The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Family

  • Be. Here. Now.

    Hello Honeybees,

    I live what I think is an active social media life. I document places, life and events to share with you all on the interweb. But sometimes I like to just enjoy the moment. Sometimes I don’t want to share the person or the experience. Sometimes I just want to be in that moment.

    I heard the phrase “Be. Here. Now.” during a staff training. We talked about actually listening & being there for teammates. But also how to apply it to our personal lives. If you have teenagers then you already know that communicating with them can sometimes be a struggle, especially if they are boys.

    Mom: how was your day
    Son: ok
    Mom: everything going ok with you
    Son: yes
    Mom: do anything interesting today
    Son: no

    I have heard that girls are different.

    Trying to parent more than one child has been very interesting. Two humans with the same DNA, who grew up together in the same environment but are so totally different. Because their personalities are so different I have to engage them differently. I have to Be Here Now in different ways.

    The morning of the training I asked my son to take his clothes out of the dryer before he left for school. I could tell by his reaction that something was off but I didn’t stop to see what it was because I was so focused on the clothes in the dryer & getting out the door on time. That evening he started talking about something that happened at school & I immediately stopped was I doing to Be Here Now for him. No phone, no laptop, no distractions. What I learned from that talk was when I asked him about the clothes he felt that I was yelling & angry at 6:18 am. I didn’t feel like I was yelling or angry but he did. So we both started the day on a sour note.  All of this could have been avoided if I had just been present in the moment and acknowledged his reaction to the conversation.

    I am committed to Be Here Now for my sons because I won’t have them with me always. I want to cherish the time that we have before my nest is empty. I am committed to Be Here Now for my friends because our friendships are important to me. Having the much needed girl gatherings. Catching up over drinks. Stopping to actually have that phone conversation.  Most importantly I am committed to Be Here Now for ME. Saying NO and meaning it. When my body tells me to slow down, I listen and will slow down. Why? Because I am worth it and you can’t pour from an empty cup.

     

    Beewisdom- Wherever you are, be all there

  • Hot Springs Weekend

    Hello Honeybees,

    Sometimes 48 hours is all you need to get in alignment. This past weekend I was able to do just that. I got away for 48 hours with my aunt, a friend and two of my cousins to help celebrate my aunts birthday. We didn’t go far but this trip accomplished it’s mission for me. I got a chance to just relax and enjoy.

     

    Hot Springs, Arkansas is only a few hours away from Memphis making it a quick and easy getaway.

    We hit the road Friday morning and had lunch at The Bleu Monkey Grill in Hot Springs. I didn’t get any lunch pictures because I was starving. They had a delicious bread with the pesto dipping oil.

    There was a religious conference in Hot Springs happening at the same time so finding lodging was a challenge. My cousin who planned the trip likes to stay with the Choice Hotels family. When we pulled up to the motel I was very skeptical. We checked out the rooms to make sure that we were going to stay, we were pleasantly surprised. We had a back up but we didn’t need it.
    After the drive & food we were in for the night. We ate leftovers lunch for dinner & we knocked out for the night.

    Saturday morning we had an early start. First up was breakfast. We ate at the cutest pancake house. In fact it was so good we went back the next morning before leaving. I highly recommend this family owned establishment.

    We had a little time to kill before our thermal pool & steam cave appointment so we took a quick self guided tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitors Center. I like history so it was fascinating to see the history of the bath houses & physical therapy equipment.

    Next up was the Thermal Pools at Quapaw Baths & Spa. Sitting in 104 degree water was AMAZING then spending 20 minutes in the steam cave was just what my mind, body and skin needed. I really enjoyed the experience & the price was just right. I would like to go back for a full day of services.

     

    Afterwards we headed to Thai-Me Spa for drinks, massages and the oxygen bar.

    We had a late lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf. The view was beautiful & the food was delicious.

    Next stop was the Garvan Woodland Gardens. We got there an hour before closing so we didn’t get to tour the grounds but we did get to see the Carillon and the beautiful chapel.

    Whew, we packed a lot in one day but it was fun & relaxing. Great company, good food and beautiful scenery was just what I needed to get back in the groove.

    There is so much history that I didn’t get to explore. There will definitely be another trip to Hot Springs in the future. Follow me on Instagram for more picture.

     

    Beewisdom- Take a deep breath and just enjoy your life

  • Merry Christmas

    Hello Honeybees,

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year

    Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. Not because of the presents but because of all the celebrations that happen.  Between the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas day we are invited to numerous parties, whether it’s for a work or play.  It’s a time to enjoy those around us, dress up in ugly sweaters or sparkle in glitter.  Sip on loaded eggnog or unloaded Christmas punch. It’s a time to eat without the guilt…or so we tell ourselves.

    black-santa

    As my sons have gotten older some of the child like whimsy of Christmas has changed.  No more leaving out cookies for Santa, No more putting together toys Christmas Eve, No more waking up at the crack of dawn to excited children. But that’s ok because my sons now understand the true meaning of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. They understand that it is a time to acknowledge the baby that was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  Don’t get me wrong my sons still want gifts but they understand that the gifts under the tree are not a given but are truly a GIFT.

    rm-christmas

    I pray that you & your family spend some quality time remembering the reason for this season. I pray that we teach our future generations that this season is not all about receiving but about giving.

    Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

    Belinda Bee pic

    Beewisdom- The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.   Helen Keller