Living Better Out Loud ~ A Blog


Every Day In May – How to Play!  Everyone Wins – Really! The rules are simple.  Choose something that you can do Every Day in May that will have you living better.  You can do something new, you can stop doing something old, you can move, eat, read, even think about something Every Day in May!  […]

Every Day in May


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An oldie but a goodie – edited for repost – now a college graduate, boy how time flies! Of all the stuff my college freshman will pack for his first year, this item, “the best gift I didn’t expect to give” is not on any list. It is not sage advice or a heartfelt letter […]

The Best Gift I Didn’t Expect to Give My College Freshman


Your First Play Group Today, at work, we registered children and babies for our first play groups! What I wish I could tell the parents; they probably would not believe.  This is so much more than a play group. Don’t get me wrong, the music and play dough, the snacks and songs, are all terrific […]

Your First Play Group



Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in: Moving as a Minimalist: A 15-Point Checklist for a Faster, Easier, and Stress-Free Move It’s no secret that we accumulate a lot of “stuff.” From garages filled with dusty antiques and hand-me-downs to attics filled with knick-knacks, these items often lay forgotten until the dreaded […]

Featured in a REDFIN Article, Moving as a Minimalist



The graduation with the cap and gown, the stage, the cheering audience, the parties and friends is not happening this year. This sucks! No one should tell you that it doesn't and unfortunately you the class of 2020 is learning one of life's toughest lessons, life is unfair. However, you are also...

Make Your Graduation Happen #mygraduation2020




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I forgot my homework!   Where is my charger?  I missed the bus! I can’t find my soccer cleats! Mmmooooommm!!! It’s all fun and games until September is over…. The new clothes have all been worn, the notebooks are beginning to tatter and jumping out of bed for school is starting to take a few more […]

It’s All Fun and Games Until September is Over!


When you are a speaker and you say something that halts the conversation in the room, arms cross chests and every single eye in the room is on you, it’s official “you have stepped in it”. Purpose of Play Last week I had the pleasure of facilitating a full day workshop for childcare providers.  The […]

Here is What No One Tells You About Bad Parents!



Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone but you still have plenty of holiday gifts to buy.  What if there is one holiday gift for your entire list? Give the gift of travel and adventure. Whether it’s a family time in the great outdoors or plans for an overseas excursion, the gift of […]

One Holiday Gift for Your Entire List!


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My unconventional Snoopy centerpiece reflects two very important aspects of our family’s Thanksgiving celebration: One, the stuffed bird is as close as I get to cooking on Thanksgiving! Little Birdie And two,  a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a must watch! I have been watching Snoopy fight with that lawn chair and play ping-pong while singing Little Birdie […]

Thanksgiving is Snoopy and Little Birdie… since 1973


    Three Months Until Christmas! I  know, it’s unbelievable but Christmas does show up year after year after year. Three months from today it will be here again but wait I have the best gift ever! How do I know this, well I asked my kids and with the exception of the year we […]

Three Months From Today Is Christmas – I have the best gift ever!



Type the words “train travel  in the USA” and you are sure to see the viral post of traveler David Low and his $213 train ride across the United States. What most people fail to do is read his entire post to see that he used  Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass and spent over $400 to […]

Across the USA by Train and BACK and MORE for $459


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Amtrak Song! Do you remember the Amtrak song from the eighties?  Hint: It beings with the words, “There’s something about….” Did that help you?  If you got it without help, comment “I got this” below.  If you didn’t get it no worries, click the link, WARNING, it will get stuck in your head for the […]

Do you remember the Amtrak song from the 1980’s?


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This is NOT what you want to hear today. I know this because I did the math (okay I counted with my fingers and toes) and I don’t want to hear this either, but here it goes. Today is the first day of summer! Woohoo!  There are however only 75 days left until Labor Day! […]

This is NOT what you want to hear today!



Enjoy my radio interview today with Dan and Stephanie from WCOD Cape Cod. Too much fun so early in the morning. Video from our four trips and the pictures are just a sample of what is in the book!  Click here for  your FREE digital copy (available through June 5th, 2017).   Today is the last […]

Enjoy our Radio Interview and Last Day for FREE Digital Download!


When I tell people my new book is about train travel, the number one response to follow is “I’ve Always Wanted to Do That!”   So, why aren’t you going? Okay, I know the obvious answers: time and money, we may never have enough of either one.  But really, why aren’t you going?  If I […]

I’ve Always Wanted To Do That!


Summer is just around the corner and with it comes your teenager’s first venture into the world of work. Whether it is an unpaid internship in a local office, bagging groceries or scooping ice cream, your teenager is now employed!  In most cases, a surprising fact will arise, our teenagers will work harder, better and faster in […]

Five Important Rules Teenagers Need to Know About Work!