My Child Loves The Swing But I Want to Sit Down
When I take my kids to the playground, I'm assuming that I can just let them loose. This is going to sound horrible, but I do not want to play with them.I'm taking them to the playground so that they can play with other children.Inevitably, as soon as we enter the playground Ari asks me the same question each time:"Can I go on the swing?" It's like the curse of death.Look at him! He's so happy on the swing!But here's the thing, if he goes on the swing, that means that I cannot sit down on the playground bench and space out. I have to do work. I am required to stand there with him and push him. Not only do I have to stand there and push him, but generally where I am standing is in the sunlight, so I am uncomfortable standing there and pushing him. Meanwhile, he's having the best time ever!I feel guilty. I know I should entertain his love of the swings. I know I should do that because it'll make him happy, but I am exhausted. What I want to do is take a break! We are at the playground so that my kids [...]
Friends Forever Pen Pal Club – A Press Release Turns into Fame
When I was eight years old I wanted a pen pal. I'd just watched the movie "Beaches" and loved it. In the film, Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey met as kids on the beach and became pen pals up until adulthood."You know, we could start a pen pal club." My mom said.My mom worked in public relations for most of my childhood, so this proclamation wasn't surprising to my eight year-old self.So we did what my mom was good at, we started writing. Together we wrote a press release and called our pen pal club Friends Forever Pen Pal ClubThen my mom took out a book that listed the addresses of all the newspapers and their editors around the country.We sent that press release to every major newspaper in the United States.In the mean time, we rented a P.O. Box on 93rd Street and Columbus Avenue.Each day, we would go the P.O. Box and check for letters, and each day we were disappointed to find that the box was empty.Then one fateful day in 1989, we went to the post office (as we usually did) expecting to find the box empty, but we were wrong. My mom turned the key [...]
Astrology -A Calling
I've been studying astrology since I was 10 years-old. I remember standing in a new age bookstore with my mom on 88th street and Columbus Avenue looking for the perfect book to learn astrology from.A salesgirl recommended "Write Your Own Horoscope" by Joseph Goodavage.My mom bought me the book and I took it home. I spent hours reading about moon signs. I knew my moon was in Virgo so that meant that I couldn't stop thinking and analyzing.I looked up everyone's birthday I knew.I was ravenous for astrological knowledge. I was unstoppable.My love for astrology continued into high school, college and adulthood.I would look up anyone's chart who was interested on Astro.comI had a few formal astrological readings where I had my chart formally done. One was by a reiki practitioner and healer, Rosie, and another with Christine, an astrologer that I used to cat sit for.Despite my passion for astrology, I've never had a formal teacher or astrological mentor. When I went to BlogHer, I was at it again!I did countless people's charts including one of the co-founders of BlogHer. I knew this was my calling.I contacted Christine, who had moved out to California. I asked her if she [...]
Honest Kids Back to School Giveaway!
I just came back from BlogHer13' where I was privileged to meet Jordan, the PR & Social Media Manager from Honest Tea! Jordan is wonderful! He is a fellow Libra and we bonded immediately over our love of tea.Jordan graciously agreed to collaborate with me on a back to school giveaway!It's back to school time, and as parents we're all thinking about packing lunches. With the help of Honest Tea, I'm giving away the ultimate juice box package!One lucky OS/NS Mom reader will win an Honest Kids Prize Pack featuring a carton of each of the Honest Kids flavors, a grand total of 40 juice boxes!Here are the colorful flavors: Jordan was nice enough to send over some Berry Berry Good Lemonade along with their Unsweet Lemon Tea and (my personal favorite) The Cranberry Lemonade! When I was pregnant, I pounded down the Cranberry Lemonade like a frat boy at a keg!You can read more about that here. But the real question is, will your kids like Honest Kids? Check out what Ari and Samara have to say about Berry Berry Good Lemonade and Cranberry Lemonade. Enter below to win the Honest Kids Prize Pack!a Rafflecopter giveaway
I Gave Away My Green Toothbrush and Green is My Favorite Color
When I was a kid, my family played Monopoly a lot. Every time we played, there was no question that my brother was going to be the car. I was envious each time we played. I wanted to be the car! But instead I got stuck with the hat. Or even worse, the busted looking shoe: Whoever got the shoe felt like a loser, let's face it.Each time we played I'd look at that car with green envy. My face was probably turning green from the jealousy as I moved the board as a hat or a shoe that I didn't care about.I know what it's like to want something so badly and not be able to get it.Ari knows that feeling too.As a rule, whenever we buy toothbrushes, my toothbrush is the green one. Green is my favorite color. Each time we were in Trader Joe's replacing old toothbrushes, Ari would beg me:"Can I be green this time.""I'm green. It's my favorite color." I would say.Yesterday, something in me changed. There we were standing in the grocery store. I was eyeing the different color Preserve toothbrushes searching for three disparate colors. I grabbed a green, blue and pink toothbrush."Can [...]
Chaos in The Cardiologist’s Office
Today I took my kids to the doctor with me because no one was available to babysit.I knew going in to the appointment that it was going to be a challenge.First of all, we all slept in. My appointment was near Rockefeller Center at 11:20. the kids and I got out the door of our house (in Brooklyn) at 10:40.I knew already that I was going to be late. I was right! We arrived at the doctor's office 20 minutes late."Sarah," said the receptionist Nydia knowingly "You missed your appointment.""Nydia please! Please I came all the way here with my kids because no one could watch them today. You know how that is."I was using my knowledge that Nydia had a three year-old."Oh I totally know," she said. "Let me see what I can do." She winked at me.After a quick call she came back and said"Okay, the doctor will see you during his lunch.""Thank you!" I exclaimed. I wanted to make out with her I was so grateful. Except that it was 11:40 and I had to wait with my kids until 12:30 to see the doctor.There were several elderly folks in the waiting room smiling and making nice [...]
Vegan Ice Cream Rocks at Van Leeuwen in Brooklyn
Today, the kids and I went to Trader Joe's. We took the double stroller, which was quite an endeavor in itself.On our way back home, we walked up Bergen Street and saw a familiar site, The Van Leeuwen ice cream shop! I'd been meaning to check it out for some time. Especially because my kids' last name is Van Luyn, which is super close to "Van Leeuwen." Hooray!The double stroller was filled to the top with groceries. The kids were really sucking at walking home so upon spotting the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop, I decided to bribe them."Who wants ice cream?!" I exclaimed/asked"Me!" Shouted the kids.We entered the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop and I noticed a sign for "Vegan Ice Cream." It looked delicious in the picture, but I was suspicious. I bet it tastes like cardboard... I thought.Betsy, the lovely girl behind the counter, handed the kids and I a giant scoop of chocolate vegan ice cream to share.I took a bite, and I immediately tasted a combination of coconut and chocolate. It was delicious and tasted nothing like cardboard. Yum! Thank you to Betsy for taking these stellar photos.I highly recommend the vegan ice cream! WOW! Go [...]
Breaking Down
I cried today.I cried because of what I couldn't control.I cried because I couldn't fix what is broken.I looked at my hands and I wished they could fix things.I willed them to work on my behalf.I begged them to make my life better.Only they just stood there with warm soapy water dripping over them from the kitchen sink.My vision was blurred from the tears, but I could see the dishes in a pile. They were all different colors; green, red, yellow bowls.I pleaded with my hands. Please, please make it better.Stop my life from spinning.Help me to stand still.They didn't hear me.The water rose in the sink.It rose and filled the sink to the brim. My eyes widened as the water continued togrow in circumference.I felt a warm sensation at my bare toes. The water was dripping onto the gray tiled floor. It moved up my calves. It continued to consume my thighs.The warm water lurked and climbed up tomy trunk.I begged my hands to help. Stop this.Make it cease.They didn't listen.The water worked its way up to my neckand finally my face.My whole body was surrounded by warmall-consuming water. I tried to move my arms but they felt like [...]
Embracing The Black Sheep
When I was a child, I was "the good girl." My older brother was the wild rebellious teenager, while I got good grades and stayed quiet. I tried not to upset anyone or hurt anybody's feelings.Eventually my brother transformed himself from a wild teenager to a highly successful PhD. And I was proud of him.However, there I was feeling like the black sheep of the family. I was the fuck up.Even though I graduated from New York University with a decent GPA.When I turned 22, something inside me began to change. Despite my success as a writer, I still felt insignificant. I couldn't hold a job for more than six months, I had difficulty in romantic relationships, and I had a terrible time managing money.I was a volcano filled with lava ready to burst. My 20s were filled with anger and resentment.I wiled out. I went a little...okay a lot...crazy.My family didn't know how to handle my behavior and frankly neither did I.I was going through the adolescence that I never experienced. I was changing into a woman and I was fighting it all the way.There I was on the brink of becoming a butterfly, my wings convulsing in fear. [...]
The Real Meaning of Names
There are a lot of name books on the market. But you don't need to purchase any of them, because I am about to reveal the true meaning of men's names. These are individuals you have undoubtedly met in real life. Ready? Here goes:David - Davids are know-it-alls. If you are named David, you know absolutely everything about everything and you are an incredibly irritating person. There is a 50 percent chance that you are an asshole.Justin- If your name is Justin, chances are you are unnecessarily attractive.Jordan- Have you met Justin? Oh that's right, you're the exact same person!Jason- Jasons tend to be hot but are also really fun to hang out with. They also love sports.Arthur- I'm sorry! Daniel- Daniels are geeks but they're generally harmless. Chances of being an asshole average around 10 percentMike- You can pretty much talk to Mike about anything. Michael- Stop taking yourself so seriously and call yourself Mike. What the fuck is wrong with you?Carl- People are actually named Carl? I thought that name just existed in Gary Larson cartoons!Simon- You're probably British. If you're not British you are smart! But not the British kind of smart. I mean intelligent. Also you [...]
My Inner Fuck You
Before I came to BlogHer, I was scared.I've been a writer since the time I was six and could operate my mom's electric typewriter. But despite the fact that others have said these words to me "you're a really good writer." I've been filled to the brim with doubt.No matter what anyone told me, I felt I wasn't good enough.Yesterday, that changed.Something clicked.I felt the metaphorical light switch turn on in my being.***I'm sitting in my hotel room with my roommate Trish. She's engaged to Louis C.K in case you were unaware.I'm telling her about a disparaging text message I received from a family member. A message that crushes my soul. A message that digs deep into my confidence, takes out a giant red boxing glove and punches me in the face.She turns to me, looks me dead in the eyes and says:"Sarah, you have to embrace your inner fuck you."And I got it.It doesn't matter what this person thinks of me.It doesn't matter if they approve.What matters is how I feel.What matters is what I want.What matters is my voice.And in that moment I found my voice. It was raspy and it hadn't been used in 33 years, but [...]
BlogHer13′ – Open Mic, and Meeting Real Humans That Exist on The Internet
My experience has been a whirlwind. Being at BlogHer13' has been surreal to say the least. When I stepped off the plane it was hard to process the fact that I made it here.I've had so many wonderful experiences since being here.Here are a few I'll share:I had the pleasure of reading at open mic night for Listen to Your Mother Creator Ann Imig It was so funny. My roommate Trish wanted to read at this event, and I came along.All of a sudden I heard "Sarah!"I turned around, and there was Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing. I've known Steph online for years, and I worked on 5 Minutes For Parenting with her.When I saw Steph's face (and her cute little striped sweater) I was kvelling. I felt at home!Something ignited inside me. All of a sudden I felt I could do this, I could read in front of these people.Then I saw Ann Imig sitting there in her gorgeous green dress, and I introduced myself.I was already having kind of a shitty day, but when I saw the bowls to submit your name to read your funniest/most heartwarming/best blog post, I thought "what the hell!" Seeing Steph and Ann [...]
BlogHer Day 1
Greetings from Chicago! Wow! It's been a whirlwind adventure so far. First of all, thank you to everyone who generously donated and shared the fundraising link to get me to BlogHer13. I am touched. Special shout out to my soul sister Donna who made a special top secret move at the last possible moment to get me here. I love you infinitely.Yesterday I woke up at 4:30 am and got on the Long Island Rail Road with a giant backpack. I got to the airport and ran like a zebra with it's tail on fire being chased by a lion to get my boarding pass at the automated machine for JetBlue flights, then to the security line. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face as my matching backpack and purse went through the security check.Of course (since I was already running late for my flight) The TSA decided to stop me and demand that I empty the contents of my reusable water bottle, because clearly it's hazardous to other people's safety. And then they made me throw out my hairspray.After I begged them to let me go, I ran my zebra ass to the airplane on got on [...]
BlogHer!
I'm leaving for BlogHer13' tomorrow!That's it.