Bringing Lady Back

"Carry out random acts of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." ~ Princess Diana

2011-04-27T00:28:00.000-07:00

Do not be self-indulgent in things that will later bring self-loathing.

{One Year Ago}

2011-04-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Lovely Little Listen: Moon River ~ Audrey Hepburn

{One Year Ago}

p.s. I didn't realize the nature of last year's post until after I posted the link!
Funny how things work out like that. Ü

2011-04-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Don't say anything you might regret, especially on the internet.

{Ha ha! That rhymed without my meaning it to.}

{One year ago}

2011-04-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

Take time to appreciate life and all it offers.

Happy Easter, my lovelies!

2011-03-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

"Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades. A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful." ~ Jacqueline Bisset

2011-03-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Lovely Little Listen: Feeling Good ~ Nina Simone

2011-03-28T13:20:00.001-07:00

Don't turn your back on your friends. They may not be there when you turn back around.

2011-03-25T11:19:00.001-07:00

Say farewell to your inner demons and move forward.

2011-03-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

"I've been through it all, baby. I'm mother courage." ~ Elizabeth Taylor

1932 - 2011

2011-03-16T21:25:00.001-07:00

"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." ~ Lily Tomlin

2011-03-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Lovely Little Listen: Sentimental Mood

2011-03-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Being fearless doesn't always mean "without fear".

It can mean being scared to pieces and moving forward nonetheless.

2011-03-09T22:36:00.001-08:00

Your time is precious. Don't waste one moment with anyone who doesn't make you feel good about yourself.

2011-02-21T21:27:00.000-08:00

Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you've been thinking about for weeks. Do it now.

2011-02-07T22:24:00.001-08:00

"Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life." ~ Golda Meir

{one year ago, one of my favorite BLB posts ever}

2011-01-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

If someone tips or gives you money, don't count it in front of them.

{One year ago}

2011-01-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

Don't watch shows about people who are only famous because people make shows about them.

{One year ago}

2011-01-18T10:33:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen: The McGuire Sisters

2011-01-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

"Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul." ~ Coretta Scott King

{Behind every good man...}

{One year ago}

2011-01-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

When you finish the last sizable chip in the bag, you're done. Don't go for the crumbs.

{One year ago}

2011-01-10T03:15:00.000-08:00

Keep either fingernail clippers or a file in your purse.

{one year ago}

2011-01-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

You'll notice from now on I'll be including a link back to posts from the past. I celebrated one year for BLB back in November, and I realized some of you may not have read from the very beginning. I quite like some of the older thoughts, so I hope you enjoy clicking back to them. Ü

Have a wonderful weekend, my lovelies!

Bethany

2011-01-08T11:12:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, all you can do is your best. You may feel like it's not enough, but others may think it's amazing.

{One year ago on BLB}

2011-01-06T13:27:00.001-08:00

Lengthen the skirt, please.

2011-01-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

"I think loving does everything for you, as well as affection and honesty and understanding and compromise - all those good words. If you can live with them long enough and not get too man too many time, I think you can have a very happy life. I have certainly had that." ~ Arlene Francis

2011-01-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen: Doris Day

2011-01-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

Listen to the voice inside that says "You Can".

Ignore the other one.

2011-01-01T09:13:00.001-08:00

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

2010-12-29T15:18:00.001-08:00

Practice the art of being frugal and thrifty.

2010-12-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

Give your children individual time. "Kid dates" can be some of the best dates.

2010-12-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen: Silent Night

2010-12-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

Rejoice! Christ is born!

image via

Merry Christmas, darlings.

Thank you for reading.

2010-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

Don't spend so much time prepping Christmas dinner that you don't have time to create memories.

2010-12-23T22:08:00.000-08:00

"Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed

That it might live forevermore to fill our every need

That it shall not be just a day

But last a lifetime through

The miracle of Christmastime

That brings God close to you."

~ Ann Schultz

2010-12-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

Encourage your children to give, not just receive.

2010-12-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen:
Boston Pops Orchestra's Sleigh Ride {Love!}

2010-12-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Do you remember this suggestion from a year ago?

Our family has a tradition where Santa's Elves come to visit each night during the week leading up to Christmas Eve. They sneak into our closets and snatch a shoe from each member of the family. Then, they leave a {wrapped} treat inside each one, and line them up in front of the fireplace.

One year, after we were all grown, my brother implemented "The Note". He felt that if someone wasn't behaving themselves, he wasn't going to automatically just leave treats because of the tradition.

So, one night, The Elves left his daughter a note saying she needed to work on listening to Mommy and Daddy. He also got a note saying he needed to be more patient with the kids.

I've adopted this, and am so grateful. Going along with my previous post about Santa Claus, and creating magic for my children at Christmastime, I do want them to know they need to do their very best in all they do, and I want them to know we as parents are accountable for our actions, too.

This way, the kids know they're on the right track to get more than a lump of coal in their stocking. ;)

What new{er} holiday traditions have you implemented with your families/friends?

2010-12-20T09:52:00.001-08:00

Take time away from the hustle and bustle to bundle up with your kids and read some Christmas stories.

2010-12-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have discussed that we don't want to lie straight out to our kids, but we do want to create special memories for them. Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc, all inclusive. Where do we draw the line?

A friend of ours was so devastated when she learned the truth about Santa Claus, she swore she would never lead her children to believe in something that didn't exist. I truly can't say that I blame her. I remember when I found out about Santa, I just felt stupid. As in, really, really gullible. And very irritated at myself that I had fallen for it so long.

So, after hearing my friend's story {which was truly heartbreaking. The whole story left me with a hole in my heart}, and thinking back to my own experience, I began to fret. I started thinking, "I don't want to lie to my kids! I want them to know that they can ask me anything and I will tell them the truth and I will never lead them astray."

But we were already into it with Hailey! She believed, and she was adorable. Spotting Rudolph in the sky, waking to the treats the elves would leave her during the week leading up to Christmas, and she just plain loved the idea of Santa Claus.

Two years ago, Hailey asked for a teddy bear. She wanted a teddy bear because she'd lost her other one. That was all she wanted. An 8 year old girl asking for a teddy bear. Does that even happen anymore? Moms from her school were naming off their children's lists, and I listened to the desires of all of these kids. I was shocked! Cell phones? iPods? BMWs? {okay. exaggeration.} Really though? 8 YEAR OLDS???

In the middle of the insane wants of her peers, Hailey was unashamed to ask for a teddy bear. And I love her so much for it. I can't describe the amount of love that swelled in my heart for my humble little girl when she made that request.

On Christmas morning, she got her teddy bear. She hugged that thing for what seemed like forever before moving on to anything else. When she did get around to emptying her stocking, she found a note from Santa. He told her that he was so proud of her for what a good girl she had been throughout the year. She had been such a big helper for mommy and daddy. She helped out so much with David & Nora, without even being asked. She was obedient, kind, friendly, and loving to everyone she knew. He was also amazed that she was happy to ask for only a teddy bear. He told her that she of course earned her teddy bear, but that He thought she deserved a bit more. He told her she had a surprise waiting for her on the back patio, and that she should go look right then.

Waiting for her was a brand-spankin' new, pink, beautiful bike (and helmet). The look on her face was priceless. To see the humility in her expression as she read the letter, then the excitement light up her eyes when she peeked through the blinds of the back door... Magic happens on Christmas Day, I tell you. She was so happy, and so thrilled to have had her good deeds recognized, without ever expecting them to be.

The awesome thing? She loved and still loves that teddy bear just as much as the bike. She leaves me in awe.

A few days after Christmas, Hailey asked, "Mom, is Santa real?"

Hm.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, in my stocking at Daddy's house, there was some lip gloss that had a sticker on it from the store."

Ah. Nice.

"Let's sit down and talk about it."

We sat and cuddled on the couch. I said a silent prayer for guidance. I started.

"Santa is real, but he doesn't live at the North Pole, he doesn't have elves that make his toys, and he doesn't have a sleigh with flying reindeer. Santa is a tradition that lives in the hearts of parents all over the world.

The tradition of Santa Claus allows parents the opportunity to create magic for their kids anonymously. {"What's anonymously?" "Without them knowing. Like, when we bake cookies and drop them off at our neighbors and you run away? That's anonymous." "Oh."}

Didn't you feel the magic when you came out every morning and found the treats the elves left in your shoes? "Yes!"

And when you found your sweet teddy bear?

And then, when you read that note you found in your stocking?

And, most of all, when you found that you had a bike waiting for you in the back?

"Yes!"

And do you remember how good it made you feel to leave cookies on people's doorsteps?

"Yes!"

It makes parents feel good to see their children so happy.

That is what the tradition of Santa Claus is all about. It's another way for parents to show children they love them, and add a bit of magic into the mix."

We discussed that it is not up to her to tell anyone else about this tradition; it is for the parents to decide when they tell their kids. {I still feel badly about ruining it for my dear friend Amy!}

We also discussed how the magic of the tradition is the same with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Parents are performing acts from the heart.

At that point, Hailey looked up at me, smiled her sweet smile and said, "You must have the biggest heart in the whole wide world."

Um. I love her.

Then, we discussed that she can ask me anything and everything and I will always tell her the truth.

To be safe I told her Jesus Christ is real, that He lived on Earth and that He will come again. I told her He truly performed miracles and does to this day.

I told her I love her and I am so proud to be her mother.

And I told her since she now knew, she would be able to help create magic for her younger siblings. She was ecstatic!

I was so happy it went so well, and she was so receptive to the message I was trying to convey. I hope it goes as smoothly with the others when it's time. I hope I can help our other children understand the tradition of Santa. We may need to go about it differently with each. It will be interesting to see things unfold as they get older.

In the meantime, I'm all for magic.

2010-12-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone." ~ Coco Chanel

2010-12-17T13:07:00.001-08:00

It's not about how many gifts you give, it's about how many lives you touch.

2010-12-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

Don't bombard your children with gifts. If there is too much thrown at them, they won't be able to really cherish any of it.

2010-12-15T12:25:00.001-08:00

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting." ~ Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco

2010-12-14T08:57:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen: Celtic Woman

2010-12-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

Remember this post from a little while ago? Maybe take an entire weekend.

2010-12-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

Overcoming weaknesses can be one of the most terrifying things you'll ever do, but it will also be one of the most rewarding.

2010-12-08T12:47:00.001-08:00

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." ~ Mother Teresa

2010-12-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Listen: Ella

2010-12-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

When walking with a gentleman, take his right arm. If you are walking down the street, take whichever arm is furthest from the curb - it's the gentleman's job to walk closest to the street.

2010-12-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

"My idea of superwoman is someone who scrubs her own floors." ~ Bette Midler

2010-12-04T20:32:00.001-08:00

Spend an entire day not even thinking about the computer.

2010-12-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Never allow those who don't follow their dreams to put a damper on yours.

2010-12-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

2010-12-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

On days when you find your patience wearing thin, take 5 minutes to yourself. Take a deep breath, and pray for some patience to set in.

2010-11-30T10:44:00.001-08:00

If you find yourself lacking inspiration, ask your inner child what it would like to do today.

2010-11-29T11:12:00.003-08:00

Just when you think God knows what you can't handle, He shows you what you CAN.

2010-11-26T10:51:00.000-08:00

"A man's indebtedness is not virtue; his repayment is. Virtue begins when he dedicates himself actively to the job of gratitude." ~ Ruth Benedict

2010-11-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

Keep gratitude in your heart all year round.

Happy Thanksgiving, my lovely readers!

2010-11-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

My family and I went to Ruby's tonight. The food was wonderful {I was thinking on the walk up the pier - in my high heeled boots [what was I thinking wearing those?] - "I really don't know if this walk is worth it" and after partaking of the mushroom swiss burger and sweet potato fries I realized, of course it was worth it} and we had a great time together.

The walk back down the pier was fun {other than the piercing reminder in my feet that I'm getting too old to be so hip}... we had The Littles on our shoulders and we were laughing about the silly cold wind or something along those lines when some punk teenage kid yelled a string of obscenities over the side of the pier JUST as we were walking by.

I was so upset and dismayed that they were totally oblivious to the fact that two children under the age of 3 were walking right behind them. I yelled, "Watch your mouth!" and My Love followed up with "We have kids here."

The punk looked back with a twinge of shame in his expression and immediately said, "K" but his friends just laughed.

I realized two things with this exchange.

1. I am old. I am that woman. The one who isn't afraid to tell "those young'ns" that they are being disrespectful. The one who is the mother bear when it comes to her children. The one who won't take no crap from no teenagers.

2. A lot of the coming generation is sadly self-involved. Not two minutes after the teen punk cuss-fest, two young teenage girls crossed the PCH long after they should have and held up traffic. Cars honked, and they just giggled. "Tee hee, I don't care. Tee hee, look at my hair. Tee hee, I'm laaaaaame. So lame." One of the cars started forward as the girls crossed in front of them, as if to prove a point or something. Do the girls not realize they are not only being inconsiderate, but they're breaking the blasted law AND putting themselves in danger?

What makes me sad is that so many young girls think they can't do better than the punk kids who say naughty words.

And so many young girls don't respect others, but more importantly, they don't respect themselves.

My feet hurt.

And my heart.

Oh and also.

Did I mention I am old?

ETA: I should add, I completely embrace the fact that I am growing in wisdom as well as in age. I welcome the fact that I am willing to stand up for myself and my children when punks {young or old} come around. I should also mention, I have an enormous amount of faith in a lot of the youth in the coming generation. I know there are just as much if not more good kids for each punk on the pier.

2010-11-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

--- GIVEAWAY WINNER! ---

The winner of the CSN stores $75 gift code is emily who said,

"i am thankful for my family, ability to walk & run,

friends, health, etc....so much to give thanks for."

Congratulations, Emily!

Please email me at bringingladyback at gmail dot com to claim your prize.

Thank you to all who entered, and may your Thanksgiving be filled with love and joy!

2010-11-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

- ANOTHER -

--- GIVEAWAY!! ---
- closed -

'Tis the season for giving thanks, right? Well, I am thankful for a lot of things.

I am thankful for all of you who visit Bringing Lady Back every day. I am thankful for a loving husband who is patient beyond belief, honorable, and compassionate. I am thankful for 3 beautiful, healthy children who keep me laughing, and practicing patience.

And I am thankful that we have yet another giveaway for you today! The good people at CSN stores have offered a $75 gift code to one of my readers!

Have you ever been to their website? Oh dear. I could spend hours perusing their wares. They have everything from counter stools to clocks to cookware to lamps to luggage to leather to... well... you get the idea. There is SO MUCH to look at and lust after. The gift card is good toward any one of their 200+ webites.

To enter, please leave a comment for each of the following:

- Tell me what you are thankful for

- Become a follower of BLB

- Follow BLB on Twitter

- Post about this giveaway on your blog (please add the link)

- Tweet about this giveaway

This is perfectly timed for the holidays! If you order quickly, you can have a gift {for yourself or someone else} in time for Christmas!

Please keep in mind that shipping is included in the price of the gift code. CSN only ships to the US and Canada, and there may be some Canadian international costs that may vary with each product.

Entries will be received until Saturday, Nov. 20th at midnight PST.

Good luck!

2010-11-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

Get involved in your community.

Volunteer, create, become acquainted with others.

2010-11-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

If you ever happen to walk by someone wearing any kind of uniform of war, stop them to say "Thank You".

Happy Veteran's Day to those brave souls who have served
and continue to serve.

2010-11-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

--- GIVEAWAY WINNER! ---

Congratulations to Lily Lemontree!

She is the winner of these fabulous shoes.

They will be sent to you shortly.

Enjoy!

Thank you to those who entered and spread the word.

Keep your eye on the lookout for another giveaway coming shortly...

2010-11-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

--- GIVEAWAY ---
---closed---

Today is the 1 year anniversary of Bringing Lady Back. Yay! To celebrate, and to thank you lovely readers for continuing to read, BLB is doing a giveaway!

The ladies of sole discretion have generously offered to give a pair of their little lovelies to one lucky BLB reader!

Cute slipper shoes to save your tootsies. {On the right}

To enter, all you need to do is visit sole discretion's website, become a subscriber by visiting this link, choose the size and color you prefer and leave a comment with your email address.

Also, if you tweet, facebook, or link to this website from your blog, each is worth one extra entry.

Just let me know what your magic number is in the comments!

Giveaway will end Tuesday, Nov. 9th at midnight PST.

Good luck!

2010-11-05T13:37:00.001-07:00

Please respect your elders. And peers. And youngers.

2010-11-04T11:39:00.001-07:00

If you're feeling low, you might as well get on your knees and pray while you're down there.

2010-11-03T16:01:00.001-07:00

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That makes you a winner right there." ~ Venus Williams

2010-11-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

VOTE.

Many brave women paved the path for you to do so. You simply must take advantage of this opportunity.

2010-11-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

If there is something about yourself you need to change, have the humility to accept it, the courage to face it, and the smarts to pray for strength to get you through what may be a rough road ahead.

2010-10-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

Let your children choose a few treats they'd like to keep from their "loot", and donate the rest to a local shelter.

Have a fun {and safe} Halloween!

2010-10-28T17:38:00.001-07:00

"It's never too late. Never too late to start over, never too late to be happy." ~ Jane Fonda

2010-10-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

A fun Halloween tip for the little ones: Give them a marker and allow them to draw the face of the jack-o-lantern, then have a grown-up trace their shapes.

Everyone becomes involved, and things remain safe.

2010-10-26T17:34:00.001-07:00

Go on vacation. And don't even look at a computer.

{Thanks for being patient while I was away, dear readers!}

2010-10-19T08:50:00.001-07:00

"Parents can only give good advice or put [their children] on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." ~ Anne Frank

2010-10-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

If you enter a ladies room and the scent thereof is...

{ahem}

less than lovely, don't say anything about it. Heaven knows the lady responsible already feels appalled... and she may still be in the room.

She doesn't need for her feelings to be vocally reiterated by a complete stranger.

2010-10-14T16:07:00.001-07:00

It takes more strength to be kind and let it go than to fight it out.

2010-10-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

When choosing your Halloween costume, remember:

Halloween is no excuse to dress immodestly.

People will still know who you are beneath your "disguise", so don't dress in a way you wouldn't dress otherwise.

And... you don't have to dress in less to have more fun.

2010-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Kindness opens more doors than keys." ~ Unknown

Thank you for the submission, Jen!

{I tried to find the link to your blog, but came up empty-handed!

If you've moved, please email me the correct address!}

2010-10-08T13:02:00.001-07:00

Just because it "fits", doesn't mean you should wear it.

2010-10-06T16:47:00.001-07:00

Desire to be known by the strength of your character, not the brand of your clothes.

2010-10-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

Provide an anonymous service today.

2010-10-02T00:23:00.000-07:00

"So much has been given to me, I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied." ~ Helen Keller

{lovely and wise}

2010-10-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

Forgive others. It doesn't hurt the other person if you hold a grudge; you're only hurting yourself. Miserably angry is no way to live.

2010-09-28T16:36:00.001-07:00

Having manners does not equal being a snob.

What are your thoughts, readers?

2010-09-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

Do you remember moving? And being so busy, you hadn't even given a thought to dinner, only to find yourself rushing to the nearest fast food joint to appease the whining and squealing of your little {and not-so little} ones?

Take a meal to the neighbors moving in across the street.

You will be providing a service, and allowing yourself the opportunity to get to know them. You won't regret it.

2010-09-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Thin Man movie series.

Find it. Watch it. Love it. Share it.