Beckie Lives and Learns

If it's not illegal, immoral, or blatantly stupid, I am willing to give it a try!

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  • About Me
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  • What I Made
  • Fun and games
  • What I Did
  • Other Stuff I Learned

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Recent Posts

  • It’s Farmers’ Market Season–ENJOY! Each Trip Can Be Great for Your Health!
  • Coffee and Conversation–Take the Time to Talk. Bonus–You Benefit!
  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health

Previous posts

Recent Comments

  • Beckie on It’s Farmers’ Market Season–ENJOY! Each Trip Can Be Great for Your Health!
  • Steve Bergman on It’s Farmers’ Market Season–ENJOY! Each Trip Can Be Great for Your Health!
  • Coffee and Conversation--Take the Time to Talk. on Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!
  • Beckie on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Stephen Bergman on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • VOLS WIN!!
    What I Did

    My First Live SEC Football Experience–GO VOLS!

    January 5, 2024 /

    Disclaimer: I did get a discount on the hotel room in exchange for mentioning it in this post. All comments about the hotel are my honest opinions. I am not proud to state it, but it took WAY too long for me to finally go down to Knoxville to watch some UTK Volunteer football. Better late than never, though! My family is nearing the end of a stage. My son is currently a senior at University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I previously shared our story of the initial college visit while he was in high school. Less than two years later, I shared the story of move-in day for my…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    The performance stage

    Aloha from the Suburbs!

    August 24, 2019
    Getting older with grace and style!

    Dear Gen-Xers:

    March 12, 2023
    University of Tennessee--Knoxville

    College Tour, Part 4: Time for Tennessee

    April 17, 2019
  • Coasters in action!
    What I Made

    Making Rope Coasters with the Husband and College-Age Kids–A Successful Family Project

    October 8, 2023 /

    I was so pleased that my family (myself, husband, and college age kids) enjoyed spending time together creating citrus rope coasters.

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    Beckie 3 Comments

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    Janome Magnolia 7330

    Sew Cool!

    January 9, 2019
    Our pour painting success!

    Pour Painting–Easier and More Successful than Expected!

    January 10, 2022
    I am very pleased with how this turned out!

    Mosaic Birdhouse

    September 2, 2019
  • What I Did

    Summer Community Theater–Excited to be Back on Stage!

    September 4, 2023 /

    Perform, rinse, repeat After last summer’s experience performing in my community theater’s production of “Footloose,” I knew that I would plan to audition again for the summer of 2023. I anxiously waited for the announcement of the summer show. Not that it would change whether or not I auditioned, but I still wanted to know. The musical for the summer of 2023 was going to be Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” Honestly, I didn’t have much of a reaction to that. I was familiar with some of the music and aspects of the story but had never actually seen a production of it, either on stage or screen (not even the…

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    Beckie 4 Comments

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    The tight bond between iron-on adhesive and the face of an iron.

    A-hem

    February 11, 2019
    The final hem!

    A-hem, Part 2

    February 17, 2019
    Getting older with grace and style!

    Dear Gen-Xers:

    March 12, 2023
  • The chips, dips, and popcorn bar in all of their delicious glory!
    What I Did

    Graduation Party DIY Style!

    June 7, 2023 /

    My daughter just graduated from high school (CONGRATULATIONS to my girl!), and I had asked her a few months prior if she wanted a graduation party. No surprise, she did. I am a big fan of open house style parties when there is a large crowd involved. (I am also a fan of pot luck parties when there is a large crowd, but that did not seem appropriate in this situation.) I really wanted to host a party that she would enjoy, and I wanted her to be able to invite whomever she wanted, but I didn’t want this to break the bank. I am sharing this information because it…

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    Beckie 4 Comments

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    Fingerspelling in American Sign Language (ASL)

    Let’s See If I Can Learn American Sign Language

    June 27, 2020
    Just part of the view of the Fourth Lake forest preserve.

    Let’s Get Down and Dirty

    June 23, 2019

    Terrain, Terrain, Pull Up, Pull Up–Our Experience at Extreme Flight Simulation

    January 4, 2020
  • Getting older with grace and style!
    What I Did

    Dear Gen-Xers:

    March 12, 2023 /

    Dear Gen-Xers: You are my target audience because we have something important in common. I would love for everyone to read and enjoy this blog, but, over the past few years, my personal goals and reasons for having this blog have been tweaked. My goals and reasons have not changed completely. They have just morphed and shifted a bit as life has progressed. Undoubtedly I want readers, but the primary reason I am doing the activities I write about is to help myself. By writing and sharing my “adventures” and experiences, I can hopefully help my fellow Gen-Xers along the way as well while giving much deserved credit to those…

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    Beckie 4 Comments

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    My family's Passover Haggadah

    Aspects of Passover 2019

    April 25, 2019

    Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health

    April 16, 2025
    The show we came to see was on the marquee, too.

    “Whose Live Anyway?” at the Genesee Theatre

    October 16, 2019
  • Return to community theater after two decades!
    What I Did

    My Return to Community Theater After a Two Decade Hiatus

    September 11, 2022 /

    This summer I did something which I had not done in 21 years: I auditioned for a community theater musical! The last show I did was, as mentioned, 21 years ago. My husband was in the cast with me back then (we were already married), and we did not have any kids. Fast forward—my husband auditioned with me again. Although I had not performed in a few decades, my daughter is a “theater kid,” so I have been a proud, strong theater mom for nine years. I always loved watching her perform and I loved seeing the relationships she developed with others in the cast. This summer it was time…

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    Beckie 7 Comments

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    Just part of the view of the Fourth Lake forest preserve.

    Let’s Get Down and Dirty

    June 23, 2019
    I was ready for Sixteen Candles to transport me back to the 80's!

    The Music was Like, Omigod, Totally Awesome!

    June 18, 2019
    I ordered a set of the insulated serving bowls. This included a 2.5 QT and a 1 QT bowl. In this bowl I served roasted butternut squash, red pepper, and tomato mixed with rice. Yum!

    Virtual Pampered Chef Party–Fall 2020! (Party-on while being responsible adults!)

    October 28, 2020
  • Our pour painting success!
    What I Made

    Pour Painting–Easier and More Successful than Expected!

    January 10, 2022 /

    I have seen photos and videos of pour painting projects, and I always thought that the final products looked so beautiful and interesting.  Pour painting is a method where acrylic paint is poured onto a surface, and the design is created by the flow of the paint. The videos make it look easy.  I decided to see if the process was as easy as it looked.  (You never really know until you try.)   To start, the video that I finally used to learn and teach my family is this one. Although my kids were not thrilled with the idea of doing an art project with me (they were forced into…

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    Beckie 2 Comments

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    My family's Passover Haggadah

    Aspects of Passover 2019

    April 25, 2019
    The painting, stamping, cutting, and decoupaging is done!

    Mixed Media Art Project–Painting, Stamping, Decoupage

    October 30, 2019
    Sourdough Bread

    Sourdough Bread–Back In the Kitchen, Pandemic Series

    July 21, 2020
  • I can now fold this fitted sheet!
    Other Stuff I Learned

    I FINALLY Know How to Fold a Fitted Sheet!  

    December 12, 2021 /

    Not to brag, but, academically, I have earned a lot of letters behind my name.  (If curious, they are B.S., M.D., M.P.H.)  I have a career and work outside the home.  That does not, however, mean that I don’t want to have the skills of the stereotypical domestic goddess.  I would love to keep a spotless home, prepare gourmet meals, and dress like I just stepped out of a magazine.  Reality kicks in, and I do the best that I can.  That is all any of us can do.  That does not mean that I am not going to try to make little bits of progress toward the unrealistic vision. …

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    Beckie 9 Comments

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    Souvenir Dish

    The Emerald City

    February 5, 2019
    Before and after a flip

    Steak 101

    June 9, 2019
    Lots of extra virgin and flavor infused olive oils!

    The Olive Tap–An Olive Oil Tasting Emporium

    May 23, 2019
  • Success with the Rubik's Cube!
    Fun and games

    I am a 51 Year Old Woman Who Has Finally Learned How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube!

    March 22, 2021 /

    I grew up in the 80’s, and yes, I had a Rubik’s Cube.  I would play around with it, but I would be thrilled if I could solve just one side.  I honestly don’t even remember if I successfully solved two sides.  One may have been my limit.  (Also, I didn’t cheat by removing and replacing the stickers.)   I was always impressed by those who could solve a Rubik’s Cube but never imagined that I would be amongst them…until now!  Before you read any farther, I am letting you know right now that you will not learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube in this post.  It is really…

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    Beckie 18 Comments

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    The show we came to see was on the marquee, too.

    “Whose Live Anyway?” at the Genesee Theatre

    October 16, 2019
    I was ready for Sixteen Candles to transport me back to the 80's!

    The Music was Like, Omigod, Totally Awesome!

    June 18, 2019
    Some of the classics!

    8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

    December 8, 2024
  • The Breathing Festival
    Other Stuff I Learned,  What I Did

    The Breathing Festival 2021–The Power of Our Breath

    February 7, 2021 /

    I have always been interested in health and wellness.  Recently I completed some additional Gale courses on brain health and mindfulness.  (I previously did a Gale course to learn some sign language.) Participating in The Breathing Festival and learning about breathwork seem like a great next step.  I learned about this festival from a wonderful person, Nicole Price.  (I am biased.  She is my cousin, but that does not at all change the fact that she is absolutely fabulous!)  Rather than just sharing my Festival experience after the fact, I want to let you know about it now so that you can check it out and hopefully share your experiences,…

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    Beckie 10 Comments

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    Inner trim panel of the door removed to allow access to the broken car handle assembly

    Trapped! (aka Broken Car Door Handle)

    August 15, 2019
    Me and my sign--I watched how it was created from start to finish!

    It’s a Sign! (aka The Birth of a Banner)

    March 22, 2020
    A closer view of the old gas valve. This has to be removed in order to be replaced.

    Furnace Fixing “FUN”!

    February 9, 2020
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