Tag Archives: Manilla Blog

Because Who Can’t Use A Little Help Getting Organized in 2013?


Salt and Pepper.

Meat and Potatoes.

Lucy and Ethel.

Perfect pairs.

I haven’t found someone I like writing with this much since … well, I don’t know if I’ve ever found someone so easy with whom to write. (Pipe down, Mom. You know that doesn’t include you.)

It helps to be of like minds. It helps to be flexible. It helps to find someone with whom you can bring different things to the table. Things like strengths and weaknesses … and cheese. That’s why my friend, Mel at AccordingToMags.com, and I complement each other so perfectly. She is the peppery-potatoey Ethel to my salty-meaty Lucy. And sometimes it’s the other way around. Whatever the subject matter, one of us is always able to take the lead and lay the groundwork and structure for the project while the other one is out shopping for shag carpeting, throw pillows and kitschy accent tables.

In the past year, Mel and I have co-authored a lot of things … from our unconventional Ketchup With Us writing challenge to our biweekly parenting column in the Lifestyle section of the Manilla blog, a site that was recently named one of PC Magazine’s Top 100 Websites of 2012 as well as an ABC News’ App of the Week.

We’ve actually already written five articles together for Manilla. Please take a look and feel free to share.

Thanks, Mel. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Well almost every minute. 🙂


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Put down that cookie and do it!

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Never Mind the Fact That We Used An Easter Tablecloth Today


Today’s entry is short and sweet. I just revisited my Thanksgiving post from last year and it still stands. I have a special place in my heart for Thanksgiving because it serves as the prelude to the holiday season. As the overture to the grand production at the end of each year. And we all know how much I love overtures and grand productions.

Still, I want to say a quick thank you for several things. So, as I said at my own Thanksgiving Day table at my own home today …

“I am thankful for my family and my many friends. I am thankful for not having any kind of bizarre health crisis hanging over me this year. And I am very thankful for the many people who stepped up to carry me last year. Also, I am thankful to have found a writing outlet for myself right here. It really helps to keep my head together. Or so I think.”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Your readership means a lot to me. I hope your hearts (and stomachs) are as full as mine is right now.

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And, Mel, since I keep forgetting to promote our new project, I’m going to do it right now. My friend, Mel at AccordingToMags.com, and I are co-authoring a semi-monthly parenting column at manilla.com/blog. So far, we’ve had two articles published. So, I guess I’m thankful for that, too. 🙂

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