iVillage: Sometimes Being Last Pays Off

Most of you do not know this, because I didn’t tell you, because I was sort of sad and pitiful, but I auditioned to be an iVillage iVoices video correspondent. I was rejected. And then I went and did it all over again. You know what happened, right? Because I am clearly NOT an iVillage iVoice video correspondent. (Because I think we all know how many times I would have mentioned it if I were. So, yeah, two rejections was humbling, but whatever. I’m used to it, and not because I’m being self-deprecating, but because rejection is a huge part of the writing business.

I was sad not to be the next big video star, but the people at iVillage, especially Kelly Wallace, were so kind and generous, that I couldn’t be even a little bit miffed. And I made some new online friends in the process. Love those.

Luckily, almost two years after initially applying for the video gig, iVillage decided to do a special report on the Best and Worst States for Women. I was thrilled when Kelly asked me represent Arkansas and I set out to show the world that we have teeth and are actually quite happy in the Natural State. This video features some of the very best women in Arkansas. And they are my friends, in real life. Love those, too.

I hope you’ll take a look and let me know what you think, about Arkansas, the ranking in general, or that unfortunate outfit choice.

Read more about the bottom 5 states on iVillage

Conservationist Rednecks in Training

My children care about the Earth. And they have lived in Arkansas for most of their lives. Hence the following exchange:

“Hey, Mom, did you know we saved three gallons of water today?”
“How did you do that?”
“We peed in the yard.”

Maternal pride swells.