In Part One I wrote about exactly how I juggle so many things. In Part Two I wrote about my thought process. I had great intentions with Part Three, but to be totally upfront and honest with you, it’s a hot mess. I need to begin by saying thanks to one of my blog readers, Susan, for emailing me a really sweet email and asking me “What’s next?” because that’s what kept my brain busy when I was mowing our lawn on Friday, and that’s when I came up with this three-part series. When someone asks me about what’s next, I honestly think about those Walt Disney World commercials. “You’ve…
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How I Do All That I Do, Part Two
In Part One I wrote about exactly how I juggle so many things. Part two is about my thought process, because that’s where everything begins. When I say I am always thinking, I mean it. Unfortunately, the circumstances under which I do my best idea-generating aren’t always ideal for remembering said ideas, and the places you would think I could come up with some great stuff aren’t so thought-friendly. Now, I’m not saying that you have to be thinking all the time like I do. In fact, I often find myself green with envy over those efficient thinkers out there, the people who can come up with an idea and…
- Confessions, How To, I've Got Mad Skillz, My Friends Have Mad Skillz, Proud Moments, Something That Could Change Your Life
How I Do All That I Do, Part One
I’m a busy girl. This has already been well-established. (If you’re new here: Hi, and welcome! Trust me. I’m busy.) I am often asked “How do you do all that you do???” The person asking the question usually has a wide-eyed look and typically shakes her head in disbelief, most likely because she thinks I’m certifiably crazy for taking on as many things as I typically do. The question makes me very uneasy because honestly–though I am proud of my own accomplishments–I am not the type of person to toot my own horn in the company of others. Still, I am always flattered and I smile, thank them for asking,…
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Is It Possible That Food Could Taste TOO Good? Nah.
With all of the hub-bub surrounding the LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER show, I fell sadly behind on posting about a few other experiences I’ve had over the past couple of weeks. I’m back though, and getting back on the wagon… I don’t keep it a secret that I love to grocery shop. Not only am I a big fan of eating, but I also enjoy the actual act of grocery shopping, especially when I’ve got the time to do it right and as long as nobody touches my meat, because we all know what happens then. (It’s not pretty). It really helps when the store is a pleasure to visit.…
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There Are Definite Disadvantages To Having A Tall Kid
On Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. I was in my usual spot on the couch, typing away on my laptop. Seventeen-year-old J, who was getting ready for school and had been in the kitchen just a moment before–presumably eating his breakfast–entered the room. I looked up as he walked towards me, and noticed the huge grin on his face. He said, “You will NEVER guess what I found!” Without allowing me even a second to give it a shot, he held his hand out to me. In his palm were two Hershey’s Eggs. Easter candy. It’s like gold around here. He sat on the couch next to me and scooted over…
- Amazing People, Best Thing Ever, Fun in Chicago, I've Got Mad Skillz, My Friends Have Mad Skillz, Pretty Pictures, Proud Moments, Shameless Promotion, Something That Could Change Your Life, Spreading the Bloggie Love
About Last Night
I’m having a little trouble. I can’t really wrap my head around the whirlwind that was LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO last night. I can’t keep using the word “amazing” and expect that 1. People will continue to take me seriously 2. People will believe that yes, I’m a writer …but the fact is, everything about this experience (well, not everything: there were a few snags in the planning process but everything shook out in the end) WAS amazing. I tend to be long-winded (or whatever that is in terms of writing), and although I can think of thousands of things to report to you about last night, I think…
- Amazing People, Best Thing Ever, Blessings, Fun in Chicago, I've Got Mad Skillz, My Friends Have Mad Skillz, Proud Moments, Shameless Promotion, Something That Could Change Your Life
Listen To Your Mother Chicago: Countdown To Showtime!
For the last nine days, Tracey and I have posted countdown pictures on Facebook. I think these pictures both excited and terrified our cast. Today is the big day. More than six months in the making, the very first LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO is finally making its debut, at 7:00 p.m. tonight to be specific. Where am I, mentally? So calm I can’t even express it. If you know me well, you know that “calm” is not a word I EVER use when I’m this heavily involved in a project. (Okay, or, uh, EVER. At all.) I know that I will be nervous as showtime approaches because I am…
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Old Friends
I was on the phone with D the other day when he asked me to go to our local Big Box Toy Store to pick up a specific Star Wars toy that would be part of a thank you gift for his fraternity “dad” (it was meant to be funny). I was happy to do it: the combination of getting out of the house and away from my LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER to-do list and doing a small favor for him–when he typically doesn’t ask for much at all–made this kind of errand a pleasure rather than a chore. Yesterday I headed out to the store and as I drove…
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Putting Fannie May Chocolate On The To-Do List
One thing I’m known for is my habit of making lists. I don’t just make to-do lists, mind you; I make lists for everything. What to pack, what I want to read, what I need to remember to tell someone I’m talking to later on any given day. Heck, I even made grocery listing a fine art a while back when I created my own list (in Excel) of commonly purchased items in the order of the grocery store aisles, with the produce, refrigerated, and freezer sections near the end so that my food would still be cold by the time I got home. When I’ve got a project going…
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Hot Off The Presses
In an embarrassment of riches, I am the featured mom on two other sites today. (Well, technically one of them went up yesterday but I’m still within the 24-hour window.) I’m featured as a “Real Chicago Mom” on Family Travel with Colleen Kelly. Colleen has a travel show by the same name that is debuting locally on Chicago WTTW, Channel 11 this weekend. It airs: Friday, May 4 at 8:30pm Saturday, May 5 at 11:00am Sunday, May 6 at 5:30pm Her first episode is all about Chicago (yay!), and of course she’s hitting some other great destinations in Season 1. Follow Colleen on Twitter @familytravelck and on Facebook by clicking…