My Words

Writer. Reader. Teacher. Leader. 

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​I wrote a post about Promoting Diversity in Early Childhood Programs as an Assessor and Training Specialist. I hope you enjoy reading how I accomplish that! #EarlyChildhoodEducation #MCELC #Diversity 

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Since the Oscars are on tonight, how about a quote from the movie Joker? Arthur said, “Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?” I don’t think the movie should win the award; however, Joaquin Phoenix did a fabulous job. What do you think? #LetsTalkAboutWords #Oscars2020

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Where is the weirdest place you exercised?

The snow was not supposed to start until later today, so I thought that I would have plenty of time after work. It came early so as I finished working at 4pm, I headed outside to get my steps in. I had decided that I needed to make getting healthy a goal this year. I... Read more »

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250 posts of connection

I have written 250 posts for ChicagoNow since I started in September of 2016. Although there have been changes with this platform, I am grateful for the outreach to share my voice and thoughts. There have been months that I wrote a couple of articles a week, and other times when I barely wrote two.... Read more »

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What is the #DecadeChallenge?

So many people are posting photos from the end of 2009 and now in 2019 for the #DecadeChallenge. Last month, I joined in posting a fun picture of my mom, my sister and I together; however, I have been thinking about it ever since. What was I doing and where was I ten years ago,... Read more »

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Are you Living Red?

The following is a short excerpt from my book Living Red, a young adult fiction about the importance of trusting your intuition. Peyton is an inquisitive young woman searching for truth in a world far in the future. While struggling with the secrets her grandmother is sharing with her about life before and after the war, she... Read more »

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Do socks bring you joy?

Some friends of mine are collecting socks for their Annual Sock Drive to donate to the Open Arms Food Pantry in Antioch, Illinois. I donated last year, and then this year my friends, Joao and Mark, and I pooled our money to go in together to buy some. Our $60 didn’t really go very far, but... Read more »

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Is it okay to “like” your own post?

I just posted pictures on Facebook of my daughter’s October Wedding. I keep checking to see who comments, so that I can comment back. While most people comment on and “like” the whole post, there are others who “like” or comment on each picture in the post. I love that because then I know they... Read more »

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Best of the best

I have been a blogger with ChicagoNow since September 2016. Each month, we, as the bloggers, can nominate two blog posts for the best posts of the month. I am not sure of the exact statistics, but I believe that ChicagoNow publishes roughly 1,000 posts each month on various topics like politics, sports, writing, comedy and... Read more »

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Grateful in my grief

A little over two weeks ago my mother’s dog, Molly, died suddenly. I have lived with my mom, and therefore with Molly for three years, so I am very attached to this sweet little girl. I even wrote a blog post about her in May. You can read it HERE. She had a heart condition... Read more »

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What’s in a name anyway?

As I was listening to B96 on the radio last week, the hosts Gabe and Nina were talking about names and discussing the most common one in your phone contact list. A brief look at my phone today told me a couple of things. One, I need to delete some old contacts, and two Jennifer/Jenny and... Read more »

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What Do You Promise To Do?

What are you doing this weekend? How do you spend your free time? I have time on my hands since I am no longer working two jobs, and I am done taking more college classes, for now. My daughters are grown and are busy with their own lives. I do love reading and watching movies, and... Read more »

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What is 55?

What is the number 55? Is it the number on a jersey or the address of a house? Could it be just a number? Tomorrow I am turning 55 years old, so in this example it is an age, but not just any age. It is how old my father was when he died. He... Read more »

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#GoneWalking

I love the saying “Gone fishing” since it’s catchy and implies relaxation, so a few days ago I did the hashtag #GoneWalking when I posted a picture of myself walking. I did it again today to remind myself how good it feels to move my body. I spent Friday working, and then yesterday writing so... Read more »

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What if I told you to spend two hours alone and that you had to stay off social media, and no music, no television or movies, no books? How would you spend it? Even though I do not currently have writer’s block, I am always looking for ways to be more creative so when I... Read more »

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Just be nice

I ordered a glass of wine and a burger at the bar in Michigan City when I went there to watch the sunset a few weeks ago. I was tired from the drive, hot in the sun and hungry when an older man sat next to me. He ordered a glass of water, and started... Read more »

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A little feedback

I received another rejection for my book Suppression today. Part of the feedback was “I encourage you to develop the world a little more and try showing with dialogue and action, rather than telling with narrative and exposition.” At least she gave me feedback; it’s something to work on. I also attended the Barrington Writer’s... Read more »