project mom: keeping up with kelcey
I’m submitting this post for Project Mom, a potential new reality TV series about mom bloggers:
I’m a mom of four kids (including newborn twins) and yes, I’m breast feeding two babies while I type this. I used to be a serious, Ivy league trained TV journalist and now I’m a definitely-not-so-serious humor writer. 9-11 changed everything for me.
My Story:
It was 1997. Wearing a pager was still cool and I couldn’t wait for new episodes of “Friends” because I knew if Ross and Rachel could finally get together, there was romantic hope for me. I moved from Manhattan to Montana to pursue my dream of being a TV reporter.
My voice in 1997: A smart, high pitched blond with bright red lipstick who loved to tell other people’s stories.
Over the next 5 years, I would make my way back to the Northeast. But on September 11th, 2001, I drove from my apartment in Manhattan to my job in Connecticut and just as I was arriving, it happened.
I no longer did stories on the opening of a new baseball arena. Or a court proceeding. Or a local pet fashion show. Just endless days of reporting this unimaginable tragedy. And I remember one particular day when I was knocking on the door of yet another widow. I was gazing at her wedding photo through the panes of glass when I noticed her lying in a hammock outside.
I didn’t want to bother her. But it was my job.
“Excuse me, Miss. I am so sorry. I know you have suffered a horrible loss. I’m a reporter for Channel 12 and –,” I began.
“Do you know that is the first time I’ve fallen asleep in days?! And you woke me up. How could you do that? I have no comment.”
“I’m so sorry,” was all I could manage to say.
And as I slunk back to my car, I knew this just couldn’t be my life’s work.
After a couple more years, I gave up TV reporting and started something called mothering.
And I began to realize that I didn’t want to bring anguish into other people’s lives. I wanted to make them laugh. I started a humor blog.
My voice in 2010: I tell my own story. I write about everything from changing my daughter’s name to being dumped by my babysitter to inadvertently locking my TV news anchor husband in the basement because I’m that tired.
I’m addicted to my Blackberry, would rather consult Twitter than call my pediatrician and believe Facebook was thankfully created so everyone could keep tabs on their ex’s.
Over the past three years, I have built an ever growing and loyal following on my blog, due to social networking and my mother-in-law who knows everyone from Jersey to Boca. I have been published online, in newspapers across the country and I’m speaking at BlogHer 2010.
I’m not sure where this is all headed. I might write a book. Or try to get the world to recycle. Or just attempt to get my kids to school on time.
Whichever direction, I want to keep them laughing.
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ah what a great entry. your blog is one of my must reads. Plus we have a lot in common. I wanted to be a reporter, but I love being a mommy now. thanks for always making me laugh. Hugs,
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I adore you and your blog too. I’m rooting for you!
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Never miss a post Kelcey. You always find the funny (or maybe it finds you?) and you do it with such style, relevance and when necessary, compassion. Yes – you’re a humorist, but you also have a story to tell, and I’m just so glad that you allow us to watch it unfold.
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I’m a huge fan already!
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Project Mom casting people – Kelcey is far too modest to tell you all her many fine qualities. Not only is she funny, sweet, thoughtful, loyal and kind she looks BEAUTIFUL on camera. Don’t make the same mistake “The Real World” made back in the early 90s. Kelcey was in the TOP 12 out of tens of 1000s of candidates for a the show and stupidly did not make the last cut. Their loss can be your gain.
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Nice entry for the interview! And, you got it done WAY before the deadline.
I strongly second Jordana’s comment…
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Love Kelcey’s blog. Never miss it. She makes me laugh out loud every time. She would be a fantastic choice for Project Mom!!!
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Having known Kelcey since we worked together at the CBS affiliate station in Great Falls, Montana, I know both of her lives/voices since she began her honest, creative work post-college. I look forward to reading her blog, seeing her photos and having insight into her life that the internet has made possible more than once in awhile, more like a few times a week. I agree with Jennifer; she would be an excellent choice for Project Mom and her ability to share her truth would provide engaging viewing and more than a few good laughs. I’m on Team Kelcey!
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I love you, Kelcey. I saw your Montana tape and it was fabulous. I watched all your work with Channel 12 and my whole family tuned it. You are totally inspiring as a friend, sister, daughter, wife, mama, blogger, writer, etc. If you don’t get on this show I will personally call the people casting for this show and tell them they missed the boat big time-like Leo and Kate Titanic big!!!!!!
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Is it wrong that I hope they pick all my favorite humor blogging mommies? You would be awesome.
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I’m with Nicole.
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You are perfect for this!
But I know you’re not just doing this so you might meet Coach Taylor at the Emmys, right?
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You are so lucky to have had that “aha” moment and recognized it.
We need more joy-makers in this world.
Kelcey makes me laugh each time I come to this blog.
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Oh here here sister!
You have inspired ME to be a better blogger/writer/watcher of reality TV. Therefore this is yours! HANDS DOWN! Or pants down, whichever the case may be.
YES!
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This is great K!
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What a terrific summary of your story. Is there going to be voting for the bloggers they pick? I’ll vote for you EVERY day! Go Kelcey!
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Wonderful picture and wonderful post. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.
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Thanks for making me laugh lots… and encouraging me to laugh at myself! You are a true inspiration! Good luck!
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I hope they hire you. You’d be awesome!
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Love this entry. I’d watch you for sure! Can’t wait to meet you in NYC next week!
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You have my Vote! Team Kelcey!
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Kelcey, if you get on TV, even I, the hater of all reality TV, will watch it.
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They would be CRAZY not to pick you. Ever since I discovered your blog a couple of years ago I haven’t missed a post. You make me laugh, think and cry. I love your blog and am sure you would be perfect on this show! I hope you make it!
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Kelcey is the real deal! Pick her, Project Mom!
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Your story? Would be a joy to watch. Plus, you’re gorgeous and that’s always good for TV.
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I’m setting my DVR now!!!
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Kelcey – you are just one of those people that NEEDS to be on TV because you make people feel so damn good! You have such an incredible gift, girl – I’m sure Project Mom will see that!!
xoxo
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Wait- how are you doing to get all that sewing done with the babies? oooh different “project” show
:-} My fingers are crossed for you girl- how exciting! So proud of all you have accomplished since our news12 days! xoxo
PS awesome photo!
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Project Mom folks: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I want to be Kelcey when I grow up, so pick our girl!! I don’t have kids and yet I read her blog religiously. She’s genuinely funny, sweet and relate-able without arrogance or snarky ego like most other bloggers out there. She’s 1-in-a-million. Go Kelcey!
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Beautiful life, beautiful lady, beautiful post. What a joy it would be to follow Kelsey’s story this way.
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Good luck! My DVR is set too.
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If there was voting, you would 100% have my vote. Your blog is on the top of my reading list and your posts never fail to make me laugh. It would be fantastic to be able to follow you through Project Mom. Good luck – and if the Project Mom people are reading this, PICK KELCEY!!
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You would be great! TV, especially “reality” TV needs more humor.
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I would so watch this show with you on it.
Also. I’m with Nicole.
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You really would be PERFECT for this! good luck!
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Love your story, Kelcey, and love your blog. Your writing entertains and inspires.
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Love the idea and your post was exquisite. I’ve now read over 15 other entries by project wannabes. Those broads don’t stand a chance. Let me know what I can do!
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Amazing! Fingers and toes are crossed for you. If Snookie can ring the bell on Wall Street, anything is possible!
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What happens if you become a bigger t.v. star than Rick? Will he become a house-husband or will you finally get that full time Nanny to do the ‘dirty work’ and you can spend your spare time kissing little toes and hugging big girls. I look forward to seeing you and the entire family on t.v.
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Love this!!! You have such a great way of talking about your life and all the crazy, funny and not so easy to talk about moments. You’d be perfect; my fingers are crossed for you!!!
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What a beautiful story. From writing about the stories of others, I am glad that you are now sharing yours through this blog. I love reading your entries.
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Good luck! And would it be weird if I went around telling people that I know you when you become a reality star??
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Kelsey, you are the real deal – humor without hubris. I love reading your blog. You’ve got my vote for the reality show but I really think you could have your own TV series.
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love the post! love the picture!
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Very compelling entry! I hope you win!
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