"You may be right, I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for!"
14 May 2013 Leave a Comment
in College, Da Real Homiez, Friends, Kids, University of Memphis
Upon hearing yesterday’s knock on the door my first thought was to ignore the unexpected company– no witnesses for Jehovah at this house. But alas, I did not. So glad to see one of my closest friends from college, Anne! We sat in my backyard and waited to observe the mating habits of white-tailed deer. 
We’ve come a long way from green beer!
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
12 May 2013 Leave a Comment
in Adam, Blessings, Child 'Protective' Services - CPS, Cousins, Family, Holidays, Inspiration, Kids, Maris- my soul sister, Miracles, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Parenting, Restaurants, San Luis Obispo County, Single mama, Support, Tatum, Unconventional Parenting Tags: Family, Interim, Memphis, Mothers, Reunion
“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.” ~ Oscar Wilde
I could not ask for a better day.
Allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all the moms out there. Whether you relaxed with breakfast in bed, got pampered with a pedicure, took a nap, or went about business as usual….thank you for all that you do. A mother is a woman who raises, nurtures, and guides a child whether it grows within you or not. Let me take this opportunity to tell my own mom how much I love her. MeMae, Aunt Sarah, Maris, Danielle, and all the other women in my life who are Mommies– much love to you all.
Now THIS is a great card!
Last year I spent Mother’s Day curled up in the fetal position, alone in my apartment in California, weeping. Thank God that chapter of my life is ancient history. My only ‘complaints’ about today involve Tatum’s tummy bug and Adam’s video game snafu. Our morning consisted of brunch at Interim with my beloved parents, cousins [and Kat], and Aunt Sarah & Uncle Tommy. Next, Dad and I took Adam to go see the Robert Downey Jr. movie which made both mother and son very happy campers.
Adam Harrison Reed and Tatum Maris Reed made me a mother. No words even begin to describe the love I have for my two precious children. Hands down, they are the best things I’ve ever done– what a tremendous honor to know I played 50% of the role in their creation!– and the best things I will ever do.
We may not always see eye to eye…but my mother is my best friend and personal hero.
The only card better than our united family’s creation are the cards Adam created for me. Is there anything more precious than your child’s artwork?! He made two cards [with the help of Little John] which you see below. I love the way he nailed my black hair– at least that was its color until several days ago– and glasses. As for my skin tone, perhaps he’s trying to tell me that I belong on Jersey Shore? Or maybe he’s seen too many chola chicks in California? We may never know.
My coloring looks a little off…
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
18 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment
in Beach, Family, Maris- my soul sister, Uncategorized Tags: 2013, Blog Challenge, March, March Blog Challenge
• March Blog Challenge •
Day 18: Where are you happiest?
Does anyone else feel like these questions [or at least my answers to them] are getting redundant?
A foolproof way to ensure my happiness? Take me to the beach. Be it Pacific, Atlantic, or Gulf of Mexico…as long as I can gaze at an ocean while hearing the waves crash against the shore.
My godkids love the beach as well. The twins [and their parents] spent spring break in Florida. I adore this picture of them.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
13 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment
in Changes, * R. i. P. *, Caylee Anthony, Dr. Krause, Adam, Spirituality, Television, Admiration, The Wee One, Travels, California, Megan Childers- favorite roomie, Alan Gompers, Ambition, Poor Decisions, Sibling love, Guilt, Inspiration, College, University of Memphis, Ocean, News, Opportunity, Mentor, NYC 2010, Highest Self, Meditation, Firsts, Fox News Tags: Greta van Susteren, On the Record, Mike Huckabee, The Huckabee Show
• March Blog Challenge •
Day 13: Do you have regret?
Here’s an actual answer of mine from a MySpace survey several years ago:. “‘No regrets’ summarizes my philosophy on life. Do I make mistakes? Of course. Are there things I would have done differently? Oh yeah. But life is too short to dwell on what could have been. There’s no use crying over spilled milk. Mop it up and move on. Instead of regret view everything as a learning experience. Objectively analyze the situation. Be prepared to face some harsh truths. What were the consequences? Use this knowledge to prevent you from similar outcomes in the future. It’s much easier said than done– and most of us make the same mistakes multiple times before we actually learn– but I try valiantly to have no regrets.
My first apartment [with Megan!] was such a fun time.
Two regrets of mine both involve travel.
In 2007 there was an opportunity for English majors at the University of Memphis to spend six weeks in Romania helping local students learn the English language. Cultural immersion, including staying with a host family, going on field trips, and taking classes on language and history, was the dual focus. It was perfect for me– community service, culture, school credit, doing something I loved and could do well, interesting classes, being in an area of the world where I’ve always wanted to travel, and the experience of studying abroad without the commitment of a full semester. Yet I inexplicably watched the deadline come and go without ever submitting my paperwork.
The next winter I declined an offer to fly to New York to visit my dear friend, Sean Krause. He understood my hesitations about traveling with a 9-month-old Adam [and respected the fact that leaving him during his first Christmas season wasn't an option] and we both agreed to take a rain check. Tragically, we never got that chance because he passed away in February.
Name checked by Greta
So when I got an invitation to fly to NYC and appear on Fox News the following year…I didn’t hesitate. Adam would enjoy a week of being spoiled by his grandparents while I pursued a once in a lifetime opportunity. As I sat in the green room giggling from nerves I thought of Sean, my mentor, and his appearance on Greta Van Susteren’s show. As I wandered aimlessly around the city streets, soaking up my first time in the Big Apple, I knew Sean would be so proud. As I experienced a satsang with Alan Gompers [a personal hero of mine] in Greenwich Village, a transformative experience, I thanked Sean for his help getting me here.”
The last thing I saw before I walked on stage and met the life studio audience
“So in the end, was it worth it? Jesus Christ. How irreparably changed my life has become. It’s always the last day of summer and I’ve been left out in the cold with no door to get back in. I’ll grant you I’ve had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by while they’re making grand plans for it. Throughout my lifetime, I’ve left pieces of my heart here and there. And now, there’s almost not enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent. There are no more white horses or pretty ladies at my door.” ~ Blow
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
13 Mar 2013 1 Comment
in * R. i. P. *, Adam, Brooklyn Bridge, Cousins, Da Real Homiez, Danielle- partner in crime, Family, Favorites, Golden India, Home Sweet Home, Homesick, Indian, Italian, Little Ashley, Maris- my soul sister, Memphis, Midtown, Motherhood, Neshoba, Relaxation, RP Tracks, Serenity, Sloane, Tatum, Unitarian Universalists
• March Blog Challenge •
Day 12: Something you miss
Adam
Tatum
Mom & Dad [and their cozy house]
My Family
Maris, Danielle, and all those I consider friends
Everyone I’ve loved and lost
Memphis
Tennessee
Brooklyn Bridge Italian Restaurant
Golden India
RP Tracks
Taking ridiculously long baths multiple times a day*
Neshoba
*Not my actual bathtub
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
11 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment
in Family, Maris- my soul sister, Tatum, Uncategorized
Tatum seems to be recovering nicely from her birthday extravaganza.
Her great-Grandma Elder [paternal grandfather's mom] gave Adam this stuffed doggy. It was one of his favorites so I know he’d be all too happy to pass it on to his little sister
Busted! Maris caught Tater outside the Barbie dream house looking guilty. A look of guilt is better than a look of judgment, right Mar?
And she still has teeth. Definitely in the awkward/hysterical hall of fame for her pictures thus far.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
10 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment
in Birthdays, College, Da Real Homiez, Friends, JiLTED, Ole Miss, STiR, Travels
Happy birthday, Mandy!
One of my closest friends from college [and my Facebook wifey] celebrates her birthday today. I value her friendship, opinions, and our creative collaborations immensely. Can we please launch JiLTED within a month of my touchdown below the Mason Dixon line?!
The fact that we went six years without seeing each other before our reunion this Christmas should be criminal. Never again! But it’s pretty incredible we were even able to pull off a rendezvous….up until the last minute I didn’t think I’d be able to spend the holiday with my daughter. And she just so happened to be driving through Memphis en route to Jackson, MS while I was home. Don’t you just love those serendipitous moments when all the stars align? It meant the world to me that she got to meet Tatum. Next time she’ll meet Adam as well.
Bowling For Soup’s song “1985″ was my first choice for the musical selection, considering that’s the year of our birth. But then I remembered how much fun we had with this song during our freshman year at Ole Miss and had a change of heart. Mandy’s recommendations for new material I’d like are always spot on– she has impeccable taste in music.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
23 Feb 2013 Leave a Comment
in * R. i. P. *, Da Real Homiez, Dr. Krause
“Your life can be taken away at any moment. I just want people to know that anyone can make a difference, no matter how small or big.” ~ Sean Krause
(from a November ’08 article in which I interviewed him)
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
19 Feb 2013 Leave a Comment
in Da Real Homiez, Homesick, Megan Childers- favorite roomie
…Megan Childers was born!
Happy birthday to my favorite roomie and one of my oldest friends. I hope you have a wonderful celebration. You are loved and missed– what a sweet day it will be when we’re reunited. Tell all of your partygoers to take a moment at the festivities to think of our little family and send us some good vibes. And stay away from exploding stoves and people who refer to themselves as Transformers characters.
Obviously this photo doesn’t come from the present year. It’s a throwback to 2010. But it worked with the Mardi Gras theme on Smilebox.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
27 Dec 2012 Leave a Comment
in Da Real Homiez, Family, Home Sweet Home, Maris- my soul sister, Memphis, Tatum
12/21/12 came and went without a hitch. I survived the apocalypse. So did everyone else. Dare I say it was an ordinary day? Actually, I rescind that remark. It was quite atypical in the sense that my day was exceptionally fun. While I routinely count my blessings– and any day I spend with my children is joyous– I cannot even remember the last time I attended multiple social functions in one day and enjoyed them all. How nice it was to enjoy a temporary reprieve and pretend I led a relatively normal life.
Maris and I went to a local salon and took pictures for the newspaper while Tatum napped. All that effort made us hungry so we drove through Wendy’s. Then we returned to the office and I had to suppress the urge to answer the ringing phone. Old habits die hard.
Thank you, Instagram
Speaking of Tatum, she turned 10 months old on the 21st. I cannot believe how much she’s grown….even in the 10 days I’ve been here. My baby girl’s getting so big. Can you believe that’s the look on her face after cutting four teeth within 24 hours?
Look at that sweet smile.
Maris and I went to Target after work. She threatened to harm me if I didn’t buy two pairs of pants [less than $12 on clearance] and a magazine. I obliged. Then we stopped by her house to get dressed for the evening and I saw my godkids for the first time in over a year!
I cherish this photo.
Next we went to Chili’s for Mommy’s Night Out. Most of the moms in Theresa’s– the patron nanny saint of Tay Tay– group converged in Collierville. I can’t even begin to articulate what it’s like to be around fellow mothers who have seen me in action with both kids and know the type of parent I am and the values I wish to instill in my children.
We should have gotten the waitress to take this so Nicole could have been in the shot.
We [Maris and me] decided to have a slumber party at Theresa’s. Everyone giggled when I wore the pajamas of our host’s preteen daughter. She is not large. I am just very small, though a good bit taller, so it was an interesting look. The five of us– our trio plus Theresa’s girls– watched Abduction and I cuddled up with an adorable dog. Despite being what I typically dismiss as a ‘yip yip’ dog, Daisy made me smile. Maris has an app to remove red eye on her iPhone. Apparently she neglected my right eyeball so I have one fireball and a strange, black dot. Oh, and disheveled hair. Awesome.
Excuse the defects and focus on the Daisy.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
