{"id":47543,"date":"2016-11-05T07:31:35","date_gmt":"2016-11-05T11:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/?p=47543"},"modified":"2016-11-12T01:28:48","modified_gmt":"2016-11-12T01:28:48","slug":"just-because-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/05\/just-because-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Just because&#8230;&#8230;."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hi a few weeks ago I came up with a &#8220;Just because&#8221; post and it was great to get\u00a0 a conversation started between myself and my readers on a random thought. Sometimes it&#8217;s nice to be able to discuss things beyond decor, fashion,and I could see from the comments and reaction that you enjoyed it too. So here we go again&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>Today I want to talk about being an official empty nester, I honestly don&#8217;t even like that <em>word<\/em>. But it is who I am\u00a0 now even though I feel way too young to be one. I might be 51 with no kids at home but in my heart I am still 30 with all three sons still under my roof:) It&#8217;s funny because so many I know who are in the same stage are practically dancing on the tables over their newly found &#8220;free status&#8221;. I never even once felt an iota of that.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/A.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47550\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/A.jpg\" alt=\"a\" width=\"564\" height=\"564\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/sing.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47548\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/sing.gif\" alt=\"sing\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I wonder why&#8230;..is it because I was not independent enough, too involved in their lives, was too reliant upon my kids, too loving for my own good? I don&#8217;t know but from the first day my oldest son left for college until my youngest son left two years ago, I have dreaded every moment as they each flocked the nest. Suffice to say this below is not me, lol-<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/18503d1bcdsa53a5b629b2b9397cf16914e.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47549\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/18503d1bcdsa53a5b629b2b9397cf16914e.jpg\" alt=\"18503d1bcdsa53a5b629b2b9397cf16914e\" width=\"564\" height=\"564\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This was never me but is a lot of people:)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>And don&#8217;t even get me started on the reminders of when they were young. I think this might well be the most difficult part. Everywhere I go&#8230;&#8230;passing a school especially my kids school where we once spent so much time, makes\u00a0 me well up.<\/p>\n<p>And if there happens to be a sentimental song on the radio, I see the kids getting dismissed in their little khakis and ties and it&#8217;s a beautiful fall day&#8230;all bets are off. The other day I drove by and there was\u00a0 spirited football game, just hearing the whistles,\u00a0 cheers and seeing the lights immediately made me not only reminiscence but feel a pang of sadness.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uGJGQQVNqjg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For anyone who is a mom&#8230;&#8230;.even if they are not an Olympian you can definitely relate to that overwhelming feeling of pride when you share in their accomplishments, this ad captures that emotion beautifully<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Commercials&#8230;yep, those do me in too. Silly ones like Disneyland commercials, pampers, even the Glade air freshener commercial with that lady seeing the poor old man who is alone&#8230;.geez I guess I am more of a mush than I thought:)<\/p>\n<p>OK <em>you<\/em> tell me if you can watch this and not cry!!!! This does me in EVERY TIME and is one of my all time favorites&#8230;..<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xw3HfRMruC8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>One of the things that recently hit me was on Halloween&#8230;..driving home from the office, I went through the most\u00a0 adorable neighborhood, probably the closest thing to Pleasantville that exists around here. I,\u00a0 for a minute forgot it was Halloween until I saw throngs of pint sized Cinderellas, fierce little policemen and oodles of all kinds of cartoon characters.<\/p>\n<p>I saw some running as fast as their little legs would get them to the next house, and others being carted around in a giant red wagon. Immediately this hit me&#8230;&#8230;and hit me hard.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/OB-VB628_1023ha_J_20121023165725.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47558\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/OB-VB628_1023ha_J_20121023165725.jpg\" alt=\"ob-vb628_1023ha_j_20121023165725\" width=\"959\" height=\"639\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>I remember thinking how ironic it was that here I was driving to my big, beautiful home but an empty one and how I would trade that in a heartbeat to move into one of those smaller charming homes filled with laughter, chaos and candy wrappers. I would give it up\u00a0 if I could have my kids young again. Isn&#8217;t it funny how your perspective changes so dramatically?<\/p>\n<p>The memories came flooding back. I drove home feeling unusually nostalgic and thankfully my own &#8220;little guy&#8221;, Teddy was there happy to greet me. I made myself a cocktail, I earned it and my husband, Teddy and I\u00a0 had our own little party. I went onto Instagram and was instantly taken with one picture after another, of adorable families all dressed up in a matching theme, too many kids to count decked out for the festivities and for that moment I allowed myself to wallow in my self pity and accept that this is part of that journey of letting go, as hard as it might be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/trick_or_treating_together_-_800x600.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47551\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/trick_or_treating_together_-_800x600.jpg\" alt=\"trick_or_treating_together_-_800x600\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So if you haven&#8217;t surmised already&#8230;.yes, this stage of my life has not been as easy for me as it is for others. While I think for most,\u00a0 by the time their kids are off and running,\u00a0 they are more than ready to begin a new life without them, I have yet to feel this way.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">I think it might partly be because I am a young mother, I was 49 with all three grown and gone. Whereas some of my friends are almost 10 years older and perhaps in 10 years\u00a0 I would have been much more ready for at stage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/a-bridge-to-remember.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47552\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/a-bridge-to-remember.jpg\" alt=\"a-bridge-to-remember\" width=\"800\" height=\"592\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This brings me to say that I am particularly thankful\u00a0 for my blog and my business as it keeps me very very busy and I always say and always mean, that it truly is my happy place. I can&#8217;t imagine life without it at this point. I realize also without having planned it, that its been a sort of bridge between my previous life of kids being home to being an empty nester.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p>It has supported me and kept me going at times when my life was changing right before my very eyes, so having that one constant was immensely comforting. I am slowly adjusting and trying to embrace this new chapter as best as I can but even surprise myself with how much I miss having my family all under one roof, I guess some of us are able to &#8220;let go&#8221; easier than others.<\/p>\n<p>And of course YOU are a huge part of that equation so a tremendous thank you for your support and following along with me. I consider myself very fortunate. OK your turn, would love to hear your take on this if it applies, has applied or will apply. Thanks for stopping in and mostly thank you for your friendship. Until next time&#8230;..<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/besttina-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47139\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/besttina-1-1024x381.jpg\" alt=\"besttina\" width=\"1024\" height=\"381\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Last day<\/strong> to take advantage of the Provence Planters special. <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/current-promotion\/\"><em>Click here for all the details-<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/mosaic8195a7deb50cc361aab66f7eff9e516b961f6fa2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47526\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/mosaic8195a7deb50cc361aab66f7eff9e516b961f6fa2.jpg\" alt=\"mosaic8195a7deb50cc361aab66f7eff9e516b961f6fa2\" width=\"615\" height=\"615\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 188px; left: 244px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 2934px; left: 51px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 4586px; left: 126px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"border-radius: 2px; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; text-align: center; font: bold 11px\/20px 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background: #bd081c no-repeat scroll 3px 50% \/ 14px 14px; position: absolute; opacity: 1; z-index: 8675309; display: none; cursor: pointer; top: 951px; left: 244px;\">Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi a few weeks ago I came up with a &#8220;Just because&#8221; post and it was great to get\u00a0 a conversation started between myself and my readers on a random thought. Sometimes it&#8217;s nice to be able to discuss things beyond decor, fashion,and I could see from the comments and reaction that you enjoyed it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[2407],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47543"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47543"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47844,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47543\/revisions\/47844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}