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Top 10 reasons why being in the audience for The Late Show with David Letterman rocked
In 1996, David Letterman left the comforts of the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City and went on the road, hosting The Late Show from four cities in four weeks. Stops included Washington, D.C. on November 8, 1996 and Chicago on November 15th. His Washington, D.C. show took place just three days after the exciting conclusion of the 1996 presidential race between President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole and happened to be taping next door to my office. (Kids, those are links to the actual 1996 presidential campaign website. You MUST take a look, when you’re done reading this entire post, but not before.)
Naturally, my friends and I camped out overnight to get tickets for this TV legend. We succeeded and had one heck of a fun night camped out, although speaking for myself, I was dragging ass all day at work after scoring the hottest ticket in town.
Guests on the show included Senator Bob Dole (R-Kansas), Ted Koppel (host, ABC’s Nightline) and his dog Damien, and legendary musician and singer Mary Chapin Carpenter.
David Letterman ends his run as host of The Late Show tonight after 11 years on NBC and 22 years on CBS. I’ll admit that I was skeptical that the show would last when he left NBC, but I’m thrilled to admit being mistaken in this case (not wrong, just mistaken).
In honor of David Letterman, I say goodbye the only way I know how . . . with a Top 10 List.
From the home office in Lake Bluff, Illinois, I bring you the Top 10 reasons why being in the audience for The Late Show with David Letterman rocked.
10. Discovering that what I’d thought was the Warner Theatre was actually the Warren Theater. (Dave messed up the name in his monologue and it became the running joke of that night’s show.)
9. Sitting out all night on the cold, hard Washington, D.C. sidewalk in the rain with my besties. (If you don’t do this in your 20s, when you’re single, carefree, and can actually move after sitting on concrete for 12+ hours, when are you going to do it?)
8. Not having to take the Delta shuttle to LaGuardia and dealing with all those crazy New York tourists.
7. Biff Henderson and Paul Shaffer.
6. My office was next door to the Warner Theater, so we took pee breaks in actual bathrooms, not in a D.C. alley. We also had access to vending machines and breakfast from the Hogan office dining room. And none of those other suckers in line did.
5. My kick-ass boss who didn’t care that I came into work late because tickets weren’t given out until 10:00 a.m. AND I left early because the show was taped before the workday ended.
4. Meeting Larry Bud Melman and having him sign a book of Top 10 Lists I bought on my lunch hour as a Christmas gift for my brother. (Yep, that’s right. I came in late, left early, AND took my full lunch hour that day.)
3. Discovering Bob Dole was funny and being damn glad his great personality hadn’t made an appearance in the presidential campaign. I shudder to think about Viagra and Pepsi commercials being shot in the Oval Office. What a scandal THAT would have been in the late 1990s.
2. That night’s Top 10 List “Questions I’ve always wanted to ask the President” delivered by Jane Robelot (co-anchor, CBS’s This Morning), Wolf Blitzer (CNN senior White House correspondent), Fred Barnes (The McLaughlin Group), Greta Van Susteren (co-host, CNN’s Burden of Proof), Michael Kinsley (editor, Slate online magazine), Frank Sesno (CNN vice president, Washington bureau), Cokie Roberts (ABC News Special Correspondent), Sam Donaldson (co-anchor, ABC News’ Primetime Live), Helen Thomas (UPI White House bureau chief), and John McLaughlin (host, The McLaughlin Group).
And the #1 reason why being in the audience for The Late Show with David Letterman rocked . . .
1. Little did I know that just 19 years later, I’d be a wealthy, world-famous blogger* and write this exclusive** tribute to Dave.
* In my own mind.
** Exclusive to Little Merry Sunshine, but probably not the only tribute to David Letterman.
Read how other ChicagoNow bloggers are saying goodbye to David Letterman:
- Stars love Letterman too on Newsboy
- Top 10 reasons David Letterman will be missed on The Chicago Board of Tirade
- Top 10 list: David Letterman and his music on I’ve Got the Hippy Shakes
- It’s too late when it’s gone on Dry it in the Water
- I’m watching David Letterman again: after our breakup on Ms. Crankypants and the City
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Cooking with LMS: Healthy homemade Cheez-Its
Raise your hand if you enjoy Cheez-Its. You know, the little orange crackers made of cheese. Okay, put your hands down. I see that it would have been easier to ask who doesn’t like them.
Last week I was having some friends over for a John Hughes’ Film Festival (more on that later) and wanted to serve something other than all the movie candy I bought. I’d seen a recipe for homemade Cheez-Its and thought I’d give it a try.
Spoiler alert: These Cheez-its are addictive. Like crack maybe (I’ve never tried it). Seriously, you’ll need to make extras because you’ll eat so many by yourself that you won’t have enough for your company. You’ve been warned.
Healthy Homemade Cheez-Its – I saw this on Facebook and it didn’t have a link. If it’s your recipe, let me know and I’ll credit you.
Ingredients:
- Sargento ULTRA THIN cheese slices – I used pepper jack and mild cheddar, but any variety would do.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 250°.
- Cut each slice into four pieces. (Note: If you have a fluted pastry wheel cutter, it would make them pretty, but I used a knife.)
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and place your quartered slices on the parchment paper so that they are not touching.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the parchment paper.
- Store in air tight container. (Note: I don’t know how long they’ll last because they didn’t last overnight at my house.)
Bon appétit!
Pepper jack Cheez-Its. © Jessica L. Gardner Yes, they really are that simple.
Pro tips:
- Do not use the regular sliced cheese because it’s too think. Ultra thin slices will produce crunchy cheese wafers.
- Do not use Kraft American Singles. Sure, it might be yummy on your grilled cheese sandwich, but, well, it’s not good here and it will not make you look cool and sophisticated.
- If you search the internet, you’ll find recipes for homemade Cheez-Its with butter and flour. Those sound yummy, but these are much healthier and take far less time. Why go to all that work when it’s unnecessary?
What’s your favorite easy recipe for entertaining?
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Seven things I know about writing
Two of my ChicagoNow buddies, Nina writer of You Know Neen, and Michael writer of Mysteries of Life, recently tagged me in a meme going around the ChicagoNow writers on Facebook. I decided that rather than share my pearls of wisdom with just my Facebook friends, the entire world could benefit from my knowledge about writing.
1. Writing keeps me sane. Seriously. Even when I’m not writing blog posts, I’m writing for myself or writing articles in my head. In fact, I do a ton of writing in the shower. Sadly, I haven’t found waterproof paper so much of it never makes it out of my head. I process what’s happening in my life through the written word. It’s a curse and a blessing.
2. Many of my best and most popular blog posts are ones I’ve written in 20 minutes and done very little editing on. It sounds a bit counter-intuitive, but it’s true. I’m fairly certain that’s why ChicagoNow holds a monthly Blogapalooza where we’re given a topic and 60 minutes to write. Participation is optional, and Lord knows I’ve opted out on a number of occasions, but when I do participate, it’s always worth it.
3. I don’t write a silly blog, I have a platform to help people. Sure that sounds really egotistical, but the vast majority of the messages I receive are from readers who find inspiration in my words or experiences, especially my recent health related experiences. It’s my job to be a good steward of this platform, not take my readers for granted, and not spew hate or falsehoods into the world.
4. Writers are some of the craziest, most creative, and most fun people I know. This may seem as though it contradicts #1, but it doesn’t. I can’t fully explain this, but it’s true. Just trust me. It’s entirely possible to be crazy and sane simultaneously.
5. I can’t please everyone and that’s okay. This might surprise you, but there are a number of topics about which I’m passionate. For me, these topics have no grey. When I write about them, I sometimes piss people off and I hear about it. I used to take that stuff personally, but I’ve grown. As long as you’re respectful and refrain from personal attacks or threatening my life, bring it. Let’s have a discussion. You might sway my opinion. I doubt it, but maybe. In any event, multiple opinions are welcome.
6. Want to be a better writer? READ. Reading isn’t just fundamental, it’s fun. I love to read. I may not read as many books as I used to read, but read lots of newspapers online, many blogs, and just about anything I can get my hands on. Reading gives me ideas for my own writing, but I also learn about different writing styles.
My adorable cats, Sammy and Zoey © Jessica L. Gardner 7. When all else fails, write about or include pictures of cats. Everyone loves cats. I’ve written about my cats, Betsey and Ross, and now Sammy and Zoey (and here), many times. I may write about them when I am stumped for another topic. Or not. I’ll never tell.
If you’ve read this far, consider yourself tagged. What do YOU know for sure about writing? Share in the comments or in your own post.
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Do you read your EOBs (Explanation of Benefits)?
EOBs or Explanation of Benefits are the notifications from your medical insurance company that clutter up your snail mail or email box letting you know how much your insurance company paid, what you owe, and what the medical provider is not allowed to bill you for.
Based entirely upon my non-scientific research, most people don’t open them, much less read them.
Are you one of those people? If so, this is a mistake that could cost you money.
As you might imagine, I open my EOBs and closely examine each and every one and have saved a significant amount of money because of it.
Let me give you a few examples from 2014.
Example #1: My insurance company denied a biopsy test on a mole I’d had removed and said I was responsible for the $250 bill. Their reason? The pathologist was out-of-network. That seemed odd to me because a few months prior, the same pathologist had tested run the same biopsy test on a different mole and the insurance company had paid for it in full. (NOTE: I’m not a fan of plastic surgery or botox, but I’ll have every single damn mole on my body removed, thank you very much).
I called the insurance company and the rep stood by the decision the company had made. Not to be deterred, I called the pathologist and confirmed that they were in-network at the time of the second procedure. They contacted the insurance company on my behalf, I called the insurance company back and referred them to the first EOB stating they had paid for another biopsy from this pathologist, and the insurance company ultimately reversed its decision. $250 stayed in my pocket.
Example #2: I received a doctor’s bill for about $75 that didn’t seem correct to me. I compared the bill to the EOB and saw that the EOB specifically said I did not owe this money to the doctor. I called the doctor’s office, emailed them the EOB, and they wrote off the bill, as they should have done in the first place. Another $75 stayed in my pocket.
Example #3: Last December, I had a Uterine Fibroid Embolization that involved a number of doctors and many medical bills. All of the doctors promptly submitted their bills to my insurance company and the bills were promptly paid, except for one. The insurance company sent one doctor a letter asking for more information about his claim for $2,000 before they could make a decision about payment. The letter was very specific about what was needed and provided the doctor with a deadline to respond. The doctor ignored that letter along with two additional requests. I also received copies of each letter. Last week, I received an EOB stating that because the doctor had failed to respond to their three previous requests for additional information, his claim was being denied in full and he could not bill me for any part of the charges. Should the doctor ever attempt to bill me, I have proof that I don’t owe him any money. Wahoo! Another $2,000 in my pocket!
Three medical claims. $2,325 in costs I didn’t have to pay. That’s real money.
Each time I’ve questioned one of my EOBs or a medical bill, I’m told that most people never question these things and simply pay their medical bills. No one can tell me how often it happens, just that people routinely pay for medical bills for which they aren’t responsible.
EOBs help me save money and manage my deductible and copays. If you care about your money, you should pay attention to them as well.
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What are your family traditions?
My dad is the second of five children born to Giff and Peggy Gardner – Giff, John (my dad), Jeff, Kathy, and Ray. When we moved to Chicago from Ft. Myers, Florida in 1975, the entire extended family lived in the Chicago Area and we got together regularly. I have vivid memories of family dinners around my grandparents’ dining table, playing in their guest house with my cousin Andrea, riding in my Uncle Ray’s Triumphs, and celebrating holidays together. Grandpa and Grandma’s siblings and their families also lived nearby, so family get-togethers were big because they each came from families of three to five kids.
I loved being part of a big extended family and thought we’d be that way forever. I believed we’d have a long history of rich family traditions, my cousins and I would be part of each others daily lives forever, and my aunts and uncles would be my second parents. What the hell did I know, though? I was five.
All of that changed in 1977, when my Grandfather closed his business, he and Grandma moved to Sanibel Island, Florida, and aunts and uncles moved to Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota.
Once they were settled on Sanibel, Grandpa created a family tradition that would continue until the early or mid-1990s, when he and Grandma both passed away. This family tradition would become the one thing that made me feel like I was part of the Gardner Family, even though I almost never saw or spoke to my aunts, uncles, cousins, and even my grandparents. Once my parents got divorced in 1984, my brother and I lived with our mom, and the divide felt even greater.
That tradition was the monthly Gardner Family Letter.
No, not THESE family traditions.Back then, there was no internet, no Facebook, no email. Long-distance calls were expensive. Letter writing was really the only option.
The letters rarely contained earth-shattering news. If someone was having a baby, moving, getting married, or having major surgery, that usually involved a phone call or personalized notification from the person or family impacted. The letters contained more mundane, everyday news. News about a grandchild’s athletic feats, good grades, musical talents, and college search. Everyday news about my dad, aunts, and uncles included home remodel projects, job promotions, vacations, and more.
Grandpa would sit down each month and type one letter on five pieces of paper divided by carbon sheets. Grandma and Grandpa had the news because their kids and grandkids might not have been in touch with each other regularly, but we were all in touch with Grandma and Grandpa. He almost never missed a month. If Grandpa had to be benched for a month or two and couldn’t type the letter, Grandma would pinch hit. Trust me, this happened a few times for a variety of reasons, including Grandpa getting too heated on a political topic.
When my parents got divorced, the letters stopped coming to my house because we lived with my mom, their now former daughter-in-law. Of course, my dad was still in the loop and received the letters, but he rarely remembered to share them with us. Finally, I convinced my grandparents to send my brother and me our own copy of the family letter and I felt like we were part of the family again.
Family history is created through milestones, but it’s mostly created through everyday life. These letters created our Gardner family history.
A couple of months ago, I found a family letter from 1987 and was immediately transported back in time. I remembered how much I loved the monthly letters and realized how much I missed this important family tradition. When I was in New Orleans last month with all of my cousins, their kids, and some aunts and uncles, I shared the letter and suggested we start the tradition again. They all eagerly agreed.
I said I’d write and mail (yes! snail mail!) the letter each month, but they had to give me the content.
Obviously, we’ve now got Facebook, text messaging, Instagram, Twitter, email, and a million other tech tools to keep us connected, but digital news is fleeting. It’s gone as soon as the email or status update leaves my screen. Those communications won’t be around in 50 years. Letters will be. Just like Grandpa, I’m typing the letters and in his honor, I’m using the American Typewriter font, but instead of using carbon sheets to create five copies, I print out 12 copies for each of his kids, all of their kids, and grandkids.
Yesterday, the first issue of the renewed Giff & Peggy Gardner Family Letter was dropped in the mail and my heart is bursting with excitement and pride.
I’m looking for old issues of the family letter and plan to compile them and the new letters into a book for myself and future generations. Family history and family traditions matter. They tell us who we are and where we came from.
What are your family traditions?
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Quick survey: I’m starting a business, would love your opinion, and you could win a prize
Just as the title says, I’m starting my own business and your opinions are very important to the process.
Will you help me out by taking the quick survey?
Longtime readers of Little Merry Sunshine will recall that 2014 was filled with its share of medical issues. The good news is that I’m healthy now, I did not have breast cancer, and my fibroids are almost gone.
Handling my own medical issues and dealing with medical issues of both parents last year, I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the health care industry and learn how much easier it is to navigate when you’ve got someone to help you. I also discovered that there are many people, of all ages, who have to navigate it alone and struggle to do so.
Why do people navigate their medical care alone? The reasons are vast and include that there are more people living alone today than ever before in history, extended families are often separated by hundreds of miles, and people can’t get away from work or other family commitments to accompany their loved ones to appointments. Even when it’s possible to be a caregiver for loved ones, conflicts come up and caregivers need time off. Sometimes someone needing assistance doesn’t want to burden their friends or family.
I talked to my own doctors who unanimously told me that when patients have a support system they are more likely to thrive and that having someone accompany patients to appointments improves communication between the doctor and patient, cuts down on confusion, increases compliance with post-appointment instructions and follow-up, and reduces the rate of appointment cancellations.
That all got me to thinking that there might be a niche that I could fill and has led me to begin the process of starting my own business. Over the past four months, I’ve been researching businesses that provide home care services to determine exactly what they do and whether they do the services I’ve been thinking of offering.
So where do you come in and why do I need your help?
You are important because I’m curious if the types of services I’m considering offering are services you or a loved one would use. In other words, you are where the rubber hits the road. My doctors can tell me this is a good idea, but if consumers say they would never use it, then it’s a bust.
How can you help me?
- Take my quick survey. It’s anonymous, but you can enter to win one of two $25 Amazon.com gift cards at the end.
- Share the survey with your network on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and via email. My goal is to get 500 completed surveys.
The survey will close on Friday, April 17th.
Thank you for your help! I truly appreciate it.
Do you enjoy reading Little Merry Sunshine? Of course you do.
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Beth Prystowsky uses Multiple Sclerosis to spread compassion throughout the world
This is the first in a series of interviews with Little Merry Sunshine readers, LMS Reader Stories. If you’d like to be interviewed for this series, please read this post and send me an email.
This past Sunday, I had the honor of sitting down and chatting with Beth Prystowsky, fellow ChicagoNow blogger and author of Ups and Downs of a Yoga Mom and creator of Modern Day MS. Chatting with Beth, I was immediately struck by the air of calm, peacefulness, warmth, and genuineness that surround her. Beth and I had met previously, but for just a few minutes, yet speaking with Beth on Sunday, I felt like I was talking to a lifelong friend.
In early September 2012, Beth Prystowsky woke on a Saturday morning with numbness in her right hand and right foot and had a limp, which she later learned was drop foot. At a yoga class later that morning, she was also having trouble balancing and doing simple poses. That’s when she realized that something was truly off. After getting an MRI two days later and diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), she was hospitalized for five days, where she received steroid treatments that relieved the drop foot and the numbness in her hand.
MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide and is a neurological condition that breaks down myelin (the substance that protects nerves), thus allowing the body to attack itself. The damaged nerves then produce symptoms that vary in severity, including numbness and tingling, vision problems, balance and mobility problems, slurred speech, depression, and much more. Everyone experiences MS differently, so there is no “typical” MS. There is currently no cure for MS, although many people choose to treat their symptoms in a variety of ways including natural methods and modern medications.
In her search for online support, Beth found that there was a lot of misinformation that was overwhelming, but very little that provided actual facts and hope for how to not simply live with this chronic disease, but to thrive. She created Modern Day MS to create a safe, positive space for those living with MS and their families to share their stories, learn from and support one another, get factual information, and to simply realize that they are not alone. In fact, “you are not alone” is the website’s tagline.
According to Beth, a diagnosis of MS in 2015 “isn’t like your Grandma’s MS” because of all of the technological and medical advances in the last 20 or so years. Through Modern Day MS, Beth has met people from all around the world and their stories have become her inspiration.
Since her diagnosis, Beth has learned to focus on the big picture and her attitude of gratitude, let go of the small stuff, and to say no. She lives her life in a deliberate manner because she has to conserve her energy for the things that really matter to her. I think that’s an important lesson for all of us, whether we have MS or not and especially as women, to learn to let go of the negativity, be kinder to ourselves, and focus on the things that truly matter.
As a yoga instructor for 10 years, Beth believes that everyone should be doing yoga, but it’s even more important for people with MS. She says that although she can’t necessarily do all the poses, the philosophy of yoga of focusing on the here and now, listening to your body, and getting attuned to your breathing, has significantly helped reduce her symptoms. For example, if she wakes up and her feet are numb, she does poses and stretching to get the blood flowing into her feet. She also recommends meditation for the mental and emotional benefits it brings.
#RealPeopleWithMS © Beth Prystowsky March was MS Awareness Month and Beth created the #RealPeopleWithMS campaign on Modern Day MS to share the stories of people with MS across the world, including Australia, Wales, Scotland, and throughout the United States. MS is often called an invisible disease because you don’t necessarily see that someone has it, and Beth felt compelled to put faces to the disease. Each of the participants answered the same four questions about when they were first diagnosed, the treatments they use, how MS has strengthened them, and what they think the future holds for MS. Finally, she asked them to share a quote that inspires them.
Beth hopes that through Modern Day MS, she helps to create awareness, understanding, and compassion for all people, not only those with MS. She says that everyone is dealing with their own stuff, mostly behind the scenes, and we all just need to be nicer to each other. Through her advocacy work, Beth is absolutely raising the bar on compassion, and I believe her work will have a ripple effect not only with the MS community but throughout the world.
Find Beth online:
- Ups and Downs of a Yoga Mom
- Modern Day MS
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Mortgage savings for you or a way for the bank to make money?
Three and one-half years ago I purchased my first home. I bought a modest condo in Lake County and took out a mortgage that was 48% of what I’d pre-qualified for. I put down 20% of the purchase price, which was 70% of the asking price. Ya, I’m a kick-ass negotiator, when backed by the amazing Shelley Goddard of Coldwell Banker.
A lot of people thought I was crazy. They asked, “Why not take advantage of the full amount of money the bank was willing to loan me and purchase something more luxurious?” The reasons were simple. When I ran the numbers, I could sleep at night having the monthly payment I’d have with the smaller mortgage. A larger mortgage would mean I cut expenses in non-essential areas like fun. That thought was decidedly not fun. Finally, a smaller mortgage meant I had more money to invest in my retirement savings and I’d rather live in a more modest home now than be poverty-stricken in my retirement.
Since taking out my mortgage, my bank has sent me two offers “save” money on my mortgage. If you have a mortgage, you’ve probably received similar offers. These offers are perfectly legal and, for some people, they can mean real savings. Because of that, I’m not going to call out my mortgage company by name.
The thing is you have to really examine your personal situation before you hop on any of these offers.
Did you catch that? YOU have to really examine your personal situation before you hop on any of these offers. Why? The bank is looking to make money, not be your BFF. Let me explain . . .
First offer received within a month of closing on my home: “Make one-half of your monthly mortgage payment every two weeks. This will result in 13 monthly payments per year and allow you to pay off your 30-year mortgage in just 17 years!” Catch: To sign up for this, I’d need to pay the bank a one-time fee of $2,500.
I know that making an additional monthly payment each year and specifically directing the bank to apply it to my principal would result in significant savings and cut years off my mortgage if I did this every year. But I couldn’t figure out why I should pay the bank for the privilege, when I could do it on my own.
I called my Uncle Ray and explained the situation. Uncle Ray was a brilliant banker, everyone in the family went to him for financial advice, my grandparents trusted him to handle their finances in their final years and be the executor of their estate, and I knew that he’d guide me in the right direction.
He confirmed that I could do this on my own without paying the one-time fee of $2,500 because my mortgage had a clause saying there was no penalty for early pay-off of the loan. The key, he pointed out, is that many people aren’t disciplined enough to make these extra payments, so these plans may be good for them.
He also told me that if I signed up for this program (i.e., signed a contract), I’d be locked in and if my financial situation changed (e.g., I became unemployed, I had major health issues, etc.) it may be quite difficult to get out of the bank’s plan. If I made was only voluntarily making extra payments, I could stop making them at any time.
BUT he reminded me that because I had such a low interest rate (4%), I’d really be better off in the long-term maximizing my retirement savings and unless I’d completely maxed out what I was allowed to save, paying off my mortgage early wasn’t a great idea.
I took his advice and sunk my money into retirement savings.
Second offer received yesterday: “Save $35.48 per month on your mortgage by refinancing.” Catches: This would restart the 30-year mortgage clock and there would be an average of $1,347 in fees.
I can no longer call Uncle Ray for his advice on this, but the truth is that I don’t need it.
This is simply a bad deal for me for two reasons. First, I’m three-and-one-half years into my mortgage meaning I’ve got 26.5 years left. In the end, if I refinance, I’d make 33 years and six months of mortgage payments on a 30-year loan. Adding years to the life of my loan means more money out of my pocket. Second, I would not see any actual savings for 38 months (three years and two months). Why? Because I’d have to spend $1,347 to refinance, which is equal to 38 payments of $35.48.
These offers can result in savings for a lot of people, but in my case, neither one makes sense. The lesson here is know your mortgage, run the numbers for yourself before taking the bank up on any of their “money saving offers,” always read the fine print, and if you know someone knowledgeable in these matters who you trust and who has nothing to gain, ask them for advice.
Do you enjoy reading Little Merry Sunshine? Of course you do.
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What’s your story? I want to know and share it
Everyone has a story to tell and everyone’s story is unique and intriguing. It’s about what makes us who we are and what makes us tick.
By reading Little Merry Sunshine, you get peeks into my story, who I am, and what I value. Actually, you learn quite a bit about me (sometimes maybe a little too much) and, if you’ve been reading for any length of time, could probably put together a pretty accurate outline for exactly what I’m all about.
I want to turn the tables a bit and learn about YOU and your story.
Just imagine for a moment being interviewed by a world famous wealthy blogger and having your story shared throughout the universe. Your story would live into perpetuity and you’d be famous too. You could promote a cause you’re passionate about or simply share an anecdote about your last vacation. It would really be up to you.
I’ve always imagined that Little Merry Sunshine would become more than just me talking to you, my readers, but it would be a place where we could all come together and help each other be better. We could learn from each other, inspire each other, and support each other.
Sharing your stories is the first step in realizing this vision.
Would you like to be interviewed by me and get your story and passions out there?
Here’s how it will work:
- Email me with your name, phone number, and best time to reach you. (Phone numbers are important. I will not be doing interviews via email).
- Tell me a little bit about you in 100 words or less.
- I’ll call you and we’ll set up a time for the interview. Ideally, I’d like to do interviews over coffee or a cocktail, but if that can’t be worked out then we’ll do it over the phone. The interview will last 30 minutes to 1 hour or maybe more, depending on you.
- During the interview, I’ll ask you open-ended questions, take notes, and record the interview so that I can confirm my notes and make sure I represent you accurately. I’ll be happy to include links to some of your favorite causes, blog, website, and/or social media outlets.
- If we meet in person, I’ll also take a picture of you to share on Little Merry Sunshine or you can provide your favorite picture to me, your choice.
- Finally, I’ll write up our interview and publish it on Little Merry Sunshine and you’ll be famous.
What this won’t be:
- I promise not to make it an Enquirer-style interview. I’m not looking to share your deepest, darkest secrets. Just to be on the safe side though, I’d also recommend not sharing them with me during our interview.
- Embarrassing. When you look good, I look good. Conversely, if I make you look bad, I look like a total jerk.
- A money making venture for you. I won’t be paying you for the interview, although if we meet for coffee or a cocktail, I’ll buy. You’ll be paid in accolades from your new fame having been interviewed by a world famous blogger. You’ll also be able to share the interview anywhere you’d like and if you provide me with a link to your blog or website, it may get you some new traffic.
I’d love to make this a regular series sharing reader stories at least a couple of times a month. In order to make that happen, I’ll need volunteers. Will you volunteer?
I look forward to your emails and to sharing your stories.
XOXO,
Jessica
Do you enjoy reading Little Merry Sunshine? Of course you do.
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Welcome back, Spring!
Dear Spring,
I have missed you more than you’ll ever know. It’s not that Winter was so awful, well, not in Chicago, anyway; East coasters have a different perspective. It’s just that Winter just seemed to drag on.
Winter brought cold, snow, endless grey days, frozen Lake Michigan, and too few hours of light each day. Overall, Winter is just depressing.
You, however, bring warmth, beautiful flowers, buds on trees, green grass, fresh smells, and light for more than 12 hours per day. I can eat outside on my balcony, plant a garden, wear flip flops, sleep with the windows open, leave my jacket at home, and exercise outside. And, of course, you also bring Summer and my birthday (seriously, people, there are less than 90 shopping days left!).
Spring, let’s be honest, Winter is going to try and bully you by flexing its muscle with some snow, freezing rain, and general ickiness. Hold your ground. We’ve all got your back. We want you here. Just tell Old Man Winter that this is your time and he can take a backseat.
Thank you for returning. Trust me, you got here just in the nick of time.
Love,
Little Merry Sunshine
Do you enjoy reading Little Merry Sunshine? Of course you do.
All the cool kids sign up for the email to alert them of new posts and follow LMS on social media:
https://widget.bloglovin.com/widget/scripts/bl.js Enter your email address in the box below and clicking the “create subscription” button. This is a two-step process, so look for the confirmation email and click on the link. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.
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Jessica L Gardner 