It is hard to believe this baby has been a year in the making, but it was last Summer that the wonderful Ellen Gerstein, then with our current publisher Wiley, approached my co-author, Aliza Sherman and I about writing another book together. She and Acquisitions Editor, Amy Fandrei thought Social Media Engagement for Dummies was the perfect fit for the two of us.
And so began a year process that included our official pitch, a contract, three hard months of writing (yes – we wrote the nearly 400 page book in three months), then editing and now to holding it in our sweet little hands – and well, the potential for YOU to do the same if you think it is the right fit. For Aliza and I, it felt like the ‘right moment’ – Aliza spends many of her days teaching clients how to best utilize this amazing space to be the best version of themselves to engage with their community and I LIVE social media engagement every day – on behalf of my own brand and the brands with whom I team up for partnerships and storytelling.
This book is the culmination of late nights and eating binges, of research and living in the social-media-moment. And I am extremely proud of it. This video will share a few of my thoughts.
I’m nearly halfway through this 40th year of mine. It is hard to believe it is flying by so quickly and yet, it could be because I have, quite simply, forgotten that this milestone birthday hit this year. I don’t FEEL any older. I know I’m starting to look a little bit more so, but really, who cares? I don’t need to be dressing like I’m 22 anymore anyway. And many of the current fashions are ones that I wore when I was 8. So, been there, done that.
My small girl is one heck of a softball player. It is remarkably safe to say these are genes she did not inherit from me. In fact, I just learned to catch a few weeks ago. She, on the other hand, has been doing so for five years. Yes, five. She turns nine in a few weeks. I’m not entirely sure she wasn’t born knowing how to catch. Either way, she loves the game, has been intuitively making ‘shortstop’ plays for a few years now and can hit.
I was devastated – knowing she would spend from that moment until the next game in fear of approaching the plate. And she did.
“I’m not paying you $20 for every foul ball, but I will give you $5. You just worry about swinging.”
The day has finally come: my small people can wake up in the morning, entertain themselves without appearing at my bedside and attempting to prop my eyes open, stage whisper, ‘I think she’s still sleeping’, or demand that I come downstairs immediately because they are about to starve to death. I had long wondered at what age this small hurdle of childhood would be jumped and I now know that I am there. She is eight going on nine and he just turned seven. While we’ve flirted with this milestone in the past, I now know we are there for good.
Now that Summer is actually here – and by actually, I mean the days are mainly warmer, I’ve been able to open the windows a few days and I’ve worn flip flops almost every day, I’m pulling out all of my favorite warm-weather recipes for BBQ’s and fun-get-togethers. You know…. the ones everyone always requests when you come to a party? I have friends who I beg to bring that amazing gooey butter cake or that to-die-for spinach artichoke dip (I best be careful or you might think I only go to parties for the food!). When I go to events, I’m often asked to bring this certain Strawberry Salad – so I figured I might share the recipe with you.
In this video, you’ll learn how the true beginner can get started – from the moment you walk into your local gardening store – I went to
My Sweet Small Dude,
You are smart. Wicked smart. Don’t ever forget that smart is cool. And if something doesn’t come easy to you – and there will be things that don’t – studying is cool too. So is trying again. And again. Effort matters. You did well in first grade, Buddy, and I’m so very proud of you, but starting next year, homework is going to take longer than 10 minutes. Just a friendly warning from your loving Mommy.
Since you were itty-bitty, your Daddy and I have told you that your number one job is to protect your sister. That isn’t going to change in these next few years, but it will likely be harder to do. I can already see that you are both mastering the art of pushing each other’s buttons. When you are frustrated with your sister, you might not want to defend her or comfort her, but I’m going to ask you to try anyway. The two of you have a special connection – I want you to work hard to keep it. You’ll be happy you did later in life.
My goal has always been to be the best Mommy, the best teacher, you could have. But you, Cooper, are mine. I learn more from you and your sister every day than I could possibly have imagined. You allow me to see the world from a different height, through open, honest eyes. You love purely, you give unconditionally and play hard with all of your heart. If only each and every adult I knew subscribed to your life philosophies, this world would be ready for you when you grow up.
Here’s the thing – I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately and during these jaunts, I’ve learned the right way to pack and the wrong way. Trust me when I tell you I have come by this information honestly.
