Jan 1, 2013 |
Last year instead of making Resolutions, I chose a three-word theme. Remember? I Dared to Be an Awesome Orange, only to find myself lost in East L.A. just days later.
This year, my theme is simple. One word. And I didn’t have to think about it. It came to me a few weeks ago, and has been bursting at the seams to get out.
Boundaries protect you. They set up a perimeter that the world can’t encroach upon unless you allow. Boundaries are fences, gates, edges. It makes me think of Lonesome Dove and stories by Louis L’Amour. The Wild West. Homesteading. Making a name for yourself. And creating your own private place.
If the world does come in unwanted and unwarranted, it’s okay to take a stand and stop. It’s okay to say, “This is my space.” But it’s also okay to make friends. To share what you can share. To expand your Circle of Life without breaking it.
Although some Boundaries are meant to be broken. Enlarged. They’re the horizon beyond the horizon, or, as Finian says, “The hill beyond yon hill.”
This year, I intend to strengthen my Boundaries. Whether I need to set up a better perimeter around my family, my home, my time, my writing or my finances, I will establish better Boundaries. And then I’ll open the gate when I can, and step out into unknown territories.
I’ll explore. Adjust. Enjoy. And establish.
Excitement doesn’t begin to explain how I feel. I’m pretty sure surviving the Mayan Apocalypse has given me a new lease on life. After all, one can hardly expect to go back to humdrum when the clock still ticks and the lungs still breathe, right?
This is me. Learning how to set Boundaries. And sometimes, how to step over them.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 5, 2012 |
Dot passed her driving test on Friday. She starts college in three weeks. She’s 17, and a natural beauty. This Mom worries every time she’s two seconds late coming home. I glare when young men do a double-take when she enters their line of vision.
At the Fence
I am a Mother Bear, and I will protect my cub. No. matter. what.
So I was absolutely thrilled when my friend Diane called me last month to tell me about her new venture: she is now a Damsel in Defense Pro. Over coffee, I learned how she wanted to make sure her petite niece, a college freshman, could be protected yet still enjoy her newfound freedom. Diane was introduced to Damsel in Defense: a line of self-defense product designed for women on the go.
I wasn’t able to get permission from their marketing department to use product photos on my blog, but they said it’s fine for me to tell you about their product. Diane showed me most of their selection.
I’m personally enamored with the Road Trip Auto Emergency Tool: this baby is gonna protect my baby nine ways til Sunday! It’s a flashlight, a flashing strobe-light, an alarm, a seat belt cutter, and and a window smasher. All that for only $25!
For my Grown Up Girl, I’ve got me eyes on any of their pepper sprays or stun guns. All are affordable. All are innocent looking. All will bring the bad man to his knees, allowing my girl (and yours!) to safely get away.
For a more hands-on defense, they have the $10 “Sock It To Me” kubotan, a keychain club with a point. One good poke and your assailant will be crying for his mommy.
Last week, Dot and I toured her college with another mother-daughter team we’ve known for years. The girls were excited at this next step to adulthood. Us Moms were discussing the peace of mind we have knowing our girls are in class together. At least some of the time. The fact that it’s a local community college doesn’t negate the fact that there are still bad elements (and people!) out there, so it doesn’t always matter that we live relatively close by.
Kellie’s mom gave the girls the best self-defense advice I’ve ever heard:
“It’s not how strong you are.
It’s how fast you are.”
When Diane sampled the $40 stun gun for me, people at the next table heard the click-and-buzz. There’s no way anyone would be stupid enough to mess with our girls if they have this in their hands!
I’ve decided to host a Safe and Sassy Party next Saturday. Since many of my friends are allergic to my cats, I’m going to have a Morning Patio Party. I’m looking forward to coffee and crescents with the Girls and Moms. I’m looking forward to hearing how we can all protect ourselves. I’m especially looking forward to earning enough free product to provide my daughter with the tools she needs to be self-protective, and self-confident.
Damsel in Defense is a relatively new company, started by the same team who began Scentsy. They know how to provide quality product at affordable prices. And they’re adding new items in September. Even more exciting, right?! I urge you to click and look at their website. In this day and age, we have a duty to protect those most precious to us, don’t we?
Mothers. Daughters. Grandmothers. Students. Workers.
Babysitters. Sisters. Nieces. Aunts. Cousins.
Women.
If you live locally, I invite you to Bedford Manor on Saturday, August 11, at 8:30 a.m. If you don’t live locally or can’t attend, but are still interested in supporting Diane’s new venture, this great new company, or just helping me reach my Party Goal, you can contact Diane through her Facebook page, directly at damsel4him@yahoo.com or call (760) 985-8313. All our girls are worth it!
Just be sure to tell her you were referred by Molly Jo of Frankly, My Dear…
damsel4him@yahoo.com
(760) 985-8313
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
