Maybe polygamists have something...?

It's official.

My husband and I need a wife.

Not for the fun stuff, mind you, but for all the duties typically assigned to the female in the family, especially down 'n dirty cleaning. (I love to cook, love to take care of our son, but loathe scrubbing or even dusting.)

Does it make me sexist to assume that another woman would be perfectly suited to do our laundry, tidy up the place and run the vacuum?

Perhaps we need a maid instead, but that sounds so luxurious and embarrassingly elitist. "Wife" has a nicer ring to it.

Until that day, though, the dust bunnies will reign.

Motivational speaker, motivate thyself

I was a motivational speaker for a while.

Today, a door closed.

I need motivation to find the open window.

Think I could go back in time and attend one of my pep rally speeches?

Top New Shows on The Neanderthal Channel (TNC)

1. Fire!
2. How to Live to 30
3. What dat?
4. Cavez
5. Gruntin' with Grog

Our Monday-Sunday Office Team (I'm on the left)

Fear not

Most people who meet me professionally assume I'm always the way I present myself when in an office or networking environment -- bubbly, positive, outgoing, confident.

Though I'd love it if that were the case, I have to admit that I sometimes allow myself to become swallowed by fear. It's not always a specific fear, mind you, but just an overall feeling of impending doom (a wonderful phrase coined by my dear friend Susan.)

Working from my home exacerbates the "fear factor", I believe. When your sole colleague is just shy of 5, you don't have many opportunities for deep water-cooler discussions. I can tell him, "Mommy's just having a rough morning," and his answer is, "I'll kiss you. Are you better now?" And though I'm touched, I'm not necessarily moved to action.

Ironically, I gave a motivational talk on Wednesday night to a group of about 150-200 people. (Yes, I love public speaking -- the more audience members, the better!)

The topic?

Overcoming Fears.

(As a side note, I wasn't talking about rational fears; those are important to our survival. Instead, I focused on fears that aren't based on anything real but are ways we trap ourselves into self-made "boxes".)

The presentation went very well, and many people told me afterward they were inspired to try something new, something different, something uncomfortable. The experience was a blast and I was thrilled to hear several attendees' personal stories after the speech was finished.

Today, I'm feeling a bit shaky. There's no one reason for this sudden lack of confidence. But there it is.

I guess I need to listen to my own advice and keeping moving forward. But I'd rather listen to advice from you, my "virtual" office mates.

What do you do when you're suddenly seized by unfounded fears?

Think my husband should be a satirist?

My hubby is a lawyer who is trying to escape from the law. (Well, not "escape" as in Prison Break or 24 but as in find a different career track after 20+ years of being an attorney.)

Fortunately, he has a great sense of humor. Check out his latest cartoon...

An FYI for the Self-Employed

If you're self-employed, those fun estimated tax checks need to be postmarked today!

(I know it hurts to fork over the money, but it'll ease the pain next April 15!)