Current Chapter: April Edition

Life Lately: Confetti, Construction, and Cutting Carbs
(AKA: Trying to Keep It Together While Everything Changes)

Life, in essence, is feeling pretty good right now—equal parts chaos and calm, which is honestly kind of my sweet spot.

Still Missing Our Girl

We’re still grieving the loss of our sweet Stella girl. It’s wild how empty a house can feel without an 8-pound furball curled up next to you. I miss her in all the small ways, especially when I reach out at night and expect her there. Grief is strange—persistent, unpredictable, but weirdly comforting in how it keeps her close.

Bathroom Overhaul (and Other Domestic Adventures)

We’re knee-deep in a master bathroom remodel, something I started dreaming about after my knee replacement a few years ago. Nothing like post-surgery painkillers and back-to-back episodes of Fixer Upper to convince you your bathroom is garbage. Ours came with a monstrous jacuzzi tub that could’ve doubled as a baptismal font—and honestly, I used it maybe twice. The jets were less “spa retreat” and more “questionable plumbing.”

The new plan? A walk-in shower where the tub was, a chic little soaking tub where the shower used to be, and upgrades across the board: sleek cabinets, modern mirrors, and a toilet so advanced it’s basically a spa concierge. We’re a few weeks out from completion, but it’s already looking like the kind of space where I might voluntarily floss just to spend more time in there.

Next up: the master bedroom. Our ceiling looks like it's been melting, thanks to a leaky roof situation, and it’s about time for fresh paint, new window shades, and some TLC. Next year’s dream project? The basement—new flooring, less dungeon vibes.

Vegas, Baby (Now with 90% More Walking and 100% More Bass)

Vegas was a blast and a blur. The trip started with the Top Workplaces USA summit at Resorts World, where I accepted two awards (humble brag) and spoke on a panel. That hotel was stunning, and I would totally stay there again.

Then we moved to The Linq. The bellman cheerfully informed us we were headed to “the heart of the action,” which apparently meant “directly above a daytime pool party powered by jet engines.” From noon to five, the bass rattled our windows, our teeth, and possibly my soul. TV volume? Futile. Afternoon naps? Fantasy. But hey, we didn’t go to Vegas to sleep.

We saw Dead & Co at The Sphere—unreal. That venue is basically what happens when a tech wizard and a psychedelic dream have a baby. Also caught Awakening at The Wynn (still my favorite hotel), and it was way better than expected. Visually stunning, with an ending that gave me goosebumps. We also squeezed in a trippy projection museum, a stroll through the Neon Boneyard, and roughly 24,000 steps a day. My legs are still filing a formal complaint.

Steady Gains with Steady Losses

I’m down 70 pounds! (Insert confetti cannon here.) While I’ve hit a bit of a plateau, I’m officially at my lowest weight in over 25 years. Over the weekend, we did a full closet purge—bags and bags of clothes donated, including things I’d clung to for “someday” that finally became “no way.” Bonus shoutout to the hubby, who’s down over 100 pounds. We’re feeling lighter in every sense—physically, emotionally, and spatially (hello, extra closet space!).

Concert of the Year (So Far)

Last Friday, we saw OK Go at the Riviera, and I’m still buzzing. They’re just such joyful performers—confetti, crowd energy, clever visuals. I’ve loved them for years, and this show reminded me why.

Coming Up

We’ve got a small breather on the travel front and only one show on the calendar for now—Ministry at the Riv. I’m ready for some routine, some rest, and maybe finally finishing a book. Or five. Depends on how loud my bathroom renovation gets.

Until next time…

Top 5 Books I've Read So Far

It’s four months into the year, and I’m quite pleased with my reading habits.

I have read 11 books so far and just started an 8-book series, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, which should keep me busy for a while.

Here are my Top 5 books from the first quarter and the other books I’ve read so far.

I want to kick things off with two books I read by Lauren Roberts. Lately, I find I’ve been turning to more fantasy/romantasy books, and this series is outstanding. I’ve already pre-ordered the third book, Fearless, which is coming out in April, and have the prequel, Powerful, sitting on my shelf, begging to be read.

1. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A thrilling mix of dystopian fantasy and romance, Powerless introduces us to a world where power determines status—and survival. The chemistry between Paedyn and Kai is electric, and the plot is full of betrayals and twists that keep the pages turning. The world-building is compelling, though some elements feel familiar to the genre. Still, it’s a gripping start to a promising series!

2. Reckless by Lauren Roberts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An exhilarating sequel to Powerless! Roberts raises the stakes as Paedyn and Kai navigate shifting allegiances, deep betrayals, and a romance that sizzles even in the face of danger. The action is intense, and the emotional weight adds depth to the story. Reckless delivers everything you’d hope for—and more.

3. The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A heartfelt, humorous, and utterly engaging memoir from rock’s most down-to-earth legend. Grohl’s storytelling is as compelling as his music, with behind-the-scenes glimpses of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and his life in general. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just love great memoirs, The Storyteller is a fantastic read.

4. The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mike Rowe’s storytelling ability shines in this collection of short, surprising, and often humorous anecdotes about famous figures and everyday heroes. His voice is as engaging on the page as on his podcast, making this an easy and enjoyable read. Fans of Dirty Jobs will especially appreciate his insights and dry wit. Incidentally, we had the pleasure of meeting Mike a few years ago, where I admitted to him that he was a national treasure.

5. Every Last Secret by AR Torre

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A deliciously twisted domestic thriller! Cat and Neena’s rivalry is the perfect mix of psychological warfare and suburban scandal. Torre’s writing is sharp, and the mind games between the two women are engrossing. If you enjoy books about manipulative characters and dark secrets, this one is a must-read.

And as for the rest…

Tailspin by Sandra Brown

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A high-octane romantic thriller with nonstop action. Rye, a troublemaking pilot, and Brynn, a doctor on a desperate mission, make for an engaging duo. Sandra Brown is a master of suspense, and Tailspin is filled with intrigue, deception, and steamy chemistry. Some twists are predictable, but it’s an entertaining ride from start to finish.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A clever and addictive thriller! First Lie Wins follows Evie, a con artist caught in a web of deceit that even she can’t fully untangle. The pacing is tight, the twists are unexpected, and the character development is superb. Ashley Elston delivers a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rebecca Yarros never fails to deliver emotionally charged stories, and Onyx Storm is no exception. This book has it all—high-stakes action, deep emotional turmoil, and a romance that will leave you breathless. Fans of her Empyrean series will not be disappointed!

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fresh take on the slasher genre with sharp social commentary. Wellington mixes dark humor with gripping suspense, keeping the reader guessing. The self-aware nods to horror tropes are a treat for genre fans, making this a highly entertaining and eerie read.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one starts with a strong premise—a woman on her honeymoon being stalked by a man from her past—but it takes some wild and implausible turns. Swanson knows how to craft suspense, but the second half leans heavily into thriller tropes that might divide readers. A fun, fast-paced read if you don’t mind suspending disbelief.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A brilliant and accessible guide to the universe! Tyson has a talent for breaking down complex astrophysical concepts into bite-sized, engaging explanations. Perfect for anyone curious about space but short on time. Thought-provoking and fun, it’s a must-read for science lovers.

Life, Lately (February 2025)

You’ve seen all the meme…

Truth!

That couldn’t be a truer statement.

We started the year with a heartbreaking goodbye to our beloved Stella, but there have been silver linings—ones we’re clinging to with the same determination as Tom Cruise hanging off a plane in Mission: Impossible.

At the same time, life keeps moving…

January began with us saying goodbye to Stella, our little princess and baby girl—the scrappy poodle who showed up on our doorstep in 2011. If you don’t know the story, she wandered into our yard one day, looking like she’d been through the wringer (as you can see below). And from that moment on, she was family.

No tags, no collar, three pounds (March 2011)

I took her straight to our local vet, who confirmed what I feared—without a collar or tags, she had likely been abandoned (the horror!), and judging by her condition, she had been fending for herself for quite some time (cue my heart breaking). We had the option of bringing her to the local shelter, but when I asked if I could take her home for a meal, a bath, and a good night’s sleep with the intent to ultimately keep her, they simply said, “You can do that too.”

So, I did. The moment we walked through the door, she curled up next to Buster, our pitbull, as if she had always belonged there. And just like that, she burrowed her way into our hearts forever.

She knew what she was doing when she showed up in our yard and lived her best life for 14 years.

Two years ago, we learned that Stella had an enlarged heart. She even had her own cardiologist and spent nearly two years on medication as we did everything we could to manage her symptoms. But in the last few months, as her coughing episodes worsened, we knew the time was coming. On January 2nd, we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye, holding her close and loving on her until she took her last breath.

The grief was heavy—it took me about two weeks to emerge from the fog. We were gutted. Even now, I still catch myself looking for her, and when the realization hits, the loss feels just as raw. She was that dog—the one who sets the standard, the one who leaves a permanent mark on your heart.

Over the hill and through the woods…

Next month, I’ll speak on a panel at the Top Workplaces USA Summit in Las Vegas (Vegas, baby!). It’s been a while since I’ve been onstage, and for those who know me well, they might have to wrestle the mic out of my hands. The hubby is coming along, and for the second half of the trip, we’re going back to the Sphere to see Dead & Co. Do I follow them religiously? No. Do I know their music? Kind of. Am I going for the experience? Absolutely. We’ll be staying at Resorts World and The Linq, keeping our streak alive—fun fact: we’ve never stayed at the same hotel in Vegas twice.

Then in mid-summer, we’re off to London! I’ve been deep in research mode, planning what to see and mapping out our routes. We’re checking off a major bucket list item—seeing Oasis at Wembley! We’re also hitting up the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour, exploring landmarks, and diving into the museums.

We also hope to squeeze in a trip to Universal Florida for Halloween Horror Nights. By far, it's my favorite theme park destination, even though I’m not a rollercoaster kinda gal. With the opening of Epic Universe, I can’t wait to see the new Mario World and more.

But “weight,” there’s more…

Back in November, I wrote about Taking My Shot, and here’s the update: We’re still using GLP medication for weight loss, and I’m officially down 30 pounds since June 2024! Even better, I’m 40 pounds down from my first GLP experience in 2023 and a full 60 pounds from my highest weight ever. I feel alive again! I’ve also started going back to the gym—time to get my joints moving with cardio and strength training. We have those trips I mentioned, and I want to build both muscle and stamina for all the walking ahead.

2025 is shaping up to be quite a ride.

Top 5 - Recent Shows We Binged

Over the last month, we’ve powered through some great shows. Here are my Top 5!

Skeleton Crew

"Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" is a Disney+ series that follows four children who make a mysterious discovery on their home planet, leading them to become lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Think Goonies in space. It was thoroughly enjoyable and, dare I say, the best series they’ve created yet.

The Day of the Jackal

"The Day of the Jackal" is a British spy thriller television series based on Frederick Forsyth's novel. It stars Eddie Redmayne as the elusive assassin who carries out high-profile hits for substantial fees. The series delves into a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe. The music in this series is fantastic. I found myself adding many of the songs to my “favorites” playlist. I always say the sign of a good show is when you find yourself rooting for the villian.

Silo Season Two

In the second season of Apple TV+'s "Silo," the post-apocalyptic thriller continues to explore the mysteries of a subterranean community. The season finale, titled "Into the Fire," delivers intense action and major plot twists. I’m considering reading the books!

Only Murders in the Building Season Four & Five

I’m the first to admit that I’ve never been a fan of Martin Short, but after watching this last season, his acting skills outside of comedy are terrific. The relationships between Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez are adorable and the show is funny and sweet. Highly recommend!

What We Do in the Shadows Season Six

The sixth and final season of "What We Do in the Shadows" offers a muted yet enjoyable farewell to the beloved Staten Island vampires. While introducing new characters and storylines, the season maintains the chemistry among the main cast. I’m sad to see this show end, because it’s laugh-out-loud funny and Matt Berry is a national treasure.

A Tribute to Our Baby Girl