Today, I’d like to introduce you to Kerry Rossow.  Kerry was in Haiti during our first rehearsal, so if you’re super sleuth-like, you’ll notice that she’s the only one not in our cast collage here. I’m so thankful for her fun, light-hearted personality and hope you’ll join us and have her piece pull at your heart strings, too!  

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What led you to audition for Listen to Your Mother? 

I was hooked on LTYM from the very first clip I watched! I loved the premise of “Giving Mother’s Day A Microphone” and couldn’t wait to buy tickets for a show!

When I discovered that my pal, Nicole Shaw was auditioning for the NWI show, “Buying tickets” quickly evolved into “Wait for me! I want to audition, too!” The icing on the cake was getting to meet the entire cast of amazing women!

 Tell us a little about your everyday life.  

I am a recovering teacher that decided to stay home, wrangle my four children and give writing/blogging/photography a go! In between laundry, dishes, sporting events, and carpooling, I spend my days in my neighborhood mom office, aka The Mom Office, with other moms that work from home.

Where can we find you writing?

Everyday, I write on sticky notes. I write schedules for the day to place on my steering wheel, I write reminders to wear deodorant on my bathroom mirror and affirmations like “don’t be a jerk out there!” on my door!

I write about all things houses at my blog, HouseTalkN.  I am also a weekly contributor for In The Powder Room where I write about life shenanigans.

Collaborating with other funny writers has been so rewarding- I was thrilled to be a contributor to this year’s best selling book,  I Just Want To Pee Alone.

 What is your favorite quote? 

I have some fancy quotes that I should wow you with but the 3 quotes that go through my head everyday are:

“Go big or go home.”

“Leap and the net will appear.”

“Be nice. Just do it.”

 When do you first remember loving words? 

I come from a long line of embellishers and storytellers. Some of my favorite memories are of watching family members tell and retell stories. Growing up in a large family, I knew from a young age that your story better be loud, better be funny and better be embellished.

What are 4 things you can’t live without?

That’s convenient- my four children! Although, if I roll them into one slot, I could add chocolate, coffee and my husband! Not necessarily in that order!

 What is your all time favorite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird. I just reread it with my 13 year old son. Reading it as a parent and reading it with my child, I fell in love all over, again.

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My last update was that there were just a few handfuls of tickets left for tomorrow!  Hurry and get yours now!

photos by Beth Fletcher Photography

Tune in today to Lakeshore Public Radio 89.1 FM from 4:40-5:00pm to hear myself and 2 of the Listen to Your Mother: NW Indiana cast members talk about the upcoming LTYM show & read a teaser from their pieces! We’ll be on with Tavis Buchan on his afternoon show “Lakeshore Drive.”

You should probably listen to my girls, too.  There are very few tickets left!

Audrey Krooswyk has to be one of the most hard-working, yet continuously funny & positive people that I have ever met.  She’s been a joy to have as part of the cast.  Please meet Audrey:

What led you to audition for Listen to Your Mother? 

I saw the show two years ago and was just mesmerized. A collection of 12 beautiful takes on motherhood all read aloud live? So moving. I love to write and kept telling myself that someday I would try. My dad passed away two days before the auditions and I could hear him telling me to do it – that he believed in me. I knew I would kick myself if I had looked back and never even tried!

Tell us a little about your everyday life.  

CRAZY!! I am a mother of three children under 5, a full time nursing school student, a wife, and a youth group leader. I run like crazy trying to get everything done and still try to find time to laugh, smile, and just enjoy my amazing family.

Where can we find you writing?

You can find me in the second row of a classroom at Ivy Tech, Gary feverishly scribbling notes and highlighting key passages in textbooks. At home, I jot to do lists and practice spelling and penmanship with my 5 and 4 year olds. And, on rare occasion, I ‘up-chuck’ all my feelings and thoughts in my blog at Mommy Needs a Timeout.

What is your mantra? 

My mantra is But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33. It’s easy to make life all about me and how well and how much I can do on my own – but when I stop and put it all in perspective I can see what God has rescued me from and the beauty of His mercies everyday. Life is easier when I take the He loves to give.

Tell us about your dream vacation.

My dream vacation is Hawaii. A beach, a pina colada, a good book, my husband, and a hammock. Mike and I just celebrated 7 years of marriage and our ten year Anniversary goal is Hawaii – sans kids, phones, and any talk of work!

What are 4 things you can’t live without?

Only four!?! My family. COFFEE (any kind, any flavor, in any cup/bowl/vase, any time of the day!). My smartphone. Books – I LOVE to read!

What is the best advice your mother or mother figure gave you?

My step mom married my dad when I was 14. She and I instantly clicked. She is beautiful on the inside and out – seriously the best mom I could imagine. She has always encouraged me and pushed me to be my best. She helps me to see life as it is, and to not sweat the small stuff. She taught me to laugh and enjoy the moment – and to always improvise when cooking, it makes dinner more fun!

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Thanks, Audrey! So happy to have you! 

If you’re joining us Friday night–I hope you are–please remember that we are collecting baby wipes & cleaning disinfectant wipes for The Caring Place.

I’m honored to introduce you to Brenda.  She has such a sweet spirit and I’m thankful for her love for and commitment to Listen to Your Mother.  As she explains below, she travels quite a distance to participate, but we are happy to expand our view of ‘local’ for her since it was the closest show for which she was eligible to audition.  Please meet Brenda:

What led you to audition for Listen to Your Mother?

I recently stumbled upon LTYM from a former cast member’s blog.  I had never heard of the show before but from the first video clip, I was hooked.  The stories were captivating and read with such emotion that I wanted to learn more about the program.  I live in Illinois but the Chicago deadline had passed so I was thrilled to be able to participate in the NW Indiana auditions.  I am so happy to be a part of this cast.  I have met the most amazing writers (and moms) through this experience.

Tell us a little about your everyday life.  

I am a stay at home mom with four children and I am blessed to be married to my very best friend.  We have two kids in high school and two in preschool.  Instead of “Toddlers and Tiaras”, my house has been “Toddlers and Teenagers” for the last few years, which has just as much drama and material for our own reality show.   I take the girls to preschool three mornings a week and cram in as many errands as I can in those two hours.   I’ll do anything to avoid taking them to the grocery store.  The rest of the week we spend a lot of time at the library or the gym.  The girls love to make crafts and are enthusiastic bakers (though I can’t promise that anything made with frosting wasn’t already licked). When 3 o’clock rolls around, the school bus arrives with my older kids and I know I can take a break from my 10^th game of “Candy Land” or “Go Fish” to engage in the happenings of high school.   There are many positives to the wide range of ages of our children.  The twins look up to their teenage siblings and the older kids are helpful and attentive.  Whenever I get frustrated with the chaos, noise or perpetual messes from the little ones, I see my teenagers and I’m reminded of how fast this all goes.  I am thankful for these loud and often chaotic days.

Where can we find you writing?

I’ve always loved to write but I’ve only recently began pursuing publication.  I was thrilled to have a few things published this past year in Pooled Ink, Chicken Soup for the Soul and Rainbowtreekids.com.  I have yet to start a blog but hope to do so soon.

What might surprise us about you? 

I grew up in the country and know how to shoot a gun.

When do you first remember loving words? 

In the Ohio blizzard of 1978, school was cancelled for several days.  My sisters were ecstatic because they could play in the snow.  I was thrilled because it meant I could finish my Little House on the Prairie book series.  Yes, I was book nerd.

What are 4 things you can’t live without?

Coffee, Books, Doritos and “Quiet Time”….but not necessarily in that order.

What was your dream job as a child? What is the best advice your mother gave you?

I can kind of combine these questions.  On my first plane ride as a child I told my mother that I thought I wanted to be a stewardess.  While she thought that was a great idea she broadened my scope by asking, “Why not be the pilot?” I’m so grateful to my parents for encouraging me to believe that I could do anything.  (She also offered practical advice like, “If you don’t want to marry a farmer, don’t date one.” and “The grass may be greener on the other side but it still needs mowed.”)

Today, I’d love for you to meet Rebecca Bailey.  Rebecca, a minister’s wife for 20 years, has been leading a double life: She’s also steamy romance novelist Meggie Tolkland, author of The Mayhem: Roan’s Story, by Indianapolis’s Asteria Books.  She’s been a joy to have in the cast.  Here is her interview:

 

What led you to audition for Listen to Your Mother?     

A friend invited me–and I love the show’s implicit message of maternal empowerment!

 

Tell us a little about your everyday life.  

I start the day writing my romantic urban fantasy books to ensure the day’s chores don’t steal the time from me.

 

Where can we find you writing?

You can search for my name, Rebecca Bailey, at www.nwitimes.com, to find old columns. Because I’m a frequent community volunteer and pastor’s wife, most people might be surprised to learn I write romantic urban fantasy books–if you love erotic paranormal romances, you’ll love these! Check out my author website at www.tolkland.com, and if you like what you read in those samples, there are links to take you to Amazon, where you can buy the book.

What is the best advice your mother gave you?

The best advice my mother gave me is that worries always seem worse at night.

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Thanks, Rebecca!  

Please join Rebecca as part of the cast NEXT Friday.  She’ll share a hilarious account of motherhood that we can all relate to!  Get your tickets HERE or by calling Memorial Opera House box office at (219) 548-9137. 

A vital part of Listen To Your Mother’s mission includes financially contributing to a local non-profit organization that supports women and families in need.  Each of the 24 cities will partner with a local cause and donate 10% of gross ticket proceeds & raise awareness at their local shows.  LTYM: Northwest Indiana is proud to announce that we are again partnering with The Caring Place for the 2013 season!

The Caring Place provides service and shelter for women & their children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  They have a recovery program in collaboration with Porter-Starke Services to help women suffering from addiction.  An Emergency Response Volunteer program is also in place to assist victims of rape through the initial stages of trauma at a hospital.  The Caring Place educates the community on domestic violence and sexual assault, teen dating violence and workplace violence.  All of their services are confidential and free of charge.  The Caring Place does have opportunities available for volunteers and you can see their donation wish list here.

The shelter is in need of baby wipes and cleaning disinfectant wipes, so we will be collecting those the night of Listen to Your Mother: Northwest Indiana!  Please bring wipes to the show on Friday May 10th and look for The Caring Place donation box at the entrance.  

Get your tickets to the show online [with a convenience charge] or call Memorial Opera House box office at 219-548-9137.

]]> http://www.listentoyourmothershow.com/nwi/2013/05/01/the-caring-place/feed/ 0 http://www.listentoyourmothershow.com/nwi/2013/04/25/the-most-delicious-rehearsal/ http://www.listentoyourmothershow.com/nwi/2013/04/25/the-most-delicious-rehearsal/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:58:19 +0000 Lovelyn http://www.listentoyourmothershow.com/nwi/?p=1006

Listen To Your Mother: Northwest Indiana had our second and final rehearsal for the show at Burgerhaus. It was wonderful to see everyone again & polish up our pieces.  I think it’s safe to say that we are excited and ready! Are you? The tickets are over halfway sold out!  Go grab yours now!  You can purchase them from Memorial Opera House online or by calling 219-548-9147!

Burgerhaus is a newer restaurant in Northwest Indiana and it has quickly become one of our family’s favorites.  The restaurant has a comfortable pub-like atmosphere and features burgers with different flares from around the world.  They have delicious sandwiches, salads and offer gluten-free and vegetarian choices, too.  I’m [extremely] partial to the Haus burger with spicy mayo, but have heard serious raves about all of their burgers–including the Aussie, that is topped with hardwood smoked bacon, American cheese, a local fried egg, mayonnaise, lettuce & beefsteak tomato on a whole wheat bun.  Thank you to the Costas family, the owners & operators of Burgerhaus, for helping to give motherhood a microphone this year by sponsoring Listen To Your Mother: Northwest Indiana!

We also would like to welcome Le Peep as a local sponsor! Le Peep is known for abundant flavors and generous servings.  Fresh, simple and elegant, it is a wonderful breakfast and lunch destination in Northwest Indiana!

I’m pleased to introduce you to Maxine today.  Her life has taken quite a journey and I’m so thankful that she is sharing some of it with us at Listen to Your Mother Northwest Indiana this year!

What led you to audition for Listen to Your Mother?

A friend of mine told me about it. I had never heard about the show before and the instant she told me about it, I knew what I was going to write. I thought about it for a few days and sat down and wrote my piece in a matter of minutes.

Tell us a little about your everyday life.

I work from home as a paralegal. My husband gets home from work usually about an hour and a half before I get off and that sometimes makes it hard to focus on continuing my work, but I try. I am active in church but I devote most of my time to getting to know my new husband.

Where can we find you writing?

I mostly write notes on Facebook. I have written most of two books. The first one, I wrote all except one chapter – it was the third to the last chapter. The book I am writing now has very small chapters and I have 11 chapters written. As for “where” I write, anywhere when the mood strikes.

What do you love about living in Northwest Indiana?

My family and friends are what I love about living in NW Indiana. I cannot stand the cold!

What was your dream job as a child?

To be a teacher. I still love the idea. I was blessed with the opportunity to teach in Honduras for six years and I teach Sunday School, but I never pursued it as a career.

What is the best advice your mother [or mother figure] gave you?

This may sound crazy, but I remember thinking while growing up that my mom knew everything. There was no question she couldn’t answer. Once, when I was in high school I thought I could stump her. I asked, “What would happen if every time you went to the bathroom you had to have a drink and every time you got a drink, you had to go to the bathroom?” She very quickly responded, “You would have to sit on the toilet with a hose in your mouth.” I knew without a doubt that my mom truly did know everything!

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Ha. Moms do pretty much know everything.  Thanks for sharing, Maxine!

Join Maxine and the 14 other cast members on show night.  Get your tickets HERE.

We gathered around, mostly unknown and unsure, taking sips of coffee or replacing the lid on our bottled water to fill the time between the small talk.  She drove three hours; she’s lived here all her life.  She wore jeans because her leggings were stained; she wore a skirt because the thought of a road trip in jeans sounded like torture.  She put a fresh layer of blue on her hair this morning; she wished she’d had time for a bang trim before arriving.  Some of us feed on the small talk and it’s almost painful to the rest of us, but suddenly it’s time.  

We switch seats and arrive in an oval.  One after another our stories, our real stories, spill out.  They fill the space and are met with laughter, nodding heads and heartfelt tears.  These stories of motherhood may not be our own, but we can feel, too.  We imagine their heartache, their joy, their loss and suddenly we’re connected.

As we prepare to have one more rehearsal this weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing each person again.  I’m thankful for them sharing their stories in honor of motherhood.  I’m excited that in just 22 days, we’ll be on Memorial Opera House stage sharing them with you!

Thank you to our local sponsor, Beth Fletcher Photography, for providing these pictures, as well as our snacks and a perfect space for our first rehearsal.