Expressing Gratitude, eBay Style

 I remember one of my first purchases on eBay. I'd been looking for a cobalt blue blazer for some time, but didn't have any luck finding one that I loved (and that was in my price range).

Then, I checked eBay. And after a few clicks and a bit of perusing, I found a new love. There's no doubt about it: when it comes to fashion finds, eBay has come through for me. Several times. Be it Halloween costumes, vintage items, or shoes that were sold out in stores, I was able to find what I was looking for on eBay.

Which is one of the many reasons I love eBay so much and proudly represent the brand on this corner of the web. I'm thankful to eBay and to the memories it has helped me create, whether here in NYC or on the west coast.

In the same fashion, eBay is thankful to me. And you. In fact, eBay recently launched a campaign entitled, "eBay Thanks You" and they have a clear message, "To our inspiring eBay community: Thank You."

Simple. Sweet. And powerful.

The eBay community has raised $63 million in 2011 to help support non-profit organizations in need of the funds, and there are several videos illustrating the good that has come from buying and selling through eBay Giving Works. In fact, you can support a cause that means something to you by donating through the eBay Giving Works program by donating. (Learn more about this awesome program by "liking" eBay Giving Works on Facebook.)

The "eBay Thanks You" campaign is a tearjerker, and you can get your dose of inspiration by visiting and viewing the videos on the eBay YouTube page. As part of the campaign and a way to pay it forward, eBay will graciously provide a $50,000 grant to one of the three non-profit organizations that use the site most effectively, and the community will vote to pick the winner.

There's more.

Users can enter to win daily and weekly prizes that include (but are not limited to) iPads, home entertainment systems, and a new car; there will be pretty sweet Daily Deals; and there will be special prizes for eBay sellers like free listings for a year, a free 2-month subscription, or a free pass to an eBay Business Boot-Camp. 

Oh-la-la... now that's how you say "Thank You."

…
{Disclosure: As a member of the eBay Parent Panel, this post is sponsored by eBay. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}

Parenting: Going At It Solo

The past couple of weeks have been trying ones around these parts. First, there was a change in my babysitter situation that had me scrambling to find a sitter to pick Aiden up from school and take him home four days out of the week. Then, I got sick. Then, Aiden got sick. Then, Hurricane Sandy came and left NYC (and parts of NJ) upside down and in shambles. We lost electricity, but only for a time and just got back heat and hot water yesterday.

Needless to say, it's been a hectic two weeks.

The babysitting thing I'm used to. Finding a sitter that you trust to care for your child, often on short notice, comes with the territory of motherhood. 

Aiden being sick, I could handle. He's been sick before. (Nothing too serious, thankfully.) And I've dropped everything to nurse the kid back to health. 

But, me being sick? And a hurricane? Back-to-back?

Ish just got real.

Experiencing those two things one after the other really was a test of my strength and will power. It really showed me what this delicious single momma is made of. 

At one point when I was sick, lying on the couch all day, and delegating responsibility to Aiden ("Go get a bowl from the dish rack, get the box of cereal from the counter, and make yourself a snack." or "Yep... you can watch another movie."), I wished for a minute (or two) that I had someone else to pass him off to. Someone else to carry the burden while I recovered. Someone else to take care of the to-do list that was piling up. 

Finally, I called in for reinforcements. I hit up my girl who lives on the other side of the borough and she was kind enough to bring over groceries, dinner, and a birthday gift for Aiden. (He turned five-years-old in the midst of all this.) I also hit up my homeboy D. He lives in Queens, but has a car and loves Aiden and would help in a heartbeat.

That's then I realized something. Again. It's totally okay to ask for help. It doesn't make you weaker, it makes you wiser. "It takes a village," is what they say. And I wholeheartedly agree. 

 

It's not easy being a solo single parent. You have to do twice as much with half the resources, which is trying in and of itself. In fact, I always joke with my friends that I like the way my paycheck looks for about 8.2 seconds. And then I think of the rent and Aiden's tuition and childcare costs and groceries and all the other expenses that we have. But you know what? I can pay all of our bills without the child support. And that's a blessing. 

 

I've accepted my life as a solo single mother. I've been going at it alone for over two years and, although it hasn't been a walk in the park, it's been a pretty sweet journey. After all, life is about playing the heck out of the hand you've been dealt. 

There are far worse fates in this life than living it as a single mother. I know this much. So I don't take anything for granted. I don't take any day for granted. I know how blessed I am. I know how blessed Aiden is.

And I'll continue to make a dollar out of fifteen cents and lemonade with lemons for as long as I have the strength to do so.

Reflections on The Child of A Single Mom

{Photo via}

I have a special kind of love for Aiden. It’s more than that he’s-my-first-child-and-that-makes-our-bond-special kind of love. We’ve really grown together. We’re growing together. He teaches me about love and life just as much as I attempt to teach him about love and life.

Aiden grinds with me. The kid hustles with me.

I remember taking 1-year-old Aiden to work with me when I couldn’t find a babysitter in time. I remember taking 2-year-old Aiden to Hawaii so that he could serve as the ring bearer for my friends’ wedding. Traveling 12 hours with a 2-year-old, rambunctious kid was, umm, no joke. Then there were the times that I took 3-year-old Aiden to grad school with me because there was no one to babysit. At first, I got the side eye from classmates. But, after the first couple of times, they didn’t mind. Or at least they pretended not to. 4-year-old Aiden sat next to me as I worked against the clock to meet a deadline. Several times.

There’s no doubt about it: we’ve worked! Tirelessly. And he’s done it all with a winning personality, a sense of humor, and a smile on his face.

But… we’ve played too. Hard. 

At Disney World. And on a cruise around the Southern Caribbean. In Puerto Rico. And at many events and outings all over NYC.

Aiden’s a very special little boy. And this is not just coming from a he’s-my-first-child-and-that-makes-our-bond-special place. He really is a special little boy.

Our life is far from perfect. But it’s real.

Aiden wasn't home when the horrific domestic violence incidents took place. But he was there for the aftermath. I remember when his other parent finally moved out of the apartment. He took his big screen television first, and I didn't object because I didn't want him to have an excuse to come back leave any of his things behind. That day, Aiden and I returned home from running errands, and a 2-year-old Aiden said, "Hey... where a TV go?!" 

He's such a cutie. 

We went a month-and-a-half without a television after that because I was concentrating on picking up the pieces of my life. And filling it with joy. 

I used to wonder (and still do sometimes) if I'm enough for him. If I have the wisdom and grace and patience and critical thinking skills to raise him into a socially competent young man. But then I sit... 

...And I watch him.

I watch him play with his toys and re-enact situations that took place the day before or the week before. I watch him interact with others. And I see how rough and competitive and rambunctious he can be. But I also see how kind and generous and sweet he is. I watch him read to me. Or tell me a story with so much detail and expression. I watch him clean up his toys without me prompting him to do so. I watch him correct others who are not doing the right thing.

...And I reflect. 

I reflect on his compassion and loveable personality. I reflect on his confidence. I reflect on his ability to learn from his mistakes and I reflect on his resilience. He started a new school this year and, although he's had a few rocky days, he's been holding his own like a true champ. He's smart and quirky and silly and funny. 

...And I remember that he's likeable. You'd like him. Aiden turned 5-years-old this week, but I swear, sometimes it feels as though this kid has been here before because he's got an old soul. He makes me proud to be this mother. Seriously, I'm amazed by this kid. Every. Single. Day. He's a rockstar. 

...And I listen to him. And he’ll say something like, “Mommy, I super love you,” and that just makes my day.

Back atcha kiddo. Back atcha.

{Guest Post} Kid-Friendly, Healthy and Tasty Halloween Desserts

Written by Leslie Johnson

On Halloween night, your children will return home will pillowcases full of candies, chocolates, and sweets. As a mother who always puts her children's health and nutrition first, you can imagine my horror whenever I see them devouring piece after piece of sugary, unhealthy Halloween treats. It can be extremely frustrating to let your children indulge in Halloween candy when you know with absolute certainty that what they're eating isn't good for them. Sure, a little candy here and there won't hurt, but it's always important to incorporate some healthy choices into your Halloween celebrations if you can. For those of you who want to prepare some healthier sweets for your children, her are four scrumptious ideas.

Apple Mouths

When I was a kid, my mother used to make me "apple mouths" – a mouth-shaped dessert made with apples, almonds, and peanut butter. They're extremely easy to make and kids love them. I find myself snacking on them, too! If your children don't like almonds, you can substitute them for marshmallows.

What you need:
Apple Corer, apples, peanut butter, sliced almonds (or marshmallows)

How to make it:
Take as many apples as you like and core them. Next, cut the apples into quarters and slice wedges into the skin side of each quarter. Spread a small serving of peanut butter on the wedges and press the slivered almonds (or marshmallows) in place. Enjoy!

Less Sinful Dirt & Worms

Whenever someone first told me about the famed dirt & worms dessert, I shrieked; it sounded nasty, but once I tried it at a friend's Halloween party, I was hooked. The chocolate pudding with Oreo topping and sweet gummy worms dish was sinfully delicious, but it definitely wasn't nutritious. I'm a fan of taking high-calorie recipes and making them lighter, so I was grateful when a friend gave me the recipe to her "less sinful" version of dirt & worms.

What you need:
2  (1.5 ounce) packages of fat-free instant chocolate pudding mix, 4 cups of skim milk, 15 gummy worms (chopped into thirds), and 12 reduced-fat Oreo cookies (smashed into pieces)

How to make it:
Combine pudding mix and milk and beat with a whisk for 4 minutes. Pour the pudding mixture into a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour. When ready to serve, sprinkle the gummy worms and Oreo cookies on top. Eat up!

Spooky Bananas

I always have a bunch of bananas in my kitchen so I can throw them into oatmeal, cereal, lunches, desserts, and a number of other delicious dishes. Around Halloween time, bananas are a favorite in my household. On Halloween night, I love to make spooky bananas for my kids.

What you need:
1 cup shredded coconut, raisins, mini chocolate chips, 3 bananas, 2 cups of orange juice, and popsicle sticks or skewers
How to make it:
Cut the bananas in half and insert a popsicle stick or skewer at the sliced end. Freeze the bananas for two hours and then dip them in the orange juice followed by the shredded coconut. Once the coconut flakes adhere to the banana, place two chocolate chips (for the eyes) and a raisin (for the mouth) on the bananas.

 

Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Cupcakes

Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients to use during the fall. I incorporate it into a number of dishes, including ravioli, burgers, chili, and cupcakes. My mother gave me her recipe for pumpkin cupcakes, and it's so easy to make. All you need is one box of yellow cake mix and one can of pumpkin, and that's it; try for yourself if you don't believe me!

What you need:
One 18-ounce box of yellow cake mix and one 15-ounce can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

 How to make it:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, pull out 24 cupcake wrappers and place them in your muffin pans. Mix the cake mix and pumpkin in a bowl until smooth and then pour the mixture into the liners. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on a rack and then devour!

Don't let the upcoming holidays derail your commitment to keeping your children healthy. Utilize delicious, nutritious recipes like these in order to keep your children's health in check!

About the Author: Leslie Johnson is a freelance writer and journalist who writes about physical and mental wellness for http://www.mastersinhealthcare.com. Feel free to send a comment her way!

{Personal Style} Dainty, Prissy, Pleated Skirt

Over the weekend, I joined flocks of other Columbia Alumni at Taj Lounge in the Flatiron District for Homecoming festivities, which comprised of an evening of dinner, drinks, dancing, and mingling. 

Major fun.

This delicious single momma was especially excited to mingle with one person in particular. So here’s the deal: there’s this former classmate that I’ve been enjoying getting to know. We’ve hung out a few times, and he’s smart and ambitious and kind and really, really sweet. Oh, and cute. Let’s just call him... my CU Friend. 

At Homecoming, I may or may not have touched his gorgeous face a little bit, hugged him a little longer and a little closer than the acceptable this-is-just-a-friendship-and-absolutely-nothing-more hug, and whispered sweet nothings into his ear. Loudly. In an attempt to talk over the music. But, after 3 ½ glasses of Pinot Grigio (in a 2-hour span), what else can you expect? I'm just saying...

But I digress. More on my CU Friend later. (Maybe.)

I was feeling very dainty and prissy in this cute little number. After all, you can’t go wrong with a fitted top, pleated skirt, and black sash. 

[L and I, big pimping...]

I wore the same dress a few weeks ago with a different statement necklace, and since it was quite a hit, I figured I'd try it out again, but jazz it up with patterned tights for a trendy touch. The patent pumps added a hint of elegance and the spiked clutch added a bit of edge.  

Speaking of clutches, how rocker-chic amaze is this bad boy that I scored from F21?! Love it!

What’d you guys think of the outfit?

Wait... am I allowed to say "his gorgeous face" on the Internet? Where he everyone can read it?

Eh.

Have a stylish week, ya’ll!

{Guest Post} Family Fun Night

Written by Marie Hunter

Having a regular family fun night is a great way to make sure your family doesn't get bogged down in the stress of everyday life. After all, your kids are some of the most important people in your life, and you want to make sure you take the time to enjoy them and let them enjoy each other and you. Instead of having yet another movie night at home with microwave popcorn, get creative and try out some new agendas. Next time you want to plan a family fun night, consider some of these activities that will be a blast for all of you!

Campfire and Games
Whether you build a campfire in your backyard, head to the beach, or go to a nature site with fire pits, a campfire is always a great way to facilitate a fun evening. Put the electronics away, gather everyone around a blazing fire, and have some good old-fashioned family bonding time. Toss out all of your rules about limits on desserts and let the kids chow down on s'mores and other treats as you play campfire games, tell scary stories, or even sing together, if that's something your family enjoys. If the mosquitoes get too bad, head back inside and play some board games to finish out the night.

Active Excursions
When your kids are the sort who have tons of energy, it may be best to choose something active you can do as a family on your night out. The kids will love getting to try new activities and let some of their energy and competitiveness out in a fun setting. Consider a family trip to the bowling alley, ice skating rink, batting cages, or a laser tag facility. Using restaurant coupons for an after-activity meal helps reduce the cost of taking your whole family out on these sorts of excursions. Finish off the night with a trip to an ice cream parlor or just pick up a gallon of ice cream and some toppings for sundaes at home!

New Food Adventures
Food-centric family nights are always fun ones, so whether you cook in or eat out, splurge on delicious food your kids will love. If they're adventurous when it comes to food, consider trying out an ethnic restaurant. If you order a few dishes and share them all "family style," you can each get a taste of the new foods and get some ideas for things you may want to try preparing at home. You can also toss out all expectations of kitchen cleanliness and get everyone involved in preparing dinner and dessert at home. Let the dishes soak in the sink overnight and take care of them in the morning, because family fun night is about fun, not cleaning.

Whatever you decide to do for family night, make sure it's focused on fun, not disciplining or teaching your kids. It's OK to let loose every once in a while and overlook minor infractions. Help your kids be on their best behavior by talking with them to set expectations before you start your family fun night, and then get them involved in whatever activity you're doing. They'll be so busy having fun that they forget to act out!

 About the author: When Maire isn't lost in reading the latest hot novel, she is planning her future vacations to tropical places. She also loves taking care of her cat, Walter, and her Scottish Terrier, Pete.

We All Have Insecurites To Deal With

Last weekend, I celebrated my friends' birthday with dinner, drinks, and some much-needed girl talk. We had a really great time and I was reminded (yet again) how important it is to take time out for myself and my friendships.

While we were at dinner, I heard a lot of "I don't know how you do it" and "You're doing so much... wow!" and "I'm impressed with all that you do."

I was flattered.

But, the truth is, I was impressed with all of the other ladies at the dinner table. They are all doing amazingly great things, and still have time to hang out and have a good time.

Some are in graduate school rocking it out.

The birthday girl recently finished law school and is preparing to move across country.

Some are working 'round the clock at their day job and taking care of business with their side hustle.

Some are in relationships and it's going really well.

Some are in relationships and they've just overcome a really rough patch.

Some are concerned about what kind of mother they will be.

Some are worried if they will even have children because they're getting older and haven't gotten married yet. (I pretty much laughed at this comment because 28 or 29 is not old at all, but quite youthful, with plenty of time to reproduce.)

Some are not loving their current job, but working hard to find another one.

Some feel stuck. Some feel successful. Some feel lost. Some feel lucky.

All are blessed. 

The point that I'm trying to make is this: everyone has stuff that they have to deal with. Everyone has a different path that they must follow in life. Those paths are filled with trials and triumphs, sorrows and successes, and loads of lessons to be learned. If you allow for it to happen.

I'm truly blessed with the life that I have now. It wasn't easy getting here. But, it's not all peaches and cream either. I have my own issues and situations and roadblocks that I'm dealing with. Every. Single. Day.

As do you.

And all the other ladies at that dinner table.

So... don't compare yourself to other people. Celebrate their success, yes. But don't think that their lives are picture perfect. Because, we all have our own struggles, insecurities, and challenges to deal with.

Every.

Single.

Day.