Exciting News — Page 3

Listen To Your Mother Pittsbrugh, Should I Do It? YES!

January 13, 2015 by amushro

It’s been less than a week since Jennifer, Stephanie, and I announced that we have opened up auditions spots for Listen to Your Mother Pittsburgh, and it’s been a whirlwind of excitement for us!

We’ve also received a ton of questions (all good ones)! Also, I know some of your are thinking about auditioning, but you just aren’t sure you should do it (yes, you should!). So I created a post where I answers as many of those questions as possible and you can read it right here

Also, spend some time on the Listen to Your Mother You Tube Channel to catch some of the amazing reading from previous years in other cities. Honestly, they are all amazing and will give you a sense of how the Listen to Your Mother show comes together in each city.

Listen to Your Mother is such an amazing experience and I hope you will consider auditioning and joining us on this journey!

Are you ready to Listen to Your Mother?

January 9, 2015 by amushro

If you’ve been hanging around here for a while, you probably know that I am madly in love with a little show called Listen to Your Mother. During the 2014 season, I was thrilled to be a part of the Washington DC cast and share my story “Emergency Mom” with the world. Did you miss it? Oh wait, here it is again:

After being a part of Listen to Your Mother, I knew that such a powerful and meaningful show needed to be brought to my hometown of Pittsburgh. Even though I haven’t lived there in over ten years, I still identify Pittsburgh as my home and love and adore everything that fabulous city has to offer.

When my blogging buddies Jennifer, Stephanie and I got the word we were going to bring Listen to Your Mother to the ‘Burgh we all did a ridiculous happy dance, cried a little, and then rolled up our sleeves because we were ready to work!

So where does this journey start? First up, auditions!

We are opening up spots for auditions, and if you live in the Pittsburgh or surrounding areas (WV,MD, OH), we want YOU to tell your story!

Listen to Your Mother is searching for men and women to share their stories about motherhood. You don’t have to be a mother, just have a story about motherhood. Even if you aren’t a professional writer or have any stage experience, don’t worry! Most cast members are in the same boat. Pieces are around 5 minutes long and read, not memorized. So don’t worry! It’s nothing like the stressful days of high school giving presentations in front of the class.

We are looking for stories that make us laugh and cry. We want stories of the good, the bad, the really bad, and the magical parts of motherhood. We want to hear about your mother, why you became a mother, why you never want to be a mother, who is the mother figure in your life. We want to hear it all so that we can give a broad perspective of motherhood that can be woven into one phenomenon show. We want your stories and we want to give you a microphone.

Click here is all the info you need for auditions in Pittsburgh!

Not near Pittsburgh? No worries, check here to see if there is a show near you! Each city has a different audition process and time frame so check the site to get all the details.

Even if being a part of the cast doesn’t sound like something you would want to do, can you do me a huge favor? Share this with someone you think would be interested in Listen to Your Mother! With shows in 39 cities, you are bound to introduce this life changing show to someone new! Then find a show near you and grab all your girlfriends and go see the show! Believe me, you won’t be sorry!

Because Other Couples Arguing is Awkward and Hilarious, Right?

November 3, 2014 by amushro

When I was pregnant with my son, my husband had one job. ONE JOB. OK, maybe two: do his part to make the baby and get me to the hospital in a speedy but safe way when I was in labor. My darling little boy is evidence that my husband got his first job done. He probably even deserves a gold star for that job. But the story behind his failure at job number two is beyond absurd and is featured in the hilarious new book Clash of the Couples, which is out today!

My story, Fetus, Take the Wheel, is just one of the essays you will find in this anthology, and I am thrilled to be included in a book with so many fantastic writers. I’ve been giggling through each story and love seeing inside some of the ridiculous and hilarious fights other couples find themselves in.

The book has been endorsed by a number of humor and publishing heavyweights, including Josh Blue, comedian and winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and Abby Heugel, popular humorist and blogger at Abby Has Issues. Here’s what they had to say:

“If you’re looking for a fun read, check out Clash of the Couples. I could relate to the couples in this honest and hilarious collection of modern relationship tales. Clash of the Couples bursts with the real stuff that couples fight about and will make you laugh while shaking your head at the ridiculousness of it!” said Blue.

Heugel shares his sentiments. “Married, single, destined for spinsterhood—it doesn’t matter what angle you come at this book from, you will find something that you can relate to. And you will laugh, because even if you can’t relate to that particular situation, you’ll just be glad that it happened to somebody else.”

You should totally buy this book. Hey, why don’t you buy one for yourself and buy one for your friend who is getting married? Wait, I’ve got it, buy one for everyone on your holiday shopping list! Look at how helpful I am!

Hey, How About A Giveaway?

* I’m going to give a copy to two lucky winners! To win all you have to do is tell me about the most ridiculous fight you’ve ever had with your spouse. Keep it short and sweet! And don’t worry, I will totally take your side. I’llpick a winner on November 12! Good luck!*

I’m in Scary Mommy’s New Book and How We Can Do a Little Good for Thanksgiving!

October 21, 2014 by amushro

Long before I ever started this silly blog, I was a huge fan of Scary Mommy. I loved her writing, her sense of humor, she has super fantastic curly hair, and she’s even more fabulous in person. Every day she shares the best posts from other bloggers on her site, and not just any old post, ones that make you laugh out loud, some make cry, and others that really make you think.

I’ve been lucky enough to be featured on her site twice, and each time I count my lucky stars that I’ve been added to the long list of fabulous writers on her site. Now I can squeal with joy to tell you that Jill Smokler, the fabulous lady behind Scary Mommy, is putting out a new book and I’m going to be in it! Ahhhhh!!!

The e-book is going to be available November 17, but is available for pre-order right now. However, more than this being a hilarious book full of fantastic writers, a portion of the proceeds is going to The Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project. That just makes buying this book even better!

Here’s more about the Thanksgiving Project and how you can help!

The Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project began three years ago, with just a handful of families.

A handful of mothers who confessed not being able to afford Thanksgiving dinners and a handful of readers who volunteered to help them. Nobody was trying to save the world; we just wanted to be able to make a difference in one family’s life.

And then the magic happened.

More families came forward with their struggles and even more families pitched in to help, donating anywhere from a dollar to several hundred. Over four hundred families celebrated a Thanksgiving dinner they otherwise would have gone without and Scary Mommy Nation (now a 501(c)3 charity) was born.

Every day, Scary Mommy is proud to showcase a variety of viewpoints and perspectives from mothers everywhere. Underneath all of our differences – behind all of that which too often divides us – the wonder of a mother’s love for her children is universal. And what can be more instinctually maternal than wanting to be able to nurture and provide for your family?

That’s the simple beauty of the Thanksgiving Project. Our children– and our struggle for their well-being – is what connects this community. To date, more than 4,500 families have benefitted from the Thanksgiving Project. Last year alone, we received 2,765 applications and were able to fulfill each and every one. It’s time to do it all again.

thanks

Welcome to The 2014 Thanksgiving Project!

If you could use help with your Thanksgiving holiday, click here to apply. Applications will close 11/1.

If you are involved in blogging or social media, please help us spread the word.

If you have or know of a business who would like exposure and good karma, learn more here.

If you can afford to help a struggling family, please donate by clicking below. Fifty dollars buys an entire dinner – you can, of course, give less and be grouped with other donors, or give more and sponsor multiple families.

(You can also mail checks to: Scary Mommy Nation, PO Box 20866 Baltimore, MD 21209)

Finally, last but not least…here’s a way for you to do good and spoil yourself a little, too.

On November 17 and just in time for the Holiday Season, Simon & Schuster will publish the Scary Mommy’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays e-book. The best part? Part of the proceeds of the sale of the e-book will benefit Scary Mommy Nation and the Thanksgiving Project.

The second best part of the book? It contains the voices you know and love from this website, along with a few new ones.

Meet the contributors to Scary Mommy’s Guide to Surviving The Holidays:

Kim Bongiorno • Christine Burke • Abby Byrd • Andrea Condodemetraky • Sarah Cottrell • Janie Emaus • Victoria Fedden • Nancy Friedman • Anna Gebert • Deborah Goldstein • Alice Gomstyn • Sharon Green • Jessica Griffin • Maria Guido • Toni Hammer • Natalie Hoage • Harmony Hobbs • Amy Hunter • Julie Lay • Kathryn Leehane • Jennifer Lizza • Lola Lolita • Alessandra Macaluso • Leslie Marinelli • Hannah Mayer • Jessica Mayer • Amanda Mushro • Jennifer Weedon Palazzo • Tarja Parssinen •Robyn Passante • Crystal Ponti • Lily Read • Jennifer Scharf • Alisa Schindler • Tammy Scott • Jennifer Simon • Allison Slater Tate • Jill Smokler • Rita Templeton • Vicky Willenberg • Joelle Wisler • Megan Zander.

Pretty impressive line-up, huh?

At only $2.99, this e-book will be the best investment you make this season. Pre-order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iBooks and it will magically appear on your device on November 17. A perfect little holiday present… from you, to you.

Book Number Two! Don’t Mind if I do!

October 11, 2014 by amushro

It’s no wonder that I’m a writer. I mean did you catch that hilarious title?

Lame rhyming titles aside, I am THRILLED to share with you the second anthology where my writing is featured. The book is called Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness and you can buy it here.

This book is filled with hilarious, sweet, and not so sweet stories of those long days and nights of motherhood induced exhaustion. I’m sure we all can relate to the ridiculous things that we say and do when we can’t remember what a good night’s rest feels like, right?

My essay is all about finally letting go of my son’s nap and how it only took me seven months to realize not napping is OK–it sucks for Mommy but the kid will be OK. I like to refer to my kids’ napping days as “the good ol’ days.”

Looking for a fun book? Get this one! Want an easy read? Get this one! Want to laugh and laugh? Get this one! Want to get a book that I’m in? Get this one! And, might I add, this is a perfect stocking stuffer for all the Moms in your life. You even get a free pass to hide in the bathroom and read in in peace and quiet (I made that part up but just go with it)

I’m in a new book and I’m sharing a sneak peek of the cover!

September 17, 2014 by amushro

When I first started writing a blog I often feared that the only person that would read my posts (and laugh at them) would be my mom. Because, you know, she kinda has to. Luckily after almost two years of this silly blog being around, people other than the woman that birthed me read and like my blog! Success!!

Just so you know, I don’t just write about my epic parenting failures. No, no,no. I’m much more evolved than that. I also write about my epic marriage fails too–very versatile. So that is why I am THRILLED to tell you that I am going to be featured in another book.

Clash of the Couples is all about the absurd and ridiculous fights we have with our significant others. Now I can’t tell you what I wrote (you will need to read the book, silly), but you will totally take my side when you read my story. You should also tell my husband he owes me a big gift…a big shiny expensive gift… because of his nonsense.

The book will be out November 3 but I have a sneak peek of the cover for you!

About the book:

Coupledom. Fact or fable, Adam and Eve birthed the perpetual relationship drama as seen on TV today. Despite the serpents, this couple HAD IT MADE. Luxury real estate, lush gardens, and privacy out the yin-yang. Life was glorious until the bare-bottomed babe could no longer resist temptation. Despite her better half’s warnings and threats to sleep in a tree, she tasted the forbidden fruit. One bite of that seductive, juicy contraband and the stage was set for eternity— a nibble that has blossomed into an endless supply of tiny tidbits that divide lovers to this day!

Taking a cue from the naked explorers of authentic sin, Clash of the Couples is a new anthology featuring a collection of completely absurd lovers’ squabbles and relationship spats. Think couples fight over kids, sex, and money? Think again! Furniture, the last beer, and where to store the placenta are what genuinely ignite our feuds. And no argument is off limits. This book has it all!

Inside you’ll find a gut-busting compilation of stories such as: “I Can’t Believe You Ate My Sandwich,” “Never Assume Anything,” “Only I Can Talk About Me,” and “You Want Some College Boobs?” from forty-three fearless writers. Prepare to laugh, roll your eyes, and shiver in suspense. While Eve may have had the first bite, we ate the whole tree. And made pies.

Published by Blue Lobster Book Co., Clash of the Couples launches loudly and obnoxiously on November 3, 2014. You’ll hear us coming, but look for it on Amazon, B&N, Apple, and other places where you typically buy books. For instant updates, follow along on Facebook!

The lineup includes:

Andrew S. Delfino of Almost Coherent Parent

Crystal Ponti of MommiFried

Camille DeFer Thompson of Camille DeFer Thompson

Kimberly Morand of Anchor Magazine: Navigating Depression, Bipolar, and Anxiety

Meredith Napolitano of From Meredith to Mommy

Chris Dean of pixie.c.d.

Linda Roy of elleroy was here

Kevin Zelenka of Double Trouble Daddy

Sarah Cottrell of Housewife Plus

R.C. Liley of Going Dad

Mary Widdicks of Outmanned