Living Better Out Loud ~ A Blog

kayak_fishing_boy — 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 (though I am trying on both those fronts), no, the gift I didn’t expect came to me on […]

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

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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!

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every_day_in_may — 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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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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snoopy_thanksgiving — 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

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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!

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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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collect_memories_not_things — 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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bear_montana_ bear_whistle_travel — 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!

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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!

This entry was posted in By Train Living Better Out Loud Uncategorized by LB Living Better

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!

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June 2, 2017 is National Donut Day! Free donuts are everywhere! Who can compete with FREE DONUTS? Not us, so here is a sample of the donuts we found on our train trips! Ordering a donut and a coffee today? Why not download a FREE TRAIN TRAVEL BOOK and enjoy two treats at once! In […]

FREE DONUTS and a FREE TRAIN TRAVEL BOOK!

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Dear Friends. The first three are free in June! Beyond the Rails, my new book on cross-country train travel, is free for digital copies the first three days of June! Please enjoy and send me your feedback or questions. If you really enjoyed the book I would love it if you would leave a review! […]

First Three Are Free – Get Your Digital Copy in June!

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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!

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It’s hard to believe that a little more than two years ago, I had never been on a train in the United States. Now we have more than 15,000 miles under our belts and we are planning our fourth trip. It will be our first winter trip and as always I would love to hear […]

Planning Train Trip #4 and Reminiscing About What Can Go Wrong!

This entry was posted in Adventures R Us ~ Blog Posts! Living Better Out Loud Uncategorized by LB Living Better

youth_sports_love_of_the_game_best_of_youth_sports — Dear Coach, Here is my child, a player for your team. This is difficult for me because I am entrusting you with a child I love more than life itself. It seems silly that a volunteer with 8 games and 6 practices can shape my child’s life, but it’s true. So coach, there are a […]

Dear Coach, …Sincerely, Every Parent

This entry was posted in Living Better Out Loud The Very Best of Youth Sports Uncategorized by LB Living Better

summer_bucket_list_2017 — Summer Bucket List 2017~It’s hard to believe that I have been making Summer Bucket Lists for more than a decade now. A simple exercise for children and adults, I have to say I treasure the old lists as much as I do our old family photos. Each list is a funny, sentimental, diary-like glimpse […]

Summer Bucket List 2017 Printable

This entry was posted in Get 'er DONE! Living Better Out Loud Uncategorized by LB Living Better

collect_memories_not_things — **** Train Travel Talk is rescheduled for April 11, 2016! **** Who knew that the first day of Spring would bring a snow storm to Cape Cod?? I am thankful that the Sandwich Women’s Club wanted to reschedule this Train Travel Book Talk as soon as possible! Hope you can make it! Ideas for travel […]

Train Travel Talk ~ April 11, 2016

This entry was posted in Adventures R Us ~ Blog Posts! Living Better Out Loud Uncategorized by LB Living Better