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

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To think that I was done with tests

I am testing to see if this post connects to my Facebook account. Part of my “living and learning” is trying to figure out the technical aspect of setting up…

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February 9, 2019
Fun and games

The Infinite Board Game

Do any of you ever go to Half Price Books stores?  If not, check it out if you have the chance. As long as you are not looking for something…

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January 7, 2019
Other Stuff I Learned

The Wild Roaster

One recent afternoon, I spent time with Kaye, owner of the coffee shop “The Wild Roaster” In Deerfield, IL.  This little coffee shop is within the local train station (an…

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June 30, 2019

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  • Fun and games
  • Other Stuff I Learned
  • Uncategorized
  • What I Did
  • What I Made
  • Working on Wellness

Recent Posts

  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals!
  • 8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

Previous posts

Recent Comments

  • 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!
  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health on Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • Equipment
    Fun and games

    Entering the World of Lacrosse…

    January 26, 2019 /

    Many moons ago when I was in high school, I was a member of the Mathletes.  I say this with pride! I was good at math, I enjoyed being part of the math team, and some of my best friends (who are still some of my best friends 30+ years later) were my teammates.  My son, who is also very good at math, gave me such a look of disgust when I suggested that he might enjoy doing something similar. My son is a sports guy–he loves to play sports; he loves to watch sports; he loves to talk about sports.  One of his main hopes when he started high…

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    Beckie 1 Comment

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    I was ready for Sixteen Candles to transport me back to the 80's!

    The Music was Like, Omigod, Totally Awesome!

    June 18, 2019
    All smiles after our axe throwing adventure!

    Axeplosion!

    August 18, 2019
    Part 2 of the 1-2 punch.

    9Round

    September 19, 2019
  • TEDx notebook
    Other Stuff I Learned

    Falling in Love with TED

    January 20, 2019 /

    My husband’s name is Steve.  Who is Ted? Actually, TED is more of a what than a who.  About a year ago, I started watching a lot of TED talks. I had heard about them and had seen a few, but while on a driving trip, I really started to learn what TED talks had to offer. My family took a driving trip last winter from Chicagoland to Florida and back.  I don’t like driving; I do it to get from point A to B. My husband, on the other hand, is a car guy.  My son was 15 with a learner’s permit, so this also provided him with a…

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    Beckie 2 Comments

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    The show is coming soon to the Genesee Theatre!

    The Elf on the Shelf–A Christmas Musical (It will soon be on the stage! Start your holiday planning!)

    November 6, 2019

    Looking for Something to Read?

    January 24, 2020
    Some creations from the library's 3D printer

    3D Printing for Us Common Folk

    February 27, 2019
  • Other Stuff I Learned

    Up, Up, and a Say!

    January 16, 2019 /

    I recently signed up for a business related class at my local library.  (Ironically, this was on the same day that I learned how to sew the coffee cup cozy mentioned in the last post, but it was at my other local library.  I may be doctor, but I don’t golf, so I find other things besides housework to do on my day off.) I decided to attend the class just because I thought it would be interesting and potentially useful.  The class was “Craft Your Perfect Elevator Speech.” (Now does the punny title make sense? It made me chuckle.) I would like to share some of the tips I…

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    Beckie 2 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
    The Breathing Festival

    The Breathing Festival 2021–The Power of Our Breath

    February 7, 2021
    Lots of extra virgin and flavor infused olive oils!

    The Olive Tap–An Olive Oil Tasting Emporium

    May 23, 2019
  • Cozy #1
    What I Made

    Sew Cool, Part 2

    January 16, 2019 /

    A week ago, I learned how to use a sewing machine.  (If you are interested, check out the previous post discussing that adventure.)  I had the chance to return to the library for a class to put my new knowledge to use.  I would create a COFFEE CUP COZY!! I am perfectly happy with starting small and practical.  I arrived excited and a bit nervous. Sure, I was just going to be making something for fun for myself, but, honestly, no one likes feeling like a fool (even when no one else is watching.)  Did I remember anything? It had only been a week. I had looked at Pinterest in…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    Cup of onion soup with oyster crackers

    Onion Soup, Take 1

    February 10, 2019
    Dragon Fruit

    Dragon Fruit–Trying a New (to us) Fruit

    February 6, 2019

    Reverse Tie-Dye–Family Fun Creating Coordinated Sweats!

    January 3, 2021
  • What I Did

    Going Back to My Original Plan…

    January 9, 2019 /

    In the “About Me” section, I described why I started a blog.  Well, I have to put my original idea into action. In my head, the idea of reaching out, filling my life with new ideas and experiences, and sharing these adventures was great!  In my head, everything comes about so smoothly and easily. Then reality starts to kick in. I admit that I am a little nervous about putting myself out there. Once I post my idea on a Facebook page, what will happen?  Will I embarrass myself? Will I be ignored? Will people say, “I love your idea!” but nothing comes of it? (How often do you and…

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    The Shed Squad!

    Super Shed 3000

    July 7, 2019
    Local trees since we cannot travel currently

    Experience Five (Virtual) Tours of National Parks in Just One Hour! (aka How to Travel while Sheltering at Home)

    April 3, 2020
    Some of the paint blending magic. Oooohhh!

    Walk, Sweat, and Paint

    July 20, 2019
  • Janome Magnolia 7330
    What I Made

    Sew Cool!

    January 9, 2019 /

    I learned how to use a sewing machine today (1/9/2019)!  For some of you, this is no big deal and seems completely underwhelming.  For me, this was very exciting! Knowing how to use a sewing machine is just one of those “things” I felt I should know.  In junior high, my classmates and I took home economics (focused on food prep) and typing (I am proud of the fact that I am a very good typist due to my 7th and 8th grade typing classes), but we did not have sewing as part of the curriculum. Libraries aren’t just for books anymore.  A library can be a place where one…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    Our pour painting success!

    Pour Painting–Easier and More Successful than Expected!

    January 10, 2022
    Avocado egg salad spread and almost ready to be eaten!

    Avocado Egg Salad

    June 26, 2019
    Cozy #1

    Sew Cool, Part 2

    January 16, 2019
  • The Infinite Board Game
    Fun and games

    The Infinite Board Game

    January 7, 2019 /

    Do any of you ever go to Half Price Books stores?  If not, check it out if you have the chance. As long as you are not looking for something specific, it is a great store to visit and just look around.  Before the holidays, I decided to look around my local store to see if anything caught my eye. In addition to books, you can often find puzzles, music, or games there.  Well, sitting on the shelf fully covered in its original plastic wrap was “The Infinite Board Game.” I am constantly trying to get my family to spend more time playing games (not video games) and less time…

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    Beckie 1 Comment

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    Some of the classics!

    8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

    December 8, 2024
    Success with the Rubik's Cube!

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

    March 22, 2021
    I'm juggling!

    Learning to Juggle (Literally, not Figuratively)

    June 5, 2020
  • Birthday signage
    What I Did

    Happy Birthday to Me!

    January 5, 2019 /

    Birthdays come each year (stating the obvious).  Some approach the date with dread. I choose to make the most of it.  I tell people that as I get older, I just get better and use more hair coloring.  Saying that, most years I choose to throw myself a party. This is usually a potluck brunch.  Chaos is a part of this process each year. Why, then, do I do it? There are several reasons.  First of all, having plans for guests is a great way to inspire more housecleaning than what would otherwise take place.  I have learned in my house that having a neat house so that it is…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    My family's Passover Haggadah

    Aspects of Passover 2019

    April 25, 2019
    Return to community theater after two decades!

    My Return to Community Theater After a Two Decade Hiatus

    September 11, 2022
    University of Tennessee--Knoxville

    College Tour, Part 4: Time for Tennessee

    April 17, 2019
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