Simply Living, Part I
October 1, 2009 by Lynn Parsons
Filed under Simply Living
Hello, my name is Lynn Parsons. I’m the mother of a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter and a contributor to Fayette Woman. My family moved to Fayetteville two years ago, after living in Buffalo, New York and Denver, Colorado. This has become our home and we intend to stay for a very long time.
One of the simple things I like about Fayetteville, nature is in our own backyard.
As a native of rural Maine, I love the small-town feel and appreciation of nature that Fayetteville boasts. Over the years, I have worked for several nonprofits, including a children’s hospital and two universities. Through these jobs, I have met brave children living with cancer, generous donors and volunteers who selflessly give their time and resources. Being able to tell these stories is why I enjoy my work.
Through this blog, I hope to share my own story as a wife, a mother and a professional, and how those worlds overlap. While mine is not filled with the adventures and accomplishments of some of the subjects I have written about, I think many women feel overwhelmed with the ups and downs of family life. After all, as the saying goes, the only constant in life is change.
Speaking of changes, after being laid off from my job as a communications manager earlier this year, I am still adjusting to life as a freelance writer and stay-at-home-mother. Surprisingly, I am finding that I take great pleasure in the mundane tasks that make up family life—tasks that many of us have learned to despise. I enjoy making my kids’ lunches, scanning the weekly grocery circulars and typically find satisfaction in a freshly scrubbed pan.
Winston, my 200-pound brainstorming companion and editor.
I hadn’t considered giving up my 9-to-5 job, but the whole family has grown used to having a life that is simpler, unhurried and delightfully manageable. While I am working to drum up more clients and eventually the kids may need to attend after-school child care, It feels right to work from home, at least for now.
For the most part, my kids have been blissfully oblivious to any lifestyle changes. Yesterday, my four-year-old asked me, “Mommy, why do you wear night-night shoes (slippers) at the computer?” Okay, maybe they notice some things, but overall they accept mommy’s casual wardrobe and appreciate that I am now home before sunset each workday.
My husband is grateful that I take care of the household. In fact, he emailed me this morning to say, “Last night’s chicken stew was really good.” After that atta girl, I might even sort his socks. I like to leave the expectations pretty low in this area as I really dislike sorting socks.
Lynn Parsons is a freelance writer who lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two children. She helps nonprofit organizations to share their stories, communicate their achievements and build their cases for support. Within the corporate world, she writes articles, web content, white papers and organizes newsletters. You can reach her at Lynn@lynnwrites.com
WE MADE IT!!!!My family arrived Nov 3rd, we’ve been busy unpacking, organizing…the whole movingthing. Now the big question…where do I start? Everyone I’ve met so far is so nice. I’m sure I will make friends when my son starts school next week. I started going to a local church and volunteer there.We were looking for a place that we could volunteer on Thanksgiving Day. Since we have nofamily here, we thought it would be nice to offer our services to the needy. We put up our tree last night, so it’s starting to feel like a home. Are there any “groups” with regular meetings?
Lisa-Fayetteville
formely NJ
Lisa, there are many groups with regular meetings. Some of those are listed on our calendar, although I don’t think they’ve been updated for December. You can pick up a copy of the printed edition of our magazine at the Fayetteville or Peachtree City library. Look in the calendar listings for regular ongoing meetings. And again, welcome!
Lynn & Joyce,
Thanks for the welcoming reply. We are on the count down to moving day. We will be leaving Friday Oct. 30th if all goes as planned. It’s a very big adjustment for all of us. I have an 18 year old who is in college and working and she has decided to stay here with her Dad and her friends. She will come and visit often but we have never been apart so that will be veryb tough for me. Not her though!!! Friends, school and Mom can’t hover!!! I have a 6 year old son with my husband. He is looking forward to it but at the same time he is very nervouse because we don’t really know anyone. I have been very busy trying to find a school for him. I have found one that I think I like, but of course I have to check it out in person when we get there. I have lived here in New Jersey my entire life. I have a small family but they are all here for the time being. i am very excited to start a new life in Georgia. My grandparents lived there and I spent a lot of time with them. The people are so much nicer. People are very rough up here. When my Grand-Father passed away last November, it was his wish for us to live there. We will be living in Whitney Crossing in Fayetteville. Big Big move. We are also downsizing so I have been trying to donate most of our things up here before we go. I have 3 very close friends of over 20 years up here. We are like sisters. The phone bills will be outrageous!! But, I am looking forward to making new friends. I’ll take any advice there is!!
Lisa
What a big move for you Lisa! And I expect you are engrossed in the moving process at this point. Let us know if we can help you in any way.
I am moving to Fayetteville in November from New Jersey. I’m excited and nervous. This looks like a great place to get information and make new friends.
Lisa
Lisa,
Welcome! You have found a great place to find out more about our community. I work with someone who moved here from New Jersey about 15 years ago. I think she’s a permanent transplant now. Stay in touch and let us know how we can help.
Lisa,
It is a really lovely community. People are very friendly here! Let us know your updates on the move.
Lynn