By now you must be getting that there is no way I can visit each of these blogs every day, but there are just so many terrific blogs out there. I’d love to have a career that let me play on blogs all day. If you know of anything…

So, continuing on, I bring to you K-O.

Kellyology She lives in Oklahoma. She’s a warm-blooded liberal.
Kerflop I sat in front of two gorgeous women at my first panel at BlogHer. And, it wasn’t until later that I realized I had been in the presence of blogging royalty–not that they’d admit it. She also has an incredible design sense.
Kevin Charnas Stop reading now. Click over and read whatever he’s written last. NOW!! This man is a comedy genius posessing one of the biggest hearts in all the world. I’ll scream it from the rooftops. I LOVE KEVIN CHARNAS! And he better attend BlogHer next year–just sayin’.
Kim’s Notebook When your first date with a blogger is drag BINGO, how can you not fall in love?
Lawyer Mama Don’t let her short stature fool you. This woman is an intellectual powerhouse and always up for a roadtrip.
Life Goes On, I Think To all you publishers out there, offer this woman a book deal now! You’ll be kicking yourself later if you don’t. To everyone else, read her now while her words are still free. Her writing is amazing!! Oh, and she’s not so bad to hang out with either.
Mama Mia No Sabia Another Mama. You know how I feel about Mamas.
Meanwhile… There are just some blogs you shouldn’t miss. This is one.
Midwestern Mommy She has beauty. She has grace. She’s real and she’s fun. I dare you not to like her. Plus, you’d miss those bunny ears next to her comments.
Mitch McDad’s World I think we started blogging about the same time. I have the boys. He has the girls. And then there are the vibrator talks.
Mom-o-matic The world would be a sad place without Lotta around. This mamma regularly makes me snort Diet Coke through my nose.
Mom Voyage One Weird Mother is back!! Can I get an amen?
Mommy Need Coffee I have no idea how this woman does it all.
Moosh in Indy Another one who makes me snort regularly.
Mr. Big Dubya He might love the Sox, but I just can’t seem to hold it against him.
Tales from My Tiny Kingdom Give yourself the blog last name Glamore, and I’m yours forever.
NOLA Notes I know what it’s like to miss New Orleans, and here’s one place I can get my fix.
Notes From The Trenches It’s really not fair that one person can be blessed in so many ways. Okay, I guess it is.
Oh My Stinkin Heck So this was the other royal beauty I sat near at that BlogHer panel.
Oh, The Joys I’m sure you’ve never heard of her.

I tried to go without a blogroll for a while, but I felt too guilty. There are so many terrific bloggers out there. This is by no means a complete list, but my attempt to offer up some love to the folks who have shared something of themselves on their sites.

For now I bring you A-J. This will eventually become a permanent page on this here blog.

Enjoy.

Absolutely Bananas Jen is one of my favorite bloggers and a down right terrific person.

Always Aroused Girl With her talented and steamy writing AAG proves you can be a mom and sexy.

Arkie Mama Mamma Loves other Mamas–even if they spell it wrong.

Attack of the Redneck Mommy Darn if she isn’t so popular I just want to hate her, but I can’t.

Dorky Dad Dorky is the new black.

Been There Emily and Cooper, the founders of the Motherhood, BlogHers Act and so much more.

BlogRhet A number of fabulous writers writing about blogging.

Blog Are Stupid I think Blog Antagonist was one of my first commenters. Her writing is incredible.

BooksEtc. Beth is like a cool older sister who always has sage advice.

Cheaper Than Therapy Attila hurls a mean bunny slipper.

Cheeky’s Hideaway How can you not love a guy who refers to himself as Crouton Boy?

Chicky Chicky Baby Morning sickness may have her down, but don’t count her out.

Citizen of the Month His penis talks. Need I say more?

DadCentric Representin’ the Pops.

Design Mom Gabrielle is one of the founders is Sk*rt and always shares lovely finds.

Don’t Take the Repeats Canape was my rockin’ roommate at BlogHer. Next year she’s going to have a different roomie (like a baby will be half as fun!)

Dribbblingwitt???? Pendulum hasn’t written that frequently of late, but every word is worth the read.

Finery in Life I met Jazz at BlogHer and I was immediately hooked. What a cool woman.

FlutterCrafts-Dark and Divine Christine often writes my very thoughts.

Full Plate Mama Lee and I would be enjoying many margaritas if only we lived closer.

Gaining Balance I WILL meet JJ some day! *shaking fist in the air*

Get in the Car! How many times have you said that?

Grits With Cheese Southern Fried Mom in a Southern fried world.

Here In Idaho The woman has a fabulous sense of humor.

Honea Experess Read Whit for a while on DadCentric. Had to get a more regular fix.

Hot and Bothered Let’s talk about sex baby.

i am bossy It’s BOSSY’s world, we just live in it.

i obsess. Deb tells it like it is.

I Wasn’t Always Like This One of my first reads. Seriously, this woman’s family gives her so much blog fodder. I’m constantly envious.

I’m Just Drunk in Someone’s Garage Get to know JJ Dufresne. You won’t be sorry.

I’m not a girl, not yet a wino If you don’t know Kris, you don’t know blogs.

Informed Voters Politics is important.

It’s All Fun and Games… I knew her when it was Eva Las Vegas…but I still love her.

Izzy Mom The one, the only…

Jen Lemen It’s impossible not to feel peaceful when you read her blog.

Joy Unexpected Funny, honest, raw, real.

Jurgen Nation Stacy and Kris befriended me at BlogHer and I will forever be grateful.

Once upon a time, I wrote when my brain swirled with thoughts. As a teenager, that usually involved a broken heart or anger at my parents, but it always helped to sit down and just write and write and write until I was exhausted. I would say everything that I felt like I couldn’t say out loud or didn’t have the opportunity to say. Writing rarely changed the outcome of the situation, but it was cathartic.

I never was a journal keeper. I tried many times. I love a blank book like nobody else, but I could never keep up a journal. I wanted to. It just never worked–unless I was sad or mad.

Two years ago a friend started a blog and I was intrigued by the concept. My brain never stops. Many nights falling asleep is a challenge because I just can’t seem to turn it off. A blog seemed like a perfect place to put those thoughts–and honestly, I was tired of watching my husband shake his head in amused disbelief as I shared yet another of my thoughts. And for the past year, writing regularly has been fairly easy. Like I said. Many thoughts.

Lately, I’ve been struck by an ironic shift. I don’t seem to be able to write when I have serious emotions I need to get out.

There are some thoughts I’ve been stewing over lately, thoughts I need to get out, but for once writing (at least here) doesn’t seem like the best way to exorcise them from my head. Hence, the infrequent posts of late. Luckily, the wonderful Christine (you have no idea how tempting it was to call you Christina on purpose *grin*), who parenthetically may be my soul sister, sent me a few interview questions a while back and it has provided me with some fodder for a post.

So without further ado…

1) Who is your ideal candidate for president?

Elizabeth Edwards.

Unfortunately, she’s not running. Honestly, I don’t know that my ideal exists. That’s the problem. I’ve invited all of the major candidates to come by my house. I really don’t live that far from DC. I have just one question that I’d like each to answer. All of their big “plans” and “policies” aside, how would their Presidency make the world a safer and more prosperous place for my children?

Name three songs that define important events in your life, what are they and what memories do they bring?

At first this was a difficult question to answer. Many songs have strong associations for me–some reminding me of a person or a particular place. Many ellicit strong emotional reactions, and yet none of them defined the important events of my life. It seems too easy to say, “oh this is the song we danced to at our wedding” but that felt cliche. Instead, I’ve selected three that are by no means my favorites or the three most important songs to me, but rather three that define major steps in my life.

Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
As silly as it is, this is the first 45 I owned. I received it as a present for my fifth or sixth birthday. I think from my “cousin” Matthew. I included it because it marks the point in my life when I remember having my own “tastes” (for whatever that says about them–give me a break it was the 70’s).

Fly Me To the Moon by Frank Sinatra
I have warm memory tied to this song. The details aren’t important. The significance is difficult to describe. What it boils down to is that I’ve lead my life not always believing I was truly lovable. This song reminds me that it is possible.

Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
Okay, this may be confusing, because anyone who has read my blog knows that I don’t have any girls. It’s a penis-filled house here in VA (well except for me of course). Oddly enough, this song makes me think of my three boys though. It’s such a beautiful song about becoming a parent and the overwhelming amount of love that enters your life with the arrival of your child. When I hear this song, I think about rocking those little babe-o-lahs in my arms and dancing around singing to them. There is nothing like the big, toothless smile of baby to melt your heart.

3) Without thinking, write the first sentence that comes to mind. Now, explain it.

I’m hungry.

Boy you have no idea how loaded this sentence is! I really am hungry right now. The cheese and crackers I had earlier didn’t really cut it as dinner. And they shouldn’t have. I have an unfortunately complicated relationship with food. I love it and I hate it all at the same time. I’ve written about my challenges with my weight in the past. I love food. I love tasting it and sharing it with others. But, I don’t eat for health, and that’s a problem. I hate that I battle my weight. I hate what I think it says about me. In my head it tells the world I’m a glutton and lazy and disgusting and every other awful description you can come up with, and yet I can’t seem to stop doing it.

4) If you could leave today, and land anywhere and with whomever you wanted, and start a new life, where would you be and with who?

The where is easy. It would definitely be a warm sunny beach–turquoise blue water, white sand and a light warm breeze. The who is much harder. Is this the only person I will ever see for the rest of my life? That’s too hard. I could never narrow it down. If it’s for a weekend of hot, steamy sex well then…

5) What is the one famous quote that most closely mirrors your own personal beliefs?

Take away love and our earth is a tomb. Robert Browning

I see this as love for each other as individuals and for each other as human beings. What would our world be like if we led with love?

Dad’s at it again.

Hi there Son,

Lotsa love, Dad

Of course I had to be the one to break it to Dad that she’s married and totally into the whole healthy living thing. Poor man. He just wants one ridiculously wealthy child–even if he needs to pimp his one and only son out to get one.

How many mommybloggers does it take to change a lightbulb?

Who cares? Last night, we had a girls’ night out.

I was the lucky recipient of a dinner invitation from one of the coolest of coolio moms around, Sarah.

Dinner here at 7:00 with a few other mom bloggers, and sometime around midnight I climbed into bed.

So who was there?

Well there was Becky from Deep Muck Big Rake. And she brought Florida goodness for the kiddos. Thanks Becky!! This blog of Becky’s is on the newer side. You definitely have to go check her out. She’s definitely uncovering some stories that deserve your attention.

Then there was Mommy At Work. Like Sarah, MAW knows football. I also got to see her teensy weensy pedometer (oh yeah, she showed me her pedometer–jealous much?) which is very clearly not counting all of her steps.

Hitching a ride with MAW was Lumpyhead‘s Mom. She loves beer, poker and corndogs, so how could I not love her?! She also shared a secret with us–a secret that tested the laws of physics and frankly was very funny. And, it shall remain safe with me.

As if these women weren’t enough fun, our group was joined by Devra of Parentopia and DC Metro Mom fame. Let’s just say that once again I was blown away by how much energy and determination are packed into her tiny little frame–and she was wearing heels.

You might think that putting six mommybloggers together at the same table would lead to many words spoken and none heard, but that wasn’t the case at all. Conversation flowed easily, we talked sports and parenting and blogging and politics and kiddos and geography, and five hours flew by.

Thanks ladies for a terrific evening. I hope to be invited again.

I know. I know. It’s been kind of serious and dreary here lately.

I’ve done nothing to embarrass myself (that much) lately, so there’s nothing there.

None of the boys have named any more body parts, so that’s a dry well.

I was pretty psyched that I got a mention on Daily Kos the other day, but not a referral from it. Harumph!

Oh! And I did get to sign my son’s not so stellar Social Studies test today. When did I become responsible enough to sign a test??!

I felt like I was forging my mom’s signature.

PS–The blog is pink for the month of October because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, duh!! Check your boobs. And learn more.

I have my own feelings about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those feelings aside, there are brave men and women who are risking and often sacrificing their lives in the name of our country. I might not know each one personally, but it doesn’t matter because those brave souls are someone’s children.

And as a mother, that’s all I need to know.

There is a set of parents who recently lost their son Matt who was serving in Afghanistan. Please visit Jenn’s site where she has created an online sympathy card for them.

I look at the faces of my three young boys, and I pray I will never have to see them off to war. I can’t imagine the strength of the parents who must.

To me, the most precious reward of blogging is the sense of community it provides. I can interact with witty, funny, caring people thousands of miles away and share the commonalities of experience or learn about lives I might never come to understand if it weren’t for the blogosphere. Through blogging I’ve discovered fellow political geeks, lovers of books and partners in crime. While reading blogs, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried (it’s better than Cats), and I’ve learned that no matter how different or ridiculous we might feel at times there are others out there who are brave enough to let you know that you aren’t alone.

“Overall, I thought I’d left alot of that fear-driven, decision making behind me. But as I look at my life, I realize I’ve deluded myself. The painful, ugly truth is that I’ve been too scared of rejection and failure to seize opportunities.”

These are the words written by Lisa.

I was lucky enough to get to spend time with Lisa this summer at BlogHer after months of reading her blog Midwestern Mommy. Lisa is the kind of person you like immediately. She has a warm smile and such a comfortable sense about her. She didn’t have to expose her inner self-doubt, but because she was brave enough to do so I feel a deeper connection to her and a little less alone in the world.

And my community grows.

As a way to thank Lisa, I nominated her post “Just Call Me Chicken” for a September Perfect Post Award.

For the list of all of this month’s nominees, head on over to Petroville or Suburban Turmoil.

PS–I’d like to also thank the kick-ass J. over at Absolutely Bananas for nominating me this month. She’ll probably never know how much I really appreciated the nod.

I am thrilled to have had the experience to hear Elizabeth Edwards answer our questions in our meeting with her today. My thoughts are racing after the call.

I would love to have the opportunity to talk to the other candidates. I wonder if I would be as excited about their campaigns after listening to them. If they don’t reach out to us, we’ll all be left with only this very positive experience upon which to make our decisions about who we’ll vote for.

I have to say the Edwards campaign is not only the only campaign that’s responded to our request to meet with them, they are the only campaign that has extended an invitation to have us blog for them…or the only invitation I’ve received as a mommy blogger.

I still haven’t made up my mind. But if you aren’t willing to talk to us Senators Obama, Clinton, Biden, Dodd or McCain, Mayor Guiliani or Governors Romney and Richardson how will we know that you deserve our vote?

“I don’t think we get the change we want unless we’re willing to work for it.

I deal with supporters…I’m doing fundraising. People write a check and they think they’ve done their part. We’re on a bad path right now. We need to be committed to working to make a change.

John is committed to that.

The way people run their campaign tells you a lot about them. Are they running a different campaign?

We have an opportunity for real change if we have someone who is dedicated to it. We can get more of the same. John isn’t the flashiest candidate.

This campaign isn’t about John Edwards as a person…if you don’t like his hair cut…that isn’t going to get us anywhere. If people are going to vote for him it’s going to be about the ideas. Not about the person. That’s why he got his policies out there early. All the rhetoric sounds the same, but it tells you something about the person when they run their campaign a particular way. It’s not about the guy, it’s about the vision.

You cannot sit on your hands and expect the change to happen.

If we get to Novemeber 2008 and have two candidates who aren’t going to represent change, you’re going to be sorry that you didn’t do something when you had the chance. This isn’t about February. This is about November. You have to do what you can now to start making changes.”