Author Archives: Mara Shapiro
The Bachelor Canada Gets The Rose
Mara Shapiro in As Seen on TV!, Gossip Blogaholic, Just Between Us - 1 comment - posted on Sep 27th, 2012I was lucky enough to be invited to a preview screening of the Bachelor Canada. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down to view the premiere episode of the Canadian version of this extraordinarily popular US franchise. Sometimes Canadian versions of American reality shows are great (So You Think You Can Dance), and sometimes they’re slightly lame (Canada’s Got Talent). I stopped watching the Bachelor a few years ago. The whole making out with seven women in one night thing sort of bothered me. While it was entertaining, the well-hidden feminist in me couldn’t handle the … Continue reading
A Real Life 50 Shades of Grey: Diary of A Submissive
Mara Shapiro in Book Blogaholics - 4 comments - posted on Sep 21st, 2012Ever since 50 Shades of Grey hit the underground mommy world there has been a renewed interest in erotica. Folks might disagree and claim that erotica has always been popular. Sure, they’re right, if you consider paper bags and whispers popular. What EL James did, with her poorly written yet somehow mesmerizing, trilogy of sex, love, dominance and submission was bring what women were reading, thinking about, and maybe even doing, to the forefront. I remember when I was a teenager one of my guy friends asked me what girls talked about when we were alone. Boys, makeup, sex, fashion, other … Continue reading
I’ve been on the sleepover camp scene for a loooong time, really my entire life minus a few formative years. I started going away to camp the summer before I turned six. Now, before you get ready to lynch my parents, understand that I loved it more than anything!! I was supposed to go for one month, and I asked if I could stay longer. In the end, I was away for six weeks, and I never looked back, remaining a die-hard camper until I was 21 years old and head staff. My kids go to sleep over camp too, … Continue reading
For Father’s Day, I thought I’d share Things My Fathers Taught Me. That ‘s’ at the end of father is no typo. Technically, I have four fathers. Good thing I’m a Daddy’s Girl. Let’s break it down. Dad #3, Daddy, the original, one and only. The FATHER. Lost but not forgotten December 8, 2010. Dad: #2, raised me from the age of three. Took me shopping for my first prom dress & taught me how to drive (both dangerous activities) Dad #3: Practice makes perfect. The strong silent type. Always full of warmth and a big smile. Father-in-law: Everyone calls him … Continue reading
Are You an Inner Goddess or a Subconscious?
Mara Shapiro in Book Blogaholics - 3 comments - posted on Jun 4th, 2012If anyone knows where EL James lives, do tell, because my husband would like to send her flowers (WINK). The problem is, I’m sure she’s got her address unlisted now. Especially since her sexually charged ‘mommy porn’ e-books,50 Shades of Grey, have exploded in popularity. Nearly everyone is reading this trio of horned up Harlequins, which were originally penned as Twilight fan fiction. Notoriety and demand grew to the extent that Vintage Books purchased the publishing rights for a reported 7 figures, and Universal the film rights for $5 million. The 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy has snuck its way into the e-readers, … Continue reading
The Wild Thing(s) Lived at My House
Mara Shapiro in Book Blogaholics - 0 comments - posted on May 9th, 2012Children are tough, though we tend to think of them as fragile. They have to be tough. Childhood is not easy. We sentimentalize children, but they know what’s real and what’s not. They understand metaphor and symbol. If children are different from us, they are more spontaneous. Grown-up lives have become overlaid with dross. (The Paternal Pride of Maurice Sendak, The New York Times, 1987, source: Philly.com ) Maurice Sendak, you made my son’s childhood. I think every child has a special book that gets them through those days where they need a little help, to feel like they’re not alone. … Continue reading
A Mother’s Day Nightmare
Mara Shapiro in For the love of parenting, Holiday Blogaholics, Just Between Us, Teen Blogaholics - 4 comments - posted on Apr 24th, 2012I’m awoken gently by butterfly kisses on my cheek. I remember, as I open my eyes and stretch that its Mothers Day. I see a trio of well-dressed clean teenagers stand at the foot of my bed grinning, each holding a beautifully wrapped parcel. The dogs, freshly bathed, stand next to them, panting slightly, silk bows around their necks. My husband moves forward, and before he reaches me, my youngest child darts in front of him and grabbing one of the extra pillows, plumps it and places it behind my back. Once I’m sitting up, my man places a breakfast … Continue reading
I’m up for Student Success, are you?
Mara Shapiro in Product Reviews - 0 comments - posted on Apr 19th, 2012One of the great perks of being a PTPA Bloghaholic are the testing opportunities. Now, most of them aren’t necessarily applicable to me. Which kinda makes me mad, because there are some incredible products and services out there that weren’t available when my kids were young enough to need them. I did, however, have the opportunity to share The Most Complete Student Success System with my 16 year old son. He’s in Grade 10, and while he’s incredibly smart, his study habits are atrocious. He literally carries his homework around crushed in a ball. He doesn’t write anything down, and … Continue reading