Mama's Musings

Living in the US of A

Some days I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to live in the good old US of A. For one, I'd be able to do a ton of book signings, I'd be perceptibly closer to the US media (although some aren't shy about calling me in Germany), and I wouldn't incur so many long-distance charges. No matter. I'm here. I used to live in Boston. Buzzing about the 'Net, I saw Boston Office Space available in the South End, the Italian Quarter of Boston. What would it be like to have my own PR consultancy firm there??

On a different note, my friend used to have really bad acne. She would take tetracycline to combat it. Apparently, others took accutane. I read there is an accutane class action lawsuit for users who have experienced terrible side effects from the drug. It looks like a US-based drug. Maybe there ARE advantages to living in Europe! Looks like Erin Brokovich is needed once again!

Spheres of Influence

We have all been under the influence -- of other people, that is. I have been graced with so many good experiences in my life. There have been bad ones, too. No doubt about it. Donna Warner, the co-owner of QueenPower.com, asked me to list a few influential people. My family has had the most influence on me, I believe, but since we are talking about sharing a list of people for potentially repeatable experiences, I offer this:

• Landmark Education -- this group of people taught me we all make up stories (also called negative self-talk or, as Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott calls it, Negaholics). It is our choice to believe them or not.
• The MMS Worldwide Institute -- again, Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott's work, such as If Life is a Game, These are the Rules, clearly states what is so true about our lives. We can make powerful choices. It is my life. What do I choose?
• Jack Canfield -- his brilliant series of inspirational stories, such as Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, has touch the hearts and minds of millions of people.
• Deepak Chopra -- I have met him twice. He is graceful, clear, and very knowledgeable.
• Lissa Coffey -- her daily wisdom messages make me tingle. She is insightful, a true believer in the Grace before us, and a soul worth listening to.
• Tracy Lyn Moland -- what can I say? She is my twin; a true soul sister of great proportions. She has the rare combination of vision and the amazing ability to put it into action. She has taught me so much about being an expert, being real, being a mom, and taking care of me, too.
• Nancy Cleary -- a beacon of light on my path to publishing. Her keen eye and listening ear have assisted me immeasurably.
• Paul Sladkus -- an optimist who can dance the Lindy and whose hugs and positive vibe have stayed with me even now.
• Cynthia Brian -- a butterfly in her own right who cares so much about other people that, when you speak with her, you just want to hug the world right back.
• Barbara Förster -- a woman who can wear her husband's boots and pull it off

There are so many more people, some whose names and faces have been washed away by the sands of time. But this is a start. Indeed, it is.

It is 90 Degrees -- Do I really Have to Take the Kids to the Grocery Store?

There was no way around it today. Having procrastinated (or reprioritizing, as I like to call it) the last few days, I knew today was the only day left to food shop before our guests arrived. Given the rising temps in Central Europe, I saved the hottest day to go. The only store that was remotely air conditioned is called Kaufland. It is comparable to Wal-Mart in size and selection. Piling the kids in the car in the mid-morning heat, I genuflected to the shopping gods that all would go well.

The parking lot smelled like high octane sniffing glue. Sophia's eyes lit up as she took deep breaths, despite my admonitions to hold her nose.

"I like this smell," she cooed, her eyes rolling slightly in the back of her head. I hurriedly ushered my children to the shopping carts. Because they are coin-operated, I had to get change at the information desk inside. Back to the carts I flew, leaving the kids with our shopping basket and list inside.

Heady from the glue smell, I rushed down the aisles, taking no time to compare prices and grateful that my children seemed relatively balanced. That is, until someone stopped me while the kids took turns weighing the vegetables and slapping the price tag on the bags.

"Where are you from?" she half-grinned in perfect American English.

"Virginia, but I've been here forever..." I didn't feel like exchanging biographical data. It was too complicated to explain the various moves between the continents, and my bilingual kids, etc.

"I have two children, too," she half-smiled. The kids' rhythm was messed up, and they began to fidget. "Yours sure are lively..." she said, squeezing a melon to test its ripeness. Looking more closely, I saw them. The thin lips. The ones that say "Are your children borderline AHAD?" Guiding my brood to the frozen food section, I thought about it.

Kaufland is stimulating. I enter overwhelm the minute the automatic doors swish behind me. It is large, colorful, and clearly a place unsuitable for children. But now I sound defensive.

The check-out line was short, and the cashier was very friendly. At this point, I had barked at both kids to stop hopping around or I would put back the chocolate I had promised. Asking if I required any other assistance, the cashier gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Well," I ventured, feeling I had nothing left to lose. "You could offer your customers childcare, like IKEA does..." I found myself whispering. It was the Parental Conspiratorial Whisper. You know the kind.

Without a word, she handed me a comment sheet for management. I wrote it down and gave it back to her. She winked. I grinned. My children wiggled all the way back to the car...

Making a Difference -- Meeting Your Passion

Yesterday's teleclass "Finding Your Passion" was incredible. There was an amazing synergy of women's voices from all over the world -- from the U.K. (thanks, Nana!), Germany (me and possibly another friend who has yet to surface), Canada (Tracy Lyn -- I love you, sweets!), and the United States.

To recap the main points of the Four Steps to Finding Your Passion (for those not able to attend the call):

Step 1: Declare it. Say "I am an X,Y,Z." Use the present tense to make it more alive.

Step 2: Take baby steps. Take a class, ask experts in your desired field. Stretch your comfort zone each day.

Step 3: Elicit the support of your "yes" people, the ones you know love you.

Step 4: Branch out to share with the "scary people", the ones who might not wish the best for you. It will test your resolve and help you over the hurdle to the place of passion residing within you.


Tell me: WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?

Teleclass is tomorrow!!

I am offering a teleclass tomorrow, Thursday, July 28th at 2 pm ET for people who are at a cross-roads in their lives. The topic: Finding Your Passion

There is limited space so anyone interested in attending needs to contact Allyn Evans at QueenPower.com, the call's sponsor.

U.S.-based Dial-in Number: 866-704-7500

International Dial-in Number: 001-563-843-7500

Subscriber Pin Code: 437931#

I'm so excited about it!!!!

Front Cover of Mom Writers Literary Magazine

I completely forgot to mention that the kids and I are on the front cover of the Summer issue of a new literary magazine called Mom Writers Literary Magazine. They did the cover story on me and how I became a writer. If you're interested, give it a click!

Pseudo-Italiano and my Webby Kid

It has been a month since we returned from the Adriatic Coast, and Sophia still insists on speaking pseudo-Italian. I should be proud, really. She speaks-a like-a real Italian-a girl-a! Except we can't understand it. Her propensity to place herself in other people's shoes is amazing.

I'm not talking about compassion. She is getting there with that skill. But she has a keen ability to observe her surroundings (including me, while I'm chewing) and mimick what is going on about her.

The other day she was walking next to me, and it appeared as if she were doing Tai Chi.

"What are you doing, Sophia?" I asked curiously.

"See that lady over there?" She pointed to a woman across the street who was struggling to place two baskets in the backseat.

"I'm pretending to get into my car and sit down."

Astounding.

Short of checking out some Italian Villa Rentals for her to reside this summer, we are amazed at how interested she is in the computer. My husband and I decided not to let her use our old computer until she can read and write. Billions of children have learned these basic skills without the assistance of Web Database Software and the like.

For now, we are safe. She loves her pencils, crayons and paints so much that not using a computer is not too much of a travesty. We wonder, however, how long we can hold off. In a few years, she might use this argument:

"But Mom! I could help you find low, low rates on your auto insurance!" she will exclaim, trying the "I am going to be helpful and drive them to distraction with my polite offer to help them save their hard-earned cash..."

The truth is, she just loves the sound of the click-click-clack of the keyboard. And you can bet she mimicks me by using the table instead. Maybe we should enter her in an air keyboard contest!

Wine, Flowers, and Sunshine

It has been such a rainy, cool summer that I bought a bottle of cabernet savignon from California today in hopes of capturing some West Coast rays. There was a coupon for 5€ off a bouquet of flowers. Why not send flowers to myself? I thought, as I put the bottle into my shopping cart. They are promising sunshine for later this week. That's when I'll unpack the suntan lotion and head for the community pool with my kids. I wonder if the flowers will melt in the heat? No worries! The forecast calls for two consecutive days of warmth. Thereafter, it's back to grey, sleek clouds and a chance of rain...

Goodnight, Kindergartener -- hello 1st Grader!

Sophia spent the night at her kindergarten with 23 other kids on Friday night. I warned the teacher that she might not make it.

In the end she was fine. I, on the other hand, was not.

At 3:41 a.m. I got up, peered outside and saw light on the horizon. For an hour, I typed away on the computer, trying to ease my own nerves.

"Why haven't the teachers called yet?" I wondered, nervously chewing my lower lip. At 5 a.m., Jackson tramped up the stairs, breathing heavily and silently slipping into bed. I tried to keep him awake, desperately wishing to snuggle with the only kid in the house. He pushed me away and demanded hot chocolate. Like an autoresponder, Andreas uncomplainingly fulfilled his commitment. Jackson's chocolate breath bowled me over. I was asleep in minutes. At 9 a.m. I picked her up. She beemed proudly that she was the last kid to get up in the morning. She slept for a full eight hours. That's my girl!

While my children were at a friend's house, I put together Sophia's Schultüte, a traditional first-day-of-school item for German first graders. We will fill it with candy and school supplies and give it to her on the way to school the first day (September 13th -- put it in your prayer calendars, people! I'm going to need all the help I can get that day!) Here's a picture.

tipsEmoms goes live

Are you looking for ten-second tips to unfrazzle your mind? Look no farther! tipsEmoms.com is here!

Tracy Lyn Moland and I have joined forces to create a postcard-sized ezine that offers helpful tips for real moms living real lives. Our press release tells more.