Texas Coast Escape

I took a nice, little day trip down to the Texas coast this weekend. So much is happening down there as far as development goes. I guess that is both good and bad - I just hope there's at least one private spot left for me when I get to the place in life where I'm ready for it.
I got to stick my feet in the sand for a couple of hours, though.

Texas Family Developments

Just wanted to let you know of a few developments with Texas Family Magazine.
First of all, we are revamping our website. One part of that is we are looking for moms who would like to blog for us so if you're a mom ... and you have something to say ... you know who to contact!! Also, it turns out we have a My Space page, if you're in to that kind of thing and want to be "friends." ... Keep in mind they both are works in progress.
Also, we have issued a press release announcing my new role as Editor in Chief. For your reading pleasure, here is my quote: “I am thrilled to be in this role with Texas Family Magazine, a role where I can be instrumental in providing a positive and relevant influence on the Texas parents who work so hard to educate, support, and love their children,” says Shearer.
“As our magazine continues to move forward and become more dominant statewide, I hope to improve continually the quality of our information and the ways in which we present it. I am grateful, particularly as a native Texan, to be part of such a wonderfully independent and proud statewide community that respects its unity and its diversity. I will strive to match that Texas spirit and find ways to enhance it with each and every issue of Texas Family.”

O'Reilly Factor Tonight

* Ellen did great. I served as her make-up, hair, and moral support specialist! : ) Here is the link.

My good friend Ellen is going to be on "The O'Reilly Factor" tonight on FOX News. The show will air at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Central Time. Ellen is the author of "Diary of a Dysfunctional Flight Attendant: The Queen of Sky Blog."

I'll be going with her this afternoon to the local Fox station for filming! Should be interesting!

Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

A couple of weekends ago, I visited Amelia Island Plantation, on the Northeast side of Florida, close to the Georgia border. It was beautiful, and while the resort itself is huge, the beaches are relatively quiet and not at all crowded.
The resort offers single family homes, condos, and hotel rooms. They also have shops, many restaurants, an awesome spa that takes a holistic, natural approach, a nature center, a fitness center, and lots and lots of activities, like horseback riding on the beach.
It was a nice research trip. Seems like a long time ago now, with all these new work responsibilities ...

Texas Family Magazine Editor in Chief

I have some big news! Really big news!!

I have been named the new Editor in Chief for Texas Family Magazine! I have been writing for TFM since the premiere issue and have been an Associate Editor there for about a year. Being Editor in Chief will bring many new responsibilities and will be both an opportunity and a challenge for me. The first issue I will handle in this position will be the November/December issue -- so look for it! I am very excited and am so looking forward to bringing my ideas to the publication. Expect great things!

Austin Sunshine Camps

The summer, it seems, already is drawing to a close, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention an organization I have worked with quite a bit this year. It is the Austin Sunshine Camps, which are funded and run by the Young Men's Business League. Every year, they put close to a thousand at-risk and disadvantaged kids through a week-long, overnight summer camp. Filled with lots of fun activities, this really is these kids' only opportunity to have this kind of experience.

Each week a new batch of kids would come to the camps, all excited, some a little scared to be away from home. I volunteered twice with each group, helping with Carnival Nights and Canoe Nights. For Carnival Nights, I somewhat commandeered the face painting booth (first, out of a fear of being put near the dunking booth, then just because I liked it so much.) We painted rainbows, hearts, butterflies, and many, many other designs and had a lot of fun doing it. Canoe nights were fun, too. And dirty. Especially when the water guns, paddle splashing, and seaweed fights took place. It was like a little bit of kid fun for all us adults!

I really admire all the efforts of the so many people who choose to make a difference in children's lives through this organization. It has been a great experience for me, and from seeing the older kids who have been through the program, a great experience and learning tool for thousands and thousands of kids. I hope they continue to be able to impact so many children. While volunteering is strong, they are greatly in need of a new building to house the campers and to host their year-round Leadership Program, and I hope they soon find a way to make that happen.

More Stories

Some new stories of mine are out this August - A Coastal Maine family travel story is in Connecticut Parent, an article about instilling Work Ethic in kids is in Baltimore's Child, and a "Back to School Stress Busters" story is in Sonoma Family Life.

Best in Texas - Candy Coburn

For this month's Best in Texas Music Magazine, I profiled Candy Coburn. Candy is who I appropriated the term "31derful" from. It was quite timely that I interviewed her the week before my 31st birthday!

The story can be read through August here.