Midsouthmoms.com http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms This is a discussion forum. en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:00:34 GMT vBulletin 10 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/images/misc/rss.jpg Midsouthmoms.com http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms What big worry did you have recently that did not come to pass? http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2970&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:15:32 GMT 35 What big worry did you have recently that did not come to pass?

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"I’ve had no worries lately. I am thankful and blessed to be alive, and be able to survive in this tough world."
Patricia Pendleton
Memphis, independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics, three children



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"There are always worries, but currently I worry about my kids safety, traveling to and from school. Thankfully, none of those worries have come to pass."
Karen Farmer
Germantown, floral manager at Schnuck's, two children



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"Recently our son had to deal with a major disappointment and my worry was that he might be distraught or defeated by it. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because now he is a stronger and more determined person toward his goal."
Angela Correale
Germantown, owner/agent - Correale Realtors, three children


Next week’s question:

"What’s one thing that always makes your day?"
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]]> TeamMomShannon 1869 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2970 Spotlight on Mom - Teresa White http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2969&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:39:01 GMT 124 Image: http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/jess0848/Teresa2.jpg Photo credit: Sonja Luecke **By Sonja Luecke** Midsouthmoms.com...


Photo credit: Sonja Luecke
By Sonja Luecke

Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight on Mom” – Teresa White



Teresa White discovered her passion working with glass while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine art at Memphis College of Art. Although the college doesn’t offer any traditional glass work shops, a professor urged her to pursue working with glass when he saw her abilities turning Plexiglass into art. Eager to learn, White sought out local artists, learning to blow glass, fuse it and slump it. After graduating, she joined Glassical Inc, a glass shop that also produces in-house glass products, where she learned to etch glass. Two years later, she opened her own studio. She eventually found her current all-in-one studio, gallery and living quarters on the corner of Hollywood and Broad Avenue, and Studio 1688 was born. There, White teaches glass-art-making classes, produces her own jewelry, light switch covers, vases, lights, etched room dividers, custom-made glass sinks and other products, and she exhibits her own art as well as that of recently graduated artists. White, who lives in the back of her all-in-one studio, is the mother of Liam, 22 months, as well as two cats and a Dalmatian. In her rare free time, she enjoys roller skating with Memphis Roller Derby and taking trips to Horn Island to recharge and focus on art. She recently answered questions from Midsouthmoms.com:

How is your work going in the current economic downturn? I feel a sense of pleasure that I am one of the few who are using their art degrees and making a humble living as a "starving artist."

What is your favorite type of art to produce? The kind that sells – seriously!

Which of your art pieces is a "best seller?" Smaller items seem to sell best: jewelry, light switch covers, swizzle sticks. Mostly the things that are inexpensive, easy to carry and can be given as gifts.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I did all-natural child birth by choice. I’m one tough cookie. I’m a glass blower and a roller derby gal.

Do you have any insecurities about being a mom? Sure I have insecurities from time to time, but I believe I am doing a million times better than I ever imagined I would before becoming a mother.

What inspires you? Challenging situations. Every hurdle life throws at me inspires me to work harder to overcome it and grow from it.

My self-admitted most annoying habit (according to family and friends): I’m too loud. Everyone says I scream when I talk. I get really excited when telling stories and am very animated.

Dumbest Ebay purchase: An old ‘80s Glowworm toy. I got Liam one of the newer more modern Glowworms from Toys-R-Us, which are totally lame. So I went on Ebay and found the kind I had as a kid. I had to have it.

What are your dreams for the coming year? I hope to continue growing my glass-working business, get more students into my classes, set up an online store and apply for some artist’s grants.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your son? Go to the Park. Overton Park for the drum circles and all the dogs on Sundays, and Peabody Park for the kids’ water fountain playground, slides and swings.

What are your dreams for the next 5 years? In the next five years, I hope to go back to school to get a master’s degree, move to another city where I could possibly be closer to my family, and I’d love to take some classes in soft glass blowing.

Things I like: Honesty, true friends, Horn Island and Valley View Hot Springs in Colorado.

Things I don’t like: Empty Ice trays in the freezer and not getting enough sleep.

What advice would you give other working moms trying to balance job and family? I’ve found that consolidating my home and business into one place has allowed me to spend more time with my son, while still being able to financially make a living. My best advice would be to work from home, if possible.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mom (or working mom)? Well, so far I would say naps, or lack there of. Liam used to take three small naps a day, which left me plenty of time to work. But naturally, as he grows older, those three naps are now reduced to only one long nap a day. I find myself staying up late into the night to make up for work I didn’t get done in the day.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Take some time for lunch with a friend.

Have you had a worst “working-mom” moment? I have completely forgotten a few appointments with clients before. I didn’t even know what day of the week it was.

What would your perfect day-off look like (schedule-wise)? Sleeping in until noon, then lunch and a movie.

If you had more time (hours in the day) how would you spend it? Cleaning. I clean and clean and clean, and the job never seems to be complete.

What's your favorite past time? Roller Derby -- skating.

Do you have a secret you never told your parents? No, I tell my mom everything.

If you had one wish, what would it be? My wish would be to go to Horn Island more than once a year. It is the only place I feel I can recharge my energy.

What’s been the most challenging time of your life? Actually, I feel like I’m going through the most challenging time in my life right now. The past year, in fact, has been very hard to adjust to. As Liam grows and his activity level changes, I have to re-acclimate to his being more mobile, walking, climbing, getting into things, taking fewer naps, etc.

Have you had any regrets about your life so far? (something you would do over again, wish you hadn’t done, etc.) No. There are challenges I really could have done without, but I wouldn’t do it differently if I had the chance to do it all over. Those challenges have made me brighter and stronger, and I would not change a thing, really.

What’s the one thing you promised yourself you’d never do when you had kids that you find yourself doing? Can’t think of anything.

With fall around the corner, are there any fall activities or traditions you and your kids look forward to? Free live music and movies at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park.

What is the best advice you have ever received about how to be a good mom and/or balancing work and family? If he’s happy, well-adjusted, smart and pleasant to be around, then your doing a great job. Liam is all of that, so I must be doing all right.

What’s one thing you did growing up that you hope your child never does? Sneak out of the house at night.

Did your mom work while you were growing up? What did she do? Yes, she ran a cleaning business.

How often do you sit down for meals with your kids? Two to three times a day.

What was the last good book you read? “Baby Proof,” but technically, it was an audio book.

What’s your most embarrassing moment with your children? I was asking Liam to point to his body parts, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, chin, leg. Etc. All were correct, and I was so proud. But then I asked, “Where is your belly button?” And he grabbed, well, let’s just say a little lower than his belly button … I was soooooo embarrassed.

What’s your favorite indulgence? Mexican food.

What’s your most extravagant purchase ever? Well, I guess that would have to be a tie between the treadmill I paid a lot for but I rarely use and my sandblasting cabinet.

Any funny stories you’d like to share? Can’t think of any.

Any brushes with celebrities? No.

Biggest pet peeve: Leaving numbers on the microwave. I use the microwave as a clock, and I hate to look over and see 20 secs. left on the screen.

Has being a mom changed you? Yes, absolutely. It has made me more understanding and tolerant.

What degrees do you hold? I have a bachelor’s of fine art from the Memphis College of Art.

Where are you from? Originally, I was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fl., though I've been here in Memphis for 14years now.

What made you want to live in Memphis or make a living here instead of elsewhere? I came here for school, and after graduating, I got a job at a local glass company, Glassical Inc. I worked there for two years then opened my own glass studio and small gallery. I guess I just kinda got stuck here.

How did you get into making glass art? I was working with plexi glass my last year in school and got a good mention in the local paper. They liked what I was doing. In critique, my instructor asked, “What do you like about what your doing?” I said, “I love the transparency, the way the light shines through, the ability to drill holes and weave wire through the plexi glass. I love using enamels on it and melting items into the plexi.” He asked why I didn’t work with real glass, and at first, I thought it was because MCA doesn't teach any classes in real glass working, plus I pay a lot of money to go here. He suggested I shouldn't let that stop me. So I found a local guy -- Darrel Davis -- who taught me pyrex glass blowing. Later, I sought out another MCA alumna, Jan Singer, who taught me the basics of glass fusing and slumping. After graduating from MCA, I got a job at a local glassworking shop called Glassical Inc., which is owned by Bryan Carter, where I was taught sandblast etching and deep carving in glass, as well as some laminating and photo emulsion etching skills.

What do you like about your work? I like different things about each type of glasswork I do. I love the way the light catches the edge of the etching I do. I love the way I can combine colors in fusing and the ability to manipulate the shape of the glass in slumped work. I like to combine several different textures when it comes to leaded glass projects. And I love the fire involved in small scale pyrex glass blowing -- and the relaxing, almost hypnotic, effect it has on me.

What are some of the things you do at your gallery? I rotate art shows monthly. I make my space available to local, unseasoned artists, either just out of school or self-taught artists. For new artists, it's often times hard to get into a gallery, so I tend to offer those unseasoned artists an opportunity to show their work. I do a few annual shows every year that any local artist can submit to, and I offer my gallery space for rent, monthly or bi-monthly, to groups of artists who want to do a show together.

Is there an artist or art professor who has a great influence on your work? Absolutely. The most influential are Tom Lee and Henry Easterwood.

What do you hope to achieve in the future? I hope to continue growing as an artist, offering glass-working workshops and doing commissioned jobs. I hope to move out of Memphis in the next couple years to be closer to my family. And I will be setting up shop and doing the same thing wherever I end up.

Where do you see your self in 10 years? In the next 10 to 15 years, I have big plans to set up some sort of art commune, where artists can come and work for weeks or even months at a time. I want to be able to offer campgrounds, as well as some cabins or maybe a dormitory for people to stay in, while visiting the commune. I hope to have an organic garden on site. My plans include lots of work study type jobs, which will allow for lower income artists to be able to come and stay for any length of time and work in exchange for their room and studio fees.

Do you hope to teach your son anything about art? Oh, yes, He is already being exposed to lots of different media. In fact, I have even tossed around the idea to do some summer art camps for kids here at STUDIO1688 next summer.

How did you come to have your living quarters, gallery and studio all in one? Well, when I first opened my studio, I lived in a house in Bartlett and had my studio on Lamar in Midtown. I paid double utilities, alarm, phone, rent, etc. I also spent a lot on gas, driving back and forth all the time. I got the bright idea to find a place I could live and work out of. Therefore, I could consolidate bills and expenses into one. When I found the building I am in now, it was just an empty shell, four walls and a ceiling. With the help of my child’s father and several of my wonderfully hard-working friends, I transformed this place into a functioning living/working space. We built walls, put in outlets for kilns, a hot water heater, stove, fridge, washer and dryer. We built a shower and had to route plumbing for that, as well as a kitchen sink and dishwasher. The building is now set up to accommodate glass blowing and glass fusing studios and a tool room equipped with kilns, a sandblasting cabinet, a wet saw, drill press and glass grinder. Just past the studios, it opens up into a large one-room art gallery that extends down a hallway to the restroom. At the end of that hallway is a door that leads into my living space, which is a warehouse-style flat. It has a very open floorplan and high ceilings. I built the bar in the kitchen myself out of welded steel and traded glass work for my granite countertops. The cabinets for the kitchen were purchased used from the Habitat for Humanity’s re-store. It was a lot of work and a whole lot of painting too ... but it was well worth it. I really feel like I am blessed to be so fortunate that I can stay at home with my child and still run my business successfully enough to survive financially in this economy. I would not be able to do this if it weren't for my living/working space.

How many cats do you have and what are their names? I have two cats, Manoh and Rah. I also have a dog, a Dalmatian named Mollyah.

TOP PICKS:

Favorite music: Amos Lee, Sublime, Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews.
Favorite de-stress technique: Stretching.
Favorite money-saving tip: Shop at the Dollar Tree and thrift stores
Favorite book: “The Magical Almanac”
Favorite recreational activity: Roller Derby and skating in general.
Favorite children’s book: “Te Amo, Sol, Te Amo, Luna (I Love You, Sun, I Love You, Moon”
Favorite TV show: “That ‘70s Show,” “Whale Wars,” “Deadliest Catch” and hauntings or Paranormal-Research-type shows.
Favorite timesaving tip: Shower together. It saves time and water.
Favorite beauty product: Lipstick
Product you couldn’t live without: Hair dryer
Favorite Memphis locale: Dru’s Place
Favorite recipe: Oven-baked tortilla pizza
Ingredients: Chicken, pesto, Alfredo sauce, olive oil, spinach, mozzarella and feta cheeses, tortilla
Instructions: Brush the tortilla with olive oil, add the Alfredo sauce and pesto, then the chicken and spinach. Top with lots of mozzarella and feta c ]]> Spotlight on Mom! midsouthadmin 950 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2969 Spotlight on Mom - Crystal Hankins http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2968&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:14:48 GMT 154 Image: http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/jess0848/Crystal1.jpg Photo credit: Sonja Luecke *By Sonja Luecke* Midsouthmoms.com...


Photo credit: Sonja Luecke
By Sonja Luecke


Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight on Mom” – Crystal Hankins



For Crystal Hankins, everything has to be in its place. When something's out of place, she makes sure to put it back immediately. Several years ago Crystal realized she felt out of place in Memphis. So she and her husband, Michael Hankins, began looking for a house in Selmer, Tenn., near Crystal's grandmother. They have finally found the right house and are nearly ready to move their family to the country, start a vegetable garden, keep chickens and maybe even a horse or two. "I enjoy open land with few neighbors in between," Crystal explains. "I also enjoy seeing stars, quiet mornings and evenings, and my grandmother's company." Crystal's daughter, Autumn, 6, recently graduated from the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf and now is ready to start school in a mainstream classroom anywhere. Autumn was born deaf, but her parents were lucky to learn about her inability to hear when she was only 3 weeks old. They chose for Autumn to get a cochlear implant and today, thanks to the implant, she hears just fine. Hankins, who currently works as office assistant for the childcare/education department of Mullin's United Methodist Church, and her husband, a hair stylist, met in cosmetology school. In addition to Autumn, they are the parents of Dylan, 8. They hope to have more children and also adopt a child one day. Crystal recently answered questions from Midsouthmoms.com:

What's your favorite pastime? I enjoy gardening. It works like therapy for me. It helps when I am overwhelmed too. Painting is enjoyable for me, too.

What are your dreams for the coming year (and the next 5 years)? I would like to have more children and learn to work at home doing something I really enjoy and still be a stay-at-home mom.

What’s the worst advice your mom ever gave you? She had a bad habit or being a “helicopter mom.” She knows now she sheltered me too much from the world, and I had to find many things out the hard (or harder) way. She said I should not shelter my kids as much.

What's the most challenging aspect of being a mom? The most challenging thing for me is the fear of not giving my children enough time and undivided attention. My hope is to instill in my children good values, respect, a strong hold on their beliefs and a good confidence level. If I make a conscious effort to stop and spend time with my children, maybe they will learn these life lessons.

What’s the best thing about living in the Mid-South? I love warm weather, fried squash and tomatoes, and of course sweet tea. Southern hospitality and Elvis aren’t too bad either.

What inspires you? My inspiration is music. Most of the time, I have it on. I enjoy oldies, jazz and contemporary Christian. It helps me get into what I am doing, whether it be cleaning, working on a project or even taking a nap.

If you were to give special praise to someone right now, who would it be? I would give praise to my husband for all the hard work he does to provide for his family. He works very hard to keep us financially secure and still helps me with things around the home. He is an excellent father and an amazing husband and deserves much praise.

What is one thing your mom never told you?  I cannot remember anything my mom did not tell me. On the contrary, my mom always told me that I could do anything I set my mind to. If I worked hard, then I will succeed. Mom always let me know that she believed in me.

What’s the nicest thing that has happened to you in the past three months? In the past three months, we visited my grandmother in Selmer, Tennessee. It was so nice to sit back and relax. She is such a joy, and I love her company. I always feel so inspired after spending time with her. We have recently bought a home out in that area, and hope to be there soon. It will be nice living down the road from her

What big worry did you have recently that did not come to pass? Most people visit their doctor and find out news they are not necessarily happy about. Seeking the advice of my general doctor, I began seeing a specialist for my condition. I was concerned about the results and the diagnoses I was going to receive. Luckily, the diagnosis was not near the extreme we were thinking and is easily treatable. I was very relieved that the first potential diagnosis was no longer a concern.

What important goal do you have for the next three months? Within the next three months, we plan to move to Selmer, Tenn., and begin our life in the country. We look forward to settling in and enjoying the quiet life and small town luxuries such as knowing your neighbors -- and farming!

How are you doing on your 2010 New Year’s resolutions? I do not do New Year’s resolutions. I do new day resolutions. I prefer to take a day-to-day-resolution approach, because chances are I can accomplish it in a day and see what tomorrow brings.

Who was your favorite teacher in school while you were growing up? I have to say my cosmetology teacher. She was very encouraging and positive. It was nice to feel like we could leave high school and achieve our dreams!

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? I clean and organize. I tend to do the opposite of what most people do. I have tons of extra energy when I am nervous.

Do you have a secret you never told your parents? No.

If you had one wish, what would it be? I am working on it right now. It’s moving to my small town and living on a farm, maybe having a horse or two and having more children. This is my ideal life.

What’s been the most challenging time of your life? I have just had the most challenging time in my life. For the past two and a half weeks, I cared from my ill mother-in-law, whom I love very dearly. My husband and I struggled with difficult tasks and literally got a nursing lesson from the hospice nurses. It was challenging and we were exhausted, but it was worth every second knowing she was comfortable and exactly where she wanted to be -- home. She passed away on July 29, 2010. It was my first experience with this, and I would do it again for her in a heartbeat. She is a dear person in my life, and I will see her again one day. “I love you, Linda”.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Others would be surprised to know that I was adopted. I am sure where all my quirky traits come from.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids? I love to snuggle in the bed with the kids. We enjoy just talking and making each other laugh.

What’s the best advice your mom ever gave you? My mom always told me to be respectful and hold your tongue. She also taught me we are all the same and no one is better than anyone else.

What’s one thing you did growing up that you hope your child never does? I never helped my mother around the house. I want my children to learn how to help around the house.

Did your mom work while you were growing up?  No.

My self-admitted most annoying habit: (according to family and friends) I move everything around. People cannot find anything in my house because I move it. If they set a glass down for five minutes, it will not be there for long. I am mildly obsessive compulsive.

What was the last good book you read? I read a great book called “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks.

What’s your most embarrassing moment with your children? In my son’s early months, he was starting to eat little finger foods. He loved grilled cheese sandwiches. I mistakenly grabbed the furniture polish instead of the can of cooking spray to make his grilled cheese sandwich. Oops! It did not go well.

What’s your favorite indulgence? I adore pineapple and white chocolate.

What’s your most extravagant purchase ever? I bought a hot tub. It was a costly purchase.

Any funny stories you’d like to share? No. I have too many stories. We would be here all night.

If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be? Why? I would meet Steven Tyler. Aerosmith is my favorite band.

Biggest pet peeve: I hate when things are out there rightful place.

Things I like: I love to garden, paint, sunbathe and do crossword puzzles.

Things I don’t like: I do not care for meat, cold weather and cooking.

How did you meet your husband? My husband and I met in cosmetology school. We were both pursuing a career in hairstyling and even considered working with each other in a salon. It never got that far. I got out of the business when my children were born.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Bartlett, Tenn. We lived in a single family home in a great neighborhood. Our street had plenty of children to befriend. I enjoyed spending time with my friends.

At what age were you adopted? I was adopted before I was even born. I went straight home with my adoptive parents. I did not spend time with any other families in the course of life.

Do you know your biological parents? Yes, I did meet my biological mother just over two years ago. I did not meet my biological father.

Do you know why your parents gave you up for adoption? It is my understanding that there was a financial struggle for my biological family at the time. She was trying to raise three children already. She felt I would have better opportunities ahead of me if I was placed where I could have a better lifestyle.

Have you ever considered adopting a child? That has always been on my list of amazing things to do in life. I have a very special connection with being adopted, and I feel we would share a bond. It is a bittersweet situation for both families, but sometimes it is for the best. It would be nice to know I could be a part of that.

How did you find out your daughter is deaf? My husband and I found out about her hearing loss when she was 3 weeks old. It was very early on in her life, which proved to be a blessing because they were able to start early intervention with her right away.

What were your thoughts at the time of diagnosis? I was very overwhelmed. At first, we struggled with the diagnosis. It meant a lot of intervention for her and her parents. We needed to learn just as much as she did. We learned some sign language and tips to help us communicate with her better until she received either hearing aids or cochlear implants.

How are things going now? Autumn is doing great. She has learned so much in her 6 years of being here. She started school over at the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf when she was 2 years old. Her speech and language is phenomenal. She graduated this year from the school and can now attend a public school in a regular classroom setting.

Does she need continued medical supervision for the implant? She will always need some type of continued observation for the implants themselves and the progress of her test results. As technology improves, her implants can be upgraded via computer.

What attracts you to living in the country? It is not where I grew up and was raised, but we often visited our extended family there. I enjoy open land with few neighbors in between. I also enjoy seeing stars, quiet mornings and evenings, and my grandmother's company.

What type of farming are you interested in? I would grow vegetables to start with, then try my hand at fruit trees and vine. We may even move on to chickens!

What type of job do you think you may want to do from home once you move to the country? Something artistic. My son and I have extremely creative minds and usually excel in that area. I think that would be my best bet to be successful, even though I’m not sure what it is yet.

What will your husband do for a living once you move to the country? His plan is to drive into Memphis for a few days and work doing his clients in the salon. He has lodging arranged for free, so that should work out nicely. As for the rest of the days, he plans to start building a clientele out there in the Selmer area.

Is there anything you will miss about Memphis? My few family members who still live here. We can come in and see them now and again. Luckily, we will not be that far. Other than that, nothing.

What do your children think about moving? They are so excited. As long as they can remember, they have been going out there and spending time with their great-grandmother. I know they are ready for that to be a more permanent situation.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Bartlett High School and then graduated from cosmetology school a year after that.

Will the hot tub move to the country with you? Absolutely! That is my sanity-saver. I can’t live without it.

Do you already have a house picked out in Selmer? Yes, we have been looking over the course of nine years. We finally found the right one.

Top Picks:

Favorite movie: “Gone With the Wind”
Favorite TV show: “60 Minutes”
Favorite timesaving tip: Do it right the first time.
Favorite de-stress technique: Cleaning, hot-tub time and gardening
Favorite book: “The Notebook”
Favorite recreational activity: Sitting in the hot tub
Favorite music: Oldies
Favorite children’s book: “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
Favorite beauty product: Lotion from Victoria’s Secret
Product you couldn’t live without: Bath beads
Favorite money-saving tip: Buying generic products
Favorite Memphis locale: Pink Palace
]]> Spotlight on Mom! midsouthadmin 950 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2968 Spotlight on Mom - Mayra Peregrina http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2967&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:03:50 GMT 210 Image: http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/jess0848/M1.jpg Photo credit: Sonja Luecke *By Sonja Luecke* Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight on...



Photo credit: Sonja Luecke
By Sonja Luecke

Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight on Mom” – Mayra Peregrina

In many ways, Mayra Peregrina was living her dream. The mother of 2-year-old Joshua and wife of Tony Morales was working as a news anchor and news producer in Leon, Mexico, living near her mother and family. Then, her father passed away. Shortly after, her son’s demeanor suddenly changed. The usually rambunctious boy stopped running and talking, became sluggish and developed a high fever. Doctors diagnosed him with the most aggressive form of leukemia and gave him one month to live.

Through a friend, Peregrina heard about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Within days, Peregrina and Morales got admission paperwork from St. Jude, a passport for their son and emergency visas for the Unite States – everything but a flight. The family could not wait days for a commercial flight, but a wealthy man they have never met offered to fly them to Memphis on a private jet.

Joshua, it turned out, did not have the most serious form of leukemia but acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He began treatment at St. Jude immediately as the family settled into Target House and tried to rebuild their lives.

Four years later, Joshua and the family left Target House and St. Jude for a house in Cordova. Peregrina has held several jobs since, working for a bank, as a DJ at the former Radio Ambiente and now as a photographer. Morales is in between jobs. Most importantly for the family, Joshua is in remission, His next yearly check up is in September. He now has a little brother, Elijah, 2. The family is completed by two dogs Peregrina loves taking for walks to Shelby Farms and to enjoy the sunset. She recently answered questions from Midsouthmoms.com:

Do you miss being an anchor or working in the news business? Yes, I would love to get back to it. But English has been hard for me to learn. I don’t know why. I learned French and used to be fluent in Hebrew, but English has been difficult. Maybe I can get back into it in the future.

What’s the best thing about living in the Mid-South? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

What was it like at St. Jude? St. Jude was wonderful. They picked us up at the airport and were ready to do tests on Joshua right away. Joshua’s doctors and nurses were great. Dr. Raul Ribeiro in particular was wonderful. For him, helping children is his mission. He wants children to not be in pain, and he wants them to be happy and become healthy. He was always there for Joshua. He is just a great human being, not just a doctor. And his nurses were so wonderful as well.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Since my mom had a swimming school, I always swam. I was still in high school when I qualified for the Olympics. I was the Latin American champion, but my dad wouldn’t let me go to the Olympics. He wanted me not miss school. I really didn’t mind all that much. I pursued swimming more as an obligation to my family than because I liked it. Now it’s different. Today I love swimming very much.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids? Swimming, going to the movies, taking walks. One thing I really like to do that I don’t get to do much is to have a great meal with friends and family while listening to music, laughing and talking. I love great food; it’s my downfall. I miss having dinners the way we did in Mexico.

Any brushes with celebrities? Joshua and I did a commercial with Antonio Banderas for St. Jude in Universal Studios. He is an extraordinary person. And we met others who came by Target House, like Tiger Woods, Justin Timberlake and many more.

What’s one thing that always makes your day? Spending the weekend with the kids, going to take a walk to the park with the dogs and watch them run and swim.

If you were to give praise to someone right now, who would it be? To all who helped us get treatment for Joshua and who helped him get better.

How are you doing on your 2010 New Year’s resolutions? Well, I more than resolutions, I have some wishes for this year – to do well at work and for the kids not to miss out on anything. In these economic times, photography is not a priority for anyone, so the business is tough.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a mom? To organize your time to find the time to be a mom, wife, to do your job – and to make time for yourself.

What important goal do you have for the next three months? I would like to have a bigger photo studio and to add some equipment. Something a bit bigger would be nice.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? I take a walk with the dogs. We have two dogs, and they love going for walks to Shelby Farms.

What’s your favorite pastime? I love editing photos; it calms me. I love being creative.

Do you have a secret you never told your parents? And why would I tell now?

What inspires you? My sons, nature, animals. I love sunsets.

What’s been the most challenging time of your life? The death of my dad and the illness of my son in the same year.

Have you had any regrets about your life so far? I would have liked to have traveled more, maybe backpacked through Europe. I would have liked to have seen Asia and Africa, but when Joshua got sick, my life changed completely. However, I have to say that living with a child who is so ill is not all bad. Looking back, there are so many wonderful things that came out of it: adventures and new things we experienced -- morally, psychologically. In all aspects, it was a period of immense growth. Through the worst things that have happened to me, some of the best things came to me.

What’s one thing you did growing up that you hope your children won’t do? I cannot take kids who cry a whole lot. But my mom says I was just like that.

Did your mom work while you were growing up? Yes. She had a swimming school and always was a swimming teacher. I taught too, with her.

My self-admitted most annoying habits (according to family and friends): What people tell me who have just met me is that they think I am very quiet and hard to get to know. It’s true that I am reserved at first, but when they get to know me, I am very different.

What was the last good book you read? I read a book that really made me laugh recently. Its English title translates to something like “Why Men Love Tough Women.”

What’s your most extravagant purchase ever? My house.

If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be? I would love to meet the Brazilian writer Pablo Coelho. I would like to have coffee with him and talk.

How has being a mom changed you? I am a different person now. Women are like coins that have two different sides, and we flip to the other side once we have kids. When you have children, your entire world changes. It’s a transition that’s very unique.

What are your dreams for the coming year? I always hope that I will continue to have the strength that Joshua helped me find and that I will be humble and strive to be a better person, as well as a better photographer.

Things I like: Good food in general, eating with friends, red wine, un buen puro, nature, Japanese food, Mexican food and Arabic food.

Things I don’t like: misplaced ambition. What I mean is, don’t obsess to have and buy things. It makes me sad when people just place all their energy into getting more and bigger things. I also detest lies and cheating.

How did you meet your husband? I first saw him while I was riding horses. I liked him, but he was dating someone else. When we had a party at my house, someone invited him. We started dating. We have been together for 18 years.

What did you study? I have a degree in communications from the University of Guadalajara.

Why could Joshua not be treated in Mexico? He could have, but he was misdiagnosed. The doctor told me at the time that Joshua was going to die. He said we could try some treatment, but it would could $500,000 and the chance that it would help was very slim. I decided against that. If they hadn’t misdiagnosed him, he could have gotten help in Mexico. St. Jude was interested in treating him because he had never had any kind of treatment. That is rare. I had to fight the doctors in Mexico not to treat him but just to help him until we could get to St. Jude. The doctor was not very helpful.

What has cancer meant to Joshua? He’s a great kid. He has lost many of his friends he met at St. Jude to cancer. He says they have become angels. For a while, he would tell me from time to time when I asked him what he was doing that he was playing with one of them. I would just say, “Oh, OK.” I don’t know what that means. Maybe we can talk about it one day.

Are you still involved with St. Jude? Yes. Joshua has to get yearly check ups for a total of 10 years. He has been in remission for more than two years now. His next check up is in September. We also participate in the annual radiothon to help raise money to help more children at St. Jude.

Does Joshua participate in the radiothons? Yes. Joshua always says things for the campaign. He says he does not want more of his friends to become little angels and that help is needed for these children.

Top Picks:

Favorite children’s book: “Juan Salvador Gabiota” or, in English, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach.

Product you couldn’t live without: A camera.

Favorite Memphis locale: Wherever I can see a great sunset. The Mississippi River, for example.

Favorite movie: “Como ague para chocolate” because it’s about what being a woman is all about.

Favorite recreational activity: Walking.

Favorite book: So many …

Favorite music: instrumental music, piano, lounge music and anything from the 1980s.

Favorite TV show: “The Real World” because I love the concerts.

Favorite de-stress technique: Taking a walk with the dogs. ]]> Spotlight on Mom! midsouthadmin 950 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2967 <![CDATA[What's the best thing about living in the Mid-South?]]> http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2966&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:01:25 GMT 191 *What’s the best thing about living in the Mid-South? Attachment 276... What’s the best thing about living in the Mid-South?


Attachment 276
"The best thing about living in the Mid-South is that if I want to take my kids to do some of the fun activities that are available to us, we only have to travel 30-40 minutes to do so. We then get to come back home to our little piece of property in the country and feed fish and chickens and pick from the garden. We have the best of both worlds in the Mid-South."
Shelley Pike
Oakland, Anatomy & Physiology teacher at Arlington High School, two children



Attachment 275
"For me, I love all of the family oriented activities that the Mid-South has to offer, at reasonable prices. We do a lot with our kids."
Lesha Poplar
Midtown, store manager - Wet Seal, two children



Attachment 277
"I like the weather here in the Mid-South. You don't have to worry about too many tornadoes and really cold weather. And I love the food we have here."
Tamecia Johnson
Southeast Memphis, library worker with Shelby County Schools, four children

Next week’s question:

"How are you doing on your 2010 New Year's resolutions?"
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]]> TeamMomShannon 1869 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2966 Spotlight on Mom - Elizabeth Blondis http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2965&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:31:45 GMT 179 Image: http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx347/jess0848/E1-2.jpg Photo credit: Sonja Luecke *By Sonja Luecke* Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight...

Photo credit: Sonja Luecke
By Sonja Luecke

Midsouthmoms.com “Spotlight on Mom” – Elizabeth Blondis


Elizabeth Blondis moved to Memphis from her native Moweaqua, Ill., on a whim. She had just graduated from college, and her friend had gotten a job in Memphis. She planned to stay a few years but met her husband, Craig, when she was bartending at Poplar Lounge. He worked at Garibaldi’s Pizza at the time, and the two started going out after she ordered a pizza.
The couple married in April, 2002, the same month Craig and his business partner, Roger Sapp, opened Central BBQ in Midtown. While Craig and Roger had participated on barbecue championship cooking teams for years, Elizabeth was entirely unfamiliar with Memphis barbecue. “I hadn’t really had it. Now I eat it almost every day,” she says.
During their first year of marriage, Elizabeth hardly saw her husband, who was working 14 to 16 hours a day, from open to close, napping in the car in the parking lot. She joined the family business as catering and shipping director after their daughter, Charlotte, was born. Elizabeth helps make sure the restaurant is a green business, participating in Project Green Fork, and supports the community in different ways. Central BBQ has been the official food vendor at Blues on the Bluff for years, and donates all proceeds to WEVL. Elizabeth also personally brings food to teachers at local schools and children and staff at charitable organizations. Central BBQ is located on Central Avenue in Midtown and on Summer Avenue. Elizabeth hopes they will open a third location in the next year. She is the mom of Charlotte, 4, and Graham, 2. Sh recently answered questions from Midsuthmoms.com:


What is the most challenging aspect of being a mom?
Balancing things, prioritizing, scheduling and remembering to stop and play.

What’s one thing that always makes your day?
Hugs, kisses and “I love yous.”

What important goal do you have for the next three months?
To complete all the projects I started this summer: the web site and house renovations.

What’s your favorite pastime?
Reading, cooking and riding my bike.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your kids?
Taking family bike rides through downtown and for mom and dad to enjoy a beer and the kids a soda on Beale Street.

What’s your most extravagant purchase ever?
Recently, a Garmin watch with a heart rate monitor, calorie counter and satellite.

What else do you hope to do in the near future?
Our restaurant is a green restaurant. We have been certified for about a year and are part of Project Green Fork. We use environmentally friendly packaging, we recycle, we compost, we use environmentally friendly cleaners and we have done an energy audit to reduce our energy use. We hope to encourage other restaurants to do the same.

Have you had any regrets about your life so far?
There are many situations in which I wish I had reacted differently and treated people better. I hope to have learned from those situations,


Things I like: Nice people.


Things I don’t like: Mean, snobbish people.


What’s the nicest thing that has happened to you in the past three months?
I just got back from a vacation on the Pacific coast in Mexico with Craig, my kids and my parents.


What big worry did you have recently that has not come to pass?
I had an over-scheduled day right before we were to leave on vacation, and I came down with a stomach virus. As a result, I could not participate in either of the two big activities I had planned. But in the end, everything worked out for me.


If you were to give praise to someone right now, who would it be?
Craig – just for being himself.


How are you doing on your 2010 New Year’s resolutions?
I am getting there. I have signed up for training for the St. Jude half marathon.


What’s the best thing about living in the Mid-South?
The people, the food and all the great things to do.


What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
If possible, get away form everyone and get some exercise outside.


Do you have a secret you never told your parents?
Many.


If you had one wish, what would it be?
One day all to myself.


What inspires you?
All the great charitable work people do to make the world better for other people.


What’s been the most challenging time of your life?
After my son was born.


What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am shy, and I get nervous meeting new people.


What’s one thing you did growing up that you hope your children won’t do?
Too many to count, and too embarrassing to tell.


Did your mom work while you were growing up?
She stayed at home but helped my dad, a farmer. She worked while I was in high school.


My self-admitted most annoying habits (according to family and friends):
Craig hates it when I don’t finish sweeping the floor. The pile just doesn’t make it into the dustpan.


What was the last good book you read?
“Little Bee” by Chris Cleave


What’s your most embarrassing moment with your children?
Graham recently learned about tooting, and he announces it loudly when anyone in his vicinity does.


What’s your favorite indulgence?
Wine and food.


Any brushes with celebrities?
Bobby Flay filmed a segment at the restaurant a few years ago.


If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be?
Tom Petty – I love him. I had a photo of him in my high school locker, and I am going to see him play in Nashville this week.


How has being a mom changed you?
I re-prioritized everything.


What are your dreams for the coming year?
To finish everything I have started. Then, I hope we’ll open up another restaurant.


How did you meet your husband?
I was bartending, and he came in. I overhears him say he worked at Garibaldi’s. So a few days later, I ordered a pizza there and picked it up. We made plans to go out and have been together ever since.


How long have you been together?
Eleven years.


Where are you from?
Moweaqua, Ill., a very small town. But it’s beautiful there.


How did you get to Memphis?
After graduating from college, I moved here with a friend of mine who had gotten a job in Memphis. I had had plans to move to Dallas, Texas, but changed my mind and came with her.


What is your degree in?
Advertising.


Where did you go to school?
University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale.


How did you like Memphis after moving here?
It was very different. I had grown up in a small town and went to college in a small town. People here talked differently and were so nice. The South is different, but I liked it. I am still here!


What jobs did you hold after college?
Several. Nothing lasted very long. I worked in advertising sales, later as a paralegal. After my first child was born, I started working at Central BBQ.


How did you guys get the idea to open your own restaurant?
Many things just kind of came together at the same time. Craig had worked in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years. Roger Sapp, his friend and business partner, had had his own restaurants and was ready to open another. The Central BBQ building was available, and Roger and Craig had been participating in barbecue cooking championships for years. So they opened Central first and five years later our location on Summer Avenue.


What did you think?
I am from Illinois, and I didn’t really eat barbecue. I do now, I almost eat it every day.


How was it opening your own restaurant?
It was stressful. After buying the building, it took nine months of renovations. Craig and I got married the same month we opened the restaurant, in April 2002. The first year of our marriage, I rarely saw him. He worked 14 to 16 hours a day in the restaurant. He took naps in the car in the parking lot.


How did business go?
It took off from the start. We were very, very lucky!


Have you guys won any barbecue cooking awards?
Yes, several. We were the grand champions one year at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena. We also won others, but now we no longer have the time to participate in championship competitions.


What are your future business plans?
We hope to open another restaurant in the next year, and a few more in the coming years.


How is the Summer location doing?
Great. It has a much bigger kitchen and allows us to do more catering and shipping. We ship our barbecue anywhere in the United States. Our ribs are our bestseller.


Do your kids eat barbecue?
They are just starting to. They were totally into chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. They now both eat barbecue,


What do you hope to inspire in your children?
Just that they develop a good sense for right and wrong, that they give back to the community and that they have a good work ethic.


What are some things you look forward to doing with them?
Everything, but one thing is barbecue championships once they’re old enough that I don’t have to watch them every second.


What else do you hope to do in the near future?
Our restaurant is a green restaurant. We have been certified for about a year and are part of Project Green Fork. We use environmentally friendly packaging, we recycle, we compost, we use environmentally friendly cleaners and we have done an energy audit to reduce our energy use. We hope to encourage other restaurants to do the same.


Top Picks:

Favorite book: “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn
Favorite music: Tom Petty
Favorite children’s book: “Where the Wild Things Are”
Favorite TV show: “The Office” and “Real Housewives”
Favorite movie: “Dr. Shivago.”
Favorite recreational activity: Biking and running
Favorite timesaving tip: Getting up early to exercise. When I get back, start laundry, lunches and breakfast when everyone is just getting up.
Product you couldn’t live without: I could live without TIVO, but I don’t want to.
Favorite de-stress technique: Exercise followed by wine
Favorite Memphis locale: Cooper-Young ]]> Spotlight on Mom! midsouthadmin 950 http://midsouthmoms.com/data/assets/boards/midsouthmoms/showthread.php?t=2965