On Saturday, May 12, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Management and a Certificate in Organizational Leadership. I am the first person on either side of my family to earn a college degree. Neither one of my parents graduated high school, and neither did I. But I finally got my GED when I was 24 and started the ball rolling. At 26 I began community college full-time. At 27 I got pregnant and had to quit school to...
Do I Love Her Best of All?
A few days ago, HH told me that I have a “special bond” with the baby. I asked him what he meant and he said that he thought I just seemed closer to Jolene. To him, it seems like I’m happier when I’m with her than when I’m with the boys. I know what he’s referencing. Jolene makes me feel...
The Best Email Anyone’s Ever Sent To Me (with Stunning Video)
I have to share this email I received late last night. People have sent me a lot of lovely, truly complimentary emails over the years, and I’ve appreciated every one of them. (And before I sound like a braggart, believe me, people have sent me a LOT of hate mail too. Lots and lots and lots. People have entire hate...
Judging Moms May Be Good for Your Traffic, But It’s Bad For Your Feminism
Mayim Bialik breastfeeds her kids till they’re in preschool. Alicia Silverstone pre-chews her baby’s food. January Jones popped pills made from her encapsulated afterbirth. And unamused bloggers are losing their shit about all of it. Of course there are men playing the Mom Shame Game – like Richard Roeper (yeah, the movie guy) who unsuccessfully tried to blend his attack...
Announcing my BlogHer ’12 Sponsor & How I Snagged Them
Peeps often ask me for advice on landing conference sponsors. This is my second year going to BlogHer, and this is also my second year having a full sponsorship. Honestly, I think I just plain lucked into them, but there might be a tiny bit of skill involved in this so I’m happy to relay what I know in case...
What Has Two Thumbs and Is Speaking at BlogHer ’12?
THIS GIRL!!!! Oh, and this girl. And this girl. And this girl guy. That’s right! All four of us have been chosen as panelists for the Room Of Your Your Own Session on helping bloggers take their business to the next level. The BlogHer Official Description: Pro Tips: Branding and Blogging Professionally [Professional] • Charlie Capen,Gina Crosley-Corcoran, Jill Krause, Mandy...
I Just Really Need Some Good News Already.
2012 has pretty much been the most anxiety ridden year of my life thus far. After the first two weeks of January chewed us up and spit us out, I succumb to pharmaceuticals and weekly talk therapy appointments to get me to a place where I’m not vibrating with panic all the time. The meds have certainly taken the edge...
The Post-Vasectomy “Clean the Pipes” Project
(Warning, if you’re my Mother-in-law, or anyone else who’s uncomfortable with TMI, I forbid you to read this post. Keep in mind you’re reading the blog of a feminist breeder: two terms that are sex-positive.) The husband’s much-anticipated vasectomy is scheduled for April 13th. That’s sorta funny for two reasons: It’s Friday the 13th (dunt, duhnt, duhhhhhnnn) That was Jolene’s...
