Taking inventory

2013.01.dailylife-3

January: the time to assess and reassess. To take stock. Make plans. Set goals.

I’m shaking off my holiday hibernation and am now knee-deep in all of the above. It’s energizing to look at the long list of projects I have on my horizon.

The first thing I can share with you…I’m thrilled, once again, to be co-directing Austin’s 3rd annual Listen to Your Mother show with the fabulous Wendi Aarons. We are now accepting submissions and hope you will share your stories of the good, the bad, and the ridiculous of motherhood. For details and inspiration, visit our website and YouTube channel.

Stay tuned for more good stuff in 2013!

Singing the blues

Sometimes you just need to put your truest feelings into song…

If you can’t see this video, click here.

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In other exciting video news…the videos from Austin’s Listen to Your Mother show are now online, along with the nine other U.S. cities. There is so much talent and goodness here! Pour yourself a cup of whatever, dive in and enjoy!

Listen Up! Anyone? Anyone?

My kids don’t know what they’re missing because I have EXCITING news to share!

After reading and hearing a ton of wonderful stories about motherhood, Wendi and I have selected the 2012 cast of Listen to Your Mother: Austin. Hooray!

Please join me in congratulating this talented group of writers!

Adventure time

Mom, when can I have an adventure?

Like what?

You know, an adventure! With tunnels and secret passageways and booby traps. And chasing. Every good adventure has chasing.

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Speaking of adventures, there’s a doozy coming up, and though I doubt it will include chasing, I hope you’ll join in.

On April 29, 2012, the Listen to Your Mother show is returning to Austin. LTYM is a live production of local writers reading their original essays about motherhood. Since its birth in 2010 by the talented Ann Imig, this national series has expanded to 10 cities, including New York, DC, San Francisco and of course, Austin!

Last year I was one of 13 cast members and this year am serving as co-director/producer with the wonderful Wendi Aarons. I’m honored and excited!

If you or anyone you know is interested in submitting an essay, we would LOVE to read it. Everyone has a mother story, even if you’re not a mother!

Click here for details and please spread the word!

And if you missed last year’s performance, check this out.

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support!

Wrapping up


Today and most every day for the next week, I will be helping the biggest of my little people squeeze every last ounce out of their school year. Lately it’s all about the celebrating and the cherishing.

There is plenty to honor: great friends, creative teachers and a warm school community top the list.

Nine months ago, in celebration of beginnings, I posted three back-to-school letters. I’m going to bookend the school year by sharing them again, along with a little something-something extra.

Dear Doodlebug
Dear Rascal
Dear Ms. Preschool Teacher

As some of you locals know, my letter to Rascal was selected to be a part of the Listen to Your Mother: Austin show, a stage production that gathers local writers to celebrate Mother’s Day. The show, which took place April 30, was hosted in five cities nationwide. It was an incredible experience! The videos are now online and I would love for you to check them out and tell us what you think!

Cheerleaders

One of the best things about having young kids is that they are built-in fans. The key word being young kids…when they are old enough to clap their hands together and young enough to think their parents hung the moon and every single star. That’s pretty much where we are, so we take advantage of their enthusiasm when we can.

Last weekend I spent three hours in the Hill Country with the kids, watching mountain bikers whizz by in a flurry of dirt and sweat. Every 45 minutes, Hubs would fly by and I would shout, “KIDS! There’s Dad! Cheer, CHEER!” And two seconds later, when he had turned the corner between some scraggly cedar trees, the kids would shake their cowbells and blow their duck calls and yell, “Go, Dad, Go!”

And then they would get back to the business of whining and fighting and begging for Gatorade and asking how much longer, how much longer, how much looonger??? It was awesome. Like I said, our kids think we hung the moon and stars…but only for minutes at a time.

Speaking of cheerleading, if you live in Austin, I hope you’ll come see me and an amazing cast of women next week at the Listen to Your Mother show. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll high five! You probably want to bring some tissues, but you can leave the cowbells at home.

Already got your tickets? Great! How about sending a note to 10 friends and spreading the news? We want a packed house!