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Poetry | Writing

Kindled Cozy, a poem

Friendships and relationshipsKindle in the beginningFilled with passion, excitementLong nights by the fireLearning, connecting, ignitingLate night conversationsSmiling, laughing until jaw hurtsLater on the partnership dimsHazy days dull the sparksThen a coziness settles inSimmering, continual flames over bright burnsA comfortable duet ensuesBecoming a favorite blanket, sweatpantsMakes you warm, makes you wholeLounging as your most vulnerable selfLess …

Home Life | Personal Growth

Meet Mid-40s Mandy – All the Emotions And Heat to Match

About 8 years ago, I wrote about the Inside Out film and how at that time (2017), my two kids tested me and acted out all of the different emotions. Now fast forward to today. Meet me, mid-40s Mandy. I’m now living out all the emotions from the Inside Out 2 movie. Anger – I …

Brats documentary, a film about the Brat Pack actors of the 1980s
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Personal Growth | Social Media | Theatre

Bratt Pack Documentary – A Lesson in the Power of the Narrative

I don’t know what I was fully expecting from “Brats” the documentary about The Brat Pack by Andrew McCarthy – probably more insider movie stories and love triangles about Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Demi Moore and Anthony Michael Hall. I did not realize that it was a …

Community | Personal Growth | Uncategorized

Six Takeaways I Noted from The Blue Angels Documentary

I watched The Blue Angels documentary (released May 23, 2024) and I’m happy to share that I loved it and was inspired by it. I felt the same as I do every time I’m privileged enough to see The Blue Angels fly over or perform a show – excited, inspired, nervous and awestruck. I encourage …

Trunk filled with garbage bags of clothes from my closet that I will donate
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Home Life | Uncategorized

Decluttering to Decrease Stress

I tend to live in organized chaos until I can’t take it anymore. Then I purge and throw out an entire van’s trunk filled with unused items. That’s what I did this weekend. I watched the documentary “The Minimalists – Less is Now. Then I began going through my dresser of clothes and about half …

Outline of a brain with this phrase saying: My brain has too many tabs open
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Culture | Home Life | Parenting | Personal Growth | Writing

Looking for Signs, Symbols and Meaning

How are you doing and feeling these days? I’m going to be honest. I struggle at times to make sense of (and in) this world. I’m always looking for signs, symbols and meaning that appeal to me or reach my core. A week ago, I set out for a three-mile walk alone. I put my …

fireplace inside a home with fire going
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Holidays | Home Life | Poetry

Holiday Season Poem for 2021

Embrace the messTime goes by fastThe sprinkles are swept awayBut the memories last The wrapping paper will ripAfter you carefully tape it in placeBut you’ll never forget that smileOn that other person’s face The stress of doing it allMay worry you todayBut remember the wonder, the excitementHappiness and joy on display Some are without loved …

Garden growing on back porch
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Home Life | Personal Growth

Staying Grounded and Planting Seeds

I just got off the phone with my mom, and we were speaking about finding joy in our current constant state of media, COVID crisis, and unkind world. This is not an easy thing to do on some days. People are feeling fatigued. A new friend of mine, Rocky, wrote this post about COVID fatigue …

Dog poop stuck on the bottom of a sandal
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Holidays | Home Life | Parenting | Personal Growth

Dog Poop Days

Mother’s day was last weekend and it turned out to be a nice day. Realistically though, I had no expectations of it being anything other than an ordinary day with more hugs and possibly hand written cards by my kids. I had not communicated that I wanted anything other than my husband to fry fish …

The best project you'll ever work on is you
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Personal Growth

1…2…3…How I Am Improving Me

My mood and outlook has been up lately. I’ve felt more positive and stronger, mentally and physically. This is saying a lot after an emotional rollercoaster year of 2020 and a worldwide pandemic. But I went into 2021 with more focus. I have devoted more time this year to myself and I’m seeing improvements. Therefore, …