1. Everyone is doing it... 
I generally avoid fads of all sorts. Seriously. I can't think of any exceptions. Help jog my memory if I'm mistaken. Does my fedora count?

2. Mark Zuckerberg can't tell me what to do. 
He can't rule my life. On my anniversary, Mark encouraged me to send love notes to my husband. Let me have my profile picture, Mark. I happen to like this one.

3. I like my profile picture.
Like I said, it's a good picture... you know because it got some good like-action. And do you know how many pictures I had to take to get that shot?! Seriously, it was an unusually high number. I even waited for the sun to move to a different position for better lighting.

4. When will the rainbow profile picture fad phase out?
I don't know if this is a longterm thing... so I'm just going to feel this one out. Like when do people decide they are over it? Will Mark encourage us to move on with a different filter? There's just so much to think about here.

5. It doesn't mean I don't support or care about what's going on.
This is important. Don't read too much into my rainbow-less filter.

Comment below and tell me why you did or did not change your Facebook profile image to have a rainbow filter.

It's graduation season, and you may have been invited to attend a graduation party of a college graduate. Or maybe they aren't celebrating this academic honor, but you want to give them a gift anyway... that's awesome. Too many people forget to recognize college graduates even though it is an academic achievement worth noting... scratch that... worth celebrating!

As a twice college graduate, here are my 5 gift ideas to give a college graduate:

1. Pay Off a Loan
Today's college graduate is graduating with thousands and thousands of dollars in debt. The best gift you can give a college grad is relief from debt. Ask the student for the amount of their smallest loan. If you can, pay all or part of it. Any extra amount applied to the principal of the loan will help.

2. Assist in Helping Them Find a Job
Bring the student out for coffee, and ask the student what it is he plans on doing now that he is graduated. Help them reach their career goals through networking. Maybe you know someone who knows someone. Maybe you can bring them to a networking meeting or a charitable club. These connections can be invaluable for the grad and an affordable gift for you.

3. Personal Business Cards
Similarly to the previous idea, providing a grad with their own business cards can equip and empower them to network on their own. A simple business card with their name, email, and phone number can be just what the student needs to make a memorable impression on a potential employer or client.

4. Interview Attire
New clothing for interviews will give the grad more confidence. Give them a gift card to a department store or a local boutique where they can be outfitted with professional interview attire appropriate for their career aspirations.

5. Office Supplies or Equipment
Depending on their field, get them office supplies or equipment relevant to their career. If they will be at a desk, expensive pens, a briefcase, computers, computer software, and daily planners can make great gifts. Or get them certain tools pertinent to their job. For example, you could give scissors to a clothing designer, a financial calculator to a realtor, camera equipment to a photographer, a hard hat to a construction manger, or even good shoes to the retail manager. Whatever the tool or supply, have their career in mind.

Whatever you get the grad, just being remembered and recognized will be appreciated. With this list in mind, you'll be sure to give the grad a gift they will appreciate and it may end up helping them reach their career goals.

To be honest, my marriage wasn't falling apart. But I was... and I was putting that stress on my dear husband.

Before I hired our neighbor who is 14 years old, I was trying to do it all by myself. I own a web design/marketing consulting business, and I would work while holding an infant who often interrupted my typing to interject some zioewalnkcoj. 

and

kmv ijsfw 

Then when my husband walked through the door from a stressful day of work, before he could even get off his coat I was asking him to hold the baby so I could finish this "one thing."

He hated it when I said that, because it meant I would be stuck in my office until 8:00 pm while he was juggling two kids and trying to destress from the day... often his mind on the things he wished he could be doing, like going to the gym or working in the garage.

Meanwhile, I would lose track of time and work until my stomach growled, and I realized dinner still needed to be made. I would stop what I was doing, make dinner, get everyone to the table by 9:00 pm, and then sit down and relax for 30 minutes before we got the children ready for bed. Yep... our kids go to bed really late. Don't judge me.

Enter the day I changed all that.

I hired a babysitter for 2-3 hours as often as she is able to join me after school. She stays at my house with the kids so if an emergency arrives, I can help. 

Now, after work my husband goes straight to the gym and comes home happy (endorphins are powerful!). Because I wasn't interrupted during my work time, I am able to quit working when he walks through the door.

Plus, the best part of the whole thing is I'm extremely motivated to clean my house before she arrives... which means my brain functions better (less clutter = more creative), and my house is always ready for when an unexpected client comes to my office.

Everyone is happy, and my kids love getting to play with a friend, rather than their mom. Sometimes dinner is served late, but that's ok... 

hey, I'm not perfect.