Libby Blumberg

Valentines for Veterans

February 18, 2015 By Libby Blumberg

Last Friday, we took a trip to the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans Nursing Home to deliver handmade valentines on behalf of Helping Hands of Nocatee, Inc. We made about 120 valentines using construction and tissue paper, markers, stickers, foam hearts, stamps, and anything else we could get our hands on. Anne from Mommy Has to Work had the multi-generational card making party at her house three days prior. Family members and friends ranging in age from 3 to 75 created these cards. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

My daughter, Emma, was a bit taken aback by this adventure at first but, as you can clearly see in the photos, her heart shined with love after all. My husband was a bit hesitant to let her go. I never had a doubt.

As we walked in the door, we met a 99 year old female veteran. We never found out exactly where and how she served, but my father, who is also a veteran, suspected she was probably in the Women’s Army Corps. She was quite enthralled with Emma and decided to follow us around for a while. We didn’t care that it was a bit awkward. We were making her smile.

Valentine’s Day is made up of a lot of things, including the annoying commercialism. But if you focus on the basics , all you see is love. We shared our handmade cards and sincere love and respect with these veterans. Even if it seemed that some of them weren’t even aware of our presence, there is no doubt we made a difference in their day.

It was the least we could do for these men and women who made an extraordinary difference in our entire lives.

Libby Blumberg

www.mamagonewild.wordpress.com www.ohbabee.wordpress.com Libby is a SAHM with one daughter, Emma, and husband, Jeff. She is a blogger, business owner, and active community member in the Town of Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, FL.

The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippetts (giveaway)

October 21, 2014 By Libby Blumberg

Kara Tippetts opens her heart and her mind honestly and truthfully to bring us in to her life, beginning with childhood up through her continued struggle with cancer. Her confessions and stories are difficult to read at times, but consistently coupled with the strength she receives from her spirituality. Her story is a true testament to the power of believing in a higher being and releasing all seemingly impossible things to that being. She uses the names God, Him, Holy Spirit, and Jesus. She often quotes the Bible. This may seem religious or dogmatic, but the message comes through so clearly, and I think anyone who lives their life connected to a higher being can benefit from her story.
She uses the word “hard” quite often. But the more she uses it, the softer the word gets. She gains a complete acceptance of her “hard” because of her ability to release it to God. But that’s not even the end of it. She also sees that “hard is beautiful”. Even in the darkest, most painful of times, she sees the beauty in her “hard”. The last line of a letter written by her husband sums it up. “I am a witness that it is hard, but it is beautiful.” P. 174
A paragraph toward the end of the book (p. 148) really struck me. It spoke directly to me as a mother. It makes me think of yoga and how very important it is to me. I take yoga class three times a week, but I wish I were better at living yoga every day. I stay in mommy mode most of the time, getting frustrated with my daughter when she misbehaves, or being so tired that I can’t even think straight. Kara is telling me “to slow down, to rest, to stop…to tune in.” Really very simple.

The Hardest Peace is perfectly titled. It is a straight forward account of the way we can all feel peace, no matter what. Kara admits that it is hard to do, but once you open yourself to the answer, it actually gets pretty easy. As “easy” as a devastation like cancer can be. As she quotes A.A. Milne in her acknowledgements (p. 183), I think she says it best.
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Would you like to win a copy of The Hardest Peace?

Mommy Has to Work has one copy to giveaway to one reader.

To enter leave a comment why you want a copy.

Libby Blumberg

Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Push-Ins

October 7, 2014 By Libby Blumberg

I may be way behind the Mommy curve, but I had never seen these before. My husband came home with this set of Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Push-Ins from Target the other night and my daughter went nuts! How easy was that? No carving, no mess, no sharp tools…just an adorable pumpkin. As you can see in the pictures, she fell in love immediately.

After the photo shoot, we started to take it outside on the front porch. Big mistake! My daughter was NOT having that! She wanted it right back on the island where she could hug it and kiss it. Her new pumpkin friend has not left that spot since.

When asked what she wanted to be for Halloween, she said, “A pumpkin!” This may change. I will ask her a few more times and see if I get the same answer twice, and then we’ll be in business!

Happy Halloween, everybody! Enjoy this fun time with your precious ones.

Libby Blumberg

Apparel n Bags for less

September 24, 2014 By Libby Blumberg

I received this complimentary bag for the purpose of writing a review.

Port Authority BG401 Ladies Laptop Tote

I am enjoying this bag. It’s a grown up bag! I am usually toting diapers, wipes, snacks, and juice, but this bag was all for me! I might actually look professional as I stroll into the coffee shop with my laptop, Iphone, to do list, and various other items in tow. This bag is the perfect size and has about five compartments and pockets, that either zip or velcro. I can fit my laptop, notepad, small purse, pens, and much more.

I can tell that it will be easily cleaned, being 100% polyester and a nice dark color. The bag comes in Espresso or Dark Charcoal, both classy colors. At a price of $20.78, I see it as a great buy.

At first, I was disappointed that the straps weren’t longer. I thought I wouldn’t be able to carry it over my shoulder, but I can. The straps are just long enough and it keeps me from stuffing it too much and wrenching my shoulder.

I searched their site for quite a while. You can find just about anything you want to wear, either in clothing or bags. Visit their About Page to learn more and then do some shopping!