A few weeks ago Forrest was starting to see some floaters in his eyes. Me being the worrywort that I am decided to go online and search Dr. Google (which, by the way, is never a good idea). After “Hmming” and “Oh-my” over possible scenerios, I thought, “What if he just needs a new pair of eyeglasses?”

That day we went to a local “walk-in” eye glass clinic in Central Florida and we got in to see the Eye Doctor right away (well — after a small wait). I had to learn to manage Carli who was not content sitting down. She had wanted to play with the kids toys in the waiting area but playing with public toys creeps me out so I kept holding her back (probably a big mistake and cost me more energy than it was worth). After we got in to see the doctor, it was fortunate that all he needed was a new pair of prescription glasses. Like me, Forrest does a lot of reading (though his is computer related due to work) and he just had a slight astigmatism.

I think the most fun part of visiting an eye clinic and seeing an eye doctor is being able to pick out a new pair of glasses. With a new pair, you can earn an entire new look! We probably spent a good half an hour looking at frames alone but he settled on a nice pair that (I think) make him look so sophisticated.

I think Forrest is really happy that he got a new pair of prescription eyeglasses. He has been pretty amazed at how much better he is able to see. When he takes them off he now realizes just how much his vision needed an extra boost!

If you are in need of a new pair of prescription eyeglasses, please feel free to use the code mommy10 for 10% off your next purchase with GlassesUSA.com.

(I only wish I pulled it off so nicely!) But this past Friday I spent some time with an old friend I have known since middle school and did a photo shoot for her. She is pregnant and due very soon!

I never took pregnancy photos with either of my kids — although part of me wishes I had (I mean, after all pregnancy is beautiful!) But I just never FELT beautiful. I am really happy, though, I at least got to help Judy capture this memory in time! She is a beautiful pregnant woman!

We went down to Historic Sanford (where My Girl was filmed supposedly) and took these shots. It was so freaking hot out and I remember how miserable I was when I was as far along as Judy is — and she was such a trooper! She even walked up a huge flight of stairs for some photos!

So I just wanted to share a few of my favorites from the session. I hope (I sincerely do) that I captured her pregnancy the way she wants to remember it!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

In a few weeks we’re going up to Atlanta to visit a friend for her wedding. It’ll be the first “vacation” we have taken since before Carli was born. Needless to say, we are quite excited although nervous about taking a road trip with two young ones!

I was thinking about the hotels we would most likely be staying at for a few days over the weekend that we would be in Atlanta and the first one that came to mind was Hampton, a hotel I have always had a good experience with. While doing research on various hotels (i.e. Hampton) and checking out their specials. In doing so, I’ve discovered their Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes.

Did you know Hampton is currently doing a daily giveaway of a weekend stay at one of their various Hampton hotels? Gah! What I wouldn’t give to win as it would be perfect for our weekend vacation in a few weeks! I am going to enter and I encourage others to enter too as you never know — you may just win! Where would YOU want to go?

If I won we would be going to Atlanta to visit Laura for her wedding and my mother-in-law would be with us. I haven’t been to Atlanta in a few years so we’re going to do all the touristy things like visit the Children’s Museum, The Aquarium, and of course (the original Chick-Fil-a Dwarf House). But we REALLY need somewhere relaxing to rest our heads when all is said and done!

I am really crossing my fingers on this one. *I hope I win. I hope I win. I hope I win.*

The Milk Saver

Last week I was at Bosom Buddies, a weekly support group for breastfeeding mothers courtesy of Karen Bell, CLC of Breast is Best Lactation Services. We were discussing new products on the market that may be popular with Moms now.

That reminded me of when I saw the product Milkies while I was pregnant. My best friend (and former breastfeeder) Blair, showed them to me and I thought they were genius! Saving milk — ah hah!

Now that I am breast feeding again, when I let down — I soak myself (usually). Even six weeks in, I still leak! So I mentioned it to my lactation consultant, Karen,  and asked her if she had ever heard of it.

Karen disappeared and came back with brand new box of Milkies, the Milk Saver! Told me she had received it in the mail from the company and was waiting to give it to someone to try out. So here it was, in my hands. She was giving it to me! I was over the moon ecstatic to try it out! I really wanted to save all this milk that I was leaking.

For my next feeding I placed the milkies container into my tank. It wasn’t as well fitting as I had hoped. The top showed out of my tank so it wasn’t ENTIRELY discrete and it did not comform to my breast so you could definitely tell there was something in my tank. HOWEVER, when it came down to the job at hand (collecting milk) it was done brilliantly. I saved about 1/2 an ounce from leakage alone just by using milkies! The average mother loses about 1/2-1oz per feeding. If you are feeding 8-12 times a day like I am, that’s 4-12oz of lost milk a day! Now you can save it.

The milk saver’s storage container also acts as a stand if you need to set it up somewhere until you are able to do anything with the milk itself. It’s definitely a worthwhile purchase (especially if you’re anything like me and leak at every feeding!) This would make a great gift for a Mom who plans on breastfeeding (or is currently breastfeeding and has the same issues I do).

Your milk is liquid gold. Save every drop!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Most days it’s over 100 degrees in this lovely state of Florida. On top of the high temperature, Florida is known for it’s very uncomfortable humidity. Even on days of 80′s, humidity index can be so high, you are sweating bullets on your way from your door to your car (a simple 20 feet away.) Though even as hot as it is, it doesn’t stop a two year old from wanting to go out and enjoy the sunshine.

Weeeeeeee!!

So I have been taking the girls to the park a few times a week. If Carli doesn’t get out of the house (I don’t blame her) she tends to get stir crazy. So we head out to this shaded park in my area. It’s quite beautiful, actually. Big full trees that offer a lot of shade. It has a dog park (in which I’ve never actually seen any dogs there), a big walking trail, and of course — a place for kids to play.

I met up with some other Moms from a local meet up group. One Mom in particular had two little boys who (it took me a few minutes to realize) but were the same two little mean boys that yelled in Carli’s face a few months ago and just about ripped my heart out seeing her get yelled at (over nothing).

I realized this as we were swinging in the swing, the older boy next to her, Carli was laughing and laughing and he says to her, “It’s not funny.” The way he said it was very cold, as if she did not have permission to laugh. Instead of saying anything, I laughed with my daughter. We smiled and giggled and carried on.

At that very moment..

I was snapping pictures of Carli coming through the tube when the same boy said “STUPID!” (calling my little girl STUPID!) I could NOT believe it. She hadn’t done a SINGLE thing. I said to him, “You do not have to be mean to her. She has done nothing to you.” He didn’t apologize but it was like a switch went off.

He stopped. He stopped acting mean towards her and saying mean things. He instead played with her. PLAYED with her! They genuinely seemed to be having a good time later on and it was hard to believe that this same boy (who was being so sweet and caring with her now, even holding her hand) could be so gosh darn awful to her before. (Poor Carli, already dealing with boy’s mind games — eh?) Just kidding.

Her laughter is infectious.

The thing I really admire about my daughter is she gets over things so quickly. She forgives so easily and she is so empathic to other people’s feelings. Yesterday when I was crying over something — she kept saying, “Mommy? You okay? You okay?” She just cares so much and it’s so heart-aching to me when I see anyone give her less than anything that she deserves.

Very determined, she goes for what she wants and doesn’t let anyone bring her down.  It’s like she feels its her  mission to make others laugh so they feel good and that in itself makes her feel good. She accepts everyone as they are  and holds no judgement. If a boy wants to play with trains and make monkey noises, she’s right there with her choo choo’s and monkey dances. It doesn’t matter what anyone wants to do — as long as they are laughing she’s for it.

On another note — I love watching older kids play with Carli. There is a patient gentleness about it. Where is it that we learn to get so impatient with others who do not know any better? When is it that we don’t stop to help someone in need; in need of a friend or help up? It’s sad that it’s human instinct to care for others and then we stop doing it.

I was watching this little girl play with my daughter and it was just amazing. The way she dealt with my two year old.. it makes me wonder why I can’t deal with my two year old the same exact way.

They played together for a good half an hour, following each other every where. Then suddenly I look up, and she is gone. It was like she was a little angel befriending my daughter and not only giving me a break, but giving Carli 30 minutes of laughter and a fun time. I’ll never forget the throaty sound of my daughter laughing hysterically as she went down the slide with her new friend.

I hope (for Carli’s sake) we should see them again someday!

]]> http://wellreadreviews.com/its-so-hot-out-but-shes-worth-it/feed 0 http://wellreadreviews.com/life-with-two-is-better-than-one http://wellreadreviews.com/life-with-two-is-better-than-one#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:40:17 +0000 Allison http://wellreadreviews.com/?p=4230 Reading time: 6 – 10 minutes

Life with two is — dare I say it — WONDERFUL. However I am exhausted all the time in the emotional efforts I take daily to get to know two little girls in their own distinct personalities and cater to them. I want them to feel loved and appreciated and equally acknowledged. It’s hard.

Carli loves to hold "Kay-yee" aka her "Sissy".

Carli is a fabulous big sister. She is outgoing, full of pride, and very affectionate.  Very quick to let you know when “Kay-ee cry!” and is easily persuaded into helping me calm her little sister down when I cannot immediately get to her (i.e. driving in the car). In the back seat I can hear Carli saying in her little two year old voice, “It’s okay, Katie. No cry!” and I am sure she’d give her kisses if their car seats were close enough to each other.

It’s great having Carli be eager to help, but also can be difficult as she doesn’t always understand herself when I cannot attend to HER straight away. Instead she gives me a dramatic-hands-on-each-side-of-her-face stance and says, “I going cry!” and she lets out a few provoked tears and then states, “OOoh my EYES!” Such a drama queen,that Carli Veronica is!

On her best behavior.

We went to breakfast with her “Pepaw” yesterday morning at the Cracker Barrel and Carli sat there attentively and colored with her crayons on the children’s menu and she barely gave a peep. Usually I am taking the crayons away from her after she decides to take a big bite out of them. This time, however, I told her that the crayons were not to be bit and eaten. She listened. She was very good.

As we were leaving an older woman stopped me and said, “I just wanted to let you know that your two girls are SO well behaved.” and no, I don’t hear that often. Cute, adorable — a comment about her outfit — sure. But at two the comments about how “good” your daughter is becomes less and less and replaced more with “She’s so outgoing!” (Which is nice talk for “Whoa, Nelly!”) I just have to keep telling people, “Well.. she’s two.” Most people nodd in understanding and I hope that is true, that they understand and remember what it’s like to have a two year old.

Carli isn’t bad — not at all. She is just very active and outgoing and hates to be tied down. She grows very upset and sensitive if she feels stifled. She has a “go-to” attitude and will do what it takes to get what she wants, which in reality, will be a great quality for when she is older but is a bit hard to manage when they don’t quite understand the gravity of their behavior.

She loves playing with others. She loves to laugh and screech and run around and be merry. She only grows upset if she spies injustice (others playing and she’s locked up in a chair, or unable to play due to her own limitations). It’s like seeing a bird fly and thinking, “Why can’t I??!” Carli is extremely passionate in everything she does and I love that about her.

Good morning, Sunshine!

Then there is Little Sister, Katelyn. She has a gentle quiet personality. More sensitive than her sister, she is very aware of someone being upset and this makes her extremely upset. Not as easy-going as her sister was at this age and she has been more difficult to get to know. Just when I thought I had it figured out for a few weeks ago, it wasn’t it. I think my issue was that I kept comparing her to Carli and expecting them to like things the same way or do things the same way.

Katelyn is totally different.

Katelyn doesn’t like the attention; not like Carli who absolutely craves attention and will easily befriend others. Katelyn would rather be held close out of the limelight, but being under the wing of someone who can protect her. She has the “Hold me close but don’t look at me too long!” personality. It’s almost as if she wonders if she is being scrutinized or judged or criticized in some sort of way.

The sleeping situation has been something that has required a lot of patience on my part because I just couldn’t figure out what she wanted. At first it didn’t appear that she liked her rocking bassinet. I traded it with a standard flat bassinet my parents had at their house in efforts to see if that made a difference. It didn’t really.

I tried swaddling her in a receiving blanket but I could never get a secure hold. So she made her way out of that. She was still too small for the size small swaddling blanket (with the velcro) so she seemed (for a week or two) to hate those, too! I couldn’t get her to sleep for more than an hour or two at a time and always had a hard time getting her back to sleep in the middle of the night. The ONLY way it seemed she (and I) got any sleep was if she lay closely next to me. Although I think co-sleeping is great (for other families), it’s not something I want our family to do.

Things are getting better though. She is now over 7lbs and fits securely in her swaddling blanket and she’ll last for a few hours in that before her first nightly feeding. For example, last night she slept from 8:30pm-12:30 (4 hours!) before her midnight feeding. I also place her on her side as some babies do not do well with laying on their back because they get that feeling of falling and it startles them.

The swaddling blanket is man's best invention.

I have found that as long as Katelyn is swaddled in her swing, that will give me a good minimum of 20 minutes to go to the bathroom, eat some breakfast, check my email, or do SOMETHING other than nurse and hold her! When we figured this out a few days ago, it was an “ah-hah!” moment of pure joy!

The only thing I don’t like about this Fisher Price Nature’s Touch Swing (which has been passed down by a friend) is that it doesn’t have the essential vibration feature on it. What kind of company comes out with such an awesome dual option swinging, a mobile up top that swirls and plays music — and yet, the forget to put a vibration feature on the seat? (Someone clue in Fisher Price, please?)

One of the cutest faces you ever will see!

]]> http://wellreadreviews.com/life-with-two-is-better-than-one/feed 1 http://wellreadreviews.com/handmade-with-love-with-75-gift-certificate-giveaway http://wellreadreviews.com/handmade-with-love-with-75-gift-certificate-giveaway#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:35:52 +0000 Allison http://wellreadreviews.com/?p=4200 Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

A few days ago I discussed shopping with local artisans but there are also world wide artisans to support as well; artisans that aren’t subject to harsh working conditions but instead produce what they wish, in the time span they wish to do so, and with their own artistic methods. The products available aren’t mass made in sweatshops, but instead hand made by usually one person.

Novica is a website associated with National Geographic that gives people all over the world a platform to express their true selves through art (Check out their mission statement!) I had the pleasure of receiving two amethyst rings to try out. Amethyst was my birthstone and it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to get anything for myself. Both of my rings were from artists living in India.

Amethyst Cluster Ring (Made in India)

I believe they shipped directly from India (rather than from a local processing center in the states) and arrived within a week of ordering (from what I remember). Unfortunately they arrived just as I was leaving for the hospital on July 12th! I had barely time to open the box before having to pack my bags. I was very happy to return to them, however. Both rings arrived in a nice box, lined with soft satin-like pillows. I had a hard time opening the box itself (it’s a little tricky) but I figured it out.

The rings themselves were expertly made and just beautiful. I liked knowing that my product was handmade as well as knowing who made it. In my case, an artist named Bhavesh made the ring that you see to the right. I can even be a fan/friend/supporter of his via the website on Novica.

Another reason I like Novica is that there are a wide range of products to purchase in support of world-wide artisans. You can find the perfect business gift for a coworker or a boss. Your gift will be special because they aren’t mass produced and they are true world-wide products, hand made with love! There really is everything for everyone — and pieces that have a story behind them. When someone asks where you got your item, you can tell them how it came from India (or wherever your item came from) and even tell them exactly who made it!

GIVEAWAY

Now you have the chance to win a $75 gift certificate from Novica! Good towards anything in the site! In order to win you must do one of the following (or all for additional entries):

• Find an item under $75 that you would purchase if you won this gift certificate, and comment here and link to it. Tell me why you selected that item!
• Subscribe to my feed (via Google Friend Connect). Let me know who you are via a comment!
• Select a featured artist via Novica and tell me about them. Why did this artist get your attention?
• Answer the question: Why is supporting world-wide artisans important?
• Follow me on Twitter (If you are already a follower, let me know via a comment)
• Create a wishlist via Novica and share it with me (either via comment or email me the link).
• Tell me something you have learned from visiting Novica (and please link to your source).
• Tweet about the giveaway (must supply link to tweet.. If you don’t know how to, just ask and I will help you!)

The contest runs from August 5th 2010 until August 13th 2010. The winner will be selected at random. To increase your chances, feel free to do more than one of the above options to win the gift certificate. The winner will be notified via email (so make sure to supply your correct email via the comment) with a virtual code worth $75 to use at checkout on Novica.com.

This is a guest post written by author, Elle Newmark.

The issue of my age came up shortly after Simon and Schuster bought my novel, The Book of Unholy Mischief. After I sent my agent an over-excited email with some text message acronym that sounded faintly adolescent, she bluntly asked, “How old are you?’ OMG, OMG, should I lie? No. It would be hideous to get caught. I shot back, “I’m sixty. Is that a problem? Because, if McCain can run for president I should be able to publish a book.” Not that I was defensive.

My agent and editor were not much older than my children, and I wanted to fit in. I considered emergency plastic surgery. A facelift, liposuction, did I need a chin implant? I had to pretend to be young again. Didn’t I? But I wasn’t entering witness protection, so once again, the answer was no. I needed to be exactly where I am in life to write the book I wrote. And part of the reason for my success was my middle-aged Enough–Already–It’s–time-To-Get-This-Show-On-The-Road mentality. This attitude is not typical of people in their fertile twenties. I looked at the upside of maturity and saw that coming to success—as my tactful agent put it—“so late in life” did not have to be mortifying; it could even be an advantage. Excellent. I wouldn’t need surgery after all.

Still, embracing my age was an uncomfortable novelty. It’s shocking, unbelievable really, that I’m over sixty. I don’t think about my age, and I feel like I’m thirty-five, only smarter. Because, you see, I didn’t spend forty years sitting on my ass, writing in a void and collecting rejection letters. Oh, I was writing and amassing my share of rejections all right, and I have the emotional hide of an armadillo to prove it, but I was also living.

I’ve had jobs, big and little, marriages, good and bad, lovers and friends and children and grandchildren. I’ve lived in many places on two continents and traveled the globe at my leisure. I have survived divorce, single parenthood, life-threatening illness, and teenagers. I’ve had moments of ineffable joy as well as patches of despair as black as scorch. I draw and paint, and I’m a great cook. All that living and learning and doing takes time, as well as being necessary fodder for the writing life. The truth is, I didn’t yet have much to say at thirty or forty. I wrote pretty consistently through all those seething and heaving life experiences, but for most of us, writing is a tortuously long and convoluted road.

By fifty-five I had an epic collection of rejection letters and I was feeling like an artistic failure. Isn’t fifty-five the age most people start thinking about retirement? But I couldn’t stop writing. There is something in me that wants to make people feel the rush of life in my words. I want to connect, to capture emotions and ideas, and to communicate them in gripping stories. One of the nice things about writing is that no one can stop you from doing it, and so, at fifty-six, I finished my third novel. I remember the surge of elation when that book caught the attention of a reputable agent. Phew! Just in time. I flew to New York and the reputable agent said, “This book is a gold mine.” Hallelujah! It was finally happening.

And then it didn’t.

After six houses rejected that book, the reputable agent stopped submitting it. I re-wrote it and tried to get another agent, but no luck. I spent a year writing another novel, but I couldn’t get an agent for that one either. One day, I looked in the mirror and accepted that it was too late; my books would never be published. It was crushing, and it knocked me flat out of the game.

I spent weeks on the sofa, reading other people’s novels. The only way I could get out of bed was by rolling directly into my reading chair, a comfy old thing in a corner of my bedroom, and plunging immediately into a fictional world. After an infusion of industrial strength coffee, I was able to shuffle out to the sofa where I collapsed for the rest of the day. It’s appalling, but I wallowed in the tragedy of my own crucified ego.

About that time, I hit my 60th birthday. Wow, that was fun. I thought about Shakespeare who had finished his immortal work in his forties, Van Gogh dead at thirty-seven, Caravaggio who revolutionized painting in his twenties, Bernini sculpting masterworks at sixteen, Mozart composing at five. Even Jesus had wrapped it up and headed back to heaven in his early thirties. I sulked on the sofa in rumpled pajamas and ate cold pizza.

Occasionally, I couldn’t avoid having to interact with people, but if I forgot myself and mentioned my writing I’d see that patient look people get when they’re talking to a lunatic.

Then I got angry.

I had always followed the rules. I’d written scores of polite, well-crafted query letters and double-spaced and proofread and followed guidelines. I took classes, attended workshops, learned to take criticism, honed my craft, and where had it gotten me? I could paper the Astrodome with rejection letters. I’d given away control of my destiny, and those I gave it to shrugged and gave it back. Okay. Fine. I’d take things into my own hands.

I turned away from traditional publishing and took the humble route of self-publishing. I really wanted to hold my own book in my hands. I believed that just holding a book in my hands would be enough. So I risked money, I went through endless edits, and I risked more money. Then, one day I had a book for sale on Amazon. My baby made its debut to a shrieking silence and a riot of apathy. My friends bought a copy out of loyalty but I don’t have a lot of friends, just very good ones, and the book maintained a rank of about 400,000, which is slightly above nonexistent.

I finally had a book out and it wasn’t enough. That’s when I decided it wasn’t about holding a book in my hands, but knowing that lots of other people were holding it in theirs. They weren’t, and I went into another funk

One night, moodily slumped in front of a late night rerun of Sex in the City, I watched Carrie Bradshaw’s glitzy book launch party. Carrie Bradshaw isn’t even a real person and Sarah Jessica Parker isn’t even a writer, yet there she was having my book party. Champagne flowed, beautiful people milled, cameras flashed, and I got an idea.

I gambled on a do-it-yourself website and spent thousands on an Internet marketing course. I would throw myself a virtual book launch party. Crazy? Maybe, but no guts, no glory. When you get older you start to think that way. I organized a one-day virtual party designed to generate a surge of sales on Amazon, and catapult me onto the bestseller list. The website looked colorful and festive, but we all know the most humiliating disaster is to throw a grand splash and have no one show up. Then I’d have to kill myself for sure. I needed to reach 500,000 people to make a few hundred sales and reach the bestseller list. I needed partners.

I asked droves of website owners to participate. I sent them a letter, a box of homemade cookies, and a signed book marked on the page where those same cookies appear in the novel. The cookies are called ‘bones of the dead’ so, with an aching back, I stood at the kitchen counter, well into the wee hours, shaping cookie dough into little bone shapes, baking them to the perfect golden shade of doneness, and then rolling them in powered sugar to make them look bonier. Only the boniest cookies went out—fifteen hundred of them. The rest…well, I gained four pounds.

My friends and family were apprehensive. I could see the pity in their eyes. Isn’t it sad to see Elle grasping for the brass ring that has so clearly passed her by? But I forged ahead, bold as an old crow. I blogged and talked up my book on message boards. I got a few Internet partners, I baked more cookies, I begged, pleaded, flattered, cajoled, bargained and I got more partners. In the end I had enough support to reach 500,000 people. Yes! I would hit the Amazon bestseller list. Then agents would notice and publishers would come knocking. That was the plan.

But two days before my virtual party, my son, Michael, thoughtfully stroked his goatee and said, “Mom, if you want agents and editors to notice your book, why not just invite them to your party?” And there’s yet another advantage to age: Grown children capable of clever ideas. However, that idea was definitely against the rules. You’re supposed to approach agents according to a well-established protocol, and you’re not supposed to approach editors at all. Michael’s idea was risky and audacious, but in the end, I decided I was too old to be timid. I just didn’t have that kind of time. I got online and dug up e-mail addresses for 400 agents and editors. The night before the launch, I wrote personal invitations with a link to the party site and brazenly hit “send” 400 times.

By noon the next day, I’d heard from dozens of agents and editors. People were clamoring to read my book! An editor from a major house flat out offered me a hardcover deal via e-mail based solely on the reviews. Agents asked me to speed books to New York, and while I manned the computer, my husband, Frank, made multiple trips to the post office. Within 24 hours I had offers from several impressive agencies—including William Morris, with whom I made an agreement at whiplash speed.

I did hit the Amazon bestseller list, not that it mattered anymore.

New York talent scouts were talking about The Book of Unholy Mischief, and the buzz was so loud I could feel the vibration in California. I swear the earth moved. During that first wild week, my new agent turned down a respectable offer from a major publisher. She said, “We can do better.” I swallowed hard and hoped she knew what she was doing. Two weeks after my virtual party, The Book of Unholy Mischief went to auction.

The auction was due to start at 11:00 a.m. EST, which was 8:00 a.m. for me on the west coast. I planned to be sitting at my phone, showered and fully caffeinated by 7:30. As I stepped out of the shower at 6:00, the phone rang, and I ran for it, dripping and clutching a towel. My agent said, “Are you sitting down?” I stood there, holding my towel, and said, “Yes.” She said, “Two book deal, Simon and Schuster.” Then I sat down. I was naked and wet—like a newborn.

In the following unbelievably heady days, the foreign sales started. It was a global feeding frenzy. As of this writing The Book of Unholy Mischief will be published in a dozen languages.. Personally, I can’t wait to see the Hebrew and Cyrillic and Korean editions—I love exotic alphabets that look like music—and I have a place in my house ready to display them all. Dec 30 The Book of Unholy Mischief will be released in the United States and Canada. In January I’ll go to Venice for the Italian launch, then come back to the U.S. for a national book tour—every writer’s dream.

I’d like to refrain from using that tired old chestnut, Better Late Than Never, but I can’t. It is better late than never. In fact, I might even say, Better Late Than Early. First of all, there is no doubt in my mind that I earned my success, and I feel a profound gratitude that I probably wasn’t capable of twenty or thirty years ago. Second, I’m pretty sure my agent and editor are not worried that I will celebrate by getting sloshed and trampled in a mosh pit, which is a comfort to all three of us. Third, there is the knowledge that I did not waste my time writing for no one and nothing. Every day I lived and every word I wrote was necessary to find my voice.

So my image will be The Author Who Finally Did It “So Late in Life.” That’s fine. Now that I have spent time on the business end of publishing I see more clearly than ever that the greatest satisfaction is in the writing itself. For the most part, it’s not about me or anyone else holding a book, it’s about the work. All writers hope to be published, but we began writing because something inside of us yearned to make something beautiful or to shed light on what it is to be alive. Like any other passion, we did not start doing it for fame and fortune, but for those transcendental moments when we are swept up in the act of creation. We pursue those flashes of clarity when we are able to express the divinity within. I call it “being in the zone,” and it is what gives my life meaning.

Chasing commercial success is, by itself, an unsatisfying ambition, albeit one that I indulged with dogged persistence for many years. Today I know that real success is finding something you love and then doing the hell out of it. Success is nice, but being good at something makes you complete and valuable.

Our passions are our consolation for mortality, age is irrelevant, and none of us knows what waits around the next corner. When my work is passed over or my age seems like cause to quit, I think of Winston Churchill: With the sky over England littered by falling bombs and London besieged and people dying and the future looking hopeless, sixty-eight year old Churchill pushed out his pugnacious chin and growled, “Never, never, never, never give up.”

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

Forrest and I have been watching a lot of documentaries lately on the decline of small town(s) and what they bring to us and how we are quickly losing them to “The Man”. They are quickly becoming lost in huge corporate America as big companies are taking over the way produce is grown as well as products are being manufactured. Small farms and families can not compete!

Because there are small towns that are primarily organized around the farming industry, not everyone agrees with corporate practices. When you disagree against the “big man” you are in heavy competition with their approved farms and this can be detrimental to small family owned farms. Many homes are being lost and families put out. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

It is important that we support our small town farmers (which we can find via local farmer’s markets.) You can also do your part by supporting stay at home mothers and their work at home manufactured products (which are often made at a much better quality than mass production standards and have much more sentimental value to them.) Many huge brand name companies are outsourcing labor to other countries in effort to cut back costs and you’ll see this by their “Made in Thailand” or “Made in China” tag. But how many products do you see that are “Made in America“?

Luckily some big brand name companies are realizing that outsourcing has a harsh effect on our economy, putting many locals without jobs. If we do not have jobs, we do not have money to by said products. (Not many huge corporations GET this) But Ramblers Way Farm does. They want to change the way American business is done.

Ramblers Way sources, grows, and produces fine wool clothing using 100% local resources. Instead of outsourcing to poor countries, they are bringing manufacturing facilities to small towns, helping to revitalize these run down communities. Instead of losing a bit of our history, we can actually preserve it by bringing business TO small towns, rather than taking it away and causing an inevitable decline.

The Ramblers Way Corporate office has been made from a fully remodeled building that was originally built in 1972 and is located in downtown Kennebunk, Maine. Restored to its original condition, however has been given the modern upgrades needed to conduct business and meet our current environmental standards. They have even achieved the coveted Gold Lead Certification level!

I am amazed by the efforts Rambers Way has shown in bringing jobs to small cities and helping to rejuvenate small town economy. Why aren’t more companies doing this?

I am a stay at home mother and I do a lot of “Made in America” projects including making clothing and other various items. Doing this allows me to provide for my family. It allows me to put food on the table and support my two very beautiful, sweet, wonderful, and innocent daughters. Supporting local farmers and manufacturers, and giving local people job opportunities is as if we are (in essence) taking care of each other.

In a “man eat man” world that we currently live in — we just need to take care of each other. In a big way.

Carli wearing Matilda Jane top, "Runway Ellie Halter Top".

First born darling deserves her own post — since before Katelyn, all my parenting issues revolved around her. Although she has to share the spotlight now, she should (in no way) have her milestones overlooked.

Carli has turned into the most active little being — running everywhere and rarely running out of energy. She’s been seeing the chiropractor lately to work on some issues left over from her breech birth, altering the way she walked and moved and the speed at which she could do it. In just a month or so of going, it is hard to keep up with her!

Carli Expressions

One of my favorite things to hear from her is “Love you!” after we tell her that we love her. Sometimes we don’t even have to say it to hear it from her little lips. She’ll tell us when we put her down for a nap or for bed at night. Or she’ll tell us when we go to leave somewhere. There is nothing better than hearing, “Love you!” from this sweet little kid.

“Whoa! Wee!” She loves excitement and fast cars. When we make a turn in our car she puts her hands up and goes “Wee!” I have a feeling we have a lot of roller coasters in our future with her! Speaking of cars, she is definitely her father’s child. She’ll see a car and go “Whoa, niiiiiiccee!” and “Oooh!” (Shakes head) Not my doing.

Language wise — no real complete sentences yet but she’s learning words by the minute. She’ll copy things you say and it sounds just adorable when she tries. For example Shira is “She-shah” and Iara is “Ya-Ya”. She calls her Grandpa (Forrest’s father) “Peepa”. It has taken her two years but she FINALLY says “Mommy” (and when she’s mad to get my attention, ‘Mom!’) and she says very clearly “Memaw” and “Papa” although she hasn’t really started calling Uncle Matt by name, yet… but we are practicing.

She says “Katie” although it comes out sounding like “Kitty” and Carli also can count to 4, and knows the #9. She loves to say “3, 4″ especially.

Carli’s Interests

Right now Carli is obsessed with Diego (from Dora the Explorer) as well as Dora, Elmo, and Ernie. She just loves, loves, loves them. In fact, Diego is her new obsession and she’ll put her hands on each side of her face as if she is suffering utter dispair and yell out, “Diiiieeeegoooooo!” when she wants to watch him. Oh boy. (Can we say crush?!)

Carli loves girly-girl things. Clothing, fake princess shoes, bracelets, rings, and purses. She just loves anything that will get “oohs and ahs” in her general direction. Plus, she can walk in heels like no one elses business. It worries her Dad and I that she is so absolutely girly, yet loves boy things (Cars, trucks.. anything with wheels.. and she likes them fast!) She is going to make some boy an excellent girlfriend (but don’t tell Dad that.. he forbids it!)

Carli meeting her little sister, Katelyn in the hospital for the first time.

Drink wise, her favorite drink of the moment is “tea” and she will yell out for it. She drinks milk, water, and tea. When she’s thirsty she’ll ask, “Tea or Water” as clear as day but if we attempt to give her something else she’ll say “No.. Tea!” as if to remind us what she is REALLY asking for!

Carli is a big fan of fruit “froooot” but not a huge fan of diced pears (she’s crazy!) or raspberries. She loves the occasional blueberry.. strawberries and melons, though!

Adjusting to life as a big sister:

It hasn’t been easy, but there is no doubt that Carli loves and adores her little sister. She knows who “Katie” is and makes sure to say “Hi, Katie” every morning when she sees her. She likes to tell me when Katelyn has “poo pooed” (so she’s a great assistant). Now I just have to teach her to fetch me diaper and wipes, LOL.

Carli doesn’t always know her strength and can be a little rough (goes to tickle, but ends up grabbing, pinching and scratching) which sends Katelyn into hysterics.. which will make Carli cry and then tell Katelyn, “No cry, Katie! No cry!” (meanwhile, crying herself). Though Carli will say “I sorry!” Sometimes Carli will have nothing to do with Katelyn crying and she’ll go “I sorry, Katie. No cry!” (Awe!)

Carli will also tell me she wants to snuggle (signs it) Katie so we’ll let her hold her (with assistance) and she’ll lean down and give her many kisses, and hold her and hug her.. and has even on a few occasions ATTEMPTED to run off with her. She would, if we’d let her but we’re definitely not. Then Carli will sign or say “All done” and we take Katelyn away before she has the chance to shove her off.

I am struggling with equal time between the two, but I am trying. Carli needs one on one attention and I try to give her cuddle time as much as possible when Katelyn is sleeping. I worry constantly that Carli feels replaced or left out and it just hurts me inside.. I never want Carli to feel a second like second best.. because she is the most amazing child and I couldn’t ask for a better first born.