I’ve been thinking a lot about my blogging niche lately. It started a few months ago, when a friend of mine asked what I was doing with a personal blog, a review blog, a finance blog, and a Boston blog. And, I couldn’t answer her. I love writing on these multiple topics and constantly struggle with how to combine them into one cohesive “niche”. So, I just keep starting new blogs.
Then, I read Jennifer James’ great article about how to flip your blog into a business, and I’m back to thinking about it. I love personal finance, and love writing about it, but can’t find a good place for those articles without The Full Piggy. But as I think more and more about my writing passion? It’s truly travel blogging, which I do here, on Mom’s Favorite Stuff, and on Traveling Mom and Uptake.com.
I have a LOT of flight time in the next few weeks as I head to Silicon Valley for the Yahoo! Mother Board Summit and to Hawaii for the Aulani preview, so I’ll be thinking about these topics – any opinions? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
As I mentioned, my husband Dan and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary this past week. Thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, who hosted us for this trip, we had the chance to visit for two days.
Follow our adventures on my Whrrl story!
July 8, 2000
Ten years ago, I put on this ridiculously intricate dress and married my best friend. While many people always say their wedding is the best day of their life, I didn’t feel that way. I mean, I loved that I was getting married, but the actual wedding was so much for other people, and not 100% what I would have wanted. Waking up in Hawaii on our honeymoon, however? THAT was the best day of my life (until, of course, when my babies were born).
Last year, I talked about the crazy limo driver, so I’ll spare you that story. Instead I’ll talk about our honeymoon. Hawaii was absolutely amazing. We started out in Kauai, at the Grand Hyatt Regency – an OMG, I can’t believe how gorgeous this amazing hotel is hotel. Just thinking about it… We had three fabulous days, and was getting ready to switch to Maui for the second part of our vacation. After eating at the hotel that night, Dan started to feel a little ill. By later that night, he was burning up and vomiting. I don’t know how he got the energy to do it, but we were able to get on our plane and get to our resort in Maui (The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa). Where he slept for the next 16 hours, while I wandered the resort on my own, getting room service to eat by myself on the balcony. Cue the violins.
Dan eventually had to go to the hotel doctor, where he was diagnosed with the flu and given several prescriptions. He was sick for 7 days. We did lots of relaxing by the pool, and he did a lot of napping, but it was still a great vacation! We’d hoped to go back for our 5 year anniversary, but we had our little lady by then, and then at 10 years, but didn’t want to leave the kids for that long.
So, this year, we’re headed to another island – Martha’s Vineyard! Believe it or not, I’ve never been, even though I have lived in New England almost my whole life. Thanks to the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber, who is hosting us – and my family, who is watching the kids, we are going to hit the beach and relax for a few days!
Before my daughter was born, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle breast feeding her. It wasn’t something I was looking forward to, but after learning more about how much healthier breast milk was, I decided to really dedicate myself to doing it.
She was born premature after some complications, and wasn’t the most interested in breastfeeding. After a wonderful lactation consultant helped out, we were able to make it work with a shield. Pumping at work was hard – the room was always booked, and I was always shuffling meetings around trying to still accommodate my lactation schedule. At six months, we were still using the shield, and she was pretty much done – completely disinterested in anything but the bottle. I declared myself done and switched to formula.
Then, I had my son – he was much easier to feed, and since I was working at home three days a week, it was easier to pump when working. But it was still difficult, and although I went eight months, he still got formula.
Now, after hearing so much about other moms breastfeeding for a year or more, I’m feeling guilty. I don’t each much processed foods any more, and I fed my babies processed breast milk. And honestly, it’s something feel guilty about every time I think about it. But could I have done it any differently? I don’t think so. Working after my babies were born is probably the most difficult thing I did in my life, and I marvel at how many moms are able to do it effortlessly.
For now? I’ll try to just be thankful my kids are very healthy!
Can you believe that we are half-way through 2010? That 6 months just flew by!
At this point in the year, I always love to revisit my resolutions, to see how I’m progressing. So, without further ado, let’s take a look.
Run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in March
Progress? Done. Check. Finished. Complete. I went from this – Jodi + Running = Fail to this Princess Half-Marathon: The Recap.
Lose the Weight I Put On Last Year
Well, I’m not down that low, and I probably won’t ever be. Back then, I wasn’t exercising, so although I was thin, I had little muscle tone.
But, the good news is that I fit in those clothes again! And, I feel great. So, I’m declaring this resolution on track and in progress.
Learn to Bake
Remember these cookies? This, is where I started.
Look where I am now!
I’m also taking a cake decorating class this month, and I’m happy with my progress.
Work on getting more freelance writing and consulting jobs
Meh. It’s not for lack of trying, but I have lost more gigs then I’ve gained. What economic recovery?
Enjoy life, and the time with my kids, every single day
I try. But I can try harder.
I realized this afternoon, as I’ve been spamming my Facebook friends, that some of this stuff doesn’t exactly belong on my Facebook wall, it belongs on my blog. So here goes – the most random assortment of blogginess ever.
Oprah!
So, even though I know I have no chance in the world, I decided to make a quick video for the Oprah Own contest. The leaders have something like 10 million votes, and I have about 100, so if you are so inclined to vote, here’s the video. You can vote as much as you’d like.
Anniversary
Dan and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this week. To honor it, I scanned a few pictures of our early years.
In Vancouver, a month after we started dating
On our honeymoon, in Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii…
I’m going, on a super-quick trip, to Hawaii, to learn more about Aulani, the brand-new resort opening next year by Disney. Hawaii!
Finally…
Give Kids the World, a charity that is near and dear to my heart, was up for a Pepsi Refresh award, and didn’t win. You can help them by donating just $5. Here’s more info.
I never imagined that I would have a boy – I always thought I’d be the mom of two girls. When my first was a girl, that solidified my thinking even more. I didn’t know what to do with a boy – I had only a sister growing up and I didn’t play sports while growing up. So I was a little nervous to have a boy.
But, the minute my little guy was born, I was hooked. He was, and is, the sweetest thing. He loves me unconditionally, and while he’s now daddy’s little shadow, when he’s sick or hurt, he just wants his mommy.
Happy Birthday Little Man!
These little guys are for my son’s preschool tomorrow on his actual birthday!
Buttercream frosting, with chocolate accents and chocolate hat brim
I’m one of those moms who likes to have the parties out of the house. I’d write a check, send out invitations, buy some supplies, and sit back.
But my little guy is turning four, and he wanted a party at home. Not at gymnastics. Not at the pottery painting place. Not at the baseball place. At home. Oh, and he wanted it to be a pirate party.
I had no idea what to do, so I turned to my creative friends on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, as well as a Google search. And, once I got started, I couldn’t stop!
So, here’s what we did…
I ordered some printable invitations from my buddy Lisa at Peppers and Pollywogs.
I visited Michael’s to order some fun craft supplies to make paper swords, pirate skulls, and ships.
I ordered a bunch of stuff from the Oriental Trading Company for decorations and booty.
The Bounty from the Party
I downloaded the font 12th century caps, and made some fun pirate maps and signs for the yard. Then, I took the signs to be laminated at FedEx Office.
The Pirate Map (printed in B&W)
Yard Signs
The signs read:
“Dead Men Tell No Tales”
“Warning: Mini Pirates Ahead” and
“Enter… If You Dare”
I also put a door on our front door…
Front Door Sign
When the party began, each child got a pirate bandanna and an eye patch. Then, I had them take a pirate oath and they received their maps. We had a few activity stations set up, including pirate checkers, water balloon cannons, water toys, temporary tattoos, and arts and crafts.
During the party, I had a snack station set up….
The Snack Table
The biggest snack draw was the cupcake papers filled with Swedish Fish.
After about an hour, I brought out the cupcakes – I made both chocolate and vanilla.
The Chocolate Cupcakes Had Homemade Chocolates On Top
When the party was over, the kids pulled out their maps to find the “treasure” – their bounty boxes!
We had a blast! I’m ready for a long nap and a bath!
A few months ago, I went on a dietary fast, followed by a two-month cleanse (which is almost over, by the way). I removed many of the toxins in my diet, including antibiotics, pesticides, and hormonal interrupters, as well as the “un-foods” (yes, I still love Oreos, but eat them in very limited quantities). And, I know they aren’t food.
But, I’ve also learned that there are other toxins that have to be removed, in order to truly be “detoxed”. Toxins that aren’t necessarily ingested, but can live in the body, festering and harming your well being. Things like negative feelings and emotions, worrying about things and people you can’t control, and being bothered by those who don’t always have your interests at heart. We all have those people in our lives – the ones who create drama from nothing, spew anger and hate for no reason, or who compete in ways that are simply unnecessary. It’s those people, and those thoughts, that I need to work on banishing. Because I simply don’t have the time or energy to focus on the negative.
I’m not a doctor. Don’t play one on TV, didn’t even take a science class in college. But I do know my body, and I do keep track of my weight. And, I’ve figured out that my body isn’t meant to run.
When I quit my job back in 2008, I started working out. I had done NOTHING prior to that. I was a lump on a log. I started with the fitness “gateway drug” – the Wii Fit. Then, I moved on to the 30-day Shred, all while cutting calories. I dropped two sizes and 12 pounds in a few months, and felt good.
I wanted to do more.
So, I started running – first just around the block. Then, I got on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel and everyone was doing the Expedition Everest 5K so I “trained” for that. We all know how hard it was for me to get through even 10 minutes of running, but I did it. Then I signed up for the half-marathon. I was a fitness goddess.
But, when I started training for the EE5K, I started gaining weight. Muscle, I assumed. But then it continued. Five pounds. Ten pounds. Fifteen pounds. TWENTY pounds. (have you seen me? I’m 4’11”). Even after training for the half-marathon, I was heavier than I’d ever been.
Then, I stopped running. Life got in the way. I went on a dietary cleanse, then a diet from my Genesis Today nutritionist. And, I lost weight. I’m down 7 pounds already.
So, it’s diet, you say? I thought so too. Then, this weekend, I went to Walt Disney World with some of the WDWMoms. And, I ate Tonga Toast. And Macaroni and Cheese. And Goat Cheese Tartes. And may have had several margaritas.
I lost weight over the weekend.
I’m convinced that my body stores carbs when I run. And, causes me to gain weight.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m still exercising five times a week. I’m doing ChaLEAN Extreme, and Jillian Michaels Yoga, and Turbo Jam, and Your Shape, and other videos. But no running.
And I look better than I did in March. Hmmmm…….
Photo credit: Jen DeCesari
