Lighten Up Francis!

I know. I know. It's been kind of serious and dreary here lately.

I've done nothing to embarrass myself (that much) lately, so there's nothing there.

None of the boys have named any more body parts, so that's a dry well.

I was pretty psyched that I got a mention on Daily Kos the other day, but not a referral from it. Harumph!

Oh! And I did get to sign my son's not so stellar Social Studies test today. When did I become responsible enough to sign a test??!

I felt like I was forging my mom's signature.




PS--The blog is pink for the month of October because it's Breast Cancer Awareness month, duh!! Check your boobs. And learn more.

They're All Our Sons and Daughters

I have my own feelings about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those feelings aside, there are brave men and women who are risking and often sacrificing their lives in the name of our country. I might not know each one personally, but it doesn't matter because those brave souls are someone's children.

And as a mother, that's all I need to know.

There is a set of parents who recently lost their son Matt who was serving in Afghanistan. Please visit Jenn's site where she has created an online sympathy card for them.

I look at the faces of my three young boys, and I pray I will never have to see them off to war. I can't imagine the strength of the parents who must.

Perfectly Flawed

To me, the most precious reward of blogging is the sense of community it provides. I can interact with witty, funny, caring people thousands of miles away and share the commonalities of experience or learn about lives I might never come to understand if it weren't for the blogosphere. Through blogging I've discovered fellow political geeks, lovers of books and partners in crime. While reading blogs, I've laughed, I've cried (it's better than Cats), and I've learned that no matter how different or ridiculous we might feel at times there are others out there who are brave enough to let you know that you aren't alone.

"Overall, I thought I’d left alot of that fear-driven, decision making behind me. But as I look at my life, I realize I’ve deluded myself. The painful, ugly truth is that I’ve been too scared of rejection and failure to seize opportunities."

These are the words written by Lisa.

I was lucky enough to get to spend time with Lisa this summer at BlogHer after months of reading her blog Midwestern Mommy. Lisa is the kind of person you like immediately. She has a warm smile and such a comfortable sense about her. She didn't have to expose her inner self-doubt, but because she was brave enough to do so I feel a deeper connection to her and a little less alone in the world.

And my community grows.

As a way to thank Lisa, I nominated her post "Just Call Me Chicken" for a September Perfect Post Award.

For the list of all of this month's nominees, head on over to Petroville or Suburban Turmoil.

PS--I'd like to also thank the kick-ass J. over at Absolutely Bananas for nominating me this month. She'll probably never know how much I really appreciated the nod.