Join Us for a "Picture" Perfect #GNO Tues!

How can photography help you preserve your most meaningful relationships?
What are tips to taking the perfect shots?
What are your favorite pics?
My kids won't sit still! What are tips for taking terrific kid shots?

All these questions and more answered at #GNO!

(Photo courtesy of Flickr.)

What: GNO (What's GNO? Click here to find out!)



Where: Tweet Grid (#gno)



When: Between 6 & 10 pm PST (9 pm to 1 am EST)



Who: Welcome our guest tweet Casey from Moosh in Indy (@mooshinindy)



Why: To chat about photography!



Important: Want to win big? Enter to win one of our three giveaways.



RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_momIF).

GNO Gets Financially Fit

Inauguration day is Tuesday. With the economy the worst it's been in a long time, Mom It Forward's #GNO is talking budgeting, frugal living, coupon tips, and ways to save while still keeping the treats you love!

Join your favorite #gno gals along with guest tweet Barb from The Coupon Cupboard and on twitter @Chaotic_Barb on Tuesday, January 20 from 6-10 p.m. PST (9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern).

Here are some mini-topics she'll be covering!

• Cutting grocery budgets. Why pay more than you have to?
  
• Saving on gas.
• Eating in not out!
• Children's birthday parties, get more with less!
• Where to find great coupons.
• Stockpiling and what to do with extra stockpiles.
• Online shopping with coupon codes.

Here's a little teaser straight from Barb...

You CAN treat yourself and stay within your budget. For example (If you love expensive coffee you can buy Starbucks cards at Costco. They are $79.99 for $100 worth, you register them and get all your toppings and some refills for free.)

RSVP and follow other #gno gals. Leave your Twitter ID and then Your Twitter URL. (ex. http://twitter.com/carissa_MomIF)

Any Questions? Please leave them in the comments!
For More #GNO Info, Click Here.

#GNO Gets Fit!

Are you an expert in what your own body needs? Are you the expert mom of your daily diet; what it is and what it could be? Are you in need of more encouragement and less 'tell me what I should do'? Then the Modern Mom Challenge hosted by Lolita from @modernmom and Renee from @cutiebootycakes is for you!

Mom It Forward's #GNO, in an effort to help moms get fit, is partnering with these two Forward Moms for a topic of fitness, diet and exercise in the new year, new whole you! Come prepared to chat, learn, and encourage your fellow Forward Moms with Lolita and Renee our co- Guest Tweets! (photo by Sean Drileinger)

Are you in need of suggestions for how to find time for fitness in your busy mom life? Do you head to the gym faithfully? Do you grab the stroller and brave the outdoors? Do you have some ideas and tips for ways to support your fellow #GNO gals?

1. What has been your biggest challenge when trying to get healthy and fit?
2. What to you think will help motivate you to incorporate exercise into your life?
3. Do you notice fluctuations in your weight when you are experiencing changes in your life?

These and more to be answered Tuesday night!

Please leave any questions or suggestions you might have in the comment section and we'll compile them for the Guest Tweets to tackle during #GNO.

Are you new to #GNO? FAQ here!


Join us Tuesday, January 13 at 6 p.m. PST (9 Eastern) on Twitter (#gno) for an evening of health and exercise tips, support, goal setting, as well as your favorite #gno gal
chatter. RSVP here with your twitter url.... not your website url!
(Example: http://twitter.com/jyl_momif)






Member Questions:

• "How do you motivate yourself to start exercising" also If I walk up and down the stairs in my house 20x's- does that count? RachelFerrucci
• "Is it better to walk at a steady pace or do like the book Body for Life suggests a pattern of increasing your pace for a few minutes then slowing down?"
• Would love to find support from a virtual exercise buddy!

RSVP: Get in the Know Tuesday at #GNO With @JessicaKnows

Increase Your Social Networking MomPower at #GNO!

Are you ready to take social media networking to the next level?

By definition:

Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of one's business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals.
(photo by womandare2believe)

Why is social networking important? At a basic level and what brought #GNO Gals together... connecting with other moms is fun! We relate to and support each other. We get/give advice and get information from and share tips with each other. On a practical level... because it increases our connections. And, connections lead to opportunities. And, opportunities lead to personal and professional success and ultimately, a greater ability to Mom It Forward.

So, join us Tuesday, January 6 at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern) on Twitter for #GNO with Jessica Smith (@JessicaKnows) from JessicaKnows.com where you will learn the ins and outs of social media, marketing, and networking from one of our own #GNO Gals who is truly in the "know."

RSVP to Par-Tay With Us Twitter Style!
RSVP below using your Twitter URL (e.g., http://twitter.com/carissa_MomIF). Remember, Mr. Linky remembers the last URL you have input, so double check the second box before you hit enter! Please enter your Twitter ID/URL only—not your blog URL! Thanks!

RSVP for GNO's Last Party of 2008!

How Can GNO Strengthen You?

Mom It Forward's mission is to change the world one mom at a time. Yep! We mean our world and with your help. Lofty, we know. But, possible!
(Mom It Forward Salt Lake City Chapter Service Project)

You may be thinking... "How do I balance my desire to give back with all the other responsibilities in my life?"

(Photos courtesy of Adria Richards, Betsssssy,and Ed Yourdon)

As moms, we know the demands of balance... which usually looks like balancing a baby on our hips while balancing the checkbook and at the same time attempting to balance our own physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual needs so we can even think about taking care of other's needs. Just put us on a tight rope already and make sure there's a really broad and strong net below, because that is a whole lot of balancing going on!

But, we also know that achieving success in our personal and professional lives and all the many roles we play in both arenas requires balance. That is why during the month of January, we are focusing GNO on strengthening moms... again, we mean You!... by discussing topics focused on balancing the whole person—on filling our pitchers, so to speak, so we can in turn fill the cups of those relationships that matter most to us.
(photo courtesy of Mark Stroizer)

What Is the Social Calendar for Jan.?

December 30: A Healthy You—Chat with @drmommy about health and wellness.


January 6: A Social You—Get in the know with @jessicaknows as we talk about networking, business solutions, and the power of social media.

January 13: A Physically Fit You—Join other GNO Gals, led by @cutiebootycakes and @modernmom, as we committ to and support each other to improving our diet and exercise for 2009.

January 20: A Financially Fit You— Learn budgeting and coupon tips from @chaotic_barb.

January 27: Gab & Give—Gossip and gab in true GNO style (without an assigned topic) and enter to win our monthly giveaway.

RSVP Here!
RSVP for this week's GNO (Tuesday, December 30 at 6 p.m. Pacific/9 p.m. Eastern) by using Mr. Linky below using your twitter ID and URL (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_MomIF). New to Twitter? Sign up at Twitter.com.

The Doctor's In!

We are excited to announce our guest tweet for Tuesday, December 30... you know her on twitter as @drmommy!

Dr. Mommy is a Doctor of Chiropractic, freelance writer, blogger, speaker, devoted wife, and home school mom to five children. Being a mom to a 17, 15, 12, 8 and 5 year old she knows what it’s like to be a multi-tasking mom and still find balance. Her goal is to help moms find time for themselves in their busy lives and manage their homes in a happy and healthy way. She is a health/wellness advocate and shares her knowledge to help others live healthier, happier lives. For more information visit her site: Dr. Mommy Says

On Tuesday, December 30, you can get answers to the following types of questions:

• Balancing your Mom role, job, house, finances, family and husband.
• Keeping your sanity through it all.
• Nurtrition: can you live on MacNCheese? But do you want to?
• "Sometimes I come first"; when it comes to Dr. visits do you get regular check-ups, see your chiropractor to prevent illness or just wait until you can't breath from the impending Bronchitus to see the Doctor?

Follow Dr. Mommy on Dec. 30th to get these and more answers to your health questions!

You're Invited to the GNO Holiday Party!

Dust off your jingle bell earrings.


Put on that holiday sweater! It's time...




...for the GNO Holiday Party.
Tuesday on Twitter at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern).

We'll provide the Eggnog Bread Pudding and you provide...
...why, your greatest girly gossip, of course! Oh! And a gift! But not just any kind of gift. Put on your creative hats for this one, because we're getting circusy. Think elephants.

Yep! We're having a virtual white elephant party! You know, the crazy, bizarre type of presents given to make GNO giggle. And this is where we want you to get creative. Here are some ideas:

Bizarre ecards? Check These Out.

Those goofy dancing elves? Groove With These.

How about a Christmas Joke? Giggle Here.


Locate a listing for the weirdest gift you can find?

Just the VOICE on this alone will win.

Or, what about style? It's Girl's Night Out after all. Dress Elmo would be perfect!


Maybe bring along the worst, longest sign-in form for some remote online network, where you can qualify to win a trip to Antartica?

These are just a few ideas to spark your creative juices! We expect some seriously funny and off the wall items... so hurry... go find your best bizarre bounty!

Finally... what is a gift without giving? Yah! We know. Virtual gifts are a little hard to open. So, here's what we are gonna do!

1. Post Your White Elephant Gift on the Mommy Gossip—GNO Group Wall on Facebook
   Did you know GNO has a group page on Facebook? Have you joined? Come be part of the fun and share your white elephant gifts by posting them on the wall.
   
   
2. AND...We have copies of @steveouch's new children's book STEAMPOTVILLE! SIGNED by Steve no less (!) for 4 lucky participants (we'll choose from the list of people that submitted white elephant gifts on the Mommy Gossip—GNO Facebook Group Wall! (And...special discount for GNO gals! See Steve's blog for more info.)
   

One more thing before you get giddy about your gift, scroll down to the post directly below this and RSVP! Enjoy your weekend and we'll "see" you at the soiree!

Get in on the Goods—GNO's Got Door Prizes!

NOTE!!::::: DOOR PRIZES ARE CLOSED! Auctions open til 8:30PM Pacific time, hurry!

Can donate through paypal til Friday Nov. 21st!



These amazing prizes were donated by awesome people!

Wanna get in on the goods? RSVP on Mr. Linky (first post on home page). Then, look at the door prizes below and register to win them by visiting the various sites and commenting there. Make sure to include the name you used for Mr. Linky and your e-mail address.

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Duong over at A Cup of Tea is giving away two fabulous books. Check out her blog to comment!


NYT best selling author of the Makers's Diet. She is donating of his books: Children's Health, and Perfect Weight America, both released Jan 08. And she is including FUCO THIN #1 Diet Supplement in Natural Products Industry, safe and natural!

Duong can be found at Beauty Secrets and on Twitter @beautysecrets1.

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Robin over at CinnamonandHoney is giving away 4 fabulous handmade cards. Leave a comment on her blog to enter.

I totally love this one...click to enlarge.. It says "I love you just the way you are". And we love Robin! You can find all her craftiness at her Etsy shop: CinnamonandHoney and you can find her on Twitter @cinnamonhonig

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Jill over at Artful Bee...is offering a 5% discount (code GNOFood) on her amazing Digital cards, everyone think time for Holiday Cards! All the printing is done for you even on the envelopes! Love that. And for every person using the code GNOFood, Jill is matching it in a donation to FeedingAmerica.org! Love that too!

Don't you just so need this card!

Jill can be found on Twitter @thatgaljill.

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Deb and Jay from Mission:Monday are offering a $25 Gift card to Borders.

And your mission should you choose to accept it...

Is to head over to Deb's Site and comment! I mean it's $25! Just do it already!
Deb can be found on Twitter @debwilliams and Jay is @halftimelessons.

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Our second Jill over at ScaryMommy is out of town... But was willing to deal with our crazy anyway! So this last giveaway will be hosted here! Jill is giving away 2 sets of 3 awesome Tea Towels.

Click to enlarge.

I think these are super cute! She is offering the White Berry towel, the Green Apple towel and the Pink Tea Towel. And there are two sets. So...TWO winners! You must leave a comment on this post to enter the tea towel Door Prize. And you must tell me what you like the best about ScaryMommy's blog. And you GET to add your link to Mr. Linky over on the GNO-Cares page! Tell us how your signed it in the comments, THANKS...oh and LEAVE your email address (or read how to link your blogger account to your email...otherwise we can't contact you if you win!)


Have a look at the items up for auction as well! Here's to you for helping us make this Virtual Food Drive a success!

RSVP for the Most Delicious GNO of the Year! Mmmm... Holiday Food!

Please join us Tuesday, November 11 for a tasty GNO treat while we chat about holiday food. This is one party that promises to be virtually delicious! RSVP at the bottom of this post and check out the next post to learn about this week's guest tweet from Pinch My Salt.

• Everyone seems to have that one special item that makes the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas meal. What is that one thing for you?
• Do you have a story of a holiday meal you totally destroyed (along the lines of A Christmas Story)?
• What about your most successful holiday party?
• Who has memories of making a family recipe of dipped chocolates or that one fabulous Old Country baked item?

• Do you decorate gingerbread houses with your kids?
• Any other fun baking activities?
• Any tips you have to share?

• How do you spend the holidays?
• Share it with family?
• Thanksgiving at a restaurant anyone?

Join us:

• DATE: Tuesday, November 11
• TIME: From 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific (7 Mountain, 8 Central, & 9 Eastern)
• PLACE: Twitter
• WHO: Guest Tweet—Nicole from Pinch My Salt & on Twitter @pinchmysalt.
• TO DO: RSVP at Mr. Linky then check back and click on the names listed there to "follow" them on Twitter.
• RSVP: Enter your twitter ID (e.g., jyl_mommygossip) in Mr. Linky and your twitter URL (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_mommygossip). NOTE: Please do not enter your blog URL here!

Follow the #gno conversations here!



Wanna be featured during this week's Topic Talk. If so, DM @jyl_mommygossip on Twitter, leave a message here, or e-mail us at mommygossipgno AT gmail DOT com to be considered. Please include the URL of the post you would like featured. Thank you!

Vote First & Chat About It Later at GNO

GNO: Let's Rock the Returns.

RSVP below and tell your friends that you will be at GNO on Election Night!

GNO falls on Election Day. Let's chat it up patriotic style. Does your husband sit in front of the TV, watching the returns half the night? Does he hog the computer and the cell phone so he can keep current on 3 different medias? Mine too. Husband or not, do you watch the talking heads and the numbers? Or are you more of a go-to-bed-and-let-Meredith-tell-you-about-it-in-the-morning type?

Think it's possible to have a nice, fun, friendly chat on something so split as the US's voting habits? I not only think we can, I think we'll have a virtual blast doing it!

Join us:

• DATE: Tuesday, November 4
• TIME: From 6 to 10 p.m. Pacific (7 Mountain, 8 Central, & 9 Eastern)
• PLACE: Twitter
• WHO: Guest Tweeters—Beth (AKA GreenStew) from GreenStew and Cheryl (AKA TheDailyBlonde) from DailyBlonde.
• TO DO: RSVP at Mr. Linky then check back and click on the names listed there to "follow" them on Twitter.
• RSVP: Enter your twitter ID (e.g., jyl_mommygossip) in Mr. Linky and your twitter URL (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_mommygossip). NOTE: Please do not enter your blog URL here!

Scroll down to the next post to read about this week's Guest Tweets.

Wanna be featured during this week's Topic Talk. Submit your Election-related posts now at mommygossipgno AT gmail DOT com.

Some GNO guidelines for congenial conversation:

• Put on your NICE face.
• Remember we can all agree to disagree.
• Keep in mind that being genuine is great, but being nasty is just Nasty.
• Type carefully! Remember that what's funny to you doesn't always come across as funny in type.

Tuesday's Twitter Theme

What Is This Week's Girl's Night Out Topic?

Chitting and chatting about whatever we fancy with other gossiping gals around the globe is what breathes energy into and keeps the excitement up at Mommy Gossip—GNO. Though we have heard about the infamous "7-minute lull in conversations," you would be hard pressed to find that happening at one of our fiestas! Keeping up with each other is definitely higher on the totem poll than figuring out what to talk about. Still... every party needs a theme! So, every week at Mommy Gossip—GNO, we select two topics—a theme if you will. They may vary completely from one another or they may be sub-topics, falling under the umbrella of a common theme. This week, the topic is travel. We will discuss travel-related issues such as, but not limited to:

• Where to Travel
• Hot Spots for Traveling With Kids
• Hot Spots for Traveling Without Kids
• Recommendations for International Travel
• Roadtrips
• Thanksgiving Travel This Year
• Traveling on a Budget

Who Is Our Guest Tweeter?
This week, we are pleased to have with us a guest tweeter—our first at Mommy Gossip—GNO. Not only is she a participating partier at GNO, but she is also a travel expert. You know her as @wandermom on Twitter. Let me tell you a little more about her.

Michelle Duffy is from Wanderlust and Lipstick. With her natural passion for travel, she and her husband left Dublin, Ireland in 1995 and after exploring much of the Western U.S., they settled in Seattle with their two boys. She has traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe, South and Central America with her family. Her children have so far: visited Machu Picchu, explored Mayan Mexico, enjoyed the view from the Acropolis and marveled at the kangaroos in South Australia. Michelle is currently finishing a book on family travel as part of the Wanderlust and Lipstick series. Traveling with Kids will be on the shelves in your local bookstore in early 2009. She is also planning a 15-month round-the-world trip with her family for 2010.

The best part? Michelle will be holding giveaways throughout the night's festivities over on her blog. Check it out to learn more.

Remember to sign up at Jyl's at MommyGossip or at Carissa's at GoodandCrazy using Mr. Linky.