How to Host a Chicken Soup for the Soul Meal

What do you do when you win a free box of food products from Chicken Soup for the Soul and then remember that you don't like to cook? Ask your best friends for help, of course! Last March, I responded to a call-out by Chicken Soup, “We’re looking for a few volunteers to host Chicken Soup for the Soul comfort food dinner parties. We’ll send you our food products; you cook and invite your friends, and then take lots of photos and write up the results for your blog and/or social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.”Count me in! Five months later… I received an email, “Chicken Soup for the Soul food package is on its way!  Your food party kit will contain a welcome … [Read more...]

9 Funny Ways My Daughter Turned Me Into a Sorority Girl

This summer, I was overjoyed to spend time with my college daughter. We stayed up all night talking about her college adventures and by summer’s end, we were sharing clothes and beauty tips. Soon I realized that I had turned into her college sorority buddy. 9 Funny Ways My Daughter Turned Me Into a Sorority Girl Late Night Movies – I enjoy a good movie like the next guy, but lowered my standards this summer to watch teenage girl tearjerkers until the wee hours. When she was away at college, I slipped under the covers by 10:30 sharp. Now, if she asked, “Want to watch The Notebook?” I was hooked. Popping in a movie after 11p.m. became a regular thing. Going to bed after 2 a.m. and … [Read more...]

Clash of the Couples Book Takes It All Off

  Guess who has a story in Clash of the Couples? Me! My story may not involve any nudity but it's sure to please. "Home Almost Alone," tells about the time I locked my baby daughter inside an empty house, blaming the entire incident on my husband. Let's just say that there was a hammer, a serious threat, a cursing involved. Funny gal pal, Camille Thompson's also featured. She considers herself a reluctant traveler at best. Her story, "Neurotic in Lisbon," tells the tale of a dream vacation gone horribly wrong. From an impatient public restroom attendant to a polite, but terrified waiter, it was clear this getaway would not end well. Sneak Peek at Clash of the Couples Coupledom. … [Read more...]

Show Me Your Wrinkles Author Anne Bardsley

  When I heard that my good friend and funny gal Anne Bardsley was releasing her latest novel, How I Earned My Wrinkles: Musings on Marriage, Motherhood, and Menopause, I thought to myself, "What can I do to help?" We met at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Conference in April and bonded over stand-up comedy. Both of us volunteered to do comedy on the last night of the conference. I was frantically practicing my routine in the mirror the night before stand-up when I heard talking in the hallway. I yanked open the door and hauled Anne and Rae Ellen Lee (A Field Guide to Geezers) into the room. They listened to my worries, were a patient audience, and helped calm my nerves. Ever since, … [Read more...]

My Big Fat Secret to Airplane Travel Without Killing Somebody

Flying has become tortuous since X-ray body scans, flight cancellations, smaller seats and lost luggage. We travelers are sometimes treated worse than cargo. What is the secret to airplane travel? Southwest Airlines offers an open-seating policy where customers can grab any unclaimed seat. On a recent flight from San Jose to St. Louis, I hatched a scheme. I waited for my number to be called at the terminal, rushed to the first available empty row and grabbed an aisle seat. Then I set a trap like a spider to solicit a seatmate. Secret to Airplane Travel Anyone skinny, without kids or a large handbag, and who appeared germ free met my prerequisites. I spotted a possibility and announced … [Read more...]

Are You Kidding Me? Official Book Release

Official Book Release September 8 Today is my official book release for Are You Kidding Me? My Life with an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, and Crazy Relatives. It’s filled with stories you’ve never read on my blog before, like the time I called SWAT on my neighbor or faked a heart attack in church. If you like my blog, I know you're going to love this. With a little help from my friends and lots of encouragement, I did it. I really, really did it! I am so grateful for the terrific group of bloggers and special friends that jumped on board to be part of the book cover reveal and review team. Are You Kidding Me? My Life with an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, … [Read more...]

Me? Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month

When I started this blog a year and a half ago, I had a simple plan; share my stories and hope people laugh. At that I time, I also feared that nobody would read it but I refused to let that fear hold me back. This week I received an email from Teri Rizvi, Founder of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, Subject: Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month, and took a header into the keyboard. With a click, I stared in awe at this email: "Hi, Stacey,Congrats on your upcoming book!  We've made you our Humor Writer of the Month for September…..” Erma Bombeck Humor Writer of the Month What? Wait a minute? Why me? I grew suspicious. Was I was selected as Humor Writer of the Month out of … [Read more...]

8 Easy Ways to Ruin Your Vacation

This summer in Ireland, I discovered that there are at least 8 easy ways to ruin your vacation. Some things may be just a minor inconvenience but others may prohibit your chances of a return trip abroad. 8 Easy Ways to Ruin Your Vacation Ask For More Ice What’s with European countries and the ice? When you ask for ice with your drink, your request is treated with a snarky attitude as if you’ve asked for free champagne. “Oh, you want more ice?” the waiter says, dropping one measly ice cube into your glass with tongs. And don’t expect free refills either. Eat Food with Weird Names In Ireland, choosing what to eat from the menu is a game of charades. My son picked the Cock and Bull Blaa at … [Read more...]