I know this is late but… The Rofl awards are back, thanks to Oh the Joys and Chicky, Chicky Baby. If you haven’t seen their list yet, take a look. But don’t forget to read the one I nominated from Hola Isabel on her recent vacation at a nudist resort.  

Speaking of vacays… I’ve been out of town for a few days. (Hence lateness of this ROLF mention.) Vegas to be exact. Its been awhile since I’ve been to Vegas (at least ten years) and even then it was for work. So this experience has been much different. There are things I couldn’t help but notice…

* Do women have to have boobs a certain size before they let you into this city? Seriously. The locals, tourists… almost every woman has big chi-chi’s, be them store bought or real. (If so, how did I get in?)

* Saw the “Blue Man Group”. Very clever, creative and cool. I can see why they are so popular. Throughout most of the show I thought, “Seth would think this is the coolest thing ever!” and “If Seth saw BMG, he’d want to be one of them for Halloween!”  Suffice to say, its not just a show, its an experience.

*”The Blue MOM Group”. Between all of the great parentbloggers out there, we could put all kinds of funny material together. Who’s with me now?

*The hotel we’re staying in ROCKS. Newly built and purty.

*You can easily spend $100 on alcohol for two people in less than a day’s time. That sounds like alot of booze but… If you and the hubs have a drink by the pool in the afternoon, a drink at dinner, and later a few at a club? And those drinks are anywhere from $14-16 a piece not including tip? Oy.

* You know that scene in Sound of Musicwhere Maria makes the Von Trapp children play clothes out of her bedroom drapes? We went to a club where girls (in their early 20’s wearing outfits that looked as if they were made up of a few strands of shiney, black dental floss) were dancing on little round stages that looked like big tree stumps. While wearing jeans and a short-sleeve shirt, I had a “Maria Moment” where I felt strongly compelled to turn my pair of jeans into outfits for all seven of the teeny, tiny go-go girls. (Being that these girls are size 0 to 00, it really would only take one pant leg!)

*My husband and I danced next to two of these girls. I told him, “Enjoy it now. This is as close to a threesome as you’ll ever get.” 

*Oh and a bouncer of the club we went to Sunday night? Used to live in a town right next to the ours. Small world. Eh?

 It has been a great trip thus far. But I’m missing my little boy. He’s my home. And with him is where I belong.

The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the scary ordeal is no longer “scary” nor an “ordeal”.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.

So thanks to Mom 101, Jeannette, Hol, Jennifer, Lin, Mrs. Chicken, Cynematic, MMP, Maracee, Debbie, Jan, Jen, Queen of Spain, Slouching Mom, Tami, Megan, Kirsten, and Sarah.

Mamma Loves has always known she was adopted.

What she didn’t know was her ethnicity. Where did her blue eyes and freckles come from? People typically assume she’s Irish.  Is she or isn’t she? That’s one of the question about her heritage that she’s been dying to know for a multitude of years.

And that’s why I nominated her a Perfect Post.  What many people (who aren’t adopted) often take for granted is the fact that they know their genetic background (or at least a good part of it). Whether a person is African American, Asian, German, Scottish or a mixture? Most people have an idea.  But there’s so much more to that question.

What she also discusses is not just the wondering but the longing to be a part of a culture. So she makes a decision. She writes about it HERE. To me, this post captures Amie’s personality perfectly — insightful, smart, and spirited.

The Perfect Post Awards are sponsored by Petroville and Suburban Turmoil.  Visit them for a list of other winners.

Also, if you’ve got some Thomas the Tank Engine fans in your house, you don’t want to miss this review (sponsored by Parent Bloggers Network) on Engines and Escapades.

One of the most exciting aspects of parenting is the wonder.  You eagerly await to see what traits your child will inherit. You wonder what passions and talents she or he will develop. You know your child has limitless potential. So you dream and hope. And when your child develops various interests? You do your best to cultivate those passions.

Amanda of Tumble Dry recently wrote a post called Ropin the Moon  that captures the essence of that parental excitement as well as the yearning to nurture our children’s interests.

“From the first time Sean put headphones on my pregnant belly, we had dreamt of having a piano. Now we knew that girls had the music gene. It seems such an essential thing, this nurturing of passion, particularly musical or artistic, and so the yearning began to burn. I had looked casually for months, scanning classifieds and online auctions, but never taking it too seriously.A piano for our girls. How could we possibly afford it? Where would we find it? How would we move it?”

Do they find a piano? You’ll have to read her story to find out. Amanda’s excitement and motherly pride radiate in the way she tenderly tells this story. That’s why I chose this entry for a February Perfect Post award.

This month is the two-year annivesary of the Perfect Posts Award. For the complete list of winners, go to sponsors www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and www.petroville.com.  

P.S. Did you know In the Motherhood is beginning its second season? YES! For details go to Midwestern Mommy Reviews.

Many a woman I know counts her mom (or mother-in-law) as being a monumental part of her support system. But what do you do when your childhood is filled with abuse and neglect due to your mother’s mental illness? What if, even after all of these years, your mother is still in extreme denial and still hasn’t sought help? What do you do when the relationship with your mom brings repeated heartbreak and jeopardizes YOUR mental health?

Kristie, aka Slackermommy, has been dealing with this issue for years. She has been on one hell of a journey. And sadly, she’s not alone. She’s one of many adults in the blogosphere who have let their parents back into their lives countless times only to be repeatedly devastated. (This is so very sad because Kristie is a very kind-hearted, generous soul who’s very fun and witty. Her parents are truly missing out.)

Her story isn’t mine to tell, so you’ll have to go to her site to read her history. But this post of hers is very powerful and gut-wrenching. I cried while reading it and I thought of her for weeks afterward. This is why I nominated her for a November Perfect Post.

Kristie is one of several Perfect Post winners. For a full list go to sponsors www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and www.petroville.com.  

Oh and a big wet, sloppy kiss to Jen from Absolutely Bananas for awarding me a November Perfect Post for “Only ain’t always lonely“. (This weekend they got a Christmas tree and in typical Jen fashion, the entry is highly amusing. Go see!)

And by the way, THANK YOU to the people who commented on the “Only ain’t always Lonely” post. It was nice to hear words of support. Oh and Ashley, thanks for the comment. It was sandwiched between a bunch of spam and got lost unfortunately. Sorry! 

Have you ever looked back on your life and saw there were times you could have easily taken a different path? You may sometimes wonder where that other path would have led you. But sometimes, you don’t question — you just feel relief. 

Dana, of Mamalogues reflects upon a path not taken during her childhood. Luckily, her mom saw the path Dana could have taken, but asked her a question that made her really think. She made a choice that took some guts. Then she righted a wrong. And she’s carried that lesson with her ever since.

That’s why I awarded her a Perfect Post. We all have those moments. Sometimes we stumble. But if we’re fortunate,  someone is there to guide us back onto the right path. And later on, we can look back — grateful for the lesson.  Dana is an ace at setting the tone of a story. She uses such a descriptive voice, you almost feel as if you are standing at her side while this life lesson unfolds.

Dana is one of several Perfect Post winners. For a full list go to sponsors www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and www.petroville.com.  

P.S. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Dana? She’s a very talented and dynamic chicky (with fabulous hair) who is taking over the St. Louis media. She has two other blogs, a radio show, a column AND has appeared in Saturday morning segments on KMOV, a St. Louis CBS affiliate. Check her out!

“At my heaviest I was over 300 pounds. I did it on purpose, by design”…

“People tried to break through and I made them sorry. I wanted some people to break through and all they saw was the girl who would “be so pretty if”. Brick and mortar. Taller and taller and thicker it grew until there was nothing left of spirit. It was all covered in sugar and cholesterol until I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move, I couldn’t walk.”

In mid-September, Flutter wrote this post which contains the words just quoted. Her words are powerful, painfully honest, and profound. And I’ve awarded her a Perfect Post for that reason.

There are so many women – amazing women — that struggle with their weight and their relationship with food. To so many people, food isn’t merely fuel, it is comfort and security. Sometimes binging, purging, starving, (or abusing diet pills) is a way to deal with stress or heartbreak. Sometimes its a way to exert control or feel disciplined. 

I can relate. Before becoming a mother, I took (alot of) diet pills as a means of staying thin. And for me, being a certain size was my way of feeling disciplined and worthwhile. I stopped weeks before getting pregnant. Without the diet pills to keep my appetite at bay and the hours of strenuous exercise, I ended up gaining 60 pounds (yes 60) during my pregnancy. Food, at that point, became comfort. Binging was a way of dealing with stress. It wasn’t until I got to the blogosphere that I realized I wasn’t alone. So many women, no matter what size they were or currently are, have struggled with the same kinds of painful issues.

Flutter is making great strides in her life right now. And being honest with herself in this regard plays a large part in that. There are many of us cheering her on.

Christine is one of several Perfect Post winners. For a full list go to sponsors www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and www.petroville.com.  

While I can only choose one post on which to bestow a Perfect Post, I did want to mention a post that the amazing Mamma Loves wrote on this subject recently. I loved it as well.

You bloggers are a fascinating lot, you know that? Especially the peeps blogging about life, loves, pursuits and insights. Sometimes I’m still thinking of someone or their story (or children’s story) days after they’ve posted. All in all, I am so very grateful to YOU –the bloggers who are willing to open up their lives and share their wisdom. You make me smile…. (And Rebekah, you made me smile too! THANKS.)

And thanks especially to these chicks:

Mamalogues– Dana is sassy and makes the best faces when she’s telling a story. And now she’s got her very own Saturday tv gig on a local station. Can’t wait to watch. 

Slackermommy– Kristie’s just as funny in person as she is in her blog. She’s just as sweet and compassionate too! And trust me, she has some serious aerobicizing skillz!

WhyMommy — is an inspiring woman. Even in just one post, you can sense her kindness, gentleness and strength. Methinks that’s exactly why she’s got so many people cheering her on.

A bun’s life- This lady new to the blogosphere. And the fact that she lives within minutes of Slackermommy and myself? Makes me smile. Hope to meet her soon!

Eva Las Vegas-  Kristin has recently changed her blog’s name to “Its all fun and games…” So glad she’s back from her annual summer vacay ’cause she wasn’t blogging and I was going through withdrawals!

Life’s Little Adventures - Alissa has an amazing eye. She’s a wonderful photographer. Take one look at her blog. Especially when she’s got photos of her boys posted… You can’t help but smile.

Mama Loves– This woman was a blast to hang out with at BlogHer. She’s fun. She’s sassy. And she has three boys. So she’s got some really funny stories.

Oh the Joys– Met Jess at BlogHer. And LOVE the fact that for her 40th birthday? Her hubby indulged her in one of her fantasies. You’ll have to visit her to see. But it involves a park ranger hat and uniform.

Scribbit– I stopped by Michelle’s blog awhile back because in her avatar photo, she looks exactly like one of my dearest friends. But I keep coming back because she’s got great stories and yummy recipes. Good food makes everyone smile, yes?

Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck Met Amber at BlogHer and have been coveting her gorgeous hair ever since. She has this amazing energy and infectious enthusiasm. If I could talk to Amber anytime I felt tired, I’d never need coffee.

 To these ten ladies — go forth and spread the smiles…

The Nap Warden and Hollow Squirrel recently gifted me with the “Nice Matters Award”. (Which, “awwwww.” Warm fuzzies all weekend!) And in turn, she’s inspired me to spread the love too! So naturally these supersweet chickas came to mind: Little Miss Sassy, Hola Isabel, Stollen Moments, The House of H, Virtual Sprite, The Dana Files, Believer in Balance, and Its All For the Best. Ladies? Go forth and spread the nice.

Someone else awarded me this wondrous button awhile back but I can’t seem to find the link in my incoming links list. So the other person who bestowed the honor a few weeks back needs to remind me so I can thank them. Pretty please!)

Oh and sorry I’m not very timely about doing the memes and singling out people for awards. Its nothin’ personal. I’m just plain lazy. And I don’t have the energy to think. Seriously. NO energy.

Oh and guess what? Reviewed a Kajeet phone recently. If you’ve got a kid in the 9-14 age range and you are totally stumped when it comes to gift giving ideas? This is a great idea. (Plus, you can always give refill minute cards for gift-giving holidays afterwards. See? You’re set giftwise for a few YEARS this way!) And customer service is friendly and helpful. Interested? Click here!

Have you ever read The State of Discontent? If not, you should. Jaelithe is a talented, thoughtful, eloquent writer.

 She’s also a mom. And in this post she really struck a nerve with me. That’s because she talks of her “previous life” and her accomplishments. Seems we become mothers and to the little people we care for? To them, we appear in single dimension — we cook, clean and care. But as they grow and change, do they see us for the PEOPLE we are? The people we used be? And when those little people don’t require as much care and we start gain a semblance of independence, how do we, as mothers, get a bit of our old self back? How do we mesh this former identity with the way we see ourselves now? How do we balance the pursuit of dreams we had prior to motherhood with our parental responsibilities. How do we balance parenthood with the pursuit of the new dreams we acquire along the way?

 Jaelithe asks these questions. They are profound, healthy questions with no easy answer. I think we all struggle with this issue – especially women who had demanding careers before becoming stay-at-home moms. And that’s why I’ve chosen her a Perfect Post award.

I have no doubt, Jaelithe will unearth quite a few revelations. I just hope she’ll blog about her journey as it unfolds.

Jaelithe is one of several Perfect Post winners. For a full list go to sponsors www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and www.petroville.com.