Guest Post: Megan of Meaningful Mommy, on Becoming a Sports Mom

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It’s tough to predict what our kids’ athletics careers will look like.

Based on their father, my girls should have been backups to the backups and the last kids picked. The eternal fourth-place ribbon. But somehow, someway, they overcame my genetics. They’d each eclipsed my sports fame by the time they began kindergarten.

I wonder what it’s like for parents who are decent athletes.

Today’s guest post comes from Megan Lisca. She writes the blog Meaningful Mommy. Megan has a beautiful knack of embracing “the art of meaningful.” It’s in the way we live and how we parent. Parenting will wean you from perfection, for sure.

On the Road Again: This Time, at Home on Deranged

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All this talk about beauty in women lately … it’s knocked things like pizza and baseball right off the radar lately here on the CD.

Today is more of the beautiful same. I”m at Home on Deranged today. Melissa Swedoski asked me right after the Super Bowl about those #LikeAGirl ads. Heady stuff. If you haven’t seen it, check it out.

Then go to Home on Deranged and check out my guest post. Stick around, too. If you haven’t read Melissa’s blog yet,  you should. She’s like me, a survivor of the newspaper industry, and always has kick-ass giveaways going on.

See you there! [Here’s the link]

Cynthia, of You Signed Up For What?!?, on Her Lessons From Dad

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I competed in a triathlon, once.

By compete, I mean, I read the account and admired pictures from a favorite blogger who did. I’ve been there in spirit, though. Cynthia writes a blog called You Signed Up for What?!? And I got in on the bottom floor. First post, second comment, even.

First she responded to. The date: April 4, 2013.

Cynthia started her first post with these words:

I guess here it is – this is me writing my first post. Ta-da.

So I finally did what I’ve been wanting to do forever: I signed up for my first triathlon.

Guest Post: Tammie of The Graying Chronicles, on Parenthood

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I think radio shows give you a special shout-out if you’re a first-time caller.

Today’s guest post, Tammie of The Graying Chronicles, is a first-time mom. First-time parents get a special shout-out all their own. It often involves stress, second-guessing, and general anxiety. Or in Tammie’s case, it involves a blog.

Tammie’s here today to give a glimpse of what she’s learned on her maiden mom voyage.

I love Tammie’s blog. She tackles parenthood with an understanding of the scope of life it entails, the tears and the laughter. Her writing is lively and honest. She’s been a friend of the CD for quite some time, and it’s an honor to have her here today.

Guest Post: Penelope of Penelope’s Oasis, on Her New Bucket List

An oasis is a spot in a desert where water is found.

It’s a respite, a lifesaver. It’s sometimes a mirage, though, a spot in desolation you see hope, but it’s only fleeting. For today’s guest poster, it’s anything but a mirage. Penelope Guzman writes the blog Penelope’s Oasis, and it really is a place for beautiful things.

(Que YouTube video of “Wonderwall.”)

Today, Penelope is here on the CD to share a story about a letter she wrote to herself when she was 16.

🛣️ On the Road Again: This Time, at Tamara (Like) Camera

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one.

A fishmonger, an obituary writer, and a Walmart cashier walk into a bar … In this case, they’re the same person. As in, the same person has held down all three of those lousy jobs. All three, in this case, are me.

Makes a sucky joke, huh? But a decent guest post, I hope.

Today, I’m moving on up like George and Weezie. Tamara Bowman asked me to hold down the mansion. She’s off being a Disney princess. You’ll read about her adventure, soon. Today, I’m at Tamara (Like) Camera to divulge the worst jobs I’ve ever had.

On the Road Again: This Time, at The Meaning of Me

EJP

Leftovers.

Few aspects in life are as polarizing. They’ve been fought over, ignored and tossed out, even left on the roof of a car as the oblivious driver took off. (I’ve done this.) They can be scrumptious, like Day Two Lasagna.

The can be lethal, like Day Twenty Six Lasagna.

Today, I’m at Lisa’s place, The Meaning of Me. I disclose a partial look at the Father’s Guide to Leftovers. Not the whole thing, mind you. Partial. Some secrets must remain secrets. But this will give you some guidance.

Guest Post: Jenn of Jenn’s Midlife Crisis, on Diapers and Driving Lessons

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Originals are something special.

Take the original eight NHL franchises. Consider the original 12 Star Wars figures. Just contemplate the Original Pancake House. (Careful … I nearly derailed this thought). There also are original members of a guy’s blog tribe.

They’re the ones who showed up back in the day. Sometimes, they stick around.

Jenn of Jenn’s Midlife Crisis fits that description. Once, Coach Daddy was just an infant of a blog. It was all colicky and had diaper rash … well, Jenn left comments in those days. She was the first Canadian to frequent this space.

On the Road Again: This Time, at The Mom of the Year

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Every now and then, I put down the pizza.

I’ll sling the soccer bag off my shoulder and think about other things. I think about more than Star Wars or disc golf. I think about more than Malin Akerman or Kesha. Real life creeps in. I think about mortgage payments and politics.

I consider the environment and high glucose readings, for instance.

And then there’s education. Always education.

Guest Post: Marie, of Normal Everyday Life, on When Dad Loses to Son

EJP

Camdyn gives me all I can handle in a rousing round of disc golf.

We use a handicap system that keeps 10-year-old kids who rarely play and 40-somethings who play nearly every day on a competitive plane. With two holes to go, though, I had a chance to clinch a victory with a very long putt.

“I make this long one,” I said from about 25 yards away, “and I win.”

She braced and hoped to watch my shot go wayward and the match to go on. Instead: CHING! A beautiful, game-clinching putt. She scowled, turned on her heel, and marched to the next hole. She was ticked.