Let’s talk about celebrities and motherhood! I read a headline on a story from earlier this year about Katie Holmes and motherhood. Here’s the headline, “Katie Holmes Has No Trouble Balancing Motherhood And A Career”

It sounds almost crazy. I don’t care who you are — if you are a mother, it’s hard to do everything that you want to do. It’s great that Katie seems to have figured this out, but I don’t think that it’s true for most people.

Later in the article she is asked point blank about balancing her career with motherhood.

IS IT HARD TO BALANCE MOTHERHOOD WITH A CAREER?

No, not at all. It’s fun. I find it exciting.”

I wonder if she would be able to say the same thing if she weren’t famous or rich. I just feel like this comment is a slap in the face to the millions of mothers out there who work a traditional full-time job, for traditional wages and do find it hard to balance everything.

We spent the “Day Out With Thomas” on Saturday and it was a great day. Thomas the Tank Engine was there, large as life. I think the sight of the real Thomas scared my son. After all, he’s used to playing with a Thomas that is only 2 inches high!

The event features Thomas the Tank Engine in all of his glory and a train ride with Thomas — we’re on the coaches he’s pulling/pushing. Although the train ride and meeting Thomas are the highlights of the day, there are several other activities to keep the little tykes occupied until it is his/her turn to see Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt makes appearances and poses for photos too. And there is a fake tattoo station, cotton candy vendors, a bounce house, and an imagination station where kids can play with Thomas toys.

Thomas is making his yearly tour across the country, so check the events listing his Web site to see if he’s coming to a town near you. One little boy on our train ride, summed it up best, “I love you Thomas!” he proclaimed.

Thomas in all his glory! Truly a sight to see.

Sir Topham Hatt.

Related:

• Find a Day Out With Thomas event near you.
• The official Thomas the Tank Engine Web site.

I’m taking a Master’s class about Executive Leadership and my assignment last week was to put together a presentation about an executive leader in the entertainment business. Lots of names came to mind, but I chose Paula Deen because she represents what I call an “overnight entrepreneur.” And, she’s a mom.

Paula Deen is an original mompreneuer. She’s enjoying success today because of a lot of hard work in order to take care of her sons. Here’s why Paula is an inspiration to women and moms.

• Devastation Leads to Action
  After 20 years of marriage, Paula Deen was faced with a devastating divorce, and the need to find a way to make a living to support her two young sons and teenage brother. All she’d know to this point in her life is how to cook and care for people, but she needed skills — and fast. Money was tight; she only had $200 and no business skills. This didn’t stop Paula from digging down deep to survive with the only thing she knew; cooking. (source: Paula’s Story.)
• Overcoming Obstacles
  She had no money, no formal education, and a disease that kept her indoors. (source: Paula’s Story.) A New York Times article quotes Paula on her agoraphobia:

  Some days I could get to the supermarket, but I could never go too far inside,” Ms. Deen said. “I learned to cook with the ingredients they kept close to the door.”

• Believing In Herself
  Paula believed in herself and self-published her first cookbook. Since that time she has had multiple cookbooks published along with a new memoir and is the Editor-in-Chief of a magazine.
• Taking the Good With the Bad
• Take Control of Your Life
• Do What You Love

Paula sums it up great on her Web site:

But, you know what, none of this would have happened if I hadn’t of taken the good with the bad, embraced both the heartache and joy, and taken control of my life when I thought it could not have gotten worse.”

Related:

• PaulaDeen.com
• NY Times article about Deen.
• Cooking With Paula Deen magazine.
• Top 5 recipes from Paula’s magazine.
• Paula’s The Lady and Son’s restaurant.
• Paula on Food Network.

Mr. Rogers is one of my all time favorite TV personalities so it is fitting that I honor him on my blog today, the “Won’t You Wear a Sweater? Day.”

Rollins College is honoring Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers) with a celebration of his life, on what would have been his 80th birthday. Mr. Rogers went to college at Rollins in the ’50s.

I remember watching Mr. Rogers when I was a kid. Loving the land of make believe. His gentle nature and soothing voice always captivated me. When my family made a big move, from Canada to Florida, the one constant was that Mr. Rogers was on TV in Florida too!

I’m sure my son would love Mr. Rogers — especially the train. I think I’ll honor Mr. Rogers with a tribute video tonight with the family.

Related:

• “Rollins College Celebrates Life of Fred Rogers” at Rollins.com.
• Orlando Sentinel’s “Rollins strives to preserve neighborly spirit of Mr. Rogers.”
• Mr. Roger’s company, Family Communications.

I’m sitting on my sofa, watching The 80th Academy Awards, waiting for the “moment.” You know what I’m talking about, they’ve been showing them all night long: Sally Fields’ “You like me” speech, Cuba Gooding Junior’s “I love you” speech. The Halle Berry’s tearful acceptance speech for the first win from an African-American woman.

Tonight’s show is a bit boring, until the winners of best song came along, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova These two lovely singers gave the best speeches of the night, encouraging us all to believe in our dreams. And, proof of that they are.

They made a little movie using hand-held cameras, three weeks, $100,000 and a dream. Here they are on Oscar night, each holding a golden statue, but more importantly, showing us that dreams do come true to those who believe. Two of my favorite pieces from each of their speeches are:”

• “Make art “
• “Dare to dream”
• “Don’t give up.”
• “Hope connects us all”

Here’s their live performance of the song they did for the movie, along with their inspiring acceptance speeches.