Author: alisonpaulklak

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, freelance writer, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband and son. She is a storyteller who shares about her writing journey, life in North Carolina— and features people and places that inspire.
Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Porch Talk: Three Friends Talk “Coping” During #PANDEMIC (while raising children/pregnancy)

alisonpaulklak

I recently had the chance to porch sit with my bestie neighbor, Miranda Crosby and our mutual friend Danica Thomas, to talk about the ups and downs we’ve experienced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic— and how we have coped with the changes in our lives. We brought our unique perspectives, backgrounds, personalities, quirks to the microphone 🎙 to chat candidly about this strange time in life that has turned the world 🌎 upside down. Miranda— an Army spouse whose husband deployed overseas in January— is pregnant with their first child all while wading through these new socially distant waters sans her husband. Danica— a widowed Army spouse, is a military suicide awareness and prevention advocate raising two young daughters as a single parent while working and virtually homeschooling her daughters all on her own. Alison (me)— an Army spouse, children’s book author, writer, podcaster trying to juggle content creation, marketing, writing, book sales while rejoicing as the final week of the school year approaches for her second grader. Thank the LORD.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Buckle Up: A Children’s Imaginary Journey About Self-Control by Stephanie Scott

alisonpaulklak

Stephanie Scott has written a lovely book to teach children valuable lessons in self-control. In times such as now during the era of social-distancing, life can present all types of new challenges which are completely out of our control. Our normal daily routines have been replaced with new territory and stressors which make navigating our way through these new roads set forth of us extremely hard. Scott’s debut, Buckle Up: A Children’s Imaginary Journey About Self-Control provides kids and their parents the tools they need to master the bumpy road ahead. The book features Nini, a charming and wise little bird, who serves as the guide for the book’s readers through a delightful interactive and imaginary journey throughout the pages of the story. Nini encourages children to “buckle up” and tackle life’s obstacles with positive thinking all the while empowering them to practice self-control.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Kellie Artis, Millie COO— Helping military families PCS during pandemic with help from Lowe’s Home Improvement #LetsPCSTogether

alisonpaulklak

What can already be a stressful time for military households in the midst of relocating to new duty stations across the USA and world has been rudely interrupted during this time of social-distancing. During this 2020 PCS Season, military lives are in major flux and plans have been placed on hold. But thanks to MILLIE and Lowe’s Home Improvement, PCS woes are about to get a little bit easier. In April 2020, Lowe’s announced it would contribute a $170 million community commitment toward the COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts by supporting their associates, hiring more team members, and giving back to their communities.

The Arts, travel, wellness

Hilary Iker- Freelance Writer (Fit, Self, Prevention, Glamour, Vogue, Disney Channel), FIDM Writing Instructor, Ashtanga Yoga Enthusiast

alisonpaulklak

In 1984, following her graduation from University of Virginia, Hilary Iker packed her suitcase 🧳 of dreams and moved to New York City where she landed her first professional job at Vogue Magazine. Iker recalls catching glimpses in the elevators at Vogue headquarters of Anna Wintour, longtime Vogue Editor-in-Chief and fashion icon. The details of Iker’s young professional beginnings in NYC were as if plucked straight from the pages of The Devil Wears Prada. Iker met her husband, an award-winning sports journalist, in NYC 🌃 and followed him to Los Angeles, California in the late 80s. The writers made their home in an area of Los Angeles that attracted young artists, musicians and writers of the time. Her neighbors were budding music legends— Mike D of the Beastie Boys and Beck. Following her pilgrimage to LA, she became interested in learning Ashtanga Yoga where she started her life-changing yoga practices in the very same studio where Madonna studied yoga. For the past 20 years she has practiced Ashtanga Yoga daily, and due to her experience and knowledge she has written health and fitness articles for magazines such as Fit Yoga, Self, Fit, Prevention, and Glamour.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Edible Landscapes Are Fun!

alisonpaulklak

I love to garden. I’m no expert gardener nor a perfectionist. But I’ve always loved to put my hands in the dirt and reap the benefits of what grows. I like to have fun designing an edible landscape around my home mixing flowers, herbs and veggies throughout my yard. When the first tomato 🍅 ripens I can pluck it from the bush along with a handful of fresh herbs— rosemary, basil, sage— along with a few greens, spring onions, and walk a few feet to my kitchen to mix up a delicious dish 🥗 homegrown in my edible landscape.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Six Ways You Can Raise Awareness to Prevent Child Abuse

alisonpaulklak

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each of us plays a vital role in raising awareness about the prevention of child abuse. It is of utmost importance that we each take an active stand to prevent child abuse to build healthier, more loving, whole communities where a child is never forgotten. If ever there was a critical time to promote social wellness and prevention of maltreatment of children, it is now especially due to current world circumstances. Through social-distancing, it may seem even more challenging to help others, but we can still spread the word to create awareness.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Melissa Vera- Adventures of Frugal Mom Blog

alisonpaulklak

Melissa Vera is the creator and contributor of four beautiful and informative blogs: Adventures of Frugal Mom, Champagne Style Bare Budget, Reading with Frugal Mom, and her most recent venture coming soon, The Writer and The Farmer.

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Fairy-Tailed Wish by Megan Pighetti

alisonpaulklak

Megan Pighetti was inspired by a longtime family tradition to create an adorable book called Fairy-Tailed Wish. What is a Fairy-Tailed Wish you ask? On birthday eves, children make a special wish for fairies to come and decorate their bedrooms with two special ingredients— FAIRY DUST and TOILET PAPER!

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Get DETERMINED to drive toward your dreams!

alisonpaulklak

I am so thrilled to be a part of Women's Business Center of Fayetteville at CEED’s Monday Motivation online webinar this coming Monday, April 27, 2020 @10:00am!

Lifestyle, Writing, Podcasting, Military Life, Inspirtation, North Carolina

Children’s Book Review- Little Fergen’s Fish Feelings (and how he learns to cope with his parents’ divorce) by Charles M. Iker, LCSW, ACSW, BCD

alisonpaulklak

This book is a wonderful resource for any child and/or parent experiencing a major change in their life. It provides clear and wise advice on how to accept those changes as well as how to communicate about your feelings in a positive way. The colorful and sweet illustrations by Ron Bracato provide relatable yet fun images children will learn from and enjoy.