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Family Cave Makeover
When Ella was born, my mom came from central Illinois to spend two weeks helping me adjust to baby-hood again. At the time, it was a survival technique. It was January, really cold in these here parts. It was dreary, and dark at four in the afternoon in these here parts. Mike was working long-ass hours and I had a little postpartum depression with Anna, so I knew with Mike being gone, I was going to need my mommy more than ever before. In those two weeks, she saved my soul by bringing along Facts of Life on DVD to watch at any hour of the day or night; she…
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Don’t You Forget About Me- Scene Sixteen “Maybe You Should’ve Kidnapped John Cusack”
New to this scene? Well, you have 15 other scenes to read first! Head here to get started. Scene Sixteen- “Maybe You Should Have Kidnapped John Cusack” Back in Chicago, everyone is back at Katherine’s home after returning from their breakfast picnic at the Illinois State Police Headquarters. Michael (to Judd) – Why such the bad mood, Judd? Judd (to Michael) – This is how I always am, Michael. Regina (to Judd) – No, you’re sulkier than usual. Katherine (to Judd) – Is it because we didn’t let you do the fist pump when we walked the field? Gedde (to Katherine) – To be clear, there wasn’t…
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I Will Create a Vision Board, Dammit
Last spring, I was a better version of myself. I read a book about being a badass, then I felt like I actually was a badass because of said badass book. I wrote about being evolved. Well, more evolved than I had ever been before. Which isn’t saying much but in this evolution, I was going to create a vision board. Don’t know what a vision board is? You aren’t alone. There are vision board tutorials all over Pinterest just waiting to get their hands on you. I for one had no idea what it was until a couple of years ago when I was at a blogging event in Chicago…
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Don’t You Forget About Me-Scene Fifteen “You Have a Restraining Order Against Edie McClurg?”
I could make an entire movie out of this next scene alone. But then I would get sued by the creator of Friends, which is the coffee shop (Central Perk) I used as inspiration. I’ve used other things in my personal life as inspiration for aspects of the screenplay so far, like: The flat tire scene was inspired by an event that actually happened to me years ago (I wrote about it here). My main characters first initials are K (me), V (my friend Vikki), and R (my friend Rebecca). I based the personalities of the main characters on completely different people: Valerie is my friend Sidney, no one else.…
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Creating a Low-Carb Appetizer for Spring
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InspireWithCheese Spring is almost here and that means spring holidays are just around the corner! We love going to my mom and dad’s home for our holiday each spring but since the meal is usually late afternoon, that means we need to figure out something to eat for lunch that isn’t too heavy but also puts a little something into our bellies. Over the years, we have come up with an appetizer lunch on holidays because of heavy later in the day meals; smaller portions of food to take the edge off…
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Eighteen Years Ago
Seems like a lifetime ago and really, it was. My oldest daughter turns 18 tomorrow. Eighteen years ago this week, I was getting ready to have my first child. I was watching a movie a couple of weeks ago (OKAY IT WAS PRETTY IN PINK) and in it, Duckie was rewinding a tape deck in Andie’s car and that simple action got me to thinking about all the changes I have seen in my lifetime. Then I started thinking about all the changes I’ve seen just since Anna (and Ella) were born. I didn’t have a pause, play or DVR button when I was feeding my newborn babies. Meaning I…
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Don’t You Forget About Me- Scene Fourteen- “Is This What I Think it Is?”
The original plan for the museum was to be set in a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. I had two inspirations: the neighborhood from Return to Me (great Chicago movie) and also the neighborhood where Mike’s parents grew up: Lakeview. When his parents grew up there, it wasn’t the trendy area that it is now but rather working class, melting pot, and lots of Chicago cops. Mike’s grandfather was a Chicago cop, they lived in a modest home and they rooted for the White Sox while living in the shadows of Wrigley Field (home of The Cubs). That was the vibe I was feeling for the neighborhood hosting…
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Amazon Plants Just Made Me Wet Myself a Little
This post contains affiliate links. For more info, click on the disclosure tab at the top of this blog. I found out last week that Amazon now sells live plants and this made me get so excited that I may have wet my pants a little.* *My pants, not my plants to be clear. *That could also have to do with carrying two very big babies and nothing to do with live plants. I need to get more live plants into my life, whether they are inside of my home or on the outside. Live plants inside of your home are so good for your living space and…
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Hummingbird
“Quite often, our Angels and loved ones in Spirit choose hummingbirds to relay their messages. They may guide hummingbirds to hum to validate their spiritual presence and to send us signs and reminders to follow our joy, stand in the light, and stay present in the moment. Your loved ones in Heaven may choose a hummingbird to enter your space as a validation and assurance that they are well and their soul lives on.” Source I haven’t written about my grandmother in detail on this blog but I have written about her in other places. When I used to write for Chicago Parent, I had writer’s block one month which…
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Don’t You Forget About Me- Scene Thirteen “FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE”
Why I write about John Hughes is a question I get a lot more than I would like to admit. Because it means a lot of people don’t know why I do, or even who he is and that last statement is mostly why I write about him. I feel like I am keeping him alive with every little mention on Facebook, every little share on Twitter, every little pouring out of my screenplay on here. I don’t intend to or even want to make big money off of this screenplay, it is truly a labor of love. For a man whom I admire, for movies, I grew up loving,…
