New Year's Eve Back in 2000, my husband and I attended our last big bash, The Millennial New Year’s Eve Party, a black tie event with sit down dinner and fireworks included. Since then, it’s been nothing but sitting around watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve television special. However, I can vicariously live through my 70 year-old mother’s experiences. She’s never one to miss a good party and lives it up each year in ways ranging from wonderful and near fatal to strange and surreal. Auto Vs. Beast Last year Mom and her fiancé grabbed a horse drawn carriage ride in downtown St. Louis to see the Christmas lights at midnight. Sounds like a romantic way to celebrate, right? … [Read more...]
How to Write a Humor Book When You’re Stupid
January 5, 2015 By 6 Comments
When Caryn FitzGerald talks, people listen. She hosts the international radio show, “Coffee & Coaching with Caryn.” She wanted to talk to me about How to Write a Humor Book and sent this message, "I’d love to interview you in the next few weeks for one of my author chat series podcasts. It’s about 30 minutes, shameless plugging by me of you and your book. Let me know." What?! Say no more, I'm your man! And this is the story about how I starred in the podcast, Coffee and Book Chat with Caryn FitzGerald. It's Not the O'Reilly Factor Before the interview, she introduced me to the shows's format and promised to guide me through her questions. This was not going to turn into an episode … [Read more...]
Never Serious New Year’s Resolutions 2015
December 30, 2014 By 2 Comments
Every year I make funny resolutions I call the Never Serious New Year's Resolutions. But each January 1, most of us make an unrealistic list of resolutions that are difficult to keep. We vow to eat more vegetables, watch fat intake, work harder, sleep longer, spend more time with family and even quit smoking. But by February, most people slack off and give up, ashamed by a lack of will power. This year let's be serious. Why bother with New Year's resolutions again? Instead I made a list just to make you laugh. Laughter's good for your healthy and much easier to do than lose 20 pounds! Now go get your funny on!! Never Serious New Year's Resolutions Tweet more and spend less time with … [Read more...]
Kiosk Christmas Causes Chaos
December 15, 2014 By Leave a Comment
As the refrain from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” echoes through my head, I wander the mall avoiding eye contact with kiosk employees. And I ask myself, "What am I doing at the mall just days before Christmas? The most chaotic time of the year? It's a kiosk Christmas! God help me!!" Twelve Days of Christmas On the sixth day of Christmas, the mall gave to me, six angry sales teams, five new languages, four aroma pillows, three tubs of sea salt, two hair straighteners, and a partridge in a pear tree. The kiosk guys eye me like a polar bear on a hunk of meat. Who hasn’t been stopped midstream by perky cell phone employees begging, “try our service” or “switch today”? Who hasn’t had … [Read more...]
Is Flipping the Bird a Holiday Tradition?
December 8, 2014 By 6 Comments
My guest blogger for December is Elizabeth Flora Ross. Her stories are relatable, sweet and humorous to boot. We both grew up in St. Louis and have that Midwest vibe going on. This gal has a passion for writing that rings true. She writes about her own experiences as a way of connecting with and inspiring others. Plus, she's received critical acclaim and recognition from National Geographic. Her pictures are beyond amazing (see the holiday lights picture below). Today I am thrilled to share her holiday story with you! A Different Kind of Holiday Bird by Elizabeth Flora Ross My parents were married 53 years. They went through lots of good times, and plenty of not-so-good. Through it … [Read more...]
Ultimate Book Lover’s Gift Guide 2014
December 1, 2014 By 4 Comments
Ultimate Book Lover's Gift Guide 2014 If you have book lovers on your holiday list, look no further than "The Ultimate Book Lover's Gift Guide" for ideas. This list features 20 books in a wide range of topics sure to please everybody on your list from inspirational, thought-provoking stories, fun reads, new moms, children, tweens and teens. Watch the YouTube video now! http://youtu.be/NfeOlghVXr8 Happy Holidays and Happy reading! This gift guide was compiled by Audrey van Petegem and Suzanne Letourneau of the ballyhoos, who support Indie Authors with their Branding and Marketing needs. The Holidays are coming and you know what that means…..It is … [Read more...]
Get Me Out of Here! Mom Skips Thanksgiving
November 21, 2014 By 4 Comments
Happy Thanksgiving! By now, like Sleeping Beauty, my family is waking from a deep slumber, wiping the crust from their eyes as they stumble into the kitchen in search of coffee. I bet it’s about 10:00 a.m. and they’re starting to wonder, “Where’s Mom?” Well, surprise, I have three words, “At the movies.” I've decided to skip Thanksgiving. Getting My Movie On I’m exhausted by the thought of another Thanksgiving Day, spent in the scullery, sweating it out like Bikram Yoga. Enough with hot ovens, boiling pots and disgusting turkey giblets already. I’m Getting My Movie On, sitting in a comfy chair, hogging a whole box of popcorn and a large Diet Coke. Ha ha! Time Off Now don’t get me wrong, … [Read more...]
Magical Holiday Evening Author Book Signing Towne Center Books
November 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Author Book Signing Let's help support our local favorite indie bookstore!! Meet me at Towne Center Books in downtown Pleasanton on November 22 from 5-7 pm during the Magical Holiday Evening, the annual open house including a visit from Santa. The streets will come alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays. This event coincides with the second annual Holiday Spirit Stroll. Twenty-one downtown merchants will be paired with local breweries, wineries and bars for a festive night sampling beer, wine and cocktails. Support your local stores today by shopping at locally owned businesses! We are celebrating the little guys today and encouraging everybody to shop small today - and … [Read more...]
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