CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Show @Kidipede to your kids

WHAT?! A kid-friendly post on COFG?! 

I know, I can't believe it either. 

But I applaud this platform and what its founder has set out to accomplish. Kidipede is Wikipedia for kids. Professors Karen Carr and her students started the project that grew into Kidipede way back in 1995, when there was just nothing online at all about the ancient world - this was before Google, or Wikipedia, or anything… At first, kidipede was the only result for "Plato." Can you imagine?

I just googled Plato. There are almost 16 million results.

And today, Kidipede is a free online encyclopedia, written with 10-14 year old kids in mind. It is easier to read and more reliable than Wikipedia, and safe. 

Like I said, I applaud the project. I love the concept. Despite my prediliction to fear children and all things kid-related, I am a big online safety advocate (um, have you seen David Schwimmer's movie Trust?) and frankly, when I clicked on the site and saw the topics lined up on the left, I was immediately sent back to middle school and it made me smile. 

At the top of the site it asks "WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TODAY?" Isn't that endearing? I love it.

I know that some of you have kids out there and I hope you'll show them this site. I hope they enjoy using it. 

http://www.historyforkids.org

Take Back the Night -- #TBTN

On the heels of my post about women and voting, I couldn't NOT post this!

The Take Back The Night Foundation seeks to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. They serve to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives.

Here are some STARTLING statistics:

My friends, if you or someone you know is in need of medical attention or counseling support, please call 1-800-656-HOPE in the US or visit TBTN’s resources section for further information. 

The Saturday SoCal Social

 

The loveliest saturday night. Read on!

On Saturday, whilst my head was offering me a bit of a reprieve, I ventured out to the very far-away (15 minutes) and exotic (not at all) venue of Burbank's own Olive's Bistro.

I always, always love to attend Blogger events but have especially come to love events with my fellow SoCal Lady Bloggers (over 150 members strong now!). This is a terriffic group of diverse women with a universally strong voice and big hearts. 

If you are a SoCal lady blogger yourself and have an interest in joining, I totally endorse it. It will benefit your blog and your soul to be in contact with this lovely group. 

Of course, I must thank the venue and its excellent staff (Dennis the bartender; Luke the adorable server and Dave Grohl look-alike, my new best friend) as well as the sponsors, Whitney Howard Designs and Pauline's Handmade Brittle. 

While I'm at it, you must click here to see the beautiful necklace Whitney bestowed upon each of us (the word "inspire" is engraved on it). A lover of keys personally (if you know me, you know I love, love, love my Tiffany key), I was especially excited to unwrap it and can't wait to wear it! 

Here are some more pics from Saturday's event and links so that you can visit my new, lovely colleagues. And especially Sidney of "My Mother in Law is Still Sitting Between Us" and Carolyn of "This Talk Ain't Cheap," who put this great night together. 

 

 

We addressed the essentials first.

 

Our lovely gift from Whitney Howard Designs

 

From left to right: Ken and Ariel, Writing in Flow, Gaming Angels, What I Run Into, and IEShineOn

Little Bit Quirky, Miz Meliz, Me, My Mother in Law is Still Sitting Between Us, The Not-So-Secret Life of a Super Mama

This Talk Ain't Cheap, Minnesota Girl in LA, Along Comes Mary, Field Trip Mom, and Horsing Around in LA

Group photos courtesy of Chris @ What I Run Into

 

Ladies, it was a pleasure spending the evening with you. Looking forward to our next meet-up! 

Site Updates

Hey! Look up there! I have a new menu!

I know, I know, you are BURSTING with excitement. And I don't blame you. 

My "33 in 2012" will live up there permanently and I will edit it as I go. I did not want to keep inundating you with posts about it. This is easier. And FYI, I did just update it. So, you know, GO LOOK. 

Also up there is my Quotes section (QOTDs) because that is one of my favorite things. 

And now I have advertising and PR info. available. The FAQ is in progress. 

Very exciting, right? 

 

Please RT and help my friend find his daughter #FindHaley #LoveHaley