Bring It! Listen To Your Mother Chicago

This weekend was our first rehearsal for Listen To Your Mother Chicago.  As I got ready to go I was equal parts nervous and excited.  I was nervous about my reading, praying that the readings I had done on my own would help me slow down even through the nerves.  But also so excited to meet the other ladies of the cast who I'd been chatting with regularly on FB for a weeks and to hear their pieces as we'd be sworn to secrecy about our pieces so we could all experience them, just as the audiance will on May 5th.

As I sat in my 'assigned' spot in show order, I was smack dab in the middle and while thankful to not being first, was worried about being able to concentrate on the other pieces without obsessing about my own reading.  But each piece pulled me in quickly and had me laughing or crying (or laughing UNTIL I cried).  The only real worry I had was if I would be able to catch my breath after the emotional readings in order to do my own.

I did.  And while I still need some practice, and maybe some advice on what to do with my hands/arms while I'm reading, I read mostly spot on to what I practiced.  I feel so much more confident even just from the audition reading.  I am now convinced that not only can I take that stage and bare my soul for 900+ people, but I can do it WELL.  If that sounds cocky, I'm sorry but I'm tired of feeling the need to downplay my abilities to myself and to others.  The cast is filled with amazing pieces and fabulous writers, it would be beyond easy to feel unworthy of sharing the stage with more experienced performers and published authors but I am owning this experience!  And the fact that these ladies are all amazing people, I now have the pleasure of calling friends, makes it so much easier.  After our rehearsal we had the chance to spend some time together getting to know each other and regardless of age, lifestyle etc we bonded over this experience we are all sharing.  I am so excited to move forward with these ladies for another rehearsal and a show that I know will be here before we know it.  We are truly giving Motherhood a Microphone from every aspect of motherhood.  

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, grab the special women in your life and come out and be reminded that motherhood isn't all sunshine and roses, but we wouldn't want it any other way.


Thank you to the lovely ladies of the 2013 Cast of Listen To Your Mother Chicago for your amazing support of my piece.  You all touched me and are a huge part of what started as a terrifying journey for that has transformed into something more amazing that I had ever expected!
Shannon Duffy            Robin Frisch         Jocelyn Geboy   Tracy Jensen       RoiAnn Phillips       Sheila Quirke     Elizabeth Rago       Liz Joynt Sandberg     Samantha Schultz      Erin Skibinski      Marianne Walsh     Nadine Warner     Shannan Younger      Sarah Zematis     Tracey Becker       Melisa Wells      Thank you also to the local businesses who have stepped up to support the Chicago show.  Without you, my experience would not be possible! KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort        Artizone Chicago      Chalet Nursery & Garden Center      Building Blocks Toy Stores      Rosen Motors      Neighborhood Parents' Network      Bella Luna Cafe      Dom Itp

Get your tickets here!!

Listen Up!

So at the beginning of this year I decided not to do New Years Resolutions.  I didn't want to proclaim to do something that I'd have forgotten about by January 31st.  So instead I put my GOALS for 2013 in writing.  This list of things include many things I've not done well at...yet. But the very last one... do one thing that scares me...that one I'm pretty damn proud to say I am freaking rocking.  And its terrifying, but in the best way humanly possible.  Because no truer words were written then when I concluded about that goal that "to fully feel alive I must continue to push myself."

In case you haven't been paying attention, the first thing I did that scared me was to simply submit my piece, a very personal, emotional piece for consideration to the fabulous producers of Listen To Your Mother Chicago.   I have never written a piece like this one. The style was totally not my norm.  It left me feeling raw and totally vulnerable, and scared.  But I trusted and love the ladies of LTYM Chicago enough to hand over this chunk of my soul.  And in return they invited me to audition.  That meant reading this piece...out loud...in front of them.  Scared...shitless!  But I did it!  And much to Melisa and Tracey's appreciation I did it without vomiting on either of them.  Then I was left to wait.  To consider...was I truly reading to stand before 950 seats (all which will be filled, no doubt because Melisa and Tracey rock at their job) and pour out my heartbreaking story?  Scared! Beyond explanation.

Afraid of rejection...afraid of acceptance.  Afraid of the unknown. But knowing, that whatever happened was meant to be.  But apparently someone (and not just my totally intimidating friend Rita) believed I was ready...my story was ready...and needed to be heard.  Once again, I am filled with fear, but the healthy 'holy crap, I'm going to do this' best kind of fear, I'm happy to share that I will take the stage along with a fabulous cast of writers at 2pm on May 5th at The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago.  I am full of fear, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

Morning Latte And Blogs That Make My Breakfast Better #LatteLove #Giveaway from @MilkMustache

There is nothing better than time spent with friends.  But sometimes our busy schedules get in the way of be able to physically get together.  That's why I love having friends who are bloggers.  I can grab my favorite morning beverage and catch up with my friends by checking their blogs!

With literally millions of blogs out there, there are some way too many to ever read them, let alone read them on a regular basis.  But I do have several that I read almost every morning.  I consider each of the authors of these blogs a personal friend. They all would fall under the mom blogger category, but each has a slightly different flare.

I hope you'll consider whipping up a latte at home and check out some of my best blogging buddies.  If you haven't tried making latte at home, check out this recipes for inspiration:

• Nine-Nutrient Boost
• Morning Pick-Me-Up
• Ooh La Latte

Have your latte?  Alright then, let's get started....each of these blogs feature a variety of topics and are pretty much Mom Blogs, but I've highlighted one thing that makes them each stand out.

MomandMore.com

 Has great reviews and giveaways!

FrostedFingers.com

 Has some of the best simple but delicious recipes that both mom and kids will love!

SimplyBudgeted.com

 Has great meal planning inspiration!

LindsayBlogs.com

 Has great, honest weight loss inspiration!

CocktailswithMom.com

 Has lots of tempting drink recipes.

ItsGravyBaby.com

 Has gorgeous photos and amazing DIY ideas!

Want to win a “got milk?” care package including coupons and a latte mug, along with simple instructions for making a latte at home. Enter to win this fun package to enjoy while you read your favorite blogs (and hopefully a few of MY faves).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This post was part of a sponsored conversation on behalf of The Breakfast Project. All opinions expressed are my own.

#CadillacRock Was a Blast, (Not So) Wordless Wednesday 12/21/11

 Last night I spent the evening downtown with some of my favorite local bloggers and Cadillac.  We ate great food, chatted with fabulous friends and learned more about the Cadillac brand.  You know stuff like this sexy Escalade comes with a heated steering wheel! How nice would that be in Chicago in January?  Or that some of the new models are coming out with heated and cooled cup holders.  Now THAT is freaking genius. 

 I didn't bring my good camera so I only have photos from my phone which wasn't doing well with the low light as usual.  But as you can see, I partied with some beautiful and fun ladies!!

 Me, Cher and Paula

Kat and I 

(I hitched a ride with Kat and had a great time chatting with her on the way there and home!)

Tracey and I 

(reliving BlogHer roomie memories!)

What have YOU been up to this week? Link up below!

Help For Joplin

Recently I started blogging for a local blog, Little Lake County which was created by a blogger who lives just 30 or so minutes from me that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.  But there is no doubt in  my mind Melissa from PB In My Hair, is an amazing person.  If you've ever read any of the posts at another blog she helped create, Bigger Picture Blogs, you know that she has an amazing heart.  So when fellow Bigger Picture Blogger, Sarah's town of Joplin, MO was struck by a tornado, Melissa jumped into action to see how she could help.  #Help4Joplin was born and sponsors were contacted and over $1000 worth of auction items have been donated for a fundraiser.  If you have not seen the pictures or heard the stories coming from Joplin, please check out Sarah's latest update here.

The Help For Joplin Auction will take place Wed., May 25 through Fri., May 27 on the Bigger Picture Blogs page.  Here are a few of the generous companies that are supportin Help For Joplin.

Busy Body Books
Card Direct
DaySpring/InCourage

Discovery Channel
Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes

Jamie Shaw

Samster Mommy


Stoneyfield Organics
Tammy Lee Bradley of Bliss and Folly

Twitter Hashtag: #Help4Joplin

Also, if you are local, one of the boys in my kids Cub Scout pack, has family in Joplin and was moved to help.  He (with help from his family) has secured a semitruck to pack with donations for Joplin. This is what they have heard is needed: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deod, shampoo, soap, diapers, formula, bottled water, detergents, all basics, gloves, Non-perishable foods towels, shoes/socks, generators, tents, etc.  If you are local and wish to donate items please let me know and I will be sure to forward additional details as they become available!

Support for a Fellow Blogger

This is Brandie! <3 this shirt

I know many of the people that read my blog, are bloggers themselves and understand the amazing community that exists among bloggers.  Luckily for me, there is amazing community within local, Chicago bloggers as well.  One of the greatest joys for me in attending blogging events, is getting to meet other local bloggers.  I don't think I can even adequately count the number of local bloggers I have met anymore.  And they have all be amazing.  But somehow, there has been one terrific blogger who I keep missing. 

Last November she was the winner of the tickets to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair here on my blog.  And we have talked on twitter regularly ever since.  She is sweet and funny and a mom of three herself.  So despite the fact that we haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting in person, I consider her a FRIEND.  So when she recently shared her diagnosis with Breast Cancer, I was heart broken.  A fellow blogger, mother of three and someone I called a friend was faced with the nasty C word!  Although we are 'local' in the grand scheme of things, I'm not close enough to stop by with dinner or pick up the kids from sports for her. But what I CAN do, is call on the amazing community of bloggers to reach out and show her that WE CARE!  That we take care of our own and that we will be lifting her up in thoughts and prayers this week as she begins the first phase of her treatment with a bilateral mastectomy at just 32 years old!  Did I mention she JUST celebrated her birthday?

I don't claim to know all that Brandie is going through right now, but I know from her blog posts and her tweets that she is tough and she is ready to fight!  Won't you take just a moment to stop by her blog,  A journey of 1000 stitches begins with just one ... and let her know that she is NOT alone. 

I will be disabling comments on this post in hopes that you will do this special favor for me and head over to leave Brandie some comment love and support.  THANK YOU!!!

PS if you are on Twitter, you can show Brandie some love there too, I'm dedicating my tweets to her today and tomorrow and will be RT'ing any @Brandie185 comments.

Blogging is Serious Business

photo credit

If I had a dollar for every time someone I know asked me how to start a blog or told me “I’m gonna start a blog so I can get cool stuff too,” I could probably pay for my trip San Diego for BlogHer.  People assume it’s easy, so I sit at a computer and through some words on a screen and companies magically give me stuff.

I promise, it doesn’t work like that.  Now there are people who step into the blogging arena and seem to magically go viral.  But even those who seem to be instant successes, there is something to their success.  Either they have amazing writing skills or stories to tell.  Or maybe they have the technical know how to take the blogging world by storm.

But for the average Joe Schmoe blogger, blogging can be a full time job, or second full time job. 

When I started blogging over three years ago, I did it just to share the happenings of my kids’ lives with our extended family.  Before kids I had scrapbooked and I hoped that my blog would be a new way to keep track of memories for myself and my kids to look back on.  I started blogging using blogger.com because many of my online friends already had blogs and spoke of how easy it was and the fact that it was FREE. 

This is still how I would personally recommend a truly casual blogger start out.  It is easy and compared to other options it’s much more stress free…oh and FREE.  I’m still on Blogger because despite what some people seem to think, I don’t make enough off my blog to invest more into paying for services like dedicated hosting.  However, it looks like this will be something I may have to seriously consider as some blogger friends pointed out that by staying with blogger.com I am risking losing years worth of work if Blogger.com is eliminated or made into a paid service.

If you’re ready to start a blog you need to really consider what your goals are first.  If you just want to write and be part of the amazing community of bloggers out there, than consider Blogger.com.  But if you’re considering making money my blogging, you need to take the time to do the research first and consider if you wouldn’t be better off using WordPress (currently the MOST recommended by bloggers) or similar service.

Once you’ve chosen your blogging platform, you’ll want to consider what you are going to blog about.  You’d hardly know it by reading my mismosh of topics but most blogs have some focused theme or topic. There are blogs out there about everything and while narrowing your focus might seem limiting, depending on your goal it could prove beneficial.  If you have a passion for healthy living, food, fashion, etc etc you might chose one of those type topics for your blog.  But there ARE plenty of successful bloggers who keep it more general.  The benefit of having a narrowed niche blog is reduced competition, more loyal following and many brands prefer working with bloggers within their specific niche.

Once you have a solid idea on what you’ll be blogging about, you’ll need to pick out a name.  While I chose a cutesy name when I originally began, if I had it to do over again, I would probably pick something that better explains what my blog is about.  Having some key words based on what you will be blogging about will go to help you not only create a defined brand for yourself but also help in search engines.  Before nailing down a name, be sure to do some searches to make sure you aren’t infringing on someone else’s copy written name.

After you’ve finalized your blog name, be sure to secure that name in various social media outlets.  Twitter, Facebook and the like are key to blog growth and you’ll want to make sure that even if you don’t take advantage of them right away, no one else decides to scoop up your name in the meantime.  I’d also personally consider purchasing your own domain right off the bat.  If you are looking to work with brands, a .blogspot.com address simply doesn’t look as professional.  Directly a blogger.com blog to a custom domain is easy, you can even purchase the domain directly through blogger to make it even easier.

So now you’re pretty well set up.  Depending on your platform you’ll need to take some time creating the design.  If you are a casual blogger you can stick with free themes available online.  But keep in mind that the look of your blog can really play into whether a visitor will even stick around long enough to read what you’ve written.  Over a year ago I went ahead and paid a designer what I considered a inexpensive amount to design my blog and I’m still in love with it.  I use the colors and design on all my printed items as well.  Be sure while you’re setting up that you make it easy for readers to subscriber to your blog via RSS and email.  If you’ve set up (and will be using FB and Twitter) include them as well. 

Next, you will want to be sure to take the time to create an “about me” page for your blog.  Use this page to share a general idea of where you’re from, how many kids you have, what types of things you enjoy.  This is where companies will go to find out if you are a good match for their campaigns.

Now you’re ready to start writing.  While quality is more important than quantity, you want to make sure you are writing consistently.  Many companies look for bloggers who post at least 3 times a week.  And many will only work with blog that are more than 6 months old.

Write about things you know.  Don’t try to write like someone else.  Be you. And then share your work.  Many bloggers don’t share their blogs with people they know in their everyday life, but if you’re comfortable doing so, start there.  And then share on Facebook and Twitter.  Another great sharing site is StumbleUpon. 

Lastly, depending on your goals, joining a group of similarly driven bloggers can really make a huge difference in your success.  I am part of MomDot and have learned so much there in the last couple months, that I have grown my pageviews 5 times over. 

Disclosure: I am participating in a blogger campaign in behalf of The Small Business Authority, which provides dedicated server hosting. I received compensation to facilitate this post. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Thank You Mom Bloggers!

I've spent a lot of time in the last couple month trying to grow this blog.  I've definitely had some help from a lot of other great and knowledgable bloggers.
I know that many of us say the numbers don't matter, I started this blog just to write.  But I also know most of us still get excited about milestones.  At least, I DO!  And today I was thrilled to hit 40,000 pageviews in a single month!

I know many of you get that much traffic in a day.  But I know others are still hoping to have that in a year!
But for me the most exciting part is knowing that I didn't get here alone.  Despite what you may here from some people about 'mom bloggers' and how catty they can be, there are a ton of great ones who are more than willing to help you by sharing their knowledge.

Blog Anonymously

Sometimes I really wish I'd started blogging anonymously.  Not that I have much to share about myself that I won't without a cloud of anonymity but sometimes I'd like to rant a little in a way that would affect other people.  Because I do not blog anonymously and at least a few of my friends and family members stop by here every now and then (hi, guys!) I don't feel that I can openly share any part of my life that directly affects other people in my life who haven't given me their permission to share their skeletons for the whole world to read.  Thankfully my husband and I are very much on the same page about being willing to share all our 'crap' in hopes that in doing so it might help someone else who might be going through something similar.  This means I can openly share about my marriage and the many trials we've managed to make it through in our year together.  And then there's my kids, they still think it means they're famous if they're on my blog and only the oldest will occasionally ask me to refrain from sharing something, and I honor his requests.

But sometimes, I'd like to blog openly and honestly about crap that pisses me off about people but I can't figure out how to remain vague enough for those who know me, even slightly to no be able to know who I'm referring to and not sound like a total nutcase talking in silly circles.  Do you know what I mean?  I mean can I safely talk crap about our mailman, knowing full well that he COULD, not that he does, I don't think, decide to check out my blog at any given time because he knows I blog because of all the packages he trudges through the snow to bring me.  And fyi, I don't actually have any gripes about our current mailman, previous one YES, this one NO.  Just to set the record straight.  But you know what I mean.  

So, I wonder, do you hold back sometimes because of the fear that the wrong person might read your words and be hurt by them?

My Fab Five Bloggers

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend's wish!

One of the best things I have found about blogging, is the chance to connect with other bloggers in our own little online community.  This is why I jumped at the chance to write about who I consider my fab five bloggers.  At first this seems an easy task considering I read so many amazing blogs.  But when it comes down to actually CHOOSING five, JUST FIVE bloggers!! What was I thinking?  This one step away from asking me to pick my favorite child!  Seriously!

So I was left to ponder, what MAKES a blogger fabulous??  But that's not much easier.  I love a ton of very different blogs for very different reasons.

There's Dawn , from Because I Said So, who I have know for over 7 years before either of us knew what blogging was.  That was back before she went viral with her eBay auction, started getting a zillion hits to her blog each day and landed a book deal (now two books: You'll Lose the Baby Weight: (And Other Lies about Pregnancy and Childbirth) and Because I Said So).  She is fabulous because she is incredibly funny.  Her blog and books are hysterical.  But she's also fabulous because she's an amazing person who's inspired her readers through her personal struggles as a newly single mom to six kids.  

Then there's Blue Violet, from a Nut in a Nuthouse.  I became a fan of her blog because she had awesome giveaways.  She soon began regularly returning my comment love which is of course always appreciated in the bloggy world.  But then, I got to meet her in person at a event in Chicago and she is seriously the sweetest thing.  I would hang with her anytime and have a ton of laughs!

Then there's Angie from  A Whole Lot Of Nothing (and We Know Awesome) whom I've never met but WANT to because she totally cracks me up.  I love great wit and sarcasm and she's full of it!!  And I only hate her a LITTLE having gotten to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove like I am dying to do.  If you like sarcastic humor, I promise you won't be disappointed. 

And although she feel almost like a polar opposite to the sarcastic humor I do so love, Louise from MomStart comes off as super sweet.  I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her in person yet, but I feel like I know her because of her writing.  Although she hosts tons of giveaways and reviews, she still writes a lot of personal posts about her adorable kids and personal dilemmas.  She recently shared her personal struggle to decide what to wear to the Red Carpet premiere of Gnomeo and Juliet, which although I can't personally relate to attending a red carpet premiere, because of her writing, I could totally relate to her fears of not being appropriately dressed and feeling totally out of place!

And just to show that I'm not totally partial to the ladies, the token male on my list.  This one is a tough call as I actually have several dad bloggers I love but I am going with Spuds at Carrying A Cat By the Tail.  He's a single dad raising six kids and I promise you won't have to read long to fall in love with him.  So he wins my top dad blogger spot because he is the one I'd most like to spent time with in real life, as well as being the one I'd most want defending my honor in a bar fight!  Just keep the kids away from his blog because he has been known to inspire trickery by sharing the evil secrets of pranks pulled around his house.

And this is where I wish this was my fab 500 because I have at least 10 local bloggers along whom I love dearly but couldn't pick any one of the other.  I HOPE they know who they are and that I wish I could include every single one of them.  And to ALL the bloggers I love, remember I have a room booked for BlogHer and ZERO roommates so if you REALLY wanna feel the love let me know!!

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend's wish. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses
Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.