I did it for Asha*.

Max finally went back to school today. Midwinter Break started Feb. 16 and I have been with my kids almost all the time since that point. This has been good because whenever friends have a baby, or whenever Logan talks to Juniper, I start to think, "Gee, maybe I shouldn't have given up after two?"

Then Blam-O! I'm with the kids 24/7, Max's toenail is surgically removed (you can see the Super Silver Toenail here....but only look if you have a strong stomach. I'm warning you.), then he gets a nasty cold and all my money flies out of my pocket and I have to say to myself, "Wow, you really are tapped out at two."

I am better at mothering when we all have a little time on our own.

A couple of weeks ago there was a snow day and I left a playdate (where I did not drink....not even ONE....but I could have if I wanted to let the children perish with my neglect) and had a nice chat with Howard Lovy from the Oakland Business Review.

He recorded what I had to say with a small tape recorder and at one point I blurted out, I don't even remember what, something I really shouldn't have said 'on the record' and we made an agreement....I wouldn't give him The Mirror Treatment if he didn't use that thing I said. So, I'll be gentle.

Now, before we get all, "Stop beating the dead horse! Your horse! It's dead! There are vultures all around it! STOP BEATING IT! You're bitter!"

I was going to say no to this interview because putting my name with anything related to business is a little silly. I once spent a business-ish conference call totally distracted by simultaneous emails daring other call participants to work the word 'balls' into the conversation. (IE: "Well Jane, it certainly sounds like you're juggling a lot of balls!" Or, my favorite, "You've really got a lot of balls in the air there Bob.")

But then I thought, 'I have the Federation to think of'. I'm a team player and if my babbling can draw in Michigan advertisers to the Federation, why not. (PS: Asha is part of the Federation.) Of course I have a feeling Chrysler's not going to be spending a lot of money on blog advertising any time soon (ahem). Or, GM for that matter. But you know, there's other business in Michigan not tied to the auto industry....I know there's some somewhere....and I know they want to reach this amazing audience. I'm sure of it. Mostly.

You can read the article here and see a dazzling picture of me and the kids in the background pretending to be dogs or begging me to stop drinking or worshipping me from afar. I'm not exactly sure what they're doing.

The photographer was here for a while and was absolutely dazzled by my ability to anticipate the shutter on her camera and shut my eyes in preparation. She was very nice about it but my God. Maybe I have narcolepsy?

Two other things about the picture: I swear my hair is not that short. I think it's the angle? Or the fact that I'd just had my hair cut the day before? Also....I used a new eyebrow person and my goodness she likes them thin. Dramatically thin. I'm not so sure, I'm going to poke someone's eye out with that arch I think.

I only need to clarify one point in the article, which is misleading but not because of the author's writing but because I didn't clarify this when speaking to him. When discussing what I make from blogging, I included the income I earn by writing the Buzz Off for AlphaMom.com.

Which is a great tie-in to this late Thursday entry over there. Enjoy!

*I can't link in a title. Asha=ParentHacks.com

Comments

[Asha Dornfest]

You did this for ME? My God, woman, what have I done to deserve such sacrifice? Your hair looks awesome.

[OMSH]

You beat yourself up - your hair is fabulous, your eyebrows are not on the offensive and your kids ... okay, so they do look a bit like they've been posed as domestic animals.

Nice article though - hey, you got to actually SAY what you wanted to say. Imagine that.

[Marilyn]

Way to go, that article was awesome. And for once, there was a report who "got it". Thank heaven!

I thought the hair looked bitchin' too.

[AChildIsBorn]

Wow. Something written that was truly fair with no hidden agenda. I'm speechless.

[merseydotes]

Actually, you did figure out how to link in the title. When I was reading in Bloglines, I accidentally clicked the word 'Asha' in the title and kept getting directed to ParentHacks.

You could send secret messages that way...randomly make one word in your post titles a hyperlink somewhere else.

[Busy Mom]

He did a great job on the article, congrats!

[timmyheather]

I thought I would *finally* sign up for an account just so I could say hi. And I love reading your blog. AND I love your hair:)

I have really REALLY long hair and a 5-month-old. Did I mention I love your hair?

[zhanae]

Gosh, that's a good pic of you. Your hair looks fab! Did Logan redo the color?

[BOSSY]

Bossy is proud of you for figuring out how to wring income out of blogging. Meanwhile (cute hair!) Bossy realizes she's going to need a much cuter haircut if she expects to become famous.

[Katie]

That is one of the best interviews I have ever read in my entire life. Keep up the great work, Melissa!

[Pamela Parker Caird]

Melissa, many thanks for thinking of the Federation! (And how could any of us fail to help Asha, if the opportunity presented itself.) I think it turned out really well and think you look great in the picture.

[HeatherZG]

I think you look fabulous! And the kids in the background, giving you the reverence you deserve is my take on it!

[Fenicle]

That article was impressive! And you looked radiant. Your two kiddo's in the backgound of the picture was too cute.

I admit I'm a little grossed out on the aluminum foil on Max's toe....ewwww. He must be one brave kid!

[SuburbanTurmoil]

I really loved how he put "blogosphere" in "quotes." I'm going to do that from now on in homage to this great journalist.

Nice picture, too! I laughed when I read about the Mirror Treatment photo. I was interviewed for a blogging article in my local paper a few months ago and was shocked to open the paper and find a picture of me smiling with one eye open and one eye half-closed. And the photographer took at least ten pictures! WTF.