Supah-Dupah Activistas Web Wizard: RU There?

Raising a child, as we all know, takes a village.  Turns out writing and supporting a blog does, too.  More and more all the time, in fact. So, while we here at Activistas are really passionate on the issues, try hard to stay up on them (not always successfully), and like to think we're terrific writers, web wizards we are not. 

That's where you come in.  If. You're a Supah-Dupah Web Wizard. RU?  Or do you know someone who is?  Someone who either already or just might think we're da bomb (strangely enough not everyone does!), and want to help with some blog support... unpaid???  It's summer and all, so maybe someone out there somewhere in blogville needs an unpaid internship, a way to show off her design and web building prowess. We're here, waiting (not so) patiently for your email. Sure, we can keep doing this for awhile, but it would all be better and we'd lose the bags under our eyes if you would just save us from our own fabulous, multitudinous ideas and aspirations. 

We are Activistas.  And we thank you.  As do our beyond-patient families.

Raising a child, as we all know, takes a village.  Turns out writing and supporting a blog does, too.  More and more all the time, in fact. So, while we here at Activistas are really passionate on the issues, try hard to stay up on them (not always successfully), and like to think we're terrific writers, web wizards we are not. 

That's where you come in.  If. You're a Supah-Dupah Web Wizard. RU?  Or do you know someone who is?  Someone who either already or just might think we're da bomb (strangely enough not everyone does!), and want to help with some blog support... unpaid???  It's summer and all, so maybe someone out there somewhere in blogville needs an unpaid internship, a way to show off her design and web building prowess. We're here, waiting (not so) patiently for your email. Sure, we can keep doing this for awhile, but it would all be better and we'd lose the bags under our eyes if you would just save us from our own fabulous, multitudinous ideas and aspirations. 

We are Activistas.  And we thank you.  As do our beyond-patient families.

Freepeats Opens in Portland: Free Baby Stuff!

Angie Wynne, founder of the popular frugal parenting website, Baby Cheapskate, recently announced the Portland arrival of Freepeats.org, an online forum which allows parents to pick up gently-used baby, kid, and maternity items for free from nearby parents who have finished with them.

"Preparing for a baby's arrival is expensive," says Wynne, "and so is raising one. Common estimates put the cost at $10,000 in the first year alone. And this is at a time when many families are trying to get by on one parent's income. At the same time, many of the expensive baby items parents spend their money on get used only for a very short time. There's still plenty of life left in them. If parents can find good-condition second-hand clothing, toys, and gear, they'll shave hundreds of dollars or more off that $10,000 total. Besides that, we'll keep usable items out of the landfills."

Freepeats opened in the Portland area on July 16. Freepeats groups are also up and running in 24 other major U.S. cities. Wynne plans to open a dozen more Freepeats forums in metro areas throughout the U.S. during 2008. "I want parents all across the country to have access to the savings that Freepeats offers," Wynne says. "We're opening the forums just as fast as we can."

Portland-area residents who join Freepeats before August 1 will receive a free lifetime membership. After that, there's be a $4.95 one-time membership fee. Meanwhile, it is Wynne's hope that residents will get hundreds of dollars' worth of gently-used baby items for the price of the cost of the gas it takes to go pick them up locally.

Freepeats has now registered more than 5000 members. Offerings have included bouncers, swings, cribs, infant formula, baby and toddler clothing, zoo tickets, diapers, strollers, high chairs, baby gyms, parenting books, toys, and more. The site has been featured at Discovery.com's Planet Green website, Apartment Therapy.com, Nickelodeon's Parents Connect website, Green Deals Daily, and more.

Do you like to drink wine?

I host in home wine tasting parties.  What a great way to relax, take some time for yourself, and enjoy the company of your family and friends.  We provide exclusive, limited production wines in the comfort of your own home.  This is a fun addition to any gathering (book club, girls night out, dinner party, business social, etc.) Choose from whites, reds, or mixed.  As the host you receive special discounts and gifts, plus 6 bottles of wine to sample at your tasting for $59 (a $120 value).  Please check out my website at http://www.wineshopathome.com/amberferschweiler for more information or email me at amber.fer@verizon.net to book your date!  My summer calendar is filling up fast.

Also, the first person to email me with a confirmed date will receive your tasting sampler for FREE!

Summer Sale at Clementine NW!

I am excited to announce our first big sale at the hip online boutique Clementine NW! Starting today and running through the end of August we will be offering savings of up to 40% on our stock of organic and eco-friendly products for mamas, mamas-to-be, babies and children!

We also still have Free Shipping on all of our Organic Babylegs to promote our participation in the Sew Golden contest! Also remember that with every purchase you are creating a unique and custom gift box!

Shop now, shop early to get the best deals. Supplies are limited to stock on hand.

We will also be working to change things up a bit. We will be adding more options for customization and more products for mamas and babies! You’ll just have to wait and see all of the exciting changes we have planned!

Plus, continue to check the blog for more fun giveaways and special offers throughout the sale!

http://www.clementinenw.com

Pregnant Women Needed for Dissertation

I'm a local mom of two (soon to be three!) and I'd really like to finish my dissertation before number 3 arrives. Can you help me out?

I’d like to hear from you if you are a woman who is:

• between the ages of 20 and 39
• in her 1st or 2nd trimester (women in their 1st trimester are especially needed)
• experiencing a healthy pregnancy

In this study I will compare the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of pregnant women in all trimesters and of non-pregnant women.

I am a Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate at Alliant International University. This is a research project I’m conducting for my doctoral dissertation.

You'll receive $15 upon completion of an interview and paper-and-pencil testing session, which will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Please call Karin at (503) 925-0325 for more information and to determine if you qualify.  Thank you!

Book Review Op: HUMP - True Tales of Sex After Kids

I wanted to see if you'd like to review Kimberly Ford's excellent new book, HUMP True Tales of Sex After Kids (St. Martin's Griffin | July 2008), or perhaps interview the author.

Kimberly has written for Literary Mama, Moxie, and Mothering. Her new book serves as a lively and honest part-tale and part- guide to reclaiming sexuality after the bundle of joy arrives, HUMP True Tales of Sex After Kids inspires parents to snub the myth that your sex life dies after the baby is born (easier said than done, but there's hope).

Co-Housing Opportunity Available

My family (me, my husband and two kids - charlie 2, grace 5.5, three cats) lives in a pretty big 3 bedroom house in North Portland. We are thinking of having our family sleep in one room (a very big room) and renting the other two room(s). We would like to do this with people who have an interest in co-housing principles and raising children together. We are thinking we would start this in the fall.  Interested?  Please contact Susan at susan.maginn@gmail.com

Shop Goddess Needed at Milagros

Can you help a mama put a baby in a sling? We need you!

Seeking energetic, out-going part-time sales person for baby boutique. Needs to adore children, be able to work with limited supervision, and be computer literate. Knowledge of babywearing, cloth diapering, and breastfeeding are huge pluses. Recent retail experience is also preferred but not required.

Approximately 12-20 hours a week. Weekend work is required of this position.

Please email a letter of interest and resume for consideration: milagros@milagrosboutique.com

Thanks!

Free 8-week childbirth preparation series

My name is Kelly Schneyer.  I'm a relatively new childbirth educator and postpartum doula and owner of Web of Life Perinatal Services in NE Portland.  I am teaching a free 8 week childbirth preparation pilot series that also includes a free 8 week postpartum peer group.  This is a unique program for families-to-be, combining a childbirth education series with postpartum peer groups.  The childbirth education series is based on the biodynamic model, illustrating the biological ways that hormones can help or hinder birth.  We will also learn about the physiology of birth, pain relieving methods and addressing fears before labor begins.   The postpartum peer groups are a step beyond "Mommy & Me" groups.  Both parents are included in semi-structured weekly meetings, allowing entire families to connect.   My first series are FREE to a total of four families.  !f there are more interested families than I have room for, I will consider extending the offer and add additional days to my class calendar.

Volunteer Op: Weepost at the Waypost

The Waypost is a coffee shop in North Portland that has been holding "Weepost at the Waypost", a weekly reading and activity for our littlest set.  Any mamas want to volunteer to host weekly readings and activities for "Weepost at the Waypost"?  Contact Carrie at face.rondo@gmail.com