As a graduate of the University of Virginia (in my humble opinion, one of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest accomplishments), I am always interested in “all things Jeffersonian.”

In honor of the 4th of July, I felt the urge to post this totally hilarious and politically incorrect mark-up of the Declaration of Independence.

It seems college kids have a few follow-up questions/comments for our mighty declaration architect.

Have a good laugh and a Happy July 4th!

Thanks! collegehumor.com

Aloha Friday everyone! If you wanna join in the Aloha fun, head on over to An Island Life and link up!

He was hard to miss. William Darrell “Billy” Mays, Jr., was on TV about 400 times a week. That’s a lot for someone whose booming voice pushed products like OxiClean, Zorbeez super chamois, and a sticky substance called Mighty Puttyand. The “King of Infomericals” died June 28 of unknown causes and I have to admit I will miss turning on the TV at midnight and hearing him try to sell me something I know I totally don’t need but feel I just HAVE to buy because he swears “It’s the best by far. You simply can’t LIVE without this PRODUCT!” R.I.P. Billy Mayes.

Here’s my question:

Have you every purchased something from Mays informercials?

What was your favorite “weird” product he sold?

**Here’s a list of things he sold in case you need a reference. Yep, I’ve see most of these sad to say:
Awesome Auger
Big City Sliders
Impact Gel
Kaboom
Oxi Clean
Simoniz Fix It
Steam Buddy
Tool Bandit
Mighty Putty
Simoniz Liquid Diamond

Occasionally, I’ve been known to dive into research and toss around a few statistics. When I stumbled across this study, I simply had to share it with my readers! And, as usual, I’ve added my own witty commentary:

According to a new study in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), Vitamin D is significantly associated with muscle power and force in adolescent girls. Yep - that’s right, if you want your daughter to grow up strong, then it will take more than milk and broccoli.

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to have a significant negative impact on muscle and bone health, and can lead to conditions including osteoporosis and rickets. Yuck - rickets…please, PLEASE give your daughter some Vitamin D!

“We know vitamin D deficiency can weaken the muscular and skeletal systems, but until now, little was known about the relationship of vitamin D with muscle power and force,” said Dr. Kate Ward, Ph.D., of the University of Manchester in the U.K., and lead author of the study. “Our study found that vitamin D is positively related to muscle power, force, velocity and jump height in adolescent girls.” Not gonna mess with the doc’s advice. She’s way smarter than I am.

Now that you know it’s imperative for your teen daughter to get her fill of Vitamin D, I’ve collected some foods you might be interested in to help ward off the rickets:

Help your daughter “get her fill” of Vitamin D in these foods:

Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon
Salmon, cooked, 3.5 ounces
Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 ounces 345
Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces
Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1.75 ounces
Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D-fortified, 1 cup
Margarine, fortified, 1 tablespoon
Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with 10% of the DV for vitamin D, 0.75-1 cup (more heavily fortified cereals might provide more of the DV)
Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is found in yolk)
Liver, beef, cooked, 3.5 ounces
Cheese, Swiss, 1 ounce

Happy eating parents & teen girls! Oh, btw, teen girls - don’t blame me if your mom sneaks cod liver oil or sardines into your lunch. I’m only trying to help - promise!

**Info. courtesy of Physorg.com

As all parents know, there are many books to choose from when we make a trip to the bookstore our browse Amazon.com. But there are few and far between that are geared toward helping single mothers make the often difficult transition from a house full of children to one that is empty. Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse When the Children Have Grown by Michele Howe is a must-read for moms making this life transition.

Howe addresses in a Christian voice, a unique and equally important population of single moms in the process of sending their children off to college, a job, or into marriage. As with all life changes, the role of mother is still ever-important, but it changes as children grow and become more independent. Howe does a wonderful and respectful job of gently guiding mothers through these changes in a strong, reassuring voice. Clearly, the goal of this book is to provide single women with a way to connect and strengthen her relationship with grown children while also addressing personal issues all mothers wrestle with such as dealing with an “empty nest”, remarriage, growing old alone, financial reassessment, and career goals.

What I really love about this book: Howe does a marvelous job of making each chapter reader-friendly in terms of brief - yet powerfully packed - paragraphs and antidotes. With topics such as: Assessing Career and Educational Options; Pondering Remarriage; and Discovering Joy and Contentment Despite; the author gives mothers lots to think about and reflect upon in their own lives. In addition, the end of each chapter contains two unique and inspiring messages: “Every Mother’s Prayer” and a “Thought for the Day” with carefully crafted messages and thought-provoking prayers that give the reader a sense of calm closure at the end of their daily reading.

The Bottom Line: Don’t miss this great opportunity to read a book that will not only help you - but inspire you!

If you’d like to purchase a copy of Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse When the Children Have Grown, you can do so at the Parenting Pink Amazon Store.

Aloha Friday everyone! If you wanna join in the Aloha fun, head on over to An Island Life and link up!

Summer = vacation.

We’re headed to Boston over July 4th for two weeks and I am super excited! Fun at the beach, fun in the city, the Red Sox, and lots of FREE BABYSITTING (thank God for grandma & grandpa!).

My question:

Were are you headed this summer?

Is it just my girls or do all 2 year old’s (um, and 4 year old’s for that matter) like to do everything naked???

You would think that story time wouldn’t be ‘clothing optional’ but apparently in my house it is…

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Augh - the sound of stage parents nagging, kids primping, and last minute curtain calls.

Mix that with a dose of bright red lipstick, skimpy costumes, and over-done hair and what do you have???

No - not a beauty pageant (though it may sound similar).

You’ve got my FIRST dance recital.

Even with three daughters - I’m a newbie to the “world of dance.” My eldest daughter, Pinkerbell, decided to try out her genetic gift of dancing (ok - um, maybe it’s not from ME, but someone in our family has got the it goin’ on) by taking both ballet and tap classes this year.

And being a dim-whited newcomber to the sport, I had no idea what I was in for. The weekly practices. The hours of hearing the SAME, EXACT song played over and over again in my head, AND - THE COST.

I shelled out a mere $90 for her costume alone. When it arrived a couple of weeks ago, I fully expected the thing to be bedazzled in precious jewels - or at least have some nice bling dangling from the sleeves.

Apparently I wished for too much.

I mean it was cute and all - let’s just say that I expected a little more if I’m gonna shell out that much for something she’ll wear once and then complain that it itches as she tosses it into the bottom of her closet.

AHEM, anyway - back to the whole recital thing.

It was yesterday.

And it was FABULOUS.

Once I got past the tons of lipstick and mascara sported by the 6 year olds - and made my way backstage amongst the moms primping their daughter’s like they were America’s Next Top Model - I immediately understood why it’s important to make such a big deal about these things - for many girls - dance recitals are a right of passage. A time for tutus, making new friends, and building important skills in confidence and self esteem.

Plus - she looked so darn cute:

I know - she’s adorable, isn’t she?

Congrats little Pinkerbell, my ballerina girl! Great job sweetie - you look way better in red lipstick than your mom ever did! Oh, and yes, you can dance your booty off!

Congrats ALL FOUR of our winners who won a copy of “Dance Me, Daddy” in honor of the father’s they admire: Elizabeth, Maureen, Julie, and Katherine! I hope you all will enjoy reading this book to your daughter and sharing it with their fathers!

I also want to thank each and every person who entered and listed the reasons “their father was so special to them.” I was touched by many of the answers and I think it is truly wonderful that there are so many great dads out there! Please keep checking back this summer for more great Parenting Pink contests to come!

Aloha Friday everyone! If you wanna join in the Aloha fun, head on over to An Island Life and link up!

With this whole “summer thing” upon us, my daughters and I have been picking lots of fresh flowers for our home. Sometimes it’s legal (like when we cut the roses in our own yard) and sometimes the legality is questionable (like when we stop on the side of the road to pick poppies or other wildflowers that may or may not be federally protected -oops) BUT it’s always great fun.

Just please promise you’ll bail me out if I get jailed for illegally picking flowers????

I do have a legitimate reason for stopping amongst the traffic to find poppies, Black-eyed susans, and Queen Anne’s Lace.

My parents started it (and thus, should be jailed along with me).

When we would drive the 2 hours up interstate 64 in Virginia to see my grandma in the summer, my mom would stop along side the road when we saw Black-eyed Susan’s and let us pick some to take to her (and use the potty too - those were the days BEFORE rest areas). To this day Black-eyed Susan’s remain one of my favorite flowers.

Now for the questions:

Do you have a favorite flower?

Do you pick them legally (ahem, from your own yard)?

Or, do you like to take a risk and sneak into your neighbors yard to pick them (come on, be honest!)?

No posse’ required. This is how we roll in the land of pink.

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