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Past Talks
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Nov.03.2010 1:30pm ESTThe Kids Grow Up
Are your kids leaving for college soon or they're already off? How are you feeling about the transition? Join a live chat with Doug Block and Marjorie Silver as we talk about Doug's newly released film on raising their daughter and her departure for college. Let's talk about ways we all handle this great big change in our lives. The New York Times called the film "remarkable" and we look forward to a great conversation with Doug and Marjorie!
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Oct.12.2010 1:00pm ESTYou Have More Time Than You Think
168 hours - that's how many hours there are in a week and the title of Laura Vanderkam's new book "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think". Join Laura and a fantastic group of mom bloggers to talk about how we spend our time and how we can look at our schedules differently and free up more time. Here's how Martha Beck describes her reaction to the book, "Within a few pages, Laura Vanderkam's crisp, entertaining book convinced me I had time to read it. Then it convinced me I had time to reread War and Peace. In the original Russian. Thank you, Laura, for freeing up my schedule." -Martha Beck, bestselling author of Steering by Starlight
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Sep.15.2010 1:00pm ESTThe Happiness Project with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin is a best-selling author of "The Happiness Project" about her year spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. Join Gretchen as we talk about the small, concrete steps we all can take to be happier. Bring your ideas, approaches and stories for a GREAT conversation!
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Sep.14.2010 1:00pm ESTThe State of the Mom Blogosphere
Ten celebrity mom bloggers led a Talk on trends in the Mom Blogosphere. The community talked about: - Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare - enhancing or taking away from blogging? - Advice for bloggers wanting to get the word out - Mom bloggers and brands - here to stay and the Do's and Don'ts for bloggers and brands - Predictions for 2011 and more!
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Aug.03.2010 1:00pm ESTBack To School With Cool Mom Picks
We can't believe it either, but Back To School is right around the corner for a lot of us. Join the fabulous editors of Cool Mom Picks as we share our tips and tricks for making back to school easier (we'd LOVE to hear yours!). We'll also get a first peek at Cool Mom Picks' super-inclusive list of great back-to-school finds made by indie shops and smaller designers. Join us for a very fun convo!!!
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Aug.03.2010 12:00pm ESTAdvice, creative ideas and tips for getting our kids to read more!
Dr. Debbie Libby, a leading reading expert, is teaming up with a group of fabulous mom bloggers to share their best tips, ideas and fun ways to get our kids to read more. Join us for a great conversation!! Bring your tips and ideas too!!!
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Jul.20.2010 12:00pm ESTThe Oil Disaster: Talking with the National Wildlife Federation and Gulf Coast bloggers
We're bringing together the National Wildlife Federation and Gulf Coast bloggers and to talk about what is happening in the Gulf - in their backyards - and to share their stories, how they're coping and how we can be of help. The NWF leadership and experts will lead the conversation, bringing their on-the-ground experience and knowledge. Bring your questions, stories, views and feelings - and let's give these fantastic Gulf Coast bloggers some love and attention during this very difficult and scary time.
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Jul.12.2010 1:00pm ESTSaving Money While Living Green With Annabelle Gurwitch of the Show Wa$ted!
Annabelle Gurwitch, star of the show Wa$ted! on Planet Green, is leading a conversation on "simple" - i.e. non-clutter - living and easy ways we can save money while living greener lives. Join us! Bring your tips, tricks, ideas and questions!
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Jun.28.2010 1:00pm ESTTraveling With Teens
Join TeenTravelTalk.com and three teenagers to talk about traveling with your teens this summer!!! Share your stories, your greatest challenges and get tips and tricks from the (real) experts.
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Jun.02.2010 1:00pm ESTRegina Brett and God Never Blinks
We're talking about taking care of ourselves and the life lessons that are most important to us. Regina Brett caused a sensation when she wrote a column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer listing her life lessons. Her top ten life lessons are: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
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Jun.14.2010 1:00pm ESTTalking Relationships, Body Image and Sex with Kristen Chase, The Mominatrix
Join Kristen Chase and some of our favorite bloggers for a conversation about juggling motherhood and marriage, making time for sex, why is it important and how we can make it a bigger priority. We'll be talking body image, libido, birth control and more. Bring your questions, thoughts, insights and laughs for a great Talk (just in time for Father's Day).
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Jun.01.2010 1:00pm ESTLet's Lighten the Load: Shedding the Pounds And Whatever Else Is Weighing Us Down
What if weight loss wasn't about the weight at all, but lightening our load in a big picture sense? We're going to be talking about how we can clear the decks, get rid of the extra baggage and mess and stress in our lives, and lose the weight in the process. As we go into bathing suit season. Perfect timing.
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Oct.29.2009 1:00pm ESTStories in Hand: Documenting Our Lives in Creative Ways
Thurs, Oct 29th at 1 pm ET: We're creating digital keepsakes of our lives, with the wonderful Jessica Sprague and ScrapHappyChristine as hosts. Join us for a creative, inspiring workshop!
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Oct.20.2009 1:00pm ESTDealing with Mean At All Ages and Stages
Tues, Oct 20 at 1 pm ET: Rosalind Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees & Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and the New Realities of Girl World" - newly revised - is here to talk about mean behavior, however and wherever it shows up in our and our daughters' lives.
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Oct.07.2009 1:00pm ESTLet's Talk Organic With the Founder of Earthbound Organic
Wed, Oct 7th, at 1 pm ET: Myra Goodman will talk about how our food choices make a bigger impact on the planet than the car we buy and how we can live organically within a budget. And she'll share her favorite recipes.
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Sep.24.2009 1:00pm ESTRaising Double-Daring Girls and Boys
Thurs, Sept 24th at 1 pm ET: Bestselling author Miriam Peskowitz joins us to talk about why her books have struck such a chord around the world and what it means to be daring, and to take up the journey of our lives.
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Jul.13.2009 1:00pm ESTLIVE CHAT: Natural Home Remedies for Summer and Back-To-School Health
Jennifer Crain is a holistic pediatrics specialist, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and founder of Mommy’s ER: a resource for parents for safe, easy, at-home tips to naturally improve their children’s health. Jennifer is all about incorporating grandma's-chicken-soup-wisdom into our children's lives with confidence.
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The Forum
How Pinteresting!
Pinterest is so easy to get sucked into! But take a break and share with us your pin of the day (or week or month!). And link back to your boards so we can all follow! =)
LATEST POSTED BY: KasandriaFollowing everyone back! I LOVE me some Pinterest and participate it Pin It Fridays with 5 Minutes for Mom. Here's my boards: http://pinterest.com/waystosave/ViewFebruary.27th.2012
Blunder Buys
Have you ever bought a product you thought you would love only to get it home and be sorely disappointed? Whether it's Christmas, birthdays or any other gift giving occasion some advance warning of not so great products is appreciated by everyone. Use this circle to inform others about products you have been disatisfied with.
LATEST POSTED BY: indianaI was sitting here beginning to think about Christmas. Even feeling a little proud because I've already picked up a few things when I remembered a big disappointment of mine from last year. Each year I get at least one ornament for each of my children. Many times I'll pick them up for neices and nephews. My mother did this for my sisters and I and we began our own tree decorating with a full tree. I decided to take the plunge and buy HallMark ornaments for my children last year. I got a Jessie (from Toy Story) ornament for my youngest and a Barbie ornament for my older daughter. I put the ornaments in their stockings (which is what I usually do) and was sorely disappointed to find them broken the next morning. They were made of very thin plastic, but I hadn't taken them out of the box at the store to see them-my bad. I had thought though that for $12+ I would be getting a quality product. I think these ornaments are mass produced expensive brittle plastic. I'll stick with the unique ornaments I can pick up at craft shows and out of the way stores.ViewOctober.18th.2011
mom's big night in
Pull up a comfy chair, kick up your feet...grab a glass of wine or cup of tea, and let's talk and laugh and have a good evening in...with friends.
LATEST POSTED BY: EmilyYeah!! Can't wait for tonight!!!!!ViewJanuary.23rd.2012
Breast Cancer Warriors
Almost all of us know someone who's battled breast cancer. Some of us know many. In this circle, we honor those who are fighting, remember those who have lost their battles, educate ourselves, and support each other and those working to defeat this disease.
LATEST POSTED BY: BrandiePlease read. We need to start being honest in our portrayal of breast cancer. It's so important. Also? Stop the victim blaming. It's not helping a single person. http://www.lastwordonnothing.com/2012/02/08/komen/ The real scandal: science denialism at Susan G. Komen for the Cure® By Christie AschwandenViewFebruary.9th.2012
ONE Mom Can Make a Difference
TheMotherhood has partnered with the ONE Campaign to support the amazing advocacy work they do in developing countries, especially their efforts on behalf of mothers and children in Africa. From July 23-30, 2011, Emily and Cooper will be in Kenya with ONE and 8 other social media moms. Be a part of the journey – sign up here for updates: http://one.org/us/actnow/moms/ and help shine a blazing spotlight on extreme poverty and disease, and in the process make change! Here's a link to their schedule in Kenya, with daily actions you can take: http://www.themotherhood.com/post/show/id/492228 and here are links to ways you can follow along and see pictures, too: http://www.themotherhood.com/post/show/id/492230
LATEST POSTED BY: EmilyWhen Cooper and I started blogging in 2004, we had no idea what was coming.
Seriously, who could have imagined the mind-blowingly creative ways that we would all would use the web to make our lives better?!
Down the road, I have no doubt we’ll look back on these days and say, “That’s when it all changed.”
I was thinking about that idea – that we’re living in this incredible time in history when our lives are changing in so many ways for the good - when ONE asked me to blog about their 12 Days of Change Campaign and to focus in particular on Living Proof.
Here’s the connection. We never imagined our lives could change so much so quickly, and across the ocean, vast improvements are happening in Africa that would have been inconceivable a decade ago.
Just this week, the cover story in the Economist is “Africa Rising: The Hopeful Continent.”
Africa … The Hopeful Continent.
Not many people (aside from the ONE Campaign) would have said that about Africa ten years ago.
Yet, “in eight of the past ten years, Africa has grown faster than East Asia, including Japan,” according to the Economist. “Africa now has the fastest growing middle class in the world.”
The health of millions has improved.
In a Living Proof video, Melinda Gates says that 3 million people are now receiving antiretroviral drugs to control HIV/AIDS. That includes a lot of moms who are staying alive and can now raise their children and do all the things that moms do to make things better for their families and neighbors.
We really might see a healthy, prosperous Africa in our lifetimes.
And that’s what the Living Proof Project is showing us - the stories of the incredible progress being made by some of the world’s poorest people.
In the spirit of the holidays, join us today to share and marvel at what’s been made possible in our lives and in the lives of Africans.
Today’s 12 Days of Change action is super easy: Share Living Proof with your friends!!!
Use Facebook, Twitter and the blogs to talk about Living Proof and share a video, a ONE PSA, a story or fact about smart and effective aid that is working in Africa.
Here’s a tweet if you’d like:
It's 12 Days of Change & @EmilyMcKhann says to spread the word on the @OneCampaign’s great Living Proof project: http://bit.ly/e4L2hW
Thank you and happy holidays!!
The ONE 12 Days of Change Project: http://bit.ly/vgpia6
Living Proof: http://bit.ly/e4L2hW
Amy Oztan's post on the 12 Days of Change: http://bit.ly/uutUI8ViewDecember.7th.2011body consciousness
Where our minds, hearts and bodies can come together to honor ourselves--our wholeness, especially when we feel the most broken. We are enough.
LATEST POSTED BY: Erin OThe bully inside: Women who can't take a compliment Why so many have a tough time graciously accepting praise I recently approached a woman in my local gym, admiring her turn at the weight machines. "Wow, you are really strong," I said. "That's an awesome amount of weight." She looked at me blankly. "What's wrong with it?" "Nothing," I responded. "It's just impressive." “What do you mean by that?," she asked, eyeing me. "Uh, I don't know," I stammered, flummoxed. "I mean…It’s great. I just…anyway…O.K. then.” And I backed away slowly. This sort of thing happens all the time. I once complimented a retail clerk’s hands -- no kidding, she had gorgeous hands -- and you would’ve thought I had just handed her a mash note. Recently health writer Leslie Goldman addressed the issue of female discomfort upon receiving a compliment in her Healthbreaksloose blog. When another woman complimented Goldman’s legs Goldman said “‘Oh my God, are you kidding me?! My legs are covered with spider veins!’” Why, Goldman wrote, do women have such a tough time graciously accepting praise and simply saying thanks? In Goldman's view, the pressure to reject a compliment is ingrained in women from an early age. "I think women are just kind of raised to seem humble," Goldman told Kathie Lee and Hoda on TODAY Wednesday. Developmental psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman suggests that at least when it comes to compliments about a woman’s appearance, an “inner body bully” makes women deny that the flattery could be true. "[It] tells us we're not thin enough, we're not good enough and not worthy enough to take the compliment and so we downgrade it," Silverman, author of "Good Girls Don't Get Fat" told TODAY. Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44340053/ns/today-today_health/ViewAugust.31st.2011
Moms for Sport Safety
A child dies from cardiac arrest every 3 days in the US while playing sports. Heat illness, head and overuse injuries are rampant at all ages. Less than 1% of youth sports teams have rehearsed their emergency plan. Only 33 states require CPR for coaches. Yet sports provide invaluable lessons and benefits for our children: physical fitness, team work, leadership, and socialization to name a few. Who better than moms to recognize the need for safety and raise awareness? It takes more than cheering from the sidelines to be your child's number one fan. Be a part of the solution. Why? Because safety doesn't hurt.
LATEST POSTED BY: DeborahMost Parents Unable to Detect Sport Injuries On and Off the Field.... http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2011/04/Most-parents-unable-to-detect-sports-injuries-on-and-off-the-field/46248088/1?loc=interstitialskip (I would be in that camp, for the most part....not good)ViewApril.19th.2011
Contests and Giveaways!
So many great give aways and contests on the web! This will be a great way to round it all up =) Please note, all off topic posts will be removed! Also, if I can keep up, I will remove posts from contests and give aways that are over already!
LATEST POSTED BY: bloggerdiseGot some giveaway sponsors for your blog (go on, take 'em) Hey all. I run a community site called bloggerdise.com. Essentially we link up bloggers with businesses and artists that are looking to be reviewed, do giveaways or promote their offers. Our site is totally free to register and use. We have over 800 businesses to choose from. Though I figure I'd offer up some of my personal picks on this thread. Again, to actually view all the business contact info you just need to register on bloggerdise.com first, for free. Ok, here's my first batch ... [oh, and if you have any questions you can reach me @ jesse@bloggerdise.com] Awesome popcorn company that is into sampling. Love their caramel corn ! http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=501 Novelist with a quirky sense of humor... http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=982 Skincare brand that is in to doing sampling of different kinds of products. http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1422 Eco-lips (premium lip care) open to giveaways – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=531 About Abby (award winning web series) looking for interesting promotional ideas – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1263 Vegan Web series starring Eric Roberts http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1206 Marcal tissues (open to giveaways and reviews) – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=872 Delicious Tea co. Open to sampling – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1319 Charitable search site – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1207 Applegate Farms (open to couponing) – http://www.bloggerdise.com/offer/?offer_id=1233 I got a bunch more, but interested to get your feedback (like if you want me to keep posting these.) Best, Jesse Bloggerdise.comViewSeptember.21st.2011
The exerciseHOOD
I have never succeeded in sticking with a weight loss program. I thought maybe, just maybe creating a circle where we share out strengths and weaknesses and possibly hold ourselves accountable, we can try to be fit and healthy together. Join me on my adventure!
LATEST POSTED BY: Kayla SGadget gifts for the fitness forward If you have a fitness-minded friend, these are some great gift ideas! Check out the slide show of eight gifts that can help keep you exercising! http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/14/health/fitness-gadget-gifts/index.html?hpt=hp_bn10ViewDecember.14th.2011
Environmental Moms Who Appreciate Jack Johnson's Positive Music and Mission
I already know of a few other moms out there who LOVE the mission and music of this creative artist and dedicated advocate for the environment. Join this circle to share your favorite Jack Johnson song lyrics and stories/articles about this artist (and others like him) who are doing great things for our planet!
LATEST POSTED BY: robinI should post this over in OceanPrayer, too!ViewJanuary.21st.2012
Challenges of Motherhood
A place where Mother's get together and talk about the challenges and how we deal with them.
LATEST POSTED BY: Truthful MommyBreastfeeding Sucks I was reading the fabulous Jennifer Brandt's blog Perfectly Disheveled tonight and was reminded of something that I had buried deep within the recesses of my mind...BREAST FEEDING! Oh how it sucked! No pun intended. It was one of the most awful things I have experienced thus far in motherhood. I know its not PC to admit this but hey, that's how I roll. I am honest to a fault. I always thought that breastfeeding would be something beautiful and magical; a sacred bond between mother and baby. And it was...but it was also something else. It was what most Hollywood actresses look like without their hair and makeup done, no stylist standing by, no PR person to spin their words into weaved gold. It was raw, it was painful , it was ugly and , on most days, it hurt me..deeply. Worse than that, it was humbling and , at the get, made me feel like the world's biggest freaking loser Mommy! Amen. I'm divulging the truth that it was for me. I remember coming home on that first day, driving 15 miles an hour with our blinkers on trying our best not to damage or mess up this most perfect being that we had just been given. We cooked this baby good and read all the books but when it came down to it, we couldn't believe these people were going to let us take the baby out of the hospital. After all, what the hell were they thinking? We didn't know what to do. We could barely keep one another alive,plants were dying all over the house, I'd lost a dog but these assholes wanted me to keep an entire human being alive! WHAT?? Panic set in. But there was no turning back. We were going to hold onto this halo/fog of new baby splendor as long as we possibly could. The key was to keep the baby in tact. We get home.Hello baby! This is your new house. The whole world, in its entirety, will be forever changed. You will be the sun and we will rotate around you forevermore. Time for a nap. Gently we place the baby into the bassinet and then its time to turn off the lights, pull the room darkening shades and SLEEP. But wait. That won't work. If the lights are off we can't see if she's breathing. If we can't see that she's breathing..maybe she's not. No! Sorry this plan will not work. Abort mission. Abort mission! Turning off the lights won't do. Instead, we collapsed in exhaustion laying across the bed, with our heads half in the bassinet, with the ceiling fan light turned all the way on! Just about the time my brain and heart gave way and allowed my eyes to close,the baby woke up..starving. To my teet I drew my baby.She suckled. She didn't latch very well. I knew that my milk hadn't come in yet, as the lactation nurse had already informed me of my ineptitude before I had even left the hospital. She, also, had set me up with a medieval contraption known as an SNS . Not familiar with this?Oh, aren't you the lucky girl? SNS stands for Supplemental Nursing System which is basically today's scarlet letter for you are a fucking loser who doesn't have the capability of feeding your own offspring. That's right, there are broads in the world feeding their boobie nectar to chihuahuas and I can't keep my own human alive. Fuck. It was the Chia pet all over again. I was panicked. I was popping Fenugreek like they were the last tic tacs in the world. Anyways, those were my choices...Fenugreek and SNS...until my milk dropped. What does that even mean?It's not like a gallon of formula is going to come spilling out of me. I pumped..barely a taste for my infant.So, I grudgingly hook myself up to the SNS. Picture, if you will, some sort of human type version of what is used on cows. Basically, it was a small container that you filled with formula, that hung around your neck. There was a very small tube attached to that which was then taped to the top of your breast and down at the nipple.For me, that meant atop the nipple shield.It was a pretty hostile site. Poor baby Bella. Why couldn't her Mommy just produce like all the other Mommies? I don't know baby. These fucking D boobs apparently are for fun and not function.ARGH! The humiliation. As I sat there, her looking up at me, questioning what wrong she had done in a previous life to be saddled with such a worthless mom, was enough to break my heart. But I soldiered on because I wasn't stopping until that milk gave in and came in. I was going to feed this baby if it killed me or broke me. Oh, don't you worry...it almost did. I called the nurse and she barked at me to only do the SNS every other feeding and only an ounce so that it forced the baby to suckle harder and force my milk to drop. I listened because, quite frankly,this is her job and I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Then in that first 24 hour period, Bella fed avery 1/2 hour. Do you know what that means? She was literally off my tit for about 5 minutes every hour for 24 hours. She was crying, out of starvation. I was crying out of frustration, humiliation and guilt. I felt like the biggest piece of shit Mother to EVER walk the earth..even lower than those broads who drove their kids off a bridge. By the next morning, constant crying ( on both our parts) and no sleep, I was at my most vulnerable. And the baby was looking pretty much like an Oompa Loompa. I'm not going to lie to you, I lost my ever loving mind when I realized I had broken the baby. The perfect little baby. I called the doctor and he said to bring her to the hospital. I was raw. OMG. I was the most exhausted, vulnerable, crazed lunatic on the maternity ward. Oh yes, they made me return to the scene of the crime.The nursery. Immediately, they took one look at our Willie Wonka cast member and told us that our baby had jaundice...caused by my malfunctioning bossoms! It was if someone kicked me in my hemorrhaging crotch, smacked me in my sore raw nipples, and yanked my heart out through my chest all while laughing at me. I left the room and ugly cried hysterically...uncontrollably. The Big Guy was freaked out, his baby was orange and his wife was out of her mind. The nurses knew it was hormones. They tried to soothe my fears but it was impossible. The moral of the story is even after all this, I continued to nurse for 3 months...with the SNS system because I NEVER produced enough milk to sustain my child.NEVER! But that damn lactation nurse kept telling me to keep taking the Fenugreek, it will come in. Then she told me to withhold formula, then I lost her number. I have never felt like such a failure. To this day, it still makes me hang my head to know that I couldn't just breastfeed. It's like being 30 and still riding a bike with training wheels. But because I would have been ridiculed by everyone I knew and scowled at for not trying my damnest, I did it again with my second child and again we ended up in the hospital with jaundice. Breastfeeding isn't for everybody...no matter what people say. If I could have, I would have done it for longer. I did love the bond we formed during that breastfeeding time but if you pan out in the pictures, you can clearly see that I was strapped to that SNS contraption which was neither sweet or bond conducive. So, I say to you...for me...BREAST FEEDING SUCKED! Did you breastfeed? For how long? Was it easy? Was it hard? Did you use an SNS? Would you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.ViewMarch.5th.2011
Beach Photos
With the last day of summer, I'm missing the beach already! Share your photos here, we all love to see vacation shots!
LATEST POSTED BY: DeborahThis is my post from Wednesday--the one I felt led to post. http://applesinwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/03/curiosity-of-water.htmlViewMarch.11th.2011Music Enthusiast's
This is a circle for those who enjoy music and love discovering new artists. Please share your favorite artist's with the rest of us and don't forget to include a link so we can check them out too!
LATEST POSTED BY: Erin OWho doesn't love The Beatles? Their songs are now available with the click of a button. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2010-11-24-beatlesales_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskipViewNovember.24th.2010Dodging Lemons
Sometimes it's hard to make the lemonade when the lemons seem to be coming at you with lightning speed. Consider this a spot to share your successes and get comfort for your weary soul. Whatever your state of mind at the moment, share it here.
LATEST POSTED BY: indianaMy secret life. This is what I would never EVER dare share with my mother-in-law or one of my two sisters. I'm even a bit hesitant to share it with my open minded liberal sister. It's not the sort of place you would ever expect me to go to or the people anyone would ever think I would "hang out" with. Sunday night I went to a gay bar (wait, thats not all) for a drag show. A friend of mine had always wanted to see one. She said movies she loved such as "The BirdCage" and "To Wong Fu; Thank's for Everything Julie Newmar" had always made her curious My friend has two male gay friends who had been, but not for years and wanted to see what had changed and what had stayed the same. Some of what I experienced was expected and some unexpected. The first thing I noticed was the burley and not friendly bouncer. They took your ID and scanned it to make sure it wasn't fake. This, as a mom I have to say, I appreciated. The next was the very friendly and extremely PTA/Soccer Mom looking woman who took our money for the cover charge (which was happily only $5 with no drink buying minimum. PLUS!) Then on to the bar where my wild friend and I ordered our Diet Cokes from (no joke) this drop dead gorgeous bartender. Oh and he had the personality to make tips! Very nice guy, young enough to at least be my nephew. It was a varied and friendly crowd. There were many strange people, and I'm not talking about the drag queens here. There were a few people obviously star struck by the Queens and they were a little obsessed and "off;" Other than that there were obviously gay couples, after awhile obviously gay couples, couldn't ever really tell groups of people, groups of friends, and the drag queens who had already performed there to cheer on the Queens yet to perform. All but one person was very convincing as a woman and there is one my friend and I were convinced was thrown in there for fun because I still can't see how it wasn't a woman. I stood there doing what women do, looking at hair, makeup and clothing, taking mental notes on things I liked. No one was out of control. No one was a jerk. Everyone in the room was supportive of the person on stage at the time. It was a kind of Utopia where everyone was accepted and encouraged and no one was put down or judged I know this all may sound strange, and maybe even a bit scarey. I may go again sometime, I may not. I am glad though that I did go because it opened my eyes to a community I'm just not ever exposed to and let me see that in the end Drag Queens are just people. People looking for the same things we all want. Recognition for hard work, acceptance in a community and the freedom to live life in the way they see fit.ViewJanuary.18th.2012OceanPrayer
If you have a special prayer for the Ocean, please share it here. Let's join our voices for all the marine life desperately in need of comfort and healing right now...
LATEST POSTED BY: robinDo you love sea glass, too? http://pinterest.com/robinhansel/the-only-treasure-i-seek/ViewJanuary.21st.2012my FB status
Want to share your FB status here on theMotherhood? Keep up with what's going on in the lives and minds of our favorite moms. Post your status here. Let us all chime in.
LATEST POSTED BY: gottalovemomremember the days before Face Book? why do you FB?ViewDecember.18th.2011
Caregivers
For moms who care for disabled and/or elderly family members.
LATEST POSTED BY: jenniferI not only sympathized but empathize for you. I myself has been a caregiver to both of my grandparents and now my son. It's not easy and somedays are better than others. But we remain strong because our heart and soul won't allow for us to weaken. We find strength from within and just do it. It takes a great woman to do what you continue to do and it may only get harder, however, know that there are no coincidence, everything has been planned and we were the chosen few. What hasn't killed us has only made us stronger! Have faith, be strong and all else will fall into place. I'm here for you and living proof that it can be done! You are in my prayers today and everyday.ViewSeptember.26th.2010
AmberLynn's Circle
Personal Circle for AmberLynn
LATEST POSTED BY: AmberLynnWow. Its been a long time since I've posted in here. Well, 'Baby Bean' is now Nicholas James. He's a little over 8 months old and looks JUST like his older brothers. I lied before- I was on guard CONSTANTLY, but I guess its just what happens. Life is exciting with 3 boys. They're super nuts and now I'm always on edge that they're going to kill each other. We're officially "Boystown" now. I even started a blog to document life as the queen of my little town if anyone ever wants to visit: http://confessionsfromboystown.blogspot.com If you visit, be sure to leave me a comment so I know you stopped by!ViewSeptember.17th.2011
YvonneMoss's Circle
Personal Circle for YvonneMoss
LATEST POSTED BY: YvonneMosshttp://yvonnemoss.blogspot.com/2010/03/blemishes.html http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZFbNAvQC2IY/S6jOR80Yu3I/AAAAAAAABk8/5fLY3A6mJLY/s1600-h/IMG_9048.jpg Not just for teenagers... Even adults have them. Here are some tips that can help keep them under control. 1. Keep your face clean. Keep your hands off. (touching door handles, telephones, things that other people touch is not sanitary and your skin already is compromised. This adds to it.) 2. Ladies, don't go to bed with makeup on! (If you don't wash it off, your getting old makeup on your skin from your pillowcase). 3. Wash your face with a gentle cleaner, like Cetaphil. (it's non-comedogenic, freagrance free and soap free). 4. Use a scrub once in a while. (I like St. Ives as it's hypo-allergenic and inexpensive). 5. http://yvonnemoss.blogspot.com/2009/03/taking-care-of-your-makeup-brushes.html weekly if you wear makeup every day. (you are painting your face with lovely bacteria if you don't) 6. Don't go overboard on the http://yvonnemoss.blogspot.com/2010/03/eye-makeup-before-foundation.html . Too often, girls with bad skin try to completely conceal the skin and the heavy foundation actually makes the skin worse. (this is why I love the Studio Tech by MAC as it gives great coverage while not over clogging the skin. It also does a great job at toning down the redness when using the W series). 7. Grow out your bangs if you have oily hair. (a common mistake that girls make is to grow bangs to cover the blemishes on http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZFbNAvQC2IY/S6jXEBzRuYI/AAAAAAAABlE/W6sCIOFgpE0/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-03-23+at+10.56.14+AM.png the forehead but this just keeps the problem circling, especially if you have oily hair). A LITTLE TIP ON USING CONCEALER TO COVER THE ZITS... Using the end of a slender makeup brush (like in this photo) dot your zits with concealer. Don't rub them, instead let them dry a bit. Usually, by the time you are done dotting them you can start blending them in. Use a tender dabbing motion rather than rubbing. Remember, you don't want this to be absorbed like moisturizer. You instead want this to sort of float over the top of your skin so that is why you would dab. * Need a visual for dabbing? Think...dabbing your mouth lightly with a napkin or dabbing the tears from your eyes. Gentle! The order would be... 1. Foundation 2. Concealer 3. Powder, to setViewMarch.23rd.2010
cluck and tweet's Circle
Personal Circle for cluck and tweet
LATEST POSTED BY: cluck and tweetToday on http://www.cluckandtweet.com/2010/03/censorship-its-my-responsibility-as-the-adult-.html I talk about all the sex in young adult novels. And how to talk about it with your kid. Or at least I try.ViewMarch.9th.2010
