Team WhyMommy's Virtual Science Fair

Susan is a friend of mine and fellow DC blogger and DC Metro Mom. She's the girl who always has a smile on her face and something intelligent to say no matter where we are. I love being around her.  She went in for surgery today.  The cancer is back.  She will fight it and she will beat it.  She has so much love and support and Team WhyMommy Virtual Science Fair is just a small part of that support.  I think Jean from Stimeyland says it best when she states, "We want her to know that she is loved and supported. But we also want her to know that our love and support is not all because of the cancer. We love and support her because of who she is, not just because of what she has. She is not just a cancer fighter, but an incredible person, one who is passionate about science and especially women who do science."

Science.  Not my best subject but over TD's Spring Break (Whoohooo Spring Break 2010!!!) we conducted a little science experiment to pass the time, show Susan some support and learn a thing or two.  So just like on the Brady Bunch we made a volcano-



We're thinking of you Susan!

Good Bloggy Karma

It's Friday. I'm a bit burnt out. My lack of gym time this week and the sudden influx of mucus and other icky sickness in my house is making me lazy in body and mind.

I'm done writing about blogher. I cannot bear to weigh in on world affairs or the recession. I don't feel like going on all green or soap boxy on you all today either. To think you all want to hear about how much puke I cleaned up yesterday would be delusional. TD tied a belt around The Comedian yesterday and tried to lead her around like a dog. It was hilarious and I got it on video but do you really want to see that? Good. Because I'm too lazy load up the video.

Instead I'm going to give some bloggy love. I met these wonderful writers last week in Chicago and I just need to share. Good blogging karma let your love flow~

KnottyYarn- Danielle was a speaker at Blogher and she made me almost liz myself. The rest of her blog is equally hilarious. Check out her reading here. You just might liz yourself too.

Halushki- I had dinner with Jozet on Saturday and found her smart, inspiring and a great source of advice. She's also one hell of a door bitch, black sparkly hat and all.

Dooblevhay- I heard her speak and it went right to my heart. I rarely do this but I met her later at a party and I had to give her a hug (I know!) and squeal with joy at how happy I was to meet her. Her writing is poetic and just beautiful. I cannot even do it justice with my own pithy words.

ChickyChickyBaby- She is totally going to think I'm a crazed stalker now but this was our second meeting and we spent quite a bit of time together this blogher. At one point we New Englandah's both tried on our best "Southie" accents and cracked ourselves up. We were wicked awesome.

Now go forth, read. Enjoy.

Blogher 2010, I'm Talking to You!

Blogher 2009 had the theme of "Blogher09 is People". Every time I heard that phrase all I could think of was a quote from the Muppets Take Manhattan, "is frogs, is pigs, is chickens and stuff... is New York!" Oddly, Blogher 2010 is New York.

Now that I am home, sticky with teething biscuit crumbs and out of the bubble that is every Blogher conference (I swear the world could implode on itself and the only way we would know is if it was on Twitter.) I can see beyond "BlogHer is going to hell in a swag bag..." and the bad and the ugly that happened. I see the mistakes that were made and all I want to do now is to fix them. I want to help in any way that I can. I want to make Blogher 2010 even better than it has been in year previous. If all I contribute is the much-needed start to this discussion then so be it.

1. The Networking- In the past, the representatives from the various sponsors at Blogher were generous with the swag but also knowledgeable about social media and what we as a blogging community had to offer. They wanted to work with us and forge new bonds and create breakthroughs in this new media realm. Frankly, it was exhilarating in a kick ass sort of way. This year I found almost none of this. The companies sent reps that sometimes even asked the question, "Oh, are you a blogger?" Huh. I do not want coupons for tires or CD's on clothes. Please refrain from schilling your products. I'm not at a trade show. I do not care about detergent samples either. I just want to form a dialogue with these companies and figure out the best way we can all work together. That is what Blogher is about for me.

2. New Bloggers- I love you! I want you there! We all do. However, BlogHer is not only about collecting loot and reuniting with your online friends only. You are there to learn, network and you can do all that other stuff. That is why this whole conference was created. It is not a Bachelorette party free for all. If you felt lost this year then speak up and let’s start discussing how to make things better for newbies.

3. Old Bloggers- Veterans to the whole shebang might have come off as slightly bitter this year and I can see why. Only in my second year at the conference (my fourth blogging), I consider myself an "old" blogger. A dinosaur if you will. I think Amy said it best on Saturday night and in the most well rounded fashion (please, please, please post on this Amy!) "We were young once too and people frowned upon us. There will always be some new media/technology that comes up and/or someone or something we do not like. We have to respect it though." I am totally paraphrasing but she is right.

When I think of the reasons why I love going to Blogher it is because I am there to network with other bloggers and the companies that want to work with us. I go to learn a few things and to be inspired. I want to hone my craft to a sharp little gleaming point too. Typically, by the time Blogher rolls around I am feeling burnt out. It is just the recharge I need. It is also a perfect chance to have fun, see your friends and revel in this amazing community that we have all created and share daily. It is a beautiful thing Internets and I just want to take it back to its roots. I know we can do it too. We can move beyond the commercialism and saturation that we all just experienced, because if anyone can find a good balance and new way to do things, it is we, bloggers.

Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey is Over the Top

As a kid I absolutely loved the circus. It's perfect only child entertainment. No need to bring a friend and you don't need siblings to enjoy the festivities either. I loved the lights, the animals and especially the aerial acts. When MomCentral and Feld Entertainment asked me if I would like to help them out with the DC Metro area promotion I jumped at the chance to participate in the 'Greatest Show on Earth'.

It was a great night for the whole family even if TD was a little bewildered at first. She refused to have her picture taken with the performers we were able to meet before the show and even when we took our seats. However, once the show got started she loved watching the dog tricks, elephant paint, clowns cavort and see Daniel Raffo and his Bengal and Siberian Tigers. She laughed, she danced and couldn't stay in her seat she was so excited and H and I were right there along with her.

To me, the circus has always been one of the greatest shows on earth. Add in the fact that I got to see some of my blogging friends and their families and it was truly a fun-filled night for the whole family.



Even Dash Two got into the fun. Here, Royo entertains her a bit before the show.

Photos courtesy of Amie at Mamaloves.

Overheards & Observations - Johnson & Johnson's Camp Baby

"If your lemon got on your cheese, you're hosed!" - Ted Allen, during wine tasting

"The first thing I did when I got in my room was shave my legs and then leave the razor on the tub. I just left it there. No complicated box needed to keep it away from my kids...."

The absolute quiet and pristine whiteness of my bed when I first walked into my hotel room. The absolute quiet and pristine whiteness one hour later and then again five hours later. It's still pristine white and quiet unless you count the hum of the Today show in the background and not Clifford.

Ted Allen actually being quite amusing causing me to guffaw out loud on several occasions. He clearly knew his audience when he told us to just guzzle our wine at one point.

I'm off to learn about braiding hair, what's happening down there and camper chic.

Angsty Pregnant Blogger Goes to a Conference

Today I'm off to the beautiful land of New Jersey to seek out the answers to infant and toddler sleep patterns, all that is new in J&J products and if I wasn't pregnant to drink a little.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm excited to go. Happy to be invited. Thrilled to be carpooling with this crew. But when H asked me this morning if I was packed and ready to go, all pumped up to talk to other bloggers I said, "eehhh..I'm more concerned about food. When will we eat? Will there be snacks? I forgot to buy crackers. I know were talking about sleep issues with kids, will there be nap time for me?"

Seriously. This is what it comes down to. A tiny being smaller than a grain of rice is making me nauseous as hell right now and I'm playing it moment by moment most days. It sucks. I've already uttered, "This is the last time we are doing this!" to H. I am a jumble of nerves the first trimester. I worry about how things are incubating, if there is a heartbeat, will I puke in some bloggers car, and will the smell of the hotel be alright with my finicky nose. Until last night the smell of H made me gag.

I feel like Debbie Downer as I waver between exhaustion and wondering how I get off this ship because surely that is why I feel like I'm swaying to and fro. I can eat my weight in fruit loops (without milk please, adding milk makes them taste like cheese) right now which in a house usually filled with Kashi and Special K is truly and oddity. It's official fruit loops are crack to toddlers and my kid is never coming back from this.

Still the old me is lurking around somewhere beneath the nausea and is excited to go.

Wine, Women and one Incredible Baby Soothing Machine

Three years ago I didn't even know what a blog was until this woman decided to write an insanely funny book that lead me to her blog.

A year ago I never would have believed that I would belong to such a great group of writers who continually inspire and amaze me. There I was last night at the Le Chat Noir talking to marketing people from Graco about their new product, sweetpeace (which I must say is quite possibly one of the coolest baby products I've seen to date. Hello! Graco! If I get knocked up this year can I review one?!) and surrounded by incredibly fun, smart and driven women who do the same thing as me and more.

I love being able to talk shop without having to explain a million bloggy things and share experiences, tips, talk about Thayer St. and new ventures. I always learn so much. So I have to say that without a doubt, last night was a success and a whole lot of fun. A big THANK YOU to Joanne (who is so cute and petite and doesn't look at all like her crayon drawing and who I'm so in awe of that I didn't actually talk to, envision Vicky smacking herself in the head a la Chris Farley) and the hilariousDevra for organizing it all and allowing me the opportunity to see the awesome Golden Globe trottin'Kristen again, meet Sarah, Jean, Susan, pink hairedSusie, Jim, Kimberley (a fellow transformed blond herself), there are so many others like Sandie who actually got to take home the sweetpeace because she is in fact ready to pop soon, Robin a fellow N.E.'er who won a trip to NYC for a day and all the other wonderful women I met last night.

It was a blast! I won a trip too, which others volunteered themselves as my plus one, if H decides to forgo it. I never win anything either and now I have a new book and slippers to boot. A year ago I never saw this coming.

Did someone mention a bloggy sleepover?

You want to see pictures of the event? Go here. I'm in the striped sweater forever emphasizing random unimportant points with my overly long hands.

Catfish, Cotton and a Chevy Malibu

Scene: The Deep South. Fall colors graced the landscape as I crossed over the Tennessee line into Mississippi this weekend driving three versions of the new Chevy Malibu.



Wait! That doesn't sound right does it? I live in the DC Metro area. Why was I test driving cars in Graceland territory?

Because GM decided to get a little crazy and invite some bloggers (mom bloggers if you will) into their panel of reviewers for their all-new, redesigned Chevy Malibu. Oh yes, they did Internets. I don't think they quite knew what they were getting themselves into. At least Chris, who oversees GM's blogs (they have those?), didn't. I think he enjoyed the ride and realized that we bloggers are a little on the crazy side. We drivers enjoyed his extensive knowledge of 80s music as well.

So let's start from the beginning shall we?

Like Kristen, from Mommy Needs a Cocktail I kept waiting for the moment when I realized that GM wasn't honestly going to put me on a plane, take me to Memphis, put me up at the Westin, feed me scrumptious food and let me drive over state lines into Deliverance territory. No way! But they did. When the US Airways rep actually confirmed my ticket and I was taxing on the runway I was almost in shock. This is for reals y'all!

The fact that I almost hurled my snack mix on the descent into Charlotte was alright because the freedom to use the regular women's restroom and not the family restroom had me giddy. I read an entire Newsweek and I could have called it a day. By the time I got to the hotel I was exhausted. Yet it was just beginning. After a quick call from Elizabeth and Kim my spirits lifted as cookies were brought to me by these fine, fun ladies. I was so excited to meet other bloggers! I just have never had the chance. After talking to them and hearing their thoughts on the weekend my nervousness subsided. We were really going to be driving these cars!



Having never been on a junket like this I think I can now say I'm spoiled. GM knows how to work it. They treated us to a tour/cocktail hour at the Gibson Guitar factory that was beyond fun. We got to get up close and personal with the execs, engineers and designers of the Malibu and really get up in its grill. Afterwards it was on to dinner at BB King's on Beale Street. I found myself in conversation with Terry, the GM Director of Communications, who really wanted to know why on earth I've never owned or wanted to buy and American made vehicle. Why am I so tainted so to speak? I have to say it is pretty impressive that this company is doing this much research on such a personal level.

My group was the fifth wave that week of journalists, car enthusiasts and bloggers to be hosted by GM. It was abundantly clear as the weekend went on that they care a lot about the Malibu and making it one great piece of machinary. They want to know why we buy the cars we buy and how they can make their cars work for us. They kind of half to at this point but that is besides the point. It is all much appreciated and I learned way more than I ever thought I would. There wasn't a boring point to the whole trip.

Saturday dawned bright and early as we headed out to the cars to begin our 150 mile test drive. That's right! We drove out of TN and into MS taking those Malibu's over various terrains and seeing the sights. Here are some highlights.

-Grannies without their pants sweeping front porches. Typical Saturday morning?
-Cotton to the left, cotton to the right
-Good ol' boy sheriffs do not appreciate blogger photography.
-GM frowns on Chinese fire drills.
-Was that a dog fight? Ooh look! More dogs are a comin'.
-Lawn jockeys really do exist.
-Hogs and Horses welcome for drinks at bike night.
-You can so fit two bloggers into the back of a Hybrid Malibu!
-Kristin looks like the girl who gave me her fake ID in college. Though Kristin is way nicer and didn't throw pitchers of beer in my face yelling,"Drink it up pledge!"
-Cockrum. It's a town people! Get your mind out of the gutter.
-Bucksnort's. 24 flavors of soft serve ice cream please! You know you want some bucksnort.
-Nicole has one of those new fangled thingy's called an EYE-Phone. She uses it to send things to the Internet y'all.
-That meeting Kelly and Kristen was the best part of the weekend. I wouldn't have had as much fun in that car without them. Discussing the allure of Stephen Tyler's tongue was a serious conversation. Thanks ladies!
Thanks to GM too for making me think that despite the media/marketing hocus pocus you companies put out there you can still make me believe that you are decent, fun, and caring people. I enjoyed the ride!

The actual review of the Chevy Malibu will be up this week so check back soon! For now enjoy the other fine reviews on Mummy's Product Reviews.




Cockrum. Have you had your fill?