Parenting has brought me a number of blessings -- my three kids, a more patient personality, the ability to multi-task, and (most importantly), the ability to appreciate the small things in life. My children have taught me so much, have fulfilled me in so many ways.

They've also shredded the CRAP out of my dignity. Here are the most obvious ways my children have destroyed my dignity.

How has parenting destroyed YOUR dignity?

As a mom, have you ever secretly dreamed about having your own place? You know -- as in running away and living alone in a space that is totally and completely yours? It's okay to admit it. It's not like any of us are going to think less of you or wonder whether or not you truly love your family, because the truth is that we've all probably fantasized about living on our own a time or two. (Or 10, or 20).

Of course, living alone kind of forces you to decompress and really take a long, hard look at yourself and all your eccentricities -- and apparently can even make you quirkier. But then again, those charming little quirks are sometimes the things we tend to forget or lose when we become parents, right? And maybe that's the whole reason why spending some quality time on our own sounds so incredibly appealing after we've spent so many of our days and nights taking care of someone else.

I lived alone for a good six years or so before I got married, and now one husband and one child later, I can't even imagine how good it would feel to have a bed all to myself. OMG. I might weep at the thought of being able to fall asleep without hearing the sound of snoring, or at the idea of waking up without finding that a 40-pound human being had wandered into my room in the middle of the night and now has his foot jammed into the side of my face. Oh yes, having my own bed would be nothing short of heavenly. Please excuse me while I pause and go think about it for a little while longer.

And don't even get me started on what it would be like to have my own bathroom again. If I had a private bath all to myself, I swear I'd fill it with fresh flowers and fluffy towels and lavender scented toilet paper and I'd probably even put a sign on the door that read "No Boys Allowed" or something to that effect. It would be mine, all mine, and it would be ah-maz-ing.

In all seriousness though, I guess I can't really imagine living apart from my family. But checking into a fancy hotel at least three or four times a year and enjoying a night of complete and total solitude and waking up refreshed and ready to take on the world definitely provides all of the benefits of living alone without actually having to move out. I'll take it.

Have you ever fantasized about living by yourself?

Image via Sitka Projects LLC/Flickr

It was Billy Shakespeare who asked "What's in a name?" and women the world over have been trying to answer that question ever since. Should we take our husbands last names, or shouldn't we. For some, it's an easy of course! For other's it's an obvious aw hell no. And for those in between, it's a back and forth with the pros and cons list. The weird part about the whole this is that people have a strong opinion about what you do. They judge you for taking the name, or not taking the name, or hyphenating the name, when really, it's none of their business.

And the judging, apparently, is getting worse. A survey asked 250 college kids at a small Midwestern college what it meant if a woman kept her own name. In 1990, only 2.7 percent thought it meant she was less committed to the relationship. In 2006, that percentage had increased to 10.1 percent. Gulp.

I'm not sure what's happening here, but there are some that hypothesize that this indicates that the polarization when it comes to family and gender issues in America is actually widening. I mean, sure that's a possibility, but more generally speaking, I'm just kind of disheartened that as the years go on, we're getting more judgey about strictly personal issues than less.

Getting married, as in, who you marry, and having a baby are probably two of the most personal decisions you're afforded to make in your lifetime, and it would be nice if everyone would just leave each other alone. It doesn't matter if you keep your name, or change your name, or hyphenate your name, or create a whole new name -- what matters is that you're in love and ready to start a life together. Whichever path you choose in the name game doesn't indicate how committed you are, it's just an expression of what you thought matched with your personal ethos and convictions.

In other words, to each their own.

Hopefully when they do the survey again, say, in 2022, we'll see that 0.0 percent of the students think keeping your own name is a sign a woman's not committed to her marriage. If it goes up, then Canada, here I come.

Was it a hard decision to either take, or not take, your husband's last name?

Photo via drew and merissa/Flickr

Why is Danica Patrick a racing icon? Because the girl doesn't just know how to drive a fast car, she knows how to wreck a fast car -- the right way. And hey, like Steven Tyler says, you've got to lose to know how to win.

Okay, maybe that was a little bit of a stretch. For real though, Patrick could have ended up seriously injured when she crashed yesterday on the last lap of the NASCAR Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway. Luckily, Patrick knew exactly what to do. It's part of her job.

As she put it:

"We are not average people," she said. "We are not average drivers on the road. I'm not saying we crash for a living, but it is part of racing for a living. I feel fine. I feel good. I'm ready to go."

So just for the record, she meant to take her hands off the steering wheel as her car skidded across the track ...

It's common practice among IndyCar racers to avoid injury when a wheel snaps violently on impact. Patrick explained:

"I've had plenty of times where I have bruised my thumb, my bones on the wheel. I was trained to — when there is no (hope of) saving it — you let go. That is what I did. I don't see any point in keeping my hands tangled up with anything that is going to be moving."

Patrick was also trying to avoid injury when she closed her eyes, she says (no, it wasn't a desperate attempt to not see what was about to happen):

"I didn't want my eyes to pop out of my head," she said.

Understandable, no?

Like I said, she's a racing legend for a reason!

Did you see Danica Patrick's crash? Were you scared?

Image via David Shankbone/Flickr

Happy National Tortilla Day! I didn't realize this existed, and you'll be forgiven for not knowing either. Yet, it makes sense. After all, there is no chip more crispy, more versatile, than the tortilla chip. And there is no bread-like food that can wrap itself around so many different things than the tortilla. Ever tried to make a taco with wheat bread? Yet, you can put turkey and cheese inside a tortilla, wrap it up, and have a delicious lunch.

For more proof that tortillas really do rule, and deserve their own national holiday, check out these three amazing tortilla recipes.

Chilaquiles Roja

One of my most favorite ways (outside of the obvious nachos) to eat tortillas is through this traditional Mexican breakfast dish of chilaqiles. Whether you go verde or red, the key here is cheese. To keep things simple, buy tortilla chips instead of making them.

adapted from Simply Recipes

Ingredients

30 corn tortilla chips
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons salt
1 (7.75 ounce) can Mexican style hot tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1. Begin to scramble eggs over medium heat, and add tortillas to the skillet. Season with salt. Cook and stir until eggs are firm.

2. Mix Mexican style hot tomato sauce and water into the skillet. Reduce heat, and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Top with cheese. Continue cooking until cheese has melted.

Mexican Beef Tortilla Stack-Up

Got a Crock-Pot? Get it ready to go for this casserole-esque, flavorful, tortilla dish.

Spanish Tortilla With Spinach

A tapas dish that you will love, this spinach and potato filled tortilla can be your favorite meal, any time of day.

How will you celebrate National Tortilla Day?

Image via cbertel/Flickr

Do the words Foamposite One Galaxy mean anything to you? Kind of sounds like an episode of Star Trek, or like the name of some carnival ride that's sure to leave you feeling dirty and queasy. Alas, it's the name of a Nike sneaker, and it's causing quite the stir. An Orlando Foot Locker had to get the police involved after the midnight release of this specialty shoe instigated some riots. Hundreds of consumers mobbed the mall, trying to get their hands on the sneak with the glow-in-the-dark sole that retails for $220. Eye-witnesses said they were worried about being trampled and cops came in on horses to try and enforce some semblance of crowd control.

I don't know, I feel the need to remind everyone that these are just tennis shoes, and if you're well-heeled enough to run and riot in your current kicks, I don't think you need new ones.

But what do I know. I'm not a sneakerhead. Nor am I a zealot of any kind who has to have the newness of anything. I guess that makes it hard for me to understand stories like this because I can't relate on any level. No part of me wants to wait in line for hours to then push and shove my way to a cash register to hand over money for something I don't really need in the first place.

Clearly, there are others who feel differently. Sneaker riots, and shopper madness around the holidays, are becoming more and more common. This is just one of multiple Nike events that has gotten out of hand, or should I say, foot, this year. Chaos surrounded new shoe releases in Prince George's County in Maryland, in Richmond, Virginia, and Indianapolis, San Antonio, and Charlotte.

I suppose the Foamposite One Galaxy sneaks will look like old news on people's feet during the next shoe store mob in search of the next latest and greatest in athletic footwear, so kids, enjoy them while you have them. Or I should say, enjoy sending them out to your highest bidder on eBay while you have them. Soon they'll be a distant memory, just like those bruises you got from the shoe-frenzied mob. Soon enough, it'll be time to do it all over again.

Is there anything you'd mob for?

Photo via davidsonscott15/Flickr

There's not much hotter than really good porn. But watching it as a non-porn star can make even the most self-assured of us wonder what we're doing wrong -- and how we can be better in bed.

Here are some tips for how to perform like a porn star.

Porn stars have confidence. They know they're sexy and they're not afraid to flaunt it. So strap on your confidence and have at it. And if you can't slip into "I'm hot and I know it" mode easily, fake it 'til you make it.

Porn stars have style. They're not trying to get all hot and bothered while wearing cat-puke-stained pants and an old T-shirt. Slip outta that and get on some lingerie and sexy undies before trying to get your groove thang on. If you don't own any, go and pick some up. Doesn't have to be expensive, either -- you can pick some up at Target on the cheap.

Porn stars take care of themselves. No, I'm not implying you need to hire a stylist, a waxer, a makeup artist, and someone to do your hair. Just make sure you've gotten body hair under control, put on some mascara and lip gloss, throw your hair into a sexy little bun, and have at it. 

Porn stars know the ways they look best. Sure, they might have a pot belly or a little junk in their trunk, but they also know the angles to strike to minimize these things. Next time you're watching porn and see someone who is built like you, check out the ways she holds her body, then copy her.

Porn stars know it's all about lighting. In the harsh glare, even the sexiest of the sexy look, well, unfortunate. So work the lighting in your bedroom. Get a red light (which is supposed to bring out your inner sex goddess), or dim things down -- then work it.

Any other tips for performing like a porn star?

Image via AmusingThailand/Flickr

Yeah, yeah, yeah -- we all love and adore our husbands and all that jazz, but I think it's safe to say that most of us would be lying if we said we hadn't ever fantasized about being with a certain celebrity instead. It's totally okay to have celeb crushes, right? Aren't there even husbands and wives who have lists of famous people who they have a hall pass to hook up with if ever given the opportunity? Well, judging from a new poll, it looks as though there are plenty of women who aren't afraid to admit that they've dreamt about doing the dirty with a certain hunky Twilight star.

Because a whopping 64 percent of women said that if they had the choice, they would trade their husbands for Robert Pattinson. Can you blame them? Who wouldn't want to jump all over someone that mysterious and sexy, not to mention the whole vampire thing he's got going on. (C'mon -- you know you think Sparkles is hot.)

Of course, there were some other pretty decent choices for fantasy husbands on the iVillage list too -- including Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Jason Segel, and Jason Momoa.

But honestly, if given those five choices along with Robert Pattinson, I'd probably go for Edward Cullen too. But as far as I'm concerned, there are a few other incredibly desirable Hollywood hunks out there who would've given Rob even stiffer competition had they been part of the poll.

Ben Affleck. With all due respect to my own husband, I'd seriously consider leaving him in a hot minute for Ben Affleck. How dreamy was he in Armageddon? I just can't resist that dude for whatever reason. But I'd only consider it if he gets rid of the fur ball that's currently on top of his head and shaves off his entire beard. I'm not into scruff.

Justin Timberlake. How in the heck did Justin get left out of that poll? He's super hot, plus he can sing and dance like nobody's business. You know what they say about guys who are good dancers. (Wink, wink.) I wouldn't think twice about hooking up with him, would you?

Bradley Cooper. Oh, Bradley. What woman in her right mind wouldn't want to be the gal to make you fall head over heels in love and settle down? Plenty of us would love to jet off to Vegas with you and suffer through a hangover after a night out on the town. It would totally be worth it.

What celebrity would you hypothetically consider leaving your husband for?

Image via Splash

I'm as guilty as anybody else: When I hear the words dingo and baby, I immediately start laughing; not because of the actual, horrific story that inspired the movie A Cry in the Dark, but because all I can hear is Elaine Benes on Seinfeld saying "Maybe a dingo ate your baby" in a faux-Australian accent.

So I felt a terrible stab of guilt reading about the emotional courtroom pleas given by Michael Chamberlain and Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, the real-life parents whose baby was stolen from a campsite by a wild dingo.

The now-divorced couple sought to finally end the "malicious" innuendo and accusatory gossip which has haunted them for the past three decades.

Oh god ... those poor people! Can you imagine ... a dingo really did eat their baby!

I can barely think about it without feeling like I'm going to be sick. And yet I've been laughing about it, in a roundabout kind of way, for years. So have a bunch of other people. Are we really that insensitive?!

Or maybe it's the opposite? In trying to figure out how it is that otherwise empathetic, kind-hearted (for the most part) people could make a joke out of such a tragedy, it occurred to me: Maybe we're compelled to make jokes out of tragedies because they are tragedies. As juvenile a coping mechanism as this may be, it's effective when everybody plays along.

What really happened is too nightmarish to accept, so let's just turn it into a silly joke. Phew, that's better.

I still feel incredibly guilty and sorry for laughing about the Chamberlains' loss, even if I didn't think it was anywhere in the same universe as funny. I guess the best I can do is try to think before I laugh, next time.

Do you understand why people make jokes out of tragic circumstances?

Image via Andy/Flickr

The Academy Awards will air this Sunday and millions of us will be tuning in from our living rooms to watch our favorite stars walk the red carpet before, hopefully, accepting that Oscar on stage. Many of us dream about what it's like to be a part of the Hollywood glitz and glamour and fantasize about hearing our names called out by some less important presenter.

We dream about what it'd be like to stand up in feigned shock, smooth the wrinkles out of our couture gowns, and mouth kiss Meryl Streep on our way to the podium. We think about looking straight into the camera, clenching our gold statues in our fist, and saying thank you to all the little people out there who've helped us become one hell of a rich bitch who can afford personal chefs, personal trainers, and personal escorts.

The real stars, of course, don't do anything of the sort. Their speeches are always warm, and thoughtful, and frankly, a bit boring. I wish they'd say something brutally honest. Something like a big ole "eff you" to the high school drama teacher who said they'd never amount to anything with that attitude. Or a big ole "look at me now" to some mean girls from high school.

Maybe I'm just feeling a little irascible today because it's cold and wet and rainy and I'm neither in sunny California nor nominated for any sort of award. To that end, I've come up with a few things I'd really like to hear some nominees say if they won their Oscar. If they just shot us straight for once, instead of all this "I'd like to thank Fox Searchlight, etc., etc., boring boring boring" nonsense.

Perhaps if Meryl Streep wins Best Actress for the Iron Lady, she could say:

It's about fucking time, asshats. This is for Julie & Julia, Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada, Adaptation, Music of the Heart, One True Thing, The Bridges of Madison County, Postcards From the Edge, A Cry in the Dark, Ironweed, Out of Africa, Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, The French Lieutenant's Woman, aaaaaand Deer Hunter, bitches.

If Terrence Malick wins Best Director for The Tree of Life:

I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to everyone who saw my movie. it was kind of a big misunderstanding. See I thought Brad Pitt was joking this whole time. Ha ha! He's like, a prankster, you know? I never actually thought the film would be made. Anyway, everyone send me your addresses so I can mail you a $13 check. I feel kind of bad for taking your money.

If Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor for The Artist:

Absolutely nothing. He could mouth some words, maybe take a bow, then dance off the stage.

I hope we get some surprises on Sunday -- I'd love to hear Melissa McCarthy's acceptance speech if she wins for Bridesmaids, for real. Maybe she could weave in something about the "steam heat" she's emitting and how she'd like to climb Jon Hamm like a tree.

What are you hoping to see at the Oscars?

Photo via Dave B/Flickr

Ahhhh, the hard life of an A-list celebrity when the Oscars roll around. Having dozens of designer dresses and stellar stilettos at your beck and call has to be SUCH a drag. Syke! I'd kill for a spot at the Academy Awards. Hell, I'd kill just to get pampered like some of Hollywood's elite leading up to the big event.

Thanks to Kelly Ripa, we're able to get a sneak peek of what goes into selecting the perfect red carpet gown. Joined by her hubba hubby Mark Consuelos, Kelly tried on a whole slew of gorgeous gowns gearing up for Sunday's big shebang. 

Lucky for Kel, her pint-sized frame looks amazing in all of the bazillion dresses she's trying on. Besides, anyone who's watched a slew of awards shows (nevertheless attended one!) can tell you what does and doesn't work on the red carpet, right? Kelly -- this should be a cinch!

All she needs to do is follow these 3 big rules for picking the right dress:

Stick with something comfortable: If a celeb picks a dress that they can't walk in, then obviously they aren't going to photograph well in it. Take Bjork's infamous swan dress. That COULDN'T have been comfortable!

Pick something true to your personality: Sure, I adore the Jessica Rabbit style wow gowns that Sofia Vergara wears on the red carpet. That's her type of gown, though. If, say, Lauren Conrad wore the same dress -- it just wouldn't look right. Dress to fit your personality, and you'll feel better flashing a big grin in front of the cameras.

Wear colors you know well: Sure, we love those hot colored gowns on the red carpet. But if you've never tried wearing red before, save the jawdropping jewel-colored dress for another time. You'll surely be regretting opting for a bold look if you don't know how it's gonna look on camera.

Of course, these rules can be applied to you and me when it comes to a fancy schmancy night on the town, too. And let me tell you -- I think Kelly Ripa has a good head on her shoulders to follow 'em. See what Kelly factors into her big Oscar dress decision, here:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

What rules do you stick to when buying a special occasion dress? Which one of Kelly's dresses did you like the best?

Image via LiveWithKelly/YouTube

You know what's the clearest indicator that you've actually, truly "made it"? When late-night and sketch comedy television can't get enough of you. That's exactly what's been happening to Jeremy Lin, the star New York Knicks point guard who's provided endless fodder for comedic, satirical entertainment. The world LOVES this guy right now! From his easily punned last name to how everyone's dealing with the fact that an Asian American Harvard grad is good at basketball, there's plenty of material for all the comedians and late-night hosts out there.

In case you've missed your favorite TV shows' take on the phenomenon that is Jeremy Lin, we've rounded up five of the best for you. Who does it best, Dave Letterman, Jon Stewart, Conan O'Brien? See for yourself!

Ever since Jimmy Fallon's Tim Tebow spoof, it was only a matter of time for him to come out with one about Jeremy Lin. "Pearl Jam" showed up to sing their hit about Lin, and he went on about how Jeremy is "like an Asian Tebow" and how he recently turned down a date with Kim Kardashian -- now that definitely means you've made it if you turn down a Kardashian date.

More from The Stir: Jeremy Lin: 15 Funniest 'Linsanity' Tweets on the Knicks' New Hotshot

You are most certainly not a celebrity unless you have a Top 10 List by Dave Letterman done for you in your honor. Dave rattled off the 10 worst Jeremy Lin puns. Think this video does the most LIN-teresting man in the world justice?

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

I happen to think the spoof done by Saturday Night Live is funny yet ... kind of deep. They couldn't put in enough terrible puns about Lin, but they also touch on the racially charged comments by many publications. They spoof how some people are sensitive to certain comments while others are seen as funny and acceptable. Pretty complex for SNL, huh?

Of course, we can't go through life without hearing about LIN-sanity from the one and only Stephen Colbert. Like Stephen says, "You know things are rough when a Harvard economics grad like Jeremy Lin has an easier time getting a job as an NBA point guard than as a Wall Street bond trader."

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Even Conan O'Brien had his African American writer jump in with his viewpoints, but first with the warning: "Let me do my 'I'm about to say something racist' look-around," as he scans the audience. After a passionate plea to let African Americans keep basketball, he hit the nail on the head when he quips, "I guess we hurt Asians as well when we came up with a rap group called Wu-Tang Clan."

Finally, who better than Jon Stewart to help put things into perspective. Jon Stewart's senior black correspondent couldn't get over the fact that Asians have been taking over everything African Americans used to be best at, even their "I have a dream" speech! It's revenge for having a black astrophysicist ... that's Asians' turf!

The Daily Show
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Which show do you think spoofed Jeremy Lin and Linsanity better?

Image via Hulu

I admit this at the risk of perpetuating a stereotype: I suck at math. I had to take college algebra three times before I passed (by the way, why do journalism majors have to even take algebra?), and I suffered through every single math class I ever was forced into. With that said, I've never doubted that girls can be just as good at math as boys. Even though I was better with language and the smartest boy in my class excelled at math, I knew not everyone fit into this mold. Now a new study backs up my gut instinct and shows that girls really can have it all! 

In fact, girls who excel at language have an advantage at math. Huzzah!

This study tested girls and boys and showed that the two disciplines were not unrelated. Girls who could throw down some rhymes could also throw down some equations. My own mother switched her major in college from math to English when she decided it would be more fun to teach English. But her math skills were still exceptional. And my kindergartner (who started saying "hi" to people at 6 months) is showing signs of being a budding math pro herself. So clearly, I'm the exception in my family rather than the rule.

All of this is to say, don't put girls in the corner during math class. We really can do it all.

Do you know girls who are great at math and love to talk?

Image via kartfamily/Flickr

I thought the whole trend of military types inviting celebs to formal dances on YouTube was pretty cool, but I like this even better: 18-year-old Kevin McGuire, a high school senior in New Jersey, is requesting the privilege of Taylor Swift's company at his senior prom ... and thanks to the Facebook page his older sister Victoria created, over 60,000 people are hoping she'll "say yes" (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Did I mention Kevin is battling leukemia? For the second time in his young life? (Oh, and the prom is scheduled for June 1 -- Kevin's birthday.)

And of course he's also a huge Taylor Swift fan, as is big sis Victoria. Which is part of what makes her message on the Facebook page so sweet:

Nothing, and I mean nothing, brightens Kevin's day more than Taylor Swift. Kevin deserves more than anyone else a special event in his life and the one thing he wants is to go to prom with Taylor Swift!

You hear that, Taylor Swift?? The ONE THING he wants is to go to prom with you!

There's been no comment from Taylor Swift as of yet, but I'm hoping Kevin gets a very specific comment very soon: "Sure, I'd love to go to prom with you!"

Come on, Taylor -- Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis went to those military balls! I can't even conceive of an excuse that would make it at all okay for Swift to turn this invitation down. Even Kevin's guidance counselor, Bill Scully, is pulling for him: "Everyone here loves Kevin, and many of our students have known him for years. To see his dream come true would mean a lot to them."

Taylor, you better SAY YES!

Do you think Taylor Swift will accept Kevin McGuire's invitation to the prom?

Image via oouinouin/Flickr

You know that moment when you walk into the kitchen and think, "Okay, gotta feed the family dinner." And the kids are screaming with hunger in the other room and there's a great, big cartoon thought balloon above your head. AND IT'S EMPTY? 

Yeah, I hate that, too.

It's like those days when you open your closet and think, "I have nothing to wear!" even though there are clearly clothes there. You open your refrigerator, see food-like substances, but unfortunately some assembly is required. That's why we need ideas for quick, simple family meals! Well hang in there, moms, help is on the way.

I mentioned Debbie Koenig's new book, Parents Need to Eat, Too, a few weeks ago in a post about healthier "processed" foods. Debbie's book is mostly a cookbook, but it's also a guide to feeding yourself well. It has pantry lists and suggestions galore. And one of the most helpful sections is a list of quick dinner tips from other parents in the family dinner trenches! Here are a few.

More from The Stir: Freeze Ahead Dinner Ideas, Tricks & Sanity Savers

Debbie has a whole section of "un-recipes" -- super easy recipes for beginner cooks that you can use many different ways. I think my favorites are the "Pesto Variations." You can use pesto as a pasta sauce -- but also as a sandwich spread, a dip, a sauce for chicken, on pizza. Here's just one of Debbie's pesto recipes.

Parsley Pistachio Pesto

1. Put everything except the oil, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Process until it's a finely-chopped, dry-looking paste.

2. With the processor running, pour the oil slowly through the feed tub until you're happy with the consistency. I like mine to be pretty thick, almost like cream cheese, but if you prefer yours more like heavy cream, that's good too -- just add more oil. Season with salt and pepper.

What are your favorite quick dinner ideas?

Hungry? Need dinner ideas? Just love anything and everything food and recipes? Then you'll totally want to follow us on Pinterest! Our virtual pin boards on Kid Friendly Recipes , Sweet Treats  and Easter 2012 are pure eye candy. Yum!

Image via Debbie Koenig

A 44-year-old woman named Sara Duncan who is battling breast cancer became something of an Internet sensation in the U.K. recently when footage of her 6-year-old daughter, Lola, cutting her hair hit the web. Duncan initially made the video for close family and friends, but she decided to upload it to YouTube to inspire families to find a positive way of dealing with the disease and to raise money for cancer charities through JustGiving.com. It's a totally tearjerking clip, but you can tell Duncan is a very brave, bold woman who has much to say about her battle thus far. 

Sara was even invited on the U.K. morning talk show Daybreak to talk about it, and out of the blue ... her long-term partner and father to their two kids (Lola and brother Finn), Craig Etchells, got down on one knee and proposed in front of millions of viewers! What an amazing surprise!

Etchells turned to the host of the show and asked, "I planned to do something on the London Eye later this morning, but if I can I'd like to hijack 20 seconds to do something special?" Then, he turned to Sara, took her hand and said:

Sara, you are the bravest, most beautiful girl I've ever met in my life. I spoke to your dad yesterday and asked for his blessing and he said yes. Make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me?

Awwwww!! There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd -- probably out there among Daybreak's TV viewership either. Of course Sara said yes.

More from The Stir: Flash Mob Marriage Proposal on Train Makes Romantic Saps of Us All (VIDEO)

Prior to the proposal, Etchell had talked about how the disease affected them as a couple, noting, "I’m really proud of Sara. The way it has brought us together has been phenomenal. I think it has brought out the best in both of us and our family." How heartwarming, considering how sometimes disease has a way of doing exactly the opposite to relationships? 

And I adore how he spoke of his pride for her and how he sees her as "brave." Seems as though even when she was in her darkest hour, or especially then, he fell even more in love with her, and their bond grew even stronger. It's truly inspiring to know that with all the strife and stress and pain disease can inflict, it can also bring people closer together and deeper in love. Here's hoping this is just the beginning of many more beautiful things to come for Sara, Craig, and their beautiful family.

Here's the original video of Sara and daughter Lola that made them YouTube stars:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

How do Sara's story and marriage proposal make you feel?

Image via SaraLolaVideo/YouTube

Here's something super disconcerting as a mother-to-be: A new online survey has shown that 54 percent of parents regret the name they gave their child. Yeah, I know. That's, like, a lot.

Gurgle.com polled over 1,000 moms and dads in the UK and found that the majority wished they had chosen a different name for their little Matildas and Henrys. Twenty-six percent said they felt the name they selected got too popular, and about half said that their child's name just doesn't fit his or her personality.

And this right here, m'friends, brings me to one of my biggest fears ...

Okay, lemme start from the beginning. I know what I'm having. A girl. And I already have the name picked out. To be completely forthcoming, my husband and I had the name picked out waaay before she was a glint in either of our eyes. It was just one of those things that popped into my head and seemed to work -- for both of us. But the closer I get to my due date, the more I find myself wondering and questioning if the name we chose will work for her.

It's a pretty name. A dainty name. A kind of quirky name. One that I presume will go best with a little girl who's sweet, and a woman who's confident and who likes being a little bit different. Basically, it's the name for my ideal child. What if this isn't the child I get, though? I don't mean "what if I don't get my ideal child?" -- I know whoever she is, she will be ideal -- I mean, what if my daughter isn't dainty and sweet, and doesn't like being different? What if she's the type of person who likes to just disappear into the crowd? Her name isn't really conducive to that. So, sometimes, I wonder if I've jumped the gun.

I know there's no comparison, but we name our pets after getting them, right? It's rare that you have a name in mind, then go out and get yourself a dog. You sort of feel them out first, see what works with their disposition, etc. But, it isn't weird to have a dog without a name for a few days. It is, however, weird to have a child without a name. To me. I know some parents do it, but that's not really my style.

So, here's to hoping that I won't be one of the 54 percent who wishes they gave their child a different name. Here's to blind faith, I guess. Here's to hoping my daughter is dainty and sweet. Just like I picture her. 

Did you name your child before they were born? Does their name fit their personality?

Image via thefrogandtheprincess.com

I wonder if Jennifer Aniston hates being asked about a possible Friends reunion. Does she hold back the eye-rolls every time some reporter tries to get her to talk about going back to Central Perk to hang with the gang? Probably. I would if I were her.

That saaaaaid, I'm absolutely thrilled that there are some journalists out there with enough gumption to keep asking Jen what she thinks about reuniting with her Friends. With each inquiry, there's new hope for fans. Will she share something this time that she hasn't before? Will she burst into happy tears and spill her guts about the Friends movie script she just finished reading?

That's what MTV hoped when they asked Jen and Wanderlust co-star, Paul Rudd, which reunion fans would see first: Clueless or Friends?

Jen responded: "No, there will be none. I don't think so. Wouldn't that be weird? I would be like, 'Oh, God, why did they do that?'"

That's not to say, though, that Jen doesn't think about what Ross and Rachel would be up to these days. She told The Hollywood Reporter:

They’re absolutely, 100 percent together. They have more kids! He’s probably still working, and hopefully they’re still hanging out somewhere. It would be really upsetting if they weren’t; it would bum me out.

I guess since we can't look forward to camping out in front of theaters for a two-hour movie about our favorite six friends, we can take solace in the fact that somewhere out there in Fictionland, Ross and Rachel are happily married and spawning little Gellar-Greens. Emma would be, like, 10 or 12 by now and I bet she's got at least two other siblings at this point. I wonder if they all say "wanted" strangely like their dad and compulsively move their hair out of their face like their mom.

I might be over-thinking this too much. But then again, the Friends cast is closer to me than family.

We'll have to wait a few months before another reporter asks Jen about a Friends reunion and then we can start this whole, glorious, not repetitive-whatsoever process over again. Bad for Jen, awesome for us.

Would you like to see a Friends reunion?

Photo via hot rod homepage/Flickr

Ray J's been in and out of the news for years -- for being Brandy's bro, Whitney Houston's platonic or not-so-platonic pal, and most notoriously, for being "the guy in the sex tape" with Kim Kardashian. But now, it seems like he's getting a major moment in the sun. Probably because he's got a juicy new book, entitled Death of the Cheating Man, which purports to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth about his relationship with Kim.

Being that the former couple's 2003 viral video is still drumming up tons of traffic, are we at all surprised that what Ray J has to say about his ex is sexually-charged (to say the least)? The book reveals more than just a few explicit details about their "wild" sex life together ...

Specifically, he calls the sex "bananas" and "buck wild," writing, "We were like animals; sexually free to try anything and we did." Apparently, the first 30 days with Kim put him "in a trance," and "the wilder the sex, the more my feelings got stronger.” He says she was a "straight freak who was down to do whatever, whenever, and ... she seriously hypnotized me. There are certain things that a woman can do to hypnotize a man, and Kim knew them all."

More from The Stir: Kim Kardashian's Sex Tape Made Her Wedding Worth Watching

As if that weren't enough, he gets into the nitty-gritty of their intimate life:

There was always a panty show for me to see which pair of panties I wanted her to wear, just before we’d go out. And that was the regular. ... We would get sexual at any time and then she would do certain things that most women just don't seem to do. ... She had a very special way of waking me up in the morning.

Oh boy! We get it, Ray J, yeeesh! Even if she's not the most beloved woman on the planet these days, you can understand why Kim has gotten some sympathy for her ex's blabbing. But do we really need to feel bad for her? I don't think so.

First of all, the sex tape made Kim $65 mil. (as of last year) and thrust her into the national spotlight in a huge way. So I can't really see how the details surrounding that time in her life (which is all these are) could hurt her or damage her reputation. It's not like we didn't already know she had a, err, colorful sex life with the guy!

Furthermore, as far as we can tell, nothing Ray J wrote really paints Kim in a negative light. To the contrary, it's a rave review that makes her seem like a woman who is very confident and comfortable in her sexuality. What's wrong with that, and why should she be ashamed of that?

I could understand how it might be a little embarrassing personally to have this old news drudged up and splayed across tabloid covers, but whether she likes it or not, that's been an everyday occurrence for Kim. I'm pretty sure she can -- and has -- handled much, much worse.

Does Ray J's tell-all make you feel bad for Kim?

Image via Sharky/Splash News

Oh, man. Have you guys heard the latest whine-fest from Kate Gosselin? Because Mama Kate poured her heart out to Dr. Drew this week about her divorce, and it's pretty obvious that she's still bearing a lot of the emotional scars that Jon Gosselin left behind when their marriage crumbled.

And of course, the main theme of her whole teary rant basically just plays up the fact that she's lonely, and she doesn't know if she'll ever find love again. Awww. Does anyone else hear the violins playing? (I didn't think so.)

To give an example of why she feels so lonely, Kate cited the fact that her evenings consist of cleaning up her house, getting her eight children into bed, and then just sitting there. Huh. I'm a married woman, and that really doesn't sound too much different from what I do on a nightly basis. Well, except for the fact that I only have one kid, and although I do tend to just sit on the couch after he's asleep, my husband is usually sitting on the other end of it.

Honestly, sitting alone in a quiet house sounds kind of like a dream come true! It's certainly not something that makes me feel sorry for Kate, that's for sure. And as for being worried about finding the right guy who can deal a woman who has eight kids and a not-so-great ex-husband, Kate said that she thinks the "odds are stacked against her."

Oh boo-hoo. Don't get me wrong, Kate has really taken kind of a beating in the past and it's not a huge shock that dating right now is kind of a challenge for her. But does she really think that going on TV and crying and whining about not being able to find the right guy is actually going to land her a man?

Because odds are good that her little meltdown is going to have the opposite effect. What man in his right mind would watch that interview and say to himself, "Wow, now that's a woman I'd like to go out with. She's a total catch. Doesn't seem needy at all." Yeah -- I think it's pretty safe to say that her little appearance probably scared off any potential suitors.

Instead of focusing on what is missing from her life, Kate should instead be concerned with getting back on her feet emotionally, and setting a good example for her kids by showing them that mommy is just fine without a man. I mean -- anyone who can successfully parent eight kids without going completely insane has a hell of a lot of strength, and she really shouldn't discredit herself or make herself appear weaker by whining on television.

You can hear more of Kate's interview in the video below.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Do you feel sorry for Kate Gosselin?

Image via DrDrewLCTV/YouTube

Today, Act of Valor hits theaters nationwide. Directed by Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh, the movie follows a group of real active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a fictionalized mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative. It's got all the makings of a big bad Hollywood smash. You know, a high intensity story line, big explosives happening all over the place, jaw-dropping suspense, you name it.

The Act of Valor reviews say that we "don't get to know the characters [in the movie] as individuals" and that it plays like "a pumped-up recruitment commercial deemed to fit for feature length and multiplex viewing." What I'm more concerned with, though, is what real military families have to say about the big screen action.

Thinking about going to see Act of Valor this weekend? Then see what real military moms have to say about the flick:

Throughout CafeMom, loads of members have been speaking out about Act of Valor. Some are military spouses, others are sisters and daughters of men who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

From what I gather, there are two camps. The first consists of those who think the movie is absolutely awful. Some of these women believe that "it is wrong" and that this is "pure propaganda." The other camp, the supporters of Act of Valor, think the film looks "neat," "interesting," and would be an educational experience for their kids. It seems that everyone is at least interested to hear more about the movie, but aren't exactly sure it's the best idea.

Personally, I'm with the no-gos. Believe me, I'm a huge advocate for men and women in uniform. Since I started dating my boyfriend, a Staff Sergeant in the Army, I've learned so much about what it is they do and all the hard work that goes into protecting our country. With that said, I firmly believe there's a reason we don't know everything, and that Hollywood should stick to using actors in their military-based movies rather than real soldiers, even if they are volunteers.

While Act of Valor is meant to depict the high-intensity nature of military combat, something tells me it may fall short at the box office. I suppose I'll just have to see it myself, alongside my true-life military hero, to find out.

Take a look at the Act of Valor trailer, here:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Are you planning on seeing Act or Valor? What do you think about the use of real active duty Navy SEALs?

Image via actofvalor.com

If you're a breastfeeding mama, you rock. It's not (always) easy; it takes dedication, stamina, and you take a lot of heat (sometimes). As someone who worked that pump to death in hopes of making breastfeeding magical when I was at my wits' end, I salute you. Breastfeeding can be profound and an amazing moment between you and your child. In fact, breastfeeding is ALL about the child. Nourishing him, making him feel safe, happy, and loved. It's a beautiful time in your life and your baby's life. But let's face it, it's not necessarily beautiful for anyone else, especially not your college boyfriend.

Of course, breastfeeding shouldn't be offensive for anyone else either. And you should have the right to feed your baby at your mother-in-law's house, at the beach, and even at Target. This is all a given. And while I don't see anything sexual about posting photos of yourself breastfeeding on your favorite social networking site, I also have no idea why you would actually do it.

Breastfeeding is an intimate act, so why are you sharing it online? I get it if you're a website dedicated to showing women the positive aspects of breastfeeding, and promoting the normalcy so we can all get over our hang-ups. But as an everyday mom just trying to feed your baby, why would you want to take your picture and post it? Breastfeeding is very personal, between you and your baby. Not you and your 3,000 Facebook friends. You don't post pictures of you and your partner in an intimate embrace, do you? And if you do, why in the world would you do that?

That's called over-sharing, people, and it's no wonder your friends get annoyed. Just like you don't want to see a picture of your FB friend in her bikini, maybe she feels weird about seeing your naked breast. (Note, if either of these scenarios is popping up because you're somewhere in public and a group photo is being taken -- all bets are off. I'm talking about posed, on purpose, intimate photos. There's a huge difference.)

There are beautiful photos of moms and nursing babies out there. You should take those, and frame them, and keep them in your home. Or in a photo album to treasure. But if you're sharing them with thousands of people, I have to wonder if your sense of boundaries aren't off just a bit. While Facebook may be a bit screwed on their methods of censoring photos, perhaps everyone -- breastfeeders and hot pant wearers, alike -- should check their own inner censor before sharing every beautiful moment with the world. I don't mind seeing breastfeeding photos, and I love seeing pictures of my friends and their newborn babies. LOVE. But I'm a mom who writes about parenting. I'm not your average Facebook friend.

But I still wouldn't post a photo of myself breastfeeding on Facebook, Twitter, and especially not Pinterest. Some things are more meaningful when you focus on those that are directly involved instead of those who are simply scanning their news feeds for the latest YouTube sensation.

Why do you post photos of yourself breastfeeding?

Image via theodens/Flickr

Kathy Ireland, former Sports Illustrated model and now a mogul on the cover of Forbes, has some smart advice for current SI swimsuit model Kate Upton: "So many young people say, ‘I’m just going to see what happens.’ It’s so much more powerful to make things happen and have a plan.”

I hope Kate pays attention to that advice. And now, can we please stop calling Kathy a "model-preneur" and other stupid cutesy names like that? We're talking about the businesswoman who moved $2 billion in merchandise this past year. Have a little respect, yo? This woman got rich from her brains.

And to think it all started with socks at Kmart! Back in the day, when a marketer said to Kathy, "Hey pretty lady, want to model some socks?" she said, "Sure, but here's the deal, they're MY socks." She didn't just see another modeling gig -- she saw an opportunity. She saw cha-ching! in her future. And so she borrowed $50K and took a big ol' 70 percent share in the sock company. Smart move.

And then she kept thinking big and started modeling her growing business after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway! Yeah, that's her business hero, Buffet. No dis on Heidi Klum's Project Runway or Cindy Crawford's skincare line, but Kathy really shows how big you can grow when you think outside your own box. 

How did she know? What made her see the business opportunity behind those socks? Her dad was a union organizer, not a businessman. Mom was "in charity." But Moira Forbes thinks her modeling career actually helped her become an entrepreneur.

It requires discipline, the ability to handle rejection and brush of skepticism and critics at every pass; resilience is key. As they meet with potential employers, models must exude self-confidence, while remaining constantly aware of their own flaws and shortcomings. Critically, the model is, from day one, her own rainmaker.

So there you go, Kate Upton. Being born with outrageously good looks will take you pretty far. But it takes some brains and ambition to parlay that into a big business. Pretty dang inspiring.

Were you surprised to hear about Kathy Ireland's success as an entrepreneur?

Image via Forbes

Those of us who grew up on Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and flying DeLoreans are increasingly lamenting the absence of certain "futuristic" gadgets. Months are flying by, and before you know it, it will be 2015. We want our Hoverboards, goshdarnit! Mattel will be taking pre-orders soon for a Back to the Future Hoverboard to-scale replica ... but it won't actually hover, so what good is that?!

That's exactly what French artist Nils Guadagnin thought to himself, and then decided to go ahead and create the first fully functional Hoverboard that appears to seamlessly blend science with fun to make our wildest movie magic dream ACTUALLY come true. I swear, no exaggerations!

Guadagnin's Hoverboard is a life-sized floating replica, and it uses a couple of electromagnets along with a laser guidance system. Snazzy, eh? That makes it so that the board can lift off the ground just like the "real" one did in BTTF 2. Heavy, right?? (Counterintuitive, yes, but it's the only fitting word in this context!) There's only one hitch ... It can only lift 5 pounds. So, at this point, one of the dumbbells I use with my Jillian Michaels DVD is the only thing I have that can out-cruise Griff ... d'oh.

Nonetheless! The artist says it is a "work in progress." And the guy did go to the trouble to make it this far. He must realize there's a demand for it. I'm sure he'll figure out how to make it carry people! What's more, this gives me legit hope that we could soon see even more cool "futuristic" items. You know, beyond the iPad, which up until now, has pretty much been the most advanced, "space age-y" item to come out of the 21st century. Would you agree?

Here's cool video footage of Gaudagnin's Hoverboard.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

How psyched are you for this "work in progress" to become a reality?!

Image via whiteoffice/YouTube

Good grief. Is there anything more annoying than trying to enjoy a nice meal all while listening to a crying baby sitting at the next table? Ugh. That's got to be the absolute worst. And that's why when my husband and I decide to go out for a nice, relaxing dinner, we typically choose a place that is a little more upscale and doesn't offer a children's menu.

But by the same token, we have also enjoyed taking our son out to eat with us ever since he was a tiny baby. And while we did usually take him places that were a bit nicer than a fast-food joint when he was an infant, we did tend to gravitate toward restaurants that were a bit more kid-friendly, just in case he did start to fuss and cry. (Babies do that, you know.)

Any restaurant with the word "Pizza" in the title seems like a pretty baby-friendly joint, right? WRONG. Believe it or not, a place in Georgia called "Grant Central Pizza" has actually banned crying babies from eating at their tables. Yes, I said banned.

So how exactly does one ban a crying baby? What if the baby isn't crying when you sit down in your booth, but then starts to whimper after the food arrives?

Grant Central Pizza has addressed this problem by putting the following disclaimer on the bottom of its menus:

Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.

Wait a minute -- am I completely dumb, or does that statement basically say that GCP is a restaurant that invites families to eat there, but only if those families come complete with infants who don't make any noise. Because if that's what it says, then something just doesn't quite add up. Does anyone else see the total contradiction in terms here?

The basis of their request really isn't all that far-fetched. It's the fact that they advertise themselves as a family-friendly joint that really creates kind of a gray area when it comes to the whole crying baby deal. What if the baby is fussing simply because he's hungry and his mom has yet to finish cutting up his pizza into small bites? Is she supposed to stop preparing his food only to take him outside and have him scream even louder because he can't understand why he isn't getting fed? If she takes him outside, then he doesn't get to eat, but if she remains at the table and tries to calm him down, she gets kicked out. Geez! I'm getting a little stressed out simply by thinking of trying to dine there with a kid.

If Grant Central Pizza wants to pretty much eliminate the possibility of having crying babies in their restaurant, then maybe they should think about dropping the "Pizza" from their name entirely and putting in something a little more high-fallutin'. Grant Central Trattoria or Grant Central Bistro both have a nice ring to them, don't you think?

Would you be offended if a restaurant asked you to leave because your baby was crying?

Image via LaBellaVida/Flickr