mary jo rulnick is talkin' tips!

Great Quote

2008-07-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

I came across this great quote by Jack Nichols and thought others would appreciate it.

Every person I work with knows something better than me. My job is to listen long enough to find it and use it.

What a great quote to live by.

Saving at the Gas Pump

2008-06-17T07:27:00.001-05:00

Summer is the time for fun in the sun. Unfortunately, the high gasoline prices have put a damper on summer for many families. And let’s face it we’re all looking to save money and which way we can. Add to the mix, the months of June and July are known for graduation parties and weddings. Sure you want to give gifts to the proud graduates and happy couples. Then, you have Father’s Day, too.

However, that’s more money taken away from the family budget. However, you can still give, yet benefit from your generosity.

One of our local supermarkets offers gift cards from numerous retailers, including restaurants, online specialty merchants, bedding companies, and more. When you purchase $50 in gift cards, you receive an additional 20 cents off of your gas purchase. In the past, I’ve dabbled with this system for saving. Sometimes, I’ll purchase the gift card and give it to the recipient and sometimes I’ll purchase the gift card and buy gifts with it.

For example, with the Dicks sporting goods gift card, I bought my husband a golf shirt for Father’s Day. For my niece’s graduation, I bought a gift card to Target, a chain store, where she can buy all the little things she’ll need for dorm living. For a baby shower gift, I bought a Babies R Us card and had a great time selecting items from the baby registry.

Now, it takes a little bit of preplanning, but oh so worth the effort when you’re at the gas pump.

Work Away From Work

2008-05-20T16:33:00.004-05:00

As most of you know, I've accepted a fabulous, couldn't pass it up, position as the wedding coordinator. The position had my name all over it. And the location takes my breath away every time I walk in the doors...well, after I go through what I call the underground. The underground, aka the basement, is the shortcut to my office. And when you consider the building is two blocks in length from the parking lot to mhy office, any shortcut is much appreciated.

Anyway, though I absolutely love this newly created position with the second largest Museum in the United States according to our PR department, I haven't realized how much I missed the networking atmosphere of conferences. Sure, I still teach non-credit courses at our local community college and still attend other networking events. However, a five-day writers' conference reminded me of all the reasons I love the freelance life.

I spend five days in Amish county with more than 200 writers of all genres and experiences. In the mix of all of that, I presented an intensive all-day workshop and gave the talk at the published authors' luncheon, causing many chuckles with the crazy marketing antics I've shared. I listened to several workshops presented by agents and editors, brainstormed ideas with new writers and sidestepped very personal questions by an inquiring mind of a former student.

Though the conference revved my writing engine for which I'm thrilled, the new friends I've met and the old acquantances I've renewed made the trip so much more. Sometimes, in everyday life, we're so hellbent on what we need to do and the to agenda we must follow, that we forget or maybe just allow it to slip our minds, that the friends meet we along the way add another layer to our life. Laughter, friendship and memories outshine the clean dishes, clean laundry and clean house any time. After all, in 24 hours the dirty dishes, soiled clothing and cluttered house are saying "We're back!"

Clearance Racks

2008-02-27T21:18:00.002-05:00

Wow!! The markdowns are fabulous right now!! Next time you find yourself in the car make a quick stop at your local department stores. Discontinued items and clothing remaining from the pre-holiday sales are at rock bottom prices. Today, I bought girls' jeans from one of the department stores for $1.80, $2.00 and $2.20 each. I stocked up for birthday and Christmas gifts for nieces and friends' kids. And with Christmas just passing, I still had everyone's size in my purse so it was easy to figure out who needed what size.

Beware Mold--A Health Hazard in Your Home

2008-01-24T18:04:00.000-05:00

Where would you think you’d find more fungus, outside in a public environment or inside your own home?

Today our home environment is so contained, says Frank Witkowski, bathroom remodeling expert, that if you have had unexplained illnesses, it might not be the germs outside of your home that are making you sick. Older homes, before remodeling, were drafty allowing for fresh air to come into the home. In airtight homes, the air isn’t exchanged this same way so we’re re-breathing the same air constantly.

Such airtight homes can also become a breathing ground for mold spores. Your family can have mystery illnesses long before you see mold because it’s microscopic. Mayo Clinic’s research confirms these sentiments, attributing many allergies, asthmatic reactions, coughing, depression, headaches and other illnesses to mold growing inside your home. And unfortunately, once you do see the mold, it’s been growing for a long time.

The Lowdown on Mold
Though some people might thing mold has something to do with the cleanliness of your house, it does not, says Witkowski. He offers these insights regarding mold:
• Mold grows in damp locations and on porous surfaces.
• Mold can and will travel through the air from one part of the house to another.
• Mold needs oxygen and moistness to grow, making the bathroom a prime target.
• A window in the tub area might give light and ventilation, but it’s another path for mold. Mold can come from the outside of the house around the window if it isn’t properly sealed.
• Though ceramic tile is a non-porous surface, the grout is porous. Mold spores will penetrate the porous surface.
• Once mold penetrates, staining of the porous surface will appear, as well as black spots.
• In addition to being a health hazard, mold can cause shower area walls to fall down, too.

Solving the Mold Problem
To stop mold, you need to remove oxygen and moistness. Seal up your tub area and mold will not survive. A non-porous surface will help keep mold away because mold can’t penetrate it. Another advantage to the non-porous surface is the smooth texture. You seal up food to prevent exposure to mold spores in the air. The bathtub area needs to be sealed in the same way.

One Last Thought
“If you have unexplained health illnesses, don’t dismiss them.” advises Witkowski. The most important thing you can do is investigate. The cause might be the fungus in your own bathroom.

New Year, New To-Do List

2008-01-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! With that wish comes a new to-do list (or new resolutions) for the year for most of us. The challenge with New Year's resolutions is we try to change too many things in our life at the same time. What I have found that works for me is making one change a month and taking it one day at a time. For example, if I want to eliminate excess spending, I look at this task on a daily basis rather than on a monthly basis. Each day, I try not to spend any unnecessary money. Yes, that means that favorite flavored coffee at the local cafe is on the "do not need" list. At the end of the day, I look back to see if I accomplished my goal. If I did, I mark a smiley face on the calendar. I love those smiley faces. This system makes me think twice about all those impulsive purchases. Plus, each day is a new day. Each day I start at zero and it doesn't matter what I did the day before.

Now, it also makes it easier to cut out the unnecessary spending when you're saving for something special. If this is the case for you, post pictures of your goal throughout the house and at your workplace, if possible. Having a beach scene taped to my bathroom mirror gives me the incentive to start my "spend-free" day with the right mindset.

Now, you can do the same thing with any of your resolutions, too.

Turkey Day Tips & Tablecloth

2007-11-21T16:44:00.000-05:00

Set the table today. Pull out all of the serving pieces from gravy boat to bowls for mashed potatoes to corn. Don't forget all of the serving utensils, too. This was you'll know what you need and won't be scrambling for it at the last minute. As you're ready to set the table, if you realize you do not have a tablecloth to fit now that the extra extensions for the table are in place, don't fret. Consider using a lovely bed linen, lacey drapery panel, a decorative shawl, or another item that is large enough to cover the table. If you don't have one piece, you can use two larger pieces and pull them together with a table runner in the middle. With all of the dishes, place settings and food, no one will notice. Light a few candles to give everyone that wonderful glow from candlelight.

Tasty Leftover Turkey Dish

2007-11-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

Well, Turkey Day is still a few days away. However, plan on hiding some of the turkey so you can make this delicious dish. Yum! At a recent cooking demo at Market District, I had a "five star" for this one. Enjoy!

Mix and Dump Turkey NachosBy Mary Jo Rulnick

A twist on the typical nachos served at today’s restaurants.

Ingredients:
3 to 4 cups cooked turkey, chopped
1 pound Mexican blend cheese, shredded
2 10.75-ounce cans cream of mushroom soup
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 small onion, chopped
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch salt and pepper
1 14-ounce package tortilla chips (can use nacho cheese flavored)
French fried onion rings, crumbled (optional)

To make:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix turkey, cheese, soup, tomatoes, onion and seasonings.
3. Crush chips. Set aside 1 cup for later.
4. Add chips to turkey mixture. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle reserved chips and crumbled onion rings on top.
5. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and nacho casserole is bubbling.

Change it up: Add 1 15-ounce can black beans (rinsed and drained) to mixture.

Copyright Mary Jo Rulnick, The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends, 2006-2007

Thanksgiving Tips

2007-11-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

Turkey Day is just about two weeks away. Have you made your plans, yet? If you're hosting the traditional dinner, purchase your turkey this week. There are a lot of great deals at local supermarkets. While you're there, buy one or two more to make later. Turkey is a great meal to make one day and have the foundation of a week's worth of meals to come. (Psst! My book, THE FRANTIC WOMAN'S GUIDE TO FEEDING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, has lots of recipes for turkey week.) Now, you might groan, thinking when you make a turkey in January or February you have to make all the fixings, too. You don't! You can serve noodles, baked potatoes, salad, corn or any other family fav. Look at your grocery's ad for other loss leader specials, you know the items that are so super cheap that are usually on the front page of the advertisement that gets you into the store. By purchasing extras now, you'll save $$ later.

jennifer TV Show

2007-10-30T10:02:00.000-05:00

I just finished the taping for the jennifer TV show. This is the segment where I go to the winner's house and work with her to get her kitchen organized and create a working system for her family meal planning. We had a great time. One of the tips that I suggested to Kelly was to ignore the entire room, kitchen, and focus on one area at a time. The one place that overwhelms her is the built-in desk area that she sees as soon as she walks into the room. We tackled this area first. In about 20 minutes, we had created a doable system for her and found a parking space for everything that was piled high on her desk. I'll be sure to keep you updated as the date the segment airs, as well as more tips to come.

Homework Station

2007-10-19T23:20:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, I was taped helping the contest winner get back on track. (This was for the "Feeling Frantic" contest announced on the jennifer TV Show and I was the prize.) Kelly had a number of school supplies as well as hair stuff and camera batteries and cords piled on her kitchen desk. My first "to do" to get her back on track was to created the Homework Station that is a great tip and in the first Frantic Woman book I wrote, a co-authored project. This container jam-packed with school supplies is a box that has held a place in our house for so many years, I can't even remember when we first created it. However, it was originally created out of necessity.

Our first house was a six-room ranch with little storage. The dining room/kitchen combo had a great round oak table and that was where the kids did their homework. However, drawer space was a premium so we created the Homework Box that held all the supplies neatly and this was tucked under the sink cabinet to be pulled out each night.

The container should be a plastic/rubberized one that is sturdy and should be about the size of a sweater box. This will keep everything from the pencil case to construction paper and a whole lot more in between.

After I created the Homework Station for Kelly and her kids, I made up one for the hair supplies and another container for the camera/batteries and parts. These containers are great to pull out when needed and keep tucked away when they're not.

Fitting in Blogging during Your Writing

2007-10-03T14:56:00.000-05:00

As a writer, I have to write everyday. And an author, I have to promote all the time. One way to do that is to blog. But how does a writer keep up the blogging when the blogging isn't bringing in the money? First, gear your blog to your expertise, specialty or genre. I specialize in home, family and life issues. So, my blog is about those things, too. Though some people feel they can't take the time away from writing to blog, I find there are many benefits to blogging.
1. Blogging can give you an outlet for a topic that you WANT to write, but don't have any assignment for it.
2. Blogging gives you the chance to write the piece any way you want to write it.
3. Blogging allows you the opportunity to write quick tips that you can put into an e-book.
4. Blogging offers the chance for people to see what you have to offer and your writing style.

Happy blogging!

Quick fix lunch or dinner recipe

2007-09-26T14:20:00.000-05:00

I'm always being asked about a quick fix meal that can be whipped up in no time. Here's one of our family's favorites. You can change it up in so many ways, too, to make it a good one for your family.

Waldorf Tuna Pockets
Ingredients:
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 cans tuna in water, drained
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup ranch dressing
4 pita pockets, halved
Salt and pepper, to taste

To make: Mix apple, celery, tuna, mayo and ranch dressing. Be sure to mix well. Spoon mixture into pita pockets.
Change it up: Exchange tuna for canned or cooked chicken

On-the-go Breakfast

2007-09-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

We know breakfast should be an important part of our day. However, our frantic pace has us running out the door first thing in the morning with a growling belly. These on-the-go breakfast meals can solve your breakfast skipping routine.

On-the-go Breakfast Meals
Yogurt Crunch: Crumble a favorite granola bar into a cup of fruit yogurt.

Fruit Smoothie: Make fruit smoothies by mixing 4 cups milk, 4 bananas, 2 cups fresh blueberries, ½ teaspoon vanilla and 10 ice cubes into blender. Blend on high for 3 minutes. Pour in disposable cup or a travel mug.

Hawaiian Breakfast Taco: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and pineapple tidbits on a tortilla. Fold in half and microwave for 25-30 seconds.

Apple Cottage Berry Breakfast: Mix several tablespoons of applesauce into a cup of cottage cheese. Top with sliced strawberries.

Slice of Cheese 'n Jam: Spread cream cheese and strawberry jam on whole-wheat or multi-grain bread.

Egg n'Apple Pita: Stuff sliced hard-boiled eggs and chopped apples in a halved pita.

Ham 'n Cheese Breakfast Sandwich: Toast frozen whole-grain waffles. Top with lean ham and a slice of cheese. Or exchange the waffles for English muffins or bagels.

Problogger Giveaway

2007-09-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

ProBlogger is celebrating his 3rd anniversary with a giant prize giveaway. Where's he getting the prizes from? People like you and me. He's asking for bloggers to donate a prize. Not just any old prize, but exciting, unusual prizes and cold, hard cash. You might ask why anyone would donate a prize or cash. Well, if your prize is selected (yes, selected, he'll get tons), ProBlogger is offering you publicity on his site with a link to your blog or site. And that's well every penny the prize might cost. ProBlogger has a 6 ranking. Now, I was trying to figure out what to donate, well offer and if selected donate. My last giveaway I donated was myself. A day with me helping a frantic family get back on track. However, the giveaway from ProBlogger has to be an international prize. As much as I'd like to fly to Ireland or Paris to help someone get organized, it's really not in this writer's budget to do so. Now, I need to come up with a substitute giveaway instead. So, I'm off to think! The prize deadline is today. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Beware Airline Policies

2007-09-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

Just back from a great trip to MS with a sports team. However, before the trip we had one minor set back. Though a set back for us, it's a tip for you. One of the players had a last-minute emergency and could not make the trip. As the team's adopted tour director, I had planned the trip from flights to rooms to directions to activities. So, I had to cancel the flight. When I booked the reservations (six different flights with five different airlines), I had paid for the tickets from my account. When I cancelled Mike's flight, this one particular airline's policy is to give the credit to the traveler, instead of the payer. I could understand the policy most times. In this case, I was the one who would be out the money if the traveler does not reimburse me. (He will.) And I would've used the credit for an alternate player. Now, I've cancelled flights before as this isn't the first time I've be assigned the team's travel plans. In the past, the airline has given me credit since I've paid for the flight. So, I was a little stunned by the policy at this particular airline. And several phone calls with numerous transfers between employees, the result was the same. Mike had a credit for a future flight. Next time, I will not book any team travel with this particular airline. You never know when an emergency will occur and someone needs to cancel. Though I'm very aware of cancellation policies with most airlines, this one policy wasn't not listed anywhere on the web site or in the page-long cancellation description given with the ticket purchase. If you're booking travel for someone else, be aware what might not be in the fine print.

Momference

2007-09-13T11:36:00.000-05:00

Hi all-

Calling all moms!! Momference is coming. Check it out at: www.momference.com

Back to School Tips

2007-08-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

Most kids are back in school. I can hear some Moms cheering in the background. However, school days can bring chaos with everyone trying to get out the door in the morning. To help calm your crazy morning rush, here are some tips.

1. Scan the summer clearance tables for a silverware and napkin compartment basket. Have kids pack plastic silverware (some spoon only others fork only) and napkin in a plastic bag and place in the silverware cubicles of the basket. Place small disposable plates in the napkin section. Great for on-the-go meals.
2. A school day chart with each child’s class specials and supplies on it. Monday: Gym, sneakers. Tuesday: music lesson, violin and so forth. A quick glance tells each person and mom what everyone needs for the day instead of relying on memories.
3. As soon as the monthly cafeteria menu comes out, read the daily options with your child. Have him mark B for the days he’ll buy lunch and P for times he’d rather pack a brown bag lunch on each day. Give each child a different color marker to use.
4. At the beginning of the week, set aside lunch money for each child. The money can be placed on the top of each child’s dresser. Or buy weekly lunch tickets, if possible.
5. For brown bag lunches, make a week's worth of sandwiches on Sunday and freeze for the week. Pull the sandwich from the freezer in the morning. Arrange a place in the kitchen for lunch box ingredients. A compartment bin can hold a choice of fruit (ones that do not require refrigeration) and individual size chips, cookies, crackers, granola bars, nuts and so forth. The kids can fill their own lunchbox with their fruit and snack choice. However, make sure you set ground rules regarding how many snacks are to be taken or else your bin could be wiped out in the first day or two if your kids like goodies.
6. Do the same for refrigerated items like bottled drinks, fruit and veggies. Wash and pack snack size bags of grapes, carrot sticks and such. Again, all the kids have to do is reach in and choose their lunchbox selection. It’s easier to make snack bags for several days rather than doing it night after night. Or worse yet, during morning rush.
7. Make a large batch of gorp, also known as trail mix, by tossing together cereal, nuts, candies (M&Ms work well), raisins and dried fruits. Package these in sealable snack bags for lunches and after-school snacks. (This is a favorite Girl Scout mix.)
8 Keep a basket or container in the pantry with mom-approved on-the-go breakfast options, such as granola bars, breakfast bars, whole-grain muffins, cheese crackers, dried fruit and single-serving packages dry cereal (low in sugar).
9. Put a magnetic wipe-off board on the refrigerator to list the breakfast items available. Have kids place their orders the night before.
10. Turn off the television and turn on music. Music calms frazzled nerves and can put everyone in a good mood. Additionally, singing children are not bickering ones.

Do Not Call List

2007-08-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many times over the years I've clicked off of a phone call to answer the incoming one only to groan when it was someone selling something. It would drive me crazy knowing I had cut short a phone call, usually a good one, too, for a sales call. Urgh! Now, I could've cancelled call waiting option and I wouldn't have to worry about it. And it's even worse having someone call your cell phone and waste your precious minutes trying to sell something! Fortunately, the Do Not Call list has saved us from unwanted phone calls. If you haven't registered your number (home and cell), you might want to consider it. Click on this link to do so: http://dnc.attorneygeneral.gov/Register.aspx

Summer Bargain Becomes Back-to-school Organizer

2007-08-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite summer sale items is the silverware compartment holder you would find sold with picnic stuff. You know, it's the square thing that hold knives, forks, spoons and napkins. In August, you could probably find one for just a few bucks so pick it up. It's great for on-the-go meals. Have the kids pack zippered bags with silverware. Some should have knife, fork and spoon and other just a fork or just a spoon. Tuck in a napkin, too. In the napkin area of the holder, keep smaller disposable plates and bowls. When the dinner is rushed and you're running out the door, the kids can grab a plate and bag for their on-the-go meal they need to much on the run.

Backpacks Make Great Beach Bags

2007-07-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

While at the beach, I saw a mom struggling to carry beach bag, cooler, beach toys and a chair as two kids, about six and eight, followed behind her. The kids were stopping every so often to play in the sand and Mom would call, "keep walking." I'm sure her arms were hurting with all that she carried.

One way to avoid this happening is to pull out a backpack for each child. In the backpack, tuck the child's towel, toys, and change of clothes. In a separate compartment, pack any special treats or drinks. Some backpacks have a place for water bottles, too. The kids can carry their own backpacks and still have their hands free. And Mom doesn't have to struggle to carry everything.

So, the next time you're heading to the beach, pull out the backpacks.

Save $ on Air Conditioning Bills

2007-07-26T12:36:00.000-05:00

Last summer our electricity bills were outrageous due to the air conditioning always being turned on. My husband works outside and wants to come home to a cool house. I was determined to cut back on these costs. To me, it feels like I'm throwing money away. So, here's what I started doing this summer. First, the air is not turned on unless the temp outside is higher than 78 degrees or humidity level is unbearable. If the air is on and the evening air is cool outside or has a breeze, the air goes off and the windows are opened. Now, for these days that it's cool in the evening, but hot during the day, mid-morning I close the windows and click the air back on. The air conditioning doesn't have to work as hard to cool down the house again. Also, I keep the blinds or draperies closed on the windows where the sun shines in, keeping the hot rays out. I have to say, we've seen a huge difference in our electricity bills this year. :)

Win Me

2007-07-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

Could you use a little help in the kitchen? Could you use some help in organizing the house? If so, you could win "me" for the day to help you calm the chaos in your fast-track life. On a recent jennifer Show (yes, it's spelled with a lower case j), I offered tips for "make life easier meals" and we kicked off the Feeling Frantic Contest.

So, if you need a little help, click on over to jennifer's web site and send in your entry.

Good luck.

Here's the link to make clicking easier.
http://www.jennifertvshow.com/Win_Family_Guru_Frantic_Aut.html

Next Food Network Star

2007-07-17T07:08:00.000-05:00

I have to admit I've been hooked on this the Next Food Network Star. And what a shocker it was to see Jag take himself out of the competition. He nailed his the last challenge and was in his game. That was definitely a twist. So, now the outcome is in the hands of the voters. So, who will get your vote. Amy? I consider her a cross between Giada and Robin Miller. Or will Rory get your vote? She's a cross between Paula Dean and Rachael Ray. I've already casted my vote. Now it's your turn. Go to www.FoodNetwork.com.

We Believe in Girls

2007-07-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

Webelieveingirls.com is a new web site that offers a place for anyone, parents, teachers, academics and commentors, to voice their thoughts about raising girls today. Having a daughter of my own, I believe this site is one that has been needed. As it is developed, the site will provide not only a place to say what's on your mind, but to garner information to help raise girls in this ever-changing world we live in.

The topics in the message board area are wide so there's something for everyone. In reading several posts, one in particular, caught my attention. A mom felt that "we" are not instilling in girls the belief that they can do anything. As I teenager, I remember attending a camp session which talked about believing in yourself. "I can and I will" was a phrase that was repeated over and over. To this day I still use this statement in times of doubt. And as a family, it is a statement that we strongly believe in. As long as we believe, we can make it happen.

I know. When I started writing more 10 years ago, I was told I would never make it. After all, I had to overcome a childhood speech deficiency and I only had an Associates Degree and it wasn't in the writing field. Today, I have two books with Time Warner (now called Grand Central) published.

"Believing" can take you anywhere. Webelieveingirls.com focuses on just that.

Leslie Morgan Steiner, author of The Mommy Wars , has a great essay on the site about the disappearing childhood. Leslie shares some of my same thoughts about kids needing time to be a kid. In my first book I coauthored, there's a tip for keeping one night free. Don't schedule a thing so you have time to strengthen the family bond. I remember one person saying, I can't do that because my kids have too many activities. When does a child have time to play, imagine, or explore. Free time allows creative time and a chance to dream. Remember playing outside games like flashlight tag, kickball, and Simon Says. Remember playing inside activities like school, house and Barbies. I remember my brothers having their G.I. Joes ambush my Barbies. And then, all you heard was MOM!

The site conducted a survey with 2000 mothers and it's very interesting, but not surprising. Most parents feel their daughters are growing up too quickly. As parents, are we leading them into adulthood sooner than we should? Are we dressing them like little adults before they even hit preteen years? Are the young celebs' "adult actions" giving our children a negative impression on what's appropriate for kids? These are definitely questions we should ponder.

For now, Mattel, the creator of the site, is working on an Advisory Council, which will provide guidance for the direction of the site--another great addition to come. And this is only the beginning. Webelieveingirls.com seems to have launched at an important time in today's world.

Share your thoughts.

Food Network and me

2007-07-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

In May, I received an exciting email from Talent and Research Dept. at Food Network. They found me on the Internet. After many conversations, I was asked to provide a casting tape with my take on a Thanksgiving leftover meal. So, Memorial Day weekend, while most families had their grills sizzling and hosting cook outs, I was in the kitchen making a turkey day meal so I could whip up Shepherd's Pie with the leftovers.

In June, I received another call asking for a second casting tape. This time I had to offer my take on an American Classic--Chicken Pot Pie. The entire experience has been thrilling--just having Food Network interested and requesting not one, but two casting tapes is even more exciting.

Now, I'm waiting to see what July brings. So, wish me luck and happy cooking in the kitchen or on the deck--enjoy!

Buy Replacement Garments

2007-07-07T09:38:00.000-05:00

I divide my tee shirt tops into two categories: Uptown and Downtown. The uptown tees are ones that look great with capris, skirts and slacks. They look great under a sweater or jacket or alone and can go from casual to dressy. Then, the downtown tees are ones that I wouldn't pair up with a skirt as they just don't look as good. At the start of summer, I always find a few uptowns in basic colors that I love. However, as summer flies by, the tees, usually white, loose that fresh look. This year, I found two white tees I absolutely love. So, I went and bought duplicate tees and I found them at less than half price. So, my tip today is to pick up an extra favorite item you bought this year as a replacement.

Recipes for Quick Fix Meals

2007-06-30T17:39:00.001-05:00

In May, jennifer TV Show taped a segment for busy moms and I was one of the guest. The other adult guest, Erin, is the mother of four-year-old sextuplets and a seven-year-old son. Yes, seven children, plus Jennifer Antkowiak, the host, her five children were on the set, too. It was fun. It was chaotic. And it was a blast. The show will air tomorrow at 11:00 AM on WTAE. I provided several ideas for quick fix meals and those suggestions are available on http://www.jennifertvshow.com/. Check it out. And if you're in the Pittsburgh viewing area, please sure to watch the sure. You could win help for the day!

Delicious picnic dessert

2007-06-29T13:26:00.000-05:00

Hi-

The Fourth of July is almost here and if you're hosting a cookout or going to one that a friend is throwing, here is a simple, yet scrumptious dessert you can whip up in just minutes. That's right! Minutes. It's one of my newest recipes and I call it Candy Apple Blizzard. It's fluffy with a taste of chocolate and apples. And it is so darn good. I demonstrated several picnic desserts at Market District a few weeks ago and this was one of the favorites. (BTW, if you're in the Pittsburgh area, Market District is a fab-u-lous place and hosts wonderful guest chefs, including several Food Network Stars from Paula Dean to Bad Boy Duff from Ace of Cakes.)

Candy Apple Blizzard

1 3-ounce package instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
1 8-ounce container whipped topping
3 Granny Smith apples, diced
10 individual Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, coarsely cut up
(or substitute 5 Snickers candy bars or Heath Bars)

With mixer, beat pudding and milk together. Fold in whipped topping.
Peel and dice apples. Add to pudding mixture.
Cut up Peanut Butter Cups. Add to pudding mixture.
Refrigerate. Enjoy!!

Copyright Mary Jo Rulnick, http://www.maryjorulnick.com/

Summer Grillin'

2007-06-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

Summer is in full swing. Yeah! And it's time for grillin' and chillin'. The way our house is designed it could make grilling out very tedious. We live in a split entry with the patio off of the back of the house on the ground floor. And to get there from the kitchen, we have to walk through the hall, down the steps, through a game room, extra room to the back door. So, if we're unorganized, we could make many trips to and from. One thing I organize at the season of the season is a grill box. In a waterproof, critter-proof, rubberized container (the ones sold in the housewares section), I store utensils, picnic-type dishes and glasses, paper products, spices, mitts and so forth. When it's time to grill, usually, the only thing I'm carrying is the entree. After our grilled meal is finished, I wash the things I need and store them back into our grill box. Have a sizzling cookout!

Arrange Summer Plans Now

2007-06-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

I know this is only the beginning of summer. However, flashes by quicker than any other time of the year. And before you know it, summer will be just a sunny memory in our minds. So, this week take some time to think about what you would like to accomplish during the dog days of summer. Do you want to take a trip with the family? Do you want to weed out those closets? Would you like to take advantage of a special event in your hometown? Or would you like to start a new hobby or possibly a new project or business? Grab something cool to drink, a pen and notebook and sit outside with the sun shining and let your mind drift.

I spent some time over the weekend doing just this. I've scheduled a four-day family getaway for August. And let me tell you, this was tough trying to get everyone's schedule coordinated and not an easy task since summer is my husband's busiest time of the year. (Well, he's only making three of the four days.) I've outlined my new writing project to work on--and so excited to do so. To keep me on track, I've created a time line with steps to complete, too. And my other goal is to decorate my office that my husband painted last year, but I haven't added the personalized touches.

This is a good start on some of the things I want to accomplish this summer. So, what's on your to-do list?

Just Do It!

2007-04-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

Being a very practical person (to some degree), to purchase a big-ticket item or even a small one without replacing an old one is something I just never do. For example, I would never buy a new vacuum cleaner unless the old one went kaput. I never purchased sheets just for a change. Well, unless they’re on the clearance table at a really good buy, then they’re tucked into my gift closet until needed. What I’m saying is I’m not one to waste money on material things for myself.

My son says, “You never buy yourself anything.”

Though that isn’t really true, I purchase great buys that are just too good to pass up or when I really need something.

“You’ll spend money on me, Deanna or dad, but not yourself.”

Now, Josh has repeated this statement more times than I care to remember. Though my husband isn’t one to tag along with me to the mall, Josh will. And his taste is pretty darn good when it comes to what looks good and what doesn’t. I think that comes from years of art class.

For about the past four years, I’ve talked about getting a laptop. Talk. That’s it. Nothing more. Yes, it would definitely be convenient for trips, times I’m pulling a research night at the book store, or for the sunny days I want to sit outside. However, I have a perfectly good desktop computer. So, buying a laptop seems like an extravagance. So, for fours years, I talked about wanting one, but never did anything more.

During the start of the winter holiday season, my husband would ask his typical holiday question. “What do you want for Christmas?”

And I’d come up with some answer.

He’d ask, “Do you want a laptop?”

“No, I don’t need one.”

What’s funny is I've never needed the jewelry that was under the tree, but that was always okay to receive.

Well, I’m off on a mini-book tour next week. And during the past few days, I’ve thought, yikes, I’ll be without a computer for a week. I’ll have to find an Internet Café. That really didn’t sound like fun. I’ve hit Internet Cafes before for a quick check of email. And yes, they’re great, but I’ll have a lot of free time when I could work on my new web site, or write the two queries that have been nagging at me, and surf the ‘net for an upcoming project.

That little nagging voice in the back of my head, the one that told me I wanted to be a writer about ten years ago, told me it was time to buy a laptop. I called my husband and the kids.

“Finally! You’ve talked about it so many times. Just do it!”

Yes, it was time to follow through with Nike’s famous words.

Blog Book Tour

2007-03-25T18:42:00.000-05:00

Check out the latest stop on The Frantic Woman's Guide to Feeding Family and Friends Blog Book Tour http://selfproclaimedsupermom.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/03/the_frantic_wom.html.

Snap Up The Green Stuff

2007-03-22T15:57:00.000-05:00

With St. Pat's Day over, snap up the decor, candy and stuff sitting on the clearance tables. You'll find most of the items are at least 50% off. However, some stores like our local drug store has 75% off. In the next week, the discount will be even larger. Green candy, stuffed animals and craft supplies will work great as Easter basket fillers. Solid colored decorations in green, white and gold can be used for graduation parties. Green cellophane can be used to wrap Easter and graduation baskets. And don't forget plain green paper products can be used for Christmas and school parties (for schools whose theme colors are green). Green candies like M&Ms can be used in place of chocolate chips, too. Use your imagination to save money and time later. Happy shopping.

Easter Basket Fillers

2007-03-20T09:26:00.000-05:00

Easter Basket Stuffers
In the past, chocolate candy of all shapes usually filled the traditional Easter basket. This year, try limiting the candy and consider adding in a few double-duty items.

What's a double-duty item? Well, it's something you would normally buy for the kids. However, you're now tucking it into the Easter basket. So, think about stuffing the basket with something the kids can snack on after an activity (everything from trail mix to traditional cheese crackers), play with year-round (an indoor foam basketball hoop) or use during the upcoming summer months (drawstring back bag).

Party Guest List Mishap

2007-03-15T17:29:00.000-05:00

Recently a young newlywed had asked me for help. She was throwing her first “big girl” party. She called several times the week of the party with questions. Most of the questions were about the menu and when I thought she should set up the tables and such for the party. Well, it was hard to give her an answer about how much food she should prepare, though it shouldn’t have been. Why? Well, she wasn’t sure how many people she invited. She started with a party list, but she didn’t maintain it. She sent out invitations at two different times and she didn’t write down the names. She called some of her friends and invited them. And she asked one of her husband’s co-workers to invite several people from work. The written invitation had “regrets only.” The problem with “regrets only” some people do call if they can’t make it and others don’t. So, you never really have a true idea of your guest list.

From experience, I’ve found the “regrets only” system doesn’t work as well as R.S.V.P. If a friend is coming to the party, she will call to say so. After all, the party-goer wants you to know she’ll be there. She wouldn’t want to walk into your house to have you say, “Oh, I didn’t know you were coming?”

Now back to the newlywed. Some of her friends called and asked if they could bring their kids. Some aunts and uncles called and asked if cousins were invited, too. Before the newlywed knew it, her guest list was out-of-control and she could only guess how many would attend.

A party list with names will keep the hostess’s sanity. The hostess can add to this list as she sends out additional invitations or makes calls to friends. And if guests want to bring more than the invitees, tally the extra people into your number attending. Having a good head count will make the rest of the party planning easier.

Easter...just around the corner

2007-03-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders what ever happened to January and February. Soon the first quarter of 2007 will be crossed off months on our calendars. This is a good time to think about what you have accomplished so far in this new year. Then, take some time to think about all that you still want to do in the next 10 months. Yes, you still have 10 months to accomplish all those resolutions and goals. That said it's time to plan your Easter celebration. This includes pulling out the decorations, filling the baskets and planning a traditional meal. And if you need a little help, I have a suggestion for you. The Frantic Mom's Countdown to Easter is a short e-book and it's only 49 cents on Amazon--less than a cup of coffee. There's a detailed checklist that does the thinking so you don't have to.

If you want to write your own to-do list for Easter, now is the time to do so. Pull out your pen and notebook and start jotting. Or better yet, write it in a journal and you can keep it from year to year.

2007-02-01T11:13:00.000-05:00

Quick & Easy Super Bowl Party Tips

Here are some practical tips that will save you time and work for your next football bash!

* For your refreshment or kitchen table, top it with a solid-colored flat bed sheet in your team's color. A twin-sized sheet works well with most tables and is usually more reasonable than a cloth tablecloth and more durable than a plastic one. And you'll love how easily it washes up and can be reused again and again. Now if you're feeling really creative, buy a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet grass (like the kind you would find on a porch) to use as an Astroturf tablecloth. With paint or white adhesive tape, mark yard lines on the carpet. Add team names to the end zones. I had an Astroturf cloth for one of my son's birthday parties and an event I planned for senior citizens and it was a huge hit with all. By the way, you can spray off any spills with water and a little soap.

* Print the team logos from the team's web site and tape them on a garbage can and place near the food table. Or if you have a team pennant, tape it to the container. (Psst. The kids can do this one.)

* Put a couple of extra trash bags in the bottom of the trash can. When the bag is full of garbage and ready to be taken out, there's another bag ready to take its place.

* To make less clean-up work, place trash cans within arm's reach of the buffet table and eating areas to eliminate guests stacking empty cups, food-spoiled plates and used napkins on the nearest flat surface. Believe me, you'll find garbage everywhere if garbage cans aren't available.

* Keep paper towels, hand wipes and cleaning cloths in a basket on the kitchen counter and near the refreshment tables for mishaps that are bound to happen. And whoever makes the mess can clean the mess.

* Use plastic cups in two colors; one for the home team and one for the away team. For a fun and practical party opener, have guests write their favorite player's name or number on the cup with a permanent marker. But, there's one rule to follow. Only one team player allowed per party. No repeats.

* Plan an easy-to-make and simple-to-serve buffet menu that won't require a lot of your attention. The last thing you want to do is spend the afternoon preparing food, while everyone else is having a good time. A roaster filled with chicken strips, a slow cooker holding vegetarian chili and/or a sandwich board will satisfy the crowd's hunger pains. (Psst! Recipes are in my book. ) Now, you don't have to make all three. You can make one or two entrees and fill in the menu with quick side dishes.

* Serve cut veggies in paper or foam cups for easy snacking. This is a healthier version of fries in a cup you'd find at the stadium. Once the veggies are cut, put kids in charge of filling the containers.

* Make a self-serve drink station. Fill a stainless steel tub or plastic bin with ice and cans of cold beverages. Line the container with a garbage bag to keep leakage and condensation to a minimum. If you have a team stadium blanket or beach towel handy, place it under the tub or bin to catch any drips.

* Serve a punch for guests to help themselves when thirst calls if you'd rather not serve canned beverages. Keep a larger washable or vinyl placemat underneath the punch bowl or pitchers (pour punch into lidded pitchers) to catch any drips and spills. Be sure to have a ladle or two for the punch bowl. For a quick snack, buy lunch bags in team colors and pack them with popcorn.

* Place bagged popcorn in a large basket, plastic tub or Little Tykes football toy box (if you have one) for guests to grab as they get the munchies. (Even though my youngest has outgrown his football toy box years ago, we kept it and it’s a fun way to serve up snacks on football Sundays.)

* Plan a game or two. As guests arrive on Super Bowl Sunday, they'll receive a game sheet. On it, guests will predict the final score, how many interceptions each team will have and how many sacks. Winners in each category will receive a prize. (With the Steelers out of the Super Bowl this year, I've found "team gear" for rock bottom prices and this will be the prizes this year.)

Enjoy!
Copyright 2007 Mary Jo Rulnick

2006-12-15T12:13:00.000-05:00

Quick and Easy Holiday Entertaining Tips! The extra commitments and responsibilities brought on by the winter holidays can overwhelm even the most organized person. And adding holiday entertaining to the jam-packed schedule can make anyone feel frantic. However, mix in a dash of preplanning and a pinch of preparation to create a gathering you can easily host and enjoy, too.

Preplanning
To start, plan your menu by making as much of it self-serve as possible. Set up a drink station so guests can help themselves. Mix up trendy dishes with traditional ones for your menu. Be sure to have 1 or 2 hot dishes and fill in the rest with raw veggies and fresh fruit and make-ahead cold side dishes. Be sure to offer a low-cal choice and vegetarian dishes, too. For hot dishes, use the slow cooker or a roaster to keep food warm.

Consider a wine and cheese gathering. Chunks of cheese with spiced nuts, fresh or dried fruits and a variety of breads can make a great wine and cheese party. Be sure to include 3 different types of cheese for a smaller group and 5-6 varieties for a larger group. Serve each cheese on a separate plate with its own knife.

Try hors d'oeuvre party for simplicity. For appetizers, make bite-size nibbles in a variety of colors, textures or flavors. Serve small bite-size hors d’oeuvre so you can eliminate the need for utensils and spills on your carpeting when guests are trying to cut something in half and the piece of kielbasa lands on your carpeting. A favorite club sandwich cut into quarters makes an easy appetizer. Add a garnish on top with a toothpick.

Using foam and paper plates will cut down on after-party clean-up; however, use holiday-themed colors in the paper products to add pizzazz to the table. Use wine glass charms if serving wine to eliminate the possibility of running out of stemware. You can easily make personalized charms out of cardstock, foam or wood for each guest. Add ribbon to the charm so guests can tie them around the glass stem. This makes a nice take-home favor for attendees. Don’t forget music and match it to the gathering and the crowd. Borrow additional CDs from friends or the library.

Preparation
Now you’re ready to write a shopping list using your preplanned menu. Post the menu on refrigerator so you don't forget anything in the frenetic pace to get everything on the table.

Create a preparation and cooking schedule. Note the designated times that particular dishes must go into the oven or slow cooker so they’re ready in time for the bash. Make as many dishes a day ahead as possible. Or mix dry ingredients together, adding wet ingredients on cooking day.

Pull out your serving trays and dishes several days beforehand. Use grandma's bowls and heirloom pieces to hold cookies, buns, breads and more. Don't keep them hidden. Decide if you need to buy or borrow additional pieces. Look to dollar & discount stores for possibilities.

Set your dining table or buffet table a day or two prior to the party. Include everything from dishes to utensils to serving pieces. Cover the “set table” with a sheet to avoid dust collecting and uncover prior to guests' arrival.

Keep garbage cans throughout the party area so guests can dump their own plates and not leave them on your coffee tables or another other flat surface they find. Assign tasks to family members or early bird guests. Include everything from lighting candles to hanging coats to refilling the relish tray.

Now, take a deep breath and enjoy mingling with your guests.

Copyright © 2006 by Mary Jo Rulnick.

2006-11-20T10:13:00.000-05:00

This simple game will keep your guests lingering at the dinner table just a little bit longer. And if you want to know what to do with all that leftover turkey, The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends has a week’s worth of recipes for you.

Holiday TV. Thanksgiving Day kicks off the holiday season with numerous holiday programs and movies. Have each person name a holiday program, sporting event, animated cartoon, Christmas movie, and so on that is usually aired from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Start counter clockwise and go around the table with everyone taking a turn. When a person can’t think of a holiday TV program, they’re out. The winner is the last one in the game.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2006-10-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

Half-dead mums are a bargain. A friend called to tell me there was an article about the upcoming cooking demo I will be presenting at Good Taste Pittsburgh in one of the local newspapers. Unfortunately, the insert was not in my newspaper so I made a trip to the store to get one. I wanted the write-up for my portfolio and was glad my friend let me know or I would’ve missed it. On my way into the store, there were seven weather-weary mums sitting on a wooden display and a sign marked $1.00. The mums originally sold for $8.99. I grabbed one of the shopping carts sitting outside and packed the mums into the cart.

After retrieving the local paper, I made my way to the register. The cashier said, “Why would you want those?” I looked at the mums. Yes, they looked a little worse for wear. A few snips with a pair of scissors to get rid of the dead buds and leaves would take away the forlorn look. There were still plenty of flower blooming, yet. And next September, there would be a whole lot more blooms blossoming.

Now is the time to buy perennials for just pennies on the dollar. Sure, the pots might not look as great now as they did a month away, but your wallet will appreciate the bargain.

Oh, the piece about my upcoming demo looked great.

2006-10-13T20:04:00.000-05:00

Friday the thirteenth came a day early. Yesterday, I woke on time. 5:30 a.m. I had every minute planned. I would leave at 6:30 a.m. promptly and drive into downtown Pittsburgh. I’m about 25 minutes away during off hours and about 45 to 60 minutes during rush hour. I gave myself 90 minutes travel time. Plenty. I sailed down the Parkway and then as I rounded the bend toward the Penn Hills exit, I slammed on the brakes. Bumper to bumper traffic. Now, this was very unusual for 6:30. Normally, the traffic backed up about 7:15-7:30.
I sat for 15 minutes, now 6:50 and my little car hadn’t moved an inch. The last words the producer of Pittsburgh Today said, “Don’t be late or I’ll be a frantic woman!” rang loudly in my head. I was going to be late. I ejected the Al Green CD and tried finding some traffic report. Nothing. There had to be an accident. About 15 cars ahead of me, a van pulled off onto the side of the road and down the embankment, across two oncoming “on-ramp” lanes, and turned onto a side road. The only exit from the Parkway and out of this early-morning traffic jam. The car in front of me was too far off the road for me to follow. In my review mirror, I could see a car coming up the side of the road. She stopped beside me and honked at the car in front. The car moved a smidgen. She honked again. The car moved a little more—just enough for the green Honda to get by. Well, if the Honda could do it my little Subaru could, too.
I slowly pulled off the road and onto the side and inched my way passed car after car. I watched the place where the Honda drove down the embankment. As I turned my steering wheel to make my way down the hillside, the highlights shined on car paths of the other cars….and the swampy land. All I needed was my car to get stuck. Whispering a prayer, my car crawled down the path. I made it. The Honda in front of me crossed the two oncoming lanes and had cars honking loudly at her. I waited until a free space came and put my pedal to the medal. My six-cylinder vehicle cried, but I made it across and down the side road.
I followed the stream of cars through several little towns, down one back road after another and finally through the last road and back onto the Parkway, closer to town. Clear sailing ahead. When I arrived at the producer’s desk, I related the story to her and she told several others, including Jim who does the traffic report. Jim mentioned it on TV and we laughed now that it was over.
The cooking segment went well and the early arrival of Friday the 13th faded as a bad memory does.
However, the next time I’m in a tight time situation like this, I’m using these tips.
1. Listen to the morning news, alerting commuters of accidents and traffic jams.
2. Make sure I have at least one, if not two, alternate routes.
3. Keep tissues in the car for the perspiration gathering on the face or the tears in the eyes.
4. Put the producer’s number (or any other TV person I’m meeting) in my cell phone.
5. Give myself 15 additional minutes on top of the time I’ve allowed.

2006-10-08T16:32:00.000-05:00

Do crucial tasks first. On Thurs., Josh mentioned he had studied until 2 a.m. and set his alarm for 7 a.m. right before he climbed into bed. Unfortunately, he woke late because the alarm didn’t go off. He realized he had set it for p.m. instead of a.m. because he was tired and his mind wasn’t functioning well before he climbed in bed. Most of us can connect with this scenario. The words, “been there, done that” comes to mind and I told him so.

Of course, being mom, I had to give him a few tips. After having my share of goof-ups like this, I now have a system. When I need to set the alarm clock for a different time, I change this before or after dinner so I don’t forget later in the evening. It’s easier to concentrate when you’re still fully awake, then when your head is ready to hit the pillow. If I have an important meeting the next day, I plan my outfit at the same time. This includes pulling out the accessories, too. (Have you ever put on blue socks with black pants or vice versa?) Also, I grab any documents, paperwork, etc. that I might need and tuck it into my briefcase. As I go about my evening, if I think of something I want to take, I get it while I’m thinking of it. I’ve found the Nike commercial, Just Do It, really works as you’re thinking of it. Morning rush tends to put pressure on the thinking cap and more often than not, we can forget something important as we’re rushing about.

2006-09-28T16:56:00.000-05:00

The Pittsburgh Women’s Show is scheduled for Oct. 14-15, 2006 at the Pittsburgh ExpoMart in Monroeville. I will be presenting a no-cook meals demo using recipes from my new book, The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends, on the main stage at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 15th. Stop by and say, hi! This is the fourth year for the Women’s Show and with a new twist…a Baby Fair, too. So, it should be one exciting event.

As some of you know, I am a regular attendee of the Show. It is a wonderful networking event for women and one that is fun, too. Events like this benefit women who are in business, would like to start a business or would like to see what’s new.

There are many conferences, workshops, expos and such during the fall. It’s definitely one of the busier times of the year for events. It’s a chance for vendors to promote their new products and companies to market their new services before the winter holidays hit.

Here are a few tips to make the most out of the Pittsburgh Women’s Show or other events you might be attending.

* Before you go, consider what you would like to take away from the Show. Do you want to make new contacts, promote a new business or product and/or see how other women are marketing their own biz? If you have an idea of what you hope to gain from the event, you’ll have a better chance of being satisfied with the results.

* Always make it a goal to meet at least one person that you can continue networking with. This contact alone will more than likely be worth your admission price.

* Take a stack of business cards to hand out. You never know who might be sitting across a table from you. Freely hand out your cards. Yes, you might be put on someone’s mailing list so return the favor. 

* Pick up business cards and contact information from every vendor and anyone you strike up a conversation. I have become good friends with several women entrepreneurs I met at the last Show. We have been brainstorming marketing ideas with each other and e-mail makes it so much easier to stay in contact.

* Introduce yourself to vendors who interest you. Be sure to tell them who you are and what you do. “Hi, I’m Mary Jo Rulnick and my next book, The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends, is hot-from-the-oven.” I usually have a postcard with tips that I hand over. The tips are my way of giving away something and on the backside of the postcard I have book and contact information.

* When you return home, place all of your handouts, business cards, brochures and so on that you’ve gathered into an expandable folder that has an elastic or cloth tie. Mark the event and year on the outside of it. Six months from now when you think about the designer you meet, yet can’t remember her name, all you have to do is open the folder and retrieve the information. I use this organizational idea for every conference or expo I attend. The folders sit neatly on the top shelf of my office closet until needed.

* And for my very last tip, wear comfortable shoes. Depending upon how chatty you are, you could be on your feet for hours.

2006-09-25T10:21:00.000-05:00

Today is Family Day sponsored by Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). Today is a day to eat dinner with your family. Children that eat dinner with their families are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or do drugs, according to research by CASA. With both parents working, the start of a new school year in full swing and extracurricular activities gearing up, it’s not always easy for busy families to eat together.

Here are some tips to reclaim the family dinner meal.

1. Finding time to cook can be a problem so skip the thought of fancy meals during these hectic times. Try a backwards dinner (breakfast for dinner), sandwich night or a simple casserole you can pop in the microwave or oven.
2. Incorporate a make-your-own menu in the week. Pull out the toppings for pizza, hoagies and tacos. Everyone can customize their own.
3. Split the dinner meal in two if one parent works until later in the evening or if the kids must get to practice before the other parent comes home from work. Feed the kids the entrée and veggies and save salad, fruit or dessert until the other parent can join the rest of the family.
4. Pack up a meal on the run for everyone if activities have the family out the door before the dinner hour. Wraps, baked chicken and foil pack meals are great to eat in between activities. Stop at a nearby park during nice weather or find tables and chairs at your destination. You might even start a trend with other families. One local school allowed families to use the cafeteria during basketball season as long as we cleaned up our messes.

Try different ideas until you find one that works for your family. It might take a little creativity, but it will be worth it.

2006-09-24T16:38:00.000-05:00

I’m settling into a calming day after the frantic pace of the past few days. My kick-off pub party was a blast and the book shop owner stated, "it was an impressive first day sales." That's always nice to hear. Friends and colleagues from various social circles were able to meet my family for the first time and that was a lot of fun because everyone knows about everyone, but never actually met. So now everyone can put a face to the name. We continued the party at a local restaurant a friend owns not far from the book store. And I’d to thank all those who attended and those from far that sent wonderful messages.

On Thurs., I had a great topic for my blog. However, I had too many things to do to post so I thought I’d save it for today. I had two interviews on Thurs. with one here at the house. With the local reporter popping in, I moved up some of my cleaning tasks from Sat. to Thurs. Here are some tips I used to speed up the cleaning process.

1. On Wed. night, I walked around the house with a basket and picked up any item that was out of place. Then, I went room to room to return it to the proper place.
2. I pulled the shower curtain and lacey swag from the shower rod and tossed them in the washer.
3. I cleaned the kitchen and ran the dishwasher.
4. I sprinkled baking soda over the carpeting before I went to bed. With a 115# German shepherd, this helps eliminate any dog smell.
5. I dropped one of those denture tablets in the toilet to make it easier to clean the next morning.
6. I jotted a list of what I wanted to do on Thurs. morning. Also, I wrote what order I wanted to do the tasks in. When I woke early on Thurs., I knew exactly where I needed to start and what I needed to do.
7. On Thurs. morning, I pulled the shower curtain and lacey swag from the washer and put them outside for a nice fresh outdoor smell when I let the dog out.
8. I sprayed the bathroom fixtures (tub, toilet, sink top) to let the cleaning products work while I dusted throughout the house.
9. I emptied the dishwasher and touched up the kitchen.
10. I cleaned the bathroom next.
11. I ran the sweeper over all carpeting and ceramic floor and took a sponge mop the ceramic floor.
12. I pulled the shower curtain and swag from the outside line and put them back up.
13. I was ready for coffee.

Working out a step-by-step system helps when you have a limited amount of time and a number of things to do. You keep moving because you know exactly what you need to accomplish and you don’t have to waste those precious minutes thinking about what to do next. And it helps to let some things “pre-soak.”

2006-09-20T14:05:00.000-05:00

Beware of glass dishes around the grill is today’s topic. My brother-in-law, who lives on the west coast, emailed me bright and early today wishing me good luck for my upcoming pub party. And he finished the email with “too bad I can’t be there to carry the steaks.” I burst out laughing at the memory that brings. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law invited us to spend a week with them at the beach in their time share. The place had this fabulous grill poolside and Stu loves to grill. He doesn’t cook much, but he’ll grill anytime. And he wanted to cook a special dinner for his brother and his wife. They love NY strip steaks. So, we bought these New York strip steaks, mushrooms, tomatoes and baked potatoes to grill. Now, we all like our steaks definite ways. Carol likes hers almost rare. I like mine med. rare. Barry likes his med. Stu likes his med. well. The guys were cooking and Carol and I were setting the table on the patio. It was a gorgeous tropical night. Stu calls my cell phone with a panic, “You’re not going to believe this?” just as Barry burst in the door, “Mary Jo, I dropped the steaks.”

“Just pick them up. We’ll wash them off,” Carol called.

I’m still on the phone and Stu tells me to bring a garbage can and a broom.

Barry tried to open the pool gate with one hand and the dish filled with the food in the other. (Now, gates are not a good thing around Barry. Two years ago, when Barry was leaving work, a huge wrought iron gate swung back and caught Barry on the knee. Three surgeries later, he is still having problems.)

“We can’t wash them off. They have glass in them.”

I groaned, realizing we gave Barry a glass Pyrex baking dish to put the cooked food in. That was the only dish we had in the condo.

We walked down to the grill area with broom and can in hand. There was Stu cleaning up the bigger pieces of glass off of the sidewalk. I happened to catch a glimpse of a sign, “No glass inside the gate area.”

“There goes dinner.” Carol sighed.

It had taken us a while to clean up the mess. Barry, feeling so bad for dropping the meal, announced he was taking us for a steak dinner. By the time we sat down, it was 9:00 p.m. and we were giddy—until the bill came. The $60 bill at the grocery store turned into a $150 restaurant bill. However, it is memory that we still laugh about.

So, some tips for cooking out when on vacation.

1. Do not use anything glass when grilling. If you have to, use a skillet or cookie sheet to carry the cooked food in.
2. Eat in close proximity to the grill where the food is cooked. This will cut down on the chances of food being dropped and dinner going in the garbage.
3. For a variety of tastes, start with the food that needs cooked the longest, such as a well done steak, and end with a rare one.
4. Cook veggies in foil packs. Once cooked, the food inside the foil will stay hot while you’re getting everything else on the table. And you can toss the foil pack on paper plates for less clean-up. Poke a hole in the foil pack to let the steam escape so no one gets burnt.

2006-09-19T16:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had a light bulb moment. Two things happened. I went to Sam's mid-afternoon and a student asked a question. How can those two things bring a light bulb moment? I finally realized my blog theme. Since I started this blog, I've been rambling, trying to find my spot in the world of blogs. Though most blogs are random thoughts, musings for me are not working because my thoughts spin out of control as my husband says. I'm jumping ahead in the conversation or musings and missing a few details in between. For example, yesterday, dh mentioned a Sat. in Oct. for our annual softball party (we have about 60 people here from five in the evening until probably four in the morning--no one wants to go home and sometimes they don't--they stay) and instead of answering him out loud, I answered in my head and started thinking about what all I needed to do for the party, from planning the menu to making sure I had extra sheets handy and the sleeping bags are freshen up. My family is use to my skipping thoughts. They know the glazed over look means my mind is in overdrive. Unfortunately, when I'm blogging and doing that, readers don't realize that. And the reason musing online isn't a good thing for me is because I skip trains of thought. However, my light bulb moment hit. And that was a good thing.

When a student asked about attending a conference, I had several tips for her and had felt so good after writing yesterday's blog. I had a topic and a focus. (Focus is a good thing when your mind spins out of control.) In fact, that posting spurred my day forward and I tackled a number of things from setting up two talks to finishing a mailing to my contributors. In between, I knew I needed to go to Sam’s Club for Tyson (115# pup who eats a lot). I usually go around 7 a.m. during business hours because the store has few people in it. However, I wanted to tackle some p.r. projects at home first and arrived at Sam’s around 3:00 p.m. I would just deal with the crowd and line. To my surprise, Sam’s was empty. In fact, I pushed my cart with the 30# bag of dog food and some other things (never shop for 1 thing) right up to the cashier. Now, between 3:00-3:30 p.m. is usually a good time to shop at our local grocery store, I never thought about it for warehouse shopping, especially not one located in the center of a shopping mecca. During this timeframe, moms are home waiting for kids to get off the bus or moms are driving to school to pick up the kids. And anyone in the workforce is still at work, even the seven to three shift. Walking out of the warehouse, I thought this is a great tip. (Ask the cashiers at your local warehouse what are the slow times?) On the drive home, it hit me. I’m trying to find my blogging niche and it has been right there in front of me the entire time. I’m a tip person. I like finding ways to make things easier, more efficient. I like shortcuts. I like quick & simple entertaining. I like planning parties on a budget. Well, you get the picture. So, instead of trying to fit into a blogging mold, I’m going to do my own thing. Yes, I'll probably change the name of my blog again. Ah, I’m so happy for that light bulb moment.

2006-09-18T08:14:00.000-05:00

Attending the right conference, workshop or class. One of my former students asked, “How do you know if the writer’s conference or class is really worth the money? I’m interested in this mini-conference, but the presenter's credentials are vague. How do I know I’m not wasting my money?” Since Barb needed this information, I thought others might need it, too.

There are three key things to consider. (And you can use these guidelines for other conferences, too, not just writing.)

1. Genre expertise. The instructor should be published in the genre he or she will be offering information. For example, if you need advice in the science fiction genre, make sure the person offering information has the published pieces or a book to offer the information.
2. Current clips. Ask where the instructor has been published lately? What magazines, newspapers or book credits does he or she have? The clips (published works) should be current. When I applied to the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), the organization wanted clips within the past two years. The same goes for book publishing, if you’re looking for tips for fiction writing, make sure the instructor has a current novel published. The publishing industry has changed so much in the past few years and you want to know what’s going on today.
3. Proven track record. For article and short story writing, the instructor should be have a number of current clips. Again, for membership into ASJA, the organization wanted at least two clips from the same publication and clips from numerous publications. By having at least two clips from the same publication, it shows that the editor liked the work enough the first time to buy another piece from the writer. By having clips from a variety of publications, it shows the instructor/writer isn’t a one-time writer. For novel and non-fiction books, ask what books have been published in the field you need help with. Don’t forget to find out when the book was released. Again, this is important because the industry keeps changing. Now, books take longer to write and publish so you’ll have more of a time lapse between them.

Attendees should consider instructors or workshop presenters who are working the business. If the instructors have the three key ingredients given, then the conference or class should be worth attending. However, go with a goal in mind. What do you want out of the conference? What questions do you want answered? How can this conference/instructor help you? What resources or information do you need from this conference/instructor? Try to have a clear picture of what your expectations are before you go to the conference to get the most out of it.

2006-09-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

Ah, the chance to give my feet a rest. Just back from a very productive shopping day with Deanna. Though there was a glitch with the copy center, I need to copy my book image to a CD and go back, I did find several things to wear. So, I'll wait to see what my mood will be on Fri. before I decide to go trendy, biz or quirky. I'm so glad that's accomplished. I usually shop off-season and check the clearance racks whenever I'm in a store so I always have a something to wear. I definitely find more when I shop that way compared to shopping when I need an outfit. I did find one suit for 60% off and another "hot" one as Deanna called it for 30% off. Tonight, I'm going to figure out the recipes for the party and get the releases and reminders ready to be faxed.

I had a great conversation with my friend Bev. (She's my romance novel writing partner and has authored 2 sports books. When I use to mention Bev's name, I would say, Bev who I have a romance with. Then, one of my husband's friends said, that doesn't right. Now I make sure I say novel, too. I actually have another writing partner Diana. We've sold several school-related articles. And another writer friend Loriann who would like me to coauthor a writing book with her. Ah, some many projects and so little time. Now, if I didn't have to sleep....) My brain thoughts have been in over drive and I feel like I'm running on one of those hamster wheels. I keep coming up with creative ideas to promote the book and then my impulsive nature acts and I'm going in a ton of different directions. I said so to Bev and this is where my impulsive nature gets me in trouble. And she responded, it might occasionally, but your impulsiveness gets your momentum going and you're able to accomplish so much more than most people. So the impulsive nature is in your favor. Bev always keeps this action-kind-of-gal grounded. My friend Linda says, I act, accomplish, then realize it wasn't a good idea before most people get through the thinking process. Hmm. She's probably right. Now, Bev did give me a great idea for slowing down those spinning wheel thoughts by focusing on one object for a few minutes. This will help eliminate some of the tension and stress from being so revved up. I have a small waterfall on a side table in my office and that's going to be my "slow down focus."

2006-09-17T08:34:00.000-05:00

Five days until my pub party. On my to-do list today, I will be picking up the posters I had made--a smaller one and a larger one. I'll use these from book signings and cooking demos. One of my local copy centers had a great sale going on so I jump at the chance to have them made. I have a pic of the book cover and my pic on the poster with a "Meet Author MJR" on it. After that, Deanna is going with me to buy something special for the pub party. Also, I looking into prices for aprons. I still haven't decided on my apron saying. I'll probably put that out to my e-list to see what's everyone's fav. Then, I need to finish the mailing for my contributors and the press releases. And the list continues.....

2006-09-16T12:11:00.000-05:00

Countdown time is here. Six days until my new book is released and I celebrate with my first event-- a publication party. I love entertaining and this pub party is a fun way to do so. I'm so excited and so is my family. Stu, dh, is grilling a recipe or two from the book. Deanna is serving up some tasty drinks from the book and Josh will be dishing out the scrumptious snacks. And I'll be signing books. :) It's a family affair. And I'm thrilled I'll be using the cupcake tower I bought for Deanna's wedding. It will hold scrumptious snacks for our guests. That's the fun thing about planning events--finding ways to reuse or incorporate items you already have. I'll be putting together the goodie bags for our guests, too. One of our friends is a rep for a food broker so he gave me so coupons to put in the bags. As a special treat (non-edible one) to the women, another friend is giving perfume/make-up samples. Just because we're in our kitchens, doesn't mean we can't look and smell good. I still have so much I want to do before the pub party and this is where my background as an events planner for nine years (and working with non-profits) comes in handy. So today, I'm working on my to-do list and marking off what's the most important. My brain is in overload mode. (And this is where that impulsive nature can get me in trouble.) So, I'm off to get some stuff finished.

2006-09-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

Internet access kaput! I had almost two days with minimal Internet access. I was going crazy. I was tempted to run to the community library just to get online. And then I thought, just eight short years ago, I was joining the cyber world kicking and screaming. I didn't want to go online and have to email people or answer emails. It was just one more thing that I would have to add my to schedule. Isn't ironic how we become so accustom to technology. Now, I can't imagine not have Internet service. As a writer, I have constant contact with my editors. I can pitch an article so much easier now. No more labels, hard copies and SASE. Just a click of a button and my pitch is off. Research, oh my, how research has changed. I don't have to go shift through library books and magazines for info or contact numbers. Google is my best friend nowadays. And long-distance friends are still close friends because we communicate almost every day. When friends moved away years ago, I lost touch with them as letter writing never was consistent. Amazing how our outlook changes.

2006-09-11T07:43:00.000-05:00

2996 Tribute to September 11

Five years ago, our lives changed tremendously. Sadly, some lives wouldn't have the chance to change because their lives were abruptly taken away from them. Today is a day to honor those people with the 2996 Tribute.

Today, I'm proud to honor Richard Dennis Lynch. Though I didn't personally know Richard, I'd like to share a little that I do know about him. Richard lived in Bedford Hills, New York. He wasn't far from the City, just a train ride away. Richard was 30. While we call it the big 3-0, 30 years old is far too young to die. He was one of the victims killed inside the World Trade Center on September 11. He was young and full of life, a life that ended way too quickly.

Please join me in saying this prayer for Richard Dennis Lynch.

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

(Prayer Source: Catholic Family Handbook, The by Rev. George A. Kelly, Random House, Inc., New York, 1959)

Let us always remember those whose lives ended tragically on September 11 and let us never forget.

May God Bless all of us.

2006-09-09T15:35:00.000-05:00

Again, time has slipped away. I've been trying to set up a number of things before my new book is released. Amazing how time consuming it can be, even though it is exciting. With this book, I'm trying a number of things I didn't do when my first book that I coauthored came out. And I have to say, it is so much fun creating new ideas and brainstorming with other authors. Creating new promotional venues has been a lot easier this time around. When you work with someone else, it does tend to kill your the impulsive enthusiasm because you can't just jump in and do it. It has to be discussed and okay'd or ditched. Sometimes, that impulsive nature can cause trouble, but more often than not, it get the creative juices flowing and action takes place and things are accomplished. So, I've been able to get a lot more things set up second time around. And of course, we always learn from the first one. Having a book is just like having kids. Your first one is the practice one and by the time the second one comes out, you know what you're doing.

2006-08-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

Wow! The weeks have slipped by and I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted anything here on my blog. And there's been a lot of reasons why. On the homefront, life is as frantic as ever. And I won't go into the boring details of the crazy days I've had. The other reason is I wanted to spend some time thinking about my blog. I needed a focus for it instead of just ramblings of this frantic woman's life. At first, I thought I would blog about the musings of a housewife. Then, realized who wants to read that. Gees, I spend enough time living it that I really don't want to write about it. After talking with another author and ClubMom Expert, Andi, I've decided on my blog theme--the wacky world of writing. Last Aug., I had taken the leap from the corporate world to the home-based writing world. Some days I yearn for the social activity of co-workers and even the boss. I long for the business lunches and new outfits for special events. The chance to bounce ideas off of others for my writing and pick the brain of fellow co-workers. There are definitely days that my husband walks in the door and I'm bombarding him with a ton of questions (something Chris Rock warns wives not to do) and chitchat because I've been talking to the computer all day. Being a social person, I miss the "live" conversations and the sound of laughter. However, the snowy days last winter were wonderful to look at and enjoy from my office window. I didn't have to go out in it. I didn't have to shovel the snow off my windshield or dig out my boots. I could make a cup of tea and sip it while watching the flakes come down. August 17th is the first anniversary of my leap from the corporate world to the full-time freelance world. And both worlds have advantages and disadvantages. Though there are times when it would be nice to have a consistent paycheck again, I'm so glad I made the decision a year ago. So, why this rambling when I said I wasn't going to ramble? Well, that's the introduction to the new theme of my blog. I'll share the ups and downs of the wacky world of writing and publishing. What's going on with my new book with a behind the scenes theme. This will be sort of like the TV show "Behind the Bash." And with a new book to be released just weeks away, there's a lot of behind the scene stuff that will be happening.

2006-05-19T16:02:00.000-05:00

Rain, rain go away. The rain here in the 'burgh is beginning to take its toll on everyone. People are getting a little crabby and though I want to remain cheerful, I can feel the gloom settling in, too. The rain seems to be a very talked about subject right now. However, next week is suppose to bring sunny days again. I can only hope. I'm one of those people that really love the sun beaming in the window and have tried many times to talk my dh into moving south. As you can see, it hasn't work as we're still here in the 'burgh. Though I love the area as a native Pittsburgher, these damp, dreary gray days often have me thinking of sunnier climates.

2006-05-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today, I gave my second presentation in two days and had a great time with the group. The women had lots of questions and some great feedback. I wrapped up a crazy week with lots of things going on. Next week, I'm starting a two-week course that should be very interesting. I'll keep you poasted!

2006-05-17T18:17:00.000-05:00

Today was one of those days that keeps me on my toes...or I should really say, frantic. I was a presenter at a networking group and the meeting started at 9:30. That's not really early; however, I live east of Pittsburgh and this was on the South Side. Two tunnels, one bridge and a whole lot of morning rush. The meeting was great, enjoyed the group and raced home to switch gears for a private meeting with a local soon-to-be author. Another fascinating meeting and off to home again for an interview with a local doctor for an upcoming article on sudden death on the field. Now, after typing in my interview questions and answers, I'm off to a basketball game. Once I get back home tonight, I'll be preparing for a PTA talk tomorrow. Days like this rev my creative juices going. Rita, a close friend, once said, I like my life frantic and put myself into situations that turns up the pace, making me frantic. I'm beginning to think she's right.

2006-05-15T16:26:00.000-05:00

Happy belated Mother's Day. After 20-some years as a mom, I have to say yesterday was probably the best one yet. I was pampered and fed and didn't have to lift a finger. Ah, it felt so darn good. My husband gave me yellow roses--my favorite and he ran the sweeper and had taken care of our 110-pound pup for the day. That is a gift in itself. My son gave me a "mom" bracelet and made me lunch. My daughter made all of us dinner and did the dishes! Yippee! I sat and read a magazine from cover to cover without getting up once. Now, if only "Mom's Day" could come once a month.

2006-05-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

The frantic coaster of life continues. Whew! What a week it has been. And I'm not sure exactly where it went or what I did. With a wedding just 5 weeks away, taking a new course, trying to do some marketing for my upcoming book and just daily life has the coaster zipping by without a chance to put my foot down to stop. The invitations for the wedding, my daughter's, are out and we're received plenty of responses daily. I still need to create the centerpieces and the favors. And I'm back to de-cluttering the house. Hmm. Seems I do this frequently. We'll have several relatives staying here after the wedding so I want the house in tip top shape. Which means, I must get back to the grind here.

2006-05-09T17:47:00.000-05:00

Two speaking engagements are on the calendar for May! I'll be the featured speaker at Achieva on Wednesday, May 17 from 9:30-11:30, South Side, PA and will be speaking about my path to publication and reaching goals. On Thursday, May 18 from 9:30-10:30, I'll be at Upper St. Clair's Fort Couch Middle School (Upper St. Clair, PA) and will be giving a fun talk about Great Family Vacations. And I'll be signing books, too. Need more info, email me at maryjo@maryjorulnick.com..

2006-05-09T17:44:00.000-05:00

Whew! I made it. My edits for the typeset manuscript are finished and the almost 500 page project was sent to the production editor today. It will arrive tomorrow morning. One day earlier than expected. Yippee!!

2006-05-06T09:48:00.000-05:00

I'm steadily proofing the typeset pages of my book. I have 3 days before I have to send it back to the production editor. This is the last chance to make any corrections. My friend Sue just told me she's learned so much about the publishing industry through my two books. She told me this because she just came across a typo in a book. She never knew how many times the author and copy editor read the pages and made corrections. And before this, she never paid much attention to typos in books. And she never realized how many sets of eyes actually read the book before it is printed. I have to say, neither did I. The whole process is amazing when you actually think about what all is involved to get that book on the shelves. Well, I must get busy again. The countdown is on.

2006-05-04T19:11:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited. Today, my first book signing was scheduled for my next book. Mystery Lovers Book Shop will be hosting my publication party on Friday, Sept. 22. (Yes, I realized that my next book is filled with recipes, shopping lists and tips; however, the book shop owners support local authors and always have fabulous events.) Now, I have to decide what to serve and what fun stuff to give away for door prizes. The timing is great as my daughter's wedding is in June and I'll be ready to plan something after that. Stay tuned for an update.

2006-05-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

Wednesday. Hump day. Most people love hump day as there's only two days left in the workweek. For me, I cringe because half the week is over and I still have so much more to accomplish. I'm one of those people that make a huge to-do list, trying to get more done than really is possible for one person. However, with a huge to-do list, I'm more than likely to accomplish a lot more than if I only had a little list. That's one of those attitude things that convinces the brain and body to do more. I was chatting with a friend who owns MainStreetMom.com and we were talking about trying to hit our goals and how we go about it. Sometimes, we do put more pressure on ourselves. For me, it is easier to break down the goals into steps and then divide the steps into categories. Things I should do only when I have a huge block of time or no one else is home. Things I can do while waiting in the car. Things I can do while sitting in the family room when everyone is watching television. Things I can take outside while our 105# pup is playing in the yard and so forth. When we know how we work best, it makes the steps to reaching our goals easier.

2006-05-01T15:38:00.000-05:00

Comfy sandals in Pittsburgh are not comfy shoes in NYC. On Friday morning, I dressed in one of my fav outfits with a pair of brown sandels with a heel. These well-worn shoes have walked all over several states in the past few years and always look great with a skirt, capris, or slacks. I love them. So, off my "brownies" and I went. We moved from one hotel in Times Sq. to one near Grand Central where the conference was being held. After I checked in and dropped my bag off, we walked toward the Time & Life bldg for my first appt., then off to lunch at Saks for my second appt. During my biz lunch, I learned of a great candy store near Delancey St. so after lunch, I had taken the subway. The candy store was a few blocks from the subway, however, it was a great fine. I bought a bunch of penny candy that was $1.49# for my daughter's wedding. Actually, I bought $26 worth of penny candy and as I hiked back to the subway station, I realized how heavy penny candy could be. But, it was well worth it. See, I'm looking for candy in blue, white or silver only. And it is hard to find. So, back on the subway again. By this time, my "brownies" were giving me a little bit of back talk. And once I thought about it, I probably walked 15 blocks about 3 times so far. And this subway ride was landing me at Times Sq. again. So, another long walk, maybe 8 or so blocks, to the hotel. I dropped off my candy and briefcase and headed to the conference's welcome reception. Afterwards, I met with some friends and walked to a wonderful Italian restaurant for dinner. When I started for the door to leave, "brownies" were screaming at me! My feet hurt. Not only did they hurt, but the beloved sandals were making it difficult to walk back to the hotel. I felt like each stride was taking so much effort and I wanted to take off my shoes. Unfortunately, the sun was long gone and the night air was frigid. Walking barefeet in the cold streets of NYC was not an option. Finally, I made it back to the hotel and put on my white and pink running shoes that I should've put on earlier in the day. The lesson here is comfy shoes in Pittsburgh are not comfy shoes in NYC.

2006-04-30T16:17:00.000-05:00

Just back from NYC. I finally landed in my own bed at 3:15 a.m after a misturn out of Newark, two stops and one turnpike detour. What a whirwind trip I've had. The trip had an amusing start. I drove from Pgh to Newark and parked at a hotel that offered parking at half of the airport parking rate. A shuttle would take me to the airport where I could catch a train to the city. As I was sitting in the shuttle bus, an older woman asked why I was going into Manhattan. I told her I was meeting my agent, editor, publicist and then attending a writers' conference. One of the guys, about 27, sitting in the seat in from of me, asked what agency. We started chatting and it turns out he was a sports announcer for a Florida station and was meeting his agent, too. He had found a cheaper way to get into the city. I asked if I could follow them, and they said yes. So off we went. We had taken the shuttle to the airport, caught a bus to Newark Train Station where we had taken the NJ Transit train into the city for only $5.00 total. Amtrak from Newark Airport in to the city was $35. I was thrilled. And we ended up there an hour before my original route would've gotten me in so I had time to take a shower before my first meeting. Here, Matt, the sports announcer knew some of the same people in sports, I did. Talk about a small world. More on my trip later.