of my words.

It’s inconsequential. It really doesn’t matter. But, I’m calling foul anyway.

Last summer Real Simple magazine interviewed me on How to Ask a Man Out. Today I picked up the issue I’ve been waiting to read for months only to find my exact words attributed to someone else!

You know them, I’ve said them here before…

What have you got to lose? Ask a guy out and you’ll feel more confident after you do.

I was too pissed off to actually buy the magazine, so those may not be the exact words from the story. But they were mine. And as I stood there in Target reading my little quotes, in that stupid teeny, tiny story given to another single mom – I just dropped it back onto the rack and thought, “Oh well.” I had bigger fish to fry – one with light brown hair and deep brown saucer eyes – who was about to throw a tantrum.

Now he’s tucked in, blissfully dreaming, and I’m sitting here wondering if I’m just going to let it fly. But I’m not. I’m just so disenfranchised with the mainstream media. All of them. Doesn’t matter. TV, radio, newspapers… true journalists with integrity and the ability to tell the truth in a clear and straightforward manner are few and far between.

Did I mention I used to be a reporter? For 8 years… so I am just a tad passionate about this.

Plagarism is an especially sore subject for me but this – I don’t even know what this is called. Real Simply put, I’m never buying or reading that rag ever again. And if I’m never interviewed by a national publication again for saying so – then so be it.

Sorry for venting… if you’re bored by this useless post read up on How to Ask a Man Out.

Asking men out is a bit nerve wracking – quite terrifying actually – but men appreciate confidence in women and we’re single moms, they usually assume we’re taken. So go get ‘em… and, as I’ve always said, what have you got to lose? Even if he says “no” at least you know.

UPDATE: I contact Real Simple and they apologize for paraphrasing my quote. I corrected them and said – no you didn’t paraphrase you misquoted me entirely. They didn’t write back. Thanks for inspiring me to write to them. And hopefully this blog post will soon rank #2 for Real Simple magazine. Don’t mess with bloggers people!

[Photo Credit: MagazineAgent.com, last November's Real Simple]

No related posts.

This could be a letter to no body. To the air. To the moon. To whoever is listening. Because I may never get married again. But I just felt like writing a love letter to somebody … so why not him?

He who is a distant figment of my imagination but maybe if I start envisioning myself in a relationship I can move closer to ditching that baggage.

Dear Mr. Husband Man:

I know you’re out there.

I might be 86 by the time we meet, but at least we will have finally found each other. I can feel you if I shut my eyes tight enough. I know you will love me like no one ever has. I know you will understand me. You’ll help me open myself up, let myself go. I think your patience will compliment my impulsiveness. You’ll be the calm to my storm and I to yours.

Magic.

It exists.

I’ve seen it. Have you? Or have you just seen glimmers of it? You must believe in it though because you’re my future husband and that’s a job requirement – one of the reasons why I’ll love you so much.

The magic will be even easier when you meet Benjamin. Once you do you’ll understand why I told you on our first date that he needed to happen.

He is my everything. His eyes. His nose. His heart.

Every little piece of him started in my soul and now all of those little pieces are walking around – talking, hugging, loving and laughing – a bright and beautiful little boy with a soul of his own. And I made him! I’ll probably remind you of this often and make fun of you because you can’t make one. You’ll laugh and then maybe I’ll decide to make more … with your help.

So…where are you? When are you going to pop into my life? How is it going to happen? Will we ever even meet?

I wonder what you’re doing right now?

It’s a Monday night.

You’re probably home. Working on something. I think you like to work a lot…or maybe you’ve finished working and you’re reading, writing or creating before you crawl into bed.

I also wanted to tell you that I’m not ready to meet you yet. Almost… but not quite. I’m working on it. I am dating but I won’t settle for anything less than – you. And when we do find each other (just a heads up) I’m sure I’ll ask you out.

Related posts:

1. Should I leave my husband?
2. Who needs a husband anyway?
3. Husband Day Care Video

Benjamin has been at my mom’s for three days now. I’ve been so busy…having fun! Lots of it.

Shopping

Tonight I worked late to catch up on some big projects, then popped into Ann Taylor Loft and found quite a few treasures on the sales rack. Two super cute summer tops, a necklace and a belt!

Men

Then I headed to the coffee shop. For the past few weeks Benjamin and I keep bumping into this guy. We’re usually in a hurry but there’s always quick small talk. Tonight, I’m a childless mama … so we could actually talk. I pay for my coffee and then see him … I fill my coffee with creamer and sugar and then just do it – I just walked right up and said, “Hi!”

Immediately we were chatting it up and then he asked me to sit down. We talked for about 45 minutes. It was like a spontaneous mini-date. Will it ever be a real date? Who knows. I’m indifferent. And honestly, after our mini-date, not sure if I want a real one. (Purple Octopuses).

That’s the funny thing about asking men out or just walking up and talking to them. You might find that your “crush” really isn’t that crush worthy. Then you don’t waste time wondering about him. Would you rather have the wax ripped off in one quick flick or would you rather it slowly pulled, piece by piece?

Approach men and you find out if there’s potential…quickly. And either way – whether it’s you or him doing the quick rip – at least you know. I prefer the quick rip: less painful in the long run.

Life is too short. Seriously.

FREE Stuff

Speaking of life being too short. I have so much to do! And without Benjamin here I can stay up later and sleep in a little later. Tonight I got on a cleaning kick, a much overdue cleaning kick. Look what I scrounged out from under our living room chair.

Wonder how all of this got here? Hmmm… could it have been a little two-year-old with a funny sense of humor, or a mom shoving it under the chair in hurried preparation for dates or sitters? I honestly couldn’t tell you – but there it is. A bunch of forgotten toys and gizmos, oh, and a shoe!

This little pile has inspired a contest, my first contest! So you better play. And it’s easy. Here goes…

MSM Contest: What’s Under Your Couch??

Look under your couch right now. Tell me about something you’ve found. I’ll pick a winner for each of the following categories:

1. Cutest

2. Funniest

3. Grossest

And

4. Best in Show

The Prize

Something in this pile. The four winners each get to pick a prize from the pile! As you can see there’s lots of good stuff in this pile. A baby music toy, a Leap Frog pad, an empty Thomas DVD case, a little fire truck, an outlet extension thing…and some markers.

Or, you can waive on something from the pile and I’ll send you a mystery item (probably from some other pile I find under something else, or maybe it will be a really cool book…you’ll have to find out).

Now go look under your couch…and may the best man or woman win.

Related posts:

1. Online shopping – my only option.
2. The birthday scramble and single mama shopping.
3. Toddler-free (for one week?)