Moms

Silicon Valley Moms Blog
Open Letter to Dianne Feinstein: Say NO to Stupak Abortion-Coverage Ban Language In The Health Care Reform Bill

svmgadmin

20 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

Dear Senator Dianne Feinstein.Usually, I sit on the sidelines and listen to infuriating discussions going on in the political arena from my couch. By nature, I am one to avoid conflict. I listen, try to make informed decisions and cast my vote each and every election. From time to time, I get fired up and lend my support to a cause (or two). In general, I am silent. Probably like most Americans; too busy to tackle politics because we are working, raising a family and just trying to stay above water with life. But today, I realized that I could not sit back in silence. This…
The Two Day Macy's One Day Sale

Akemi/svtwinmom

20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

I should have seen the clues. Going up the escalator of my local Macy's, I shared the ride with a dozen or so women, all toting armfuls of clothes. The store was abuzz. It was only 11am on a Tuesday morning and the parking lot was full.Apparently, I'd gone to get lipstick on the day of the Macy's One Day Sale. And that's not a good thing when you're pressed for time and out of lipstick.Clearly, I am not the shopper I once was, or I would have known about this sale (and avoided it.) I looked around, everywhere there were women. It was a bit of a frenzy. Everywhere there were sale signs. Steep…
More Cool Parent Points Scored

David

19 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

Every parent knows what a Cool Parent point is, right? You know, you earn Cool Parent points in those moments when your kids don’t think you’re a nerd, a geek, too bossy, or someone who is ruining your life. You collect Cool Parent points when you do something cool. Like when Alix took her kids to check out a blogger event featuring a new Tony Hawk video game. Or when Big Little Wolf let her son host a teen party in her backyard. Cool Parent moments are meant to be cherished. Now then, as a single parent on the dating scene, I admit I actually have a social life apart from me being a…

Good Mom / Bad Mom
The Trouble with the Internet

20 Nov 2009 | 5:26 am

By Mindy Sterba The Internet has done so much to redefine 'personal' relationships. We establish friendships with people who are in places that we have never visited, we establish close bonds with those who, in real life, we might pass...
Wordless Wednesday: 0 for $3.95. Seem unreasonable.

18 Nov 2009 | 7:15 am

Jenny (bloggess & mom of a 5 year old)...
Wordless Today

18 Nov 2009 | 4:02 am

By Mindy Sterba, Parenteeng Survivor A restaurant somewhere here on Earth....

White Trash Mom
4 Year Old Mastered ‘Miracle’ Speech, Watch the Video!

Josh Sacco has watched the movie Miracle so many times, he can recite Kurt Russell's speech by heart. The movie is about the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team's legendary upset of Russia, has made quite an impression on the boy. This little guy is DARLING. Watch the Video ...
Jon Gosselin: Worst Ex Ever? Cast Your Vote!

Jon Gosselin. Could he win the award for worst ex ever? After Jon stopped TLC from filming the kids this past week because of his “epiphany”, he said he wanted to be friends with Kate. Huh? Jon went on national TV and claimed Kate Gosselin abused him? He has said he ...
Wichita: The Movie! Hollywood Finally Realizes What I’ve Known for Ages!

Wichita, the movie is now in production. The Wichita movie stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz and for reasons that are unclear, the flick is shooting near Boston? Why the producers would want to shoot the movie outside my lovely hometown is beyond me but I'm just glad Hollywood has finally ...

Kimchi Mamas
BANANA

Kimchi

19 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm

Please join Julie as she represents the Kimchi Mamas at BANANA, an Asian/Pacific American blogger symposium, at USC on Saturday. Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm Location: University of Southern California (USC) Street: University Park Campus, Taper...
Forms of Torture at Korean Hair Salons

Kimchi

19 Nov 2009 | 2:50 pm

The comments in the last post inspired me to write this post. =) Korean hair salons (at least the ones I've been to in the LA area) have some fancy smancy forms of torture. Have you ever had to endure...
I like myself just how I am, I think?

Kimchi

17 Nov 2009 | 1:33 pm

So, I have some extra time to myself this week while my daughter is spending some time with her dad. The plan: haircut! I haven't gotten my hair cut in over six months. My last hairdresser said something about "oriental...

Parentopia
Pipe Down Those Pipes

Aviva

29 Oct 2009 | 7:18 pm

The New York Times article For Some Parents, Shouting Is the New Spanking ran last week in the print version as well as on-line. That very day, we began receiving numerous emails from parents in search of alternatives to raising their voices. When we were both interviewed for the New York Time's piece, we expected the Times article would include a "what to do" component in their coverage. As we
Baby Einstein Offers Refund To Parents: It's been a long time comin' folks.

Devra and Aviva

24 Oct 2009 | 7:29 am

If you happened to be in the audience on a rainy cold November 9,2005 when we were speaking at the Stamford Jewish Community Center's Sara Walker Nursery School you would have heard us tell a group of over 120 parents, "Einstein did not have Baby Einstein videos and he seemed to have turned out okay." Now the makers of the video are facing that reality and finally 'fessing up that their videos
Is Shouting the New Spanking? IS IT? WELL?

Devra

22 Oct 2009 | 12:51 pm

Update! I will be part of a panel discussion today at 12:30 EST on MSNBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman Show. As I said on Twitter and Facebook, I am trying not to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Although MochaMomma urged me to "PLEASE have a wardrobe malfunction, a planned one." Gotta admit, it's tempting. Too bad I don't have extra pasties from BlogHer '06. I hope you'll tune in and send me "

The Daily Bitch
NaDruBloMo is HERE!

aka_Monty

1 Nov 2009 | 5:47 am

As you "writers" know, the annual panic and pressure (that you bring on yourselves, of course, because you DO realize that you will NOT actually be tortured or put to death if you don't finish, right?) of NaNoWriMo is upon us beginning today!National Novel Writing Month. Seriously, I admire you people so much for even trying, I love the premise of NaNoWriMo, but frankly it's WAY too hard and far beyond my scope of capabilities. I actually signed up to try one year - long, long ago and far, far away - and I didn't even get started. My problem is that I simply can't write on demand, which is…
TEXT A THON!

aka_Monty

9 Sep 2009 | 2:57 pm

YES I KNOW, I HATE VIDEOS ON BLOGS.But I swear this time it's for a good cause. Would I lead you astray? Don't answer that. Shut up.As you may (or may NOT) know, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.My grandma died of ovarian cancer, so this is a cause that is near and dear to me, just like my grandma was.My grandma was made of AWESOME. She always knew exactly how to cook my eggs. EXACTLY. EVERY SINGLE TIME.She taught me how to sop up the egg yolk with toast...and she always made toast under the broiler and it was the BEST EVER. She gave me coffee and homemade hot chocolate --no…
My Little Contribution

aka_Monty

4 Sep 2009 | 9:50 pm

WOO! All the audio files for each session from BlogHer Chicago '09 are posted for your listening pleasure!And if you listen carefully to the intros, you just might hear a familiar voice.CHECK THEM OUT!

Oh, The Joys
Webcam Schmebcam

20 Nov 2009 | 4:51 am

In jest, one of the members of the Board of Directors where I work teased that the organization should set up a webcam to watch what I really do on days when I work from home.There is no need to go to all that trouble.Beginning at 9:00 a.m., I open the door to several of the U.S. National Park Service's finest Park Rangers and we play strip poker until everyone is down to their hats.Then we have a naked disco dance party for the rest of the afternoon.[I don't ever stay in my pajamas, load the dishwasher, process the family laundry or scarf down less than desirable leftovers between back to…
Imagine A World

6 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pm

Last night The Rooster announced that no one in her class likes the color pink."But that’s crazy," I said. "Imagine the world without pink!""There wouldn't be any pink in the sky during sunrise or sunset!""Imagine a world without pink lemonade or baby piglets!"The Mayor and The Rooster enthusiastically added their own list of pink things that would be missed.This evolved into an elaborate game of “Imagine the world without…”We imagined the world without a wole series of colors and then shifted to letters."What would the world be like without the letter B?" I asked."No butts!" The…
Obligatory Postween Photos

1 Nov 2009 | 7:28 am

Between the Halloween Candy Buy Back Program and the age-old Inter-Sibling Trade Negotiations, I had an hour off this morning!There must be something wrong with my children though... all the chocolate candy is in the bag for the soldiers and they only kept the sour, gummy, odd things.[Suddenly I'm feeling rather Semper Fi...]The CarversThe Rooster The MayorHappy Day of the Dead!

TechMamas
Twitter & Social Media for Support & Healing: Cyber Hugs to Anissa Mayhew

Beth B.

20 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am

I just recently took one of the Twitter psych tests and it turns out I am very connected but not very emotional on Twitter.I wondered, is that a good or bad thing? Was that darn test insulting me or setting me straight? I do admit that I try to keep my emotions offline and my words of wisdom online. My strategy is to share news and information about technology relevant to moms, families or anyone involved in social media. But it is times like these where I feel emotion index will be rising...... For some time I have been dealing with some of my own treasured family members that have cancer.
Guest Post: A New Believer in Surround Sound

Beth B.

19 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm

I invite moms who work at companies to share their information about technology from the "moms" perspective. On my search to learn more about the digital living room, I thought it would be interesting to hear from a mom who works at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. **Guest post by Robin L. Selden – Senior Vice President, Marketing, Dolby Laboratories, Inc.Before I joined Dolby I have to admit I was completely sound ignorant. I never really understood what a quality surround sound experience could be like in my home. I’m not a complete novice when it comes to technology – I came to Dolby with…
Who Says You Can't Be a Geek, Mom, Blogger & Athlete?

Sarah Granger

17 Nov 2009 | 3:24 pm

As TechMama's compatriot blogger and co-mom-geek, Beth invited me to blog here all about how I'm a semi-finalist in this awesome contest sponsored by Microsoft Office to win a trip to the Olympics. Needless to say, I'm really psyched.It actually doesn't end there - the grand prize includes a trip to the Consumer Electronics Show and a brand new laptop! You know I'll be blogging about that too. But to win, I need votes. As many votes as possible. Every day. It's easy to register and vote. Just go to OfficeWinterGames.com and I'm the last one on the list of women bloggers.I first laced up ice…

entrepreMusings
Contemplating A Blogging Break

Aruni

4 Nov 2009 | 8:07 pm

I’m seriously considering a very long blogging break while I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Or shall I say what I want this blog to be as it grows up. The posts have been kind of random lately…a bit out of focus like I feel these days. I was having lunch with one of my advisers today who always pumps me up. He’s almost 70 years old and calls himself a recycled dad because he has grand kids older than his youngest kids. I like him a lot because he’s used to working with strong, smart, professional women. In the company he founded some 30 years…
Happy Halloween

Aruni

31 Oct 2009 | 7:04 pm

I remember Halloween being one of my favorite holiday’s of the year as a kid and even as I got older. This year my son dressed up as a scary skeleton, my daughter dressed up as a princess, and I dressed up in an Egyptian princess (Queen Nefertiti) costume I’ve had laying around for probably 8 years from a Halloween party we had at the house. I think I surprised a few people who came to the door. In the last few years, I haven’t been that motivated to put on the costume while their dad took them out around the neighborhood. So I usually greeted people in my blue jeans…
About Laughter

Aruni

28 Oct 2009 | 3:40 pm

This post called About Laughter came to me while I was in the shower the other day. I guess I was thinking about About Sleep, About Writing and About Car Paint when the word “laughter” popped into my head and then a blog post started forming. Laughter is the best medicine is an age old saying and according to: Laughter is the ‘best medicine for your heart on the University of Maryland Medical Center, Laughter is the Best Medicine on HelpGuide.org, and Laughter is the Best Medicine on Science Daily, laughter can help prevent heart attacks, help the terminally ill, create…

babyshrink.com
What to Do if a 2-Year-Old Isn’t Talking

Dr. Heather

10 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am

Hi Dr Heather, My 2 year old son isn’t talking yet. He socializes at daycare, we read books, and try to encourage him by pointing at objects and saying their name. He will ramble on in his own language & expect us to understand it & sometimes gets frustrated when we don’t. He communicates with us mainly with body language when he wants something, but he’s also so laid back, and almost feels like he doesn’t think he needs to speak. Every now & then he’ll come out with a word here & there & we acknowledge it with praise, and other times…
Advice for a preschooler who HUGS too much

Dr. Heather

3 Nov 2009 | 12:54 pm

Dear Dr. Heather, My 3-year-old son started nursery school a few weeks ago. Everything is fine except that he hugs the other kids too much! They do not want him to hug them and they wind up hitting him or running from his approach. The teachers have tried to talk to him about it and asked me to please try again tonight. Today he came home with 2 more scratches on his face. I don’t know what to tell him to make him understand, and I want him to have a good experience at school. Help! London Dad Dear London Dad, Even though it may seem like your son is the only one with difficulties in…
All that anxiety for nothing!

Dr. Heather

20 Oct 2009 | 12:25 pm

Here’s Sasha Liana, 7 lbs, 13 ounces, 5 days old: After feeling lousy all day, it finally occurred to me that — duh — it might be labor. It was then that I decided to head down to our local Safeway, which inexplicably has the only supply of H1N1 vaccines on the island, to get my shot. After that, the contractions started. The whole thing from that point on was very fast, and we were only at the hospital for 3 hours when she was born — gratefully, without complications, and VERY easily. (And YES I had a form of an epidural, called an intrathecal, which worked wonders…

Dooce
Rivalry

dooce

20 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am

Chuck has put up with Coco's constant badgering, I think because he feels sorry for her that she's so nuts. But the other night he was sitting in the living room minding his own business when she ran up and tried to mount him, and DUDE SMACKED HER DOWN. Like, I AM DONE. And Jon and I gave him a standing ovation. click image above to see the photo on dooce.comby dooce in Daily Chuck© Armstrong Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Originally published by Heather B. Armstrong for dooce.com as Rivalry. This post cannot be republished without express written permission.
Stragglers

dooce

20 Nov 2009 | 8:02 am

These are the remaining leaves on the tree right outside the window to our office. It boggles my mind that it's the middle of November when it seems like just minutes ago that Jon had to use both feet to push my massive pregnant body out of bed, back when I couldn't wait for summer. Winter, here we come. click image above to see the photo on dooce.comby dooce in Daily Photo© Armstrong Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Originally published by Heather B. Armstrong for dooce.com as Stragglers. This post cannot be republished without express written permission.
Call for submissions

dooce

19 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

I am in the process of putting together a holiday gift guide, one for women like myself, one for geeky husbands, one for infants, and one for five-year-old girls who think life is totally unfair. Maybe just some coal for her. I'm looking for handmade goods, products from small businesses, and would love to see unique things from independent artists. If you've seen my style section and think I'd like what you have to offer, please send me a link to your stuff at style at dooce dot com. Note, I do not accept compensation for featuring products on this website, I truly just want to introduce my…

Slouching Past 40
It's Turkey Palooza Time!

slouchy

20 Nov 2009 | 1:42 am

Today I'm not here but there! IB, who loves Thanksgiving, is gleefully overseeing "The Idiot’s Super-Duper-Amazing-Pre-Thanksgiving-Holiday-Extravaganza-and-Parade (aka Turkey Palooza)." He invited several bloggers to post at his place on the subject of, you guessed it, Thanksgiving. Though we may lack IB's fervor, we all like Thanksgiving well enough. Or do we? Click over to Idiot's Stew if you want to know how my boys feel about Turkey Day. Happy clicking! And, of course, Happy Thanksgiving.
Bits and Pieces

slouchy

19 Nov 2009 | 10:05 am

Hello! (waves) It's been a while, hasn't it? I've got nothing. Nothing. (palms up) Unless you want to hear how Oscar the cat knocked my laptop off of the table? No? Yeah, I thought so. At least the computer wasn't damaged. (How in hell wasn't it damaged?) Maybe you'd like to hear about my twelve-year-old? Who responds to every single thing I say to him with a sigh -- that is, when he responds at all? No? Oh, that's right. Most of you have young children. Why would you want to hear about what comes next? (insert evil laugh) How about Seven? Who won't ever play by himself? That's getting a bit…
Other Voices, Other Rooms*

slouchy

12 Nov 2009 | 7:33 am

I lie sleepless in the apartment that was the stage for the second half of my childhood. In daylight, it is my brother's family's home. It is colorful and vibrant. My brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew, they are living lives here, and it shows. It is beautiful. When I close my eyes I see books, and I smell smoke. ********************* My mother has lit her last cigarette of the day. She is reading four books at once. Books are stacked precariously under and around three sides of the bed. It is far too late for me to be awake. There is no one to notice, no one to tuck me in. Maybe my mother…

Single Mom Seeking
Describing a nightmare can make it dissolve

singlemomseeking

17 Nov 2009 | 11:13 pm

Thank you all SO much for your virtual hugs this week. I really needed them, and I can’t tell you how much your words mean to me. I’ve spent the past few days facing my fears and doubts. When I’m vulnerable, I really do get angry. Oh, man, do I. I’m trying to channel all that angst into something positive. I’ve written letters and talked to the cops. I’ve stopped people on my street to talk and joined my local Neighborhood Watch. I was doing some reading online tonight (yeah, like every night!) that led me to this Los Angeles Times review of Bad Mother, A…
To the guys who robbed my home yesterday

singlemomseeking

13 Nov 2009 | 3:27 pm

How long were you desperate @%*& heads scoping out my place before you hit it? All I know is: you planned to bust in just I’d left to start an editing job for a new client. You came inside at broad daylight — and it figures that you went for my Mac Book first. (Fortunately, it was password-protected. Everyone — do that now.) But why the hell did you take my kid’s clunky six-year-old laptop? You couldn’t even give that thing away. What were you thinking? (I know the answer to that.) You threw every article of clothing I own onto my floor, in search of cash.
Single on Thanksgiving?

singlemomseeking

10 Nov 2009 | 9:37 am

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you know that I officially became a single mom on Thanksgiving. Looking back, I should have seen the signs. He was drinking more – and we weren’t sleeping together. Just before Thanksgiving, he’d told me he wouldn’t be coming with us to my Aunt Marge’s home, where we’d planned to spend the holiday. Instead, he wanted to stay in New York with his sisters for the holiday, something he hadn’t done for more than a decade. He was probably planning his big exit. He was probably mapping out the details to catch a…

Single Mom, Ms. Single Mama
I’m not crazy

mssinglemama

19 Nov 2009 | 8:18 pm

Really. I’m not. Why? Because E.T. says so. See? He’s clearly communicating with me here – sending me a telepathic message that the cute kid holding him needs to be the center of my life and that everything else must come secondary. But to keep the cute kid educated, happy and fed, I must sacrifice myself to do so… well, kind of – at least temporarily – or until I adapt to my new workload. I am sorry I have been so scant. Work is work and there is a lot of work at work. Did you follow that? If not — translation = I am even busier than before.
Overdue

mssinglemama

15 Nov 2009 | 2:24 pm

This weekend – the first of Benjamin’s “every other” weekends with his father – John Bear and I had two nights and one full day of long overdue us time. We haven’t had a weekend solo since our trip to the Poconos and New York City in August… and given all of the stress I’ve been under lately with the new job, the family drama, Benjamin’s new school and life in general I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to mellow out enough to just enjoy him. But I did. And we did – enjoy each other. Immensely. For 36 hours. Being with my…
The hero deadbeat?

mssinglemama

11 Nov 2009 | 5:47 pm

Have you heard about the April Baker story yet? If not, here’s the gist – woman (April Baker) Googles herself and finds a website built by her biological father (Dr. Scott Becker) asking her to contact him. After 30 years apart, the two were reunited with camera crews playing witness (see a picture here). As all loving reunions are, it’s a beautiful story. But, naturally, when I read it, I wanted to know more. Like, say, oh – why there needed to be a reunion in the first place. But every article I found focused on the Google search angle, the happy reunion but I…

Busy Mom Blog
Soles4Souls

14 Nov 2009 | 6:28 pm

I saw this on a billboard today, it just struck me (the cause, not the billboard) and I thought I'd share: Soles4Souls "facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used)." Simple as that. They give shoes to people who need them. There's several ways to participate, but the easiest seems to be to donate your gently used shoes at a drop location. Think about your closet. Maybe you have some shoes that just never quite fit you correctly, but you don't know what to do with them? Had a…
Do they still believe?

14 Nov 2009 | 3:11 pm

With the holidays right around the corner, this is bound come up in many families across the world. I'm not sure what to do. Busy D.and Busy Boy have no clue, but since Busy Boy is 13, I need to be on the lookout for him hearing about it at school. I can't tell with Busy Girl. I know she wants to believe, but there's some doubt, I can tell. I'm pretty sure that even at 49, my oldest still believes. I'm just not sure how long this can go on. On one hand, the kids might be ready to hear it. But, on the other hand they'll have to do this with their own families someday, so should I just let them…
Your guess is as good as mine

11 Nov 2009 | 8:54 pm

"I am...the soul wiper." Busy D. (age 7), in a James Brown-esque tone, upon returning to the pew after making his First Confession tonight.

Rocks In My Dryer
Ever Wondered...

Shannon

19 Nov 2009 | 5:19 pm

...if Compassion child sponsorship really does that much? If praying for a complete stranger makes a difference? Read this, and find out.
I Will Not Get a Dog

Shannon

15 Nov 2009 | 10:15 pm

"I will not get a dog," I said. There's just too much craziness going on right now. Things are too busy, and I cannot possibly have another life form dependent upon me at the moment.Never mind that children have begged and read books about canine obedience and have DVR'd The Dog Whisperer until it can't be DVR'd anymore. "I will not get a dog," I said. Someday, just not now.Never mind that I really, really love dogs. Never mind that my sweet eight-year-old boy loves dogs to the core of his being, and he's needed a boost of something special this…

Poshmama.com
Tips to Boost Your Immunity

Coach Jenn

The cold and flu season is moving right along. Here are some tips to boost your immunity. You can put your body into defense mode with a number of strategies based on recent research. Strengthen Your Diet We have heard that we should eat more veggies, fruits, whole grains, omega-3 foods, etc. to improve our overall health. Did you know that these foods also help boost your immunity? When your body is healthier, your illness fighting cells are also stronger. In addition to your fruits and veggies, try to by meats that are organic or at least antibiotic-free. Many experts feel that all of these…
LOUIS VUITTON CRUISE 2010 ST TROPEZ

Gabrielle Teare

Marc Jacobs excels again! After Saturdays all day rain we all need cheering up look at these fantastic clothes. Grecian drapery in soft cobalt blue. Gilded gold sandals. Sophisticated sundresses with sex appeal in canary yellow to match the searing sun. Look at that gorgeous must have clutch. Isabeli Fontana was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. Look how Marc Jacobs pulls off the French flirty coquette look with polka dots and red, white and blue the nautical colours. This is a spirited collection. I want these amazing glasses and the bikini as well chic, elegant and sexy. French chic…
Don't Make This Plateau Buster Mistake!

Holly Rigsby

"If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten" How long have you been doing the same workout routine? Feeling stuck with your results? It may be due to the fact that your body has hit a plateau. If you do not change up your workouts often enough, your body get used to it which leads to zero progress on your fat loss goals - not to mention the same routine can quickly become quite boring or even lead to burn out. Fabulous Fat Loss Results are achieved by adding variety to your fat loss workout plan by adjusting one or more workout program variables, such as....

All & Sundry
War wounds

sundry

19 Nov 2009 | 1:54 pm

Last night I was putting Riley to bed and asked what kind of story we should talk about, and he nonchalantly informed me that he’d really rather I go ahead and leave, since he was waiting for Daddy to do storytime. “Well,” I said, “I know Daddy normally puts you to bed, but tonight he’s putting Dylan to bed. Why don’t I tell you a story about—” He held up a small hand. “No,” he told me. “I don’t want any stories from you.” And he turned his back to me, at which point I kissed him goodnight and sadly shuffled from the…
Cheers

sundry

18 Nov 2009 | 1:22 pm

The first mile is always the hardest, it’s like my body isn’t quite sure what’s going on and my muscles are all a little too stiff and my pace feels janky and I feel stupidly self-concious and focused on tugging at my clothes since everything seems to be heading towards an unflattering, uncomfortable location. Then at some point my core tightens and I sort of lift up and re-arrange myself. My shoulders pull back, my arms move smoothly, my legs feel strong and good. I find a rhythm and work within it. My breath made of steady deep breaths: I leave uniform plumes of cold-air…
Good stuff, lately

sundry

16 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pm

Last Thursday I saw the Pixies on their Doolittle tour and it was absolutely amazing. I don’t know what I enjoyed more, the fact that judging by the thinning hairlines and mom-purses in the audience I was surely not the only person who had last seen them in concert twenty years ago, or the group singalong to “Hey” which featured a hundreds-strong voice singing as one: WHORES in my head WHORES in my door WHORES in my bed JB took Riley to Coos Bay for the weekend while he was down there elk hunting, and I thought it was going to be really hard being on my own with Dylan. And…

Attack of the Redneck Mommy
Hope Floats With a Good Boob Grab

Redneck Mommy

18 Nov 2009 | 10:25 am

When Shale died I remember sitting in the passenger seat of our vehicle, traveling towards the funeral home to make arrangements to bury our son and marveling at all the cars we passed on the highway. The people in those vehicles carried on like nothing had happened, like no one had died. Their lives were unaffected by the tragedy my family suddenly found itself mired in, and I couldn’t wrap my head around that. Surely the world should stop and take notice of my pain, I thought through the onslaught of tears that poured down my face. My world did take notice, and I’m forever…
Itchy Trigger Finger

Redneck Mommy

16 Nov 2009 | 7:41 am

This weekend, after watching a some lame arse television program (note to self: destroy all televisions within our home) my son asked me what the “little blue pill” was for. After staring at him with my mouth gaping wide open (a look that gets his father all hot and bothered) I tried telling him it was just a Flinstones vitamin. Apparently I’m either not as good at parental misdirection as I once was or my children are growing smarter than I am since he just looked at me, blinked and reminded me that children’s vitamins don’t come in blue, they come in PURPLE. He…
Laminated

Redneck Mommy

13 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

Like many happily married long time couples, my husband and I have found ourselves in bed, not having sex with each other yet happily discussing other people we’d like to have sex with if we were good looking, rich and or famous. That’s right. Why get hot and sweaty with each other when we can dream about our Laminated List. You know, the ones we’d give each other a free pass to see us naked if they didn’t call the police on us first. My husband has no problem with this game. In fact, his laminated list tends to grow in direct proportion to the increasing size of my…

Balancing Motherhood
‘Thanksgiving Day’ Children’s Book

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

17 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am

I was asked to be a guest reader in my son’s preschool last week. I was allowed to choose any book to read, so I started sorting through all of my steamy novels, um, I mean my son’s bookshelf. I found the “Thanksgiving Day” book we started reading in preparation for the upcoming holiday feast. [...]
Birthday Cakes and Bake Sale Items

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

12 Nov 2009 | 6:55 pm

It’s birthday cake time and I’m working on my next creation, but first I have to make bake sale items for my son’s preschool fall festival. I like to bake so it’s a natural for me to participate in this, but to be honest, I didn’t really have a choice because all of the other [...]
‘Sesame Street’ Turns 40, but Elmo’s Still 3 1/2

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

9 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am

Today, officially, Sesame Street turns 40. Back in 1969, the children’s show debuted on national television. It was a different show back then. You can purchase the original shows on DVD, but there is a disclaimer on the packaging saying they are for “adults only.” Katie McLaughlin from CNN.com wrote a great piece about the differences. [...]

CityMama™
I will cut you!

CityMama™

19 Nov 2009 | 4:54 pm

I will cut you! Originally uploaded by citymama Or, if you prefer, the alternate Mochamomma-inspired title, "CityMama will cut a bitch." It's me in my tiny kitchen, trying to take...
Protect Women's Reproductive Rights: Strike Down Stupak!

CityMama™

18 Nov 2009 | 3:55 pm

Note: As I am putting this post together, I am getting news that the new senate bill doesn't include Stupak language.That could change any moment. We need to keep up...
18 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm

CityMama™

18 Nov 2009 | 1:31 pm

Adorable hipster owl reamer, $7.95 on sale at Anthropologie. It didn't come home with me, but maybe it should have.

Maneuvering Motherhood
Wordless Wednesday: Redneck Drums

18 Nov 2009 | 7:16 am

It doesn’t take much to keep a toddler entertained when you have your whole house torn apart and go about the business of rearranging bedrooms - moving beds and dressers upstairs – to make room for a brand spanking new home office where one can finally work in peace, and hopefully, meet deadlines without (too much) interruption. Technorati Tags: Wordless Wednesday,Redneck Drums,Toddler
BAD!

17 Nov 2009 | 7:18 am

It is apparent in today’s society that decorous behaviors - good manners, practicing proper etiquette and hygiene, extending common courtesies - once thought of as essential practices by parents who led by example in order to have well-bred children, are now outdated and have been replaced with distasteful conduct by an uncouth and scruffy emerging generation. Boorish behavior is an
Nicholas Francisco: Secret Life Exposed: Runaway Dad Found Living New Life In CA

11 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am

Nicholas Francisco, the SeaTac, WA man who disappeared on February 13, 2008, leaving a pregnant wife of seven years, and two small children behind, was recently found living in Los Angeles, CA where he changed his name, his appearance, and his career. In case you’re one of the few who has not heard about this bizarre missing person’s case, Nicholas Francisco is the 28-year-old man who

Cutie Booty Cakes
Rehab

Renée aka Mekhismom

20 Nov 2009 | 4:49 pm

I remember when Amy Winehouse released Rehab. I'd sing along to this song in the wee hours of the morning after nursing my son. I found it difficult to get back to sleep after our nursing sessions and VH1 provided me with a great musical soundtrack to relax to. This version of Rehab is Amy singing along with an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. Her voice is a musical instrument and the pure, unadultarated beauty of her unique sound is undeniable. I believe this song leveraged Amy's career because it is so raw, real and the simple truth. Even without knowing her story, it is clear that she…
Who invented this torture device?

Renée aka Mekhismom

19 Nov 2009 | 6:14 pm

The potty chair. Who invented the potty chair? I understand that it is supposed to be helpful, little chair for little butts and all that. But I am still convinced that it is a device of torture. Like most parents I sit in the bathroom while my son "does his business." I am his cheerleader, encourager and admit to using bribery when necessary to get my son to poopy in the potty. When my son is successful I am quite happy. I am way past the novelty of changing diapers - I think that stopped once my son began eating solid food. The poop of a nursing child is almost scentless but a toddler? An…
Shamed Into Cleaning -Laughter for Anissa

Renée aka Mekhismom

18 Nov 2009 | 10:22 am

For Anissa - the genius behind Aiming Low, Hope 4 Peyton and Free Anissa. She really is a superstar that aims quite high andtaught me that laughter is the best medicine. Today I had to admit to myself my terrible aiming low tendencies. I am not a Type-A mom, although I am friends with many and often go to them for tips and pointers. No, I am more like a Type D mom. My son is well taken care of, has clean clothes and is fed. The "common" areas of my home are clean. But my bedroom and office area? They leave much to be desired. And today, the proverbial chicken came home to roost. After over a…

Cool Mom Picks
Eco play dough - is it worth the dough?

20 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

We've all got play dough connoisseurs for children at Cool Mom Picks, so I know that a few of the organic versions I've had a chance to try out recently have some tough standards to live up to.
Shutterfly Photo Books Contest - Keep those entries coming!

20 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am

We've been blown away by the awesome entries to the Shutterfly Contest so far. We love seeing your families and your amazing books - so keep 'em coming!
Web Coolness - Thanksgiving crafts, Modern family trees, and the return of Kurt Cobain

20 Nov 2009 | 7:38 am

Right now, we're thinking about family, food, fall...and turkey. Here's some stuff we liked reading this week, and maybe you will too.

Hormone-colored Days
Truth Be Told

19 Nov 2009 | 2:37 pm

Truth Be Told, this game was sent to me for review by the kind folks at Buffalo Games.Truth Be Told, the name of the game really is Truth Be Told.It's one of those games that in my house, never quite gets played through to the end because such hilarity ensues that my boys, ages 9 and 11, just lose themselves. I should mention that the two of them have turned charades into a contact sport. They get a bit crazy when they're having fun. This is a good thing, though, because it means deep belly laughs and side-splitting guffaws shared as a family.Truth Be Told is like a personal version of…
Prayers for Anissa

18 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am

Last night I saw the #prayersforAnissa hashtag on Twitter and got concerned. She has recently tweeted that her young daughter was found to be cancer-free after one year without chemo. My first thought was that there had been a mistake in the interpretation of the results and the cancer had returned. But, no.I was shocked and saddened to find out that Anissa had suffered a severe stroke and was in ICU down it Atlanta. I think every mom on Twitter went to bed last night with thoughts of Anissa and her family.By the crack of dawn today, the community had mobilized, thanks for Anissa's good…
Marketing to Moms Who Blog: In Defense of Twitter Parties

13 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

Twitter parties can be fun and interesting or artificial and annoying depending on how the party is staged. Tonight there's a party for #Steaz that will be interesting and fun. Of course, it will be, it's for my client!The party, run by Amy, AKA @ResourcefulMom is not about the #fakegush, nor is it all about the product. I mean, certainly you'll learn a bit about Steaz's tasty organic, fair trade iced teas (now available at Target Stores nationwide and always available at Whole Foods) and have a chance to win Steaz drinks and Target gift cards, but much of discussion will focus on green…

Fussy
19: Death, Apparently

Eden Kennedy Onassis

19 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm

NPR's compiled an argument for "The Decade's 50 Most Important Recordings" and they've set it up so you can listen to one song from each of their album choices, and then embed your choice of their choices in your website. So here's one:This song always sort of chokes me up.So that's fun! For you.Other thoughts: The dying hydrangea I posted on the first of the month has gotten so much more brownly-yet-pinkishly elderly, it's like the Lillian Gish of the neighborhood, fading so graciously that every time you look at it your heart still sees the bee-stung lips of its youth. I'm regretting not…
18: Elsewhere!

Eden Kennedy Onassis

18 Nov 2009 | 9:32 am

Here's a song I just love. Listen to it! Learn it! Love it! Mamie has one album on iTunes, I'll let you know how it is after I drive to Oxnard and back. That should take about 45 minutes, right?THEN your mission is to go over to Jennsylvania and see how she one-upped anything I've ever yogabeansed by reimagining an entire teen vampire film using dolls. OH, YOU ARE WELCOME.
17: Better Ideas

Eden Kennedy Onassis

17 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

What sort of monster would I be if I didn't pause to make fun of my own tragedies?NaBloPoMo = National Blog Posting MonthNoBloPoMo = No, I won't be participatingNaBlowPoMo = In fact, I'll be devoting the month to oral sexAmmoPoMo = And stockpiling weaponsBlammoPoMo = While watching Warner Bros. cartoonsBimboPoMo = And pornographyLimboPoMo = After which: margaritas!NamblaPoMo = I didn't say child pornographySamboPoMo = In fact, let's deconstruct some racist imagery insteadShamBloPoMo = 30 shampoos in 30 days!ShaNaNaBloPoMo = Blogging about allegedly simpler times

Queen of Spain Blog
The Senate HCR Bill is Out-How Does It Stack Up?

Queen of Spain

19 Nov 2009 | 1:14 pm

Crossposted at BlogHer.com Upon hearing the news Senate Majority leader Harry Reid released the Senate version of a health care reform bill last night, I quickly brewed some tea, snuggled into bed, and settled myself in for a long read. I’ve made it about 400 pages in and I can tell you already, there are some notable differences between the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the House bill. The New York Times reports, Though broadly similar to the House bill, Mr. Reid’s proposal differs in important ways. It would, for example, increase the Medicare payroll tax on…
Twitter Soup

Queen of Spain

15 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm

The weather is finally turning here in Southern California, making me don my really unattractive (and old) Pooh Bear thermal PJ’s and my wooly socks. It also puts me in the mood for things like soup. So as we made our Sunday grocery list this morning, I casually tweeted that I needed soup suggestions and was immediately OVERWHELMED with recipe responses. I’ve compiled them here for all your warm, fuzzy, soupy needs. Gregg sent over a Bloody Mary soup that sounds really good. Yes, it has vodka. Loralee suggested Beguine Cream soup to which she adds extra salt and pepper. I…
Mom: FunKiller #1

Queen of Spain

12 Nov 2009 | 2:46 pm

See this? This is the sort of thing that makes me cringe and get nauseated and freak out-internally. It’s true I’m one of those mother’s that keeps her children close. I don’t like them doing ANYTHING risky and I’d rather all their limbs remain grounded. I was not-so-secretly FINE with my kids being afraid of heights (which they outgrew, dammit) and if it were up to me they’d walk around in padding and helmets … just in case. They hold my hand across parking lots, I don’t let them play out front without an adult around. If there is a tree that…

Motherhood is the New MBA
How to Get a Copy of My Book

5 Nov 2009 | 4:47 am

There are a couple of ways you can buy my book. You can order on line at all the usual suspects:Amazon (also available in Kindle)BordersBarnes and NobleOr straight from the publisherYou should be able to buy it at the Borders or Barnes and Noble stores, but call ahead. I’ve heard stores have sold out or didn’t order copies. You can also buy them straight from me. This is the only way to get a
Next Stop - Cleveland

28 Oct 2009 | 5:56 am

Madison was a nice success. I thought the crowd was a little on the light side, but they pulled through. The next morning, I got emails from New York (publicist and agent) congratulating me.** I’ll be in Cleveland Ohio on Tuesday, November 3. I’ll be reading and signing at 7 pm at the Westlake Borders. Please join us! *** I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Valerie Breunig, Christopher Morris, and
KING 5 News Interview

12 Oct 2009 | 1:03 pm

In-Studio Interviews | Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | KING5.comPosted using ShareThis

acte gratuit: A look at life in between naps.
Worth Your Time

19 Nov 2009 | 3:32 pm

I'm thankful for Mormon's who make cool videos!!!
A Peek at My Week

17 Nov 2009 | 5:32 pm

*Saturday morning, around 7 a.m. we received a delivery: Three extra kids. 'Member when we went to Hawaii and our neighbors took OUR three kids? Well, this week we're returning the favor. Our friends are basking in warmth in Hawaii, and we are now the proud parents of a 9yo, 7yo, 6yo, 5yo, 2yo, and an angelic (but very mischievous) looking 1 yo baby girl with golden curls. It's been a busy week. When they arrived and Doug handed me baby Ashley, I said; "See, this is what adoption is like. Someone hands you a cute little baby and there's no additional wear and tear on your body!" (I have 5…
What the Sex?!

11 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pm

*Warning! This post contains graphic information regarding the s-e-x of our baby!!!"When Doug came home from his TDY in San Francisco, he brought more than just Sour Dough Bread for my souvenir. He also brought this:Since this was a few weeks ago, it was too early for an ultra-sound and we were, understandably, anxious to know the sex of this baby. (#4)So, the morning after he got home, Doug dragged me out of bed at 6:30 a.m. so I could do the test. (You have to use morning pee.) Here's how it works. You pee in a cup. You use a syringe to pull out an exact amount of pee and put it in another…

Velveteen Mind
Tiny Prints of a Social Media Baby

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

19 Nov 2009 | 8:27 am

Q is our New Orleans Baby. Goose is our Hurricane Baby. Olive is our Blog Baby. I suppose you could say that I got knocked up by my love affair with social media. Maguire and I had finally decided that we were done having children. Two was plenty. We were done. Then I went to the BlissDom October 2008 conference in Nashville and slept in a room with Alli Worthington’s baby boy. I knew I was in trouble when I heard myself insisting that I definitely didn’t want a baby. Repeatedly. To no one in particular. The lady doth protest too much. By the time I arrived at the…
Last Call at the Epidural Bar

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

16 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pm

During labor, there is a small window of time in which a woman can receive an epidural to alleviate her pain. Once you have progressed beyond that window, however, an epidural is no longer an option. Regardless of how much pain you are in or how sure you are that you won't be able to push that baby out without some kind of supernatural medical help, the last call at the Epidural Bar occurs somewhere around 6 cm or so... I contend that the window should reopen shortly after the new mother is forced to leave against her will discharged from the hospital. Say, around 3 weeks postpartum. …
These Small Hours

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

1 Nov 2009 | 3:46 pm

Little Wonders - Rob Thomas *In celebration of our daughter’s birth and in thanks for all of your love and support, those are our kids’ real names in the photos above. Please don’t mention them in the comments, as I’d still like Google to think we named our children Q, Goose, and Olive. Truly, thank you for all of your kindness and encouragement. Not to mention your patience, as I’ve been very busy kissing those precious cheeks above the last couple of weeks. Detailed birth story to come… just as soon as I sleep more than 3 hours in a row. Whew! ;) In the meantime,…

IzzyMom
Help for Anissa Mayhew

IzzyMom

17 Nov 2009 | 7:41 pm

11/20/09 For the most current updates on Anissa’s progress, please check her blog, Hope 4 Peyton. Anissa’s husband will be updating as necessary. As you may have heard, Anissa, our beloved friend and leader here at Aiming Low, suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday afternoon. She is in the hospital right now, in the ICU. More than anything, Anissa needs your prayers and positive thoughts but to the many people who have offered help to the Mayhew family, here is some info on what you can do: Things that would be helpful right now are gift cards to restaurants and gift cards to the…
Black Holes and Revelations

IzzyMom

16 Nov 2009 | 7:39 am

I had a terrible revelation last night… My husband and I were in bed watching the Doctor Who special (yes, we’re geeks and I kinda love David Tennant so SHUT IT) and this particular story was set in the year 2059. I didn’t give the year 2059 a second thought until my husband randomly noted out loud that our daughter will be 59 in 2059. For some reason I was compelled to do the math in my head and I realized I would be 92 in 2059. And most likely dead. I will be dead someday. Intellectually, I KNOW this. But for some reason it hit me particularly hard. There will come a day…
What? I’ve been busy…

IzzyMom

10 Nov 2009 | 10:36 pm

Hello old blog…it’s been a while. I know I’ve been neglectful and I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation, I haven’t forsaken you for no reason. I’ve just been busy. Doing what? Oh well, you know the other blog? NO, I don’t love Aiming Low more than you. Stop saying that. You’re my first blog and nothing could ever replace you. Please—stop being so needy. As I was saying, I’ve been busy. I went with eight other Aiming Low team members to Boston and New York and we hosted a couple really great parties with HP. We worked hard, we played…

Through The Looking Glass
His appetite’s back and it’s better than before

Annika

20 Nov 2009 | 6:44 am

Hey-la, hey-la… So listen. This is one of those stories that makes me look dumb, which should be kind of fun. The other night I had a wee meltdown, wailing to Will that I was done catering to Sam’s preschooler food particularities and wanted him to JUST EAT WHAT I COOK, WHY CAN’T HE EAT FOOD-FOOD? I do not want to be an authoritarian parent. It goes against every instinct and everything I’ve read and everything I believe. But I was ready to force that little guy to at least try a bite of something new. We talked about possible non-aggressive methods of encouraging him…
Wild, Cool, & Swinging’

Annika

20 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

© Annika Barranti & Through The Looking Glass, 2009 | Permalink | No comments Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
Another WTF

Annika

19 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

left: 2 years ago | right: last friday Can someone tell me what happened? I am still certain that the little boy on the left lives with me, but the evidence says otherwise. (Also, am I crazy to be thinking about cutting his hair? I’ve never had any interest in cutting it unless he asks for a haircut, but he was SO CUTE with those short curls.) © Annika Barranti & Through The Looking Glass, 2009 | Permalink | 6 comments Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Chicken And Cheese
My Rock N’ Roll Lifestyle

Mrs. Chicken

18 Nov 2009 | 9:21 pm

Tomorrow I am going to be on a local television show. Like, in about seven hours. I should, in fact, be sleeping, but I have a long relationship with wake-up anxiety. You know, when you’re hyper-aware of the time: I should be sleeping! I have to get up in seven hours! Five hours! Two hours! Fuck it, I should just get up now! So I’m up. Tonight was wild around these parts. The Babyman decided he was boycotting bedtime and engaged in theatrical hysterics for about three hours, the first 30 of which I was in the shower, deforesting myself. Ladies (and gents), I was never what anyone…
Up Late

Mrs. Chicken

12 Nov 2009 | 10:09 pm

I can’t sleep. Mr. C is out of town for the evening, and I find slumber elusive when he’s not here. I’m watching late-night TV, meandering around the Internet, sneaking milk chocolate-covered caramels furtively, looking over my shoulder even though no one is here to see me. The children are asleep in their beds. The Poo fell asleep holding her book. I found her, “I Can Read!” chapter book tented over her face and her little ladybug flashlight still shining on the pages. I kissed her and closed her door. Out went the hall light. Down the stairs I went. I am…
Poop & Jelly Beans

Mrs. Chicken

10 Nov 2009 | 5:44 pm

If I told you what I was doing this evening between the hours of 6 and 7 in the p.m., you wouldn’t believe me. Or maybe, if you’re a parent, you would. I had an unexpected day off from my daily writing job, and so I thought The Babyman and I would have a leisurely day of playing and cleaning. Instead everything went wrong that could, right down to the moment when my husband called to say he was running errands after work and not to bother with dinner. At last! I thought. Relief from my most dreaded chore was sure to change the course of the day! Sadly, I was mistaken. By the time…

Working Moms Against Guilt
Friday Finds - Nov. 20, 2009

Sara

20 Nov 2009 | 6:48 am

Sara's FindWhen Shawna at The Red Studio offered a free sitting to photograph my daughters in exchange for a possible mention on our blog, I said sure! Christmas is coming and I needed grandparent gifts, plus I had to capture this wonderful time, when my littlest one is so little and my bigger one is so proud of her. Shawna and her mom, who run the studio together, were marvelous. They worked together to get the girls smiling and offered creative suggestions for poses to help them look their best. I'm thrilled with the results, which you can see here. If you live in the Cincinnati/Lebanon…
Hellllooooooooooo Monday!

Tela

19 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

I should’ve known that when my Jazzercise instructor’s iPod gave out smack dab in the middle of our 5:45 am class, it wasn’t an ominous sign to her Monday, as she suggested, but instead a warning to me. (And yes, Jazzercise. HUSH. It’s really, really fun!)Or maybe I should’ve known even earlier that morning. Like when I checked my email at 5:15 am (before the aforementioned Jazzercise class) and discovered that, due to some illness and prior engagements, I was being asked to present at the all-company Monday morning meeting.Which started at 8:30 am.And I had yet to see the…
Working Moms Losing More Custody Battles

Susan

19 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am

Back in the day, moms usually were awarded custody of the kids in divorce cases, just because the courts assumed mom knew best. But nowadays, in "these troubled economic times" as they say, more moms are working, fewer dads are working, and courts are starting to award custody to stay-at-home dads (not to mention alimony). Ouch.A new article in Working Mother magazine examines this new trend of working moms in uphill custody battles. Here's an excerpt:The “tender years doctrine,” a court presumption that mothers are the more suitable parent for children under 7, was abolished in most…

Joy Unexpected
On Dealing With Little Bullies

20 Nov 2009 | 7:01 am

Yesterday when I picked up my daughter from school, she was quieter than usual. I could tell something was bothering her. "How was school?" I asked. "I can't remember." She responded. Not the answer I wanted to hear. In the pit of my stomach, I knew something was wrong. I didn't want to push the issue, so I thought I'd allow her to unwind from her day before I asked any more questions. Later that afternoon, I was in my room finishing up some things for work. She started to scream at her brother and had a bit of a meltdown. I had no choice but to put her on time out for her behavior. After she…
Check Him Out!

17 Nov 2009 | 8:39 pm

My 12 year old son wrote his very first blog post today-- a review of Tony Hawk Ride. He worked hard on it and is excited for people to read and HOPEFULLY (HINT HINT!) comment. So, if you would be so kind, hop on over to my review blog and give it a read. This Mom would be so grateful.
What 34 Pounds Gone Looks Like IN MY FACE.

12 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am

I thought I'd be under 200 pounds by now. But I'm not. I'm still stuck at 203. This is PISSING ME OFF SO MUCH YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW, but I keep reminding myself that there is progress and that's what matters. (or so I tell myself so as not to cry or put a hole in the wall.) I need to get to at least 150 before my endocrinologist will take me off of met*formin and I really need to get off of met*formin because it is RUINING MY LIFE with the "side effects" and by "side effects" I mean "unpredictable ass explosions." I'm going to change a few things in my diet this week as well as kick things up a…

Mom In The City
The Color Purple…A Coach Story

Kimberly

20 Nov 2009 | 2:34 pm

Oh, you all are going to LOVE me for this giveaway. Actually, I love you for it, because without you, I would not have been chosen to participate in this review and giveaway program. Anyway, last month someone from Coach reached out to me and asked if I would like to be a part of [...]
Thanksgiving … With Small Kids Around

Kimberly

19 Nov 2009 | 8:33 pm

Since Thanksgiving is next week, I asked Debra Kavalos-Delaney, an entertaining expert, to write a guest post regarding entertaining on Thanksgiving when you have small kids around. Debra, who has a varied career background, is the founder of MemorableEntertaining.com, a subscription-based, interactive website. At the end of the post, I’ll tell you how [...]
Holiday Giveaway: Richard Scarry’s BusytownEye found it!™ Game

Kimberly

19 Nov 2009 | 8:02 pm

I met the I Can Do That! Games representatives at the Time to Play Holiday Showcase last month. I like their games because they make kids think in fun ways. (One of their games is included in my toy guide.) Meanwhile, I’m excited that they are giving on lucky Mom in the [...]

Soapbox Mom
A Step Forward = Progress

Nicole SoapB

19 Nov 2009 | 11:22 am

Hooray! That’s all I’ll say about this. …for now. Take some time to listen. I especially liked it when Harkin said that we need to start “focusing on a health care system, not a sick care system.” Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy It’s a good thing. Really. Now is the time. Let’s get this done. ___________________________________________________ Get informed and then call your members of Congress!! P.S. Half a loaf is better than going hungry. If you please everyone, something’s wrong. Passing laws is all…
Holiday Cards

Nicole SoapB

16 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

What do you think of when you hear the word, “stationery”? Do you enjoy spending time in Hallmark stores and boutiques like “The Papery”? Or do you cringe at the thought? I like paper. Not in a Dunder-Mifflin kind of way. No, I like writing papers. When I open my mailbox and see a handwritten envelope with an address label of one of my friends, I smile, walk quickly back into the house, put the stack of mail on the counter, then pull out the special envelope and put it at my place at our kitchen table. I delight in its existence. I can’t wait to open it. But I…
Save Our Music Programs

Nicole SoapB

9 Nov 2009 | 10:21 am

Do you think it’s important for your kids to play sports? How about music? I believe strongly that music benefits our kids, so I strongly encourage parents to support funding for school music programs. They help our children in more ways than many people know or acknowledge. For one man’s knowledgeable perspective, watch this video:

Mrs. Mogul
Rocco Richie And Cruz Beckham To Be The Richest Celebrity Ki [Digg]

20 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

Rocco Richie and Cruz Beckham are going to grow up super rich and have the most earning power in Britain according to a list by the Cartoon Network. Madonna
A Brangelina Spoon

16 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pm

This baby serpent spoon can be yours for $525. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have designed snake-inspired jewelry for Asprey. I guess this would be a very special baby shower gift.WWD reports: The limited edition collection, which was conceived and designed by Pitt and Jolie, has been in the works for more than a year, and will go on sale at Asprey stores in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai later this week.I can use this to spoon up the Gerber Oatmeal!
Even Twitter accounts are getting TV deals

10 Nov 2009 | 3:53 pm

I am now following Sh*T My Dad Says on my Twitter account. Who knew Twitterers can now get TV deals?Sh*t my Dad Says was started by a 29-year-old who moved back in with his parents in San Diego. His Tweets are full of profane comments and pearls of wisdom made by his 73-year-old father during their daily conversations."Will & Grace" creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick are executive producers.Hmm...this gives me hope. Perhaps I should start another Twitter account so that I can get a TV/movie deal!Some possibilities:Crap My Husband Says!F*ck I Had Kids, Now What Do I Do?Insane…

Miscellaneous Mum - Trying to find the objective correlative, everyday
Our cat is hot

Karen

19 Nov 2009 | 5:27 pm

No related posts.
My Daughter’s Christmas Wish List

Karen

18 Nov 2009 | 9:38 pm

Okay, starting at the top left hand corner and going in a clockwise direction: 1) Swimming Pool 2) Hannah Montana Bed Covers 3) New Swimmers, Size 7 4) Strawberry (fridge) Magnet* 5) Pink Playdough 6) Picture Frame 7) Laptop** 8 ) Care Bear (purple) 9) Piano Keyboard 10) Hannah Montana Punching Bag 11) Folder for Homework * I have no idea what this is supposed to mean ** Not one of those kid ‘play’ laptops. Oh, no. “I want a real laptop like yours, mum. I’ll need one for school next year, you know. For homework.” (Now if she were starting at a private school next…
Miscellaneous Mum’s Annual Christmas Card Challenge Begins!

Karen

17 Nov 2009 | 12:31 pm

Hold onto your wallets, it’s getting close to that time of year. Christmas. Before I go into why I’m starting to panic about Christmas (and that can wait for another day), first it’s time to open again my Christmas Card Challenge, following on last year’s successful one. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, I do my Christmas Card greetings via email instead of sending it in the post. This is my small contribution to negating the paper waste that is so prevalent at this time of year. It goes like this: 1) Every family and friend member who…

Sarcastic Mom
The rhythm of our lives.

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

19 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm

He shifts his weight And moves on From miles away He says he loves me I say it back Then he moves on It’s quiet at night So much emptiness to fill With nothing For a spell He returns I stand in the kitchen Like a cliche I balance on heels, making dinner Laughter floats in waves Through the house Echoing off the walls Like bouncing balloons It swells and ebbs It rolls back and forth Like tickle fights There’s football on TV My feet find comfort His hands find my back Our bed is warm again, briefly Then he shifts his weight Says he loves me And moves on again Takes his music and…
Love & Help for Anissa

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

17 Nov 2009 | 8:08 pm

*For updates on Anissa, you can visit her CaringBridge Page. I was going to tell you about how great it is to have my laptop back and tell you a little about what I went through to get it fixed, but being on Twitter more again today led me to learn some awful news about a wonderful lady who is a friend and fellow blogger. Anissa, of Free Anissa and Aiming Low, had a stroke this afternoon. (This is her second. You can read about her first one in 2005 here.) Often when you hear bad news about someone, the first thing you think of is that last time you talked to them or saw them in person. In…
Weekly Winners, Nov 8-14

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

15 Nov 2009 | 8:10 am

Hey guys – no photos for me today. I’ve been too busy this week with appointments, errands, and a certain little boy to process photos in the office, and I’m still without my laptop. Hang in there with me – I should have it back soon and then I can attach it to my ankle again. John was home briefly last night, and I forgot to post this then. Sorry about that! Please still link in with your posts if you have them! Hope you all had a great week and a peaceful weekend. To view all my photos, visit my Flickr Photostream Weekly Winners Information Weekly Winners Prizes All…

Adventures in Babywearing
this little light

20 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pm

little luluI haven't really felt like talking or writing or even picking up my camera, but I did today at Love's house, and Ivy struck a pose. And pictures are worth a bunch of words, right?Subscribe to my blog hereTwitter me- I'm babysteph
Sakura Bloom Triathlon: Round Three!

20 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

Hi Triathletes!Time for the next challenge! Starting today and closing in two weeks, your challenge with the Essential Silk sling is to create a video. Your video can be creative, fun, instructional, all of the above, or have a different focus altogether: it's up to you to decide what genre or approach will best capture what you want to share with others about your latest Sakura Bloom sling.The video can be submitted via email and/or posted to your blog. Creator of the winning video will receive a $100 Fawn & Forest gift certificate.Have fun and we look forward to seeing all of your…
Sakura Bloom Triathlon: Round Two Winner!

19 Nov 2009 | 3:10 pm

DonyaLynne from Sakura Bloom detailed Round Two's photo challenge as not just a babywearing photo looking for pretty smiles, but photos that capture the joy of carrying your child in a sling. Donya will receive a $100 gift certificate given by Fawn & Forest.See all the photo entries here.The contestants' third batch of slings are shipping out now. Tomorrow we'll announce Round Three's challenge!What is the Sakura Bloom Triathlon?Visit our contestants' blogs:Marvelous KiddoDGVE Law8 year olds & BabiesCrooked EyebrowCrunchy Yuppietout-est-des-roses4 little men & girly twinsAnd now,…

TheBloggess.com
Hope for Anissa

Jenny the bloggess

20 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am

I don’t think I’ve ever done this before on this blog and I hope that I never have to do it again but I’m asking for your help. If you read this blog a lot then you already know Anissa Mayhew because she’s a regular commenter. She’s a blogger, a reader and a faithful friend. More than once Anissa has had my back during rough times. She’s a founding member of The Bloggess Army (codename: Kaiser Soze). She’s publicly defended me more than once…mostly from myself. She’s hysterical and witty and bitingly sarcastic and now…
Breaking news: Waffles

Jenny the bloggess

18 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm

My friend, Hannah, just sent me an email to alert me about breaking news on Yahoo: Not a joke, you guys. Real. Live. Screenshot. Holy shit, y’all. And my first thought was “I have to share this with the internets immediately because WTF, news media? Why is this a top story?!” And then my second thought is that I shouldn’t tell anyone about it until I have a chance to go out and buy all the Eggos I can find first because this way I get a headstart on the hoarding. But no, I decided to share with you now because I have integrity. And because I already have a box…
Japan, part 2 (ish): Tommy Lee Jones needs to mind his own business

Jenny the bloggess

16 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

OMG, you guys. I actually published a “part 2″ to a post that I labeled “Part 1″. I think that’s the first time that’s ever happened. Is there a medal for this, or some sort of ribbon? If so, please mail one to me. Unless it’s that bullshit white participant ribbon. No one wants that ribbon. Unless you buy it yourself and wear it ironically. Then it’s kind of awesome. Or desperate. One of those. So where was I? We’d just landed in Japan and luckily I was still using my journal at the time because I’ve already…

So Close
Terms and Conditions Apply

Tertia Albertyn

18 Nov 2009 | 8:51 pm

4 years ago, in a sudden flash of genius that was part brilliance part madness, I had the seemingly brilliant idea of giving my husband 6 pieces of paper with the words "one free pass" printed on each of them. It seemed liked a really good idea at the time as he is very hard to buy gifts for. However, one key flaw of my idea is that I had not specified the terms and conditions of the offer. I foolishly though that my husband would use the tickets for things like a night out with his wife, or a home cooked meal (clearly not cooked by his wife), a back rub etc. However, Marko…
Dear ________, Love, me

Tertia Albertyn

17 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

I need some advice. As you know (because I've told you ad nauseam), I am extremely unbelievably very (VERY!) busy. Too busy for my own good. Not that I am complaining too much - a busy life is a full life and I would far rather have a life that is a little too full than too empty.However, I have realized that I need to focus my limited resources (time and energy) into the things that are most important - firstly my kids, secondly my income. Oh, and my marriage, but I will be the first to admit that my poor long-suffering husband often goes short-changed. There are things that I…
My trip away

Tertia Albertyn

14 Nov 2009 | 10:34 am

So, let you tell you about my trip away. In a word, it was fantastic! It was so good for me, on so many levels. I've come back feeling unbelievably inspired, driven and motivated. It was very good on a personal level - I feel VERY proud of myself for going. If you know me at all, you will know what a big thing it was for me to leave my kids, my husband, my home and my country. In fact, Sister Mel said that she was more proud of me going away than she was of me writing a book, doing an MBA or starting a business. And my mother and father told me that they were very worried about…

mod*mom
roald dahl movie :: fantastic mr.fox!!!

modmom

19 Nov 2009 | 3:56 pm

the fantastic mr.fox movie (book by roald dahl )opens thanksgiving day!!!yay! i get to interview mr.fox's son ash (jason schwartzman) tomorrow :)here's what the movie pr person told me to share with mod*mom readers: fantastic mr. fox is visionary director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop-motion techniques to tell the story of the best-selling children’s book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie + the Chocolate Factory + James and the Giant Peach). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky,…
net cetera :: chatting with kids about being online :: ftc

modmom

5 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm

the federal trade commission wants mod*mom readers to read their new net cetera online guide about parenting your webhog kids in the internet.
i want a breast thermography scan for breast cancer :)

modmom

26 Oct 2009 | 4:14 pm

i want a thermascan digital mammogram at clear center for health in marin!medical director + founder, dr beth mcdougall says “breast thermography has the ability to warn women up to 10 years before any other procedure that a cancer may be forming." i'm interested in nonsurgical no radiation early diagnostic technology. i don't have faith in traditional mammograms, + a needless breast or lymph node biopsy is wasteful. i know these are controversial, but i'd still rather have one than a biopsy or mammogram.

i obsess.
it's none of your business.

Debbie Gorman

19 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am

I don't want friends. Because I can't control you. I can't make you say what I want to hear, and I can't make you interact with me in the way that I choose (e.g., safely, or what I perceive to be safe in a given, specific moment, that could change on a spinning, flinty, shimmying dime bag flown in from somewhere southern and leaving me with the spins), you are dangerous. You heard me. (There's more; there's ALWAYS more. But I don't have time dangling from my fingers like dead leaves shriveled from age and wanton use by the sun and its minions, I…
abcess absent absolved. ABS! also, ABC!

Debbie Gorman

10 Nov 2009 | 10:13 am

First, you need to be sure, BUT SURE, that your heart has been broken. You need to examine the remnants. You need to pick them up and caress them, note the shape and size of the various bits, and lightly kiss each piece, but without the appearance of concern (else someone should notice how much of an impression you made as your lips connected with the chunk of aorta or ventricle or chamber, and judge you). You need to sweep up the too-tiny shards that sparkle, dark, and gather along the edges of your cupped, damp-bloodied hands and, without a discerning tremble, deposit them into a bin…
giving out love by the linkful.

Debbie Gorman

3 Nov 2009 | 3:16 pm

Don't you mind me, now. I'm just doing what I ought to have done weeks, nay, MONTHS ago.Glare balefully at me if you must, but I'd be much more pleased if you followed suit. Bless you if you do, too, because you'll be helping. And helping is good. And kind.(And if you hate people who wear t-shirts, especially mildly funny t-shirts, then so be it.It's on you.)

untanglingknots.com
Red Eye

karla

18 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm

This week has been the first week in a very long time that I’ve had some down time. And I don’t want that to sound like an excuse or a complaint or whatever, it just is what it is, you know? It’s just like that old adage, when it rains it pours. I mean, I was a Stay-at-Home Mom for several years and I occasionally did some Freelance Writing and started an ever-so-slowly growing photography
My Superman

karla

31 Oct 2009 | 5:35 pm

This year, Nate was dressed up as Superman for Halloween. It wasn’t a strategic choice or anything, it was totally the only costume that fit at the consignment shop because that is just how I role. Yes, I accept hand-me-downs and shop second hand for children’s clothes because I just can’t justify spending $30 on name brand toddler jeans that he will outgrow in a week. Or, I guess in Nate’s case
Sleepover

karla

24 Oct 2009 | 12:54 pm

My Nephew is visiting this weekend and last night, after everyone was fed and high on chocolate we sat down to watch a cartoon. The result of two boys, very close in age rapidly progressed to strategic bed time procrastination, a series of circus worthy sofa bouncing acrobatics and giggle-inducing fart jokes.Here is the story of last night described to a `tee` in pictures, complete with a demand

Pregnancy Stories By Age
Friend had a baby at 51

Catherine

20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

A friend of mine had a baby at 51!Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpStories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options & suggestionsRecent Keyword Searches: pregnancy risk at 47 years oldpregnancy at 47 years of ageare fertility drugs helpful in women over 45pregnancy at age 44successful perimenopause pregnancies
Healthy baby at 45 or later

Catherine

19 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

My sister has told me of a number of women that she knows who have had children, then had multiple miscarriages in their forties, and then a healthy baby at 45 or later. So it is possible.Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpStories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options & suggestionsRecent Keyword Searches: pregnancy in late 40sprehnancy with own eggpregnancy at 44naturally pregnant at 43 yrs oldis it possible to be pregnant at age 46
Grandma had a baby at 51

Catherine

18 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

My grandmother had a baby at 51http://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/jour06.htmLife Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpStories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options & suggestionsRecent Keyword Searches: pregnant at 43, pregnancies 45 and over, i'm 45 yrs old and want to get pregnant, successful pregnancy with own eggs at 46, oldest age pregnant with own egg

Stories of Pregnancy & Birth over 44 years old
Miriam Belov - first birth at 51

Catherine

18 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

Miriam Belov - Shares her thought regarding wellness and relaxation at home and work, as well a her joy of giving her first birth at 51 to MadalineMiriam says: As you might have figured out, I am now in my 50's. After being very concentrated on my calling, I found myself pregnant for the first time at 51. Needless to say, my husband and I were elated. After a blessedly uneventful pregnancy, I gave birth to a daughter.I sincerely believe that I was able to carry so easily because I used my own relaxation techniques and have a healthy body due to years of exercise, yoga, tai chi and right…
Princess Lia, pregnant at 56

Catherine

1 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

This will be the first child of Paul and Lia. The princess was pregnant a few years ago, but lost the child and hopes this time she will manage to give birth to the child without problems.The future mother confirmed the pregnancy and said that she feels very well and has had no problem so far. Price Paul stated that princess Lia and him have wanted a heir for a long time and tried to have a child 5 years ago, but this was not possible.Read more...Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpPregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope & inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in…
Doctor defends pregnant woman, 56

Catherine

30 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

Tuesday 23 January 2001 - The director of a Harley Street clinic which helped a 56-year-old woman to conceive twins accused critics yesterday of wanting a "police state" where people could not plan their own families.Professor Ian Craft, of the London Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, strongly defended its decision to treat Lynne Bezant, who will become the oldest mother of twins recorded in Britain.Mrs Bezant and her husband Derek, 55, from Oxfordshire, are expecting the babies in June. They already have three grown-up children.Read more...Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope…

Mom-101
Shaking fist angrily at the universe

Mom101

19 Nov 2009 | 5:31 am

I had never heard of the site Caring Bridge until this week. Then I received an email about someone who had set up a page there. Then I received a second email from someone entirely different who had set up a page there. That's not exactly a good week. Caring Bridge offers journal pages to help people stay in touch with sick friends and family through updates and photos. You can sign the
Bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy fun fun fun fun fun

Mom101

18 Nov 2009 | 5:04 am

When you're lying there in the hospital cradling that new baby in your arms, no one tells you that you'll never be able to wear pencil skirts without Spanx again. They don't tell you've just had your very last shower with the bathroom door closed. And they certainly don't tell you about Bouncy Castle Duty. This week at our preschool fair, I was thrust into the wild world of oversized
Blogging Moms Wooed by Food Firms - My rambly two cents on the LA Times Article

Mom101

15 Nov 2009 | 5:56 am

Today the Los Angeles Times ran a front page story called Blogging Moms Wooed by Food Firms. I'm quoted in it, as are a number of other bloggers who may or may not be happy about it. Although man I love Elisa Camahort-Page's pornography analogy. That alone makes it worth the read. I spent nearly an hour speaking with the reporter about it, and frankly, it was a lovely conversation. I liked her

The Hot Mommas® Project - Teachable Role Models
From Voice-over Artist to “Kindie” Rock Star: Ashley Albert’s Case

hotmommas

9 Nov 2009 | 11:41 pm

“She blurted out ”Ashley Albert has a kids band” and then called me 10 minutes later, hunkered in the corner of her office, saying “Oh my gosh, I don’t even know why I said it- how soon can you put a band together?’” Student reaction:“The reason Ms. Albert’s case is so inspiring to me is because she doesn’t sugarcoat the truth.” From the Hot Mommas Project Learning SeriesAshley Albert’s case, “From Dream Job to Dream Job in 1000 Easy Steps Case themes include: family, confidence, start-up, music , individuality, dreams, change, and…
Doctor Starts Children’s Clothing Line: Cindy Christine Parker’s Case

hotmommas

26 Oct 2009 | 8:11 pm

“We had no formal business or fashion or marketing education or experience. We knew we had a product that we strongly believed in and with this knowledge we knew we would not fail.” Student reaction: “One of the lessons that Parker’s case features is that a person can never be too prepared for what life is going to bring you when you least expect it.” From the Hot Mommas Project Learning Series Cindy Christine Parker’s “Dr. Ooh La La – Funky Clothes for Little Monsters and Girly Girls” Case themes include: family, confidence, individuality, dreams, change, and…
10/31 GWSB Women in Business Event – Thinking of an MBA?

hotmommas

26 Oct 2009 | 7:24 am

This is a good event for women in the DC area thinking of getting their MBA. Theoretically the event is closed, but, we think you could get in by emailing Jade at GW. Information about the Hot Mommas Project and the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership class taught by Kathy Korman Frey will be shared (Prof Frey is one of the panelists). (Here is a link to the Washington Post Magazine article on the class and the Hot Mommas Project P.s. GWSB was recently rated #2 in the nation by Princeton Review for “Greatest Opportunities for Women.”

June Cleaver Nirvana
Nirvana Apprentice

Texasholly

17 Nov 2009 | 2:42 am

Rhett(3) has been nurtured to be a force. A force to be reckoned with. From birth he has been negotiating, manipulating, cajoling, and consoling. He has learned to be loud to be heard. He has learned to push harder to be noticed. He has learned to be fast to keep up. And really, up to this point it was all about keeping up. Keeping up with two older brothers who hung the moon. Until today. When he fired them. Obviously, he wasn’t pleased with their performance because he whirled around, looked up, pointed and yelled, “You are fired”. I thought it was a pretty good…

Toddler Planet
American Cancer Society

whymommy

19 Nov 2009 | 8:34 am

You are going to be mentioned at the American Cancer Society’s annual meeting (hashtag #acsmtg09) today! Yes, you! Team WhyMommy, and the supporters of Mothers With Cancer! I know, I know, it’s terrible timing, and I’d rather be sitting here nonstop #prayingforanissa, but the show must go on, right? Cancer doesn’t stop fighting when we’re distracted. And neither can we. Here’s a link to my remarks. Posted in breast cancer
Prayers for Anissa

whymommy

18 Nov 2009 | 4:31 pm

Prayers for Anissa. And much, much love to her family. Posted in community, motherhood
In defense of mammograms

whymommy

17 Nov 2009 | 12:51 pm

Earlier today, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued new recommendations on regular mammograms for women in their 40’s. In short, they’re against them. The findings are based, in part, on a finding from a meta-review of studies by the Oregon University Health Sciences Center showing that mammography reduced deaths from breast cancer by about 15% in women ages 40-49. This data was put into a set of models that then predict that, if women postpone their first mammogram to age 50, only 3% more would die. The study authors then weighed this risk of death…

Fluid Pudding
The Fluid Pudding Family Caramel Apple Salad Recipe

fluidpudding

20 Nov 2009 | 10:42 am

Oh, people. You’re making this NaBloPoMo thing easy when you ask for things like recipes. And, please know that I fought the urge to say Recipe: Throw 12 apples into a large bowl. Add 64 Brach’s caramels (wrapped or unwrapped). Happy Thanksgiving. Since you asked, here is the recipe Grandma used. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 carton (8 oz.) Cool Whip 4 cups diced Granny Smith apples 1 cup chopped salted dry roasted peanuts, divided In a heavy saucepan, combine flour, sugar, pineapple…
This is what I know.

fluidpudding

19 Nov 2009 | 2:28 pm

Mitchum Huntzberger as Russell Fabray is, in my opinion, a brilliant idea. (Yes. I’m a fan of Glee, but please know that I’ll never refer to myself as a Gleek.) I am not going to see New Moon tonight, and I may not have a chance to see it before it leaves the theaters. With that said, if I was forced to choose a team, I would make sweet love to the vampire. I bought some jeans last week, and I found myself to be between sizes. Obviously, I purchased the smaller size because I tend to wipe my eyes and set lofty goals when I’m standing in my underpants looking into a…
I just like saying “Debussy.”

fluidpudding

18 Nov 2009 | 8:33 am

While in high school, I played the piano. I scored a piano scholarship to the University of Missouri, and after a semester I decided that I wasn’t really talented/dedicated enough to be a capital M Musician. I haven’t really played much since then. We had our piano tuned a few days ago. I’m very sloppy, but after nearly two decades spent NOT practicing, I’m once again practicing. The Sloppy Doctor Gradus from Angela D. on Vimeo. (Comments disabled.)

champuru.net
Operation Cold Turkey: Aborted

Donna

17 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

We’re back to the drawing board, plotting a new strategy for transitioning Baby Champuru from bottle to cup — and formula to whole milk. Operation Cold Turkey was an utter failure. Baby Champuru’s Pediatrician recommended going cold turkey with the transition from bottle to cup — and also from formula to whole milk. I must have [...]
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Donna

12 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am
13 mo baby + bottle = FAIL

Donna

6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm

Momo Fali's
Lucky

Momo Fali

18 Nov 2009 | 4:05 am

I couldn't sleep last night.This is nothing new, but the circumstances behind my insomnia were. I was thinking about cheeseburgers.I was thinking about cheeseburgers, because that's what we're having for lunch today and my boss won't be there which leaves me in charge of making sure 200 kids get fed. On time.So this pressing matter kept me awake, but after a while my mind began to wander.It wandered to a fellow blogger, Anissa, who had a stroke yesterday and is in ICU. Anissa started blogging after her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia.Which led me to think about the little girl I know who…
Random Realizations: Moving Edition

Momo Fali

16 Nov 2009 | 4:30 am

1. If your 75 year old mother is preparing to move and keeps telling you how hard it is because she "has so much stuff", you won't believe her until you see it for yourself.2. Because apparently you can't have too many vases.3. Or soap dishes.4. Or canister sets.5. And, clearly, everyone needs a set of everyday dishes and three separate sets of fine china.6. Your sister, who lives with your mother part-time, and who was home ALL summer, may suddenly disappear to northern Ohio for "grad school" and "trade shows" and won't come home from the time your mother decides to move, until one week…
Not So Yummy in the Tummy

Momo Fali

11 Nov 2009 | 4:09 am

When my daughter was two years old, I was making the bed one day when she came out of our bathroom chugging a glass of water.I said, "Boy, you sure are thirsty!" Then I realized that I hadn't heard any water running. I walked over to find a liquid trail from the doorway to where she had dunked her cup into the toilet. But, at least it was clean water. You know, with that bleach tablet in the tank and all.Other than that, and my son once taking a sip of dishwasher rinse aid, I haven't had to call poison control. However, if there was an emergency service to ask whether the dogs were going to…

A Mom in Red High Heels - Beauty & Style Tips for Moms
The Secret To The “Just Stepped Out Of The Salon” Look

Tammy

19 Nov 2009 | 10:07 pm

As women, we know that when we take extra time on our hair we feel and look so much better! But the reality of being a mom on the go means that your hair sometimes becomes victim to the busyness of life and that extra time doesn’t get spent. So, I must tell you a true story that made my try the ProSilk Gold 1″ Flat Iron. I was at the soccer field and noticed my friend’s hair had been looking extra cute and shiny the last few practices. I asked her what she was doing differently and she told me that since she started using a flat iron that her hair has been looking and feeling so…
Glamorous Yet Approachable Holiday Makeup Inspired by Wine & Berries

Tammy

19 Nov 2009 | 12:49 am

Makeup artist Brett Freedman wants you to look nothing short of FABulous this holiday season. Here is one look he knows will bring you holiday cheer! WINE & BERRY HOLIDAY MAKEUP: This holiday season it’s all about vivid hues in plum, berry and wine. The best part about this color palette is that it universally flattering. Other pluses are that these juicy tones add brightness and instant glamour to the face. The ’season appropriate’ blush: I heart Benefit’s Thrrrob powder. A beautiful toasted cranberry color that gives a natural looking flush. Sweep from apple of…
Who Wants Wrinkles Anyway? How to Fight Back

Tammy

18 Nov 2009 | 11:50 pm

Wrinkles… Who really wants them anyway? I have not always taken great care of my face, but at 34 I am trying to do better. I don’t have many wrinkles other than my laugh lines, but I am desperately trying to keep them at bay. L’OREAL Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream contains Pro-Retinol A that ‘accelerates skin renewal for visibly smooth and revitalized skin’ and Fiber-Restoring Complex that ‘helps repair and rebuild skin’s fiber capital’. For the fragile and delicate area around the eye, this is where wrinkles are most noticeable.

ModernMom.com Recent Articles
Home-Work: Get Your Home Maintenance Buttoned Up

18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

When you’re working, wrangling the kids, and generally living a full life, it’s easy to let taking care of your home fall to the bottom of the priority list. But you need to stay on top of your maintenance chores if you want to keep your home and all the good things in it functioning smoothly. As fall approaches, it’s time to start thinking about a top to bottom inspection to check for any damage and prepare for the upcoming cold, winter months.
Tricks To Packing A Healthy Lunch Your Kids Will Eat

12 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

While conducting research for my new book, I discovered that parents struggle with how to pack a healthy school lunch that their kids will actually eat! I found that often moms and dads avoid, or give in to whining, temper tantrums or begging, so that school lunch becomes a sugar-stuffed, fat-filled, no-protein meal.
A Teachable Moment

12 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

None

A Mommy Story
Fight For Preemies & Cherish The Babies We Have

Christina

17 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am

I remember sitting in my OB's office during my third trimester, hearing the confirmation of news I already knew: Cordy was breech. The stubborn child's head had been in my ribs for weeks, and at my urging the doctor performed an ultrasound to confirm that what was directly on the other side of my cervix wasn't a skull with a large brain, but instead little girl parts with the occasional foot kicking me in the cervix.Disappointment washed over me. My choices were slim: attempt a breech birth, although at that time her positioning made it extremely unlikely, try an external version (where they…
Firsts - The Tooth Fairy

Christina

16 Nov 2009 | 1:50 pm

I remember when I lost my first tooth. I was five years old, and I didn't even know it was loose. I went to my babysitter's house after kindergarten that day, just like any other day, and was greeted with a typical peanut butter and sugar sandwich. (Seriously, she sprinkled sugar on it. She was an old woman - let's not question her grasp of nutrition, OK?)The sandwich was quickly devoured and my kool-aid was gulped down so I could watch afternoon cartoons. I must have laughed at something on TV, because my babysitter gave me a strange look and said, "Honey, open your mouth."I had no idea why…
Guinea Pig for Hope

Christina

14 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm

Wow, I've been away for a week, eh? That was unintentional. This past week I completed my orientation at work and began my time on night shift, working 7pm-7am. So far? I'm in a fog. My brain and biorhythms can't tell if I should be awake or not at the moment, leaving me staring at the wall wondering if I'm really awake or just dreaming I am. I'm told it gets easier, so we'll all cross our fingers and hope that's true.Even my days off haven't been very restful. Something I haven't shared with everyone yet is that back in September we enrolled Cordy in a clinical drug trial at OSU's Nisonger…

DeliciousBaby.com
Photo Friday: Khmer Dance School

19 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pm

Khmer dance school in Phnom Penh Cambodia When the Khmer Rouge controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, the toll wasn't limited to the estimated 1.5 million human lives lost, it was a whole culture. In an effort to return to a simplistic agrarian-based Communist society, the intellectual elite were specifically targeted for "re-education" or even death. Fine arts including weaving, metal work, music, and traditional dance were all but lost. That's why it was so touching to visit this traditional Khmer dance school, founded by one of the last living traditional dance teachers. As the country…
What Would You Do in Paris?

19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

D has been obsessed with the Eiffel tower lately. It's not hard, images of it appear everywhere... on the side of the DHL trucks that circle our city, in her story books, and on posters in local businesses. But what does she really think, I wondered? Does all that exposure make her interested in visiting it? Yesterday as she leafed through a children's picture book of Paris I asked her what she would want to do if we went to Paris together. "Go to the grocery store" she said, flipping immediately to a picture of French pastries. Smart girl. That's my first priority in Paris too. Inventive…
Please Join Us for Passports With Purpose

18 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

If you have been reading DeliciousBaby since last year, you may remember Passports with Purpose, the travel blogger's fundraiser founded by Pam Mandel of Nerd's Eye View, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom, and myself. In a few short weeks, with the help of travel bloggers around the world, we raised $7400 for Heifer International. We also gave fabulous prizes to many donors, ranging from hotel rooms to video cameras and high-end travel gear. Kids outside their floating home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia This year we will be fund-raising to build a school in…

Type-A Mom News Feed
Help for Anissa

18 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm

The entire mom blogging (and blogging) community is saddened by the news that Anissa Mayhew has suffered a stroke. While we all feel so helpless about the situation, but there are things you can do to help and support. Read more...
Help for Anissa

18 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm

The entire mom blogging (and blogging) community is saddened by the news that Anissa Mayhew has suffered a stroke. While we all feel so helpless about the situation, but there are things you can do to help and support. Read more...
130,000 Kids Need Type A Moms to Unite

18 Nov 2009 | 5:18 am

November is National Adoption Month. YAY!! (If you could see me and if I was coordinated, you'd see me clicking my heels and dancing a jig right now.) We are trying to raise awareness of all forms of adoption, but especially the 130,000 kids that are currently waiting in US Foster Care for a real forever family of their own. Read more...

Suburban Kamikaze
Please accept this adorable kitten as a token of my regret

Suburban Kamikaze

9 Nov 2009 | 11:48 am

The sixth-grader and her friend sneak up on me just as I am putting the finishing touches on an e-mail reply that goes like this: Expletive deleted. I wasn't going to send it. Or maybe I was. I hadn't decided....
Study: 30 percent of fall leaves end up in house

Suburban Kamikaze

5 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am
Pop-Tart label to be serialized under new HarperCollins imprint

Suburban Kamikaze

4 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am

Greeblemonkey
November Greeblepix Winner!

Aimee Greeblemonkey

20 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pm

Awesome voting, you guys. I really appreciate how much support you give this little contest. And how much support you give each other, the finalists and all the entrants, but visiting and commenting on the photos. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. IT.But there has to be a winner, and this winner seriously makes me smile.I mean, how can you not SMILE???Congrats to the fabulous Keli who will receive the $250 camera rental prize from ProPhotoRental. Awesome photo. Be sure to check out the rest of Keli's stream for more awesomeness.Thanks so much for participating, be sure to bring it next month![Keli, email me…
Really. I'm Not A Prude.

Aimee Greeblemonkey

19 Nov 2009 | 10:07 am

So, I have an awesome neighbor across the street. I never see her because she splits life and work between here and Texas, but she is awesome nonetheless. She comes to our parties en route to client meetups with trays of food, and has huge (I mean, like taller than her) blowup pumpkins on her porch over Halloween. Plus, I always get these funny little emails about the goings-on around the neighborhood.My favorite lately?"OK. WHO in our neighborhood would think it is appropriate to name their broadband connection "Blowjobs Available" - ??? Although hilarious, there are kids connecting to the…
November Greeblepix Finalists!

Aimee Greeblemonkey

18 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am

Once again I loved you all and all your talent and all your energy and all your super awesomeness! Really, another really hard month. But here are your finalists. Vote away!_________________________________________________Bill Green - LandroverCarl Stoveland - Dover Stone Church FallsDenise - Chic & Shabby FallGonzomama - LovingJason Janelle - We Three Against The WorldKeli H - HappinessKelly - Pine DropsKimberly Hosey - MesmerizedMarcene Perry - ShortyStepan Mazurov - Blue_________________________________________________Who is the November Greeblepix winner?(polling)Voting ends Thursday…

Where's My Cape?
Version 22.0 XY

KC

13 Nov 2009 | 6:02 pm

We're pleased to announce the release of Version 22.0 XY which addresses some of the known operating failures of Version 21.0 XY. We apologize for the delay in this release! This version features the following upgrades: Now! Professional sidekick! Need a smaller person to boss around, push on a swing, chase after, follow you around, want what you have, kiss, hug, get drooled on by, scream with, and tell on? Look no further! Version 22.0 XY is your smaller person. He can perform all of the above functions...and more! Push him around! Attempt to hold him on your lap on the swing- he won't care…
Classic bathroom stall sign

KC

8 Nov 2009 | 3:21 pm

I miss the bathroom stall signs that we saw while traveling through China. Although, to use the words "bathroom" and "stall" would be a stretch. However, this sign that I came across today in a Korean grocery store brings back memories. (Yes, in case you were wondering, this was the same store where I found the Horny Goat Weed tea.)
Tweeter Cheater

KC

5 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm

Yes, after I swore up and down that I WOULD NEVER BE ON TWITTER. NEVER, I sent my very first tweets into the ether recently. No more than 2 actual people are following me--I'm pretty sure half of my followers are not actual people but possible alien pods-- but I decided that it would, in fact, not cause me to self-combust if I tested the waters. The truth is, I've been lurking there for months, dipping a single toe in the cold pool water, wondering if I should just go ahead and submerse an ankle. I'm cautious that way. Plus, I am VERY concerned of any additional time suckage of my limited…

Cool Mom - Fun Videos and a Blog for Moms - Motherhood, Kids, Babies and Parenting on Coolmom.com
I'm an Abused Mom

Daphne

18 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm

I don't want to show you my face. It's too embarrassing. But right there you can see the red blood gash left by my wild nine mouth old. There are two more cuts like that on my nose and two more on my forehead. If it wasn't for concealer, I couldn't walk outside. But concealer cannot conceal the shame I feel for allowing it to happen. I know, don't blame the victim. But I could have tried hard to trim his nails. I could always try to hold him facing out. But no. I like to look at his beautiful face. And then… and then, that's when it happens. He screams…
Another Sacrifice

Daphne

18 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am

Oh, the things we give up in order to be mothers: our bodies sleep travel casual sex indiscriminate spending time to read spa days with the girls casual sex Well, here is one more thing that I have to say good bye to… at least for now. Share
Rex Would Say…

Daphne

16 Nov 2009 | 7:26 pm

I think Rex looks so cute before our walk that I make Mark take a picture. Then I say, "No, don't get me." Rex looks like, "[Sigh] Look, I'm not your monkey." Share

The Committed Parent
The Myth of the Rugged Individualist

Mark Brady

15 Nov 2009 | 4:24 am

As a kid I spent a lot of time alone. My role models were mostly TV characters like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Bronco Layne, Bret Maverick, and Richard Boone as Paladin. Iconoclasts and rugged individualists all, they each worked diligently in the service of good against the forces of evil. They were mostly strong, silent types – men of action living in a black and white world. You didn’t mess with them unless you were out of your mind. In the light of current brain science research, most of my childhood heroes would very likely turn out to be clinically diagnosable, the inevitable result…
The Perils of Taking Life Sitting Down

Mark Brady

8 Nov 2009 | 5:04 am

I once had a girlfriend in my late teens named Marlyce Greco. She was a starstruck fan of Arthur Lee and Love, and so one summer Saturday night we went to see him and the band at the Whiskey a Go-Go on Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Around midnight, after we came over Mullholland and cruised down into the Valley on my Triumph motorcycle, a woman who’d had too much to drink, made a sudden left turn in front of us just as we entered the intersection at Coldwater Canyon and Moorpark. We broadsided her at 40 miles an hour, sending Marlyce and I flying over the top of her station wagon and out into…
Invoking the Gravitas of Affirmation

Mark Brady

1 Nov 2009 | 4:20 am

More than 50 years have passed and I can still clearly remember Mrs. Lieberman, my fourth grade teacher, announcing to the rest of the class: “Mark is a very good reader. He reads with excellent comprehension.” That single piece of praise shaped a significant part of my life thereafter – reading became a daily mainstay, as necessary for me as food, air and water. And then, in my early twenties I attended a talk in Ojai, California by the renown Indian spiritual teacher, J. Krishnamurti. I was flabbergasted when I heard him say that he never read books, that books were a distraction on…

tallnlucky: blog
Genetically Obligated

Kristin

20 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pm

Corey's not sure if he ever wants to have a kid of his own, and I'm not totally sure I want to have another. But he'd be a truly amazing Father, I know this from watching him in action with my own son. And so I'm stuck between wanting to encourage him to want another, and reveling in the contentment of how easy our life is with one easygoing little boy. Should you gently prod a mate who's not that interested in having kids of his own? I wonder.
I know I promised

Kristin

19 Nov 2009 | 8:33 am

I swore I'd stop talking about the half marathon but right now it's either that or the bleak pounding rain we've been having or maybe why I don't ever want to look at another cup of cottage cheese. The whole running thing is a bit more interesting (if only to me) This recap actually has some useful components and I don't talk about poop even once. Come say hi and if you have any more tips, I'm always happy to hear. (if anyone can tell me where to buy non-hideous running pants that don't pinch my handles and morph me into those little rotund…
And after this I'll stop talking about it.

Kristin

16 Nov 2009 | 1:21 pm

Way better pictures than my crappy Blackberry images are here, here and also here and yes I totally purchased a bunch of these because those photographers were crouched for hours in the rain snapping a bunch of sopping masochist runners and deserve every dollar they make.

The Wink
For Anissa

Amanda

17 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pm

This post is cross-posted from Aiming Low as extraordinary traffic slows that site.Hope for AnissaTue, Nov 17, 2009NewsAs you may have heard, Anissa, our beloved friend and leader here at Aiming Low, suffered a stroke on Tuesday afternoon. She is in the hospital right now, in the ICU.More than anything, Anissa needs your prayers and positive thoughts but to the many people in the Atlanta area who have offered help to the Mayhew family, we have set up a form for you to fill out so we can have everyone’s contact info in one place (please be assured your information will be kept…
Fitness without sweat

Amanda

17 Nov 2009 | 9:02 am

We rejoined the YMCA over the weekend. I can honestly say right now that as I type this I am moaning. Oh, the nuanced pain of unused muscles. I am discovering expanses of self that hurt as never before, the cruelest part being the surprise as a movement draws a new ache. It's good, just makes everything from lifting my coffee mug to scaling the stairs a spectacle of "oohs" and jerks that make the girls throw back their heads with amused delight.I'm not bent on writing about working out though, it's something else. It is using another set of muscles that has helped me rediscover the kind of…
Mad About My Man

Amanda

15 Nov 2009 | 9:46 am

I have been know to wax euphoric about being a mom. I've written reams on breastfeeding, the mom/dad equation, and milestones. I've shared what little wisdom I've gleaned from the journey of 2 to 5. I've achieved neither fame nor money for what I've done, but man, I've loved it. The friendships, the memories captured in adjectives and thoughts. It has felt like full-bodied preservation of my life so far, until the other night.Sean has been getting together with two of his childhood friends. They sing, and as they do I writhe with self-loathing for not having that skill and butterflies for the…

Secret Agent Josephine
Where did I leave my head?

josephine

20 Nov 2009 | 4:35 pm

This is what my brain feels like right now. Fractured. I have so much going on I don’t know which end is up and yet it’s not like I’m conducting brain surgery or rocket science or anything. All I’m doing is traveling between Bethany’s house and my mom’s house and helping out with various [...]
La Vie en Rose

josephine

18 Nov 2009 | 7:00 pm

A little piece of Paris in my ears. No matter where I hear this song, it instantly takes me back to those cobblestone streets but I especially like this version because… well, what’s not to love about Pomplamoose? All their covers are great.
Not all my ideas are good.

josephine

17 Nov 2009 | 9:57 pm

I’ve been thinking up Christmas crafts for my next installment over at Alpha+Mom and my recent projects have gone horribly wrong. Luckily, I have enough time before my next post is due to test them out. But I thought you’d like to see my latest failure. I had this idea that I would [...]

Tumble Dry
There but for the grace of God go I

Amanda

17 Nov 2009 | 7:43 pm

I played with Fin this morning, walked Briar to school, sang to Ave. I didn't fully understand the depth of my blessings.::::You say it, but as a parent, when you hear the story, for a moment you go there. You imagine the scenario.The kids.The challenges.The marriage.The beauty.The life.The stroke.Kids waiting at home while your husband holds your hand praying for you to pull through. "We need you. We all need you, honey."It is inconceivable, and yet, it is real.Anissa is at the ICU. Peter is with her. The circle around them grows larger with each tweet and post, but at the center, it is…
Larger than life

Amanda

16 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am

The girls are getting bigger. Bigger in the sense of oh-my-god-are-their-feet-growing-by-the-minute and getting bigger with regard to how very much they understand. Disagreeing sparks unfamiliar nuance, a furrowed brow a trembling lip or a sudden scrambling for attention. WE are paying heed, but just as we think we get it, something new emerges."Mom...""Yes, baby?" I say as I examine an eyebrow."Are you almost done, I'd like a little private time for potty." Blue eyes as pure as the summer sky await my response.Shocked, I nod and scurry out of the room.There is role playing with, "I now…
Today and always

Amanda

11 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

There aren't words enough, to satisfy the gratitude for the life that I enjoy.To veterans yesterday, today, tomorrow and every minute between— thank you.

Mommy Needs Coffee
I went to DC to take “The Hill” and DC took my breath away- Meeting the Five Moms and Dr. Drew

Jenn

24 Oct 2009 | 5:45 pm

When I was contacted by Edelman –the PR firm who represents the CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association) and Five Moms– to attend meetings in Washington DC, it was a no-brainer for me as to whether or not I would say yes. (I would.) I have been in contact with the Five Moms organization since I first met them two and a half years ago. Seeing as it fell during Red Ribbon week in the month of October which also happens to be National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and I happen to be a recovering addict, it all seemed to be fated to come together. When my daughter…
My Baby’s Diamonds Falling Down

Jenn

13 Oct 2009 | 6:16 pm

So many of you have emailed or asked me on Facebook how Gabriella is doing. She is still sick. She is still baffling doctors. We are still waiting on test results. The first phone call came yesterday saying she is dehydrated and has pneumonia. And? They are waiting on more test results from her blood to find more answers. Oh, the agony of watching my poor baby girl while the amazing nurses tried to draw blood from her dehydrated body. I know how much it hurt her. She was such a trooper! I cried just a bit watching but never when she saw me. They said they were still…
Sleepless Nights, Fevers and Worry: This Mom’s Weekend

Jenn

11 Oct 2009 | 8:50 pm

I am up blogging in the middle of the night because I cannot get rid of this horrible, scary nagging feeling about my daughter and her being so sick. I check on her about every 10 minutes. I check her temperature. I put cool rags on her. I rub her back and will her little body to be healthy, be strong and fight this fever and whatever virus is attacking her. You see, Gabby has been sick for days. Not the “Oh, honey, here is some juice and Advil, go back to bed” sick but the kind of sick where we are watching her around the clock and piggybacking meds to attempt to keep her…

Mamalogues®
Accomplishing a Lot and Not Much

16 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am

A couple of days ago, when summer gave one last gasp and spiked the temperatures up to 70-degrees, the boys and I ran outside, our last chance to play in the leaves. I say play. I mean "let's play a game called let's rake the leaves into this garbage bag. Whoever fills their bag the fastest wins bigger piece of brownie."We all lost because we were too busy obliterating the piles after we raked them. But because I'm the Mom I cut us all each big brownie pieces anyway. And yea, it was so.
Veterans' Day

9 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am

Still a couple of days away but on Saturday the boys, Chris, some friends, and I rode in the St. Louis Veterans' Parade and were able to personally thank so many of our men and women who've so bravely served our country. Ewan attacking my bag; with Lt. Governor Kinder.Full photo set.Cross-posted.
One of My Favorite Faces on Earth

6 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

He is every bit the character you think he is.

Mamma Loves...
No Mammography until 50?! Tell it to Her

Mamma

17 Nov 2009 | 2:16 pm

The thing about the perfect best friend is that you want everyone you know to meet her.Forget that she loves you even when you're a bitch. Forget that on a visit to your family's she walked your infant nephew all night long--while sick as a dog--so that you could get some sleep.Don't even consider that she knows all the words to every 80's song and will sing them with very little prodding or alcohol when you can't remember the words. And don't even take into account her phenomenal dancing skills that would have secured her a job as the spotlight dancer on Solid Gold (that again will be…
Books! Books! Books!

Mamma

17 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am

The Kirtsy book comes out today!Why am I excited about it? Maybe because a number of lovely women have their writing, photography and general online fantasticness profiled in this anthology of women on the web.You another reason?I'm one of the contributors! (I know. Can you believe it?!) I'm even attending a book release party on Thursday night and will have a Sharpie (have you seen their gallery?) on hand to sign copies (and will be looking over my shoulder for Candid Camera the whole time). You're invited to the party if you're in the DC area. Seriously.The piece included only came about…
Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart

Mamma

11 Nov 2009 | 5:57 pm

She was due to give birth to her first baby in June.He had been honorably discharged as an officer in the Air Force for health reasons, but he felt such a duty to his country he enlisted as a private in the Army. He was on base away from home getting ready to ship out with his company.A wise, compassionate company commander knew that Morgan's wife was about to give birth. He also knew that once he sent Morgan over seas there was a good chance he might not come home. That gentleman risked his own military career to ensure that another man had the chance to meet his daughter--if only for one…

Sleepless Nights
Blood test results.

Veronica

18 Nov 2009 | 6:09 pm

Yesterday we received the results of Amy’s blood test results for Coeliacs. It was negative for the antibodies commonly found in people with Coeliacs when they’re eating gluten. However. Amy showed all the classic symptoms of a child with Coeliacs when we put her back on gluten. Tummy upsets and pain, bloating, rapid and insane mood swings, and finally, the big one, drastic weight loss. My little girl? She weighed 1kg less than 8 weeks ago when she was weighed in the Paeds office. This is after a month back on a gluten free diet when she gained back some of what she lost. I…
Open letter to the lady in the blue top

Veronica

17 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

Dear lady in the blue top eating lunch at Eastlands today. Hi. I was sitting just behind you with my partner and our baby. I don’t even think you noticed me, you were interested in eating your lunch and talking with your friend. I’m thankful for that, truly I am. I was eating my lunch and sharing bits with my wiggly son. Eventually he cracked the shits with his stroller and started throwing food around. So I did what anyone would do in my situation, I gave up on solid food and breastfed him instead. He must have been thirsty, as he wiggled and snuffled and drank like a parched…
Yesterday…

Veronica

14 Nov 2009 | 1:09 pm

Yesterday was shit. Even though Isaac standing up on everything was very cute, it was slightly less cute when he used my ponytail to haul himself to standing. Once there, he tried to remain standing, using my eye sockets. He’s very um, grabby. And his grabby hurts. Sometimes I’d just like to put mittens on him so he can’t keep trying to claw me to bits. Add the grabbing, standing, falling and clawing to a lovely tummy bug and Isaac was miserable yesterday. So was I actually, as I ran backwards and forward to the toilet, retching all the way. I think I’m better today,…

babyfruit: the miscarriage blog and motherhood diaries
Questioning iTunes 10 Best TV Shows for Kids

Aliza Sherman

6 Nov 2009 | 1:44 pm

Image by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML via Flickr...
Heart Ache is an Owie

Aliza Sherman

6 Sep 2009 | 9:47 am

NG was laying on the living room floor wrapped in her favorite blankie when she started to whine. "Owieeee." "Honey, what is it?" "Owieeee." "Are you okay? What's owie?" "Owieeee." I went over to see what was wrong. "Did you...
Cutting My Hair

Aliza Sherman

30 Aug 2009 | 12:31 pm

Why do we infuse our hair with so much emotion? Why does cutting it often elicit crying? Why do we cling to our long hair even as we age even though our hair is no longer healthy and the length...

Absolutely Bananas: Seattle mom blog
Vaccinate this.

bananas

25 Oct 2009 | 11:50 pm

In the last two weeks I have had swine flu and/or pneumonia about sixteen times. Now, when I say I “had” those things I don’t mean that I actually had them, but that I was pretty sure (100% confident) that I had them. Swine flu. And/or Pneumonia. Death was imminent. Only I didn’t. And it wasn’t. Which, when you calculate the freak-outs and heavy breathing and HOURS spent on webmd.com and cdc.gov, can result in only one thing: a mild feeling of disappointment. I mean seriously. I think it’s great that the government is madly working to create vaccines for…
Alarming

bananas

18 Sep 2009 | 9:59 pm

It used to be that whenever Jay would travel and leave CJ and I home alone, I didn’t sleep. I heard noises and thumps and bumps and I fretted and spent night after night in a half-wakened state of terrified delirium. Until we bought the alarm. It was expensive, the alarm, but no price was too high for my sleep and sanity. So I signed the contract, wrote a big check, put the stickers in the windows, and breathed a big sigh of relief. At last, our house is protected. Which is why I am dead asleep when the sirens erupt in a cacophony of blaring noise. In the middle of the night. A night…
The good neighbor

bananas

3 Sep 2009 | 9:08 pm

CJ and I are walking to the neighborhood coffee shop when out of the blue he says to me, “Mommy I cannot believe ALL THIS LITTER! How can people litter like this?” He shakes his head, horrified. “I don’t know,” I say. “Mommy!” CJ is deathly serious. He stops to face me and holds his hand out so that I have to stop too. “Mommy, listen.” “OK, ok, WHAT?” “Mommy, can I pick up the litter off our street? PLEEEEEEASE?” Of course I have to say yes. And so, as promised, the very same afternoon I give CJ an old pair of…

Let the dog in!
9 top tips for a Disneyland visit with your child

wendy

17 Nov 2009 | 8:42 am

My husband, 6 year-old daughter and I went to Disneyland, and I thought it might be helpful for any of you planning a similar trip to benefit from my mistakes and poor judgment experiences. Here are my top 9 tips for visiting Disneyland (oh, there are more, just email me…!): 1. Stay by the park, or in the park, or in a bush near the park. I know, I know, many have stayed, including us, a mile or two away from the park and rode the Anaheim shuttle bus, but I’ve decided next time I’d sacrifice the comfortable suite setup, to just have a mediocre or crappy tiny room that I…
our outing

wendy

14 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

At this point, you may be wondering if you’ll finish your Halloween candy by Thanksgiving where the heck we’ve been. Well, I went out of town and failed to properly plan with scheduled posts left you all here unsupervised. You did behave yourselves, didn’t you? Or at least not get caught. But where did we go you don’t really care but are going to hear about it anyways? We went to visit a friend at her house. She was quite gracious and invited us into her house. Although I got the impression she did that with everyone. The weather was great, sunny and 70 (woo hoo! take…
the new dog door

wendy

4 Nov 2009 | 8:58 pm

The oh-so-talented Hubs has been slogging away on home upgrades these past few ions years, projects that include replacing all our windows and doors. As we he neared the time to replace our main sliding door, we debated about whether to add a doggie door for Becca. Given this is the Let the dog in! blog, I knew it might ruin things, but also given the sheer volume of dog ins and outs happening here every day, plus my general laziness level, I might be ruined anyway. Ultimately, our worry about raccoons coming inside caused us to vote “no” on the doggie door. I repeat, we voted…

Social Media Mom
Good Eating on Any Budget

Ariela Ross

28 Oct 2009 | 12:34 pm

While there are dozens of official reports about the economy improving, the general population has yet to feel the effects of it. With unemployment rates hanging in the double-digit percentage points, it’s become apparent to the average family that it is time to modify their budget, and not in the desired direction. Going shopping these days, you may see some sort of common pattern. The department stores and ‘non-necessity’ stores are drastically marking down their prices. The same, however, does not go for grocery stores. Grocers are marking up prices, only to put them…
The FTC is Now Playing Ball with Bloggers

Holly Ord

6 Oct 2009 | 7:05 am

If you’re a blogger that receives any kind of payment, whether in the form of cash in exchange for writing a blog post or in the form of free products you’re reviewing on your blog, you are now subject to following new guidelines put into rule yesterday by the Federal Trade Commission. For the first time in 29 years, the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising has been amended and specifically targets new media outlets which includes not only blogging, but also Facebook and Twitter. If you have not yet been introduced to the new 81-page document…
National Grandparent’s Day Twitter Party

Holly Ord

8 Sep 2009 | 10:18 pm

National Grandparent’s Day (September 13th) is one of the most overlooked and neglected days of the year. While I’m sure more people recognize the day much more than other “national days of celebration” like for instance, Flag Day or Secretary Appreciation Day (no, I’m not making this up,) National Grandparent’s Day is one of those days that a great deal of people do not even know exists in the first place. Because of this, Grandparents.com and MomSelect have teamed up to kick off a celebration for Grandparent’s Day by holding a Twitter party. I have a unique…

Seattle Mom Blogs
Hands on Small Business: Seattle!

Mona

18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

Hands on Small Business I’m very excited to announce that Seattle will be able to experience the awesomeness that is the Hands on Business workshops that have been held across the country since October. And even more exciting? I’M TEACHING! I was approached by the indomitable Mrs. Flinger to help give our Puget Sound friends the opportunity to understand the intricacies of the internet and how it can help you and your small business. IT’S FREE. THERE WILL BE GIFTS. AND FOOD. I WILL BE THERE! So please check it out. The official deets are below. Kirtsy and Microsoft Office…
Photo Contest Winners! We Announce the Two Lucky Ladies!!

Michelle

10 Nov 2009 | 6:01 pm

Don’t say ‘lightning doesn’t strike twice’…because for one lucky SMB reader it does! Also the winner of our Westport, WA getaway contest, Timerie is also the winner of the Grand Prize Family Day in our photo contest! Her Facebook post (Comment #4) was the winning number drawn from Random.org (out of the 19 entries we received!). So it does pay to spread the word about our contests! Congrats…again… Timerie! You might be the one who forces us to make some more rules for these fun little contests- you might want to book that trip to Vegas now!
I Guess I’m Not Done for the Season Yet After All

chrisp

8 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

So I thought I was done with the training for marathons and triathlons until next spring. And then I went and registered for the Seattle Marathon which is 3 weeks from today. Yes, 3 weeks. And yes, I may bit a bit insane. My trainer, who is running the Seattle Half, was dead set against me running the race at all. Apparently I have been over training which has resulted in stalled weight loss progress. So, I’m going to try and respect the rest days on my schedule and really try and do the shorter, less instense workouts she plans, instead of always feeling like I have to kick…

Crunchy Domestic Goddess
First stitches - Wordless Wednesday

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

17 Nov 2009 | 8:38 pm

On Monday afternoon, Julian took a header into the corner of the coffee table at my sister’s office. I had just left and missed the trauma, but returned momentarily after my sister called me and we piled into the car and took him to the ER. Julian got 7 stitches above his left eye and was quite the little trooper. In the ER, before stitches: Later that day at home, after stitches: In the moment, it wasn’t hard to be present for my little guy as he was restrained and stitched back up, but when I think about it now, after the fact, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I hope I…
Reducing holiday stress for your kids

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

13 Nov 2009 | 4:34 am

The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” yet for many people they might as well be known as “the most stressful time of the year.” We often think of stress as something that only affects adults, but it can play a significant role in the lives of children as well, especially around the holidays. There are a lot of changes to children’s routines during the holidays, from visits from unfamiliar relatives to traveling, from an influx of sweets to over-scheduled days and late bedtimes. All of these things can take a toll on the wee ones.
Happy birthday, Sesame Street!

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

10 Nov 2009 | 9:29 pm

Thank you, Sesame Street, for providing entertaining and educational quality programing for the past 40 years. I enjoyed growing up watching Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and the gang, and I love that my kids can still enjoy them (and other lovable characters) today. Unlike other shows on television (even on PBS which is the only station my kids watch), I know I can always trust Sesame Street. I often find myself wanting to watch it too. (I can’t say the same about other kids’ shows.) ;) This is one show I hope never goes off the air. Happy 40th birthday, Sesame…

In the Trenches of Mommyhood....
Death by Sliding Glass Door

Trenches of Mommyhood

19 Nov 2009 | 9:34 am

I was totally skeeved out. A bird. A big bird. A big DEAD bird. On my back porch.(I'm guessing it just crashed into the glass and died? Which is odd, because the windows in my sunroom are certainly NOT streak, smudge or grime-free, by any means. Stupid bird.)There it lay. For days on end. While Hubby and I played that passive-aggressive couples game.Hello? I certainly wasn't about to remove the thing. That obviously falls into his realm of home maintenance.Except Hubby was being lazy/squeamish/annoying (you…
Apparently They Take After Their Father

Trenches of Mommyhood

18 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

The other day, I was reading some Brain Quest questions to all 3 of the boyz. (After I had them conjugate some verbs and memorize the Declaration of Independence, that is...) One of the questions was:"If a man has a wife, then what does a woman have?"Without skipping a beat, 5-year old Middle piped up,"BOOBS!"*****Another Brain Quest question was:"What major organ pumps blood throughout your entire body?"Eldest's answers were coming fast and furious, but all were wrong."Your brain!" "The liver?" Middle and Baby were just being silly: "Your…
Praise With Purpose

Trenches of Mommyhood

16 Nov 2009 | 12:57 pm

I mentioned in a previous post that Baby learned to ride a two-wheeler! What I didn't mention is that Middle, who is 5 and a full year older than Baby, still can't.As any parent knows, it is absolutely mindblowing that your children can all be SO DIFFERENT. With different abilities, different skills, and different physical and mental strengths, I often am amazed that all 3 of my boyz actually came out of the SAME WOMB.That day, Baby first took the initiative and asked me to help him practice riding his bike. I obliged. Once Middle saw Baby having success, he, of…

Parenting Squad
Family Savings For Thanksgiving

Debbie Dragon

20 Nov 2009 | 10:37 am

By Debbie DragonAs autumn’s brilliant colors fall off their trees, we begin our Thanksgiving preparations. Most of us look forward to this time of year when we cherish gathering with family and friends, to celebrate our traditions together. Whether you’re planning for a large or small crowd, there are many ways for a family to save money over this Thanksgiving holiday. Planning ahead is your top priority. It’s important to have a close estimate of how many people you’ll be feeding. Along with knowing a head count, you can outline a menu for your feast. Creating a menu…
The Slaughter of Innocence

Margaret Garcia-Couoh

19 Nov 2009 | 9:27 am

By Margaret Garcia...About five years ago my grandmother seemed to be becoming paranoid. Every time I called her she mentioned how unsafe the world was. How you can’t trust anyone anymore and how demoralized we’ve become. I never knew what to say to her when she went on these rants. When I spent six weeks with her last summer I thought I’d narrowed in on her paranoia. After The View and before the Dodgers was a deep wide afternoon of grandma being glued to Fox and CNN — two channels that are so wrapped up in their 24 news and commentary cycle that their reporting has…
Plastics May Affect Development In Boys

Fred Lee

18 Nov 2009 | 9:39 am

By Fred LeeAs if parents needed another thing to worry about, now the latest news is indicating that plastics may impede the masculine development of our boys. A study published in the International Journal of Andrology has found for the first time that a mother’s exposure to compounds called phthalates when they were pregnant may have resulted in their boys being less inclined to take part in stereotypical boyhood activities, including play-fighting and playing with trucks. Phthalates are sometimes referred to as “anti-androgens” because they are part of a group of…

Traveling with Baby
For Grandparents: Pictures

Dr. Dolly Garnecki

19 Nov 2009 | 8:36 pm

I can’t think of a better gift that’s cherished year-round by grandparents other than photos of their sweet grandchildren. Last year, I created a “book of Calvin” filled with my favorite photos of my son. We printed copies for each of his grandparents and great grandparents. We’ve also purchased multiple photo frames including a collage of several specially-selected photos. This year, for personalized Christmas cards, I took photos of Calvin posing with individual alphabetized letters. Like this one… I’m going to group them together so that…
For the Whole Family: Go Waggaloo

Dr. Dolly Garnecki

18 Nov 2009 | 2:24 pm

Music that embodies a sunny day full of smiles and laughter just oozes through Go Waggaloo ($12) by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family. A talented songwriter in her own right, Sarah Lee Guthrie is the daughter of folk legend Arlo Guthrie and the grand-daughter of famed folk artist Woody Guthrie. She continues the family tradition of creating incredible folk music by recording Go Waggaloo with her family and friends. The title track and two others (Bright Clear Day, Fox and Goose) were written by Woody Guthrie and the unrecorded lyrics were provided to her by the Smithsonian when they asked her…
For the Whole Family: Putumayo Kids’ A Family Christmas CD

Dr. Dolly Garnecki

18 Nov 2009 | 12:59 pm

Music is a key component to adding the finishing touches on atmosphere in a retail store, a restaurant, and of course, the home. I can’t think of any other holiday where you can listen to themed music for weeks on end. Great Christmas music fills your cup with good cheer as you plan and prepare a Thanksgiving meal, string lights, hang greens, and read the Christmas story with your family. I’ve accumulated quite a collection of Christmas music albums over the years, and there are a handful of favorite albums that I want to share with my son as we re-introduce wonderful family…

All American Mommy
Learning Resources Number Knockout Electronic Game

18 Nov 2009 | 1:33 pm

Number Knockout™ Electronic Math Game by Learning ResourcesHaley has really been enjoying Number Knockout! It's a game that makes math fun and it's great to take along for long car rides! Check it out at www.learningresources.com.Slug your way to the heavyweight math title in the Number Knockout Electronic Math Game! An electronic dice roll gives you a target number, and kids (or parents!) race to add or subtract the light-up numbers 1-9 at their station. Once you’ve used all your numbers, you’ve scored a knockout! You can also train for matches in solo mode. The announcer’s voice,…
Top Pick Books from Viva Editions

18 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am

Viva Editions publishes gift and inspiration books. They offer several titles that are perfect for anyone on your list this year. Below are some examples of books that are offered. Viva Editions are books that inform, enlighten, and entertain.The Frugal Foodie Cookbook {Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook} is written by Lynette Rohrer Shirk and Lara Starr. Together, they have cooked up a recipe-filled guide to eating better than ever for less. While the budget crunch means that we all have to cut back on expenses, it doesn't mean foregoing gourmet food and a balanced diet. You will learn how…
Energizer Giveaway

16 Nov 2009 | 8:17 am

All American Mommy had the opportunity to review the new Energizer Rechargeable AA Batteries and Compact Charger. PLUS, we have a charger and battery package to giveaway to a lucky winner! Every household should have the charger and rechargeable batteries, especially for all the kids Christmas toys that require batteries! The Energizer Rechargeable batteries are both economical and environmentally responsible. Answering the call for an improved battery from value-conscious consumers, Energizer introduces its new and improved Energizer Rechargeable AA battery. As a result of advances in…

Playgroups are No Place For Children
Choco-LOT icing

Jennifer

19 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

Thank goodness that’s chocolate icing and, uh, not something else. ©2009 Playgroups are No Place For Children. All Rights Reserved..
Aiming HIGH for Anissa

Jennifer

18 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

Anissa, I know you’d appreciate this. 4 PM, Ella still in PJ’s, John Deere PJ’s, nonetheless. Please don’t hold it against me that she was wearing boy’s dress shoes, I aimed as low as I could. She put the shoes on herself. I guess to dress up her look? (Not pictured: Me, at 4 PM, still in PJ’s, with unbrushed hair and mascara raccoon eyes.) My whole family and my Bible study group, we’re all praying for you. Get well SOON. For those of you who don’t know the vibrance that is my friend Anissa, or what’s happened to her, she…
Control issues? What control issues?

Jennifer

17 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

Since I had to take Ella to the ER on Monday morning, Tate was in charge of taking Carson to school. I had very little time to explain how the morning should play out. Quickly I showed Tate what to fix Carson for lunch and what containers to pack them in and where the lunchbox could be found. I rattled off what time to wake him up, what he should wear (A JACKET!! TENNIS SHOES! NOT his Crocs!!), and how much milk to pour into his cup. As I was running out the door carrying Ella, I remembered that I hadn’t explained the rules of the drop off line, realizing I should have spent…

Mom to the Screaming Masses
Survey...

Carmen Staicer

19 Nov 2009 | 5:33 pm

The idea for this blog post came from Twitter...Do you like the following...Nutella - NOWine - NOBeer - NOBacon - NO, NO, NOThere you have it. Now you know how officially weird I am.I'd love to know your answers to the above.
Much Ado About Randomosity

Carmen Staicer

18 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm

Random and mundane is all below the fold, but this is very extremely important:I first met Anissa in person at Blogher last year, although I had known her online for quite a while. I've often been known as a woman with bigger than average boobs - F cup, down from J - and she and I were the Big Bewbed Twins, although hers were much bigger and more impressive than I'll EVER be. When I met her in July, it was as if I'd met a long lost sister. Anissa suffered a stroke yesterday and is currently in ICU. I spent last night and today in total and complete shock, for if there was…
Commercial Break

Carmen Staicer

17 Nov 2009 | 1:02 pm

Rant of the day: Commercials are, I'm told, a necessary part of television watching. I understand that. Most of the time I ignore them. Some of the time I watch them. Occasionally I laugh at them. Super Bowl Sunday I'm obsessed with them. Some of them, though, I hear beginning and RUN to the television to either mute the volume or change the channel. Barring that, I've been known to call my kids by name and start rambling nonsense - speaking about anything - and nothing, really - to try to fill their ears before the commercial can.I'll bet you can't guess what the…

Baby on Bored
Happy Birthday Madeline

BabyonBored

11 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm

There was a little girl who had so many little curls...She would have turned two today. Her name was Maddie.I met Maddie's mom before I met Maddie. Heather came to hang out with me after work one day without Madeline so that we could talk and get to know each other. The next time we met we both brought our tiny girls so we could compare and contrast. We sat at the Coffee Bean, holding our babies - then maybe 10 or 11 months -and eventually swapped so we could feel the weight in our arms of someone else's joy, worry, preemie, lightweight. The thing I noticed immediately about Maddie was her…
Lucky

BabyonBored

9 Nov 2009 | 2:39 pm

Not to be all mushy but sometimes I am overwhelmed by the enormity that is how much I love my family. It's a pretty corny thing that one doesn't often share with anyone but other people who also can't get over how ridiculously fun it is to raise little human beings. Normally, I like to bitch about things. I feel that not only is complaining my God given right but it's also compelling and hilarious if done well. People who have problems but suck 'em up and say "can't complain" are boring if you ask me. Can't complain? Yes you can! Open your mouth! Try harder. Take a class. On the other hand,…
Tiny Ladies Wear Cuter Clothes

BabyonBored

6 Nov 2009 | 2:39 pm

A few days ago I was wandering the cosmetics section of my local CVS-I'm not bragging, just stating facts here, and I spotting an Asian woman who looked to be maybe 4' 11". Now, I'm not positive she was that short because I was too chicken to ask even though I really really wanted to know. I'm slightly obsessed with short people's heights because there's a good chance a full sized Sadie will only be 4'10or 4' 11" and I want to get a good picture of what that looks like. If it looks like that Asian woman it will be down right adorable. But then again, maybe the random short Asian woman was…

doobleh-vay
I will always linger round the reds

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

20 Nov 2009 | 5:14 pm

I love a lot of things about late fall and winter.Red flipping lipstick is at the top of that list. Get me delivered to yr email xo
key lime pie

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

19 Nov 2009 | 7:10 pm

Sweethearts - Camper Van Beeth...It shoots straight into my ears and tunnels to a place that doesn't even exist anymore but I can feel the way it wants me to forget everything else but THEN.I acknowledge it and hit repeat.
But the fighter still remains

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

18 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm

I jumped rope today like a boxer.(I had flashbacks to this mean wretched older boy on the Logan High School varsity track team. I would run by on the track and he would stomp his feet and make sounds like rumbles, like my massive body weight was somehow shaking the track- moving the land. I was a flipping size 12. Whatever. He was unfortunate. He married a really nice girl too. Shocking. I don't think kind things of him even now.He would not have changes I bet) Anyhoo, I felt like the world might be shaking I was jumping with such insanity. My friend Karen jumped with me and OMG it's a…

Susiej
They Were Drooling Over Ox Tail Soup

SusieJ

18 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pm

Some of you may be traveling with kids over the Thanksgiving Weekend, so I thought I would share this story with you, in hopes of helping you plan with success, a bearable car ride. Last summer when I drove to Ann Arbor to visit my Dad, I cleared the library CD shelves and garnered a great collection of kid books on CDs. The kids are great listeners, and we usually listen to something new every trip we take to the lake. This time, I had some great fantasy ones, some adventures ones, and some funny ones. The goal was to keep the 6 and 7 year-olds, my only company, for the trip entertained…
Maurice and his similes

SusieJ

17 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am

Where the Wild Things Are is only one of Maurice Sendak’s books. Higglety Piggelty Pop! or There Must Be More To Life was published in 1967 by Harper Collins. In this picture “chapter” book, a dog, Jennie, is looking for “experience” so that she can join the theater, so she decides to become a baby’s (a real one) nurse. Baby won’t eat, and a Lion in the basement has, in true Where the Wild Things Are style, eaten previous nurses who failed to get the baby to eat. We are not finished with the book, and I like surprises so much that I have not peeked at…
Productive

SusieJ

15 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm

Dad took off with my camera, and all four boys, to go trekking through the woods this morning. They all went, kicking and screaming out the door. And my husband captured this best shot. Well done, lovey. I stayed behind and wrote, and wrote and wrote. A three-hour, uninterrupted stretch of time is virtually unheard of in my normal frame of reference. There were no school bells ringing in the background, no pick-ups, no drop-offs, no one else to take care of — save for the words on the page. I found myself gulping down the minutes like a dehydrated person stranded in the desert. I was…

Chicky Chicky Baby
Because no one else understands my obsession with Ralph Macchio like she does

Chicky Chicky Baby

18 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

My heart hurts today.I'm going to just cut to the chase - My friend Anissa Mayhew had a stroke yesterday and today she is in the ICU. I am completely devastated by this news. Anissa is a new friend, I only just met her in July at the BlogHer conference, but I feel like I've known her forever. If you know her you probably feel the same, she just has that way about her - instantly likable. As news spread of her condition over Twitter and the internet the outpouring of love from the people who know her, both online and off, was amazing and inspiring. She is truly a loved person.Anissa is a…
Sometimes a cough is just a cough and not the end of days

Chicky Chicky Baby

9 Nov 2009 | 7:04 am

Flu hysteria is solidly upon us, and by "us" I mean the country. I'm still only mildly concerned, but as the season progresses and more kids get sick (Hello, my town's high school was closed for five days due to an outbreak of what might have been H1N1. Freaking out? Me? Nooo.... Um.), mildly is slowly making its way toward moderately. If I watch another 60 Minutes expose on this flu I may be purchasing child-sized hamster balls dipped in Purell, but for now I'm still walking on the mild side.In my house, we can't even get the flu shots, whether seasonal or H1N1. I did manage to get the…
Need

Chicky Chicky Baby

4 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am

CC and I went to a local children's store today to exchange a hat and mitten set I had bought for Chicky. Despite my insistence she stop growing, she seemed to have had a growth spurt and needed a larger size. We were just going to run in, get the next size up, and leave because I had many more errands to do before we needed to head back to preschool for pickup when a family caught my attention on my way to the hat display.There was a woman about my age with her two young children, the oldest barely out of infancy and the little one around 4 months old, accompanied by someone I assumed to be…

crazedparent
Living mindfully and with grace...

Charlene Prince Birkeland

17 Nov 2009 | 12:24 pm

A few days after I put that little NaBloPoMo button on the blog (to your left), I had the overwhelming urge to just unplug for a spell. I enjoy the maintaining a writing/posting routine, but I'm not into forced writing. And for me and my writing style, that's what NaBloPoMo becomes: forced writing. Even though lots of wonderfully fun things were happening here last week, I chose not to post about it. A mini protest of sorts. NaBloPoMoNoMo. Get it? NoMo = No more. Yeah, whatever, I thought it was clever. Moving on.I picked up a copy of Body+Soul, which is a Martha Stewart…
A typical Sunday afternoon in the kitchen...

Charlene Prince Birkeland

8 Nov 2009 | 11:45 am

Cookbook open (if using one), ingredients lined up in pretty dishes, food cooling on the counter, a requisite glass of some sort of white wine (other cocktails are best suited for Saturday dispatches from the test kitchen), and a golden stream of sunlight through the window. Hovering in the wings is a sneaky, black dog who is poised for quick counter theft if and when the humans leave the room. Never! Her attempts are thwarted as she is always forced to leave the room with us and we close the door to the kitchen. I learned that lesson long ago. I am currently smitten with Mad Hungry:…
Retro kid entertainment: "The Littles" on Jaroo.com

Charlene Prince Birkeland

7 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am

We've been television free for nearly seven years and there are only two things that make me really miss owning a TV: baseball season and Saturday mornings.The baseball season problem was easily solved by going old school and listening to games on the radio or via the iPhone MLB application (easily one of the best iPhone apps around for baseball fans). Sometimes, though, you just need to see the game live. For big match ups, we take the kids to local food joints that are likely to have the game playing. (Our favorite is Old Pro in Palo Alto. The food can be mediocre but the atmosphere is…

BabyCenter: MOMformation
Kid-tested: Leapfrog’s My Pals Scout and Violet

Dina Freeman

20 Nov 2009 | 11:12 am

What it is: Leapfrog was right on the money when they created these customizable talking pups My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet. These superdogs have single-handedly expanded my 2yo Jack’s vocabulary to include things like edamame, alpaca and Bibimbap … which incidentally, I didn’t even know existed until college. The good news for the tech challenged is it [...]
Will Work for Waffles

Melissa Byers

20 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but this story is too big to keep from my fellow parents. It’s good to be back! Notice anything missing from your local grocer’s freezer lately? I have. They live to the left of the toaster streudel and to the right of the Cool Whip. Our favorite variety is the Nutri-Grain [...]
Mocha Manual Mom: Seeing my slave roots

Kimberly Seals Allers

20 Nov 2009 | 7:09 am

Staring at the computer screen, I could barely make out the letters. But I will never forget what I heard. “These are likely the slave owners of your second great grandfather.” The very nice researcher from Ancestry.com had warned me when we sat down that she may have found some slave connections, but I figured, of [...]

Rookie Moms
Activity #471: Streamline your toy box

RookieMom Heather

20 Nov 2009 | 5:43 am

As we barrel toward the holidays, it is easy for me to think “we have too many toys!” and my boys just don’t need a thing. Other times, we visit friends for playdates and I think the opposite. Maybe my sons have all the wrong toys. Ugh. Scary toy pile from Wendy Here are some how-to instructions for doing an effective toy box sort (adapted from the guidelines by Discovery Toys‘ educational consultants): Sort. Make two big piles: “toy keepers” and the “toys you can do without” — More often than not, the toys in the “must keep” pile are open-ended…
Plan Toys Activity Bus, a true story

RookieMom Heather

19 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

Plan Toys are exactly the toys I want my kids to like. They are attractively designed, eco-friendly wooden toys without a licensed character in sight. I believe they allow for kid-powered creativity and open-ended preschooler inventiveness like pretending the little crazy-haired dude is a princess who wishes she were an owl. When we received the Activity Bus from Plan Toys, it was my sons’ favorite toy for one day. Only. They loved setting up the little bus, desks, and non-gender-specific figurines in little configurations. I was smitten. And they seemed happy too. On the second day,…
Good stuff I found for you

Whitney

19 Nov 2009 | 5:27 am

Little kid-sized backpacks – My son loves having his little backpack that fits his preschooler body just right. Cool Mom Picks shared a 25% off code for these hip toddler backpacks from Four Peas. Type in COOLKIDS at check-out. Naptime gift project for shutterbugs – Tracey from ShutterSisters has posted a template for a 2010 calendar that fits in a jewel case intended for CDs. You add your own photographs and Tracey’s taken care of the rest. The template is a set of PSDs, so Photoshop knowledge is required. A guide to being a baby cheapskate – Angie collates tons of…

A Little Space for Me
Winter Blahs

Marylin

20 Nov 2009 | 3:54 pm

I can’t be the only one who gets them, right? You get up in the morning and it’s dark. You pick up the kids from nursery (or school, whatever) and it’s dark. Dark dark dark dark dark. Even during the day it’s not bright, it’s grey. The light is awful and I can’t even take any decent photos. The kids who need to get out and play lots are stuck inside cause it’s raining all day long. I’m totally uninspired, unmotivated and so so tired. I am still doing all the essentials around the house, but those unpacked boxes are still sitting in my bedroom,…
Little bits of this and that

Marylin

19 Nov 2009 | 3:41 pm

Today was the first day into our 4 day weekend. It rained, and it rained, and it rained some more. I came downstairs to find that Zack had managed to get onto youtube and actually typed in “sonic” to search for videos with his favourite lil guy on them. I couldn’t believe it so made him show me. Oh my god my boy is learning to spell! I also found searches for “mario” and “oso” (secret agent oso is one of his new favourite on the playhouse disney channel). I have a smart lil guy on my hands – baring in mind he’s not quite 4 and a half yet!
Wordless Wednesday

Marylin

18 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pm

Missives From Suburbia
TMI

4 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pm

While wiping The Ambassador's derrière:THE AMBASSADOR: I want to see da poopy in da nakin.ME: (WIPING) You want to see the poopy what...?THE AMBASSADOR: I want to see da poopy in da nakin.ME: (STILL WIPING) I don't understand. THE AMBASSADOR: (EXASPERATED) I WANT TO SEE DA POOPY IN DA NAKIN!ME: Okay, look, I'm not deaf. I don't understand you. You want to see the poopy in the... what?THE AMBASSADOR: NAKIN!ME: Nakin.THE AMBASSADOR: (PLEASED) Yes. In da nakin.ME: Uhhh... OH! The poop on the napkin? On the wipe?THE AMBASSADOR: YES!ME: Here.THE AMBASSADOR: Dat not much poopy.ME: Well, there was…
Why My Marriage is Like a Coffee Table

18 Sep 2009 | 12:29 pm

After we'd begun dating, my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I went to our favorite flea market and scoured the antiques, looking for cool things for his house. I pointed out a lovely old copper tray to Hubby and told him it would make a great coffee table. When he told me to buy it, I said there was no point. While I loved the tray, could conceive of it being a table top, and even knew a furniture maker who could craft the base, I know myself all too well. Despite my best intentions, I would never get around to making it happen, and the tray would sit in my garage collecting dust. I had…
Yet Another Milestone

17 Sep 2009 | 6:25 pm

Two years ago today, Missives was born with this post.

Cheaper Than Theraphy - Musings of A Mom of 3
A Thousand Words Thursday

The Mom Jen

19 Nov 2009 | 9:23 am

December, 2001 Someone's hungry!!Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read and grab my button from HERE. Then write in your name and the URL(permalink) in the new Simply Linked below.Please link only to "A Thousand Words Thursday" posts, and check out all the other participants and leave them some love!
The Ghost Did It...

The Mom Jen

18 Nov 2009 | 11:31 am

So I was most worried about nightmares after taking my family to see A Christmas Carol.It was a scary-ass movie for animation let me tell you.Who knew comedian Jim Carrey would scare the crap out of me.And, yes, K saw the movie.But, we have been playing off the whole ghost thing to make her less scared."Ghosts are only in Canada" DQ tells her.Yeah, K has no idea where that is or that she lives in the U.S....well at least can't tell you she does and comprehend it."Ghosts are just pretend" works a bit better.But now Ghost is her go-to excuse.You know when you read those cartoons and there's…
Slumber(less) Party

The Mom Jen

16 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am

So my oldest turned eleven and talked me into a slumber party.I've been promising my hubby for years now that we're going to tone down the birthday parties.I love a good jumpy house, pinata, huge crowd type of kid's party.That's what i'm good at.Adult parties, forget about it...no clue what to do.So this year we had 8 tweens for a sleepover and they are not the jumpy house, pinata type. Pre-teens for goodness sake...they want music, food (OH they can EAT!), random items...i'll get back to that.So my daughter gives me little on the "plan" and I don't work well without one. I'm completely…

Table for Five
Tweet-a-Cause and Make A Wish!

Elizabeth

20 Nov 2009 | 2:43 pm

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of LeapFish Inc. All opinions are 100% mine. The Make-a-Wish foundation is the world’s largest wish-granting organization, and right now, they are trying to help make a wish come true for a sick little boy. Through Make-a-Wish’s Adopt-a-Wish program, a sponsor can “adopt” the wish and raise the money needed to grant it. To raise awareness of this program and get the social media community involved, LeapFish is sponsoring the Make-a-Wish Tweet-a-Cause. The wish that LeapFish wants to grant is for four year old Jacob, who…
From clouds to sun to clouds again

Elizabeth

19 Nov 2009 | 7:51 am

Two weeks ago, I pulled myself out of the darkest place I had been in a long, long time, and called my doctor’s office for an appointment. I told first the nurse and then the doctor the same story-what I was feeling wasn’t my usual seasonal depression. I couldn’t sleep, or I slept too much. I was irritated by everything and everyone, all the time. And worst of all, for two weeks out of each of the previous three months, I had experienced PMS like nothing I had ever felt. I needed help. Instead of re-prescribing Wellbutrin and Lexapro, she prescribed Venlafaxine, a generic…
Happy 4th Birthday Kaitlyn!!

Elizabeth

18 Nov 2009 | 8:42 am

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Kaitlyn, Happy Birthday to you! Four years ago today, my beautiful angel pumpkin princess Kaitlyn was born! From the moment she came into our lives, she was the baby we didn’t know we needed to have until we had her, and then it was like “ahhhh….so that’s what we needed to be a complete family!”. Chris, Ryan, Nathan and I fell completely in love with this tiny little girl. It’s hard to describe Kaitlyn in just a few words. She is this bright ray of sunshine that has our family completely…

mommy bytes
Dropbox Fever!

20 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

Last year, I posted about the great tool, Syncplicity. It allowed me to sync files on multiple computers as well as store them in the cloud. Since it came out of beta however, they changed the terms of the free account to only allow synchronization between two computers. As a bonafide geek, I regularly use three computers, so I had to change my workflow a bit to only use two computers regularly (i.e. take my work laptop on personal trips instead of my home laptop). Then I heard about Dropbox. The free account has the same storage capacity as Syncplicity (2GB), but it does not have…
PSF - Happy 9th Birthday Adam!

19 Nov 2009 | 9:59 pm

Adam, I know you would hate to read a gushy mom's letter for your birthday, so I'll keep it short. You brighten every room, you are "wicked" smart, and awesome at soccer. You love to read and you eat up book series like candy. Perhaps like the bars of Kit Kats, your favorite candy. Sometimes I wish you weren't so oblivious to everything around you when you're reading, playing video games or watching TV. Hello Adam! Your room is always an explosion of Legos and you love grooving to music. You've got real talent when it comes to the piano, except I know you still can't really read music…
Love Thursday - Finding a Friend

18 Nov 2009 | 8:27 pm

During one of Adam's last soccer games, Dova was bored as usual until she happened to see a Kindergarten classmate also watching her brother's game. They bonded over Swedish Fish. Yay! Dova found someone to run around with. And to take walks with near the woods. Those are some mighty big trees and mighty small girls. Hooray for friends! Visit Chookooloonks for more Love Thursday.--- Check out my giveaways for the Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind book and $10 iTunes Gift Cards from Holiday Inn.

Mommy Blog - From Dates to Diapers, by Christine Young
Old Navy Gobblepalooza {Win one of FIVE $50 off coupons!!}

Christine

20 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am

I visited Old Navy yesterday. Okay, I didn’t just visit… The deals were unbelievable and I couldn’t help myself!! Do you think you could resist 50% off already marked down items?... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.
We are family…

Christine

17 Nov 2009 | 11:39 pm

I got all (well, almost all) my sisters (and Mom, and Aunt, and Grandma, and nephew) with me! Visit more Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom and Extraordinary Mothers. Visit Wordful... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.
Merry Madagascar {a giveaway!}

Christine

17 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm

One of my biggest holiday pet peeves is that Thanksgiving seems to be overlooked. Even television specials are beginning before the day when we give thanks for that which God has blessed us. Last... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.

Mommy Poppins - Get more out of NYC with kids -
Gingerbread Houses and Holiday Cooking Classes for NYC Kids

Deanna

20 Nov 2009 | 2:44 am

Family holiday traditions often seem to revolve around food: cooking special meals, baking holiday cookies and creating gingerbread houses. These family moments create those warm memories that children will look back on with nostalgia. But if your inner Martha is on vacation, consider taking your kids to a holiday cooking class instead. Several kids' cooking clubs are offering holiday-themed classes in November and December, teaching staples like fresh cranberry sauce and gingerbread house construction. Classes for toddlers through tweens could whet your child's appetite for culinary…
New York City Kids Weekend Events for November 21-22: Free & Cheap Art Events, Icky Festival, Scarecrow Contest & More

charlotte

19 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

I’ve always found the weekend before Thanksgiving to be exciting, since the whole family is starting to get in the holiday spirit and kids know vacations (and presents, of course) are coming. But before you start thinking about gifts or prepping food before the big cook-off, take some time to enjoy the pre-Rockefeller Tree-d city—it won’t look like this again until mid-January. This weekend there’s an incredible array of free and cheap art events, live music and food at El Museo del Barrio, a scarecrow making contest, circus fun, a gross (but awesome) icky festival and…
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation Viewer's Guide

mommy

18 Nov 2009 | 5:20 pm

One of the things on our list of 100 things to do with your kids in NY before they grow up is to watch them inflate the giant balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you want to go this year, here's some tips for seeing the balloons, plus the best place to find a spot for the actual parade and news about the new parade route: read more

Undomestic Diva
I TOLD YOU I need my own cooking show. The proof is in the... Twice Baked Potatoes, Yo'

Megan Hook

20 Nov 2009 | 6:57 am

I was only sorta joking when I said I should have my own cooking show. 'Cause really, I'm not that entertaining, but the mishaps I seem to magnetically attract in the kitchen usually are. But I never intended to actually film myself cooking because a) it ain't pretty and b) it's hard enough for me to concentrate on not burning down my house without trying to film TOO and c) some other third thing 'cause I hear examples are best in three's. But then dinner happened. Man, I was going ALL OUT on this dinner too. (Well, ALL OUT is relative and when we're talking me:…
The Internet: The good, the bad and the beautiful

Megan Hook

18 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm

Here's the thing about the internet. I'm beginning to see it as a love/hate relationship. On the one hand, I love the people I've met, the friendships I've made and therefore the unbelievable support I've received from awesome friends and perfect strangers - even when I told you I didn't want it. (But god, thank you.) And then there's the other side of things. You get to know ALL these people - these amazing, wonderful, incredible people you would have never known had it not been for blogging and twitter and conferences and meet-ups. Which is awesome. But then…
No one should know how to spell 'aneurysm'

Megan Hook

15 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

This is the post I swore I'd never write. My dirty little secret, never meant to be told because writing THIS would require talking about it and actually, quite possibly feeling it and I've spent the last three plus years avoiding exactly that. Denial may not be a healthy way of living but sometimes facing a devastating reality is far more overwhelming, requiring way more energy, and frankly I don't know that I'm capable of going there. But here I am... typing. Perhaps hoping screaming the truth, admitting my secret nightmare might somehow be cathartic? theraputic? or maybe…

Workout Mommy
Great contest sponsored by Stonyfield’s Oikos organic greek yogurt

workoutmommy

20 Nov 2009 | 1:16 am

I don’t know about you, but I could certainly use an an all expenses paid weekend trip for two to the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Lenox, MA. It can be taken anytime in 2010 and has an estimated value of $3000. The catch? It is only open to bloggers. (Not much of a catch for me, just lessens the amount of entries, right?!) Here is how you enter– you just need to choose one: A) Share a brief story about why you need to relax and say “Ohm.” B) Share a recipe you create or tip using Oikos yogurt – it can be as simple as a holiday dip or dessert or…
My top 5 fitness goals

workoutmommy

19 Nov 2009 | 1:58 am

My fitness goals before I had kids are not that much different than the ones I have now. The main difference is finding the actual TIME to fulfill them! (In fact, now I’m wondering why I never achieved some of these goals because I really had all the time in the world!) Image via Wikipedia Here are my top 5 goals that I would like to accomplish in this lifetime (in no particular order): 1. Qualify for the Boston Marathon: any runner/marathoner will probably tell you this is his/her goal. The older I get, the better my chances since the qualifying time gets more favorable! 2.
Freebies!

workoutmommy

17 Nov 2009 | 6:37 pm

I have two reviews/contests up over Workout Mommy Reviews this week. Have you entered yet? Free Baby Samples ebook and The Shandle. Please go and check them out! Related PostsNo related postscopyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission. Freebies! Tweet This Post

The Dalai Mama
I’m No Better Than A Cheater

The Dalai Mama

12 Nov 2009 | 6:50 am

So, at the office on Tuesday someone came in to talk to the Dean of the Graduate School (who is my boss) about a doc student who plagiarized their comprehensive exams. This lead into a long discussion about how stupid that was to work so hard for something and then cheat. It just doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand why someone would do that. Last night as I was sitting on the couch eating a couple pieces of cookie dough, it occurred to me that I am not different from the person who cheated. I pay a good amount of money to work out with a personal trainer–and I…
A Plug For Noah’s School

The Dalai Mama

9 Nov 2009 | 7:18 am

If you live in our area and are looking for great school for our kiddos–consider The College School. When looking for a school for our kids–we knew they wouldn’t go to public school–I looked long and hard at a lot of private schools and we have a lot of them in our city. There was one that stood out among the rest. We choose to send Noah to The College School. It isn’t the biggest and it isn’t the most diverse (but it’s more diverse than it was without Noah). But we are so happy with school as is Noah. Here’s their mission: The College…
Her First Right of Passage

The Dalai Mama

7 Nov 2009 | 7:20 pm

So, today I took Zoë to get her ears pierced today. I have been wanting to do it for some time now and Bill and I agreed that I would wait until after her 2nd birthday. I have been talking to her about it for a few weeks, getting her prepared. I have to say that she really did awesome. I, of course, would be lying if I said she didn’t cry but the tears only lasted a minute until she noticed something sparkly and shiny at the accessories store. She has been doing really well with leaving them alone and letting me clean and twist them–I have only had to do it once today…

superdumb supervillain
How to Break My Heart

20 Nov 2009 | 3:05 pm

Roo brought this home from school today. She even drew the retractable leash. I miss Ludella. visit superdumbsupervillain.com for more…
Ludella

20 Nov 2009 | 6:57 am

Last night, I went to a charity dinner with my mom and Bob called around 8:30 to tell me that Ludella had run off. I guess she'd pooped in the studio and he'd put her outside, hooking her leash onto... visit superdumbsupervillain.com for more…
Beauty Tip of the Day giveaway

19 Nov 2009 | 10:05 am

***WINNER PICKED 11/19 WITH RANDOM.ORG*** ***CONGRATULATIONS, #9 Andrea V (non-blogger)!!!*** Hopefully you've had a chance to check out the Beauty Tip of the Day widget in my side bar... visit superdumbsupervillain.com for more…

Motherhood Uncensored
Tis the season to be jolly. Very very jolly.

Motherhooduncensored

19 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

My editor emailed to let me know that my book might actually be in my hands before Christmas. Which means that it might actually be in your hands (and the hands of all your friends and neighbors) before Christmas. WOO!...
Uh oh

Motherhooduncensored

18 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

A few days ago, I could have sworn I heard Margot say "Uh oh. At first, I thought maybe I was having one of those over zealous mommy moments, you know, when the proud mother looks at her toddler's page...

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Twitter’s Finest

hipm0m

20 Nov 2009 | 5:15 am

Somehow, I manage to follow over 6,000 people on Twitter (on two accounts), although it’s hard to keep up. With the new list feature, I’ve tried to separate these wonderful and funny people which helps me find who and what I need at a given moment. Since the lists feature was created, I’ve discovered some pretty amazing people who I might not otherwise find. What I find the most interesting are the names of the lists I’ve come across that have made me laugh out loud (LOL) and want to follow everyone included. Luckily, I don’t have to. I can just follow the list…
Yo Gabba Gabba – Music is Awesome

hipm0m

19 Nov 2009 | 10:01 am

Even though we’ve never seen Yo Gabba Gabba on TV, my son and I were introduced to the characters on the Nick Jr. website where there are games, videos and music available. I received an email from the PR company that’s promoting the new Music Is Awesome CD featuring hit songs from the TV show, wanting to know if I would be interested in reviewing the CD. Since and were listed on the list of artists who are included, I figured this would be music that both my son and I could enjoy. Music is Awesome When the CD arrived, my son asked me to put it in right away so on the way to…
Single Dads wanted

hipm0m

18 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am

Now is the time to get a little excited….SingleDad.com is past the stages of development and is now looking to cast 3 to 4 additional fathers for their TV Reality show by December 4, 2009! We need your help finding the “perfect fit”. Here is what we are looking for: Dads residing anywhere in the Greater Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties. Any type of fatherhood situation that is in the early stages of transitioning to being a single parent. Fathers never married with children, newly divorced with children or widowed fathers raising their children. To qualify, single…

DivineCaroline Parenting
The Moment I Became My Mom

Sylvia Bradley

20 Nov 2009 | 3:01 pm

I remember saying that I'd never be like my mom. I was going to ...
Five Best Dogs for Exercise Freaks

Expedient Info Media

19 Nov 2009 | 5:05 pm

Are you an exercise freak and a dog lover? Working dogs are the ideal ...
Kids It's Called a Record Player

Jamie Reeves

19 Nov 2009 | 5:02 pm

The Lillian Vernon Christmas catalog arrived in the mail Friday and I ...

A Smeddling Kiss
NaBloItAgain...

Velma

8 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm

Yeah, I'm not sure why I even bother. I've been blogging here for what... 4+ years? And yet I still get online every now and then to announce with great fanfare that I'm Going To Write More, but I seem to have permanently blocked the realization that Life Gets In The Way. Maybe I have brain damage in a particular area? I can think of a few nights in particular which certainly must have decimated some IQ points, so I guess it is theoretically possible that I had one too many Tanqueray & Tonics back in '97 and blew out the portion of my cortex that is responsible for accurately evaluating…
More... Angst.

Velma

4 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm

After all my grandiose plans from the last post, I feel badly that all this day has given me to relate is worry and dread and sadness.Peanut is in a bad place these days, a darker place than he showed us in pre-school and kindergarten. There are a lot more tears, a lot more emotional outbursts, and a lot of bad and unacceptable behavior. There is kicking and shouting and throwing thing. There is self-injury and almost-but-not-quite biting behavior. Other children are starting to think of him as "the one who is always in trouble," and I absolutely cannot express how devastating this is, to me…
Boringest Mayor of Borington.

Velma

3 Nov 2009 | 7:14 pm

That's how I feel when I read back over MY OWN BLOG lately. This is not good. (Let me clarify: This is not how I feel about my life, it's just how I feel about my blog.) (And blogging. And commenting on other people's blogs. And my ability to write in general.)Nothing new, nothing earth shattering... just the realization that it's time to step up my game, NaBloPoMo or not. It's something I've been meaning to do, been thinking about doing for such a long time... so, yeah, I'm doing it.The blog redesign and move to Typepad will hopefully be happening within the next few weeks. I can't promise…

Coming to a Nursery Near You
Anissa

dawn

19 Nov 2009 | 6:31 am

for Anissa Please keep fellow blogger Anissa Mayhew in your thoughts. She had a massive stroke 2 days ago – she is a stroke survivor, she has 3 kids and a hubby. She needs lots of positive... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Wordless Wednesday

dawn

11 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pm

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Blog Hop – ask a question

dawn

9 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

So, here’s my question(s) to you guys What is your favorite …..color? ……..scent? …………day of the week? ……………blog? There ya go. Most recent winners: Fairy Blog Mother |... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

one plus two
rainy days and mondays

jen

9 Nov 2009 | 5:26 pm

Me and Karen C, we are driving through the rain. The one radio station here plays American 70's music all the time, an amusing juxtaposition as I slow down to avoid the big bull in the muddy road. I wonder what Karen C would make of all of this, of the kids in their often ill fitting uniforms and the ladies strolling with babies strapped to their chests maya-style. I end up as I often do in the open air produce market, the only place in town where you can get fresh fruits and vegetables. Today I score some cauliflower which is a rare treat amidst the usual bananas and onions and occasional…
the ants go marching

jen

5 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

I'm cleaning up a few nights ago when J walks over to the verandah and opens the slider. Immediately he leaps back and streams of black ants come piling in covering his feet and crawling up his legs. He slams the door and starts jumping around, expletives abound.I run over and flip on the outside light and the porch looks as if it's alive, a black swarming mass of moving floor space. Marching ants. Holy shit. We quickly stomp on all the ants that made it inside and brush them out of J's hair and after some looking around, it appears that the ants are not only on the porch but climbing up the…
tricksters

jen

1 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm

As many things go here, information regarding Very Important Events is often contradictory and somewhat loose. As Halloween approached, we tried to figure out customs and whatnot so as to allow M to have some sort of holiday while navigating the fact that Things Are Just Done Differently Here. So after several inquiries we thought we had it figured it and headed out to go to a few houses and trick or treat. The first two houses were practice, expat neighbors we know who were more than happy to offer a treat. But then we ventured over to our village friends, with our gorgeous little Dorothy…

One Chic Mama
Calling All Biggest Loser Fans

18 Nov 2009 | 7:12 pm

Admit it. You enjoy watching the biggest loser because you love to see Jillian Michaels, that woman-of-steel trainer, push her subjects to the brink of success! She has a way to motivate that is in-your-face yet you know she really wants to see you win. She's rock solid and she's hot! Getting in shape never looked so good!Now you can experience first-hand the hurts-so-good tactics of "America's toughest trainer" and whip yourself into shape before you even have a chance to list your New Year's resolutions. Sports Authority is teaming up with Nintendo to create a new way to experience fitness…
Feng Shui Your Thanksgiving

16 Nov 2009 | 11:12 am

Thanksgiving is a time many of us look forward to. I know I enjoy this time of year, full of family, friends and good food. But bringing together many relatives who haven't seen each other for quite some time can often lead to a few disagreements, misunderstandings or even a case of the crankies! This Thanksgiving, why not use Feng Shui, the acient art of placement, to ensure a warm, happy and positive environment for you and your guests? Dr. Andie Pearson, DMD, of ChicagoHealers.com offers a few simple steps:1/ Clean and Clear: No matter what the occasion, the first step in Feng Shui is…
Quick Change

14 Nov 2009 | 7:06 am

All diaper bags are not created equal. Take the Baggino Junior ($49), for instance. This sporty bag includes a changing pad and has all the requisite pockets for diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. Yet the beauty of this lightweight bag is that it converts from a messenger-style bag to a hands-free changing belt, giving you everything you need within arms reach. Keep your diaper bag off unsanitary airport floors and have easy access to all the essentials while you change your baby. The Baggino Junior, available in black and lime green, is perfect for travel during the upcoming holiday season and…

Swistle
Letters From Yesterday's Shopping Trip

Swistle

20 Nov 2009 | 3:04 am

Dear Swoopy Lane-Changer,Oh hi! It's me again! Are you noticing how even though I am staying in my lane in my boring old minivan and you are impatiently zig-zooming and nearly causing accidents and making everyone feel tense with your unconcealed impatience and your racy little car, we're still seeing each other at every single traffic light? I'M sure noticing it.Love,SwistleDear Pedestrians,Would you mind taking some responsibility for your own personal safety? I am very good at stopping for you when you are in crosswalks. I am very good at driving slowly and staying well away from you when…
The Earth Will Continue to Go Around the Sun

Swistle

18 Nov 2009 | 1:18 pm

I was in a Poor-Quality Mood this morning, so I drank some coffee and took the three littles with me to Target. Seriously, you cannot fathom how talkative the littles were. They were so perky, and so talkative, and so all-talking-at-once, and so CONSTANT AND ENDLESS, other shoppers kept laughing out loud.This led to some distracted shopping, apparently, and I have had an opportunity to practice one of the Life Skills I am forever trying to acquire/develop: Not Freaking Out Over Small Unimportant-in-the-Long-Run Things.I bought what I thought was a new indoor/outdoor thermometer, the kind that…
Mysterious Rolls of Film

Swistle

16 Nov 2009 | 5:21 am

On one hand I don't want to DELUGE you with contests, especially since there's going to be a steady stream of them on the review blog, and a steady stream of "last day!" reminders, and pretty soon it's going to seem like all! contests! all! the time!---but on the other hand, meh, free stuff around the holidays, that's not so bad, and besides, I like to.I've been doing a good job clearing out my gigantic, packed Gift Closet, but it still needs significant work. I can get rid of some toys in one of the toy drives around the holidays, but I don't think The Little Children want cloth napkins,…

All Adither
Detritus

All Adither

19 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am

A storm that wasn't dramatic so much as persistent rose up from behind the Olympic Mountains a few days ago and buffeted Seattle with its winds and rain and knocked over the two shopping carts. Their contents now lay, sodden, across the sidewalk. No one seems to care.I am tired of hearing my bloggy voice and have been having a hard time hitting that green COMPOSE button lately. What more can I say about being a stay-at-home mom who simultaneously adores her children but would like them to move out? It's the same old see-saw. Marriage, too. Up and down and sometimes round and round. So, if I'm…
Shhh

All Adither

13 Nov 2009 | 9:37 pm

People are peculiar. And narcissistic.I know this because I am a person. And a watcher. Though I am not the listener I strive to be. I see myself in conversation and I am absorbing what you're saying. But then I'm jumping in with my own thing. With my own spin.And I think, God, just hush. Let the other person talk. Let them emote.Part of it is a desire to keep the conversation going, the fear of the lull. Part of it is a crushing need to relate with a shared experience. And yet another part is this itch to talk about me. To validate my existence by telling you about it.And that? I don't…
Weary of you

All Adither

8 Nov 2009 | 8:22 pm

She loved her old Scrabble set. The board was sturdy. The trays wooden, like small pews. Whenever she opened the game, she ran her hands through the smooth tiles as certain people might run their hands through money: over and under, around her fingers. Sometimes she scooped up the tiles and let them fall, clicking into a slippery heap.Now, though, all the tiles were laid out neatly, the board a vast diagram of words. She had only three letters left to play."Why do you make that sound?" her husband asked, looking up at her from where he sat on the couch."What sound?""That high sort of sigh.

Jendi's Journal
Where Would You Travel?

Jendi

20 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am

It appears that there is a seafront resort named after me. This advertisement showed up in my Google Alert on “Jendi.” It’s only $84 USD. I just have to travel to Coron, Palawan in the Philippines to visit it. That got me thinking about travel so my question for you this week is… You can type an answer in the questions or add a video atSayitFacetoFace.com. This post linked to Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So Kailani thought that on Fridays she would take it easy on posting, too.
Mommy, Mommy, Mommy

Jendi

19 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

My children are in the phase known as “Call-Mommy-every-30 seconds.” At least I hope and pray that it’s just a phase! My middle child [5 years old] seems to be doing it as habit without even realizing it. The other day I started saying her name whenever she said, “Mommy.” Then she would say, “What?” I’d answer, “You called me.” She’d just look at me like I was going nuts. [I've got news for her - I'm already there.] I’ve discussed before that it doesn’t matter if Daddy is right in front of them and…
What A Dog!

Jendi

18 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am

For more pictures visit the Wordless Wednesday main site or 5 Minutes for Mom. ------------- Don't forget to complete my survey for a chance to win $25 from Amazon! This post is from: Jendi's Journal.com ©2009 Jendi's Journal. All Rights Reserved.. Related posts:Don’t Let Your Girls Grow Up To Be Cowgirls This Wordless Wednesday is linked to the main...A Canadian Family Visits Our American Pond For more Wordless Wednesdays visit the main site or...My 4 Year Old Wants To Be A Blogger “Mommy, when I grow up I want to be... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related…

Manic Mommies® Media, Inc.
Giveaway: Xbox/Lips gift pack

Kristin

20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

This is it – our last giveaway of the week. And we’ve saved the best for last! Guests at our recent Escape got the chance to try Lips: Number One Hits, the sing-a-long game available exclusively on the Xbox 360. On Saturday night Escapees sang their heart out to a wide range of hits from great artists like Rihanna, Coldplay, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat and many more. (I’d post pictures, but I’m pretty sure Erin would KILL me). Now, Microsoft is giving one of our readers the chance to turn their living room into their personal performance space with a new XBox 360, Lips…
Calling all Biggest Loser and Days of Our Lives Fans

Erin

19 Nov 2009 | 2:52 pm

News alert! Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to interview via telephone Alison Sweeney, “Days of Our Lives” star and host of “The Biggest Loser.” A working mom of two—Ben age 4 and Megan 10 months—Alison surely identifies with Manic Mommies everywhere. She’ll be speaking to us about her partnership with California Raisins and Feeding America (I wonder how she felt about posing with a gynormous raisin?), but she’ll also answer some questions from our audience, so if you have a question, leave yours in the comments below. Feeding America is the…
Giveaway: Manic Mommies Calendars

Kristin

19 Nov 2009 | 5:36 am

The new year approaches, and with it an opportunity to get organized (or at least make an resolution about getting organized that may, or may not, make it past January 15th). And what’s better to help you get organized than a Manic Mommies “It’s All on the Wall” calendar from Mead? We’re giving away 10 copies of our calendar! Just leave a comment here, telling us how many “extra-curricular” activities your family is signed up for each week.

Greenie Weenie
Putting together pieces of the life puzzle

S. Joanna

19 Nov 2009 | 3:55 pm

For some people, smells have a strong emotional connection, tuning them into a time, place or person they associate with that smell. For me, there are a few images that have somehow become embedded into my subconscious. I can’t quite remember the memory they’re associated with or put a name on the emotion they evoke. But when they come into my life, they have an impact on me. One of these images are white sneakers. I don’t know why. I have a vague idea that it has something to do with one of the Ghostbusters movies. The other are puzzle pieces. I’ve loved puzzles ever…
Being in the musical moment

S. Joanna

4 Nov 2009 | 9:49 pm

I’m not sure how to explain the experience I just had. I went to a folksinging song circle this evening held by the Eugene Folklore Society. I had a vague idea of what to expect, having gone to some Golden Link Folk Singing Society and festival singarounds in Rochester. But, still, you never know. So I toted my guitar and songbook and followed the directions to a strangers house. (Don’t worry, it all turns out well.) As I walked in the door, a woman was sitting in the stairway, tuning her guitar. I was in the right place. Good. In the living room, a dozen people sat around in a…
Digital storytelling: the stories behind artifacts in my life

S. Joanna

1 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pm

Each one of us carries objects that hold cherished memories. Here are a few of mine.

Crazy Bloggin' Canuck: A Denver Mommy Blog
Help me help Ellen DeGeneres help me get to the Olympics!!!

19 Nov 2009 | 3:20 am

Have you heard my news? I am ecstatic to be 1 of 5 semi-finalists in Microsoft Office's Winter Games contest. I would be thrilled beyond measure to be an accredited blogger at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics because winter sports are my passion!I grew up playing street hockey with my brothers in my Canadian hood. When we came "of age" to enroll in community hockey I lined up with all my boys, fully expecting to join the team. I was absolutely sure this was my first step to becoming an Olympian.Until I was turned away and told to enroll in figure skating. Disclaimer: I have absolutely nothing…
Amazing News--Help Me Win My Own Olympic Bid!

17 Nov 2009 | 3:30 am

I am notoriously unlucky.I once went to France for a wedding, got lost en route and missed the entire celebration. The only contest I have ever won was the infamous Fred Seymour Elementary School Cakewalk.And even then, I knocked my biggest competition out of the way when no one was looking.That is why the news I recently received came as an absolute shock to me: I have been chosen as 1 of 5 semi-finalists in Microsoft Office's contest to blog at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.(Please excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor).I entered on a whim when I saw a tweet about the contest on…
This Veteran's Day: Remember

10 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm

Veteran's Day is one of the things Canada does better than the United States. We call it Remembrance Day and I loved what an important part of our lives it was. At school, they distributed poppies for us to wear. We recited In Flander's Fields. And we remembered.I had forgotten the significance of the poppy: This is because the corn poppy was one of the only plants that grew on the battlefield. It thrives in disturbed soil, which was abundant on the battlefield due to intensive shelling. During the few weeks the plant blossomed, the battlefield was coloured blood red, not just from the red…

There's No Place Like Mommy!
Sorry about the lapse.

A Jill of All Trades

17 Nov 2009 | 8:51 am

Yeah, my last post was September 12th. Sorry about that. I’ve been really busy changing our lifestyle around. Old habits die hard. Well, we still aren’t potty training. We finally got a new regular schedule down for Aidan. He was waking around 9:30am and going to bed around 8:30p. He got sick last week and his schedule is all of balance now. I’m thinking that we may start potty training around December, but then again getting through the holidays and our income adjustment sounds like a better idea. I would like to have him potty trained by the time he turns 3 (Jan. 27th)…
Taking a break

A Jill of All Trades

12 Sep 2009 | 3:52 pm

So we decided to tak a break from potty training. I think changing his bedtime/naptime routine was a little stressful for him – well, for all of us – and so it affected his potty training progress. That became very frustrating for me and I felt like it was a failure of mine or that I wasn’t doing something right (I know, I know…MY issues). In return, he was seeking reactions from me by peeing everywhere he wasn’t supposed to. So now we are on a break. Hopefully it’s s brief one. During this time we are going to go back to his normal nap routine, but try to…
Rest easy.

A Jill of All Trades

7 Sep 2009 | 6:22 pm

About 2 weeks ago I bought Aidan a new toddler bed. I was tired of using his 4-in-1 crib because it was high off the ground (higher than I’d like). I was walking through Walmart doing my regular shopping and was in the baby section. They are currently renovating my Walmart and so the beds were next to the toys. I saw a new toddler bed that I HAD to have. It was wood and a dark stain. It looked great in the picture and I could see it in his room and something that is very flexible with different colors as he grows older. I imagine he can use it until he’s at least 5 or 6. I…

Denver Mile High Mamas
Daily Deal-Free Weekend Fun

Danielle

19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

There’s quite a bit of free stuff going on again this weekend. Should be a great time to get out with your kids and enjoy the weekend! Don’t forget about the Free Movie Event on Saturday ...
Mama Drama: Water Worries and Siblings~Friends or Enemies?

Lisa Vratny-Smith

19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

Dear Mama Drama: My three year old has been taking swimming lessons every week for the past year. Since he transitioned from mom and baby classes he has struggled with separation anxiety. Even though I’m right ...
How to Delete a Facebook group

Beckie

19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

Hmmm…. have you created a Facebook group and changed your mind? Don’t want it out there anymore? There seems to be no simple way to delete a Facebook group so here is how to do it….. First ...

Three Boys and Me
And You Can Feel It Swaying

Heather

16 Nov 2009 | 4:29 am

We finally got to take the boys to Chicago. This is something we've been wanting to do for a long time, and it was worth the wait. The weather was great. The hotel was free. The fear factor was unparalleled in St. Louis.Take for example this:Nice view, eh?How about this view?Or this one, which was a little hard for me to enjoy with Jack's death grip and the feel of the building swaying ever so slightly.If you need some perspective, this should provide it for you:Or this view from the ground, showing the boxes in which we were standing:So if you are in Chicago and need an adrenaline rush, head…
Ominous Feelings

Heather

9 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

Have you ever had the feeling that something bad was going to happen to someone you love? I've had that feeling lately. There's no reason behind it, no explaining it or pinpointing it, but the feeling is there nonetheless.Like when I'm driving with the boys in the car, I am worried about being in an accident. I've never been in an accident before so think maybe I'm due.Or when the phone rings, I hesitate before answering expecting bad news on the other end.So when I'm feeling like this, I am slightly high strung. I am craving quiet, safe activities that don't involve running with…
The Dog Ate My Homework

Heather

30 Oct 2009 | 3:28 am

Halloween is our thing. We love dressing up. We love carving pumpkins. We love making our house spooky. We love burying ourselves in a big hole in the yard and jumping out at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters as they approach our door.Each year we try to come up with cool and unique pumpkin carving ideas. We spend hours looking for the perfect pumpkins to complete our plan. We carve pumpkins like this:This year, I carved an evil snowman made from three white pumpkins. It took forever to clean out the slimy, stringy white pumpkins. It looked great. Here is what is left of it:Yes - my dog ate my…

(More than) Fourinarow.net
Thankful

Susan

20 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am

This, which was posted on Jack’s locker until yesterday, made me cry: Earlier this week, Luke (my 4-almost-5-year-old) had the sharing bag for preschool. He was asked to bring something related to Thanksgiving. Do you know what he brought? This: One of his teachers told me later that Lukie pulled the picture out of his bag and proudly announced to his class, “I am thankful for our new baby!” (He also proceeded to tell everyone that it’s a girl, which may or may not be accurate! I hope for the kids’ sake it is a girl… there will be a lot of confusion…
Fun with T.P.

Susan

19 Nov 2009 | 6:51 pm

Who knew toilet paper could be so fun?!? Teenagers, obviously. (Sooooooo glad we’re not at that stage yet, especially when look out our windows to see that the neighbors trees are covered in it.) What do you use toilet paper for? That’s it? ‘Cause there are other things you can do! Of course, you might not come up with much if you only buy a few rolls at a time and keep them under your sink in the bathroom. But, if you by the 48 pack at Costco like we do and they’re just sitting there, on the shelf in the basement, begging for your attention, you may think…
Kudos, with Reserve

Susan

17 Nov 2009 | 11:20 am

Dan has received a lot of kudos from friends and family for recently braving the trip to St. Louis with our three oldest children. And, for the most part, he deserves those kudos. He did have a lot of help at the other end, but hey, he drove all the way there and back with three young children. And, he did all the mothering and fathering for them while there. His recount of the weekend made me happy, as it sounded like our children behaved pretty well and Dan did a more than adequate job of caring for them. With one exception (that I know about). I was not thrilled to hear from Dan (and…

Mommy Pie
Of kindergarten, superheros and apple bees.

mommypie

15 Nov 2009 | 10:03 pm

Holy crap. SHE LIVES. It’s clear I’ve been one ginormous phlegmy snot ball of blog suckage. (Colorful AND literal, Mommypie.) It’s been nearly three weeks now of congested, sleep-deprived walking deadness, and I’m close to actually turning the old “turkey-baster up the nose” fantasy into reality. Whatever. Don’t pretend you’ve never thought about it. So, I’ve been absent in the blogosphere. Blame it on life. Starting a business. Relationship weirdness. Physical sickness. Sheer lack of time. The thing that REALLY bums me out though, is that…
The Last Dragonfly

mommypie

12 Oct 2009 | 2:35 pm

With temps getting down to the single digits at night, and snow on the ground, it’s hard to believe just last week it was warm. That’s the way things are in the Rockies (this part, at least) — one or two weeks of fall at the most. Which doesn’t actually bother me too much — I’m more of a cold-weather mama anyway. So to celebrate the end of summer, and possibly the last dragonfly of the year, I give you a video taken last week. (Forgive the shoddy camera work — forgot you can’t rotate the camera when it’s in movie mode. Duh.) Let me preface…
The Tooth Fairy’s first visit to the Pie House.

mommypie

29 Sep 2009 | 2:56 pm

Last night MP lost her first tooth. HER FIRST TOOTH! I may or may not have played a role in it falling out … “Oow, Mommy, you’re brushing too hard!” <<SNAP>> <<BLOOD>> “Did your tooth just come out?!?” MP spit a wad of blood into her palm (‘atta girl!) and offered me its contents — a perfect pearly pink baby tooth that had been clinging to life by a few gummy threads for DAYS. It was time. We jumped up and down and, in our PJs, ran to Grammy and Poppy’s in the dark. We called Bobo and told him the news. We called…

motherbumper
Anissa

motherbumper

17 Nov 2009 | 9:36 pm

This post just won't start. Everything I write down just sounds wrong. And I think that's because the whole situation is wrong. Yesterday Anissa had a stroke, putting her in ICU, and I keep trying to write a post mainly to tell people if they are looking to help out or find out what's going on, to head over to her baby Aiming Low or if that is overloaded go directly to the contact sheet to find
They got it wrong: Sunday's Child is Full of Face.

motherbumper

15 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am
pink isn't always cute but is always dominating

motherbumper

3 Nov 2009 | 11:54 am

@TheCaffeinatrix and Moi in Central Park, as it should be Last week I had to pleasure of escaping the routine of my life and wreak some beautiful havoc with friends new and old. Yes folks, the AimingLow crew blasted through Boston and New York and the recaps are gathered over yonder. Anyhow, on the last day I was lollygagging around my hotel room -- because I'm really good at lollygagging, so

The McMommy Chronicles
Every Mother Outta Have One.

19 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm

After these pics were taken, Carter wouldn't leave Buzz Lightyear. I thought "How cute! He loves Buzz so much!" and gave him a gentle prodding to move along, saying it was the next child's turn. He told me "No." I told him "Yes, our turn is over. Let's go." He told me no, he wasn't leaving...until Buzz gave him a toy. {Even Buzz's plastic jaw dropped at this point.} I did one of those awkward nervous laughs and told him come on silly, Buzz isn't Santa. His reply? "I KNOW." Thoroughly annoyed. Then he told Buzz "BAD SHARING!" and stomped off while all the other…
Rubber Band Friends.

18 Nov 2009 | 7:14 pm

I hate to write posts like these. I don't want to write posts like these.But I think it's pretty evident that I use my blog as my outlet. And so, posts like these need to be written by me once in awhile so I can just clear my head.Because a childhood friend of mine died this week. Unexpectedly.Because at 31 years old, that's usually how you die, right? Unexpectedly.When I found out the news, I was upset. There was a big part of me that almost didn't believe it. But today, his obituary was in the paper. And that made it real.And whoever wrote it did a beautiful job of remembering a life gone…
Why Is The Whole McFamily So Happy In This Picture?

16 Nov 2009 | 5:03 pm

a.) The McFamily--on a total whim--decided to go to the Happiest Place on Earth this weekend.b.) The McFamily had just devoured a delicious dinner of sushi and steak prior to this photo being taken.c.) McMommy and McDaddy enjoyed multiple glasses of wine prior to this photo being taken.d.) The McKids enjoyed huge, cotton candy, m&m, hot fudge, Mickey Mouse sprinkles, waffle cone ice cream sundaes before, during, and after this photo.e.) Shortly after this pic was taken, McMommy and McDaddy....happy on multiple glasses of vino that the well-behaved kids let them enjoy.... threw bedtime out…

imaginary binky
Shake it like a Polaroid picture

29 Oct 2009 | 10:08 pm

I don't know about you, but I think I already know how to do this exercise. *insert other witty dick jokes here*
Eighteen piles and a dozen roses

13 Oct 2009 | 11:33 am

If you know the song I just bastardized, well, kudos, my friend. It gets stuck in my head sometimes, much like another bizarre country tune that my childhood pals in East Texas and I would shout out as we were swaying on a tree swing. I know. It will haunt you forever. You're welcome. There's a point I was going to make with this. Let me remind myself.... Um... Ah. Okay. So, yes.
I'm movin' on up, to the east side

8 Oct 2009 | 6:11 pm

Pennsylvania, to be exact. Yes, dear reader whose face I would try to delicately read with my hands but cannot because I would never let you into my house when you're dressed like a tart and smelling of cheese, I am leaving Colorado and my beloved Denver for the literal greener pastures of southeastern Pennsylvania.Folks who know my exploits on other various things I spout upon are already aware

NINJA POODLES!
The Low-Carb Thing

2 Nov 2009 | 8:15 pm

For several months now, we've had a dietary shift of direction here...well, I have, and Alex and Bella have been along for the ride a little bit. What I've given up entirely are sugar and refined grains and potatoes, and I only consume the tiniest bit of whole grains. It's something I've known I should do for a long time, but it just sounded so HARD. No sugar? No cherry Coke from Sonic in the afternoon? No crackers with my cheese? NO BREAD? How would I live?I did a lot of reading, with the major influencers of the plan I ultimately chose being Gary Taubes' scared-straight treatise on food and…
Best Thing Written In this House Today

1 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm

Clicky to view, or read transcript below screenshot:Mom, thank YOU for taking me out to go trunk-or-treating with you and trick-or-treating with Grayson! I wonder what I will be next year... Dracula? A Witch? Scary Godmother? (like in the show Scary Godmother) A Skeleton? What do you suggest? Godzilla? *laughs* The Incredible Hulk? (P.S. I made Elvis' hair with my Tigger Pop! *laughs again*) You tell me what you suggest! Elvis? E-Mail me back and tell me!I love her little *laugh* asides.
I Don't Need To Be This Needed

14 Oct 2009 | 11:15 pm

Really, I'm not that good a person. I don't have enough patience, enough compassion. If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have said that I do...but I'd have been wrong. Because this life is wearing me out before my time. My stomach and my head always hurt, I'm more tired than is justifiable, and "irritable" does not begin to describe my state of mind.We've been to just about every doctor we can, and they're all coming up empty as far as a diagnosis for Alex, except that "probably" his bipolar disorder has morphed into a different form of the disease than what it has been for most of his life.

Musings of a Housewife
A Tale of Foresaken Chocolate Lava Cake

Jo-Lynne

19 Nov 2009 | 6:11 pm

Two years ago I had the privilege of attending the very first Mom Blogger Mixer, compliments of Maria Bailey and Walt Disney World. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, and the last night we were treated to dinner at the California Grill — an acclaimed restaurant atop the Contemporary Hotel, overlooking the Magic Kingdom. We dined with the Executive Chef at Epcot, and we were treated to the most popular items from the dinner menu — among them Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Sun-dried Tomatoes and a warm chocolate cake with molten center. As it turned out, we were in a rush to make…
Ask the Housewife: Round Three

Jo-Lynne

18 Nov 2009 | 8:28 pm

No, I’m not “working” on vacation. I had this post ready to go before I left. We’ve been taking Disney World by storm, or it’s taking us by storm; I’m not sure which. The weather has been absolutely perfect, and beyond that it’s been, um, interesting. We’re having fun, we’re bone tired, but we’re still going strong. In not so happy news, please pray for my sweet friend Anissa who suffered a stroke yesterday and is in serious condition. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of her and her family all day. There is no…
Wordless Wednesday

Jo-Lynne

17 Nov 2009 | 8:13 pm

Mid-CenturyModernMoms
Margalit Update

Ora b

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

Our dear Margalit is a sick little kitty. She was in the hospital for a month, originally to have a colonoscopy done!!! But she finally got sprung from jail the hospital (although one set of docs wanted to keep her there!) (And unfortunately, she ended up BACK in the hospital with a major infection. I couldn't wonder where she might have gotten that! (No duh, hospitals aren't a good place to be in!) So I'm...
What is Normal? Who is Normal?

Daisy OK

19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

"But you seem so normal!" It was a phrase in a post from Deafmom, a post she titled "You're not really deaf, are you?" This one got me thinking - a dangerous pastime, I know. Normal = neuro-typical, non disabled. Normal = typical, following the norm. Normal = expected, unsurprising. Normal = just another sheep following the herd. Is Normal good or bad? Is Normal something in between? Is Normal a comfort level, don't rock...
Hair freedom

Ali T

18 Nov 2009 | 1:01 am

My Em is conservative in many ways, very quirky in others. Here's her latest hair style: Davey doesn't like it much, but is polite enough not to say that to Em. I pointed out to him that it's only half a mohawk. See? On the other side Em has hair covering her ear - though it is also undercut. Em has been growing her hair for 6 months to be able to have this cut....

Cheaty Monkey
Praying for Anissa….

Haley-O

18 Nov 2009 | 3:14 pm

I didn’t get to take a picture with her at blogHer ‘09. I had asked her to take a picture with me — because LOVE — and then someone interrupted us. She is so freaking LOVELY that she waited for me to finish the conversation. And, then, what do you know, my camera broke. I’d dropped it. I fixed it eventually, but I never got that picture. But, I did get that beautiful smile of hers, plastered in my mind. Anissa suffered a stroke yesterday. Her family and the entire internet world have been praying for her and her family. I will be praying. I will be donating. The…
2012? Are You KIDDING Me!

Haley-O

16 Nov 2009 | 4:56 pm

Okay, who’s bright idea was THIS?: I mean, aside from the director’s, what’shisname. I have a right to know who’s messing with my already anxious mind. There’s no way in HELL I’m seeing this movie. Even though friends of mine WHO JUST HAD A BABY went to see this catastrophic movie and said it was a freaking joke and that, if you’re afraid of 2012, then this is the movie to see because it’s a freaking joke. A bunch of models and action figures and a bunch of capitalizing on what’s already a subject of GLOBAL HYSTERIA. There’s also…
483 Pages of Dark and Twisted Horndoggy Goodness

Haley-O

12 Nov 2009 | 5:24 pm

I was the only person in my entire book club of 12 Toronto bloggers who liked, nay LOVED, Australian author Christos Tsiolkas’ latest tome The Slap. Maybe it was the exhilaration of it all — the exhilaration I felt when I flipped the final 483rd page of the book exactly one hour before I had to drive 45 minutes to Denguy’s house for the monthly meeting last night. Maybe it was the 483ish times the author used the c-word (or not, since I don’t think I’ve uttered the word in my entire life). Maybe it was the sexy-hot Hector, the icy cool Aisha, the sweet…

Vintage Thirty
Warning: Does not Work Well With Small Children

2 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm

This morning, a matter got my dander up. I know I'm a bitcher and moaner from way back. It doesn't take much to get me going. It is what I do. [Ohmygod you should hear me in the car. Everyone in the world is a bad driver except for me. And I will tell you exactly what you're doing wrong from the comfort, safety, and where you can't hear me inside my car.] But when it involves my children -well then- GET OUT OF MY WAY.My daughter approached me while I was packing up lunches into backpacks. "I want to buy my lunch today", she says. Which is fine, of course, and I say so. But she's anxiously…
Obligatory Post-Halloween Mash Up

1 Nov 2009 | 10:22 pm

(Is it just me or does the above pumpkin look a little like a worried and fatigued Charlie Brown?)(The pumpkins prepare for their night of housing candles and fire. They're not happy)(Sassy ladybug complete with black tights and leotard to get rid of that hoochie mama look)(Thirteen year olds wear a tiny Elvis on their head)(Zombie skeleton...pretty much speaks for itself)HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Maybe He's Still Searching for a Heart of Gold. And He's Gettin' Old.

29 Oct 2009 | 3:40 pm

For as long as I can remember my mother has wanted to see Neil Young in concert. Not Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Just Young. There was always one issue or another why that didn't happen. In 2008, Neil Young set off on his tour. Finally! And better yet, he'd be playing in Los Angeles within a week of my mother's birthday! My sisters and I smelled a birthday present made of WIN! I wrote a check and my sister took care of everything.Then, a day or so before the concert - it happened. In a panicked phone call, my sister explained that she recieved an email informing her that her credit card…

Everyday Lunasea
Driving with My Dad

Lunasea

17 Nov 2009 | 8:19 pm

I'm driving back to my dad's house in Phoenix, Arizona. We have our first argument pulling out of the parking lot. "You need to take a left and then a right," he says.Me: "No, I take a left and then another left."Him: "No, to get back to the freeway you make a left out here onto McDowell."Me: "No, I originally made a right onto McDowell, so I make a left going back."Him: "No, you made a right into the parking lot, but you made a left onto McDowell."Me: "No, Dad, 7th Street is that way."And so on. He finally concedes as I pull onto the freeway, "Hmm. Good thing you're driving."If there are two…
Letter to Santa

Lunasea

5 Nov 2009 | 11:10 am

Benjamin was in a crazy letter-writing mood a few weeks ago. He'd heard A. dictate his thank you letters from his birthday, so I think that's where these came from. To Santa: Dear Santa,Thank you for the toys you gave me and thank you for the R2-D2 robot. I hope Christmas comes after Thanksgiving and I'm going to be Darth Vader for Halloween and what are you going to be? I hope you're doing good. Send me some cool presents. Bye.To G: Dear Papa,Thank you for getting out of bed and thank you for giving me the proof set but I want another one soon and I want to go to ToysRUs and thank you for…
In a Therapy Mood

Lunasea

4 Nov 2009 | 9:34 pm

I've been in one my "therapy moods." That's what I call it when I want to tell everyone to just get over it. I guess it would be more accurately called a "non-therapy mood." The ironic thing is, I never feel this way in a session. I feel it afterward when I review things and think, "Wow. You've been stuck for how long, you come in and complain about it week after week and yet you don't DO anything about it." Most of the time, my perspective is such that I realize they CAN'T do anything about it and that's why they're there, but sometimes, with too many of those in a row, I lose some…

Blonde Mom Blog
There’s A Difference Between Western Kentucky And Southeastern Kentucky, Just Ask My Poor Husband

Blonde Mom

20 Nov 2009 | 7:51 am

We went on a little getaway last weekend for a surprise early 40th celebration for one of my best college friends. For years we made it an annual get together but life happens—babies are born, schedules get busier as your kids start school, and before you know it it’s been four years since your last meet up and your babies who were drinking from bottles and sippy cups are now reciting Ice Ice Baby verbatim thanks to your friend’s awesome 1991 college mix CD. Hubby and I had both been looking forward to this trip. Lots of e-mails were passed back and forth between all of us.
Bowling, The Bachelor, And The Boss

Blonde Mom

18 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am

I have no idea what to write about today so this will be a random sort of post…hang on! I’m doing a lot of social media type work for my company so it’s been admittedly tough for me to not get a bit burned out. (See also Twitter steals all my material.) We went on a lovely road trip this weekend to Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky for a surprise 40th birthday celebration for one of my college friends (of the sisterhood of the traveling gold panties fame). I have beautiful pictures to share and stories to tell later this week but for now a soccer…
Little Italy

Blonde Mom

16 Nov 2009 | 2:08 pm

I have a couple of recipes saved for Mouthwatering Mondays (nothing less than a miracle in domesticity I tell you!) but I thought I’d post something today from the poultry family that reminds me nothing of Thanksgiving since this time next week everyone will be knee deep in big bird prep. This is a Publix Apron’s Simple Meals recipe and hubby actually made it recently. This dish is flavorful and delicious and will infuse your house with the aroma of tomatoes and fresh basil. Plus it will give you an excuse to buy a bottle of red wine or three. Tuscan-Style Chicken…

dkmommyspot.com
Tai Chi for Busy Moms – Part Two

Diane

20 Nov 2009 | 7:15 am

Tai Chi for Busy Moms – Part Two The benefits that Tai Chi practice will bring to you are not just for yourself. The people around you will benefit too. Tai Chi, practiced with an open heart, with patience, understanding and compassion will allow you to better interact with your children, spouse, and other people close or not so close. By definition, being an internal martial art – that is not relying on muscles and bones solely – Tai Chi will reveal to you many aspects of life and will let you make discoveries on your self. The fact that stress will be greatly reduced,…
With a Little Help from my Friends – A New Blog, a New Project

Diane

19 Nov 2009 | 9:25 am

Click Here for Giveaways and Coupon Codes Add your giveaway I’d like to call on all my dkM friends to help me out with something. Recently I was asked to build a blog for a company called General Motivation. I worked very hard setting it up, even through my recent bout of the “What-the-Heck-was-That” virus. I’ll be writing the new blog’s posts for sometime, and I thought, “Hey, why don’t I tell my blogging friends?” I know a lot of you are working moms, business owners and professionals of all kinds, so you’ll enjoy this new blog.
Ojolie Animated e-Card Subscription Giveaway!

Diane

19 Nov 2009 | 6:22 am

Click Here for Giveaways & Coupon Codes Add your giveaway If you’re looking for a more economical and eco-friendly way to send all your holiday cards this year, then you’ll want to check out Ojolie. Their e-cards are not your average computer animated singing turkeys and Santas, but rather amazing works of art! Danish artist Frederikke Tu hand paints much of the artwork in watercolor that goes into these cards before they are computer animated. With a beautiful backdrop of music, the cards give your recipients a relaxing few moments to enjoy the spirit of the holidays…

Not Calm (dot com)
Finally

Jenijen

1 Nov 2009 | 8:24 pm

I finally got my own dot com. It's not ready yet, but come on over.
What is it up in the air for

Jenijen

29 Oct 2009 | 2:23 am

I live about a mile from the house I grew up in (the west coast house, that is) and Lex goes to the same middle school I did. Back then it was a junior high, and I still call it that because I'm old and cranky that way. Every day when I drive my younger kids to their elementary school, I drive past the house of the boy I had my first kiss with (this song was playing I thought it was about Magic Johnson, but I was a total goober in seventh grade). I am pretty sure that one of his wife's young cousiny relatives is on Lex's soccer team, but honestly I…
Arrrrgh, we be makin' the homemade candy corn

Jenijen

24 Oct 2009 | 4:34 pm

recipe hereThese are so good that I hid a stack from everyone else and we are making another batch after supper tonight. Sophie stopped her pumpkin carving last night (well, she enlisted SG to do all the work anyway, so really she just moved away from the pumpkin) so she could stand with me and make teensy little pumpkins out of some of the dough. The littlest one is the size of a barbie earring. So.Cute.Willow made some, too, and also a skeleton. Lex's soccer team won 8-0 today, Nate had a bye, Willow's team lost by one but she thinks they won and I'm…

Girl's Gone Child
Hair Thursday

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

19 Nov 2009 | 8:12 pm

Archer rocks the over-the-face-uber-angst look for Fall“He needs a haircut.”“I know.”“So why don’t you cut his hair?”“Because he doesn’t want a haircut.”“But you’re his parent. You’re supposed to make the rules.”“I do make the rules but he doesn’t want a haircut. What am I going to do, hold him down and cut his hair?”“No. Just tell him he has to have a haircut.”“I tried. But then he told me he wants to grow his hair long and I have to respect that. It is his hair. And it isn’t hurting anyone.”“But he looks sloppy – like someone who needs a…
20/100

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

18 Nov 2009 | 8:16 pm

Remember the post I wrote last year about the boy I met at a bar who was my first word?A couple days ago I asked him to be my friend on Facebook. What people did to find each other after losing each other after finding each other after losing each other before Facebook is beyond me. Q: For better or for worse? A: We shall someday know the answer. (Or maybe we already do.)20. Nancy Sinatra: Bang BangGGC
Gone Style (cont.) = Drooling Closet + Makeup + Shopping

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

17 Nov 2009 | 9:12 pm

Okay okay okay... SO. This is sort of a follow-up post to yesterday's post because many of you asked for makeup-tips as well as a third round of "Drooling Closet" (check out round one, here and two, here) so starting next week I will compose a giant super-post of self-style, makeup tips, drooling closet, inspiration, links and more?In the meantime, here's this week's Drooling Closet featuring the fall fashion of Fable:Peruvian Sweater: swap meet/gift from Auntie RooOrganic Dress: Happy Green BeeTights: Janie & JackShoes: Ugg, all the way from Sydney, Aus (thanks, uncle Russell!)Hair…

Notes from the Trenches
This one…

Chris

17 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am

This one turns NINE years old today. More than my oldest turning fifteen, this son turning nine blows my mind, breaks my heart, and all those other cliches about time passing much too quickly. Birthday post to follow at some point. (I wrote about the story behind the photo here last year.) Oh, and if you are just itching [...]
In Which I Make Fun of Myself

Chris

16 Nov 2009 | 10:39 am

Things you should notice in this photo: 1) The SCRUNCHIE worn on my wrist like a bracelet. 2) The Flashdance look of my shirt hanging off my shoulder. Because nothing says SEXAY like a woman one day post-partum 3) The white couch I am sitting on that I purchased while pregnant, further evidence that pregnant [...]
The Neighborhood Saga Part II

Chris

13 Nov 2009 | 12:42 pm

The first part of the story is here. I don’t even know where to begin the story. Some would say at the beginning, but I am not even sure where that is anymore. My 8 and 10 yr old sons have friends that live down the street on a cul-de-sac. They play there almost everyday [...]

Sarah and the Goon Squad
Strange Days

Goon Squad Sarah

20 Nov 2009 | 9:50 am

Two night ago I was talking to my in-laws about going to the check out a caterer for my sister-in-law’s wedding and I actually said “I can’t go tomorrow. I’ve got to write my Top Chef recap in the morning.” And it was true. One of the most important things I do every week is write a Top Chef recap for MamaPop. This is not what I thought my life would be like when I grew up. This is much better. Much stranger, but better. Speaking of which! Some of my awesome commenters over at MamaPop brought something very important to my attention. Kevin Gillespie from Top…
3 Unrelated Things That All Make Me Nervous

Goon Squad Sarah

19 Nov 2009 | 5:06 am

1) Driving behind motorcycles. I saw this really gory video in Drivers Ed and I’ve never quite recovered from it. 2) Snakes. Just in general. 3) The phrase “Mommy, What if I went downstairs and accidentally peed in the litter box?”
Like Mother, Like Daughter

Goon Squad Sarah

17 Nov 2009 | 5:24 am

It says “I love metal.” The apple really doesn’t fall too far from the tree, does it?

Multi-Minding Mom
Foodie Friday: Chili!

19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

I brought you this easy recipe for vegetarian chili two years ago, but since it's a favorite in our home and I made it (yet again) this week, I thought I would tell you about it one more time. This... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)
Questions for the DOC

18 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Help a D-Mom out. If diabetes affects you or a family member, please answer these questions to help shape a project I am working on. Thanks! Loading... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)
Overheard: Planetary Love Edition

17 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Sophia: Mommy, I love you to Saturn, but Harry only loves you to France.* *** While watching the School House Rock DVD: Sophia: I love you all the way to Pluto. Me: Because that's the furthest... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)

Suburban Turmoil
Butt In or Butt Out?

20 Nov 2009 | 9:09 am

Teens and privacy.It's one of those things we parents don't really like to talk about- Either we're judged as clueless and having our heads stuck in the sand for giving our teenagers their privacy... or we're nosy and shattering our teenagers' trust for poking through their texts, online activity and jeans pockets.I share my thoughts on the matter in this week's newspaper edition of Suburban Turmoil and I'm betting a number of you will disagree with me. Katie Granju weighs in too with what I thought was a very interesting perspective, after looking back on raising her eldest, who is now 18.
Pray for Anissa

18 Nov 2009 | 5:06 pm

I'm guessing my friend Anissa Mayhew started her day on Tuesday like many of us. She probably got her three kids off to school, worked on some things, Twittered, packed for her upcoming cruise... and then had a massive stroke.I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it. Anissa and her family have weighed heavily on my mind ever since I read the news from her husband Tuesday night."I can't even believe this," I told my husband. "Of all people. Anissa is just really, really wonderful. And I know people always say that about someone when something bad happens to them, but I really mean it.""I…
Cold Turkey

17 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

My husband and I were arguing yesterday in the car. (Why yes! We do argue! Although it's only about, you know, whether Ernie or Bert is cooler, or what the lyrics really are to Blondie's "Rapture." Never any REAL. ISSUES. This is blogland, after all!) Punky and Bruiser were sitting in the backseat behind us.Like most parents, Hubs and I are in agreement that we shouldn't argue in front of the kids. The problem is that the kids are always with me. Always. Hubs and I literally have an hour and a half to ourselves each night, which is fine in general and we make the most of it, but when things…

Suburban Oblivion
One Down, One to Go

Sara

18 Nov 2009 | 4:38 pm

It’s almost never good news when someone calls you at 5 o’clock in the morning and tells you ‘Turn on your light please, we need to talk’. Cue feeling of impending doom as I stumble across the room, still half-asleep. “Don’t get mad” Paul tells me, “but my ex just called here.” Oh for fucks sake what does she want now??? “My divorce is final. It’s done. Over. I am now legally free to be with you.” Suddenly I didn’t care about the time. I didn’t care that I’d been woken from a sound sleep. For the moment…
The Ex’s Brother Strikes Again

Sara

14 Nov 2009 | 8:32 am

This seems to be in response to my last post, and while I generally try not to feed nasty, overweight trolls, I decided a little amusement was in order for an otherwise busy Saturday morning. Be glad you don’t have this particular brand of crazy in YOUR family. The email address is obviously fake, but the IP is not. ‘Ybil’ obviously standing for ‘your brother in law’, and I REALLY wish he’d quit referring to himself as that, because I certainly don’t claim him. Author : Ybil (IP: 68.63.56.13 , c-68-63-56-13.hsd1.al.comcast.net) E-mail :…
The View of 29 From 31

Sara

12 Nov 2009 | 9:59 pm

In 2007 I wrote a post about turning 29, and what it meant to me as I transitioned into my 30’s. Today I turned 31, and as I read back over that post, I am struck by how fortuitous it was without even realizing it. My 20’s were pink. I wanted to prove to the world that I was still young, despite having kids. I wore things that I shouldn’t have, thinking they made me look my age instead of looking like a mommy. Damnit, I was still sexy even if I did have kids, and I was determined to prove it! Don’t you see me?? There is still a woman under these children! Look at me!! At the time…

Surrender, Dorothy
Novel-in-Progress: Rough Draft Complete

Rita Arens

20 Nov 2009 | 1:36 pm

The other day when I was driving home, I saw the end scene of my novel. Today, I sat down and wrote the last 40 pages.Many, many Fridays.There are still a few scenes that I really want to include for which I haven't found a place yet. And the sentences -- oy, they're not good yet. And also? I think a bunch of the details don't yet agree. I haven't read the first few chapters in months. I can't remember some of the middle. So I'm nowhere near ready to let anyone but Beloved read it yet.However, the rough draft is done.I wish I had more to say, but I seem to be all…
Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, Ever Give Up

Rita Arens

18 Nov 2009 | 2:04 pm

I remember last August reading Erin Kotecki Vest's post about her new job at BlogHer and being so jealous, even though I know Erin and I know how hard she worked to position herself for that job.I've struggled as a working parent. I hate the commute. I hated having the little angel be the very last kid at daycare. Sometimes I was very bitter.Somewhere, in the midst of my ruminating, I realized it's not fair and not realistic to wait for life to reach out and hand me my wishes on a platter. I realized the only person who could change my career is me.I want to be a writer, one…
Laura, Take a Bow

Rita Arens

17 Nov 2009 | 7:11 am

Once upon a time, I met a woman named Laura Mayes who shared my views on writing and publishing. I immediately liked her. She was cheerful and upbeat and ambitious and persistent. And today, she has a gorgeous, high-design book filled with wonderful writing and photography called Kirtsy Takes a Bow Lest you think it's like all those other blog books, look at how YUMMY IT IS. She said "high design," and I was all, "yeah, yeah..." Right. High design. Can you believe your blog post could look like THAT? So, anyway, I'm also extremely flattered to have a piece in…

Sweetney
Prophet

Sweetney

20 Nov 2009 | 10:29 am

I don't believe in magic. I'm not even what you'd call a spiritual person, honestly. I was raised in the Catholic church, a religious community I abandoned when, around age nine or ten, I listened to a priest who stood before our congregation and heard him, in so many oblique words, tell us that...
Bob Dylan, "Shelter From The Storm" (live, 1976)

Sweetney

18 Nov 2009 | 9:23 am

Just a wee reminder, as though you needed one, of what a fucking badass Bob Dylan is (and was):
Amazon.com's "Greatest Indie Rock Albums Of All Time" List Makes Me Itchy, Gives Me Not-So-Fresh Feeling

Sweetney

17 Nov 2009 | 2:05 pm

Authoring any sort of hierarchical "Greatest Albums" genre list is an undertaking inherently fraught with peril, a thankless task that can't help but invite confrontation and dissent. Those who disagree with the list-maker's choices, whatever they may be, indeed have valid points to back up their...

Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska
HP TouchSmart 600 Giveaway

20 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

Biggest giveaway ever! Got your attention? Good, because the rules are a little different from previous giveaways so read all the information carefully.The HP TouchSmart 600-1055 is a desktop PC where, as the name implies, you can touch the screen to manipulate information. It comes with all the stuff you desperately covet with the bonus of being able to pinch, rotate and drag things anywhere you want with your own little fingers. Is that not completely fun?Windex not included.However, there are other spiffy features that it does include:built-in adjustable webcam, wireless modem, microphone…
Ugliest Animals on Earth

19 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

We've had our share of animals around here--hamsters and parakeets, frogs and fish, but these guys are pets for people who want to be just a little different than your average animal lover. To be honest, these are the animals that make a pretty good case for natural selection.1. sphynx catThese guys inspire nothing but pity in me--they didn't grow this way they were specifically bred not to have any hair which of course makes them rather cold and eager to cuddle with other animals and humans. Poor things.They were bred in the 1960s and now there are several different strains including Mexican…
How Not to Make Yogurt (or) So Easy a Monkey Could Do It

18 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

I should entitle this post "I Am a Doofus" because when you read this you'll agree that's what I am.Long ago my mother had a yogurt maker and occasionally made a batch and I thought it would be a great thing to try for myself. I started with this Make Yogurt in a Crockpot recipe which not only claimed to be easy but cost effective for achieving great mounds of creamy yogurt goodness. However, what the recipe doesn't tell you is that to succeed you must have enough intelligence to remember the word "yogurt" without being distracted by the first shiny thing you see.It's all about heating…

The Silent "I"
Santiago, Chile: Finding a Happy Place

Glennia

13 Nov 2009 | 5:22 pm

February 11, 2004We left Easter Island on February 10 and started back to California via Santiago Chile. We arrived late in the afternoon, and Alex decided to have the worst temper tantrum of his life in the luggage claim area of the Santiago airport. He tried to throw himself on the luggage conveyor belt, but we managed to stop him in before he was tagged and sent on his way to Lima, Peru. Sometimes, traveling with a toddler is not all it's cracked up to be.Santiago reminded me a lot of Los Angeles, a gigantic urban basin packed with buildings surrounded by mountains. We checked into…
Planning a Trip to Easter Island

Glennia

5 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

If you're interested in visiting Easter Island aka Isla de Pascua aka Rapa Nui aka "The Navel of the World," be forewarned that it is far, far away from any main airport hub and it will take a while to get there. Lan Chile flights out of Santiago, Chile leave twice weekly, stopping off in Easter Island en route to Tahiti. Your choices for direct flights are either out of Santiago or Papeete, Tahiti. Be sure to book your flights well in advance. Further, there are limited hotel rooms on the island, and no major American or European chains. The hotels are locally owned due to laws…
Carnival of Cities Blog Carnival: November 4, 2009 Edition

Glennia

4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

We have great group of travel bloggers providing their expert tips and advice on traveling in this week's Carnival of Cities! Join our intrepid travelers as they scour the globe for interesting, fun, and just plain cool places to go and things to see. I'll be your tour guide this week. USA Starting out on the East Coast, for all you baseball fans, Christian Carollo presents Back to Back: Philadelphia Phillies posted at Christian Carollo Photography. Christian documents last year's World Series winners and hopes for a repeat performance. Will they or won't they? Yankee fans might beg to…

The Mac Mommy
Little Dreamer

18 Nov 2009 | 4:59 am

Caught Keagan being cute ;) Posted via email from TheMacMommy
Hush Little Baby

12 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm

My boys. Kinda surreal to use plural form now. Feels good. :) Something tells me this might make for a good blackmail video later in life -- proof that there was a time when they didn't want to beat the snot out of each other? Saving this one for posterity! Posted via email from TheMacMommy
Diaper Rash Sucks :(

9 Nov 2009 | 10:39 pm

Poor Keagan has some pretty nasty diaper rash so I've been letting him "air out" on a towel on the floor. Tonight we had a "picnic" in Mommy & Daddy's bedroom on a blanket on the floor so we could all hang out with Keagan while eating dinner together. (well, at least Keagan was literally hanging out!) He has been such a trooper through it all. He only cries for diaper changes, hunger and attention...the usual.He is such a great baby! I can't get enough of kissing him and running my lips over his peach fuzz. Every time I look at Lucian, I'm reminded just how fast time goes and how quickly…

This Full House
Of Cats, Brothers and a BITCH Called Cancer

Liz@thisfullhouse

20 Nov 2009 | 7:39 am

Yeah, the poor guy's got 3 sisters, but all 3 of our pets are boys and, well, that's close enough, right? Cats. You either like them, or you don't. They do have a reputation of being a tiny bit self-absorbed (pot calling the kettle black, I say) and, often times, are considered not very good, you know, people-type pets. Still. There are those times, during their seemingly endless days of captivity, when a cat can sense that something is off and their owners aren't feeling quite right, or perhaps the planets are out of alignment, the earth's rotation shifts just a tad, and they simply slip…
Mothers Working Against Guilt Need Not Apply

Liz@thisfullhouse

18 Nov 2009 | 4:54 am

Behind every successful woman, is a basket of dirty laundry...Sally Forth Except, in my case, it IS a "pile" of "clean" laundry and, well, success is a relative term, isn't it? According to some members of my family (especially, those who are, you know, mostly, women) I should consider myself lucky, whenever my husband, Garth [not his real name] is brave enough to come home and "actually" gets out of the car, at night.I get that.Still. Why are we women (mothers or non) so gosh-darned hard on each other? That's right, I said it, being a woman should feel really, really good, right now and,…
Mom Sends the Msg: Never Drive Faster Than Your Mom (or Dad) Can Text

Liz@thisfullhouse

16 Nov 2009 | 9:22 am

If you were to ask me to list the scariest words in the English language, a few years ago, it would have looked something like this: Strep throat It's probably viral Check E. Cheese Parent-teacher conference I couldn't find any clean underwear (don't ask) Then, I picked up my oldest daughter (she turned 16, last week) and she laid 6 more on me, right in the middle of the high school parking lot:"I started driver's ed, today!" I knew this day would come. Dreaded it more than anything (even hot flashes) actually. [the sound of brakes, screeching to a halt] Then, she showed me the Parent…

and baby makes 6!
Random, dude, stoke, running, and kid post.

Jody

12 Nov 2009 | 8:37 am

The surf has been up here, and when that happens, our lives revolve around it. That and football. And marching band. And swim team. But mostly surfing. Surfing, surfing, surfing. My upper body has really benefited from this, and I have shed so much weight that none of my clothes [...]
Spooktacular

Jody

1 Nov 2009 | 11:07 am

I am pretty sure the best way to view the original Frankenstein movie is on the lawn of the local haunted mansion. My kids were totally fascinated by the story….if not a bit scared of the ominous backdrop behind the screen. I am not sure what that says about us that they can sit [...]
Ghost story

Jody

30 Oct 2009 | 9:16 am

I watch the western sky, The sun is sinking The geese are flying south It sets me thinking I did not miss you much I did not suffer What did not kill me Just made me tougher. When my beloved father died, my son was 35 weeks inside my womb. There is a joy and fierce protectiveness that comes with pregnancy. You will do [...]

Three Kid Circus
NaBlahPlahWhatever

17 Nov 2009 | 7:36 pm

NaBloPoMo #FAIL So, here's a thing about me... I rarely wear earrings. I wear them so infrequently that my holes in my ears will actually close, and I have to jab them mercilessly with the post to force them through my abnormally thick earlobes and then leave them in place for a month so they heal. The thing I hate the most about earrings is being jabbed by the pokey end of the earring post. Well, that and I don't have any common sense when it comes to accessories. I've always been a "more is more" kind of gal, and I still regularly earn my longtime nickname of "Razzle Dazzle Jenny." So…
Unsettled. Or maybe gassy.

12 Nov 2009 | 7:20 pm

NaBloPoMo #12 Iiieeeeee! I just noticed that tomorrow is not only Friday the 13th, but it is also pajama day at school for the kids. Guess I better make sure that their cute pajamas are clean. I'm running on fumes over here. Things are getting done, and I did manage to fill the fridge and pantry with nutritious, yummy food today, and I'm pretty close to being caught up on my email wreckage from earlier in the week, but my body is just worn out. Of course, given that my hair is still falling out, it could be that my thyroid medicine needs to be changed or boosted or something. Or it could be…
Afterburners

11 Nov 2009 | 7:24 pm

NaBloPoMo #11 I know Veteran's Day is an important day. That said - having the kids home all day on a Wednesday was giving me flashbacks to this last summer of full-time hours with no child care. The inmates were running the asylum today and I white-knuckled it through. That seems like my new normal, though - white-knuckles. My mom and I were talking tonight about logistics for the next weeks and months, and talking about how life doesn't slow down a bit, even when you add more tasks to your pile. "I don't know how you get it all done," she said. "I don't clean house or grocery shop," I said.

slackermama . com
Catching up

Marilyn

17 Nov 2009 | 12:37 pm

I can’t believe how quickly this month is passing. Normally, I’m excited for Christmas to come and anxious for November to be over so we can get to the “good stuff”. But this year, I wouldn’t mind a few extra days, just to catch up! There never seems to be quite enough time to finish everything that I would like to get done. And yes, the blog does suffer. Perhaps it’s good that I didn’t do NaBloPoMo this year! But I do have some things to bring to your attention. First off, I have a couple of new reviews up over on my review blog. I took…
I’m only a little ashamed to admit this

Marilyn

14 Nov 2009 | 4:36 pm

This is a safe place, right? And you all aren’t going to judge me too harshly because we’re all friends here, right? Good. Because I have something that I need to fess up to here. It’s not pretty, and a few of you may be quite dismayed to learn this about me (whom I know you have held in such high esteem all this time). See, the truth is that I sort of love the song “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. There. I said it. Whew. But really, it’s a great song with a catchy tune and a great message. Why are you looking at me like that? Share it: Popular PostsOh…
Double Digits

Marilyn

10 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

It’s Harrison’s birthday today. He turns 10. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this. I mean, on the one hand, he’s officially a “tween” now and that sorta scares the pants off me because “tween” is right next door to “teen” and I’m DEFINITELY not ready for that. On the other hand, I like to see him growing out of little boy-hood and into bigger boy-hood. He’s into different things, more responsible, more independent and in certain cases, more helpful. Still, I’m having a hard time believing that it was…

Karen Sugarpants
Gonna Go Get Mah Hair Did, Etc.

Karen Sugarpants

12 Nov 2009 | 6:25 am

Before: Mostly I straighten it, like in the last post, but it is naturally this way. I’m tired of the colour, that seems to keep getting lighter and lighter. Going darker today. Chestnutty, deep brown. And I might chop off enough to make myself cry, I don’t know yet. I kinda love having long hair because I am forever traumatized by this. My best friend is coming with me. The one that had a baby a little while ago. She’s got a massage booked and SO deserves it. I need this girl time since it’s been a really weird couple of weeks around here, especially…
Ask Me Anything

Karen Sugarpants

8 Nov 2009 | 7:16 pm

G’head. I’ll answer anything. I think. Lay the questions on me!
Sugarpants & The Proust Questionnaire

Karen Sugarpants

7 Nov 2009 | 4:01 pm

Like many others, I’m doing this questionnaire first done by the lovely Finn, taken from the Proust Questionnaire from Vanity Fair magazine: What is your idea of perfect happiness? Right here, right now. My life is happy. I am lucky to be blessed with a loving home, wonderful family, quality friendships, and we live comfortably. I continue to seek challenges that interest me and have the freedom to do what I want with my life. That’s pretty sweet and I could not ask for more. What is your greatest fear? Something tragic happening to anyone in my family. What is the trait…

TheBloggess.com
Hope for Anissa

Jenny the bloggess

20 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am

I don’t think I’ve ever done this before on this blog and I hope that I never have to do it again but I’m asking for your help. If you read this blog a lot then you already know Anissa Mayhew because she’s a regular commenter. She’s a blogger, a reader and a faithful friend. More than once Anissa has had my back during rough times. She’s a founding member of The Bloggess Army (codename: Kaiser Soze). She’s publicly defended me more than once…mostly from myself. She’s hysterical and witty and bitingly sarcastic and now…
Breaking news: Waffles

Jenny the bloggess

18 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm

My friend, Hannah, just sent me an email to alert me about breaking news on Yahoo: Not a joke, you guys. Real. Live. Screenshot. Holy shit, y’all. And my first thought was “I have to share this with the internets immediately because WTF, news media? Why is this a top story?!” And then my second thought is that I shouldn’t tell anyone about it until I have a chance to go out and buy all the Eggos I can find first because this way I get a headstart on the hoarding. But no, I decided to share with you now because I have integrity. And because I already have a box…
Japan, part 2 (ish): Tommy Lee Jones needs to mind his own business

Jenny the bloggess

16 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

OMG, you guys. I actually published a “part 2″ to a post that I labeled “Part 1″. I think that’s the first time that’s ever happened. Is there a medal for this, or some sort of ribbon? If so, please mail one to me. Unless it’s that bullshit white participant ribbon. No one wants that ribbon. Unless you buy it yourself and wear it ironically. Then it’s kind of awesome. Or desperate. One of those. So where was I? We’d just landed in Japan and luckily I was still using my journal at the time because I’ve already…

Woulda Coulda Shoulda
Humiliation ahoy

Mir

20 Nov 2009 | 5:03 am

Once upon a time there was a kind, beautiful, talented, and extremely mentally ill woman who said to a few friends, “Do you know what we need? We need to start one of those group blogs and do a weight loss challenge, because it will keep us accountable and honest and I am rabidly competitive [...]
Love gets the message

Mir

19 Nov 2009 | 11:08 am

Thank you for all of the suggestions regarding delicious baked goods. I’m ten pounds heavier, now, having read the comments, but I appreciate it from the bottom of my straining zipper. The meeting Wasn’t, which is to say that we thought it was scheduled and then it wasn’t and then we were left hanging and then [...]
Bake your way through bureaucracy

Mir

18 Nov 2009 | 9:25 am

I’m hip-deep in preparations for our next IEP meeting, which I’m told should NOT include some of my brilliant ideas, such as screaming, “You people are inefficient, heartless asses” or suggesting that my child could, in fact, receive a better education in a cage full of premenstrual orangutans. (I only believe one of those statements, [...]

Scenes from the Crooked Maple...
Got Thrift?

Birdie

20 Nov 2009 | 11:52 am

My husband was recently told that his company has closed one of their locations*yikes*That news was followed by a meeting to tell employees that they'll no longer be covering 80% of health care costs for dependents. Now they'll only be covering 50% which lowers our income. I totally understand they have to do it in order to stay afloat. Everyone's cutting fat now and it wont get better. Recently one of our state's industries had to close it's doors leaving hundreds without jobs. I'm thankful we still have jobs!I feel like it's time for our family to tie up loose ends and really watch our…
John Adams Film

Birdie

19 Nov 2009 | 2:47 pm

This "must-see" movie was fantastic and if you haven't seen it, you need to.I've only seen parts 1 & 2. We use Blockbuster online for all our movies and we're waiting for the second half to come in the mail. Even our 13 year old son was riveted. Sissy was kind of bored but she hates movies. She's rather read her Patriot's Handbook (which I found at the thrift store for only $2.95. I highly recommend it) She eats it up!
A Big Squeeze

Birdie

18 Nov 2009 | 10:27 am

Or mammogram...same thing, no? Have you all had one?What do you think of the government's new guidelines that we shouldn't opt for "early & often" when it comes to mammography? I guess they say that we should start them 10 years later & less frequently. This was the same recommendation that was made last year for prostate cancer.My jury is kind of out on the effectiveness or safety for that matter, of mammography for women who don't have a family history of cancer. I know that a lot of women's lives have been saved by early detection using mammography. I've read good & bad on the…

amalah . com
And This Was BEFORE They Handed Out the Vibrating Pens

amalah

19 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

I just got back from a parents' workshop thing at Noah's school. And it was a very useful workshop, really, about how to encourage fine and gross motor development through toys and play at home. I was especially pleased to learn that I can totally do all of Noah's Christmas shopping at the $5-and-under store, along with like, some bubble wrap. The problem started when one of the therapists demonstrated a toy hanging from a doorway, designed to turn a regular balloon into a sturdier punching bag. Another parent requested the brand name, which was Balzac. "I guess they mean…
DM me if you want to buy the TV rights...

amalah

18 Nov 2009 | 7:32 am

Oh my God!You guys!In between all the craziness of...uh...sleeping and eating and taking like, THREE WHOLE SHOWERS IN FIVE DAYS, I completely forgot to tell you about the most exciting thing to happen to me ever in my whole life: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!PHHHHHHFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTBBBBBB!...is pretty much what I said when I got the notification on my phone, right before involuntarily flinging the thing upward, like it was on fire (VOLCANO FIRE), where it collided with ceiling of my car, teaching us all an important lesson about Checking Twitter DMs While…

Petroville
Thinking About Thankful

Kimberly

14 Nov 2009 | 7:43 am

These thoughts, a kind of mental inventory, always seem to sneak up on me at this time of year. “What was I doing last holiday season?” “How are things the same?” “How are they different?” “What have I gone through this year that has changed me as a person?” “Am I where I thought I’d be?” “What am I most thankful for?” My answer for the last turns out to be another list because what I am most thankful for this year is what I’ve learned. 1. I’ve learned that I’m just fine with saying I was wrong.
Advertising in a Recession

Kimberly

10 Nov 2009 | 10:50 am

This morning, I walked well over 5 miles passing out flyers for our new photography business. Yes, my journey was also for exercise, but I have to admit that it was much easier to walk those hills while keeping the hopeful possibility of new clients in my mind. I got a workout, stamp-free advertising and some vitamin D all for the sweet price of nothing. Hey, in this economy, I’ll take it. Yesterday, I saw a handwritten sign on the street corner that fits well with this post. I know you can’t see the letters well so I’ll spell it out for you: “Real Estate Millionaire…
Just Say It

Kimberly

7 Nov 2009 | 6:59 pm

My dear friend, one that has been on the receiving end of my brutal honesty quite a few times, said this to me yesterday right out of the heavenly blue sky: “Kim, so, um…do you think I should change my voice mail message?’ “Huh?” “Because-I-think-you-should-change-yours.” She said the last line in such a rapid fire manner that, if I weren’t gasping in a fit of asthmatic laughter, I would have thought she was sure I’d beat her with a set of brand new wire hangers for telling me such news. Hello friend? You have a camel toe in those jeans?

Antique Mommy
The New Bed

Antique Mommy

19 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

Recently I acquired a twin bed for Sean. Heretofore, the poor giraffe-legged child had been sleeping in a toddler bed. Toddler bed, we all know, is code for “crib on the ground”. I know what you are thinking. “What is wrong with y’all? Can you not even manage to get your six-year-old child a decent bed?” And [...]
The Red Sofa

Antique Mommy

16 Nov 2009 | 5:21 am

About 14 years ago, I bought a huge, down-filled, ridiculously expensive Henredon sofa. I had it made in this exquisite blood red damask fabric and it was a vision of beauty for all who laid eyes or butts upon it. Luckily, I bought the sofa before I met AD because he would never authorize that kind [...]
A Study In Orange

Antique Mommy

14 Nov 2009 | 5:29 am

Babylune
2-Year-old Helps Deliver Baby Brother

Eliza Ferree

20 Nov 2009 | 3:13 pm

Could you even imagine what you’d do if you had to deliver at home? I’m sure Bobbye Favazza had no inclination that she was about to do just that on Friday the 13th. IMG: Sxc.huShe’d got up and started the day as normal taking care of her two younger children, 2 year old Jeremiha Taylor and 3-year-old Jamison. Bobbye is now the mother of four children, at least two were home with her this particular Friday and when her water broke she knew she had no time. Quickly calling her mother, who immediately called 9-1-1 to get some help. Only the paramedics wouldn’t get there…
Pampers Diaper Clutch Giveaway

Eliza Ferree

19 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am

How many of you hate lugging around those big diaper bags whenever you go out? I’m not talking going away for a few hours, I’m talking going down to the grocery store and bringing it with just in case your little one has an accident along the way. IMG: Pampers.com Yeah, that’s what I thought….I’m guilty of this too sometimes, lately though I just toss one diaper in my jacket and always have a thing of wipes in the car. But that can get bothersome sometimes too and Pampers thought about that. From now until December 11, 2009 Pampers is doing a special: For a…
Babies Being Airbrushed for Magazines

Eliza Ferree

17 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm

How many of you love seeing those cover models? I know several love getting the magazines just to see who is on the front cover, some like to style after the models and the others wish to look like themNow how many of you are sickened at the fact that most of them are airbrushed in one form or another? IMG: Elizabeth Ferree I don’t know about you but I’d like to see the pictures as is, without all the touch-ups. It has recently come out that magazines actually airbrush babies. Yes, that’s right, not even babies can have a bit of extra weight on them. You thought teens had it…

Tiny Mantras
The Great Interview Experiment

TZT

18 Nov 2009 | 6:36 am

Neil of Citizen of the Month has created the ultimate mixer for bloggers. By dropping a line into the busy comment section of his blog, dozens of us made a promise to interview one person and be interviewed by another, whoever that person may be.I got some surprising and fun questions from the completely divine Princess of the Universe, whose diaries reflective and funny and worth your time to visit.Meanwhile, I explored the archives and links over at wenchwire in order to learn all that I could about dk, or wench. She puts out her perspectives in short missives, digestible rants and…
Carnival of Space #129

TZT

15 Nov 2009 | 4:26 pm

Welcome to the 129th Carnival of Space!(Note 11-17-09: Blogger had issues, so this site was down for a while today. Apologies for any inconvenience!)I'm thrilled to have another opportunity to host this great showcase of space-related blog posts.For those of you that are visiting Tiny Mantras for the first time, I'm a freelance writer and mother to a fanatical four-year-old astronomer. His interest in space has been unyielding for as long as he's been able to talk. Therefore, I spend a lot of time reading astronomy blogs to try and become more scientifically literate, as well as riding…
Construct your own narrative

TZT

13 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm

For the past several months, I've been helping my mother out with a family project. We've been going through scads of old, deteriorating photographs, scanning them and identifying faces. Apparently, members of every branch of my family were armed with a camera from the moment they first one became commercially available.Then I found this group of seven pictures in one pack, along with negatives that tell me they were taken in exactly this order:What does it mean? What's the story here? Subscribe in a reader Copyright Tracy Zollinger Turner, Tinymantras.com, 2009.

gwendomama
Bubbles' First Poem, (as dictated to me yesterday, randomly and all at once in the car)

16 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

smokefirehousetreeswatersirensglassand hurtand sadand scratchingmonkeydogsarrows.
Is This A Soap Opera?

15 Nov 2009 | 1:50 pm

The day he admits that his violent and unnecessary actions have negatively impacted our children, and that listening to our child scream, "Stop, Daddy! STOP!! Stop breaking mama's arm!!" should have been enough to stop him from continuing to hurt me, will be the day we move forward for our children.His action, not his absence, was the catalyst here.Instead, we are in a place where I have been accused of 'planning' the whole incident to get him out of my life.Which, if you think about it, makes about as much sense as a spleen.
How to Party Like A Pirate: At your fourth birthday party...

11 Nov 2009 | 6:55 pm

Bubbles wanted a pirate party.Well really, he wanted a pirate party and then he changed it to a spiderman party and then superman with purple sparkly wings and then demanded live monkeys and giraffes and I just kept nodding and affirming and planning the pirate party. Because, OMG, I was not taking my stressy Virgo brain back to a starting point on this party and he had asked for a boat and castle. And the freaking pirates.So, pirate party it was.After the sick ones had been weeded out canceled, we had about seven friends his age coming, and their very welcome gaggle of siblings. And their…

The Domestic Diva
Holiday Meal for 8 under $20 {Giveaway} sponsored by Walmart

The Domestic Diva

20 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

Walmart has recently teamed up with some of Food Networks stars Melissa D’Arabian from Ten Dollar Dinners and Aaron Sanchez of Chefs vs. City to create tasty twists on traditional holiday dishes. And this holiday season, Walmart is reducing prices on key holiday meal items to help make holiday meals a little more affordable. Walmart’s Holiday Meal Idea: the following meal idea was provided with permission by Walmart A turkey dinner for eight as low as $20 According to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation, last year’s average cost of a ... Thank you for subscribing!
3 Cheers for Disney Pixars UP

The Domestic Diva

19 Nov 2009 | 10:23 am

Before a couple of weeks ago, I nor my family had ever seen the movie Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray]. But thanks to Click Communications for giving me a copy of the DVD my family and I were able to have a family movie night at home to experience the wonder that is Disney Pixar’s UP. I remember when the movie came out in theatres and how badly I wanted to see it then but what prevented me from going was the cost of ... Thank you for subscribing! You are reading the content summary of this post, please visit http://thedomesticdiva.org to finish reading this…
Merry Madagascar {giveaway} sponsored by Walmart

The Domestic Diva

18 Nov 2009 | 8:40 am

Last night, NBC aired a Christmas Special entitled “Merry Madagascar”. But don’t worry because in case you missed it, Walmart has teamed up with the folks of Dreamworks Animation to produce a special $5 DVD (deluxe edition is $8) that may be purchased in-store starting today. I was given an advanced copy of the Christmas Special, Merry Madagascar, for my family and I to watch in anticipation of the big event. And like most kids, mine loved watching the Madagascar characters in this fun Christmas themed show. I’m a huge fan ... Thank you for subscribing! You are reading…

Home Ec 101
Tough Call, Roast Beef Leftovers

Heather

20 Nov 2009 | 4:22 am

Hi Home-Ec 101, I made a beef roast yesterday and even though it was perfectly rosy on the inside it was still pretty tough… Enough so that I’m not finding the idea of leftovers particularly appetizing. Is there a way I can use the meat up that will correct (or at least disguise) the toughness? Signed, Leathery in Louisiana Heather says: My options depend on the original flavoring of the roast itself. If it was simply onion, garlic, salt and pepper, cook the rest of the roast in a crockpot, in salsa, then shred for chimichangas. If the roast had other flavors that wouldn’t…
Countdown to Turkey Day 2009: November 19

Heather

19 Nov 2009 | 1:25 pm

Heather says: There are two things on today’s to-do list. First get out the shopping list and plan your attack. Second, figure out how long your frozen turkey will take to thaw. Frozen turkeys need a full 24 hours per 5lbs to thaw in a 40F refrigerator. Once thawed the turkey can be held for up to 48 hours. For example, an 18lb turkey will take nearly 4 days to thaw and should be used by the 6th day. Thanksgiving is 1 week away, so it’s time to start thawing those 20 plus pound turkeys. Don’t forget to keep that turkey in the very bottom of the refrigerator to prevent any…
If You Can’t Freeze Fresh Mozzarella, What’s the Use?

Heather

19 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am

Dear Home-Ec 101, Last week I was cruising through Sam’s Club and found a great deal on fresh mozzarella, which I have never used before. I picked some up and froze it. I thawed one pound of it in the fridge and grated it in the food processor for pizza. It tasted okay, but the consistency was a bit weird, almost like ricotta. And it made the pizza kind of wet. Should I have drained it before freezing, or before using in the food processor? Is freezing it just not a good idea? Or is it just not a good fit for pizza? Signed, Mystified by Mozzarella Heather says: Freezing fresh…

Chicago Moms Blog
neighborly etiquette

melanie myatt

20 Nov 2009 | 2:04 am

Moving to Chicago from Omaha, Nebraska meant a lot of changes for our family. We left a house with a front and back yard and friendly neighbors on either side. Now we live in a six-flat where we are still trying to learn about neighborly etiquette. Our kids are learning to be mindful of neighbors above and below as they play, both inside and out. Recently, our kids were happily enjoying the unexpectedly nice weather by playing outside in our backyard (also affectionately known as our "back concrete"). The neighbor kids from our building joined in the fun, as we parents caught up and…
It's a Wonderful Kitchen, Jimmy Stewart

"Van Mom"

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

Dinner parties. Some women worry about their menus. Others fuss over table linens or vacuum the same patch of rug eleven times. Me, I worried about my humble 1963 kitchen. The lasagna simmered. The salad was tossed. The wine was chilling. I was sweating. Glancing around the kitchen, I noticed how the parquet floor was a tad uneven near the doorway. I wrung my hands. What would my esteemed guests think? Would they point to the wood cabinets and whisper, "Good Lord, were those things installed when Kennedy held office?" (The answer is -- yes). We replaced the stove and oven, our…
Facing a Career Crossroads

Karen Putz

18 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

The information came pretty much out of the blue: my company informed me that they were moving my position to their headquarters in Florida. They wanted to know if I was going to move with it. And oh, by the way, I had twenty-four hours to decide. The news stunned the heck out of me-- I didn't see it coming. There I was, humming along in my new position that was given to me just a few months ago. I was a Sales Manager covering two states when my company asked me to take over nationwide coverage for our Voice Carry Over (VCO) customers. I jumped into that, loving every minute of connecting…

DC Metro Moms
My 5-Year-Old Needs a Secretary

Justice Fergie

20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

Ok, so you warned me. Before Chatterbox started kindergarten, I was put on notice by all of you primary school aficionados that the paperwork and homework involved was no joke. I laughed. I scoffed. I did not take heed. Well. The joke's on me! Let me introduce you to the Daily Folder. It's brightly colored and is adorned with a lovable little frog sporting the motto: "Fully Responsible Organized and Growing." But do not be fooled. This Daily Folder and me? We have a love-hate relationship. Each day Hubby or I have to initial the Behavior Chart and return it back to the teacher. Then,…
Cooking Up Chaos: The Conundrum of Creativity

J.J.

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

It is a rare moment in my house when the kitchen counters are completely clear, nary a dirty dish in site, the floors gleaming. And usually if they are, it is due to a heroic attempt on my husband's part over the weekend or an evening when I am out at a volunteer meeting. Oh, I try to get it close, but I never quite seal the deal -- there is always a stack of school papers on the corner of the counter, or some unfinished art project nearby, or a small child insisting on yet another meal or snack, dirtying up yet another set of dishes faster than I can manage to keep them all clean. It…
Turkey and Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce: Oh My

jodifur

18 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

This will be my ninth year hosting Thanksgiving for a large crowd. Ninth year. Every year I promise myself I will not stress. I will plan better. I will start earlier. I will, something..... Ha! This year we moved, twice, and now my son is having significant problems in preschool, and I work part-time, and all of a sudden I turn around and Thanksgiving is a week and a half away. A week and a half away. I have ordered a very large turkey and discovered that I have no idea where my recipe folder is. Good times! Look, I know the holidays are supposed to be filled with the…

NYC Moms
Soldier Mama

Kathie H.

20 Nov 2009 | 2:28 am

Did you ever have a weird new mom dream working out the fears and disbelief that there was actually a baby in your life? Maybe you dreamed you went to your old job and were going out with friends after work completely forgetting that you had a baby... In mine, I thought I was babysitting, and waited in vain for the baby's parents to come back so I could leave. Just dreams, strange dreams, not particularly bad, not even nightmares. What if you thought that if you showed up at your job with your baby, he would be pulled out of your arms and placed in foster care? What if you were a…
They're filming on our street again

Kathie H.

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

They're filming on our street again. It happens all the time. We live in a part of Brooklyn that looks and feels like Sesame Street, or the opening shot of The Cosby Show. My Kid won't even bother to cross the street to check out a film shoot. In our part of the world, signs taped to lamp posts with arrows that point to "EXTRAS HOLDING" or "TO SET" are as ordinary as fliers about lost cats and dogs. I remember when she was still in a stroller she was attracted to the tent over the craft services table set up a couple blocks from our apartment. She wanted…
Breastfeeding Helps You Get Back Into Shape!

Dagmar Bleasdale

18 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

This Tursday was a great day for breastfeeding advocates like me. The New York Times ran an article called “Breast-Feed the Baby, Skip the Dieting?” Catherine Saint Louis wrote about what has been my experience as well: breastfeeding helps moms melt those extra pounds after pregnancy — and if you are lucky, even more. I was a size 8 when I met my husband, I gained about 38 pounds while pregnant, and I have been a size 6 — or a size 4 on a very good day — since my son was about 10 months old. He just turned 3 and I am still breastfeeding him on demand. Being able to eat what I want…

BabyCenter: MOMformation
Kid-tested: Leapfrog’s My Pals Scout and Violet

Dina Freeman

20 Nov 2009 | 11:12 am

What it is: Leapfrog was right on the money when they created these customizable talking pups My Pal Scout and My Pal Violet. These superdogs have single-handedly expanded my 2yo Jack’s vocabulary to include things like edamame, alpaca and Bibimbap … which incidentally, I didn’t even know existed until college. The good news for the tech challenged is it [...]
Will Work for Waffles

Melissa Byers

20 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but this story is too big to keep from my fellow parents. It’s good to be back! Notice anything missing from your local grocer’s freezer lately? I have. They live to the left of the toaster streudel and to the right of the Cool Whip. Our favorite variety is the Nutri-Grain [...]
Mocha Manual Mom: Seeing my slave roots

Kimberly Seals Allers

20 Nov 2009 | 7:09 am

Staring at the computer screen, I could barely make out the letters. But I will never forget what I heard. “These are likely the slave owners of your second great grandfather.” The very nice researcher from Ancestry.com had warned me when we sat down that she may have found some slave connections, but I figured, of [...]

Stimeyland
I Tried Hard to Come Up With a Good Title About Recycling the Recycling Center Field Trip, But Nothing Worked. Clearly.

19 Nov 2009 | 5:37 pm

You probably don't remember this......but I took it when Jack's four-year-old class went on a field trip to the recycling center and Quinn missed the tour because he wouldn't wear the earplugs. Well Quinn is now in the same four-year-old class and today was the field trip to the recycling center.Look familiar?I'm pretty sure that Quinn has some sensory issues, and based on his consistent weirdness about things that go on or in his body, I wasn't entirely sure he was going to agree to wear the earplugs. But everybody was going in to the tour and I told him that he couldn't go in if he didn't…
Thank You!

19 Nov 2009 | 5:12 pm

So, you guys are awesome. Thank you, each and every one of you, for your comments on my last post. They were not only supportive and wonderful, but many of them had very practical, specific advice. How am I so lucky that you guys frequent this little spot and interact with me? Seriously. I'm a really lucky person. Thank you.(Also, so you know, I'm trying to respond to all of your thoughtful comments via email, but sometimes I let my email inbox go for three or four days and then it seems weird to email you back, because by that time you've probably not just forgotten your comment and my post,…
This Could All Drive Me Into Therapy. If I Could Afford Therapy.

17 Nov 2009 | 3:10 pm

As much as I bitch about waiting rooms and the gajillion dollars a week we pay out in copays, I am so grateful for the therapies we're able to take Jack to.But last winter the SLP who ran our social skills group left her practice and we lost social skills. And then a couple of weeks ago we got letters saying that our occupational therapist's practice won't be taking our insurance anymore, so as of this week we've lost OT.So now we're down to a half hour of speech therapy a week for Jack. Period. That doesn't seem like a lot of therapy for a kid who so clearly needs it. But who can afford $90…

a little pregnant
Breathes life into

Julie

17 Nov 2009 | 1:50 am

It hadn't seemed so serious that morning, when the NICU nurse called early to say we should be there. Of course we'd go, I said, just like we did every morning, in time for his first feeding, just after morning...
Quickie

Julie

9 Nov 2009 | 6:51 pm

Our Halloween party...wasn't. There were a few casual acceptances by friends who never showed, and so the informal open house I'd envisioned ended up instead as a quick dinner with the family of one (1) of Charlie's friends and his...
Three things that make me feel queasy

Julie

30 Oct 2009 | 9:53 am

From antiangie on Twitter: "I'm not sure what you should do with this, just telling you it exists." Jerry O'Connell is writing a memoir about parenthood. Its title: Cry, Feed, (Make Love to Wife), Burp. I for one can't wait...

Smiley Cat
Prize Draw: Win 500 Free Business Cards

17 Nov 2009 | 9:26 am

The kind folks at Overnight Prints — purveyors of fine printed products such as business cards, postcards, greetings card and flyers — are offering one lucky reader of my blog 500 free business cards (free shipping included too).How to Win Simply leave a comment on this post as to why you'd like the business cards. The winner will be drawn at random from the comments and notified by email (so use a real email address). The deadline is 11:59pm CST Tuesday, 24 November.
10 Key Tasks For Your Next Web Site

6 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

Last year I wrote about 12 essential web site building blocks — things that you should check when you take on responsibility for a new web site, or even just launch one. Well, this year I've come up with a few more, mostly as a reminder to me for the next site that I'll be running.Establish a Baseline If you're going to show the impact you've made on your organization's web sites, you'll need a point of comparison to start from. 1. Capture Everything You want to be able to show how things were before you started making improvements. So take screenshots of your site, as many as you can.
The Importance of Links as Calls to Action

3 Nov 2009 | 11:18 am

I enjoyed this conversion rate analysis by Dustin Curtis on the link he places at the bottom of his articles to his Twitter account.It's fascinating to see the results of this sort of A/B testing, especially when the results can be so dramatic. Most of the time when you're running a website you're focused on the larger things — adding new content and features, increasing usability, improving page speed, etc. So little time is spent on the details, such as how a link should be written. However, it's clear that this is an area where you can receive the most return on your time invested.

Mama Drama
How to care for Violets

20 Nov 2009 | 5:50 am

By min, who's still trying to get it right You raise your kids, they go off to college....they come home for holidays. Violet's a Junior now and you'd think this ritual would be routine by now. It isn't. She comes...
Watching my words

19 Nov 2009 | 4:36 am

by Michelle, mom of a 3-year-old A couple of days ago, Evan and I were having a challenging morning. I could do nothing right in the 3-year-old's eyes, and many tears were shed (his, although I was getting pretty close)....
Ruby slippers as drama

19 Nov 2009 | 4:29 am

Stephanie, mom of 3-year-old "Mommy, I wanna wear my Dorothy shoes to school. Please?! Let me!" "Why, Baby? Why do you want to wear them to school?" "So all my friends will say, 'That's so pretty!'" It's been no secret...

Llama Momma
canned carrots

Llama Momma

17 Nov 2009 | 6:26 am

What possessed me to buy these? I must have had some recipe in mind, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was. That’s how long these have been sitting on my shelves. Going through the pantry today, I scooted them over to the side—after all, they’ve been there forever. I’m used to seeing them every time I put away groceries. But today I stop and think: why am I keeping these? I collect things in my heart, too. Grudges, ways of coping, reactions to people. Some of these served a purpose for a time—it’s the way I got by. But now, today, they’re useless. I don’t need…
painting tips

Llama Momma

2 Nov 2009 | 7:13 am

Preschoolers love paint. Moms don't. It's messy and, well, it's messy.I'm afraid I can't offer you much advice for making it less messy, but I DID repurpose an item destined for the garbage can into a cool paint holder. Introducing, the camping egg carrier. I bought this eons ago when it was just me and my husband darting off for a weekend of camping in California. Six eggs was plenty. Pancakes one morning, scrambled eggs the next...no problem. Enter three hungry boys. Now, six eggs don't get us through one morning. Last time I packed for a camping trip, I laughed at my tiny egg holder as I…
time

Llama Momma

23 Oct 2009 | 4:30 am

There’s never enough of it. Like most of you reading this blog, I’m busy. Juggling three kids, a part-time job, a work-from-home editing gig, and finishing a novel has proven to be a bit much. And before you get too impressed, keep in mind that by “finishing a novel” I mean “spending a few hours editing and writing at some point every week.” Since there’s never enough of it, I’m learning to make time for what’s really important to me. I try to carve out time each day for each of my kids. Sometimes it’s just ten minutes of one-on-one conversation at the end of the day, or a…

The Mother Load
Freebie Friday: November 20, 2009

20 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am

Hello, friends, and Happy Freebie Friday from myself & Freebies 4 Mom. Also, Heather is giving away two $100 Borders gift cards, so be sure to check that out.Health & BeautyAlways Infinity (Walmart)Kotex (Kroger)Pampers Extra Protection Size 5 (Walmart)FoodSteaz Organic Iced Teaz (printable coupon redeemable at Target)Kashi TLC Granola barKefir Probiotic Wellness Bar (for Facebook Fans)
Amy's Notebook 11.18.09

18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

I want to knit this infinity scarf (@ tentenknits)This hearty beef stew looks like a great recipe to make in my slow cooker (@ Jolly Mom)This is a great step-by-step tutorial on drawing a turkey (@ Art Projects for Kids)I had no idea how easy it could be to make homemade butter (@ Down to Earth)When the holiday knitting is done, I plan to knit for this cause (@ my happy little life)This
Ten Great Children's Books to Give This Holiday Season

17 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

My favorite gift to give and to receive around the holidays are books for my children. I love seeing my sweet kids curled up with a good book and enjoying a quiet moment reading. Thanks to our frequent library trips and making our own reading a priority, I have raised two readers with ferocious appetites for a good book. I am so proud!This is our list, created with my children, of our favorite

The Mommy Blog
Don’t worry about a thing

mindy@themommyblog.com

19 Nov 2009 | 6:07 pm

These are the days it takes the entire family to pull together… It’s my ex-husband’s birthday today, and the family tradition for as long as we’ve had kids has been to go out for a big sushi dinner. So, today when I picked up the kids, they were fired up for some serious raw salmon. My ex and I had just spoken and agreed that neither of us could afford a big night out, and that we’d have a quiet dinner at home, maybe get a cake from Cold Stone. Needless to say, they were very disappointed. They were cautious in how they expressed it, because they knew why.
ABC News: Homework Help for Parents

mindy@themommyblog.com

19 Nov 2009 | 7:22 am

I did a segment with ABC News about having fun doing homework with tweens, which is sort of like asking me to enjoy having Bugs Bunny teach me the quadratic formula. It’s eight minutes long, and I come in right at the end so if you want to see what I look like ten minutes out of my pajamas at seven a.m. with a hair and makeup blitzkrieg because I didn’t realize I’d be on camera, be my guest. Note how I work in the word “icepick.”Homework Help For Parents How to help your kids with their homework even if you don’t have the answers. Nov 18, 2009 10:09 PM…
QOTD

mindy@themommyblog.com

19 Nov 2009 | 6:50 am

Daughter: Okay, okay, I didn’t really take a bath, I just rinsed my hair and brushed it.” Son: “That is not delightful.”

Parent Hacks
links for 2009-11-20

Asha Dornfest {Parent Hacks}

20 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

Craftzine.com blog : Knifty Knitter Loom-Along: Alice Wrist Warmers We've talked about the coolness of the Knifty Knitter here! Great project for kids. A simple Thanksgiving solution | Unclutterer Erin and I are round-tripping the links! But she expanded on the oilcloth/chalk combo beautifully, and I figure y'all might like to know about it. The backlash against over-parenting - TIME Helicopter parenting has made the cover of Time Magazine.
Glow stick bracelets as nightlights

Asha Dornfest {Parent Hacks}

20 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am

Richelle's creative night light solution: When my 3 year-old son was afraid of having bad dreams one night, I gave him a couple glow stick bracelets left over from Halloween. They made a great night light for him. I was thinking they would work especially well for traveling or camping, when plugging in a regular night light wouldn't work. Great idea. One word of caution: I'd only do this for older kids who would understand (and heed) directions not to put the bracelet in their mouths.
Thanksgiving tip: Label the serving pieces

Asha Dornfest {Parent Hacks}

20 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am

Here's a tip I came up with as I was poring through my nifty Thanksgiving Supplies List (available for download at the Parent Toolbox over at Slideshare): label each serving piece with whatever dish you plan to serve. That is, stick a label or Post-It note that reads "mashed potatoes" inside the bowl in which you plan to serve your mashed potatoes. (If you've borrowed the piece from someone, include that person's name on the note.) Not only will you be sure you've got enough serving ware, you can more easily delegate the job of setting up the buffet. If you really want to get serious about…

Thrifty Mommy
Bank safety check

Jennifer Chait

20 Nov 2009 | 7:11 am

If you’re shopping around for a new bank or credit union, you should take a few minutes to research your choices at Bankrate. Bankrate offers a Safe & Sound rating service that looks at the relative financial strength and stability of U.S. commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions. The Bankrate system applies 22 tests to each institution to measure the following… Capital adequacy. Asset quality. Profitability. Liquidity. Of course you shouldn’t rely on one system when choosing a bank. You should actually head into the nearest branch, look around, talk to…
Save Money On Holiday Meals

Jennifer Chait

19 Nov 2009 | 7:58 pm

It’s easy to save money on holiday meals using some basic common sense, sharing in the meal prep, and keeping it green. Shop early: Finding holiday fare on sale means shopping early. You can pick up a budget turkey right after Thanksgiving, and freeze it til Christmas. When you wait too long, you may be forced to pick up national vs. store brands of items like condensed milk and pie filling, which will cost you. Save fresh fruits and veggies as day before buys, but get everything else early. Share the fame: I know folks who want to whip up an entire holiday spread all on their own,…
35 Plentiful Ideas for Thanksgiving

Karen Weideman

19 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am

Thanksgiving is only a week away. I know, I can hardly believe it. To save you some time, I’ve been searching around for great resources for you. There’s a wide variety to choose from. Enjoy! For the kids: Thankful tree Thanksgiving coloring pages Thanksgiving place mat Planning Thanksgiving for the Kids Thanksgiving turkey banner craft Thanksgiving Children’s Activities Thanksgiving Party Games and Activities for Kids Thanksgiving word scramble Fall and Thanksgiving songs Thanksgiving place mat Craft for Kids Thankful pumpkins Rustic vests Pumpkin song Thanksgiving…

Mombian
Weekly Political Roundup

Dana

20 Nov 2009 | 1:23 pm

U.S. National News The House Oversight & Government Reform Committee approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits & Obligations Act, which would offer the same benefits, including health insurance and pensions, to same-sex partners of federal workers and to opposite-sex spouses. (This news comes via the DC Agenda, the reincarnated Washington Blade.) The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a gay federal lawyer who was denied government health coverage for his husband after their marriage last year, is entitled to extra pay to cover private insurance for him. During her…
Transgender Day of Remembrance

Dana

20 Nov 2009 | 5:06 am

Today marks the 11th International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. My thoughts are with all of the transgender community today, but especially with transgender parents, transgender and gender variant children, and their parents. Here are some resources to help spread understanding: Trans Youth Family Allies is a terrific organization helping parents of transgender and gender variant children, as is Gender Spectrum Family. The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals, by Stephanie Brill…
“Where Few Men Have Gone Before”

Dana

20 Nov 2009 | 3:01 am

Here is the eleventh in my series of quotes from Who’s Your Daddy? And Other Writings on Queer Parenting. I’ll be running them for a couple of weeks courtesy of the book’s editor, Rachel Epstein. I’m choosing the quotes I feel are most intriguing and thought provoking; I don’t always agree with the sentiments, but I hope they will spur some discussion in the comments and encourage you to seek out the book for yourselves. For more on how to get this Canadian-published volume (and you should!), see my original post about it. Today’s quote is from Syrus Marcus Ware’s…

Pajama Mommy
Relocating in Your Future? Five Tips You Need Now

Sandy

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

The good news: in the middle of a really tough economy, you land a job offer. The bad news: you have to explain to your 14-year-old that it means moving out of state. Whether it’s for a new career opportunity or to move when a current employer relocates its business, people who may not otherwise have considered relocating are facing the potential of moving boxes in their future. There are, however, steps you can take to make the transition moremanageable: Do your homework as a family: Like most homework, this research will start with the Internet. City and state official websites are…
Earthbound Farms Snacks for the Whole Family

Sandy

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

Packing lunch is not just for kids anymore. The economy has grown-ups everywhere reaching for the brown paper bag instead of eating out. American adults carried 8.5 billion lunches from home in 2007, according to NPD Group research, the most recent figure available. That number has surely climbed since the economy has headed south. With the average packed lunch costing $3.25 [1], compared to eating lunch out at $8 to $10, there’s big savings by the end of a month’s worth of lunches. Then there are those adults who are also parents, packing lunch for a family of eaters of varying…
cLEAN Momma Lifestyle Program

Jessica

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

Motherhood is not always glamorous- with the unwashed hair look, baggy sweats and the occasional stained t-shirt. I can remember the first week after bringing my son home, how overwhelmed I felt about taking care of him, keep the house in order and take time out to try to squeeze some exercise into the mix. And to be completely honest, exercise went by the wayside for many, many months and it continued that way well into the birth of my second child (two years later). And now, I am pretty excited to tell you about the cLean Momma Lifestyle Program. The cLean Momma Lifestyle Program is…

Simple Kind Of Life
bailey of strawberry plains

Colleen

5 Nov 2009 | 9:32 am

When Jim and I decided on a whim to get a dog during our vacation to Tennessee back in October of 1996, we certainly didn’t think about the future and the events of this morning. We decided on a name (Bailey of Strawberry Plains for the AKC) and w focused on then “right then and now” stuff, like will this dog be good with our kids? (She was.) Will she be protective of our family and a great watchdog? (She was.) Will we enjoy having her in our lives? (We did!) But this morning, we had to put our loyal companion and friend of over 13 years down to rest. Bailey had developed…
izeafest2009

Colleen

3 Oct 2009 | 9:04 am

Here I sit at IzeaFest2009. I’ve used the time productively – while speakers are on, I’m in the background updating Wordpress on my blogs and trying to fix the errors caused by updating Wordpress on my blogs. I’m also enjoying a girls weekend with Jennifer – we’ve got a very strict schedule of blogging, naps, dining out, and visiting bars. Last night was Ice Bar and tonight is Howl at the Moon. Tomorrow is a day at Sea World. It’s rough, but we’re managing!
nobody puts baby in a corner

Colleen

14 Sep 2009 | 6:14 pm

It was only a matter of time before we saw this headline: Patrick Swayze, star of Dirty Dancing and Ghost, dead of pancreatic cancer at age 57. A few years back, I had the opportunity to walk with my family in a 5k to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Now, at the three breast cancer walks I’ve participated in, there are many survivors. In fact, during the closing ceremonies of the Komen 3 Day, the survivors come in at the end and stand in the center and all of the walkers applaud for them. At the pancreatic cancer walk, there was one survivor…maybe two? The disease often…

Parenting Tips at NeenMachine.com
Pop Up Books

Neena

19 Nov 2009 | 11:40 am

Copyright © 2009 Neena. Visit the original article at http://neenmachine.com/2009/11/19/pop-up-books/.All kids love pop up books. But these are usually not library worthy – the pages are too easily torn, and then the fun is gone. Adding these choices to a home library where they can be cared for is the best way to go. So imagine my delight when I received not one but two popups to review – both by David A. Carter. The popular Bugs are back this winter and they are ready to frolic in the snow. Snow Bugs: A Wintery Pop-up Book (Bugs in a Box Books) is the newest addition to…
The Childrens Place Coupons

Neena

11 Nov 2009 | 9:01 am

Copyright © 2009 Neena. Visit the original article at http://neenmachine.com/2009/11/11/the-childrens-place-coupons-2/.Once again I have a – The Childrens Place coupon to share. This one is good for 20% off and is good through November 16, 2009. To take advantage of this deal use this link and code HA299. Also, the fall sale and holiday markdowns (already?) are going on now as well. In addition to all of that the ongoing offer of $5 standard shipping on all orders is still in effect. Shopping for the holidays seems like a good idea right now! If you liked this post, please share it…
Kids Halloween Recipes

Neena

30 Oct 2009 | 7:52 am

Copyright © 2009 Neena. Visit the original article at http://neenmachine.com/2009/10/30/kids-halloween-recipes/.Kids Halloween recipes will come in handy this weekend! Several years ago, I made a failed attempt to feed my children veggie burgers before they set out to trick or treat. After all, they were going to get pretty sugared up by the time the evening was over – so why precede the event with healthy meals? Big Mistake. The kids complained – I told them to just finish up. The following October 31, the kids took a walk down memory lane saying “Remember when Mom…

finslippy
Once again, here's more rambling about stuff I'm doing that's not here

Alice Bradley

17 Nov 2009 | 5:21 am

I have an essay in the December issue of The Sun! It's called "Eighteen Attempts at Writing About a Miscarriage," and it's about how much I love unicorns. I can hear some of you grumbling, is she still talking about that miscarriage, for Pete's sake? or probably that's my Inner Critic bashing me again, but anyway I actually wrote this quite a while ago. Now shut your mouth, Inner Critic. Anyway, this essay was originally accepted at another magazine, and they were incredibly gung ho about it and it was amazing to see my work get that kind of reaction, and then the magazine shut down and all…
Processing

Alice Bradley

10 Nov 2009 | 8:33 am

So it turns out that I can write a book and also do other things, but writing a book plus anything else equals total disaster for the rest of my life. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been working on the new column for Redbook (the first one will appear in the January 2010 issue), so I neglected some other matters. Like remembering to eat, or talking to people. Also writing in this here blog. And. And I just stared into space for about fifteen minutes while I tried to think of something else to write. Listen. I know you didn’t need to know that. I realize you are not reading this as I…
Ladies and gentlemen: we have a book deal.

Alice Bradley

29 Oct 2009 | 1:57 pm

I am more than a little excited to announce the following bit of news: In the fall of 2010 (probably), St. Martin's Press will be publishing LET'S PANIC ABOUT BABIES!: How To Endure and Possibly Triumph over the Adorable Interloper Who Will Ruin Your Body, Destroy Your Life, Melt Your Brain, and Finally Turn You into a Worthwhile Human Being (Actually, that's the entire book. There you go!) The book will, naturally, be written by Eden Marriott Kennedy and myself. If you're wondering, "Hey. Didn't Eden and Alice just launch that website? How did this happen so quickly for them?" Well. Let us…

The Pioneer Woman
The Road Rage is Here

Ree Drummond

20 Nov 2009 | 7:09 am

Sometimes it’s just unavoidable: we have to drive cattle down the road. Unfortunately, there are people on this earth who actually want to drive down this same road. It takes them where they need to go, you see. Roads are funny that way. Some of them just can’t handle the wait. They have things to do. People to see. Places to go. And cows ain’t a part of it. These are the times I love my telephoto lens. I like to watch the fun unfold. Call me ornery. You can almost smell the road rage in the air. I lived in L.A.
His Element

Ree Drummond

19 Nov 2009 | 5:27 am

We worked cattle right before we left, and I brought these photos along with me. I miss the ranch, but the trip is going really well. My oldest boy is having fun checking in and out of hotels, riding escalators and elevators, and eating in restaurants. But this…this is his element. Sitting behind the wheel of a 1,200 pound animal. For my curly-haired blond whippersnapper, life doesn’t get any better than that. And if I start to get rattled on this trip when he gives his brother a roundhouse kick in the hotel lobby…or…
Everything’s Up to Date

Ree Drummond

18 Nov 2009 | 1:13 pm

Kansas City was wonderful. A local independent bookseller, Rainy Day Books, organized two signings there, which meant I had to rein in my agoraphobic tendencies twice in the same 24-hour period. In addition, I had to take two showers, apply deodorant two times, and try twice as hard not to poke out my eye with my Pat Benatar black eyeliner since I wear so much of it these days. Gosh, do I ever love black eyeliner. The first signing was at Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture, a ridiculously dangerous store for anyone who even remotely likes cowboy and cowgirl clothes, boots, or…

GoodyBlog
Friday Night Movies

Kourtney Eidam

20 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am

This Week's Big-Screen Goody:Vampires, werewolves, and aliens, oh my! It's getting a little freaky at the box office this weekend. Your kids might beg to see the uber-hyped--and unintentionally funny--Twilight: New Moon (rated PG 13). Some moms might even consider it--you know who you are (I'm Team Jacob, BTW). But the animated alien adventure, Planet 51 (rated PG), is probably the safer supernatural bet for families with younger kids. This Week's DVD Goodies: Barney: We Love Our Family Ben 10: Alien Force, Vol. 5 Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box One Pahappahooey Island: Do It Afraid! The Smurfs:…
Make Your Kid A Moviestar

Rachel

19 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pm

If your kid's a die-hard Dora fan, she'll go crazy for a personalized “Dora, Diego and Me” DVD. After digitally inserting your child's image and name, she'll be able to see herself co-starring alongside her favorite characters, tagging along on a jungle adventure, flying across zip lines through the rain forest and jumping waves on water skis. But your kid's 15 minutes of fame (well, actually 25 minutes) doesn't end there. She'll also hear Dora call her by name (which is not something to be taken lightly with the 5-and-under crowd. Consider it equivalent to Johnny Depp uttering your…
Spankin' New Headlines

Rebecca

19 Nov 2009 | 12:53 pm

Slow down: The response to the rise of the helicopter parent. Time Your pediatrician’s necktie: Could it be making your child sick? Wall Street JournalIt’s time to stop smoking! The decline in the smoking rate among Americans has stalled and there was even a hint of an increase last year, according to the CDC. New York TimesCafeteria scare! Agriculture chief promises to tell school districts when the government suspects food supplies are contaminated. USA TodayFour percent of U.S. kids now have food allergies, according to a new study. Los Angeles TimesOriginal photo via

Momfinds.com
Where to Find Those Hot Zhu Zhu Pets

farah@momfinds.com

20 Nov 2009 | 7:20 pm

It’s official. Zhu Zhu Pets are the hottest toys of the season and they’re sold out almost everywhere you look. If you can wait until Black Friday, Toys R Us promises to have them in stock, but if you want them now, check out the following sites. Amazon.com: They have the hamsters and a variety of accessories. ebay.com: Tons of auctions, with bids starting at about $20. EntertainmentEarth.com: They have hamsters, sets and more for pre-order. Might arrive before the holidays, might not. Find More Hot Holiday Toys Here >>>
Chunky Is in…Sweaters, That Is

farah@momfinds.com

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm

We know you’ve been scoping out Gap’s new Stella McCartney’s line for your kids (and yourself!), but their Copper Mountain Collection is also worth a look. Find everything your baby needs for a cute and cozy winter, like affordable furry pom-pom boots and faux-fur trapper hats, but it’s their chunky knits in warm earth tones that we love most. GapKids: Textured Sweater Hoodie ($39.50): A stylish alternative to her favorite fleece hoodie but just as comfy. BabyGap: Owl Sweater ($34.50): The buttons, the owl (with velvet bow trim), the cowl, the color. We love it…
Bitten By the New Moon Bug?� Sink Your Teeth into these Hot Twilight Finds

farah@momfinds.com

20 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

If your kids are salivating over the New Moon. Wait, scratch that. If YOU are salivating over the New Moon trailer (come on, Mom, we hear you), it’s time you sink your teeth into your shopping list. MomFinds has obliged with Twilight must haves. Commence biting: It’s like Screen Life Games has been pulling an Edward Cullen and reading your minds.The company behind the host of Scene It video/board games has been bitten by the bug and put out a new Twilight Deluxe Edition ($29.95) for the holiday season. Narrated by Peter Facinelli - aka Dr. Carlisle Cullen - the trivia game offers…

Friday Playdate
theology 101

Susan

19 Nov 2009 | 7:01 pm

If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is “thank you,” that would suffice. Meister Eckhart On Thursdays, the boys go to Mass at school. Tonight, Henry said, “Do you know who I peaced at Mass today? Charlie!” I had a vision of them fist bumping or high fiving in their little clip-on ties and short sleeved dress shirts. But apparently they shook hands like civilized people, because that’s how you “peace” someone, according to Henry. Last week, as they were eating their snack and recapping their day for me, Henry said, “Today at Mass I…
a whole box of cute, from The Land of Nod

Susan

18 Nov 2009 | 10:05 am

I am completely in love with this little craft box; I can’t get over how cute it is. So much cuter than the gigantic plastic bin we’re storing our craft supplies in. Sigh. So who won the super nifty craft box from The Land of Nod? Comment #35 came from Emily, who said that her favorite craft was “paper chains! we make them now, and then count down to Christmas with them. The excitement grows as the chain shrinks!!” Sounds like fun, Emily! Congratulations, and enjoy. Thanks to everyone who entered, and special thanks to The Land of Nod for supplying the prizes. Skip on…

Design Mom
Cardstore Giveaway — Two Winners!

Design Mom

20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm

Today's Giveaway has perfect timing. Cardstore is offering 2 winners each a $100 gift certificate good towards Holiday Cards and Invitations. Lovely. I know cards are on your mind. Because it's late November. And because our clever Guest Aunt Lyndsey has been showcasing beautiful stationery selections all week. And now two of you will be able to order your holiday cards for free!I think you'll love Cardstore's vast selection. Tons of greeting cards. Tons of photo cards. Tons of invitations. You'll find exactly what you need. Leave a comment on this post and you're entered to win. Have a…
Oscar + Betty + New Clothes = Rad

Design Mom

20 Nov 2009 | 1:49 pm

This post is for Ben Blair. Who is out of town. And missed the darling-ness that was Oscar and Betty dressed for preschool this morning. Ben, these clothes arrived from Toobydoo yesterday. I probably should have saved them until Christmas and put them under the tree, but they were too cute to wait even a minute more in those (admittedly stylish) boxes.Also. You don't have to believe me, but I did not pose either one. I pulled out the camera and they were instantly in rockstar mode.I love all the details. The leather zipper pull. The fringe on the skirt. The ruffled cuffs and collar on the…
A Paper Holiday: Best of the Press — by Guest Aunt "Papergirl" Lyndsey

Design Mom

20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

Hello again friends! Today’s my last day posting here on Design Mom, so I thought I’d go out with a bang. I’m a major sucker for anything letterpress, so here’s a little roundup of some of the cards that have really caught my eye this holiday season. The awesome holiday postcard, pictured at top, is a chic alternative to your typical folding card. Parrott Design Studio prints these using vintage wood type and hand-mixed ink onto the recycled chipboard card; the back is printed with an old-fashioned postcard graphic to add a little extra fun to your seasonal greeting.I also love the…

Dutch Blitz
The “List”

angella

20 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am

Over at Work It! Mom: Who’s on your “list”?
On Being Crafty

angella

18 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

I am not a crafty person, in the traditional sense of the word. If we are talking about being crafty in the sense of sneaking vegetables into my kids’ pizza sauce or in the sense of convincing my husband that me buying new camera toys equipment was his idea, then I am totally crafty. If we’re talking about taking a bunch of supplies and a glue gun and creating something magical, then I am a craftastrophe personified. This is why we haven’t made a Gingerbread house in a few years. We bought one once. I wanted make everything symmetrical and coordinated and my kids wanted to…
For Anissa

angella

18 Nov 2009 | 5:22 am

I met my friend Anissa this summer in Chicago and it was love at first encounter for the both of us. She had a stroke yesterday and is in the ICU. Please pray for her and her family (she has a husband and three kids). If you want to help beyond prayers and good thoughts, you can go here for details on how to do so.

temporarily me dot com
Hope4Anissa #prayersforanissa

samantha

18 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

There aren’t a lot of people in this world who laugh at my crude sense of humour. Because, really? I am a twelve year old boy trapped in an aging saggy woman body. When I first met her in person, Anissa was sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago during this past BlogHer. As I walked past the lobby on the way to the elevators, I heard her cry out, “Hey! Bitches!” to which I, of course responded to, because honestly? HELLO! As I turned towards the person calling out some derogatory reference my name I saw Anissa waving manically. She was so pleased with my…
Today

samantha

17 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

I had another post here, which you may have caught in your reader. I took it down. Not because it was offensive or low brow, but I felt it was insensitive. I didn’t realize the date before I hit publish. Today is not about my flourishing 18 month old baby boy, who has had an easy and uneventful go at the world since day one *touch wood*. Today is instead about those who have not. Today is about those sweet babies whom were born prematurely and have fought brave, hard and long battles to make our world all the more better. Today is a day to stand up and help these small tiny children…
Remember

samantha

11 Nov 2009 | 6:20 am

A day of remembrance. A day to thank our soldiers, and those fallen, whom have served our country proud. Those whom have protected our freedom and our way of life. Remembrance Day. As much as I wanted to write a dedication to those who have served, there is someone else who is weighing heavier on my mind and my heart. A special someone who also endured a brave fight for life. For her life. A little girl who beat the odds, if only for a short time. Her impact has been so tremendous. Her glowing, vibrant smile, forever imprinted. Happy Birthday, Sweet Angel. Please take a moment to pop by…

MommyCosm
Review: New Moon on opening night

THE Mommy

20 Nov 2009 | 4:10 am

(This post is SPOILER FREE! If you have not seen the movie, I promise you can read on without worries.) Yes, I had not just two but four of those coveted opening night tickets to a midnight showing of New Moon. Well, 12:08am, to be exact. Never before in my life have I witnessed such a huge showing for a movie opening. The entire 12 theatres within our local cinema sold out online weeks in advance. All 12. For the record, I live small town New Hampshire, not Boston. Love the Twilight Saga. Hate it. Team Edward. Team Jacob. Team I could…
The 57 cent church

THE Mommy

19 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

Received the following today via an email. I usually don't share chain emails and certainly don't forward them because I'm paranoid of spreading viruses. This one struck a chord with me. If this is a true story, I'm totally adding this church to my bucket list. A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.' 'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a…
Character analysis

THE Mommy

15 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

(Beware. Mommycosm is going all Zen today.) I believe the following do not matter: where you live, what you do for work, what car you drive, what clothes you wear, how many degrees you've earned, how many kids you have, how much money you have or have not. What does matter: the way you treat people. And when I say "people", I mean the President of the United States all the way down to the homeless ex-vet begging for money on the street. We are all people. The way you treat people? That alone defines your character. And character is the foundation for all other…

Boss Sanders
Whirlwinds and Hurricanes

bosssanders

17 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am

I resigned a couple of weeks ago, just so sure that God was going to let me have the next several months full of peace and time with Him and my family. Silly me. Apparently, I AM supposed to slow down, but He’s got more in plan for me FIRST. The past few days have been a whirlwind. Illness paired with little sleep and running on empty, just trying to get things done…. We’re beginning to cut close on the “unemployment” status as it pertains to benefits. The job search was turning up empty and our savings have since been depleted, meaning our expenses of…
changeling

bosssanders

6 Nov 2009 | 6:34 am

God is really rocking my world. He’s molding me, and I’m grateful (although that doesn’t always mean it’s fun.) Wednesday, I resigned from my out-of-the-home job. It was a difficult thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. I adore the people there, I adore the ministry, I adored what I did — but, it was taking me away from my first ministry that God had called me to - my children. Our lives have seasons, and I am so thankful for the one I had there…and I really believe I’ll be back there in a different season of my life. Just not now. …
Book Review: Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth Taylor

bosssanders

6 Nov 2009 | 4:51 am

Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth N. Taylor Ages 3-7 Hardcover retails for $14.99 Big Thoughts for Little People is an illustrated book that uses the ABCs to teach children morals and valuable Christian answers. Each letter corresponds with a lesson/word that most of us would love for our children to learn. I really expected for this book to be a great fit for Lala as she is becoming more familiar with her ABCs, however I’m afraid the “lessons” in this book are a little too much for her since she falls at the lower end of the age range. HOWEVER, for older children, I…

Whiskey in My Sippy Cup : Surviving Parenting. Kinda.
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry

Mr Lady

18 Nov 2009 | 8:14 am

“Where are we going, momma?” she asked me two night ago from the backseat of the car. “Home, baby”, I answered. “Are we going to our new Texas house?” she squeaked softly from her carseat, and I told her we were. “Momma, dats not my home.” *gulp* “Where is your home, babycakes?” “My bwue house is my home, wif my green woom. It’s empty.” Yes, yes it is, love. She misses her home. She can ‘t remember the house in Denver that we lived in until she was 6 months old, she can’t remember the little two bedroom…
Cleanliness is Next To Godliness and Apparently, God Wants You to be Miserable

Mr Lady

10 Nov 2009 | 12:59 pm

I grew up poor, and when I say I grew up poor, I don’t mean that I could only afford the knock-off Caboodles; I mean that I wore my brother’s old underwear and my gross annual income was the exact same as my husband’s current net. MONTHLY. We ate whatever we could get our filthy little hands on, we perfected the art of reusing grocery store paper bags for our trash cans and we wore whatever was given to us. Usually, we looked like absolute trash. The problem with that is simply that children reach a certain age when they stop caring at all about what they look like, right in…
First Impressions

Mr Lady

8 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pm

The day before I left Canada, I went into my Safeway, just to say goodbye. There were hugs and tears and well-wishes. Man, I love those girls at my Safeway. Now that I think about it, many of my most meaningful relationships have been forged in grocery store check-out lanes. It’s where I spend most of my time. I do what I have to. So tonight I had to run into the grocery store by the hotel, which is either spelled HEB or H-E-B or H.E.B., I’m not totally sure, but they make the best cannoli I’ve eaten outside of Brooklyn, and I don’t know any of these people yet. I…

SECRET AGENT MAMA
Fierce.

Michelle

20 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm

I can say this with pride: I have fierce friends. They’ve got it all; beauty, smarts, attitude, a funny bone, a keen fashion sense, awesome mothering skills, and a determination that makes me proud to call them my sisters. Oh and they like purses*. Ahhh, purses. Who doesn’t like purses? When I went to Type-A Mom Conference in September, I was lucky to be a part of a group of speakers who were invited to Dress Barn. We were decked out, head-to-toe, with clothing, jewelery, shoes, and purses. Anissa chose a sexy dress that *ehem* accentuated her stellar rack. She worked…
I wish I could fold this up into one of those triangles that we used to fold our notes up into, and pass it to you in the hall.

Michelle

19 Nov 2009 | 9:51 am

But now we have computers, so triangularly folded notes are so totally passe. Plus we have Skype and Gmail and Blackberry (well you have Blackberry and I have a shitty EnV2, but I digress.) I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I wish I knew you way back when [we] folded up pieces of paper that talked about how my crush was wearing Izod today, and–OMG–he so totally brushed up against me when he was reaching for his tray in the lunch line. Here are some notes I might-could have sent: Yo A! Dude, can I borrow that scarf of yours? The one you wore the other day…
#prayersforanissa

Michelle

18 Nov 2009 | 6:52 am

The moment I met her, in room 704, I knew that we’d be friends for a long, long time. “Say it,” I breathed. “Vampire,” she responded. It was true love ever since. And ‘ever since’ has brought a flourishing friendship—a trusted one, an accepting one, a valued one. To know Anissa is to love Anissa. We are going to be friends for a LONG, LONG TIME! [As posted on Aiming Low] As you may have heard, Anissa, our beloved friend and leader here at Aiming Low, suffered a stroke on Tuesday afternoon. She is in the hospital right now, in the ICU. More…

Momisodes
Sunnier daze

Momisodes

19 Nov 2009 | 7:59 pm

In my dream, it is bright. My eyes squint as I lift my head off the sand and look toward my daughter. Her fair, milky skin gleams in the afternoon sun. She runs over and sends flecks of sand sprinkling my legs. “Mommy, can we go into the ocean now?” I slowly stand and untie the sarong from my hips and gently toss my hair to shake out the sand. This sends the little feet beside me dancing, anticipating the splashes to come. The shock from the chilly sea jolts me back to reality. I am actually in my living room, sitting in an armchair. I must have dozed off momentarily while my…
Hope4Anissa

Momisodes

18 Nov 2009 | 11:35 am

I had the pleasure of meeting an incredibly talented blogger just a few weeks ago. Over the past year I have come to love her and her family through her words on her blog and at Aiming Low. In the moments before we met in Boston, she stood undaunted before a room full of bloggers and said, “I am never good at things like this [speaking in front of an audience]. This is why we sit behind computers and blog, right?” It was then that I knew that she was every bit as hilarious and real as I imagined she would be. She is Anissa Mayhew. Someone I admire and who I wished lived closer.
This little piggy has a beef

Momisodes

17 Nov 2009 | 10:11 am

I rarely use this space to get all up in arms about something. Well, maybe that one time, or the other. Whatever. It is an unusual occurrence. While I am well aware that parents live busy lives and juggle a multitude of tasks on a daily basis, a parent’s greatest responsibility is the well being of their child(ren). Or it should be, right? Recently for us, our greatest concern has been the cold/flu season. Our efforts for staying healthy have reached far beyond vigilant hand washing, Purell, and cautiously avoiding sick individuals. In fact, aside from going to preschool, or to the…

Single Supermama
you have such a caring heart

sydney

6 Nov 2009 | 12:59 pm

These are the notes my sweet Joy made this morning to pass out to her friends. I adore that girl.
tight quarters

sydney

2 Nov 2009 | 12:59 pm

I have a full size bed. Which is slightly (and I do mean slightly) larger than a twin bed. For the past couple of years, there have been many mornings when all three of us girls have woken up in my bed together – Joy and I on either edge, and Clara in the middle so she doesn’t fall off. We’ve all been sick lately – tired, snotty, feverish, coughing. Last night – I should say more accurately, this morning – Clara started crying at 3 am and toddled into my our room. She crawled into bed between Kelley and me. A couple hours later, Joy had an accident (she…
i’m going to get MARRIED

sydney

28 Oct 2009 | 2:49 pm

Check this out. This post right here that you are reading? It has two tags. One of them is dating. And one of them is family. You might not be a data geek like me and fully appreciate the DEPTH of that in a venn diagram kind of a way. But the middle of the diagram? That’s where I’m at, my friends. Where dating and family meet. I’m getting married. I am more than just slightly ecstatic to report that I am marrying my absolute, perfect match. The man that I had been envisioning and hoping for all this time… he didn’t even come close to the actual, real-life human…

Mom Blog
Help For Anissa

PetiteMommy

19 Nov 2009 | 8:50 am

I don't know Anissa personally. I've never met most of the bloggers I read but seeing as though I've been here in this spot for 6 years I feel like I know many of them well.Anissa is a fellow Mom blogger with 3 children. She writes at freeAnissa and Aiming Low. A few days ago she suffered a stroke (her 2nd one) and is now in the hospital in the ICU. This is heartbreaking. She & her family needs
Sweet November

PetiteMommy

13 Nov 2009 | 3:54 pm

I was getting tired of seeing Ian Somerhalder AKA Damon's face on the main page here so I figured it was high time I shared with you a younger, much prettier face. I have to admit, however, I am a *bit* biased. ;)You can see more of him by clicking on this photo. FYI: Got that hat at Old Navy for only $5! My son loves it!
Distractions

PetiteMommy

30 Oct 2009 | 6:35 am

Rather than share with you the drama that is my life, I'm going to share with you a distraction in the form of hot vampire-y guys. Hey, it's Halloween so I can do what I want.P.S. You may have noticed the superficial here lately. I know it sucks but that's all I feel like I can share at this time in my life. Anonymity would be great right about now wouldn't it?Without further adieu...Ian

Mommy's Martini
Party Treats on School Days

MommyTime

19 Nov 2009 | 4:54 am

When my son was in his first daycare (the one we had to replace in an instant because it was shut down without any warning one evening by the state, but that's another story), they had a Birthday Treats Policy. And the policy was not "no candy" or "no high fructose corn syrup" or "no giant sugary balls of goodness." No, the policy was: nothing homemade.When I first heard that this was the policy, I started to giggle because I thought it was a joke. However, the giggle quickly turned to nervous laughter that petered out, and in my awkward silence, I could see that the daycare director was…
Anissa Would Want This Post to Start with a Joke, But I Can't Think of An Appropriate One

MommyTime

18 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

UPDATE: There is an official Caring Bridge site up for Anissa now, where her husband is posting updates and you can find out more about how to help, if you are interested.Some of you may know Anissa Mayhew -- loud, funny, hug-you-the-moment-she-meets-you Anissa. She is one of those Forces to be Reckoned With. In a good way. She will defend her friends, keep them laughing, and work harder than anyone you know at anything she takes up. She's a mom of young kids, a friend, a blogger. She could be me, or you, or one of a dozen other people you know. Except she's not. She's Anissa, gloriously…
Charitable Giving Could Get You This Brand New Cozy Sweater

MommyTime

12 Nov 2009 | 5:16 pm

Or a totally different one, in another color, if this isn't your thing. I'm completely serious.From now until Sunday, November 15, you can print a coupon online that will save you 30% on ANY in-store purchase at the GAP, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. And in addition, if you use the coupon, those stores are donating 5% of your purchase price directly to DonorsChoose. The coupon is good for multiple uses, and there are no restrictions limiting you to using it only on full-price items. It's even good at the GAP Outlet and Banana Republic Factory stores!How cool is that? as Daughter often…

The Only Thing I Know: A Mom Blog of Slacker Proportions
The Post Where I Cut Off All of My Fingers… Otherwise Known As 'There's an App for That'

Judith Shakespeare

16 Nov 2009 | 1:51 pm

My sister and I argue a lot. Usually it's over a misplaced movie quote or a she was totally in that other film, she just had a different nose sort of thing… But mostly it's over who tried to kill the other last or who's turn it is to make coffee. Thankfully, however, there's an app for that. (Not the killing part, of course, because I totally think that throwing that glass light fixture at my face totally trumps me shoving a handful of jelly beans down her six-week-old throat. Which totally makes me the nicer sister. So neener.) You simply make a list, add some…
Tuesdays Suck… Here's Some Free Stuff to Make You Feel Better, Vol. II

Judith Shakespeare

10 Nov 2009 | 2:13 pm

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that free stuff may make Tuesdays a little better (This is the part where I get to quote myself, awesome, isn't it?): I dread- DREAD – Mondays. Tuesdays are much worse, however, as they tend to completely ruin the giddiness leftover by getting through a dreary Monday by still being four whole freaking days away from the weekend. Meh. So, in order to make your Tuesdays a little less meh and a little more yeah [insert cheesy drum roll and cymbal clash here], I'm going to try to give you something nifty *each* week. Now, for the handful of you who…
When There's More Than One, It's Called a Murder…

Judith Shakespeare

7 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm

Something Wicked This Way Comes… While getting ready for Halloween festivities, I looked over at my super-cute daughter, 3, prancing about in the hastily purchased drugstore sorceress costume and said, "Oh, honey, you look pretty!" To which she responded, "Yep, mama. I look GOOD." Are You Questioning My Badassness? That Middle One, 5, came home from school last week a little upset because a little girl didn't pick him for some random classroom thing that day. I asked him what happened… He explained that "Leena" was supposed to pick someone for…

Virtual Coach Income Fitness Academy
Offer PREMIUM Content via these 7 Wordpress Membership Plugins/Software Goodies

admin

28 Oct 2009 | 7:11 am

Have you noticed that many blogs are going to Premium Membership route? Hmmm? It’s actually quite smart indeed! What these intrepid entrepreneurs are doing is separating their posts into a FREE category…and into a PREMIUM (ie, paid) category as well. I just did this myself over at BarbaraLing.com and I’m thrilled with the benefits! I ended up going with: Wishlist Member Wordpress Membership Plugin This is a paid plugin but does offer Clickbank integration as well! Some key points include: Sequential Content Delivery Depending on your setup, you may want to…
Best resource for all-around ebook writing for 2010

admin

27 Oct 2009 | 12:28 pm

Ever wish you had a great blueprint on how to write an ebook that you could use in 2010? I’ve been writing books now since 1998…and found Building Your eBook Empire to be one of the very best resources I’ve ever encountered on the topic. What I really like about it is not only the down-home friendly way in which its written…but also the plain hard common sense that’s gently offered regarding topics like, oh, hmmm….the important of hitting emotional buttons while writing sales copy. Don’t believe me? Check out this snippet: Q: How many gurus sell…
Tips for Christmas Profits Part 1 – Amazon Affiliate Secrets

admin

26 Oct 2009 | 12:35 pm

Hey there, This weekend is Halloween! And next month will be Thanksgiving! And (get this!) after that…will be the Winter Holidays like Christmas and Chanukah! Have YOU started preparing for the Christmas sales? There are two ways to do this, of course – focus on YOUR material (books, membership sites, services, etc.), or focus upon affiliate commissions (eBay and Amazon). I myself will focus on my work (you can see more about that over at my latest newsletter)…but if you’re not at that point yet, you can turn to Amazon yourself. Now, the thing I really like about…

Mrs. FussyPants
I have found me a home*

Allison Worthington

18 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm

I have a long history with my readers and sharing my housing issues. I never tell you all anything until it is over. Yes, it goes against everything blogger’s believe in to keep readers in the dark. Sometimes typing things that are so unsettled are too much. I also hate to make you, my wonderful friends, worry. I give information, but not all the details…. We lived in the mountains for a month during the Summer of 2008. The boys were lucky enough to spend time with their Great Grandfather that month. What a gift! To the boys, it was a fun vacation. For Hubs and I, I was a time…
Because I am so scary

Allison Worthington

28 Oct 2009 | 8:25 pm

What? I am not scary? Arrrrr…. I really am this pale. Ok, seriously, we decided to Halloween-ify ourselves over at Blissfully Domestic. Come check out how Lotus made hers look down right disturbing! The women of Blissfully Domestic use Picnik so much behind the scenes that we thought it would be fun to share with our community how to use the cool online tools and host a contest.* Here is the contest info: Go make some Halloween Edits on a photo of yourself and/or your kids and once you’ve got a masterpiece, you can submit it to me for a chance to have it featured here on Halloween…
How to Make Money with Twitter (and Not Look Like a Jerk)

Allison Worthington

28 Oct 2009 | 9:52 am

Use Twitter to get rich! We hear it all the time. Making easy money using Twitter is a dream, we all know this, but we still see all the Tweets that say “Use Twitter to Make Money Online” or “Easy Money using Twitter” and we all know this is just sleazy. So how can you really make money because of Twitter? Nope! Well, except you can make money on commission from sales of my Twitter guide when you sign up to become an affiliate for The Smart Girl’s Guide to Twitter. In the simplest of terms, it means you will talk about the book, or do a review, and have ads on…

Cheaper Than Therapy
the future @emilymartell

ali

19 Nov 2009 | 10:47 pm

Writing this post today was tough. My mind is still very much on my dear friend Anissa, who is still very much in need of your help and your prayers and your thoughts. You can visit AimingLow for some details on how you can help. Anissa is a fighter. SHE IS. and she’s going to wake up so we can tell her all about the Glee episode that she would have loved last night and how her boyfriend @ralphmacchio is now following her on twitter (he is GOOD people, that Danielson) and so I can tell her a good Emily story. I secretly think she’d totally fire me and hire her. I really think…
Aiming High for Anissa.

ali

18 Nov 2009 | 6:23 am

This past summer, I moved to Atlanta with the husband and my three kids. So did Miss Anissa. We instantly bonded…NEIGHBORS FTW! I mean, it didn’t hurt that we both love Jake Ryan and fondling Jimmy Choos and Twilight and Bring It On and, um, salted meats. Also, she totally saved me from getting hit by a truck in New York City. True Story. Anissa is good people. I mean, when I said, “I’d really love a cookie the size of my head” and she pulled a giant black- and-white cookie out of her Mary Poppins bag, I knew we’d be friends for life. And today my friend…
Redrum. and other things that scare me.

ali

17 Nov 2009 | 6:45 am

The husband has taken 4 two-week trips to Toronto since August. If you are home doing the math at home, he is in Toronto roughly 50% of the time. And, as I predicted, the bad shit always seems to happen during that 50%…you know, ranging from the light bulbs going and the batteries in the remote dying to the bigger stuff, like on trip #1 when both Emily and I had the stomach flu (barf) and on trip #2 when our dog almost died and on trip #3 when I had the cold/flu/sinus infection plague and now trip #4 when Josh has a possible little something you may have heard of. It rhymes with shmine…

Who's The Boss?
Getting prepared for the next "BIG ONE"

MommaBoss, BirdieRoark

18 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

I’m ashamed to admit that we’ve never discussed disaster preparedness or emergency plans with Darius. I’m not sure if it is because, when he was little, it was OUR job to make sure he stayed safe if there was an earthquake or fire. I’m also sure that we’ve gotten lazy and complacent. Where we live in Northern California, there hasn’t been a big disaster since the ’89 Quake. Yes, there’ve been fires – but not where we live. There’s been mudslides – but not where we live. The closest thing we’ve had to a disaster is losing…
Remembering my Grandfathers on Veteran's Day

MommaBoss, BirdieRoark

11 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am

Both of my Grandpa's were military men. Both grew up dirt poor in the rural South. Both knew what it felt like to go hungry. Both felt the military was the only option to pull themselves out of deep poverty. My mom's dad, Skip, was a career Navy man. He enlisted in the Navy when he was just 17. He loved everything about the Navy - even boot-camp. I remember my Grandpa saying that it was the first time in his life that he felt like home. Three square meals a day, a cot to sleep on, and money in his…
If I wasn't so environmentally conscious, we'd eat on paper plates

MommaBoss, BirdieRoark

9 Nov 2009 | 9:08 am

You know it's gonna be a long week when you go to bed with a clean sink and the dishwasher running, but then wake up to this It's like the mother's edition of The Twilight Zone. Finish cleaning the sink and dirty dishes reappear immediately. It's enough to make any sane person go out of their mind. I wouldn't be surprised if the reason that centuries ago when doctors recommended labotomies to women that those women had gone crazy from the housework alone.

Self-Made Mom
On life, labor and lululemon

selfmademom

11 Nov 2009 | 12:17 pm

The birth of my second son, who will be henceforth known as Baby Burrito (I just love the way they swaddle them at the hospital like a Chipolte sandwich), was filled with the randomness of life, a labor story to kill all others and of course, lots of lululemon. First, the vitals. Baby Burrito was born on Friday, November 6 at 9:48 am. He weighed 8 lb. at birth and was 19.5 inches long. For those dying to know the graphic details, I was induced at 2:30 am and pushed 6 times for a total of 15 minutes. Not so bad. His birthday came 3 days before mine, making the event even more special. What…
Ghosts of due date past

selfmademom

5 Nov 2009 | 12:05 pm

The last time my due date came and went I didn’t know what to expect. All I know I was large and nervous as all hell about childbirth. This time, as my due date (yesterday) came and went, I was a little more relaxed. I shopped around Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale (being 9 months pregnant is a great way to save money), and ate lunch at Fred’s at Barney’s with my mom. Sure, I was reading into every ache and pain, wondering if labor was imminent, but made it through the day nary a baby in sight. Last time around, they made me wait ten, excruciatingly long days past my due…
H1N1 vaccine: Lucky to get one

selfmademom

29 Oct 2009 | 2:12 pm

It’s hard to put into words what it took for me to finally get the H1N1 vaccine yesterday, 38 and 6 days pregnant. There were the phone calls, the texts, the emails (yes, we’re quite the tech-savvy pair) to my OB/GYN office. There was the nagging of pediatrician offices (they had it for my son before I could procure one for myself, which is cool), other people’s (read: husband’s) internist for a dose. (They wouldn’t bite – only for patients.) I was like a reformed HFCS addict looking for a hit of a Twix. Where could I get my dose? I didn’t really…

Beyond Mom
If Only Babies Had A Button

Jennifer Gniadecki

19 Nov 2009 | 5:14 am

My beautiful daughter is now just a nudge older than six weeks. (If you count that I would have been induced at 38 weeks if I was with an OB she would be ten weeks and five days old…I’ll stop counting that eventually…) When she wants something, she cries. I know, baby 101, right? Makes sense. The only thing is, she goes from quiet, sleeping, happy baby to crying like you SET HER ON FIRE in less than a second. Once in a while there’s a warning noise. We call it her wind-up. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some way to say, “Hey baby, I hear you and I’m…
Christmas Before Thanksgiving? I Get it Now!

Jennifer Gniadecki

18 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am

With another week until Thanksgiving I saw an ad for Walmart. I don’t know what it was selling. All I remember was kids, dressed in pajamas, running into a living room with a lit tree and jumping on the couch with mom and dad to read a story. That’s when I started to cry, which is probably why I missed what the hell those kids and that couch and that tree were trying to sell me. I always get emotional in November. I have since my early twenties for reasons I won’t go into here, other than to say something kinda awful happened at the end of September this one time way back in…
Wii Fit Plus with Board & Fitness Ultimatum 2010 Giveaway

Jennifer Gniadecki

17 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pm

Sports Authority and I are giving away a Wii Fit Plus (with Board) and a copy of Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2010. Come on over to MommyBlog Reviews and enter the contest running through November 23 @ 9am CST. More details including date and location of personal appearance are available on the site. Good Luck!

Bill and Jill
The Ice Cream Shop

bill

15 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm

After a hard day hitting all the area parks and playgrounds, it’s nice to sit in the Ice Cream Shop and relax with some “Birthday Batter” ice cream and a few peppermint sticks.
When your coworker is disconnecting giant power cables from a computer rack, this is one thing that you might say to him

bill

11 Nov 2009 | 9:07 pm

“Just so you know, if I’ve decided that you have a current running through your body but you’re unable to tell anyone or let go, I plan to dislodge you from that cable by hitting you over the head as hard as I can with this wooden carpet dolly. Yeah. I decided to go with it instead of that aluminum step ladder.”
You’ve come a long way, baby

bill

19 Oct 2009 | 10:50 pm

Big FIVE! Happy Birthday, Beans! Liam: Day 1 Liam: Day 1,823

Blessings in Life
Just Hoping

Tere

19 Nov 2009 | 12:47 am

I was browsing through these hot deals offer on laptops. Well just hoping I can make an upgrade courtesy of my Santa as I went on for a short window shopping online while I got a break from mommy duties earlier. There are hot deals on mini laptops and netbooks too. My Acer is still good and doing well but an upgrade will be great and most welcome. I could upgrade to a Core 2 Duo at least. Oh well just hoping!
Seal the Deal: United Nations Campaign on Climate Change (Video)

Tere

17 Nov 2009 | 10:07 pm

I’ve seen this video ad a few times and we all know each of us has in some way experienced climate change. Let’s make our contribution to protect the planet from climate change. Sign the petition for a fair climate agreement at the United Nation Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen: http://www.sealthedeal2009.org Let’s make 2009 the year the world finds an answer to climate change. The numbers dont sound big, but their effects could be cataclysmic. A 2C rise above pre-industrial levels would see 20-40% of the Amazon die off within 100 years. A 3C rise would see 75% of the…
Escapade

Tere

17 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am

Browsing through those la romana Hotels and seeing their beautiful white sand beach and blue waters seems like you are in paradise, I wanna go there for an escapade even for just a short vacation. A week in that paradise is already a great treat for myself. How I wish and wishful thinking it will be for now but those BookIt La Romana deals are really tempting! Hope someone would sponsor me a trip going there! Hope my Santa is listening and giving me this for an early Christmas treat!

MumMums
Baby Development – Breastfeeding Mums Need more Aerobic Exercise

colleenh

17 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist It is well known that breastfeeding is the feeding method most recommended by physicians across the globe as it provides health benefits to both mother and baby. Breast milk is nutrient dense loaded with lots of vitamins and minerals as well as a unique artillery of antibodies to help boost a baby’s immune system right from the start. Those nutrients of course come from the mum and her diet, sometimes at a mother’s expense. According to a recent study from the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,…
Baby Development – From 6 to 9 Months Old

colleenh

16 Nov 2009 | 9:08 pm

At this exciting phase of baby development or from 6 to 9 months old, your baby’s unique personality will begin to show. Be ready for a lot more interaction with you and the world around her. She is becoming aware of her own body and may be fascinated with her own fingers and toes. Although she is beginning to understand she is separate from her mother, she may feel a bit nervous if she cannot see where you are for too long. Also, she is becoming familiar with people she sees regularly and may even turn to look at you when you say her name. Get ready for an exciting few months! The new…
Child Development – Pass the Octopus: Foodies’ Kids Get Adventurous

colleenh

16 Nov 2009 | 8:38 pm

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist Getting kids to try new foods can be, in a word – challenging. From “eww”, “no way”, or just simply flinging the undesired food from their plate – kids find a variety of ways to protest palette expansion. Some little ones are just picky eaters, while others, with help of persistent parents, do come around eventually and try new foods. What about eating octopus? While parents may resound with their own “no way”, Nancy Tringali Piho has a different story. As recently reported on TODAY, Nancy’s 2 year old son…

misszoot.com
I Have A Blood Fuzziness Level of .19

zoot

20 Nov 2009 | 5:21 am

(Way above the legal limit…if you should know.) I made it. I went to the New Moon premiere last night. I go to a lot of midnight premieres and I always judge the movie based on whether or not there’s any regret the next morning. I can say – beyond a shadow of a doubt – there is NO REGRET. This has been a long and busy and exhausting week. Put aside the fact that I have been fighting some sort of hayfever/cold thing – I’ve also been trying to accomplish a lot of prep before my family comes in town for Thanksgiving and before I leave for a few days. I’m…
Bullets Of Random Thoughts That Might Indicate I’m Insane

zoot

19 Nov 2009 | 3:38 am

You know what I want? One of those squiggly clear headphone thingies that these law enforcement guys on TV wear. I think Secret Service wears them too. I totally want one just to wear around to make people wonder who’s talking to me in my ear and if I’m someone super awesome and powerful. I think this would be especially awesome as I make funny faces to my son in the grocery cart at Publix. Where can I get one of those things? And if I sometimes put my finger to my ear and spoke to my wrist about “The Target” – would that freak people out? I finally got rid of…
Accentuate the Positive

zoot

19 Nov 2009 | 3:16 am

There’s a law of physics…or a rule of biology…or a principle of chemistry…something wise and rule-ish that says something about matter not being created or destroyed. Do you know what I’m talking about? Well…that rule/law/comic strip thingy is the basis of a lot of my outlook on life. Hence why I know it by heart. And understand it completely. Or really why I just kinda grasp onto it lightly as a smart thing to reference when trying to explain why I think the way I think. Here is the way I think: Negative energy put out into the universe can not be undone.

Blue Badger
Babycotpod Metro Crib

20 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

Babycotpod will be releasing another new product when they release their Cascara bassinet. The Metro crib (bassinet in English) will be made of wood, steel, and acrylic. The Metro will be a rocking bassinet that will last you until the baby is about 6 months. I would love to see a non-rocking crib version. Expect Babycotpod's bassinets to jump off the design board and into the real world sometime next year.
Christmas Cards

20 Nov 2009 | 8:57 am

It's time to order those Christmas cards. These letterpressed cards are so cute.They are by Lucky Bee Press. $16 for 6.
Shaniya Davis Update 20 November

20 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am

Mario McNeill, the pervert who murdered little Shaniya Davis, was charged with raping and strangling the girl. He has admitted to kidnapping Shaniya (Probably in hopes of getting a lesser sentence, not out of the kindness of his heart.) He will be charged with first degree rape of a child and first degree murder. Her mother,Antoinette Davis is charged with trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. They should charge her with slavery. I think that if they are going to charge her with human trafficking they might as well take it the extra step.

Cool Moms Rule! (Perfect Moms Need Not Apply)
Who Knows What Evil Lurks in Shadowland?

Viv

17 Nov 2009 | 3:53 pm

Alyson Noel's newest book, the third in the Immortals series, comes to your local bookseller today, and I know that all those who've read the first two books in the series are ready to run right out and get it today. You'll be pleased to discover that this latest in the series, Shadowland, is available for the first time in hardcover.Evermore, the first book in the series, was an instant New York Times bestseller and has remained on the list for forty weeks and counting. Blue Moon debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestsellers list and has remained since its publication on July 7.In…
Consumer Reports Best Baby Products giveaway (and money-saving coupons)

Viv

16 Nov 2009 | 9:28 am

When the Rhino was born, he didn't want to breastfeed. I don't know why; I just know that even the lactation consultant at the hospital couldn't get him to "latch on".We kept trying, because we'd heard that breast is best for baby, but after several trips to the pediatrician in the first few weeks, where he weighed in the tenth percentile and we heard scary terms like "failure to thrive," we decided that just supplementing with the bottle wasn't going to cut it. So we switched completely to formula.Even then, it wasn't easy going. We actually were under orders from the pediatrician to wake…
Bluelight Sweepstakes for Frugal Shoppers, now at your local Kmart

Viv

11 Nov 2009 | 5:26 pm

Blue Light Specials are back, and to celebrate in style Kmart will be giving shoppers on Twitter a chance to win a $50 gift card everyday! In addition to the chance to win daily, everyone following @KmartDealsnNews on Twitter will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 Kmart shopping spree – how cool is that?!The sweepstakes runs from tomorrow (November 12th) until December 23rd.Winning couldn’t get easier - all you have to do is follow @KmartDealsnNews on Twitter from your personal Twitter account and issue a Tweet everyday using this hashtag: #KmartBLS.Each day is a new…

Blissfully Domestic
GLEE Recap: Ballad, 11.18.09

givinguponperfect

20 Nov 2009 | 5:40 pm

The Synopsis Mr. Schuester splits the Glee Club into pairs to sing their favorite ballad, but when one kid gets sick, he's forced to step in and winds up in a sticky situation. Meanwhile, Finn and Quinn have to face the music when they have dinner with her parents. (Fox.com) The Soundtrack Lean on Me (Bill Withers) Endless Love (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross) I'll Stand By You (The Pretenders) Young Girl (Gary Puckett & The Union Gap) Don't Stand So Close to Me (The Police) Crush (Jennifer Paige) [You're] Having My Baby (Paul Anka) The Quotes Looks like my weekly letter to…
Using Your Blog to Benefit and Support Mothers

AngEngland

20 Nov 2009 | 5:34 pm

"Mommy Blogging" is such a nebulous term. I think it mostly means women, who happen to have children, who write on the computer sometimes. Like me. Like you. Dads are welcome. Or childless women. See how nebulous it gets? But blogging can have a tremendous impact on those we know when we work together and do our bit. I learned this first hand when I spoke up about a friend and her baby, Jaeli, and their desperate need when the "system" lost them. I wonder why we make things so difficult for mothers with sick or special needs children. Don't they need things as easy as…
Snail | Feature Photo

Photo Bliss

20 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dnk_uk/ / CC BY-ND 2.0 by Dave & Karin, seen on Flickr People who looked at this item also looked at… Shutterfly Photo Book: A Giveaway of Memories Cargo Cosmetics:Lovely Lashes, Lips and More Top Ten Kitchen Toys Under $25 Make a Wedding Photo Album with Shutterfly How Do You Reconnect With Your Husband? Related items Clickin' Moms Membership Giveaway Seasons Come and Go | Feature Photo Baseball Magic | Feature Photo Time for your annual family portrait! Shutterfly Photo Book: A Giveaway of Memories About the Author: Photo Bliss We're here every…

Nodin's Nest
A Most Generous Gift!

17 Nov 2009 | 10:23 am

We just received a very generous gift from a neighbor. He has condo's that he rents out and is replacing some of the furniture in them. Yesterday he pulled up in my driveway with a TV he was going to put in storage but decided to give it to us instead! I was so surprised, I didn't know what to say. The TV is a Sanyo with a 26 inch screen (we never had a screen that big) and it's only 5 years old! We have been watching a small 19 inch one, and I had to pull the TV table close to the sofa so we could see it. Now I can put my living furniture where it's supposed to be and see the TV from…
Fun Ways to Inspire Your Child to Write

9 Nov 2009 | 11:43 am

I don't know about your children but getting my almost five year old son to write anything is like pulling teeth. It takes him forever to finish one sentence and then if it looks scribbled to him, he will have a fit and start over. Yet when he wants to write something on his own, no problem.After days of nagging him to finish one page of copy work, I essentially gave up. The next morning (just to show me he could do it), he got a pencil a paper and wrote me this note. I almost fell over!I know he can write if he wants too, so I'm going to try some sneaky ways to encourage him.Have him help…
Where do Old Jack O' Lanterns go to Die?

6 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm

Why out under the trees for Mother Natureto give back to the earth of course!Do you believe this jack-o-lantern hasn't rotted away yet? I mean, this is Florida, it's still 80 degrees out. I put him out under the tree for the wild creatures to nibble on, the day after Halloween.I guess the animals in my neighborhood aren't interested in pumpkin.Although I did see this guy eyeing it today. Maybe I should fill it with peanuts and make it a serving dish!

Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology
Top 70 Lost Quotes - Seasons 1 - 5

Jennifer Wagner

19 Nov 2009 | 6:38 pm

Lost has more memorable quotes than any other television show currently on the air. Many funny, some serious, they all remind us just how great the writing and characters on Lost are. Season 1 1. Sawyer: I am a complex guy, sweetheart. 2. Locke: This is my destiny! Don't tell me what I can't do! 3. Kate: It's just that you... and the tattoos... don't add up. Were you one of those hardcore spinal surgeons or something? Jack: That's me. Hardcore. Charlie: If you two are done verbally copulating, we should get a move on. 4. Sawyer: Baby, I am tied to a tree in the jungle of mystery. I just got…
Anna Quindlen's Son's YA Novel adapted into Deadlocke Comic and Movie

Jennifer Wagner

17 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

Anna Quindlen is one of the most acclaimed columnists, journalists and authors of our time. I especially love the essays she wrote about her family, published in her book, Living Out Loud. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and in Quindlen's case that is true. Her 24 year old son, Chris Krovatin, is the author of two young adult novels and it working on his third. His YA novel Venemous, has been adapted into a comic book, Deadlocke, which will go on sale Wednesday, November 18th, 2009. The book is also being adapted into a feature film. Listen to Chris talk about sharing his…
Top 20 Holiday Gifts for Teens

Jennifer Wagner

16 Nov 2009 | 6:44 am

The older our kids get, the more difficult gift giving becomes. Before they become teens, they usually will like almost any gift you buy them. Once they become teenagers that all changes. Hopefully you will find my suggestions helpful. Video Games According to a recent survey, 86% of teens and tweens plan to ask for at least one video game this year for the holidays. Here are recommended games that are very hot with teens: Rock games - Guitar Hero 5, Lego Rock Band, Beatles Rock Band and DJ Hero. The great thing about these games is that they are unisex and you will enjoy them also. Play…

Busy Mom's Journal
Another lesson from my daughter

9 Nov 2009 | 8:39 pm

My daughter continues to amaze me with her insight and maturity. She has been disappointed lately with a couple of friends that she thought were true friends, but according to her, they have "ditched" her. She doesn't have any idea why. It happened suddenly, without an obvious cause. No fights, no disagreements or anything she can put her finger on. She thinks they've just moved on. For
On Teenage Driving, and Prayer

9 Nov 2009 | 6:14 pm

Growing up, my family attended church at least three times a week; Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. At some point I stopped drawing on the church bulletin...filling in all the o's and p's, and started listening to the preacher. He always had stories to help illustrate the point of his sermon. I don't remember most of those stories, but one stuck with me, and completely
Driving Away

2 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

Almost since the day my daughter was born, I've been watching her leave. Every time it happens, I get this heavy, empty feeling in my heart. The first time was when her grandparents in Florida took her for a few days while J and I went on a long weekend trip when she was 16 months old. For the first day or two that we were gone, we were consumed with missing her. We took pictures with us,

My Mommy's Place
How I Saved Julia’s Life And My Credibility. Except Not So Much The Credibility Part.

Leslie

20 Nov 2009 | 7:20 am

There are certain important decisions that are made when a child goes to school which shape her experience and define her character among her classmates. Will she be a bus rider, a walker or be picked up by Mommy - or even Daddy? Will she carry a Hannah Montana backpack or Tinker Bell? Will she eat a school lunch or will she pack? We are lunch packers and all that implies. I hadn’t realized the ramifications of disrupting the status quo until this morning when I found that we were out of bread, carrots, fruit and other such lunch essentials and informed Julia that she would be…
When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Cookies

Leslie

19 Nov 2009 | 5:02 pm

if I weren’t a mom I’d be getting drunk, instead I eat cookies…LOTS Hey Cool Kids: Got opinions?Take an online survey today for a chance to win $5,000.
The Hump Day Haiku B.I.L.F. - SoulPancake

Leslie

18 Nov 2009 | 8:05 am

SoulPancake it’s a thinky place kind of like a back scratcher except for your brain Hey Cool Kids: Visit My Etsy Store!Offering simple, hand-made sock monkeys.

Problem Girl
Her real name rhymes with ... nothing I can think of

Jen

19 Nov 2009 | 12:13 pm

Joseph has a new girl in his class. He kind of loves her.The day before she came to the class he told us excitedly over dinner "We're getting a new girl in our class and her name is Sunshine*. I wonder what she'll look like and if she's nice and if she'll want to talk to me."Before he even met her he was hooked. He had a hard time falling asleep that night because he kept thinking of more and more things he wondered about Sunshine.The next day was very exciting for Joseph. Not only did Sunshine come to school but she was assigned a seat at his table! This child who NEVER talks about school or…
Shhhh! It's a secret!

Jen

17 Nov 2009 | 7:15 am

I've discovered that a funny thing happens why you lose your voice. When you whisper to people, they whisper back to you. Even if the thing you whisper to them is "I've lost my voice.""Oh no!" they whisper back.People, it's not Everything Is A Secret Day. I've just lost my voice. YOU can still talk.Anyway. You know what makes me smile? Youtube. I mean, not everything on youtube because most of it is stupid and pointless but there are a few gems out there that make me smile no matter how many times I've seen them. My favorites are:The wedding dance video. I know, I know. Everyone has seen this…
I like you so much that I would read a bad book for you

Jen

12 Nov 2009 | 10:21 am

Remember how I am on a quest to meet new people? And how sometimes it goes terribly, horribly wrong? Yeah, I remember that.Well, I don't give up easily so a few weeks ago I went to a book club meeting. And guess what. It didn't suck! It was fun and the people in it were normal. Well, there was this one lady who would not SHUT UP about her back surgery but there's one in every group* so I can't really complain.The best part was that I met someone. And she was nice and funny and interesting and she smelled like lavender. And the more I talk about her the more it sounds like I want to date…

Writing My Way Through Motherhood and Beyond
The Purpose of the GRE Test

kimmelin

7 Nov 2009 | 5:33 am

If, like me, you have recently completed taking (or are preparing to take) the GRE–the Graduate Record Examination–you may be asking the same question I am: what, exactly, is the point? ETS, the nonprofit company that creates and delivers over 50 million tests world-wide (to the tune of $150 a pop–$7.5billion ain’t a bad gross income for a nonprofit, eh?) states the purpose of the GRE is this: “…measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that are not related to any specific field of study.”…
A Constellation of Thoughts

kimmelin

20 Oct 2009 | 5:30 am

I wrote this post about six weeks ago. Even as I look back at what has transpired since formalizing our plans to move to the San Francisco Bay area, etc., etc., a lot has continued to happen. I would love to have been able to continue my 3-4 posts/week schedule I’d previously maintained but, well, there just hasn’t been time. I’m glad to write, however, that our life in Bozeman has continued to click along nicely. Our daughter LOVES first grade. She LOVES her teacher. She is incredibly proud of herself as she acquires new skills (reading chapter books, performing…
Winnie the Pooh and Friends Get a New Lease on Life

kimmelin

6 Oct 2009 | 3:53 am

Last Friday, on NPR’s Morning Edition, I was gifted with the chance to relive a tiny bit of my childhood. I got to hear recordings from the original Hundred Acre Wood adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Writer David Benedictus has been granted the awesome task of writing a new chapter–or ten–to the Hundred Acre Wood series of stories. The new series has been penned Return to the Hundred Acre Wood and is indicative of one of the series’ apparent common themes: Christopher Robin’s return to his old childhood friends after he’s grown up a bit. Originally…

Big Little Wolf's Daily Plate of Crazy
The restorative powers of sleep. (Not.)

BigLittleWolf

20 Nov 2009 | 7:48 am

Sleep, with all its remarkable restorative powers – to renew, to recharge, to dream. Then we wake refreshed, and begin a new day. No. There are no restorative powers of sleep for me, only restless legs, flailing about, waking repeatedly, disturbing dreams. The morning. Too soon. A knock on my door. It is not yet dawn. “Yes, who is it?” I say. I sit up in bed. But there was no knock, and the alarm won’t buzz for more than an hour as I’ve been yanked from a place that is warm, though sorrowful. There was a child in my arms and now the child is gone. So I begin…
I’m writing as fast as I can…

BigLittleWolf

19 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

Laundry, permission slips, school lunches, art supplies, driving lessons. Another SAT registration. More credit debt. Writing. More writing. Unpaid bills, unopened mail. Researching scholarships, colleges, college visits. Leaky roof, broken mower, burnt-out printer, dying cell phone. And? I’m dancing as fast as I can More writing, more writing, more writing. Another dose to fight anxiety, then another to quell worry; worry bubbling up out of the words that are never enough, sharp enough, jutting enough, strong enough to help me up and out of the well. Or into clarity, beyond the jumble…
Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses

BigLittleWolf

18 Nov 2009 | 8:50 am

Boys don’t make passes at girls who were glasses. Or do they? Well men sure do! Sexual attraction is inexplicable, elusive, magical, and for some, it’s embarrassing to talk about. Difficult to put into words what attracts you – what you’d like more of. But not to worry! Here’s your chance, and it’s just you and me. No one’s listening. No one at all. Really. And you can even whisper if you like. Just type very, very gently. Come on, you can do it. Let’s talk... Understanding sexual attraction How do you explain what draws you to a man or woman?

New England Mamas
For Anissa

Tania

18 Nov 2009 | 7:07 am

Last night after logging on to Twitter I received some bad news. A friend and fellow blogger, Anissa Mayhew, founder of Aiming Low and her personal blog, Free Anissa, suffered a stroke yesterday. She is a mother of three, wife, friend to many and the most wonderful woman you'll ever hope to meet. If you know Anissa you know exactly what I'm talking about.I had the pleasure of meeting Anissa at the BlogHer conference in Chicago this year and we took to each other immediately. Right then and there I wanted to pack her in my luggage and take her home with me and from the…
Thwarted by the Sea

Kate

18 Nov 2009 | 4:52 am

This week - it's mid-November, and I'm trying not to be all, "How did that happen?" but seriously, how did it? - is the week of the annual Leonids meteor shower. Normally, I read about it, give passing thought to trying to watch it, and then decide that my interest in sleeping outweighs my interest in standing in the back yard craning my neck to catch a glimpse of a burning piece of rock hurtling through the atmosphere. This year, though, I'm already in meteor-watching shape, having been honed to a razorlike keen ability to be awake for hours every night by several…
How to talk to kids about cancer

Fairly Odd Mother

17 Oct 2009 | 5:24 am

Talking to kids about cancer is not an easy thing, and both times cancer has struck my family (my father and my sister-in-law), I struggled with how to maintain a balance between truth and too-much-truth. And, unfortunately, I'm not alone in my struggles as I don't know a single family who hasn't been touched by cancer in one way or another. To help parents deal with such a difficult and often emotionally charged subject, PBS will be airing a new episode of Arthur called The Great MacGrady on Monday, October 19. In the show, Mrs. MacGrady, the school cafeteria lunch lady, is…

Breed 'Em And Weep
Swine flu freakout

jenn

17 Nov 2009 | 8:14 pm

You can find me in at Single Mom at Work. Offer up that comment lovin’. Nothing like a fine swine, and we’ve got it in spades here. Debuts at Wed 1am.
Bobby, we barely knew ye

jenn

14 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm

Sophie, age 8: “Remember when Hannah had an imaginary boyfriend named Bobby? And then they were totally passe.”
Action, reaction

jenn

13 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am

Action, reaction: I wake up. I close my eyes. Action, reaction, reaction: Teenaged boys grunt and holler in the school yard, preying on a leather ball with fist-fangs. I wait them out. Do they ever study? Action, reaction: “Why are you fat?” one of them yells. I retreat, inside. Reaction, action: The dogs sulk. They have not had a walk. (Blame: me, teenaged boys.) Action, no reaction: I call B. She is not there. Action, action, reaction: A colleague left his wife ten years ago. He remarried, the old tale, the young wife. He has been happy since. Action, action, reaction, reaction:…

Born Just Right
Dancing with her helper arm

NerdyMom

16 Nov 2009 | 4:17 pm

Jordan is really listening at dance class these days – and I’ve seen her improve her balance with the help of her helper arm. But it’s also a little clunky during certain moves – like when she swings her arms out. She doesn’t really cognitively know if she’s going to bonk someone in the face. (I’ve seen her get close) I caught a few moments of her during a class a couple of weeks ago. Notice how she smirks at me a couple of times. I think that threw her off balance a bit.
Sibling… Love?

NerdyMom

14 Nov 2009 | 8:56 pm

Jordan and her brother Cameron are going through a phase… And I realize it’s a phase that will last through the majority of their childhood. It’s a combination of total love and complete and utter rivalry and unexplained anger. The two of them will have a sweet moment like this picture I captured last week and then minutes later they’re arguing over the pronunciation of a word or whether a circle is a square. I swear they will argue over ANYTHING. I’m not sure how to stop it beyond asking them to go into different rooms. I have three different tactics when they…
Who is this child?

NerdyMom

8 Nov 2009 | 7:55 pm

Seriously. Who is this girl? She looks SOOO much older than a child who is a month and a half away from her fourth birthday. I snagged her cheerleader outfit to throw on after her dance class so we could run off to the tailgates and the football game. It turns out she barely fits in the outfit I bought at the start of the football season. That was back in August when the girl fit in 3T clothes. Apparently she’s grown out of them. I’m not mentally in the position that can grasp with the concept that her daughter is getting big. I don’t know why. I was SO cool with it as her…

Simple Mom
5 Weeks Till Christmas: Address and Order Your Holiday Cards

Tsh

20 Nov 2009 | 1:31 am

About six weeks ago, we talked about gathering your mailing addresses and exploring holiday card ideas. So because those things are already done, this week’s task is a simple one — address those envelopes. If you can whip out the envelopes in one sitting — preferably with a mug of cocoa and while watching a Christmas classic, then you’ll have more time later to individually write your messages inside your cards. And if this task only takes you a few minutes, then you can use your extra time to finish up some of the other tasks in our 12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas…
A Holiday Giveaway: Lisa Leonard!

Tsh

18 Nov 2009 | 11:43 pm

I‘ve got a special treat for you today. In light of the holiday season, we’ve got a giveaway from my favorite jewelry maker, Lisa Leonard! I’m a longtime fan of Lisa’s, and I’ve written about her several times before. Any time I wear any of her necklaces, I get comments. I love that her work is both feminine and natural, without being overly girly. And I love some of her new pieces, like this paper lantern necklace. I think this is so unique! That’s the best thing about Lisa Leonard jewelry — every piece is a one-of-a-kind, since she hammers each…
How to Host a Memorable Holiday Cookie Swap

Aimee

17 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Enjoying homemade Christmas baking is highlight of the season for many families, but making everything from scratch can be time consuming and a lot of work. So how does you stock your freezer with a delicious assortment of cookies and bars without spending several days in the kitchen? By hosting an old-fashioned holiday cookie exchange! The Concept Invite a group of bakers to come to your home and have each one bring 10-12 dozen homemade cookies. Bake up a big batch of your family’s favorite holiday treats and exchange baked goods together in a cheery, festive environment. Everyone…

Motherscribe
GIRL asks big questions

19 Nov 2009 | 9:04 pm

GIRL: Mama, what's THE most important thing in life?JCK: Oh, GIRL.... let's see. I'll tell you the first thing that comes to mind. Kindness, GIRL. Kindness is the most important thing.This after her question last week...Mommy, when is the end of life? *************************************************What would your answer be? To either question.Copyright 2009 by JCK
The Charter for Compassion

14 Nov 2009 | 8:19 pm

THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION:"A call to bring the world together…The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.It is also necessary in both public and private…
Yet...children are not necessarily good for marriage

13 Nov 2009 | 11:16 am

How do you explain divorce to a 5 year old child? It's hard. It's damn hard. And it's not even my divorce. It's been a bad year in our circle this year. I know of six divorces, and all of these involve couples with children. I've had to do it a lot. Try to explain...the why to my children And one time is more than enough.But, why are they getting divorced?Well...sometimes mommies and daddies really, really try hard, and finally decide that their marriage isn't going to work.But, why isn't it going to work?Well, mommies and daddies might have different beliefs, and they just can't agree over…

Mommy Cracked
Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Prize Pack Giveaway

Mommy Cracked

15 Nov 2009 | 12:19 pm

Over the past eight years, Cheerios has given away more than 40 million children´s books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated $3.2 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families. The program is part of Cheerios´ ongoing commitment to helping parents provide their children with a healthy, nutritional and educational foundation. Beginning this month, Cheerios is again bringing books to the breakfast table, by providing six million children´s books free inside Cheerios boxes. The books are for children ages 3…
The Birds and the Bees

Mommy Cracked

14 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pm

E.B and I were watching a documentary on PBS the other night about healthcare and how it is funded in other countries. Oh, alright...I was trying desperately to bore the child to sleep because he would. not. give. it. up. It was one of those days when he was going 90 mph with no signs of stopping, and besides...it worked the other day for naptime when we watched Bob Ross painting 'happy little trees".Anyway....On the program it showed a pregnant woman. E.B. asked me why her tummy was so big. I explained she had a baby in there and it would be in there until it was time to be born."Mama," E.B.
Growing Tree Toys- Review

Mommy Cracked

14 Nov 2009 | 4:38 pm

Ladies and gentlemen with little boys in your life, feast your eyes on this:And just what is this? This is a solid hour (or more) of pure entertainment for my son and husband. It was also a solid hour of blissful, uninterrupted computer time for this mama. Save for happy shrieks of delight, that little remote controlled car bought me more peace and solitude than I have had in two weeks time.Actually, it's a Morphibians Gator Remote Control Toy from Growing Tree Toys. Able to cruise over land or water, this remote control car also has working headlights and the ability to make grown men…

I Should Be Folding Laundry
You Capture – Sunrise/Sunset

Beth

19 Nov 2009 | 6:33 am

Hi friends. So…what’s new with you? Nothing much here. Look, I’m sorry I picked such a crappy subject this past week, who knew the sun would be SO ELUSIVE. Even right now, the sky is dull and it’s raining and it’s looked this way now since well, Sunday, maybe? DULLLLL. But I’m annoyed because last week…the sun did [...]
Love & Light

Beth

18 Nov 2009 | 8:32 am

Update: A caringbridge site has been created for updates on Anissa. You can also donate directly to her family via paypal by clicking here. Last night, my dear friend Anissa had a stroke. We met through blogging, she lives in Georgia and through my darkest days after losing James and Jake…Anissa was with me, leaving me [...]
Well, well, well.

Beth

17 Nov 2009 | 7:40 am

YOU people amaze me. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to be able to express something so personal to me and ask for help and so many of you share your personal experiences and thoughts with me. AMAZING. And yes, we have decided (for now) to continue with our original desire and NOT find [...]

We Are THAT Family
Embracing the Strong-Will of My Child

Kristen

20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

She is the loud one at the table. Easy to find. Her face is smudged with chocolate because she snuck a cookie before lunch was eaten. Her hair is wild, matching bow long gone. Her feet are bare, socks under the table, feet tucked beneath. She screams, "Noooo!" in a naughty voice.Eyes stare and heads turn to look at the noisy, unruly toddler. Her mother hushes and wipes, bends to pick up a stray sock, for the third time. She forces a smile. On the outside.On the inside she struggles with wanting her child to conform. To sit nicely, behave well, eat sandwich before cookie. To be like the other…
Pamela Posch Designs {Giveaway}

Kristen

19 Nov 2009 | 5:01 am

What is it about custom embroidery that makes us girls squeal?Is it just me? Or do you guys talk in an annoying baby voice when you see a kute widdle tiny winy tee shirt with a darling embroidered design? Okay, that may just be me.But, seriously, Pamela Posch Designs is amazing: Tell me these aren't ADORABLE...I dare you.And there's more, much more, like these key fobs:Bags:She sent me a grab bag of adorable items to review. My review: other than serious baby-talking? Yum. Loved it all.Well. I'm probably going to be talking in a baby voice THE REST OF THE DAY. I just can't help myself.Go to…
DIYP-Handmade Gift Idea: Art

Kristen

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

This is such an easy idea and I think it makes a unique (expensive-looking) gift!You can create this gift on any scale, a small piece of art for a desk or a large piece of art for your friend's empty mantel. It's up to you!Here's what you need: a blank canvas and a vinyl decal (large canvas for large decal, small canvas for small decal)In the pictures below, I used an 18x24. Every week our local paper has 40-50% off coupons for Hobby Lobby and Michaels Arts & Crafts and I clip them just in case. I also found the vinyl decal at Marshalls. Etsy has a huge selection and many craft store are…

Nerdy Mom
Official Second Grade Photo

NerdyMom

9 Nov 2009 | 9:08 pm

He looks so big!! You know, he really is big. Cameron is growing up in so many ways. The glasses make him look grown. The confident look in his face makes him look old. The fact that he’s grown a size and a half in shoe size… AND is close to growing out of all of his long pants makes him look grown. But you know what? He still loves a good cuddle. Cameron loves to hang out and listen to me read. He loves to write short notes to me that says how much he loves me. (He also leaves me online messages on his kid-friends web browser) He can’t wait to take a stuffed animal to…
Spooky

NerdyMom

1 Nov 2009 | 10:03 pm

There are so many highs and lows to life… And Cameron feels them so deeply. So Halloween ranked a super huge high. He got to hang out with his grandparents who came to town to enjoy the fun weekend. He also got to eat COPIOUS amounts of candy and play with his friends. What kind of kid could ask for more? Not too much. The trouble with all that fun? It can lead to a bit of involuntary insanity:
Fall smiles

NerdyMom

21 Oct 2009 | 9:02 pm

This fall has been very rainy. So rainy that we’ve hit the peak of the fall colors outside and I haven’t been able to snap pictures of the kids with the leaves. I try to get pictures during a hike on a nature trail or a local state park… But the weather and our current obsession with attending football games and tailgates kept us from getting the pictures done. So… Today I decided to walk to school this afternoon with the girl to pick up Cameron and enjoy the leaves with my camera. I’m not sure… But I think I snagged some really great shots. Rarely, the boy…

so the fish said
Not sure which is the insult and which is the injury

20 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

WTF, 35? We're doing acne now? It goes so well with gray hair and wrinkles? 35 is the new 14? I call bullshit on 35. Bullshit, 35....
Land of Confusion

18 Nov 2009 | 6:09 pm

These people confuse me. As in, I confuse them with each other. Although in some cases, they confuse me on many other levels as well. Left - George Will, conservative columnist/journalist/talking head. Right - Will Shortz, puzzle creator and editor....
Me me me

14 Nov 2009 | 6:52 am

(Wait, is it redundant to title a post "Me me me" on a blog that is all about me me me? Yes, I think it is.) I'm 35 today, Happy Birthday to me. Those round numbers always come as a...

loraleeslooneytunes.com
Drama Queen(s)

loralee

19 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am

“James! Turn off the TV and GO TO BED. RIGHT NOW!!!!” “But, Moooooom!!!!!!!! YOU are the one who told us “Annie” was a good movie and now you aren’t letting me finish it!” “It’s 10:30 and you are an HOUR past your bedtime. I don’t care if you’re finished. You can DVR it and watch it tomorrow.” “MOM! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND WOMEN IF YOU DON’T LET ME EXPLORE MY INNER EMOTIONAL SIDE BY WATCHING CHICK FLICKS?!!!! YOU ARE SUPPRESSING MY SENSITIVE SIDE!!!!! IF I DON’T END UP MARRYING A GOOD WOMAN YOU…
Aquaphor review and gift basket giveaway. (Did I mention the $100 Visa gift card? This giveaway is buckets of awesomesauce.)

loralee

17 Nov 2009 | 1:17 pm

Like eleventyhundreded other bloggers, I’ve started a review site. (I was young! I needed the money!! Heh.) I wasn’t really interested in reviewing products until I had Araon. There are SO many new products for kids and families out there I am unfamiliar with that I want to try. And since I read a ton of review blogs to make decisions about my purchases, I want to share things that I love, too. The site is my old blogspot blog (New design coming soon), and my reviews will be about products I love and will review on my own dime AND compensated reviews. You will NEVER be in doubt…
A Meeting of Bloggers

scarymommy

15 Nov 2009 | 8:21 pm

Today’s post is courtesy of Jill, who authors the fabulous blog, Scary Mommy. She’s grand, people. I was totally a brazen asshat brave and asked if she would mind coordinating my 35th birthday party while I was in Washington DC since I was drowning in so many details I had gray matter oozing out of my nose. It was LOVELY. Everyone was so kind and some people drove long ways to get there and I just couldn’t NOT post about something so cool. I have a lot going on this week and this guest post really helps me out. (Besides, how cool is it that you can whip an intro on a…

Scary Mommy
How to get your husband to clean the house

Scary Mommy

20 Nov 2009 | 5:39 am

1. Put your house on the market. 2. Lovingly let him sleep in until 10:00am on a Sunday. 3. Awake him and tell him you need just a half hour of sleep before you go house-hunting. You are so tired. 4. Call him from the bedroom, impersonating a real estate agent who has highly motivated buyers who need to see the house in 20 minutes. 5. Slip into a deep, blissful slumber. {Fucking Caller-ID. I was so close.} Tweet This!Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUponShare this on FacebookEmail this to a friend?Thank you for subscribing! © Scary Mommy, 2008-2009 All rights reserved.
One of Us

Scary Mommy

19 Nov 2009 | 3:46 am

Everyday, I live in fear of something horrific happening to one of my kids. An accident, a disease…Those things can happen to any of our kids, and the mere thought is simply too much to bear. And then there are the days I fear something horrific happening to Jeff or myself. An accident, a disease… Those things can happen to any of us, and the notion of my kids not growing up with Jeff or I is a terrifying one. My bloggy friend, Anissa, just had a second stroke at 35. She is in the ICU with an uncertain future. Just last week she was celebrating the one-year anniversary of her…
Lily’s Trip to the Dentist

Scary Mommy

18 Nov 2009 | 3:53 am

I am not particularly fond of pain. Sure, I can handle it, I’m not my husband, after all. But, if given the choice, I’d just rather not. I enthusiastically received epidurals with all three kids, not for a moment having any desire to brave the pain of labor. It was a no-brainer for me. Lily had a cavity filled yesterday. I felt horribly for her, but selfishly, was a tad excited for the blog potential. I brought my video camera and was armed and ready to document my daughter’s first introduction to drugs. Like any good mother would. Remember David after the dentist? Lily…

San Diego Momma
Boot Jewelry! (Giveaway)

San Diego Momma

19 Nov 2009 | 1:32 pm

Treat your boots like a lady. My LA Stylist friend (aren’t I cool because my friends are?) (don’t answer that please), is doing a giveaway!
PROMPTuesday #82: Is Almost 41

San Diego Momma

16 Nov 2009 | 4:05 pm

I’ve long been frustrated by my astrological sign. As a November 22 birthday, I dangle on the cusp of Scorpio and Sagittarius, and oft wish to be one or the other so I’m not loafing about in no man’s land. I feel identity-less, especially when people say, “He’s such a Taurus,” or “Well, what do you expect from an Aries?” Me? I’m neither one nor the other, not here or there, a little bit wishy and a little bit washy. Honestly, I think I’d rather be a Sag, because they seem so fiery and joie de vivre, unless you totally…
Now’s Not Good

San Diego Momma

16 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm

Toots: Mom? There’s something I can’t tell you. Me: OK. Don’t tell me right now. Toots: Enrique tried to kiss me last week at school. Me: And? Toots: I told him it wasn’t a good time. Me: When did you tell him would be a better time? Toots: Later. Me: Like later this year? Or later in 2025? Toots: I KNEW I shouldn’t have not told you! (We had more conversation about this particular topic. And I’m pretty sure I blew it.)

Babies Online - The Blog
Adriana Lima Welcomes Daughter

Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima has given birth to a baby girl, her first with NBA star Marco Jaric of the Memphis Grizzlies. They have christened their daughter with the name Valentina Lima Jaric. A representative for the couple has announced that "Mother, father and baby are all doing ...
How I Celebrated Universal Children’s Day

It goes by many different names. The International Day of the Child. The Universal Children's Day. The National Child Day in individual countries. However, it doesn't matter what it's called. November 20 is a special day for children all over the world. When it all started It was almost 55 years ago when ...
Pacifiers Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

Grand World Recalls 'Bobby Chupete' Pacifiers WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: 'Bobby Chupete' Pacifiers Units: About 641,000 Importer: Grand World...

The Mom Entrepreneur Blog
More Tips for Balancing the Supermom Act - part 2

20 Nov 2009 | 7:21 am

This post is part two in a series of three posts about Balancing the Supermom Act. If you missed part one, click here...>Last week, we learned about Lucinda Cross and her new book Corporate Mom Dropouts. This week, Lucinda talks more about the book and the mom entrepreneurs who are featured.TME: Can you explain how Corporate Mom Dropouts was written to represent the birthing process?Lucinda: The
Waging the War on Wrinkles

18 Nov 2009 | 3:56 pm

Got wrinkles? It’s cute for dogs and babies to have them, though the lines and creases are not so attractive on adults. With mom entrepreneur's faces constantly ending up in photos and on video in today’s technology-driven culture, we should all be looking for ways to improve our skin.Thanks again to Celeste Hilling of Skin Authority for more great advice about preventing wrinkles. I turn 40 in
Search Engine Marketing: Increasing Exposure and Traffic on Your Website and Understanding a Google Analytics Report

17 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

On Wednesday, November 18th from 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST, The Mom Entrepreneur will host Ben Adams of Spiral Media for an informative Webinar on Search Engine Marketing.This Webinar will teach tips and techniques for increasing exposure and traffic to your website through search engine marketing tactics.During this presentation, you will:Learn how to set up your dashboard with the important

Karen Cheng's Snippets of Life
OMG I Made Ice Cream

admin

19 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

I was a little bored last weekend, and I happened to find an easy ice cream recipe. Ice cream has always been in my “I’m too lazy to try it” category. I don’t have a fancy ice cream maker. I’m not particularly interested in separating eggs, or shaking zip lock bags of ice or splitting vanilla beans. It all sounds like hard work. And I’d rather just pay $5 for a tub in the supermarket. But this one was SO EASY! And the texture was amazingly the same as normal ice cream. The funny thing is that I don’t usually give ice cream to my children. They probably only eat it once a…
That time of the year again

admin

18 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

That’s right! It’s that time of the year where I dress my children up and bribe them with chocolates in order to take The Dreaded Christmas Photo. It’s my fault really. I like to make photo calendars and framed photos for the grandparents and great-grandparents for Christmas. Anyway, taking photos of children is so bloody hard. I seriously don’t know how professionals do it. My kids are like squirrels with rockets up their bottoms. They can’t sit still! They wriggle and jiggle, they poke their tongues out, they make googly eyes, they open their mouths so I can see their tonsils,…
Birdsnest Online Shop. So. Much. Stuff.

admin

17 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am

I think I may have found one of the best kept secrets of online shopping. It’s like a massive online department store - jammed packed with so much good stuff! I desperately wanted to feature them here and share the site with my girlfriends, so I wrote to them… and they said yes, they would love to advertise on my site! Yay! So I’m happy to introduce to you all, www.birdsnest.com.au. They are an online shop that sells women’s fashion, accessories, shoes, bags, jewellery, maternity wear, kids wear, lingerie, sleepwear, shoes and men’s clothes. Best things about them: Their massive…

Up The Hill Backwards
Send Me a Gooroo Please

Suzie

10 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am

I'M sorry Ive been so MIB (again). Its been so hard just keeping up with everything. Every time I turn around a new crisis seems to be tapping me on the shoulder and sneezing in my direction. I hate to complain ( no really OK maybe I do) but who knew this whole working mommy thing would be this hard. So far this school year we've had:broken bones,pneumonia,several herniated disks,school placement problems,a pinched nerve,and the most fun of all LICE!And just the normal things like trying to balance a full time job and running back and forth between two schools is just doing me in. The idea of…
Kindergarten Upadate

Suzie

17 Sep 2009 | 7:11 am

This was B on the first half day of kindergarten.This was B the night of his 5th Birthday and the first full day of KindergartenThis is B todayYes B has fractured his arm falling from the monkey bars at school. He has fractured his growth plate and will be in a cast for the next six weeks. He has discovered that his cast is good for hitting his sister on the head with and is currently using as a new sort of weapon. Even though he is in a cast he is loving school and the attention he is receiving for his battle wound.Keeping you in the knowSuzieP.S> I am so sorry I haven't gotten to reading…
Updates

Suzie

9 Sep 2009 | 12:08 pm

Sorry I have been MIA. Things have been crazy and its hard to keep up with everything so I have assembled this update to keep you in the Suzie loop, refresh your Suzie knowledge and keep you abreast (please excuse the pun) of the latest Suzie gossip:First is first THE BOOBIES ARE FINE! It took forever to find out. Apparently the added stress of not knowing is good for 40 year gals health and looks. So they keep you guessing as long as they possibly can and grudgingly give you a phone call ages later to tell you you are A OK at least until next year when you go through the hell all over…

Life in the Fish Bowl
I'm Too Old For Shit Like This

20 Nov 2009 | 6:25 am

So last night I met some skank whores friends for dinner and a couple of movies afterwards. Yes, my friends, I went to see the premier of the new Twilight movie. I read the books - they were good. I saw the first movie. While not award winning cinema, I am no movie snob and thought it was a good movie. Why would you brave the opening night, midnight movie hysteria if you aren't a retard twitard? To hang out with my good friends. Now to ,the crux of the matter here. We met for dinner and drinks at 6:30. I met L a little before six because we both…
Good Times

16 Nov 2009 | 7:56 pm

Tonight we had some friends over for dinner. It was nice. The kids played and got along well. The grown ups did the same. The food was good - even if I did cook it - and the company was better. I was going to take some pictures, but was distracted by those kids, friends and food I was talking about. Maybe Kimtastic will email me a pic for my blog. You know she took some, if not quite as many as usual. I know I bitch and moan a lot about things, but life really is pretty good. Don't get me wrong. I could be thinner, richer, prettier, smarter,…
It's Too Soon!

16 Nov 2009 | 11:46 am

I had to run to WalHell today to pick up some groceries. Yes, I have done that before, smart ass, but I haven't done it that frequently since TG was born. You see, believe it or not, my girl likes to be held. She has a hate/hate relationship with her car seat. She fucking hates that bitch!!!! Usually we go to the store and she makes it about five minutes until she screams bloody murder. I end up carrying her in front of me in a forward facing position, trying to push the buggy with my free hand while peeping over top of the now empty car seat so I don't plow over…

wiggle rooms
Things I Do On Whims (or Totally Not)

Sus

16 Nov 2009 | 8:14 am

My dear old friend Abby, who is keen and observant and knows about things like the Enneagram personality test, informs me that it's a particular kind of person who just abruptly gives up things that she suddenly, impulsively, just doesn't feel like doing anymore.Like, I don't know, blogging.But it turns out I missed this silly old blog, which I abruptly gave up a couple months ago because I, er, didn't feel like writing anymore (being, apparently, a seven on the Enneagram scale - I think; I've never taken the test). Somehow this space gave my otherwise insular and mundane existence meaning,…
Frannie at Four

Sus

23 Sep 2009 | 10:35 am

Out of practice as I am in this space, I've been attempting to do what I used to do effortlessly, in the grocery store or making dinner, driving to pick up Frannie from school: that is, composition in my head - creating sentences, hanging them in the air to dry, turning feelings into thoughts into phrases that cry out to be preserved and communicated.I've been trying to compose something meaningful about Frannie's fourth birthday for a few weeks now, something compelling enough to draw me here to flesh it out, share, and record for posterity. I've been thinking about Frannie while canning…
Be the Change You Wish to See in the World: Check.

Sus

31 Aug 2009 | 11:42 am

The Chronicles of a SAHM
I Can Build a Spaceship...

Nap Warden

19 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

I wrote my last post...completely chuckling about how miserable the kiddos looked in the pictures. It never occurred to me that the focus of the post was how creepy Husband looks under the Gaussian Blur tool:PThen, I started thinking..."I know Photoshop."..."Not only do I know Photoshop, but I have Photoshop CS4!" (Thanks Mom...that's another post)A friend once told me that "If you know Photoshop, you can build a spaceship!"Well, I can build a spaceship, and the best I could come up with was Gaussian Blur? No!Here's the deal...I am married to a Super Hero. No wait...not this one...This…
Seemed Like a Good Idea

Nap Warden

18 Nov 2009 | 3:13 pm

Occasionally, it's good to actually take advantage of the fact that we live in the city.This weekend Husband and I looked at each other and said..."Let's go to the Art Museum!"Wait..."Let's make it really fun for the kiddos, and take the bus:O" (this means we weren't taking the stroller...such a rookie mistake:P)We took the quickest tour of the museum humanly possible...and shot ourselves out of the new wing to the bridge to Millennium Park. It really is a wonderful view of the city...Husband had the brilliant idea to take a picture of the kiddos (who were in MAJOR meltdown mode) with the…
2012

Nap Warden

15 Nov 2009 | 5:21 pm

So, I went to see 2012 this weekend.Here's a little known fact about me...I love me some destruction of monuments in movie form. The Day After Tomorrow, I won't even tell you how many times I've seen this movie (no really, I'm not going to tell you...no, so don't ask) I don't know what that says about me...but like, the first time I saw the trailer for 2012...I was SO in.First, I'm gonna come out right here and now and admit it to you...John Cusack, doesn't really do it for me:/ Having said that...I'll give him Say Anything, I'll even give him High Fidelity (who wouldn't go after him in these…

Bird On A Wire
Have A Little Fun

Deb

29 Oct 2009 | 12:47 pm

My friends at VW (Volkswagen) have a new twist on an old idea. Put a little fun in every thing you do! Remember the piano at FAO Schwartz in Big? Enjoy this and pass it on! Related articles by Zemanta Toys R Us to Open FAO Schwarz In Store Boutiques (shoppingblog.com) Self-Parking Car from Stanford and Volkswagen (singularityhub.com) Volkswagen revs [...]
Because It Is What It Is

Deb

18 Sep 2009 | 10:36 am

I feel my self slipping. ..sliding. No, silly, this is NOT about depression. If you want to read about that cruise over to Dooce.com and read her rants, um touching story about postpartum depression and other assorted crap thoughtful musings on parenting. And how she’s in the Neilsen top 25 and blah blah blah. This is not about a [...]
Mommy Bloggers Will Not Be Broken!

Deb

18 Aug 2009 | 2:19 pm

I am not a rock star mommy blogger and honestly if it takes selling out to be on top , I’m out ! I am opinionated, sometimes snarky, but never vulgar. (see Girl Raised In The South) If they (or anyone (ahem)) offers to publish my book, I’m all over it. I do not consider celebrity gossip sites [...]

Your Fun Family
Never Too Old To Swing

Melissa Erickson

19 Nov 2009 | 6:56 pm

Playground season is almost over now. That seems so strange to say. I miss Arizona where we could go to the playground all year round. It is great to get out of the house and spend some time on playground equipment for awhile. My kids love going to the park and have a ton of fun. It also wears them out so they will go to bed nice and early so I can get some things done. It does not matter how old they get they still love playing on tire swings. From what I hear that is all they play on at school too. I can not really blame them though. Even as adults we still love swing sets. I find myself…
Mom's Sweet Stuffing

Melissa Erickson

19 Nov 2009 | 5:48 pm

Every year millions of people make turkey and stuffing. Most just make the normal sage stuffing. Now that we live in the day and age of instant everything even our stuffing is instant. I am willing to bet that most people just grab a box or a bag of stuffing each year.I will admit that I use stuffing mix. One of my little known secrets is that I cheat at cooking often by adding extra things to prepared mixes. It speeds things up and still tastes homemade.For stuffing I add onions, celery, and real broth to the prepared mix. This year I wanted to do something a bit different. As I thought…
Save on Toys and Dolls at Sam's Club

Melissa Erickson

19 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am

We recently became members of Sam's Club again. We went years without a membership because we had moved somewhere that did not have one. It was not until I walked in the door that I fully remembered how much I love the place. James loves it too so we bought a ton of stuff. I forgot how much stuff they have though. I love all of the savings on bulk groceries but I forgot about all of the extras. We could spend hours there. Especially now that Christmas is coming. The decorations, toys, and dolls are all getting stocked and the savings are just waiting and calling for me.Many people do not…

What's That Smell?
(12/4) Thanksgiving Dinner for 8 for $20 at Walmart (GIVEAWAY)

Kim

20 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm

It’s almost turkey day! What do you have planned? Are you trying, like so many other families this year, to still provide a nice feast for your family on a tiny budget? Well, Walmart has th…
Our Holiday Taste of Sam’s Club experience – TRY!

Kim

20 Nov 2009 | 4:29 pm

Today was the opening day for the Holiday Taste of Sam’s Club and my kids and I were there not long after it started around 11:30am. We usually eat lunch right around then so it was perfect t…
(12/7) Kraft Foods for a Delicious Holiday – Gift Basket GIVEAWAY

Kim

19 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

This time of year there are two things on people’s minds: gifts and food. Kraft Foods has some great resources this holiday season to help you plan a delicious holiday. Each of these re…

MommyCoddle
lessons from the landscape

mommycoddle

18 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am

Sometimes I wish I had it all figured out. That I'd learned all of life's lessons so that I didn't need to be taught anymore. I wish my well of patience was overflowing and that when faced with annoyances, stresses, messes, unwelcome news, I could handle it with more grace and calm. Yesterday my car broke down. My laptop keyboard broke, leaving me to type this post at an excruciatingly slow speed. I missed an ultrasound appointment. My vacuum cleaner...
sun, day 2

mommycoddle

16 Nov 2009 | 6:02 am

Good Morning, friends. We are on day two of sunshine and I am soaking it in. It has been a wet, dreary fall so far and I'm learning to truly appreciate each sunny day, as if it were a gift. Yesterday, I actually found myself out on the mower--mowing our grass in the middle of November. I have to say, I'm sad to see that job disappear for the winter. It is one of my favorite things--ipod on, children can't...
Show & Tell : ReproDepot Pattern Books

mommycoddle

13 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am

I'm sure many of you have seen the new ReproDepot pattern books--Flora and Folk -- floating around blog land. They are truly amazing books that come with a CD containing more than 200 patterns that you can print and craft away with. They have the wonderful appeal and charm of vintage-inspired design and graphics. I love them. I'm already thinking of a million things I could do with the patterns--silhouettes of the girls, a paper chain advent calendar for the...

Classy Chaos
The Ugly Truth

19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

On our second date we went jogging. The day before, I frantically invaded my roommate's closet to research what avid runners wore. I wasn't a runner but willingly accepted the challenge because how hard was it to run a couple of blocks and, oh my gosh, he was so cute. The plan was to run from my apartment building down to Lake Michigan for a total of two miles. Only, I begged for a water break outside of Macy's a mere seven blocks from my front step. The door man knew me by name and welcomed me to my familiar stomping grounds. My future husband smirked at my smile of relief and no…
Girlfriends...

18 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

"Moja kolezanka. Moja kolezanka. Moja kolezanka." She sang to me as we skipped hand-in-hand, oblivious to the outside world, on our way home after standing in communistic bread lines. "My girlfriend. My girlfriend. My girlfriend." My father left us in Gdansk (seeking opportunity in America during the late seventies before fully immigrating) all alone, it was just the two of us, for well over one year. I was too young to remember but old enough to understand. It was just mommy and me. "We are girlfriends. We are girlfriends. We are girlfriends." I sing to Fifi draping her arm around my neck as…
These comments are closed to everyone BUT the 1st born

16 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Growing up I was the eldest of three children with a manicured closet organized by colors/sub-categorized by textures, my sister was the middle child with a chaotic ménage à trois of clothes spewed across her floor, and my baby brother was left alone to google (before google was google) "how do I tie a tie for my first homecoming dance because my mom is busy with my sisters' dramas." I never truly understood or appreciated birth order until I had my own children. My son. The eldest. Is just like me. He refuses to sit down at his desk until everything has been cleaned. Making sure…

Chicago Moms Blog
neighborly etiquette

melanie myatt

20 Nov 2009 | 2:04 am

Moving to Chicago from Omaha, Nebraska meant a lot of changes for our family. We left a house with a front and back yard and friendly neighbors on either side. Now we live in a six-flat where we are still trying to learn about neighborly etiquette. Our kids are learning to be mindful of neighbors above and below as they play, both inside and out. Recently, our kids were happily enjoying the unexpectedly nice weather by playing outside in our backyard (also affectionately known as our "back concrete"). The neighbor kids from our building joined in the fun, as we parents caught up and…
It's a Wonderful Kitchen, Jimmy Stewart

"Van Mom"

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

Dinner parties. Some women worry about their menus. Others fuss over table linens or vacuum the same patch of rug eleven times. Me, I worried about my humble 1963 kitchen. The lasagna simmered. The salad was tossed. The wine was chilling. I was sweating. Glancing around the kitchen, I noticed how the parquet floor was a tad uneven near the doorway. I wrung my hands. What would my esteemed guests think? Would they point to the wood cabinets and whisper, "Good Lord, were those things installed when Kennedy held office?" (The answer is -- yes). We replaced the stove and oven, our…
Facing a Career Crossroads

Karen Putz

18 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

The information came pretty much out of the blue: my company informed me that they were moving my position to their headquarters in Florida. They wanted to know if I was going to move with it. And oh, by the way, I had twenty-four hours to decide. The news stunned the heck out of me-- I didn't see it coming. There I was, humming along in my new position that was given to me just a few months ago. I was a Sales Manager covering two states when my company asked me to take over nationwide coverage for our Voice Carry Over (VCO) customers. I jumped into that, loving every minute of connecting…

Sprite's Keeper
Spin Cycle: Not a hero, just human.

Sprite's Keeper

20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

February, 1997 "Don't lose Eddie's car." "Don't worry, Mom. I'm tailing him as closely as I can." "But they're going to-" "It's OKAY." We were on our way to Orlando to deposit my sister, her then husband Eddie, and their cat onto a plane bound for Hawaii where Eddie, the Army Private, had been stationed for the next two years. Eddie and Lee Ann led the way in their car, my mother riding shotgun in my vehicle, and my father bringing up the rear a few miles back in his, all three transports loaded with the newlyweds'…
Too Young For Tact

Sprite's Keeper

19 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

The wrapping paper flew in an effort to identify the prize lying beneath. Small heads obscured my vision as I weaved around, trying to watch Sprite actually open presents without aid. (Before now, she would simply push the brightly colored gift toward John or me with the prefunctory request, "Open this.") She unearthed a Sleeping Beauty doll complete with accompanying pony. "Hey! You already got that!" I looked toward the voice as its five year old owner turned to point accusingly at the exact same toy sitting nearby, shards of torn paper still attached to its surface.
The Word of the YEAR is "Castle".

Sprite's Keeper

18 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

(For Sprite's First Birthday, click here. For her second birthday, click here.) (For her fourth birthday, come back next year since I can't see into the future. Actually, the screen's a little fuzzy too. Maybe it's time for an eye appointment..) Sprite has a thing for castles. She learned the word some time ago, but never truly got it until she came face to face with Cinderella's Castle during her first trip to the Magic Kingdom in December, 2008. She breathed "castle" in almost reverence as we exited the the structure, and once she had paired a place with…

Mama-Om
Not Doing Everything

s t a c y

19 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

I was rushing around, getting things ready for the babysitter to come. [Yay! we have someone who helps us with family balance!] And there I was washing the dishes, cleaning up toys, noticing the kitchen floor piled with dirt, wondering if Mica had any clean undies, and trying to find something that the kids could eat for lunch, when I realized something. This is what not doing everything looks like. Even though it seemed like I was trying to do everything, I laughed because I was so clearly not doing everything. And I suddenly felt just fine about it. And by suddenly, I mean six years later.
Mama, My Back Hurts from Growling So Much

s t a c y

17 Nov 2009 | 10:33 am

Orlando is going to be in a homeschool play in December. His character is a dragon, named "Draca-haya." He made up the character and gave him a name. All the kids in the play chose a character and gave themselves names. It should be an interesting play. This week is costume week, so I figured I better get on it. We have a dragon costume (like this), but Orlando wanted to be a red dragon and that costume is blue and turquoise. But at least I had something to copy. So we went to the fabric store yesterday and wandered around, the kids' fingers green and sticky from the gumballs they bought with…
Mama-Om Has a New Outfit!

s t a c y

14 Nov 2009 | 3:01 pm

I've got a new look for my blog! Mon at Holistic Mama has customized a new template for me and I am so pleased with how everything looks! If you're using a reader, why not come and take a peak? Because now I've got more than one page! Can you believe it? It's like when I was in college and I had one pair of shoes (big, black doc martens) and it took years for it to occur to me that I could have more than one pair of shoes. I didn't have to wear my doc martens to the beach. I could buy a pair of sandals! So, now I've got the home page plus... About Peaceful Parenting Unschooling Funny Crazy…

MotherhoodMetamorphosis
You Know Sex Ed Is Really Bad When...

Pop Tart

17 Nov 2009 | 12:27 pm

Cosmo can't even get it right. In their instructions for Sex Position of the Day: Sensual Shower, their diagram for how to achieve erotic thrills literally misses the mark -- the genitals don't even line up.I guess the abstinence folks will start distributing this sort of diagram to prevent copulation; but I'm sure, in their frustration, people will just assume the missionary.For more help in
Preventing Sexual Child Abuse

Pop Tart

19 Oct 2009 | 4:08 pm

Studies show that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be molested and, in many cases, children suffer in silence, allowing the abuse to both continue and escalate. When parents and care givers remain silent about abuse, they communicate that silence, that taboo, to their children. It may not be the adult's intended message, but that's the one children receive.Parents and adults need to be
Raise Money For Breast Cancer Research

Pop Tart

25 Sep 2009 | 1:35 am

PartSelect is hosting a Paint Your Appliance Pink Sweeps to help raise awareness and $10,000 for Breast Cancer Research.To participate, enter yourself to win a Pink Prize Package (including a Pink KitchenAid Stand Mixer; prize package valued at $369.97) by painting a pink ribbon on any major household appliance, photographing your artwork, and then emailing, blogging, or Tweeting your entry (

Motherhood Later...Than Sooner Blog - for those who became a mom at age 35+
Dancing for Joy -- by Robin

Robin Gorman Newman

20 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

I'm taking an acting class through the local adult ed, and it's really a challenge in more ways than one.A novelist/playwright friend of mine in town suggested it because she knows I aspire to write a play ("Mensch: The Musical" based on my book HOW TO MARRY A MENSCH...which means decent person). She thought it could help with dialogue, etc.I have to admit I had no idea what I was getting in to. In high school I was involved with theatre. I served as Prop Master for the production of Arsenic and Old Lace. And, when they did Anything Goes...despite not being a singer.....I auditioned and got…
In Support of Support Groups -- by Cara

Robin Gorman Newman

18 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

I tend to be a quiet and reserved type...not terribly outgoing and mildly social. But for some reason, I am attracted to support groups. Particularly support groups for Moms.Since my son was an infant, I participated in a myriad number of different groups. Some groups were informative, but I didn’t “click” with most of the Moms. Other groups had members who I felt had different issues and/or a focus to the group that I just wasn’t looking for.I was thrilled to find Motherhood Later...Than Sooner because not only did I find a lovely group of Moms I have kept in contact with, but my son…
No Time to Waste -- by Jamie

Robin Gorman Newman

16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

As I’ve articulated here before, the experience of dating as a single mother is quite a bit different than dating as a single woman without a child. For me, both logistically—and emotionally—it’s a lot more difficult.That said, ever since Jayda was born, all of my dating has evolved at a much slower pace, since the act of actually setting up a date is complicated, and involves a sitter and a lot of Jewish mommy guilt. Consequently, as a single mother, I haven’t had a serious relationship with anyone yet. This has been partly out of choice—I often feel I don’t have the time to…

Walking With Scissors
Mass Producer

WWS (Lynn)

15 Nov 2009 | 11:05 pm

So, you know how items mass-produced in foreign countries sometimes come back with issues like crazy levels of lead or other dangerous things in them? But most companies keep on commissioning jobs anyway because it’s cheap? And, because it’s done cheaply, the odds are pretty good that the working conditions aren’t great and the workers are likely miserable? And, even though most of us know that buying these products is only encouraging more of the same behaviour, we do it anyway because money doesn’t grow on trees and “cheap” has a tendency to trump…
A Vision Fulfilled

WWS (Lynn)

5 Nov 2009 | 9:52 am

When I was in grade seven, right at the beginning of the school year, I went for a haircut that would change my life’s course. It has since been dubbed “The Unfortunate Hair Cut Incident of 1988″ and I’m not going to lie: if I could go back in time and change that one thing, I probably would. Butterfly Effect be damned. This is more-or-less the look I had been going for: Only a touch longer and with the classic “claw bangs”: I brought in a picture to my hairdresser, though I should have figured that any man pretentious enough to go by three names would be…
Portrait of a Self-Sabotaging Personality

WWS (Lynn)

2 Nov 2009 | 11:14 pm

This is me. No makeup. Completely un-retouched in Photoshop. No product in my hair. Just me. I’m fat. I’m cranky. I’m tired, as you can plainly see by the baggy dark smudges under my glassy, red-rimmed eyes. Being awake is hard. Being awake and present is nearly impossible. Part of it has to do with a medical condition. More of it has to do with the way I’ve been treating myself lately. Going to bed late. Not exercising. Not caring. Feeling tired, lethargic and not at all myself. All of these things have resulted in the above picture as well as the travesty below:…

Total Mom Haircut
I’ll Take That In A Girl’s 4, Please

Beth

20 Nov 2009 | 1:07 pm

Sam’s favorite color has always been purple, and to this day it still is. I can’t count the number of purple markers we have been through in this house. Come to think of it, I don’t even notice the fact that every time he eats food from a bowl I make sure he gets a purple one; it must be ingrained. He needed a new winter coat this year because, after about 3 seasons, he has outgrown his first one. So when we started talking about it, you can guess what he wanted: Purple. You can also probably guess that they don’t make boy coats in purple. For that you have to hit the…
Those Baby Days, Over?

Beth

13 Nov 2009 | 7:23 am

I’ve really been noticing lately the lack of babies around here. For the first time in over four years, we have none. Robby is nothing like a baby anymore, at a little over two and talking constantly. And so, we are officially baby-less. It’s very strange. What’s more. Robby is roughly the age that Sam was when his little brother was born. That makes no sense…Robby is almost 2 years and 3 months old. Sam was 2 years and 3 months old when Robby was born. (Now let us take a collective pause to say OHMYGODWHATWEREWETHINKING!?) Another way to say it: Robby is currently…
That Blows

Beth

5 Nov 2009 | 12:29 pm

So, as you know we’ve been sick. And as such, some things really fell by the wayside around here - I have yet to see the bottom of my kitchen sink, for example. It’s to be expected really and is fine. But unfortunately we missed the whole leaf-falling-on-lawn thing. So now our entire yard is covered with leaves and raking is quite a feat when we didn’t have the chance to stay on top of it from the start. Anyway, my husband decided to have the yard workers that our neighbors use check out our yard and give us an estimate for what it would cost us to have them bring their…

Sassy Irish Lassie
vgno - hubby takes over

Kat

20 Nov 2009 | 4:17 am

Oh, yes. The rumors are true. This lassie gets her self a get out of jail girl's night out pass tonight! (and NOT just a virtual one) I have the pleasure of getting together with some girlfriends over beverages. Did I mention there would be no children involved? Yep, they will be home with the Hubby. Sigh... I can feel the happiness brewing!In honor of Hubby staying home and manning down the fort, I thought I would play some of his favorite tunage. He has played and sent me this song many a times. Warning - this is not your typical mushy love song! Nope, he definitely doesn't work that way.
a thousand words thursday - mesmerized

Kat

19 Nov 2009 | 12:07 pm

Boys + Train = A moment of silence.
not me monday - what?!? it's tuesday

Kat

17 Nov 2009 | 3:13 am

Hmmm, must be my age but I am not sure where Monday went. Can I blame that on my last birthday (which by the way was yesterday). Guess this lassie's brain is a slippin'. Luckily, I do have some recollection of this past weekend.I did not take the train to Chicago to celebrate my birthday with my boys. No way!I did not like watching the amazement on the boys' faces when fish bigger then them swam by. I also do not like how I caught my reflection when taking this picture. Who would like that?!There is no way I would make my kids take an obligatory Chicago skyline picture just to suit my…

Motherofbun
Hope for Anissa

motherofbun

18 Nov 2009 | 12:18 pm

There’s an incredible blogger and mom in Atlanta named Anissa. If you haven’t read her before, you should puruse her archives. She’s sassy, funny, smart, and strong. She began blogging about her daughter’s fight against cancer awhile back. But now she’s in the hospital. She’s suffered a massive stroke. Please send prayers, positive vibes her way. If you’ve got a little extra jingle in your pockets to help the family offset medical expenses? That’s great too. They would greatly appreciate. For more info, click here. We love you Anissa.
Days of Gratitude

motherofbun

10 Nov 2009 | 11:59 am

I’ve been looking for a new focus for this blog lately. And I think I’ve stumbled onto something with this listing of the little things I’m thankful for. Obviously I’m thankful for a friends and family. But here’s a list of those little things you take for granted each day. Ya know? Today I’m thankful for Urban Dictionary. Because without them I’d never know what the term “Eskimo brothers” means. Or that if you don’t have time to shower, you can always take a Febreze shower. (I’m sure the marketing peeps are Febreze are…
Thankful

motherofbun

3 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am

In keeping with the “30 Days of Thankfulness”, today I am thankful for family. Because when it comes to ”the boy” I can always blame other people’s genetics. “Oh, he gets that from his FATHER’S SIDE.” What are YOU thankful for? Do you likey? Share why don't cha:

Soggy Granola Mom
Lucky Number 350

Soggy Granola Mom

24 Oct 2009 | 6:44 pm

Today was the International Day of Climate Action. There were more than 5,000 demonstrations all around the world. All based on the number 350.What does 350 have to do with anything? The concentrations of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere need to be at or below 350 parts per million, or there's going to be hell to pay.Currently we are at 390 ppm and rising. Rapidly. If we don't all make changes (big or small) then it will only get worse. Scientific research says that there will be human and natural disasters as a result of our carelessness. So now is the time. Now. Not tomorrow. Not next…
Melancholy Melanie

Soggy Granola Mom

23 Oct 2009 | 12:17 pm

As I peer out the window, the black patio chairs are being covered. Covered with big wet flakes. I can barely see the tips of the green grass. Most everything is white out there. Except for the beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows still hanging onto the trees. Quite an odd combination. If I was in charge, it wouldn't even think of snowing until all of the tree branches were bare, brown and in need of some clean white stuff.Unfortunately it isn't the first time it has snowed this year. It's the fourth. (But who's counting?) This is definitely the worst October recorded in my memory. There have…
Cookies Make Everything Better

Soggy Granola Mom

24 Sep 2009 | 2:22 pm

So much for my big plans. I guess I'll just scrap that idea. It turns out that having a set day makes it even harder for me to write. It was starting to feel more like an assignment than a hobby.So from now on I'll try to write when the mood strikes and I have the time. In my life this is an elusive combination. (Either I have the opportunity and no desire, or I have the desire and no opportunity.) Unfortunately, I haven't been excited about writing lately. I guess I'm in a funk. I'm sad, unmotivated, and feeling really, really lonely. I need more real, live, fun, happy-go-lucky, and…

The Lo.Co.
K.Lo & N.Lo’s Place

20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

It’s difficult to convey exactly how ginormous this box is, delivered from Kohl’s the other day. I managed to knock out some Christmas shopping online for the employees and a few of our colleagues, and a large part of that shipment came at one time. This size box was by no means necessary, as it was not even halfway full, so I’m still a little shocked by it. But, the bonus is obviously the box itself. New fort! Merry Early Christmas! The CEO created windows, and I cut out the doors.
Photo File: Extras

16 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

Both employees had a great time on their weekend retreat! They love this park. Also, some phone pictures of N.Lo at the gymnastics place we checked out with some colleagues last Thursday: And let’s not forget K.LoBlueFace. She was coloring with markers and knew not what a weapon she wielded while scratching her nose:
Photo File: Extras

11 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

The employees wouldn’t look up to say “Cheese.” Very intent, open-mouthed work in the sandbox. Dinosaur shirt-wearing cuteness. We picked flowers on our walk, and K.Lo made sure there was one for me, too. Look, there’s the school bus, bringing home the kids! Group shots. Difficult to coordinate!

GoodNCrazy
Thanksgiving With Joshua Bell

20 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm

I'm Thankful for...People who are building homes and remodeling. Why? Because they are keeping my husband in a job and therefore keeping our family warm.20 year olds who make the decision to go to college and become school teachers... even though they know the salary sucks, and benefits are getting worse. Why? Because they are teaching my children and sharing their dreams with mine.A country of freedom, where immigrants are welcome. Why? Because my great-great grandparents didn't grow up in this country... instead they immigrated here and I DID.Religious bigotry in a country built on…
iVillage Has A New Look: New Launch!

19 Nov 2009 | 5:09 pm

Hands down the best part of the NEW launch of iVillage.com?The Food section!The recipe section will blow you away, easy to search, fabULous pictures, and the Kitchen View is perfect for grabbing the lap top and bringing it into your workspace! Another thing I really like is the TWIST feature. Check out this over-the-top WOW-factor Sweet Potato Ball Recipe? Note at the bottom of the recipe how someone has already uploaded their own twist on it?!One more really cool thing is that they encourage your interaction and comments (they call them 'Chimes'). As in Chime in your thoughts here! You don't…
Regal Rose

17 Nov 2009 | 4:43 pm

The Last RoseIt snowed a bit.An early cold, gray day.I wondered if my pictures would do them justice.They looked lonely and sadhanging there in the mid-morn drab.Yet kind of regal.

LaLaGirl - Twinfinite Chaos! Parenting Multiples and Dealing with Autism
Score another for the Tooth Fairy

LaLaLaura

17 Nov 2009 | 8:51 am

I know, right now you’re thinking to yourself that LaLaGirl has become All Loose Teeth, All The Time. Not another post about a lost tooth! But what can I say? I have a lot of kids. They have a lot of teeth. And this one was a MILESTONE tooth – look at the size of that gap! Mallory had one of her front teeth come out a few days ago. It didn’t come out on its own, though – nope! Mama had to rip that sucker right out of her skull. At least, that’s what you’d think I did, based on her reaction! So many tears, so much drama. Her tooth was dangling by a thread,…
Avenue B Photography – thumbs up!

LaLaLaura

15 Nov 2009 | 10:51 pm

I met the most delightful lady online a few months ago – her name is Becca, and she’s the amazing photographer behind Avenue B Photography. I sort of blog-stalked her for awhile before we spoke, which is how I became acquainted with her unique style of photography. She’s a busy mom of 4 adorable little boys, and her personal blog is punctuated with lots of pictures of her family. I love how Becca takes pictures that just POP with color – they’re so rich and delicious, like a happy dream. I’ve decided I want to live inside the world she creates in her…
Elena’s Big Move – Review

LaLaLaura

9 Nov 2009 | 9:05 pm

As you know, our family moved across town just after Christmas of last year, and my kids had to switch schools halfway through kindergarten. The transition went well, thank goodness, and we could not be happier with the new school – my kids have had great teachers and they’ve made lots of friends. Huge thumbs up all around. Those early days were stressful and scary, though – and I remember how nervous Mallory was on that first day. It warmed my heart tremendously to see two special little girls, who have since become Mallory’s very dear friends, approach her from each…

Heidi's Blog
Playing in the campground

heidia

19 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm

by Melynda @ www.yourwildchild.com
The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, Michele Borba

heidia

19 Nov 2009 | 2:08 pm

Book Review By Casey Sievila
Walk at the rest area in Glenwood canyon Colorado

heidia

17 Nov 2009 | 2:02 pm

A rest stop off of the I-70 may not seem like the best outdoor destination, but for this family it was quite entertaining.

moosh in indy.
our! first! house! (during. part II)

Casey

19 Nov 2009 | 7:08 pm

the moosh has a crush on the guy doing the work on our house. She says his name all drawn out and flirty. She draws him pictures and asks him “whatchadooin?” Really? Can’t blame her. Because as of today my bathroom went from looking like this: To this: This utterly weird built in desk has been changed from this: To this beautiful pile of rubble which will be changed into: A CLOOOOSSSEETTTT!! Oh, and then there’s this crap: We knew there was a serious leak in the ceiling, after that was fixed turns out there were two serious leaks in the ceiling. And then when those…
anissa.

Casey

18 Nov 2009 | 9:10 pm

“Peyton was so bummed when she found out they didn’t have an Asian American Girl doll. And then when they finally come out with guess what? She lives in San Francisco, is a gymnast and her dad owns a restaurant. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s also really good at math and a horrible driver.” This is Anissa. Currently Anissa is lying in a bed in the ICU after suffering a major stroke yesterday. Anissa is funny, universe? You are not funny. Anissa has three little kids. For updates on her condition go here. For ways to help her family go here or click the link in…
birdies and bellies.

Casey

17 Nov 2009 | 7:56 pm

Good luck getting that big thing out of you darling. Copyright © 2009 moosh in indy.. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact mooshinindy (at) gmail (dot) com so we can take legal action immediately.Plugin by Taragana

Lit and Laundry
Finished for Friday: Embroidery

19 Nov 2009 | 9:11 pm

I've just finished a few embroidery blocks this week. I'm about 90% done on two other projects but I just couldn't squeeze them in on time. How do Fridays get here so fast? Here are the blocks for my calendar quilt: April, May, June and July.The free pattern for these blocks can be found at Bunny Hill Designs.What have you been up to this week? Getting all ready for Thanksgiving? Got some Christmas shopping done? Put away your Halloween decorations? Join in and let us all congratulate you. Feel free to grab a button from my sidebar if you'd like. Then just add the link to your recent post to…
Vintage Thingies Thursday: Balloon Chairs

18 Nov 2009 | 10:04 pm

The approach of Thanksgiving reminds me that I can share my dining chairs for VTT. I have six of these balloon-back chairs, which were very popular from the 1830s to 1850s, although I do not know the exact dates these were made. The seats are horsehair covered with leather.I love their graceful curves and simple style. I do warn the kids not to squirm in them too much though. I'd cry if one of them broke. As it is, I think the seats will need some restoration in the future, and maybe some needlepoint covers to complete the Victorian style.Vintage Thingy Thursday is hosted by Suzanne at…
Ort Update

16 Nov 2009 | 10:21 pm

I know you've all been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see my progress on the Totally Useless Stitch Along. Here it is: my jar of orts. It hardly tells the story of all the stitching I've been doing. Maybe because I'm so miserly with thread. I tell you though, ever since I started participating in this, I save every. little. bit.Now I will venture with shame to see the really fabulous ort jars of my TUSAL* sisters. I can only hope to approach their skills in ort hoarding as time goes by. To see the wonderful blog of the originator of this fine internet group, visit Yoyo at Dragon…

quirkyblogger.com
Today was a not so good day.

Steph

20 Nov 2009 | 2:03 pm

So, I’ve been losing weight. I’m not sure WTF is going on…except, you know, the not eating thing I periodically do. (Who knew that dealing with a spouse’s affair makes you not hungry? Ever? Not me, but to be real, I wouldn’t recommend this particular diet plan to anyone, spectacular results aside.) So I was starting to feel kind of saucy and sexy and maybe just a little bit NOT THE MOST FAT AND HIDEOUS BITCH EVER. And then, we go to WalMart. Now you’d think I’d feel even BETTER about myself after going to WalMart because, you know, it’s WALMART,…
On this day, in 1980…

Steph

18 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am

…Linda and Roger McKay gave the world (and particularly me) a really fabulous gift. I thank God every day for this gift, and I wish I had a better way to say “I love you” because sometimes that doesn’t seem like a big enough way to say what I mean. Happy birthday, Missy. I Star Wars you.
Socks and stuff.

Steph

17 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am

So, I’ve finished a pair of socks for Tricia. And half of a pair for threeundertwo. I would post pictures of these socks, but I’m kind of obsessing on the idea of making my own light box/light tent so that I can take super fabulous pictures of the socks. I mean, combining two obsessions – knitting and photography. How could this NOT sing to my black and tarry heart? Plus, you know, if I obsess over these things, I will not sit and obsess over WHY IS NO ONE CALLING ME BACK ABOUT A FUCKING JOB ALREADY? I swear to you guys, the idea of opening an Etsy starts getting more and…

Twinfatuation
Hope: A Haiku

Cheryl Lage

19 Nov 2009 | 5:35 pm

Four years to the weekSince Daddy's melanomaLump, nodes are swollenDaddy's special dayBrought news we'd hoped not to hearScans do not look goodHope springs eternalOur doctors are fantasticFriends and family, tooCould be something newYet surgery is a mustHusband is so braveWhether an adultor frightened eight-year-old childAnxiety stinksHaiku to announceMay seem a very poor choiceGets my mind off itGreedily I askIf you are a praying kindPlease remember us. We DO have all good reason for optimism...namely my husband's sense of humor, his sense of fight, his love of his children and me, and the…
Way Back When-esday: Daddy's Day

Cheryl Lage

18 Nov 2009 | 4:58 am

Dateline: November 18, 2006Twins' Age: 5Daddy's Age: 39He makes the funniest of jokes, can juggle household objects galore, is firm when occasions mandate, is tender when a loving touch is needed. He is a pluperfect parenting partner, phenomenal father and the best husband imaginable.Happy 42nd Birthday, Double Daddy. We love you so very much.What memorable image(s) makes your mid-week wonderful? Dive into those digital photos or scan a scrapbook find and play along with Way Back When-esday. Be sure and link back to participate in the web-wide reverie...and leave a comment when you do!
March On: The Fight for Preemies

Cheryl Lage

17 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm

Few moments defy explanation. Discovering you are expecting not one, but two (or more) babies is undoubtedly one of them. The giddy excitement is inevitably sobered with a medical professional's caveat: "We need to be extra cautious in your prenatal care. The vast majority of multiple pregnancies result in premature births."The docs joketh not. An average plural pregnancy so frequently concludes between 36-37 weeks, many doctors go so far as to call delivery in that range "term for twins."Truth? "Term" for any baby is 40 weeks.Tell that to multiple babies on the move.Thank heaven for the…

The Mom Crowd
7 Tips for Running Your First Marathon

Amanda

20 Nov 2009 | 12:10 am

Last Sunday Dawn and I ran the San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon! Dawn did a great job running her second half marathon. I am so proud of her. She did fantastic! I completed my first full marathon. You can read more about the details of my marathon at this site. The race was harder than I expected, but I did it! I ran the race 8 months after having my second child. If you have ever wanted to complete 26.2 as a life goal, you can do it! Here are 7 tips I learned from my marathon training: 1. Train with a group. When I got up to 10 miles in my training I found it difficult to create long…
My 6 Year Quit Sucking His Thumb!

Amelia

19 Nov 2009 | 1:51 am

My 6 year recently lost his second tooth. With the new tooth growing in I became more aware that his thumb sucking really needed to come to an end. Once he started losing teeth I started seeing $$dollar signs$$ about future dental visits and braces and it was very tempting to try and have a more tight fisted attitude about him quitting. I casually mentioned to him that his teeth would start growing in incorrectly if he kept sucking his thumb and that it was probably a good idea to stop. He said “okay” and we came up with a plan. I don’t have a formal chart but we…
Book Review: Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Christy

18 Nov 2009 | 2:41 am

Over the last few months, I have been participating in a study at my church of the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart. This book has been eye opening to me and I thought I’d share my personal feelings and thoughts about it with all of you. The basis of the book is raising your children in a godly biblical way. So often in our society we are caught up in the pop psychology of child raising that we stray so far away from how we are supposed to raise them. I personally have tried many of the “tried and true” methods, including a ton of SuperNanny’s tricks and…

New Jersey Moms Blog
Mammogram Sham?

Theta Pavis

20 Nov 2009 | 2:25 am

I'm a busy woman. (Last night I held my face over a steaming bowl of pasta I was making for dinner and wondered if that could count as a "getting a facial.") Busy I may be, but there is one thing I make sure to schedule time for: my annual mammogram. Now I'm flabbergasted and pissed about the new guidelines coming out about mammograms. I knew the news was out there that some doctors are recommending changes to the way women are screened in the U.S., but I didn't focus on it. After all, I had just gone for my annual mammogram. Ironically, while I was in the waiting room thumbing through the…
How the Tooth Fairy Solved the China Problem

Vanessa

18 Nov 2009 | 2:37 am

Most would agree that I'm a pretty good mom. I deprived myself of sushi and wine for each of my pregnancies. I carry a purse filled with crayons, crackers, and tchotchkes to keep the peace during long restaurant meals. I entertain my kids with elaborate tales about a stubborn little girl named Pooty Pootwell. And each and every night, I come running for each and every little whimper my three children emit.But as a tooth fairy, I'm a complete failure.When my oldest lost her first tooth, the excitement level in our household was at fever pitch. We called every conceivable family member to share…
Saying "Yes" to the H1N1 Shot in Spite of it All

Lori Landau

17 Nov 2009 | 2:07 am

When my oldest was an infant and I was so consumed with new motherhood that I had practically memorized the book What to Expect the First Year, my husband came home one day and brought up an issue that all my reading hadn't prepared me for. Our holistic-minded chiropractor had just asked him if we were planning to vaccinate our baby, citing all of the reasons why we shouldn't. His reasons were compelling, especially to two people who were pretty holistic ourselves. To this day however, I am so thankful that my mother was present for our deliberations. After listening to us talk it out, she…

Mom Of 3 Girls
School update and my latest ‘Mommy=fail’

Deb - Mom of 3 Girls

20 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am

Over the past week we’ve had conferences for both Abby and Hannah and have gotten back all three girls’ school photos. Becca’s preschool class doesn’t do fall conferences, so we won’t sit down with her teacher until spring. I thought I was all prepared for conferences. We had a babysitter, courtesy of our 12-year-old niece who was staying with us all week and was dying for a chance to watch the girls. I had dinner planned out and was ready to start preparations for cooking it with plenty of time left afterward to make it to our first conference (Abby’s) at 6:15pm. Ron even had…
Wordless Wednesday #120 – Give me a “B-E-C-C-A”!

Deb - Mom of 3 Girls

17 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pm

See more photos at Wordless Wednesday and 5 Minutes For Mom! ---------------------------------------------- Thank you for visiting my site! Please join in the conversation by clicking through and leaving a comment. :) Don't forget to check out my other site for product reviews and great giveaways happening every week. :) Here's a direct link to this post:Wordless Wednesday #120 – Give me a “B-E-C-C-A”! 1. Pippa2. Tara @ Feels Like Home3. alexandra4. blueviolet5. Harriet6. Kim Kihega7. Frugal Fritzie8. Mellisa9. Alyson @ 3PsinaPod10. Amy11. Cathy Parker/Ladyhightower12.
Apparently we’ve had the tv on way too much lately…

Deb - Mom of 3 Girls

17 Nov 2009 | 6:24 pm

Have you ever seen the commercials for the Smooth Away? It’s one of those “As Seen on TV” types of products, and there’s a commercial for it that’s in somewhat heavy rotation on Nick Jr. I’d heard of the product but never really thought much about it until I’ve been driving our niece to school this week (she’s staying with us while her mom’s out of town) and have passed a Walgreens on the way there and back. It’s one of the Walgreens stores that has the logo right over the front door, unlike the store right near our house that we pass every day. As we drove by the store…

The Loony Bin
Kid Pics

17 Nov 2009 | 12:13 pm

The only thing I have to say is that I have a question. Does anyone remember when I recently re-baked a cake? I turned the oven on to 400 degrees about ten minutes ago to pre-heat. Then Katie asked me why I was baking the cake again. Maybe I better start hiding baked good in the dishwasher instead.
My Dad + Wiring = Fire

12 Nov 2009 | 12:26 pm

Years ago when I was a little kid, my mom saw a stove that she wanted to buy. It was very expensive and it wasn’t within the family budget. My mom didn’t give up but instead decided that we were old enough that she could abandon us and return to the work force. She saved and bought a Litton Micro-matic in the 1970’s. I still remember the new stove arriving and how different it looked from the old gas stove. It had a smooth glass top that would glow orange under the little markings that labeled the area for the burners. The best part was that it combined a microwave with a traditional…
Texting (All the Cool Kids are Doing it...)

6 Nov 2009 | 1:01 pm

Andrea is leaving for an exotic Carribean vacation tomorrow, which means that I'm stuck taking care of her cat. She sent me a text to thank me for my pet care services.Andrea- Also, Thanks SOOOO much!!! Do you want me to bring you anything?Me- How about a t-shirt that says "I took care of your fucking cat for 10 days and all I got was this lousy t-shirt"....A couple of days ago I texted my friend Lori to complain/whine about my ear infection.Lori- One of my friends had an ear infection for days. Took antibiotics and now has a yeast infection/fungus in her ear. Yuck!Me- Probiotic with…

Kids Meal Crowd
Anissa Needs Us

uppervalleymom

20 Nov 2009 | 6:18 am

I'm not sure when I first started following the story of Peyton, as shared by her mom Anissa. But the narrative was so real and so touching that I couldn't help but be impressed by this girl, this mom, this family and their courage and strength. See, during this time, a young cousin (about the same age as Peyton) was battling cancer too. Knock on wood -- both children are now out of treatment and are doing well. Anissa Mayhew, a mom of 3 from Florida, is not a person I know in real life. But honestly, as with several of my online connections, I feel like I know more…
LeapFrog $5 coupons in Wendy's Kids Meals

uppervalleymom

15 Nov 2009 | 8:57 pm

Another busy weekend comes to a close. We had a full two weeks between youth sports seasons...too bad we were all sick and couldn't really relax! We grabbed a quick lunch at Wendy's in between buying basketball sneakers and attending a Girl Scout service unit event (Flag Retirement Ceremony). We knew that LeapFrog toys were on tap, but I was happy to find a bonus $5 coupon on the bag for the LeapFrog Tag Reading System or Storybook. Expires 2/9/2010, so this will be handy to have for Black Friday/holiday shopping...not to mention scanning the toy clearance in January. The…
NAPA Auto Parts Coupon and Specials

uppervalleymom

12 Nov 2009 | 6:08 am

This is the time of year that everyone, especially here in the Northeast, tries to complete all those lingering auto repairs. Snow and ice driving is less of an issue if your brake pads are new and your wipers and lights are in good working order. So that's why I was really happy to see a direct mail insert with a coupon for NAPA Auto Parts ($5 off any purchase of $20 or more) and a listing of November Weekend Specials. The stores listed on my insert were all in NH or VT. November sale items mentioned: Universal extended life antifreeze, 1 gallon $4.49 (limit two gallons per…

Mommy Brain Reports
Helping #PrayersforAnissa

Monica

20 Nov 2009 | 8:23 am

It’s been a few days, and I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around how a young mom of 3 children, who is so bright and vivacious could possibly suffer a major stroke.. and this isn’t the first time it’s happened to her… Although considered a minor stroke the first time (how something of this [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
WiskHE presents Bubbles & Bubbly

Monica

19 Nov 2009 | 8:36 pm

WiskHE had invited me to New York for their Bubbles & Bubbly event. I wanted to go so badly, but due to scheduling issues, I wasn’t able to attend. I watched the tweets fly through my TweetDeck, and was just a little sad I couldn’t be there with everyone. But I was having a blast [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Gift Guide- Gadgets & Tech

Monica

17 Nov 2009 | 8:50 pm

Mommy Brain Reports 2009 Gadgets & Tech Holiday Gift guide! iPosture Posture plays an important role in our overall health and appearance. Poor posture can also affect digestion, breathing, lower back pain, even someone’s confidence. But, people today are often so busy that they hardly have time to think about their posture, much less focus on improving [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Blogger For Hire
Genetic Testing for Children: Would You Do It?

MomGrind

17 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

I received an interesting email on Friday. At first it looked just like any other PR pitch, those pitches that never really bother to answer the very basic question of WIIFM, or “What’s In It For Me?” But the email I received on Friday was different. It was from a company called My Gene Profile, who offers genetic testing for children. The PR pitch actually did try to answer the WIIFM question by claiming that by becoming their affiliate I would be able to earn some pretty decent money. But what was especially interesting in that email was the suggestion that parents have…
Restaurant Salads Scare Me

MomGrind

10 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

Most of us are aware that salads are not always healthy, and this is especially true for restaurant salads. If by “salad” you mean a small plate of fresh leafy greens, a few slices of tomato, and a drizzling of olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, then yes, that’s healthy and low calorie. But “salad” at restaurants often means a huge plate filled with lettuce, croutons, chicken cubes, cheese, and half a cup of full fat dressing. That’s not healthy, and the calorie count for this type of salad can be higher than even the most nutrition savvy among us can…
Stupid Beauty Trends

MomGrind

3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am

After writing last week about stupid fashion trends, it occurred to me that during recent years, we’ve seen several beauty trends that were/ are just as stupid. Here are five of them: Trout Pout This beauty trend is about filling one’s upper lips to the brim with collagen, or whatever it is they use to augment lips these days. Meg Ryan is one of the celebrities who are most often criticized for her “fish lips.” The photo above provides a perfect example of what seems to be an overzealous “lip work.” Huge, Round, Hard Breast Implants on a Tiny Frame…

VDog Blog
Loving Anissa

vdogblog

18 Nov 2009 | 2:36 pm

So Happy in Chicago Anissa Mayhew is a dear friend of mine that had a stroke yesterday at the age of 35. This is her second stroke, and right now her family needs all the love and support they can get. You can make a paypal donation or check out Aiming Low or Heather’s blog for more ways to help. LOVE to you, ‘Niss. xoxoxo {photo courtesy of Angie} Tweet This Post
Today, My Heart Aches

vdogblog

11 Nov 2009 | 7:46 am

Today marks the second anniversary of Madeline Alice Spohr’s birth. Today I weep a little more than usual for my friends, Heather and Mike. Today I weep for the loss of my son’s friend, Maddie. Ethan and Maddie Today I reflect on how extremely lucky I am to have had a second birthday with my own preemie. Snoozing and sunbathing in the incubator Today I hope and pray for Baby Binky Spohr, growing steadily inside of Mama Spohr, to be born healthy, happy, and not too early. Today I ask you to give what you can to the Friends of Maddie Foundation — for Maddie, for Ethan, for…
Thankful for my Boy

vdogblog

7 Nov 2009 | 1:33 pm

Especially when asked if we’ll be having more children. So very thankful for the one I DO have. In good news, I went back to the Endocrinologist yesterday and my crackah-ass thyroid is FINALLY back to “normal” after nearly 3 years of messing with medications. I’m not going to hold my breath that this lasts. Have a good weekend, everyone! A huge THANK YOU to our Troops & Veterans on this early Veteran’s Day Weekend. Tweet This Post

Real Tech Mom
My appologies to the Emo and/or Cutter World

erincarrasco

17 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm

Let me keep you up to date as to why i’m writing this. Almost one year ago I wrote a post questioning what on earth Emo’s and Cutter’s were and I’ve been enlightened, OVER and OVER again. For some reason my mommy blog has been bombarded by people (each in their own way) telling me the [...] [Visit Real Tech Mom to read the rest of the story!]
Why your resume isn’t getting you the job you want… Part 2

erincarrasco

9 Oct 2009 | 7:54 pm

Well my friends if you’ve missed part one, you might want to check it out. Even if you are not looking for a job you probably know someone who is. So please help them out! Your email address is dumb It may have been ok while you were in high school but having an email address like [...] [Visit Real Tech Mom to read the rest of the story!]
Why your resume isn’t getting you the job you want.

erincarrasco

17 Aug 2009 | 7:55 pm

In today’s market you don’t just have to be qualified you have to be better than the other applicants. The person reviewing your resume may like things that are different from what I’m posting here, so while these are my suggestions they are not set in stone. These are the first 5 things as to why [...] [Visit Real Tech Mom to read the rest of the story!]

Catnip and Coffee
poor poor pitiful George

AnnetteK

18 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

It’s been a crazy couple of days around here. On Monday morning I was getting ready to go to the gym (really, I was!) when I noticed George looked a little a lot wet. I knew Damon had just let him inside (he’d only been out for about half an hour) and I figured he had played in a puddle. Except he wasn’t wet with water. It was blood. Now George does tend to be pretty territorial and I’ve found other cat’s blood on him a few times over the years. But this time it was his own and more than I felt comfortable handling. As soon as I got Josh on the bus to school I…
crocheted hats

AnnetteK

5 Nov 2009 | 10:52 am

I’m still crocheting. Crocheting is the new blogging you know. Last year at this time I was writing daily (NEVER AGAIN!) nablopomo entries. This year I can’t stop buying yarn and dreaming about what I can make out of it. I decided I needed to add some hats to my collection of scarves. I think I’m getting pretty good at them (especially since I’m winging it - I never learned how to follow a pattern!) and they’re so much quicker than scarves. I took photos of a couple of them so you all could see samples of what I’ve been doing. (Okay, so do you know how hard…
just another Halloween recap!

AnnetteK

3 Nov 2009 | 5:39 am

Okay better late than never, here are the promised Halloween pics! Josh and I both loved this costume but hardly anyone “got” it. What can I say, we like the obscure Star Wars references! (Note the one black glove for after Luke had his hand cut off!) My favorite part of Halloween wasn’t the candy.* It was getting proof that my boy still likes to hold my hand.** We were fortunate to have gorgeous weather for trick or treating. I’ve never seen such a warm Halloween! We had a perfect beautiful spooky moon too. I hope you all had a great holiday weekend too! xoxo.

A Cowboy's Wife
Tweet to Help Grant a Child’s Wish

A Cowboy's Wife

20 Nov 2009 | 8:09 am

I am not asking for donations here, I’m asking you to take 1 minute to tweet for this cause. Leapfish and Make-a-Wish have joined forces to help make one ill child’s dream come true. Your tweet will raise 5 cents per tweet towards a fun filled vacation for this child and their family. You might [...]
Operation Fatty: Pledge, Wii, Update, You

A Cowboy's Wife

19 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm

Well it’s not wonder I got mistaken as pregnant all those times. I mean, good gawd, I never realized just how fat I was until last night. I was browsing earlier videos I had done when I came across one of me on the treadmill. Wow. I was shocked just to see how big I [...]
Gobble Yourself up a $50 off $100 Old Navy Coupon by Rockin’ Out!

A Cowboy's Wife

19 Nov 2009 | 9:08 am

I was so excited that Old Navy wanted me to host this week’s coupon giveaway because I know how many of you LOVE Old Navy! On Thanksgiving Thursday, families can play in a live game of RockBand and receive a chance to win a $200 Old Navy shopping spree. Customize your very own $10 [...]

Parenting, Child Development, Shopping Resources, Recalls and Reviews
Will the Swine Flu Vaccine Become Mandatory?

Patty

16 Nov 2009 | 6:19 am

I came across this great article on the web this weekend, written by Adam Murdock, MD out of Texas. He discusses the media hype of the swine flu and the need for the swine flu and whether it will become mandatory or should become mandatory. One state, Pennsylvania has proposed such legislation, according to Murdock. My family and kids are overall healthy, therefore we will not get the swine flu
A Reason to End a Baby's life??

Patty

13 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm

A British hospital wants to remove a 1-year-old boy born with[Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome] a rare neuromuscular condition from life support, but the child's father is fighting to keep him alive.The baby's mother agrees with hospital officials, who sought High Court permission Monday to remove the boy from the ventilator that allows him to breathe, British media reported."RB's mother
Teen Violence on The Rise

Patty

8 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm

The past month I have highlighted stories on here that have occurred in recent news reports across the country regarding teens who commit adult crimes. The number of them lately is epidemic and outrageous. I question what is going on in society that is leaving teens so callous to commit such heinous crimes. From the gang beating of an honor student in Chicago to the setting on fire of a young

We Make Three
Could You?

Myra

16 Nov 2009 | 7:33 pm

Jake walked into the room during a show that I knew wasn’t age appropriate. It was about child abduction. He immediately latched onto the content and started launching questions in true Jacob style. “Mom, what would happen if someone took me? What would you do?” Sensing a parent moment, I tried my best to stay in control. “Jake, if something ever happened to you, my heart wourld be broken in a million pieces. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to find you.” But Jake wasn’t stopping today. His little mind was already in full swing. “Mom, if you lost me, wouldn’t you just lay…
Daily Dose Challenge

Myra

9 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm

Check out my friend Deena’s Daily Dose Challenge on the Designer Digital’s blog. You’ll see this featured:
Die die die!!!

Myra

5 Nov 2009 | 5:09 pm

20091104-_B045972, originally uploaded by myrac. I want a new iMac.

Rimarama
Gold Star

Rima

20 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am

The violin lessons are going much better. I'm still just working on rhythm exercises and improving my bowing technique, but progress has definitely been made. Today my teacher said something along the lines of, "That was actually not too bad," but stopped short of giving me a sticker. And I know she has them.It gives me immense pleasure to know that I am a full page ahead of a third grader who started around the same time as me in the Suzuki Level One violin book. The two of us are now in fierce competition, although he doesn't know I exist.I can feel OK about my progress as long as I'm one…
The Great Interview Experiment: Avitable

Rima

19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

The beauty of Neil's Great Interview Experiment is that a blogger like me, who frets about whether feelings will be hurt before hitting "Publish" on every post and feels compelled to mask obscenities under a thin veil of pound signs and asterisks, gets to interview the uncensored Avitable, who "crotch punches nuns and hates babies," and whose tagline is, "Tact is for Pussies."Oh yeah, and he doesn't wear pants. Ever.If you aren't already familiar with the ubiquitous Avitable, you should go check him out. He's very entertaining (when he's not drop-kicking puppies.)Why is tact for…
I Would Like My Pellet Now, Please

Rima

18 Nov 2009 | 10:20 am

I finally got my paws on some H1N1 vaccine, and all I had to do was pimp myself out for science.I'm participating in an H1N1 vaccine study which aims to prove that a smaller dose of vaccine, when administered along with a type of protein that helps the body build up its immune system, works just as well as a full dose. I don't know if I'm in the treatment or control group, but the P-Dawg assures me that I did get some amount of FDA approved H1N1 vaccine.And all I had to do was sign a fifteen page release form, obtain a physical, take a pregnancy test, disclose what form of birth control I'm…

Rancid Raves
*Wink*

18 Nov 2009 | 6:57 pm

First and foremost, we have a winner of the gift card from Snapgifts.com - the winner was Sarastani! Sarastani, I have emailed you the code to the email provided in your profile, please let me know if you did not get it.Yesterday, my mom gave me grief that I had not updated my blog. As I was sitting on her couch. After having spent the entire day with her. I tried to convince her that my vast, far-reaching legions of devoted readers would give their eye teeth (wisdom teeth? appendix?) to be subjected to the excruciating banalities that comprise my life. The very same…
A High Note.

13 Nov 2009 | 6:16 am

First, the Snapgifts.com giveaway ends this Sunday! Unless we share some common threads of DNA, the question begs - why have you not entered?********************* So. About my post the other day. I feel Better because writing does that for me. Pulling words out of the scrambled eggs I have for brains and then organizing them into something, whatever that may be, helps me. However, I hate leaving a misty post up like that for too long. Still, years from now as I cringe through certain posts, I will be grateful that I posted the last one. …
Just Keep Swimming.

11 Nov 2009 | 2:56 pm

Late, late Sunday night I received an email from my friend J. For those of you just joining the program, J is a long-time friend. The one with whom I went to high school, but who I really got to know in college. The one who lives in Vegas with her husband and 2 year old daughter. The one who was diagnosed in June 2008 with a neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer that spread to her liver.J's recent email was disheartening and per usual, the future is uncertain. I was supposed to go to Vegas to see her in September, but then we found out that J cannot have visitors who…

The Quest for T
The Affair, part 1

T

19 Nov 2009 | 7:01 pm

This is the first of a 10 part series about the affair I had during my marriage. I realize that this might be uncomfortable for many to read. Perhaps you've been through this experience but from the other vantage point. I have, unfortunately, seen infidelity from all sides and many different angles.I feel the need to process this. It is painful but I learned much from it. Perhaps it will educate someone on what its like to be the "other woman". Perhaps it will convince someone to think twice before having an affair. Perhaps I will turn many of you away. Perhaps this is something I shouldn't…
Lover of Lingerie

T

18 Nov 2009 | 8:13 pm

I suppose since Rascal and I only see each other twice a month, it is only natural that whatever I'm wearing seems to be practically torn from my body when we're finally alone.One thing he doesn't realize about me is that I *LOVE* lingerie.I do realize that every man is different. Some men prefer baby doll nightgowns. Others prefer leather. Some prefer lacey garters and tight corsets. Then others may prefer the simplicity of a matching bra and panties.Rascal hasn't seen this side of me... other than bra and panties. And quite frankly, those are stripped so quickly that I guarantee he couldn't…
Rebelling

T

17 Nov 2009 | 7:20 pm

I am a very disciplined person. When my friend Marie and I lived together, she used to make fun of me because I always paid my bills on time (obsessively so) and I would never eat another single morsel of food after I brushed my teeth at night. These are just little things. I've noticed that since I've become a single parent, I'm not near as type A or obsessive about things as I used to be. Sometimes, I even downright rebel. Heh. I actually rebel against my own discipline. But see, that discipline is what has helped me have good credit so I could buy my home. That discipline has helped me to…

SOLO dot MOM
Teens and Drugs – Dare you ask?

Katherine

20 Nov 2009 | 9:57 am

Today over on www.TWITTERMOMS.com I participated with a posted discussion question: Would you ask your teen whether he's using drugs? My answer: Definitely! You have to continually - on a daily basis - keep your teen engaged. Don't just ask the hard questions, keep communication open by asking and staying informed about their lives in general – E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y. Yes, with hard questions, you might get the 'attitude'; but in the grand scheme of things - SO WHAT! Keeping your teens away from drugs and smart about their choices – because they know they are accountable to you as a parent…
Turkey Day Traditions

Katherine

19 Nov 2009 | 7:35 am

I started thinking about our Thanksgiving traditions when I heard about this contest sponsored by Target and www.Twittermoms.com. Since my favorite store happens to be Target and Twittermoms is one of the best blogging contest sources around…I had to participate! Thanksgiving traditions changed for us when I lost close members of the family two years ago. We had always spent that special day with my grandmother and my mom. They both went to Heaven in 2007. So with that year our traditions changed. But there are still two or three things that I do with the…
Writing IS Cathartic

Katherine

17 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pm

I was recently approached via email by Leah Carey about a project she is initiating for personal development through writing prompts. Writing is cathartic, I totally believe that on so many levels. Her idea is a great one so I wanted to share it. November 18 is the kickoff and she is focusing on two groups with this initial project of writing ideas, divorce and breast cancer. Having survived divorce, she contacted me to share this with my readers and I hope you will jump over to her site and check out this great project. Here is her spill verbatim: “The WriteAway…

Fabulous Miss S.
Kvetch.

FabulousMissS

16 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm

I woke up with a sore throat that is still bothering me eight hours later. The only relief is swallowing something cold or sucking endlessly on sugar drenched cough drops. Either I'm getting sick, fucking again, which would just be...
Tidbits

FabulousMissS

10 Nov 2009 | 2:34 pm

I was putting Noah to bed tonight and while we were cuddling in the chair in his room, he was laying across my lap, sort of curled around my belly with his head on my chest. For reasons I cannot...
Shark

FabulousMissS

9 Nov 2009 | 6:29 pm

This past weekend we went to Pittsburgh to visit Marc's grandparents who are the best people I've ever met. We had a great time visiting, especially the half-day we spent at The Pittsburgh Zoo. It is my favorite zoo --...

The Integrated Mother®
That’s iNGENIOUS!

Michele Dortch

20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

I know I have some enterprising and innovative readers out there. If that’s you, then here’s your chance to share some of your ingenuity! iRobot, the company behind those nifty, floor-cleaning robots, is putting on a contest to attract moms like you, who represent the companies, families and communities that are making a difference. The That’s iNGENIOUS Challenge gives you the chance to share the ingenious ideas you’ve used at home, at work or at play to make your life better or easier for the people, places and pets you love. So rev up your thinking minds and visit…
My View: Mary Beth Evans

Michele Dortch

18 Nov 2009 | 5:05 am

Thanks to my friends at Hybrid Mom, I had an opportunity to interview fellow entrepreneur and mom, Mary Beth Evans. You might recognize Mary Beth’s name and photo from her work as an actress. But what you may not know about her is that’s she’s been the owner of Mary Beth’s Apple Pie Company since 2005. She’s also a regular blogger for Hybrid Mom. Between work, family and other interests, Mary Beth understands the work-life juggle. I hope you enjoy this inside peek into how Mary Beth manages it all: Name: Mary Beth Evans Schwartz Profession: Actress, Pie Maker,…
I can do anything

Michele Dortch

16 Nov 2009 | 10:35 am

Yesterday I participated in the Iron Girl 10-mile race in Tempe, AZ. It’s my sixth double-digit race (10+ miles) since I got back into running in 2007. People often ask me why I run and it’s quickly followed by, “I can’t imagine doing that!” Yea, neither could I back then. In my 20s, before marriage and before motherhood, I ran to maintain my fitness. But it had been years since I’d done any real physical activity because I forced myself to believe what a lot of moms believe, “Chasing my kids is plenty of exercise!” (Uh, that’s a myth by…

Ovolina.com
My children, overweight?

Anita

19 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am

Two of my children struggle with weight issues. My nine year old daughter Luisa is a bit overweight, and my three year old Livia is definitely overweight. It’s not about going through growth spurts. No, they’ re struggling with weight according to my pediatrician and the charts. And yes I look at them and see it myself. I know it’s important not to get fixated, obsessed with body image or the ‘outside’, but my children aren’t blind, especially my nine year old and more to the point being overweight carries many health risks, even for children. Luisa feels…
Time with family and what goes around comes around

Anita

15 Nov 2009 | 8:55 pm

I love Sundays when my husband is home.I feel like I belong to ‘us’ not to the place where we happen to live, and I feel at peace. As a military wife spending consecutive weeks with my husband is a treat, especially if we seem to be in complete harmony. Recently we behave as if we’ve just started dating. We find each others’ flat jokes hilarious, and even hold hands while we watch movies. But, having been married ten years we can slip right back into the groviness of family life, and a hearty fart in the car doesn’t surprise or spoil the mood, even though I…
Anita Tedaldi

Anita

13 Nov 2009 | 12:28 pm

Some days I feel like this. If you don’t like it, feel free to skip over or navigate away from the image. That’s the beauty of the internet. Today I have “impure and bad thoughts’ toward some people. I know I should raise above the anger. Trying. Trying some more, so I remembered this big guy. He seems content to just be. I already feel calmer looking at him. But wait he’s got an itch, no biggy his long horns will do the trick. Then there’s this other happy fellow, ready to be fed, oblivious to the emotions that pervade me. Or who knows maybe on some…

martinis for milk
We Are De Same

scarbie doll

27 Oct 2009 | 8:54 pm

Growing up Armenian meant people fell into two categories: "Dey are not like us," or "We are de same."Canadians, for example, fell into the "Dey are not like us" category. Their kids could stay out way past when the street lights came on. The parents were never home. They could wear makeup and have parties. They let their kids out with spaghetti sauce on their faces (I don't know why, but my mom was a stickler on that one). Their house rules were way too relaxed for the Armenian parent.Anyone who kinda, sorta looked like us fell immediately fell into the "We are de same" category. Greeks and…
It's not that I don't have much to say

scarbie doll

22 Oct 2009 | 9:09 pm

... it's that I have too much to say and not enough time. But there's more coming. Slowly. It's steeping like a good pot of tea right now.In the meantime, if you're so inclined to see what my family has been up to, I posted a lovely article on SweetMama about our visit last weekend to the Apple Pie Trail (which I didn't know existed until two weeks ago). You can take a peek at how much my favourite little people have grown.Hope you're all well. N
Continuity

scarbie doll

12 Oct 2009 | 7:33 pm

My dad. His "work friend." A cottage.It was all so... Canadian. Such a TV, Brady Bunch version of what life should look like. Which is all a 13-year-old girl wants. To have some semblance of life as it looks like on a sitcom. An 80s sitcom.(And ideally your parents are a lawyer and a doctor, and you live in a great brownstone with your kooky brother and sisters. And on fun nights you all do a choreographed lip-sync to Ray Charles. For the record... I was always Denise in my Huxtable fantasy...)My mom had just had some sort of surgery when all this was taking place. My sister and I had gone to…

A Day in the Life ...
NaBloPoMo'd - Fail

Karen MEG

15 Nov 2009 | 8:56 am

What was I thinking?I guess I really wasn't. November, for some reason, even when I wasn't working full time, has always been the busiest month for me. And certainly not the time to be contemplating NaBloPoMo. Knocked out at Day 12. I can barely keep the blog up, let alone post every day.I guess it was worth the try. I honestly have all sorts of posts in my head, but not the time to put them down in any comprehensible format.And then there's the matter of me travelling for work all next week. Uh, yeah. It will be interesting to see how the man fares, flying solo with the kids for the first…
Wordless Wednesday - Respect and Honour

Karen MEG

11 Nov 2009 | 6:42 pm
My kind of playdate

Karen MEG

10 Nov 2009 | 7:19 pm

The kids were off school yesterday, and I took a vacation day to spend time with them My daughter passed on the opportunity- she opted to spend the day with her best friend. But my boy, he wanted some quality time with his Mom.We went for a sushi lunch, and then caught the matinee showing of "This is It". If you haven't seen it yet, even if you're not an MJ fan... you should see it. This was just his rehearsal. His concert tour would have been out of this world. My favourite part? Watching my son's eyes fixated on the screen, with excitement and awe as Michael Jackson danced, sang and slid…

metalia
Five things I learned in Chicago--and elsewhere--this week

19 Nov 2009 | 8:17 pm

1. I AM APPARENTLY DEEPLY OBSESSED WITH FOOD. Perhaps it's Chicago's food more than anything, but I reread my (primarily food-related) tweets as my trip was drawing to a close, and I was like, "damn, self." And also "I need another cookie, maybe, to deal with this news." That town is full of crazy delicious food in general, but it's ALSO a big-ass hub of the best kosher meats, for some mysterious reason, which means that we come prepared during our visits. Preparation can be loosely defined as "procuring a bag of near-NASA-levels of insulation-related technology, so as to collect and store…
Top Five Freaky Fictional Five

15 Nov 2009 | 11:08 am

I am currently sitting here in beautiful….Newark Liberty Airport, waiting for my flight to Chicago to depart. [Spoiler alert: I have since landed. Safely, even!] I’m doing my best to distract myself, since, as I’ve mentioned time and again, I’m among the world’s most nervous flyers. And you know, people are always saying things like “oh, take a Valium!” to me when I bring up My Flying Issue, as if I just have Valium lying around, and AS IF they’re not talking to the girl who called Poison Control ON HERSELF because she got her hours mixed up while in a…
Happy, happy

11 Nov 2009 | 5:51 pm

I’ve never really been much of a dweller. By this, I do not mean that I am challenged by the act of living in a specific location, choosing instead to wander the country like a hobo named Snaggletooth Mary. (Alexa? Is that…is that a real person?) No, what I mean that when shit gets me down, I do my very best not to let it KEEP me down. I drive J crazy with this (in a…hopefully endearing way?), always trying to find the bright side like a damn Disney Princess. I’ve been having a bit of an icky week, and I try here—and in life, really—to focus on the good things. So indulge me, just…

Mamanista!
Spotlight on Creative Pretend Play (Hottest Holiday Toys Awards)

Candace

20 Nov 2009 | 4:26 am

Children are naturally creative. A few well-chosen toys are great “props” for their imagination. The Creative Pretend Play Winners from our Hottest Holiday Toys Awards all support role playing, creative exploration, and discovery. Color Me House ($40) has an eco-friendly alternative to pricey, plastic play houses. Plus, your child gets to decorate with friends. We like the rocket ($50)–blast off! Future fashion designers will be inspired byHarumika, a mannequin wuth a rubber “style lock system” for no-sew styling. (see the full review for a video of Harumika in…
Zambi Furreal Friends Giveaway

Candace

18 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

Zambi the Baby Elephant (Furreal Friends) is a charmer. He giggles and will even give you a kiss. But Zambi has a serious side–50% of the net profits go to benefit orphans of the AIDS epidemic in Africa as part of Project Zambi. Celebrities love Zambi, too and several signed special edition Zambi for an eBay fundraiser. When I met Baby Zambi at Toy Fair (video), I was captivated by his antics and also by his message. Zambi’s ears are decorated with a design by the children for whom he is an ambassador. And he comes with a bracelet so your child can show support for this…
Harumika Giveaway

Candace

17 Nov 2009 | 4:30 am

Next up on our 12 Days of Giveaways is another Hottest Holiday Toys Award-Winner. I fell in love with Harumika when I received it for review in July (full review + video of my three year old creating a fashion design with Harumika). And when I say “fell in love with” I mean that I actually play “Project Runway” with it at night when my daughter is sleeping. It is a simple and creative toy that any future fashion designer will love. You simply drape fabric around the mannequin and then press the excess into the rubber “style lock system” with the stylus. Reuse…

Real Life
MomTV: Regular Moms... on TV!

Real Life Sarah

18 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

If you've been hanging around my blog for any time, you have heard me talk about MomTV.com! You may have watched my show, or videos I've posted, or you may not even realize what it is!Mom TV is a quickly growing community designed for video sharing on topics that are important to its members. The LIVE streaming video network has over 70 shows weekly geared for Moms and Dads, where you can interact via text and video chat during the show with the host and other parents ~ topics range from parenting to going green.If you're not a member of MomTV, or watching some of the live streaming shows,…
Hannah's Story: The Other Side of Adoption, By Nicole Wick

Real Life Sarah

12 Nov 2009 | 7:22 pm

Please welcome guest blogger Nicole Wick (@nicolewick on twitter). Nicole is an adopted daughter, and graciously agreed to write in honor of National Adoption Month. Find Nicole at www.nicolewick.com, and www.xxxChurch.comI was adopted when I was three months old. My first home was an orphanage in Vietnam, one of many orphanages that housed thousands of children born out of the Vietnam war. I would have stayed in Vietnam had it not been for an international effort to airlift children out of the country before it fell to the communist regime. Like about three thousand other orphans, I flew out…
RL Review: Custom Choice Gluten Free Cereal

Real Life Sarah

11 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm

I've been learning a lot about the gluten-free diet these days. Several of my friends or their children follow the gluten-free diet for a variety of reasons. So I was intrigued when I was contacted by Hajo, from Custom Choice Cereal to try their custom made cereal!The concept of this North Carolina company is really neat! You create your own custom cereal, consisting of a gluten free base, then add dried fruit, seeds or nuts of your choice. Do you have a child that doesn't like nuts? Leave them out of your mix? Love dried apples? Put some in! You can choose your cereal components right on the…

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20 Nov 2009 | 9:47 am

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MomLogic
One Woman's Story about Having It All

MomLogic Staff

20 Nov 2009 | 3:38 pm

One single mom decided to splurge on a little something for herself.
Kids Reenact Thanksgiving with Smallpox

MomLogic Staff

20 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm

Wait ... this isn't the version of the first Thanksgiving we were taught in school!
Kids Watch: The Twilight Saga: 'New Moon'

MomLogic Staff

20 Nov 2009 | 2:20 pm

Get ready for the second installment of the latest thing your teens are obsessed with.

5 Minutes For Mom
HP TouchSmart 600 – Giveaway & Contest!

Janice

20 Nov 2009 | 3:12 pm

Enter to win a HP TouchSmart 600 for yourself and help us win another one for a deserving family! Get ready to drool ladies… We online moms appreciate technology — I mean a fabulous computer can make us shiver with love, and a slow, outdated machine can make us growl with frustration. So we realize that when we show you what we are about to giveaway, it might make you REALLY excited… and really desperate to win it. You might turn green. I know, cause I AM! I want this prize soooo badly!!! Yes, we are going to give one of you a new computer. And not just any computer. We are…
Win a 5-in-1 Tasty Baker!!!

Rachel

20 Nov 2009 | 2:13 pm

The 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is a perfect treat for getting your kids excited about eating! It is a table top appliance that can bake muffins, sweet bread, pancakes, corn bread, brownies, donuts, and even eggs – in about a third of the time of traditional cooking, AND in seven awesome shapes that are sure to catch your children’s attention! It has an adjustable thermostat control, fun recipes and tips on how to use it, and a custom sized batter scoop. My toddler loves cooking, so I knew she would be thrilled to try the Tasty Baker out. We started out making brownies, and have made…
Complete shock — Not one tear nor tantrum from dinner through bedtime!

Susan

20 Nov 2009 | 1:54 am

I love my girls so much I’d have to hire a poet to describe it. But most nights if you were spying through my blinds anytime from 5:00 pm through 8:00 pm, you’d likely hear some screaming, crying and tantruming. And you’d see me losing my patience. It’s no surprise to me that Super Nanny works on the parents behavior and not the kids. I know that it’s basically all about how I handle the situation and that my parenting is down-the-street-and-around-the-block from perfection. But tonight was such an example, it shocked me. I’m not saying I parented perfectly…

Chaos Theory
Reading material

Sherry

19 Nov 2009 | 8:18 pm

I went through a reading slump recently that was kind of driving me crazy. Really, it started in Halifax. I optimistically packed several books in my suitcase and then George and I ended up at a Chapters bookstore (oh Chapters, how I missed you) so I bought myself a copy of Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult. What a crazy person I was. There was no time for reading! Not really, anyway. I did manage to read a little here and there but I was too busy either trying to bang out all my work for the day as quickly as possible or else I was doing things like visiting Peggy’s Cove, wandering along…
I should probably be sleeping

Sherry

18 Nov 2009 | 7:19 pm

I felt like complete crap today so now that it’s a little after 10 pm I should probably just go to bed. However, since it’s not a gastro I still have an appetite and I’m hungry (see yesterday’s post - and by the way I did make the biscuits today). I also feel like having a steaming hot cup of green tea first, especially since I just got chilled by taking the dog out for her last pee. THEN it will be bed time. I am coughing like nobody’s business, pretty much the same way that Breanna was (and still is, but with less frequency), but I have the addition of aching…
Late night cravings

Sherry

17 Nov 2009 | 7:59 pm

I’ve heard that a lot of people who are trying to lose weight have had a lot of success by simply not eating anything after 8 pm. This is inconceivable to me because I get so hungry at night that it’s not even funny. I’m a big fan of chips as a snack but I’m also happy with cheese and crackers or making a cup of tea to drink with some cookies. Tonight there is NOTHING in this place for me to eat. Well, obviously that’s not completely true. It’s not like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard or anything. What I really mean is that there’s nothing here that…

An Island Life
$50 to HallmarkParty.com Giveaway

Kailani

20 Nov 2009 | 2:01 am

A while ago I had the opportunity to review a personalized photo party plate by Hallmark and I was very impressed with the quality, color, and glossy finish of the product. It was pretty cool to see an actual photo incorporated into the overall design and you can even include a personal message on the back. The only downside is that I think I would have a hard time throwing it away when I was done eating. “Hallmark Personalized Plates are a great way to show how well you know and love the guest of honor at the party,” notes assistant product manager Adam Cannon. “Our consumers tell us…
Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure (#8)

CPA Mom

20 Nov 2009 | 2:01 am

Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure (#8) by: Anthony Horowitz List Price: $17.99 Reading level: Young Adult Hardcover: 388 pages Publisher: Philomel (November 17, 2009) Language: English From the publisher: The Alex Rider Adventures by Anthony Horowitz have already spent over a year on the New York Times best seller list and sold 12 million copies in English alone, with sales of over 5 million in the US . The next installment of this flagship action series for boys Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure (#8) by Anthony Horowitz will be published on November 17, 2009 followed by a…
Aloha Friday #109

Kailani

19 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends! My question is: What are you thankful for? Well, besides some of the obvious blessings like my…

Baby Bunching
baby bunching challenge: all around the dinner table: part II (getting there)

Linda Kerr

19 Nov 2009 | 5:33 pm

Yesterday we covered how to get everyone around the table, but sometimes the hardest part is getting the food there in the first place. Rushing put dinner on the table with a screaming hungry infant and a toddler underfoot is no fun at all. Over the years, we've learned that the key to dinner time sanity is simplification and pre-prep. No matter how much you may love to cook (and we both do), your culinary skills are lost on your toddler. Again, that's not to say that you have to eat garbage all the time, but cut yourself some slack and save the fancier dishes or…
baby bunching challenge: all around the dinner table, part I

Linda Kerr

18 Nov 2009 | 1:47 pm

We received this question from Baby Buncher Jeanette. Q: I'm looking for advice for dinnertime. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old (19 months apart). Basically so far I've survived by feeding everyone at different times (including me and my husband!). This keeps the chaos at bay but I would love to get us all at the table for some together time. Oh, and the toddler the toddler has now decided she should sit in the highchair again, ugh. So the baby is left to roam the floor while I cook. Any suggestions? Is it unrealistic? A: This is a two part question - A) How to get…
kodak party in da house!

Linda Kerr

16 Nov 2009 | 7:14 pm

Cara recently took part in a Kodak Gallery house party hosted by her mom and scored fifty 40% off coupons for Kodak Gallery orders (including prints, which were recently lowered to 9 cents a print)! Because the holidays are coming up and there’s nothing a Baby Buncher loves more than to plaster the faces of her precious darlings all over her holiday cards (and mugs, and mouse pads, and photo books, etc.), thought we’d share them with you. To get one (which is good for your entire order), here’s what you have to do: Tweet and either link back to one of our posts or to us…

the calm before the stork
so nice, i bought it twice

calm mama

19 Nov 2009 | 9:46 am

I think we have entered the obsessive phase of toddlerhood. Anyone have advice on when this ends? It started like this: Ages ago, I saw a pair of jeans in Baby Gap. Fake distressed, with fake patches, and an embroidered skull. I thought they were ridiculously cute, and so very very wrong, and too expensive at almost $30. So I waited for them to go on sale, since ridiculousness in toddler fashion is easier to bear at a discount. In the meantime, enter Halloween. The kid is still obsessed with Halloween. Nearly every day since November 1, as we leave our house, he looks around the neighborhood…
see the sound

calm mama

10 Nov 2009 | 9:37 pm

This morning, he says: What’s happening in here? Mommy carry you to see the sound. I say: What do you mean? What sound? He says: You can feel it in your bones. Tonight he says: What is that sound in your ear? Scott and I say: What sound? What do you hear? It’s quiet in the room right now. Do you mean the sound outside? A car going by? An airplane? He says: Want to go outside and see the sound. Put on your pants and shoes and go outside. At first, I say no. It’s so close to bedtime. But then I realize, why not? I put my shoes on, carry him — in his PJs and socks —…
and then, out of nowhere, he says

calm mama

4 Nov 2009 | 3:14 pm

Jonah and I are in the car driving to music class this morning. We’re listening to classical music, commenting to each other about the construction vehicles we see as we pass them by. Out of nowhere, he says, “Leila is all gone.” I am completely taken aback. “Yes, Jonah,” I say, “Leila is all gone.” A moment passes. “She was in the hospital.” Over the last few weeks, Jonah has visited David, and the kids, Jacob and Joseph, with us several times at their house. The last time Jonah saw Leila was about a month ago and eight days before she…

Burgh Baby
"If the Beastie Boys Were to Collaborate with Mr. Rogers"

Burgh Baby

19 Nov 2009 | 8:17 pm
Yeah. It Matters.

Burgh Baby

18 Nov 2009 | 6:33 pm

Since starting the Christmas Crazy for Kids shenanigans, I've received dozens of emails and messages from people talking about their own craptacular Christmas experiences. Some have been funny, some have brought tears to my eyes, and all have reminded me that it really does matter that all kids have a chance to receive a toy for the holidays.One email in particular struck a chord, so I asked the author if I could share it. The following are some of her words.*************************************************************************Hi,I just realized that I don't know your name but I have been…
I Wish I Could Say the Dora Toys Were Exempt from Procreation

Burgh Baby

17 Nov 2009 | 6:46 pm

I could have saved a small fortune if I had known, but I had no idea. I thought that in order to obtain toys, you had to spend money or find someone to give them to you. Nope. Not true. All you have to do if you want some toys is to send a few off to a storage shed. Once that door closes and the mice and bugs start to invade, those toys get . . . ahem . . . "busy." They multiply. They breed. They make like the Duggars and procreate.There is no other explanation.When we lived in the tiny little townhouse, it was a constant struggle to keep the pile of plastic toy factory puke under control…

Cowgirl Yoga
Hawaiian Cowgirl

19 Nov 2009 | 1:18 pm

4 days later I am no longer in denial about vacation being over. I adore Montana, but I think coming back to almost anywhere from Hawaii requires an adjustment, no? So, since winter has arrived or is approaching in many places, I wanted to share some fun pictures from our trip to warm things up.Back in high school, I briefly considered pursuing a career as a marine biologist. Not kidding. I had a flashback to that feeling, when husband and I snorkeled almost every day and saw the most amazing underwater life: insanely colored fish with equally colorful names like unicornfish, humu humu nuku…
JADE goes Cowgirl

17 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

When you get the December '09 issue of Yoga Journal, flip to page 25 to see me and Morgane in an ad for JADE Yoga. The copy reads, Philosophy: Add a little Yeehaw to Your Namaste. Of course. Thanks JADE for featuring Cowgirl Yoga! This pic was taken at the Cowgirl Yoga Ranch this past spring, and the equine model is Flash. He's got a great butt, doesn't he?And if you haven't tried a JADE mat, I highly recommend adding it to your holiday wish list...
Break-It-Down Yoga

16 Nov 2009 | 3:15 pm

While I recover from jetlag (aren't those overnight flights the worst? I am guessing I won't be getting much sympathy though, after a week in Hawaii), so that I can form more coherent and thoughtful blog thoughts, I wanted to share my latest on Athleta Chi. One of my favorite things to do with yoga students is to show them how to break down a “crazy” pose into smaller, attainable steps; Break It Down: Ease Into Advanced Asanas reflects this element of my teaching style. Leave your comments on the Chi, send me your advanced asana stories and pictures, and let me know if there are other…

Starryskye.org
SO Not A Programmer

Christine

17 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am

I realized today that I an not and will never be a “Programmer” when it comes to software and (web) development. It took going thru (and doing poorly in) a Javascript class and now trying to stay awake and pay attention in my Programming class to make me realize this. It’s just really not for me. I don’t mind a little javascript and a little programming – but I seriously SERIOUSLY hate math and today the majority of our assignments were all about ‘order of operations’ and logic. While it’s sorta easy since it’s beginning math stuff (remember: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt…
Listia.com – Like eBay for Free Stuff!

Christine

16 Nov 2009 | 12:04 pm

If you are poor like me or are just trying to stick to a budget then you NEED to check out Listia.com! Listia is awesome because everything on the site being offered is offered for free. It seems similar to the book swapping website (that I am forgetting the name of right now) where you earn credits and ’spend’ those earned credits on books. But Listia is an “auction” website for free stuff! Everything on Listia is being given away by users for free. You can get items for free by using credits instead of cash. Each item is being auctioned off using those credits for…
Give Me A Break!

Christine

12 Nov 2009 | 8:29 am

I’ve had a nasty cold for the past week or so and a migraine for almost 2 days. The migraine is due, I believe, to the wonderful rain storm or “Nor’easter” that is currently hitting us. Looks like a lame hurricane to me but I grew up in Florida – land of rain. School’s are closed today so Xander and I are home. Xander is playing Mario Kart on our Wii and I’m holed up on the couch under a quilt. Hubby went to work even though we got a message this morning that only “essential” persons are to go to the bases. I guess he thinks he’s…

Cool Zebras
Get something, give something!

Heather

20 Nov 2009 | 6:04 am

I signed on to participate in a Pay it Forward game thingie...and since the holidays are right around the corner thought this would be a great time to spread the love.This is how it works:The first five people to post a comment here will get something made by me, especially for you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.2- I will create something with you in mind.3-Supposedly I have a year to get it to you. But it will NOT take that long.4- The item will be a surprise. You will also need to send me an…
Candy Conundrum: A Haiku

Heather

19 Nov 2009 | 5:47 am

The kids have sortedall their Halloween candy,keeping only some.The rest in a pailsupposedly for Daddyto take to his work.Except it's still herebecause someone else eats it.So what if it's me?********* If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog. Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not. ;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!
Drool

Heather

18 Nov 2009 | 5:01 am

More Wordless Wednesday.********* If you have the time, please consider clicking through to my blog. Also, if you comment, I get warm fuzzies and I think you're cool...even if you're not. ;)(But you totally are you know.) Thanks!

drowning In kids
i push, i pull, the days, go slow

drowninginkids

16 Nov 2009 | 10:36 pm

i am so tired of this loneliness then answer your phone asshole. i can't. i can't. i don't know what to say. i'm afraid of what i might say. he said you're making it hard for him there is nothing i can do about that. all i can do these days is sleep, work, parent and sit in my bed and participate in this endless void of both heady and lowly banter. i don't have the mental capacity to even begin to address those words, the audacity of them. you put your angel wing necklace on again i need it. i feel at the end of my rope. i can't take another single thing. i still have so many things to deal…
random thoughts while laying in bed/lying in bed

drowninginkids

13 Nov 2009 | 10:47 am

I have been sick with the flu for three weeks. It has been really yucky. My oldest daughter has been sick that long too. (We each felt better for a few days and then it came back even worse.) My youngest daughter caught it on monday and i put her on TamiFlu and she was better in two days - get yourself some TamiFlu if you get sick. I weighed myself this morning when i picked up the kids and i have lost 15 pounds since the last time i weighed myself which was probably back in march when i lived in a house with a scale. I weigh the same as the day i got married. I think i might try on my…
The Great Interview Experiment

drowninginkids

9 Nov 2009 | 10:13 pm

Neil is brilliant. He is a master of getting people to his blog. He is funny and charming on twitter. He writes and links to lots of people. He starts small little scurries of opinion. All of it makes him someone that everybody knows. I do know him, i spent a few hours hanging out with him in Chicago last summer and found him charming and gracious and kind. Anyway, he is doing his yearly Great Interview Experiment and i am taking part. I was interviewed by "D" at Decoy Betty and here is what i had to say: Why is believing there is magic in this world so important to you? I think, if i am…

MammaDawg
TwiCon Las Vegas 2010 Roll Call

MammaDawg

4 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am

Image courtesy of Twicon.orgTwilight. True Blood. The Vampire Diaries. Black Dagger Brotherhood. Guess who's going to the Vegas TwiCon, baby?!And I'm not the only one - shout outs to my twitter peeps below. Roll call!!Psst! Are you attending as well? Holla below or send me an email at mammadawg [at] gmail [dot] com with your Twitter username. When you're tweeting, don't forget to add @Vixen_Vamp's hashtag #TwiConVegas and follow the Twitter List below: TwiCon Vegas Peeps on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/MammaDawg/twiconvegasWatch out, Sin…
Vampire Geisha and the Dead Doorman

MammaDawg

2 Nov 2009 | 7:14 pm

Totally guilty of rockin' the vamp geisha outfit from earlier this year at the San Francisco Twi-Tour's Vampire Ball. When I met Kellan Lutz. *catches breath*But HALE. I didn't wear it for (in singsong) Halloween...!*grins*Last year, I was the Mad Hatter Hostess and Hubz sported a top hat with white rabbit ears. Cute, right?So this year, I figured - what the hell - I'mma bust it out for the party. Here's the pic I tweeted that night, but you can't see my fangs. :(Actually, they're these custom-fit "Love Bites" fangs, and are really subtle. Take a looksie:Did you see Hubz's picture? Every…
Help us Welcome Gil at England's "New Moon Rising"

MammaDawg

11 Oct 2009 | 8:05 pm

Calling all Twilight fans attending the "New Moon Rising" Twilight Convention in England... are you down to have some fun with us???If you will be attending this event come October 16th - 18th, and you're up for some mischief to be had with the one and only, Gil Birmingham... holla!The official "Gilstigator" - @lovegardenia - is looking to make sure Gil gets a warm welcome at New Moon Rising, and has cooked up a bit of mischief. But we need YOUR help.Send me an email at mammadawg [dot] gmail [dot] com for more info. And just for fun, check out the video below for Gil's very first acting gig -…

It's A Schmitty Life
Anissa

18 Nov 2009 | 1:23 pm

This community, sometimes called the Blogosphere, never ceases to amaze me. When a fellow blogger is in need, this Internet Family, joins together at record speed to offer support.Quite honestly, it blows my mind.I've only been blogging for less than two years. That's not a long time. I haven't been lucky enough to meet any bloggers in real life. Though I hope to some day. I have however, witnessed the outpouring of love that is forever being extended in so many ways.Many read, in horror, when Nie Nie and her husband were in a life altering airplane crash during August of 2008. Then hearts…
The Older Woman

17 Nov 2009 | 10:31 am

"Mom, J. and I met two girls today. They want to be our girlfriends!" W. informed me.I smiled and asked, "Oh really? What are their names?""I don't know.....but they are 7th graders!!" He gushed.Ah. Older women.I figured he'd probably never see these girls again. And if they did cross paths in school, I was pretty sure he'd be ignored. I mean, he's ONLY in 6th grade and those girls are practically teenagers!Heh.A few days later, I got the dreaded phone call from the nurse's office. Ever since the media freaked America out with news of the Swine Flu, I've been waiting for the shoe to drop in…
They Worked Hard For The Money

9 Nov 2009 | 10:02 am

My boys and their friend decided they wanted to earn some cash last weekend. Yes, I said EARN. My children, who haven't earned an allowance in months because they can't do a couple of simple chores without being pestered, were going to do some hard labor!I'm as shocked as you.They grabbed some rakes and began knocking on our neighbor's doors. Mr. P., who lives across the street, was their first taker (which was very sweet as he has a lawn service).He told the kids that he would pay them $2.00 each to rake the front lawn. They accepted and jumped right in; putting their nose to the…

The Green Mom Review™
Weebits for Wee Feet

Katherine

20 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

What: Weebit Hemp Baby Slippers Features: These snazzy slippers come in a variety of colors and patterns; the tops are adorned with a wee little piggy face made of wool felt Green Factor: Weebits boast hemp tops lined with organic cotton and sturdy, recycled rubber soles (they used to be car tires!) Bonus: Fits up to 18 months. Each pair is shipped in a super cool box that look like a truck! Find It Here: Buy Green The Green Mom Review™..
To Save and Protect

Katherine

17 Nov 2009 | 5:22 am

What: 7 Outlet Smart Strip Surge Protector Features: Protects against power surges, saves energy and money by shutting down electronics AUTOMATICALLY! Green Factor: Uses 1 watt when fully charged; uses NO POWER when the switched outlets are turned off! Bonus: Pays for itself within a mere three months Find It Here: Choose Renewables On Our Blog: Disinfectant Overkill The Green Mom Review™..
Disinfectant Overkill

Janet

15 Nov 2009 | 10:28 pm

Disinfectant chemicals have a purpose and place, but should be used very sparingly as scientific studies have shown that disinfectant chemicals have been linked to chronic health issues like asthma, hormone imbalance, potential reduced fertility, and immune system problems. What kind of disinfectant chemicals are we talking about? The kind we come in contact with everyday in household bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, triclosan in antibacterial soaps and other antibacterial products and nano-silvers found in antibacterial plastics, textiles, soaps and other materials. Visit Women’s Voices…

SafeMama.com
Review: Britax Chaperone Travel System

Kathy

20 Nov 2009 | 8:24 am

We were given the unique opportunity to product test Britax’s new Chaperone Travel System. After spending a few months with it, we are happy to report many positive things about its performance and think it’s an excellent choice of travel systems on the market right now. I’ll start with the infant carriers features. The Chaperone [...] Related posts:Review: The New Britax Advocate CSReview: Britax Boulevard CS Car SeatBooster Seat Safety and the Britax Parkway SG
Review: Sprout Organic Baby Food

Statia

19 Nov 2009 | 1:34 pm

Now that the days of baby food are here in my house once again, I’ve been on the hunt for all of the “homemade” types of baby food. Now, I’ll confess my snobbery here, for giving my baby only homemade of my own, but I’ll also confess that the second child really does get [...] Related posts:Baby Cubes: BPA & Phthalates Free Food Storage for BabyGerber Baby Food and Number 7 PlasticsDear SafeMama: Yo Baby Organic Yogurt and Polystyrene
Dear SafeMama: What’s TPR and Is It Safe? Answer from The Soft Landing!

Kathy

10 Nov 2009 | 6:55 am

Question: Do you know the identity of the soft, non-skid “rubbery” parts that are often included on Sassy or Munchkin products? These seem a lot like PVC to me, but might be silicone. I know they are BPA free and SAY they are PVC free, but then what exactly is the material and is it safe? Answer: [...] Related posts:SafeMama & The Soft Landing Holiday GiveawayFAQ: Teethers made of EVA SafeFAQ: Nuby Products, Which Ones Are Safe?

Val's Views
Happy Halloween

valmg

31 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am

A Contest Blog. New blog contests and giveaways every day. List yours for free. ADVERTISING AVAILABLE NOW. Free recipes on Fun, Crafts and Recipes
Beau-coup Fall Giveaway

valmg

24 Oct 2009 | 7:29 pm

Last year I learned about a company named Beau-coup that specializes in party favors. From their website: “Beau-coup is a recognized leader in the wedding favor and bridal gifts industry. In recent years, we have also increased our offerings to include baby shower favors, baptism favors, birthday party favors, graduation party favors, anniversary party favors and the list grows and grows. We believe your favors should be meaningful and as unique as you are so we are dedicated to thinking outside the box to find gifts that will delight even the toughest critic.” Beau-coup carries all sorts…
Dove Go Fresh Burst Review

valmg

15 Oct 2009 | 11:28 am

I received a sample of the Dove’s newest member of the Go Fresh family - Burst. The Burst scent is a combination of juicy nectarine and white ginger. The body wash smells absolutely fantastic! I really liked the fresh and sort of fruity scent, it’s much nicer than those super flowery scents. It lathered nicely and rinsed clean. The beauty bar with hydrating lotion in it also smells like the body wash. The soap cleaned well without drying out my skin. It rinsed easily and left no filmy residue. The deodorant smells almost the same as the body wash. I did feel protected when I used…

Mom Knows It All. (I know EVERYTHING - just ask my hubby.)
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - Bamboo FurBuster - With Giveaway

valmg

19 Nov 2009 | 8:15 pm

Meet my cat Romeo. He’s a 4 year old Himalayan cat - the only breed of cat I’ve had for years. They have very long hair and they sure can shed. When we moved furniture last week even I was shocked at the amount of cat hair that was under the furniture. It looked like this, times about a thousand. It suddenly became clear why even when we had no cat we kept finding cat hair everywhere. To have this type of cat groomed professionally costs $35 - $75, depending on where you go. That kind of money doesn’t come easily these days so we’ll be handling the grooming ourselves.
2009 Mom Knows It All Holiday Gift Guide

valmg

19 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm

Mom Knows It All Holiday Gift Guide has just launched with the hopes of helping families to get ready for the holiday season. The guide will contain family friendly gift ideas for all ages and all budget ranges. Products will come from all categories and price points. Visit often because the gift guide will be a fluid one, meaning that items will be listed individually and in one central location on the gift guide page. A number of companies have generously offered to sponsor giveaways as well. There are still a few spots left in the gift guide. Please visit the gift guide page to learn more.
Pledge To Fight Germs, Get A Wet Ones Coupon And Help Kids In Need

valmg

19 Nov 2009 | 5:57 pm

This flu season, the Wet Ones® brand is asking you to visit www.WetOnes.com to pledge to help stop the spread of germs in your community. Using Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes are proven to clean hands and kill 99.99% of germs. Starting today, the first 100,000 pledges at www.WetOnes.com will generate a donation of one Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes travel pack to the Kids In Need Foundation, a national organization that provides school supplies to children in thousands of schools across the country. Upon signing the pledge, you will also receive a downloadable coupon redeemable for $1.50 off…

Good Enough Mama
Throw Me a Fecking Bone for Feck’s Fecking Sake

goodmum

17 Nov 2009 | 7:34 am

I wish I were kidding but sadly I’m not. The swine flu, he has it. The swine flu he’s got. Yes, my boy has a fever of one hundred and three(s). He’s achy and breaky from his head to his knees (ok, ankles, but ankles doesn’t rhyme with three(s)). We got him a ’script for the meds, Tamiflu. They’ve run out of liquid. What shall we do? We open the capsules and pour out the powder. We stir it up well and make iced-tea-swine chowder. I’m kicking myself for avoiding the vaccine. I feel like an idiot…do you know what I mean? I’m sure that some…
Tie. Quan. Doh!

goodmum

9 Nov 2009 | 5:42 pm

I’ll save you the boring shit that has been my life for the past several weeks. After Jenn emailed me a few days (ok, if we’re going to be truthful and shit, it was more like a week) ago asking if I was alive or dead, I realized that it’s been a shitload of time (again) since I bloooooogged. Honestly? I’m feeling shit-ish and depressed and bitchier-than-thou lately. I’m healthy now, but my house looks like fecking animals took over and my Hubs looks at me like I’ve grown a pair of antennae from my nostrils when I ask him to lift a fecking finger and…
It’s Real Now.

goodmum

23 Oct 2009 | 5:08 am

I have bronchitis. I also have an inhaler and codeine. Colour me sleepy and yet high. Little Man has a snotty nose today. Colour me a shitty weekend.

FundraisingIP.com: Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising Through the Holiday Season

FundraisingIP.com

17 Nov 2009 | 12:10 pm

The holiday season represents a special opportunity to maximize fundraising events. By thinking creatively and putting a new spin on old methods, you will attract more volunteers, thereby gathering more donations. The idea is to raise awareness, gather volunteers, communicate regularly and specialize in one fundraising activity that your group does well. Fundraiser kickoff Raise awareness [...] Related posts:Ideas For Holiday Fundraisers
Christmas Greenery Fundraiser

FundraisingIP.com

17 Nov 2009 | 12:05 pm

Christmas greenery products are an excellent way to make money for your needy organization. Christmas greenery is easy to sell and is well-received by customers. A Christmas greenery sale has all the makings of a highly successful seasonal fundraiser. In order to include and address everyone in your fundraiser, be sure to offer items representative [...] Related posts:Make Money With a Valentine’s Day FundraiserFundraising With ChocolateThe Warm Glow Of Fundraising: Candle Fundraisers
Ideas For Holiday Fundraisers

FundraisingIP.com

17 Nov 2009 | 11:57 am

Many religious holidays are celebrated during the winter months, which makes this time of year a great time for fundraising. Whether your potential sponsors and supporters celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah doesn’t matter; decorative items for the home, wrapping paper for presents and items representative of winter make appropriate fundraising items just about anyone will [...] Related posts:Fundraising Through the Holiday SeasonEasy Profits With Stationary FundraisersFundraisers To Raise Funds And Team Spirit

The Adventures of QTMama
The Week in Review

So this has been an excellent week. EXCELLENT. Let’s review. Monday: Day off of work. W to the OOT. Em had school, so when my Mama called and asked if I’d like to go to the casino, I said sure, why not. I brought $40 to spend that day. I was approximately six dollars into [...]
Dating In Your *Cough* Late(r) Thirties

You know what, dating in your thirties? I’ve not been … well, quiet about the fact I think it sucks. I mean, this is the world according to QT so bear with me. Now, if I meet a man who is my age (over 35), and he hasn’t been married? RED FLAG. If I meet a [...]
Life Life Life

1) Miss Emilee had a bit of the rebound of the piggy flu from last week. She was fine on Wednesday but went downhill fast again on Thursday. Her fevers were high, and it scared me. She’s not a fever-ie kid, never really has been. So to see a high of 104.3? Yeah, it bothered me. [...]

Veep Veep - Drives Like a Mother
Twilight New Moon

Veep Veep

20 Nov 2009 | 12:05 am

Everyone should go see a midnight showing of a movie at least once in their life. The first time should probably not be a flick for teens. Like Twilight New Moon. Which was my first time ever seeing a first showing of a movie. No not Lord of the Rings or Star Wars or even The Matrix…. Twilight New Moon. Yes, folks… I realize that’s got all kinds of hilarious stamped on it. A movie shown to three packed theaters of teens. And if you are in a theater full of teens they will most likely scream every time Edward walks on screen or Jacob is shirtless.. which is pretty much always. So…
17 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

Veep Veep

17 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

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Ladies Who Lunch

Veep Veep

16 Nov 2009 | 7:51 pm

You know what the best conversation to have over lunch is? Mucus discharge. Seriously. Over a nice roasted beet, goat cheese and walnut salad. Followed by a grilled vegetable panini and seasonal berries with a dollop of whipped cream. Oh sorry, I must be the only one who does that. Along with all of these ladies. Not bad company to be around… no matter the topic J We gathered at Spa Chakra on Fifth to hear some Vicks executives (who all are moms of twins!!!) discuss various new products for the Vicks brand and scientific research on cold and flu. I’d already used the new products from…

Diet Coke-Fueled Life
Happy Happy Joy Joy

14 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

In honor of me being even happier than this pancake--or while eating this pancake--I give you Happy Cakes this week. Why so happy? Urgh. I knew you'd ask. Lots and lots and lots of reasons, including, but not limited to: the (school) trimester is almost over; Thanksgiving is coming, which means my trip to Disney World is close behind, which means so is the celebration of the blessed (read that as bless-ED) event (my birthday); Mr. Coffee makes me laugh my fool head off (in a good way--thanks to Velcro, I can put it back on) and is awesome; my Mary Kay business is doing well and I have a new…
My facebook status update. We'll be back to regular blogging soon--I swear.

14 Nov 2009 | 7:52 am

REALLY really really needs your help! I've been challenged to schedule TEN Mary Kay parties by November 15. I need TWO MORE!!!They can take place any time in November (part of the challenge). Treat yourself and some girlfriends before the holiday craziness begins!These can take place in person, or if you're really busy, host an ONLINE party--you don't even have to clean the house!!!(And if you're already having one, get a friend to host a party and YOU get a special treat!)Email me to find out how easy this is--and learn about all the great stuff you can earn!!!
I know I know I know. I haven't been a good blogger at ALL!

7 Nov 2009 | 9:05 pm

I have to announce a winner or two for something although I need a quick review to remember the who's and what's of it all. And I haven't Grace in Small Things-ed in, like a million years. And I'm sure I have a rant or ten about a thousand things. And my friends keep doing amazing things you need to know about!!! And I've been dating. I will catch up. I WILL!I've been grading essays both for my own classes and for other classes. Yes, other people's classes. At one of the schools I teach at (bad syntax, so sue me), teachers in other departments have adjunct English professors evaluate their…

The Redheaded Lefty
Come on over!

2 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

All, I've moved. Thanks for tracking me down via email. Please find me here And update your feedreaders, too, why dontcha. Still working on getting everything situated.
Taking it private.

27 Oct 2009 | 9:10 am

Dear all:The time has comefor me to close down shophereat The Redheaded Lefty.It's been more than five years.Lots of friendslots of good times,many memories.I'm going to start up againsomewhere elsewhere I can maintainsome levelof anonymity.This afternoon,I will be making this blog private.You can email me if you'd like the password.Also, I'll let you knowwhen I have another blog up and running.Thanks for all of your well wishes and thoughtsand commentsover the years.Kisses and hugs.Ashley
What the world needs fewer of.

25 Oct 2009 | 5:13 pm

Courts that sentence a woman to lashes for being involved in a show where a man talked about having pre-marital sex.

Hope4Peyton
I’m going to need a little help on this one…

mayhewp

20 Nov 2009 | 4:58 am

This site has seen my family through many good times and bad in the past. It’s time to dust it off and re-purpose it a bit. This is that old comfortable pair of blue jeans you put on when you’ve got some work to do. And we’ve got some work to do. So, right now, I’m sitting on my couch, watching the exact same show I watched the first night when Peyton was diagnosed. I just needed to hear the theme song really. It’s kind of funny that the same episode is on….”Enterprise: The Expanse”. I really should be writing checks to bills that are…
Closing up shop

AnissaM

20 Jul 2009 | 4:00 am

Well, it is that day. The day I move over to the new blog. I’ll also let you in on a little secret….I slack, therefore I am…usually. So, check out the other site I’m launching with some of my very best bloggity buds. It’s cool and funny and I like to think of it as the mothership blog that landed in my backyard and said “take me to your leader” and I was too lazy to send them anywhere else. Thank you. For everything. For caring and reading and being a part of our lives here. I hope I see you soon. XOXOXO Anissa and the whole Mayhew gang
Ford’s Listening, You Got Things To Say?

AnissaM

17 Jul 2009 | 1:57 pm

A friend of mine was telling me about how they equipped their driving-age teenager’s car with a monitoring system…without their knowledge…enabling them to track where she was going and whether or not her car was where she said it was supposed to be WHEN it was supposed to be there. My inner sixteen-year old said, “WHOOOAAA! That’s a dirty trick and an invasion of my privacy and don’t you trust me?” *insert ear-wrenching amounts of whining* My outside mom said, “WHOOAAAA! BEST.IDEA.EVER!” I mean, I want my kids to have some freedom when it…

If I Could Escape . . .
Red-faced and shamed at the dentist . . .

Karen @ If I Could Escape . . .

19 Nov 2009 | 6:46 pm

I think we all need a lesson in humility. Mine came the other morning. I had woken up to a messy kitchen — dirty dishes in the sink, caked on food on my stove top and crumbs all over the counters and dining room table. If there is one thing I hate worse than laundry, it is a dirty kitchen. I won’t go to bed with it like that unless I am sick . . . which is exactly what I was and I had been assured it would all be taken care of. Obviously, this was not the case, but worse than the messy disaster was the fact that there were ants marching across my kitchen counter. Yes,…
Wordless/Wordful Wednesday . . . Windy or wot?

Karen @ If I Could Escape . . .

19 Nov 2009 | 4:39 am

Better late than never with my WW . . . right? I chaperoned my middle son’s field trip to Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) a couple of weeks ago where we had a great time. The kids got to see and participate in many fascinating science exhibits including lying on a bed of nails, learning about weather, and dissecting some unmentionables. We also got to see an IMAX movie in the amazing Dome theatre — the kids all got a treat out of being perched up high, but us grown-ups were a bit wary!! MOSI makes for a great day out for the family — I’ve not yet…
Random Tuesday Thoughts . . . Touch the worm

Karen @ If I Could Escape . . .

17 Nov 2009 | 6:18 am

Can’t believe it’s Tuesday again . . . all ready!! It comes around fast it does, so here goes my random thoughts . . . My mum flew out to Edinburgh last week and will be there for Thanksgiving . . . living it up with her family . . . and I’m so happy for her. But, the boys and I will really miss her. Thanksgiving is always such a special holiday for us. It’s the start of the official holiday season, the parade, the football, the turkey and trimmings, the sales and our homemade thankful tree. *sigh* It’s going to be especially hard for my boys this…

The Wise (*Young*) Mommy
1-2-3 Magic, Thank You For Being You

19 Nov 2009 | 4:18 pm

We have been having quite the crisis around my house lately. No, not the one where I lost my jobs. No, not the one where I have lost my mind with stress and depression over having lived with my in-laws for five years, the entire length of my marriage. No, the one I am talking about is the one in which my 3 1/2-year-old daughter, the former angel baby, glorious sleeper and perfectly behaved little model child decided that being well behaved was, like, totally 2008 and she was going to do what all the "cool toddlers" were doing and make everybody's life miserable.What a little joiner.I've…
Help for Anissa Mayhew

18 Nov 2009 | 9:26 am

This is taken from The Spohrs Are Multiplying, about Anissa Mayhew of Aiming Low, whom you may know from around the blogging community, Twitter, etc. She's hilariously funny, sweet and talented and tragically suffered a stroke yesterday:12 pm Eastern UPDATE FROM ANISSA’S HUSBAND: What we know is she had a massive stroke. She bled into the brainstem and pons areas of the brain. She is no longer sedated but still unconcious and unresponsive. Vitals are mostly stable except for a lowgrade fever most likely due to the damage to the pons. The pons control the bodies ability to regulate…
How Unemployment Got Me Out of a Ticket

17 Nov 2009 | 6:32 am

Well, I have something else to be grateful for today. My unfortunate situation of finding myself without a job has gotten me out of a speeding ticket, however, you might say that I wouldn't have been in the situation of getting the ticket in the first place if it weren't for the unfortunate unemployment, but that's neither here not there. Here's what happened.This morning I went to the unemployment office for the second time to apply for my benefits of which I have been paying into for years and have never taken advantage of. I have never actually even LOST a job, nevermind collected…

Three Bright Stars
Coming Soon: Open Office Girl

Liz

20 Nov 2009 | 8:19 am

My computer is a few years old now, and I have often experimented with different programs, extensions and other downloads, which are not always permanent additions to my computing routine. As a result, even though I frequently delete things I don’t use, the laptop got slower and slower. Luckily, my computer can be restored to its factory condition, so after saving everything on an external drive, Husband took an evening to do the restoration. The one program that I knew I didn’t have (I’ve misplaced it, or something) is MS Office. I haven’t used Office extensively…
Embrace The Podcast III

Liz

16 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

Did I hear you ask for more PODCASTS!? Some podcasts are just ear candy: short fuzzy elucidations on interesting subjects, not too much to be stressful, told by people whose voices call to mind the nicest, cutest, most easy-to-get-along-with people you have ever known. The subjects are usually historical personalities and events of which you have forgotten the details and on which you will appreciate a refresher. The Stuff You Should Know podcast is much like the above, but the cuties are male. Also, the subjects are things like how bankruptcy works, what a hangover is, and whether it is…
Kid-E-Bar

Liz

15 Nov 2009 | 7:18 pm

We love taking the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese. They get excited about the Chuck-E money, the games, the balloons, the big inanimate Chuck-E characters, including the horse – everything, in fact, except the food. No one gets excited about the food; it’s not the point at all. The Chuck-E franchise is quite right to charge enormous sums for greased bread disks and dry hot dogs. The point is: endless pop, fun fun fun, and beer for the adults. It’s a bar! For kids! Chuck-E-Cheese = Kid-E-Bar What the kids love about Chuck-E-Cheese is the feeling of importance. When you go there, you…

Three Bright Stars
Coming Soon: Open Office Girl

Liz

20 Nov 2009 | 8:19 am

My computer is a few years old now, and I have often experimented with different programs, extensions and other downloads, which are not always permanent additions to my computing routine. As a result, even though I frequently delete things I don’t use, the laptop got slower and slower. Luckily, my computer can be restored to its factory condition, so after saving everything on an external drive, Husband took an evening to do the restoration. The one program that I knew I didn’t have (I’ve misplaced it, or something) is MS Office. I haven’t used Office extensively…
Embrace The Podcast III

Liz

16 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

Did I hear you ask for more PODCASTS!? Some podcasts are just ear candy: short fuzzy elucidations on interesting subjects, not too much to be stressful, told by people whose voices call to mind the nicest, cutest, most easy-to-get-along-with people you have ever known. The subjects are usually historical personalities and events of which you have forgotten the details and on which you will appreciate a refresher. The Stuff You Should Know podcast is much like the above, but the cuties are male. Also, the subjects are things like how bankruptcy works, what a hangover is, and whether it is…
Kid-E-Bar

Liz

15 Nov 2009 | 7:18 pm

We love taking the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese. They get excited about the Chuck-E money, the games, the balloons, the big inanimate Chuck-E characters, including the horse – everything, in fact, except the food. No one gets excited about the food; it’s not the point at all. The Chuck-E franchise is quite right to charge enormous sums for greased bread disks and dry hot dogs. The point is: endless pop, fun fun fun, and beer for the adults. It’s a bar! For kids! Chuck-E-Cheese = Kid-E-Bar What the kids love about Chuck-E-Cheese is the feeling of importance. When you go there, you…

LA Moms Blog
Subliminal Mom

Teresa DeGagne

20 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

Motherhood, really parenthood, brings with it so many joys, so much laughter, but also trials and challenges. There is also the development of “momspeak,” that is the secret language that no one teaches you, that you suddenly remember your mom speaking as well. In addition, a subliminal mom exists in your head. Have you met her? I think you have. Here - let me illustrate.Everyone (even your children) knows that “We’ll see” really means “no.” Sometimes, though, when you say “we’ll see” Subliminal Mom says “when fairies dance upon…
Mommy Bloggers: Deceptive? Greedy? Naive?

Erin S.

19 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

My husband handed me the Sunday paper this morning as I was about to sip my first cup of coffee. There, on the front page, was an article about the ethics of mom bloggers writing about free stuff they get from companies. The article was informative, following one mom blogger from the midwest who has traveled to Los Angeles twice this year on a major food company's dime in exchange for writing about it, and how this plays into the new guidelines by the Federal Trade Commission which require bloggers to divulge financial or product compensation they get in exchange for blogging about…
Nobody Walks In LA

Yvonne Condes

18 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

I constantly go back and forth between loving and hating LA. When I have to drive somewhere at 4 p.m. on a weekday, I hate LA. When I go running at the beach on a perfect fall day, I absolutely love it here. But lately, it's running that has made me go back to hating this god-forsaken place. Being a pedestrian in LA means taking your life into your own hands. When I moved here 4-years ago I really wanted to believe that this was a walking neighborhood. We live near restaurants and shopping, bookstores, and coffee shops. Fabulous. But just because I want this to be a walking neighborhood…

Just Spotted
This Weekend in Orange County

20 Nov 2009 | 12:21 am

Wondering what to do or where to go this weekend in Orange County? Then check out one, or two or all of these happening events...Friday, November 20th:* Nutcracker Craft Boutique: 9am - 6pm, $2* Tot Walk, 9am at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Reservations required: 949-923-2235.* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in…
Kids Save the Beach - Family Beach Clean-up

19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

Get out your calendars, & grab that big red marker, because this is one event you definitely don't want to forget... This coming Wednesday, November 25th, from 10 am - Noon, is the first ever "Kids Save the Beach."Living in Southern California, I'm sure we can ALL agree that our beaches are something we are very extremely thankful for! This being the season of gratitude, we decided to team up with SaveOurBeach.org & This is Me - A Kid's First Keepsake Journal to bring you "Kids Save the Beach," a family beach clean-up morning.So, Wednesday morning, November 25th (the day before…
the Warehouse Sale

19 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am

Looking for a way to fight the recession, update your wardrobe & save a few pennies all at the same time? Then THIS might be your answer. Saturday & Sunday (November 21st & 22nd) the Warehouse Sale will be coming to Orange County.Not exactly sure what the Warehouse Sale is? Straight from their website "The Warehouse Sale is an exclusive, invite-only denim sample sale that offers the newest and hottest styles of the season in your favorite brands for both MEN & WOMEN. Get ahead of the trends and be the first to rock up-an-coming labels. With everything priced BELOW WHOLESALE,…

Socal Mom by Donna Schwartz Mills
A Tale of Two High Schools

Donna

19 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am

This is not a good time to be a student in my state. The University of California is jacking up tuition by 20% (in addition to the rate hike students and their families absorbed earlier this year) while cutting classes and services.And it was announced yesterday that our budget woes continue to worsen: we're back to a $21 billion deficit.The beleaguered Los Angeles Unified School District held a meeting last week where they told their employees to expect even more job losses in 2010. Class sizes are escalating to silly proportions, and although the District has made gains in test scores…
Glee for Steaz Teaz - and a Sample for Free

Donna

17 Nov 2009 | 9:54 am

Until I had my little traffic incident, it had been a wonderful day. An esthetician friend had given me a free waxing service ("So you don't have to worry about that when you go into the hospital")... ...and I'd enjoyed a lovely brunch with two of my favorite LA blogging friends: Cynthia Liu (@Cyn3matic) and Liz Dwyer (@losangelista)... and Eric Schnell, one of the founders of the natural beverage company that makes Steaz Teaz. To be perfectly honest, I'd never before heard of the product... but I was dreading my hospital visit and the meeting was the perfect excuse to have a little fun…
To Whom It May Concern

Donna

16 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Clients:My husband decided that yesterday was the day that I HAD to upgrade to Windows 7.He has been nagging me about this since the summer, when he started using a Beta pre-release version. Now that we have the new home theater system that allows us to put the TV and other components on the computer network, he is determined to have EVERYTHING there.He did not tell me that doing a “clean install” instead of a mere upgrade would mean I would not have access to my computer ALL DAY yesterday. Nor did he explain that I would then have to re-install all of my…

Jenny On the Spot
Favorite Things Friday

jenny

20 Nov 2009 | 1:30 am

1) Wait for it…. Yes. Glitter is a favorite thing. I made this yesterday. It’s OK if you need a moment. It’s pretty incredible. What with all the glitter and construction paper. *insert delusion of grandeur here* 2) Have you seen Babysaur? Over there you will find stuff so cute… it’s scary! And clever… I am particularly attached tho. My friend Jen is the force there. Have you seen her video, Sanity Hacks of a Stay at Home Mom? 3) Bed. I love to go to bed. Sleep… *huge fan*… So, I’m out. By the time you read this, you might be all,…
I made it to the potty…

jenny

19 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pm

So. Like, yesterday… the kids and I headed over to Seattle for the evening. My hub’s business had their little launch party – MINDBLOOM…. maybeyou’veheardofit. Ifnotyouwill*ahem*. And also *fourglassesofwine-whoop!* BEFORE the party, the kids and I met Paul for dinner… over there at the Taco del Mar right there in the Pioneer Square. I love Taco del Mar, btw… *gives TdM the international sign for “call me”* I do not, however love the city drunks. More specifically, the city drunks that come to use the Taco del Mar toilet. Even more…
Super Star!!!

jenny

18 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

Clearly, this is for Me and J-Bling. Clearly. Thos sign-mkaer-people are friggin’ geniusses. Geniuiii. Smarty Smartersons. *Hey! Don’t miss out – I am giving away an fully intact package of Candy Cane Oreos, but you have to leave a comment on this post *New at My First Fail — Does This Watermelon Make My Butt Look Big? Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive… Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs! Share and Enjoy:

lifefrommylaptop.com
I’m Migrating

I didn’t want to say I was “moving” people would think I was really moving in real life, but no that’s not true. But I am migrating my blog. I’m not certain that this will be a permanent thing so I’m just saying for the “time being” a term that is so often used in [...]
Will You Pray?

I don’t often mention my family on my blog. But, I felt led to ask you to pray for one of them today. Tomorrow my brother leaves for a 13 day mission trip to Thailand. This will be his third overseas mission trip. He really has a heart for the lost. I am thankful for [...]
Out of My Comfort Zone

Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is difficult to do, but it is often necessary if you are to grow. Whether the growth that takes place is spiritual, mental or emotionally, in order to grow, many times, we must step out of our comfort zone. This is what I am in the process of doing. [...]

La Dolce Vita.....
One of my favorites....

Kristen Andrews

20 Nov 2009 | 3:57 am

One of the first blogs I started following was Ali of Home Of The Lazy Dog and you know what I still follow Ali! I have many other favorites but you know how when you make new friends there is that one person that is always nice and the first to friend you, what that is Ali. Thanks for your bloggy friendship Ali!Tell me one either one of your first blogs you started following or one of your favorites!
Happy 4th Birthday Will!

Kristen Andrews

19 Nov 2009 | 4:01 am

It seems like it was just yesterday that Will was born and since that day he has filled our hearts with joy, an abundance of joy! A little boy that finds joy in the smallest of things. A spirited boy who loves superheroes, cars, trucks and all things boy. A sweet boy who will walk in the room and say "I love you" just because and just when you need it. Happy Birthday Will! We love you!
Baby it's cold outside...

Kristen Andrews

18 Nov 2009 | 4:01 am

I can never resist taking some hat pictures of Kane and it has been a while. Happy Wednesday friends! Make it a great day!

Bacon Is My Enemy
Police Reports: One of Life’s Little Pleasures

Giyen

19 Nov 2009 | 3:58 pm

I feel so much better about myself.
Lily Billy Bo Billy

Giyen

18 Nov 2009 | 4:25 pm

Look at those cheeks! So yummy! I can’t believe it’s been 9 months since Lily was born into the world. She’s such a cutie, isn’t she? Frankly, there are days when I just think, “Wouldn’t it have been nice to have just one more?” Then I laugh hysterically at myself – ONE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH. Just thinking about how Lily is sitting up and starting to crawl makes me tired. Seriously, I get tired just thinking about it. My back is starting to hurt as I imagine Rene spending the next 5 years hunched over Lily as she learns to crawl, walk, run…
Parents Just Don’t Understand

Giyen

12 Nov 2009 | 8:24 am

The other day I got an email from the school district calling for an urgent meeting: 11/07/09 Subject: VHS Dance Discussion All Welcome to Attend A meeting for Islanders to discuss and develop alternatives to “grinding” at VHS dance will be held. The meeting will focus on complimentary activities, dance and music options, successful changes in other districts. Okay. I get it. Nobody wants to think of their 15 year old daughter shaking her moneymaker on the dance floor. Grinding is a little different then say, the Rock Lobster – which was big when I was in high school. But…

Dr Mommy Chronicles
Have You Heard?

Dr. Mommy

18 Nov 2009 | 11:30 am

Have you heard? I am hosting a radio show on Blog Talk Radio!! Yes, and it is so much fun!! The radio show is sponsored by a group of awesome women called Christian Women Affiliate and it airs every Wednesday at 1pm est. My show is called Family Talk and of course it revolves around families. [...]
My mission….

Dr. Mommy

5 Nov 2009 | 5:42 pm

I believe everyone has a mission or goal in their lives, whether they are aware of them or not. Mine is to help others. Yes, help others! For as long as I can remember that is all I’ve wanted to do. Coming from a very strict, Hispanic upbringing is not one I care to remember much. However, I [...]
Caramel Stuffed Apples

Dr. Mommy

31 Oct 2009 | 1:10 pm

We had some friends recently come back from a trip to North Carolina and they brought me back some yummy apples. So, I was wondering what I could do with these yummy delights. She suggested I bake them with caramels so that’s what I did. I peeled them and cored them close to the bottom but not [...]

Mommy Musings
HP Virtual Focus Group – Week 1 #printwithme

admin

19 Nov 2009 | 10:18 am

Have you ever wondered if your printer is actually the best quality for the money? I know in the past when I have purchased printers, I bought based on price and features, but never had the chance to compare one brand to another in terms of actual print quality. I was lucky enough to get selected [...]
No more store trips with Alice.com

admin

18 Nov 2009 | 10:11 pm

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alice.com. All opinions are 100% mine. I signed up with Alice.com a few months ago, but didn’t really get a chance to review everything they offer. I know for me, it is a hassle to go to the store and constantly buy items like laundry detergent, [...]
Sam’s Club Selling $198,000 Disney Dream Wedding!

admin

15 Nov 2009 | 11:07 pm

Can you IMAGINE this fairy tale wedding for 1 LUCKY Bride? Sam’s Club is currently selling a Disney Dream Wedding Package for one Bride & Groom (and 50 guests) to get married in Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom. This is like one of those once in a lifetime experiences. I can’t imagine spending $200,000 on [...]

The Adventures of Supermom... now, where is my cape?
Week in Review.

Supermom

20 Nov 2009 | 3:22 pm

I've tried all day to upload this video!!!!! It keeps showing up an error!As soon as I can I will get it posted.
Only Ollie Handmade Baby Sweater Sale for Thanksgiving!!!

Supermom

20 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm

Starting right now until Sunday!!!!! Only Ollie on ETSY!
The Three Bears

Supermom

20 Nov 2009 | 5:31 am

Last night about fifteen minutes until 11:00 pm Superdad came to get me out of bed. He heard a noise in the driveway and looked out to see three bears roaming around out there. It was pretty cool watching them walk around in our driveway and off into the night. I am really glad the garage doors were shut because sometimes they are open for assorted reasons.It's odd for them to be so close to town I would think. Their home was turned into a housing development so they are left to wonder around the area. Along with the turkeys. Tragic huh? It makes me a…

Tales of the Kids
Sicko

Marcy

16 Nov 2009 | 8:14 pm

I'm going to start wearing a bio-hazard suit at home. Either that or I'm quarantining the kids in their own room. I normally get a mild cold each winter, but already this fall I've had the flu (I even had a fever -- what??) and a bad cold. Both. The kids have been sick, too. They're the ones who made me sick, hence the reason for the bio-hazard suit. My body needs all the defense it can get.While I'm at it, I wonder if the doctor has a vaccination to protect me against:the germs on my toothbrush after Miles used it to clean the bathroom sinkpoo on my hand. Can I get a new hand? I'll settle…
Sweet child of mine

Marcy

13 Nov 2009 | 8:15 am

Oh that Caitlynn is so funny. She's really flippin hilarious. I set up a blog for her to exercise her creativity skills. Well, that, and she begged me to make her a blog.It all started out nice and innocent, with pictures of Miles and videos of cats. Now, it's turned into something else. She's written (and posted an unflattering picture of me -- thanks, babe) "Ideas to torture your mother."Incidentally, some of the things she's written on the Top 10 list she has actually done to me. I'm not saying which ones, but I will say that I'm not happy when the rug in my bedroom is drenched with…
Can Moms be silly?

Marcy

11 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

Or even funny?If we go by social conventions (and what the media tells us), moms are the parent in the house making the rules and ordering everyone around, including daddy. Sure, they may laugh, but in most cases, they are too tired (from all the hard work of being a mom) to make jokes or act silly around the kids. It's easy to make babies giggle -- I'm talking about acting silly around older kids. Seriously, babies don't count here. They are too easy to entertain. I admit to being the control freak in my marriage. I'm not as anal about things as Joe but I am way more controlling when it…

Homemaker Barbi
Urgent- You Must Update Your Free Subscription Now!

Homemaker Barbi - Danelle Ice

6 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm

As you know, we changed our name and moved our site to Home Ever After 2 and a half months ago. Please update your free subscription right away by clicking one of the links below. Your current subscription is no longer working and you aren’t receiving any of our new articles! RSS Subscribers click here. Email Subscribers click here. After you set up your new subscription to Home Ever After, please cancel your old one to Homemaker Barbi. (Email subscribers can click the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any of our emails. RSS subscribers can unsubscribe through their feed…
Our Name Has Changed to Home Ever After

Homemaker Barbi - Danelle Ice

24 Aug 2009 | 3:18 pm

We’ve changed our name to Home Ever After! Please visit us there at the following URL: http://www.HomeEverAfter.com If you are a current subscriber, you’ll need to make a few clicks to get our new RSS feed or email subscription. Please make sure you do this now, since your old subscription will no longer work! RSS subscribers Click Here Email subscribers Click Here
Mommy Style – Accessories and Jewelry

Erin

21 Aug 2009 | 10:39 am

Erin Phillips is a stay at home mom (SAHM), student and former makeup artist. You can find the daily exploits as a wife, mother and student on her blog, My Vocations, as well as instant updates on her Facebook page Accessories and Jewelry They can make a simple black dress breathtakingly sophisticated. Think about Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) in that beginning scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s… what would that black dress be without those lovely pearls, the tiara barrette in her perfectly coiffed hair, or those fabulous opera gloves? Just a sheath dress in black. They can…

Tired Mama.com
Take your Child to Work Day

Tired Mama

4 Nov 2009 | 6:43 pm

Today was the day in my home town where you were supposed to take your Grade 9 (Freshman) child to work with you - only if you happen to have one kicking around the house, of course. This is a provincially run program set up to give the kids a glimpse into different job opportunities and help them see a little of what the 'real' world looks like. So, Tired Papa took our eldest daughter to work with him today. She had a good time and seemed to enjoy herself. The only problem she had was everyone kept telling her all day that she looked like uh, me. Um, people? Although I am not…
Happy Halloween!

Tired Mama

31 Oct 2009 | 4:34 pm

I hate Halloween. I do. I love most other holidays but I must admit I can't see the point of Halloween. Yes, my kids are all going out to get candy. Yes, my house is decorated and yes, everyone is in costume. But to me it seems like a lot of bother for some candy. I also hate the excessive amounts of candy that my kids get for Halloween. We get so much candy that we can't even eat it all. I usually end up chopping most of it up and making it into cookies. Mind you I like the cookies. Maybe there's something good to be said about Halloween after all. Boo Humbug. Enjoy.
Does anyone know?

Tired Mama

19 Oct 2009 | 8:23 pm

How long can sandwich meat sit in the fridge before I shouldn't make sandwiches with it anymore? If milk smells bad but tastes fine, is it okay? Can Jello go bad? Yes, I'm cleaning out my fridge.Oh, and is salami really meat or is it something else? And should I really be paying attention to the best-before-dates on salad dressing or are they just there to make me buy more? Does anyone really know the answers to all this kinda stuff? You know what? I think maybe this is why Google was invented. I'd go and surf out the answers but I'm tired. I think I'll just go and…

The Mom Blog
Some fun happenings this weekend and beyond

Theresa Walker, Editor

20 Nov 2009 | 4:42 pm

Toys are probably on the minds of a lot of parents right now, what with the gift-giving holidays fast approaching. Chances are few kids these days are asking Santa to bring them wooden toys. But why not share the charm of wooden toys with them by visiting the Festival of Toys exhibit at Discovery Science Center. The [...]
And the winner of the etnies $100 gift card is …

Theresa Walker, Editor

20 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm

Julie Scott, skate on down! Julie gets to go spend $100 on however many pairs of etnies sneakers that will buy, thanks to the generosity of Sole Technology Institute in Lake Forest. Sole Technology hosted a group of bloggers earlier this week to fill us in on their Grow With Me fit system for children’s shoes. They [...]
Early Literacy Program events: free books, screenings

Theresa Walker, Editor

20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

Sorry dear animals, but books will be the stars today of “From A-to-Zoo” at Santa Ana Zoo. The Children and Families Commission of Orange County is hosting the event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and will give away free books to kids 5 and under to encourage early literacy. Look for the Big Books Booth in the zoo’s amphitheatre. [...]

House of Prince
10 Things About Zumba

19 Nov 2009 | 9:22 pm

My friend Noelle takes a Zumba class. A new Zumba class started at my gym. Friends on Twitter recommended it. So, after a long day at work, and driving through two sets of dismal traffic, I went to my first class tonight. Here's what I learned:1. Zumba is dancing, with some squats, punches, and hip grinding thrown in. Oh yeah, just picture me trying it.2. The teacher was HOT. Like, early
Grab the Playdate Badge!

18 Nov 2009 | 6:39 am

Since, as I told Twitter last night, I'm the golden goddess of figuring shit out, I thought I should figure out how to give you the Help a Mother Out Playdate button real easily and stuff. This might work:Copy and paste this code into your template in the sidebar section. Tell people about it. They can navigate to the event page and find the details about the party, or make a donation online.
The Formal Announcement - HAMO Holiday Playdate

16 Nov 2009 | 10:53 pm

No, click HERE for more info!I'm tired, and cranky, and I almost crawled into bed with my tail between my legs tonight because I have so much to do. And then I got an email from the co-founder of Help a Mother Out that put the wind back in my sails. And then I realized once again that what I am doing is important, that if each one of us does a little something, the enormous behemoth of a

Momathon Blog
Canine flu and your dog

Chris O.

18 Nov 2009 | 10:06 am

(image of Ella the Snow Dog by jpctalbot)It's flu season. Did you know even your dog can catch the flu too? It's not the same as the flu humans catch. Humans can't get infected with the canine flu. The flu dogs get is called Canine Influenza (CIV) and it is very contagious in certain “hot spot” regions in their dog communities such as dog parks, doggie daycare, and dog boarding facilities. The good news is that now your dog can get vaccinated for this nasty bug. The canine flu is not in every city--only a few "hot spots." So if your dog lives in these…
This is how a weekend should be spent...

Chris O.

15 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

(image by Kamshots) (image by lepiaf.geo) (image by JAGwired) (image by samlavi)
Perfect Travel Cookie: Spanish Anise

Chris O.

14 Nov 2009 | 9:21 am

Back in February I wrote a post about a yummy cookie that travels well in the mail or in your suitcase! Since so many of you might be packing your bags for a Thanksgiving reunion, I thought this recipe might come in handy again. So here is the cookie recipe from earlier this year.Have fun baking!You never know what you might happen when your kids say they need help with homework. Sometimes it's long division or pre-calc. Or maybe writing an essay on Thomas Jefferson. Or a paper mache volcano.And sometimes it's food. These are the projects I like...as long as it doesn't involve…

Kristina Brooke
Poor Customer Service and The Power of Social Media

Kristina Brooke

19 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

Now more than ever word-or-mouth is more important than ever. Unlike our parent’s generation, we can now tell people in another country just what we think of their product or service. To that end, having great customer service is a must. It has become too easy to sour the opinions of hundred with a simple [...]

Happy Meals & Happy Hour
Random Crap

HappyHourSue

17 Nov 2009 | 2:13 pm

Disclaimer: This post has no topic sentence, well-structured body, summary or conclusion. Anyone wishing to exit the blog may do so at this time. Exits are located at the front, sides and rear of the blog. OK, first up: "Funny Things Husbands Do". Yeah. That's the kitchen TV remote velcroed to the TV. So when we want to turn on the TV from across the room, we have to walk all the way over to it, remove the remote from its handy holster, then use it. I'm just sayin'. It's called a "remote" for a reason. Moving on. Do we not have any OTHER photos of Kalid Sheik Mohammed ? I call this one…
Weekend LOL Video

HappyHourSue

14 Nov 2009 | 2:25 pm

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just think this is hilarious and some of you won't but it's my blog. Ray Amsley's Self Defense - watch more funny videos
The One Where The Kid Walks In On Us

HappyHourSue

9 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am

Holy Mother of God. I really never thought this day would come. We've been locking the bedroom door for 13 years. THIRTEEN YEARS, people.......Thirteen years that, while rife with interruptions ("Mom? Mommy? Mom? Where are you? Mom? Mom! MOM!!").......have never experienced a security breach. Until Saturday. This? was a security fail of epic proportions. Apparently my husband in his - retardation enthusiasm - turned the lock in the door handle but didn't shut it completely so the latch never engaged. Fast forward to Repertoire Move #4.5, Stage II and cue 9 year…

To The Max
Who's more emotional about your child: you or your husband?

19 Nov 2009 | 9:03 pm

I was in Babies 'R Us recently to pick up some stuff for Max. It's not a trip I enjoy; when I'm there, I think about the fact that Max is almost 7 and he still needs baby-ish paraphernalia like Bibsters, cloth bibs, those plastic bowls with suction-cup bottoms.The nice woman behind the checkout counter struck up a conversation about what a great invention the Bibsters are. She has a one-year-old, and I was sort of praying she wouldn't ask how old my kids were, I just didn't want to get into it. She didn't. As I left the store, it occurred to me that I should just send Dave to get this stuff.
The single Army mom who refused to deploy

18 Nov 2009 | 9:04 pm

Today, I read about the Army mom who refused to deploy to Afghanistan because she had nobody to care for her 10-month-old boy. As a result, she might face criminal charges. Alexis Hutchinson, 21, says the only family she had who could pitch in, her mom, was already caring for other relatives with healthy problems. According to her lawyer, one of her superiors knew about the situation, and said she'd have to deploy anyway—and put her son in foster care.So Hutchinson, an Army cook, didn't show up for her flight. An Army spokesperson's response: He didn't know what her commander had told her,…
Why I'll never be one of "those" moms

17 Nov 2009 | 9:21 pm

There's a comment that's been haunting me. It's from the post I did about making Max a so-called costume from a purple Bed, Bath & Beyond bag. Kara called me "crafty" and said, "It seems that you have joined the ranks of Those Mommys!!" Kara, I fear that I have misrepresented myself. Because I am actually not one of "those" crafty moms. I am also not one of those dress-the-kids-to-perfection moms. Or one of those must-make-kids'-meals-from-scratch moms. Or one of those so-on-top-of-everything moms. And because I'd never want to get sued by one of "those" moms for making false claims, I am…

Kristina Brooke
Poor Customer Service and The Power of Social Media

Kristina Brooke

19 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm

Now more than ever word-or-mouth is more important than ever. Unlike our parent’s generation, we can now tell people in another country just what we think of their product or service. To that end, having great customer service is a must. It has become too easy to sour the opinions of hundred with a simple [...]

Motherhood in NYC
Still a Wonderful Man

Marinka

20 Nov 2009 | 3:28 am

Earlier this week, Husbandrinka and I were having a discussion about which one of us was luckier to have found the other. Well, I was having the discussion in the form of a monologue about my finer qualities and he was listening to music. With headphones. Those Bose-surround sound and extraneous noise eliminating ones headphones. So, that pretty much means that I won and that he’s super lucky. And not just because he didn’t have to listen to me. By the way, please tell me that when you see someone with headphones on, you start mouthing words to them, so they take off…
Anna, The Woman Behind the Consonants

Marinka

18 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

For a second year in a row, I participated in Neil’s Great Interview Experiment. Last week, Denise at Eat Play Love interviewed me. You can read it here. Even if you’ve read it before. Because you probably missed something the first time around. The other day, I sat down for a fireside chat with Anna, of abdpbt fame. I asked her all the burning questions that I had about her blog. If you’re not familiar with Anna’s blog, prepare yourself. It’s super professional and organized and it’s moving and evocative and analytical and snarky. You will love it. Plus,…

Chefdruck Musings