Victoria Ponders

February 7, 2023

The Sweetest Thing

Laughter, love and sweet memories! 💓 Continue reading

Family

food is love, humor, kindness, moms and daughters, neighbors
February 5, 2023

Pieces of Me

Self-understanding…one piece at a time… Continue reading

Wellness

love, memories, resilience, self-care
February 2, 2023

Call Off the Search Party

I wasn’t lost…I just tweaked and pivoted! 😊 Continue reading

Design

art, artists, Design, insight, self-care
January 30, 2023

Loving Meghan

A plea for the brokenhearted today. ❤ Continue reading

Family

Family, grief, loss, love
January 27, 2023

Books That Inspire…Instill Hope

Dads…Daughters…Love Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, Family, love, memories
January 24, 2023

Sadie Hugs for You

Puppy love! 😘 Continue reading

Family

construction, Family, gratitude, humor, noisemakers, puppy love
January 23, 2023

It’s In the Cards

When a vintage poem brings a smile. 😊 Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, memories, poetry, self-expression, writing
January 20, 2023

Heart, Mind & Soul

A tale of an ancient Anglo Saxon word…and a tattoo…from the heart. Continue reading

Family

Family, gratitude, love, memories
January 18, 2023

Finding the Funny Bones

Put on your dancing shoes…find those funny bones! Continue reading

Wellness

humor, love, memories, self-care
January 15, 2023

When You Crack Yourself Up: The Silly Shorts Edition

When problem solving, start with the most obvious solutions! Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laugher, stupid silly, too many cookies, Wellness
January 13, 2023

Extending Ourselves

Leading with love… Continue reading

Family

addiction, Alzheimer's, dementia, Family, kindness, love
January 11, 2023

Enough

Enough…is a good place to land. Continue reading

Wellness

love, peace, relationships, self-care, Wellness
January 9, 2023

A Few Beads Short

Giggle fits at 3am? I couldn’t help myself… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laughter, Prince Harry, self-care, sleep deprived
January 8, 2023

You Belong

Humility, love and belonging… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, kindness, love
January 6, 2023

See the Good

Gardeners…who make our souls blossom… Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, friendship, gratitude, kindness, love, self-care
January 4, 2023

Every Picture Tells a Story

Hey mom…life is pretty good… Continue reading

Family

caption me, dads and daughters, Family, keepsakes, love, memories, photography
January 3, 2023

Big News…

Ever in search of…what matters most! Continue reading

Wellness

community, connection, friendship, gratitude, love, self-care, Wellness
January 1, 2023

Talk Nonsense, You Say?

Maybe I’m bordering on brilliant…it could happen… Continue reading

Wellness

exhausted, giggles, humor, laughter, Wellness
December 30, 2022

Happy Birthday, Mom

Remembering the sunny days… Continue reading

Family

addiction, family memories, gratitude, love, mental health, moms and daughters
December 29, 2022

Finding Better Days…Together

No gift wrapping required…a gift nonetheless… Continue reading

Wellness

families, grudges, honesty, love, optimism, self-care, sisters, stress
December 26, 2022

Comfort…In My Hands

I know it just looks like a sweater, but it’s so much more… Continue reading

Family

dads and daughters, family heirlooms, handmade with love, keepsakes, love, memories
December 24, 2022

Holiday Hugs

Stay connected to those we care about…especially right now. Continue reading

Wellness

be the one, friendship, holiday blues, love, new year, self-care
December 22, 2022

Holiday Hijinks!

Laughter is the best… Continue reading

Family

cookies, Family, Happy Holidays, humor, jokes, love, silly stories
December 21, 2022

Loving Lessons from My Papa

Silly and smart…he called me “Agnes Gooch”… Continue reading

Family

Agnes Gooch, baseball, dads and daughters, gratitude, happy birthday, love, wisdom
December 19, 2022

Three Pines? Who Knew!

We had no idea of the significance…symbols of sanctuary? Love! Continue reading

Family

family history, Louise Penny, love, nature, Three Pines, trees
December 17, 2022

My Kind of Swirl

Brew a pot and join me! Continue reading

Wellness

Design, Inspiration, self-care, teatime
December 15, 2022

Cheers to the New Year!

My optimistic heart is full…ready for 2023… Continue reading

Wellness

blessings, blogging friends, families, gratitude, happy new year, humor, Santa, thank you
December 14, 2022

The Delightful Day

From me to you…sharing my favorite morning meditation for extra swirly days. Continue reading

Wellness

kindness, morning affirmation, self-care, stress relief
December 13, 2022

Bubblegum & Sister Love

I’d take the blame for Lisa all over again… Continue reading

Family

bubble gum, disability, diversity, Family, gratitude, love, siblings, sisters
December 12, 2022

Beware the Saboteurs!

Knowing how to receive…and pause before responding… Continue reading

Wellness

emotional intelligence, grace under pressure, self regulation theory, self-care
December 11, 2022

Happy Is…as Happy Does

Look at that swagger…just look! Continue reading

Family

Family, golf, Happy Gilmore, love, memories, nicknames
December 10, 2022

You Win…My Admiration AND a Cupcake!

Yes, YOU! Keep creating…don’t stop! Continue reading

Design

admiration, artists, creativity, gratitude, humor, motivation, musicians, poets, writers
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

“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.

Workshops

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

BLOG ARCHIVES

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Workshops

Recent Posts