My Word for 2026: Peace

 

Some years I struggle to come up with my word for the year. Other tyears I jump on a trend such as "Thrive" for 2025. Sidenote, To be really honest, last year was not giving me much to thrive about. For 2026, my word came pretty easily. My word for 2026 is "Peace". Peace is a really beautiful word that has lost its true meaning lately. It has moved from a beautiful, soft word to being a throw away line. For this year, I am taking back peace and below I am sharing how I am working to have more peace in my life.

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Let's Help the Helpers in Texas

 

I know we all feel the heaviness of the news of the flooding in central Texas and the impact on Camp Mystic. It is almost unimaginable the beautiful lives that have been lost over the weekend.

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Friday Favorites May 23, 2025: Summer Blanket, New Song , The Last Thing He Told Me, DJ x Jack Rogers and Good Everyday WIne

 

Hey Besties, I am back. I am not going to lie to you, this has been a really weird month. This month was capped off last weekend by a 15 minute storm on Friday night that took out around 15 trees on our main road in our neighborhood where we lost power for over 24 hours. So many friends and neighbors were impact and the roads were closed all over the neighborhood until Wednesday. We were safe but it just continued the weird energy that May is giving. 

Today, I need to focus on some fun and share a few things that are bringing me Joy when things are going sideways. I am ready to be back and link-up with Erika and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites.

1. Better Homes & Gardens Luxury Gauze Reversible Blanket

The blanket we had on our bed was really more of a winter blanket and we have had it for more than 15 years. With summer coming I wanted something lighter but also wanted a really soft blanket. The Better Home & Gardens line at Walmart is really high quality at a Good price point.  You would never know this blanket was under $30. 

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Hello Monday January 13, 2025: Word for 2025 and Ways We are Helping with the Wildfires

 

Welcome to the first Hello Monday of 2025. I am linking up with Sarah and Holly to share my word for 2025 and later in the post ways that we are trying to help with the devastation in the Los  Angeles area. Hopefully, this will prompt others to find their own ways to help. 

I have not been making resolutions the past few years (although I am a first-timer at Dry January this year), I have been focusing on a word instead. My word for 2024 and Less and I did focus on this word during the year, especially when I felt overwhelmed. I definitely did Less during the holidays, with the exception of decorating, and it freed me up to do more simple things that I actually enjoyed like baking easy Christmas cookies, a family trip and just embracing the Christmas season in general.

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What's Up Wednesday-March 2024

 

March, you will a little chilly but you ended up being a pretty Good month.  As this is the last Wednesday of March, I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for their monthly link-up What's Up Wednesday. This is a little food, a little fashion, and a whole lot of fun things we have been up to in March.

What We're Eating This Week

I am going to be gone for a few days this week checking in with my mom so I will not be home Wednesday and Thursday nights. The boys will be on their own for dinner those nights, but here is what I think I have planned for the other nights.

Monday-Parmesan roasted shrimp, salad, jasmine rice

Tuesday-Hockey Guy has a golf match so we will do something easy like burger night or meatball subs. It will depend on if he has something to eat on the way home.

Friday-It will be pizza takeout for Good Friday

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Friday Favorites January 19, 2024: Warm Slippers, Gratitude Journaling, Eczema Relief, Good Movies and New Show on Netflix

 

Brr Besties. Is it freezing or snowing where you are? It's pretty cold here and it is supposed to snow today, but it is January and we are having some real January weather this year. 

Before I jump into Friday Favorites, you may have noticed a subtle difference around here. We have a new home on the web with our new website address: GoodBetterBestLife.net This has been a long time coming and this new website address Better describes this site. So be sure to bookmark the new site but you will be redirected to the new site regardless.

Today for Friday Favorites I am linking up with Erika and Andrea and sharing the fun things that are bringing me Joy this week. I have slippers that finally keep my feet warm, how I start my mornings, a Good body lotion that helps my eczema, a movie we are all obsessed with and a Good Netflix show. Cuddle up and get ready for some Friday favorites.

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What's Up Wednesday September 2023

 

Wow September you were eventful. We spent time getting back into the school routine and I had a big work event at headquarters which took up a lot of time and energy. Here on the last Wednesday of September, I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for their monthly link-up What's Up Wednesday. Settle in with your favorite fall treat and join me for all things September.

What We Are Eating This Week

Monday-Burgers, hot dogs, tots and cucumber/hearts of palm salad

Tuesday-Crockpot beef barbeque sandwiches with salad

Wednesday-Beef tips, rice, salad

Thursday-I am going out to celebrate a friend's birthday and the guys are on their own.

Friday-take out, always take out on Fridays

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Joy in the Lasts: Senior Year Edition Flash Back

 

I have been thinking about the piece I wrote four years ago a lot lately. It's senior year for Hockey Guy and I am not as sad as I probably should be. He has really had the high school career that most of us, his mom included, would dream of. He is happy, he has lots of friends, he is in a school where he is supported, he is a peer mentor and he is a successful athlete. I know not every kid has this experience in high school, and I know that because I was one of those kids that really struggled in high school. I think that because of his experience and my experience being polar opposites, I am once again finding Joy in the lasts.

I am not one bit sad Hockey Guy is in his senior year. I am loving the traditions like Senior Sunrise, I am counting the days until the first puck drop of hockey season, and trying to breathe during the college application process. The one thing I am not doing, is trying to make time slow down. This is his time, not mine and it will all move along for him exactly like it should. It will all fall into place exactly like God wants it to, even though at times lately I am raising my eyebrow a little at a path God is adding for us. 

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What's Up Wednesday-October 2022

 

Here we are at the end of October Besties and I can tell you that this month was way Better than last month. I do realize that bar is pretty low. It's time to give an update on October and link up with Sheaffer and Shay and chat all things October. Are you ready? I am.

What We're Eating This Week

We are in the full swing of the hockey season now. Our dinners need to be fast, not too spicy and filled with nutrients. Some nights we are eating before practice early and other nights we are eating after 6pm games. 

Monday-Burgers, dogs, chopped salad, McCain Smiles and Alexia sweet potato tots. This is a post-game meal.

Tuesday-Chicken stir fry with brown rice. This is a before practice meal.

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What's Up Wednesday-June 2022

Here we are Besties at the end of June. Can you believe it? This has been a pretty eventful month and I am here to linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday. Let's jump in and talk all things June!

What We're Eating This Week 

This week will be a little busy, especially at night. So I only sketched out our dinner plan, not a dinner plan put in stone. Here is what I am thinking about, but it could also all go out the window at any moment.

Monday-pork tenderloin, quinoa, chopped salad

Tuesday-sausage, polenta, chopped salad

Wednesday-maybe tacos

Thursday-not sure yet

Friday-take out at the pool

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Friday Favorites March 18-Lenten Challenge Update, Sleep Pillow Spray, Spring Statement Earrings, a Good Podcast and Flawless Moisturizer

 

Hey hey Besties! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I am. I have been away from this space for a few weeks due to some work commitments and now I am trying to catch up on all of the things. As I try to do on most Fridays, I am linking up with  Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. Settle in on this early spring day for the little things in life that are bringing me Joy. 

1. Forty Miles in Forty Days Lenten Challenge

While I am not as far along on this challenge as I would like to be, I am really enjoying all aspects of the Forty Miles in Forty Days Lenten Challenge. I have some catching up to do on my mileage over the weekend but year two of this lenten project is even Better than the first. 

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Hello Monday_Second Annual Forty Miles in Forty Days Lenten Challenge

 

Besties, I hope you had a really Good weekend. We had some hockey, some downtime and some family time. A pretty perfect weekend if you ask me. Today I am linking up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday.  I am also sharing with you that I am kicking off the Second Annual Forty Miles in Forty Days Lenten challenge this week. If there ever was a time for this challenge, this would be the time.

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Life Lately: Storms and Rainbows

 

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Hey there Besties. I am popping in today to share a little life update. I have had some storms and rainbows these past couple of weeks, but I am doing ok.

Let's start with the storms. In late March, my sweet dad passed away. My dad was kind, funny, and was never tried to be anything but the person he was. I miss him so, but we should all live a full, blessed and happy life until we are almost 89 years old.

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What's Up Wednesday February 2021

 

Happy Wednesday Besties! This month is just clipping along. Since it is the last Wednesday of the month I am linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday. Settle in and join me to find out what was up in February.

What We're Eating This Week

This is going to be a busy week, even in a pandemic, so dinner will be either easy or on the fly.

Monday-Burgers, dogs, sweet potato fries and salad

Tuesday-Lots of hockey Tuesday night. I will figure something out at home and the boys will have something at the rink. Our home rink actually has a brand new, Good restaurant on site. 

Wednesday-Pork chops, rice and broccoli

Thursday-I have an Advancement Committee meeting for school via Zoom and there is more hockey. Dinner plan? See Tuesday above.

Friday-Take out after hockey

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Friday Favorites: Smartwool, Roomba, Lavish Lavender, and Two Good Podcasts

 

Hello Friday, Good to see you. I want to start by saying I am praying hard for people that are impacted by the weather in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. What is happening there is just heartbreaking and I pray for relief for the people there. If you can help even in a small way, please do. I plan to make a donation to World Central Kitchen this weekend. Chef Jose Andres' team is already on the ground.

I am going to pivot and provide a little levity with my Friday Favorites and link up with Erika, Andrea, Narci to share what brought me Joy this week. It's a little late when I am writing this so this is going to be a quick list.

1) Smartwool Socks

My feet and hands are always cold, always. Since I am embarking on the Forty Miles in Forty Days Lenten Challenge I have been needing to layer up for my walks with Stormy.

Smartwool Socks

***contains affiliate links

I have similar Smartwool socks to these above and they are really keeping my feel warm just with regular running shoes during my walks. They hold up really well and can be washed in the regular washer and dryer.

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40 Miles in 40 Day Lenten Challenge

 

Welcome to the 40 miles in 40 days Healthy Spirit, Healthy Body and Healthy Mind Challenge. Are you looking for something a little different to do this Lenten season? Well this might be exactly what you need.

Last week I shared with you what I learned from walking 100 miles between December to January 1. I also shared with you our friend's story of his cancer diagnosis and how important it was that his body was so strong going into his treatments that it helped him so much in the process. This led Running Daddy and I to try to find a way to keep all of this going. This led to the Lenten challenge.

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What's Up Wednesday-June 2020

 

 

Hey Besties. We made it to the end of June. Are things opening up where you are? We are starting to open up some here. We are playing it safe but starting to see some people.

It's the last Wednesday of the month and I am linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday. Settle in to find out what we have been up to this month. We have had a pretty eventful June all things considered.

What We Are Eating This Week

Sunday-ribeye steaks, pan roasted fingerling potatoes and salad for Father's Day. There was a big cookie cake too for the boys.

Monday-burger night, broccoli and gorgonzola potato salad.

Tuesday- sausage polenta with salad

Wednesday-we are taking a little day trip if the weather holds out, so we will see what dining is like.

Thursday-probably something easy like pesto pasta.

Friday-take out at the pool.

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Friday Favorites-Statement Earrings, Lance Armstrong, Best Song for Right Now, Sparkling Greyhound, and a Landscaping Project

Oh Besties, what a week. This week has seen so many highs and lows. We had our graduation ceremony in person with all kinds of safety restrictions and it was so Good to see everyone.  I also watched the frustration in our country and even in my own city come to a dramatic head this week. I know as a middle class, white woman I will never fully understand this pain, but I am trying and I am teaching in our own home. 

I am taking a moment, to take a breath and find some Joy in the week as I do every Friday by linking up with Erika, Andrea, Narci  with Friday Favorites. 

1)  Love Hoops

Love Hoops-on sale (also in gold) 

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I bought these Love hoops when they went on sale a few weeks ago. I typically have not been wearing large earrings over the last few years, but I am getting back into this trend. I so love these and they seemed totally the message I wanted to send this week. We all need a little more love and fashion can make a statement and send a message. They also come in gold. 

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Friday Favorites: Skinny Pina Colada, Gluten Free Cookies, Beverly Hills Housewives, Get Dressed Challenge and Christian Yoga

We are in for some rain over the next few days. It is April after all but I have enjoyed being outside during the pandemic. It's Friday and I think we all need a little distraction, so I am linking up with Erika, Andrea, Narci to share what is bringing me Joy this week. Rain or no rain.

1) Skinny Pina Colada

The beach club where we stay in Hilton Head makes the Best skinny pina colada. I have been trying to duplicate it or at least come close and now I think I have a Good substitute.

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Friday Favorites: Good Chilean Wine, Cute Camo Bag, Resident Care Bags, Million Dollar Listing and the Best Whoopie Pies

Happy weekend Besties! I so love Easter weekend. Like a lot of us, our Easter is going to look a little different this year but we are going to make the Best of it. Our day will be live streaming of Mass and pick up Easter dinner but I do think I will add in my Get Dressed Challenge and dress for dinner. 

As I do most Fridays, I am linking up with Erika, Andrea, Narci to share what brings me Joy. 

1) Cono Sur Viognier

If you are looking for a wine that is a little different but at a Good price point, the Bicicleta Viognier from Cono Sur is an excellent choice.  I bought this at Wegman's a few weeks ago as a total impulse purchase and have bought several bottles since.

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