Just a few things to add to the already explosive number of comments on the past two posts.

I had to wipe away my own tears as I read about your feelings of shame and brokenness that resulted from a period of infertility. I related so profoundly to your shattered sense of self--I had it to, still wrestle with the feelings today, as past my child-bearing years, I still feel pangs of self-loathing when I see mothers with their children. It is simply the most difficult obstacle I've overcome in life.

As for the rather judgmental backlash over a decision that is so protected by the authorship of your own project, that I would almost suggest that you owe an explanation to no one, I'm somewhat sad to see it. I used to blog for several years and I never got the readership that Superhero has garnered simply due to relevance and the hard work and talent of Andrea. The judgments are a tad petty, and I think we will all find anything Andrea does on this blog to be tasteful and to the mutual advantage of all her superhero fans.

Artists DO have the right to make a living off of their work, and I would rather see flashing, dancing banners of animated monkeys than have Andrea leave our midst to find a way to help support her family.

Cheers, and all my respect for the decision you've made.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Andrea, I think it is of TERRIBLY ill taste to ask us to pitch in with $$$ to aid your BLOG. Many, many TALENTED people around the world and a hundred few here in the Bay Area, have BLOGS as good or better than yours and I have NEVER read ONE that asked me to fork some cash forward. If I may suggest if you are short of cash you can play with the idea of writing a book or get more serious about your LIFE COACHING. I will still read you, but I am afraid to say, I have lost the joy in doing so, as before.I wish you much luck.

Let's join hands and act like the Superheroes we want to be in our unique lives...let's honor Andrea by coming together!

No matter how different our opinions and views are...let's share and embrace our differences!

Andrea, we miss u...

My heart aches for what the Superhero Community is going thru...

Blessings to all!!!

Thank you for sharing your journey. Yours was also my first blog I read. I have moved from a place of quietly watching you to feeling like I am creating a relationship and community all around me. I can hardly believe that I will finally meet you in a few short weeks.

I love you and your bravery and your commitment to making your life work for you and your family.

Love,
Jen

Loving you, just as you are.

Hugs,
Toni

Shame on the people who can't respect that others have a different view on this issue. I am pretty sure that there are lots more people that do not agree with Andrea's ad plan but who are afraid to post because they may be lynched or mobbed here.

As for the foul language someone used earlier, it is unnecessary and disrespectful!

Let's just agree to disagree in a mature, peaceful manner. Let's not get distracted by all this!

Blessings to all, especially to those who posted nasty messages... HURT PEOPLE HURT OTHER PEOPLE

WOW, WOW, WOW.

Andrea, did you EVER think that one little post would stir up such CRAZINESS?! That shows the power that your site has over people - and it shocks me to think that anyone can think that they SHOULD GET A SAY in what YOU want to do on YOUR site. Wow. I have only just come to this and my head is spinning a little. Yours must be practically spun off.

I guess that is the risk we run when we post such intimacy on our blogs. People think that they know who we are and that they can say what they like. I have been reading (read: lurking on) your blog for years and years and I don't pretend that that gives me the right to tell you what to do with your space. What I will say is that I love it here. I am inspired by you and obviously your words have a massive influence on a lot of people. Do whatever you need to do to make that keep happening. You are a rare gift, and I hope that you continue to share yourself with us. (Even if we have all totally freaked you out with this CRAZINESS!!!)

I look forward to seeing the sorts of things that you find to put on your site. And when my book is published, I would be honoured to be included in your sidebar - especially if I know that this is helping your site to continue to inspire.

LOVE and support to you!!

Lord, what a lot of drama! Imagine the changes those negative folks could make in their own lives or someone else's if they redirected all that ugly energy. Isn't there enough hate and judgement out there already....glad to see a shift in most of the comments today.

Andrea- Your blog was one of the first I read and through you I've gained some good insights and at times affirmations that I am united with others through similar experiences.

Thank you.

Lord, what a lot of drama! Imagine the changes those negative folks could make in their own lives or someone else's if they redirected all that ugly energy. Isn't there enough hate and judgement out there already....glad to see a shift in most of the comments today.

Andrea- Your blog was one of the first I read and through you I've gained some good insights and at times affirmations that I am united with others through similar experiences.

Thank you.

Dear Andrea, you are an inspiration to me! PLEASE keep doing what you're doing, I appreciate you & respect you for being the decent, honest, lovely person you are and your willingness to share your journey. It all means so much, Sue XO...

Sweet Andrea,

I'm looking out onto the beautiful, magestic Rocky Mountains and think by myself how small we as humans really are...

7 Years ago I find you through Susan Kennedy and adored you from the first photo I saw of you! Your blog was one of the first I read...and I've been back month after month... laughing and crying and connecting with you... with every journey...wherever we are.j

Your struggles to become a mama was the first online journey I every read, which led me to Denise and Thea, which connected me with a group of women who knew exactly how I felt... which made me feel loved and embraced and treasured...the only wish was to be physically having that cup of tea with you!

Through your life and words I've come to know your heart, your fears, your soul! I've come to know cute little Ben (who is our rock star!), and I love reading how you grow, and open your heart and love your family, friends and yourself! Many a time your words, just one sentence, was that exact sentence I needed to read that day.

So I thank you from the bottom of my heart! With all my heart, for your words! your blog! your journeys! your heart, with sharing here, you have helped so many other women heal their hearts in places they did not even knew they needed healing.

I'm happy to hear you are staying... loosing you here would be loosing a part of my heart which I've been embracing every day for the last few years... and you Beautiful! are absolutely Gorgeous!

Thank you for being here. I love you xx

Dear Andrea,
I can say YOU made a kind of liberation in me, I was grown up in a religious and not open minded place, and I had a lot of limitation for myself; But now I am a much free person than some years ago, and I know your humanity and love and sharing had an effect on me!

Thank-you!

and one more thing. PLEASE don't let anyone ever let you feel that what you're doing here is evil or ugly or negative. your blog and your words have helped me so much. i secretly call your son my early morning miracle, because when i found out you finally got him, it was early early morning here in guam, and it truly did feel i stood witness to a miracle. i still feel that way. i want an andrea scher in my life. i think everyone deserves an andrea scher in their life. and i'm pretty damned sure i'm not the only one who feels this way. mad love, woman. mad love.

and pardon the french, little ben passmore.

all i have to say about the comments people are posting totally hating on your new blog re-design is SHUT THE FUCK UP! honest to fucking blog. this woman has every right to support her family and herself and her craft. don't hate on change. change moves things forward. it opens people up to bigger and better things. this woman has given us so many days and so many posts and so much of her heart, and how dare any of you judge her for the choices and direction she's taking her blog. i think it's wonderful. more links and sites and beauties to look upon? sure! she's never disappointed before. after all these years, don't you trust her. already almost know her by now? the look and site may change, but the heart and the soul that lives and gives life to this blog will not.

Like Kirsten, yours is the first blog I ever read (this was in 2003 or 2004) and I've been coming back ever since. I do believe you deserve to get paid for your writing - heck, it's like therapy, truth, spirituality, eye candy, a-ha moments and rainbows all wrapped into one shiny package :) You should be proud of how much you've accomplished through this blog and how many people you have helped, though you may not know it.

I once told a friend that I had spent the last year feeling guilty and she said that guilt is something you do to yourself, whereas shame is inflicted upon you by someone else. So true. And recently, I was shamed again, which also made me consider quitting my blog... so thank you for sharing this, thank you for reminding me why I keep coming back to the page. Looks like I won't be going anywhere after all.

Hugs. J.

you were the very first blog i ever read and i'm not exaggerating when i say, you changed my life. i thank you for continuing to inspire me...for allowing me the honor of journeying alongside you.
looking forward to the redesign and supporting you whole~heartedly in all that encompasses.
love and blessings,
kirsten
xo

What a beautiful way to live...as a gift to the world. To give ourselves away...I keep running into this message. I want to add my cheers and hundred-thousand-percent support behind whatever you do on this blog - you work hard and give very generously of your heart and time. You deserve all good things.

That negative self talk is something else. I really relate...and the secrecy part is very true for me. When someone told me once that "I was only as sick as my secrets" I know when I don't want to talk about something, it's time to take care of that. Sometimes it takes awhile for me to notice.

As far as ads on your blogs go, I'm with you. My dream is to get paid to do something I love to do and to be able to support my family while doing it. I hope to have tasteful ads on my site one day. And have people pay me to take pictures.

Thanks for this post.

just a quick note to say bravo to you...for looking inward and staying true to the path you are on and doing what you know to be best for you and your family.

sending you peace and light and many blessings...
liz

andrea,

i wish i had more time to write, but i wanted to let you know that your's was one of the first blogs i ever discovered. you drew me in with your heartfelt words and beautiful, colorful imagery, and of course all those juicy necklaces.

you don't know this, but you inspired me to start my own blog, tell my own story, share my own heart.

i know you know this, but when someone says something out of spite and venom, it is not about you at all, it is about them and their issues only.

i have walked with you on your journed, not physically, but silently holding your hand. i met you once briefly and shared with you that i had miscarried a pregnancy and you stopped what you were doing and sat down with me to hear my story, holding my hand the whole time.

you ARE a gift to this world. connection, which we crave as humans, is about sharing our stories. it is where we find healing, and dreams and hope. there is no shame what you are doing with your space. in fact, i say it's about time! and i for one am so excited to be on that sidebar someday.

i support you and always hold your hand.

take gentle care and know you are embraced in a circle of sweetness and love in this community.

love you,
xoxo

I had to backtrack a little and read yesterday's post and comments too. Well, I have to say , it's your space and in my book you are free to do exactly as you wish with your blog. It is always a delight to come here and read. Sometimes it is light and uplifting..sometimes more sombre and serious - but always written with thought and care. Keep going ..you are doing a brilliant job !

Oh boy. I needed this one today. Thank you.

Wow, and there you go, throwing sweetness, mercy and light onto angry flames. There are a lot of opinions in the world, but not a lot of love, patience, and especially vulnerability like the kind that you share.

Thank you, and I don't even know you but I feel so proud of you and this wonderful post.

I spent late afternoon yesterday and this morning reading the slew of comments from your last two entries, and I am just baffled, but not necessarily surprised. When I saw your first post about your re-design I paused a bit, hoping you wouldn't receive a huge backlash like I've seen on other blogs.

This is your decision for you, and at the end of the day, if that is what feels right in your gut, that is absolutely all that matters. Everything else is noise, particularly the vitriol of individuals who feel oh-so brave and superior when they're sitting across an ocean at a keyboard.

I also love Jeff's comments about how a difference of opinions does not create a sudden lessening of love, respect or admiration. I think that was a very important point to make.

I love you, and I think you are super schmarten. xoxo

Perceptions are so interesting. I am turning 40 in a few days and am a little gloomy about it. Something about not being "in my 30's" anymore. Anyhow, when I am being good about thinking positively about it, I think of you for inspiration and the person I "know" you as through your blog. I want to be a more peaceful, strong, zen, creative, wise-woman mama - like you. P.S. Not age-related, mama-style related. I'm pretty sure you're younger than me. :o)

Andrea, I have a long list of women who inspire me, and their strength gives me strength. You are most definitely one of the women on my list, and have been for many years. I have been a devoted reader of your blog for quite some time, but honestly I have never had the guts to write my own blog, because, just as you have experienced, you can't please everyone, and there is definitely some fear involved in exposing your life and family to the world. But thank you so much for sharing your life and wisdom with us.

A few days ago I found out that I had a 'missed miscarriage'. I was 2 months pregnant. I remember reading about your experiences, back then I could only empathise with you from a distance, having never experienced anything like that myself. Re-reading those posts this week has reminded me that I am not alone, as a woman going through something like this... Thank you so much for sharing of yourself.

Just remember, the most wonderful, powerful, enigmatic, lovely, inspiring, talented women in this world have all had their critics.

Andrea, I have a long list of women who inspire me, and their strength gives me strength. You are most definitely one of the women on my list, and have been for many years. I have been a devoted reader of your blog for quite some time, but honestly I have never had the guts to write my own blog, because, just as you have experienced, you can't please everyone, and there is definitely some fear involved in exposing your life and family to the world. But thank you so much for sharing your life and wisdom with us.

A few days ago I found out that I had a 'missed miscarriage'. I was 2 months pregnant. I remember reading about your experiences, back then I could only empathise with you from a distance, having never experienced anything like that myself. Re-reading those posts this week has reminded me that I am not alone, as a woman going through something like this... Thank you so much for sharing of yourself.

Just remember, the most wonderful, powerful, enigmatic, lovely, inspiring, talented women in this world have all had their critics.

Oh Andrea...I so TOTALLY support anything you choose to do with this space...as it is YOUR space, and all that you share with us is a gift. I don't get to comment much but your blog is one of the few I read every day. Your wonderful talents, inquisitiveness, and compassion just come shining through. Forget coffee, this is MY morning pick-me-up. ;-)

I hope you realize that it's perfectly fine to set boundaries with your blog. You don't have to tolerate ugly comments, nor should you leave them to fester. Hit that delete button and block IP addresses if need be. Disagreement is bound to happen, but don't be worried about setting a No Trolls policy.

Warm hugs from a few blocks away.

THIS MARTHA GIRL FROM EUROPE REALLY GOT WHAT SHE WANTED: ATTENTION.PLEASE STOP PAYING CREDIT TO HER. THAT'S ALL SHE NEEDED AND IS GETTING.
ANDREA YOU ROCK. MAYBE NOT IN EUROPE, BUT YOU SURE DO HERE IN THE BAY AREA.

Dear Andrea,

I am so sorry to see anyone could possibly even imagine a way to say such cruel things to you. However, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with this Martha person. What a sad, sad soul this person is. Martha the apathy that spew into the world is exactly what causes all the problems in the world. You are apart of the pathetic consciousness in this world. Andrea is of the empathetic consciousness. Andrea dares to be honest with herself and everyone else. That takes strength and courage. Spewing rage at another person is cowardly. So, Martha don't spend your time hating others just consider what it is that you are putting out into the world. It's not all about you and your ego. Your negativity affects the whole world. It is empathetic energy that serves our community not apathetic energy.
Wishing Andrea and her family and all the readers much love and harmony. -L

Andrea,
WOW!!!
Just when I thought I was becoming more "shock proof" I read the vile, poisonous, comments posted to your blog today (multiple times) from a woman who calls herself "Martha."
While I agree in free speech for all, and whole heartedly support everyone being able to express his/her opinion...This woman made me feel sad and angry.
Her insulting words towards you, Andrea, and Americans in general, were so hate-filled, it truly makes me wonder what has gone so wrong in her world that she felt the need to be so spiteful and vicious???
I assume this woman does not know you, and claims to have not commented before and only "lurks" in your blog to prove her own negative "so called" theory about Americans.
I am sad that she is such a miserable person that she needed to attempt to make herself feel superior by attacking you. I feel mad that she would stoop so low to even mention your sweet son in her poisonous remarks and call your husband a loser.
I have NO empathy towards Martha!
I realize that by commenting I am probably giving Martha exactly the reaction she wanted, but so be it.
To her I say, "Hey Martha,leave Andrea alone, stay in Europe, and you can take your PHD and your A+ and go fuck yourself!!"
"How's that for an un-cultured American??"
:)
Andrea, I am so sorry that the nasty comments people posted have made you cry.
Please don't waste any more tears on their hatefulness. You are far too good for that.

I so look forward to you keeping on with your blog with all it's changes and evoltions.
Keep on being the bright, creative, light that you are, and don't let anyone put you down.
You Rock!!!!!
xo
Julia

sit with all this sweetness, friend. sit with it.

Wow. I'm truly stunned by some of the negativity here. I found your blog many years ago when I was starting my own jewelry business and I've read it regularly ever since. Because, no matter what the subject of your posts, I am truly in awe of your ability to be true to yourself and open and honest with all of us out here. It gives me hope. And, for what it's worth, I think it's a lovely idea to open up space for all of us to connect with new and amazing artists and makers. Thank you.

it's funny, when i look at this photo, the first word that jumps out at me is not 'us', it's 'trust'. perhaps because this is something with which i've been struggling lately (a conversation with an old friend yesterday left me confused and questioning six years of friendship)...i just wanted to say that it is obvious that the vast majority of your readers completely trust that your intentions are coming only from a good, pure place, and though i can't speak for the rest of us, i choose to fully and sincerely believe that you are making a decision that is best for you, and if it allows you to continue writing here, we are all so much luckier for it.

...wow, what a sentence. take care, and please keep making those beautiful necklaces (i am anxiously awaiting mine and am soooo excited to put them on!)

I'm with you! Always. xo

THANK YOU.

I've been reading this blog since about 2 months before Ben's birth. I love it! I've only just started commenting recently, I'm a bit of a 'lurker' on blogs... But trying to change!and put some feedback back.

"I have always wanted to be a gift to the world" Hehehe moi aussi! You are a wee light in my day somedays.

Your paragraph about storytelling just sums up what I feel about it, but can never quite express is words; eloquence isn't my strong point.

Anyway.... ramble ramble.... I love this blog :-)

x

I've been reading this blog since about 2 months before Ben's birth. I love it! I've only just started commenting recently, I'm a bit of a 'lurker' on blogs... But trying to change!and put some feedback back.

"I have always wanted to be a gift to the world" Hehehe moi aussi! You are a wee light in my day somedays.

Your paragraph about storytelling just sums up what I feel about it, but can never quite express is words; eloquence isn't my strong point.

Anyway.... ramble ramble.... I love this blog :-)

x

After 25 years of creating and art and words as my work, I can say that I've experienced every kind of opinion imaginable.
Andrea's creative work is immune to the opinions of anyone, unless
she chooses to entertain those opinions.
I heartily support Andrea, and see no need to defend her from anything, nor do I think that she's asking for that at all.
I love that there's room for everyone! And I look forward to so much more Andrea Schero;-)

Andrea, Thank you for this post. I didn't know what comments you were talking about but it seems like no matter what - people have opinions and feel the need to share them. Even when they are hurtful. This is your blog and I honor you and it. I'm so encouraged by you to be everything that I can be and I believe in you and your choices. I'm so sad to hear that people out there felt the need to be negative and attacking your choices.
I am honored to read your words and view your images. Thank you for being here and not throwing in the towel just because others have toxic points of view.

You are by far one of the most loved women on this planet (and probably on other planets).

So go with your gut and follow your yellow brook road because anyone that knows you has no doubt there are millions of rainbows there.

Screw the green meanies and pour water over them.

Andrea you inspire me and make me smile.

As for Martha - I am sending you some healing energy
and light to help soothe whatever wrongs have been done to you in your life that would cause you to be
so horrible.
Cynthia

You are a gracious, strong, beautiful, creative, loving, authentic, wise and inspiring woman, who is, on occasion, the target for folks who are lacking those very qualities.
I hope today you can rest in the community of support and love
rather than have your time and energy stolen away by this kind of ridiculous ugliness.
Those of us who know you and your husband and your son, stand beside you, very honored and very proud to have you as friends.
And by the way,
listening to Prince always does it for me when these sorts of matters need to be shaken off.

~ Tin

Andrea,
I visit your blog daily and want you to know that I am inspired by your authenticity. Sometimes, I feel like my thoughts and feelings as a new (he's two- how long can I say that) mom are somehow manifested through your words. Maybe that is proof that experiences as wonderfully intense as motherhood (and womanhood) are universal and it takes a community of women, albeit sometimes a virtual one, to get through the day. I own three of your necklaces which are amazing, especially because I empathize with the love and care that go into making them- I know how precious free time is! Every time I wear one, which is often, I am reminded that life is about stringing one bead at a time and appreciating the beauty in the work.
Many thanks, for all of your gifts.

Dear beautiful and inspiring Andrea,
I just felt the need to say that in regards to "Martha", you cannot rationalize with an irrational person. I do hope you consider her as a troll to your site and that nothing she said is worthy of your time and energy. She does NOT speak your truth.

I for one have been blessed by your uplifting and empowering spirit for years. You have been a life coach to me without even knowing it. I cannot wait to be introduced to your sponsors, as I know they will be just as inspiring because you have great taste!

Don't stop doing what you're doing...xx

Sweet Andrea,

This blog is truly a teaching vehicle and the sharing of yourself and your journey connects your audience all the more. There is beauty, truth and insight in your words. This space evokes collaboration, community and support amongst people that I consider 'my cyberpose' you included! It also allows and invites those misanthropes to voice their somes ugly and unwarranted opinions reflecting much more about them and the bitter pill they swallowed. I'm all for allowing for difference of opinion and the freedom to debate. It is the true gentle being that can state their case and not attack individuals they don't know. Andrea, the sharing of your life story is a beautiful gift. To promote other artists, provide space and profit along the way isn't 'selling out'. It is the entrepreneurial spirit that this country was founded upon. Let the rainbows flourish and ignore those who attempt to 'rain' upon your parade. They need your sunshine more than ever.
Your cyber friend,
Trish
patriciadolan@comcast.net

Dear Andrea, This is such a fantastic post! I look up your blog just about everyday with anticipation to find somehting moving, authentic,and real. You never dissapoint~ Thank you for being so open and for sharing your view with the world. I have two of your superhero necklaces. I bought one for myself before I started graduate school in art therapy. The other, when I graduated and got my first job as an art therapist. The necklaces remind me of bravery and courage and of sricking with my dreams. I agree with Jeff Pitcher here. I trust you to make good decisions for you. I don't like how ads are popping up in creative forums like blogs, and I don't like how permeated our culture is with advertising. I did feel like "oh no!" when I first read your blog redesign post. I am generally opposed to allwoing advertising into our personala dn creative worlds. I am saddened by how insidious advertsing has become. We are all so sued to it, it is a part of our daily lvies and only getting worse. This is how I feel. However, I can have my own creative
"Ad-Free Blog" and you can have sponsors on yours. To each her own. This is your decision to make. I trust you to make it for yourself. What works for me may not work for you. This is just a comment to say that it is ok to not agree on everything. I think this is the first time I have ever questioned somehting you've said or done and that's pretty incredible considering I have been a loyal reader for years and years! I don't agree with my husband on everything, nor my sister on everything, nor my friends on it all, but we love each other and respect each other. I really love and respect you as a woman and as an artist. I have prayed for you on your fertility journey. I have rooted for you along the way. You have affected someone you don't even know pretty deeply, I look firward to each blog post you write. I wish you and your family well. You have written me a few personal notes over the years. I have enjoyed doing business with yu. And above all, I really appreciate your writing and your daily risks. You are willing to risk it and be vulnerable and be authentic and it moves me as a creative person and as a feamle. I have been moved by your willingness to share the icky aprts and the beautiful parts and the personal and the embarassing parts. You put it all out there and we are so lucky that you do! Your blog has inspired me for years! & thru many changes in my life. Thank you for taking time to connect with people. A few times late at night when I was going thru a hard time, your writing was the only thing that kept me feeling connected to people and the world at all. Now that I am happier and healthier, I want to let you know how much gratitude I have for your sharing. I am right there with you giving you a psychic high five! Thank you for being so brave. Thank you for being so honest.

I just discovered blogs about a year or so ago. Your blog was one of the first I read. I love it -- I love you! I am at a different point in my life -- but I always leave one of your posts enlightened in some way. Many of your links have introduced me to someone or something that has enriched my life. I am looking forward to your redesign and anything else you are will to share. I wish only the best for you.

Much love,
Jewelee

lovely. thank you.

I am delurking to say Thank You to Andrea. Your postings are so insightful, honest, and inspiring. I gain so much from reading your blog. Thank you for your willingness to share your thoughts and experiences with all of us! It's your decision on ads, and I would say to anyone who doesn't like them, then don't read Andrea's blog. That's your choice, but to attack her on this site is completely out of line with the spirit of the community Andrea has helped create.

Martha, narcistic isn't even a word. You must have meant narcissistic. Anyway the way you were bragging about your A+ sounds narcissistic to me.

Ditto Jeff Pitcher's comment...

And as one reader said, "it is right and healthy to question"

xo glo

i think the best we can do in our life is listen to what rings true for ourselves...if we can tap into trusting who we are and make our decisions based on that, despite the 'naysayers', then we're doing alright.

it's okay that we don't agree with each other. how boring would life be if we all did.

andrea, i wouldn't be the person i am today if not for encountering you. you continously give me hope in one way or another. i adore you, and trust that you are doing what is best for you and your family. you have an amazing soul, and i am blessed to know you. i can't wait to see where life takes you...i'll be there cheering you on the entire way!

Andrea - Each day I go to your site happily anticipating a new entry. You are kind of a friend that I check in with - one that is honest, funny and vulnerable. I read Martha's comment and I feel sad for her, I have been that miserable in my life, so I know where she is coming from and it is not a pleasant place to live. She is pretty transparent and I hope you do not take her writing to heart. Thank you for sharing yourself and your family with us.

i love you.

I would like to make one point. (Those of you who have read my site know that I am one of the “naysayers.”) What I have trouble with in this discussion is the polarization of opinions. I disagree with Andrea on this issue, yet it does not mean that I am judging her, nor does it mean that I feel any different about her heart. Andrea has a big, beautiful heart, with great capacity for so many things, and my disagreement with her (or anyone else) does not change any of that. I think it would be rather odd to have a relationship with anyone, wherein two people agree on everything. Hell, my wife and I disagree on some fairly major things. We actually have an ongoing argument that began four years ago now, one that will likely never be resolved. But we are both okay with that, and embrace it, and laugh about it from time to time. I love Andrea and support her decisions as a friend, whether or not I agree with them. They are her decisions, not mine.

I personally think that this sort of openness is what makes for truly strong communities. So please, just because some of us may disagree on this issue, do not assume that we feel any differently about someone we love. Life is a strange thing, and we all must make decisions about parenting, art, blogs, etc., and ultimately the lifestyle we want, ourselves. So to Andrea I say do whatever feels right for you. Whether or not all of us agree is beside the point. And to others, please do not suggest that our differing opinions somehow divide us; as a matter of fact, it is often the collective differences we have that make us interesting to each other. What would the world be if everyone felt the same way about everything?

Wow! I never knew so many crazies read you blog! I hope you can manage to ignore the hateful & absurd comments an focus on thankful, productive ones!

When I read your post about the changes to your blog I was excited! Didn't you ask *us* to put ads on your blog? I was thinking that I'd get to see ads for new, small, interesting businesses that I'd otherwise probably never hear about. You could easily incorporate generic ads from wherever (& that would be fine with me). Of course I find flashing, pop-up ads annoying, but I'd happily tolerate them if they help you out!

It's really not that big of a deal - especially taken in context of the larger events of this week. I am hurt/grieving/angry over the shootings & killings at my sister church in Knoxville, TN.

Andrea, you are a wonderful storyteller & a great boon to everyone near & far!

People, save your rage for things that deserve it!

Martha the problem is YOU turn around and have a look at yourself - not once but FIVE times you have exposed you miserable crabbit and hurting self in the comments. Your comments say more about you and nothing about Andrea. Turn off the computer and go and sort yourself out. It takes more responsibility and effort than lashing out at some one thousands of miles away via a fibre optic cable.

PS we are ALL INDESPENSIBLE !

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, What makes you think YOU ARE SO INDISPENSABLE?
GOOD GOD, I remember all your whining about not getting pregnant and when you finally did, you did nothing but complain, that you were not getting enough sleep, that this and that, to tell you the truth i have followed your BLOG only and I mean ONLY to prove a theory of mine, of how Americans are really REALLY messed up. You have NO idea of how to be, yeah, because BEING is as much more of an ART than all the crap of junk that your dear husband does for a living.
GET A LIFE!!! You want to serve your community of hobo readers...tackle the REAL issues here: TALK POLITICS, speak about your sister or your parents, or how frustrating it is to have married the love of your life and having him be MR.ANDREA SUPER HERO DESIGNS. You not only bore me, YOU DISAPPOINT ME. And yet you have the NERVE to ask for a salary. Because that's what you are doing. You are asking us to finance your little EGO page.
Well I am almost done with my PHD in you and your narcistic society. And in EUROPE I am going to be given an A +.
God Bless you and your son and your looser husband, for you sure need all the help that comes your way.

Andrea, you *are* a gift to the world and your words are a gift to us. I'm glad that you're finally going to receive something for the wealth and insight you've shared with us over the last few years.

i think you're awesome. good on you for doing something to make life more open and free for you and your family. can't wait to see the redesign!

andrea.
not only are you deserving of being paid for the beautiful, tender, inspirational writing you do here...but by deciding to do that it seems to me that you are enabling yourself to stand even stronger in your creative path. i think its a wonderful decision!

i also think lots of folks misunderstand the idea of sponsorship. i'd recently seen it on other blogs and thought it was a beautiful idea and a great way for creative bloggers to help their artful journeys thrive!

and i love this idea of shame not being able to survive with empathy present....that is a pretty notion!

I think you deserve to be “paid” for your creative blog time. To be honest with you, I have often wondered why you never have. You have been such a rock to me. So inspiring, and I think about how beautiful you are every time I put your Joy necklace on. I appreciate your honesty and being real. Your blog is a piece of art, Lady. And it is built on your talents and sweat. Good for you. Thanks for being my hero. Now take what you have earned!

you go, girl! i'm behind you 100% on this!

Hi. You mentioned that by taking the risk to be vulnerable on your blog you found a community that has supported (and continues to support) you on your journey. I hope you know that by taking the risk to be vulnerable here you have made many of us feel like we were not alone on our own journeys. The circumstances of my struggles aren't the same as yours but so many of your posts touch on themes that are universal. Today's in particular hit a chord with me and I wanted to thank you for this one and for all the posts, too numerous to count, that have helped me on my way.

I have only been reading your blog for a short time, and this may be the first comment I've left. (well, I commented once before but I think it blew up because I never saw it show up.)

Anyway, just wanted to say that I am incredibly shocked by the comments on your last post. I usually don't read through all the comments due to my busy life as a mother of 3 very young children. But after reading today's post I had to go back and see what all the commotion was about. I had NO IDEA people were so opinionated on the subject. WOW!

So I wanted to let you know that I think that what you are doing is great. I admire and respect you. You writing is beautiful and always strikes a chord with me.

I only started blogging a few months ago, but I have already began to feel the joy of "community" and empathy. The first time I wrote about my struggles as a young mother I felt for sure that others were going to judge me. Instead I received love and support from those you "have been there" too. Suddenly I didn't feel so alone in my struggles anymore.

Keep doing what you are doing! I matters!!!!!

Wow, I just tuned into this. Your husband's post was right on (lucky you!) I love that you're creating and extending the artist/Superhero community here and I intend to support them too--because if they love you and are supporting you, then I trust they're my kind of people too! I echo what someone else said: I can't remember how I got lucky enough to find you, but through you I've found (and supported): Keri Smith, Jen Lemen, Mighty Girl, Boho, the Weepies, and countless others. You just keep on keepin on....I'm glad you're doing this and finding ways to support yourself and support others at the same time.

Andrea, I want to thank you for your blog and for all that you do. I have a few Superhero necklaces now and I always think of your positive and encouraging energy when I wear them.

I need that energy more than I can ever express. I live with chronic pain and on those days when the pain monster in my head seems to have control, I can rub the stones on my necklace and know that under the pain I AM STILL HERE. I am still me. A superhero, even if only for that one moment in the day when I really need to be.

So thanks.

i'm new here, clicked over from jena's blog.

i know i'm in a good place, because i too loved listening to brene's nice southern voice remind me that shame cannot survive empathy.

think i'll go listen to it again tomorrow!

Hi Andrea - sorry about the controversy on the ads, i too was angry that some made you cry! Every single one of your posts gives me a tingle of truth or freakishly seems to be talking directly to me. Always follow your heart and realize you can never make 100% of the peeps happy. I didn't realize that one until i was about 35 years old. Go for 80% or just vote a few off the island. :) I'd read your post even if there was a big McD's logo floating down a sidebar, you are that good.
In support, i am off to buy a necklace or two. XXOO, Lisa

This is such a lovely post. I am also listening to this series - and reading her book at the same time. I am still unpacking all of my shame around my infertility/miscarriages, and now working on a whole new well of emotions around early motherhood. Your story and your words are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing.

I haven't commented in ages, but I've been reading your blog for a while now. Maybe three years? I love my superhero necklace and t-shirt! I've always thought of you as a gift. I'm forever inspired. Your writing is honest and real. Many of the posts keep me going after a day of parenting one child with autism and neglecting (feeling as though I'm neglecting) his younger sibling because my older child demands so much attention. You remind me to be kinder to myself (and others). When I read this post, I had to laugh at myself because, after reading the previous post, my first thought was "too bad I'm too f***ed up not to have it together enough to have something creative and amazing like Andrea so I can be a sponsor!" I'll have to amend that thought. Thanks for everything you do...You are truly a kind and gentle soul!

my life, is way better, for having your company along the way.
i so love and so honor and so treasure you.
xo
jen gray

Hi Andrea,

I don't comment often but I visit your blog almost daily. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the inspiration you have given me through your beautiful words and photos, and to show my complete support in what you choose to do in this amazing space you have created. I feel lucky that I stumbled upon your blog and discovered it in the first place.
With gratitude and ongoing support,
Kaori

Hi Andrea,

I don't comment often but I visit your blog almost daily. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the inspiration you have given me through your beautiful words and photos, and to show my complete support in what you choose to do in this amazing space you have created. I feel lucky that I stumbled upon your blog and discovered it in the first place.
With gratitude and ongoing support,
Kaori

Thank you -- for always being willing to bring us along on the journey.

here, HERE!

I have gained strength and inspiration by coming here and going to other blogs within these circles. I feel that I have a community of soul sisters. It makes a huge difference when we share our stories with each other. and our inspriations. It makes the day sweeter. It helps me remember why this life is a gift. It helps me not feel alone in my ups and downs as a woman, artist, mother, wife, friend and daughter.

love to you, friend.

Dear Andrea,

Your posts are always such a gift to me, and I know I do not say that often enough. I take for granted that you get thousands of comments and that my few, little words of thanks do not matter all that much. But today I want you to know that everytime I click onto this blog, your words and pictures lift me up and every day when I choose which Superhero Necklace to wear, you lift me up and I THANK YOU for that!

This blog, YOUR blog, has given me strength when I didn't think I could face another day. You have made me laugh when tears were all I knew in that moment. You have encouraged me when I felt so incredibly discouraged that I couldn't see the light in my own life..What beautiful gifts you have given to me.

Andrea, I completely support you and all you choose to do with this blog. It has become the gorgeous, inspirational space that it is because of you and the decisions you have made about the direction to take it in and the content you have chosen to share on it. And I have no doubt that it will always be that type of space.

And let me tell you, this post about guilt and shame!!! Oh my, what timing! In just a few days, on August 1st, I will be facing a very important and painful anniversary in my life. My heart has been wracked with guilt and shame and fear as it gets closer and closer. This post has helped ease some of those painful feelings. Your words have helped me let go of some of those feelings of guilt & shame. So once again, I thank you for sharing your loving and personal words and life lessons here on your blog...

You are such an inspiration, and when I grow up, I want to be just like YOU!

xoxo,

tammy

Dude. It would seem that I live in a giant hamster ball of shame, but I didn't really see until just now.

I don't comment often. Shy, I guess. But considering the last couple posts, I owe you public thanks.

So, thanks :)
xo

Thank you. I'm having a tough day and your positive words are like medicine.

I was really pleased when I read your last post that you were going to be offering advertising space - my first thought was "I wish I had something worthwhile to advertise" because I would love to be a part of your community and to help support this wonderful, inspiring blog in a financial way.

You are an inspiration and you need to trust your instincts. If anyone deserves to get rich from their writing, it's you. So many people make money online from being insincere, opportunistic and dishonest. But, I love to hear about people being financially successful through their ideas, thoughts, openness and sharing. I wish you all the success in the world, you deserve it!!!

Great post, Andrea! Thsi is helpful to me on my fertility journey. I ahve felt like I am a bad perosn whom God doesn't think deserves a baby, or that i am not feminie enough, thin enough, pretty enough to get pregnant. That I was stupid for marrying a man who wasn't sure if he wanted kids even though we feel right together. i coudl go on and on. I want to also say that you've made a very good case for having some sponsors on your blog, resposible sponsors of products you would approve of anyway. But i think there is some honest anf valuable dialogue goign on here regarding the ads thing. Even the peopel who wrote more extreme things still are saying they love your work and think your writing is fntastic. Don't through the baby out with the bathwater. These women are jsut expresisng their concerns in a safe place, teh safe palce you've been able to create ehre on your blog. I did not hear any meanness, simply women making poitns and questioning the need for sposors or whatever. I read soem of the comments last lnight and then again at work today and it sounds like even the people who commented that they were anti advertisements on blogs STILL SUPPORT YOU! don't let that slip thru the cracks.

Great post, Andrea! Thsi is helpful to me on my fertility journey. I ahve felt like I am a bad perosn whom God doesn't think deserves a baby, or that i am not feminie enough, thin enough, pretty enough to get pregnant. That I was stupid for marrying a man who wasn't sure if he wanted kids even though we feel right together. i coudl go on and on. I want to also say that you've made a very good case for having some sponsors on your blog, resposible sponsors of products you would approve of anyway. But i think there is some honest anf valuable dialogue goign on here regarding the ads thing. Even the peopel who wrote more extreme things still are saying they love your work and think your writing is fntastic. Don't through the baby out with the bathwater. These women are jsut expresisng their concerns in a safe place, teh safe palce you've been able to create ehre on your blog. I did not hear any meanness, simply women making poitns and questioning the need for sposors or whatever. I read soem of the comments last lnight and then again at work today and it sounds like even the people who commented that they were anti advertisements on blogs STILL SUPPORT YOU! don't let that slip thru the cracks.

Amen, sistah!

I just wrote about the power of storytelling on my site, too. That must mean it's doubly true!

I am so proud of you for staying on the path that's right for you. xoxo

Your blog was one of the first I ever read a few years back, and continues to be a source of such lovely and thoughtful inspiration. Thanks for sharing your journey, as I go on mine. It really means a lot.

I've been listening to her too and yes, I've listened to her like 3-4 times! I love what she has to say and it's resonated with me now than with the whole parenting my kids :) I'd love to talk more about this with you...

xo
Stef

Yes, exactly. You go. I almost never comment but I read frequently and I completely honor your choice... and just FYI, I *look forward* to seeing the ads for wonderful people just like you! I saw one comment where someone said that they frequently used the links you provided to products and people and such that you liked, and I do, too! So if you get paid to have those links that we enjoy, so much the better! I'm in full support.

Hugs,
Daphne

Andrea, this post is like a seed laying on fertile ground.

From the first day I stumbled upon this blog, you have been an inspiration to me, and you continue to be. An intelligent, talented and hard-working woman such as yourself should be compensated. That's all I'll say about that. Continue to live your life to it's fullest, and I'll continue along with you. :)

Whoa. I just went back and read the comments, and I'm just going to come right out and say that some of them were really offensive. I can't believe people made you cry! It makes me... well.. angry. Here is the thing, I've been reading your blog for MORE THEN FIVE YEARS (which is shocking to me! It seems so long!) and I have felt like I've owed you something material for all these years. You had no ad's to click on, no tip jar, no subscriptions, only necklaces to buy. And that has for FIVE YEARS felt wrong to me. There you were providing such a valuable connection for people all over the world, and it wasn't part of how you were making a living. And now you have a family to feed. I mean, come on. And to top it all off, you made the decision to come forward and explain what you were doing and why to your readers, and you are not even taking corporate sponsorship. (And on a side note, so what if you were? Advertising doesn't strip us of personal choice!) Making art should not be about suffering.

So, there. I just had to say that. I didn't hear a heck of a lot of people offering to pay subscription fees instead.

And this is a really lovely post Andrea. It's thoughtful, insightful, and explains so much about the why's of blogging. I just had to get my angry defense of your choice to act in your own best interests (go you!) off my chest. It's high time you made a living off this blog! Cheers to you!

PS
Matt is of course correct, and hilarious.

♥ Beautiful post Andrea, your intention for your blog is mine for my blog too and I've written similar things there (though I have ads!!!). :-) I wish I had your way with the English language, your sentences are just so darling!

Wow. I just caught myself up on the comments and wow. From what I understand, you are looking for writers and artists as sponsors and not corporate ads. That is completely innovative and very much the "Andrea" I've enjoyed reading for the last year or so. Plus, if you decide to have corporate sponsors, whatever! Certainly I would keep reading and not be disappointed by a personal choice.

Honestly, reading your blog is like a clean breath of fresh air. I find wonderful insight, ideas, and plus I've purchased two kickass necklaces that I wear All. The. Time. Why? Because they make me feel positive and bright and happy. And that is what you do with this blog so keep it up. As long as you write this blog, you'll have me as a reader.

You wrote, "It's not that I was ashamed to be struggling with fertility so much as I thought I was bad, like there was something deeply wrong with me that it wasn't working."

This is how I have felt about being romantically unattached. Because if I wasn't so screwed up, so unworthy, so broken, one of the good men I have been attracted to would have fallen in love with me long ago, right? I wouldn't be staring 40 in the face still single, right?

Thank you for saying what I did not have words for. I will ponder this idea.

I have to go back to read yesterday's comments and that mary oliver poem above, but I have to comment right now before I forget everything because OMG, YES!

My shame mantra is "I suck!" and no matter how many times I try to replace it with "I rock!" it keeps coming back. You are right, it's the confusion between a situation or an action that wasn't great and thinking it's me that isn't great and isn't worth great things. I AM SO SICK OF IT.

The other thing is that children are much more resilient, intelligent and creative than we give them credit for. This is what I learned from being a HS teacher in the inner city. And I truly believe that just like you and I learn from our struggles, so do our children, and it's okay if we mess up with them sometimes and are not perfect. What we can do is help our children DEAL with the difficulties and their struggles. The truth is, I do not give my kids enough baths, but it isn't going to kill them.

I've forgotten everything else I wanted to say, but this is long enough, so, let me go read the comments.

Oh, plus, you need to treat yourself the way you would treat your own kids, treat them with the same love, kindness and discipline. Gosh darn, I just wrote this on my blog five minutes ago.
http://warriorgirl.blogspot.com/2008/07/remembering-what-comes-from-glorious.html

Wow. I never would have expected controversy to pop up on this blog. I understand and share the concern about blogs being taken over by corporations that want to sell their stuff. But it seems like people made a pretty big leap by thinking that your offer to give artists, authors and other bloggers space meant that McDonalds was buying you out. I love your blog and trust that you are not the type to be seduced by free stuff and corporate contracts. If you start writing about the Wii Fit, we'll know you've been corrupted. But until then, I continue to trust that this is an authentic space and support whatever decisions you make.

(((Breathe in all that love, sister!! Can you feel it?!!)))

Mornings at Blackwater
by Mary Oliver

For years, every morning, I drank
from Blackwater Pond.
It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,
the feet of ducks.

And always it assuaged me
from the dry bowl of the very far past.

What I want to say is
that the past is the past,
and the present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what that will be,
darling citizen.

So come to the pond,
or the river of your imagination,
or the harbor of your longing,

and put your lips to the world.
And live
your life.

Mary Oliver (Red Bird)

I feel like a looser parent because my son won't eat anything but rice cakes, we live far away from family, I am exhausted 99% of the time.
Through other blogs I realized that people I was positive were perfect parents were in fact just normal. This gave me so much strength.

..A Gift To The World...
~ I've always seen you as that!
Thank you so much!! xxx

Such great insight. I need to mull this over for awhile...