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Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!
Several years ago, a good friend of mine invited me to do something I had never considered doing. She invited me to join her book club. I have always enjoyed a good book but was never a voracious reader. What exactly I was thinking at the time I don’t remember, but I took her up on her offer and haven’t looked back! Why I am discussing this here and now? This isn’t some bizarre, esoteric activity. It does, however, tie in to my current goals and themes of making life better. The purpose of this blog has morphed into a “things I do to help create a full, healthy life.”…
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My First Live SEC Football Experience–GO VOLS!
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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Making Rope Coasters with the Husband and College-Age Kids–A Successful Family Project
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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Summer Community Theater–Excited to be Back on Stage!
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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Graduation Party DIY Style!
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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Dear Gen-Xers:
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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My Return to Community Theater After a Two Decade Hiatus
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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Pour Painting–Easier and More Successful than Expected!
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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I FINALLY Know How to Fold a Fitted Sheet!
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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I am a 51 Year Old Woman Who Has Finally Learned How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube!
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…
If it's not illegal, immoral, or blatantly stupid, I am willing to give it a try!
