Victoria Ponders

December 9, 2022

Vicki in Wonderland

Get in there girl, you’ve got stories to tell! Continue reading

Wellness

Alice, believe in yourself, creativity, humor, motivation, Queen of Hearts
December 8, 2022

Plate Spinning

Well…shut my mouth! When will I learn? Continue reading

Wellness

communication, grace under pressure, humor, learning from mistakes, stressed out
December 7, 2022

SAYING it Doesn’t Make it So…

I love my sister…but she keeps me on my toes! Continue reading

Wellness

Family, lies, love, truth, Wellness, words matter
December 6, 2022

Granny Squares & Love

Who knew these pieces could travel in time and serve up love, love, love? Continue reading

Design

family memories, fashion, granny squares, love, nostalgia, textile arts, timeless design
December 5, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up: Merry, Hoppy Xmas

Don’t judge…just laugh along. Please? Continue reading

Wellness

candy, Christmas, cold season, Easter, health and happiness, laughter, silly
December 4, 2022

Not Here…But Near

Two of my all-time favorite cuties… Continue reading

Family

grandparents, kindness, legacies, love, remembering loved ones
December 3, 2022

Forget with Generosity

It’s easier to let you go when I realize you never mattered in the first place… Continue reading

Wellness

letting go, love, Pablo Neruda, poetry, relationships, self-care
December 2, 2022

It Was Never About the Mashed Potatoes

A new Dottie came to play… Continue reading

Family

bah humbug, Family, holidays, humor, self-care, stress reduction
December 1, 2022

Steady As She Goes…

I hate winter…but I’m trying not to whine… Continue reading

Wellness

ableism, garage rock, gratitude, Jack White, joy, let's dance, mono-tasking, self-care, self-talk
November 30, 2022

Save Some For Me!

Happy, sad…intrigued? Only the tail knows for sure… Continue reading

Family

deer family, fall apples, let's play, nature, puppy love
November 29, 2022

Loving Lisa – Elvis Style

Little-known facts…courtesy of sweet sister Lisa. Continue reading

Family

disabilities, diversity, Elvis, Family, humor, love, sisters
November 28, 2022

Swoopy Wave of Fun

Apologies to Elton John… Continue reading

Wellness

Elton John, gratitude, heart-shaped leaves, humor, love, Monday magic, nature, Your Song
November 27, 2022

Blogging Ripples…

Coincidence…or collective consciousness? Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, Durkheim, friends, Inspiration, Jung, love, sociology, The Borg
November 26, 2022

“Hold the Pickle, Hold the Lettuce…”

I don’t like condiments…turns out I’m not alone… Continue reading

Family

Family, kids, parenting, picky eaters, road trips
November 25, 2022

You’ve Got The…

Surviving the cloudbursts, the messy, the maddening and the melancholy….. Continue reading

Wellness

holiday blues, love, relationships, self-care, strength, Wellness
November 24, 2022

Mountain Magic

Unexpected glimpses and glimmers of love… Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, gratitude, happy thanksgiving, love, memories, mountain magic
November 23, 2022

Blogging Buddies

Yes…I’m talking to you…you’re the best! Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, friendship, gratitude, humor, kindness, love
November 22, 2022

New View

My 5am smile this morning…courtesy of the hubs… Continue reading

Family

comfy chairs, gratitude, love, perspective, Thanksgiving
November 21, 2022

Let the Sunshine Swivel Your Way

Take care of yourself…without losing yourself… Continue reading

Wellness

balance, happiness, love, relationships, self-care
November 20, 2022

The Little Lies We Tell Ourselves…

“Hash Browns”? Fries in disguise…. Continue reading

Wellness

clean eating, fast food, food diary, marketing, nutrition, work-in-progress
November 19, 2022

Gratitude and HATtitude

Smiles for everyone! Continue reading

Wellness

fashion, gratitude, hats, humor, kindness
November 18, 2022

Favorite Artist: Toulouse-Lautrec

Nestled in my soul…artistry and more… Continue reading

Design

art lover, artists, misfits, Montmartre, outcasts, Toulouse-Lautrec
November 17, 2022

Welcome to My Brain…Days of the Week as “People” in My Head

Laugh along with me…it makes me feel less lonely, despite the annoying voices in my head… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laughter, self-care, self-talk, silly, stress reduction
November 16, 2022

Ladybugs and Motherhood

Sharing…love, wonder and ladybugs… Continue reading

Family

fertility, gratitude, love, motherhood, self-care, sisterhood
November 15, 2022

Frosting with My Morning Coffee…

I’m not a snow lover…but… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, love, nature, self-care, snow
November 14, 2022

You Choose…What Matters to You

Ignore the stupid…focus your attention on what matters most…whatever that is for you. Continue reading

Wellness

Einstein, gratitude, humor, love, meaning and mattering, selective attention, self-care, Wellness
November 13, 2022

He Wore Pink…

Silly Sunday smiles…from my papa to you… Continue reading

Family

80's, dads and daughters, Family, fashion, gratitude, humor, love, pink
November 12, 2022

Forty Years…Plus

Leaning in…pretty good advice, I think. Continue reading

Family

Gottman Institute, listening, love, marriage, partnership, relationships
November 11, 2022

If Houses Could Speak…

Wait…what? Unexpected discoveries are the best… Continue reading

Family

coincidences, Family, houses, love, magic, remodeling, wonder
November 10, 2022

Red Pen Magic

Red pens? Not scary at all… Continue reading

Wellness

editing, gratitude, persistence, story telling, writing
November 9, 2022

Heart Songs

Positivity and hope are my super powers… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, kindness, love, positivity, Rumi
November 8, 2022

Spring in My Step

Summon that sunny attitude…and a little bounce, if you can… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, happiness, humor, joy, kindness, mental health, self-care, walking
November 7, 2022

Good Morning, World!

Greeting the day, my papa’s way – with a reminder: Stay close to the people who feel like sunshine! Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, good morning, gratitude, love, Mondays, resilience
November 6, 2022

Snore Babies

I need SLEEP…. Continue reading

Family

humor, husbands, puppy love, sleeplessness, snoring, time change
November 5, 2022

Daring to Share

Capacity for caring…living with light and dark… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, marginality vs. mattering, misfits, Nancy Schlossberg, psychology, self-care, self-esteem, self-improvement
November 4, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up: Owie, Owie, Owie Edition

Better to laugh than cry…fun family rewind… Continue reading

Family

family drama, gratitude, humor, love, parenting, toddlers, Wellness
November 3, 2022

Goofy is Good

She needed THAT particular hat… Continue reading

Wellness

autumn leaves, gratitude, humor, laughter, love, moms and daughters, parenting
November 2, 2022

Falling in Avignon: Vicki is a Klutz

Body awareness and emotional regulation? Good for all of us, not just we, the klutzy ones. Continue reading

Wellness

body awareness, emotions, humor, psychology, self-awareness, Wellness
November 1, 2022

Ready or Not

I’ve lost the will…to remodel… Continue reading

Wellness

construction, home, home remodeling, humor, interior design, stress
October 31, 2022

Who Needs the Leaves?

Look beyond the leaves…the beauty is still there… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, happiness, kindness, love, nature, seasons, self-care
October 30, 2022

Mom Was in a Mood…

What could go wrong? A month in a hotel with mom? Continue reading

Family

Family, humor, love, mental illness, moms and daughters, sisters
October 29, 2022

Creature Comforts

Refuel, recharge…do what works best for you… Continue reading

Design

Design, interior design, introverts, nesting, renewal, self-care
October 28, 2022

Aunt Bea’s Wit and Wisdom

Aunt Bea knew best…parenting IS hard… Continue reading

Family

Family, gratitude, memories, parenting, wisdom
October 26, 2022

No Words Needed

His expression spoke volumes… Continue reading

Family

body language, dads and daughters, gratitude, humor, love, non-verbals, parenting, teenagers
October 26, 2022

The Truth I Tripped Over

The road to insight is bumpy, but I get there… Continue reading

Wellness

artists, creativity, family history, humor, legacies, meditation, motivation, T.S. Eliot, writers
October 25, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up: Halloween Edition

Fun Halloween memories – pain and humor often ride together. Continue reading

Family

addiction, Alzheimers, dementia, family madness, gratitude, humor, mental health, moms and daughters, self-care
October 23, 2022

Loving her anyway…

Bittersweet memories – they’re the best. Continue reading

Family

compassion, family memories, gratitude, hoarding, humor, love, moms and daughters, self-care
October 22, 2022

C’mon…We Can Do This…

I don’t want to give you ‘side eye’… Continue reading

Wellness

Adam Grant, enemies, friends, love, self-care, sisterhood, Wellness, workplace stress
October 21, 2022

Boot Scootin’ Fun

For the love of boots… Continue reading

Design

cowboy boots, fashion history, frye boots, gratitude, humor, Justin boots, old west, Tony Lama boots, vintage fashion
October 20, 2022

Darkness & Light

No superhero cape required…you’ve got this… Continue reading

Wellness

Jung, love, Nietzsche, philosophy, psychology, resilience, survivors
October 19, 2022

Gratitude, Aesthetics & Muffins

I know I do this to myself…but it’s me! Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, health care professionals, humor, kindness, muffins, philosophy, thank you
October 18, 2022

It’s Raggedy Anne’s Fault

Raggedy Anne, you’re taunting me… Continue reading

Family

beloved toys, Family, fast fashion, gratitude, handmade, raggedy anne, textile artists
October 17, 2022

Be the One

Love and kindness are everything… Continue reading

Wellness

Family, gratitude, kindness, love, self-care, Wellness
October 15, 2022

Hat Head

Silly stupid ramblings…about a hat… Continue reading

Design

Family, fashion, hats, humor, winter
October 14, 2022

Very Verbal Vicki

He just wanted to listen to the game… Continue reading

Family

baseball, Big Red Machine, chatterbox, dads and daughters, Family, humor, listening
October 13, 2022

One Foot…in Front of the Other

Moving through the middle is the hardest part… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, hope, love, motivation, self-care, stress, Wellness
October 12, 2022

Be More than Mona

We can do better than Mona Lisa, can’t we? Continue reading

Wellness

authenticity, Duchenne smile, happiness, helping hearts, love
October 10, 2022

Yes, I See You

Second chances and trees that please… Continue reading

Wellness

fall colors, good morning, gratitude, nature, second chances, trees, underdogs, Wellness
October 9, 2022

Hey There, Blank Page…

Don’t mind me…I’m just chillin’ and chiseling. Continue reading

Wellness

encouragement, gratitude, humor, self-expression, Wellness, writing
October 8, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up – Part Deux

Just let go and dance… Continue reading

Wellness

dancing in the car, Ed Sheeran, humor, music, Shivers
October 7, 2022

Shine On…

I love the phrase “You Do You”… Continue reading

Wellness

authenticity, confidence, insecurities, self-care, Wellness, workplace stress
October 6, 2022

Know Better, Do Better

Never stop learning, evolving and loving… Continue reading

Family

cultural appropriation, diversity, Indigenous Peoples Day, love, privilege
October 5, 2022

CSI: Lisa

A smile for you…from sweet sister Lisa. Continue reading

Family

crime shows, disability, diversity, Family, gratitude, humor, kindness, love
October 4, 2022

Girl Power

Song or anthem? Either way, this one speaks to me. Continue reading

Wellness

body positivity, feminism, girl power, Jax, Victoria's Secret, Wellness
October 3, 2022

Like a Rainbow

“I choose this” Gwen said… Continue reading

Wellness

dignity, food insecurity, gratitude, helping hearts, homeless, housing insecurity, love
October 2, 2022

She Was a Pretty House…

I don’t know if my love of Queen Anne architecture is a nod to nostalgia or something else. Like many things in my life, design-wise, I don’t question it. It just IS. Back a few generations, this stately home was built by my husband’s family, right around the turn of the century…I mean the last… Continue reading

Design

architecture, Design, Family, gratitude, love, memories, queen anne, vintage
September 30, 2022

The Yodas Don’t Lie

My Yodas have spoken: Do it Anyway. Encouragement when I needed it the most. Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, confidence, encouragement, gratitude, humor, motivation, resilience, self-care, writing, Yoda
September 29, 2022

Better Ideas

Friendship with a side order of honesty…always the best. Continue reading

Family

creativity, friendship, gratitude, honesty, Inspiration, resilience
September 28, 2022

Stay Safe

Thinking of those in Ian’s path… Continue reading

Family

Family, hurricane Ian, love, mother nature, safety
September 27, 2022

Send Out the Search Party

I am the Patron Saint of Lost Stuff… Continue reading

Family

Family, home, humor, husbands, kids, mom life, parenting, self-care, Zen
September 26, 2022

Hello, Yellow…

An old yellow bowl…holding memories AND meatballs. Continue reading

Family

antique bowls, food, gratitude, meatballs, memories, self-care
September 25, 2022

Go, Granny, Go!

She was probably a suffragette, too… Continue reading

Family

Family, family business, feminism, Inspiration, love, photography, vintage fashion
September 24, 2022

Rescue Ralph

Wisdom that stands the test of time…from my favorite Ralph… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, Inspiration, Ralph Waldo Emerson, self-care, Wreck it Ralph
September 23, 2022

Not Much of a Navigator

I can’t decide for you…but I’m here to help just the same… Continue reading

Wellness

empowerment, friendship, listening, self-care, Wellness
September 22, 2022

Morning Stripe

The pink stripe in the morning sky heralds the change of seasons… Continue reading

Wellness

comfy, fall, gratitude, self-care, sunrise, sweatshirts
September 21, 2022

Hollyhocks and Resilience

It was never the hollyhock’s fault… Continue reading

Wellness

family history, humor, moms and daughters, resilience, survivor, Wellness
September 20, 2022

“Begin Again”

A great movie nurtures my soul – filling me with happy! 😊 Continue reading

Wellness

"Begin Again", artists, genius, happiness, magic, movies, music
September 18, 2022

Turn Down the LOUD

Learning to deal with LOUD…sounds as anxiety triggers. Continue reading

Wellness

anxiety, Highly sensitive persons, HSP, noise, self-care, sound sensitivity, Wellness
September 17, 2022

Favorite Artist: Robert Kipniss

Art that makes a house feel like home…thanks to Kipniss… Continue reading

Design

art, artists, DIY, fixer upper, home design, landscapes, lithographs, married life, Robert Kipniss
September 16, 2022

Shake, Rattle & Roll

What do you do when a piece of furniture wants to chat? Continue reading

Family

Family, ghost story, memories, remembering loved ones, spooky, unexplained noises
September 15, 2022

Verbal Guard Rail: Thanks, Dad!

Wisdom in wee morsels from my papa… Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, Family, memories, quotes, self-care, Wellness, wisdom
September 14, 2022

Puppy Dog Eyes

Human connection to our beloved pets…sending love from Sadie. Continue reading

Family

Chihuahuas, dogs, human-pet connections, love, pet lovers, puppy, puppy love
September 13, 2022

Time-Tested Advice

Loving and wise health advice from a distant colleague…eventually, it stuck! Continue reading

Wellness

eating well, food diary, nutrition, Pilates, pizza, walking, Wellness
September 12, 2022

Smallest Act of Caring

Unexpected and wonderful – kindness and caring, Costco style. Continue reading

Wellness

caring, Costco, gratitude, kindness, love, Martin Luther King Jr, moms
September 11, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up

Best laughter? Giggling at our own mistakes! Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, humor, laughter, self-care, typos
September 11, 2022

Finding My Way to Forgiveness

Despite the madness, forgiveness was always the destination. Continue reading

Family

Family, forgiveness, girlfriends, gratitude, love, mental health, self-care
September 9, 2022

Don’t Say It…Don’t Say It

Mark Twain and Paul McCartney…my unlikely self-restraint superheroes! Continue reading

Wellness

communication, humor, mark twain, paul mccartney, self-improvement
September 8, 2022

One Precious Painting

Loving one precious painting – across the decades. Continue reading

Design

art, chicago, Family, graphic art, gratitude, monochrome, painting, treasures, vintage
September 7, 2022

Creativity and Professor Plum

Wisdom from a beloved professor…’write or die’… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, creativity, expression, inner critics, mentors, writing
September 6, 2022

Laugh Track with Lisa 😊

A tale of Jungian insight over a bowl of brownie batter. Continue reading

Wellness

ambivert, Carl Jung, extraversion, Family, introversion, listening, love, self-care, stress
September 4, 2022

Family Traditions: Trees, Please

Patterns repeat – one family’s love of evergreen trees across the generations. Continue reading

Family

Family, family history, gratitude, love, nature, trees
September 3, 2022

Chip Face

Who needs birthday cake? Bring me a bag of Ruffles! Continue reading

Family

chips, Family, first birthdays, humor, parenting
September 2, 2022

Bumps & Blessings in Parenting

For the parents – encouragement and love from me to you! Continue reading

Family

blessings, Family, happiness, joy, love, parenting, resilience, stress
September 1, 2022

Hot Pipes & Guacamole

Popping in from the hereafter…my dad provided a dose of humor in a spicy guacamole moment. Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, dogs, Family, guacamole, humor, spicy food
August 30, 2022

Beautiful Books

Using family mementos – books – to make your home your own. Easier than you think! Continue reading

Design

antiques, books, fireplace mantel, interior design, repurposing, vintage
August 29, 2022

Back-to-School

“Back to school” worries for parents – one mom’s reflections. Continue reading

Family

back to school, Katie Gutierrez, parenting, safety, Time
August 27, 2022

Love, Magic, Wonder

Three words that matter most to me… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, happiness, love, self-esteem, self-talk, Wellness
August 26, 2022

Power of Play

Keeping childlike wonder within… Continue reading

Family

board games, Family, inner child, Madeleine L'Engle, memories, play, Wellness
August 25, 2022

Repeating Patterns

Design influences & family roots… Continue reading

Design

architecture, black and white, Design, family history, France, gratitude, monotone
August 24, 2022

I Confess…A Vitamin Story

Make it pretty: My vitamin-taking hack. Continue reading

Design

confession, Design, self-care, vitamins, Wellness

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor

BLOG ARCHIVES

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Podcasts

Workshops

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