STLWorkingMom

My shopping column is going to convert to a blog soon. I’ll announce it here when it’s live, but for now, you can read this week’s column.

I once worked with a fellow mom with an equally dark sense of humor. Frequently we would bestow upon one another the MOTY (Mother of the Year) award for things like forgetting to pack the kid’s lunch, signing up for camp too late, missing a dental appointment; you know, the stuff ordinary mothers do on a regular basis. Forgetting to pick up a kid (particularly if it’s raining) earns extra points.

During my brief tenure as a SAHM, I’ve really been knocking myself out for MOTY status. No, really. I picked up the band kids with fresh baked brownies and ice-cold Gatorade. I’ve helped with homework, made fabulous lunches, made breakfast during the week, ironed clothes, listened to all manner of reports from the field (well, elementary school, that is) and kept the house reasonably clean.

Thanks to the FlyLady, I feel I was well prepared for this tiny transition. I’m up slightly later than usual but right away the bed is made, I’m dressed to shoes with hair and makeup done. I have a plan for each day (even though it’s pretty flexible). No soaps for me!

It is a bit discombobulating having this much freedom but I’m doing what I’d been wishing I had more time to do, and getting things done.

I’ve known him half of my life. We’ve been married now for slightly less than that. We’re both pretty proud of beating the stats and sticking together.

Happy Anniversary, honey. I love you.

A little-known fact about me is that I was a Guinness Book of World of Records record holder.

It’s true.

In 1998, as a publicity stunt for my PR client, The Missouri Botanical Garden, I created (with help) the world’s largest bouquet of mixed flowers. There were 28,801 stems. It took two days to create.

The record was broken in 2004 in Jamaica, NY with a bouquet containing 101,791 roses.

Here’s a record I wouldn’t want to break (as is the case for most of them these days).

When God closes a door, He opens a window.

Today, I accepted a position with a PR firm that I’ve admired for years. It’s one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work.” What could be better?

I start Sept. 1st. Thanks to all who have been so supportive in my search.