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…
