Dress for Success, an international non-profit organization that promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women, has teamed up with clothing store dressbarn, to collect and distribute professional attire for its 10th annual “Send One Suit Weekend.”

Giving underprivileged women, across the country, the ability to walk into a job interview, with confidence, is the goal of this partnership.

From March 1-4, gently-used suits, pants, shirts, skirts, shoes and other professional items can be donated at any of the 825 dressbarn locations nationwide. These donations will be distributed amongst local non-profit organizations to be given to less fortunate women looking to re-enter the workforce.

More than 51,000 items of professional clothing were collected during last year’s ‘Send One Suit’ donation drive. This year, dressbarn would like to collect more than 60,000 pieces of professional attire. So, do your part, and go donate some of your gently-used professional items (if you’re anything like me, you have tons that you don’t wear, just hanging in your closet)!

When it comes to sleep, I totally go against the “females like to cuddle” stereotype. Seriously – I am not a cuddler. When I sleep, I want my space. I don’t really want to be touched, at all.

The hubster, on the other hand, has the tendency to want to have personal contact, when sleeping. And, I think it’s just about the sweetest thing, ever. Normally, I snuggle, a bit, and then roll away, to go to sleep. I always feel horrible, when I do. But, luckily, he understands (because he’s so awesome).

How about you & your significant other? Is one of you a cuddler, and the other not? Both cuddlers? Both loners? Let me know, in the comments section, below.

On a semi-related note… here’s a interesting post, on sleeping positions, and their meanings.

I’m a freefall: The participants in the freefall position slept on their stomachs with their arms under or wrapped around a pillow and heads turned to the side. The study found this group to be outgoing, brash and did not like criticism.

Photo source.

7:30 p.m.

Me: It’s time to get ready for bed. Clean up your toys, go brush your teeth & put on your pajamas.

The Kid: But, why?

Me: Because I said so. (I know, I can’t believe I said it, either.)

The Kid: (Takes his time, cleaning up. Takes even longer to brush his teeth & put on his PJs).

8:00 p.m.

The Kid: (Still not in his PJs) Mom, can you put my pajamas on, for me? (Yes, he is 5-years-old and yes, he does know how to do it. It’s just another stall tactic.)

Me: No, you know how to do it. You have 30 seconds (and I actually begin to count out loud, he normally has it done, in 20).

The Kid: Ok, I’m all ready. Can you come read me a story?

Me: Sure. Let’s do it. (I then proceed to read him a story, that should take 10 minutes, but because he interrupts me, on every page with a question, it takes 20).

8:20 p.m.

Me: All right, baby, goodnight.

The Kid: Wait! I forgot to feed Disco (his goldfish).

Me: (I get the fish food, and he puts a pinch in the tank). Ok. Goodnight, baby.

The Kid: Wait! I have to go to the bathroom. It may be #2.

Me: Argh! Fine. Go use the bathroom.

The Kid: (5 minutes later, very proudly) I didn’t have to go. No pee pee, no boo boo, nothing.

Me: Good. Now get in the bed. Goodnight.

The Kid: Wait! I’m thirsty.

Me: (@!#$^*) Fine. Wait here. I’ll get you some water.

8:30 p.m.

The Kid: (After the water has been drank) Mommy, I can’t sleep. Can you stay in here with me?

Me: Yes, honey. I’ll stay in here, with you, for a little bit. (At this point, I just want him to go to sleep, so I can get some things done.)

The Kid: Yay!

Me: (@!#$^*) Scoot over, so I can lie down.

The Kid: Your butt’s too big. You take up too much room. Can you lie on the floor?

Me: (@!#$^*) Are you serious? If you want me to stay in here, you’d better scoot over.

The Kid: Fine. Just don’t squish me.

Me: (@!#$^*)

8:45 p.m.

The Kid: Mom?

Me: Yes. (I thought he was sleep?)

The Kid: Who’s taking me to school, tomorrow?

Me: I am.

The Kid: What about the day, after tomorrow?

Me: I am.

The Kid: What about the day, after that?

Me: Go to sleep. No more talking. No more questions. Just GO TO SLEEP.

The Kid: Okay.

At this point, it’s darn near 9:00 p.m., and I think he’s finally sleep. He then sits up really fast, kind of creepy-like, and starts taking off his pajamas & throwing the across the room.

The Kid: Mom?

Me: (@!#$^*) Yes.

The Kid: Can you help me take off my pajama shirt? I can’t get over my head.

Me: Sure.

Then, he lies back down, pulls all the covers over his head.

2 seconds later, he throws them all off, saying he’s hot.

Then, he flips down to the other end of the bed, seemingly falling asleep.

Is he really asleep? Do I dare hope? I lean over, stealthily, and check it out.

SUCCESS!

I slowly & quietly get off the bed (while trying not to hit my head on the top bunk – again), and leave the room.

Phew! I can’t believe that took so long.

Who am I kidding, yes I can.  Oh well, at least I can finally get some work done.

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But, lest you think it’s over, it’s not.

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2:30 a.m.

The kid walks sleepily into our room, cutting on every light, and goes to use our bathroom. Yes, there is a bathroom, right across from his room.

After he’s done, we have a 10-minute argument, over washing his hands. (Yes, I’m serious.)

Then, finally, he climbs into bed with us, and falls asleep – but not before he tosses and turns enough, to hit me in the face & kick the hubster, in the side.

The End.

Sigh. Do you have problems, getting your little one to sleep? How do you cope? Any tips & tricks you’d like to share? Leave them in the comments section, below.

courtesy the hubster & the kid.

The olden days…

The kid (5yo): I learned how to do that, in the olden days.

The hubster: When was “the olden days?”

The kid: You know. Back, when I was one.

For those of you, who don’t know, I’m a life-long Michigander. And, while The Mom with Moxie, isn’t a “local blog,” I still like to give my hometown, a shout out, every now and then. Thus, my new feature, here at The Mom with Moxie… Michigan Mondays – where I introduce my readers to something, purely Michigan related. Be it a person, company, event, etc.

For my inaugural Michigan Mondays post, I thought I’d tell you about this awesome medi-spa, a friend of mine told me about…FACE Skincare ~ Medical ~ Wellness.

After suffering from cystic acne as a teen, spa owner, Holly Casaroll has rebuilt her own skin, and dedicated the last 15 years to successfully providing innovative solutions to skin conditions.

As someone who suffers from dry skin and discoloration, caused by eczema, I’m often wary of getting anything done, to my face, but the company’s Wellness division, headed by Doug Cutler ND, allows clients to balance their health and beauty from within.

Holly has been featured on FOX, and her Celebrity treatments have been featured on E News, The Doctors, and Oprah, as well as her proprietary combinations have made her a force to be reckoned with in the field of beauty.

FACE Skincare ~ Medical ~ Wellness is located in Southfield, Michigan. Visit their site, today, to make an appointment!

Hey, peeps. I’ll be taking a break from The Mom with Moxie, for a while, in order to focus on my PR & Digital Marketing consulting business. I hope to be back, posting here, in a little bit. To stay connected, let’s be friends on Facebook & Twitter.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
• 1-12 oz can tomato paste
• 1-12 oz can dark red kidney beans
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions

1. Brown seasoned meat
2. While meat is draining, combine tomato paste with 4 cups of water
3. After mixture is dissolved, add meat and beans (drained)
4. Add chili powder, salt & pepper, to taste
5. Use cumin to thicken the chili
6. Simmer for 1 hour
7. Serve

So, there you have it… my mama’s chili recipe. You’ll end up with enough chili, to feed four. Enjoy!

Remember that one time, I broke down, and put a relaxer in my hair, after 12 years without?

Yeah, that happened a few months ago. Since then, I’ve lost about 2-3 inches, from breakage. I didn’t even realize I’d lost so much, until people kept asking me did I cut my hair.

I’m so bummed, and I kind of want to cry. I won’t, because I know its just hair. But, man…I want my natural hair back.

It’s going to take forever, for this darn relaxer to grow out. I’m actually thinking about cutting my hair some more, to lessen the breakage (that makes since, right?).

I’m not even sure why I did it. I didn’t need the relaxer (really no one “needs” it. But, I just wanted my hair to lay nicer, be easier to handle, better in the humidity, straighter, etc. You know the drill.

Right now, as it stands… I am so disappointed and pissed at myself. Oh well, you live and you learn. And, believe me, this lesson was definitely learned.

While these beads are really made for bracelets, I didn’t have one, so I put mine on a chain. I think it turned out totally cute!

They sell, on the site, for $49. They are adding schools every month so if you don’t see your school there is a good chance it will be coming soon! Most beads have matching silver and parachute cord bracelets available in a variety of sizes.

They also have enameled college beads, sorority beads and sorority pearl bracelets! All of which would make excellent graduation gifts – although I am very disappointment that they don’t have ANY sorority/frat beads, from any of the Divine Nine.

To find out more, about the, follow them on Facebook & Twitter.