most comfortable.

In an older New York Times article Tara Parker-Pope interviews a guidance counselor who has a terrific philosophy:

At Princeton High School in New Jersey, Patti Lieberman, a guidance counselor, says she emphasizes stories of real students who won better opportunities — like research grants and White House internships — after going to slightly less competitive schools. “We try to teach them, ‘Bloom where you are planted,’ ” she says.

“Bloom where you are planted.” What a wonderful phrase for a high school senior to remember.

As Jay Mathews, Education Columnist for the Washington Post said, “Repeat this phrase every day: In America, people succeed because of the quality of their character, not the notoriety of their college.” Amen Jay!

The Three Gals are waiting on the acceptance letter(s) so we can begin the process of dorm shopping and reduce the stress in our household.

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

The many colors of autumn are soothing and warm the soul. It is the time of year my kitchen smells of homemade apple sauce and pumpkin goodies. Curling up with a good book, a cup of tea and a soft throw becomes a great way to wind down. Little kids begin to plan their Halloween costumes and adults talk about Thanksgiving menus.

Everything about fall says relax, enjoy and be thankful. Perhaps this Three Gals autumn gallery will get you in the mood for the approaching season.

Enter my saving grace – Samorga! These organizers for bags are beautiful, unique and handmade! Samorga has many different sizes and colors to choose from on their Etsy site. You can even purchase a custom made organizer to fit your needs. I am so excited to receive mine – putting an end to my purse gone wild.

I do not think I will ever look at a pallet the same way since I discovered these creative and imaginative items! I am officially inspired.