In the house where I grew up, when Mom wasn’t happy, people knew about it. I’d shrink down in my chair when she’d tell restaurant servers that they were too slow. When we had problems at school, she always had our backs. I had a neighbor who lived across the street and got her jollies by bossing me around. When I came home with tears in my eyes, my mom always told me exactly what I should turn around and say to Lucy. I never, not even once, had the courage to actually go do it.

I didn’t get much better at standing up for myself as I got older. When I disagreed with someone, I kept it to myself. I once tried to go in and talk to a college professor about why I got an A- in a class where my grade was a 96, but dissolved into such a muddle of tears that I turned around and left before I could explain myself. A few years ago, my oldest son was struggling in preschool. The teachers asked the school district for advice, and after filling out some questionnaires and letting them observe him at school, they determined that he had autism. I knew my kid, knew in my gut that although he had problems, autism wasn’t the right conclusion. So what did I do? I cried. A lot. Then I cried some more. Then I put him in the program they were offering for kids with autism. I was so emotional about the situation that I couldn’t stand up for what was right for my son. (read more…)

Like millions of others around the globe, I was entranced with the Olympics this year. Each night, I sat down to several hours of TiVo’d events, marveling at the athletic spectacle. Almost as much as I enjoyed seeing athletes compete, I enjoyed watching the athletes themselves – their toned, muscular bodies competing at the highest pinnacle of athletic prowess. Having trained for and competed in a few sprint-length triathlons, I am slightly aware of the amount of work that it takes to get into shape for the events that I have competed in. It takes hard work and dedication to make it to the gym every day, sweat, strain, and push yourself past what you think is your limit. Now, multiply that many, many times, and you have an idea of what it takes to become an Olympic athlete. I realized, as I sat watching these amazing specimens of humanity, that these people did nothing else but train for their sport. All day, every day, for years and years – they swim, bike, run, jump, dive, throw, and stretch themselves to their very limit, only to do it again the next day.

One of my favorites to watch (next to Michael Phelps, of course) was Dara Torres. 41 years old, the mother of a two-year-old, and she was competing against – and many times beating – women less than half her age in her FIFTH Olympics. (read more…)

Technically, this is supposed to be a post about Mormon Lit. I even had a post ready to go on whether or not writing can be taught. (Well, almost ready to go. And yes, writing can be taught. Kind of.) But over the last few days I’ve been thinking and thinking about Sarah Palin and my gut-level reaction to her candidacy, and whether that reaction is justified, and why it’s so scary for me, as a woman, to admit to some of the feelings that have been roiling around inside me.

Then I thought, hey, you. Stop being such a chicken. If we women can’t talk about issues like this together—thoughtfully, kindly, with the intent of coming together in understanding—then we’re as good as silenced.

But, first, a caveat. This has nothing to do with party politics, Democrat or Republican, Blue State or Red State. I’m not trying to persuade anyone to vote (or not vote) for anyone else. I’m mainly interested in exploring the issues brought to the fore by Sarah Palin’s candidacy, and I want to know what a bunch of smart Mormon women think, because I like smart Mormon women, and trust them.

So, here goes. (read more…)

Today’s guest post is brought to us by Jenny Eckton. Jenny is the mother of six children: five alive, and one in heaven. She grew up in New York but now calls Utah home. Her likes include laundry, going to dinner with friends, being organized, making her husband laugh, and the fact that her kids now walk to school. Her dislikes include writing her own bio. She blogs at formerly phread. Thanks Jenny!

Dear 14-year-old Me,

Hey. It’s me (you) here, and we’re 31 now. I know as well as you do that you won’t take to heart what I have to say here, but I can’t get it off my mind, so I’m going to tell you anyway: Don’t worry so much. It will all work out. (read more…)

Yesterday was a crazy day. In fact, by the end of most days lately I feel frazzled and think, “Aaah, I had a crazy day.” My new baby is now almost seven months old, my three-year-old son keeps telling me he’s a big little kid, and tomorrow my oldest daughter starts kindergarten. (read more…)

When people start talking about politics around me, I tend to get a little, well, worked up. (read more…)

Katie from Boot Scoot Bikes is offering a free ‘Zoomer’ Balance bike (for kids ages 2-5). The highest bidder can choose from two colors: Grass Green or Sky Blue. My youngest has one of these and he LOVES it. Thanks Katie!

For bidding instructions, go here.

Got a baptism coming up (or a wedding or your parent’s anniversary)?  Then you definitely need a video of all those growing-up, growing-old photos.

This auction is for 50 photos or slides turned into a DVD (complete with music, titles, the whole shebang).  Normally most places charge $1.50 to $3.00 per photo for this service, so you have a chance to score quite a deal. 

The only caveat:  you’ll have to send your photos to Texas.  If you are uncomfortable with that, then think twice before bidding.

*****for bidding instructions go here

Because every baby needs a pair of legwarmers, or three…

This auction item is for three pairs of baby legwarmers, similar to those sold here. You specify if you want them for a boy, a girl or some of both, and if you have any general preferences for style and color. Then I’ll scour the stores in my area, buy the cutest knee socks I can find, work my magic on them, and you’ll have legwarmers for your baby! My daughter started wearing hers right after she was born (a skinny six-pounder) and she’s still wearing them at almost-two. My second grader sometimes borrows them from her little sister. They’re great.

Here’s a photo of legwarmers I’ve made in the past, and one of my little girl wearing them, just because she’s cute:

*****For bidding instructions, go here

I am completely enamored of skincare. And, if I do say so myself, I have really great skin. I like to make a lot of my beauty supplies and these two items are the stars in my beauty arsenal: One is an Eye Salve to wear at night. It’s made of shea butter, aloe and avacado; so gentle and terribly moisturizing. I had some dead, dry skin under my eyes a few years ago that I could not get rid of, no matter what I tried. I messed around in my secret laboratory for a while and voila! I came up with a thick, all-natural eye cream and the dry skin has disappeared for good, as have all the little lines that were beginning to form.

The other product is Olive Squalene. It’s an olive oil extract that is fantastic. It seems a little weird to put oil on your skin, but it’s quite light and is absorbed pretty quickly. It has excellent healing and restorative qualities, and can help with age spots and fine lines. It also is an antibiotic by nature and can calm down acne. (I know, oil + zits = bad, but olive squalene is different.) Which is why companies charge the big bucks for it ($48 for one ounce! cough, choke). I slather it on every night and my skin feels incredible by morning. This is especially great for dry skin, whether it’s due to climate or “maturity”.

These are made of all-natural ingredients and are even safe to use on baby skin (although what a waste of money!) Plus, look how cute the labels and packaging are!

*****For bidding instructions, go here

Do you have any DVDs, video games or CDs that skip and stutter or simply won’t play? Then I’ve got just the thing:

10 of your discs completely resurfaced. Not just cleaned, but given an entire facelift. Just about any scratch can be removed. Discs will play like new again. How great is that?

*****For bidding instructions, go here

Hot off the presses! Official release date not until September 17th! Authors include Heather Oman of MMW, Kathryn Soper, Sharlee Glenn, Cjane, and many more. We’ll gather as many author signatures as we can before we mail it.

*****for bidding instruction, see here.

Baklava made by a flesh-and-blood 100% Greek person (Kathy Soper) from a recipe handed down from her grandmother.  I would sell my first child for a batch of this stuff.  It’s THAT GOOD.

*****For bidding instructions, go here

*****For bidding instructions, go here

Three signed books for one bid! Just What Mama Needs (Harcourt 2008) will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Emmy-winning PBS kids’ show, Between the Lions. Keeping Up With Roo (Putnam 2004) was the winner of the 2006 Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award. One in a Billion (Horizon 2000) is a charming fable for anyone who has ever wondered: with so many people in the world, how can I be important?

“Skin Deep” 11×14 (Or whatever size works best in your space)

Printed on canvas, picture is wrapped around the frame. Can be hung as-is or framed for a more traditional look. Taken in Bellagio, Italy and Vienna, Austria by yours truly.

*****for bidding instructions, go here