Malin

Maria Malin biography

Maria Malin of Lake Forest loves being a "21st Century Mom" and writing about it in the Lake Forester. The Pioneer Press "21st Century Mom" …

Memorial Day memories

When I was little, Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and, in my family, an official thumbs-up to wear white pants and white shoes. Today, I’m fairly certain that adults and kids alike have moved past this antiquated ritual, but it surely characterized a simpler time in my own life.
A Lake Forest Mother’s Days — and nights

With Mother’s Day just a few short days away, I find myself compelled to reflect on the plight of the average mom turning 50 this year. And yes, as you may remember, that would include me. Being a mother typically means taking little to no …Read More
Hindsight 20/20 for Lake Forest senior

At the recent fundraiser benefiting CROYA, or Committee Representing our Young Adults, I donated a silent auction prize of being featured in an upcoming column. Today, I am pleased to highlight Lake Forest High School senior and auction prize winner, Joseph Santello of Lake Forest. …Read More

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Not alone in quest for comfort

Call it fellowship, camaraderie, the female bond. Whatever you call the unspoken way women relate to each other, it was heard loud and clear after the column I wrote a few weeks back about what I wear around the house on winter nights at home. …

Mid-November, mid break in action

Moms. One can usually find moms in some state of overload. Too much going on. Somebody always needing something. A busy time of year beginning or ending. But have you ever considered that the middle of November brings a sort of interim lull, even for …

Treats play Halloween tricks

As I’m sure I’ve shared over the years, one of my usual evening routines at home is paging through a light-topic magazine, not only to unwind from the day, but to enjoy the stress-reducing benefits of feel-good journalism. Until the other night. With one of …

A trip alone, together

As I’m writing this column, my husband and I are on a plane coming home from a five-plus day getaway to ring in our 25th wedding anniversary. I glance over at him from my laptop as he leisurely enjoys the latest Spiderman movie on our …

‘In-mom-niacs’

So, I’m lying in bed, and it’s a typical weeknight about 3 a.m. when I really need to fall back to sleep, but can’t. As I contemplate my recurring inability to sleep through the night, I realize that I’ve officially joined a club to which …

Emptying my nest: Part Two

You know, I very rarely do a two-part column, but I somehow feel compelled to offer a follow-up to my last column about recently joining the ranks of “empty nester-hood.” I can either call this one, “Empty Nesting: Part Two,” or to more appropriately describe …

Are you tired after Lake Forest Day?

You might be taking it a bit slower today after 48 hours of Lake Forest Day celebrating. Were you chasing wristband-encircled little ones around a night of one-price rides Tuesday? Are you fighting a mild case of Tilt-a-Whirl vertigo from some futile attempt to rediscover …

Acts of kindness for Ellie

July 18 marked the one-year anniversary of the death of a kind and gentle teen named Elizabeth (Ellie) Burns from Lake Forest. Ellie’s young life -- like that of many others our community has unexpectedly said “good-bye” to this year -- made this world a …

Yes, this is a challenging summer

Without overstating the obvious, we are in extreme need of a change in our weather. The grass is dying, our flowers are positively shriveling in the heat, and I dare say I thought I saw a tumbleweed roll across my patio the other day. But …

Graduation parties gone mad

It’s been great having a high school graduate this summer. The ceremony. The excitement. The parties. Attending multiple parties every weekend. Not to mention throwing our own grad party. Now, this mom loves celebrations as much as (if not more) than the next, but I …

Cologne again for a Father’s Day gift?

The other day, as my husband and I stood back to back at our respective bathroom vanities performing our usual “getting ready for work” routines, I casually turned to him in between tweezing my eyebrows and inquired, “The kids and I want to know what …

What can a mom say to college-bound daughter?

One of my favorite “mom-writers” of all time, the brilliant Erma Bombeck, once said, “I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. Finally they are airborne, but they need more string, so you keep letting it out. …

These are not usual times

If I was writing a “usual” column today, I’d probably talk about the “usual” rites of spring and how hectic the end of the school year is for families. I’d shake my head and laugh with you at how overwhelmed moms are with planning graduation …

A very special mom: Kristine Fontana

May is the month we remember mothers. There are moms that make you laugh, make you stronger, know when to hug, cry, or simply listen. There are moms who are there for their families, and moms who are there for everyone. Kristine Fontana of Lake …

Parents change conversations at home after tragedies

Parents are talking. To one another. More importantly, talking to their kids at home. And -- most importantly -- listening. Through the tragedies of these past months, families have opened new dialog; schools and youth groups have opened more doors to support our children’s emotional …

How Lent helps us think of others

I was at a dinner party two weeks ago, and I guess I never realized how much the season of Lent gets mixed into conversation this time of year. Who “gave up” what, who is trying to curb a bad habit, who is going to …

Warming up a winter day

In the everyday routine of these winter weeks -- when my days basically alternate between work, trips to the grocery store and back home again -- life feels pretty simple and predictable. Typical phone conversations revolve around the “same old same old” stuff – no …

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