Continuing in my haze of lightheartedness...

You guys asked how you could help me.

Obviously, clicking through the ads on the side helps. (Has anyone tried Nads? I'm all in favor of waxing, especially with something that just washes right off. The name though, well, yeah. Let this be a lesson to people naming products to run their potential name past people from other countries.)

And clicking through here before you buy something from Amazon helps, too. I can go through and see what people bought (although I have no idea who bought anything--I just see a listing of the products: fancy cheeses, really nice shoes, movies I've never heard of, a computer, a lawn mower, etc.) and I had no idea you could buy groceries through Amazon. So if you're doing monthly diaper orders, or buying a new Bugaboo, or shoes, or anything else, click through here first.

Also, I'm ready to put up a Cafe Press store, but don't know Photoshop so I can't design the graphics to go on the shirts/mugs/onesies, etc. If there are people who would be willing to take a slogan or two and turn it into a jpg I can put up, that would make my life way easier. (Either that or suggest a good, clear, easy Photoshop tutorial on the web.)

When should we start another 60-day challenge?

Comments

[LauraC]

My very hairy best college friend (male) tried Nads to get the hair off his back. It was not too successful. All the babycenter chicks swear by Magic Cream, a depilatory designed for african-american men. I tried it and will never go back to waxing. It costs just $3 at Target.

[paola]

To end before the summer holidays, well my summer holidays that start August 1 anyway - did I mention I'm off on my super-intensive language program on my parents farm?? Re-reading some of my posts, looks like I really need it.

I understood almost nothing of your post Moxie. In what language is 'nads' weird?, what's a 'cafe press'? Bugaboo???? Have lived in a non-English speaking country country waaaaay too long

[paola]

To end before the summer holidays, well my summer holidays that start August 1 anyway - did I mention I'm off on my super-intensive language program on my parents farm?? Re-reading some of my posts, looks like I really need it.

I understood almost nothing of your post Moxie. In what language is 'nads' weird?, what's a 'cafe press'? Bugaboo???? Have lived in a non-English speaking country country waaaaay too long

[paola]

..that's Australia.

Sorry about doubling up

[amy]

In America, "nads" is a euphemism for testicles. It's a shortened form of the term "gonads." I don't think it's popular these days, but I remember it well from high school in the late 80s, early 90s.

That said, I'm not sure "Magic Cream" (mentioned above) wouldn't also make overgrown boys like my husband giggle. "I've got your magic cream right here." I swear, sometimes it's like living with Beavis and Butthead.

[SarcastiCarrie]

OK, as the person who started giggling uncontrollably at work after seeing the "Nads" ad, I have to confess: I'm a teenage boy.

For father's day, I think I am going to get my husband a Weber Genesis Grill through amazon. I'll click here first.

Paola - A Bugaboo is some kind of $800 stroller/pram. It might be more now. It was $800 a few years ago.

[songbird]

and cafepress.com is a place where you can create merchandise to sell - you need to create the images, they create the mugs, t-shirts, etc. and handle the selling part.

[michaela]

Hey, if we do another 60-day challenge, can I suggest focusing on 1 or 2 "challenges" each? I found 3 too hard to keep track of...

[Claire - Matching Pegs]

As an Aussie (in Melbourne) I can tell you that Nads was developed here in Australia, and the slang term "nads" is well known here. The product name has raised eyebrows (as well as removed them I guess) right from the start. I think it is named after the daughter of the founder.

Love your site Moxie. I read it most days. Mothering is universal, but occasionally some of your regional terms confuse me. I have always wondered if Moxie is just a nickname or if it is a term that Americans would understand the reference to.

[beth]

I emailed Moxie, suggesting she publish her blog in a book through blurb.com, what does everyone think? I'd totally give it to my "new parent" friends, and at baby showers, etc.... any one else's thoughts? I've published one through blurb for my sister and it is just sooooo cool! And I can see Moxie's book featured on Oprah and what not. Thoughts?

[paola]

I used to use Nads then I got lazy about the stickiness of it, and about hair all together, actually. But it really worked well for me.
I did use it on a very hairy ex-boyfriend's back and it worked well (with dark, thick hair..)

[hedra]

Self publishing is pretty amazing stuff these days. I think an Ask Moxie book is a fine fine fine idea. It would certainly go in my baby shower gift set! Some of the topics wouldn't fit easily, and I'm not sure how you handle the comments? But 75% of the content is drag-n-drop to the book format, I'd think.

I wish I was a better graphic designer, but I'm pretty so-so. I can whomp up an icon or clean up screen captures no prob, but... well, not exactly sellable. Hope someone can do that for ya, Moxie!

[MorahLaura]

From Dictionary.com: (I think it sums things up pretty well!)

mox·ie (mŏk'sē)
n. Slang

1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
2. Aggressive energy; initiative: "His prose has moxie, though it rushes and stumbles from a pent-up surge" (Patricia Hampl).
3. Skill; know-how.

[MorahLaura]

From Dictionary dot com: (I think it sums things up pretty well!)

mox·ie (mŏk'sē)
n. Slang

1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
2. Aggressive energy; initiative: "His prose has moxie, though it rushes and stumbles from a pent-up surge" (Patricia Hampl).
3. Skill; know-how.

[andrea]

I know photoshop if you need help

[caramama]

I've been confused by the click-through-to-amazon thing. When I click the button, it opens amazon just fine, but shouldn't is say something in the browser that indicates it's got the Ask Moxie tag? Or something? Or am I just overthinking things and I should just click and buy?

Moxie - I'm okay with graphics, and my hubby is fantastic. Between us, I'm sure we can do a slogan or two. You can email me at caramamamia at gmail dot com. Tell me what you want and how you want it, or even that you have no idea how you want it (hubby is really good at designing things, so he could help there if you need). I'm really excited you are doing the cafepress and I can't wait to buy all my shower gifts there!

I've always thought Moxie should turn her posts into a book. I'm sure it'd take time, but I would buy a copy for everyone I know. And I know that some of are editors, so you could get help that way if you wanted it.

[hedra]

caramama, Amazon doesn't show where you came from - you can click through and put it in your cart, and provided you buy it within 24 hours (click-through expires after that), the credit goes as clicked. Note that big ticket items still have a max limit on the payout. But hey, max limit isn't bad, regardless, tips is tips! (There are also exclusions - some companies don't allow the passing on of the credit for getting you there, so their products don't count, but not too many of those.) Just click and buy.

[hedra]

Oh, and May's a bad month for me and schedules and order - end of school event extravaganza, plus six - no, seven - family birthdays, plus anniversaries, plus prepping the house for the summer nanny thing... June is better. Maybe mid-June. Sigh. (though I'll go with whatever is selected)

[Tara]

I see you've gotten some other offers on your designing need, but I also wanted to throw my hat in. I'm trying to get a small designing website off the ground, and I'd be happy to design some images for you in exchange for the publicity. :) If you want to take a look at the things I've done so far, they are on my website. You can either click through from my blog or access it directly at feelslikehomemade.blogspot.com

Thanks for the chance, Moxie!

[pnuts mama]

haha, amy, "i've got your ___ right here" is a staple phrase in our house as well...jeez, we are teenagers too, huh?

i always forget to click through to amazon...could you make a button w/ their logo or just increased the size of the font?

i always thought the term 'moxie' meant the same as 'b*lls'- as in, "that girls got moxie"- but in an impressive, not offensive, way. something to be proud of, not something that would be viewed as a social faux pas.

i tried nads in college as well. it was much better than any wax i ever tried, but i am so damn lazy now.

i'd be happy to serve as a consultant on any logo/design issues- i'm nervous to commit to taking on anything more just in case...we're 31 weeks today! yay!

lets start the next 60 days asap. i keep forgetting to buy and drink my milk! plus i miss the daily check-ins. cause i am a dork like that.

[flea]

Moxie is also a regional brand of soda, that I know from growing up in Maine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxie

[Slim]

I'd like a long weekend between here and the next challenge -- I imagine myself using the extra day to be tremendously introspective and wise and stuff.

How about a plain old "donate" button? Part of the beauty of the "Ask Moxie" site is how dynamic it is; a book would lose that part of things. But I'd happily be a subscriber, so to speak, as long as subscription isn't required for participation. It's like passing the plate in church -- you're welcome whether you donate or just sing out.

[kelli]

Happy to help with the photoshop stuff. Let me know.

[rudyinparis]

I also grew up in Maine, Flea, so Moxie for me will always mean, first and foremost, a depression-era soda pop. Do they even still make it?

I think I'll try the Nads {smirk}. I've never waxed my upper lip but I think the time draws near. I have really sensitive skin, and have always been paranoid that if I try to remove the hair I'll accidentally pull the skin right off and have red scabs forever. I'd love any how-to advice on this.

I can start the challenge anytime. I only checked in periodically, but I really liked it. I think this second round I'll go more for encouraging myself to be creative somehow.

[O]

No time to read comments, stomach flu rampaging through house. Which is why I'm just getting here late to the loving on Moxie party.
Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh.
So sorry. And congratulations. And good luck. And condolences. And yes, you are doing the right thing.
And whenever you are up for the 60 day challenge again, I'm ready, despite the 40-day peter out last time on my end.
Never thanked you but will today: love the "what the kids are reading" widgets and wish I had them for my blog, even if only to capture them for myself.
Clicking through to Amazon rightnow.
Cyberlove, Moxie! Thanks for letting us know.

[janel]

I've been offline for a few days but wanted to chime in with my support. As for feelings of guilt, for what it's worth, my parents divorced when I was a kid and I thank them for it. It didn't make all of the problems go away, but at least the problems didn't live in my house anymore and didn't follow me from room to room. I think it allowed me to grow up a lot freer and happier, and I imagine the same will be true for your kids too.

[Julie]

I would even say limit the challenge to one goal. I agree that three was too many for me to keep track of and I ended up really only focusing on one thing anyways.....which ended up focusing on the LACK of anything by the end.

I will make sure to always click through this site to buy stuff on amazon......thinking about being a single mom in NY with two kids....yikes. It's going to be expensive. As for the book.....I can TOTALLY see it going to Oprah. That is a fantastic idea!!!!!! But I also want to request that when it does go to Chicago for it's big O debut that we can all be in the audience to see it happen live.

[Julie]

I also want to chime in as a child of divorce.....though my parents didn't do the greatest job of co-parenting. But that is not because of the divorce or because it was acrimonious but rather because my dad married a woman who *hated* us (this was something she told him many times and he later on admitted to me as an adult) and because my dad took the easy road out and basically dropped out of our lives for 15 years because that is what she wanted him to do.

I have NO DOUBTS that Moxie and LOD will be great at the co-parenting thing once all the dust settles and everyone is on their new track, settled in their new spaces and living freely in the new life they've chosen and realized that Hey! This *is* better!!!!!

[shannon]

Moxie, I wanted to offer my photoshop services too, though it looks like you already have a few other offers. Any chance you'd post the slogans here (as well as any ideas you have about what you want it to look like), and let us all have a go at them? Maybe even put it to a reader vote? just a thought…

[Heather]

As much as I love the idea of a Moxie book {and I DO!!!} one of the things that makes this community so great is the range of experience and I don't think that comments could just get flipped into the book w/out consent, which is hundreds of people to ask. I could be wrong, but still ...

[Heather]

As much as I love the idea of a Moxie book {and I DO!!!} one of the things that makes this community so great is the range of experience and I don't think that comments could just get flipped into the book w/out consent, which is hundreds of people to ask. I could be wrong, but still ...

I will totally buy a Moxie diaper bag though!

[Mommy-O]

Up for another challenge any time and loved the checking in part. I miss it too. I would like to pick more than one goal but maybe we can just pick whatever number of goals we like this time.

Can any country click through Amazon? To order books I have to use Amazon.ca so would this still apply? In fact I had no idea that you could order other stuff on Amazon, like eBay?

Looking forward to seeing what the end products look like.

[Sarah]

Oh goodness. The informercial for Nads said it "feels like a massage". I actually used some on my ex-husband and it nearly brought him to tears. At the time I felt really bad, but now not so much. Hehe.

As for the Photoshop work, I'm pretty handy with it so if you'd like a little tutorial or just someone to whip up a few things for you let me know and I'll be more than happy to help.

[Kandice]

Thanks for the reminder! I clicked through Amazon.

A book by Moxie is a must. I would buy a dozen in a heartbeat to distribute to my friends.

[Julie]

I think moxie could make a ton of $$ just off this group alone. Honestly I think her books would have a huge market appeal. But with that would come a HUGE influx of traffic here - not bad necessarily......but some folks would be less likely to comment if there were hundreds of comments everyday (like on D**ce).

[Sarah]

I LOVE the idea of a Moxie book!!! I was going to email Moxie to ask about this idea months ago when I started reading this site. I think it would be so wonderful as a gift to new moms!!!! Isn't there some way to do it without formal consents from all the previous posters? Surely posting on the internet would negate any future claims of privacy breaches?

[Julie]

Okay, just looked at the Nads ad......it also says "Silky, Smooth, Sexy". Um, can't be any of the nads I'm familiar with.

[Michelle]

I do a lot of graphic design and would be happy to submit a logo or two - I love the idea of a reader contest!

And I have long said Moxie needs to write a book!!! GO MOXIE!!1

[Kim-Anh]

Yet another Moxie fan happy to design a logo or contribute Photoshop services.

[Suzie]

1) Moxie at Cafe Press? YAY! Just let me know when, and the buying will commence.

2) I would be all about a Moxie book. Anything, anytime, anywhere that's Moxie, I'm a fan. Bring it on.

3) And bring on the next challenge! Maybe starting in June? I liked the weekly wrap-up check ins, in particular -- just easier for me than the daily posts.

More hugs to Moxie.

[Melba]

@Mommy-O, me too, I recently bought some cd's from Amazon and tried to do it by clicking through this site, but it takes you to Amazon.com and lets you get right through to the check-out where you have to submit the shipping address, then it tells you they don't ship to Canada and that's as far as you can go. Then I went to Amazon.ca to do it, which is even more annoying because Amazon.ca has about a 10th the stuff as Amazon.com. Boo.

So I'm sorry Moxie, I tried!

[Lisa]

re Nads:

the daughter of the founder is named "Nads"?!?

OK, I know. But... Nadia? Nadine? Huh?

[Abacaxi Mamao]

I didn't participate in the last 60-day challenge because I'm a chicken, but I think you have all been so inspiring (even those who haven't "made it" or who have changed your challenges along the way) that I would love for a new 60-day challenge to start on June 1.

I think for "Ask Moxie" to be a good book, the blog material would have to be reorganized and edited (collecting, organizing, integrating all the great suggestions in the comments), which would be a lot of work for you, Moxie. Worthwhile, but only if you have the time. If you wanted to write a book about your parenting philosophy, loosely based on the blog and what you've learned from everyone here, that might be a better way to approach it. Or even a book *about* the blog, community, parenting without acrimony, attachment parenting not having to be all or nothing, etc. I would buy it in a heartbeat!

[virgo]

I would love to begin a 60 day challenge with you gals!

[SarcastiCarrie]

Hedra - I went to the doctor today: just one. For sure. No heartbeat heard, but wiggly on ultrasound. Apparently Sir (or Lady) Squirms-A-Lot cannot stay still long enough to get a heartbeat lock/reading/measurement.

And re: hypoglycemia during pregnancy...apparently not a problem although annoying. Much less bad than diabetes during pregnancy. Keep eating (but not too much) and it should taper off in the 2nd trimester. And I guess GD is not such a worry.

[Julie]

@sarcasticarrie, glad to hear all went well, though I'm sorry he/she was wiggling too much for a heartbeat, since I know you were wanting to hear it this visit. But wiggling is good.

[Lisa F.]

Yes, they still make Moxie the soda, we occasionally get a delivery to NC from friends who've been home to Maine. My sister had an ex-boyfriend who always drank it growing up because noone ever asked to share!

SarcastiCarrie, glad the ultrasound went well, bummer little wiggles' heartbeat was too wiggly. you got a lot of good advice on diet yesterday, I didn't have a chance to post but my mom was diagnosed hypoglycemic in '70s and she ate a lot of cheese & peanut butter on crackers (and any time we were emotional or upset, it was all about the cheese, have some cheese!)

love the idea of a Moxie book, but hate the idea of loads more folks on the site, sometimes I can barely get through & I know I'm latecomer (to commenting anyways.) I want other moms to get the info, but it's like the vacation spot or great store you want to tell everyone about but don't want everyone to go use up, yk?

hedra, didn't get to post yesterday, sorry about the job & yay for your blog, I was all thinky yesterday evening about collecting seaglass & rocks w/lines all around them......

looking forward to the CafePress stuff!

[Jennifer]

Moxie, I think June is the perfect time to start.

(Also, I would buy Cafe Press items, and the book. My goodness, Moxie, without you I would have gone CRAZY during that first year of NO SLEEP. I recommend this site to everyone I know with kids.)

[amy]

@pnuts mama: it's a little like living with The Todd, from the TV show Scrubs, isn't it? Lately, the giggle-trigger is an ad for an acid-reflux prescription called Aciphex. It's pronounced "Ass Effects." We laugh a lot here, which I guess is good, even if it's juvenile.

Someone said in the comments the other day that they're reading Siblings Without Rivalry right now. I just finished it, and I wonder if there's anyone out there who would like to talk about how the strategies are working in their homes. Like a reading group, maybe?

[Robin]

Another here with late love. . .I rarely post, but love everything you do here. You're a daily staple. Wish I could give you back as much as you've given me.
Anyhow, great job on making probably the hardest step in your life, and then to be so strong through the free-fall period. Stepping off the cliff takes just a moment. Not screaming all the way down? Amazing.

I have books to buy--from my 'hedra recommends' list, so will immediately click through to Amazon.

The 60-day challenge--for those of us with tiny non-sleepers: I would request a *weekly* option. Last time I petered out terribly fast, b/c I'm just too beat to keep track.

(hug)