I want to start by thanking you all for your patience with me over the past few weeks, as I've teased and foreshadowed a big announcement that's going to affect not only my life, but this blog as well. You've waited (some of you not as patiently as others!) long enough, so here it is:

I am taking the working out of my blog title.
Yes, that means what you think it does. I am leaving my job to stay at home full-time with G. I informed my bosses about my decision a few weeks ago, but was hesitant to talk about my career-altering move here until all the pieces were in place.

In a way, I feel like I'm "selling out"-- let me explain what I mean by that. Over the past year (yeah, I missed my first blogiversary sometime in July... oops!), many of you have reached out to me, sharing your "working mommy" stories. You've thanked me for my candid opinions on being both a full-time mom and a full-time employee; I've appreciated-- nay, cherished-- those comments. They've really validated the "career woman" in me, and gave me hope that maybe I was doing the right thing for myself and my family.

But over the past six months-- particularly since July, when I switched to second shift, giving me far more time with G-- I've come to see my place not in a TV newsroom, but at home with my daughter. Honestly, for the first 18 months of her life, I didn't know what I was missing; maybe I wasn't missing all that much. But as her intellectual development has started to take off, she's beginning to need me more than ever: not the "physical" neediness of an infant, but the "role model" neediness of a growing girl. I realized that I didn't want anybody other than me, no matter how much I love or respect that other person, to be G's primary caregiver or role model.

Additionally, this is a brutal time in the TV news business. I have coworkers who have been forced out of a job over as little as $3,000. On top of that, my hours are getting longer, my overtime shifts more frequent, and my patience with an evolving industry wearing thin. I came to a stark realization about two months ago-- why was I leaving the people I loved to go to a job I didn't? The stress I've taken on professionally in the past year has become overwhelming; it was affecting my family, my friends, and my health. I felt like I was at a breaking point.

It's funny, because a year ago when I started this blog, I was asked by one of you if I'd ever contemplated staying at home. At the time, I vehemently said, "absolutely not." I felt confident that pulling double-duty as a working mom was for me. After all, I'd shelled out close to $200,000 for my education, and I felt I had to put it to good use. But what better way to benefit from my education than by teaching my daughter?

So, for the next few years at least, I am hanging up my suits, shoving my high heels in the back of the closet, and eschewing the 7am wake up call in exchange for play dates, ABCs, and trips to the library. I plan to give G the experiences my own mother gave me as a stay-at-home mom nearly 30 years ago. Those are days I absolutely cherish-- morning with her at the museum, afternoons at the park, weekends at the pool. I not only learned a ton about the world around me, but I learned a lot about the kind of woman my mother is as well. Now, I hope to do the same for my daughter.

As I transition from "working" to "stay-at-home" mom (this won't be happening immediately; I've told my bosses I'd stay on until they can hire my replacement, or Dec. 23rd-- whichever comes first), you'll notice some changes to this blog. I'm going to be writing a lot more openly about my job and what I loved/hated about it and being a working mom in general; I'll be talking a lot about finances and ways I've found to budget on a single income; I'll be talking about my emotions as I move forward with a decision I couldn't have imagined making just a year ago.

I hope you'll join me on this ride. I hope you'll add your two cents, whether they be positive or negative. If you're a working mom, I hope you won't feel I've abandoned you. If you're a stay-at-home mom, I hope you'll welcome me to your tribe.

Here's to the future-- it's coming on pretty fast!

(Oh, and just to clarify... I am not going to change the URL of my blog... I paid good money for it! I am going to be reformatting my header and my blog button. I'm thinking of renaming my blog "Confessions From A FORMER Working Mom"-- what do you think?)

I absolutely loathe the location of my family's computer. It's smack in the middle of our family room; that means it's smack in the middle of G's line of sight. As a result, I find I'm constantly telling her, "No! Don't touch that!" and pulling a fighting, screaming, writhing toddler down off the desk.

For a while, I've been trying to find a way to make our family computer more "family-friendly". I'd tried other websites like NickJr and Disney, but most of their options were games... and G is just a little young for that. She loves books, so when I was asked to review a line of eBooks from Sesame Street, I knew I'd found the Holy Grail of toddler-friendly computer activities.

You may have seen the widget on my sidebar for the past few weeks; clicking on it will give you access to a free eBook from the folks at Sesame Street. I've had access to the full line of eBooks as part of this review. It's been a great experience. There are literally dozens of books to choose from, and multiple categories. Need a book about numbers featuring Elmo? DONE! Looking for a book about letters with Abby Cadabby? GOT IT! Want Big Bird to teach your toddler about feelings? NO PROBLEM!

My favorite feature of the Sesame Street eBooks is their "audio books" section. With these books, you can choose to read out loud to your toddler, or you can select the "audio" option and have the book read ITSELF. This is the perfect solution for dinner time. Don't have time to read to your child while grilling chicken? Now, the narrator can read dozens of titles for you. It's an educational babysitting service!

I had been approached before about reviewing various types of eBooks, but had already turned them down because I thought, "I like to read, but spend too much time in front of the computer as it is; this isn't for me." But this is perfect for G; she wants to play on the computer, and allowing her to play and read at the same time is a brilliant solution.

BUY IT!

A 12-month online membership to Sesame Street eBooks-- and access to more than 100 titles-- costs $39.99.

TRY IT!

The folks at eBooks have graciously allowed me to post a widget on my blog. It's over there on the right hand side, just scroll down a little if you don't see it. By clicking on this portal, you'll be able to read a different eBook every week with your children for FREE!
I was given one month of free membership to Sesame Street eBooks for the purpose of this review. Neither me nor my family were compensated by the company in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and were not influenced by the company sponsoring the review.

I don't have much time... she could be here in any moment. She's been monitoring my every move-- stalking me day and night. She's a small tyrant, my tiny captor. I've been cataloguing her various tactics...

1) She's been engaging in sleep deprivation torture. I'm sure she's trying to make me so exhausted, that I'll give up the location where DH & I stashed her binkies. Not gonna happen.

2) I'm not allowed to sing. AT. ALL. For that matter, I'm not allowed to dance, either... except for plies and arabesques; those, I am forced to perform over and over again, to the point of exhaustion.

3) I'm forced to cook for her-- every meal of every day-- and when she doesn't like it, she doesn't hesitate to throw the food back in my face and laugh.

4) I know Dick Cheney didn't have an issue with water boarding, and neither does she. During bathtime, she revels in drenching me. Even when I beg her to stop, she blatantly refuses, and tosses more water in my face. Girl, give it up-- I'm not telling you where those binkies are.

5) She makes me read the same books over and over and over. I have read "Blue's Clues: Hide 'n Seek" at least five times a day for the last 23 days... ever since we checked it out of the public library. When I tell her it's time to check Blue back in, I am met with a major toddler protest in the middle of the library's "quiet zone". I am cowed.

If you get this message, please send help. Preferrably in the form of a big, strong football player named Peyton Manning. Sending DH in is no use. He's being held hostage by this almost-two-year-old's vivacious attitude and cornflower blue eyes as well.

Toddler: 2
Parents: 0

In what way do your charming children hold you "captive"?

Yes, sugar is sweet... but I am decidedly not.

Here's what happened:

I have a coworker we'll call "Hal". Hal's a nice guy-- a family guy. But he also loves to call me all sorts of diminutives on the job: honey, baby, sugar, you name it, he's used it. It weirds me out. Hal's old enough to be my father, and it grosses me out.

Now, I know this is a textbook case of sexual harassment. But here's the thing-- I haven't told Hal how uncomfortable his nicknames make me feel, and I'm not sure how to address it. For all my "feminist power" beliefs, I also believe in sparing people's feelings whenever possible. I don't think Hal is using those terms to insult or belittle me; I truly believe that's how things are done in his culture, and he doesn't see the problem.

So, my question to all of you is this: what would YOU do in this situation? How would you tell Hal to lay off the "honey"? Or would you circumvent him and go to a manager? I'm all ears!

It's Day 3 of my week-long campaign to help you make money online, just for doing things you already do! Today's advice is as simple as switching up your search engine.

It's Swag Bucks!


If you haven't heard of Swag Bucks by now, then you're probably living under a rock. And if you have heard of Swag Bucks, but haven't signed up... well, what are you waiting for?

It's easy-- sign up literally takes 60 seconds, and, as with all my suggestions this week, it's 100% free. Once you sign up, you'll be able to start earning Swag Bucks immediately. The most popular (and easiest) way to earn them is by searching; I actually like the Swag Bucks search engine... I find it more user-friendly than Bing and Yahoo (although Google's still my top choice, but Google doesn't reward me for using their engine!). You won't be rewarded on every search, but if you make SB your default search engine, you'll be surprised at how quickly your "Bucks" add up.

You can also earn points by shopping online (which I think will come in VERY handy this holiday season), participating in daily polls (which are kinda fun), and taking online surveys (you get a point every day just for checking to see if you qualify to participate!). I've only been a member for six weeks, but already, I've redeemed $20 in Amazon.com gift certificates (one of their most popular reward options, although there are literally thousands available).

One of the best parts about Swag Bucks is that you don't get spam emails... at ALL! In fact, I haven't seen an email from them in my inbox since they confirmed my enrollment. It's a hassle-free way to earn some extra cash!

My week of online money making advice wraps up tomorrow... when I offer you CASH direct from me to you! I'm serious!

I have to admit, when another blogger referred me to today's "making money" website, I was dubious... doubtful... and utterly pessimistic.

Well, I've been proven wrong.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to Inbox Dollars.

This is a program (once again, with free enrollment-- because if you have to pay for a service like this up front, it's probably not going to do you any good!) that pays you to read your email. It also pays you for doing a variety of things online; for example, DH & I were already considering signing up for a Discover Card, but it wasn't until Inbox Dollars offered us $15 cash back to do so (that's on top of the $50 sign-up bonus we got from Discover), we couldn't pass it up! In fact, after just six weeks in this program, I've earned more than $40 in cash (they pay on a set schedule by check!) for doing online activities I do anyway!

My one piece of advice to you if you choose to sign up (you get a $5 signing bonus paid into your account right off the bat!) is this: create a special email account just especially for your Inbox Dollars account (using hotmail, yahoo, whatever you like). That will keep these emails out of your personal inbox, and allow you to capitalize on all the making money options.

All this week, I'm going to be posting about various ways for you to make easy money. Yes, I said easy. Basically, these are ideas for you to make a little cash doing stuff you'd already do.

Today's topic is something new I've just started trying. It's a type of blog advertising, but it's not as obvious (or annoying!) as some of the options Blogger gives you. It's also a lot more lucrative because you set the price for your services.

It's called "Link From Blog", and it's pretty simple. First, just click here to register (it's free!) and add your blog to their listings. Then, you'll get a chance to do a variety of sponsored posts, paid reviews, and other opportunities that will allow you to use your blog to expand your bank account!

Check in tomorrow, when I explain how simply reading your email can land you cash every month!

Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher.

An astronaut.

A ballerina.

A doctor.

And a mommy.

Yes, all of the above, but not necessarily in that order. Actually, I thought I could do all those careers at once. In fact, I thought those were the only careers out there, other than being an accountant (that was my dad's profession, and I knew all it did was make him angry, so I wanted no part of it).

When I went to college, I was still very limited in my perceived career choices. Pretty much, I knew all the above options existed, plus law enforcement and tangentially, being a lawyer. I also knew there was something called "business", but that seemed so abstract (and honestly, 10 years out of high school, the jobs done by my "businessman" and "businesswoman" friends still seem rather mysterious). To this day, I'm not really sure how I ended up in journalism-- I think of it as a cataclysmic convergence of multiple events that led me to this career-- but I've never really sat easily in the news producer's chair. It's not that I'm not good at my job; on the contrary, I'm rather well-respected for the job I do, both by the community in which I live and the co-workers with whom I share the office. But I've always known it wasn't the perfect fit: that there was something better out there for me.

That's why it always surprises me the careers my friends find themselves in. While I was so short-sighted in my career choices-- maybe too conventional, too boxed-in-- some of my friends have thought completely out of the box, pursuing fields I didn't even know existed. One college friend ended up in political PR, organizing campaigns for political candidates and issues. Another friend eschewed traditional college completely in favor of attending one of the many medical assistant schools out there. Up until that point, I had never even known there was a specific medical assistant job description and curriculum to do that job. In fact, I didn't know a lot about the wide range of employment opportunities out there... and in many ways, I still don't.

I've hinted to you on this blog over the past several weeks that big changes are coming in my life; they are in the works, even as we speak. I'm not ready just yet to tell you where they will lead. Part of that is because, at least right now, even I don't know. But when the time is right, I look forward to sharing those new beginnings with you-- this time, with my eyes wide open.

I am born in April.

For years, I've taken this fact for granted. I've taken for granted the fact that because of my birthday's proximity to Easter, I almost always got a long holiday weekend over which to celebrate. I've taken it for granted that Mother Nature tends to burst into bloom as I'm blowing out my birthday candles. But more than anything, I've taken it for granted that I've always been the right age.

What do I mean by that? Well, as an April baby, there was never any debate over when I should start kindergarten. I wasn't the first to get my learner's permit, nor the last. I had just as many friends turn 21 before me as after me. I was always perfectly placed in the middle.

I never realized how blissfully unaware I was of that fortunate position until I gave birth to a cusp baby. No, I don't mean she's on the cusp of the Zodiac-- she's squarely in the middle of Virgo. What I mean is, born on September 14th, she straddles the deadline for entry into kindergarten.

Even though we're only now coming up on G's second birthday, my mind is already busy planning ahead for her eventual entry into the school system (notice how I didn't say public school system; although both my husband and I are products of public schools, we have yet to decide if we'll send G to the public schools where we live). I am blessed to have a slew of friends who also gave birth to "cusp" babies; many of them are teachers. We've already had endless debates (good naturedly, of course) about our views on pushing a child ahead early or holding them back.

For G, I think the decision will be pretty clear-cut. Her birthday is exactly two weeks after the August 31st cut-off date for the local public school. Already, she is taller than many of her toddler friends, even those who are six months her senior. She's also mastered the alphabet (ok, mastered is probably too strong of a word, but at 23 months, she can identify all the letters and knows the sounds about 75% of them make). I don't want to take the risk that she will be the tallest, the smartest (gosh, I sound like the type of bragging-blog-mom I hate!), and the oldest. To me, that's a recipe for a social outcast. But many of my friends think that sending a still-4-year-old G to kindergarten is a recipe for disaster. They argue that she won't have the social skills necessary to thrive in that environment. I counter with the fact that G at 4 years, 11 months, and 2 weeks old is probably more mature than a boy at 5 years old.

I've got a plan (re: plans) to get G into kindergarten early, despite the cut-off date issue. One option is private preschool/kindergarten. My mother, a retired special education teacher, supports this idea, and has offered to pay for those two years of school (although, I should emphasize that my mom is a retired teacher, meaning she doesn't exactly have the liquid assets to make this a reality). Another option is moving to a school district like the one I grew up in, where the cut-off date is later in the school year (ie, Oct. 15th). And then, there's the most drastic option-- moving back to the actual school district I grew up in, living with my parents for a semester, and only moving back home once I can successfully transfer G into kindergarten here.

I'm sure all this planning and plotting-- especially three years in advance-- probably seems outrageous to some of you. I recognize that it is a tad extreme; it's not like she's enrolling into online PhD programs or something-- it is just kindergarten. But I also believe that if I don't give G every advantage now, she and I may end up regretting it later. After all, today it's kindergarten, tomorrow high school, and then who knows? Maybe an online PhD or another advanced degree.

Parents, what would you do in my situation?
And if you've been in my situation, what DID you do?

I'm waxing nostalgic today; this time of year always brings on these feelings, always has me asking myself, "Where has the time gone?"

I can still vividly remember my first day of 5th grade; my school bus was 45 minutes late, and I had the best excuse ever for missing first period. I also remember my first day of high school, my first day of college, and even my first day of graduate school. This probably makes me sound like a dork, but I miss those days.

I was always a good student. Ok, scratch that, I was a great student. I thrived in the classroom. I've always loved learning, and the classroom was my stage. My element. My home.

Ever since leaving school, I've felt the hands of time moving ever more quickly. I realize I'm only 28, but some days, man, I feel old. I've always thought that age is just a number-- it's really arbitrary. Think about it; we all have that 75 year old grandmother or great aunt or second cousin who looks phenomenal, despite her septuagenarian status. What's the saying... something like, "You're only as old as you feel"? Well, I feel like a woman twice my age.

The decision not to expand our family is weighing on me in a way I never anticipated; it's made me feel like my life's accomplishments-- the ones that are truly lauded and celebrated-- are O-V-E-R. I'm feeling a bit like Carrie from an old "Sex & The City" episode. Do you remember the one, where she complains that once a woman passes a "certain age", there's nothing left to celebrate?

I've already graduated from college (twice).

I've already become engaged, and gotten married.

I've moved (multiple times), started a new job (multiple times), and left old jobs (multiple times).

I've purchased my first house, and shortly thereafter, my first dog.

I've become a mother, a job title I hold more dear than anything else.

I have a daughter, a husband, a mortgage, a car payment (the second has just been paid off, can you say 'alleluia'?), a job (for now), and a great sense of stability and security in my life. But at times, I crave adventure. I crave excitement. I crave that anticipation and, yes, even the anxiety of not knowing what's coming next.

Right now, I feel like I know what tomorrow will hold. It will be like basically every other day for the last 18 months of my life. I don't want to eschew the wonderful sense of security DH & I have created for ourselves, but I do want to liven things up a bit. Shake things up a bit. Nothing drastic... just something to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

You know, like those butterflies you used to get in your stomach on the first day of school?

This is a sponsored post.
Back when I was growing up in Ohio, one of the local TV stations did a series called "One Tank Trips" (which, I must admit, I have tried to pitch to my bosses time and time again, only to have them shoot down my idea, then say how great an idea it is when we see one of our competitors try it). Even back then, I loved the idea of a short little getaway, and still do to this day.

That's why when the amazing folks at Great Wolf Lodge asked my family and I to return to the resort for a follow-up visit, I couldn't turn them down! DH, G, & I had a fabulous time spending a night at the Lodge back in December (and giving one of YOU a chance to win a night's stay!).

This time, I got the chance to go behind the scenes of what makes GWL so special... their indoor water park! If you've never been to GWL (or their website), then you must go and at least take a look. They really have everything in here; wave pool, kiddie area, 10 slides-- you name it! As a teenager, I was a lifeguard at a much smaller, outdoor water park, and my days there hold some of my fondest memories. Going behind the scenes at GWL really took me back to being a 17-year-old lifeguard... well, without the gnarly fitting shorts and the hiked up bathing suit!

My first stop on this tour was the air filtration room-- actually, it looked more like something straight out of NASA, with all the shiny-silver foil padding everywhere. Actually, that silver-stuff is ventilation. You know how when you go into most pools, the stench of chlorine is almost overpowering? Not at GWL. They have these massive pumps that suck up all the air, circulating it throughout the cavernous pool area. The result is air that's a constant temperature year round and smells like a rose (well, maybe not a rose; it really doesn't smell like anything, which is what I appreciated most!).

Next, I got to go into the pump room. WARNING: if someone ever asks you if you'd like to visit the pump room of a water park that pumps 150,000 gallons of water through its system daily, ask for ear plugs first! To just say it was "loud" would be the understatement of the year; deafening would be more accurate. But obviously, it takes a lot of power to get that water moving throughout the enter park.

My favorite part of the tour-- and something I think you'll find interesting-- was the water filtration room. I don't know how many of you have ever worked at a community pool, or maybe have a pool in your backyard; but usually, you have a standard filter that cycles through the water every day or so. Well, at GWL, they cycle through ALL the water every HOUR! What does that mean for you as a guest? Well, between the speed of their system and the three different types of filters (including one which filters out particles just microns in size, and another that uses UV technology to zap out harmful bacteria), it means a pool that needs a lot less chlorine to keep it clean. I noticed that almost immediately; I didn't come out of the water smelling like I'd been sucked into a chemical tank, my skin didn't itch, and my hair didn't turn a disgusting shade of green. Oh-- and my bathing suit did not start falling apart from the harsh chlorine, like it does when I go to the neighborhood pool.

Of course, what makes this park really zing is the amazing staff. My host, aquatics director Peter McKenzie, told me he employs 100 guards; 20-30 are on duty at any given time. And although they are definitely a presence (they're hard to miss in their bright red gear!), you don't really notice them. The guards manage to enforce all the rules without encroaching on any of the fun. I think this is due in part to their training (they're all Ellis & Associates-trained guards) and the hiring process at GWL; even though you can be a certified lifeguard at age 15, the resort only hires guards 16 or older, meaning a more mature staff! Peter even told me that many of his guards are moms, who work part-time for a little extra spending money (and, no doubt, free access to the park for their families!). Sounds like a pretty good gig to me!

There are a dozen Great Wolf Lodge locations across the country; this is a company I've had the pleasure of working with twice now, and both times, I've had a top-notch experience. I can't say enough about their amenities, services, and most importantly, their people. Whether you're looking for a staycation in your area, or an out of town trip your kids will be talking about for years, I hope you'll consider a visit to Great Wolf Lodge!

My family and I were given a one-night, complimentary stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina, for the purpose of this review. We were not compensated in any other way. I was not paid for my opinion, and any views or opinions expressed in this article are 100% genuine.

If you're a good Catholic like me (or, simply a fan of science fiction, as sometimes the two overlap-- sorry, Grama, but it's true), then you're probably familiar with the concept of "Stigmata". They are the bodily marks and sores that can miraculously (sometimes fraudulently) appear on a person's body, on the palms of their hands, their feet, and their sides-- much like the mark that Jesus bore after his crucifixion.

Of course, the word "Stigmata" comes from the root word of "Stigma" (I promise, this post is not an entomology lesson, nor is it an attempt to convert to you Catholicism); and this week (ahhh, now she gets to her point!), I came across a man who bore the "Stigmata".

No, not literally.

What I mean is, this man was marked. Set apart. Different. On the verge of being ostracized.

Why, you ask? What marks did he bare that made him a pariah?

Well, my friends he was a male... nurse.

All right, quit hurling barbs at me. I know that to say that a male nurse carries a certain stigma is incredibly politically incorrect. I get that. But whether you think that yourself or not, the fact of the matter is, many people do. Case in point? My father.

You see, my dad absolutely hates going to the doctor. He's old school like that; he thinks seeking medical advice from a licensed professional is akin to admitting personal weakness. While I'm off researching top online nursing programs (because, quite honestly, I've always been drawn to the medical field, even though I can't stand the sight of bodily fluids and would never, ever be able to pursue a career in the industry), my dad is finding 10,000 excuses to avoid his regular prostate exam.

Finally, though, the excuses ran out and he had to go.

As my mom tells it (because my dad will not retell the exact events of that traumatic day), my dad walked into the doctor's office with the same expression one might wear to his own funeral. He hesitantly gave his name to the waiting room attendant, then sat down in a doctors-office-issue-only-partially-comfortable chair to await his fate. After a few minutes, he heard his name called... by a male voice.

At that point, so the story goes, my dad looked up to see a man about my age (yes, I'll still openly admit my age in public-- I'm 28) wearing scrubs waiting for him at the door. When my dad spotted this gentleman, he looked at my mother with an expression of shock and apprehension; surely, that boy cannot be the gatekeeper to the doctor's lair.

You see, my dad is a relic (ahhhh, another Judeo-Christian word!); he thinks that all businessMEN are MEN, all teachers are WOMEN, all doctors are MALE, and all nurses are FEMALE. It's how the world works to a man who was conservatively raised during the 1950s. He doesn't care that a growing number of applicants to nursing schools and online nursing programs are male. He doesn't care that women (including a dear friend of mine who routinely reads this blog) comprise the majority of med school students these days. He still has very old-fashioned, pre-defined ideas about gender in the workplace.

Ultimately, Todd (my father's male nurse) was able to get my dad's blood pressure (high, like always), check his weight (again, high), and ascertain other vital medical stats necessary to begin the appointment. He then handed my dad over to the doctor (a man; ahhh, all was right in my father's world) for his prostate exam (here is where I'm very happy that my father is not a detail-oriented story teller, as I am blessed to say that he did not share the nitty-gritty of this part of his appointment with my mom).

It's ironic that my dad has such rigid rules for what men and women can do on the job, because growing up, he never-- not once-- made me feel like I couldn't do something because I was a girl. Heck, this is the man who basically mandated that I take karate so I could stand up for myself when push came to shove. Yet, there are times when his reactionary opinions on the battle of the sexes absolutely shocks me. I guess I should chalk it up to the era into which he was born... you know, before another E.R.A. (the Equal Rights Amendment, for you non-history majors out there) changed everything.

Being in the TV news business, I'm often looking for something that will lighten the load-- make the serious nature of the stories I cover a little more bearable.

Enter Antoine Dodson. This man was interviewed after a man attempted to rape his sister by WAFF, a local TV news affiliate in Alabama. First, watch this video, which is the actual news story that aired on the station:

Now, watch this second video-- I promise, it will be well worth your time:


This pair of videos has generated a lot of debate in our newsroom this week. There's a large portion of us who think this is absolutely hilaroius. But several of my bosses think this is exploitation; they argue that a real crime occurred, and that these videos are making the victims look like fools.

I'm curious... what do ya'll think? Do you think this is exploitation? Racism? Humor? Do you think NOT airing the story of a rape victim and her sister would have been censorship?

And here's an interesting follow up-- what Antoine Dodson himself thinks about his new found fame (surprise! he's profiting off it!).

Sometimes, I get weighed down with all the sadness in the world. Working in TV news, I cover murders, tragic accidents, and mass layoffs on a daily basis. It's absolutely overwhelming and at times, mind-numbing. On days like that, I cry because of all the unbearable sadness.

Then there are days like today. I was riding in the car with G, on the way back from a shopping trip (to buy shoes for DH), when a song I hadn't heard in years came on the radio. It was "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. I remember making up ballet dances to this song in my kitchen when I was just a little girl, and the movie had only just come out.

As I sang the song to my daughter, my eyes got misty. Before long, the tears were spilling down my cheeks in long streams. But they weren't the sad, overwhelmed tears that I cry after a tough day at work. They were tears of joy, of hope; they were the tears of a woman who has just made a monumental decision and is simply biding her time before she acts on it.

They were the tears of a woman who is about to open the door to a whole new world of her own... and who couldn't be more excited about where she's going.

There is a blog that I like to read that is written by a woman who is married to one of DH's former college teammates. It's just a simple family blog. She talks about her children, her hobbies, and her husband. She doesn't know me, and probably doesn't even know that I read about the sweet accounts of her day.

A few weeks ago, she posted about a big change in her family's world. Her husband, who got his Master of Business Administration from Duke, had gotten the opportunity of a lifetime-- a chance to work in Paris, France, for a full year. And he wasn't going to go alone; his wife and both daughters would be traveling with him.

I have to admit, I was jealous. But my emotions were nothing compared to how DH felt when I told him the news. He hasn't spoken to this former teammate in years, but he was still blown away by the accomplishments his teammate had achieved in such a short time. While DH & I are both pretty much at "entry level" jobs in our careers, this man has gone above and beyond, and his work is being recognized in the most exhilarating of ways.

Then, last week, G's Godfather came to town. While here, he told us that he was also planning to get his MBA (in fact, he spent many hours pouring over online MBA rankings, trying to decide where he'd earn his degree online). I could almost see DH's face turn green with envy.

It's true, we don't earn a lot of "green" in our house. Neither of our careers are especially fruitful in the whole money-making department. We knew that going in, and for the most part, we've always been ok with that. We've been following our passions. But over the past couple years, we've started to weigh the benefits of having jobs that would give us more... well, benefits-- namely, money.

DH has always said he wanted to return to school (even despite my warnings about pricy student loans!), and if he chooses to do that-- whether attending a college campus or getting his online MBA, I will fully support him. I know that in doing so, he'd be finding a way to more fully support our family, at least financially.

Do you ever daydream about a different career?
If so, what profession would you like to explore?