BlogCatalog

It's almost here. Are you ready for it? Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30. These are  THE shopping days of the year – the two days when eager shoppers can take advantage of fantastic sales and special offers and quickly complete their holiday shopping lists.

But to really benefit from these special shopping days, you need a plan and you need to work that plan to its fullest potential.

1. Who's on your list? By now, you should have a written list of all the people for whom you are shopping this holiday season. If you don't, make one now!

2. What's on your list? Next to each gift recipient's name, note gift ideas for each one. In a separate area, list the holiday items you need for yourself, such as a party dress or home decorations.

3. Where will you shop? Now that you know what you need to buy, write down where you need to go to make your purchases.

4. How will you shop?Will you hit the brick and mortar stores on Black Friday or shop online on Cyber Monday? Or, will you do both? Decide now.

5. How much money can you save? Do your research. Look for scheduled sales and special offer. For example, if you plan on shopping at Banana Republic to purchase a dress shirt for your Uncle Bob, find out if BR is having a sale. Maybe there's even a promotion code you can use online to save money.

As you complete your lists and do your research, you may find yourself altering your original shopping strategy. This is to be expected, especially if you're trying to save money this holiday season. Be flexible. But in the end, come up with a plan and stick to it. Do what works for you, whether it's saving money or getting all your shopping done in one place for the sake of efficiency. Whatever your needs are, devise a strategy.

To stay ahead of the shopping game and help you save money, visit the following blogs for coupons, news and information on sales. Happy shopping!

Black Friday Sales 2009 – The blog title says it all. Visit this site for huge store sales, price cuts and more.

Queen of Clearance – Secrets to saving money while still living like royalty.

Christmas Store: Overstock Clearance, Gift Shopping Online, Free Shipping Offers – Clearance outlet deals.

I Love a Good Sale – The SOURCE for exclusive coupon codes and sales to most major retailers.

The Bargainist – Hand-picked deals, sales and coupons.

(Banner from Blog Catalog member Black Friday Sales 2009.)

As Thanksgiving approaches and we begin to focus our attention on buying and preparing dish after dish for our holiday feasts, it becomes more apparent than ever that there are many people in our communities that will be going without a Thanksgiving meal this year. In fact, many of these people often go without meals for themselves and their children and some struggle daily with hunger.

Food banks and nonprofit organizations all across the world do their best to help those in need, but it seems no matter how much they do there is always more that can be done. This year has been especially tough for these organizations. As millions of people worldwide feel the impacts of the current financial crisis, less and less people are in a position to give time, food or money.

That is why BloggersUnite has asked bloggers to join the Brown Bag Project. The aim of the project is to get bloggers to help in the fight against hunger. They have asked that today, 11/21/09, bloggers pack a bag full of food and deliver it to a hungry family, deliver food to a local food bank, donate money to a nonprofit fighting hunger, or anything else that will help feed those that are hungry.

The BlogCatalog team got in on the action a day early. Yesterday, we packed up 6 boxes full of food and delivered directly to families in need. We know our efforts are just a proverbial drop in the bucket, but seeing the smiles on the faces of those we helped and hearing their gratitude lets us know that we made a difference in their lives. And, that's what this project is about--taking just a little time out of your schedule to do something that will not only keep someone for being hungry tonight, but also make a positive impact on someone's life.

We want to thank St. Josephs's Downtown Church and Country Home Learning Center for helping us locate families in need. Anyone in the San Antonio area who would like to help someone in need today can donate a frozen turkey to the SA Food Bank's Holiday Turkey Round-Up until 7 pm today. Look for the refrigerated trucks at these SSFCU locations:

• 281 North Service Center
• The Rim Service Center
• 410/Rigsby Service Center
• SW Military Service Center

Links for maps to the donation centers can be found on the SA Food bank website.

When I was a child, my parents were my heroes. As a teenager, I often viewed them as adversaries. As I became an adult, they became more like great friends. Once that happened, I learned more about who my parents really are and were before my sister and I popped into the picture. And, I came to realize--as I think most of us do--that they are, well, kind of awesome. Blogger Eliot Glazer had the same realization. In fact, he not only realized his parents were awesome, but that all of our parents were awesome too. To celebrate this fact, Glazer has created a photoblog called My Parents Were Awesome.

Glazer says that he came up with the idea because as, "an editor at Urlesque, where we focus on everything webby...it's easy to get lost in the vitriol and snark of the blogosphere," and so to combat this cynicism he thought it would be great to "creat[e] a place that was 'warm and fuzzy'." But why did he choose to focus on parents? Were his parents really that awesome? "They're actually terrible, terrible people," he kids and quickly adds that actually "they're the best parents anyone could ask for." The reason he focused on parents is a bit more universal though. "[E]veryone has parents and most of us have pictures to commemorate them," he remarks, "and almost everyone likes sharing, so it seemed like an excellent fit."

He is definitely on to something. Glazer has received over 3,000 photo submissions in the little over two months since the site's launch and he jokes that he might have to hire an intern to keep up with all of them. The site has also received a decent amount of media coverage. I first heard about the site on NPR's show All Things Considered and later read a post about it on their blog. Fox News and ABC News have also interviewed Glazer about the site.

The site's success may not, however, stem solely from our simple desire to share. Glazer attributes it in part to the large number of people who really respect their parents and grandparents, and who have a sincere desire honor them. "I never would've expected so many people to come out of the woodwork dying to celebrate their own folks," he states.

Glazer, the proud parent of a 6-year-old Schnauzer mix, doesn't currently have children of his own. When kids do enter the picture, he hopes they'll attribute his awesomeness to his openness. "It would be great to have my kids know everything about me...It seems to make the parent-child relationship naturally healthy," he says. "How can one not think their parents are honest with them if there are no secrets? That's just pure respect, for better or worse." Even when there are no secrets, it can be hard to know everything about the people we call Mom and Dad. It can be even harder to imagine that the people who raised us--the ones who watched the nightly news, discussed local politics for fun, and played in the weekly Bridge club--were at one point the definition of cool.

Glazer's site provides the motivation for each of us to take a peek into our parents' awesome past and gives us a simple way to celebrate their coolness. My two favorite pictures so far are the hippies sticking out the top of the VW bug and the couple with the goats in the back of their car. Although, I am also quite partial to the pic above of my own parents on their honeymoon in Jamaica! I shared my favs with Glazer and while he agreed they are phenomenal shots, the one he loves is joan-submitted-by-elizabeth, "because it says so much about the subject and the era in which it was taken." Glazer seems to be having a ball celebrating the awesomeness of parents and says he has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Have you ever looked ahead at something you were dreading and wished… Oh, if only there was someone who would do this so I didn’t have to…

You ask – and the blogosphere answers.

I Do Things So You Don’t Have To is the humor blog of Julia DeGraf [JD at I Do Things here at BlogCatalog], who has been sparing us a mixture of crazy and mundane things by trying them herself since the summer of 2007. I Do Things So You Don’t Have To is always entertaining – full of tongue-in-cheek product reviews and humorous descriptions of what the author has tragically (and most of the time accidentally) consumed. Throw in a medical procedure (or two) and a side-order of nudism, the result is –ahem- unforgettable.

I recently spent some time with JD talking about her blog. When I arrived, she was smartly dressed in a pair of bright orange elephant pants and matching vest --  very MC Hammer meets the Orange Bowl Queen.  "It's been my favorite outfit since the seventh grade," she offered.

The room smelled mildly of hashbrowns. “It’s the cat,” she muttered, and invited me to make myself comfortable.

And so, we began our interview:

MM: How long have you been writing I Do Things? How did you come up with the concept?

JD: The boring truth is, the idea just popped into my head. I did have some other ideas, including “The Naked Editor” and “The Anxious Nudist.” The nudism theme has been fairly prominent throughout my blog, while I’ve written next to nothing about being an editor or having panic disorder.

Here’s a little-known fact: My original plan was to write mostly informative posts with some humor thrown in. Then I realized I don’t do very many interesting things (see: “I Bought a Door” ), so I had to make those things funny.

MM: Have you always been 'the funny one' or is it something you work at?

JD: I think of myself as funny, but I’m not sure I always come across that way. I like to say I’m funnier on paper than in person.

I met someone recently who reads my blog, and she waggled her finger at me and said, “I just know you’re going to crack me up!” Needless to say, all my funny dried up. I may have managed a feeble “knock knock” joke.

I sort of feel like you’re funny or you’re not. I have both parents to thank for my funny gene. My dad had a very unique, creative, and often silly sense of humor, and my mom is more witty and dry.

MM: What are your favorite things that you’ve tried so we don’t have to?

JD: Good question. Most of the things I do aren’t that interesting in and of themselves. But I have shared some experiences that I think people might find helpful or informative (but also funny, I hope. )

For instance,
I Drink Bugs … So You Don't Have To, and

I Had a Colonoscopy …  So You Don't Have To.

Of course, there are also posts I’ve written just for fun:
I Can Tap That  ... So You Don't Have To , and

I Flush … So You Don't Have To?

No one has really experienced I Do Things unless they’ve read one of my “nudist” posts:
I Went to the Ponderosa Sun Club …  So You Don't Have To.

But I’m proudest of my movie review posts, (because dang, those are hard to write! – at least for me...) You’ve really got to condense a lot of information into one post, and most of my posts are already way too long. I’ve only done a few movie reviews, but my favorite is:

I Watched Alligator… So You Don't Have To.

(This is probably a movie most people are grateful I watched so they don’t have to.)

MM: How do your family and friends feel about I Do Things? Do you find they do weirder things -- oh, like bellydancing or dressing up in drag -- to be a part of the fun? Or are you the instigator of weirdness?

JD: My family and friends are great: very supportive and encouraging. (Except for the ones who don’t read my blog and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. )

I definitely suspect my husband (and cats) of saying and doing things just to wind up in a post – and it totally works. Dave’s antics make great blog fodder, AND he’s a really good sport. As is my mom, who is constantly saying, “You’re not going to blog about that, are you?” then in the same breath: “Oh, you can blog about that.”

I find weirdness in everything, so I rarely have to instigate. My family and friends are all funny. I don’t hang around with unfunny people, yo.

MM: Talk to me about product reviews. What's the strangest thing you've purchased so I don't have to?

JD: Oh, definitely cereal marshmallows.

I had written a post about how I prefer the “charms” in Lucky Charms to the actual cereal, and a kind reader sent me a link to a site that sells just cereal marshmallows. SCORE! I tried them out, and man, were they were terrible.

To my extreme horror, the cereal marshmallow guy e-mailed me after reading my derogatory review. I was afraid he was going to yell at me, but instead he insisted on sending me the “non-Kosher” marshmallows.  To my surprise (and relief), the second bunch was really good.

(I’d like to think the cereal marshmallow guy made a few sales because of my post, but let’s be real.)

MM: How did you choose your blog design and graphics? Has the look of your blog remained the same or changed over time?

JD: I use 3 K2 Redux Klein by Headset Options, but I tweaked it a lot. My main reason for choosing this theme was a cool Flickr widget that I don’t even use anymore.

I replaced the original header with an image that was described by a reviewer as a “jellyfish-attack during an acid-flashback,” and that made me cry, so I changed it. I hired an excellent graphic designer who came up with the idea of cartoonizing a photo of me in a bathtub with a rose in my teeth.

I’m very happy with the way it looks and probably won’t change anything. …Unless someone criticizes my header again.

MM: How has your blog changed since you started it? What about your attitude towards blogging?

JD: Starting out, I wanted money and lots of it.

I began my blogging career reading ProBlogger and other sites that tell you how to monetize your blog. I’ve always focused on quality content, but in the beginning, I factored in money-making ads way more than I do now.

Two and a half years ago, I was young and ambitious. Now? I’m lazy and jaded.

Blogging is a lot of work, and it takes time to figure out the best way to monetize. I’d rather work on writing good posts. Besides, if you write well, the advertisers come to YOU, right? (laughs bitterly..)

MM: What's your day job? How do you work blogging into the 'real' part of your life?

JD: By day, I’m a freelance book editor. Since I work at home and make my own hours, it’s easy for me to be flexible. I’m lucky. I mostly blog when I feel like it (which is almost never.)

I tend to take notes when I’m working out (awkward), in the middle of conversations (rude), or driving (dangerous). I’m grateful for my schedule, because I can do things during the weekday that most people have to cram in on weekends or evenings, like shopping, working out, or blogging. This typically leaves me very little time for actual work, but today’s modern woman doesn’t have time for EVERYthing.

MM:What do you wish someone else would do so YOU don't have to?

JD: Oh, so many things. Clean my house. Lose my weight. Wash my car. Figure out why the cabinet under my sink is all wet and what that one stain is. Oh, and get a pap smear.

Before I knew it, our interview was over, and JD had motored off for an emergency White Castle run. As I showed myself to the door, I thought about how glad I was to have found I Do Things So You Don’t Have To. It’s a quirky blog by a very funny lady.

I also found myself thinking, “Hm. Pap-smear-by-proxy… Genius!”

There are things you need and things you don't need. And just because something is advertised on television, creating a buzz on the Internet or comes highly recommended by your Aunt Josephine, doesn't mean you need it.

Jen Benz, trendsetter, blogger and creator of Prom Mafia agrees, presenting a handful of things you don't need in her blog post appropriately title, "5 Things You Don't Need." Seriously, let's face it. If you don't need it, but you buy it, you're just wasting your money. And Jen aims to save you from that.

So, what are these five things you don't need?
1. The Bra Strap Clip - According to Jen, "You can get the same result by clipping a safety pin around your straps, which is what I’ve been using for years."

2. The Snuggie - I hate the Snuggie. I find it offensive, not only to my sense of fashion but also to my intelligence. I own blankets. I own a robe. That's enough. And Jen posed this smart question to Snuggie users, "Do you really need a hybrid of the two?"

3. Shoes that get you in shape - I agree with Jen on this one. I mean, is there really any data out there to prove that I can get rid of my cellulite by wearing flip flops or sneakers with that extra thick sole?

4. The Kindle - "Technology is great," explained Jen, "but there is something special about holding a real book."

5. The Cookie Diet - Um..., yeah. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.

So, what are some things you DO need? I turned to Jen for help with this one and here are her recommendations:

1. Makeup Remover - Soap and water just isn't enough. "Makeup remover is formulated to quickly and easily remove makeup with minimal wiping," she said. Minimal wiping means less damage to your skin. Jen has sensitive skin and suggested women with the same issue use Neutrogena Ultra Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads.

2. Dr. Scholl's Gel Insoles - Don't let the annoying commercials throw you off. Jen and I are both a big fan of these lifesavers. "They soothe your feet and help you get through the day in a pair of not-so-comfortable shoes," Jen said. "You can use them over and over again and switch them in and out of different pairs of shoes." Dr. Scholl's Gel Insoles can run you about $10, but Jen suggested you visit the Dr. Scholl's website and print out the $2 off coupon for the insoles.

3. isABelt - Jen described isABelt as "The ultimate fashion fix-it item." This invisible belt is designed to fix back pant gap and help fashionistas from flashing their panties.

So whether you're shopping for yourself or purchasing gifts for this holiday season, keep in mind the things you need and the things you don't need and avoid the latter. Then check back with Prom Mafia to stay up to date with all the things you need... or at least, want.

Charlene knows about balance. She blogs about it at The Balance Beam — Life Balance Strategy, humor & Random Overshare.

A Life Spent Hanging From The Edge

I know nothing of balance, which means that for me, her blog possesses a mysterious, unfamiliar, and exotic draw. My life has been a long series of the extreme. I've been in the top 10% of income earners, and I've been homeless. I've lived in downtown San Diego and in Rural Missouri. Even my chosen professions are adventures in extremety; Soldier, Salesman and Writer.

I've killed two marriages by never being there. Both relationships failed because I have never known anything close to balance. But since leaving my last job because the imbalance in my life had finally caught up with me, the idea of introducing some sense of balance has been on my mind.

Enter Charlene

"Just like in business, we have to think about our life in terms of the strategic big picture. This is why I call it 'Personal Strategic Management.'

"We have to prioritize and invest. We have to get past our own lazy objections. Especially when things aren't easy."

Charlene has this stuff down. She attends conferences on the subject. Not just as an attendee but she attends as an expert. And she shares her expertise on the blog.

The Slippery Slope, reminiscent to the sharpening the saw concept familiar to Ziglar readers, expands on the idea of planning time to refocus and re-energize. She offers some simple, practical action steps for avoiding the slippery slope of imbalance, that actually robs you of the productivity you are seeking to gain as you begin the slide.

There is a lot of personal exploration on the blog, including some Potty Talk, that being an example of here parenting discussions. She has some pictures of herself on the blog, and as is often the case, I don't see what she apparently sees, since she sees someone who struggles with all three culprits that prevent weight loss at some point in her life. Could be I'm just not sensitive enough, but I don't see the problem. Could just be scale too, since I'm 73" and 310# as of Fridays visit to the VA.

The content on this blog is great. I really enjoyed the read, took away some advice I will apply to my life in my own pursuit of balance, and found my self exposed to ideas previously unconsidered.

There are a couple of things I mention with some reserve, given the quality of the message. I don't care overmuch for the yellow post background. I'd love to see her change it to a title background and post outline, leaving the body of the post on a nice white screen.

I'd also like to see the BC widget on the blog so I could have seen who else has been reading her. But that's just me. She does have the Google Friends widget, and if she made the decision that she could only have one, Google has a huge audience that is difficult to ignore.

In all the content and ideas far outwheigh my little niggling complaints and she earns five stars from me.

What do you think? Five stars from you too? Why or why not?

I love it when things just come together at the right moment. For example, this past weekend I spent a huge chunk of my free time organizing my laundry room and kitchen. I consolidated half empty bottles of cleaner, got rid of never used gadgets, threw away months-old leftovers, and turned chaotic drawers and cabinets into neatly arranged spaces. Then, I arrived to a freshly painted office on Monday and spent most of the day rearranging the furniture that had been left in the middle of the room and ridding my workspace of unnecessary clutter.

Here's where it all comes together. On Tuesday, after spending the previous three days organizing, I checked a post on our BlogCatalog Facebook page asking interested bloggers to leave a comment if they wanted us to highlight their blog. And, the first one listed there was Debbie Jordan Kravitz's Virtually Organized!

Debbie is a professional organizer and author of the book Everything I Know About Perfectionism I Learned From My Breasts: Secrets and Solutions for Overpowering Perfectionism. Her Meet Debbie page explains that she is a cancer survivor and recovering perfectionist. Her battle with cancer taught her a bit about life, which she shares in an excerpt form her book:

I finally realized life is too unpredictable to waste time on perfection. You have to learn to make due with a less-than-perfectly-organized household, and instead spend more time with your family and friends. You need to relax, be patient, and enjoy the simple things life has to offer. And above all, you need to extend outside your own narrow comfort zone and try things you might actually fail. After my battle with cancer, I learned to ski, quite unsuccessfully I might add, and I learned to play Texas Hold’em poker…

Post-perfectionism, I finally had the courage to do something I had secretly dreamed of. I took yet another chance and started my own business, D & R Custom Organizers (now Virtually Organized by Debbie), and became a Professional Organizer. I truly enjoy helping others realize the benefits of organization, simplicity, and letting go of perfection.

I came across Virtually Organized while I was still enjoying my newly de-cluttered space and the sense of productiveness instilled by my days of organization. I was, therefore, eager to read Debbie's tips and find ways to further rid myself of unnecessary clutter and simplify my life. Her well-organized and easy to navigate site ( a must have for a professional organizer) makes finding the information you need quite easy. The main categories--procrastination, perfectionism, kids, clutter, and time--make identifying your problem and finding relevant information a snap. The site has tips on methods for organizing your home, your time and your money. It seems that if there is any aspect of your life that has become chaotic, Debbie is the lady that can help you get it back in order.

One problem I personally struggle with is keeping all of my bills, files and important documents neatly stored. It seems that most of them end in a huge pile on the back of my desk and a lot of them remain there, unopened until their date with the shredder. If you have a similar problem, I suggest you check out her 3 part series on creating The Ultimate Family Command Center. You may have different problems: an unorganized handbag, kids toys everywhere, too much to do and too little time. Whatever the issue is, my bet is Debbie has a tip that can help you.

Today's spotlight is perhaps less of a blog promotion and more of a commercial service promotion, but I was fascinated by the concept of having my own personal historian, because that's how Dan Curtis describes himself: a personal historian, and an award winning documentary filmmaker for the past two decades, who assists individuals who want to preserve their family stories so that treasured memories are saved. He offers a wide range of services, which include creating Video Memoirs and Personal History Books as well as offering workshops on writing personal histories and ethical wills.

November 11th is known by different names all across the globe. To some it is known as Veterans Day; others call it Armistice Day or Remembrance Day. No matter what you call it, November 11 is a day to remember the soldiers who gave their lives to protect our freedoms and to honor their memory.

Throughout modern history this day has been marked by parades, memorial services, speeches and other events that express the respect we have for our fallen heroes. Recently, with the coming of blogs and other social media platforms, our remembrance has also moved online. Social networks like Twitter and Facebook are allowing users to share their thoughts about the holiday and details about their activities with friends and followers. This gives us great insight into how people feel about this holiday and what they do to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for the greater good.

JoeMasiero tweeted "Thank you to all the veterans who have served and all those still serving our country." MissBonatide says "Thank you to all the veterans who have served and all those still serving our country." Mstigall shared this, "Do yourself a favor and personally thank at least one veteran and one current soldier today. They deserve it." Some even shared links showing what they are planning to do to sow their respect and urging other to join them. JazminAshlee wrote "I will be doing this ==>>http://bit.ly/1FrTfR<<== You should too!" Her link takes you to a page on parents.com where you can find information on sending letters and care packages to currently deployed troops.

Bloggers are also very active on this day. BloggersUnite.org, a website dedicated to raising awareness about important issues by asking bloggers to write about a certain issue on a particular day, is holding an event today called Veterans Day: Who Will Stand. The event is aimed at raising awareness and funds for nonprofit groups that support U.S. Veterans. Event organizers also hope to promote "Who Will Stand," a documentary that explores the issues U.S. veterans face when dealing with the physical and psychological scars of battle.

The bloggers participating in the event share their individual views about Veterans Day and their personal experiences. Julia Kelly's post "From Flanders Field to Silent Tears: Bloggers Unite for Veterans" is a great overview piece that spotlights several BlogCatalog members who are writing about their military experiences. She tells us about people like Susan Blake, a mother writing about her son's deployment to Iraq, and Leanne Koscsis who created a resource called Military Avenue that provides information and connections for military families.

Bloggers Jane and Beth also share their thoughts on Veterans Day through their fictional characters Margie and Edna, two elderly sisters from the fictional town of Jericho, KS. Margie reflects on the recent memorial for the soldiers killed at Fort Hood. "I saw the spouses who have to go it alone now," she writes, "the parents who have suffered the loss of a child, the children who will miss growing up with one parent, and all the brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, and friends who mourn. I mourn with all of you and I am grateful for all those who serve our country now, then, and in the years to come."

The birth of social media has changed the way people connect with one another. When it comes to a holiday like Veterans Day, it gives people the opportunity to easily share their thoughts about the day, let people know about planned activities and make meaningful connections. It allows organizations to reach out to millions of people and let them know how they can support Veterans. And, it even gives those of us stuck behind a desk today the ability to contribute and honor the brave men and women who have so selflessly given their lives defending us.

Thanks you to all the brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending my freedom. To those of you who are currently deployed, thank you for your service. Stay safe and come home soon!

This post was cross posted on Broowaha.com and was submitted to BloggersUnite.org as part of the Veterans Day: Who Will Stand event.

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

~  Lt. Col John McCrae,  In Flanders Fields

Whether you know it as Veterans Day, Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, November 11 is a day set aside to honor the fallen.

It is a day we honor all service men and women who wear the uniform of their country, overcoming fear to do what is necessary in a dangerous world.

The path of a soldier is one in which emotion is tempered by duty and discipline, and peril is balanced by the tedium of constant readiness. There are a thousand partners in the journey down the soldier’s path – family and friends, strangers and compatriots. We glimpse the experience of these many through the blogs they keep – through their poetry and personal stories, as they support loved ones and each other.

BlogCatalog lists the blogs of many service members, veterans organizations and military families. Blogging, although relatively new, has become an indispensible way for soldiers and veterans to connect with family and express the sometimes raw emotions that are a part of military life.  It is also a way to discuss everyday routines and to take comfort in a community that understands the challenges of military life.

Occasionally, blog-authors use their writing to share experiences that are deeply personal.  Such is the case with BlogCatalog member, Susan Blake.  Recently, Susan took the brave step of writing about her son’s deployment to Iraq. As she describes on her blog, Erasing the Bored, it was a difficult topic, but one she hopes will enlighten others’ perception of soldiers and their families.  Susan writes eloquently about saying goodbye to her only son on the day he shipped out, reflecting on the very moment of goodbye,

He stripped himself of himself in so many ways - and became what? A soldier? I knew in my heart I was losing a huge part of my son that day. He would not come back. This was the official ending of his childhood. I could no longer protect him. He would have experiences there that would change him forever.

Susan’s writing spoke to my heart and brought tears to my eyes. In that moment of transformation, her boy became a soldier and she became a military mother.

Military families bear a difficult burden. They stay and wait and wonder; the homefront is their battlefield.  And yet, the blogs of military families are rich -- full of highs and lows, ordinary days and extraordinary trials.  Many create networks of support, sharing information on policy changes and programs. Krystel at ArmyWife101 has certainly done that, promoting VetsPrevail, answering questions about on-post life,  and sharing ways to reach out to loved ones during the holidays.

Leanne Koscsis at Military Avenue has created a great resource for Military families. Military Avenue hosts a question & answer forum for members to connect with one another and provides policy information and links to businesses who support the troops. Most recently, Military Avenue has compiled a list of 101 ways ordinary people can thank veterans every day of the year.

At times, blogs are the places to share lessons learned from the past. Lynne Cole's writing contrasts the treatment of returning Vietnam veterans with those coming home from Operation Desert Storm. The difference was made, in large part, because of the amazing troop greeters (of whom Lynne was one) who gave their time and energy to throw their arms open in welcome, embracing tearful soldiers grateful to be taking their first steps back on home soil.

And when the lessons of the past and the needs of the present converge, there are groups of bloggers who will stand together, dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing needs of soldiers and veterans. BloggersUnite -- Veterans Day: Who Will Stand is a just such a group.

Veterans Day: Who Will Stand bloggers are writing today to help raise awareness and funds for nonprofit organizations that support U.S. Veterans returning from service with physical and/or psychological scars. According to Military Medicine magazine, 46.5 percent of solders with post-traumatic stress [PTS] have suicidal thoughts and 33.5 percent of PTS sufferers have tried to commit suicide – clear evidence that battlefield trauma can follow a soldier home. Veterans make up a significant portion of homeless men in the United States as well. In many ways, our Veterans are in crisis; now is the time to come together to help.

You can help veterans by informing yourself and by spreading the word to raise awareness of their needs. You can contact your Representatives and Senators and local leaders in government to express your support of Veterans. Be vocal.  Support your local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, or your local VA hospital with your time, talent, and funds. Or learn about and support these organizations that help Soldiers and Veterans every day:

• The Soldiers Project helps provide free counseling and support to military service members who have already or who expect to serve in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan conflicts and to veterans of those conflicts. The services are completely confidential and are not reported to any  government agencies.

• Blue Star Mothers provides support for active duty service personnel, assists veterans organizations, and is available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts. The organization consists of mothers who have had children honorably serving in the military.

• Wounded Warrior Project raises awareness and enlists the aid of the public in meeting the needs of severely injured service men and women by providing direct services that honor and empower wounded warriors. They also advocate for legislation to provide critically-needed services to family caregivers of severely wounded warriors.

These organizations and others are featured in the film Who Will Stand, an independent documentary that covers the plight of physically and/or psychologically wounded soldiers after they have returned from war. To learn more, you can watch excerpts from the film, shared by producer/director Phil Valentine on YouTube.  Who Will Stand will also be featured at a special Veterans Day screening in Las Vegas on November 11, 2009.

I will close with a quotation from Iraq veteran and BlogCatalog poetry-blogger, Tony L. Jefferson, Jr., from his blog, Poetic MindState. Tony’s poems are powerful expressions of his life as a soldier and as a man. In his poem Silent Tears, he writes,

…
I carry this pain, this hurt, this distrust
Like a soldier carries his bags in Iraq
How can I love while crying these silent tears?
How can one person live with so much pain?
All I could do was cry
Cry for you
Cry for me
Cry for the world
…

Today, we at BlogCatalog invite you to read about and support the men and women of our armed forces and their families. Please do so with an open mind and heart. And then take action to support soldiers, veterans, and their families in your own community not just today, but throughout the year.