This week on Mommybloggers we are featuring the always fun and very adored Marsha of Sweatpants Mom. We have been fans of hers for a very long time and are thrilled to be able to feature her. With a mixture of humor, snark and always honest with her opinions, Sweatpants Mom has become a favored blogger by many in not only the mom blogging community, but in the blogging world in general. It did not take us long to realize that this is one woman we admire and want to share her greatness with you. Though we could gush with our personal opinions of her, we would rather let you hear from her readers and fans. They are the ones that rock her blog with comments and adoration.

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Jamie of Blonde Mom had no hesitation in letting us know how hilarious she thinks Marsha is and how much she admires her writing.

Marsha is one of the funniest bloggers out there. As a mom to two daughters, I can relate to so much of what she writes about. She always makes me laugh!

Jodi of Jodi's World was quick to point out her reasons for loving Marsha. (And we know there are many!)

Why do I love Marsha from Sweatpants Mom? Well, that's easy. She rocks. And she almost always makes me laugh. And I really love to laugh. Her writing style is never preachy, she is a Mom, a very funny Mom, who is muddling through early morning wake up calls and school lunches like the rest of us. Blog on Sweatpants Mom! :)

Contrary of the blog (aptly named) Contrary spills the beans on how, though they may be night and day in some areas, that does not stop her from singing the praises of one of her favorite bloggers.

The thing I like best about SPM ( aka Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!) is that even though I suspect she and I are complete opposites in all the most important matters, I know I would still be perfectly happy spending several hours sipping alcoholic beverages and talking about absolutely everything with her. She's hilarious, irreverent, goofy, kinda weird, a tad snarky, and she doesn't bore me half to death talking about her latest shoe purchase. Which makes her worth her weight in donuts. With sprinkles, even.

Early in her mommyblogging addiction, Mary Tsao realized that she found a funny and adorable blogger in Marsha. She tells us all about her admiration and her reasons that Marsha is a go-to blog when Mary needs a giggle in her day.

I found sweatspants mom and her blog Sweatpants Mom very early on in my mommyblogging addiction. That sweatpants mom is one funny lady! Whenever she posts (which isn't often enough... hint hint!) I get a smile on my face. When I'm having a really rough day, I dig through her archives just for a chuckle. Because c'mon, who can't relate to a mom wearing sweatpants?! Thank goodness I now can read sweatpants mom on Babble's FameCrawler blog. Daily, snarky sweatpants mom! Hurray!

Be sure to stay tuned later today for our fun interview with Marsha aka: Sweatpants Mom. You won't want to miss the fun chat we had with her. In the meantime, if you need your fix of her writing, feel free to visit her blog, but definitely come back later today for her interview. You will enjoy it!

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In our final visit with Silicon Valley Moms we want to share two final things with you.

First, they just announced their Silicon Valley Moms Blog Makeover Contest.

Been paying lots of attention to your kids, and not any to yourself? Has it been ages since you went to a hair salon that didn't have balloons and candy? Do you spend more time picking out your kids' clothes in the morning than your own? It's time to change all that.

Silicon Valley Moms want YOU! We want to hear from the moms who have been putting their families first and themselves last for too long. And we're gonna make you feel great!

One lucky mom will get goods and services worth approximately $1000 (Please note that all services are in the Palo Alto, California area and are nontransferable.)

Secondly, they officially launched the Chicago Moms Blog! They are even looking for contributors:

Attention Chicago Moms! We are looking for contributors to join these fabulous women! To be considered, you must:

* Reside in Chicago.
* Be a mother or grandmother
* Love to write and be willing share your HONEST experiences about being a parent in Chicago. If you've got a perfect life, tell your mother, your sister, or your best friend; if you're struggling to do the best you can, can laugh at your mistakes, rant about your disasters, or cry about your tragedies, we want to hear from you.

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The following entry was written especially for Mommybloggers by our guest blogger, Julie of Mothergoosemouse.

I was a Girl Scout for five years. While I earned my share of merit badges and went to sleep-away camp each summer, the area of scouting in which I really excelled was cookie sales. And not because my grandmother bought a dozen boxes of Thin Mints each year (which she squirreled away in the freezer and brought out as a treat in the heat of August).

Not because I was a fabulous salesperson either. And certainly not because I spent every afternoon trekking around the neighborhood, ringing doorbells.

No, it was because I knew how to use the telephone properly, and I wasn't scared to do so.

I called all of our neighbors. And my grandmother's neighbors. And my parents' friends. I dialed, I identified myself, I asked to speak to them, I made my pitch, and I wrote down order after order after order - all while I was snug and warm inside my house.

I never called anyone who wouldn't recognize me. Nor did I send my order sheet to work with my father. I only sold cookies to those people who would have happily invited me into their homes anyway.

Fellow troop-mates accused me of cheating. I pointed out that the order sheet specifically said "A telephone call may mean a sale" and collected my prizes (along with dozens of cases of cookies that DID have to be delivered in person).

Continue reading "Why Miss Manners Isn't Entirely Full of It" »

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This week we are thrilled to bring you the always entertaining and very charming Julie of Mothergoosemouse. We adored her at BlogHer and have stalked followed her writing and projects since then. Julie is one of those amazing women where what you see is what you get. There are no false pretenses or phoniness when it comes to this blogger. She is genuinely as nice and as sweet as she appears on her blog. Julie has been blogging for a couple of years now and yet she still continues to amaze us with her stories as we learn more and more about her. Julie is the mother of two girls, living and writing in the wild, wild West. She's the modern reincarnation of a 1950's mom, advocating a return to the lost arts of embroidery, baking, handwritten thank you notes, and turning the cell phone off during dinner. She also likes rap music.

In addition to her own blog, Julie writes for Cool Mom Picks (and was able to go review cars at the Detroit Auto Show!) and contributes to The Soccer Mom Vote. She recently launched Parent Bloggers with Kristen Chase.

We could go on, but we know you would rather hear from her fans and friends.

Izzymom was more than happy to jump in with her praise for Julie:

I always enjoyed Julie's blog but I got to know her better at BlogHer '06. Yes, she's really nice and a great writer. Those are a given. What you may not know about Julie is that she is totally real and honest and loyal and fun and so very cool. LOVE HER!

Amy Davis from The Lovely Mrs. Davis Tells You What to Think couldn't wait to share with us her adoration of Julie:

I love that Julie writes so openly and boldly about some really weighty topics. She's so thoughtful and intelligent in the way she approaches politics and religion, and she stimluates such interesting discussions on these issues. Julie's military background has always intrigued me -- that is what first struck me about her when I first read her blog last spring. But I've kept on reading her because I love her style and her courage, and I admire how comfortable and confident she is in her role as a mother.

Kristin of Motherhood Uncensored took time out of her now very, very busy life with 2 kids to gush to us about her admiration for Julie:

I'm quite certain it was Julie who reached out and commented on my blog first, and ever since then I've been hooked on hers. Sure, it helps that both our daughters have the same nickname (Goose), but really, it's her honest smart writing and unique voice (with just a little bit of sass mixed in) that sold me. Now that we've collaborated on several projects (Her Bad Auction & Parentbloggers), I can truly say she's more than my blogpal. She's my friend.

And of course we have Mrs. Chicky of Chicky Chicky Baby who was thrilled to give us the scoop on how much she adores Julie as she jumped in with immediate praise for her:

I just can't say enough about Julie! She's one of those bloggers that never ceases to amaze me with her intelligence and humor. I know that whatever she writes will be interesting and thought provoking - or grab-your-sides funny - and her posts routinely make me think and oftentimes force me to see an issue from another point of view. Julie forces me out of my comfort zone with a gentle shove, but she's always there in the end with a smile, a kind word or two and a (virtual) nice cold beer.

Now don't forget to check back with us later today when we feature our always fun interview portion with Julie of Mothergoosemouse. If you simply cannot wait that long, go check out her blog now. But, be sure to come hear what she has to say when we put her in the hot seat with our burning questions!

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I cannot even begin to tell you about the amazing things that blogging has brought my way. Friends. Life lessons. Support. Encouragement. Jobs. Agents. Old college roommates. The list goes on and on. The doors that have been opened to me by being a mommy blogger have astounded me. I have been given opportunities that I never would have dreamed of a few years ago. One of the greatest doors that has been opened is this site and the women I have met through it.

Mommybloggers.com has been so blessed to have been able to interview many amazing women. Each of them with stories to tell. Each of them sharing some things in common, yet enough variation that we all learn from each other. The time may never come when we all meet face to face and drink coffee as we share our stories of motherhood. But through this site, in a way, we have been able to do just that through the cyber world.

If you are new to the site, I recommend you read through our guests and their interviews and essays. They each have had amazing things to say. Each of them inspirational, encouraging and beautiful.

Here are just a few of the faces of mommybloggers. We are diverse. We are powerful. And we are a community that can give not only to each other, but to the world.

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The following entry was written by our featured blogger, Kelly. It is one of her favorites that she wanted to share with Mommybloggers.

Special… having my own bathroom.

Not so special… having people need me only when I’m in the shower and try to talk through the door that’s 5 feet away when there’s water rushing through my ears.

Special… having friends ride the bike trails with me now that they know I ride with some frequency.

Not so special… having people stare at me when I’m riding like I look like some sort of prize in my bike helmet and tank and shorts (Oh, note to the Bubba who spoke to me through his pickup truck window: No, thanks. Not ever. No. No. No.)

Special… having my husband agree to make dinner even though he works full-time.

Not so special… just having a bowl of cereal while he spends time wondering what to make for dinner.

Special… having Morgan wake up early to make me muffins because he loves me.

Not so special… having Morgan eat all the chocolate chip muffins and leave the lemon poppyseed ones for me.

Special… getting a free lip gloss mailer from Bath and Body Works.

Not so special… having to spend $10 just to get the free lip gloss.

Special… listening to my husband tell me how proud he is that I just rode my bike 25 miles.

Not so special… listening to my husband say, “Wooooo… you stink!” after riding 25 miles.

Special… working up a sweat, even if it’s not an appreciable quality for those who have to smell me.

Not so special… boob sweat. What’s up with that?

Special… reading a comment on my blog from my friend Joe-in-the-Netherlands.

Not so special… reading a comment about missing my Date in Delft with him online because of my shit Monday. I’ll make it up to you.

Special… getting the low down on where Mallory is all the time even though she’s 20 years old and doesn’t have to tell me.

Not so special… wondering if “Going fishing” or “Playing ultimate frisbee” is a euphamism for “Getting drunk.”

Special… having my family do all the laundry since Mommy is so busy with reading and writing and taking class.

Not so special… having my family ruin my expensive Victoria’s Secret bras by putting them in the dryer.

This essay was originally published on Mocha Momma on June 27, 2006. If you want to read more by our incredible guest blogger, Kelly, visit her personal blog, Mocha Momma.

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This week's interview is going to start a bit differently than most. Before we get into our "hard hitting, ground breaking" questions, we wanted to hand the blog over to one person who has known her the longest and has a very special relationship with our good friend, Kelly. So, without further ado from us, in the words of her very own daughter, here is Mallory telling us more about her amazing Mom.

"Kelly, Mocha, Mrs. W" to her friends and her students, "Mommy" to only 3 very special, and all alliteral M-named, kids. Sharing my mother has never been easy for me; seeing her be changed from my mommy to a wife was a hard change and then you add on two more to the family, plus a dog, a mortgage, hundreds of students, masters' classes and a handful of ever-expanding friends and a lot of "Mommy" time is gone. But we have a secret, my mother and I do. Mom comes home almost religiously every day to a nap. Once some time has set in, where she's rather groggy and half-way to her REM sleep, I sneak into the room, very carefully arrange a pillow, and silently lisen to mom sleep. Those times are some of the most memorable, most connective moments that I've ever had with her. Sure, we are great with exchanging words, whether in laughter or in anger as we both have a great pair of lungs, but being able to connect on a level most people will never know with a woman most people will never forget is something I'll never lose sight of. A great momala, a fantastic teacher, an understanding friend, and one hell of a blogger, my mother couldn't be replaced by anyone and I am proud to be her daughter.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.- Maya Angelou

And that's my mom.

Mallory Lynnae

We could so end this right here because that says more about Kelly than any interview we could do. However, we did put her through the work of answering questions, so now we will here from Kelly herself.

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Mommybloggers: One of the reasons we love your blog so much is because you have the ability to make us wipe tears of laughter away one minute and tears of empathy the next. You are an amazing writer and we appreciate you doing this interview with us. Ready? We'll start small. Feel free to be as honest as you need to be about this. What do you think of the fact that they are no longer considering Pluto a planet?

Kelly: Seriously, I’m a little concerned. First, we have Mickey Mouse who owns a dog. I mean, really. A mouse who owns a dog? And then the dog doesn’t even talk, but the mouse does? That reminds me…what’s up with Goofy? What is he? Is it a he? Oh, pardon me. My kids just told me you were talking about the planets. I was all confused. That’s easily done.

Mommybloggers: You became a Mom a month after you turned 15. Obviously it impacted everything about your life. But the fact that you stood strong and made yourself the best Mom you can be and the best person you can be is an amazing testament to who you are. (I mean, you were crowned Homecoming Queen when she was just 2 years old.) How do you feel being a teen Mom impacts your relationship with your daughter as she was growing up and now that she is older?

Kelly: The fact that we grew up together isn’t at all lost on me. I made no pretenses about the fact that I did NOT know what the hell I was doing and was parenting by the seat of my pants. Of course, now I realize that every mother does that. It taught me a lot of humility and made me somehow more ‘real’ to her as a person, not just a mom. The only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to have fun being a mother and my kids have a great sense of humor. This house is full of laughter.

Mommybloggers: How do you feel it affected your relationship with your sons when they were born since you had both age and experience under your maternal belt?

Kelly: I still realized that I knew nothing, but I was smart enough to know that these were entirely different beings so it was as if I had to start all over again. And then again with my last son, too. There are days when I look at all of them and wonder, “Who are these creatures I’ve created and cared for? Why am I so lucky with them?” Then, I ram my head into a hard cabinet until that feeling goes away and I remember just how difficult this mothering thing is.

Mommybloggers: We have to tell you that we have great admiration and respect for you. A single mom at 15, you graduated respected among your peers, went to college, met an amazing man and are a successful, happy woman currently going for her Masters. Where do you think that inner strength you have comes from?

Kelly: I am the most stubborn and irritating kind of person. Normally, it’s a bad quality, but I used my powers for good. Yoda would have been proud of how I used the Force. In truth, I only went to college because everyone said I’d be a failure and end up on welfare. Nothing made me happier than proving them wrong. Also, I come from good German stock.

Mommybloggers: With all that you have been through in your life, what do you see has been your biggest challenge or hurdle in life?

Kelly: I have had a hard time forgiving Richard Cranium. It’s not that I don’t want to, because this is an awful burden to carry around, but I want to do it for Mallory and for myself. He’s just so damn stupid. It’s hard to forgive the stupid.

Mommybloggers: You are quoted as saying: "I didn't get caught up in the mommyblogger-vs.-everyone-else-drama because let's face it: I have enough drama to deal with in my real life that I don't need to take on virtual ones." If you could just make one statement that would shut up this controversy, what would it be?

Kelly: Women need to stop being so hard on other women.

Mommybloggers: Is there anything you won't write about on your blog? Anything off limits or not "for blog consideration"?

Kelly: For the most part, I don’t talk about things that my children experience because those are for them. They don’t live to provide me with blog fodder, but I want them live in such a way as not to fear reading about it on the internet or that I’m writing it down instantly. I’ve kept journals for years and years and those are for them. I also stay away from religion and politics. That is for when I’ve had a few beers and can wrestle you if I can’t win the argument. Since my children can all read (and occasionally read my blog) I try not to talk about sex. When I do, I warn them just to see their faces screw up and hear them say, “Eeeeewwww, Mommmmm.”

Mommybloggers: Describe yourself in 7 words that would have our readers able to walk away feeling as if they know who you are.

Kelly: Verbose, determined, funny, intuitive, compassionate, fragile, open-minded (do you know how hard it is for a verbose person to limit it to seven words?)

Mommybloggers : Tell us a secret that no one knows.

Kelly: On the day that the newest The Gilmore Girls DVD comes out I go to Best Buy as soon as they open so I can buy it. I have taken a morning off of work for this.

Mommybloggers: Okay, it has to be brought up. There was a little rumor about a bit of a cat fight between you and "another blogger" over the whole mocha momma vs. javadiva thing and a challenged was issued to see who can out coffee the other. Care to confirm or deny this?

Kelly: I can only say this: my espresso intake has quadrupled since this “challenge” was issued and I believe I experienced a small stroke this afternoon. Also, I think I may have said something like, “I can drink you under the table in all things caffeinated!” Let’s just say I’m in training, ok?

Mommybloggers: Your daughter just got inked with the most awesome tat ever. (The back story on that can be found here on Kelly's blog.) What was your initial reaction when you saw it?

Kelly: My very first reaction was tears because I was so touched by the thought. I immediately bent down and kissed her foot.

Mommybloggers: And because you are so cool, you, too are inked. Care to share with us what and where it is?

Kelly: I have an ankh on my right shoulder blade. It’s an ancient Egyptian symbol meaning “life, soul”.

Mommybloggers: And here are the questions we subject all of our featured bloggers to (*With apologies to Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio):

1.What is your favorite parent related word?

Cuddle

2. What is your least favorite parent related word?

Wipe

3. What is your favorite creative censored curse word used around children?

Nucking futs. They gasp when I say it anyway.

4. What is your favorite hiding place within your home when you need to get away from it all?

I hide in the cleaning supplies closet. No one EVER looks in there but me.

5. What hiding place have you been found in too often and can no longer use?

In bed with Jayne (my laptop, for those who don’t know I name inanimate objects) watching a DVD. Everyone comes in bed and tries to crowd around a 15” screen until I end up taking it out and moving the DVD to the family room tv.

6. If Oprah exists, what would you like to hear her say when you arrive at the Oprah Winfrey show when she features the Mommybloggers?

I think you’ve got something there with that Allen Series. How about a paid sabbatical from teaching to finish writing that book?

We have loved the chance to get to know Kelly better and hope you have too. Be sure to come back tomorrow when we turn Mommybloggers.com over to Kelly as she shares one of her own essays with you.

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Today we are so excited to feature our good friend, Kelly also known among the Internet as Mocha Momma. When we first started reading Kelly's blog, her strength of character and her humor caused us to immediately develop little blog crushes. After meeting her in July, we realized that the level of blog crush was inadequate when it comes to this incredible woman. She is not only smart and funny, she is a woman of strength, character and hilarious stories of life and motherhood. As much as we love her, we would rather you read praise from her fans. They are the ones who want to tell you more about Kelly.

Karen Rani of Troll-Baby sent us praise for Kelly the moment we casually mentioned the amazing Mocha Momma was going to be featured. This fan couldn't even wait to be contacted! When it comes to Kelly, she gushed (and proposed):

Kelly is always interesting, always fun, and can often make me laugh out loud, or tear up. Her daughter's recent move had me crying. Kelly has this way of taking my cold, black heart and twisting it into a pink puffy one. I was lucky enough to meet Kelly at BlogHer and party in her very cool hotel room. She has a way of making the people around her feel important and loved. If anything ever happens to Daren, I am SO MARRYING KELLY. Congrats on your Mommybloggers interview Kelly! Love Karen xo

Heather B. of No Pasa Nada had an amazing gem of praise for our fantastic Kelly as she pontificated on Kelly's awesomeness:

The first time I met the lovely Kelly, we were poolside in San Jose when she called me a 'zygote' in reference to my age. Most people would be put off by such a thing. I smiled and the next day attempted to read as much of her archives as possible. Not only is she absolutely stunning on the outside but as I've learned, she's a beautiful and thoughtful person on the inside as well. Now I want to wrap my arms around her and hug her every time I read something she's written. She's just that freaking awesome.

Sarah of the great blog Sarah and the Goon Squad kept it simple and sweet as to why she adores Kelly when she shared this with us:

Kelly is as cool in real life as she is online. She is such a real person. I aspire to have the same kind of relationship with my daughter that she has with Mallory.

Belinda of Ninja Poodles was more than eager to express her love and support of Kelly with prasie that was unabashed and sincere with honesty that makes you understand why Kelly is so adored:

While I love and support Kelly's blog and its overt fabulosity, even from way back when I was cussing MySpace every time I tried to leave a comment, the things I admire most about her are things that may not be immediately evident from reading MochaMomma. Kelly is real, and she cares, maybe to a fault, about everyone whose life touches hers, and very very many who she will never even meet. She is charming and outgoing, and pours on the schmooze and the flirt, but get her in a one-on-one situation just once, and your wwill quickly learn that Kelly is living proof that it's not ONLY "still" waters that run deep. That's Kelly to me: a deep, powerful, fast-moving, noise-making, life-affirming river. Give her enough time, and she'll carve a Grand Canyon of compassion...with or without anyone's help.

Izzymom gave her adoration of Kelly straight up and honestly. Simply put:

Kelly is a very warm and beautiful lady, inside and out. She deserves to be recognized an outstanding member of the blogworld!

Liz of Mom-101 had the funniest praise we have received for an interviewee before and must be included:

Kelly is smart, she is soulful, she is funny, she is kind, she is wise. The only thing I don't adore about her are her eyes, because they're just the kind of eyes that your college boyfriend lay in bed dreaming about instead of your own. The bastard.

We could keep these praises going for a while seeing as our inbox is still getting the praises for our good friend, Kelly. However, we would rather save the space for you to be able to read the incredible interview we have coming up with her later today.

So, be sure to come back later on this afternoon to grab a cup of mocha java mocha and enjoy a fantastic interview with a wonderful woman, Kelly of Mocha Momma.

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Mommybloggers: We loved meeting you are BlogHer. You are a hoot! Are you naturally outgoing or is it something that is dependent on your surroundings. Because, honey, we have pictures that say you are certainly not shy!

Karen: Most of the time, I'm outgoing. On the inside, I'm a complete MESS. Seriously: nervous, jittery, drooling mess. As a child I was always shy, probably because I was ugly as sin and kids called me things like Chicken Legs and Bucky The Wonder Horse. I was built like a rake - not one of those $9.99 models either. Dude, a premium rake that could kick leaves and take names. As a result, once I had my braces off and my curves had arrived, I was PRETTY. Dammit, I wanted everyone to know it. Then I had kids and the body went to shit, but I realized that people liked me for my personality. So they say.

Mommybloggers: You have said more than once that you had a rotten childhood. In a few entries you talk about it. How has that impacting your mothering and your view on motherhood?

Karen: If I find myself yelling, I stop myself. I raise my kids with healthy doses of love, listening and sarcasm. 2 out of 3 ain't bad. I don't spank. I don't believe in spanking. No animal, child or person should ever be hit. Except in football. Go Cowboys!

Sometimes I find myself comparing my mannerisms to my mothers, and I have to really stop and think about whether it is a good one or one I don't want my kids around. I bounce alot of stuff off my husband. He is an amazing father and was raised by normal, loving parents. So if I'm stuck, I have them to turn to as well. They are as much family to me as my own extended family. (My parents are not a part of my life at all.)

Mommybloggers: What kind of kid were you growing up? Do you see those same traits coming out in your own children?

Karen: Well besides being butt-ugly, I was an introvert. I was really good in school and only once did I defy authority. I told a supply teacher she was ugly, on a dare. I turned 100 shades of red as she made me apologize, in front of everyone.

I was afraid to break a rule. To a point, I still am. I think it's the constant brow-beating I got from my mother that puts the fear of God into me. Weird how someone so pathetic has shaped me into this rule-fearing person.

I don't see these traits coming out in my kids. I purposely give them choices, rather than telling them what to do. I try very hard to foster whatever loves they have: with Dylan, it's reading, and with Thomas, well, it's chocolate milk. And his trike. I don't ever want to squash them as I was squashed.

Mommybloggers: Tell us a secret.

Karen: I honestly believe I will feel nothing when my parents die. I am emotionally bankrupt when it comes to them. I have no regrets. I do, however, feel guilty for not loving them anymore. I'm pretty confused about all that. Obviously.

Mommybloggers: Describe yourself to our readers using just 7 adjectives.

Karen:

Unique
Happy
Loving
Proud
Quirky
Moody
Funny

Mommybloggers: The Mommybloggers are dropping in. How will you entertain us?

Karen: Well there's always the crab dance. (*Editor's note: If you have not wet your pants laughing with Karen, this should do the trick!) Though I don't actually own that trampoline, so we'll have to improvise. We could make some coffee, throw some Bailey's in it and hang out on my back deck where we'd laugh until one of us peed ourself. Ahem....Jenn.

Mommybloggers: Since you brought it up, there seems to be a rumor that you had this issue at BlogHer of laughing until you peed your pants. Care to confirm or deny this rumor?

Karen: Deny, deny, deny!

Mommybloggers Have you had any bad experiences with blogging?

Karen: Not really bad. There were a couple of comments I had to delete - one of which I suspected was my own father, but I can't be sure.

The weirdest thing was being recognized at a local diner. The waitress recognized Thomas and I. Freaky.

Mommybloggers: So you proposed to your husband, down on one knee. Tell us about
his reaction and how that came about.

Karen: Well....I was naked. So his reaction to that is always favourable. Even
since I had the kids and my body changed, he's always been a fan of the nakedness. Crazy bugger.

You have to know this about me: if I have a gift for you, I cannot keep a secret. I will literally feel as though I may implode if I cannot share this with you. So for me to go out and buy this amazing man an engagement
ring (THAT MORNING - SEE? NO patience!), then spend all afternoon with him, probably acting like a Mexican Jumping Bean - well that is huge.

We got into bed that night, and I was SO excited. I couldn't wait. He KNEW something was up. I couldn't wait. I jumped out of bed, and he asked where I was going. I yelled something like, "Be right back!" and
grabbed the ring, in it's little box, sticking it behind my back.

I crouched down beside his side of the bed and he and he propped himself up on one elbow and asked me what I was doing. I told him I loved him, and that I would love him forever, and how special he was to me, and asked him to grow old and wrinkly with me.

Tears welled up in his eyes and he said yes. He grabbed me tight and we stayed like that for a very long time. Nowadays my knee would be screaming at me, but then, I was all of 118 pounds and my knees were in
fine shape.

We've been married 8 years now and it's still as wonderful as it was that day. Better, even. Sometimes we look at each other and say, "Is it really that hard for some people?" and "We are so lucky." And we are. Neither one of us take that for granted.

Mommybloggers: You told a story about jumping from the front of the van to the back to slam the hatch that you noticed was not closed all the way while in a carwash in order to save the beer (not the van) was hysterical. Always save the beer. (It did make us love you just a tad more after reading that!) Now, had you ruined the van, would it have been worth it to save the beer and ruin the van?

Karen: Well, it was Cindy's van. Cindy is a dear friend of mine. Had I ruined her van, she might have thanked me. Had I known the outcome of such an insurance claim, I might have chanced it. For her. And for the beer.

Mommybloggers: If we tell you how much we love you, will you make us some nipple cookies? Explain nipple cookies for those who are not aware.

Karen: I love love love marachino cherries. When I was little, my Granny used to make these Christmas cookies with cherries in them. I know I should have just called her for the recipe, but that one looked so easy on the internet. Damn internet. Once the cookies were baked, there was nothing to do but blog the shit outta them!

Mommybloggers: Lately we have seen many blogs being designed by the amazing Troll Baby Graphics. What got you started in blog design? Is it something you do because you can or is it a passion of yours to find the right graphic to fit the right blog?

Karen: I got started by playing around in Paint Shop Pro, years ago, making little graphics for online friends on message boards. Once I started blogging, one of the first things I did was stare at my old Blogger template for hours, figuring out how it all worked. I bought books on eBay and taught myself. I'm still teaching myself.

I am passionate about my work. I love meeting new people and making their personal space, their very own. I was close to quitting before BlogHer, but was inspired by many of the women I had designed for, and decided to
keep it up. I'm glad I spoke out about my concerns, because everyone was very supportive toward my little piece of the web.

Mommybloggers: And here are the questions we subject all of our featured bloggers to (*With apologies to Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio):

1. What is your favorite parent related word?

Bedtime - not because the kids go to bed, but because it is the source of
some very tender moments for us: kisses, hugs, talks and snuggles. My
favorite time of day.

2. What is your least favorite parent related word?

Milestones - only because so many competi-parents rely on them, and
"experts" judge us on when they are reached. Parents are experts, and I
wish more parents would take that term for themselves.

3. What is your favorite creative censored curse word used around
children?

Fartsucker. I use it instead of "Oh shit," or worse.

4. What is your favorite hiding place within your home when you need to get away from it all?

The back deck. I just quit smoking again, but I step out with the dog when I need 5 minutes. Honestly though, that isn't as often anymore now that Thomas is older. The first year of his life? I was on the back deck.

5. What hiding place have you been found in too often and can no longer use?

The bathroom. Thomas finds me in there, and exclaims, "Boys have penises
and girls have Vaginasaurs!

6. If Oprah exists, what would you like to hear her say when you arrive at the Oprah Winfrey show when she features the Mommybloggers?

Um. Duh. Oprah DOES exist. Did you not know that? I totally want to meet her. When I was a little girl, I wanted her to be my mother. She taught me alot about right and wrong from about age 9 upwards. Thank God. If I had listened to my own mother, I'd be an alcoholic, abusive, screaming banshee.

Be sure to check in with us tomorrow when we turn over Mommybloggers.com to the always entertaining Karen Rani.

Posted by Jenn Satterwhite at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Today at Mommybloggers, we are thrilled to bring you the amazing WonderMom. Kris is one of those bloggers you come across and you feel as if you have met a true friend. She is open and honest as she shares her stories in a way that her readers feel as if they are sitting down with her sharing a cup of coffee and listening to a good friend tell them about her life. We love the way Kris has of taking anything life hands her and showing the positve side of it. She writes the type of blog that is uplifting simply because of the amazing personality of its author. Kris is the real deal and one of the many reasons we love reading her. (Not to mention her generosity in her giveaways!)

It was no surprise to us that her readers had no problem coming to us with praise for this wonderful blogger, WonderMom.

Devra Renner, of Parentopia and Co-author "Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most and Raise Happier Kids" was more than thrilled to share with us why she is so enamored of Kris:

What we love about Kris's blog is her positive attitude about life. Even when she is talking about stuff that is upsetting or annoying, she still gives her blog a positive, but not Pollyanna, voice. I read her blog and want to support it because Kris personifies the many of the principles of the Mommy Guilt-free philosophy! Yay Kris!

Julie of Mothergoosemouse was thrilled to share with us why she adores Kris so much. Even as a newer reader to Kris' blog, you can see why her admiration is building:

I'm one of Kris's newest readers, and I'm kicking myself for having not found her sooner. She's an honest, straightforward writer who also sings the praises of others. She's helping create a true community in the blogosphere.

Lucinda of Suburban Turmoil, never at a loss for words, sums up eagerly why she so enjoys the writings that Kris has on her blog and was more than happy to share with us why she is a loyal reader of Kris' (even if she is envious of the free loot she receives):

Kris's writing voice is like the calm in the mommyblogging storm. She has a peace about her that really shines through in her writing- and I can't believe she has anything resembling peace with three young children to care for! Kris also impresses me with her knowledge of current events and her ability to get free stuff. I am green with Kris-envy!

Stacy Quarty totally admires Kris and her ability to keep it real and let us know we are not alone out there. She was thrilled to share a few words of praise with us about the amazing WonderMom:

You’d think to read one person’s minute-by-minute journal of a day would be quite tedious and boring. Not with Kris. This Wonder Mom’s A Day in My Life post is vivid, quirky and humorous. But most of all, it’s a candid slice of life that most of us (semi-sane) Moms can relate to. Kris, in this and all of her writing, let us know that we’re not alone; we are a kinship of modern moms and we will survive.

Check back later today and read our interview with the incredible Kris of WonderMom!

Posted by mommybloggers at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

We were all very excited here at Mommybloggers to interview Lisa Stone. Our only problem would be to keep the interview short enough that it could be read in under two hours. Thankfully, Jenn got a bad case of laryngitis and lost her voice, rendering her unable to continue the week-long interview process. (Sometimes we need these little helpers to keep her line and on task.) Without further ado, we give you the incomparable Lisa Stone.

Mommybloggers: Lisa, some readers may be confused as to the reason we are featuring a blogger that is not known as a mommyblogger because the blogs you are known for (BlogHer and Legal Blog Watch) are not blogs that would be typically found under the mommyblogger umbrella; however, you are a mom who blogs. Here, that qualifies you! But, I do have to ask, do you ever want to just bust out on one of your other blogs and get personal? Talk snot, preteen angst and fatigue? (Feel free to bust out here! We are all about that!)

Lisa: This is going to sound like a complete cop-out, but I worked so hard as a journalist to compartmentalize my personal life and my professional life that busting out for me is blogging that I even have kids! And the post where I admitted that my partner, Chris Carfi, and I had a tense moment over the last of the apple butter? Ooo, now that's practically opening up a vein.

Mommybloggers: What would you name your mommy blog if you had you started one?

Lisa: Lego stigmata. Since my son was two, he has been obsessed with Legos. Ob-sessed. Loves them. Now he's nine, his five-year-old stepbrother is five, and our home is regularly covered with the things. Let's just say I've stepped on a few.

Mommybloggers: The mommyblogger panel at BlogHer came together rather randomly. At the time that it was set up, did you foresee that it would grow as it did?

Lisa: I hoped it would. You all just took it and ran with it. What a discussion! Thank you again. The quality and the passion of that session shouldn't surprise anyone who's ever spoken with a mother. Motherhood has always been a flash point for women. I'm sure there are cave drawings somewhere by a woman who was trying to pottytrain a toddler and get laid in the same week. Give us a village well, a back fence, a kitchen counter or a rolled-down car window, and we will talk about our kids. The joy of having our own printing presses (which is what blogs really are), is that now we can tell it like it really is.

Mommybloggers: Are you willing to take the blame for getting the three of us together? I mean, seeing as if someone decides to sue for mental anguish that we have caused, we need to point the finger somewhere.

Lisa: Absolutely! As long as you point your finger at my BlogHer co-founders, Elisa Camahort and Jory Des Jardins too. They're further proof that you don't have to be a mom yourself to care about women and their children.

Mommybloggers: Were you surprised at the venom towards mommyblogging as a genre? What about the distain towards the term mommyblogger? What do you personally think of the term mommyblogger?

Lisa: Sadly, no, I was not surprised. Because I was the target of plenty of venom and disdain myself when I had the audacity to suggest a conference for women bloggers. Perhaps this disdain toward the word "mommy" is why so many women I know struggle ferociously with their identities when they become mothers. I mean, what kind of a reward is this -- we struggle through a pregnancy, survive birth (moment of silence please), embrace motherhood, which is the scariest and mind-blowing thing I've ever done, and we get put down for it? That's the root issue -- ambivalence over what "mommy" represents. Well, I love "mommy." Because to me it isn't a disembodied word anymore. It's who I am. It's carved in my heart. And in my stretchmarks. I just wish I could convince my nine-year-old to be less cool and call me "mommy" again every once in awhile...

Mommybloggers: Lately, the business world is sitting up and taking notice of moms who blog - marketing to moms isn't new, but is using mommybloggers to get the word out seems to be big right now. Do you see that as the new way to go in marketing or just fad? Do you think our opinions really influence?

Lisa: Yes ma'am! Mommybloggers are weaving some of the Web's best stories by and about women -- women who, let's not forget, control 80 percent of household spending. That's right, from the family car to the computer (you geeks, you) to the Legos (sigh) to the Pampers.

Let's look at another medium as an example: Right now, the top revenue-generating news and entertainment shows on television are by moms for moms. Look at NBC's The Today Show starring Katie Couric: By a mom for moms, and the top-rated morning news show for ten straight years. How about Oprah, a daily conversation by the-mother-of-us-all for moms. There's ABC's The View, which is a coffee klatch of moms, mugs included. Don't forget ABC's Desperate Housewives, the made-up moms (take that any way you like). Hell, ABC's World News Tonight just put an anchormom, Elizabeth Vargas, in Peter Jennings' old chair, for heaven's sake!

This is great news for mommybloggers because all these famous shows are in a money-making medium (television) where the numbers are dropping. Their problem is that us viewers now use the Internet more than we watch TV or read magazines. Instead of watching other people talk, we're getting our own word out. That used to mean message boards, the best place to hold online conversations. But now that we have our own personal printing presses -- blogs! -- better watch out. And the world is watching. This is why I've often thought that Dooce is more than a brilliant blogger. She's a metaphor for what's happening to the media and the value of what mommybloggers are writing--to advertisers as well as to readers. She's the Saturday keynote speaker at the SXSW conference. That says a great deal.

Mommybloggers: Can we talk BlogHer for a minute? Wow. I mean, really. Wow. When you envisioned BlogHer, did you have any idea it would become as big, as influencial or as groundbreaking as it has become? Why do you think it was embraced and celebrated as it was?

Lisa: I think BlogHer worked for three reasons.

First, I think our timing was right. There was a huge groundswell of frustration last winter, after national thought leaders and the mainstream media (of which I am an active part) hit a particularly low point in their discussion of women. By low point, I'm referring to Harvard president Lawrence Summers' comments on the female brain, to Kevin Drumm's column in The Washington Monthly , asking where all the women bloggers are, to Susan Estrich's flame of Michael Kinsley, editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times, about how few women write for that page. And the day to day coverage of the blogging phenom was even worse. If your name wasn't Wonkette, you didn't exist as a woman blogger, despite the fact that a Pew Internet survey ( 1.05) reported that 43 percent of bloggers are women.

Second, the women bloggers in question showed up at BlogHer. We showed up and walked our talk. We didn't sit at home and whine that we weren't being allowed to play. We did something about it--and for us mommies, that something included getting the kids taken care of, too. And you, Jenny and Meghan not only showed up, you lead a panel! Elisa Camahort gave a great interview to the San Francisco Chronicle that ran the day of the conference, in which she said, "This is a conference the community built." Brilliant woman.

Third, the conference was designed to celebrate the participants -- not the organizers or celebrity speakers or the sponsors. Most conferences I've attended exist to make money or celebrate a few people. This conference was designed to give the community the reins and that infused everything, from the way the sessions were conducted (many by attendees) to how we approached sponsors. We are looking forward to doing more of that at BlogHer '06.

Now, I'd also like to add what I think BlogHer has to improve: First, don't get me started on the wireless last year. We're fixing it. !#%! And I promise never, ever again to agree to play someone else's music videos at the beginning of the day. Oh, the number of complaints about Shania Twain!

Even more seriously, our biggest next steps with BlogHer '06 will be developing a framework for this amazing group of women to do what they want to do next year: More of everything. Women asked for a two day conference, so we're developing a curriculum of classes on day one of the conference and recruiting the best possible discussion leaders and noted participants as possible for day two. We're launching a Web site where all of this can begin asap, not to mention creating a safe space for rideshares, roomshares and karaoke night. Consider yourselves warned!

Mommybloggers: Tell us about law blogging--blawging. It is obviously a very different world than the world of mommyblogging. What draws you to it? What is the biggest downside to it? Who would you like to see guest post on law.com?

Lisa: I am fascinated by our system of government, that's why I became a reporter. And the brain in that system is the law. Until you or someone who love has had their lives changed by a legal conundrum, it's hard to appreciate how it molds our everyday lives. Which is why my only disappointment with the experience is with myself: I don't have a law degree. But I do so enjoy writing about people who do. And I think there's value in a consumer and political perspective on the law. There are tons of women I'd like to see guest post on Law.com -- too long to list here! But if there's a mommy blawgger who's reading this post and is interested, I'd love to hear from you!

Mommybloggers: One of the things that draws people to you is your openness and warmth. I happen to know that when you heard the story of one woman who was going through a bad time and felt that she just couldn't face attending BlogHer, you personally called her to reassure her that if nothing else, you would be there and would embrace her attendance. Have you always embraced the idea of women supporting women or have you seen the need arise more often lately and have just stepped up to fill that gap?

Lisa: What a compliment! Thank you. I blame my younger sisters and mother, our ringleader. It's all their fault. I think I've been focused on conversations with women since I was eighteen months old and my first sister was born. We moved nine times through five states by the time I was nine years old. By that time they were my best and only friends, and I've never given them up. Their brilliance, and the support of my father and brother, is what gave me the boost I needed in 1997 to turn my back on mainstream media (for the first time) and go to Women.com as the senior producer of Women's Wire, one of the first Web sites for women online. At that time, early geek pundits were saying women would never go online. Horseshit, I thought. At the time, my marriage had just ended, I was single-parenting a one-year-old baby and I lived for my stolen minutes online. Pushed me right over the edge into content not just about women, but by women, for women. As we know, there's a huge difference.

Mommybloggers: You are high profile and have the ear of many bloggers covering all genres.That being said, do you ever just want to throw off your diplomatic hat and scream when you see venom spewed online or between different blogging genres?

Lisa: Oh, sure. Sometimes I do! But it's amazing how, when I cool off and surf around, I find that the object of my concern has hoisted themselves by their own petard. That's the value of a community conversation. That means when and if I need to stomp onto a soapbox, I--and BlogHer--have a much better chance of being taken seriously. I just wish I had more time to blog on BlogHer and on Surfette. That's a major goal for 2006.

Mommybloggers: You have been a single mom. What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a single mom?

Lisa: Yes, I was on my own for eight years, from the time my son was one until this spring, when we moved in with my beau and his kids, Brady-bunch style. My biggest challenge as a single parent? Loneliness. Specifically, the loneliness and guilt of parenting without a partner. That's so much worse than okay-it's-my-200th-Saturday-without-a-date-loneliness, which I also had at that time! It's amazing how much the triangle of two parents and child supports the parent as well as the child. I experience that every night now. Alone, I worried every time I had to discipline my son or help him, teach him something or ask a friend to watch him during a work dinner. I was pulled, hard, between the massive number of hours I needed to work to support my son in the San Francisco Bay Area, and my precious boy who was so small, and then not so small, and trying to figure out his relationship with his father. No matter how much love and family and friends you surround your child with, if Mommy is weepy inside, the world is never completely right.

Mommybloggers: We happen to know that you are in a terrific relationship now with an amazing man . If we asked him what your biggest pet peeve is, what would he say? Your biggest joy in life? Your worst habit?

Lisa: Yes I am! My biggest pet peeve? Clean socks. Dang things multiply in the drier. I hate to match them. Hate it. I'd rather pull a Marie Antoinette, throw them away and buy new ones. Of course, that would involve getting off the couch...

My biggest joy in life? My family.

My worst habit? Getting mushy about my family. I could drop and give you 20 snotty tissues with runny mascara right now.

Mommybloggers: SURPRISE, Lisa. We actually went to Chris to ask him how he would answer these questions. We thought it would be fun to see what he said. After getting his brilliant responses, we have to confess that we just may have a crush on him, too. And we demand you bring him to BlogHer '06. (We're just saying.) This is how he responded to us:

Pet peeve: Well, it may be more of a, hmmm, let's call it an "ongoing negotiation," but would have to say our Sisyphean effort to find a mutally-acceptable volume for music in the house and car.

Defaults:

Lisa...Rational volume

Chris...Let's see if I can make my eardrums bleed! That'd be cool!!!

Biggest joy: The kids

Worst habit: This has to be the worst habit. Ever. :-)

Mommybloggers: What is one thing you would want mommybloggers and those who read Mommybloggers to know about you that they may not know? You have their ear (so to speak).

Lisa: I think my comment above about loving the word mommy and it being carved on my heart and stretchmarks is the one. That, and a huge high-five to all of the daddies who made it possible for so many mommies to attend BlogHer' 05. Please do it again in BlogHer '06!

Mommybloggers: And here are the questions we subject all of our featured bloggers to (With apologies to Bernard Pivot and Inside the Actors Studio):

1. What is your favorite parent related word?

Mommy

2. What is your least favorite parent related word?

Significant other

3. What is your favorite creative censored curse word used around children?

F-word

4. What is your favorite hiding place within your home when you need to get away from it all?

My car.

5. What hiding place have you been found in too often and can no longer use?

My bed.

6. If Oprah exists, what would you like to hear her say when you arrive at the Oprah Winfrey show when she features the Mommybloggers?

Today, "Mommyblogging as a Radical Act"! Hear from these (fill in the blank) women on how they are changing the world -- of their homes and maybe even yours -- when they turn on their computers every day!

Mommybloggers: Lisa, we cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate all you (and BlogHer) have done for us. You are an inspiration to women who want to take things to the next level. Thank you for being a part of this and letting us feature you here at Mommybloggers.com! We adore you and it has been our honor to feature you.

Posted by Jenn Satterwhite at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Sometimes we like to feature a blogger who is not necesarrily known as a "mommyblogger" yet still falls under the criteria to be a mommyblogger: a mom who blogs. This week the Mommybloggers are featuring none other than one of the women we hold personally responsible for getting the three of us together: Lisa Stone, the co-founder of BlogHer.

In addition to blogging at Surfette, Lisa blogs at Legal Blog Watch and helps keep the wheels in constant motion over at BlogHer.org . Before we came to know her through BlogHer, Lisa was executive producer and editor-in-chief for the original Women.com Networks, where she launched an award-winning Web portal that became a top 30 Web site with 25 million unique visitors and 312 million pageviews per month. She has developed Web coverage with Hearst and Rodale magazines, Gallup, Bloomberg, ABC's Good Morning America, E! Television/Online and HBO's Sex and the City. Lisa is the first Internet journalist awarded a Nieman fellowship (2002). But those are her professional attributes. Even if you take all of those things away, you have an amazing and talented woman who is well loved.

We could certainly gush about our adoration of Lisa, but that would not leave room for other people who adore her to give you their input on this very talented, giving and incredible woman.

We had to limit our good friend Jory Des Jardins when it came to her gush-fest for her friend Lisa. (Trust us, this woman does have a book in there!)

"Lisa is my blogging Big Sister. Since we've met she's both embraced me as a colleague and taken me under her wing. It's a strange and exhilarating sensation you get around her of being nurtured and admired at the same time. It's like having your Mom around, but it's not annoying or stressful. She's also like a big sister because she's a born defender. Once she takes a person or a cause under her wing she fights to the death for it. She's also unfailingly thoughtful. She remembers names, beaus, blog posts of yours she read, like, ages ago, and things that you forgot you told her that will make you look at her like she's crazy when she brings them up.

Lisa's like a really good Mojito--when she knocks you on your ass, you really don't feel it until you stand up and think about it. She gives it to me straight, but painlessly. Only later, I think, "Oh, THAT's what she was telling me." She's unbelievably persuasive. I'm almost at the point where I just don't disagree with her, because I know she'll talk me over to her side. But she's not a bullshitter, let's be clear. Lisa takes great pains to communicate truthfully and meaningfully, with a pinch of humor and self-deprecation.

Some Lisa phrases I've come to adopt after tens of thousands of emails.

(After providing lenghty persuasive argument for something) "...that's my two lira."
(When signing off on a phone call) "Bye friend."
(One I just used earlier, when she wants to clarify her position on something) "I mean, let's be clear..."

I have a book in me about Lisa. Right now it's comprised of a few synapses in my brain, but someday, when they connect, Lordy it'll be good."

The amazing Grace Davis jumped right up to let us know how much she adores Lisa with a great idea of how to ensure we all get some Lisa love.

"Oh, to clone Lisa Stone. The planet would run far more effectively and cheerfully if if we had a Lisa Stone Clone for every organization, conference, dinner party and playgroup. Lisa is a combination of the sheer rugged power of a Caterpillar multi-terrain loader and the soft spoken elegance of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. That, in any one's book, is one hell of a hybrid vehicle and a force to be dealt with in the badass blogosphere and beyond."

Fellow partner in crime at BlogHer Elisa Camahort, had no trouble telling us how she and Lisa were a match made in blogger heaven.

"I really didn't know Lisa at all when we sat down to lunch almost a year ago and started dreaming big about a women's blogging conference. But I know now that there is no one else that would have been the partner that Lisa is. And the friend. Very few people combine her talents for getting shit done with the qualities of a visionary too. Rare combo. Rare person. Shout out to our mutual friend Mike for telling us each that we really had to meet the other!"

When Jeneane Sessum volunteered her praise of Lisa, she had no trouble coming up with the perfect word to summarize this amazing woman.

"When I think of Lisa, the first word that comes to mind is “Tireless.” Whether you’re talking about the work of serious journalism, or conference launching and management for a marginalized online group (women), or motherhood, or good friend, or even make-me-laugh-my-butt-off email buddy, Lisa just doesn’t stop. She’s there, she’s smart, and she’ll tell you what she thinks. Honestly. From my virtual friendship with her, I gather that this is because she REALLY CARES about all of these things, and she really cares about making the world a better place for her child, friends, relatives, readers, colleagues, and fellow human beings. GO LISA GO!"

When volunteering a few words about Lisa, Halley Suitt had no problem sharing her admiration for this incomparable woman.

"Who does not ADORE Lisa?! Lisa Stone is so influential in so many arenas --blogging, media, marketing, conference production --and so terrific as a person, I'm wondering ... is she real?

If not, let's make more of her."

Now, considering the number or women and men who admire Lisa Stone, this entry could go on for pages and pages, but if we did, you would miss our fun interview with her. And we know you don't want to miss out on that one. Come back later today and hear from Lisa herself as we put her in the hot seat.

Posted by mommybloggers at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

And now for something completely different. Featured blogger(s) with a twist. You are seeing a Mommyblogger double header! (Or would it be considered a two-fer?) Not only are we interviewing our first male blogger--daddyblogger-- but also our first blogging couple! Today, Mommybloggers.com is thrilled to turn the spotlight on two wonderful writers: Chris of Rude Cactus, and Beth of So The Fish Said.

If this were high school
Chris and Beth would be voted
the 'Cutest Couple'

Chris is known for his Monday Haiku, his disarming sense of humor, his love and joy for his family, as well as his beautiful photography. Beth charms her readers with stories running the full emotional spectrum, from frustration at her lazy ovaries to her elation after the birth of their daughter. We have crushes on both of them.

We had no problem getting Metro Dad to step up to the plate and tell us all about his rock-star-love-fest with Chris and Beth:

Though I only discovered their blogs about 6 months ago, I’ve rapidly become a huge fan of both Chris and Beth. For me personally, I enjoy reading them because they’re both so amazingly cool and genuinely nice. There’s no faking it. They are simply two of the nicest people you will ever meet in the blogosphere. In a strange way, I find them both to be quite an inspiration. On the one hand, they’re very cool and interesting people. But at the same time, they’re grounded and have such a healthy attitude towards life.

Maybe it’s because I live in a city filled with Type-A neurotics and general insanity but I find Chris and Beth to be two of the coolest cats around. In the finest sense of the phrase, they’re both rock stars in my book.

RockStar Mommy rushed the stage to tell us of her admiration for this hot blogging couple:

Chris and Beth are two of my favorite bloggers, not just for their websites but also for who they are individually and together. They are very grounded, honest, and sincere, which makes them the kind of couple that other married couples look up to because they are the real deal.

Kat cut into this cute-fest dance to tell her how much she loves Chris and Beth's' wit and fun:

Why do I love Chris and Beth so much? Because they are both wonderfully witty in words. It is one thing to be funny in person, but I've never met them and yet they truly make me laugh out loud whenever I read a new entry. Funny, sassy and full of love - they are a daily read for me.

Dawn knitted together the story of how she came to know and love Beth and Chris and have come to call them friends:

Chris and Beth! I love Chris and Beth - they're both awesome people in their own right, and I just know that Mia will grow up to be even more awesome.

I came across Chris's site first, and immediately loved his sense of humor - he's a funny guy, and it comes across well in his writing. But he's not just all about the funny - he also turns out heartfelt and thought-provoking pieces, and does it all well. Plus, he replies to nearly every comment via e-mail - that's got to take a big chunk of time, but he takes the time to make that connection with his readers. Because he's a nice guy - no, really, he is. I've gotten to know him a bit over e-mail, and even had the pleasure of meeting both him and Beth in person once. Even though they were having a horrible week and probably in no mood to entertain Random Internet Strangers Passing Through Town (and I was also running insanely late), we had a wonderful lunch, and I was glad they were able to take the time to hang out with me.

I found Beth's site through Chris's, and also developed a friendship with her over e-mail. Last year, I was looking for a new job, and BOTH of them offered help - resume review, passing on the resume, whatnot - since they work in the same general industry I do. I've also wasted many hours in the past talking to them over IM - Chris has commiserated with me over General Asshattery in the workplace, and Beth has kindly listened to my venting over Stupid Shit That Boys Do.

I really don't know what else I can say about them - they're both awesome, wonderful, caring people. I was so thrilled for them when they announced they were expecting, and now I'm thrilled for Mia and the wonderful life she'll have growing up in the Cactus-Fish household.

Autumn gives an amazing shout-out not only for Chris' Monday Haiku, but about how she has come to really adore these two as bloggers and friends:

I knew Chris first - he and I have both been blogging forever, and I can't even remember when I started reading him regularly, probably back in the days of Haiku Smackdown. He's been a great supporter of my writing and photography, something that Chris rocks at.

Their writing is witty, humorous, and, now that they've have had Mia, adorable. Chris and Beth's love for their new born daughter is abundantly clear. It's also wonderful to hear from both of them - throughout the pregnancy and after - about their fears and concerns as parents. For me, it's been a blessing as a newly married woman to know
those concerns about child-raising aren't mine alone.

They're both friends, who I'm very glad to have in my blog circle.

A.K. loves the gush when it comes to praising the "realness" of this amazing and openly real couple:

I read them both fairly regularly, mostly because they are just real people. I enjoy their humor, their style of writing and thoughts on parenting. I also find it interesting to read both husband and wife; their different takes/perspectives on a situation. And, I really appreciate their responses to comments, it makes it feel more like a blog camaraderie rather than just a voyeur of their lives.

Sara giggled just talking about how easily Beth and Chris can bring a smile to her face:

I read both Chris and Beth's blogs. Both of them are excellent writers and have the ability to make me smile all the way across the other side of the world! I just love their wacky sense of humour, but more than that, I love the warmth and kindness that comes through in their writing.

Now, we at Mommybloggers.com know that once you read their interview later today, you, too, will be standing up to shout out your own praises of this amazing couple. On a more personal note, these two have been so amazing to work with and to chat with while doing this. Even with a tiny baby who is not so much a sleeper, they never once seemed put out but rather were very enthusiastic about playing along. So, remember to come back and hear what they have to say when we put them in the Mommyblogger spotlight interview!

Posted by mommybloggers at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (19) | TrackBacks (0)

It's Monday. You know what that means here at Mommybloggers. A new featured blogger! This week's blogger is none other than the one and only Busy Mom! Her name says it all. Her writing can be both witty and touching. Her kindness knows no limits. In fact, many bloggers tell us that she is one of the first bloggers they read who made them feel welcomed and appreciated.

Whether she is writing about soccer or singing at work, the Busy Van or life as part of the Sandwich Generation, she has appeal that reaches far and wide. We put a call out for Busy Mom testimonials and were overwhelmed with the response. We wanted to share all of them, but there is no way we could. Without a doubt, our suspicions were confirmed: Busy Mom is definitely a well-loved blogger. An admired woman for sure. But enough about what we think about her. This is what a few of her readers had to share with about her:

Buzz the blogger formerly known as Buzz from Buzzstuff.net was thrilled to come out of the depths on the non-blogging world to praise our beloved Busy Mom. When asked about her, he eagerly replied:

BusyMom is one of the special ones. She is one of those bloggers who can make you feel like you've known her all your life. Funny, insightful, wise, and most importantly to us loyal readers, interesting. What do you like to read when you visit someone's site? Super-secret family stuff? Yeah, she's got that. A funny observation on the state of the world? Yeah, she's got that. A silly joke or two? Yeah, she's got that. Tips on how to get the most out of your shopping dollars at Target? Yep, she's even got that. And on top of all this, she's nice. I mean genuinely nice. And like I said before, I feel like I've known her all my life. And I'm richer for it.

Karen of Four Kids and a Dog immediately raised her hand to tell the mommybloggers of her devotion and adoration of Busy Mom:

BusyMom makes me laugh. I first ran across her when I began my blog last year and surfed BlogExplosion. When I tired of BE, BusyMom was one of the few blogs from there that I kept on my reading list. I can always count on her for something that makes me smile or wonder if she's planted a bug in my house somewhere.

Even though we had to wait until after he went to see Harry Potter, we were very excited to get the scoop on Busy Mom from Solonor , a blogger who has actually experienced his very own in-person Busy Mom sighting. He had this to share with us:

When I finally met her in person last April, I recognized her instantly (and not just from the "soccer mom" sticker on the back of her van). We went to see "Kicking and Screaming", because if there's one thing she doesn't get enough of, it's kicking and screaming. After that, we went to dinner with a couple of my co-workers who thought we must be related (or at least had known each other for years). I think this was mostly because of the deep respect we showed to one another ("Ow! Quit hitting! You started it!").

Busy Mom is exactly the same person in person that she presents to the blogging world in third person. She is funny (and not just looking), and she is one of the bestest people I have ever attempted to call friend.

Lauren of Life is Just Ducky couldn't wait to tell us why she adores Busy Mom:

She never fails to find the positive in any situation. Her outlook on life in general is hilarious. Yet, even when life throws her a fast curve she is right there with her wit and her humor to get through it. I can't tell you how long I have been reading her because I have been reading her for that long. She is a joy to read and I make sure to check her blog at least once a day. In short, she is a great read and I absolutely love reading her blog.

The infamous mommy known in the blogosphere only as cmhl of the ever popular Crouching Mommy, Hidden Laundry shared with us part of the reason she admires Busy Mom and keeps coming back for more:

Busymom is one of my daily reads, if for no other reason than to see if any more trees have fallen on Vanna White! She is an excellent writer, and always humorous and inspiring--- plus, I love her hometown...

A relatively new kid on the block, Scott Goldblatt Home of the Parental Olympian, made a great move when he sought out another parent blogger trying to manage their way through this crazy parental jungle and found Busy Mom. He shares this with us:

Busy Mom, what's to say, except that she's busy, busy, busy - with keeping us entertained at our house on a daily basis. I "met" Busy Mom only a few months ago. While being broken into this game called parenting, I decided to find other bloggers who were in the same situation. There was Busy Mom to save the day. Whether the topic is about her family, current events, humor, or anything else she may come up with (though sometimes there are only 84 of them). Day in and day out, she keeps us laughing. I thank her for that as she is an inspiration.

These are just a few of the things Busy Mom's readers had to say about her. We wish we could feature every comment. But, we know you want to hear from Busy Mom herself. So, be sure to check back here later today for our interview with her. It was fun to to kick back and dish with her. She is has a wit that makes you want to keep coming back for more! So, y'all come on back!

Posted by mommybloggers at 5:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

Our featured blogger this week is Mir of Woulda Coulda Shoulda. Grab a beverage of choice and enjoy our interview as we talk candidly with Mir.

Mommybloggers: Mir, we are so excited to have you join the Mommybloggers as our featured blogger this week. Let’s not waste time here. I need to get one thing clear before we go any further. M-I-R. You must correct me on how you pronounce that. Mir as in Mirror, Mire, or Mercy?
(Sidenote: Do you know how hard it is to ask that question on the phone without mispronouncing the name you are trying to pronounce? I’m just saying.)

Mir: Mir as in the Mir space station.

Mommmybloggers: Ahhhh, so you are comparable to a celestial being? Cool!

*crickets chirping*

Mommybloggers: Do people in your "real life" know about and read your blog? Has it caused problems? Do they fear the Wrath of the Blog?

Mir: Some do and some don't. I have friends who know about it and choose not to read it. I have others who use it to keep up with me. On the whole I'd say the reaction has been very favorable, with a few notable exceptions. My ex has grumbled more than once about what he feels is my misrepresentation of him on my blog. (To which I lovingly replied, "Oh well!")

Look, I never claimed to be writing the God's honest truth as set in stone. What I AM writing is my perception of things. Generally speaking, I try to tread carefully and not upset anyone.

I get a chuckle out of the fact that in 100% of cases where people felt the need to give me crap about what I'd written, they were all folks who'd formerly congratulated me on my honesty. Apparently sometimes the truth does hurt.

Mommybloggers: You have a big fan base. One of the reasons we at mommybloggers love you is that you are not afraid to laugh at yourself or the things in your life that may seem embarrassing. You don’t seem to pull back when it comes to doing that. Are you like that in person or is it a blog thing?

Mir: It is who I am. As for the blog, if I make the first strike, it takes away the power of those who want to beat me to it.

Mommybloggers: What are the ages of your children? Where do you fall in the birth order of your own family? Do you relate to the child that has the same order in your family as you held in yours growing up?

Mir: My daughter is 7.5 and my son will be 6 in a few months. I am the youngest of 2 children (I have a brother who is 3 years older than I am).

I often find Monkey easier to just flat-out love on, but I think that's a combination of 1) his being the youngest, 2) his being a boy, and 3) his (very demonstrative) personality. I identify much more readily with Chickadee, who is so like me that I'm already planning on the Witness Protection Program for myself when she becomes a teen.

Mommybloggers: You and I both know the term “mommyblogger” has cause riots, floods and famine across the globe. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but some people don't like the term and yet some embrace it. What do you personally think about the term 'mommyblogger'?

Mir: I don't have a problem with the term as long as it's not being used as a definitive categorization. I'm a mom. I blog. That makes me a mommyblogger. But I blog about more than just my kids, and I think that's true of 95% of the so-called mommybloggers out there.

But for women who rail against the mommyblogger te