
You’re here.
That makes you a star.
You ready to #shinebrightly?
Yeah, me too!
Come see me at the place:
A Star in My Universe

Fun in the Cold
Colder weather doesn't mean an active vacation around the winter holidays can’t happen. In fact, now that I live in Western New York I am surrounded by snow and ice and have found it a great source for plenty of fun activities.

Back to the Zoo
Sometimes life hands you full circle moments. When it does, don’t skip the chance to jump in the middle. This is true even if it leaves you a little nervous. Mine came when thanks to my friend, Di over at FSM Media, I got to interview Doug and Emily aka Emmy Jo of the New Zoo Revue.

Kids Need a Boost, Too
For years, I have written about kids needing to feel important and valuable. I want my children to know from the get-go that no matter what, they are her for a reason and I love them unconditionally. Now that they are teens, oops excuse me, one just turned twenty.

Back in the Center Ring
The Legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Debuts All-New Reimagined The Greatest Show On Earth® - this American Icon has launched a spectacular nationwide tour that brings comedy, thrills, and artistry to Children of All Ages© and it’s coming to Buffalo!

Own Your Health
So if you have been following along lately, you may noticed that I have been trying to take more control over your health and wellbeing. Working towards this possibility is working towards a brighter future. It isn’t easy and I wobble on this path but I thought I would share what I am trying to do.

Keep Standing Tall
No one can suggest I have been shy about my age as of late. In fact, it has been my lead. That said, getting older is not a zero-sum game (sorry I have been bingeing Billions). There are costs and one of them is bone health. Being a small-framed caucasian, I am especially aware that it is essential for me to remember what is going on inside, as well as outside as the calendars flip in my life.


Strike a Pose - Boost Your Confidence
We all want to feel a lot of confidence. I refer to it often as #shinebrightly. While that is something that I firmly believe is an inside-out process, I also know that we all feel better with some boosts to the outside, as well. Why else would I share my favorite beauty and fashion finds? There are other ways to give us that feeling, however.

After Death - More than a Movie
That is the focus of the intriguing film, “After Death” in theaters now. It is a documentary wherein actual survivors of near-death experiences share their true stories of what they saw and lived in those moments on the other side.

Work + Mind Connection
When the phone battery hits 10% - it’s time for a recharge! And just like the phone, sometimes we need to plug in. Fill our emotional and mental batteries with some self-care or even a little moment to breathe.

Take a Deep Breath (or Two)
Sometimes I have no idea how to unwind. I can collapse in front of the TV at the end of the day, but I still don’t feel any better. Is this you? If so, it sounds like we need to make a change. It’s time to prioritize self-care.

Ease into Self-Care
As a result, there really is no wrong way to care for yourself. Get in the bath, cook a three course meal, tidy the living room - as long as it makes you feel a little better. That’s self care. It’s as simple as that. For me, cleaning works very well. For you. when deciding what activity what’s best, consider what allows you to clear your mind, and stop fixating on ‘what’s wrong’ in and around you.

Trying to be Chronically Rested
If you’ve been around this place lately, you know that chronic pain is a real thing for me and I talk about it a lot. It’s really more common than many may think. In fact, millions in the US suffer from it. While pain certainly makes aspects of life harder, it really hits at bedtime. Sleepless nights are extremely common, meaning zombie days to follow.

Sweet Smile from Sweet Slime
My sweet Aslyn loves candy and loves trying new things. The kind folks at Crickets Candy Creations invited us to visit their store but life had different plans for this summer. When they heard that, they shared these fun slime kits for us to try. We are very thankful for their understanding during our difficult time and for this fabulous gift.

Try on a Little Confidence
Fake it ‘til you make it. We’ve all heard it. And while it may be easier said then done, it is true that, confidence is an important trait to have. Not everyone is born with bucketloads of confidence (see me waving my hands wildly) and it’s something that w definitely want to work on if self-confidence doesn’t call naturally.

Being Fit is the Real Treat
Do you need to trick yourself to get the work out you know you need? It has taken everything to get me to do it. I mean everything!

Stable? At Least, On my Feet
If there is one thing that's absolutely essential to our health and longevity as we age, it's physical stability. We often refer to it as “balance”, and not in that work/life way. Here we’re talking about maintaining a good core to prevent falls or injuries that can have consequences, not just in later life, but now. So, what are the best ways to ensure that stability?

Keeping Mental Health in Check
Trying to manage mental health often seems like an uphill battle. No matter what we do, it can seem like nothing is helping but It’s worth focusing on the right strategies and getting the help you need to get through it. It took time for my family to get the help we need but we will never regret working for it. While it might take some time, you can feel better.

No Trust Falls Needed
We moved to Buffalo seeking change and growth. It was another hard thing, leaving everything and almost everyone we knew. We believed, however, that it was what we needed. This little adventure was a reminder that we were right in that belief.

It’s Not Business, Only Personal
I am loathe to share anything about the show other than it was my FAVORITE current show. I hated it ending.
My only consolation is that “Succession: The Complete Fourth & Final Season” will also be available to purchase on DVD on September 12. “Succession: The Fourth and Final Season” and “Succession: The Complete Series” are available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.