Beckie Lives and Learns

If it's not illegal, immoral, or blatantly stupid, I am willing to give it a try!

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  • About Me
  • Blog
  • What I Made
  • Fun and games
  • What I Did
  • Other Stuff I Learned

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Fun and games

The Infinite Board Game

Do any of you ever go to Half Price Books stores?  If not, check it out if you have the chance. As long as you are not looking for something…

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January 7, 2019
Other Stuff I Learned, What I Did

Furnace Fixing “FUN”!

One recent Saturday afternoon, I heard a beeping in my house and followed the sound down to my basement.  Lo and behold, I realized that the beep was to inform…

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February 9, 2020
Other Stuff I Learned

The Wild Roaster

One recent afternoon, I spent time with Kaye, owner of the coffee shop “The Wild Roaster” In Deerfield, IL.  This little coffee shop is within the local train station (an…

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June 30, 2019

Categories

  • Fun and games
  • Other Stuff I Learned
  • Uncategorized
  • What I Did
  • What I Made
  • Working on Wellness

Recent Posts

  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals!
  • 8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

Previous posts

Recent Comments

  • Beckie on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Stephen Bergman on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health on Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • What I Did,  Working on Wellness

    52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!

    January 1, 2026 /

    We are busy. I am stating the obvious. There are a lot of things that we all want to do and a lot of things that we have to do. Saying that, it is still extremely important to take care of ourselves—physically, emotionally, socially. I saw an advertisement for a “Bucket List” calendar. That was my inspiration for this post. Although we have so many obligations, we should take some time out for other activities to make life more enjoyable and meaningful. Here is a list of assorted ideas to add to your calendar throughout the year. The ideas are not intended to require a lot of time or money,…

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    Beckie 2 Comments

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    The chips, dips, and popcorn bar in all of their delicious glory!

    Graduation Party DIY Style!

    June 7, 2023
    The show we came to see was on the marquee, too.

    “Whose Live Anyway?” at the Genesee Theatre

    October 16, 2019

    Reverse Tie-Dye–Family Fun Creating Coordinated Sweats!

    January 3, 2021
  • What I Did,  Working on Wellness

    Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health

    April 16, 2025 /

    I believe that attending Shabbat morning services is good for my health. Over the past few years, I have started attending Saturday morning Shabbat services more regularly. I go on my own. I do it by choice. There is no “reason” for me to attend except for the fact that I want to attend. I am at the stage of life where I am “between” major life events of family and friends. To my knowledge, there are no upcoming weddings, babies, or Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrations on the calendar. I will go out on a limb and say that most of us as kids and even when getting older…

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    Some of the paint blending magic. Oooohhh!

    Walk, Sweat, and Paint

    July 20, 2019
    Donated books

    Bernie’s Book Bank

    January 30, 2019
    The final hem!

    A-hem, Part 2

    February 17, 2019
  • All together
    Working on Wellness

    Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals!

    January 18, 2025 /

    With the new year upon us, I am sure that many of us are setting new goals for our lives. Although not a solution for everything, having some type of accountability “partner” (this “partner” may not be a person per se) can help us all stay on track with making steps toward our goals. Below are some ways and suggestions to incorporate an accountability partner into your plans. (FYI—There are no fancy pictures here, just what I hope are some helpful ideas. If you click on some on the included links, then you will see a nice variety of photos. Enjoy!) 1) Do you want to exercise more? Find someone…

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    Some of the classics!

    8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

    December 8, 2024

    Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health

    April 16, 2025
    EVERYONE!

    “Something Rotten” Happened this Summer on Stage!

    October 10, 2024
  • Some of the classics!
    Fun and games,  Working on Wellness

    8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

    December 8, 2024 /

    I LOVE GAME NIGHT!! I really do believe that most people enjoy a game night. (This is not based on scientific research. It’s just a hunch.) Now that holiday season is upon us, this is a great opportunity to bring back or continue to enhance game night! Why am I a firm believer in game night (or game day or game time)? Here are some reasons (acknowledging that there is some overlap, but that’s okay): 1: Playing a game provides a great opportunity to bond with family and friends. Families can enjoy game nights with a wide range of family members and/or numbers of participants. Some games seem to transcend…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    We found the geocache!

    My Intro to Geocaching

    November 20, 2019
    Part 2 of the 1-2 punch.

    9Round

    September 19, 2019
    Equipment

    Entering the World of Lacrosse…

    January 26, 2019
  • EVERYONE!
    What I Did,  Working on Wellness

    “Something Rotten” Happened this Summer on Stage!

    October 10, 2024 /

    Now that it has been three summers in a row (check out these links to read about summers one and two), I am officially saying that community musical theater is my summer “thing.” Earlier in the year, the plan was to audition for whatever show was going to be produced. When it was announced that it was “Something Rotten,” I was thrilled! For me, the main things I hope for in a show are lots of dancing and ensemble opportunities. This show is it! (If you have never seen it before, I recommend you look on-line. You can find a recording of entire performances.) In the past I had gone…

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    Beckie 2 Comments

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    RAMBUTANS

    Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!

    November 12, 2020
    The tight bond between iron-on adhesive and the face of an iron.

    A-hem

    February 11, 2019
    Just part of the view of the Fourth Lake forest preserve.

    Let’s Get Down and Dirty

    June 23, 2019
  • Working on Wellness

    Summer Wellness–9 Ways to Make It a Regular Part of Your Life

    June 12, 2024 /

    Although I still hope to enjoy and share new adventures and experiences, I will be sharing more wellness ideas and suggestions in this post. Hopefully you will find my experiences and ideas beneficial and inspire you to continue to focus on improving and maintaining your personal wellness. Summer is finally approaching!! Here are nine suggestions to help you focus on personal wellness this summer in an enjoyable way but without spending a fortune. You may notice a lot of overlapping within these ideas. That is fine and intentional! Make the most of your summer! 1) WALK. Go outside. Just walk. Walk alone, with a friend, with your dog. Just move…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health

    April 16, 2025
    EVERYONE!

    “Something Rotten” Happened this Summer on Stage!

    October 10, 2024
    Some of the classics!

    8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

    December 8, 2024
  • Our pair of beeswax candles
    What I Made

    Making Beeswax Candles–A Perfect Simple College Spring Break Project

    March 31, 2024 /

    My son and I recently spent some time together making beeswax candles. It was a simple project, yet it was so meaningful to me. As mentioned in the past, I have been enjoying multiple project kits from my local library over the years. Some of these have included painted rope coasters, a mosaic picture frame, printed clay bowl, and more. Several of these I have done on my own. A few I have completed with family members. The most recent kit was for beeswax candles. This was the perfect project at the perfect time. My son is a college senior and came home for his final spring break. (I have…

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    Beckie 0 Comments

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    Eucalyptus shower melts

    Eucalyptus Shower Melts–Another Pinterest Find

    June 15, 2019
    My etched plate!

    Glass Etching–Final Product Looked Great Despite Being a First Attempt!

    March 8, 2019
    Our pour painting success!

    Pour Painting–Easier and More Successful than Expected!

    January 10, 2022
  • If you have the chance, give a book club a try! Hopefully you can enjoy so many benefits like I have!
    What I Did

    Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!

    February 15, 2024 /

    Several years ago, a good friend of mine invited me to do something I had never considered doing. She invited me to join her book club. I have always enjoyed a good book but was never a voracious reader. What exactly I was thinking at the time I don’t remember, but I took her up on her offer and haven’t looked back! Why I am discussing this here and now? This isn’t some bizarre, esoteric activity. It does, however, tie in to my current goals and themes of making life better. The purpose of this blog has morphed into a “things I do to help create a full, healthy life.”…

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    Beckie 4 Comments

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    Fingerspelling in American Sign Language (ASL)

    Let’s See If I Can Learn American Sign Language

    June 27, 2020
    Hanging out with Daisy, Mrs. O'Leary's cow. (She was innocent!)

    Chicago History Tour–I Love to Play Tourist Locally!

    November 27, 2019
    Me and my sign--I watched how it was created from start to finish!

    It’s a Sign! (aka The Birth of a Banner)

    March 22, 2020
  • VOLS WIN!!
    What I Did

    My First Live SEC Football Experience–GO VOLS!

    January 5, 2024 /

    Disclaimer: I did get a discount on the hotel room in exchange for mentioning it in this post. All comments about the hotel are my honest opinions. I am not proud to state it, but it took WAY too long for me to finally go down to Knoxville to watch some UTK Volunteer football. Better late than never, though! My family is nearing the end of a stage. My son is currently a senior at University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I previously shared our story of the initial college visit while he was in high school. Less than two years later, I shared the story of move-in day for my…

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    Our last day together in front of Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. We are going to miss him, but I think he will have a great year!

    Heading to University of Tennessee in Knoxville!

    September 2, 2020
    University of Tennessee--Knoxville

    College Tour, Part 4: Time for Tennessee

    April 17, 2019
    The tight bond between iron-on adhesive and the face of an iron.

    A-hem

    February 11, 2019
  • Coasters in action!
    What I Made

    Making Rope Coasters with the Husband and College-Age Kids–A Successful Family Project

    October 8, 2023 /

    I was so pleased that my family (myself, husband, and college age kids) enjoyed spending time together creating citrus rope coasters.

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    Beckie 3 Comments

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    My etched plate!

    Glass Etching–Final Product Looked Great Despite Being a First Attempt!

    March 8, 2019
    Frozen yogurt drops

    Yogurt Drops

    February 21, 2019
    Here are the long Japanese eggplant which I found at my local farmers' market.

    Japanese Eggplant

    September 28, 2019
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