Great Girlfriend Info for all you Work at Home Moms (or wannabes!)

You know how one web site leads to another, which takes you to yet another and before long you're on a totally different subject matter than when you started?! I found myself on a site that was very well done, informative, and while I'm not a 'mom' (do pets count?), I found myself reading and being very impressed with the information and style presented. It was one of those - "I should share this with my girlfriends" kind of moments!

So, I contacted Lisa Mills, the founder of Work At Home Mom Revolution and she was gracious enough to share her story and her passion for helping women find fulfillment and income while meeting the needs of their family by being at home. So, from LISA:

I started my site, Work at Home Mom Revolution, a little over a year ago. I really feel that the Internet has opened up a whole new world of possibility to moms who want to work from home. There are so many opportunities available online to make money, whether it's starting your own business, working as an independent contractor, virtual assisting - you name it.

My main "girlfriend" support for the last few years has been the community at WAHM.com. I've learned so much from the other moms who frequent the discussion board there. Also, that's where I found my first and primary job as a transcriptionist. I believe networking is key to finding the right work at home job. It's also key to avoiding the multitude of work at home scams out there.

My site is set up to provide information not only to those moms looking for work from home, but also those already working there. I try to mix the posting of new job and business opportunities with helpful articles on productivity, personal finance, parenting, saving money. And frequently, there's a little bit of my own personal life in there. I often throw in something just because I find it interesting or funny.

I'm really excited about how far Work at Home Mom Revolution has progressed so far. I've met the traffic goals I set for myself when I started the site. But what's really exciting is that I've met so many nice people and made so many online friends through the site. Working from home can be lonely at times, so this has really been a blessing.

Check out Lisa's site and send it on to your girlfriends who will benefit from this information. Thanks Lisa!

TIP TUESDAY #15 - Winter care advice for Girlfriends

BRRR! It is cold here in the Midwest and Spring can't get here soon enough! Long nights, short days, low temperatures and potential for dangerous driving are great reasons to hibernate at home with a new puppy, some good books (Eat Pray Love and The Girl's Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business) and a DVR with American Idol, Survivor and, of course, Oprah.

With all this indoor time, it seems to be perfect for pampering ourselves - right?! And, believing that we get the best advice from our girlfriends, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

How do you pamper yourself in the Winter? Share your favorite skin care products or routines that make you feel good even when it is freezing outside!

Generally I like the start the discussion but there's a reason I ask - I don't have any good advice in this area and need yours! My skin is snake-like, my lips are pealing and my nails are cracking. Not a pretty picture I know, but a true one and one that needs your input! Please share your Winter beauty and skin care tips with your girlfriends!

New Girlfriendology Podcast - Girlfriend's Travel Expert BETH WHITMAN

I love to travel. I mean it. I really LOVE to travel. However, I admittedly am hesitant to travel on my own which stops me from experiencing places that I dream about visiting. And, I think we women often miss out on travel adventures for the same reason - until now!

Meet travel addict BETH WHITMAN. Beth has traveled for over 20 years to countless countries and cultures. She's taught classes on solo travel for women, has written a book - WANDERLUST AND LIPSTICK: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo and has an active website and blog with a world of traveling tips.

Beth talked with Girlfriendology on our weekly podcast about her travel lifestyle, destinations and adventures and her advice for being a woman and traveling solo. Listen in for great travel tips and wonderful worldly wisdom. Thanks Beth for sharing and inspiring! Now let's get packing and go travel!

What is a girlfriend?

Just a normal week, actually, until Friday. On Friday two things happened. But I'll get to that in a minute.

On our little dead-end, tree-lined, built in the 1920's street, we have lots of friends. Anne, Ann and Ann live here. Four babies were brought home last year and Sunny and Dolly are currently pregnant. We have happy hours in the summer and book club throughout the year. Houses are bought and sold. Friendships are made and kept even after moving away. We 'do life' together and feel very blessed for our neighbors.

One of our neighbors, Eula, worked until she was about 82 (five years ago) and brought us cookies, came to our New Year's Day brunch and showed us pictures from when she was a missionary in Africa and went big game hunting to feed a village. Her daughter and son-in-law live on the other side of us so she walked by frequently and always made great conversation. Being such a part of our neighborhood, we were shocked and deeply saddened to find out on Friday that Eula had passed away Friday morning. Our neighborhood will miss this wonderful, kind, loving person.

Also on Friday, my girlfriend Angie, who has been on bed-rest for a couple months, called to tell me that she is being induced this weekend. Baby Madeline will join the world probably today and very hopefully as a small but healthy baby. (Welcome baby Madeline!)

This day of sadness and anticipation stirs the question: 'what is a girlfriend?' I wouldn't say Eula was a typical girlfriend - we never went out to dinner just the two of us or shared shopping tips, etc., but she was definitely a friend to so many of us and her spirit will be missed by knew her. Angie is a girlfriend (and she does have great retail and style advice!) and follow each others lives through jobs and other important life changes.

To me a girlfriend can be many things - from a nice, caring neighbor to a friend I call on a regular basis to laugh with and catch up. Girlfriends are more than just a friend who happens to be female ... a LOT more. Girlfriends have an interest in our lives and cheer us towards our dreams. They laugh, cry, brainstorm, plot, shop, eat with us - whatever our need is for them as a friend. And, girlfriends allow us to be ourselves and they love us for exactly who we are. Each of our girlfriends bless our lives with qualities and lessons that are important and memorable.

Think about YOUR girlfriends. Who is a casual friend who you cherish just knowing, living near or working with? What best friends of yours are always on call to be there for you - in good times and bad? Now think about ... what can you do to bless their day or show them how much they mean to you? AND now ... DO IT! Reach out. Call a friend. Bring her favorite Starbucks drink to a coworker/girlfriend. Send a card or write an email. Show your girlfriends not only how much their friendship means to them but also that you know what it means to be girlfriend. Thanks girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #14 - Girlfriend Podcasting Advice?

The recent PodCamp that I attended (a seminar for Podcasters and people in "new media"), found me in the company of a bunch of techies - but I was happy to see more women than in previous technology events. Having a little experience in the technology world (I was on the USB initial marketing team and marketed computer audio equipment), it was overwhelming but also extremely invigorating. Through podcasting (and blogs and audiocasting) there are so many more ways to communicate with others which is an exciting time to be Girlfriendology and building community with women all over the world promoting female friendship!

My girlfriend Dana is a big podcast fan. She listens to podcasts nightly to put her to sleep or in the middle of the night if she wakes up. Another girlfriend, Carrie is one of the Diva Cast - a popular podcast of five, fun, fourty-something female friends who I met up with at PodCamp. (I was very lucky to have her there as well as her fellow Diva Sharon and their techie guru Robin - anything is better with a girlfriend along!)

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, how often? Why? Which ones? What podcasts would you recommend for your girlfriends?

Part of our goal at Girlfriendology is to, like a helpful girlfriend, share information with each other that makes our life better. Perhaps our podcast with ELLEN SHUMAN on emotional eating would help you or a friend. SHELLEY BALL-DANNENBERG recently did a podcast with us on dyslexia. BETH WHITMAN is about to do a podcast with us on traveling solo. All these are based on being a good girlfriend to you.

Let us know of any "girlfriend authors or experts" we should interview on our Girlfriendology Podcasts - email ideas@girlfriendology.com. And listen in to a few podcasts and let us know what you think. We're here for our girlfriends and we'd love to hear from you!

Happy Valentine's Day Girlfriends!

Wearing my only red sweater, I went to work today. I bought chocolates to leave at everyone's desk before they arrived and cookies for a treat later in the day. (The checkout cashier at the grocery this morning asked me who I was planning to "suck up to"!) Really, no one. I just love Valentine's Day.

February 14th is the perfect day to celebrate friendships. The hearts and flowers just remind me of caring for people, like we need/love to do when it comes to girlfriends (or why else would you be reading this?!). The cards and emails connect me with friends near and far who, like me, are just glad we're 'doing life' together and are friends in this big old world.

I'm thankful for this day to stop and think about LOVE and my friends who mean so much to me. To Bridget and Cath, who sent cards, you're so sweet! To Carole, Becky, Tina, Kate and Cyndee who emailed Valentine's wishes - it brightened my day. To all the women who inspire me and love me for who I am, I am forever thankful. Thanks for blessing me with your thoughtfulness and friendship!

Like what 'they' say about Christmas should be everyday, I'd put Valentine's Day right up there too. Thanks girlfriends for your love and friendship. Show your friends, tell your friends you love them. Happy Valentine's!

p.s. Listen in to Dr. Karen Gail Lewis in the latest podcast as she shares great advice and insight about Valentine's Day and female friendship!

TIP TUESDAY #13 - Ways to make your Girlfriends' Valentine's Day Special

I had the priviledge of interviewing author, relationship psychologist and women's retreat leader Dr. Karen Gail Lewis for our latest podcast. Dr. Lewis (aka: Karen) offered great insight on the value of female friendships and how this romantic holiday really is all about showing those special to us that we LOVE them.

This Thursday is Valentine's Day. Romance may come and go, but girlfriends stick with you. Don't they deserve a Valentine's card, a thoughtful or fun email, or just a call to tell them how much you love being friends with them? Inspire others by answering this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

How do you show your girlfriends that their friendship means the world to you? How do you make them feel loved and appreciated?

Remember the Valentine's Day cards we shared as kids? Actually, it was probably more about quantity of cards than quality of emotion back then. Show whatever quantity of girlfriends you really appreciate exactly how much you value the quality of their friendship this Valentine's Day. Then, inspire others when you please share with us ... what can you do to show your Girlfriend appreciation and love this Valentine's Day?

p.s. And, check out our Girlfriendology Contest this month which is on the same "LOVE your female friends" theme. Win prizes and share inspiration, just by being a girlfriend! Happy Valentine's Day Girlfriends!

Adventures and Travels in Finding New Female Friends

My girlfriend Dana connected with several women on a diet website. Soon they were talking, emailing and sharing their struggles and successes together. After several months of their online friendship, they decided to 'take it offline' and meet for a weekend in Chicago. Dana arrived first and nervously knitted away time before her new 'friends' arrived. Would she enjoy them in person? Would they get along for the weekend or was this a weird idea to meet for a girlfriend group get-together with women she just knew online?

An older woman in the lobby made conversation with her and Dana explained that she was there waiting on a several friends that she had made over the internet. She admitted she was somewhat hesitant if this get-together was a good idea or not. Sensing her nervousness and unsure of the situation, the woman asked Dana, "They're women, aren't they?"

I met up with an internet 'girlfriend' this weekend. Carrie contacted me a few months ago because we both have podcasts for women. We shared our challenges and experiences and enjoyed getting to know each other. Carrie is one of "The Diva Cast" a popular podcast of five forty-something fun, fabulous friends. I met her and one of the other Divas (the fun and funny Sharon). They are so great and I'm thrilled to know them. (Plus, Robin was also very fun to meet you!) And, I love when successful women are so fun and nice! They generously shared their ideas with me and encouraged me to continue to grow Girlfriendology.

What's the lesson? The moral of the stories? The inspiration? Go for it. Make a new friend. It might be on the internet or over the phone, it could be a new neighbor or a coworker, perhaps it is just a woman you ended up talking with at the grocery store or in a yoga class. We women NEED girlfriends and you never know where you'll find them - but you know you're life will be much better with girlfriends!

p.s. And, Dana and her diet diva girlfriends had a blast in Chicago. (The diets, however, did not have a good weekend!)

Girlfriends helping Girlfriends ... and 20% of kids who need our help

One of the major benefits of female friendship, is all that we learn so much from our girlfriends. From a very young age we help and educate each other on every level - personal, professional, emotional, etc. As girlfriends, we help each other and share information to make our lives better, happier and healthier.

Now add to that that women are the primary caregivers for children and often faced with the responsibilities of making sure they grow up to be healthy and happy. That's a lot of responsibility - but it's all okay, if we have girlfriends to help us!

Shelley Ball-Dannenberg is definitely a great girlfriend to moms, teachers and kids. As a Certified Dyslexia Testing Specialist, Shelley helps parents, teachers and children learn how to diagnose and get treatment for dyslexia - a hereditary neurological language-learning disability that affects 20% of children.

In our latest podcast, Shelley shares with all of us how to make life better for kids, moms and teachers who are working through dyslexia. Through her company DTIS (Dyslexia Testing and Information Services), Shelley "empowers parents, informs teachers and connects children with their full potential." And, as a mom, Shelley knows first hand the challenges as she helps her daughter (who has dyslexia) reach her full potential. 20% of children means that you know someone dealing with dyslexia - a mom, a child, a teacher - someone who could use the information that Shelley shares with Girlfriendology in this informative interview.

Check out her website www.dtisinfo.com and email Shelley for consulting and information. Don't let a child wait another day to start working towards a better life. Thanks Shelley!

p.s. And join us for Valentine's Day for a very special podcast with relationship psychologist Dr. Karen Gail Lewis. We'll discuss how to have a great Valentine's Day regardless our relational status and explore how we as girlfriends can support each other through all phases of our lives!

TIP TUESDAY #12 - Cleaning advice for Girlfriends?

The week away plus a new puppy and a very full schedule equal one messy house. Since I know my girlfriends also lead busy lives being moms, teachers, cooks, volunteers, etc. (and not all of you have cleaning assistance!) I thought it might be helpful to hear from you and to share together our cleaning tips. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What cleaning/organizing tips do you have? How do you maintain your home and your life without going crazy or going into hiding?

If I were to have a tip (which should mean I follow it!), mine would be to set a timer and clean for a specified amount of time. I did that last night for one hour - I unpacked from my recent trip, cleaned the bathroom, folded/put away clothes and just basically straightened things up. This limited time makes me stay on task and not stop to read a magazine I just found under my bed or get interested in a TV show or hang out with the puppy. Having a limit to my time makes me focus and work fast with my limited time commitment.

So, since we're girlfriends and we learn from each other - what is your cleaning tip for other female friends?

January Girlfriendology Contest Entries - Girl's Night Out stories for YOUR vote!

You, yes YOU, are hereby requested to VOTE! Tis the year, right? Well, at Girlfriendology, each month is the time to VOTE for your favorite girlfriend story. And, this month you get to vote for your favorite Girl's Night Out story.

So, read the following girlfriend stories and VOTE! Winners will be announced on our Girlfriendology podcast! Just a reminder - the January Contest asked for your stories on Girlfriend Get-togethers and Girl's Night Out (GNO) events. Here are the top ten for your votes! (Either vote by leaving a comment on the site or emailing ideas@girlfriendology.com.)

(1) There are nine of us: my sister and myself, two of my best friends and five cousins who rent a cabin together every May. We call ourselves the ‘cabin chicks.’ We have so much fun when we get together. We laugh, talk, sing, dance, eat and drink. Every year I think up a craft for us. One year every one of us decorated a t-shirt. Another time we made bracelets on memory wire with beads and alphabet beads. We have so much fun thinking up a simple craft and then doing it.

We also try to get together several times a year for a pajama party/sleepover. We all bring snacks and stuff ourselves while we talk about our next cabin trip. We stay up late, laughing and talking. Since we are the cabin chicks, we have shirts with chicks on them, we have chick pins and other jewelry, we have chick pajamas, chick socks, and lots of chick items to decorate the cabin with. You'd be surprised how many chick things you can find, especially at Easter. When we go out to eat or shop, we all dress in our chick shirts and everyone stops and stares. We sure draw attention and have so much fun! They call me the queen of the chicks, since I have the most chick things. They also say I can find chick things anywhere we go. I guess you could say that I’m a chick magnet! Our favorite saying is "chicks rule"!!

I don't know what I’d do without the chicks. They are my family and my best friends!! We are always there for each other. I guess you could say we are like peas in a pod (or chicks in a nest)! We are all different, but together, we bring out the best! We compliment each other. So, in closing, chicks rule!!!

(2) My daughters are my friends and one of the best times we had together was this past Mother's Day. Even my daughter's Mother-in-law wished she could have joined us. It is something I will never forget.

We started the day at an estate sale, went to antique shops, yard sales - stopped for lunch at an A&W and acted like teenagers enjoying mugs of root beer and being goofy - now I am 50-something but don't let that out. Then more bargain shops. It was the best time I ever had.

Also I have made a new girlfriend in the hospital this Sept. and we email and telephone each other as 80 miles separate us.

(3) Our "Diva" Group has a very special tradition and it is lots of fun every time.
On "monument" birthdays, 40 - 50 – 60 - we treat the birthday girl with as many presents as she is old! Some are fun - some are special - and of course the guest of honor has to open every one before she gets to eat cake. It's lots and lots of fun.

(4) Our church has a monthly "Ladies Night Out". It is a night where women can get together for food, games, laughing ... to the point of crying, fun times, and just all around good memory making. It is something I look forward to every month!! We play this great game where we do crazy stunts, sayings, actions - and it is so funny! We have become quite close, too, because we share very personal/hard things we are dealing with. I love going to "Ladies Night Out" because it is therapeutic and rejuvenating! It is great to escape the stresses of 'life' and just be a girl surrounded with super girlfriends!

(5) I think the most favorite girlfriend night out was when I lived in FL. One Friday evening many of us gathered at a friend's house to swim and just relax. We were pampered by having manicures/pedicures and could even have our hair cut by a stylists from our church.

Everyone brought their favorite snacks and board game. We stayed up late eating, talking and being pampered. The home was on a canal, so not only did we get to enjoy the pool, but see other things indicating that we did indeed live in paradise.

Our friend was gracious enough to let anyone spend the night. All of us became closer friends that evening and looked forward to the next time we could get together.

(6) This might not seem quite like a girlfriend event but it is to me and I always look forward to it. Our family had the pleasure of being in England for two years and upon my return I found that everything had changed. I knew that it would but old friends seemed puzzled at why I couldn't slip right back into my old life.

I had been involved with Girl Scouts in the past as a leader but this time I dove right in - the women I was meeting from other troops at other schools in other areas were funny, committed to Girl Scouting as a wonderful program to inspire and lead young women and they all enjoyed a good laugh as much as I did.

I now am our Service Unit Manager and between the monthly meetings, e-mails and phone calls, I look forward to my communications and interactions with these women. Christine is a breast cancer survivor - last year I hosted a THINK PINK party for her where two of us shaved our heads in solidarity. Tracie meets me at the dog park where we solve the problems of the world while our dogs play. Lynn and I work in education and share joys & concerns. Cynthia's enthusiasm for Scouting pumps me up and we love brainstorming. Sally, Maureen, Ann & Anne (moms of some of the girls in our Cadette troop) and I commiserate over the "joys" of having 7th graders.

To paraphrase Kris Radish in her podcast on your website - Girl Scouts are great! And I'll add that they are even better as an adult!

(7) For her 40th birthday, my friend, Celeste, had a slumber party for all of us from our Phi Mu alumnae group. Seven of us ranging in age from 23-50 and from seven different schools brought college scrapbooks and photos, sat around in our pajamas, drank, played games, ate wonderful appetizers & desserts, watched a cheeky Hugh Grant movie and laughed our butts off. A most apropos way to welcome a new decade!

(8) Every month we have a Ladies Night Out at our church. Good food, great friends, and fun games. I made three of the best friends of my lifetime at Ladies Night. I have the best support network ever.

The norm is that we play Quelf - a crazy, intense game with wacky roolz. One night we couldn't touch each other's game pieces, one lady had to ask her foot for permission to speak and have her foot give her permission. I had to make a flushing and gurgling sounds whenever someone paid a penalty, and many other wacky happenings. It was a giggle-fest for sure. And we bonded over the humiliating stunts and singing and poems about our armpits. You can't get a better night than eating too much, talking too much, laughing a year's worth with great friends. It refreshes the soul to laugh with your friends.

(9) I love to cook and I have several other girlfriends who also do. Each month we have a ‘gourmet girls’ dinner where the host sets the menu and gives each of us recipes to make and bring. We all love creating a new dish and getting together to have a spectacular dinner. It is my favorite meal every month!

(10) One of the most successful girlfriend events that I've hosted is a FLOWER ARRANGING PARTY. I live near a farmer's market with a vendor that sells beautiful flowers on Saturday mornings. So, I created an Evite and invited all of my girlfriends to my house. I borrowed card and patio tables and had five tables set up in my backyard. Then, I purchased inexpensive tableclothes, floral foam, baskets, etc. And, a set of garden tools and water bucket to put the flowers in for each table. I purchased everything from a local dollar store, so it wasn't too expensive. Each attendee was required to bring one bouquet of flowers and an appetizer to share. As the host, I provided the drinks and all of the filler flowers (baby's breath, fern, eucalyptus, etc.). The evite made sure that guests arrived with the understanding that their bouquets would be split between the entire group (Surprisingly, this was a very important thing to mention). When people arrived, I assigned one guest to accept the bouquets and to divide them between the water buckets on the tables. Then, when everyone arrived we started arranging. It was one of the funnest girlfriend days ever. The girlfriend who was voted with the best flower arrangement walked away with a bottle of "Marilyn Merlot" wine (which I purchased special as a prize). Everyone got really into it, even my friends who did not consider themselves crafty types. And everyone went home learning something new about each friend by exposing their creative sides.

REMEMBER! We need YOUR vote! Comment below or email ideas@girlfriendology.com by midnight EST February 10th. Also, check out our February contest for your chance to share a story and receive a prize, as well as be featured in our Girlfriendology Podcast. Thanks for sharing girlfriends! Sounds like you have lots of great Girlfriend Get-togethers!