• Last updated 11/30/12 by Cynthia Mosher

Wafty. Lofty. Airy. Amorphous. INSPIRATION. A quick breath. Teary. Racing heart. Power punched! INSPIRATION. I wanna do THAT! Gotta get ME some of that! Gonna get, give, live, be…MORE! You are certifiably INSPIRED. Now what? How do you turn that fire into fuel that moves you forward, deeper, higher? You analyze it. You inhale and exhale all that romance until you know exactly WHY IT TURNS YOU ON. “How come you need to know why something inspires you?” a creative partner asked me once. “Isn’t it enough to just be inspired, do you... read more

• Last updated 6/26/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Paige Polcene-MarkinWeb Exclusive We are mothers. We breastfeed our babies and bake their birthday cakes. We coach piano practice and soccer practice. We kiss the hurts and wipe the tears. We are daughters. We buy groceries and fill prescriptions. We bring the meals and rent books on tape. We give back what was given to us. We are women. We plan board meetings and bake sales. We write grocery lists and letters to the editor. We teach the future. In Gifts from the Sea , Anne Morrow Lindbergh writes, "Eternally, woman spills herself away in driblets to the thirsty,... read more

• Last updated 11/30/12 by Cynthia Mosher

Every year, my Hubba Hubba says to me “What do you want for your birthday?” My response is specific. Kinda. Um…Carl Jung’s Red Book; a day at the spa; anything from 18 Karat, these Cacharel sandals I adore, size 9. Dinner out — but no wheat, no meat. But you know…just surprise me.” His look is pensively eager, yet totally mystified. “You know what you want, but you want to be surprised. Got it.” He walks away thinking, I’ve got a 50/50 chance of getting this one right. Dudes, (or masculine-energy-identified dudettes in pursuit of your own lezzie-ladies,)... read more

• Last updated 1/7/13 by Melanie Mayo

Life balance. How’s that working out for ya? If you’re a mompreneur — or setting your sights on that title — the quest for so-called “life balance” can drive you (and your business) into the ground. Just my humble opinion, of course. Instead of striving for unachievable “balance,” let’s aim for PROPORTION. Optimization. Leading-edge excellence. Full use of your most precious gifts — and joyful delegation of tasks that make you cringe. And, non-negotiable periods of rest + recovery, to re-fuel your inner rocket for the Next Great Thing. This... read more

• Last updated 9/15/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Jo Hannah Leyda Web Exclusive - February 13, 2009 Watch the slideshow here. My husband John grew up in the city but wanted our family to experience all that country life has to offer. Once we moved out to an old farmhouse on a corner of land in the heart of Amish country, the next step was to decide what to do with our property besides the endless mowing. We looked into many different kinds of animals, from horses and cows to ostriches and bison. After much research and a number of visits to various farms, we were most drawn to the gentle, versatile llamas,... read more

• Last updated 6/26/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Amy VotavaIssue 123, March/April 2004 Sidebar: Legacy All I want to do is buy my prescription medication at the local drugstore. My five year old, Olivia, is holding my hand and walking next to me as we head toward the checkout counter. It should be an uneventful errand, but it isn’t. First, we walk past the fashion magazines. Every cover features women that all look the same—white, in their 20s, very thin. I muse over headlines with such claims as, “LOSE WEIGHT WITH THE MIRACLE SANDWICH” or “GET THINNER WITH THE NEW CHOCOLATE DIET.” Next comes a point-of-purchase... read more

• Last updated 9/15/11 by Mothering Editorial

By Joanna Karpasea-Jones Issue 145, November/December 2007   Birth at home so that everything you need is right there and you don't have to struggle with inaccessible hospital facilities. If you have to be in the hospital for some reason, ask for a private room with an en suite shower so you can wash. I insisted on this for my second and third births; it's the hospital's duty to provide facilities you can actually use. Try birthing on all fours; it's relatively pain-free if you have difficulty moving your legs. Use a sling to carry the baby for the first few... read more

• Last updated 1/7/13 by Melanie Mayo

I’m keeping it a bit light for the summer’s end…here’s my love list of (surface) beauty products — for one time only. OUTER GLOW : Renee Rouleau Cleanser. No nasty preservatives. One bottle lasts about a year. : Renee Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads : Renee Rouleau Ginseng Toner. I put it in a small spray bottle and use it post cleansing and pre-moisturizing. I also spritz it after I put on my make up to set ma’face and get a glow. : Escents’ Blemish B’Gone. Best zit-zapper, ever. : Eminence Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. This stuff munches dead... read more

• Last updated 1/7/13 by Melanie Mayo

The season of unrest around here kicked off with a rare earthquake, almost two weeks ago. Then there was Irene, and we lost power for five days. The first day of first grade fell in that window of darkness and ice runs, and then just after the lights came back on, an armed, convicted rapist escaped from the county courthouse near our house and a full-scale manhunt ensued, thoroughly shaking up this otherwise quiet town. He’s back in custody now, and most of the local hurricane damage has been dealt with. I know I was not alone in harboring a high level of... read more

• Last updated 1/7/13 by Melanie Mayo

photo: unionphotographers.com Do NOT get a tattoo. Just don’t do it. Nine times out of ten it’s a regrettable act of stupidity, or vanity. Or both. Resist the urge. You’re still reading this? Still craving some ink? Well if you insist (and you had better want a tat’ enough to INSIST on it,) then let’s proceed. 8 things to keep in mind when choosing a tattoo 1. Tats are a big damn deal. They last longer than marriage and mortgages. Be lucid. Get meaningful. Is Mickey Mouse on your ass the best moniker of your Higher Self? That... read more