This is the story of all-too-many brown girls everywhere -- a story that some of us African American moms are desperately trying to change with our generation of daughters.

Which is why there was such an uproar recently when Newsweek’s Allison Samuels openly criticized Angelina Jolie, a white mom, for letting her adopted, Ethiopian-born daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, sport hair Samuels said was “wild and unstyled, uncombed and dry. Basically: a ‘hot mess.’” 

I believe the greatest risk Lori faces right now is becoming discouraged, losing focus, and not having the energy to be there for her kids and for herself. So, I am focusing our attention and activities on shorter-term objectives aimed at getting us through these next couple of months.

I had the opportunity to meet with Derek again yesterday. I feel very fortunate to be working with him! When I went in I couldn’t help but wonder, “What does a financial planner do when there are no finances to plan with?” I was prepared to hear him tell me all the ways in which I should cut back even further, but that wasn’t his approach at all.

Here's a roundup of recent H1N1 news stories. And tell us: Have you encountered Swine Flu in your community? Did you get your family vaccinated? Did you get the shot, or the mist? Let us know!

In Iowa, the first case of a family pet with H1N1. The cat most likely got it from the family members recently suffering from swine flu. (Time) 

How did Wall Street bankers score the swine flu vaccine ahead of millions of others? (Associated Press)

Going sanitizer-happy? An unusually high demand for Purell could lead to limited supplies in some areas. (CNN) 

Seven members of an endangered Amazonian tribe have died from H1N1. (BBC)

A new bill in the House of Reps would guarantee paid sick leave to workers if their employer asks them to stay home with swine flu. (Associated Press) 

To put it in perspective, here's an interesting history of the swine flu, from 1889 to today. (New Scientist)  

Plus:

Our no-freak-out swine flu guide for parents

Swine flu know-how for moms-to-be

Sleep has never been our problem. For all the issues we’ve faced with Alex -- MRSA, his severe allergies, his eczema, the fact that he now climbs out of his crib constantly and says F---! a lot -- sleep has never been one of them. He started going through the night on his own at about seven weeks and we haven’t looked back. Now bedtime is around 8 and he wakes up at around 7 and we rarely hear a peep out of him in between -- and he’s never, ever slept in our bed. Needless to say, I get plenty of sleep. But something tells me that’s going to change very soon….