Does 15 minutes of fame exist?

Wow, what a week of news..

There has been so much, where should I begin..the crazy California weather, John Edward’s admission, Massachusetts election, the horrible earthquake in Haiti. That doesn’t include the world of technology, the biggest news, the rumors of Apple’s upcoming tablet announcement.

However I feel that every time I turn around the news that dominates is Heidi Montage’s plastic surgery obsession. Really? Is this truly what is important? Should this person have the opportunity to be on the cover of magazines and interviewed on TV shows.

I am not going to lie I am definitely someone who enjoys reading tabloid magazines such as People and US Weekly. In addition, I regularly tune into Extra, Access Hollywood or TMZ. But even I am tired of seeing so much attention focused on these types of individuals.

The saying, 15 minutes of fame, definitely doesn’t apply to everyone. It seems that more and more often the 15 minutes is expanding into months and in some cases years.

So what is the draw? What is it that keeps them in the stoplight longer than most deem necessary?

Are they really newsworthy? Is the public that disinterested in the worldly news that they tune in. Or do they have really good press agents?

I am not really sure, I think the jury is still out on those questions. I do hope the 15 minutes of fame ends in 2010..

Changes are a comin...

Well after blogging for a few years, it is time to make some change. The new look, feel and name will allow me the freedom to blog on more topics..

Changes are taking place now, keep your eyes open!

2010

Here is to 2010..

The year of 2009 will go down as a year I will mostly like and quickly, put in the past. There have been ups/downs and craziness but as I enter the holidays and watch my kids have so much fun with everything, I come back to remembering what I am thankful for at this time of year. Yes, it has been a bumpy year, however I have two great kids, my husband and a roof over my head. I think when the going get bad, we forget about the good things and focus almost 100 percent on the negative.

So, 2010, I am ready for you, lets bring it on, ups and downs!

Blog Posts

Well, yes I have taken a big break from writing on my blog but everyone who follows me...I AM BACK..

Just wanted to add this quick post, but going to start a dialog regarding Christmas, the kids and PR..

Stay tuned :)..

Death of a Loved One

Dealing with the death of a loved one is very hard, but trying to explain it to a child can be even harder. My grandpa passed away last Friday, my children knew their great-grandpa very well, he was a big part of their lives. For the last few months they have know he was sick, he was in a home, couldn’t talk and had issuing remembering his family remembers.

He was in such bad condition that I didn’t let my children see him anymore, it was to hard and I wanted them to remember him the way he was at their birthday parties, holidays and other times as well. They heard me talk about how great-grandpa was sick and I talked openly with them that he wasn’t doing well, however I wasn’t ready for the death discussion.

Ashlee is six, she has never experienced death with regards to a loved one or even a pet. I tried to explain in the best I could, that great-grandpa was with great-grandma know and they were her guardian angles. She seemed to click with that, the biggest problem was when she asked me if I would ever see them again. I told her when I go to heaven, I didn’t think when I opened my mouth because she started to cry that she didn’t want me to go to heaven. We sat for a while and I tried to reassure her, she seems ok now but still asks about great-grandpa.

With regards to Jack, since he is three we have tried to keep it pretty simple. She has asked a few times if grandpa was going to be ok, would he walk again and when would he see him again. My husband and I have tried to help him understand but he is three, so that is harder.

We just keep telling the kids that great-grandpa will always love them and that they have their memories.

The last few months will be hard..not only to help them but for me to move on. My grandparents were a huge part of my life and I miss my grandma, she passed away 12 years ago, and I will miss my grandpa.

Thank You Pink Chandelier

The Pink Chandelier made my day, she granted me with a Thank You award, I hope she knows how excited I was to read that she granted me this award. She is right, the mom blogger community is awesome, they offer help and are always willing to share information and feedback..

Thank you again!!!!

Does Facebook make a bad mom????

As a lot of folks do, I spend a significant amount of time on Facebook, not only with current friends and co-workers but reconnecting with people of the past. And..as a mom of two, I do have to watch the amount of time not only that I am on Facebook but the computer in general. It can be hard not to let any “hobby” conflict with my time with the kids but its all with how we manage our time, you need to know when to walk away.

Why am I talking about this, well a video from a Boston Globe reporter who mentioned how Facebook was making her a bad mom because of the time she spent surfing it..

Seriously, can she really blame Facebook, it is all how we manage our time. I understand you can get sucked in, I am guilty of being sucked in but I know when to walk away and pay attention to my life. I love being on Facebook, it has really helped me reconnect with some of my closest friends throughout the years…

Does Facebook make a bad mom, no…but again, everything in moderation…

New Years Resolutions

Holy crap I have not blogged since December 12th, talk about taking a break..

Anyway, lets talk about New Years resolutions, do we have any? Will we keep them? Every year I make the usual resolutions but very rarely do I actually stick to them and make them happen, this time one of the resolutions was to actually do it...

There are actually a few things I want to accomplish this year and I plan to actually stick with it in 09.

My husband asked me what my resolutions were and I told him they were a secret..he made fun and said it isn't like I am making a birthday wish. However, I still believe that resolutions are private, it really isn't necessary to share your thoughts, goals and feelings with folks, even if you are married to the person.

So thoughts? Did you make a resolutions or two? Are they a secret???

Elf on the Shelf

Last year we heard about Elf on a Shelf, I had no idea about this holiday tradition but everyone swore that is was awesome and that my kids would love it. I went to every Hallmark store in my area and finally found the kit…

What is Elf on the Shelf, well it is a book and a Elf. You read the book to child/children and then the Elf magically appears. Once the Elf appears for the first time, the family is to name it, my children named ours Sparkle.

The purpose, well the Elf on the Shelf helps Santa know if your children have been naughty or nice. Every night the Elf “magically” returns to the North Pole to provide Santa with a report of the day, and every morning he/she returns and is in a different spot in the house. The kids typically run around the house first thing in the morning looking for our Elf, he has appeared everywhere from appliances, to frames and window shelves…

Every family looks to start their own holiday tradition and I love this one..here is a link to Elf on the Shelf..I hope your children enjoy it as much as mine do..

Elf on the Shelf..

2008 -- A Look Back

Yes 2008 was a hard year for pretty much everyone but do we have things to be thankful for as we head into 2009. Some may argue that we don’t however I beg to differ..

Yes, the economy is in the “toilet” to put it lightly but there is more to the world than the economy. When I look at myself and my own life I think of a quote that has motivates me daily…”Constantly imagine the life you truly want.” I received that quote via a text message from The Secret web site..

When I received that quote I wrote it on a piece of paper and have it on my nightstand, I look at it every morning and every night before I close my eyes. I thought a lot about that quote since I first read it..and I do have the life I want..

I always wanted to be a mom and I am..not only am I a mom but my kids are amazing. Ashlee is my buddy, my six year old little girl that warms my heart every time she smiles and Jack, my three year old little guy who has an amazing imagination and lives with zero fear.

So, as 2008 comes to an end I ask everyone not to look back on the year with sadness but look ahead to what 2009 can bring for everyone. Also, take a hard look at your laugh and be grateful for the wonderful things that we all have and possibly take for granitite daily…

Want more good reads regarding the economy, check out Silicon Valley Moms a lot of great posts!

Twitter

Lets talk about Twitter for a bit, how many folks use it..raise your hands. How many know how to use it? How many enjoy it or see it as another PITA of a social networking tool?

About a year ago I sat in a lunch meeting with Guy Kawasaki and he talked about Twitter, and I thought he was nuts. Why the heck would I waste my time using Twitter, do I really care that someone walked into their kitchen for a glass of water. Do folks really care what I am doing during the day..

Anyway, since in PR the world is turning to online I decided to sign up for Twitter and barely used it for six months. Then about 3-4 months ago something clicked..I started following companies and not just people. Companies such as BestBuy, Walmart, Zappos (love him) and a few others ..in addition some of the people that I believe influence the world of social media and journalists that I read and pitch regularly.

What I started to love about Twitter is that I felt it brought me closer to the reporters, what do I mean, I started to understand them better. I started to know a little more about them what they were reading, what they wanted to hear about from their voice and not a printed article about a product.

Additionally, what I got from following companies, I learned more about these companies. I follow the CMO of BestBuy, he actually helps customers and the CEO of Zappos asks for opinions on shoes and other things that make the company more successful..

I also follow bloggers, mostly mom bloggers but a few others as well..this has helped me with my own blog and again, I felt like I learned about these individuals which I believe has helped me grown in social networking and in PR as well..

So..if you wonder about using Twitter..do it..but follow those that get it and use it right…

Thank Goodness for Health Insurance

Was on the Mom’s Rising Web site today, they were asking folks to submit stories of why health care is important to you. It really didn’t take me long to think of a story, Jack..having my Jack alive is my story…

On a day that should have been amazing, I thought my world was falling apart. It started out like a typical day expect my five week old son Jack could not sleep and was extremely fussy. Jeff got up early and hung out with him on the couch, during the day we noticed that something seemed off, Jack just wasn’t acting right. We took his temperature under his arm and it only registered to about 99.9 therefore we really didn’t panic, we decided to give him a tiny bit of Baby Tylenol and see how the day played out. Well, as the day went on Jack seemed to get sicker and sicker, finally around 5pm I called the after hour care for his pediatrician.

The nurse on the line had me take his temperature rectally and it registered more than 102. With that reading, the nurse had me take Jack to the emergency room..

The ER took Jack immediately, they took X-rays and at first that Jack had a bowel obstruction and that it had ruptured. The doctors decided to air-lift Jack to Children’s Oakland, to make it easier on my five week year old, Jack was placed into a voluntary coma. That way he could sleep while his body worked to fight the infection.

Jeff and I drove to the hospital not knowing what to expect, we were informed at the hospital prior to leaving that there was a chance my son would not make it. Imagine being told you baby, your five week old baby might not live, it is the worst information a parent can ever receive..

To make a long story short..we got to Children’s Oakland to find out no bowl obstruction, however he was very sick. Jack had caught a virus and would be in the ICU for a few days, I slept at his bedside that night. We were put into the family housing for the time he was in the hospital but I didn’t sleep or each much during that five days…

To help Jack fight the virus/infection he was given a blood transfusion to jump start his immune system. Once he got that and the medication Jack started to get better and after five days we took him home..

Without insurance the amount of money I would have needed to pay would have broken my family. About five months after that incident my oldest Ashlee fell on Jack and broke his arm, again needing to rush him to the hospital.

Without insurance the bills would have been our of control and beyond our financial means..

24-Hours of Reflection

As I reflect on the last 24 hours there is a lot of emotion.

On one hand I am beyond thrilled..it was, as Obama has said, time for a change. The US and world had become unhappy with the way our country had been run over the past eight years. Has it really been eight years? Change was needed, just who would be responsible for the change, that was the question about six months ago. The newspapers, TV and radio are saying that McCain was the front runner in the beginning, the American people thought highly of him, he clearly wanted change and, no matter what anyone thinks of his politics, you have GOT to respect the fact he was a POW.

Once the economy took such a massive turn, that is when McCain began to fall and Obama leaped forward and took a front and center lead. At first, I will be honest, I was torn with who I would vote for in this election. While I think highly of McCain there was to much about his politics that I could not grasp or agree with, and then there was Palin, that is a different blog entry all together.

I watched the debates, I read everything I could about these two candidates and in the end, I went with my gut and voted for Obama. His speech was moving, I am proud of America, it was a significant leap forward for our country and I am extremely proud to be an American.

While I am proud to be an American, I am sad and disappointed tonight to be from California. Of all the states I would have never thought a proposition like 8 would pass here, how could we take rights away from people? I have heard pretty much every argument for 8 over the last few days, gay marriage will be taught in schools, religious reasons and pretty much everything in-between. I always like to say that everyone is entitled to their opinion but to me, Prop 8 was not about any of those things it was about rights and those constitutional rights were taking away from a significant amount of people. Why? I want one person to give me an argument that is truthful and solid..

How could we as Californians, as people, take away rights…

So, as I said, on one hand I am happy and proud but on the other, I am sad and disappointed. The emotions over the last few days will last and, as we move forward, I want everyone to remember one thing from Obama’s speech last night..

“We are not about blue or red states. We are about the United States of America.” I say Amen….

Proposition 8...Lets Talk About This...

I need to get this out because every time I see the Yes on 8 commercials I swear I want to scream and throw things at my TV. The one that shows the couple from Massachusetts who says that after gay marriage was passed their child came home and said they learned that a boy can marry a boy…oh and a girl can marry a princess..PLEASE….

First, lets discuss the commercial, seriously, are you kidding me? First, the right to marry has nothing to do with schools. Also, maybe it is just me, but who cares..parents should be teaching this to their child anyway.

The husband and wife from Massachusetts in those TV ads really put me over the edge. I am trying my hardest not to say something cruel about this couple but I saw them in a TV interview on The Today Show and I started screaming at the TV. From what I have read, if Proposition 8 passes it does not affect your school. I know I have already mentioned this once, but I feel the need to repeat myself again and again. My daughter is in the first grade and I know a lot of parents of older children and there is NO discussion of marriage in school. They focus on reading, writing, math and science, not marriage!

The reason we live in the United States is that this is a country about freedom, no matter your race, religion or sexual preference. Everyone’s rights should be the same..why are we trying to take away someone’s rights? The government needs to separate church and state once and for all…this is ridiculous..please focus on the important issues such as the economy and environment.

When we first moved to Livermore there was a lesbian couple that lived across the street from us. They had two children, a boy and girl, and where a very nice couple. Ashlee was one when we moved in, by the time these ladies moved she was about three, old enough to ask questions. She asked once why these children had two moms and I think I told her that was their preference and they were very happy, and that was it.

Here is what I have to say about Proposition 8…if this doesn't pass, which is what I am hoping, anyone will be allowed to marry, no matter of their sexual preference. What is wrong with that? Tell me, why can’t someone who is gay get married? Why?

Parents need to talk to their children. Have the common decency to explain to them about
homosexuality and heterosexuality……the biggest issue I see with Prop 8 is it is going to force parents to talk to their children, OH NO…how scary..please…we should be talking to our children, tell them the truth, be honest, they deserve it!

Kids and Cell Phone, How Young is to Young?

Read an interesting post on Love Shak Baby, it was about kids and cell phones. Interesting that she wrote about this because I have been thinking the same thing lately. I went with my daughter to school the other day, drop her off just like any other day, and noticed that a few girls, probably in the 3rd or 4th grade were on cell phones.

I turned and asked my daughter if any of her friends have cell phones, she is in the 1st grade. She said yes, two girls in her class have cells…I was a little blown away.. After I asked her that question she was quiet for a few minutes and then she said, mom I don’t need a phone, I think I am to young. I was really glad to hear her say that, because she is to young. But when is a child old enough to have a cell?

I remember when I was kids, my mom could trust me playing outside until the sun started to set and then I was home. However, how many times was I late, or stuck somewhere and having a phone on me would have been ideal. The biggest difference, I never let my kids out of my site when they play outside. If one of the other moms are not outside watching, then I am on the front porch, the days are not like they use to be.

However, regards to cell phones, how young is to young? When do we make the decision to buy a child a cell phone? Is it 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade? Chime in, let me know your thoughts..

Safety..Emergency Kits and Police

For my son's preschool we have to put together an emergency kit that includes a granola bar, bttle of water, glow stick and wipes. The thought of having an emergency kit for my son scares me a bit, because I hope that it never has to be used. On the other hand, I am glad that the school is being responsible enough to have these types of items on hand. Of course, the kit is due today and I will be late, they won't get it until tomorrow.

Also, today a police officer visited my son's school. The officer talked about safety and not talking to stranger, it sounds like the kids loved the chat. The one sad thing is that the DARE program that is part of all public schools had to be canceled due to lack of funds. That is just sad to me...The DARE program was really good for kids, taught them about strangers and sadly due to money issues something that important has been canceled. Seriously, there isnt anything else that can be canceled?

Stay-at-Home vs. Working Moms

I have written on this topic before but something happened to me recently that made me feel the need to repost. There seems to be a constant fight between moms, stay-at-home and ones that work, why is that? Shouldn't we all support one another..

I started to think about an old friend of my, well she isn't really a friend anymore, I work full time, take care of the house, have two amazing children and am very happy. You would think she would be happy for me, truthfully, she isn't...

She always makes comments about the fact that I work..comments like..doesn't it bother you that someone else is raising your children. I don't believe my children are being raised by anyone but Jeff and I..and they are happy, awesome kids!

I think that mom's have enough issues to deal with ad should stay out of each others business..stop criticizing each other and just support...

Everyone needs help..no matter if they work or not, it is about how you treat your children and if they are happy. Let me tell everyone, my kids are happy and yes I do work full time...

Fortune Brainstorm

As a PR professional, I have tried for years for my clients to be invited to Fortune's Brainstrom Conference. It has been interesting to watch bloggers yesterday and today comment about the event, in particular Tom Foremski. He doesn't seem to impressed, in fact he seems rather bored. He did also mention on his blog that more excitment is happening within the halls of the event and not the sessions.

Also, there seemed to be some bloggers/reporters upset with who i attending, I saw one comment that mentioned tier 2 media were invited. Interesting to see the comments..I plan to keep reading...

HP Touchscreen

Saw a friend of mine at the HP booth today at BlogHer and they had the coolest item on display, the new HP Touchscreen Monitor. I mean this thing is cool, check out the info..

I am working my contacts to see if I can get one..you use HP software and everything is done based on touching the screen. One of the things they showed me was playing games, such as Solitare, I mean I am addicted to this game but I think it would be 100 times worse if I had one of these monitors...

Come on Ann..set me UP!!!

Day One--Over...

So..Day One of BlogHer is over and it was great, I met so many people and learned a ton. There isn't anything about BlogHer that i didn't like, from the kick-off, exhibits, people, sessions and one think in particular, the Sesame Street suite. When I was a little kid, I loved Grover, I mean loved Grover, I even had a cake in the shape of Grover...

So, imagine how excited I was when I got to have a video of myself with Grover, I am bringing it home to the kids, they are going to love it.

Anyway, Blogher was awesome, can't wait for more and I will deffinitly be her in 09...

BTW-a huge shout out to my friends at HP, that touchscreen is awesome..i would love to play with it!!!!!