Win Prizes for Mother's Day

Okay, I'm not giving away any prizes, at least that I know of, but thought I might try to win. I haven't been entering many giveaways since I'm usually reading blogs on my iPhone and it can be a pain to make comments, but there are a few great ones out there right now.

5 Minutes for Mom seems to have a whole series of them. See the banner on the right or link back here.

This Week for Dinner is giving away flowers, and knowing ProFlowers they will be all over the blogosphere.

I have no idea what I'm actually doing to celebrate this year. In the past I've found myself actually cleaning and cooking on the special day, so last year my only request was to not have to cook breakfast, lunch or dinner for the whole day (but still eat of course.). This year my husband will be going to a Dead concert with a friend who's visiting. He rejected my idea of going in his stead, being as I'm not quite the deadhead he is and hardly know his friend. And since I get to celebrate not having to go to work and do all the house and child stuff each day, the only thing I really want is not really postable.

Happy very early mother's day y'all and good luck if you are hoping to win something.

Writing Invitation and Giveaway

A few months ago I got a wonderful book in the mail, Writing Motherhood. Not only was the only writing book I've ever liked, but the author, Lisa Garrigues, holy cow, she left an awesome comment on my post. You too have a chance to have this wonderful writer and teacher comment on your post, and I'll also be giving away a copy of the book.

The book combines great advice, interesting, completely mom-oriented writing prompts and the funny and poignant examples from Lisa's writing class. It's completely understanding of busy moms, of course, starting slow, and there's not problem with skipping around. It's really like having a good friend, one who is honest and pushes you, but at the end of the day forgives all. What I really loved, and made me feel like I was in the right place right off the bat, were some of the lists, such as excuses why you can't write, and why you are writing in the first place.

I'm not looking to make a living out of my writing, it's not something that burns within trying to get out, nor does it provide therapy, I mostly just want to document my children's antics, share my opinions and give myself something different to do besides work and child-rearing. And I am still considered a writer, I still found the book a great read. So on to the invitation.

On Tuesday, September 23rd there will be writing event where many moms around the blogosphere will publish a post based on the following writing prompt from Lisa’s book:

First Words and Other Firsts: Open any baby diary and you will find whole pages devoted to firsts: first smile, first words, first friends, first birthday. Why are firsts so significant? Because they represent a beginning. Because they push us beyond what is familiar and comfortable. Because they jolt us out of the numbness or everyday life and bring us back to our primitive selves when we saw a world through a child's eyes. Keeping in mind that first experiences do not end with babyhood, write about a first: the first day of kindergarten, the first day of college, the first grandchild. Or simply begin with the writing start "the first time" and write down the first thing that comes to mind.

If you want to participate, first leave a comment here letting us know. Then write your post on September 23 based on the prompt, and leave a comment tracking back to your post on mu first post. Not only will Lisa be commenting on all the posts that day, and I'll tell you, she's not just a good writing, she's a great commenter, but it also gives you a chance to win a copy of her book. I'll do a random drawing of the people who leave comments on both posts.

So get writing, I know I need to. Just as soon as I finish those darn performance reports, and act of creative writing if there ever was one.

Tis The Season...for Contests

There are a ton of contests right now, but who has time to enter them all? I wish, so I pick and choose and hope I win. And speaking of contests, I'm going to offer the shoes for TWO MORE DAYS - since only two people entered. But for sure by Wednesday I'll have a winner.

Here's a couple by some of my favorite bloggers, with excellent prizes, so git on over there to enter.



Working Moms Against Guilt (the best kind of working moms) are giving away a prize a day this week. Wowza. Click here to enter.

And at Mums the Word there is one more day to enter to win a train which OMG I would love to have. So I really shouldn't be telling you about the contest. Eh, what the heck? It's almost Christmas so go try to win a train.

Don't forget to check out this holiday gift guide for cool moms. I never know if I'm a cool mom, tend to doubt it but stil like their website.



And finally the NY City Moms blog is giving away a hip clek olli™ booster seat, head on over to leave a comment by this Friday to win one. I'm all over that one too, although of course my kids would fight over either the new one or the old one..

Win Shoes! Still time to enter

Y'all may remember Ryka giving away shoes and shirts awhile back. I was hoping for a shirt, but was lucky enough to win a pair of shoes. Alas, they don't fit and a recent resolution (which I've broken, I admit) was to stick to the right size for my poor wittle feet.

So that mean you, readers, have a chance to win a brand new pair of Ryka MC2 Walk shoes- size 7.

I'll leave this open for about a week, so to enter leave a comment here before Dec 16 and I'll randomly pick a winner on Monday, Dec. 17.

Also leave a link back to the contest on your blog, or tell a few friends if you don't have a blog - thanks! Since I'm paying for shipping US residents only, and odds are you won't have these by Christmas since I'm notoriously slow at shipping things, just getting that out there.

Anyone need a mudbath?.

BusyMom is giving away some free iPod nanos over here. My company has had all sorts of giveaways recently and I never ever win. And yet, in the land of the eternal blogosphere I seem to have a better chance of winning (thanks for the Photobook :).

So we are supposed to write about the funniest thing we ever shopped for online. I've done a ton of shopping online, I was doing it when I stumbled across her blog. Uh, I mean I was working from home, really, it's just Christmas is so close and I'm seriously panicking.

So what was the funniest thing that I have to say I failed to find, but did look for online? That's right, a home mudbath - you know, like the ones you get in Calistoga. People have spas and saunas and steamrooms in their homes, and she wanted a mudbath in her backyard. But wait, they now seem to have them. I'm sending it to my mom right now. Ooh, I just remembered a very silly book from the library called Ginger and Petunia and she has one, for her pig, but that's nether here nor there unless you want to check out the book.

Wish me luck!

I'd love to win a photobook!

I found out here Angela at mommy bytes is giving away six HP Photo Books.

I (that is Shutterfly) made a bunch (well several copies of the same) last year for gifts and these sound pretty cool.

I'd love to create one highlighting all the changes of this year - moving, learning to swim, entering kindergarten and a new preschool. It's a great way to catch the grandparents up who don't get to live with the kiddos day to day.

Wednesday's Winner - Better later than never

Hey Y'all, go check out Chicago Mom's Blog for a lively discussion of this book, and you can even go back to re-read my oh so fabulous write-up here. Okay, maybe it's just a run of the mill write-up.

Oh Right, and the final Winner of the book - Deb, Mom of 3 Girls. I don't know anything about these girls of which writes :) but I think she'll like this book.

Sorry for those who didn't win, but you can try your luck over here at Opinionated.

Giveaway Giveaway Giveaway - Monday's Winner

The Silicon Valley, DC, Chicago and the new New York Mom's blogs are having a discussion about this book next Monday. Want to join? Need a book? Well, I've got three copies of this book up for grabs. I'll be giving one away per day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, just leave me a comment if you'd like a copy and I'll draw one at random. And some linky love on your blog would make me oh so very happy.

Here's my review of the book, more of a personal reaction than a review I would say.

And the winner of Monday's totally random (and low-tech) drawing is...

Laptop Television from, well, Laptop Television and Voce Nation, and who blogs with me over at SV Moms.

Congratulations! Keep on entering, and I'll pick another name tomorrow and Wednesday.

The Other Mother - Our Hidden Thoughts & Giveaway

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Gwendolyn Gross' The Other Mother, from the author herself actually, and found it an enjoyable if not completely captivating read. It's about two moms, one with a new baby who goes back to work, and one who stays home with her three kids. The book started out pretty gripping, or perhaps I was just starved for something a bit light and mom-friendly after reading out book club selection. It was kind of hard for me to relate to this book, even thought it seemed to cover the "standard" mom-issues, to work or not to work. I don't really have a choice about working, so have to try hard not to think about quitting, but enough about my personal self, back to the book.

These women are neighbors, and the convenience of being friends is just staring them in the face. And boy it would work out so well if they could just take a step back and be honest with each other. One loves being needed and craves control, the other clearly wants a "traditional" mom in her life so badly. And yet they make thoughtless remarks to each other about their choices and end up in basically a sort of feud. It starts with an accident that puts one family in the other's house, the SAHM ends up as the nanny for the other, and one stormy (or not, I forget) night they end up kissing. Mixed up signals, 1st time mommy worries and probably pride drives them apart rather than together.

The book, or I guess the people, became frustrating in that if they would speak their minds, talk out their issues, concerns and true thoughts without worrying about how they look to the other, a beneficial relationship might ensue. In one scene the older daughter is hurt and at the hospital, and the parents have to take shifts since they can't get a babysitter. They've got the neighbors, who's baby stayed at the house day after day for weeks, who are right there and could take care of the kids so both parents could go to the hospital, what a waste. The husbands are well written and supportive characters, and at first you hope the they will help the situation, but they end up getting POd as well, and not in a stupid macho way thank goodness.

The book goes back and forth between each women's point of view, which is how you know their thought versus their words. The SAHM wonders why her neighbor would go back to work, especially as she seems to be second guessing that decision herself, is often late and stressed, and she doesn't really need the money. It's clear to me that it's her future career she's focused on, and quitting may make life easier now, but she's thinking about her future as well, and, yes, her daughter's future. Kids want parents true to themselves, doing something they love if at all possible. The working mom should stop making comments implying her neighbor is shallow and uninteresting, and admit she appreciates how comfortable she is in that house, how much she appreciates having an experienced mom around.

We have to face it, parenthood is challenging, even more for mothers (than fathers) in my opinion and experience. My husband felt not one iota of guilt for missing his son's first walkathon. I was there walking, even volunteered to watch another kid, even though I have after-school care and a job. Yes, I wanted to go, but my son's pleading for me to go was a big factor. I try to stay home if they are sick, even though my husband is already home. No choice will come without its problems and benefits, and this book does a good job highlighting these. I think the book could have moved along a little quicker, had a more satisfying resolution to some of the quirky events going on, but all in all a good read. I liked the ending, which I won't give away. It was perhaps a bit contrived, but touching and emotional and wraps up the story nicely.

As a working mom myself, I've hoped I could eventually work out a situation where my son goes home with a friend who's mom stays home, giving them both a fun playdate and saving a little $$ for me. And then I could return the favor on weekends or carpools or something. It takes a village, right? And I'm glad to say so far I haven't met any mom's who seem to judge SAHM or working moms, but I still believe the mommy wars are not just a figment of the media goons. I'm not about to blame Gwendolyn for fostering them either.

Giveaway Giveaway Giveaway

The Silicon Valley, DC, Chicago and the new New York Mom's blogs are having a discussion about this book next Monday. Want to join? Need a book? Well, I've got three copies of this book up for grabs. I'll be giving one away per day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, just leave me a comment if you'd like a copy and I'll draw one at random. And some linky love on your blog would make me oh so very happy.