New Jersey Moms Blog doesn’t get a lot of comments, so please leave one, especially if you have something of interest to contribute. And I suspect you do. Thanks, gang. Enjoy your day with your non-ducks!

Children are not ducklings is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues: a story of a beloved bear
2. Walking with Dinosaurs
3. A mother’s tale for our financial times

At least, I believe they are worthy of sharing. Could be that I’m completely off. I’ll let you be the judge.

The post is Wintertime play.

Thoughts on inside play: my latest at NJ Moms is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. Childhood summertime memories: New Jersey Moms Blog post
2. Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues: a story of a beloved bear
3. Walking with Dinosaurs

I met Emily, Liz, Fiona, Suezette, Stacey, Lynnette, Amber, Jill, Vanessa, Lois, and Jennifer, all for the first time after following them on Twitter and reading their personal blogs and posts on New Jersey Moms Blog. Mary Fran and Kristie, both of the new Philly Moms Blog, were there too. So much fun putting names to real, living persons with personalities beyond the computer screen.

I LOVED IT!!

Sorry to shout, but oh my goodness, that’s exactly how excited I was walking into that party Saturday night. To talk blogging this, blogging that and not have to stop and translate to the odd person out (Ahem. Husband: I am referring to YOU.) To chat with a group of women that share a common interest, a passion, and maybe a complete craziness for living a portion of life online for anyone to Google.

Such a happy feeling.*

We wasted no time jumping right into it. We discussed blogging, Twitter, podcasting, Blogher scandalous behavior and what that mega conference is really like. We talked about evil trolls lurking in comments, finding advertising, getting paid, Martha Stewart, emails from Silicon Valley Mom Blog competitors, swag bags, and blogging just for the joy of writing and creativity.

When we weren’t talking shop, we talked about overcrowding in public schools, home schooling, property taxes, and medical insurance. We ate pasta, chocolates, scallops wrapped in bacon and salad. Some of us had soda, some of us had wine. And we even had a bit of pampering with professional masseuses in the house (or photo gallery, I should say.)

I think the only thing we didn’t talk about was the girls that didn’t make it. We missed you, friends! Next time!

Now without further ado: a few pictures:

From Left to right: Shannon, (astute readers will remember she’s my blog designer), Emily, Suezette. No idea who that chick is on the right, she must be a party crasher.

Vanessa, Liz, Melissa and Jennifer

Stacey, Lynette, Lois

Such a fun time! Thanks to our party sponsors and goody bag contributors: Graco, Suave and Stop and Shop.

Friends, if you ever get a chance to contribute to Silicon Valley Moms Blog in your state or city, seize the opportunity. There is fun and fulfillment in the Lone Ranger blog gig, but seriously, this group thing – Wow!

I believe there is power in community. We write our posts, keep our own blogs, Twitter our own unique lives, but when it comes down to it, we are all moms, and in this special sisterhood that comes from blogging. We have our differences, yet this new way of communicating, via blogs, brings us together. I believe my life is  enriched because of these friendships with women I probably would never have met if not for the New Jersey Moms Blog.

Sniff, sniff. I’m getting a wee bit teary.

I love you, gals, and I’m glad the Lord has placed each of you in my life.

Sob.

*Monica goes in search of tissue to mop up keyboard, but gets distracted by chocolate.*

—–

Actually, I was estatic just to find the place after getting lost in a monsoon-like rain storm. Google maps, why do you hate me so? Don’t ask me about how long it took me to get home, I’m too ashamed of my poor navigaton skills. Note to self: must acquire sattelite map app for cell, ASAP.

New Jersey Moms Blog launch party is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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Needs vs. wants: failing banks, falling stocks, and  a crisis among the clothing

Follow the link to read the rest at New Jersey Moms Blog.

A mother’s tale for our financial times is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues: a story of a beloved bear
2. Walking with Dinosaurs
3. Bummer

I don’t understand the male mind.

I have two boys and two girls. My girls I get, I know where they are coming from, we are connected in the sisterhood of femaleness. When Susan wants to be alone, doesn’t want me to see what she’s writing or wants the kitchen free to make coffee cake without me watching, I get it. When her little sister cuddles her baby doll and stuffed animals, carrying them around the house as their mommy, I understand that too. I see myself in their actions.

But do I relate to my boys? Not so much. Boys are a mystery. The thought processes leading them into their crazy tricks- where does it come from?

To read the rest of the post follow this link. If you have boys, I’d love to read your comments.

Life with boys: smashing, bashing and other uncivilized behavior is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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Two black flies occupy my house right now. My children brought them home, inviting them to stay with a wide open front door. “Shut the door!” my constant call of the summer. I’ve tried hunting down the flies like I’m on an African bug safari, but these insects are of superior intelligence. And fast.

This is just a part of my latest post at New Jersey Moms Blog. Click over to read the rest.

Lady of the flies: post at New Jersey Moms Blog is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. Children are not ducklings

Peter modeling T shirt. Susan marvels at lovely New Jersey scenery (lots of yucky looking buildings with graffiti).

Edmund working the room, flirting with the teen girls behind us.

I have no idea who this guy is, but I took him home with me, ’cause he’s so darn cute.

Darn. This wouldn’t made a decent Twitter avatar if not for the blur.

Waiting for the show. We were in the top section, almost in the last row. At first I thought we wouldn’t have a good view. Boy, was I wrong. The dinos were so life-like, all the seats were good. (My apologies to the little boy sitting in front of Edmund, a boy-who-loves-to-kick-the-seat-in-front-of-him).

This is the money shot, don’t you think? Too bad Lucy didn’t come or we would use it as our Christmas card. Doc suggested we Photoshop her into the allosaurus’ mouth, so it may work yet. I tried getting a good picture during the show, but my camera wasn’t up for the challenge. I did notice the gal right in front of me got awesome pictures with her point and shoot. Me thinks I need a new camera.

Me, playing the part. I always loved those Godzilla movies.

Walking with Dinosaurs is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues: a story of a beloved bear
2. Childhood summertime memories: New Jersey Moms Blog post
3. A mother’s tale for our financial times

More Monica is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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When I first heard about it, back when Jill was looking for moms to participate, my little blogger heart quickened. I love Thelma and Louise (except the driving off the cliff bit in the end). I’ve never driven west past Mississippi. I’m all for hanging out with adventurous mommybloggers.

Mentally, I prepared my pitch to Doc. What fun I would have! The chance of a lifetime!

Here’s how the conversation went:

Me: Guess what! That moms blog group I belong to is looking for moms to drive across the country to get to Blogher! Doesn’t that sound cool! They’re leaving from New York, stopping in major cities to pick up moms along the way. And they’re going to blog about it!

Husband: What’s for dinner?

Okay, to be fair, I don’t remember what he said exactly, but it was definitely along the lines of “Huh?”

Here’s how the conversation went in my head, before I brought it up:

Me: Guess what! That moms blog group I belong to is looking for moms to drive across the country to get to Blogher! Doesn’t…

Husband (interrupting; jumping up in down on the sofa in glee, this crazy excited): Babe, you should totally go! You would love it! I was just reading about Blogher at Kirtsy and was going to surprise you with a plane ticket, but this is so much more fun! Have a great time and don’t worry about the kids, I’ve got it all covered.

Ha.

You can follow the progress of those women lucky/blessed enough to be going on this amazing adventure at this link here. Originally, they were supposed to leave from New York, but it didn’t work out. Maybe next year the trip will start in the Big Apple. I’m going to start working on my husband and childcare arraignments now.

How about you? Do you fancy a road trip with a group of blogger women or would you rather stay home? Or skip the car for a faster airplane?

___

* I don’t think it’s an exaggeration. Anyone have any numbers to back this up?

Blogher road trip: a fantasy conversation with my husband is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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1. New Jersey moms blog

Baring birth stories is a post from: Paper Bridges, © 2010 Monica Brand

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