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One on one versus a ton.  Do you like to visit with your mommy friends in a one to one playdate or with a lot of mommies?  I tend to like the one to one so we can focus but then there are less little ones for playtime.....with more moms you get to chat with more people but for shorter periods of time...What's your preference? 

I can't wait to get started with Emma, the email super duper folks here in Nashville.  I only have hundreds of emails I have yet to send.....I am so excited to get in touch with everyone soon.  I am also looking forward to your input on future projects.  Moms know the deal...and some dads do too.  Go dads.  You know who you are.
 
Have a perfectly imperfect day!!

Who is Emma?  That is what a couple of friends have said...others recognize the email newsletters or shout-outs they receive from other sites, businesses.....so Emma is coming to visit No Mommy's Perfect very soon.  They are an email company and will be designing our brand stationery sending out weekly emails and a monthly newsletter.  My friend, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with baby number is helping me with this.    Another friend has signed on to co-author the book and we'll be coming up with a timeline to keep us on track.  We don't want everyone's kids to be in college when we finish.    We will definitely be asking for your input!!!!  Get out there and have a perfectly imperfect day. 
   
   

I was nicely reminded today by a loyal blog reader that MY child is out of diapers so I can hardly mention those....as I did in my last blog entry....OK OK  I was thinking of all the other moms of course--and all the work YOU still do.  Yes, thank goodness those days went by although potty training kept me a little busy for awhile (and housebound).  I didn't put her back in pull-ups for trips to the store so we just hibernated until she got the hang of it.  Yes, no more diapers for us.  Now we are into the discussions of who picks out her clothes in the mornings...yes, that would be her.  I have given virtually all her dresses away much to my dismay because she hates things that are uncomfortable.  I can generally convince her to wear one once week for a brief time but then it's straight back into comfort clothes.  I have no idea where she gets this.  have a great (comfy) day. 

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Happy Monday.....Back to work....Back to school...Back to laundry...diapers, OK, that part never stops....  check out the new My Friends Page to visit Cool People Care, Cool Moms Care, and Stroller Strides- three organizations which are relevant to moms and families.   In addition to finding a co-author for the book...I am going to hook-up with the folks over at Emma to begin sending out a newsletter in the near future...good things all about MOMs!!!!!!   Lots of ideas already suggested for topics...Stay tuned.  Have a perfectly imperfect day.

Happy Saturday night....someone here is running around in panties...it's our 3 year old daughter pushing her little grocery cart....having a child changes everything.  

I like the phrase....we judge ourselves by our intentions, others judge us by our actions.  As moms we have the chance to reach out to other moms just by sharing the encouraging message of No Mommy's Perfect.  I saw this happen at the library this past week when a friend of mine wore her pink No Mommy's Perfect shirt with the juggling mom logo on the front--another mom asked her about it while I was there and we were able to share our common feelings on motherhood. We all had our kids with us. No long gab session.  Maybe 3 minutes. One shirt.  Three moms.
Short. Sweet.  Simple.  That's how it works. 

enjoy being perfectly imperfect and embrace motherhood while keeping it real!!!!

OK, OK, OK.....lots of folks are asking what's next on the horizon....I would like to hear from you...we will be sending out emails shortly requesting your input on the next No Mommy's Perfect tag line or "happy phrase" you'd like to hear right after No Mommy's Perfect such as ..."just keeping it real!"  I am leaning towards a coffee mug since I drink so much coffee these days!!  I love to get up early and have my coffee and alone time....Other people are ready for a cap or more onesies!!!!  Let me know your favorite phrase..so we can get started....(The book is in progress-yea!)               

What's your favorite phrase to follow "No Mommy's Perfect" on the next product.....? 
yes, there will be a reward for chosen phrases!!!

Check out the new picture of my friend Megan-on the Shopping Page and her 4th baby! They were my models recently...Thanks Megan!

By the way....I saw Keith Urban in town the other day and had a "No Mommy's Perfect.....my mommy is priceless"  onesie in my car and almost gave it to him for his wife Nicole Kidman who is expecting sometime soon.  A few days later I heard on the news he asked someone what a onesie was!!!!  Oh, if I had only told him!  Keith and Nicole...you are welcome to a onesie...I hate to mail one to California when you currently live locally so if I see you in town again I may just have to give you one!!! Congratulations. Onesies rock.

Blogs are great....because women are everywhere these days...OK, you know what I mean...we're at home, at the office, in the car with our blackberries (I don't have one actually but I might get one), at the grocery, at the gym (sometimes or hypothetically), at meetings, running errands, picking up kids,  etc.  We can read about other women's experiences -- the good, the bad, the ugly, the wonderful!.....all of it is somewhere out there to be shared.  This site is a "coming together" location for women to really develop a sense of compassion for each other.....to end the Mommy Wars, draw us closer together, and help us get on with issues confronting all women whether you currently work outside the home or not (affordable healthcare, childcare, equal pay, re-entry options into the workforce, medical benefits for part-time work, etc.).
    Since I have both stayed at home and understand being busy shuttling between activities, scheduling around nap times, arranging playdates, endless errands, volunteering,etc. as well as working and feelings pangs of guilt as I drive away from my daughter's preschool on my way to work -- pangs of guilt because of won't see her for a few hours mixed with happiness that she has other capable people to help her learn and grow & that I get to work and help people in my chosen career--  I just don't have the energy to judge other moms as harshly as I once did....before I had kids that is.   Instead I have compassion and admiration.  Also, before you judge..remember that many moms don't have a choice to stay at home even with the most clever of financial arrangements.  For many that is just not an option.

Focus group details coming soon....if you would like to be involved let us know!!!!!  Leave a comment with your email. 

Until there's time to post again.....have a perfectly imperfect day. 

    No Mommy's Perfect.....this is interesting.  Everywhere I look there are more and more reminders that this is becoming a trend!  How wonderful!  I just found a great book called Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too by Susan Callahan, Anne Nolen, and Katrin Schumann as well as a fun moms' website I will share later (one of many.....).
      Our products are now at The Scarlett Ribbon in Old Hickory, TN--a cute boutique/salon..the owner Karen is so sweet and loves to showcase local products.  All of the products are available so check it out, save on shipping, and have a haircut while you're there. 
   Have a super day....Karen will be drawing a winner for a free item each week so go visit and enter to win!!!!

   have a perfectly imperfect day.

Tonight I will write.  Simple ideas about motherhood, things I would want to read, seated at my kitchen table.... with some tea....first will do some motherhood things....bath, storytime, bedtime....read article for work tomorrow, laundry....then...tonight I will write.

Hey ....check out the write-up on No Mommy's Perfect in Nashville Parent Magazine.
I am working on more design ideas using our juggling mom logo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope everyon ehas a great early summer!!!!!!

I love lists.  i found the best website tonight called List Mama Blog  It has tons of lists on everything.  I function best from lists but since having a child I approach them differently.  Basically I am much more content to NOT get everything done on my list.   Sometimes I find myself adding more to my list during the day than I actually marked off....I suppose one could call that productivity depending on your perspective.  So, in honor of lists....here is a list of 8 small things to do to feel good everyday. 
1.   Get plenty of rest (impossible with a new baby or certain jobs, I feel your pain)
2.   Do something fun-even if it's just watching tv for a bit
3.   Eat healthy most of the time-all the time if treats tend to trip you up.
4.   Do a little exercise or at least take the stairs
5.   Be nice to other people, especially women (& men) with children!   Be nice to the kids too.
6.   Had to say....repeat number 5 over and over.
7.   Recycle something. 
8.   Meditate or read something inspirational.
Send me some more.  10 would be fun!

......Jennifer Austin!  Winner's choice of prize!  Jennifer will be contacted personally today.  Congratulations.  I drew the winner from the surveys which were completed at the Mamapalooza table last Sunday evening--a very exciting event. 
    I just returned from delivering some goody bags to a very nice woman I met last week named Tonya.  She is helping to coordinate a walk for the homeless in Murfreesboro.  She will send me the details for that event and I will post them here. 
    Well, I have a three year old who really really needs my attention and wants to go play outside in the dirt and sunshine.  Sounds like a plan.   Everyone have a good day.  No Mommy's Perfect.

Last night's event was a great time!  I met the Artsy Mamas of Murfreesboro TN and tons of other guests and vendors who enjoyed music and shopping for hours.  The new onesies were a hit and are so so soft!!!!!!  I am planning to devote the next few weeks to finishing the short inspirational book as that is something I want to produce as soon as possible....

Speaking of Moms ....last week another mom mentioned to me that she thought I was a stay a home mom and I was flattered.  I only work a couple of days a week in an office, sometimes three, but in the past I would have been defensive...sorry, just being honest....I have grown.....keep reading....The ONLY reason I can appreciate how hard my stay at home friends work is because I tried to stay home for a few months and, well, I found it too difficult and I missed my work at the office!!! Now I think I have the best of both on some days--and just a "part-time" status of everything on other days--that's OK.   My stay at home friends do a great job and some tell me they wish they could work a half day a week but their professions aren't really geared that way. My full time working friends feel torn a lot but often just don't have the choice to stay home--or they choose to work and have wonderful support systems. (but bless your hearts for having to run all your errands at night and on the weekends)  One thing motherhood has taught me.....everyone's situation is different!!!!!   I do not know what you are experiencing.   I do know that my daughter has thrived at school and loves her little circle of school friends.  I love my circle of working mom friends and my stay at home mommy friends and I was proud to be called a stay at home mom--...... What are your thoughts on working at home or at the office???      After you leave your comment check out Mothers Acting Up -- a grassroots group speaking up for more family friendly work environments and for all children!
Everyone who comments this week will have a chance to win a prize of your choice! 

Here's to all the moms who work every day either at home or away from home or both--doing the baby stuff, toddler stuff, helping with homework, surviving teen years (ouch-good luck), empty nesters!!  Happy Mother's Day!!  Wish we had Mother's Day about 4 times a year!!!!!!

I found a new site lately.... Suzibella which has a couple of really cute items.  Check it out if you have a little one or need a shower gift. 

Well, it's getting a bit easier to find these products moms......if you happen to live in Middle TN you can drive to Goodlettesville, TN and visit an adorable new shop called Lizards and Lace Children's Boutique.   Phone is (615) 859-5225.    It is located at South Main and East Ave. and the owner, Shannon, is very helpful.   If she is out of your size in any of my products I can replenish the supply the next day--one beauty of local networking!!!! 
This has been a busy week in our home and we are working on a bit of Spring cleaning....shredding files, taking clothes to Goodwill, sharing toys that are no longer being used enough here, etc.  Nothing looks perfect but things look more spacious and ordered which somehow is calming.  I can't wait to straighen up my daughter's closet more....I am still using her diaper changing station to store her clothes in her closet---time to update the closet shelving soon!!!  Home Depot here we come.   What is your idea of Spring cleaning? 

Well, 3 new styles are in....The new phrase reads No Mommy's Perfect...every mom is priceless.  I LOVE THAT!  I was at a show yesterday and the women there were so nice and enjoyed having a first peek at the TANK TOPS which have arrived.  Hopefully a picture will be on the website soon--very soon!!  They are cocoa with pink writing and there is also a white tank with blue writing.  I also have a 100% organic white cotton t-shirt with the same phrase in black writing. 

The baby onesies go to print tomorrow with the phrase No Mommy's Perfect...my mommy is priceless.  They are all 100%organic ....Our site--especially the blog may be changing soon ....

Check out the adorable contest pictures on the fun site www.5minutesformom.com   You can vote on your favorite--This is such a sweet site.

And the winner of yesterday's fashion show drawing is Teresa Netterville!!!  Congratulations--I will email Teresa and she can choose her own prize! 

The entry forms always ask your opinions and yesterday's entries were full of great ideas and thoughts on No Mommy's Perfect--we are at the starting gate for putting together a little community-some of the descriptions were "great idea", "truth", "finally a fun phrase for moms to wear", "good thought", "cute", "unique", "It's Real!", "nobody's perfect", "clever & needed", and "sends a good reminder message to moms"  ..... 

Have a perfectly imperfect day moms!!! 

Here are directions to Mamapalooza Murfreesboro....hope everyone can attend.  It sounds like a lot of fun! 
Mamapalooza Murfreesboro 2008
Sunday, May 18th 6pm to 10pm
doors open at 5:30pm
Conrad's in the Holiday Inn
 Murfreesboro, TN
2227 Old Fort Pkwy
Murfreesboro, TN 37129


Click below for map......

maps.google.com/maps?q=2227+Old+Fort+Pkwy+Murfreesboro+TN+37129+


See everyone on the 18th!! 

More details on the Mamapalooza Murfreesboro event on May 18th will be forthcoming.  Apparently the booths are going fast...only a few a left so there should be a lot of mommy businesses there and a lot of fun for all!   I'll check into and post directions for everyone soon.  The hours will be from 6-10 pm--maybe make it a moms' night out with friends!! 

I will also be making No Mommy's Perfect products available in a few select shops in middle Tennessee.....stay tuned for details.  As the business grows I hope to add more and more organic options......

I have contacted Renewal House as one recipient of donations and will make a visit to them in the future.  They assist mothers who are seriously committed to recovering from addiction.  I met a graduate of the program at the Southern Women's Show along with two of her three children.  They stayed all day and had a great time.  

 This will be one of several charities to which we will donate proceeds!!!!  How wonderful to purchase fun products for yourself knowing that it helps someone else as well. 

Whew, the launch is over and No Mommy's Perfect has been invited to several events.  It was wonderful to make so many new friends in such a short time.  We will be in a booth at Mamapalooza (love that name) in Murfreesboro on May 18th (all of this is subject to my getting the form sent in ASAP!!!!!!) .  The event is on a Sunday evening and will run from 6-10pm.  Call your babysitters now if you live anywhere near Murfreesboro, TN because I will have a new 100% organic shirt to reveal -  Tank tops and onesies should be in by that time as well.  Lots of exciting things in development at No Mommy's Perfect....Thanks to my good friends for their support and to my new friends from the Southern Women's Show for their excitement toward this concept....I hope it continues to bring you comfort as we embrace motherhood and keep it real.
Until next time a great site to check out is www.5minutesformom.com   this is a site started by twin sisters that organizes a lot of mom blogs.....fun!  Have a great day mothering in addition to all other things in your life!

The four winners of the second drawing of No Mommy's Perfect are Simmone, A.J., Amy, and Amber!!!!!  Congratulations!!!!!  These winners will also be able to choose their own prize from the website shopping area.  How Fun!!
     Check out the Charities page soon for a list of Charities which No Mommy's Perfect will be supporting.  This is an area of great interest to No Mommy's Perfect as a company and to me as a mom!!  What about you??  If you didn't get a chance to fill out a survey/entry at the Southern Women's Show...take a moment now to find the teeny tiny word "comments" below.. on which to click..then after you see "submit your comment"... you can post a suggestion  for your favorite charity (we are working on improving the user-friendliness of the blog) !!!   We need an "EASY Button." If you can't post on the blog just send me your ideas in the "contact us" section.  Thanks!!!  It is great to know we will be working together to help great causes while spreading the No Mommy's Perfect philosophy.  That's exciting!