I was asked to sensor a blog post a little while back and it has sat ill with me. I wound up doing it to protect someone I care about. The whole idea around blogging that I love is transparency. Transparency has been an issue that I aim for and struggle with fine tuning.

I damn the threat of censorship right now and write…

I just read a post, an about page and, listened to the theme song over at Budgets are $exy and I liked his style. He seems inspired, transparent and creative. Things I want for myself and for my blog.

I want to:
practice yoga everyday
attend yoga class once or more a week (I get so much out of group exercise with a fabulous instructor)
fix my posture
make money
help those who need help! (tools: $, yoga, time, etc…)
hone my social media marketing skills
have a house with a yard and a room for Will (a room for visitors would be awesome)
relax
be a great(er) mom
get Will and myself on a pleasing schedule
blog regularly
hire a nanny & housekeeper and pay them well
be respected for who I am, what I write here, and what I am capable of (potential employers, I really am a catch, no matter what you may think of what I write in this blog)

and the list goes on.

This event is modeled after a very successful large scaled one hosted in Bogota, Colombia that is actually held once a week. More than 70 miles of roads are closed and about 2 million people show up for dance lessons and community events.

Portland will be the first city in North America to host the event due in large part to its “commitment to mass transit and urban planning”. It has been completely funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kaiser Permanente, Metro and other sponsors.

There will be three parks along a route that will be designated for biking and walking where people will be able to take dance lessons, listen to live music, watch yoga demonstrations, take part in bike workshops and enjoy food booths.

This is a link to an interesting article about the event.

Here is a link to a page that has a pdf both of the map and events as well as additional information about the event.

In the last few years that urge to create a doll has been growing. I keep seeing neat handmade dolls that inspire. Today, cruising around on Etsy (yes, I’m addicted to this site), I came across a strange beauty (click on the 2nd thumbnail down) that made me stop and marvel. Partially I think that the doll is inspired, partially I like the angle and the way in which it’s lit.

I would love to make a doll/stuffed friend for my son. And, as part of my efforts to make a living, I also envision creating a line of dolls for sale. One of my criteria will be that it be machine washable in hot water so that it can be washed regularly to rid it of dust mites. I recently learned that this is an important issue for many allergy sufferers. Both Billy and I are sensitive to dust/dust mites so we need to make sure our little one has as little mite-y issues to deal with as possible as that helps kids to either not develop allergies, or to delay the onset of them.

This excerpt from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website helps explain:

Preventing environmental allergies and asthma:

It makes good common sense that, since some airborne substances may trigger allergy or asthma symptoms, reducing contact with these substances early in life may delay or prevent the onset of allergy or asthma symptoms. The evidence for this relationship is clearest in the case of dust mites, which are microscopic creatures related to spiders that are found in large quantities inside the home. Therefore, taking steps to aggressively control dust mites in the homes of high-risk children may reduce the occurrence of dust mite allergy in these children.

This Mother’s Day I want to sweeten the deal for my mom because she has done an exceptional thing this year: SHE QUIT SMOKING! I am so happy and so proud of her! I know it has been a challenge for her but I always knew she was up for that challenge. She is a strong and powerful woman. The thing that really sealed the deal in her decision to quit smoking for good this time is that she has her first grandchild on the way! (That’s the little guy inside of me.) She is one proud grandma and she hasn’t even met the little fellah yet! It warms my heart and gives me much happiness at the way our whole family has responded with love and joy at this pregnancy.

So, the Mother’s Day deal sweetener I spoke of is an iPod Shuffle (with a inscription engraved on the back) that she can use on the stationary bike she got recently to help her manage her weight (and her health in general) as well as to use on her long walks that she has taken to doing. I wonder if she will like such a thing. I just sent her an email with a link to the iPod Shuffle page and asked her to pick a color. Let’s see what her response will be…

What are you doing for your mother this year?