Mary Susan Buhner

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Have you ever met someone that just got you? It has happened a handful of times in my life. I have been lucky and blessed to have most of these amazing friends in my life for a long time. Some from high school, college, work and volunteering. They all have a similarities to one another. They are honest, loyal and kind people… and they all have that “spark.” These wonderful people I am lucky to call my friends have stuck with me through the thick and thin and ups and downs of life and they all have one thing in common. They are comfortable being themselves. No BS. They are honest, loyal, truthful and vulnerable. What you see it what you get. Looking back is what hard let go of some friends who just couldn’t be honest …confusing and perplexing even. I have learned, however, God cleans house to make room for new opportunities and new people. Thank goodness He does. Just when I thought I had it all figured out regrading friendships, I met Amanda. A young fierce single mom who lit up a room with her positive energy and booming laugh. I was in awe of how fearless she was…she was widowed at the age of 30. Just when her peers were figuring their lives out, she was starting hers over with her infant daughter. I was humbled to know her and saw she had unlimited potential. We became fast friends sharing stories, swapping recipes, parenting tips and laughing a lot at ourselves. There was that “spark” between us usually ignited by laughter. So after about a 30 second discussion, we decided to say yes to an opportunity. The Hey Girl Podcast was born. If you listen to it (and we hope you do) it is the honest and raw version of who we both are. Two crazy moms who were given a microphone to talk about life and the real stuff it is made of including the moments you say…Heeeey Girl… https://www.buzzsprout.com/249995/932905-hey-girl-fanny-packs-crockpots-and-why-we-re-saying-heyyyyyy-girllllllll

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I woke up in the middle of the night recently thinking about how to help one of my kids who was dealing with feeling betrayed. I laid in bed at 3AM thinking of the last time I felt deeply sad. I recalled the heartbreaking sadness I had felt being in ICU with our youngest daughter when she was only 8 years old. She became sick very quickly days after we retuned from a family trip driving to the Grand Canyon. We were blindsided and I was terrified. I prayed and prayed as I sat next to her bed for days never letting go of her precious little hand. Then it was confirmed- her pancreas was shutting down leaving her insulin dependent as a Type One Diabetic for the rest of her life. As I cried listening to the doctor, something miraculous happened…she reached over and grabbed my hand. The doctor paused. Amelia looked at me and said, “It is ok Mom, we will get through this together.” She was brave. And at that moment I realized I only needed to be brave enough for that moment. After returning home, settling into a new routine with medical supplies and a new reality, I kept telling myself to be brave just for today. Then tomorrow I would do the same. And the next day. And the next day. I had forgotten that being brave doesn’t feel brave while you are doing it. It feels scary, lonely and hard. But like that precious little hand of my daughter’s gently holding mine reminded me, being brave just for today was enough. The next day, I talked to my kiddo who was hurting and reminded her to be brave…just for today.

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The New Year is the perfect time to clean out, sort and organize the family’s food hub! We’ve got the Pantry Hacks that will organize your family’s food for 2019 in 3 Easy Steps!

Clean & Sort- things creep into your pantry from the holidays and can take on a life of their own. Start 2019 with a deep clean of your pantry. Approach it like cleaning a closet. Do you need it or even like it? If the answer is no, clean it out and donate it to a local food pantry.

Organize- affordable containers, organizers and sorters are easy to find at your local Walmart, Target and online. Consider using a few to help keep your foods visible, sealed and fresh as well as organized.

Maintain- don’t buy more until what you have has been consumed. Don’t overstock your pantry with unnecessary items that you don’t have plans to use or consume in the next 30 days. Keep it a clutter free space by having what you need, use and enjoy for the next few weeks at a time.

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My bestie from high school sent me a card a long time ago that had the poem SUCCESS by Ralph Waldo Emerson on it. I loved it so much that I put it in a frame and placed it in my bathroom for years. It read:

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Although it seems simple and ordinary in concept, it’s deeply extraordinary to me. To show up everyday and try our best. To be kind. Help others. Listen. Care. It’s simple in nature, but deeply meaningful. In 2019, I want to truly define my success by these things. To pay attention and hopefully know that even one life has breathed easier because I have lived. This is to have succeeded.

I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother when I was a little girl. A matter a fact, I adored her so much that as a young adult, I spent a lot of time with her then too. I liked being around her. She was always busy, but a different kind of busy that I know now as a mother. Looking back, to me, it seemed to be a productive busy. She was always baking, gardening, canning, or sewing. I am sure it was sometime tedious work for her like carpool is for me today. Looking back, it seems so romantic to me as an adult now. Picking apples from a tree in the backyard and moments later making a fresh apple pie from it. I crave that kind of productivity now. Pick, bake and eat. Magic? I wish. Thinking about it, I don’t think it is magic so much, but rather, a form of balance. Finding that balance between carpool, work, Twitter and Instagram and a simpler time is a hard and complex task now a days. I am not saying that I am going to start canning or hanging our laundry on a clothes line. I am, however, going to be more aware and deliberate about my productivity. For me, more time looking up from my phone typically means feeling more in balance. So here is to 2019 and looking up more. I am pretty sure it is where all the good stuff is anyway…

 

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

I love the New Year! It’s full of hope and opportunity. I makes me feel like anything is possible. This year in particular is full of newness in our house. Our oldest daughter is headed back to college after a 3 week break for the holidays. I loved having her home. We all did. It got me thinking about what the definition of home means to me as a mom. Home… the place where you belong. 

I once heard that fitting in somewhere is when you change yourself to assimilate to that particular place. Belonging…that is different than fitting in…belonging is being yourself at all times while at that particular place. Belonging…being yourself without changing a single thing. That is what I want home to be for our children. The feeling of being yourself… showing up as you are at this very moment.

My hope is in this New Year we all have that feeling of belonging. Equally as important, that we make those we love feel appreciated, loved and as though they too, belong. Happy New Year!

Trending Decor to Make Your Home Merry & Bright This Holiday Season!

• Mad for Plaid– Christmas Plaids are at the top of the trending to do list this holiday season! Anything from throws, to pillows to dinnerware! You can’t go wrong for incorporating plaid into your Christmas this year!
• Farmhouse Inspired– Rustic charm is inspiring this holiday season’s decor. Stenciled signs with a holiday flare are perfect for home and as a gift!
• Collectibles are always In! Christmas nostalgia is always trending and in! Pull out those special items handed down from generation to generation or start a collection of your own! Family photos, snow globes, silver….

Tips for Spooktacular TableScapes & a Halloween Inspired BOOfett!

Don’t have time to plan a Halloween party this year? We have the perfect potion instead! An easy and fun Halloween Treat Buffett!

• Table decor can be easy and affordable! Check out these Halloween inspired Ideas to set your Spooktacular table in 15 minutes or less!
• Keep it Simple! The wonderful thing about Halloween is the more imperfect it is…the more fun! A Donut Buffett and Popcorn Bar are easy and crowd favorites!
• Spooktacular takeaways! Give your little goblins a Halloween take-home treat! These are easy and something you can pick up at the dollar bin!

Tips for Hosting A Pinterest Inspired Tailgate!

It’s football season and tailgating itself has become a sport! It’s easy to get inspired. Pull together the ultimate tailgating experience to cheer on your favorite team with family and friends!

• Use indoor decor to inspire a tailgate theme. Rustic casual decor you already have is the perfect way to bring a fun and current vibe to your tailgate.
• Use an easy app like HobNob to send out the word! This app is free and so easy in helping you create a tailgate theme and get the word out on details like when and where!
• Drink Station, Dessert Station, candy station and more! Food that is easy and for sure will please your tailgate crowd!

Having a child go off to college is a huge adjustment for both them and you as their parent! No matter how close or far they go sending a care package a week or two after they get settled in their dorm is the perfect way to remind them of home! Let’s face it, It’s also good therapy for mom and dad!

• Make A Plan – Plan ahead for mailing care packages based on holidays and college schedule. If your kiddo is at college over Labor Day weekend this will be the perfect time to get a care package there! Mark your calendar and send the next one by Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a finals survival care package in December!
• Favorite Things – Next time you’re at the grocery store grab their favorite snacks to include in the care package! Also, by now they have figured out what they might be needing and don’t have for college. Grab an extra one or two of the specific things and Include them in the care package!
• Make it personal- Including gift cards is always a good idea and something they will most definitely use at college! Include a picture of the family dog or pet and an upbeat note from you and or siblings!