August 2007

Four for Friday Edition No. 1

August 31, 2007

I discovered this meme ((I’m not sure if it is really a full-fledged meme or just more of a writing prompt since it appears that a lot of participants just leave their responses as a comment at Belicove.com.)) at my friend Karen’s site, Write from Karen. It intrigued me so I thought I would participate. I hope that some of you will decide to join in, too.JHSEsq of Colloquium participates in Four for Friday

Each Friday, four questions are posted and each participant drafts his/her response. Simple! But it appears that Mikal asks thought-provoking and timely questions. So here goes:

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Time to Shop

August 31, 2007

There is a brand new group beginning today at Multi-Tasking Moms called “Go Figure.” Each Friday, participants share tips on exercise, weight loss and health, and offer each other support and encouragement.

The timing of this new meme is serendipitous because I took today off work to enjoy a long weekend and get some things done around the house.
Time to Again Take Inventory

Among those things is again tackling the closet. I am still wearing too many clothes that simply no longer fit and they are decidedly unflattering. They have to go.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Blog Day 2007

August 31, 2007

Did you know that today is Blog Day?

According to the official BlogDay site: BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day Bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors.

With the goal in mind, on this day every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.

There are specific guidelines provided:

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Friday’s Feast #158

August 30, 2007

Appetizer Who is the easiest person for you to talk to? Myself. I answer, too. Soup If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose? I don’t think it qualifies as “ancient,” but I would love to have worked in Hollywood […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 6

August 30, 2007

Labor Day weekend is always a tough one for me. On the Thursday just prior, 1998, Matthew woke up and said, “Mama, I’m going out in the backyard to say ‘good morning’ to the dogs.” A few moments later, he yelled for me. “Mama, Lady won’t wake up.” My heart sank. Topics: Throwback Thursday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday #7

August 28, 2007

My friend, Joyce, snapped this photo of me in Seattle last week. Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday

August 28, 2007

Sunset on Puget Sound. Wordless Wednesday Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Monday Candle Moment: The W Magical List of Women Bloggers Goes Wiki

August 27, 2007

The idea of putting together a list of women who blog came about to help us find, support and empower each other. Originally, it was intended to be a list of female business bloggers, but it soon turned into a meme with women who blog for any number of reasons nominating their fellow women bloggers. […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Life in the Blogosphere: Clicks or Cliques? (Part Two)

August 27, 2007

Time to revisit an issue that I wrote about on February 12, 2007. At that time, I concluded: When all is said and done, however, isn’t the notion of blogosphere “in crowds” or “cliques” pretty darn silly? This isn’t junior high school and what is there to be gained from attaining the status […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Promote Your Site at Blogsonar

August 25, 2007

There is a new site, Blogsonar, taking a unique approach to blog indexing/promotion: Visitors can register, log in and post a review or other blurb about their own blog such as the one I wrote about Colloquium. In exchange, the author reviews Blogsonar on his/her own site.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Photo Hunt: Happy

August 24, 2007

I think #1Son was somewhere between three and four years old when he decided to try out Dad’s boots! He looks very surprised and looking at this photo makes me happy because it brings back memories of silly little moments that occurred when my boys were just little guys. This photo is of the same […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Friday’s Feast #157

August 23, 2007

Appetizer

Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?

Janet Evanovich.

Soup

Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)

A little misogyny offends naturally delicate sensibilities.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 5

August 23, 2007

Here’s a blast from my high school past: A newspaper advertisement for a musical, “Rough and Ready,” presented by our A Cappella Choir. Check out my long hair! And don’t I wish I could zip that skirt now. I thought I was grotesquely overweight in high school. Hard to believe, when I look at this […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

& Fitness Program if You Get Off Track">Thirteen Tips to Help You Resume Your Health & Fitness Program if You Get Off Track

August 22, 2007

It is going to happen. You are going to “fall off the wagon” occasionally due to special events, vacations, lack of motivation, someone or something in your life sabotaging your efforts … When it does happen, there are a number of things you can do to get back on track with your health and fitness program. Here are thirteen tips for us all to keep in mind:
1. Be kind to yourself.

You are not perfect. You are never going to achieve perfection. So there is no point in beating yourself up psychologically when you occasionally demonstrate your own humanity.
2. Keep it in perspective.

Consider your slip-up. How does it compare to your old habits? Did you fall right back into your old destructive habits or was this different?

These days, when I “fall off the wagon,” the scenery around me as I’m picking myself up and dusting myself off looks quite different that it used to.

So when it happens, I stop and compare my lifestyle before I developed this program for myself and what the program looks like when I am conscientiously following it. Inevitably, I find that my deviation is minor when compared with how I used to live and what my eating habits used to be.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

The Blog Tips Meme (Volume 2)

August 22, 2007

The spotlight is on blogging tips from thirteen fabulous bloggers!

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday #6

August 21, 2007

My friend, Joyce, snapped this photo of me when we visited Snoqualmie Falls Park in Washington this past Saturday.You can view my photos of the Falls here. Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday

August 21, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Disconnect and Go Back to the Basics

August 20, 2007

“Sensory overload.” We’ve all heard that phrase. It has become a cliched part of our vernacular. For instance, when deadlines and activities at work start to make us feel frazzled, we tell our colleagues, half-jokingly, “I can’t hang in. I’m on sensory overload here.”

The phenomenon is being studied by the experts and every day, it seems, there is another news story about the impact that technology and all of the communicative devices we use every day are having upon us. We are all connected to each other perpetually through our cell phones, blackberries, computers, etc. But are we really connecting with other human beings in a meaningful fashion or just superficially? That’s a question for the sociologists to answer in years to come.

For me, the question has become, am I really connected with my internal self? Some days the honest answer is “no.”

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Practice Tolerance (Part One)

August 19, 2007

My mother-in-law died suddenly in May 2002 at the age of 82. The sheriff showed up at the front door holding her wallet and keys, and notified BigBob that the neighbors had called 911 earlier in the day when she did not answer the phone, doorbell or open the shades.

To say that we were shocked is an understatement. The day before she had driven #1Son to school after he spent the night at her house with her.

We need some of her wishes, but not all. She had indicated a preference for cremation and no viewing, plus she had made clear that she did not want a schmaltzy organ-with-loads-of-vibrato sort of funeral service. Past that, we had to figure out how best to say our good-byes and celebrate her life. To be perfectly accurately, BigBob, as her only child, had that responsibility. Our role was to support him.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Photo Hunt: Two

August 17, 2007

I thought I took a photo of Matthew before the limousine came to pick him up for his first homecoming. I didn’t realize until several hours later that I had actually snapped a picture of my two boys, one of whom was being a total stinker. Topics: Photo Hunt

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Friday’s Feast #156

August 16, 2007

Appetizer

Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?

I have yet to find the bottom of the pile. Ever. That’s all I’m saying about this subject.

Soup

In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?

Dead.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 4

August 16, 2007

Why do we do this to our children? We position them so that they are facing the sun or bright lights, and then tell them to smile and “say cheese”! I don’t know if it was my father (most likely) or sister who had me face the east on the front step of the house […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday

August 14, 2007

Remember the “Flying Nun”? That’s what Buddy reminded me of in this photo I took last week. He moved just as I shot the photo. Looks like he’s ready for take-off! Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

So Much Work Still to Do (Part One)

August 14, 2007

I recently ran across this post at Hahn at Home, a site ironically authored by a lesbian mother. Consider “Work Hard for Their Money” ((It appears just below her post entitled “Em Had Two Mommies” — Em is her daughter.))

This article is troubling on many levels, but most profoundly because it demonstrates a legitimate phenomenon that I encounter every day: Prejudice and bigotry exhibited by member(s) of a protected class of people against member(s) of another class of people. You would think that people who are subjected themselves to unequal treatment because of an invidious characteristic would then be more respectful of other persons who experience the same type of conduct.

All too often, as this instance demonstrates, just the opposite occurs.

In this instance, a gay woman who also talks, as you will see, about race vis a vis her children, exhibits prejudice and bigotry toward persons with disabilities. I write about it here because she also demonstrates revulsion and prejudice toward persons who are overweight.

Weight is not a protected category under the law but it is very common for persons with disabilities to also be overweight, sometimes as a result of the disability. Onlookers don’t understand the legal distinctions and draw all sorts of inappropriate and unfounded conclusions about the individual(s) in question, as this woman did.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Carnival of Family Life: Colloquium in Paradise

August 13, 2007

Aloha! Sit back, get comfortable and enjoy the wonderful articles included in this week’s edition!

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Buy Your Own Coffee

August 12, 2007

Based upon my observations and experiences, I would say that there are three basic types of bloggers: The Professionals These folks claim to earn their daily bread solely via blogging and expend a lot of effort studying and writing about “SEO,” niches, marketing research, analytics and all sorts of other concepts I neither understand nor […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Don’t Miss It!

August 12, 2007

Submit your entry here by 3:00 a.m. (PDT), Sunday, August 12, 2007.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

When Jesus Twiddles His Thumbs

August 12, 2007

Note: The first part of this story about the social function is totally true and happened a few years ago. The Flash Forward section is an addendum and reflection. I really don’t talk to pictures on the wall. Ahem …

He was drunk.

In the Presbyterian Church no less. You know the one. Swanky, elegant, rich old-money-in-the-middle-of-town-prestigious-kinda-church. And in the sacred basement that night?

Speed-dating. Round tables. Too much perfume. And a perky little woman with an annoying bell. I was game. After all, what could go wrong in a church?

Here are the rules: There are twelve white linened tables with burning candles and refreshments. You choose one and sit down. Male across from female. When the bell rings, you’re off! Introductions and more sweaty palms. I so hate that. The bell rings again and you rotate to the next waiting gentleman caller.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Photo Hunt: Row

August 10, 2007

Topics: Photo Hunt

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Friday’s Feast #155

August 9, 2007

Appetizer What is your favorite kind of pie? Peach. Still warm from the oven. Soup Name something that made you smile this week. This photo when I happened upon it as I was looking for something to use for Throwback Thursday: Topics: Friday’s Feast

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 3

August 8, 2007

With my boys at Marine World-Africa USA in Vallejo, California. I think this must have been about 1994 or 95, based on how old they appear to be. Matthew looks like he’s somewhere between 3 and 4 which would make Robert 8 or 9. I think this was during a field trip with Robert’s summer day camp group. I remember that Matthew wore his new Lion King outfit.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

The Blog Tips Meme (Volume 1)

August 8, 2007

The Blog Tips Meme
featuring
Thirteen Fabulous Bloggers You Should Get to Know*

# From Kailani at An Island Life: Paradise Edition:

If you want to build your readership, respond to comments by replying via email or visiting their blog. They’ll appreciate it and more than likely come back again. Razzberry
# From Holly at Holly’s Corner Blog:

The value in your traffic and readers depends on you the blogger. You need to write engaging and meaningful articles and you need to honestly seek out and support other bloggers. I have found that you get what you give…blogging is no exception!
# From Karen at Live the Power:

Autoposting — On Word Press you can autopost your posts and set them to publish at any time that you want. It’s great because you can go on vacation or whatever and the blog is still getting new content everyday. I set many of my posts to publish at 2:22 in the morning when I’m sound asleep! Love it!

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Time to Clean Out the Closet — Round 1

August 7, 2007

Today I came to the realization that it was time to do something I have been putting off: I got a box, and labeled it “fat clothes” and started firing items of clothing into it.

Why would I want to put off doing that, you ask?

Because I’ve been down this road before. And I’ve had to go looking for the “fat clothes” box, dig those clothes out and start wearing them again when the weight went back on.

And I don’t want to go down that road again.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday #5

August 7, 2007

I look at this photo of me (with my youngest nephew in May 2003) and have a one word response: “Oink!” I have no idea why I look so pasty white, either. Wordless Wednesday Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Wordless Wednesday

August 7, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

The Meme of Five

August 6, 2007

The questions:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was in private practice in Stockton, California, living in Lodi.

What are five snacks you enjoy?

1. White Cheddar Rice Cakes
2. Strawberry Special K Bars
3. South Beach Diet Peanut Butter Snack Bars
4. Nonfat yogurt, especially Dannon French Vanilla
5. Fresh fruit, especially bananas, strawberries, peaches or oranges.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Photo Hunt: Funky

August 3, 2007

Topics: Photo Hunt

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Friday’s Feast #154

August 2, 2007

Appetizer On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how polite are you? 8. Soup What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? A business associate made me laugh out loud this afternoon. She was talking about her 25-year-old daughter. I said, “Wait. I thought you said you have a five-year-old […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 2

August 2, 2007

April 1998, Manhattan.That’s me in the middle. My friends and I spent the morning at the ABC Studios where “One Life to Live” is taped with my dear friend, Clint Ritchie, after which we all had lunch.What’s interesting about this photo? Last week, I pulled that outfit out of the back of the closet and […]

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

Thirteen Definitions of Words You Thought You Understood

August 1, 2007

Thirteen Definitions of Words You Thought You Understood

1. Cannibal: Someone who is fed up with people.
2. Chickens: The only animals you most often eat before they are born and after they are dead. ((Folks also eat ostrich eggs and meat.))
3. Committee: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.

{Click here! You know you want to keep reading . . . }

August 2007

Explore Colloquium

Most Popular

My Other Sites

Currently Reading

Search Colloquium

Subscribe

Follow Me

Networking