2009 Christmas gifts: What to buy instead of Zhu Zhu Pets

2009 Christmas gifts: What to buy instead of Zhu Zhu Pets

Posted using ShareThis

Coping With a Child's Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: What Has Helped Me
My daughter's cancer treatments have become a part of our routine, for better or worse. I'd like to share how I cope with all my worries, fears, and regrets, and how I get through each day.
Read More

Cheap Christmas gift ideas for kids ($10 or less, no batteries required)

Cheap Christmas gift ideas for kids ($10 or less, no batteries required)

Posted using ShareThis

My Personal Experience with H1N1 Flu
Here's what I know about H1N1 flu (swine flu)--symptoms, complications, effectiveness of Tamiflu, etc.--based on my own experience and my daughter's experience. My daughter's H1N1 flu adventure was more dramatic, but didn't last as long as mine.
Read More

Fun nationwide event for kids on October 24, 2009: 'LEGO Bricktober 500' at Toys 'R' Us

Fun nationwide event for kids on October 24, 2009: 'LEGO Bricktober 500' at Toys 'R' Us

Posted using ShareThis

Harlem Globetrotters coming to Kansas City Sprint Center this January: Save 15% on tickets now

Harlem Globetrotters coming to Kansas City Sprint Center this January: Save 15% on tickets now

Posted using ShareThis

M.O.O.C.H. Holds Annual Pre-Halloween Meeting, Discusses "Is it Immoral to Steal Halloween Candy from Your Children?"
Mothers of Obnoxious Candy Hoarders (M.O.O.C.H.) met on October 17th in Shawnee, Kansas, to prepare for Halloween.
http://www.associatedcontent.com

What to Do when Frank Mucci Steals Your AC Article Idea
Frank Mucci deserves this article. Don't forget to click the thumbs-up when you're done reading!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2268067/what_to_do_when_frank_mucci_steals.html

Review of 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' 3-D double feature

Review of 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' 3-D double feature

Posted using ShareThis

A Letter to My Daughter's Cancer
Dear Mr. Leukemia, I'm writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Audrey. She doesn't give you a second thought, but I've been thinking about you quite a bit. I met you many years ago when I was in high school--you killed my grandfather...
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2242463/a_letter_to_my_daughters_cancer.html

Board game review: Loaded Questions

Board game review: Loaded Questions

Posted using ShareThis

Hire Your Very Own AC-Article-Reading Professional--Cheap!
Reading and leaving comments on hundreds of AC articles every day is a drag. Let ACARP do all the hard work for you so you can get back to writing more cruddy AC articles!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2204369/hire_your_very_own_acarticlereading.html

Best get-well gifts for kids in the hospital

Best get-well gifts for kids in the hospital

Posted using ShareThis

One Precious
My 4-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia last week. I wrote this poem in her hospital room, with the help of some pigeons (I think they might be angels in disguise).
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2151081/one_precious.html

New 'Curious George Live!' stage musical coming to Kansas City this fall

New 'Curious George Live!' stage musical coming to Kansas City this fall

Posted using ShareThis

Buy Worlds of Fun tickets, get Royals tickets free with the “KC Double Play Package”: Good deal?

Buy Worlds of Fun tickets, get Royals tickets free with the “KC Double Play Package”: Good deal?

Posted using ShareThis

What Can I Buy Instead of "American Idols Live! Tour 2009" Tickets?
The ticket prices for the American Idols Live! Tour 2009 are outrageous! Here I provide a step-by-step money-wasting guide for people who would like to support the "American Idol" franchise by buying LOTS of stuff instead of 2 measly concert tickets.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2112281/what_can_i_buy_instead_of_american.html

Fun kids' stop on road trip across Missouri: Burger King indoor playground in Columbia, Missouri

Fun kids' stop on road trip across Missouri: Burger King indoor playground in Columbia, Missouri

Posted using ShareThis

Why I Think The Twilight Saga: New Moon Movie is Going to Suck
In order to preserve what's left of my dignity, I have to assume (or at least pretend to assume) that "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" movie is going to suck.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2084377/why_i_think_the_twilight_saga_new_moon.html

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best board games for kids (ages 3-8)?

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best board games for kids (ages 3-8)?

Posted using ShareThis

Movie Review: Funny People (2009)
I highly recommend Judd Apatow's new film, Funny People, starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen. Funny People is the most touching friendship story I've seen in a long time.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2050049/movie_review_funny_people_2009.html

Family Entertainment 101: How can we make clean-up time fun?

Family Entertainment 101: How can we make clean-up time fun?

Posted using ShareThis

More family attractions coming to Shawnee: Fritz's Railroad Restaurant and Little Monkey Bizness

More family attractions coming to Shawnee: Fritz's Railroad Restaurant and Little Monkey Bizness

Posted using ShareThis

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best classic live-action Disney movies for kids?

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best classic live-action Disney movies for kids?

Posted using ShareThis

Nobody's listening!

I've decided that this is the place to post stuff that I want to make sure NO ONE will ever read! Jeez!

Well, in case anyone cares, I'm writing at Examiner.com now--mostly articles about Kansas City kids' activities, so if you're interested, check me out: http://www.examiner.com/x-13345-Kansas-City-Family-Entertainment-Examiner

My goal is to start making at least $100/month off of my online writing jobs by Christmas.

I can do it!

Angel and Edward Cullen Discuss Love, Fame, and Sucky Vampire Stuff
Here's what happened when Angel (of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fame) and Twilight's Edward Cullen met in a dark alleyway. Angel vs. Edward Cullen: Who's sexier? Who's tougher? Who's smarter? Who would make a better astronaut?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1971998/angel_and_edward_cullen_discuss_love.html

Memorable Gifts for Mommy
"The Unexpected Perks of Parenthood: Breakfast in Bed, Halloween in July, and More!" My kids know what I like. Check out all these presents they've given me in the last month alone...
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2004924/memorable_gifts_for_mommy.html

Best Television Show of the 80s: Who's the Boss?
Who's the Boss? is my favorite television show of the 1980s. Why do I love this show so much? Read this article to find out.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1996108/best_television_show_of_the_80s_whos.html

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best family activities in Lawrence, Kansas?

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best family activities in Lawrence, Kansas?

Posted using ShareThis

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best kid-friendly restaurants in Kansas City?

Family Entertainment 101: What are the best kid-friendly restaurants in Kansas City?

Posted using ShareThis

Back to school 2009 sales tax holiday in Missouri

Back to school 2009 sales tax holiday in Missouri

Posted using ShareThis

Maria's Road Trip to the Rockies, Part 6: Estes Park to Kansas City
Join me and Dan as we tour the Argo Gold Mill in Idaho Springs, CO, and spend the night in Hays, Kansas. Time to go home!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1930644/marias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Free summer activities for Kansas City kids: Kansas City's Passport to Adventure 2009

Free summer activities for Kansas City kids: Kansas City's Passport to Adventure 2009

Posted using ShareThis

Free activities for Kansas City kids: Kidscape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum

Free activities for Kansas City kids: Kidscape exhibit at the Johnson County Museum

Posted using ShareThis

Review of the Chronicles of Narnia exhibit at Union Station in Kansas City

Review of the Chronicles of Narnia exhibit at Union Station in Kansas City

Posted using ShareThis

Maria's Road Trip to the Rockies, Part 5: More Rocky Mountain National Park
Today is our last full day in Estes Park, Colorado. All the hiking we did yesterday in Rocky Mountain National Park didn't kill us, so let's go back for more! We'll explore Sprague Lake and Dream Lake.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1895978/marias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Maria's Road Trip to the Rockies, Part 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Scenic, winding Bear Lake Road leads us through a lovely Aspen and pine forest, all the way to the Bear Lake Trailhead at the end. Now we're ready to do some fun, "easy" hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1873153/marias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Maria%2527s Road Trip to the Rockies%252C Part 3%253A Fun Times in Estes Park%252C Colorado
I%2527m tired of waiting for the sun to come out and ready to take a tour of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It%2527s supposedly haunted%252C you know%252C and%252C even cooler than that%252C it%2527s the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write %253Ci%253EThe Shining%253C%252Fi%253E%2521
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle%252F1857647%252Fmarias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Maria's Road Trip to the Rockies, Part 2: Limon to Estes Park, Colorado
Join me and my husband as we explore the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, shop at the Target in Boulder, and crash at Mary's Lake Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1836567/marias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Maria's Road Trip to the Rockies, Part 1: Kansas City to Limon, Colorado
My husband and I just got back from Colorado two days ago. Join me as I recount my road trip from Kansas City to Limon, Colorado, stopping at Abilene and Goodland, Kansas, along the way! How exciting!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1827723/marias_road_trip_to_the_rockies_part.html

Cause of AC Glitches Finally Revealed!
For weeks, AC Sources have hesitated to click the "publish" button. "Will this article index on Google? Will my subscribers be notified when my article is published?" we wonder. If only we could track down the person responsible for these glitches...
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1766100/cause_of_ac_glitches_finally_revealed.html

Top 10 Coldplay Songs
Coldplay is one of my favorite bands. Here are my top ten Coldplay songs.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1747764/top_10_coldplay_songs.html

My Favorite Soldier's Blog

When I imagine our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, I picture them crouched in the sand or in a tent, or sweating inside a tank. I picture them carrying guns and water bottles, not laptops. I was surprised to discover that a lot of American soldiers are blogging. Whether they blog to relieve stress, or to let friends and family know how they're doing, or to keep a record of every day spent away from home, soldiers have a lot to say. And I am listening.

One of my favorite blogs is Recall - An Involuntary Soldier's Story. My reasons for following this particular soldier's blog are purely personal: the "involuntary soldier" is Michael Sullivan, my very first friend on Associated Content. I always enjoy Michael's AC articles. I highly recommend his sex-scene criticism of Titanic (here).

Michael doesn't post on AC very often, but he is a prolific blogger. Regarding Recall - An Involuntary Soldier's Story, Michael writes: "This blog is inspired by Colby Buzzell, who wrote a blog called CBFTW (Colby Buzzell F*** This War) during his rotation in Iraq. He was later involuntarily activated out of his IRR status, just like I was, and wrote an article about it for Esquire...He showed up at his processing station focused intently on getting out of another tour, and he managed to fail a psychological evaluation to get that done. He seems to be at peace with his decision to get out of it, as he felt he would be irretrievably broken if he went back again.

Me? I can't tell if I'm broken, or if this is just the way I'm supposed to be. I haven't sustained a relationship past the two-month mark since my first deployment ended in 2003. I don't feel like I've been able to develop any close friendships since I returned from my second deployment in 2005...Is another rotation in Iraq going to make me worse? Is it going to give me a sense of purpose?" (quoted with permission from Recall - An Involuntary Soldier's Story, "Day 5," January 15, 2009)

Sgt. Sullivan blogs about everything, from his daily routine as an Army "Fobbit" in Iraq, to finance, to basketball, to movie trivia, to romance. His recent posts have dealt with online writing opportunities and other income-generating ideas Michael is considering when he returns home from Iraq. Michael is not thrilled to be in Iraq again (this is his third deployment--his second deployment to Iraq), but he's doing his best to find the positives in a less-than-ideal situation, and I'm inspired by his example.

Here are some of my favorite posts from Recall - An Involuntary Soldier's Story:

"Day 1: Here We Go Again"
Michael is a great writer. Ignore him whenever he tells you to go read so-and-so's blog instead of his.

"Photo Break!"
I love the pictures taken in the restroom at Camp McCrady.

"Day 46 (post 2)"
Suicidal thoughts; pros/cons of a nameless girlfriend (not Michael's girlfriend, mind you)...

"Day 75: The One About the Care Packages"
If you would like to send a soldier a care package, this incredibly-detailed blog entry will tell you everything you need to know, from what to send to how to send it. I just sent Michael a care package, in fact. I can't think of a better way to show a soldier you're thinking of him/her.

"Day 101"
What do soldiers do on their days off? Read this blog to find out. I am so jealous that Michael can buy all 7 seasons of "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" on DVD for $25 in Taji!

Michael is one of many soldiers with active blogs. Milblogging.com is "the world's largest index of military blogs," and is a great resource for soldiers, soldiers' families, and anyone interested in following the lives of soldiers around the world. I'm not a yellow-ribbon-magnet-on-my-car kind of person, but I have learned so much about the Army--about the sacrifices our troops make--by following Michael's blog. For me, reading and commenting on a soldier's blog is a meaningful way to show my support for our troops.

What Summer Means to an Irritable Mother
When I was a kid, I loved summer. Swimming! No school! A family vacation! A later bedtime! It didn't get any better than that. But now that I'm a mom, I have a very different understanding of what summer means.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1734530/what_summer_means_to_an_irritable_mother.html

Which Popular Fantasy Series is Best? J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, or Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials?
I recommend all three of these popular fantasy series: J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. But which is best? Let's compare them on the Scale of Awesomeness!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1700523/which_popular_fantasy_series_is_best.html

Why Does My Water Taste Like Sweaty Socks?

This is not a joke. Every night the water coming out of the faucet in my kitchen starts to taste and smell funky. In the morning, it's back to tasting fine (i.e., it has no noticeable taste at all). I'm trying to figure out if something is seeping into or out of the old pipes. And is this "something" harmful to me and my family? I can handle water that occasionally tastes like sweaty socks UNLESS that water is slowly poisoning me.

Are there any plumbers or environmental experts out there who can shed some light on this?

Guess why I got rid of my Brita water-filtration pitcher...Go ahead--guess!...Yes, I got rid of my Brita water-filtration pitcher because I was worried about bisphenol-A leeching out of the plastic pitcher into my drinking water. And now I'm drinking the straight, unfiltered, sweaty-sock stuff, regretting that I threw out my old, scratched, bisphenol-A-tainted plastic pitcher. What's wrong with me?

Please, if you know why my drinking water tastes like sweaty socks sometimes, PLEASE let me know in the comments section. Thank you!

Detective Mom and the Case of the Missing Shoe
Based on a true story. Detective Mom to the rescue!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1690420/detective_mom_and_the_case_of_the_missing.html

Best Kids' Birthday Party Locations in Kansas City
Kansas City is a great place to throw a memorable birthday party for your child. This article compares five popular children's birthday party venues in the Kansas City area.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1681362/best_kids_birthday_party_locations.html

How to Write Poetry for Page Views on Associated Content
A list poem, chock full of ideas for poems that will earn you a gazillion page views... if you're daring enough to write them. To all those struggling AC poets out there: This poem is for you.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1666610/how_to_write_poetry_for_page_views.html

A Butterfly Cinquain About Junk Food
"My Last Meal." If you think I'm leaving this Earth with a belly full of vegetables, you're sadly mistaken. This butterfly cinquain celebrates my favorite junk foods, and has nothing to do with butterflies.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1657233/a_butterfly_cinquain_about_junk_food.html

Adam Lambert Acrostic
ADAM LAMBERT...Oh, how I love thee...Let me count the ways. Oops. This is supposed to be an acrostic poem. Okay. I can do that, too. Adam Lambert ROCKS!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1652837/adam_lambert_acrostic.html

A Blog About Why I Don't Blog

"Maria, you'd be a GREAT blogger." That's what they tell me (and by "they," I mean "my one friend who has a successful blog"). But what do they know? Where am I going to find the time to update a blog on a regular basis? Oh, all right, I'm proving I have time right now. And there's a lot more time where this came from! You wouldn't believe it! But while I'm in here writing, my daughter is out in the living room, watching "Max and Ruby," and that makes me feel like I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing--reading to her, teaching her the alphabet, counting, playing dollhouse with her, feeding her nutritious snacks, taking her out to play with other kids her age, etc. Besides, there are plenty of other Mommy Bloggers who somehow manage all that stuff, and they're probably all way prettier and smarter than I am, so what chance do I have at making a mark in the blogosphere?

More importantly, how the heck am I going to make any money off of my blog? I don't know diddly about AdSense, and I wish the quality of my writing were enough to bring me thousands of regular readers. My experience with Associated Content has taught me, however, that quality of writing (on the internet) has nothing to do with page-views. Nope.

About Associated Content: That's where you'll normally find me. I've worked my butt off, reading and commenting on thousands of articles to entice the authors of those articles to check out my work. In nine months, I've published almost 60 articles, and I'm now up to roughly 22,500 page views. And 94 people have been silly enough to become "fans" of my work on AC. Associated Content pays me $1.50 per every 1000 page views, and informative articles are eligible for upfront payments (usually in the $3 range--more if you're an SEO expert). I don't normally write informative articles; most of my writing is creative, "funny" stuff. I'm doing okay for a creative writer at AC; lately, I've been averaging about 350 page views per article. Most of my reader traffic comes from within the AC community, but I've had a couple of articles land primo parking spots on Google. My hideously written, keyword-loaded article about YoVille on Facebook has over 6000 page views now.

So, with all my ties to AC, I'm not sure I can devote much time to a blog. I could repost my AC articles here, but then I'd run the risk of missing out on potential page views, right? Wouldn't I prefer for people to read my stuff at AC, where I'm getting paid for every page view?

I don't know what I prefer. I'm just trying to prove that my Creative Writing degree wasn't a complete waste of time (good luck with that, sucker!). It's disheartening to see so many great writers online, slaving away for pennies...but I know why they do it. Here I am, doing the same thing. I might not be "great," but I'm okay. Until my novel is published (and, dammit, I guess I need to finish writing the thing before I have any chance at publishing it), I'm going to continue slaving away. Because I love it.

Now, where the hell did this piece of toilet paper come from? Good Lord. Time to go.

If you're curious about Associated Content, you can check out my AC homepage here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/272765/maria_roth.html

We'll see what they have to say about my first blog post. They may very well decide that they don't want me here. What do the rest of you think? Will my husband ever forgive me if I start blogging regularly, in addition to writing my one or two AC posts every week? Will my children start to draw pictures of me with a keyboard growing out of my fingertips and a computer monitor growing out of my eyeballs? Probably.