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Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

November 30, 2010 By 5 Comments

j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the WebWelcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.

Contests

Jenny is hosting her 1st blog giveaway. The prize? A $50 Sears gift card. Deadline: Dec. 8.

Good Reads

Kristen answers the question - why adopt from there when there are children here?

Erin explains – Why I Never Ask my Husband to Babysit.

Miscellany

In case you missed it: Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus.

Check out this fun handmade gift idea for kids: ABC rice bags.

Is anyone out there thinking about registering for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration in March?

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

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I decided to dye it

November 29, 2010 By 65 Comments

A few nights ago I dreamt that all of my hair was turning gray. I couldn’t decide if I should dye it…or leave it all silver and sparkling.

I think I dreamt about that because I’ve been pondering getting older (and also because I subconsciously totally want to do something new to my hair).

Did you know that I’ve only been to a REAL salon once in my life? I won a makeover contest in 2007 and got flown out to Santa Monica where I got my hair cut and styled & my wardrobe re-dazzled.

makeover contest I decided to dye it lipstick I decided to dye it all made up I decided to dye it at the posh salon I decided to dye it hair spray I decided to dye it amazing hair I decided to dye it

I LOVED my hair like that – really loved it. But guess how long it took for Mr. Beverly Hills to get it like that? About 2 hours. TWO. Um – yeah – that’s not happening in real life.

All this to say, I’m feeling kind of blah about my hair right now. It’s too…something. Too long? Maybe. Too brown? Maybe. Too frizzy? For definitely sure.

plaid shirt smile I decided to dye itI need a little guidance. Cut it? Highlight it? Not care about it? It looks like this now [see left].

(I really can’t believe I just wrote an entire post about my hair. Some people don’t even have hair. Geesh.).

Back to my dream: I decided to dye it. And I was happy about it.

(But that was in my dreams).

How often do you get your hair cut or colored? Where do you get it done and how much does it cost?

Also – If you have curly hair, what products/techniques/cuts do you recommend?

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: , , ,

How to Help A Friend…Who Has the Flu

November 27, 2010 By 18 Comments

What do you do when a friend posts on Facebook that she has the flu? Or perhaps you hear through the grapevine that your neighbor has the stomach bug?

Since a 24-hour virus of some kind just passed through our house, I thought I’d take a moment to record what kind of items would be helpful to include in a simple care package.

knock knock How to Help A Friend...Who Has the FluTry…

  • a box of Saltines
  • a bottle of Sprite
  • a pair of cozy slippers
  • a cup of hot chicken noodle soup
  • a set of new pajamas
  • a DVD – preferably a light comedy or family film
  • a bottle of chewable Vitamin C
  • a meal for the rest of the family

Choose a few of the items listed above and put them in a basket or gift bag. If you are low on time or money, choose just one item and tie a simple “get well” note on it.

Since you want to stay well yourself (and your friend probably isn’t looking or feeling her finest), there’s no need to stop and chat. In fact, I recommend that you send a text or voicemail that simply says “Hi, Friend! I left something on your doorstep!“

What do you do when a friend is sick? What other items would you suggest for a “get well” care package?

Filed Under: Philanthropy Tagged With: , ,

I almost threw up while writing this post (true story)

November 26, 2010 By 20 Comments

over the shoulder smile I almost threw up while writing this post (true story)This past week, our 20-month-old came down with a “stomach bug”…24 hours (almost to the hour) of throwing up – and she still managed to keep a smile. She’d get this look of terror in her eyes when she was throwing up, as if to say, “Why is this happening to me?“

The day after she got better, I got sick. I’m actually sitting on the couch now, wrapped in a blanket, while Tim serves me sprite and saltines (all while singlehandedly managing everything else – laundry, kids, dinner, etc.). I married a champ (for real).

All of this made me think about hunger worldwide. When my baby was sick, my focus was completely on her. Everything faded away (everything) and I knew I would spare no expense to have her well again. Similarly, now that I am ill, I am obsessed with getting my body back in working order. I am consumed by my rumbling tummy and the thumping in my head.

Earlier today, Tim was trying to have a conversation with me about family and forgiveness and what it means to live in community. I was barely tracking, holding my Ziploc barf bag and trying to distract my body from its ailments.

mama daughter nap sick I almost threw up while writing this post (true story)“This is what it must be to live with hunger,” I said to Tim – my mind shrouded by a fog, my body begging for mercy.

I recently read that 1 in 4 children struggles with hunger in the United States. That is so not okay with me. And the answer isn’t more government programs. It’s you and me – caring.

Maybe you don’t personally know anyone who lives without food (maybe I don’t either – that’s a problem to me). We still need to do something – a few ideas that comes to mind: Donate to a food bank. Invite a family or an elderly person with a lower-income to your house for dinner (and send home leftovers).

(You know I’m writing to myself more than anything, right?).

Do you personally know anyone who is suffering from hunger (or did you experience a lack of food as a child)? What are you personally doing to combat hunger in our country and worldwide?

Filed Under: Miscellany Tagged With: , , ,

Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

November 23, 2010 By 5 Comments

j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the WebWelcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.

Good Reads

Ann writes about figuring out how to parent teenagers (equally relevant to parents of small children).

From Consumer Reports Health: Antibiotics for ear infections often unnecessary.

From Advertising Age: Need a Reservation? That Could Depend On How Big You Are on Twitter (Really).

Miscellany

Have you seen GiveBack? Create your own foundation to organize and manage your charitable contributions.

Mrs. Fields shares a Brown Bag Apple Pie recipe that looks simple + delicious.

The latest from Etsy? Find unique gifts for friends based on their Facebook profile.

I’d really like to try the new Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

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this is the way I talk about God

November 23, 2010 By 29 Comments

walking in the arizona sunshine this is the way I talk about GodI cringe inside when I hear the word “witnessing.”

Not because I’m afraid.

Not because I’m ashamed.

Because the word fills my mind with pictures of things I don’t want to be. I don’t want to be the extreme Right – thumping my Bible, asking people where they would go tonight if they died, and saying “Bless you” every other word. I don’t want to be roped in with hard-nosed talk show hosts, harsh disciplinarians, people with protest signs, and door-to-door salesman.

[I'm not saying those things are necessarily "BAD," mind you - I'm just sharing my heart].

I want to bear witness to LOVE – His love. I want to show mercy, to extend grace, to advocate for the poor, and to care for orphans and widows in their distress. In the midst of that light, I hope that His presence radiates.

thankful for this little girl this is the way I talk about GodHe isn’t [part of] my life. He IS life. As I wipe messy faces, rock crying babies, kiss rosy cheeks, listen to friends, and run on the sidewalk…he is THERE. In every nook and corner of my heart. In the ups-and-downs, the tears and triumphs, and the oops-I’m-sorrys.

I’m just an ordinary girl. I love my husband. I adore my kids. I sing “Say Hey (I Love You)” by Michael Franti when I give the girls a bath at night. I eat granola and yogurt for breakfast. I read The New York Times, the Huffington Post, and the Bible. I’m not sure how I feel about the current model of church in America. I wear blue jeans and mascara. I drink wine with dinner. I babywear and cosleep and try not to litter. I don’t have a single bumper sticker on my car.

And yet…yet…I also know that there is power in His name. Jesus. He saves. He is hope.

everything else is a blur this is the way I talk about GodI don’t wear a WWJD bracelet. I don’t leave tracts on coffee tables. I don’t watch TBN (In fact, I avoid it because it can drive me crazy). I don’t forward e-mails to protest gay rights (I don’t forward e-mails at all). I haven’t led someone in the “Sinner’s Prayer” in God-knows-how-long.

But I DO think that I am actively striving to point people to Christ. With my life (and with my words too…they’re just not the words typically associated with “evangelism”).

{I’m still figuring all of this out}

What are the first words that come to mind when you hear the word “Jesus”? What about “Christian”? Or “Witnessing”? How do you share God with the people in your life?

Filed Under: Favorite Posts, Miscellany Tagged With: , ,

asking for criticism

November 20, 2010 By 32 Comments

After Tim & I go out most anywhere, we usually turn to each other in the car and ask THE question.

We’ve asked it for over ten years now so we both anticipate it.

“What can I do differently?“

front seat driver asking for criticismThe intent of the question is to encourage both of us to think critically about how our actions affect each other. For example, I might say, “You embarrassed me when you said...” Or he might say, “I could see down your shirt when you bent over.” We tell each other if we were too grouchy, too harsh, too flirtatious, or too careless. We tell each other if we laughed too loud or had broccoli in our teeth or lacked empathy.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking for such detailed and critical feedback from most people (nor would I want to), but there’s a certain safety in our relationship that makes these (sometimes painful) conversations possible. When Tim says something, I listen. I let his words seep into my heart, take root in my steps.

Lately, we’ve been including our 4-year-old in the discussions too. I’ll ask her, “Is there anything I did tonight that you wish I didn’t do?” After listening to her thoughts, I usually give her a few things to work on “for next time” too. I try to remember to say at least 5 good things [bare minimum!] for every critique.

I’m curious: do you ask for criticism/feedback from your spouse or your kids? How often?

Filed Under: marriage, Miscellany Tagged With: , , ,