When life and work get a little too overwhelming for Christa Tobey, she takes a deep breath—in her own home.  The Powder Springs mom of four kids (and four dogs) has a scent warmer constantly heated, pumping out a fragrance that she finds calming. “It gives me the illusion of clean, even if my house isn’t,” she laughs.  “Takes the stress right out.” Aromatherapy is credited with doing that for lots of moms. It’s been touted as an aid for easing stress, anxiety and insomnia.  “I know it makes moms feel good,” Terri Mackey asserts. Mackey peddles “wickless scented wax” in the Powder Springs …

Cheryl Corbitt makes magic with her hands on a daily basis for her at-home craft business, Georgia Girl Crafts and More. But the Lithia Springs mom and grandma veers off her usual quilting and stitchery path to amuse herself when she’s not giving demonstrations and shows. “I got into jewelry making a few years ago, and I really enjoy it,” she says. “I’m always looking for something different to do that’s creative.” Virginia Puckett from Ginny Lou Creations in Powder Springs has taken her creativity with ceramics and used it in her jewelry making.  “I actually make beads from polymer clay, and…

We know exercise is “good” for us; all the experts tell us so. But does that make you want to do it after a long day at work and with the kids? Some Powder Springs moms, like Carol Tamaris, would say yes—if it’s tennis. “I play around the home community, a game here and there. It’s fun, and it’s a good workout." Vickie Williams agrees. She’s the assistant superintendant of recreation programs for Paulding County, as well as a mom, grandma and occasional tennis player.  “We see lots of moms in our tennis programs," she explains. "They go in for some fun, some time away from the kids, and they …

The popular Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival, put on by Wendell and Rene' Hardy of Powder Springs, is set return to Dallas on Friday and Saturday. Entering its 37th year of operation, the music park at 332 Music Park Path promotes bluegrass and gospel music, the Hardys say. Another show is scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10. Over the years, upgrades have included increased parking, restroom facilities, a playground and a limited number of camper hookups. Reservations should be made for camping sites. The concert area includes a large covered seating area. Concessions are available, including …

A pileated woodpecker off Thornton Road is entertaining Joanne Turner. The Powder Springs mom says her property backs up to the wetlands, so the birds regularly put on a show for her and her family. Turner’s idea of “me time” is gazing at the wildlife in her backyard and figuring out what kind of birds they are. "Mom’s really into birds,” Turner’s 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth laughs. “We have a hummingbird feeder and a food fountain for them.” “We also have a birdhouse feeder with a glass back suctioned onto one of our windows,” Turner adds. “I love watching them drink and bathe in …

Angie DeLoach has spent the last few days decorating a humongous table of cakes and goodies for Father’s Day. The Powder Springs mom of a grown son has trained more than her share of cake decorators, too, for the Kroger grocery chain for which she works. “It’s always been a job I loved,” she relates with a laugh. “I started training while I was carrying my son, and I’ve trained a lot of other moms." "For me," she continues, "it’s not a hobby—it’ a career I enjoy. Not everyone getsto write ‘happy’ every day, but I do.” Lots of moms would like to learn, and shows like Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss…

Dealing with her young teens and a high-powered ad agency job is Cathy Lepik's daily juggling act.  But the Powder Springs mom has made a concerted effort to carve out a little "me" time lately for one of her longtime loves—writing. Lepik calls writing "involuntary, like a sneeze – I just have to get it out!"  She started out as a journalist before working for BBDO, so she knew she had the ability. Then she attended Lauretta Hannon's Down Home Writing School workshops and felt inspired to write a book. Joan Evans is used to seeing writers like Lauretta and Cathy scribbling in her Tea Room in …

With a new baby and an active four-year-old at home, Ashley Schaeffer of Powder Springs didn't have much time to go shopping for things like birthday presents.  But she had a couple of canvasses and some paint, so she put her favorite hobby to use for her mother-in-law's birthday. "I painted a family tree, with birds representing family members," Ashley reminisced. "She loved it, and I really got hooked on painting." Ajaye O'Brien is seeing a lot of that these days at The Country Store at Seven Springs on Marietta Street, where he has leased out a gallery and painting space, and teaches art …

Scarlett Gipson glances hopefully at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center, planning her resurrection in her head. “I need to get me back,” says the Powder Springs mother of a couple of teens and a tween. As she walks over to sign up for the twice-a-week course at the center, she says: “I think Zumba will give me some planned ‘me’ time." Zumba is the latest exercise mania to strike the Atlanta area. Schools have hopped onboard, with some teachers showing kids the basics in non-study time in an effort to teach them healthy exercise habits.  But for moms, it can be a way to seize or reclaim their …

Phones are jangling in the background and kids are laughing at Beth Shillinglaw’s home in Powder Springs. Shillinglaw is trying to put together an agenda for the next MOMS Club of Powder Springs meeting.  “It’s always busy here,” she says with a hectic half-laugh. The mom of a toddler and an active 5-year-old, she rarely gets a moment to shift into low gear. But when she does, she has a plan. “I like doing picnics in those rare segments of free time, but what I really love is to go to a day spa," she says. "Sometimes I’ll get a manicure or pedicure and then a massage.” Shillinglaw says the …

One motto Joy Norris lives by is “Love what you do and do what you love."   So it’s no surprise that the Powder Springs mom, vocal coach and praise team director spends her time with music, both for work and relaxation. Norris travels around the country, working professionally with church choirs and praise teams. But that doesn’t stop her from kicking back and enjoying someone else’s efforts.  “I like to listen to jazz while I sit by the pool," she explains. She has also taken her husband and children to concerts.  “When I had an assignment out in California, I got tickets for us to see Trans…

The cheapest getaway you’ll ever discover is as close as the nearest stack of books. At least it is for Powder Springs mom Kim Gamblin. “I like to lose myself in a mystery,” she said. “I prefer books with action, some romance, and maybe a twist in the ending.” With two sons—ages 3 and 6—and a 5-year-old daughter, Gamblin doesn't have that much time to read. “I don’t have free time,” she explained. But when she does, she finds a cozy corner and pops open a book. Rhonda Walton’s “cozy corner” is usually “somewhere with plump pillows in my house.” The active mom and grandma writes book reviews …

Combine old-world skill with new-world technology and fabrics both old and new and what do you get? A whole lot of fun and family folk art—all in the form of a quilt. Marie Wigley of Powder Springs spends her spare time making memories for her family. The mom of a newly grown daughter says she picked up quilting in the last few years as a pressure valve release. “It’s relaxing,” Wigley confides. “It puts me in another world. I leave everything else behind—all my worries, all my cares—when I’m working on a quilting project.” She’s worked on several, in fact. “I’ve made a good 20 or more quilts…

Time flies for Kerry Hardie, but she likes to remember where she’s been. The Powder Springs mom has a pair of teenage boys who keep her constantly on the go, so to savor her moments with them, she turns to scrapbooking. Hardie’s not the only Powder Springs parent preserving family history. Vickie Leeman throws scrapbooking parties via her company, Stampin’ Up.  “I’m an independent demonstrator,” she explained, “and a lot of moms are into it. They find it relaxing and stress relieving. And it’s a lot of fun to do with a group of friends.”  In fact, Leeman said her Sunday parties are among the …

"Hurry up and wait" seems to be the theme for most moms in Powder Springs. After all, life in the 21st century does move quickly. Angie Queen certainly feels that way—especially after recently launching her bath and body products company, Organically Yours, in Dallas off Highway 92.  “Do moms have ‘me’ time?” Queen wondered with a laugh. She and her daughter were spending her birthday this week in one of her rare "me time" moments, doing what she likes to do best: having a leisurely meal together on the Town Square and perusing through antique shops in the area.  “We go out to lunch, do …

Doing yard work may not be enjoyed by everyone, but for gardening moms, it can be a blessing—an easy getaway from the kids. Kim Kornblatt certainly looks at it that way.   “When I get that rare free moment, I work in my yard. It’s very therapeutic (and) very quiet,” she said. Kornblatt is raising three teenagers while running PearTree Interiors & Gifts on Marietta Street in downtown Powder Springs, so “quiet” is also rare for her. The kids may complain about drizzle and rain, but Kornblatt digs in. Most gardeners don’t mind a little dampness because it makes the soil malleable, and they know …

Candace Prichard says she’s not “officially” a mom—she’s more like a “bonus mom.”  She has a young stepdaughter she looks after part-time, and she’s a nanny for a local family, when she’s not selling Miche Bags from home.  “I don’t have too much spare time,” she says. But when she can break free, she does—on a motorcycle. “Driving the back roads is a great way to de-stress.” Steve Haehn, the sales manager of Metro Cycles in Lithia Springs, says female bikers at his place tend to go for the smaller cruisers, like the V Star or the Suzuki S40. Others select a sport bike such as the Ninja 250.  …

When Briana Stewart Aaron of Powder Springs gets some time to herself, away from her small son and husband, she knows exactly what to do. First, she scratches her head and chuckles: “Like that happens?” Then she heads straight to the thrift store. “I love sifting for bargains,” Aaron said. She calls digging through mounds of clothes and buckets of educational toys “the thrill of the hunt.” Diane Prevatt, who owns Hand-Me-Up’s in downtown Powder Springs, loves seeing moms wander into her consignment store, looking for the same bargains Aaron seeks.  “We specialize in women’s and children’s …

Your job can be hectic, and your kids can get on your last nerve. So when you get a moment for yourself, where do you spend it? If you’re Crystal Wicker, you’re probably hanging out at work. The Powder Springs resident has a special job. She serves serenity—and an eye-popping assortment of teas—at Tea at Seven Springs. “My sister brought me here before I even started working here," she said of the downtown Powder Springs business. "It’s a great escape.” In fact, most of the moms who work at Tea at Seven Springs spend their “me” time there, too. Sandra Wells—who keeps the books for the shop, …

Mom's "time off" can be a rare thing in Powder Springs. While kids get a break from school, Mom frequently plays entertainment director and sometimes must bring the kids along on her daily excursions. Powder Springs mom Stephanie Price is no exception. She took a trek this week to Hand-Me-Ups in downtown Powder Springs with her children, Haley and Brett, who are in third grade and sixth grade, respectively. It was then Price admitted that she doesn't get a lot of "me" time. "I work part time at Yankee Candle at the Avenue, which is my 'me' time," she explained. "I love it there. But I'm also …