Here are links to a few of the articles that I have written recently:
One of my favorites -- a business/feature article about a record and antique store:
http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/news/article_36a1e06c-b7f9-5b97-84c1-a04891e6cf0e.html
A feature article about a family-owned meat farm:
http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/life/article_e96506ac-a89d-5c50-abab-5124ccc5e1e8.html
A feature article about a family-owned vegetable farm:
http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/news/article_409a4b7a-d91b-5c7a-87d1-591cd2ab6961.html
An article about a Special Education program:
http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/education/article_dc9a68f4-2b9d-5bda-98ab-94fdfcec9031.html
Two articles in the most recent issue of St. Louis Kids magazine:
An article of tips to help children sleep better is on page 22.
An article about helping to ensure the best possible first-time overnight camping experience is on page 46.
http://www.stlouiskidsmagazine.com/files/issues/6-1/index.html
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Appreciating what I have
Ever since they hit the TV screen, I have disliked the reality shows that follow people around in their daily lives. The ones where we watch people going about their regular daily routines. I’ve never been able to watch more than 10 minutes of shows like “Jon (and now just) Kate plus 8.” And I didn’t even know who Jessica Simpson was until her show with her ex was cancelled.
But a few weeks ago for lack of anything better on TV, I clicked on the reality show “Guiliana and Bill.” I figured I would watch a few minutes, just enough to confirm that it was a waste of time, and move on. But after I watched a few minutes, I couldn't stop watching. I giggled when Guliani stepped into a display bathtub in a kitchen and bath store and asked, “No one’s watching, right?” I wanted the cameraman to answer, “No, you’re alone. Just a few thousand national TV watchers’ll see you.”
At the store, Guiliana hooked up with a kitchen designer. It was great fun to watch Bill freak when the designer suggested they paint the new kitchen cabinets. Bill said it would cost $50,000 to do that. (Those are some well-paid painters. I’d gladly paint the cabinets for a mere $40,000). After that, Guiliana backed off from the idea, so common sense prevailed and she lowered some of her grandiose plans.
I watched most of the show, and enjoyed it. The next week, I watched as Guiliana took her gawky-looking 13-year-old niece to a modeling agency in NYC. Again, I kept waiting for the moment when I wouldn’t be able to stand watching anymore. But the moment never came. Instead, I found myself liking both Bill and Guiliana. I especially liked when Bill pointed out that Guiliana was trying to relive her own modeling dreams through her niece. G denied it, but I think it was on target. But gotta admit, it’s what I would do if in Guiliana’s shoes and able to help some youngster that I loved.
In the next episode I watched, Guiliana was working through her feelings about a miscarriage she’d had. She and Bill seemed out of sync with dealing with the loss and she went to a therapist to talk about it. I felt bad for her. By the end I think they were dealing with it better.
And in the next episode that I saw, Guiliana had to plan a baby shower for a friend of hers. We learn that the friend’s baby was due within a week of the baby Guiliana lost. Although it was hard, Guiliana planned a wonderful party. She made a touching speech to her friend about how happy she was for her friend. And at the end of the show, Guiliana admitted that she hoped the next baby shower would be her own.
The next episode I saw, Guiliana underwent IVF. We of course were right in there with her as the procedure done. Guiliana’s Italian parents and Bill’s mother were in the waiting room, to divert our attention. (I think it's funny that the camera was in the procedure room, but not the grandparents.)
G and B were so hopeful that this time they would have a baby to help fill their enormous home. But unfortunately, at the end of the episode, two weeks after the procedure, we learn that G was not pregnant. She cried, and I (and I’m sure many others) cried with her.
Seeing this made me feel so fortunate. I have never had a problem getting pregnant. I have two wonderful, amazing children and can’t imagine what life would be like without them. And I can’t imagine what it would be like to be trying to have a baby but not be able to.
Bill and Guiliana seem to have it all. Wealth. Fame. Book deals. Yet, even with all of our financial fallbacks this past few years, I wouldn’t trade places with them.
After watching this show, I hugged Lindsay a little closer before putting her to bed.
But a few weeks ago for lack of anything better on TV, I clicked on the reality show “Guiliana and Bill.” I figured I would watch a few minutes, just enough to confirm that it was a waste of time, and move on. But after I watched a few minutes, I couldn't stop watching. I giggled when Guliani stepped into a display bathtub in a kitchen and bath store and asked, “No one’s watching, right?” I wanted the cameraman to answer, “No, you’re alone. Just a few thousand national TV watchers’ll see you.”
At the store, Guiliana hooked up with a kitchen designer. It was great fun to watch Bill freak when the designer suggested they paint the new kitchen cabinets. Bill said it would cost $50,000 to do that. (Those are some well-paid painters. I’d gladly paint the cabinets for a mere $40,000). After that, Guiliana backed off from the idea, so common sense prevailed and she lowered some of her grandiose plans.
I watched most of the show, and enjoyed it. The next week, I watched as Guiliana took her gawky-looking 13-year-old niece to a modeling agency in NYC. Again, I kept waiting for the moment when I wouldn’t be able to stand watching anymore. But the moment never came. Instead, I found myself liking both Bill and Guiliana. I especially liked when Bill pointed out that Guiliana was trying to relive her own modeling dreams through her niece. G denied it, but I think it was on target. But gotta admit, it’s what I would do if in Guiliana’s shoes and able to help some youngster that I loved.
In the next episode I watched, Guiliana was working through her feelings about a miscarriage she’d had. She and Bill seemed out of sync with dealing with the loss and she went to a therapist to talk about it. I felt bad for her. By the end I think they were dealing with it better.
And in the next episode that I saw, Guiliana had to plan a baby shower for a friend of hers. We learn that the friend’s baby was due within a week of the baby Guiliana lost. Although it was hard, Guiliana planned a wonderful party. She made a touching speech to her friend about how happy she was for her friend. And at the end of the show, Guiliana admitted that she hoped the next baby shower would be her own.
The next episode I saw, Guiliana underwent IVF. We of course were right in there with her as the procedure done. Guiliana’s Italian parents and Bill’s mother were in the waiting room, to divert our attention. (I think it's funny that the camera was in the procedure room, but not the grandparents.)
G and B were so hopeful that this time they would have a baby to help fill their enormous home. But unfortunately, at the end of the episode, two weeks after the procedure, we learn that G was not pregnant. She cried, and I (and I’m sure many others) cried with her.
Seeing this made me feel so fortunate. I have never had a problem getting pregnant. I have two wonderful, amazing children and can’t imagine what life would be like without them. And I can’t imagine what it would be like to be trying to have a baby but not be able to.
Bill and Guiliana seem to have it all. Wealth. Fame. Book deals. Yet, even with all of our financial fallbacks this past few years, I wouldn’t trade places with them.
After watching this show, I hugged Lindsay a little closer before putting her to bed.
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