2025 Year in Review

Two final reads to close out December. I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss came recommended by a blogger I follow as a cozy, Christmas‑y pick. Frederica "Fred" begrudgingly returns to her childhood home in the Scottish Highlands as she seeks to reset her life following the loss of her job and long-term relationship. Her quirky mother and elderly aunts run a Christmas cracker business, and her childhood best friend Ryan is a local legend. Fred is not returning home, rather she's "perching" while she figures things out. It was a bit long and somewhat predictable, but ultimately charming — exactly the kind of comforting story that feels just right for this time of year. I felt like I knew every corner of Pine Bluff and it sounded like the perfect little hamlet - complete with a town nice/naughty list - sadly it's fictional.

Awake by Jen Hatmaker was the book I wish I’d had during my own divorce nine years ago. Hatmaker, a well‑known evangelical pastor’s wife, faced a very public unraveling of her marriage after discovering her husband’s affair. In the aftermath, she examines the forces that shaped her—evangelical purity culture, patriarchal expectations, and the relentless pressure to be the “perfect” Christian woman—sorting through what still serves her and what she’s ready to release. The a-ha moment for me was when she identified as co-dependent (when you let others affect your feelings and actions). Awake is ultimately a story of returning to oneself, identifying your true beloveds, and to the possibility of a life imagined beyond the rules and roadblocks we’ve been taught to accept.

2025 didn’t go quite as planned, but it was full of moments I’ll never forget.

It was supposed to be my hot girl summer, but hip pain had other ideas. That unexpected total hip replacement became a defining plot twist—one that taught me patience, grit, and how to accept help even when I’d rather power through.

Still, there was so much good. We took the trip of a lifetime to Italy, spent quality time with friends and family, celebrated two beautiful weddings, attended my 40th high school reunion, remodeled our main bath, and squeezed in a quick, restorative getaway to Door County. We also welcomed Pipper, our new-to-us cat with a big personality, while our beloved Lulu is still with us—slowing down, but very much part of our world.

And through every high and low, I read. 25 in '25 kept me company, kept me curious, and kept me grounded. My top 4 reads:

Honorable mentions:

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna 
• The Briar Club by Kate Quinn 
• City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
• The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini 
• Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy 

Here’s to 2026—may it bring more joy, more ease, and maybe, finally, that hot girl summer energy.

Monthly Book Review: December 2021 + Year in Review

It was a busy year with work and on the home front. I started baking sourdough bread earlier this year and I now religiously bake two loaves each week (two different starters - Seymour and Harry). I've perfected a softer crust (adding ice cubes under parchment sling before lid on to create more steam), experimented with flours (bread, wheat and rye mix is my current fave) and searched methods of scoring for the perfect "ear" or interesting design.

Almost two years into a pandemic. No one would have thought it would last this long (ok someone probably did), but I think we're pivoting to figure out how to live WITH this virus. Hubby and I were vaxed in March/April, yet we still got COVID in September. It was surprisingly easy to get and though we only had a mild case (I lost my sense of taste and smell, hubby had more of a flu), we're not anxious to repeat as we don't know the long-term effects. I'm still dealing with shoulder joint pain, though 95% better than when it first started, that has no other explanation than COVID side effect.

In the spirit of living, we took a few trips in a variety of modes. We were in Arizona twice - my husband's adult sons have settled there with their families and we were blessed with two granddaughters this year. There were also side trips to Flagstaff and Vegas. We went camping twice - a long weekend two hours away in an Airstream and a week-long trip to WI/UP Michigan in a TAB (hello COVID). And we made it back to our home away from home in Puerto Vallarta Mexico for a week.

I started the only book I read in December while in Mexico - The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. A hundred years ago Ada and Mathilda form an uneasy and unlikely friendship out of circumstance and convenience in Mississippi. Ada is a lost soul who dreams of belonging - hard to do with an abusive father and an unexpected pregnancy. Matilda dreams of making a new life in the North with the promise of greater opportunity and independence; however, her knowledge of secrets and the killing Ada's father puts a hamper on those plans. The two teens face bias, racism and poverty, luck, kindness and mutual perseverance.

Following are my top 5 of the 21 books I read this year - they either stayed with me, giving mind something to continue chewing on, or simply delighted. How interesting that they're in the order I read them. 

1. Anxious People* by Fredrik Backman (February)
2. The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal (June)
3. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (July)
4. Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst (August)
5. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi (November)

*Anxious People will debut as a Swedish Netflix series on Dec. 29th.

Monthly Book Review: December 2020 + Year in Review

What a forking year, right?! I'm curious how we'll look back in history on 2020. So. Much. Change. I started the year strong attending a playoff game for my husband's beloved Green Bay Packers (a gift from my daughter). I went shopping for wedding dresses for my daughter and it was so emotional to see her face when she found the perfect one (now hanging in my guestroom closet ready for Nov 2021 wedding). February brought fun get-togethers for the Super Bowl, Oscars, church, bowling league and a night of swing dancing. The Hubs and I did a fancy cooking class on Valentine's Day and that location has since closed permanently. We had plans for a trip to Germany and Austria with kids at the end of March which was thwarted only 10 days before it was to begin due to closed borders - here and Europe. We hope to take the same trip in 2021 if we're able to be vaccinated by mid-summer. I started working from home full-time and that was a transition. April brought the promise of Spring and a fur baby - we adopted a 9 yo corgi/terrier named Mya and she was my constant companion and center of our attention. April and May were spent in quarantine to our home, yard and outdoor dinners with a few friends and family. Things started to open a bit in June and I began exercising regularly - a habit that shut down after the gyms closed again early November. In July and August we spent time outdoors with family and friends and took a long a couple of day trips and a long weekend in Bayfield, WI. September brought our first Airstream camping experience (love!) and we continued to soak up time outdoors. My mom came for a visit - we hadn't seen her since September 2019. We took all the precautions and traveled to CA in October for Hubs' oldest son's wedding. We keep daydreaming of packing up the dog and traveling the country in our Airstream. November and December brought cold and increased virus positivity rates so another round of shutdowns - literally and in spirit. There were some "lasts". We lost Mya on Christmas Eve after a short illness due to kidney disease. This loss has been deep - that stubborn fluffy butt imprinted on my heart and reminded me that I am a nurturer. Our January WI trip included a visit with my BFF and that was the last time I saw her mom who was like a second mother to me. She had always been so loving, bright and full of hope, yet her light was fading and in early April she went home to God where I know she is still sprinkling her magic. I had a strong relationship with my ex-MIL and enjoyed having her along on the first dress shopping trip with my daughter. We took her to dinner afterward and that may have been the last time I saw her, at least full interaction. While she is still very much alive, dementia has taken a firm hold and she has been sequestered in her nursing home since March. In February I visited with 87 yo Dane KL in February and I hope that wasn't the last time. I love hearing her experiences from childhood with her brother in the resistance, finding the love of her life, moving to the U.S. and traveling the world. 

Lots of change. I am ready for the change to 2021. I know a flip of the calendar won't make the virus disappear or eliminate challenges that are a normal part of life, but it represents renewal and as an eternal optimist I am ready.

December Book Review

September by Rosamunde Pilcher made it on my list because I so enjoyed Winter Solstice by the same author. While not as good as WS, I enjoyed the character development and Scottish setting. It's 1988 and a party is being planned for September. Old friends and family will be together Some will attend because it is expected, others will go to make peace with their pasts. 

I started Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, but it's long - and a bit dry - so am taking my time.

2020 Book Review

I read 21 books plus a few podcasts and Audible exclusives - far below my expectations but this is a year if there ever was one to say 'it is what it is'. According to Audible, I listened to 35 titles - some started and not finished - with 212 hours on fiction and 41 hours nonfiction. Without further adieu, my top 5 favorite books for 2020: 

1. The Things We Cannot Say
2. The Gift of Forgiveness
3. Between the World and Me 
4. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
5. What Alice Forgot

Audible had a sale with lots of reads in my wish list for only $6 or $7 so I stocked up.

 

TBR List

• The Farm by Joanne Ramos
• Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
• American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
• The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams 
• Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

World's Fair

The 80s are back! Neon, miniskirts, leggings, slogan t-shirts, big earrings and shoulder pads. I guess what's old is new again. I would be totally in style if I'd kept all my funky earrings and off-the-shoulder Flashdance shirts. The miniskirts would not be a good idea now ... I was a total twig in comparison to now.

Aside from Chuck and Di's wedding, and of course the awesome music and movies, a lot of things happened for me in the 80s ... met my BFF, high school (the last two years were totally awesome, not the first two), and dating/marrying hubby (ahem, child bride). 1982 in particular was a pivotal year: Michael Jackson was moon walking, Prince was asking us to party like it was 1999, my dad and his second wife split and I went to the World's Fair. What is a World's Fair you ask? Why it's a large public exhibition (gracias Wikipedia). I think we should all travel to Milan, Italy for the next one, yes?! The 1982 World's Fair was in glamorous Knoxville, Tennessee. We actually stayed in North Carolina because no lodging was available in and around Knoxville but heck if I can remember where ... ironic because my mom just spent the past several years living in North Carolina (Dad's passed on so can't ask him). My dad and I road tripped it to TN/NC which considering I was 15 years old and alone with my Dad is some sort of miracle that we came out unscathed. I think we may have taken a long break after that trip however. I have a postcard souvenir that reads:
The energy-themed international event is the first World's Fair to be held in the United States since 1974 and the first fully sanctioned World's Fair ever held in the Southeastern United States. Are you in awe?! Wonder how much that postcard would fetch on ebay? 

RIP Maddie Rose

Our sweet Maddie (aka The Moose or Madagascar) went to the great doggie park in the sky today. We discovered a mass on her side just 10 days ago and it turned out to be an aggressive cancer. She was getting weaker and not her self by the day so time to let go. So sad. Chunky and Sassy went with me to the vet ... Chunky had some alone time with her before, nuzzled her head during and carried her in when it was done. The vet has an outside area for euthanasia during good weather and it was perfect ... Maddie loved to be outside - so much so that she went on many unapproved adventures over the years. Hard to believe how fast the time has passed the last 12 years.

 

Movie Faves: The '80s

I've been wanting to do a favorite movies post for some time and because I should be writing a paper on intercultural marketing for grad school, I decided to do a top 10 by decade. Actually 11 because I couldn't bear to part with one. And it's your lucky day! I'm give you a favorite quote from each. You're welcome.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Harrison Ford in a non Star Wars movie ... swoon. I remember my mom renting the VHS to celebrate my first high school job.
Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

Stripes (1981) - Bill Murray in his prime. Will Farrell is a copy cat. Worthy of two quotes!
Lighten up, Francis.
You know what your problem is? You've never had anybody give you the Aunt Jemima treatment.

The Four Seasons (1981) - The first time I thought middle age didn't look horrific.
The reality is you're married to a middle-aged woman with a a good sense of humor and dry skin!

Terms of Endearment (1983) - Mother-Daughter tearjerker; Shirley Maclaine and Jack Nicholson make this movie.
I like the lights on. Then go home and turn them on.

Sixteen Candles (1984) - John Hughes at his best, my high school years defined and I heart Jake Ryan.
I can't believe my Grandmother actually felt me up.

Back to the Future (1985) - A DeLorean time machine, skateboarding and Huey Lewis and the News music. Always reminds me of my senior year of high school.
Why do you keep calling me Calvin? Well, that is your name, isn't it? Calvin Klein? It's written all over your underwear.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Another John Hughes classic. The parade scene rocks!
Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?

Baby Boom (1987) - Quintessential '80s female empowerment; great chemistry between Diane Keaton and Sam Shepherd.
I can't have a baby because I have a 12:30 lunch meeting.

The Princess Bride (1987) - Romance, sword fighting, Andre the Giant.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Bull Durham (1988) - Baseball + Kevin Costner = hit movie.
The rose goes in the front, big guy.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - Men and women can be friends.
It is so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk.

There are so many other greats ... Breakfast Club, Die Hard, Fatal Attraction, Field of Dreams, The Terminator ... but the above are the ones that would accompany me on a desert island. If you haven't seen 'em, you're in for a  real treat!

Baby Sleep

A coworker recently had her first baby and a few of us got together last week to catch up and enjoy baby snuggles. She mentioned how elusive sleep is with baby feeding every hour and I felt so bad for her. Unfortunately I didn't gain my first-hand knowledge of sleep deprivation from parenting as both my kids slept through the night at five weeks. Yes, you read correctly. 5 weeks. Both. We were blessed. I know how difficult sleep deprivation is due to more recent circumstances ...makes it hard to enjoy anything/anyone. Isn't that what prisoners are subjected to when they won't give up their secrets?! Are you holding something back? After our visit my coworker reached out for advice. I don't know how wise I am, I just know what worked for us. Two kids, one boy, one girl, six years apart. Could be genetics ... maybe Hubby passed on the good sleep gene :) Anywho, following are my two cents worth on getting baby to sleep and restoring parent sanity.

Our method was routine and we never deviated except to adjust as baby grows of course. Our theory was they are smart little creatures of habit and like knowing what to expect. Same time every night - Food, Play, Bath, Book, Bed. No sleeping one hour before food or between food and bedtime - keep baby up so they want to sleep for a l-o-n-g time and recharge for more fun the next day.

We also believed in a full tummy. This is hotly debated in the parenting/medical community. We didn't do demand feeding past a certain time so baby was good and hungry for dinner; also supplemented at 3-4 weeks with very weak cereal (gradually increasing as needed). Both our kids were big at birth (Sassy 8 lbs; Chunky 10 lbs - ouch!) so we were comfortable with them being developed enough to handle it and both our moms said they did cereal early - it doesn't appear to have scarred us too badly, though that's certainly up for debate :)

We also used a crib aquarium - best buy ever!!!!!!!! Everyone should get this as a shower gift. We turned this on religiously as we left the room at bedtime and back on for soothing if needed. The key for us was no talking or picking up - don't engage or they get their little hooks in you. Even in the middle of the night, we turned on the aquarium and left. The theory again was routine and learning to self soothe.

We made a very big deal about waking up in the morning (aka 5 am diaper change and breakfast) and sleeping through the night. Super happy (sickeningly so). Part of the whole routine thing.

That's it. No judgement - you have to find what works best for you and yours. If you're sleep deprived, may the force (and sleep) be with you!

Wings

Hubby was giving Chunky grief tonight about his hair "with wings" à la Leif Garrett. Of course Chunky wanted to know who Leif Garrett is and neither Hubby nor I could stop laughing long enough to give him a straight answer.

You've Got Mail

How sad is it that Nora Ephron recently passed away? Nothing better when you want a good stay-in-your-jammies-its-all-about-you-day than Heartburn, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail or Julie & Julia. My favorite is You've Got Mail. Which got me thinking about my current favorite mail item ... Birchbox. I discovered this in a TIME article about young entrepreneurs and decided it was the perfect way to treat myself with the birthday money my mother gave me (a gift that keeps on giving!). I heart receiving my monthly birchwood box of beauty samples, grab bag style. So I am starting a new monthly post about my treasures à la The Small Things Blog.

Alterna | Bamboo UV+ Color Protection Fade-Proof Fluide - I will likely give this to Sassy as she recently colored the bottom layer of her hair red (I guess it's called 'minking') and she is out in the sun much more often than I

Eyeko | Skinny Liquid Eyeliner - dying to try this! I've never tried liquid eyeliner ... I used to think it was retro in a not so good 60's way, but I guess what's old is new again

Harvey Prince | Hello Perfume - I wore this today and while it smells nice enough I didn't think it lasted very long. I am a HUGE fan of Jo Malone fragrances - they're beautiful, last a long time and are "blendable".

Supergoop! | City Sunscreen Serum - these are definitely going in Hubby's backback for any of us to use in a pinch. Love not having to carry a big ass bottle of sunscreen around.

Tea Forté | minteas - these are going in my purse

Birchbox Exclusive | Earbuds - super cool colors! Not sure if I'm daring enough to wear these, but I'll place them in with my seldom opened workout clothes drawer as a backup pair

Here I go again

Happy Friday the 13th! I may have mentioned my fondness for the day here and here :)

I've decided to get back in the saddle and resume my graduate course. My fall class will be International Trade and the Global Economy. Very relevant given the current state of many foreign economies as well as our own. I'm excited and nervous. I pray it's better than Finance because if not, this may be my last class.

Memories

I started scrapbooks for the cherubs several years ago, but I lost interest after awhile so have a lot of hard copy photos in boxes and digital ones online that don't see the light of day, as well as a gagillion photos from life pre-kids. I discovered ScanDigital through one of the daily deal sites (Groupon, Living Social). I thought it would be a good idea to use this for childhood photos as well as much older ones from my parents' families to preserve and maybe build a photo book with my favorite online photo site.

This is one of the best ideas ever (the business as well as mine!). It was super easy - I signed up, obtained a customer ID and address to send in my box of photos. Voila, a few weeks later I received an email with access to view photos online as well as a box via mail with CD of all my photos, original photos, order form for future use and handwritten thank you note. I am extremely impressed and highly recommend this service. If I didn't have umpteen dollars worth of scrapbooking supplies I should put to good use I would use this service to catch up on all my hard copy photos for the kids.

I just had to share a few of my very early early year favorites.

How cute is she?!

Tribute

Chunky had a Dia de los Muertos assignment for Spanish class earlier this month - create a tribute to a loved one. He decided to pay tribute to his Papa -


He included a a photo of the two of them, a drinking glass to represent the water Papa always had on hand, the 3M logo to represent where he worked for 35 years, fishing and golf hobbies enjoyed as a younger man, and the obituary published in the local paper.

I may be a little biased, but I think it deserves an A+++!

Spines 'R Us

Sassy had a consultation with neurosurgeon yesterday (partner of fabulous neurosurgeon who did Hubby's surgery insert shameless plug for HealthPartners Medical Group about her Scheuermann's kyphosis. He told her he can't do anything for her surgically - both a relief and frustrating. She has a 48% curvature (normal is 40%) and they don't begin to look at surgery until over 60% as risks outweigh benefits ... Dr said he often doesn't do surgery until at least 90%. Her discs are what's causing her the most pain and surgery doesn't fix those. He told her chasing her pain with meds is a very slippery slope and that the best thing she can do is to stay active, even though it hurts. He suggested yoga, accupuncture and chiropractic. He also suggested a routine for sleep ... this is one of the biggest impacts aside from constant pain ... work out, bath with aromatherapy, warm milk, etc. Unfortunately we don't know if the disease is progressive or if this is the worst it will be for her ... she will need to know her body and determine if the pain is worse over time and then investigate cause. No answers but we appreciated the Dr's candor. We continue to make lemonade over here at Spines 'R Us.

Savannah

I'm in a southern state of mind lately. I read this post yesterday and could immediately relate. Savannah, Georgia is one of my most favorite places on earth - granted I'm not a world traveler so my experience is somewhat limited - but of the places I've been, Savannah is in my top 5. It oozes southern charm and evokes a simpler time. My first visit was in 2004 with my mom and the kids. I went back with my BFF four years ago to celebrate our monumental birthdays. I want to go back again ... soon!

I love cemeteries and Savannah does not disappoint -


This is one of my favorite photos of Sassy taken outside Juliette Gordon Low's home (founder of the Girl Scouts of America) -

The Lady & Sons restaurant - I can still taste the amazing ho cakes - Yum!

My mom and kids in front of the Gryphon Tea Room - beautiful inside and out!

Tybee Island -

Definitely add Savannah to your travel bucket list!

Remember when?

In my NAFTA research I came across the Al Gore/Ross Perot Debate in November 1993 -
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2037290_2037294_2037329,00.html

Which lead me to the OJ Car Chase of June 1994 -
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2037290_2037294_2037252,00.html

How time flies!

Memory lane, part 2

I recently read old brands are making a comeback. I attribute this to three things - 1) during a recession we tend to have nostalgia for "the good old days" (not sure how good they were, but my generations' memories are likely as selective as mine these days), 2) what's old is new again eventually, and 3) Mad Men. I have to admit I'm on the bandwagon. I was a sucker for the throwback versions of Mountain Dew and Pepsi this summer because they don't contain high fructose corn syrup and I liked the retro packaging. It got me thinking about my good old days and some favorite commericials:

Just think of how much money you would save on manicures if you used this

Most people think this luggage commercial is for Samsonite

Before Swatch there was Timex

Alka Seltzer remade a famous commercial with the parents from 'Everybody Loves Raymond'

I will forever be loyal to Bounty paper towels thanks to Rosie

I've never liked bologna, but I love this commerical

This is one of my all time favorites - my theme song!

Bill Cosby could do no wrong in the '80s, he was Mr America and the face of Jell-O pudding

The Steelers ruled in the '70s and this commercial was very popular

Please don't squeeze the Charmin!

Did you know Waco, TX is the home of Dr Pepper (as well as Ted Nugent and my alma mater, Baylor University)?

Memory lane

I have been searching for a particular song from the 60's for the longest time but could not recall the exact title or name of the artist. I thought it was the Scottish band Bay City Rollers (S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT), but it wasn't. I discovered the band, Paul Revere & The Raiders - totally forgot this was their biggest hit - when I recognized an album cover from 1967. Yes, MPB I am old and yes you can use my senior citizen discount for lunch. At long last, I found it today! This is the song I was searching for - total cheese but it was in the recesses of my brain. There, now I've made space for something new.

The year in review

The older I get, the faster the years go by. I seriously cannot believe it's the last day of 2010. Everything past August is a blur. My babies are getting older and my body parts are moving south. The good news is my memory is getting worse so I don't remember stuff like poor choices I've made in the past. Nevermind that I don't remember where I put my coffee cup most mornings - I'm looking at the silver lining here.

I finished three grad courses this year. That seems like a lot. It probably isn't but humor me. I traveled to the Caribbean, NYC, the east coast and up north. I moved into an office at work and then I moved offices going from a 25 minute drive to an odyssey (I call it driving to Wyoming 'cause it feels that far away). I fired someone and hired someone. I didn't read three books I purchased (maybe I'll read them on vacation though let's be honest it's wishful thinking). I did not do one moment of scrapbooking. Good gravy that's a tough one. My laundry room got a hot makeover and today I did some major purging.

Some of my favorite TV shows faded away this year - 24 (Jack Bauer was the new McGyver), Guiding Light (I hadn't watched in years but started when I was little at my great-grandmother's house up north), Jon & Kate plus Eight (sad, sad tale), The Tudors (Henry, you dog) and Lost (I am lost without it). I am completely over Dancing with the Stars if anyone is interested. The only reason I'd watch is if Britney Spears was a contestant. Or Sean Connery (my star crush, though he's probably getting a little long in the tooth). Or Nigella Lawson (my girl crush). I found some new TV favorites - you may have heard me mention a little show called Glee. My friend MPB gave me the first season as a Christmas gift and my heart did a little happy dance when I opened it. That show has changed my life. I also can't resist The Real Housewives *any city but Atlanta* or Hot in Cleveland.

My resolution for 2011 is to live in the moment and be truly joyful. It should be to lose weight, but who am I kidding? Wait ... I did buy those popular shape-up sneakers today so there's hope yet!

Happy New Year!!!