Girls are trained from the start that we are someday going to have babies and become mothers.

It is never posed as a question…….

It is almost presented by society as a given.

If you don’t believe me, think about the baby doll industry……

The Cabbage Patch Doll Craze (which was after my doll years) did broach the topic of adoption……but I am not sure it was in the same way that I had to broach the topic of adoption in my life.

The words “I adopted my cabbage patch doll” are not necessarily along the same lines as: “I am infertile, I have spent all my savings on medical procedures trying to have a baby, I have miscarried, I am depressed, I feel alone, I can not have a biological child, I would like to adopt a child, I need to become a mother, I will spend THOUSANDS of dollars (that I may or may not have) in order to do so, it is taking me years to become a mother, and I never knew it could be so hard.”

Not the same as going to Toys R Us and “adopting your doll” for $29.95

Perhaps I should create the “Infertile Myrtle” doll…….probably wouldn’t sell.  What mother in her right mind would let her little girl play with that? Would I?

I for one grew up knowing I would always become a mother—it was just a question of when.

I took it for granted.

I never in my life thought it wouldn’t be easy.

I never imagined my body wouldn’t function the way it was supposed to.

I never expected to go through such painful medical treatments in order to get pregnant….

I never expected to miscarry every pregnancy…..

I didn’t think to save “just in case” I would need to adopt.

And I know I am not alone…….

Love much,

xob

When I married my husband almost thirteen years ago I was reluctant to take his name.

Not because there was anything wrong with it, but this Infertile Blonde is fiercely independent and I was concerned no one would know who I was….

He left the decision up to me and (as you probably figured out)  in the end I did take his name because it’s tradition……

However…..I did have an ulterior motive at the time.

I wanted a dog.

And I wanted a clever name……

And if my last name became Fawcett……

Then FARRAH fit the bill.

So in September of 1997 we got our beautiful little 7lb chocolate lab puppy and we named her Farrah.

People always ask “what’s her name?” and when I tell them they look confused….

So I explain……

and sometimes even with the explanation, they don’t get it…..

That’s ok.

As you can imagine, I am deeply saddened today to hear that the Original Farrah Fawcett passed away.

Farrah you were fabulous……

and you were taken before your time…..

Love much,

xob

UNCOOPERATIVE: Unwiling to cooperates, intentionally unaccommodating, not willing to help other peoplewith what they are trying to do.

This Infertile Blonde has an “uncooperative cervix” ….among other problems.

C’est la vie!

Love much,

xob

Admit it…..

You read them too….

It’s hard to stay away…..

We know they’re not true(don’t we?)…..

What started out as an “every so often habit” has now turned into a “daily obsession”.

And I am torn between “is it right” or “can I prove it wrong”

I’m talking about my horoscope……..

It’s no secret I’m looking for a miracle to happen these days….

I’m looking for any insight as to when a birthmother will look at our profile book and say “Yes, it’s her…..I want Becky to parent my child….”

And as I read my horoscope every morning—what do you think that husband of mine does?

Yes…..he shakes his head, rolls his eyes and smiles.

Let’s just say I provide the AM entertainment at the breakfast table.

So you can imagine my surprise yesterday when my horoscope read “You are in the process of finishing up an important two-year cycle that will officially end when Mars enters Gemini on July 13.”

Even that husband of mine perked up at that one……because you see July 20th will officially mark two years of trying to adopt our second child.

I know, I know, it’s hard to believe because I look so good for being 23 months pregnant…(instert laugh)…but it’s been two years.

And believe you me, I am ready to become a mom again….MORE THAN READY…..

I will try not to think about it……..

But I am counting the days down until July 13th…..

Horoscopes aren’t really true…..are they?

Love much,

xob

THIS BRACELET BUILDS FAMILIES…….

How you ask?

It’s simple really……

This is the official Helpusaodpt.org bracelet and all the profits our sales go directly to fund our Adoption Grant Program.

So now that you know that….How many do you want?

I never leave the house without at least one on my wrist.

But most days I wear seven……can’t have too much of a good thing.

The bracelets are $30 each and are made out of a smokey brown quartz. The gold leaf symbolizes a family tree (no matter how yours is built) and the picture above shows a stack of 8! 

We’ve sold quite a few……but for the sake of our applicants I need to ask for your help.

Would you be so kind as to tell everyone you know about this bracelet?

The bracelet can be purchased directly on our website’s home page www.helpusadopt.org —the complete story about the bracelet is posted here too.

Please post this link on your Facebook, Myspace, Linked IN, and email your friends and family.

The more bracelets we sell the more families we build through adoption.

It’s a beautiful thing……

Love much,

xob

I was recently asked to participate in a great summer program for middle school girls  here in NYC called The Wonder Girls!

(www.thewondergirls.org)

I was asked to give a talk on the power of one idea and making a difference.

I was also asked to supply a headshot.

First rule of thumb when you work with a group like this is to know your audience…..

So I found my 6th grade school picture……

The girls said I looked the same except for my teeth.

I told them that’s because I’ve had braces three times…and I reminded them to always wear their retainers.

It was a great day.

Love much,

xob

I am pretty sure that Emily Post didn’t cover “how to screen phone calls” in her etiquette books……but in my opinion she should have.

First, let’s get everything about me out in the open so there is no finger pointing.

I don’t generally screen phone calls.

But……

I don’t ever answer my home phone.

I can’t always find my cell phone before a call goes to voicemail.

And I do check to see who’s calling my cell if its before 9am, after 6pm or on the weekend.

I use my cell for both personal and work and my clients know this—it’s nothing I hide.

I also know that the field of PR is a “service industry” and therefore when it is humanly possible I do answer the phone during “off” hours and do my best to deal with whatever is needed.

Now…when I call someone I don’t always expect them to take my call….but it is a bit insulting when I am BLATENTLY blown off—especially with others in the service industry.

So here are some helpful hints to those with bad phone etiquette.

1. If you are going to screen your calls make sure the person you have answering the phone knows this. If they say you are in and then you have “magically” disappered—-it’s a little obvious to the caller that our call is not worth taking.

2. If the person answering the phone says you are in, then comes back and says you are out at a meeting and then you email the person calling two minutes later with a different story as to why you didn’t take the call, it doesn’t look good—quite frankly it’s a little insulting

3. If you call someone and they don’t answer (because sometimes we honestly can’t find our phone in time) and they call you right back—-PICK UP!!! It’s sort of obvious you are there.

4. And last but not least…EMAIL DOES NOT REPLACE TALKING TO LIVE PEOPLE…..

Live it.
Learn it.
Love it.

Love much,
xob

I should have known what kind of week it would be.

But I just didn’t see it coming.

We (all of us including dogs) arrived in Philadelphia Monday afternoon for a week of meetings and work.

We’d only been here for half an hour maybe when I noticed a horrible smell in the house.

It was Bitsy.

She had rolled in something in the woods and it was ALL OVER HER.

What a way to start my week I thought…..

Looking back….washing the “unidentified substance” off Bitsy might have been the highlight of my week.

Let’s just hope next week is better…..

Happy Friday.
Love much,
xob

Need I say more?

Some days just need a little sparkle…..

Love much,
xob

It poured rain in NYC today.

While normally a little rain doesn’t bother me……..

today was not the day for it!

I had four meetings out of the office.

I took the bus to one.

The subway to another.

But then…..because I still don’t know all the ins and outs of public transportation here…..I had to take two cabs.

For those of you who don’t know……cabs are IMPOSSIBLE to get when it rains in the City.

But caught one each time…..the instant I put my hand out.

This is equivalent to winning the lottery.

Maybe my luck is changing……and this time for the better…..

I think I’m due for a change.

Love much,

xob