Farewell NaBloPoMo

Well, I did it.  30 posts in 30 days.  It was a pain in my dupa and it stressed me out a lot some days, but I survived.  I'm glad I did it because it did teach me that all those days I think I don't have the time to blog - I could probably eek something out.  That said, I doubt I will be doing it again next year.  Lesson learned.  I'd like to go back to watching TV on a couple nights a week.

Feliz Dia De Los Votos!

Today is the big day!  Make sure you get out the polls, vote and then come home, get comfy and watch those results roll in.  Let's hope they bring good news and prove all that hard work (did I mention that jb knocked on 257 doors yesterday!?!?) paid off.  

You may have noticed that I've been posting more than usual lately.  I'm participating in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) and it's kicking my butt!  I'm not convinced I'm going to make it all the way to the end of the month without missing a day, but it already has given me a nudge to post some things I've been putting off and some things I probably wouldn't have otherwise.  So already a successful exercise.



I'm also THRILLED to share that I've signed on as a contributing editor at the newly re-vamped, re-launched LesbianFamily.com.  I'll be posting over there on Fridays, so be sure and check it out.  Even better, jump in and get involved!

• If you have a queer (or ally) family blog, list it HERE.
• If you want to submit a post, you can do that HERE.  (Cross posts welcome!)
• If you want to thank our first sponsor with your $$, check them out at Mabel's Labels.

We've got high hopes for what we can accomplish as far as building and fostering our Queer family community -but we can't do it without you, so please do stop on by. 

Worth The Wait

I am super-duper excited. Lots of cool stuff is happening around here (blog here, not my living room here) and Monday will be the kick-off of some exciting things. Almost a year after writing this post some great opportunities that really "fit" have come along and I'm looking forward to writing about them and feel really good about sharing them with you. I'm still testing the waters with these new partnerships, but I have a feeling it's a good path for me/you/us/the blog. Tune in Monday!

State Of The Mama

Physically -  At 33 1/2 weeks I'm pretty tired and uncomfortable.  While I do think this pregnancy has been significantly harder on me than the last one, I do know that in the grand scheme of difficult pregnancies I have it really easy.  I'm dealing with pretty severe upper back pain and joint pain.  My feet are swelling and my hands are constantly falling asleep.  I seem to ping back and forth between starving and heartburn.  (I got heartburn from a bowl of cereal!)  Still, I'm moving around, trying to walk a bit each day (even if I do it huffing and puffing), and *mostly* keeping up with Leo.

More, More, More

Wanna read more from West Philly Mama?  I've got some guest post action happening around the web:

1.  I'm doing another 8-week series over at Cafe Mom: These are so much fun to write!  I'm writing about life balance - which I don't always feel totally qualified to do.  New posts go live on Mondays - I hope you will check them out.

2.  I wrote a piece on Marriage Equality on Baby Center: So awesome to have the opportunity to talk LGBT issues on a mainstream parenting site - still, the wide range of opinion in the comments reminded me how lucky I am to live in a progressive and urban area.

And of course, I will still be posting here, so stay tuned.

Housekeeping: Comments, Social Media, Monetization, OH MY!

A couple of housekeeping items before returning to our regular program.

1.  I added a new comment widget (don't freak out, mom.  I promise it's very easy to use!).  I love comments.  Like a lot.  I'm so grateful when people take the time to comment on a post and I'm hoping this tool will make it easier for me to respond to comments and interact in a more meaningful way - so keep 'em coming.  Thanks!

2.  You may have noticed the little facebook and twitter buttons in the right column.  If you are on either of those sites I'd love it if you'd "like" the blog on facebook and/or follow me on twitter.  I try to keep the updates for each separate, so each has some unique content as well as notifications of new posts.  I'm really not spammy!  I swear!

3.  Up to this moment I have not made a cent from blogging, nor have I tried to.  Not an ad, not a freebie from any of the places I've reviewed, not a sponsored blog post.  It's not that I'm against it - I just haven't felt like it fit.  Well, lately I've been hanging out with the cool crowd in town, and it's given me the opportunity to attend workshops about blogging, learn more about opportunities that are out there, and network with some super-awesome women. 

So over the last few months I've been thinking more about what might work for me and this blog - and I'm not totally clear on those parameters yet, but this stellar post over on Making Lemonade echoes a lot of thoughts on the subject.  So, as I move forward and navigate these opportunities I would like to promise up front that:

• My number one priority is my readership (which includes, my family, friends, neighbors, larger community - and hopefully, eventually my children) and I will not be disingenuous with you.  
• If/when I choose to pursue an ad/sponsor/campaign it will be in line with my values/beliefs and be something that I either already use/love or believe I have the potential to. 
• That I will disclose any compensation (monetary or otherwise) as openly as possible.

So on that note, the bathrooms are down the hall and please feel free to chime in with any questions. 

Thanks again for reading along.