Guess Who’s Back? (Hint: It’s Me, and I’ve Got Stuff to Share)

It’s been a few weeks since my last post, but I promise I’ve been productive! Here’s the rundown:

• Worked on 2025 work plans.

• Attended a gala.

• Oversaw more home renovations.

• Wrote the synopsis for my next book.

• Went to a writing critique group for the first time in years.

• Made Thanksgiving dinner.

• Saw Wicked.

Let’s dive into each.

2025 Planning: "Less Is More"

Year-end at work is my favorite. The pace isn’t slower, but there’s something satisfying about pushing certain tasks into “January’s problem” territory while crafting strategies for the new year. My slogan for 2025? Less is More. In 2024, I packed the calendar with employee initiatives, maybe too many. Next year, I’m focusing on streamlining—prioritizing the programs that resonate most. My goal is to create a workplace experience where all 750 of us, regardless of in-office, hybrid, or remote setups, feel like we’re working side by side.

Speaking of great workplaces, we won several awards this year, including the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces award, where we ranked #18! The gala was a blast—fancy cars, neon signs, and John Williams from WGN as the emcee. These awards are based on employee feedback, giving us a clear roadmap for future improvements.

Home Renovations: Goodbye 90s Jacuzzi Tub

Thanksgiving week was “work from home” central as we had new furnaces and AC units installed. After 24 years, our old system was ready to retire. Up next: tackling our master bathroom and bedroom. The roof replacement last month revealed that our bedroom walls were practically melting, and I’ve wanted to redo the bathroom ever since my 2022 knee replacement recovery turned into an HGTV binge. Those “We should replace this tub” moments snowballed into full-on plans.

Book Progress: A Hallmark Christmas Dream

My next book idea has been brewing—a Hallmark-esque Christmas romance I hope to release next October. I wrote the synopsis and, craving feedback, joined a writers’ critique group. The feedback was fantastic, and I’m excited to spend the winter polishing it.

Thanksgiving Traditions: Stuffing Perfection

Thanksgiving dinner? Nailed it. My system is down to a science, and every year, I perfect it a little more. This year, I made the full feast and shared it with my sister, whose family was battling the stomach flu. Stuffing always takes the crown as my favorite part.

Wicked: A Perfectly Wonderful Experience

Finally, I saw Wicked, and it was everything I dreamed of. I’ve seen the stage production three times in the last decade, but seeing it on the big screen? Incredible. I ugly-cried through multiple scenes, and by the end of Defying Gravity, I was a sobbing mess. It was perfect.

And that’s a wrap on the past few weeks. The days are flying by, and I can’t wait to do a full year-end recap on December 31st!

In the meantime, just remember:

Taking My Shot…

Let's start with a disclaimer and some backstory:

I’m not a doctor. The information shared is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns. Use this information at your own risk.

Giddy-Up!

This isn’t my first rodeo.

I’ve tried and failed at weight loss so many times that I have metaphorical saddle sores. Since childhood, I've had a troubled relationship with food. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my parents did their best, but meals weren't always the healthiest. Food was often a reward, a habit that persisted into adulthood.

In my 20s, I joined the diet cycle. Every January 1st, I'd vow to lose weight. I’d start strong, only to fail within weeks. I tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Ideal Protein, the GM diet (made it through one day), and even the potato diet (made it through one potato…barely).

Every time, I'd lose weight, then break my diet by rewarding myself with food, and then get angry with myself for failing. I'd lie to myself, saying I wasn't meant to be thin. “You’re a good person, so who cares if you’re not perfect?” But every January 1st, I'd resolve to lose weight again because deep down, I knew I had a problem. By my 40s, it was no longer about getting into a bikini. My joints started to hurt, and I was on blood pressure medicine. I didn’t want to feel this way anymore. I just needed the spark to light the fire under me.

My body is a temple…run by circus clowns.

In 2022, my friend asked me to stand up at his wedding, and I knew I had to saddle up again. A coworker had just dropped over 100 pounds, and I was intrigued. What was this magical thing that caused him to shrink before our eyes? Of course, it’s all the rage now - weight loss injections.

I was hesitant about injecting something into my body. It seemed extreme, but I realized my unhealthy relationship with food was already extreme. So, I decided to try it but kept it a secret to avoid concern from family and friends.

I threw my leg over the horse and grabbed the reins.

New body, who dis? At the Inspiring Workplace Awards gala in 2022 and, 40 pounds lighter, in 2023.

In January 2023, I received my first injection. I weighed myself daily and stuck to the uber-strict food plan. Surprisingly, it was easy. I wasn't hungry, made good choices, and lost 40 pounds in four months.

I was so thrilled with what I had accomplished. People noticed, boosting my confidence. I bought new clothes and stood up at the wedding, grateful that I had lost the weight while knowing I still had more to lose. But I made the mistake of thinking I could do it on my own. I was so very wrong.

After taking a year-long break from the shots and crazy dieting, I regrettably gained back some of the weight I lost last year. So, I joined Ivím Health in July leveraging their massive discounts on the injections. While waiting for them to arrive, I purged the house of any tempting foods. Everything needed to be gone. Logistically, I felt prepared. I even had one last hurrah and indulged in all my favorite foods. We had buttered popcorn, pizza, bagels, breakfast sausage, Mexican food, grilled burgers, and fries—my way of going out with a bang.

Since July, I’ve dropped 16 pounds. While I’m not losing as quickly as last year, I’m also not super strict with my diet. Instead, I’m focusing on portions and hunger signals. I have to admit, the first months were hard, and the scale barely budged. But now, I have a whole new outlook on food. I don’t have the cravings I once struggled with, and I can’t eat a full meal. I eat just the right amount. I’m now the queen of leftovers.

While I don't have an end goal in mind other than losing another 30 pounds, I keep reminding myself to embrace the process and keep moving forward. I’ll check back in a few months and let you know how it’s going.

Spooky Movie Review: Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane, & The Cloverfield Paradox

This past week, we dove into the Cloverfield trilogy. Rewatching the original Cloverfield reminded me why it’s so effective: the shaky, found-footage style combined with only brief flashes of the creature makes for a uniquely tense experience. It’s a case where what you don’t see is far more unsettling than what’s shown up close.

In 10 Cloverfield Lane, the tension pivots to a claustrophobic thriller, with John Goodman delivering a captivatingly ambiguous performance as someone who might be a savior… or something else entirely. The mystery of who to trust keeps the film suspenseful, and the monster reveal comes only at the very end, making the human drama the real focus.

The Cloverfield Paradox switches gears again, taking us into space for an origin story of sorts. While the sci-fi twist is intriguing, this entry also highlights its characters, using the monster element as a backdrop to explore survival and sacrifice. Here’s my quick take on each film!

Cloverfield (2008)

*The original Cloverfield is a thrilling found-footage monster movie that throws viewers right into the chaos of a giant creature attack on New York City. Directed by Matt Reeves and produced by J.J. Abrams, it brilliantly balances mystery, suspense, and terror. The shaky, handheld camera style immerses the audience in a terrifying, claustrophobic experience as a group of friends tries to survive the city’s destruction. The minimal exposition keeps the mystery of the monster alive, making it both engaging and unsettling—a high-energy film that redefined monster horror for the digital age.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

10 Cloverfield Lane takes a wildly different approach, shifting from monster horror to psychological thriller. This tense, claustrophobic film follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as she’s held captive by a man (John Goodman) who claims the outside world has been attacked. Set almost entirely in an underground bunker, the film builds suspense through excellent performances and sharp writing. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, it’s smart and unsettling, hinting at connections to the original Cloverfield without relying on them, making it a strong standalone thriller that explores fear in more subtle, intense ways.

The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

The third installment, The Cloverfield Paradox, attempts to link the previous films by exploring the origin of the Cloverfield monster through a sci-fi horror lens. Set in space, the story follows a group of scientists conducting an experiment that goes terribly wrong, potentially unleashing monsters across dimensions. While ambitious in scope and intriguing in premise, it feels convoluted at times, losing some of the series’ unique appeal. Despite its flaws, The Cloverfield Paradox is an entertaining, otherworldly addition to the franchise, with a few memorable moments that appeal to sci-fi and horror fans alike.

I give this trilogy 5 (stars) bats as we continue to view Halloween-esque movies in the month of October.

Buy it on Amazon today!

Spooky Movie Review: Terrifier 2 & Overlord

Despite my hesitation, the hubby talked me into watching Terrifier 2 since we just watched the first one. This movie takes everything that made the first film grotesque and cranks it up to an even more disturbing level. Art the Clown returns with his signature brand of sadistic violence, and while the sequel is better in terms of plot development and pacing, it remains a blood-soaked nightmare. The gore is relentless, and if clowns weren’t already unsettling, this film ensures that Art the Clown solidifies your hatred for them. The expanded story adds depth, but make no mistake—this is still a grotesque horror flick made for hardcore fans of the genre. For me, even though it improves upon the first, I’m still unnerved by the clown element!

Overlord is an outstanding blend of war drama and supernatural horror, delivering a gripping story with an imaginative twist. Set during World War II, it follows a group of paratroopers who uncover a Nazi experiment that turns dead soldiers into monstrous creatures. It stars Wyatt Russell, Kurt’s son. I loved him in The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, and in this movie it’s hard not to see his dad’s mannerisms. The film is incredibly atmospheric, combining war action with gruesome horror in a way that feels fresh and exciting. The special effects are top-notch, and the pacing is relentless, keeping you on edge throughout. With a strong cast and an engaging plot, Overlord stands out as an innovative war-horror hybrid that truly delivers.

Terrifier 2 gets 2 bats (stars), while Overlord get the full 5!

Buy it on Amazon Today!

Spooky Movie Review: The Thing & From Beyond

This week I’ll be catching up on quite a few horror-themed movies we’ve watched recently.

Starting with a double feature night for us, where we threw it way back to the 1980s.

First up, 1982’s The Thing. Considered John Carpenter’s masterclass in horror and suspense, this movie delivers one of the most unsettling and paranoia-fueled narratives ever seen. Set in a remote Antarctic research station, a group of scientists encounter a shape-shifting alien that can perfectly imitate any life form. The film’s practical effects, especially the grotesque creature transformations, are legendary, making it a must-watch for fans of body horror. Carpenter builds tension with a sense of claustrophobia and mistrust, where no one knows who might be the creature in disguise. The Thing is an essential for any horror fan, combining psychological dread with unforgettable practical effects. Plus, I never pass up a Kurt Russell flick.

Then, we went right into From Beyond. This 1986 movie is based on an H.P. Lovecraft story. From Beyond takes viewers on a mind-bending journey into alternate dimensions, merging horror and science fiction. Directed by Stuart Gordon, this cult classic follows a group of scientists who discover a machine that stimulates the pineal gland, opening up a dimension inhabited by terrifying creatures. The film revels in its bizarre and grotesque visuals, with monstrous transformations and nightmarish body horror. Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton deliver standout performances in a film that is both disturbing and weirdly mesmerizing. From Beyond is a perfect blend of surreal horror and cosmic madness, leaving an indelible impression with its unique Lovecraftian terror. I remember being obsessed with it in my mid-teen years, along with it’s sister movie Reanimator, also staring Combs and Crampton.

I give both these films four solid bats (stars).

Buy it on Amazon today!