Mamalicious Maria Walks the Runway!

Since my usual uniform is sweats and a t-shirt, I was more then a little surprised to be asked to walk in the Atlanta stop of the Apple Bottoms "Evolution of Curves" fashion show.  Getting glam'd up with make-up and clothes and strutting across a stage is so far (I mean SO FAR) out of my usual day-to-day comfort zone, the idea really intrigued me.  And it scared me too!

Except for some pageants when I was a kid (there never was a finer Miss Pumpkin Patch ), I haven't approached a catwalk or thought about a model "T" in decades.  So the negative thoughts immediately filled my mind: What if I wasn't good enough?  What if I wasn't pretty enough?  What if I ended up on YouTube for falling off the stage?  But then I stopped myself and decided to turn those negative thoughts around.  What if I WAS good enough?  What if it was fun?  What if I did my best and tried something different for once?

And then I saw that there was a charitable angle to this fashion show.   Proceeds were going to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake who so desperately still need assistance. (Proceeds goes to Haiti Cherie Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit.)  So...I said "yes"!

Can you imagine if these children were yours?

I will be walking in the VIP section modeling some skinny jeans (like painted-on skinny) and I will have fun doing it.  I'm super excited to walk with Eshe from one of my all-time favorite bands, Arrested Development, and some other really fun women. The show is TONIGHT but there's still time to come out and see my debut.  Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and they are still available.  Go here for tickets and to get more information.  Wish me luck!  (I'll report back of course!)

Talking with kids about 9/11

Photo credit: Concordville.org

Have you been immersed in the "9/11...a decade later" coverage this week?  Do you find yourself watching the horrific footage, maybe for the first time in 10 years, over and over again?  Are you checking out all the news channels and scanning for documentaries on 9/11?  Well I am.  It is probably overkill but I'm soaking in all the disturbing sights and sounds and talking about that horrific day 10 years ago repeatedly.  For me, it's a kind of a therapy.  But for my kids, as I realized today, it has been too much.

I was watching the Today Show this morning while the kids played for a bit before church and I looked up to see my daughter's scared face watching the Twin Towers fall down.  At 4 years old she can't comprehend much of what went on but she knew the buildings "breaking" with people inside was not good.  Thankfully, I figured out she wasn't immune to these things and used it as an opportunity to talk about what happened but also the good that came out of the situation.

Ten years ago, I was a 24 year old associate producer at The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago.  I remember being so scared but jumping into producing new shows immediately just to be a part of helping the country heal.  I told her about my experience and reassured her that she was fine and our world was fine but we still need soldiers to protect us from bad people.  And then I turned the TV off.

Have you talked to your child(ren) about 9/11 today?  What was the conversation like?

HalfOffDepot offers Mamalicious Maria readers 20% off!

Do you use HalfOffDepot?  If not, you should! The Atlanta-based company features an average of over 100 discounts of at least fifty percent off local restaurants, salons, shopping, entertainment, travel and more.  There are lots of family-friendly deals on their right now including half off at Kangazoom and Buckhead Pizza Company.  (There's your Friday family night.  You're welcome.)


For even more of a good deal, Mamalicious Maria readers can ALL use the discount code: mamaliciousmaria to get an EXTRA 20% off every day.  But wait...there's more.  You can use the code as many times as you'd like until it expires on October 1.  


Half Off Depot differentiates itself from daily deal sites by providing consumers the ability to shop and select the deals that best suit their lifestyle and current needs. While most deal sites only offer deals for 24 hours, items on Half Off Depot are available on average for 15 to 30 days, giving consumers the opportunity to browse and purchase vouchers at their convenience.  I like to try out a deal and if I like it go back online and buy several more certificates to stock up.


Check out the deals and let me know what good ones you find.  (Then I can go buy them myself!)

Three ways for moms to survive tearful goodbyes

Maybe its the first day of school, a new Sunday school class, or an overnight visit to relatives, but one time or another your child will inevitably have a hard time. I just took my 2 youngest kids to their first day of preschool today and both latched on to my leg with tears running down their faces. The crying just breaks my heart and I have a hard time letting go, turning my back and walking out the door. But I know, especially after having 3 kids, that I usually cry longer then my kids. And I know they need to be away from me for a little time. It is good for them AND for me to have a few hours apart.

But it is still hard. So with that in mind, I thought I'd think of 3 tips to help moms like me make it through those tearful goodbyes:

1. Know that you are leaving them in a good place. You did your due diligence. This is a safe, happy place and your child will be FINE.
2. You will be a better mom after a few hours to yourself. Maybe that means getting an oil change without any screaming kids. Maybe you could take a nap. Maybe you could just sit down and enjoy the quiet in your own home. Whatever you do, you are doing it for yourself.
3. Make a plan to enjoy your time away from your kids. Give yourself something to look forward to after dropping your kids off wherever they are. Give yourself a treat...maybe a Diet Coke or a snickers or a pedicure...it doesn't matter as long as it is something just for you. And don't let yourself linger. It will upset you both.

Seeing your child cry is tough, but so are you. Buck up and know their tears will dry sooner then later. But I give you permission to have one good cry (just not in front of your child) and then get on with your day.