Between the 29th of September and the 3rd of October, The Podcast Network web site will be undergoing some major server work that will increase (fingers crossed) both the speed and the reliability of the service you have come to love and cherish ;)

Access to the web site and the functionality of the RSS feed will at best experience a small blip of down time… and at worst…well..it could vanish into the bermuda triangle that is tech land for upto four days. I have also had to switch of the ability to post comments on all the sites till we are fully operational as well.

Stick with us through this little hick-up and I promise we will return to normal transmission as quick as possible.

Thanks guys and gals…

Mick Stanic
Co-Founder of The Podcast Network

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Sit back, relax, and get ready to listen. We had a TON of fun putting this show together. It is our 11th, I mean 12th show (who did these notes?)!

What did we cover this week? I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to listen to find out. Oh, OK, I’ll give you a little hint.

We talk about that fateful day, September 11, 2001. SuZan has started working with some of the kids that have enrolled in our school district due to Katrina. Someone slammed into Sheri’s car, did some damage, then drove off! Enter CSI! Sheri also gave a “boyfriend” update. Could Jessica’s (Sheri’s daughter) love affair be over?

What else did we cover? You really will need to listen. I will tell you that topics include: Victoria’s Secret; thong underwear, granny panties, and going commando; and a visit to Celebrating Women’s Blog Pick of the Month for September.

Our “tips n’ tricks” segment has to do with “brain power”. Yes, all of you moms-believe it or not, not all of our brain matter was sucked out during child birth. Find out some neat tricks to do to be a better thinker.

All of this, and we’re only half way done?!? We finish the show by sharing our “Reasons to Celebrate Being A Woman” as well as a few miscellaneous topics including white mud (you’re just going to have to listen).

Until next week remember-we are NOT Queens of Clean; we are NOT Martha Stewarts; we are REAL women, in an UNREALISTIC world, trying to keep it real!

PS-as always, special thanks to jkOnTheRun for his technical support and emmetonline for their music!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

We’re baaaacckkk! We took a week off to cope with all of the happenings down here along the Gulf Coast. We’re happy to be back and in full swing.

We devote a portion of the show to conversation about Hurricane Katrina and how it has affected our lives. We share some stories and how the United States as a nation is pulling together.

Oh No! Say it isn’t so! Does Sheri’s 15 year old daughter have her 1st boyfriend?! Find out what evil ways Sheri used to make sure the three “couples” stayed honest while “hanging out” at her house. We then venture off into a discussion about a post SuZan did regarding women and aging. Do you act your age? In what ways does your body remind you that your are not 20 anymore?

Stay tuned to find out which blog we chose to be our “Blog Pick Of the Month” September. Nope, I’m not going to tell! You’ll have to listen to find out!

After a short break we share this weeks “Reasons to Celebrate Being a Woman”. Who is our “Extraordinary Woman of The Week”.? It could be you! Yes, YOU! Our pick this week went through a horrible experience during the peek years of her life. She is truly and inspiration.

Can you believe it-we actually ran out of things to talk about before the timer went off. Never fear, we pulled a few “tips n’ tricks” out of our hats to fill the gap!

We hope you enjoy the show. We certainly enjoyed putting it together. Until next week remember….We are NOT Martha Stewarts; we are NOT Queens of Clean; we are REAL women, in an UNREALISTIC world, trying to keep it real!

PS: We would like to throw out some props to Sheri’s wonderful husband James from jkOnTheRun for his technical assistance and to Emmitonline for the bodacious (yes, we are a product of the 80’s) song entitled “Felicity Bangg 2005 Remix”.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Our funky, cool new music from emmetonline gets our show started with a bang, and it only gets better from there!

Our topics of discussion this week includes Sheri’s realization that, my God, she occasionally IS a helicopter mom! Sheri shares a few instances that came about during the week when, in times past, she would have “swooped down” and fixed the problem for her kids! Keep listening for her graphic recount of medical emergencies this weekend that ended with at least one child in the ER.

Last week we talked about blogging in the classroom. SuZan was inspired and determined to get blogging incorporated into her lesson plans, and guess what - SHE DID! Listen to find out the progress she’s made.

Next, we share a little information found on this months Celebrating Women “Blog Pick Of The Month“. We finish the first half of the show with our “Tips N’ Tricks” segment. Find out how to make a “family tree” for Christmas! Not only is this a fun family project, all you teachers will love this as well!

After a brief word from the TPN Network, we talk about what we’ve learned in Chapter 3 of the book “Systematic Training for Effective Parenting” (a/k/a STEP).

Don’t go any where, we’re not done yet! We introduce two new features to our podcast this week. Our first new feature is entitled “Reasons to Celebrate Being A Woman”. Our second (and maybe our most favorite new feature) is the introduction of Celebrating Women’s “Extraordinary Woman of The Week” Listen and find out how and why we chose the author of this blog as this week’s “Extraordinary Woman”.

We hope you enjoy the show. If you’ve laughed, cried, rolled your eyes, or learned at least one thing from our show, then we’ve done our job.

Until next week remember…. we are not “Queens of Clean”, we are not Martha Stewarts; we are real women, in an unrealistic world…… trying to keep it real!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Welcome back to the Real Women Show. We are all filled up and ready to grace the airwaves with our wit and charm…..oh barf!

This week we talk (again) about bad service at restaurants and how they should NOT handle certain situations. Find out exactly what a “helicopter mom” is. Shopping with a teenage daughter - ugh! We also talk about an interesting article that recently appeared in The St. Petersburg Times regarding “Blogging in the Classroom“. It was very interesting to hear how SuZan is planning to implement this into her lesson plans.

From here we venture into a discussion about an article that appeared in a recent addition of “The Oprah Magazine” regarding how our nation is becoming over medicated. The article was based on a book entitled “Selling Sickness”.

SuZan then shares some great “Tips N’ Tricks” and shares an easy way to get left over candle wax from a candle holder as well as how to remove that nasty smell that sometimes gets left behind in the ice chest! (You are not going to believe this-I tried it-it works!)

After a brief “Pause For The Cause” we come back and share some awesome things that were on our “Blog Pick Of The Month“. We finish out the show with a brief discussion on the book we’re reading regarding raising teenagers. “STEP-Systematic Training for Effective Parenting is a great book filled with a lot of information.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Show #8 - Wow! We have such fun doing this Podcast and we have so much to say! Check us out this week as we share our perils of busy schedules with back to school around the corner. Sheri shares how a potential “onion” letter turned into an “orchid” letter. Do you know how to place your silverware on your plate when eating out to indicate to the server as to whether you are finished or not? SuZan and I have a short rant about leaving negative comments on a blog.

After a short break, my daughter Jessica who just turned 15 shares back to school information from a teenagers perspective. She shed a lot of light as to what teenagers experience at school. We also talk about some of the really cool posts that have appeared on our “Blog Pick of The Month“. This month’s pick is “Why are these kids following me? Who are they calling mom?” Her site is a lot of fun! Find out what “Freebie Friday” is all about.

Enjoy!

LISTEN NOW

Welcome back! This is our seventh show and boy, is it full of information and interesting conversation. We made the New York Times! Maybe the Today Show will be next. Listen and find out all the juicy details.

Our week in review covers interesting events including the launch of Discovery, getting ready for back-to-school, and a review of “War of The Worlds“.

This week we announce our “Blog Pick of The Month” for August. Who will it be? Also, don’t miss our “tips and tricks”! What could we possibly have to share this week?

We had a special guest with us this week. A teacher from our local school district visited with us and answered our questions regarding what parents need to do to prepare our kids for pre-school or kindergarten. She also shared a lot of tips for parents with kids in any grade regarding dealing with situations that arise in the school environment.

You are not going to want to miss one minute of this show! Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

P.S. We would like to extend our sincere thanks my husband from jkOnTheRun for his technical assistance and One Egg Ticket for the funky music!

LISTEN NOW

That’s right-show number six! We have such a blast putting these shows together each week! This weeks show is full of fun and exciting adventure of Sheri and SuZan. You’ll have to tune in and listen to some of the musings of an Occupational Therapist (SuZan). Sheri was laughing so hard she was crying! See if Sheri adapted to the quiet of the house without the kids. SuZan found a cute article about Shopping-men vs. women-need I say more?

We wrap up the show discussing an article that was in the July, 2005 issue of Redbook Magazine entitled “Are you addicted to stress?” Ah, I think everyone is probably saying “yes”. We share some tips to destress your life! They really work.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. As always, we like to give special thanks to One Egg Ticket for the great music and to James Kendrick from jkOnTheRun for his technical support (how does he put up with us?).

LISTEN NOW

Welcome back and thanks for listening. This is show #5 and boy, is it jammed pack with information! After we set the timer (we’ve got to keep ourselves honest), we review our week. Find out why Sheri has a hole in her ceiling, and what it takes to get three children packed for a two week vacation-with their dad! SuZan shares her experience with her teenage son going out with friends-driving friends that is!

SuZan found some great information about the Dove Corporation and their new marketing campaign designed to feature “real women”. Sheri realizes that with her kids gone, she doesn’t now how to relax and have some alone time which brings up an article that appears in the July 2005 issue of The Oprah Magazine.

After a short intermission, we talk about some awesome stuff that’s appeared on our “Blog Pick of the Month”. We briefly chat about the new reality show that aired last week on ABC called “Brat Camp” and how it was interesting to see the counselor’s use some of the same techniques we’re learning from the book “STEP”-Systematic Training for Effective Parenting. We continue on to do a brief review of what we’ve covered in the book and talk a little more about what we’ve learned as we continue to read the 2nd chapter.

We finish the show with a freakin awesome recipe for Pineapple Pie that SuZan made. She got the recipe from a fantastic cookbook called “The Four Ingredient Cookbook” by Linda Coffee and Emily Cale. Trust me when I say it was delicious! While flipping through the cookbook, I found some recipes that even I can make-successfully!

Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Welcome back and thanks for listening! After a week long break we are refreshed and ready to go! Y’all better fasten your seat belts as we do our week in review. SuZan starts the show by asking Sheri an impromptu question for which Sheri, who is never at a loss for words, answers in her own gallant way. Find out how Sheri almost had a real “bang” on the fourth! We talk about a recent news piece that aired on Good Morning America where they discussed blogging and the benefits thereof. Find out how to become a sex kitten, (yes, even you married ladies) as well as the unveiling of the top 10 cities that have the most adventurous sex (yeah, Texas made it)! Check out our “Blog Pick of the Month” and listen as we rant about “Back To School” advertising taking away our last four weeks of summer and make a bet as to when the first actual Christmas displays will appear (you’re going to owe me a Margarita SuZan). After a brief intermission we discuss how hectic our lives become when company is in town, then we finish the show with a review of the book “STEP-Systematic Training for Effective Parenting”. We review the goals of a teenager’s behavior and how parents can counteract the behavior by changing their own reaction. Make sure you stay tuned to the end and find out this week’s “Tip and Trick”.

As always, thanks to James Kendrick from jkOnTheRun for his technical assistance and One Egg Ticket for the groovin’ music! Enjoy the show!

Welcome back and thanks for listening! We start our show with a brief review of the world of pod casting and blogging. Find out what fun projects we’ve been working on this week. Sheri reviews Batman (and tells what she REALLY thinks about Christian Bale-get the fire extinguisher)! Sheri also tries to justify why the guest room at her house is in the shambles that it is and how she won a battle against a mouse (I’m not kidding). We have a fun quiz and want to find out “what you would do”. SuZan shares her progress on “the room” at her house and gives us lots of “tips and tricks” that she uses when embarking on a home improvement project. Sheri finally figures out what “whoops” paint is (doh)! Find out which blog won our “Celebrating Women Blog Pick of The Month”. Congratulations Katy! After a brief “pause for the cause” and a refill on our drinks, we have a brief discussion on a news story aired regarding plastic surgery and how it is no longer for reconstruction purposes only. We finish the show with a review of the “STEP” program (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) and share some examples of how we’ve put what we’ve learned to use (and we’re only on chapter 2)! Sit back, relax and enjoy!

P.S. As always, we’d like to give special thanks to James Kendrick from jkOnTheRun for his technical assistance and One Egg Ticket for the awesome music!

Or not! SuZan asked me how I slept being my husband is out of town. In answer to her question-ha. Dogs wouldn’t go out last night before bed (11:30 p.m.). At 3:30 a.m., Oreo (little dog) starts whining, licking my face, then eventually gives a low growling bark. I told him to go back to bed because it was not yet 5:00. He just kept looking at me with those serious eyes while wagging his tail. OK, up I go to let him out. Meanwhile, Bradley (big dog) was already standing at the door. We go outside, Bradley runs off to take care of business while Oreo sits on the patio looking rather smug. I tell him “you better go do something”. So, he lifts his leg and pees on the pillar while standing on the patio. Bradley comes running back, we go inside, Bradley runs to his bed-out like a light. Oreo and I go to my bed; Oreo stretches out in James’ spot-out like a light. Sheri on the other hand tosses and turns for about an hour realizing how much she misses James’ snoring and also she hears every crack and creek in the house. Sheri fell back asleep at 4:30. She was not happy when the alarm went off at 5:00! Then, as she is taking the dogs for their morning walk (she is half asleep), the sprinklers kick on. It’s dark, so she can hear them, she just can’t see them. That is until they spray her from all sides! What an interesting morning. You just have to laugh!

P.S. Don’t you just love the switch from 1st person to 3rd? Blame it on sleep deprivation!

This was my reaction last week when I made that call. After a couple of days of trying different parts in my hair (you know…to cover up the roots as best you can); tease the bangs up since they now go down to my chin (can’t go without the bangs you see there is just too much grey to part and go); not to mention that there is no way to tame the “lion’s mane” affect going on here. So I finally just pulled it back and wore it up for a week (and everyone just thought I was getting in the swing of summer; yeah right).

I wondered why I just didn’t feel right and I have concluded that finding the right hairdresser is just as hard as finding the right doctor. I know personally I would change doctors before I would give up my hairdresser. But I lived through it (silly me), disaster averted, and the hair is back in place!

Always one to practice what I preach, I get to work. My “in-box” was overflowing. There’s only one way in and one way out of my office and the in-box sits on the corner of my desk for easy access by my boss. I tried moving my in-box. Didn’t work. It was still overflowing. I tried staring at a focal point on my wall as I walk into my office. Nope, still overflowing. In an effort to not lose my positive outlook I knew I needed to come up with a plan. I got a big cardboard box and put everything from my in-box into the cardboard box which I shoved under my desk. I placed the now empty in-box back to its spot. Yep, worked like a charm. I am no longer overwhelmed by my in-box! Guess I can take off early today since my in-box is empty! Just kidding!

Happy Friday,
Sheri

Welcome back and thanks for listening. We had a great response to our first show! We love all of your comments plus the great ideas and suggestions for future shows.

Our second show deals with the difference between an OT (Occupational Therapist) and a PT (Physical Therapist), and how health conditions not only effect the patient, but the family. We share a fun quiz from the July, 2005 edition of Good Housekeeping-we want to find out how our listeners would react if they were in this situation. SuZan discovers Sheri’s filing system (yeah, if that’s what you want to call it)! Sheri describes her recent “well woman” exam (and yes, it tends to get a bit graphic) which brought up an interesting discussion on UTI’s and the ease of getting your doctor to write prescriptions-for ANYTHING. Sheri talks about her hobby-gardening and how it helps here “detach”. In our new Tips and Tricks feature, SuZan shares a cute way to serve ice cream at your summer time barbecue! During the intermission (read-potty break), there will be a word from The Podcast Network.

After the break, Sheri and SuZan sit down and do an in depth review the of the 1st chapter from the book “STEP-Systematic Training For Effective Parenting” by Don Dinkmeyer, Sr.; Gary D. McKay; Joyce L. McKay; and Don Dinkmeyer, Jr. Listen to the end to hear our real life examples and how they were put to the test based on what we’ve learned – and we only read the 1st chapter!

Sit back, relax, and listen. This is a long one folks-we’re still learning the art of Podcasting. There is a small section with technical difficulties. Don’t adjust your settings. Keep listening and eventually it will clear up. As always we’d like to give special thanks to James from jkOnTheRun for his technical assistance and to One Egg ticket for the fabo music.

Enjoy!

We are so excited to have completed our first podcast. This first show is an introduction to us as we describe our goal with this podcast. We talk about “Shooting the Bastard” who created the Super Mom/ Super Woman image as well as identifying who the “Bastard” really is. We also introduce plans and ideas for future podcasts. Sit back, get a cup of coffee or your beverage, maybe a candy bar on the side and take some time out for yourself. Enjoy!

P.S. We’d like to give special thanks to James Kendrick from jkOnTheRun. Without his hard work, this would never have happened.

P.P.S. We’d also like to thank One Egg Ticket for the AWSOME Music.

She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart

-and she will do everything with only two hands.”

The angel was astounded at the requirements. “Only two hands!? No way!
And that’s just on the standard model?
That’s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish. But I won’t,” the Lord protested.
“I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days.”

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
“But you have made her so soft, Lord.”
“She is soft,” the Lord agreed, “but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”

“Will she be able to think?”, asked the angel.
The Lord replied, “Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate.”

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman’s cheek.
“Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.” “That’s not a leak, “the Lord corrected, “that’s a tear!”
“What’s the tear for?” the angel asked.
The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride.”

The angel was impressed.
“You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing.”
And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don’t take “no” for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

We are Sheri and SuZan. We live in Cypress, Texas, USA and have been friends for approximately ten years. Sheri is a mother of three children from a previous marriage, ages 16, 15, and 12. She has been married to James (jkOnTheRun) for six years and has 3 step daughters. She is currently employed as an office manager/bookkeeper for a law firm; member of the High School’s Booster Club and has been past PTO President of the area Elementary School. SuZan has been married for 18 years and has one 16 year old son (she swears he counts for 3). She is a therapist in the local school district; also a member of the High School’s Booster Club and is Advancement Chairman in a local Boy Scout Troop. We are both passionate about our lives and aim to bring different perspectives on various subjects and how life impacts everything we do.

The purpose of this blog and our podcast is to celebrate women, real women, chaotic, turbulent, frazzled, extraordinary women. Extraordinary women are women who work, play, live, raise children, married or single, who do it all, sometimes by choice, sometimes out of necessity, to make life rich and full.

One of the best things about doing this project is that we are very different individuals that approach things in very different ways. We do however share one passion, our families. Our goal with this blog and our podcasts is to have a forum to share our thoughts, feelings, goals, desires and passions with other people, at the same time allowing them to share with us. We feel that women play such a strong role in the world, but tend to forget one very important thing, themselves!

What you will not find here is the image of women that advertisers and suburban life want us to project. You will find truth, honesty, and a sincere view of what is on our minds from incidents in everyday life, questions that arise, and even product reviews. We believe that it is O.K. to cry a little but laugh a lot to help keep our sanity. As we progress through this adventure, we hope that something said or shared via this forum will touch someone in a positive way.

We are not Martha Stewarts; we are not Queens of Clean, we are real women in an unrealistic world…..trying to keep it Real!