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Get Unstuck and Coach With Me

    “The tools that Ann gave me, and worked through with me, have produced an actual plan and map for achieving two goals that have been on my “to-do” list for years. Having a plan (that I’ve already started implementing) has removed a huge weight from my shoulders and helped alleviate the guilt I felt for never reaching these goals.” — Sherry Carr-Smith, sherrycarrsmith.com I got unstuck. I can help you do the same for yourself. What I love to do in the creative realm and who I am fundamentally (let’s call this my character strengths)… Read More »Get Unstuck and Coach With Me

    Our Interview with Actor/Author/Director/Filmmaker Andrew McCarthy of Brat Pack fame!

      If this post lands in your inbox, chances are you’re a GenXer who grew up going to see John Hughes movies and lusting after teen actors Andrew McCarthy, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, etc. who became (infamously at the time) known as The Brat Pack. Maybe you’ve raised some kids, now in their young adult years, and have revisited some of these 1980s films with nostalgia. My It’s Pronounced Memwah co-hosts Mariana Olenko, Wendi Aarons, and I got a rare opportunity to interview the actor/author/director, and now filmmaker, about “Brat”… Read More »Our Interview with Actor/Author/Director/Filmmaker Andrew McCarthy of Brat Pack fame!

      The Diary of Anne Frank at CTM

        I’m delighted to share I’ll be playing Edith Frank, Anne Frank’s mother, for Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank. This 75-minute (no intermission) production is recommended for children age 11 and up. More than ever in my lifetime, I feel an urgency to keep Anne’s hopeful light and story alive. Please join us. Purchase tickets here. Learn some of the history with CTM’s The Diary of Anne Frank enrichment guide.

        Take a Break From Doom-Scrolling. Listen to Our Funny New Podcast.

          The news in Israel and Gaza is devastating. Maybe you’re grieving like I am. I hope you drink water, go gently, and take time to enjoy your life despite it all. My old (but SO YOUNG) humor blogging besties Mariana Olenko, author Wendi Aarons, and I launched a new podcast that might help take your mind off things for 30 or 40 minutes. Titled “It’s Pronouned Mem-WAH,” Mariana, Wendi, and I read and discuss celebrity memoirs. It’s fun, lighthearted, occasionally thoughtful, and we laugh a lot. I hope you will, too. A PODCAST BY NON-FAMOUS… Read More »Take a Break From Doom-Scrolling. Listen to Our Funny New Podcast.

          My Facebook + Instagram Imploded. What’s Next?

            Hello friends who once knew me from mom writing, LTYM, or performing. My Facebook got hacked and permanently disabled, which took down my IG too. It all happened within moments. No recourse really exists — at least that doesn’t involve hours of spiraling in endless feedback loops that lead nowhere, ironically called “help” and “support.” I hear the only way to get it back is to go through someone who knows someone at Facebook. I might try that, or I might let go of all of it. Today, I’m leaning toward letting it all go.… Read More »My Facebook + Instagram Imploded. What’s Next?

            For Us, Folks With a Kid About to Launch

              While this site serves mostly as a placeholder now, this moment compels me to reconnect with you here, on what began as a mom blog. Click here to listen, or continue reading below. Breathe deeply and slowly Settle into this moment Wrap your arms around yourself and imagine hugging your child, the one about to launch Picture them as an infant or toddler Maybe rock back and forth remembering what it felt like to carry them – in your womb, in your arms, or on your back – the weight of them when they were… Read More »For Us, Folks With a Kid About to Launch

              Night light

                IT’S! ANN! I yelled and waved my arms by way of greeting, unrecognizable to women I’ve known for over a decade, as they emerged from their frozen cars. My body stood covered in down parka and snow pants, two layers of wool socks and boots, my hair underneath hat and hood, my face shielded by a mask. Only my eyes peeked out, barely visible through the darkness and driving snow. After similarly exaggerated introductions IT’S! SARAH! HEY SARAH, IT’S! JULIE! the seven of us tramped through a foot of snow from the parking lot, past… Read More »Night light

                10 Lessons From 10 Years Creating Online and off

                  In college I majored in the Pretend Arts, and aimed to pretend other people’s words, professionally. Directing, producing, and writing my own material scared the character shoes off of me. Enter, life. In my thirties parenting made me a daily director and producer. I took charge of the most unreliable cast ever known; one who constantly put props in their mouths, pooped in their costumes, fell asleep on the job, were notoriously unreliable taking direction, and had less than stageworthy diction fank you vewy much. Then the internet made me a writer. Because perfectionists can’t… Read More »10 Lessons From 10 Years Creating Online and off

                  Little bright spots for your week #30BrighterDays

                    This marks the final week of Oprah and Deepak’s free 21-day meditation, which I’m both utilizing and enjoying. I think you’ll still find value if you begin this week. I always find meditation valuable, and this focus on manifestation has me thinking about that which derives from ego versus manifestation that aligns with your heart and soul. Warning! Sit up!! Deepak’s butter voice puts me to sleep every time I fool myself into thinking I can meditate while reclining.  At long last I tried “Piñon” ice cream (pine nut) at La Michoacana. Everyone else’s spoon… Read More »Little bright spots for your week #30BrighterDays

                    Clean from the root #30brighterdays

                      I forgot to take a before picture, so I won’t show you the after. On one hand, I wish I could show you the progress. On the other hand, how very nice that social media has not hard-wired me to the extent I think to take the before. We planted a new burning bush in the fall, and it survived the winter only to become nearly overtaken by weeds. Today I attacked them. Now our growing bush can breathe and expand, and I can look at the area without a homeowner shame-spiral. Weeding equals control.… Read More »Clean from the root #30brighterdays