Introduction

I'm the daughter of a queen, mother to a princess and somewhere between these two dynamic individuals I got lost behind the steering wheel of my mini-van. I became someone I did not recognize or want to become. I wanted to be Snow-White, attractive, together, modern, perpetually young and able to care for my home and family. Floating through the day whistling a happy tune, was that a different princess? I found my prince charming, we bought our cottage, got married in the back-yard, and expanded it as our family got older.

We live up the freeway from Disneyland, down from Tinsle-Town where dreams come true, at least American Idol would have us believe that. In a small city that has managed to keep family life a high-priority. I am surrounded by other stay-at-home moms, and woman who work part-time so they can give their families full-time attention.

While some of my peers managed to stay princesses, or wave the magic wand of botox to become trophy wives, I became one of the dwarfs. We have all heard of Sneezy, Bashful and Doc.... well around here we have, Frumpy, Dumpy, Cranky, Grumpy and Sleepy still exist with their friends Lazy, Overwhelmed and Sidetracked.

I allowed Motherhood to shroud all remnants of the girl I was or the mom I wanted to be. So I am regaining, reinventing & recreating myself one loading zone at a time.

I'll stop here for a moment...if by loading zone you hear "the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only, no parking", then you don't have children with different schedules attending the same school.

The loading zone at my kids' school goes from a drive-thru drop off in the morning to a long term parking zone in the afternoon. Side doors open, tail gates up, greetings exchanged, the ultimate hurry-up and wait situation. We rush to get a prime spot, only to wait as our t'weens & teens approach the car at a snail-pace. Lingering at their locker, talking with friends, postponing the homework and chores at home.

So I learned to use this time. I actually look forward to it, planning my trips to take full advantage of being in the loading-zone. The key is to be prepared for it. Having the tools, tips and ideas to use this normal "down-time" as "me" moments. That is what this blog is all about.

There is nothing new under the sun. The ideas, thoughts and suggestions I have, have probably been suggested and used by other people. What is new, different or unusual is the way they are being presented, one loading zone at a time.

I will continue to add, edit and refine this, the same way I will continue to regain, recreate and reinvent myself. I love getting ideas, hints and useful information, so please share away....but only if the car is in park, no IM-ing while driving 60 miles an hour.

The Mom