Blog Posts by The_Stir

sickDo you take time for yourself when you need it? If you are like me, I am sure you just laughed at the thought. I'm not even referring to "me time" so much as taking time when it is medically necessary.

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Working moms are often reluctant to take sick time when they need it. But that resistance might just be making them sicker.

Why is it that we have to be on our deathbeds to take a sick day? Especially when it would be better for everybody if we did? For some reason, we need to give ourselves permission to be human. Sometimes the best thing we can do for our family is take the day off to get well -- because being perpetually miserable is helping no one.

Tis the season when soon everyone in my house will be sick. This makes no difference to me. I have already had sinusitis and double ear infections twice since August and I am sure, those will be joined in the near future by their friend bronchitis and maybe even,

nicole fabian-weber
'Seething'Dear Onion,

Hey buddy. How you doin'? I like your haircut. I know I used to be against bandanas after a trip to the groomer, but I'll make an exception this time. One, because it's cute with the little doggies on it (very meta). And two, because -- well, I just don't care about your personal style as much as I once did.

You can say it; it's true. After having a (real) baby, I've become a deadbeat dog mom.

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They tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. I even swore to you during the very last weeks of my pregnancy that it wouldn't happen. And I didn't think it would! I thought I'd be different. I thought we were different. Remember when I was decorating your sister's nursery and I put you in the crib and took pictures and texted them them to people? That seems like another life. I never take photos of you anymore. It's all baby, all the time. (But to be totally forthcoming, this

Keira KnightleyNews flash -- Keira Knightley knows she has small breasts, and she honestly doesn't care. In fact, she's pretty happy about not having a very ample bosom, and it gets on her nerves when photos make her chest appear bigger than it actually is. (No, it really does piss her off.)

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I know, I know -- most small-chested gals try all sorts of ridiculous poses in photos to make their boobs look bigger. (But not Keira.)

In reference to how sometimes magazines feel the need to enhance her assets a bit, Keira told Us Weekly:

Ok, so it's a little bit strange that

jeansPicture this: You're sitting at your desk, it's about midday, and you're engaged in an all out staring contest with a package of Fun Size Peanut M&M's. Everything inside you is urging to pick up the package and devour the deliciously chocolate, nutty goodness but you can't help thinking, "Dang it. Another piece of chocolate and I'll never fit into my jeans." Truth be told, I'm going to eat the M&M's, but the point of this matter is my jeans. My jeans, people. My snug, comfortable, dark denim jeans.

They're my favorite pair. And they're also the pair I wear basically every day because they're the only pair that fit like I want them to: a little (ok! fine! a lot) of give through the hip, snug at the waist, and tight at the ankle. I wear these jeans religiously because I dread jean shopping. As a lady with a disproportionate figure, shopping for new denim is unbearable. I struggle (and cry) every time I go to the store.

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Whether we want to admit it or not (usually NOT, for obvious reasons), most of us have been in a relationship that has had issues involving intimacy and sex. It's not one of those things we like to talk about, but it's important that we do so that we can work through our sexual problems and realize we're not alone in our struggles with sex.

Here are some tips for overcoming common issues in the bedroom so we can move toward having a happy, healthy sex life.

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1) Don't worry. Sex isn't part of a relationship that's meant to be super stressful, so do your best to relax about it.

2) See if you can figure out the root cause. This may be more complicated than a simple, "OH! It's because I don't have new undies!" but it's important to understand where the issues come from and why they're happening to you and your partner.

3) Be open and honest about it. The more the sex problems are allowed to sit gnawing at

I've been fairly open and honest about the divorce I'm going through, which has been no easy feat. I've been separated from my husband for more than two years now, which means that all my well-meaning friends are bending over backwards to find me a new man in my life.

Problem is, I don't want one.

At least, not yet.

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Just because I don't feel like dating yet doesn't mean that I've become a man-hater or am ready to live a life with 40 cats all named Mr. Sprinkles. Far from it. I'd love nothing more than to have a partner. I'm simply not ready for one.

After being with the same person for nine years, I've still got a ton of soul-searching and healing to do well before I can focus my attention on anyone else, which means I'd probably attract the wrong kind of guy if I even attempted dating.

Divorce isn't easy, not by a longshot, which means that I have a lot more

kissing"Sex Confessions" is a series featuring your naughtiest bedroom secrets and fantasies. Some will sound familiar, others may give you ideas, some will turn you on, and some are dark and twisted. You might want to sit down for this.

Today Gina* has a secret that she is willing to share ... anonymously, of course. She kissed her best friend. Recently. She's married. Has a couple of kids. Is in her 30s. Yeah, she kissed her best friend, like full on, tongue and all, one night when she was out and her husband was home with the kids. She wasn't even drinking and neither was her friend. They live down the block from each other so they shared a ride into town to go out and essentially made out in the car on the ride home. What makes it even more scandalous is that Gina's best friend is a guy. Yikes! Let's let Gina explain ....

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I can't believe this happened! I really cannot believe it! My friend -- let's call him Dale --

Holidays alone with kidsAs much as I love the holiday season, it also causes me a fair amount of anxiety because due to my husband's job as a commercial pilot and military officer, it usually means I'm going to be celebrating them alone with my four kids.

Even though I still feel a bit of dread each year, I'm getting a bit better about accepting our fate and figuring out ways for all of us to cope, but regardless, it's still stressful.

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If have a spouse who travels or is away on the holidays, I bet these tips will help you too.

1. Ditch the countdown and advent calendars: You'd think by now I would learn my lesson, but having an advent calendar when you may not be celebrating Christmas on December 25 is the worst idea possible. We started a book tradition, where we read a different holiday-themed book every day, thus eliminating the actual calendar part. This allows us to be more flexible if Santa has to come early or