Journey of a Jeweler

a journey into fashion decorating style and life with jeweler lisa lehmann

Lisa Lehmann Designs, formerly StudioJewel

parenting teens

when your kids take your breath away

by

You know the feeling. Your breath catches. Something takes it away. Something surprises you. The unexpected. The unknown. It’s not often our children who do that to us, but yet. Could it be?

Sometimes our kids make us proud in unexpected places.  We naturally swoon at their accomplishments and abilities. But once in a while they do things that are so grown-up. So mature. Sometimes they do things that you can’t imagining your own self EVER doing. And sometimes those “things” appear so suddenly they take your breath away.  I had two of those moments back to back in the same evening this weekend.

[Read more…] about when your kids take your breath away

When it’s time to send her to college. Let go.

by

It’s time. It’s time to let go. That’s what I am thinking as I watch motherhood flash before my eyes…again…and this time watch my oldest daughter pack her bags for college. It really is time. I say again, because I did this last year with the man-child.

sending your child off to college. time to let go.

It’s time [Read more…] about When it’s time to send her to college. Let go.

Teen Fashion for Back to School

by

Teens and clothes. They go hand in hand…right? Well, most of the time. Sometimes it’s a battle to get them out of sweats and t-shirts…can I get an amen? But when they want to pull it together, they know EXACTLY what they like, what’s cool, and what looks good. And most of the time they are on target…most of the time.

I say most…because I think there are some simple rules to follow when taking your kids – especially your daughters – clothes shopping. First, learn to say no. They are your kids. They need to respect your decisions regarding their wardrobe. But saying “ewww…no way” is not the best choice. Give them the same respect. Tell them why. Why you don’t like it. Tell them how beautiful they are are. How much they have to offer and that they don’t need to sell themselves short to look like the masses which might equal “trashy”.

 
And on top of that I have to ask…do you know what your kids are wearing? What their friends are wearing? Are you paying attention on Twitter? Instagram? You should be. NOT to be critical…hardly. But to be aware, especially with your daughters. Their bodies are precious gifts. TRUE fashion is not sleazy. TRUE fashion is classy and stylish and accentuates our personalities, not our boobies and booties.
 
* steps off soapbox *

[Read more…] about Teen Fashion for Back to School

Homeschool. Public School. Parenting. Empty Nest. Silent Mornings. Peace.

by

I sit on the quiet porch. The stillness is wonderful. It is chilly this morning so I gather the fabric of my fleecy robe and pull it high up on my neck, then bury my face in the soft folds. Breathe in. Breathe out. The steam from my breath fogs my glasses. I smell the pumpkin spice lotion on my hands and it reminds me of fall…even though it’s barely mid August.
Usually I loathe the cold. But not this morning. Maybe it’s because I know it will be 75 degrees this afternoon. I think it’s because the cold is invigorating, preparing me for the day ahead.
Day. Alone. No kids. Quiet.

It still seems new to me, even after two years. I still have a few pangs of guilt. I miss them when they go to school. Could I have kept homeschooling? Should I have left their education in the hands of strangers? Did I give up on them?
No. 
I even shake my head as I type that. Not that anyone can see, mostly showing the resolute in my gut. It was the right thing to do. They were ready. I was ready.

Summer was chaotic and frazzled. The lack of schedule and routine was unnerving. I crave order. How did we manage when everyone was home all day long? Then I remember the excel spreadsheets, the tight schedules. We all knew where we belonged and when and everything flowed. Seamless. Smooth.

The wind rips through the porch and I gather my robe even tighter around me. I see the swirls of steam dance through the air as they leave my mug of black coffee. The birds feed just a few steps from me. My mellow dogs sit at my feet and watch them. They don’t even growl…somehow they know the birds are part of our NEW morning routine. Our new solitude. Peace. 

Earlier. I tucked stools back under the counter. Placed the toaster where it belongs. Cleaned up crumbs and dollops of strawberry jam. Flipped light switches to off and picked damp towels off the floor. Mom duty.  Even as I sit on my porch I see a chair askew from dinner last night, a swirl of water on the table from someones glass that never got wiped up. Signs of kids and teens and life.

What will I do when they are gone? I complain about it now, but will I miss it then? People say that I will. People say that it’s hard. 

Peace. Order. Be still.

Noah prepares to leave for college in a couple weeks. I am not sad. I do not dread the day. It excites me…for him. This is what we worked for. This is what we prepared him to do. All those years of handwriting, and Greek root words and endless reading. I know my son. I’ve spent countless hours investing in his education for this moment. To send him off. He’s ready. We made a man. A young man who is ready to head into the world. In his wake he will leave chairs out, damp crumpled towels and water ringlets. Minor. Mom duty.
That’s my job.

I sip the black steaming liquid and smile. So peaceful. So still.
I love these moments. I didn’t have them when I was homeschooling. I also didn’t miss them since I didn’t know they existed. They are my morning gift. Seven hours stretch in front of me. Seven hours of productive time in the studio. My day work. But they will come home. Noisy. Loud. Smelling of sweat and institution. They will pull out the stools and leave dishes on the counter. Backpacks and flip-flops and discarded sweaters will scatter my floor. Chaos. Breathe.

I am no longer responsible for their learning. There is a huge sense of relief in that. I check papers. Do math problems (the ones I can still solve). Sign forms. They have good study habits. They do their homework. They take it seriously. They are excellent students. Is that from the years of home education? Maybe. Yes! I’ll take credit for that one. I poured my heart and soul and mind into my small people.

Evening chaos. Such a stark contrast to this quiet morning peacefulness. But for now? This morning is a gift. A treasure. It grounds me and I love it.

But I will also love when they come home. And when the man child is no longer here to empty my refrigerator and overload my washing machine e leaving dumbbells and barbells all over my basement…I’ll miss it. I’ll miss him.

But for THIS year we still have three girls. Three headstrong, independent, brilliant little women. Different personalities. Different talents. Different goals. They are exhausting and wonderful.
Breathe.
This job of parenting is so much more than you could ever prepare for. The diapers. The bottles. The “no’s”. It seems exhausting then. It IS exhausting. But somewhere along the way they develop into real people. With thoughts and ideas and personalities. We GET to be a part of that. Parenting. An amazing privilege.

My fingers grow numb from typing in the cold. I hadn’t even noticed how cold I was as I rushed through these words…smiling. The ramblings of my head. Spewing forth out my hands onto the keyboard in these peaceful moments. 

Be encouraged Mama. Daddy. Your work is so meaningful. Whether you spend every waking hour with your creations or just a few. You have power. To love. To mold. To teach. You are shaping the future. Be brave.


But for now. Sit back. Enjoy a moment of quiet. Enjoy your coffee. You’re going to need it.

xoxooxoxoox
lisa

10 practical things every teenager should know before they go to college

by

Teenagers. They are capable. More capable than you think. Here are 10 things they need to know before they go to college. In my opinion? They should know these by the 8th grade. But that’s me. I home schooled 4 kids for about 9 years while running a full time business. If you think I could juggle it all on my own you are CRAZY. Besides, isn’t this what you have kids for?

 

Anyway. The list.

 
1. Laundry. This is a no brainer. My kids have been doing their own laundry since they were 10 years old. That doesn’t mean I don’t help. That doesn’t mean I don’t fill in. But one needs to learn that clothing does not get thrown on the floor and then magically appear clean and folded on ones bed. I mean seriously mom…you have better things to do? Like HGTV for example! 🙂
 
2. How to load a dishwasher. The sink is NOT a holding place. It is for rinsing. It is for seeing empty. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. So when food is consumed. Dishes are rinsed and go in the dishwasher. If said dishwasher is clean and full…then you best not let me see you even rest that dish in the sink…empty the dishwasher. Pretty simple. And…I will hunt you down.
 
3. How to write AND address a thank you note. For the love of all things penmanship…teach your kids legible handwriting and how to address an envelope and WHERE to put a stamp. You might think this is common knowledge. It is not. And…the value of a handwritten thank you note is huge. Do it.
 
4. How to vacuum. Just turning on a vacuum does not count. Rubbing it back and forth along the floor does not count. It is systematic. It takes longer than 30 seconds. The carpet actual likes it…mom does too.
 
5. That brings me to chores. Saturday morning. Clean your bedroom. Meaning…stuff off the floor, surfaces dusted, floor vacuumed. It may not be perfect. But a weekly update makes sure things do not get out of hand. We have all seen THOSE dorm rooms. Ugh. AND…clean your bathroom. Don’t expect to hand them cleaning spray and have them get it. Show them. How to clean a toilet. How to clean a mirror. How to clean a sink. Again…our kids have been doing this on Saturdays since they were wee ones. You have plans for the day? Great. Chores first. Their college roommate will thank you.
6. Money. Teach them how to use a check book. That a debit card is actually money. How to transfer money from checking to savings. How to check their bank statement. How to really use cash. Money…does not grow on trees…no really it doesn’t. They need to know…value…and understand that.
 
7. How to use public transportation. Finding bus schedules. Hailing a cab. Maneuvering through an airport. We tend to do everything FOR them. Next time you are on a trip, let them do the figuring out. When ATL and I went to DC last summer I made her figure out the Metro. Could I have done it a million times faster? Totally. But what if she needs to travel on her own. Thank goodness for cell phones.
 
8. Restaurant skills. How to order. How to ask questions. Which forks to use. How to wait until other people are served. How to respectfully treat a server. And most importantly how to tip…and that you do tip. Oh yes, and my favorite…how to chew with your mouth closed. I mean is that too much to ask? Gross.
 
9. Cooking skills. I am not talking boiling water. I am talking how to actually follow a recipe. How to make a meal. Bake a dessert. Time a dinner. Get those kids in the kitchen and show them how to use it. Make cookies. Grill chicken. Make pasta..and sauce. Fry eggs. Make chicken salad. Slice vegetables and fruit. Brown ground beef. Crush garlic. SHOW them. The more they know…the better off they will be. Good grief, buy your kid a cookbook and have them use it. At the very least teach them to search out recipes online and read the reviews! I am planning on eating many meals at my children’s homes and I plan on them being delicious!
 
10. Teach them to be grateful. For the big things. For the little things. To be appreciative of tiny acts of service. And then to acknowledge it. Never it expect. Never assume. But true gratefulness.
 
And then send them off. Give them the basics. They won’t remember it all. Not now. But someday…someday they will call on it.
 
Man-child is ready to go. We are ready FOR him to go. And he is prepared. I have no doubt that he will do VERY well. Will he stumble and fail? Probably. But isn’t that what college is for? At least I know I have tried to do my job well. AND that my refrigerator will stay full for a lot longer a few weeks from now! 
 
xooxoxo
lisa