As I keep reminding anybody who will listen to me, I will - gods willing - give birth in the very near future. It will be my second time 'round the childbirthing block, but I gotta say: this part (the preparing to give birth part, and, I assume, the birthing part itself) is none the easier for having been there before.

After reading Denise's BlogHer post last week that the gift of maternal health is the perfect Mother's Day gift, I thought "this really is perfect!" I blogged it and suggested that not only is it a great cause, but it is also a great consumerism/stuff-free gift, something that I feel, in our consumerism-driven society, is so important, but so ofte

What does it take to make a difference in another woman's life? Especially if that woman is someone you've never met with problems you can't begin to imagine? In years past you would need to sift through a hundred organizations, pick one with a decent reputation, find your checkbook and send your dollars via the U.S. postal service. Six weeks later you would receive a three page typed letter in the regular mail telling you how you made a difference. With the bar set that high, too few people gave and too many women continued to suffer.

If you live in Knoxville, Tennessee you may see a fake funeral procession on Mother's Day the day before Mother's Day. This fake funeral procession is being organized to protest abortion.

I'm due to give birth in about three weeks. Possibly sooner, if this massive baby gets his way and manages to punch his way out before then. I'll be giving birth in a hospital, attended by our family doctor, and, yes, there will be drugs. Epidural me, baby. PLEASE.

Yesterday was my brother's birthday. I did not send him a gift or a card. I didn't have time to call him. I didn't even have time to surf around for an e-card. I sent him this text message.

Happy Birthday etc...
Are you celebrating w/ Geritol cocktail?

I'm sure he appreciated the text message, very much.