Top Ten Favorites - Live Theater Plays

 "Think for a minute about what makes you fabulous and how you can celebrate it." (Laura Mercier)

Hello, my lovely friends! 

    After our deep dive into movie musicals last time, I thought it was only right to pull back the curtain on my favorite theater musicals! There is just something magical about the energy of a live stage that a screen can’t quite capture. I’ve been lucky enough to see so many incredible plays over the years, and the list of favorites in my head is always growing.

Speaking of growing lists, I am beyond excited because I’m heading out this Sunday to see Hell’s Kitchen! Since it’s inspired by Alicia Keys, I already know the soul and the music are going to be incredible. I’ve always been such a huge fan of hers, so seeing that story come to life on stage feels like a total treat.

But before I get swept away by Sunday’s show, let’s talk about the all-time greats. Narrowing it down wasn't easy, but I’ve managed to pick the ten shows that truly stayed with me long after the final bow. From the ones that made me laugh until I cried to the ones that had me humming the soundtrack for weeks, here are the top ten stage musicals that hold a permanent spot in my heart.

    If you’re looking for a sign to finally book those theater tickets, this is it! There is nothing quite like the magic of a live stage, and I’ve rounded up ten absolute must-sees that will have you cheering, crying, and humming all the way home.

    Starting off with a total sensory explosion, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is pure "spectacular spectacular" energy—it’s flashy, romantic, and packs in every pop hit you love. If you’re craving that classic, haunting Broadway grandeur, The Phantom of the Opera remains the ultimate masterpiece of gothic romance, while its sequel, Love Never Dies, offers a lush, emotional follow-up that fans of the original simply have to experience.

    For those who want a show that hits right in the heart, Rent is a beautiful, gritty celebration of love and community that never gets old. If you prefer your drama with a side of revolution, Les Misérables will leave you breathless with its soaring anthems. On the whimsical side, Wicked completely flips the script on Oz, proving there are always two sides to every story (and some seriously gravity-defying high notes).

    If you’re a fan of modern storytelling and incredible rhythms, Hadestown is a stunning, soulful trip to the underworld that feels incredibly fresh. In the Heights brings that vibrant, soulful Washington Heights heat with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s signature lyrical genius. Finally, for the music lovers, MJ the Musical and Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations are total electrifying parties on stage, celebrating the legendary moves and harmonies that defined generations. Grab some playbills and enjoy the show!


Top Ten Favorites - Live Theater Plays
1. The Moulin Rouge
2. The Phantom of the Opera
3. Rent
4. Love Never Dies
5. Wicked
6. Les Misérables
7. Hadestown
8. In the Heights
9. MJ the Musical
10 Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the clock says where you are, I hope your morning, afternoon, or evening is a total win. Until our next digital rendezvous... stay wonderful!

Some Things About My Mom

 “What is a mom but the sunshine of our days and the north star of our nights.” (Robert Brault)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    My mom celebrated her 79th birthday yesterday, and today wanted to put down some facts about her. It's been a rough month for her with everything, but she had a really good birthday. There were calls from family members, flowers from others, and her favorite coconut shrimp for dinner. Let's get into some facts...

 

 1. She save my life, literally. When I was about six or seven we went swimming at a neighbor’s cabin. There was a swimming pool nearby. I’ve been taking lessons at our local pool that started at 3 feet. What we didn’t realize was that the pool said 3 ½ feet. I walked right down the stairs and went under and began to panic. My mom clothes and all jumped and pulled me out. I was shaken, but okay. 

2. Before junior high, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She would always make and decorate the cake for classroom parties. One year I was sick when the kids in the classroom were volunteering to bring things for the party. My mom gets a call in the afternoon from my teacher asking how I was doing, but was really calling her to say the kids voted for me to bring the cake for the party. My mom always made the most amazing cakes. 

3. When I was in 6th grade I had my first boyfriend that broke my heart. When he broke up with me I didn’t want to go to school. I broke down crying and telling her what happened and she let me stay home for the day. I spent the day making tortillas with her. I felt much better after that. 

4. For Halloween I was always a witch, my mom made my costume. Every year she would change things up for Halloween. One year she braided my hair and had it wild and frizzy, another year she put these longs black nails on me, and another time she put green makeup in cooked oatmeal and put it all over my face. Good times, fun times! 

5. My mom would shop for Christmas present all year long (still does) and she would wrap the gift and hide it somewhere in the house. The problem is my mom would forget come Christmas where she put presents. One year we finished unwrapping gifts, had dinner and I was washing the dishes. My mom was talking to me and then she ran off. She came back with a present for me that she forgot all about. 

6. My mom taught me how to cook. She made dinner every night when I was little and I would sit in there and ask a million questions. How do you do this? Why that? How long? She went to work as a cake decorator for a grocery store. I would be the first one home and would have to make dinner. I believe I was about twelve at the time. She would pull out everything that I would need and at the start would make everything in the microwave and within a year I was cooking in the oven. I would cal her at work once I got home and she would tell me how to cook whatever we were having. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I wish you a good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are.
Until next time… Adios!

 

 

Be Better

 

A Whirlwind of a Week

 "I think that when the dust settles, we will realize how little we need, how very much we actually have, and the true value of human connection." (Author Unknown)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    It has been an absolute whirlwind of a week over here! Between the high points, the low moments, and those "head-scratching" instances that leave me completely baffled, life has been anything but quiet. It feels like I’m constantly juggling a dozen things at once, trying to keep the momentum going while navigating the unexpected twists and turns.

I wanted to take a quick second to say a huge thank you for sticking by me through the chaos. Your patience means the world as I manage the beautiful craziness my life has become.

    Nine years without Dad, and I know so many of you truly understand that the ache never really goes away; it just shifts into something different. This anniversary felt particularly heavy, especially for Mom. There’s a certain weight in realizing just how much life she has navigated without him, especially while managing her own health challenges. It’s a bittersweet milestone that reminds us of both her strength and the space he left behind.

To honor him, we kept things quiet and close to home. We spent the evening over big bowls of spaghetti, laughing about how much he absolutely lived for a good pasta dinner. It was simple, comfort-filled, and exactly the kind of "together" he would have loved.

    It feels like things are finally shifting into high gear! After a bit of a struggle, Kaiser has really stepped up—they’ve moved those July appointments up to next month and are fast-tracking other dates too. While it’s such a relief to see progress, it’s honestly frustrating that it took a few stern emails to get the momentum going. Everyone deserves that level of commitment to their health from the very start without having to fight for it.

On a brighter note, we managed to power through several appointments for both of us last week. It feels great to have those checked off the list and behind us! Even with the recent hustle from our current provider, we are still planning on switching insurance at the end of the year. For now, we’re just focusing on the wins and staying positive as we move toward better care.

    Oh my goodness, what a roller coaster of a week! We were already riding a wave of big emotions when I woke up Friday morning to a total shock: snow. And I’m not talking about a few pretty flakes; we got hit with four inches of that heavy, wet slush that makes everything feel like a winter wonderland (or a giant mess, depending on your mood). It definitely felt like Mother Nature was playing a little prank on us.

Thankfully, the sun decided to make an appearance yesterday and chased all that white stuff away. While the snow is officially a memory, those freezing temperatures are definitely sticking around for a bit! It’s been the talk of the neighborhood, with everyone worried about their poor budding plants. It was a good reminder of that old local wisdom the news crews love to repeat. There’s a reason we’re told to hold off on planting until after Mother’s Day.

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the clock says where you are, I hope your morning, afternoon, or evening is a total win. Until our next digital rendezvous... stay wonderful!

Nine Years of Always

 

 

Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again, skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts.” (Author Unknown)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 Nine Years of Always

Nine years have turned to seasons, then to years, 
Yet time has failed to do what time should do. 
It hasn't dulled the edge or dried the tears, 
Or made the world feel right without the view 
Of one familiar smile, one steady hand, 
The anchor that once held me to the land.

 

They say that shadows fade when light is long, 
But yours is cast in every room I pace. 
I hear you in the cadence of a song, 
And search the passing crowds to find your face. 
A decade nears, a bridge of empty days, 
Yet still I walk through memory’s golden haze.

 

There is no morning where the sun takes flight 
Without a quiet thought of where you’ve gone. 
There is no settling of the stars at night
Where longing doesn't linger, deep and drawn. 
The calendar may claim the time has passed, 
But love like ours was built to always last.

 

Nine years of silence, heavy and profound, 
Yet in my heart, I still can hear the sound 
Of every word you spoke, each laugh you gave— 
The living breath of all I seek to save. 
You aren't a ghost, or something left behind; 
There isn't a day you aren't upon my mind.

 

 

Take a Breathe and See the Blessings

 

Feed Your Soul - Spring Edition

"Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is." (Jessica Harrelson)

Hello, my lovely friends! 

    Spring is finally here, and it feels like the whole world is waking up from a long, cozy nap. There is something so magical about this season of renewal; it’s the perfect time to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and give your spirit a much-needed refresh. Just as the flowers start to peek through the soil, we have this beautiful opportunity to shed the heaviness of winter and focus on the things that truly feed our souls.

    Don’t forget that refreshing your soul also means being kind to yourself. Use this season to celebrate your growth and find joy in the little things, like the scent of fresh rain or the extra hours of daylight. Whether you are organizing a fun movie night with loved ones or taking a quiet stroll through a park, make sure you are carving out space for what makes you feel most alive. Spring is a gentle reminder that we are all capable of blooming again, so let’s make the most of this beautiful, sun-drenched restart together.

 I know spring started weeks ago, but we had a rough start to it with my mom landing in the hospital and then everything with Kaiser. I feel like I can finally take a step and get into my spring mode. Throwing out some ideas of what to do to enjoy spring. I’m going to do a dedicated blog to the garden this year. 

TV Shows
Anne of Green Gables (2016)
Howard’s End (2017)
Emily in Paris (2020)
Bridgerton (2020)
Julia (2022)
The Gilded Age (2022)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
The Buccaneers (2023)

Movies
The Secret Garden (1949)
April in Paris (1952)
My Fair Lady (1964)
The Sound of Music (1965)
A League of Their Own (1992)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Notting Hill (1999)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Maleficent (2014)
The Personal Story of David Copperfield (2019)
Emma (2020)

Things To Do
Buy yourself flowers
Make a strawberry dessert
Take a nature walk
Read a fairytale book
Go on a picnic (even in your backyard)
Grill something
Plan your garden and buy seeds that are different

 I’m so grateful you spent a bit of your day here with me. I hope the rest of your morning, afternoon, or evening is filled with little moments of joy and a whole lot of cozy.  Take good care of yourself, and I’ll be looking forward to our next chat!

Top Ten Favorites - Movie Musicals

 

 "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" (Moulin Rouge, 2001)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    There is just something about the end of the week that gets my energy soaring and my brain buzzing with ideas. I’ve been sitting here trying to narrow down a top ten list for you all, and I actually gasped when I realized I haven’t covered this specific topic yet. I could have sworn it was one of the very first things I ever wrote about, but I’ve combed through the archives and—nope!—it’s nowhere to be found. How did I let that happen?

If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely adore musicals. They have such a special place in my heart, rooted in those lazy, cozy Sunday afternoons from my childhood. I can still picture sitting there with my mom, completely glued to the TV as we watched one classic movie after another. Many of them were big, sweeping musicals, and honestly, those memories are like a warm hug. There’s just a specific kind of magic in the way a movie musical can shift your entire mood.

What I love most is the pure, unadulterated feeling they give you. You know that "warm and fuzzy" sensation that starts in your chest and ends with a giant, uncontrollable smile on your face? That’s the power of a great song-and-dance number. Whether it's a grand romantic gesture or a high-energy ensemble piece, they just make the world feel a little bit brighter. I'm so excited to finally dive into this with you that I can’t do ten only. I went to 15 and even that I wanted to add more.  I’m dying to know which ones hold a special place in your heart, so please head down to the comments and let me know what your favorites are.

    There is just something so special about the way a story comes to life when the characters burst into song, isn’t there? Whether it’s the sweeping romance of a period piece or the high-energy pulse of a modern stage-to-screen adaptation, these films have a way of staying in our hearts long after the final credits roll. I’ve put together a list of some absolute classics and modern gems that never fail to lift my spirits or give me all the feels.

We have to start with the sheer spectacle of Moulin Rouge! and the vintage charm of Gigi, which both capture such different but beautiful sides of Parisian life. For those who love a bit of edge and atmosphere, Cabaret and Chicago bring that irresistible Fosse style and grit, while The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains the ultimate cult classic for anyone who wants to let their freak flag fly. And of course, no list would be complete without the pure, nostalgic magic of The Wizard of Oz—it’s a journey we’ve all taken so many times, yet it never loses its wonder.

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more "sweet meets sinister," Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street offers that perfect Gothic blend of Sondheim’s genius and dark storytelling. On the flip side, Meet Me in St. Louis and State Fair are like a warm hug, filled with beautiful melodies and that classic Technicolor glow. For the theater kids at heart, Rent and the recent cinematic spectacle of Wicked bring that powerful Broadway energy straight to our living rooms, reminding us why we fell in love with these stories in the first place.

Rounding out this musical marathon are the high-energy favorites like Grease and The Greatest Showman, which are basically impossible to watch without singing along at the top of your lungs. And let’s not forget the athletic choreography of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers or the timeless perfection of Singin’ in the Rain. Honestly, just thinking about these movies makes me want to clear the furniture and have a dance party! I’d love to know which of these hits home for you—or if you have a "must-watch" that didn't make the cut. After all, life is just a little bit brighter when there’s a soundtrack playing in the background.


Top Ten Favorites - Movie Musicals
1. Moulin Rouge
2. Gigi
3. Cabaret
4. The Wizard of Oz
5. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
6. Meet Me in St. Louis
7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
8. Chicago
9. Rent
10. Singin’ in the Rain
11. Grease
12. Wicked
13. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
14. The Greatest Showman
15. State Fair

 

 So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!

Oh Boy! Here We Go Again

 "It often seems, looking back, that the unexpected comes to define us, the paths we didn't see coming and may have wandered down by mistake. The older we get the more willing we are to follow those, to surprise ourselves." (Anna Quindlen)

 
Hello, my lovely, friends!

    Well, here we are again with another wild update regarding my mom’s health journey and the ongoing saga with Kaiser. Dealing with the medical system can feel like a rollercoaster, but I’m staying hopeful and keeping things moving forward with a lot of heart and a little bit of patience.

I promise to end this on a high note with something truly special. If you were following along with what I was up to last Sunday, you might already have a hunch about the surprise I’m saving for the finale.

    Since Mom got home from the hospital, it’s been a total rollercoaster on the pain front. She’s been a rockstar with her meds and those pain pads, though we’re still working on getting her to do those laps around the house! Just as she was finding a rhythm, her doctor called and threw a few curveballs: they’re cutting her "gabby" pills down from three to two, and—get this—they want her to do another biopsy. Even though she just had one at the top hospital in the state, Kaiser wants their own team to do it all over again.

To make matters worse, there’s a huge debate over whether she has an infection. The hospital specialist said she’s in the clear, but Kaiser is spotting something in the reports that has them worried. Because of that, they’re threatening to cancel the pain shots she’s been waiting two months for. Mom is rightfully frustrated and definitely put up a fight over the phone! Those shots are her lifeline for relief, and having them yanked away over conflicting opinions is beyond stressful.

    Ugh, guys, my heart is just breaking for my mom right now. We were so ready for Tuesday; I’d even triple-checked her appointment online to make sure her shots were finally happening. We get there, all geared up for some much-needed relief, only for the doctor to pull us aside. He told us his hands were tied because her primary doctor thinks there’s an infection. The kicker? He doesn't even agree with her, but because she’s the lead, the whole thing was a no-go.

It was a total gut punch. My mom actually started crying, and then the anger set in—and honestly, I don't blame her. She feels like Kaiser is just running her in circles at this point. She’s been jumping through every single hoop they’ve set out for a year now, all while her pain keeps getting worse, and we're still stuck at square one.

The doctor did promise to advocate for her and get those shots scheduled the second he gets the "all clear," but going from the hope of feeling better to another "maybe later" was devastating. She really thought the finish line was in sight, only to have the rug pulled out from under her. We’re just crossing our fingers that this gets cleared up fast because she has waited more than long enough.

    The current situation with Kaiser is beyond frustrating—they want to wait until July for a spine specialist consultation. Yes, you read that right, July! My sister wasn't having it and sent a very direct message letting them know that waiting four months while she's in pain is completely unacceptable. It’s so confusing; if there is a genuine concern about an infection, why aren't they moving with more urgency?

Because of the delay, she is officially pushing for an out-of-network referral. There’s a hospital ready and willing to help her right now, and her stance is simple: if Kaiser won't approve the referral, then they need to step up and provide the care immediately. It feels good to finally stand our ground and advocate for what she needs.

There is a bit of a silver lining today, though. My mom has a phone appointment with her primary doctor, and my sister is planning to jump on the call to make sure all the right questions get asked. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and staying hopeful that this will finally get things moving in the right direction. We will definitely keep you posted on what happens next!

    Whew! That was a lot to digest! On to the fun thing that happened Sunday. So, with my mom’s pain for the past couple of weeks she wasn’t sure if she would make it. I was going with or with out her, but so glad she came. 


    We just caught the 40th-anniversary tour of The Phantom of the Opera, and let me tell you, it was pure magic! Since it was the second-to-the-last show, we pulled out all the stops to make sure my mom was comfortable, packing every pain pad, cream, and gummy in our arsenal. It was so worth the effort the moment we reached our seats. I’d actually forgotten which ones I booked, but I managed to snag front-row center! Seeing my mom’s face light up when she realized how close we were was the best feeling.

    Even on our ninth time seeing it, the show blew us away. This Phantom was incredible, and Christine had such a powerhouse voice. We noticed a few fresh creative tweaks this time around, which is always fun when you’ve seen so many different takes on the production. By the finale, I was a total puddle of tears—I just can’t help it, it’s that moving! If the tour rolls into your city, please do yourself a favor and grab tickets. You’ll never be disappointed by this masterpiece.

So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!

 

 

Having Gratitude