“Hi, I’m the one with the cat that got stuck in the furnace last week,” said Mary Levad Lovstad, one of the first attendees I met at the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. At that moment, she’d confirmed that I was in the right place, one where my peeps, cheerleaders, and agenda-free friends gathered to listen to incredible stories, and share in our joy and sorrow. You Can Write! For three nights, every two years, humor writers descended on Dayton, Ohio to be reinvigorated by Erma Bombeck's reminder, “You can write!” I came to find my direction again. My spark had faded and I need my butt kicked to get out of the funk. For the first time in 21 years, I did not have children to consume my … [Read more...]
Stuff Mom Won’t Miss When Kid’s In College
January 24, 2016 By 6 Comments
Now that my youngest child is off to college, my friends asked, "What's the stuff mom won't miss when kid's in college?" You won't believe how much free time you will have. You may wonder how a grown kid (an adult, so he claimed) required so much time. And if you’re a mom with a kid or two in school, I bet you know the answer. There's just a lot of stuff Mom won't miss! Stuff Mom Won’t Miss When Kid’s in College School Drop Off – I have two kids. That means I’ve dropped kids off at school for over 13 years, with a slight break when a kid turned 16. For God’s sake, administrators, get it together. Go out there with a sign and tell those parents to pull forward! Their lazy kids can walk a … [Read more...]
Mick Jagger Keeps Me Up at Night and Other Dreams
March 6, 2015 By 4 Comments
“Why’d you send me email at midnight with a link to 1,000 Ways to Clean Lint Out of the Dryer?” said my best friend, Jackie. “Can we talk? It was a long night,” I said, going on and on about my insomnia, sparing no details. You asked for it, babe. Can't Sleep “I couldn’t sleep. Nothing went right over the weekend. Lost car keys. Broken garage door. Fight with husband. Argument over homework with the kids,” I complained. “I just wanted to snuggle in bed and forget about the day, catch some serious shut-eye. But nooooooo.” “I know how you feel,” she said with a sigh. “Some days it’s impossible to clear your mind and go back to bed.” Mattress Lumpy and Other Complaints My night … [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...]
How to Send Your Kid Off To College
August 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Figuring out how to send your kid off to college can be confusing. Ashley is our first-born, and my husband and I had documented all her firsts: first steps, first words, first day of kindergarten, first car, and now, first child to attend college. We recognized that everything we had done up to this point was practice. Shopping for College Throughout the summer, we shopped together for college essentials like toiletries, colorful bedding, laundry baskets, eating utensils, and power cords. She selected her college courses online and searched for a roommate through the school’s Facebook page. She was ready to begin a new adventure and had marked off the boxes on the college … [Read more...]
Are You Kidding Me? Book Release Sept 2014
July 16, 2014 By 8 Comments
I am pleased to announce that my book, Are You Kidding Me? My Life With an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, and Crazy Relatives will be released Sept. 8, 2014. 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 to help promote my book. Without their support, I would still be drinking too much coffee and staring blankly at my computer screen. It's a two year dream come true! Are You Kidding Me? Yep, friends and relatives have asked, "Did you talk about me in Are You Kidding Me? Should I be worried?" Well, … [Read more...]
27 Funny Ways to Save Water During Drought
June 4, 2014 By 5 Comments
If you think your state has drought problems, try living in California. Our state has the #1 Biggest Water Shortage in the nation. This is our driest period in 150 years. It’s mandatory for residents to cut water usage by 25% in our town or there won’t be enough to go around by the end of summer. Here’s my list of Funny Ways to Save Water: Ways to Save Water in the Laundry Room Rewear, rewear, and rewear - Did you know that the two-thirds of the British people wear dirty clothes from the laundry basket? Mom’s New Rule: Wear it until it stinks. Then wear it again. Use perfume to cover up body odor - Sure you might smell like a French whorehouse but people will … [Read more...]
I Don’t Suck at Stand-Up Comedy Said Leighann Lord
May 28, 2014 By 14 Comments
Stand-Up Weeks before the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, I signed up to do stand-up, beating out 40 other interested attendees. During the workshop weekend, I attended Stand-Up Comedy Boot Camp Session for performers only. I always wanted to try stand-up but wasn't comfortable being booed off the stage at my local Tommy T’s Comedy Club. This would be the perfect venue, a supportive group of 350 funny ladies (and a few gents). Yep, you read that right, 350 in the audience, including Bruce Ferber, Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated comedy writer and producer whose credits include Bosom buddies, Growing Pains, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Coach, Home Improvement. Pressure on. Comedy Boot … [Read more...]
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