A thought provoking video on the progression of information technology, researched by Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod, and Jeff Brenman, remixed . . . Did You Know?

We love play-dough and make it weekly . . . just because!

* 2 1/2 cups flour
* 1/2 cup salt
* 3 tablespoon oil
* 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
* 2 cups boiling water
* food coloring

Mix the above together and knead until smooth. Divide dough as you wish and create your own fabulous colors with food coloring. With the exception of boiling the water, this is a child friendly project. How fun that it lasts longer than store bought Play-Doh, and as a bonus, it doesn’t crumble.

I turn the other cheek to “you”. The “you” that finds comfort in being malicious and unkind. The “you” who finds joy in spreading falsities. My response to “you” is this:

When we are faced with such hostility we can choose to react on instinct, to defend, to justify, to attack and ultimately to feed the ugliness of this dysfunctional theater, but in doing so we allow it to become a part of us. Eckhart Tolle¹ describes much of this beautifully, and may summarize it best in his words: “Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists.”

-Today’s World – Karma, Reflection and Kindness.

It is disappointing that there are those few of you who find my success to be threatening. That feel you need to have your presence known with each degree of success I earn and that seem to feel that attempting to tear others down is a way to build yourself up. My success is based on a true and honest heart and most importantly it is based on integrity. Integrity is defined as an adherence to moral and ethical principles. For me this holds true in every detail as well as holistically. Any one of you have the potential to be as successful – but your first goal should be to apply the energy you use to attack me to improve your own life skills. I am well aware that some of “you” are individuals that are known in the WAHM community yet hide behind anonymity and innuendo. Sadly, there are also those few that are simply wanting to “belong” to something regardless of the ill intent, the falsehood or those it injures. As women, we should stand up for and encourage the success and empowerment of our gender. I will forever strive to be a champion for us as women; women who not only want to do meaningful work, but who also find great meaning and success in being wives, partners and mothers.

Simply a diaper, not so. Truly the cloth diaper has become a unifying fashion statement for parents wanting to contribute to “saving the planet”. The past few years have seen substantial growth of the eco friendly industry, bringing many new products and companies to light. One would not think that the seemingly straightforward business of cloth diapering would have an underlying clique of sites dedicated to melodrama, conspiracy and diaper politics; but surprisingly, many WAHMs occasionally endure this absurdity. Fortunately, recognizing this soap opera for what it is we can gain perspective and move on to enjoy the rewards of serving conscientious parents while producing products that contribute to a healthier planet.

Stinky Couture™ has proved to be a far more ambitious project than anything I have previously committed to. I have happily joined the cause of making the cloth diaper a quintessential eco friendly fashion staple. My mission is that Stinky Couture™ be a brand that will stand the test the time though innovation, style, quality and customer service.

I encourage potential WAHMs to embrace their own inspiration and help enrich our community by example. This cause is worth it.

There has always been a thread of discord, disharmony and maliciousness in our world. Some inner human ego, fed by self-doubt and unhappiness, that needs conflict in order to identify ourself as a conquering hero and feed our sense of self worth. Unfortunately, left unchecked, this can drive us to overlook our conscience and compassion for fellow man and justify lies, half-truths and innuendo to create the drama and outrage needed to glorify ones’ victories.

When we are faced with such hostility we can choose to react on instinct, to defend, to justify, to attack and ultimately to feed the ugliness of this dysfunctional theater, but in doing so we allow it to become a part of us. Eckhart Tolle¹ describes much of this beautifully, and may summarize it best in his words: “Whatever you fight, you strengthen, and what you resist, persists.”

Taking such words to heart, and in this season especially, I’d like to continue focusing on the good, the compassion, the caring and the love of those in my life. Building a business as a mother, wife and career woman has required investment, persistence and the sacrifice of precious time with loved ones. I could not make it through the trying times without the love and repeated support of those around me. I’d like to thank the many of you, customers and friends, that take the time to write, call and visit to express kindness and encouragement. It’s you that provide me motivation to continue when things are tough, and remind me of the rewards in pursuing my passion and dreams. The truth and light in each of you give back so much more to the world than you may ever know.

¹ Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

The view from my sewing studio window.

The week before last brought our first snow here in the Rockies. Though beautiful, I shiver at the thought of days ahead when the temperature is well below zero and the power routinely goes out. That said, I relish in the thought of pulling out the family ski gear, as well toasting marshmallows over the fire pit.

Want to listen? Click on “Recently Played” on my music widget located on the bottom right of the Stinky Couture™ blog page. Once the last.fm page comes up you’ll be able to navigate through my music. Click and play. Too fun!

What is last.fm?

Last.fm is a UK-based internet radio and music community website, founded in 2002. It claims over 21 million active users based in more than 200 countries.[1] On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for £140m ($280m USD).[2]

Using a music recommendation system known as “Audioscrobbler,” Last.fm builds a detailed profile of each user’s musical taste by recording details of all the songs the user listens to, either on the streamed radio stations or on the user’s computer or portable music device. This information is transferred to Last.fm’s database (“scrobbled”) via a plugin installed into the user’s music player. The profile data is displayed on a personal web page. The site offers numerous social networking features and can recommend and play artists similar to the user’s favorites.

Users can create custom radio stations and playlists from any of the audio tracks in Last.fm’s music library, and are able to listen to some individual tracks on demand, or download tracks if the rightsholder has previously authorised it. Registration is required to acquire a profile but is not necessary to view any part of the site or to listen to radio stations.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2 + 2 = 5. Not really, but read on and perhaps you too will question. A group of inconvenient truths recently published in WIRED Magazine really got me thinking and I thought I’d share… From Organics to the Hybrids that we think are better for the planet. These inconvenient truths go our against our traditional thinking of what it means to be green. That being said I will continue to eat organics, boycott China and hug trees.

The path to virtue, we all know, begins with organics. Meat, milk, fruit, veggies & organic products are good for our bodies and good for the planet. Except when they’re not good for the planet. Because while there may be sound health reasons to avoid eating pesticide-laden food, and perhaps personal arguments for favoring the organic-farmers’ collective, the truth is that when it comes to greenhouse gases, organics can be part of the problem.

From the article Organics Are Not The Answer

In 2006, an Oregon market research firm released an incendiary 500-page report. Its claim: A Humvee (13 miles per gallon city, 16 highway) uses less energy than a Prius (48 city, 45 highway). Scientists quickly debunked the study, but the Hummer lovers got one thing right. Pound for pound, making a Prius contributes more carbon to the atmosphere than making a Hummer, largely due to the environmental cost of the 30 pounds of nickel in the hybrid’s battery. Of course, the hybrid quickly erases that carbon deficit on the road, thanks to its vastly superior fuel economy.

From the article Used Cars, Not Hybrids

What a grand thing, to be loved!
What a grander thing still, to love!
- Victor Hugo

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
-William Morris 1834-1896

“Some are content to chew on the garrulous sounds of people chattering away, while others, to varying degrees, worry about what the words actually mean. To my ear speech and song are not mutually exclusive: there is music in speech, and speech in song.”
-Paul Lansky