• 09Jul

    Contest: What Should I Write My Book About? Deadline: July 18, 2010 at 12:00 pm CST

    Book Idea Contest, Uncategorized 2 Comments

    It’s time. I have been wanting to write a book for a long time, and I go back and forth – fiction or non? Fiction loosely based on non-fiction? Self improvement? Humorous? Dark? Sad?

    So, I’m turning to you: Please comment on this post, and tell me what I should write about! I will choose 4 suggestions for voting. If only 3 suggestions roll in, then you are in automatically. (As long as you follow the rules below.)

    I need three pieces of data:

    • Fiction, non-fiction, FLBON-F (see above) or self improvement?
    • Genre – Children or Grown-up? (I will illustrate if it’s for kids.)
    • What about? In one sentence, suggest a loose theme.

    Rules and Regulations: (These are based on common sense.)

    • I will not write non-fiction unless I have real experience in the area. FLBON-F I am willing to seek resources for.
    • I will not write anything X-rated or foul. Do not even think of suggesting such a thing. Rated R is an option.
    • I have total creative license around the suggested theme. You may not gripe that I butchered your theme. Provide a solid foundation, and I will do my best to architect a popular solution!

    The Process:
    I’ll let readers vote on my selected 4 ideas, and I commit to (gulp) writing my book based on the most popular! All data will be public, including the voting mechanism.

    The winner will be recognized here on the site, in the book (printed -and/or- Ebook) and I will provide a 10% royalty on any earnings I make on the book. (Yes, I realize this is not quite a contract, but I wouldn’t lie about that. Print this page for your records, if you are worried. We’ll get to the contract bit later, once you win. Think 10% isn’t enough? Remember – even $1 is better than a sharp stick in the eye!)

    I’m ready! Be creative! Bring it on!

    I will feature my top 4 themes and collect votes beginning Monday, July 19, 2010. Voting will be open until Monday, July 26.

  • 04Feb

    Winter Hiatus

    Uncategorized 1 Comment

    Dear Blog,

    It just occurred to me that this is the second year I’ve been writing you, and the second year that I took time off over the holidays.

    The little hiatus was not planned either year, but a direct result of the holidays and all of the chaos that goes with them. This year there was another big change: I joined a new company, and started at the end of December. This mama is now just over an exciting month into a job that I can already say I absolutely love.

    With this new opportunity has come a bevvy of other new things: Friends, customers, systems, software, equipment, travel, etc. That is a lot of “NEW,” isn’t it? It has left me very little room for new ideas for SWM, too. Rather than try to placate you with half-assed posts, I have decided to write you a letter, explaining myself and promising to give you more, very soon.

    I have had some amusing experiences lately, and I am keeping a list of them. I miss you, little bloggy-blog! I promise to be more communicative…

    And, since there are only 7 days until the Valentine’s “Friendship Party” at Tootie’s school that I took a solemn vow to coordinate, you can be darn sure that you’ll get a report on that effort!

    So, this is it. TTFN.

    Miss you.

    See you soon!

    Love,

    Heidi

  • 11Sep

    Remembering September 11

    Uncategorized No Comments

    Eight years later, as I watch the news coverage and memorials of September 11, 2001, it seems like that very day.

    For much of my life, I’d had nightmares about planes flying into buildings, and when my friend Amy and I were traveling to Illinois for a consulting assignment one summer, I’d always talk about it when we’d go by O’Hare.

    I was sleeping when I got the call from Amy. “Heidi! Your nightmare came true! A plane hit the World Trade Center!” I sat up, stunned, and turned on the television. That was before anyone really realized we were under attack.

    I remember the feeling of helplessness that day. The fear of the unknown as one by one, three additional planes went down, and as the towers fell.

    I remember the news reporters, doing their best to cover the unimaginable.

    I remember people in business attire, covered with soot, stammering through New York in shock.

    I remember seeing the look on the president’s face when Andy Card whispered into his ear “America is under attack,” as he read to small children.

    I remember that my Dad was in St. Louis and I just wanted him back at home.

    I remember hearing that people were leaping out of the buildings, and I remember the first time I saw photos of that, and thinking how horrible it had to be to choose that fate.

    I remember my friends Alan and Cornelia, who lived in Washington D.C. at the time, and trying desperately to reach them. I remember the feeling of relief when I learned they were okay.

    I remember learning that one of the victims in the WTC was the daughter of my very first boss (The owner of Peter Piper’s Pancake House), Gordy Habermann. Andrea was on her very first business trip that day.

    I remember feeling hopeful, as here and there a survivor would be pulled from the wreckage, and the day it was apparent no more survivors would be found.

    Sadness, confusion and anger followed, as I started to understand the impossible concept that other human beings would want to kill us. For as long as I’ve understood the concept of terrorism, I wasn’t prepared to have it so close to home.

    I’ll never forget Tony Snow, who at the time was a Fox News anchor. He wrote a tribute that he read on the air, and he broke down in tears. I remember sort of realizing that news anchors are people too.

    So, today I remember it all, and thank the heroes who helped that day, after that day, and still today by protecting our freedom.

  • 09Sep

    I’m Staying Wiph You

    Uncategorized No Comments

    The second week of school isn’t exactly going swimmingly.

    Druesy has a fever for the second day in a row, which has secured her a slot at home again tomorrow.

    Boo had his first week of daycare and informed me on the phone tonight: “Mom, I’m not going to school again.”

    I asked him what the problem was. He said “Naptime! Ba-Oring!”

    I asked him what he’d be doing during the day if he didn’t go back to school. He said “Staying with you!” (Only he said “Staying wiph you.”)

    This is what you get when you have a fall kid who just misses the kindergarten cut-off, I suppose!

  • 31Aug

    Saying Goodbye to the SuperManny

    Uncategorized No Comments

    I am traumatized.

    My kids are traumatized.

    I think the SuperManny is somewhat traumatized.

    Rarely do you hear about a person who raves about their childcare situation. If you work with me, you hear me rave almost daily.

    This summer, I was SO lucky to have Mr. Brent, a.k.a. “The SuperManny” take care of my kids for the second summer in a row.

    Sure, I stole him with reckless abandon from our daycare center last year. I’m okay with that. Nothing – I repeat – NOTHING is more important than my babes and the people they spend their time with when I am at work.

    Last spring, I sweated profusely while waiting for his response to my inquiry about this summer. When he agreed, I pretty much almost cried.

    Like last summer, they had another spectacular summer. This summer, no head lice, however. :-D

    Summer sped by at a cruel pace this year, and today was D’s last day with Mr. Brent.

    I was warned before arriving home that she was having “a day.” Apparently, she was very sentimental about each activity they did today – biking, going to the library, visiting his family…

    As he drove off tonight, she was wailing and Boo and I were trying to comfort her. The minute she relaxed, Boo must have realized he was short on attention, and cried too.

    He’s staying on with Mr. Boo for the next four days, and next week it’s back to daycare reality.

    Sniffle! I’m very happy with my daycare arrangements, but when you are lucky enough to find a childcare provider you look at as family, it’s tough to go back.

  • 25Aug

    Second Grade Politics

    Uncategorized 1 Comment

    Today I took my daughter to her school for a “meet the new principal” picnic.

    Watching the social interactions between these second-grade kids was hysterical, and brought back so many memories.

    There was “The Boy,” who chases the girls. The girls pretend to hate it. The boys pretend to hate the girls. One minute, I saw him “taking Drue prisoner,” holding her hands behind her back and a minute later he was doubled over, after she kicked him, ahem, where it counts. One minute after that, he was taking her prisoner again, and she spun around to ask “do you like me?” UHHHHHH!

    There was the girl who broke her leg this summer, hobbling around on crutches. Wasn’t there always one kid who came back injured after summer vacation?

    I was stunned by the giant front choppers in the mouths of still small faces. I heard moms talking about starting “braces funds.” (Is this really happening?)

    As families left, kids said “I’ll see you next week!” Others replied “You will?” I don’t think they really get it that summer is all but over.

    I know I don’t. Only 1.5 weeks left with the SuperManny. I am in denial.

    Summer isn’t the only thing that goes fast. They grow UP too fast!

  • 04Aug

    The Hello Project

    Uncategorized 5 Comments

    Today as I walked toward Harvard alone, I decided to say hello to everyone I walked past.

    After 42 of these encounters, I stopped counting.

    I said hi to an ancient Chinese man, an old woman with a cane, a couple holding hands, a homeless man with Mardi Gras beads and a hat with a shark fin, a construction crew, a man in a suit, a foreign family, and many, many more.

    Here’s my unscientific report of the reactions:

    • About 75% of my new friends appeared startled when I said hi
    • About 10% wouldn’t make eye contact or say anything in response
    • 1 lady’s eyes bugged out and she actually looked scared
    • A few of the men acted really nonchalant and just said ‘hi’ back like it was normal
    • The women seemed more uncomfortable than the men
    • The construction workers were by far the friendliest

    Don’t ask me why I felt compelled to do it, but I guess it wasn’t until I spent the bulk of a couple days alone in a strange city that it really occurred to me that people hibernate, even in broad daylight in the city.

    I don’t know if I had the nerve to be so chatty with strangers because I am in a different city, and why it has never occurred to me to do this at home?

    It was fun though. I’m going to do it again.

    One more thing – I wouldn’t recommend actually making verbal content with bikers. I waved at a couple, and that was pretty successful.

    Do it! Next time you’re out alone, say hi the people that you meet when you’re walking down the street! (Just be careful, and stay safe.)

  • 03Jul

    Emerging from a Brief Hiatus

    Uncategorized No Comments

    Hello, my friends!

    I’ve started to have a select few regular visitors, and that is incredibly exciting to me. Whether it is because you find humor in my daily bumbling, can relate to me in some random way, or just need to know that someone else is in a similar situation to yours, I love it.

    Having said that, I have been absent from one of the loves of my life – my blog – for the past several days!

    I caught a bug, which was *not* the swine flu. It made me tired. I was cranky. I started a few posts and then slapped myself because they were just plain cranky, and I am not a Debbie Downer. ;-) My computer(s) probably think I’ve been acting distant and detached, and I have.

    While on my unpaid sabbatical, I thought a lot about my life, my family, my job, my financial situation, and things I can do to improve in all areas. I did some gardening, baffled some chipmunks from chowing down on my bird feeder, painted a bird house, took some naps, took some pictures of the kids and the yard and even managed to do a little knitting. It was all very cathartic.

    I haven’t gone away, and nor do I plan to. As some of you may have noticed, I have been taking a “rolling” approach to the look and feel of my site. I now have a logo and am close (just not *quite* there) to colors I find pleasing. I have been working on some fun T-Shirt designs and will (very soon) be unveiling a store on CafePress for anyone who wants to sport a little sass.

    There you have it: I took a few days, rested and relaxed, and have bounced back to near-normal! So, read on, my friends! Read on…

  • 12Apr

    I had an Easter Bunny Sighting!

    Uncategorized No Comments

    bunny!

    I can’t believe it. This morning, I was in the family room taking a few pictures of the new furniture arrangement. I felt like someone was watching me, so I glanced at the window and saw… Yes… THE EASTER BUNNY!

    I panicked a little when I tried to take the picture, so it’s a bit blurry, but I’m glad I got some evidence of this event.

  • 07Apr

    Rubber Bumpers, Dull Blades

    Money Saving Mama, Uncategorized 1 Comment

    Let’s face it. Society today does everything possible to safeguard people from their own laziness, incompetence and carelessness.

    Tonight, I became an example of someone who has come to rely on these rubber bumpers that cover every sharp edge around me.

    In this case, it was sharp indeed…

    A little background:
    Lately, I’ve been working very hard on cutting my monthly expenses. It’s become somewhat of a game for me, and I’m enjoying it thoroughly.

    On a visit to Sam’s Club with my friend Tricia, I went to buy a new supply of my luxurious Intuition Razors, which have allowed me to whisk away leg hair with ease in under a minute for quite some time with no traumatic injuries. I looked at the price of this luxury, and my eyes darted immediately to a 52-pack of basic, two blade razors just to the right of my trusted Intuition. It cost 10 dollars less, and I could have a new razor per week for a year.

    Tricia and I debated it, and decided to split the ghetto razors… We could stretch this one week scenario to two weeks easily! And at $8 a crack for a years worth of acceptably shaved legs? Ding ding ding!

    That was months ago. Tonight, if you saw me post-bath, you’d think I had shaved for the very first time, using a dull straight blade.

    Fine. I was in a hurry.

    Fine. I got a little too comfortable with these agony-causing hell sticks.

    Yes, I had to use two LARGE Band-Aids to stop the hemorrhaging.

    Yes, it probably looks like I was attacked by a villain wielding a Pampered Chef vegetable peeler.

    Some people will say I should have trusted my “Intuition.” However, I take full responsibility for my actions, and will stick to my budget-friendly changes!

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