My daughter Norah just turned 11 last week. Eleven! I can still hardly believe it. The days of doing her hair in pig tails and dressing her in dresses with ruffles and lace seem like they were just yesterday. Now she only likes pink if it's "hot pink" and tells me she is "dating" a boy in her class. Dating. Oh. My. God. While I know it's an innocent thing, merely a way of exploring roles and being like her friends, it really got me to thiking about the developmental milestones still to come.

Not long ago, I saw a photo going around on Facebook that read:

Give, but don't allow yourself to be used.

Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused.

Trust, but don't be naive.

Listen to others, but don't lose your own voice.

Rishi

I don't know who Rishi is, but the words are very wise. When I read them, I immediately thought, "This is advice I'd give to my Norah." She's a very trusting soul and such a giver. She hates to hurt anyone's feelings. I worry that she gives more than she receives in relationships with friends at school. I don't even want to think about her first "real" boyfriend. But I have to think about it because it'll be here before I know it. There's so much I want her to know, things I wish someone had told me. While I know the lessons of love must often be learned the hard way, there are a few things I think are important to share with her.

Trust Yourself

First and foremost, I want her to always trust her gut. I tell her that now, and it's definitely important advice in a relationship. Never do anything you're not comfortable doing. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings or being afraid that he won't like you anymore. If you like yourself enough, it doesn't matter. I do hope I instill in her the importance of loving and trusting yourself.

Don't Let Anyone Bring You Down

Significant others are meant to build us up and support us, never to bring us down. Never, ever allow someone to convince you you're not worthwhile. If he makes you feel bad in any way on a regular basis, it's time to get out of the relationship. Even something as seemingly harmless as always being in a bad mood is reason enough to move on. You don't want to be his mother or his dumpster. It's not your job to make someone else feel better or to take someone else's garbage.

Never Settle

Never be with someone just for the sake of being with someone or so that you're not alone. If your partner doesn't make you consistently happy or if it just doesn't feel right, it's probably time to evaluate your relationship. This goes hand in hand with trusting your gut. Yes, it's nice to have a boyfriend. It's great to have someone to hang out with on the weekends and to feel special by being part of a couple. But being alone and happy is SO much better than being with someone who doesn't make your heart soar. Truly, it is.

While I could go on and on, these are the most important things I want my daughter to know. Moms, what advice would you add. As we all know, sometimes our kids are more receptive to listening to others rather than their own parents. Feel free to chime in!

Valentine's Day is next week! Whoa, where has the time gone? Have you gotten your loved one a gift? Yeah, me neither. My husband's not a real sentimental, gift-giving kind of guy. I've learned to accept that and deal with it. I've also learned that I just have to give myself my own gifts sometimes. And what better time than Valentine's Day to show yourself some love?

If you're a photography lover and enjoy keeping cherished photographic memories close at hand, you're going to want to ask your honey for a CEIVA Connected Digital Photo Frame. Or just buy it for yourself, if your situation is anything like mine. This product is amazing, and it's innovative. It's not just a digital frame. This frame allows you to send photos to anyone who has a CEIVA frame, and they can view them once they're uploaded to their frame. It's a fantastic way to share memories with loved ones near and far.

I've written a CEIVA review here on the blog awhile back. You can take a look at it to learn a bit more in-depth information about the frame. You may also want to visit the CEIVA website to learn more. Here are a few features I like best about my CEIVA:

• You can send pictures from your computer, Facebook, email or your  cell phone, to any frame. I send photos to my frame as well as my mom's. She lives in Missouri, and I'm in Pennsylvania.
• It connects by wi-fi, so it cuts down on the wires as my desk.
• You can control which pictures are displayed on your frame and set up albums to display when you want them.
• Anyone can send pictures to your frame for free. You just have to give them your CEIVA email address.
• It's easy to use and to customize.
• It's a conversation piece. Everyone always asks about my frame.
• It's fun. I enjoy checking every morning to see if there are any new pictures on my frame. It's a great way to share memories!

The frames are well-priced, but you do have to purchase a yearly picture plan to be able to recieve and send photos. CEIVA is having an awesome special right now. Here's the information:

To celebrate Valentine's Day, you can purchase a CEIVAshare Connected Photo Frame(tm) with one-year of PicturePlan for $99.95 and a CEIVAPro 80 Connected Digital Frame(tm) with one- year of PicturePlan for $119.95.  Free ground shipping is also available for orders over $99.00.  Buy any two frames and get an additional $10 off your order; $20 off when buying three! Show how much you care by giving a CEIVA to someone you love.  For more information contact CEIVA's U.S. based Customer Care Team toll-free at 1-877-692-3482 or go to www.ceiva.com.

Seriously, folks. This is one of the best, most personal gifts you could give or recieve this Valentine's Day. A CEIVA Connected Digital Frame continues to give all year long.

I received a free yearly picture plan in exchange for sharing informaiton on this promotion, but I truly can't say enough wonderful things about my CEIVA!

That's what he said to me when he handed me these beautiful roses. I love him so. And I love his father, who may have played a part in bringing me the flowers. :)

I just read a Facebook update from Anissa Mayhew announcing her most recent blog post. I decided to click over to read it because I hadn't kept up with Amissa much lately. For those of you who don't know her, Anissa is an amazing blogger who was dealt a rough hand awhile back when she suffered a stroke that nearly killed her. But Anissa is so strong that she rallied an came back from what others may not have been able to. She's on her way to recovery now and is taking one day at a time.

When I read her post, thoough, I found out that what she could really use to help her in that recovery is a new bed. I know that a comfortable bed can really make a difference in how your body feels. And Anissa's body has been through quite a lot. A new bed with a solid foundation could really make a difference in Anissa's daily comfort, I'm sure.

I was fortunate enough to meet this lovely lady at the Type-A Mom conference, and I can tell you that I've rarely met a more positive person. Anissa was simply lovely and so funny. Everyone who knows her loves her. So much so, that Monica of Mommy Brain Reports has started a fund to help Anissa get that bed she so desperately needs. As of this writing, she's raised $573!

Do you want to help? I sure do. All you have to do is click on the widget below to donate what you can to this very worthy cause. Any amount will help. Thank you so much for your consideration. And the happiest of holidays to you!

I swear, I am a total freak. A couple of my bloggy friends are coming over tomorrow. And I've been so excited because I so rarely get company. My IRL friends are always on the go, and when we do get together, it's usually to go out somewhere or to one of their (bigger) houses. I rarely have people over to my house.

I should probably clarify and say that I rarely have people over to my trailer. My family and I live in a mobile home park. Our home is actually a rather new model. We bought it brand new about four years ago. I actually love my home and have written about it here before. Now is actually a very good time for me to have people over. We just decorated for Christmas, and I recently cleaned and rearranged my countertops. Take a look.

So I don't know why I'm feeling nervous. I guess it just hit me today as I began preparing to have company that the less than high quality carpet is beginning to look a bit ratty, and my kids' rooms are kind of gross. My toddler has colored on nearly every surface of the bedroom he shares with his brother. The cat has scratched the walls in several places, and the place just isn't what it was when it was new. I really don't think I've had much company since we first moved in. Only my very best friends and my family have been here. Friends who are like family, and with family, you don't really worry.

Realistically, I know I don't have to worry about what my bloggy friends will think. They are my friends, and they don't judge me. It was just so weird how it hit me this afternoon that I was welcoming people into my home who hadn't been here before. It's really been too long since I've had company. Working at home can be so very isolating.

That's it. I just have to have people over more often. When do you want to come? The Christmas decorations will be up for at least another month.

It was a rare evening at home tonight with just me, Brady, and the cat. Bill was at a work event, and the big kids were at their dad's. We had a pretty good night. We ate a really easy, laid back dinner of peanut butter sandwiches, a banana, and some almonds. (It's kind of healthy and EASY) Then we played a bit with the new tractor Brady's babysitter gave him for his birthday.

Oh yeah, did I mention that my baby turned two on Sunday? Where has the time gone? He's two, and he's independent, as most toddlers are. He's really starting to use a lot of words lately, and it seems like his vocabulary has grown out of nowhere. It's his independent streak that led him to having no nap today, which then led him to start to get a little loopy as the night progressed. In an attempt to focus his attention on something besides running around in circles and throwing himself on the floor, I got out my new MacBook Pro to show him a picture slideshow. What we ended up doing instead was playing with the Photo Booth feature that allows you to add effects to your pictures, and this is what we got:

What do you think? Did we do good? And does the fun we had justify the expense of buying a Mac? Please don't tell Bill he agreed to buying a $2000 toy to help me occupy the kids, okay? It's strictly for business and for my writing career. Not for fun and games!

I've been back from Blissdom for a few days now, and I've been recovering. It was a jam packed few days, to say the least. Rather than writing up a recap post, I thought I'd show you a bit of my experience in Nashville.

This is my favorite picture from the event. It's me and my dear, amazing friend, Angela. If you really want a detailed summary of Blissdom, visit her blog to read her live blogging posts.

The beautiful and amazing community builder, Liz Strauss. What a pleasure it was to meet her.

Lovely friends, Heather Solos and Lucretia Pruitt

The wonderfully adorable Casey who deserves to have HER photo taken!.

Effervescent Robin in her amazing "prom girl" dress.

Me with wonderful Jenn, whose frugality I admire.

The hotel was incredible, the sponsors were fabulous, the workshops were so informative. But I hope it's apparent through my pictures that what impressed upon me most at Blissdom were the people. Blogging started out for me as a way of practicing my writing. It quickly evolved into connecting with others. It was the connections that I was  searching for at Blissdom. I am thankful for those that were made.

What about you? Did you attend Blissdom or another conference or event recently? What was your big take away? Do tell.

Yes, I'll be attending the Blissdom '10 Conference next week in Nashville, TN. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it! You may remember that I went to my first blogging conference, Type-A Mom, this past fall. I learned so much there and connected with so many amazing, brilliant, talented and inspiring women. I was able to bring home a great deal of information and motivation that has helped me to add a few new writing gigs and to improve my focus. I can't wait to do it all over again at Blissdom! I also can't wait to meet him.

Yes, the very handsome Harry Connick Jr. is going to be performing, with a chance to meet and get photographed with him after. How excited am I? I've loved Harry for years. My favorite song is still "Recipe for Love".  So fun.

I hope he sings this song at Blissdom!

And I absolutely must take time to thank my friends who made my trip possible. It's such a popular conference that tickets were actually sold out. My dear online friend, Kristina Sauerwein, is unable to attend the conference but already bought a ticket. I'm sad not to be able to meet Kristina in person, and I'm so grateful that she chose me to receive her ticket. Thank you, Kristina! Another friend making this possible (and more fun) for me is Angela Moore. Angela has been my best online buddy and biggest supporter since we "met" about two years ago. We only live about two hours from each other, but we've never met in real life. That's about to change, as Angela has very graciously allowed me to ride along with her to the conference and to share her hotel room. What a fun road trip we're going to have!

Thank you so much, my friends, Angela and Kristina! I'm honored to know such talented, positive women. Visit Angela at her blog, Unexpected Art and head on over to BabyCenter to read Kristina's parenting posts.

I also have at least one sponsor for the conference, and as soon as all details are in place, I'll be sharing that information with you. It's a product that's good for your children and good for your peace of mind. I'm excited to tell you all about it. Look for more information in blog posts to come.

Will you be going to Blissdom? Leave a comment to let me know! I want to meet as many people as I can. Can't wait to meet YOU!

Last weekend, I went to a friend's house for a grown-up sleepover. It was our yearly girlfriends' Christmas party, and we decided to make it a sleepover, just hanging out. This group of friends has been together since we worked together at a residential treatment facility for male juvenile offenders. We used to get together every week to scrapbook, and we became closer with time. Years have passed, and we all work and live in different places now. So it's hard for us to get together. Despite the distance, we remain close. And we still get together every year for the holidays. This year's party was made even better, thanks to e.l.f., Eyes, Lips, Face Makeup, who allowed us to participate in their new program, MUAH, Makeup At Home. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so check out my Whrrl story to see how much fun we had and how much we love e.l.f. makeup.

Thank you, e.l.f.! You've got some new fans, for sure. I appreciate being included in your MUAH program. We loved the makeup!

Whew! The family and I got back from the Type-A Mom Conference Sunday night, and I'm just now feeling back to normal. What a fun and exciting whirlwind of events those four days were. The conference was held in Asheville, NC, and my family and I left Wednesday morning for the nine hour drive. The drive was totally uneventful. All three kids were quiet and well-behaved. Honest, they were.

Get There and Go!

Right after we arrived, Noah, Norah, and I jumped on a very fun purple tour bus to join a group of other early arrivers for a trip to the local Health Adventure museum where they were holding a Grossology exhibit. We had a blast! The kids were able to take part in hands-on activities big and small to learn about the human body and some of the less than nice things it can do. They made snot, they slid through a plastic stomach and crawled through a replica of the anus. Oh yes, they did. I even got in on the action, identifying animal scat. Yep. After the Grossology tour, we joined the group on a much more pleasurable sensory experience as we dined on everything chocolate at a place called The Chocolate Lounge. The kids and I were in heaven!

Day One

Left to right: Shannan of From Cribs to Car Keys, Sugar of Sugar in the Raw, Beth Rosen,Marcia of AllState me, Amy of Resourceful Mommy

The next day, we were supposed to join some bloggers and their famlies for a day long bus tour of the Biltmore and some other fun stuff. Except we missed the bus, due to my ADD. I thought it left at 8:30 when the actual departure time was 8:00. But it ended up being okay, as we went to the Biltmore on our own to explore. The kids were less than angelic, so it was best that we could head back to the hotel at our own discretion.

After helping to run registration for an hour or so, I jumped in on the first actual conference activity, which was a PR/Blogger speed dating session. We all sat at round tables and chatted amongst our group until it was time to switch seats and meet a new group of people. It was a great kickoff to the conference and a wonderful way to meet other bloggers as well as PR reps. Here's a picture of me at one of the speed dating sessions. I think I'm talking to Jessica Smith of Jessica Knows.

Next came a welcome reception sponsored by Walt Disney world. The food was lovely, and the wine from the Biltmore was even better. But the best was being able to slow down and visit with folks in a more leisurely manner after getting to know a few very quickly at the speed dating session. The conference is really such a blur, but I can tell you I got a chance to meet so many wonderful people. The evening ended at the hotel bar, with complimentary blue drinks from Maria Bailey of MomTV and NewBaby.

Day Two

Friday was the first day of full-blown sessions, and I was excited. The day started with a breakfast fashion show from Dress Barn.  A handful of bloggers went to the local Dress Barn store the night before and were treated to one complete outfit. Then we were treated to a fun fashion show where they modeled their pieces. Have you seen Dress Barn lately? They have some really fashionable and affordable stuff.

I attended some amazing sessions on PR/Blogger relations, leveraging your pre-kid career, selling ads on your blog, and earning money from blogging. They were all very informative. While I was in sessions, the older kids were at the KidsCon. This was a fabulous addition to the conference that made it possible for me and so many other others to attend the conference.  All conferences geared toward women should follow this model. I applaud and thank Kelby Carr for including it.

Day Three

The last day of the conference started out with a mom market, where conference sponsors and mom owned businesses could set up and showcase their products. It was very nice to check everything out and to have the chance to talk to people about the products they were so passionate about. I then headed to a breakout session on blog karma and social capital that encouraged us all to think of others rather than just how we can get ahead, and by doing so, we'll create deeper relationships. Next was a very laid back lunch sponsored by Chick-fil-A. It was yummy, and it was nice to kick back and relax.

After lunch, there was a blogger town hall meeting where everyone was invited to give their opinion on where blogging is heading. There was discussion on being paid what we're worth and on running our blogs in the manner that we choose.The discussion was passionate, but not heated, and it was a very effective means of discussing what was on our minds. Here's me with the microphone.

The keynote address focused on breaking the mommy mold. A wide variety of bloggers talked about their views on everything from stats to reviews. It was great to get such a wide perspective. Finally, the conference ended with a local beer, BBQ, wine and cheese bash. I was able to brin my husband to this event and enjoy this adult time to reflect upon the conference and discuss ideas, also to engage with my new friends.

For more in-depth review of the conference sessions, visit Cutest Kid Ever, where you'll find several detailed posts. Check out the Type-A Mom Flickr stream for tons of photographs from the event. You can also visit Pensieve and Real Life for links to others' Type-A Mom Conference posts.

Thank you to Rick from Tiny Prints and Amanda from High Impact Mom for the pictures I stole. And thank you so very much to Kelby Carr, Astacia McGee, and Angela England for all the hard work they put into organizing the best conference ever.