Why can't I ever come up with a good blog post title?

I still hate it.

It's like the start of the year all over again.

Homework.

She is sitting at the table and writing like she never picked up a pencil before in her life.

I don't sit with her anymore. I learned that early on, but tonight? This time? I had to try to explain it to her, have her write the words and so forth and tell her the assignment. And so I watched her and I started sweating.

For G-dssake, child, don't hold the pencil like that.

Not like that, either.

Why are you doing this?

Why won't you write like a big girl?

She wraps her pencil in paper towel.

What?

Sit down, please.

Stop jumping rope.

It's 80-something degrees in here, we don't have the air on yet, and you're sweating like crazy.

SIT DOWN, PLEASE.

Most of this I did not say. Except the first few sentences. About the pencil.

I finally gave her some instruction and walked away.

It's not easy at this time of the year. I get it. It's hot and she just wants to sit down, snack, watch TV. Me, too. I'm human, I know.

She's been doing incredibly well lately, too. I don't feel broken anymore. 

I've stopped overreacting. 

For the most part, anyway.

It's been a good year, this first year apart.

It was rough going early on. Not for her, necessarily. She loved it. But for me. It wasn't easy.

I did learn not to miss her so much.

I also stopped making her the cutest lunches of all time.  You guys knew I would. It was exhausting. I mean, it was cute and all. And she liked them. But she likes any kind of lunch I give her, so we're good.

For the most part we didn't have too many what I learned in Kindergarten moments.

Although she did apparently teach my husband that the "b-word" is not a nice thing to say. Awesome.

And she told me how a tornado is formed. Yup.

Riiiight.

I'll be the first to admit that science and I do not get along. So I'm glad she's got her daddy's brain when it comes to that sort of thing.

And I'm glad she had such a positive year.

And I'm also glad I have her scheduled for at least one week of camp this summer.

FOR NOW.

Because ... seriously?

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to chill some wine. A LOT of wine.

But hey, it's almost always 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

Why I go to blog conferences.

If you follow me on twitter you already know I spent part of this weekend in Charlotte for Bloggy Boot Camp with the SITS girls. Dayum, people, it was pretty awesome.

I met a bunch of peeps. I learned a bunch of stuff. And I have a lot to say, but I'm still fried. Or slightly fried. So I'm going to share pictures instead. Mostly.

These shots don't cover all the peeps I got to connect with, but they include a small handful. And that's okay. The cameras didn't have much time to come out, as this one-day-intensive was all about blogging.

So much so that I want to go to Dallas for their business intensive. Damn.

Anyone want to send me?

Think I'm kidding? Check the hashtag. I'm SO NOT KIDDING.

Anyway, like I mentioned, omgahhhh! I met some friends!!!

I met the Dose Girls. If you don't know my friends over at The Dose of Reality then you are missing out. These ladies are some of the funniest women in the world of blogging. For serious. They're also so damned sweet. And I adore them. So much so I have two pictures to share. And sorry, I cut out two new friends from the Diva shot below because I needed to focus on my girls. But I am excited to have made some new friends, too. I just needed to show you me and this duo close up, m'kay?

I adore them. And you know how we feel like people we only know online are like floating heads? I mean, we only see their twitter and facebook profile pictures, and even if we're friends on facebook we usually end up with shots from the neck up. Well, see above. ^^ They're PEOPLE!

But, of course, taking our own picture - our selfie-trio? We're ALL floating heads together.

*Snort* I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. We're cute, though, aren't we?

I also got to spend some quality time with Jen of Jael Custom Designs. Jen was amazing enough to give me a ride to and from Charlotte. And we were roommates for the night, and I don't think she got sick of me, so that's a good thing. We're practically neighbors and yet we don't get to see one another nearly as often as I'd like. Hopefully we can change that and do lots more bloggy-business together in our area.

One of the cool things about this conference was that the ladies of SITS planned it so all attendees were assigned tables for the first few sessions of the day, and through lunch. And then you were able to be "free" to connect with your "friends" - this guaranteed you a chance to meet people you'd never even heard of before that moment in time. So Jen and I were together for our first table (oddly coincidental, perhaps?) and then after that we didn't see one another til after lunch. So we met different people, made different connections, and had totally different experiences.

And yes, we surely would have anyway, but you know there are people who go to conferences and ONLY sit with people they know. And they have their set experience planned out. This was kind of cool and different in that way. No cliques, no seat saving, etc. I liked it.

Anyway, here we are as the conference came to an end. I think we look pretty good after a day filled with learning and networking!

 I also got to meet two local bloggers who I hadn't yet met. Apparently we had to go all the way to Charlotte to connect. They are Allison and Sarah, two of the ladies over at Mom in Chapel Hill. Allison also writes at Go Dansker Mom and wrote an incredible post about the BBC experience that's already up. (Overachiever!) Sarah writes over at 2paws Designs and also, apparently, has a recap post up. (Y'all are too speedy for me!) And I got to reconnect with my BlogHer12 roommate, Amy, of Somebody's Parents. Who - geez - I might not have seen SINCE August? What the heck? Seriously. She lives here, too. What is WRONG with me? Why don't I connect with people IRL when they are RIGHT HERE? /note to self: change that ASAP. Here we are taking a picture below:

* Note - I did a lot of tweaking with picmonkey on these shots. I sadly left my Verizon Wireless Blackberry Z10 home this weekend because it was missing when I was packing to leave. Of course I found it hiding on my desk when I got home - but my pictures suffered from the lack of it.

Lastly, I got to take a quick shot with Deirdre of JDaniel4sMom. We did not get to spend as much time together as I would have liked, but it was still awesome to connect with her. If you're looking for ANYTHING to do with your little one? Anything at all? Head on over to her place. You won't regret it. I promise.

Are you tired of my name-and photo-dropping?

Yeah, I am, too. I suppose I could have done a recap instead and been done quicker.

But if you haven't seen my tweet AND my #BBCChar facebook post about the most important way to sum up this (and any other) conference, I'll fill you in on why this was critical for me to share.

First off, I've done so several times before. I've talked about the amazing people I met and hung with at Type-A Parent Conference 2012. AND at Type-A Parent Conference 2011.

And then I also shared how I was SO excited to meet some of my friends in NYC at BlogHer last year! For me, that was the most important part of BlogHer12.

So it should be no surprise that I'm giving you a post like this again.

And the last reason why is a quote that comes from the incomparable Tiffany Romero:

"Conferences are invaluable for meeting people face-to-face."

Yep. Yes. THAT is why I go.

Sure - I go to learn. That's a given. But the people? They are why I keep going. And probably will continue to. So - who will I see at Type-A Parent 2013 in Atlanta in September?

Mental Health Blog Day #mhblogday

 

It's Mental Health Blog Day today. I only found out a few minutes ago via Twitter. But I had to participate. I have to. Mental health matters. It matters to me. It should matter to you.

It's so easy to use words like nuts, crazy, whacko, insane. I use them. I shouldn't - but I do. Usually about myself, so then it seems like it becomes okay. We can say what we want about ourselves, right? It's like I can battle my little brother to the end but someone comes near him and that's IT. I'm up in their face in a heartbeat. (We're grown-ups now, we don't battle anymore, I'm just sayin'.)

Mental health is kind of like that. I can talk about my own, and it took me some time to do so, but you try to not address that of others, lest you be looked at in a certain way.

And this time? Today? It's different.

I'm going to ask you to LOOK at your friends and loved ones. Take a good look.

For they might be struggling, too.

There are so many hidden aspects of mental health issues, so many things we don't recognize, we don't always know that a friend who cancels dinner plans 3-4 times in a row might be facing crippling anxiety. The mom who never wants to bring her kids to your house to play? Too depressed. She doesn't WANT to use the television as a babysitter. She just has to. She literally CAN'T bring herself to leave the house.

Your friend with the clutter? There might be some OCD tendencies there. They can't throw ANYthing away. (I know - I'm self-defined as a hoarder lite. I swear there's some OCD going on. I can laugh at it. But it's there.)

The new mom who isn't sure what's wrong with her? The one who is afraid to tell anyone but you just sense that something is off. Because you've been there. You know. You just know.

The momma-to-be who is afraid to leave the house. Imagining the worst? She needs you, too.

Can you reach out? Can you ask these people if they're okay? Can you remind them that they're not alone? All it takes is a question. An ear. A shoulder. A hug.

Look at these words.

source

Look at them. 

How many of them impact YOU? Someone you love? 

If you're looking at the big ones and saying, nah. I don't know anyone experiencing these things. I don't know anyone on meds to manage anything like that. Think again. If you think that these things don't matter - let me enlighten you - you're wrong. 

SO many people out there are experiencing mental health related issues, and they're terrified to say so. The stigma that they see? Those words? "She's nuts. Crazy." "What is WRONG with him?" "What's his problem?" "I'm tired of her canceling plans. I'm done. Let her find some new friends to cancel on."

It makes so much sense to you to react this way. I'm not mad at you for doing so. I just want you to understand. Recognize there can be so much more than the eye can see. Use your gut. Sense it. Maybe offer to watch the kids while she takes a shower. Heck, a bath, even! Offer to come over to her house for the playdate. Pick her up if she's afraid to drive. Talk to him about YOUR therapist. Or your mom's. Whatever. Make it real. Make it normal. Make it okay. 

Because it is. It's okay. Really. 

And if it doesn't feel like it is, it WILL BE. I promise. 

Because they aren't alone. They have YOU. And you know now. You know you can help. 

And they hopefully know it, too. 

If you'd like to link up with Mental Health Blog Day, head on over to Your Mind Your Body and do so, or just head over to check out the amazing posts written in recognition of this important day (in years past, this year's compilation is not live at this time).

Just do it.

Your friends need you. And I'm willing to bet that you need them, too.

Writer's block and hushpuppies

I keep starting a new post and leaving it blank.

I'm lacking things to say and I don't quite know why, exactly.

What's happening with you?

Quiet here, for the most part.

We had a beautiful weekend. Seriously.

Weird word to use? Maybe. Just how it was.

We took the boat out on Saturday and it was a pretty day. It stormed on us for a minute or two, which wasn't as awful as it sounds. It was actually kind of fun to get slightly soaked. Then we headed to the dock, it cleared up and we went back out for another spin.

On Mother's Day we left the house for a late-ish breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts - place of my choosing - and enjoyed a non-stressful meal. Took a ride after that to the mall, quick stop to pick up something the child dropped at Build-A-Bear after her girl scout outing there and I made a pit-stop at LUSH. Ah, have you ever been to LUSH? Pure heavenly products. Bought myself a small Mother's Day gift of a hair treatment and got some free samples. Went to Old Navy because I thought that they were starting to carry plus-sized clothing IN the store (how much would that ROCK!?!) but no dice. So I bought a new pair of sunglasses instead.

And a jump rope.

For the child.

Who is now completely and utterly addicted to jumping rope.

Which, I must add, she actually does quite well.

The things you learn in Kindergarten, I suppose!

After that we went to the Food Truck Rodeo - which is exactly what you think except nobody ropes up any food trucks or nothin'. It's just kind of like a NYC street fair but loads of trucks that sell pretty amazing foods. Yum.

I also ate the best hushpuppies I've ever tried in my life. Or my seven or so years down south. Come to think of it - about seven to be exact in that I moved down here in May of 2006. Wow.

Back to the hushpuppies. Take a look. You'll be drooling. I promise.

I just went to look for a "description of hushpuppies" and found this: hushpuppies are finger-shaped dumplings of cornmeal that are deep-fried - yum.

oh my YUM. I kind of would like some now. For my breakfast. It's a food truck delicacy, so I wonder if they deliver? Probably not.

You know what I can't stand? When people write prolly. Prolly. It grates at me. Horribly.

I took the dogs for a walk yesterday. Both of them. TOGETHER.

.8 miles. So not quite a mile, but yeah. It was good. And then I walked solo for over a mile with a little bit of jogging, as well. And this morning after I left the kiddo at the bus stop I almost started my work out but realized I had my non-athletic sneakers on. And my glasses. I just can't work out with my glasses on.

So instead I've been sitting here reading and trying to write and meh. I don't have anything exciting to talk about - everything is mostly status quo - which is good, right?

And now I'm catching up on General Hospital. Because I'm addicted. Like I have been my entire life kind of addicted. Also? The NCIS finale is this week and omg. I'm dying. It's so freakin' good. I don't know what I'm going to do without the show during the summer. That and New Girl. Have you watched New Girl? If you haven't - you should. Seriously. I wonder if they need a New Girl blogger? I could start a forum or something. New Girl fans non-anonymous. Not like Candy Crush. That's a whole other addiction.

So, fill me in on what's news with you. What are your latest addictions?

Also? I'm still trying to find the perfect orange bag. Any leads?

Talk later!

Have you heard about Time? ~ #spon #review

* I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *

Time is the name of Rod Stewart's new album.

Album. Does anyone use that word anymore?

They use lingo (hee!) like, dropped. When is your new record dropping?

Record!?! Kids today don't even know what a record IS.

But Rod Stewart does.

He's been around in the music industry for four decades. FOUR DECADES. That's as long as I've been alive!!!

He hasn't released new music in twenty years. And here he is. Back with a vengeance. Okay, maybe a little bit softer than a vengeance. But he's back!

When I started to listen in, I heard the pure yet raspy tones of his voice. He sounds (and looks!) exactly the same. He really does.

She Makes Me Happy is such an upbeat song. And I like it a lot. It's catchy, and I promise I'm not just saying that because it's the first song on the album. Promise.

 *Oh, wait! I just realized that I have the video link! Here, watch!*



Now because the first song does have such a good feel to it, you expect that from the rest. And I believe you get it. There are the ballads interspersed throughout, but the power of his voice and the feelings he stirs up are constant and strong. Take It's Over, for example. Whew. I haven't even had the experience he is singing about and it's strong enough to impact me. Some of the ballads might feel a little droopy, or they did for me, but the songs that are good? They more than make up for it.

I have to admit that I have a ton of Rod Stewart related memories. I've danced around my parents' living room to his music with my aunt and cousins. And because of that, when I saw the opportunity to listen to his new stuff and talk about it with my readers I figured why not?

So, if Rod Stewart brings up some fun memories for you, consider picking up a copy of Time. It might be your kind of music, it might not, but test it out online if you want. Listen to a few clips and see if you're interested. Worth a shot, right? Someone like Rod who has been around for forty years has to have SOME kind of talent, right?

 I mean, how much TSwizzle and that Bieber kid can you listen to? Amiright? /guilty as charged/

I'm linking you up (non-affiliate) with Amazon's MP3 version of the Time, by Rod Stewart because I know that y'all don't buy CDs anymore. It's all about digital media these days, isn't it?

And if you decide to give it a try - let me know what you think. I'm curious to see if he meets your expectations or standards.

Disclaimer reminder: * I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *