Its hard to find time for "me", but I have managed to create time - yes you heard me "create" time! Thanks to a wonderful husband, and some really close friends I manage to get away for some "me" time on a periodic basis. And, instead of centering this "me" time around dinner or movies I try to get some new and exciting education. I know it sounds hokey but it can be so much fun to learn something new and exciting all while enjoying some time away from the kiddos. Here are a few ideas that I have done myself that you might enjoy:

Sewing classes - yes even the beginner sewer can enjoy; classes available in May: Little Stitches - http://www.littlestitchessewing.com/classes
(I have heard that they also offer classes at Sew Contempo in Mo.City, but never tried them there!)

Cake decorating classes - oh my goodness I took this class with a girlfriend, and it was so much fun! I learned a lot of tricks, and unfortunately the ingredients to cake icing! I took the class at Micheal's in SugarLand, but they also offer at Hobby Lobby: http://www.hobbylobby.com/store_classes

Cooking Classes - they offer a wide variety of cooking classes for all your taste buds at Whole Foods! I took the class with a friend during Christmas and we learned how to make a Yule Log (a.k.a. Cake Roll) and it was FABULOUS! All store locations offer classes, but we took the class at the Whole Foods on Westheimer / Weslayan, see site: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

iphone / ipod / ipad usage classes - I know this sounds CRAZY, but a friend of mine (you know who you are :-)) recently purchased an ipad and was offered the free usage class! Very exciting! The Apple store in First Colony Mall offers these usage classes, I haven't been to one yet - but recently when I visited the store the sales person suggested that I visit - I am sure I'm missing out on all kinds of things with my iPhone!

Scrapbooking classes - I wish I had more time to scrapbook, my younger kids have no scrapbooks and my oldest have 6 or 7! Yikes! No, really every now and again I like to take a day or an evening - or even, and ALL NIGHTER - yes you heard me ALL NIGHTER to scrapbook to my hearts content! The Scrapbook Village in Missouri City offers scrapbooking classes, weekly crops (just a fancy term for bring your supplies and work in their store), monthly crops, and the occasional ALL NIGHT CROP! I have done it a few times, and it is so much fun to scrapbook with friends, share stories of the pics, and get all of your memories cataloged. For available classes see:
http://www.thescrapbookvillage.com

Thats all for now - if there is anything else I can think of I will send it to the blog! Please share any other ideas that I might have missed! Thanks for reading, and see you soon!

JoBeth

Finding "me" time

As mothers, we all know how important it is for our kids to play with other kids. We set up playdates, shuttle them to and from summer camps and school, enroll them in dance, soccer, and Gymboree. We encourage our kids to find out their passions and follow them.

I even set up playdates for my husband to make sure he has friends outside of work.

But on my way home from dance class the other day, going over the week's meals, listing everything that needed to be done before I went to bed, I realized something.

Why don't I get playdates?

How am I supposed to meet people? How do I find MY passions to follow?

The next few posts will be all about finding things to do for US, as moms. If you have any other ideas that we haven't talked about, leave a comment.

. . .

Right before Claire was born, I decided that I wanted to good camera. I had a little point and shoot that worked well, but I was looking for something that I could learn.

I bought a Nikon D40 and am so glad I did.

The camera takes much better pictures than my old Sony, even on automatic mode. I learned Photoshop (kinda), I took pictures everyday.

And, this January, I took a photography class at the Leasure Learning Center. They have a ton of classes, and they're not that expensive. In fact, Addie and I are taking a class next week, "Self-Hypnosis."

Yes, it should be hysterical.

The classes are once a week, usually for a few weeks.

This is a great way to meet people, to do something just for YOU. For a few hours a week, I wasn't worried about what we were going to have for dinner, or what laundry needed to be done. I didn't care if Claire was up past her bedtime, or if the kitched wasn't clean.

I was learning more about something I loved doing.

So check out the LLU. Which classes would you take?