Summer is off to an exciting start

Well, it's been 2 1/2 weeks since the kids got out of school. That first week we chilled by sleeping in and then did some days at the library, the movies, trips to the park, trips for ice cream, pool visits. Then the following Monday was the start of summer enrichment, so I had to put the travel plans on hold until they finish that in a couple weeks. They seem to be enjoying it, so I'm happy I enrolled them. Little League season is coming to a close. One finishes up his t-ball season tomorrow and his big brother's team placed first in his division and will have playoffs next week.

So, as far as the mom stuff, it's going smoothly and I look forward to a fun month ahead with the boys. As far as me, things are getting really exciting. Last week I got to view the cover image of my new book, titled Mom Moments: a compilation of columns from the Northwest Indiana Times. The book is just what the title suggests, a collection of the columns I've written for the paper over ten years. It was fun putting it together and pulling out my favorite columns to include. The cover image was shot by my friend, MaryBeth Witulski. I love it! Pre-orders are being taken and it should be released shortly. I can't wait. Here's the link, if you're interested in pre-ordering -- and use code DISCOUNT20 for 20 percent off -- http://www.publishamerica.net/product42806.html.

Here's what it looks like:

Also, take a look at my Facebook page for Mom Moments - http://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/pages/Mom-Moments/313529082299 and "like" it. I post my Times columns on there and will put updates on when the book is released and any book signings I'll be doing.

I also have a children's book in the works. Last night I got an e-mail with a look at the final illustrations. Even if I only sell three copies, it's a dream come true to have a children's book completed. It's been on my to-do list since I started writing. I'm so glad to be able to have the project almost finished. It's based on a true story of an event from 10 years ago, so it's taken a while! I'll let you know when it's finally in print.

This week was also busy at my other job. Last fall I started working part-time as a photographer in the nursery at some local hospitals. It is such a fun job. Each day I go to work I get to see a new little miracle. I absolutely LOVE being around new babies and new moms. I love capturing these first shots that the families will treasure. We got a new software system this week that is awesome and I was there several days for some training. It has a musical slide show to display pictures and gives us cropping tools that we didn't have before. With anything new, it will take a little bit to get the hang of it, but I'm loving it so far. I'm taking on some extra days while another photographer takes a little time off, but I don't mind. It's so nice to have a job like that -- one that you really look forward to and one that you go to knowing the day will be filled with happy people.

Another thing I'm excited about is another blog I'll be writing. I'm not going solo this time, though. My sister, Becky and I are going to be blogging together about one of our favorite topics -- food. We'll post on meals we've  had at area eateries, food history, cooking tips, cookbook reviews and more. We just launched our site today, called "Chicago Foodie Sisters." Here's the link - http://chicagofoodiesisters.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome-to-chicago-foodie-sisters.html.

And here's the accompanying Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-Foodie-Sisters/234242656600860#!/pages/Chicago-Foodie-Sisters/234242656600860?sk=wall.

So far, summer is off to an amazing start!

I love girl time!

I grew up in a house with sisters. My dad was outnumbered. I live in a house with six males. Oh, and the dog is also a male. I am very outnumbered. Everything in my home revolves around boys. No hint of anything girly. No shades of pink. All tough stuff. Rowdy rolling around on the floor wrestling. Destruction. Testosterone.

So, I was so happy to have an opportunity to spend a little time with my sisters this weekend. I’m in the middle of the girls. I have an older sister and younger twin sisters. One sister lives a little less than an hour away. Another lives a little over an hour away. The other lives more than two hours away. So, it’s not often we get together. In fact, the four of us are only together usually for Thanksgiving and Christmas and whichever kids’ birthday parties fall during the year that we’re all able to attend.

The past couple years we made a conscious effort to schedule a “sisters weekend.” Our first one was in January a couple years ago. We met for lunch, did some shopping, stayed overnight at a bed and breakfast. The next morning was a gourmet breakfast followed by an afternoon at the spa for manicures, pedicures and massages. It was wonderful.

Last year, my sister told us about a Sisters Weekend near her in St. Charles, Illinois. I think it was organized by their chamber of commerce or local business owners group to encourage shopping in the downtown area. This time our sisters get-together was two nights. There were lots of fun scheduled activities. This time, our sister-in-law also joined us and it was so nice to have her there.

This year, time has just slipped away from us and we haven’t gotten a weekend on the calendar. The busy sports and travel seasons are gearing up, so who knows when we’ll fit it in. However, this past weekend, we were able to get together for an impromptu sleepover at my sister’s house. It was a short one. I was away from home for only about 17 hours, but it was so refreshing! I met my twin sisters at IKEA. It was my first time there! I loved browsing. Then we met my older sister and had dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. We all love those types of restaurants! We had a great time. Back at my sister’s, it was time for a chic flick. Great choice – Valentine’s Day. We loved it!

Once the movie was done (a little after midnight), two sisters went off to bed and one of the twins and I spent a little time on the computer looking up video clips and giggling. Then, as happens at many a girly sleepover, we put our heads on the pillows and chatted. And chatted. And chatted. Next thing I know my sister says “I think I hear birds chirping. We better go to sleep.” We checked the clock. It was 4:30 a.m. Needless to say, we were a bit groggy when we were awakened by our other sisters’ laughter at 9 a.m., but it was a wonderful time with my wonderful sisters! I’m so blessed to have them in my life! Now it’s back to the boy fortress, but a weekend like we had - with time to relax and regroup -makes it that much sweeter to come home.

Sisters Weekend, Part II

I intended to write a follow-up to our second sister's weekend and time got away from me. So, I'll fill you in now. My sister, who lives in Geneva, Illinois, had noticed a sisters weekend planned in downtown St. Charles. She offered up her house as our lodging for the weekend and another sister booked us for the sisters weekend activities.

It was a great break that we all needed. It was me, my three sisters and a sister-in-law. We started night one with a wine tasting at a local steakhouse, followed by a a pajama party at Hotel Baker. It was so much fun. They have different prizes for pajamas and some groups went all out with cool, matching sets. There was a DJ and dancing and the best part was the mini-spa services - short massages, manicures, wax treatments, pedicures and make-up applications. We had a blast, leaving the hotel in pajamas and slippers in a rainstorm, then making a late-night Taco Bell stop.

The following day there were workshops and special sales at downtown shops. We discovered a wonderful restaurant, the RX Cafe, and had a leisurely gourmet lunch. In the evening it was a show at the Arcada Theatre of Michael Jackson tribute artists and a Mowtown Band.

On Sunday, we went for a cooking demonstration at Thai Zie, a great Thai restaurant with fresh, tasty food and wonderful service. After making spring rolls, we stayed for a filling lunch. I headed home and the other girls stayed for a little shopping. It was a great end to a fun-filled, refreshing weekend. I'd recommend it for any group of sisters or girlfriends to get together. Get more information at http://dtown.org/events/sisters_weekend.asp.

A weekend with the sisters

Last year, my sisters and I (I have an older sister and younger twin sisters) decided to get together and spend the night at a B & B we visited a few times as kids with our parents. The planning got a little more elaborate and we ended up meeting for lunch at Lucrezia Cafe in Chesteron, followed by a little antique browsing and some shopping at the nearby Schoolhouse Shops. After that, we checked into the Gray Goose Inn, also in Chesterton. The owner, Tim, knows our family well and gave us free use of the dining and sitting areas. It was a Sunday night in January and we were the only guests that night. We sat in the dining room giggling, eating and drinking. Later we watched a movie in our room and turned in for the night.

The next morning was a gourmet breakfast and after check-out, we drove down the block to the WaterBird spa where we indulged in massages, manicures and pedicures and had lunch.

Our girl's getaway lasted about 24 hours, but it was such a nice getaway. It was nice being pampered, shopping and enjoying great food that we didn't have to cook. We decided that day that it would be an annual thing.

My sister lives in Geneva and the neighboring town of St. Charles hosts an annual Sister's Weekend, so she suggested it as our next girly getaway. We're fresh off of our second trip, which was wonderful. More on it in the next blog.