With a Capital EM: I’m Beautiful … and I eat at McDonald’s
The year – 2006. The scene – 2 a.m. during spring break near a dumpster outside of an apartment building in Phoenix, Ariz. There I was, peering inside a dumpster, actually considering reaching in to retrieve a packet of McDonald’s Sweet & Sour Sauce that was accidentally tossed out. What was wrong with this picture? It all started in December. Looking...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Be Natural Where it Counts
I am sure that my natural hair color was once a very pretty shade of brown. But since I started highlighting my hair at the age of 13, returning to my natural color is something that has eluded me for quite a while. And now with a few (read: a lot of) grays coming in, well natural just won’t allow me to pass for 25, which I like to think I do … on...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Prepping Priorities … Not Meals
I have a request. When I walk into your party with my football-shaped slow cooker filled with queso dip ala Velveeta Cheese and Rotel, pretty please, act impressed. You see I am not a terrific cook and by no means a foodie, but dear lord do I try. Wait that’s not true, I tend to be good at things I actually try — cooking, however gets about 10 percent...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Memories Heal a Broken Heart
My heart is broken. For the first time in my life someone really close to me has passed way. On Jan. 11, 2012 my grandfather, Jim Fitzgerald, left this world — with any luck — for a better one. He was 85 years old and lived one of the richest lives imaginable. The second oldest of five siblings, he grew up in Port Huron, was recruited into the Army and...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Straight up I’ll tell you, Change is Good
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that when I was little Paula Abdul was my hero. First of all, Emilo Estevez was one of my celebrity crushes and for a brief time in my childhood they were married, so combine that with her killer dance moves, totally rockin’ sense of style and her musical talents (which I didn’t believe could be surpassed) and there...
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With a Capital EM: Perspective Makes Being Thankful Easy
My siblings (Adam, Elaine & Tricia) and me in Mackinaw this fall. My grandma, the wisest woman I know, has always said that I have the ability to make lemonade out of lemons. I mean, what else are lemons good for? Actually, sometimes I like to squeeze them on baked whitefish (I mean YUM!) Or you know what else is great? A bowl of bright yellow lemons as...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Home Sweet Home (Squared)
For 11 years now I’ve been living a double life. No, I’m not a secret agent, nor do I have a husband and kids living in another state. I do, however, have roots planted in two places — here in the Greater Lansing area and also in my original hometown of Lapeer, Mich. When people ask me where I’m from the answer can vary. It’s that moment where I’m...
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With a Capital EM: She Taught Me Business
My Aunt Karen and I doing the Macarena back in the 1990s. See how serious we are? When I think business women, I think long, well-manicured nails, navy blue suits with matching pumps and … Celine Dion. Not the actual Celine Dion, of course, because while I’m sure she’s a great business woman, she’s a performer first and foremost. I mean Celine Dion...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: Dare to Dream … Even if it Doesn’t Pay the Bills
I am not good with money. Wait, let me rephrase that. When I have money I am super great at spending it. The concept of money and — more importantly — a budget, however, has always been kind of lost on me. I see, I want, I buy. So, it’s really no surprise that when a professor my freshman year of college warned a class of about 200 future journalists...
Continue ReadingWith a Capital EM: FYI, It’s Not a Scuba Suit
Bikinis. Even the word is ridiculous. Still, I can’t deny that when the brief time in my adult life arrived and I was able to wear the get-up without spilling out of it, I did. Because, well, I suppose as the saying goes “if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” Unfortunately for me, that time was a fleeting moment in history. Also unfortunately for me, it was...
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With a Captial EM: “Let’s Go” Lessons from Dad
Let’s go is probably one of my favorite phrases in the English language … well next to “these diamonds are for you.” But then again, I don’t really think that’s a common phrase. Anyway, I love hearing “let’s go” because it usually means sights, new people, likely good food and drinks, maybe some travel and, if you’re lucky, some fun memories. Hearing...
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