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Seriously Savvy Updated

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We’ve all been on pins and needles, and the day has finally arrived…SavvyAuntie.com has officially launched! The place to go for aunties of all stripes…auntie by relation, aunties by choice, mommy aunties and more. Advice, information, community, this site has it all and an then some.

You simply have to go check out what Savvy Auntie has going on, because not only is the site beautiful and sleek and hip, but I am also a featured writer–a Savvy Auntie Expert! Right now my article about “Getting Started” with special needs nieces and nephews is up, so please go check it out. I know you like it, and I know you’ll love Savvy Auntie!

**Updated–I just realized the other article I wrote for Savvy Auntie is also up and running over there. It’s the “Get Involved” guide after you read the “Getting Started” guide. Enjoy!

Congrats to Melanie and the Savvy Auntie team on the launch of their fabulous baby!

July 9, 2008 | Filed Under Autism, Myself and I, Savvy auntie | 3 Comments

Noshing on Tech

My first Editor’s Pick is up on Blog Nosh today. Where are you at in the social media ladder of obsession? Click on over and read and give the author some comment love!

July 8, 2008 | Filed Under Blog Nosh Mag | 2 Comments

Gimme Mo, Gimme Wii

Blogher ‘08 is right around the corner, and I couldn’t possibly be more excited! The friends, the parties, the information, the swag, and let’s not forget the best part of all: the bed all to myself. Ooh boy. I think that I might get lost in those pillows and not ever want to come out. Room service anyone?

Of course all of this sleeping alone and shmoozing and networking would not be possible if not for my lovely sponsors. Not only are they lovely, but they are also generous, and in addition to sending me to Blogher they want to give something to you all as well. You already know that HP is giving away $250 cash to one Blogher attendee (contest ends tonight!), well my other sponsor MoFuse.com has something EVERYONE can enter to win. Anyone ever heard of a little thing called a Wii? No? Ok, nevermind.

YES I’m giving away a Wii gaming system, right here friends. NO I cannot win this myself. Hmmpf.

MoFuse.com is sponsoring this fantastic prize, and I want you to know all about them. They are the newest way (and one of the most popular) to mobilize your blog. Why is mobilizing awesome and important? If you’ve ever looked at your blog on a mobile device you’ll know why. Most blogs are a big clunky mess when viewed on your palm or blackberry, and it’s difficult (or impossible) to read them efficiently. MoFuse turns your blog into a mobile, easy to read version (for free!), so that your readers will want to visit you even while on the go. You just put a widget on your blog and you’re good to go. Any time a mobile user stops by they will be able to read your content without any fuss, so the goal is for increased readership in addition to more accessible content. Plus, MoFuse has a program where you could put ads on your blog if you were into that kind of thing, so really mobilization is just the first step. Go to MoFuse to check them out, open your free account if you’re as thrilled about them as I am, and keep in mind their awesome sponsorship and generous giveaway for an idea of how much they appreciate all our bloggy business.

Ok, so how can you win the Wii? Well since I’m shopping for Blogher this week, I’m in need of some shoe ideas. Leave me a comment on this post with your favorite shoe store or brand (and be more creative than just “Zappos” or “Piperlime”, even though of course we all love them!) and you are entered to win. Just a comment and you are good to go. You can earn one extra entry if you Twitter or post on your blog about this contest, so let me know in the comments if you do so. Contest runs until the day before I leave for Blogher, Wednesday July 16th. Winner will be picked at random. Void where prohibited (see all the rules here).

Good luck, and thanks again to HP and MoFuse.com!

July 7, 2008 | Filed Under Sponsors, blogher | 563 Comments

This Community, This Family

This week has been incredible. I know everything happens for a reason, and the timing of things is perfect, and so I wondered why in one week, two big bloggers wanted me to guest post on their blogs about my life. Not wondering in a questioning way, just in a curious way. It is more than an honor to be asked, to imagine that these people think my writing worthy of their personal space. But more importantly, I’m thrilled they wanted to know about my life. They asked questions hoping to learn more about what it’s like to be a mom of autism, and I can’t thank them enough.

It’s still surreal to me, that this disorder, these boys and their souls and struggles, are a mystery to others. What is my day to day, never escaping except for a few moments here and there, reality, is completely unknown to most people. So many people still don’t even know what autism is. I am profoundly grateful for these bloggers to allow me to share once more about my life, my boys. Our world.

I am guest posting over at Rocks In My Dryer today. Shannon asked me to write about “what I wish you knew” and it was a cathartic experience for me. I did not realize that the post and the resulting comments would be propping me up so much today. I did not realize I needed them, each and every one of those people–most total strangers, and their kind words, to get me through yet another day or week. Thank you Shannon, again, for the honor.

If you have not yet read my post at I Should Be Folding Laundry, please head over there and read it, or even if you did please head back and read the comments. People are incredible, and I think their humanity and beautiful spirits could bless you today as well.

I so often wonder if writing about my boys is too much, if you all are tired of hearing about it. I don’t know really what is interesting, I only share what is on my heart and what makes up my world. To see the support not only today on these other blogs, but daily from all of you is humbling and awe-inspiring, and truly what this community is all about. Thank you.

July 3, 2008 | Filed Under Autism, Bloggy Friends, Guest Posting | 27 Comments

MommyVlogger?

I’ve been spending time on NewBaby.com today, perusing the cute home videos and enjoying the “experts” and product reviews. It’s so nice to have a place to go where I know I won’t have to worry about my kids looking over my shoulder and accidentally catching a glimpse of a nasty comment or two (I’m looking at you, YouTube). I even caught a great blurb about dispelling the “mommy wars” and some great info on pretend play.

Have you checked out NewBaby yet? Here’s what they say about themselves:

NewBaby.com is the online video resource for moms featuring thousands of mom generated videos, product Vcasts and Expert solutions segments. It’s an online community where moms can learn, share and create videos in a safe, secure and Free environment. Come Vlog with us at NewBaby.com (www.NewBaby.com)!

They also have a 30 Day Giveaway going on, where all you have to do is register on the site and set up a profile.

I’m thinking that it might be fun to start doing some vlogging in the near future, and NewBaby.com is a great place to host those v-casts. I’m thinking up some fun ideas now. Taking my garden gnome on a tour of the city? Testing him out in our new car seat? Decisions, decisions…

July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Myself and I, Randomness | 2 Comments

Folding Laundry

I’m writing about the bond between mother and child over at I Should Be Folding Laundry today. Give mama some comment love, K?

July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Bloggy Friends, Guest Posting | 2 Comments

Another Decade

Ever since yesterday’s post “I Get Lost“, I’ve had that song in my head. Debbie Gibson. 1989. I get weak, in a glance…

The 80’s. I can’t get enough. Walk like an Egyptian, Manic Monday. Hot pink and black. 80’s mod clothing. Atari. Bon Jovi with the hair.

I love it all. It’s not like I want to start hair-spraying my bangs straight up again or wearing shoulder pads, but today’s version of the 80’s. I’m slightly obsessed.

My friends make fun of me. I think I may be alone in this love.

However, when I decorate my home (well, in my head at least…) it’s all mid-century modern, 60’s and 70’s mod. Eames, simplistic, black, orange, white, brown. Vintage. It makes me swoon.

So where am I? I’m stuck somewhere, or perhaps not stuck but happily resting, and I wonder who’s there with me.

Where are you?

July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Myself and I, Randomness | 7 Comments

I Get Lost

Last night I read this post by Technosailor, that talked about playing to your strengths and having confidence in who you are. That confidence draws people to you…that it gets people lost in you.

As I reflected on this idea, I realized that I generally feel confident in my abilities. This is huge for me, because it has not always been that way. Feeling confident in myself just feels right. As if there isn’t any other way to feel.

Sure, I am not always confident that my writing is good, because while it seems interesting to me, it also seems too fluffy and floaty compared to the cynical bloggers I read so often. I do have an edge to me in real life. Sarcasm is fun and I have a quirky wit that not everyone “gets”, but my heart is poetic and just as fluffy as can be. And most of my writing reflects that side of me.

I have to wonder if all artists question their work. Is it just me?

At the same time, I know that it makes me feel good to have a place I can put my heart out there for you all. To consume or to love, whichever you choose. Either way is fine, because I put it out there and leave it there.

I feel as though turning 30 was a big milestone in this journey of bravery and loving who I am and who God made me to be. The confidence increases daily, and knowing that I have special gifts excites me that I can use those skills and passions and run with them. What does the future hold? I’m not sure, but I know that every day brings something new and challenging and thrilling. And that’s something to get lost in.

July 1, 2008 | Filed Under Myself and I | 12 Comments

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