Writing, Motherhood, and Community

When I first shared my desire to write a book on Elizabeth Gilbert’s podcast Magic Lessons, I was just so excited to talk with her and become unstuck that I didn’t anticipate all of the ways that my life would change.

I think there is something that happens when a person reveals her truth and becomes honest about her purpose that the Universe arranges for things to happen.

Being able to connect with other people that are also pursuing their dreams (many of them also balancing motherhood) has been one of these changes.

Monica Sholar was one of those people.  I actually met her before writing my book, but we never got a chance to really talk.  One day, I received an email asking me if I wanted to be interviewed for her book titled Please Pardon My Dust: I’m Under Construction. This inspirational book shares not only the lessons learned about success, but the messy, unpredictable road each of the twenty-five women interviewed had to travel in order to arrive there.     

I am completely honored to be included among strong, accomplished women. Me - a stay-at-home mom who left her teaching career to raise her babies who had zero idea of what she was doing, let alone what her next career move was going to be.  Sometimes it just seems so unreal.

Hearing from Monica and others that telling my story has helped them is one of the best things about sharing my struggles in such a public forum.  But here’s the thing – when I hear that, I get inspired!  I am lifted up because someone is fighting the same fight.  I am not alone.

I think I spent the majority of my 38 years feeling alone.

Even though I feel a connection with these women I have met, we don't often get to meet face to face. 

But this weekend, I get to see some of them in person.

Monica has partnered up with All Things Detroit for the official book launch of Please Pardon My Dust:I’m Under Construction. It will be on Sunday, April 3^rd from 12-6 at Eastern Market Shed 3.  Tickets are $5 at the door or you can by them here. 

Before the book launch, I am going to hear Elizabeth Gilbert speak at Renaissance Unity Church!  I am super excited to hear her talk about creative living and Big Magic in a room full of people who are wanting to work their way out of fear towards their passion!

I hope to see some familiar faces at these events!  It’s going to be a great Sunday!

If you are going to go, feel free to tweet or message me!

My Thoughts on Tupperware and Other Home Parties

My OCD is *totally* becoming Out. Of. Control.Look how amazing junk food looks in these containers!

 Back in the day (which was a Wednesday, by the way), I did not enjoy going to home parties.  I also didn’t see the point of oohing and ahhing over vases and table settings at a bridal shower.

However, after oohing and ahhing over my own vases and table settings at my own bridal shower (almost nine years ago), I get it.  (I get it so much now, I am wondering why we don’t throw showers for milestones like ten year anniversaries.  Right?  Who’s with me on this one)?

In retrospect, I just didn’t understand the value of a home party.  When I was pregnant with Marie, I was pretty sure (and by pretty sure, I was 99.75% sure) that I didn’t want to teach.  I needed to find something else, a new beginning.

So I looked into selling Body Shop products at home parties.  This new beginning didn’t pan out (I’m not such a good sales person and the home party division disintegrated after the owner of Body Shop died).  However, besides a suitcase full of products and premium towels (that make the best cleaning rags EVER), I was left with the notion of how important it is for women to support each other in finding new beginnings.

Not only is it a chance to help women find a fresh start, a home party is the perfect time to get together with people that aren’t in my regular rotation (in which I always wonder why we don’t get together more often). I just threw a Tupperware party (with the best Tupperware lady in the whole wide world . . . and I’m not just saying that because we are related), and I was able to catch up with extended family that I rarely see and neighbors I want to get to know better.   It was fun to integrate my different social circles. 

I yearn for a sense of community that I feel is missing from suburbia, and I see this as a great opportunity to create it with people in the different areas of my life. Times have changed: Gone are the days when no one moved away from their families and everyone is still gathered together for birthday parties and weekly dinners.  It’s not like moms are getting together for coffee after the kids are at school. (At least not my neck of suburbia.  If your suburbia looks like that, let me know, I may want to move there).

So no longer do I roll my eyes, let out an exasperated sigh, and think of an excuse to get out of a home party.

I look at it as a chance to support someone’s new adventure, hang out with some friends, and chat over junk food and wine.

When’s the last time you went to a Tupperware party?  Have you recently hosted or attended a home party?  What do you think of them?