Month: March 2018

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Exploring Michigan: Adventures in Owosso

Owosso, Michigan is a town less than 40 minutes away from the Lansing area, but I didn’t know much about it other than a car dealership. Seriously. So when my friends Linda and Ellen wanted to check out a store there, we planned to make a little Saturday trip out of it. Some Googling brought some promising ideas for coffee, shopping, and lunch.

Despite it turning into a typical late-March Michigan day with rain and wind, we were all charmed by the friendly town of Owosso and its offerings. Here are photos from our adventures. Continue reading “Exploring Michigan: Adventures in Owosso”

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Shakespeare, Stay Puft, and Richard Simmons: A conversation with Colin Mochrie

“Hi, this is Colin Mochrie.”

As a fan, I never anticipated that one day Colin Mochrie would be calling my house. When I said as much in my reply, he said, “Well, dreams do come true.”

It’s that dry, quick wit that has made Mochrie a fan favorite in the world of improv for the last few decades. Mochrie is best known for his work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” alongside Brad Sherwood, and enthusiasts of the popular TV series will have the chance to watch the magic happen live on stage.

The improv veterans will be visiting the Wharton Center on April 7, 2018 with The Scared Scriptless Tour, a completely improvised show based on audience suggestions and participation.

I spoke with Mochrie about the Scared Scriptless show, his recent foray into the world of Shakespeare, and the funniest person he knows.

Continue reading “Shakespeare, Stay Puft, and Richard Simmons: A conversation with Colin Mochrie”

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Favorite tips for surviving (and enjoying) Disney World with kids

Growing up, we were a Disney World family through and through. I feel so fortunate that our spring break family vacations were spent in Florida each year. I also give my parents a lot of credit for putting up with the crowds and the heat and the excitement all of those years.

Magic Kingdom in its late 80s/early 90s glory

I fancied myself quite an expert in the ways of Disney World, navigating the parks and building itineraries in my head. Other than my self-inflicted obsession with planning, having a Disney trip set in stone before even flying to Florida wasn’t necessary. But that was a simpler time.

Continue reading “Favorite tips for surviving (and enjoying) Disney World with kids”

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The power of kindness: Learn about ePIFanyNow

Calling to check in on a family member or friend. Paying for the coffee of the person behind you. Letting someone into your lane when there’s a lot of traffic. Buying someone lunch. Helping someone in need.

No matter the size of the gesture, doing something kind not only makes someone’s day — it can inspire other acts of kindness.

This is the premise and inspiration for ePIFanyNow, an organization created by my friend Bob Hoffman almost ten years ago.

ePIFanyNow will celebrate its popular annual event at the MSU Federal Credit Union headquarters on Sunday, May 6.

But while the result is an ever-growing movement aimed at making the world a better place, the catalyst for it was something quite different.

Continue reading “The power of kindness: Learn about ePIFanyNow”

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Check out The Crafted Bean in Lansing

Earlier this week, I met up with my friend and former coworker Jen for coffee and lunch at The Crafted Bean in Lansing. The original DeWitt location opened in December 2016, and the Lansing location, west of Sparrow Hospital on Michigan Ave., just opened earlier this year.

I was really excited to try a new coffee place in Lansing, especially when Jen told me that they have a food truck outside that serves up sweet and savory bubble waffles. SIGN ME UP.

The vibe inside is very cool, embracing the authentic architectural details of the space instead of trying to make something new look old and lived-in. I love the exposed brick, tin ceiling tiles, and eclectic furniture.

Continue reading “Check out The Crafted Bean in Lansing”

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Review: ‘Something Rotten!’ is something sweet for theater lovers

Welcome to the Renaissance, East Lansing! Without leaving their seats, Wharton Center audiences have traveled across the world and through the decades this season. And now, the Tony Award-nominated musical “Something Rotten!” takes audiences on a journey back to the 90s. Well, the 1590s, that is.

“Something Rotten!” tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, a pair of brothers struggling to write a hit play in the shadow of fan favorite William Shakespeare. Out of desperation, Nick seeks the help of a soothsayer, who predicts that the next big thing in theater will be musicals. What ensues is a fun song and dance through modern musical references and plenty of in-jokes for theater lovers.

With Tony-nominated music and lyrics from brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tony-nominated direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw, “Something Rotten!” is the distant English cousin of other self-aware musicals from this century, such as “Spamalot” and “The Book of Mormon”; Nicholaw was also Tony-nominated for best choreography for those productions, as well as for co-directing “The Book of Mormon.”  Continue reading “Review: ‘Something Rotten!’ is something sweet for theater lovers”

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When you’re a stay-at-home mom and the customer complains

Stella said something to me last night that broke my heart. It was during bath time, with both girls splashing around together and playing with plastic cups.

“Mama, sometimes you don’t pay attention to me.”

What did she mean?! Isn’t every waking moment spent answering a litany of questions, fielding requests for snacks or refills of milk, suggesting art projects and cleaning them up, and responding to “mama? Mama? MAMA?” a hundred times a day?

“What do you mean, Stella?”

“Sometimes you pay more attention to Margot.”

Well of course! I was your sister’s main food source for the first several months of her life. Remember how she never took bottles? You can dress and use the bathroom by yourself. Your sister is still light-years from that. Most days are spent realizing that your sister has an uncanny ability to find the tiniest piece of something on the rug and want to promptly put it in her mouth. I need to pay more attention to her sometimes. 

“I’m sorry, sweetie. Your sister is still a baby.”

“Yeah, but sometimes I feel lonely.”

Shit. I am failing as a mom. 

“I’m sorry, Stelly. I will try to do better.” My eyes filled with tears and my throat began to hurt.

“Mama, why are you upset? Do you think I don’t like Margot? I love her!”

Continue reading “When you’re a stay-at-home mom and the customer complains”

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Stella’s ‘Coco’-themed 5th birthday party

Our family fell in love with “Coco” the moment we saw it in the theater last year. Stella talked about it so much that I suggested using it as her birthday party theme, and that’s just what we did. A “Coco” theme meant we could have fun with colorful decorations, yummy Mexican food, and plenty of Disney music on the playlist.

My fabulously talented friend Stephanie designed the invitation for Stella’s party. You can find other designs or ask her to do a commission through her Etsy page, Millstar Creative.

This year was the first year we decided to do a friend party for Stella instead of a party with friends and family at our house. Between her preschool classmates and friends outside of school, a party geared toward the kids seemed like the best idea. Having the party a week after her birthday gave us the chance to celebrate with family closer to her actual birthday, and also spread out the fun.

Here are the details of Stella’s birthday party! Continue reading “Stella’s ‘Coco’-themed 5th birthday party”

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The women who have inspired me

Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. This year, in an era of #TimesUp and #MeToo, it’s only fitting that the 2018 campaign theme is #PressforProgress. As the mom of two young girls, I can only hope that this progress will continue and they will grow up in a world that treats them equally.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, I wanted to honor the women who have inspired me the most in my life. Some I know very well, and some I’ve never met. Yet all have helped shape me into the woman I am today. Continue reading “The women who have inspired me”

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Interview: There’s something about Mandie Black in ‘Something Rotten!’

From Paris to Little Havana, Wharton Center audiences have traveled back in time and all over the world this season. This month, they’ll be treated to a trip back to the time of Shakespeare. “Something Rotten!” the hilarious, Tony Award-nominated musical, arrives at the Wharton Center for a week of fun, March 13-18, 2018.

As assistant dance captain and a member of the ensemble, Mandie Black wears many hats in the touring production of “Something Rotten!” — literally. I spoke with her about her experiences with the show, how she got into theater, and the movie role she gave up to pursue work on Broadway.
Continue reading “Interview: There’s something about Mandie Black in ‘Something Rotten!’”