For the better part of the 70s, my family lived in a duplex in the south suburbs of Chicago. I remember lots of moments from the carefree years spent there: I had a very happy childhood and thinking back on those days always makes me smile.

I don’t know if the neighborhood was “full of kids”, though I had several good friends who lived practically within arms’ reach. One of my best friends at the time lived a few doors down, one lived in the other half of our duplex, and two others lived in the two duplexes behind us, across an expansive lawn that ran behind the houses like a big, green alleyway.

Our days were spent in that backyard-to-all-of-our-houses, playing tag and practicing cartwheels on the soft grass. One of the neighbors had a huge weeping willow tree in their yard, and we used to play games and tell secrets underneath the branches that, heavily laden with leaves, nearly touched the ground. The scent of lilacs perfumed the air in springtime. Looking back as an adult, it seems now like some sort of dream world. We had so much fun together. I’m sure from time to time there were days on which getting along with each other was a challenge, but I don’t remember those days: my long-term memory decided to hold onto the togetherness our little group enjoyed in that vast playground right outside our doors, and discard the rest.

When I think back, I remember that lawn as being huge and going on between the houses as far as the eye could see. In my memory, it’s as big as the grassy area (but without the hills) on which Melissa Gilbert and her tv sisters ran, in the opening theme for “Little House on the Prairie”. I used to go out in our back yard and scan the area to see if any of my friends were outside too, and upon seeing one I would wave and we would run to greet each other, usually meeting in the middle where the terrain dipped down a little bit.

If I were to visit today–and it’s been on my to-do list for years–I think I would be shocked at how small the grassy backyard really is in comparison with what I remember from more than thirty-six years ago. Time and growing up do funny things to long-term childhood memories: what was once huge is now tiny, even though in reality nothing has changed at all.

I am fairly certain that knowing what I will see is why I haven’t made the hour-long drive to visit the setting of many of my very best childhood days. Every spring when the lilacs bloom, intoxicating me with their strong scent and bringing me back to the days of cartwheels and weeping willow trees, I make the conscious decision to pull my memories closer to my heart and readjust my to-do list, moving that visit to the bottom again.

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I once wrote about how I’m a *wee* bit obsessed with taking pictures of doors and windows. That is still a very active obsession.

Another one? The Chicago River bridgehouses. Each pair is different, and I once learned that each pair typically has features that echo the features (or style) of one of the buildings in the close vicinity. It’s for that reason that I take tons of pictures of these bridgehouses, and am constantly craning my neck to match them up to their companion building. Some are easy; some aren’t.

Where am I, most of the time, when I’m trying to figure it out? Click here to find out.

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Having written a book about fun things to do in the Chicago area with tweens and teens, I get asked ALL THE TIME for recommendations. My first recommendation is usually (and you would think obviously, but not so much!) BUY MY BOOK.

After that all-important recommendation, I usually change it up according to how I’m feeling that day and who is asking. I have a wide variety of favorite things to do in the Chicago area, of course.

One suggestion that is always at the top of my recommendation list (and usually the first thing I do with out-of-town visitors) is an architecture river tour. I have enjoyed lots of them, on boats run by several different companies, and I alwaysalwaysalways learn new things about my city.

When Shoreline Sightseeing contacted me last month and asked if I’d like to join them on an architecture river tour in honor of their 2013 season kicking off, I was all “YES I WOULD, EVEN THOUGH I JUST WENT ON A SHORELINE SIGHTSEEING TOUR TWO WEEKS AGO, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!” (For real.)

(Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets from Shoreline Sightseeing and no other compensation for this post, which was not a required writing assignment but very much appreciated by the kind folks over there, I’m sure.)

Shoreline Sightseeing has two great locations for catching a boat ride and getting a unique view along with some education that’s presented in a fun way by knowledgable docents. You can start your tour from Gateway Park at Navy Pier OR at the northeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Tour options and ticket information can be found on their website.

They recently started (on May 1) their 2013 season, offering their boat tours and running the water taxis seven days a week. Cruises take place during the day AND in the evening and range in length from thirty to ninety minutes. They also do specialty and private tours. Shoreline Sightseeing was founded in 1939 and operates the city’s largest and most diverse fleet of cruise boats and water taxis (9 major tour vessels and 10 water taxis!). Brothers Chip and Matt Collopy represent the third generation of family ownership.

I love the Shoreline Sightseeing tours because their docents are very fun and engaging. Every one of them that I’ve experienced has a great sense of humor and is wonderful at answering questions on the spot. I think that says much about their training. The views are always spectacular and I can never get enough of the river view of my favorite buildings, some of which are the Sears (not Willis) Tower, Marina City (my dream home), and River City–the latter two designed by architect (and dare I say “Genius!”) Bertrand Goldberg.

I am already thinking about my next architecture river cruise. Wanna go along?

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So we weren’t actually ON Friday evening’s NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams as scheduled because our segment got bumped due to breaking news. (“Sigh…but that happens in the news biz, you know”, I type knowingly, because I have LOTS more personal experience with the “news biz” than I did a week ago.)

Tracey and I were in the Valparaiso, Indiana Buffalo Wild Wings during the broadcast*, and we had just talked our server into changing the channel on the huge tv that hung on the wall above our table (from NBC Sports to NBC local) when Ann Imig (National Director/Founder of LTYM) sent me a text letting me know that we wouldn’t see ourselves over spinach and artichoke dip and vodka lemonades after all. Not a minute later I checked Facebook and discovered that 2013 Chicago cast member Marianne Walsh had located the segment on the NBC News website. Score!! Related: Thank goodness for smart phones!

The next couple of hours found my inbox stuffed with countless Facebook notifications as my friends shared the video, tagging Tracey and me along the way. (Of course, we had to explain the whole thing to our server so he didn’t think we were liars and News Nerds who just wanted to watch Brian Williams in a public restaurant, surrounded by other televisions set on sporting events.) (Truth be told, I AM a News Nerd who would much prefer to watch Brian Williams over virtually any sporting event.)

We heard that the piece might be shown tomorrow on the Today Show, and I hope it is, but for now we are just thrilled that NBC put the segment on their website, on the front page, even!

LTYM truly IS a national movement. One city in 2010, five cities in 2011, ten cities in 2012, and a mind-boggling twenty-four cities this year. What’s next? Only Ann Imig knows. (and if she doesn’t, she’s working on it: of THAT you can be sure!)

In the meantime, check out the NBC segment**, and if you’re around tomorrow tune into the Today Show, just in case.

Happy Mother’s Day!

*Enjoying dinner and drinks before walking to the Memorial Opera House for the NWIndiana LTYM show!

**HUGE thanks to NBC’s Janet Shamlian and segment producer Erika Angulo for a job well done: Tracey and I–and our entire 2013 cast–are thrilled!

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I have been at a loss as to how I should formulate a decent summary post for Sunday’s LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO show. I have so many words swirling around in my head but at the same time, none of them want to come out in any way that makes sense. I could tell you how amazing the show was, but that would be very similar to what I said last year. In a way, that’s not a bad thing. I’m finding out that, just as Tracey and I have been preparing our 2012 cast for “younger siblings” in an alumni group on Facebook, each year our show is indeed like bringing another baby home, one that we love so much and find that it’s so wonderful (amazing!) in its own unique ways.

Here are some interesting things about LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO 2013:

1. I have always despised public speaking. As outgoing as I am, I do not enjoy the spotlight AT ALL. I would much rather do wonderful things behind the scenes than be out in front. (Exhibit A, and True Story: When I was a teenager and my girlfriends all wanted to be the lead singer or guitarist in the band we talked about forming, I wanted to be the manager. The MANAGER!) Interestingly enough and after all of the times I’ve had a nervous stomach and the shakes when I have to get up in front of people to speak, that all goes out the window at LTYM. Though I get a little jittery right before curtain, it leaves my body quickly. As I walk out onto the stage, I’m comfortable. Happy to be there, even! WEIRD, RIGHT??

Tracey and me at run-through. (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

2. At some point during the week before the show, Tracey and I have a “Freaky Friday” thing where suddenly my Type A personality gets transferred to her, and I (gladly) receive her laid-back demeanor. This is perhaps the weirdest by-product of doing this show: I have never in my life (and I’m old!) worked on any major project and found myself totally zen and relaxed in the days leading up to it. Typically I’m a basketcase, and anyone in my family will vouch for that. I laughed like crazy each time Tracey hissed at me, “HOW DO YOU LIVE LIKE THIS?? I WANT TO TRADE PLACES AGAIN!” (and then I said, “No.”) I didn’t get everything done nearly a week ahead like last year so there was a little bit of a rushy-rushy feeling last week, but overall I was very chill about show day.

In this case, Tracey was still possessing my Monica Gellar-type personality and I was clearly Phoebe Buffay, talking her off the ledge. I love that Sabrina captured this moment. (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

3. Last year, I was just figuring out the ropes of co-taking care (with Tracey) of every single little detail of LTYM Chicago. This year I felt like I actually knew what I was doing. And it’s a lot, too. Renting the venue, getting sponsors, casting, hiring a videographer, photographer and tech people for show day, ordering printing, running rehearsals, to everything else that culminated on Sunday…all of that was initiated by the two of us. We had advisors, to be sure: Ann Imig (Founder and National Director), Deb Rox (LTYM Business Consultant), and Stephanie Precourt (Online Media Manager) were there behind the scenes (and we are so grateful: thank you!), but the actual work, the to-do list, was all us. I couldn’t be more proud of us for putting on such a huge event, one that ran so smoothly. Along the way we discussed things we’d do differently for 2014–and believe me, we’re making a list this week so we don’t forget!–but even with desired changes for next time, the 2013 show could not have been more perfect.

All we needed was a mic, a podium, and the showbook. (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

4. Once again, I fell in love with our cast. Tracey and I only knew about a third of them before auditions. When making our casting decisions, of course we weren’t selecting people based on whether we knew them or if they were nice people or if we thought we’d have a great time: we were making decisions based on how well their essays were written, how well they read them, and whether their essays “fit” in with the others that we were choosing. We say that the stories pick each other, and that’s really true. That said, I would guess that if you ran into any combination of the seventeen of us–or even all of us–somewhere, you’d never know (or imagine) that we all just met three months ago. I am so happy to have made fifteen friends during this process, and I am so proud of their work on the show.

The LTYM Chicago 2013 cast (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

5. It meant so much to me to have my family and so many friends in the audience as well as so many who sent love and support from far away, and that’s not something I will ever take for granted. The people who showed up in person, the people who tried their best but still couldn’t come, and the people who live too far away to attend but still called me, sent emails, and texted me on show day: I am grateful for every single one of you. Also, although I figure I totally wore out my welcome on Facebook because I was promoting the show constantly, I’m pretty sure I didn’t lose any (Facebook) friends over it and for that I’m thankful, too.

6. D even came home from college just to see the show, and provided some of my most favorite feedback afterwards:

7. The piece on Ann Imig and the LTYM movement is scheduled to air on NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS tomorrow (Friday), May 10, near the end of the broadcast. NBC was with us all day long, so I’m guessing you’ll see some pretty good glimpses of the Athenaeum Theater and some of our cast!

We got used to the cameras being around, just as if we were on MTV’s “The Real World”. Or “Jersey Shore”, since this is 2013. (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

All in all, another great LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER experience. Tracey and I, while riding this wave, have already started a little bit of planning for 2014 in between trying to catch up with the other parts of our lives. (Crazy, I know.) Thanks again to everyone involved. I will keep this year’s journey close to my heart forever!

The final bow. (Photo credit: Sabrina Persico)

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Well, hello there!

*dusting off the blog dashboard*

It’s been a very busy week, as LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO was on Sunday. It went very, very, VERY well and as an added bonus, NBC Nightly News (yes, the NATIONAL ONE) spent the day with us to get tons of coverage and interviews for a piece on Ann Imig (Founder and National Director) and this LTYM phenomenon. (!!!!!!) We aren’t sure which evening this week it will air but believe me, I will let you know.

I will write a more detailed post after I get caught up with the work I had to let fall by the wayside over the past few days. For now, here are a couple of teaser pictures, taken by our awesome photographer Sabrina Persico!

Ann and NBC’s Janet Shamlian, just hanging out on our stage at our podium…

I love this shot of Tracey and me so much!

Our final bow…

RAWR 2.0!

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dom itp, the Chicagoland chain of stores that specializes in European imports (fashion and lots of other things!), is a local sponsor of Chicago’s LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER show (This Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Athenaeum Theatre on Southport and yes, you can still buy tickets HERE!), and we’re so glad about that. (Thanks, dom itp!!) When Tracey and I attended a blogger Open House there near the end of last year, our mouths just hung open at all of the awesome stuff we found there. I’m STILL thinking about that coat. For me, it was love at first sight.

Let me give you some background information: I’m not a shopper. I don’t enjoy it nearly as much as most others do. When I’m shopping, I typically have a mission. I go to the appropriate store, buy the item, and I’m OUT. dom itp is different. dom itp makes me slow down and–WHAT????–enjoy the shopping experience. I adore visiting the newest location in Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg). The store has all of these compartment-like rooms: it’s like a mini-department store.

The clothing at dom itp is on trend and so fun to look at. I recently wrote about their knitted tops that go great with leggings over on the LTYM site, and they have so many other items too. Check out this dress, which is absolutely adorable. Store manager Pauline told me that a customer purchased it the other day for her daughter to wear at her Bat Mitzvah service. Isn’t it cute?

Another strength of dom itp is the huge selection of accessories you can find there. They not only have jewelry, hats, scarves, and bags, but they can show you how to style your outfit perfectly, too. (I love that kind of guidance!)

And remember how I said that dom itp is like a mini department store? They have houseware imports too, like this pottery which comes directly from Poland.

If you haven’t yet visited one of dom itp‘s locations, you really should. If you choose the one at Woodfield Mall, it’s likely I’ll see you there!

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I spent a couple of minutes chatting with a very sweet woman with whom Roxie and I crossed paths during our walk yesterday. She was (I’d guess) in her sixties and shared stories about the three beagles who were a part of her family over the years. She asked for Roxie’s name and talked to her sweetly as other beagle lovers tend to do, only jumping a little bit when Roxie let out her blood-curdling howl of hello. It was clear she had heard that before, and she wasn’t phased. She scratched behind Roxie’s ears and petted her vigorously as Roxie’s tail wagged so vigorously her entire body swayed back and forth.

When it was time for us to be on our way, I said, “It was nice talking to you. We’ll probably see you walking around the neighborhood this summer!”

She replied, “Yes! It was nice talking to you, too.” Bending down, she said, “And it was just lovely meeting you, Roxanne. I’ll see you soon.”

She sounded so refined and proper, and I had to laugh because if there’s anything Roxie is NOT, it’s refined and proper.

Yet I love random little life moments like these.

(Note: Sometimes I do call Roxie “Roxanne”, but it’s usually when I’m singing the 1978 hit of the same name by The Police…and as you know, THAT Roxanne is not refined and proper either.)

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Tracey and I are in the last few days of preparation for LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER CHICAGO (tickets still available HERE!). We’re very, very excited but, as is very normal when a team nears the end result of a major project, a little bit of exhaustion is starting to creep in here and there.

That’s why we couldn’t have been more thrilled to see this picture, snapped by official LTYM Chicago 2013 Photographer Sabrina Persico, which took away the sleepies and gave us the giggles. Big time.

I love these ladies.

(and you will too, whether you’re in the audience or watching on the LTYMshow YouTube channel at the end of the summer!)

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I may or may not have had to confess to J that I “tapped” the front of his car today when I was backing down the driveway. Luckily,

1. I only bent his license plate a little bit

and

2. He “tapped” my car into something when I was in Costa Rica so he couldn’t really say anything except, “Well, I guess we’re even.”

Also, when you do something twice, I’m pretty sure it can be spun into something like, “Oh that? That’s a family tradition!” It sounds better that way. Anyway, I’m just thankful that he wasn’t standing in our front window watching me do it, like his brother was when I backed into his car.

Well, at least that’s out of the way. I don’t have any more kids with cars, so I think we’re good.

Shew!

(P.S. He didn’t really look like that, but I’m guessing that’s how he wanted to look.)

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