Kathryn, Jenny, and Eve, the founders of Seattle Mom Blogs, have passed the torch to Mamaspod. We’re excited to come together and bring both podcasted reviews of places you suggest, interviews of local bloggers and reviewing recommendations from resources like Red-Tricycle, and Parent Map. You’ll see these updates occuring over the next few weeks as we launch our exciting new section. Everything else remains the same with the same fantastic columnist writing the quality posts you’ve come to love and enjoy.

But before we start the new year, we want to make a promise to you: Our resolution is simple, one word actually, and it’s “Connect.” We’re honored to be trusted with this community to continue the momentum Eve, Kathryn, and Jenny started. We couldn’t fill their shoes but we’re honored to walk in their wake.

So thank you, Jenny, Kathryn, and Eve, for getting such an amazing group of women together. For thinking of community in our local area. For wanting to bring moms together in person as well as online. It’s been freaking lovely to meet each of you and I know this isn’t a good-bye, just a new venture for you all. We’re glad to keep alive your vision and hope you’ll stay close.

Do you have a story you can share? Do you have a memory from SMB that you want to post? Let us hear it. Tell thank you to these ladies who brought us together. I know I personally gained not just a new venue to share thoughts but friends I consider real. So thank you, ladies. Very. Much.

The next gathering will be sometime in February. We’re starting an anual wine-tasting event. Watch for that announcement. We may need plastic wine cups, though. As it’s been told, ONE OF US breaks things. (And thank you for that memory, too, ladies. It’s one of my favorite SMB stories: That night at the Method Party that I totally SPAZZED and broke a glass. Rad. I love you for loving me anyway.)

Much love and bringing in the happiest of New Years!

Without further ado, here are my scintillating interview answers:

1. Where do you live and how long have you lived there? Where did you grow up?
We live in on the Plateau. Hehehe. I know. I know. So snotty to say the *finger quote* Plateau *end finger quote*. Imagine mommies in matching tennis whites, perfectly whitened teeth, frosty platinum highlights, having Botox parties saying with pursued lips, “Pla-teauuuuu.” (By the way, I’m not one of those mommies.) Or is it better to say Sammamish? I know it sure as Sam Spade isn’t when you are trying to relay your address over the phone. Sa-mam-mish. “Sha-mame-ash?” The operators ask. No, Sa-mam-mish. “Sta-beam-itch?” Sigh. S-a-m-m-a-m-i-s-h. You know. Near Issaquah. Cue crickets.

So, we have lived here 3 years this month. We came from the Bay Area. I know. Hiss. We got sick of the schools, the real estate, the smog, the traffic, of everything in California. So we trotted online and used a splendiferous tool to find our “Best Place.” Surprise! Seattle popped up. We decided to be brave. My husband took his job with him and we found a realtor. We searched place to place on the Eastside, with a trusty file of every school’s test scores, comments from PTA board (yes, being a former PTA president I emailed every PTA board of every school and neighborhood we looked at), and Seattle Times Ranking. We’ve never looked back.

I grew up in the Bay Area, Livermore to be exact, went to Berkeley and met my husband there. I then started my life with my him, a former Army captain and infant son, first for a few brutal months in the Ozarks (Missouri) which made this California girl from Berkeley twitch with the Confederate flags, gun racks, sewage lagoons, and amazing amount of stray dogs dumped near our apartment. Then it was off to the interior of Alaska for four long years. Fairbanks! Best and worst place I’ve lived in my life. The Northern Lights, the moose, the midnight sun, and the 2 hours of daylight in winter. I survived 67 degrees below zero with two small children. Shiver! I put booties on my dogs so they could go outside to pee. I sprayed water on dry, powdery snow just so my kids could make snow balls and snow men. I survived six long, cold winter months homebound alone with a toddler when my husband was deployed to the Sinai Peace Keeping Mission in Egypt. Alaska gave me the greatest gift of my daughter born one cold October morning at -30. I wouldn’t trade Alaska for the world, but when we got out of the army, we went home. Meanwhile, in California, real estate had sky rocketed as had crime, traffic, and inferior schools. We hung on for 5 years, then ended up here. We LOVE it!

2. What’s your blog about and why did you start blogging?
My blog is a kitchen drawer. It is ill-defined and often stream of consciousness. I do blog politics and I should get out right now I am probably the only agnostic Republican, former Army Lieutenant, in Seattle that supports gay marriage, environmental issues, the Iraq war, and animal rights that wishes the Republican religious right would get out of her party. However, I highly respect others’ opinions and love when people respectfully stop by to stir the pot at my blog. I also mommy blog about my 3 children–a lot! I blog about my period and dreams of uterine ablation–a lot. I blog about my metro sexual, computer geek of a husband and his sexual harassment and white socks. I blog about my kids’ competitive swimming since it consumes our lives. I blog incessantly about my love of anything cocktail or made from Cabernet. And, yes, my friends, on occasion I blog about the craziness that is living on the Pla-teauuuu.

I started blogging in 2006 because my husband blogged and the bugger was always stealing my material. I would make a joke and the next week it would be on his blog. I would have an idea and magically it would be on his blog. I think it might have been his way of getting me to start blogging. I called him an Idea Succubus, but finally gave in with this first set of blogs.

3. What are your most and least favorite parts about blogging?
My favorite part of blogging is hands down meeting friends I might never, ever have met without my blog. Rural central California, metropolitan Los Angeles, teeny islands off the French channel, British babes, small towns in the Midwest, humid Florida, and yes, my friends spread all over the Northwest. They listen to my drivel. They come in droves when I need back up. They make me realize I am not insane for how I feel. And best yet, they call me on my ideas and make me often re-think what I believe. My blog is filled with people who found me through my words, not from where I live and who I know since I have never told anyone about my blog, including family and friends. Those people have sometimes discovered me, but I don’t promote my blog to people I know willingly because I want to be free to write about my nonexistent sex drive, sometimes crappy mothering skills, my marital woes, my incontinent dog, and my politics without sympathetic looks at the next PTA meeting or family holiday dinner.

My least favorite is the stress of blogging and keeping up readership–being a slave to my blog. Then in comes the high school part of women blogging: worrying about popularity and who likes who, who takes offense or misunderstands what you stay, the drama, the bitch slapping, and the trolls. Sometimes blogging turns into a Jerry Springer sideshow act. So with stress and drama, I habitually have nervous breakdowns every couple months and take a month off.

4. What does your spouse/significant other/family think about your blogging?
My husband absolutely loves me blogging, even when it’s used as a tool of public therapy and, yes I admit, blackmail in our marriage. I let people weigh in. Nothing is sacred. One sister who discovered my blog is a big supporter. Never comments, but emails me so I forgive her. My biggest fear would be my parents and my MIL, who I haven’t spoken to in 4 years, discovering my blog.

5. What goals, if any, do you have for your blog?
Goals: Hmmm. More friends, more comments, and more readers, in that order. I recently had a milestone where I was able to pay for a whole meal of Chipotle burritos off the proceeds of my blog. Whooo-hoo! Maybe next year I’ll spring for extra guacamole. A girl’s got to have dreams, my friends.

6. What topic would you never discuss on your blog? (Yes, discuss it now!)
Honestly, there is nothing that is verboten. I dislike my husband’s wardrobe, I share it with you. I have no sex drive and moan about it all the time. I voted for George Bush and admit it. I have child molesters in my family and I freely discuss it. My kids do something horribly embarrassing? Odds are it shows up on my blog. I even blog sometimes on the toilet. My husband’s vasectomy failed and is a frequent subject. Sorry too much info? I have no filter when it comes to my blog. None.

7. Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Hands down, I am a dog person. We’ve had our 2 rescued dogs longer than our children. Grendel is 14, survived cancer, and still putters on like a puppy most days. $2000 in one month’s vet bills later, I wouldn’t trade her for the world. The other, Sebastian, is my hero, my ferocious defender, my friend, my spider eater, my shadow. It will be soul-shattering when they die.

8. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (This IS Seattle Mom Blogs!)
My favorite coffee drink is a bit embarrassing since it does show my addictions to caffeine, fat and sugar: Venti Italian roast brewed coffee, 2 shots espresso, splash of cream, 1 equal, with whip cream. Num! Starbucks will make it for me, but it’s better when my husband makes it.

I noticed this interview is pretty long. Oops, did I forget to mention that my readers call me “Windy Douchehole?” Yep, I am known for being Windy. Love me or leave me.

Many Regards,
Scout’s Honor

Thank you, Scout, for your, er, ummm, candid interview! We expect no less!

Meanwhile, Wendy is being less candid at her blog, Let the dog in! You can reach her at wendy(ahhht)letthedogin(doggit)com where she promises to be more candid.

As some of you may know, we are going to start a feature here to learn a little about our members, one by one, in the form of mini-interviews.

Maybe we’ll post them weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly…. We’ll play that part by ear (I’m not Marsha Brady after all!).

If you want to be interviewed, leave a comment on this post, and I’ll email you the interview questions. We’ll go in order of comments received.

I’m looking forward to Getting to Know Youuuuuuu!

Wendy is also looking forward to blogging about her life on Bainbridge Island at Let the dog in! You can reach her at wendy(at)seattlemomblogs.com.

This is a great deal if you’re looking to upgrade your bottles to something that’s absolutely safe and free of yucky toxic stuff.  Kudos to Babies R Us for doing this (the bottles haven’t actually been recalled; so they’re eating the cost).

Here are the details:

• Bring your polycarbonate bottles (Avent, Dr. Brown’s) to the service desk at Babies R Us and they will exchange them with BPA-free bottles (Medela, Born Free, the new BPA-free Dr. Brown’s, etc.)
• This is not a one-for-one exchange. Basically they will calculate the value of the bottles that you bring in, and give you an equal value exchange. Since the BPA-free bottles are typically more expensive than the toxic ones, you will get less bottles in exchange (or you can pay the difference).
• You do not need original packaging or receipt.  Bottles that you’re exchanging should be complete with all the parts and be products that Babies R Us currently sells (i.e. no bottles from 1970).
• Bottles only; no nipples, sippy cups, or accessories.

Currently there is no official end-date to this offer; it is something that Babies R Us is doing in the name of customer service but they may stop at any time. You can call before you go to confirm if they’re still doing it; (425)672-3220.

BABIES ‘R’ US - LYNNWOOD
19500 ALDERWOOD MALL PW
LYNNWOOD, WA 98036

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-9:30PM
Sun 10:00AM-7:00PM

All the details are here.  One lucky commenter will be randomly selected; enter your name before Friday (6/6) at midnight PST.

It’s a wonderful thing.

There is a down side to this wonderful thing, however. Not actually knowing someone, makes it pretty easy to say to them things you might NEVER say to their face. I think most of us are pretty non-confrontational in real life, but if people are anything like me, they can get all hot under the collar privately and then make nice when it comes to actual, personal interaction. Email and blogging make it possible to break down our inhibitions to say whatever comes to our mind, without thought of how it might affect someone else. We can freely share our agitated/frustrated opinions in as open a way as possible without ever feeling the slightest remorse.

So here is what I really want to talk about–how can we all be friends in this virtual world, when though we share the common ground of motherhood, we have entirely different lives, values and opinions?

For example, how can I, Stephanie, a married, conservative 27 year old mother of three, be friends with a 45 year old single mother of 1 who is very liberal?

It’s very easy to be friends in the blogosphere when we are all saying things we agree with, so I think no suggestions are needed on that! But here are some of my suggestions on how we can all be friends in spite of differing opinions:

1. Be Aware. Sometimes a mommy blogger is going to -gasp- say something you don’t agree with. It may even be offensive to you. We are all different and we have various political/religious/personal views so this is to be expected. It’s not a bad thing, it just is what it is. Not everything that you post is going to go over smoothly with everyone else, and you will certainly come across posts you don’t agree with. Being aware of this may sound kind of simple and obvious, but it is certainly the first step in knowing how you are going to deal with controversy in the blog world.

2. Don’t take it personally. It can be hard when someone says something so in disagreement with your beliefs that it cuts you to the core. You will feel a lot better if you don’t take it as a personal affront. For example, if I say, “I don’t believe in drinking Coca Cola after 7 pm” or even if I add to that “I don’t think anyone else should either” you should not interpret that as saying I don’t like you if you are a 9:00 pm Coca-Cola drinker. I am entitled to my belief as you are to yours, and it doesn’t mean I think any less of you if you drink your Coke at 7:15. Being offended is counterproductive– especially when none was intended.

3. Play nice. Discussion is good, but listen to Thumper. And as long as we are not taking it personally, we shouldn’t make personal attacks either. I am not saying you can’t say, “I don’t agree with you,” or, “I don’t think that is correct.” It just means you can’t say, “You’re an idiot,” or “I am laughing at you for your tiny, uneducated opinion.” It’s just like with your kids, you tell them you didn’t like the behavior rather than saying you don’t like them for doing it. And if you are going to say something that might not be super nice, try and pad the blow with a compliment on something else that they said. And of course here on SMB, you are going to have to follow the official comments policy.

4. Pause and review before you submit. Recognize that if you are going to say something that you think might be innocent, realize that the internet leaves a lot of interpretation for tone. In other words, you could be misunderstood and should be prepared for that. If you are unsure, give it a minute before you click that button. Or get a second opinion. (I can’t tell you how many times the hubs has told me my comment was offensive AFTER the fact…)

5. Focus on the strengths of our common ground. We are women and mothers here trying to raise our children right and give them the best experiences possible. We should lift and love each other up by realizing we have much more in common than we think.

6. Assume the friendship. Just assume that if you met someone from a blog in real life, that you would like them and be nice to them. Don’t say anything in a comments section (or even in your blog post!) that you wouldn’t say to the actual person if you were face to face with them. SMB hosts a lot of events, and it is likely that we could meet. I don’t want there to be awkwardness. We may not end up being friends, nor am I saying I think we have to be. We might like two ships, meet once and never again, or we could be kindred spirits. (Some of my best friends are people I didn’t initally like.) So as a courtesy just assume we’re good friends (pretend even) and behave as such.
So there they are just a few suggestions. But I want to know what YOU think. (This post of course, is my opinion only, does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of SMB). What are your suggestions for being friends? Is it even possible to make nice with people who can all be so different? Tell me your thoughts.

Stephanie is a work at home momma trying to make the world more beautiful while also trying to keep her sanity with three energetic children under the age of six.

You can read more about her fabulously crazy life over at The Mommiverse

So today I was googling around to find other local blogs, and happened upon one that I LOVE, Pike/Pine: Street fashion in Seattle.  Jasmine, the author, posts pictures of locals wearing sassy clothes around town.  It’s sort of like reading a fashion mag only… more local.  I’m seriously feeling inspired to get funky with my wardrobe.

My other favorite local blog is Save Seattle Public Schools, which is a great resource for information on what’s going on with our lovely public school system.

What are your favorite local blogs?

By the way, we have a really awesome giveaway that’s posting on Monday the 26th.  Stay tuned!

Never.

I did once lose my shot records and had an amazingly incompetent pediatrician who incorrectly marked their vaccination records. The result was two of my childen getting a set of shots over that they probably didn’t need.

However, that’s the way I roll. I would rather be over-cautious and reactionary and like my peds to be the same. When in doubt, call in the experts, the consults, and let’s get lots of tests. My babies are worth it.

I believe in the American medical system.

So much so that I immediately make the next appointment after returning home from the children’s exams. I even take my kids to yearly appointments when the doctor says they are no longer necessary.

Every two years, they say. Nope, we’ll be there. I believe in timely inspection of my posterity.

Honestly, the same is true with my dogs. But me? Do I take care of me? Not a chance.

We moved to the Seattle area in the summer of 2005. I have had one physical and do have a regular physician, but put off the plumbing parts. I prefer having a gynecologist, but have never gotten around to finding one that takes Cigna.

Here’s where you come in. Help me find a good gynecologist on the Eastside. I am hoping for someone who takes Cigna. I want a woman doctor. Take away my excuse for not having had a pap smear and breast exam in three years.

You see, this is a reoccurring pattern in my life.

I am anal about the kids and the dogs. Heck, I have a $2000 vet bill for the last three months alone. With vigilance, we found and removed just in time both Carcinoma and Melanoma from my 14 year old baby.

She even got her teeth cleaned, but I once went 2 years between dental appointments when we moved in the Army because I didn’t have time. In that time, a cavity turned into a root canal. Nice!

You see, there is something in me that feels selfish for taking care of myself. I feel guilty about wasting time and money on me.

I am someone who would rather buy my daughter three outfits, than buy for myself.

Someone who would rather spend time reading to her kindergartener than working out even though her weight is getting dangerous.

Someone who has three gift certificates for various spas, but can’t seem to justify getting a manicure or massage.

Someone who would as soon cut and color her own hair than spend money on it.

Why is this? Why do I think I am not worth the time? Is anyone else out there who feels this too or is it my own form of crazy?

Somewhere along the line of being a mother, I’ve equated motherhood with self-deprivation, self-sacrifice, and low self-worth.

Please, help me.

Regards,
Scout’s Honor

Blogging on the Sammamish Plateau at United States of Motherhood Since ‘06

Playing at the park in our slickers with the kids asking for mittens.

But inside my house spring has sprung. If you haven’t started your easter grass yet, it’s not too late. This is how mine looks after 6 days! I may just plant a little lawn like this year round to keep the vision of green space alive on those gray cloudy days.

Like many of you I’m barraged with email from marketers looking for me to mention their product or service on Seattle Mom Blogs or my personal site. I delete most of these “offers” but I thought I’d pass this one along to you ladies.

I know that many of you work outside the home already but I also know that many of you would like to find a way to earn extra money from home. You may want to give Beyond Motherhood a try. The registration is free and it sounds like an awesome concept if they execute it properly. I’d love to hear what you think of it.

From the site -

“Beyondmotherhood.com is a launch pad for women who want more than the title “mom”. The site is a niche job board
specializing in helping mothers leverage their education and experience, while providing them with flexible opportunities. It connects employers with the “untapped” workforce, stay at home mothers.”