Thursday, November 23, 2023

Countdown to Christmas 2023 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons.Christmas without my parents is still an adjustment period. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with a date, or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 24th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 25th: Start writing out holiday cardsDone!
November 26th: Watch The Noel Diary on Netflix Done!
November 27th: Watch Falling for Christmas
November 28th: Watch Pee Wee's Big Holiday Done!
November 29th: Order 2024 calendars on Amazon as well as get 2024 weekly planner from Erin Condren. Done
November 30th: Watch Spirited
December 1st: Start advent calendarDone!
December 2nd: Mail out holiday cards.Done!
December 3rd: Watch Violent Night
December 4th: Watch Scrooged
December 5th: Watch A Hollywood Christmas on HBO Max/Go to Postmodern Jukebox concert in Morristown, NJDone!
December 6th: Watch The Santa Clause/Go to Sustainable Green Holiday Drinks at Emma'sDone!
December 7th: Get a holiday inspired candle from a small business I made one!
December 8th: Go to Lewis Black in Montclair, NJ.Done!
December 9th: Watch Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
December 10th: Wear Christmas inspired sweaterDone!
December 11th: Add to my holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening to Done!
December 12th: Watch Holidate on Netflix
December 13th: Watch Home Alone
December 14th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 15th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 16th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily.Done!
December 17th: Get holiday inspired manicure at CuteiclesDone!
December 18th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlersDone!
December 19th: Watch A Christmas Story/A Christmas Story 2
December 20th: Watch Gremlins.
December 21st: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class
December 22nd: Watch 8-Bit Christmas
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Watch Die Hard Done!/Christmas Dinner with David's familyDone!
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Countdown to Halloween -- 2023 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic, which at the time of this writing and publication is officially over as far as I am concerned, and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However it is getting easier every day and I am still working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!

1. Purchase Halloween cards. Done!
2. Carve a pumpkin
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure Done!
4. Fill clear plastic skulls with treats
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume. Done! /br> 8. Share Halloween puns
9. Send Halloween cards out Done!
10.Watch the Japanese version of The Grudge
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. Watch Malignant Done! 16. Make a Halloween playlist on Spotify and share said list Done!
17. Bake pumpkin dark chocolate brownies
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves Done
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read 2 tales in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider Done!
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room. Done!
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home Done!
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired 25. HAPPY BIRTHDAT VERONICA!!!
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet. Done!
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloween) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Visit the Addams Family Mansion in Westfield, NJ (corner of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue)
30. Wear bone headclip
31. HALLOWEEN!! Watch Halloween and Halloween Ends. Put out treats for trick and treaters.

Friday, November 25, 2022

Countdown to Christmas -- 2022 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons.Christmas without my parents is still an adjustment period. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself, with a date, or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 25th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 26th: Start writing out holiday cards Done!
November 27th: Watch The Noel Diary on Netflix Done!
November 28th: Watch Die Hard Done!
November 29th: Watch Pee Wee's Big Holiday Done!
November 30th: Order 2023 calendars on Amazon. Done!
December 1st: Start advent calendars
December 2nd: Mail out holiday cards. Done!
December 3rd: Watch Violent Night in theaters Done! It was so good!
December 4th: Watch Scrooged
December 5th: Read one story in the collection My True Love Gave To Me December 6th: Watch The Santa Clause Done!
December 7th: Wear mistletoe headband to work Done!
December 8th: Get a holiday inspired candle from Bath and Body Works. Done via my Secret Santa!
December 9th: Watch Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Done!
December 10th: Go to the Magic Lights Show at PNC Holmdel Center Done! It was a fun time!
December 11th: Add to my holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening to Done!
December 12th: Watch Holidate on Netflix Done!
December 13th: Watch Home Alone Done!
December 14th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 15th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 16th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily. Only watch certain episodes on the day it is titled. Done!
December 17th: Get holiday inspired manicure at Cuteicles Done!
December 18th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlers
December 19th: Watch A Christmas Story/A Christmas Story 2 on HBO Max
December 20th: Watch Gremlins.
December 21st: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class
December 22nd: Play Save Santa Escape Room game with my class Did not do as it was too complicated.
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Get the Uncommon Goods A Question A Day for Self-Care Journal December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Countdown to Halloween -- 2022 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic, which at the time of this writing and publication is officially over as far as I am concerned, and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However it is getting easier every day and I am still working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!

1. Create Halloween Card Exchange on The Salon and purchase Halloween cards Done!
2. Carve a pumpkin
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure Done!
4. Fill clear plastic skulls with treats
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini GolfDone! Thanks Doug!
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume Painted my brothers face as Ace Frehley
8. Share Halloween puns Done!
9. Send Halloween cards out Done!
10.Go to the Skyland Stadium Jack O'Lantern Experience Done!
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. Make a Halloween gingerbread house Done!
16. Make a Halloween playlist on Spotify and share said list Done!
17. Bake pumpkin dark chocolate brownies
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read 2 tales in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider Done!
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room. Done!
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired Done! Made a pumpkin sage sauce for pasta.
25. HAPPY BIRTHDAT VERONICA!!! Done!
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet Done!
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloweenn) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Visit the Addams Family Mansion in Westfield, NJ (corner of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue)
30. Wear bone headclip Done!
31. HALLOWEEN!! Watch The Shining and Halloween Ends. Put out treats for trick and treaters.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Countdown to Christmas -- 2021 Edition

Besides Halloween, I will admit I still get excited for Christmas time. Things just seem to be more magical in the month of December. Luckily enough last December, while hard, I was smiling and happy and I think it is because of this checklist as well as keeping myself surrounded with love and light as much as possible. Definitely glad I changed the pattern of unhappy holiday seasons. This will be the second Christmas without my parents. While it is getting easier, having some traditions are keeping my spirit and light up. I will make it through the best way I can. Most of the things will be done either by myself or with friends and family. Also, just because there is a date attached does not mean it will happen on that date -- it is more of a checklist.


November 26th: Get holiday cards Done!
November 27th: Start writing out holiday cardsDone!
November 28th: Watch The Big Show Show Christmas Special/Aggretzuko We Wish You a Metal Christmas on Netflix Done!
November 29th: Watch Die Hard
November 30th: Watch The Family Stone Done!
December 1st: Order 2022 calendars on Amazon.Done! Also start advent calendars Done!
December 2nd: Watch The Nightmare Before ChristmasDone!
December 3rd: Mail out holiday cards.Done!
December 4th: Get a holiday inspired manicure. Make sure one nail is sparkly! Done!
December 5th: Watch Scrooged
December 6th: Read one story in the collection My True Love Gave To Me December 7th: Watch The Santa Clause Done!
December 8th: Wear mistletoe headband to work Done!
December 9th: Get a holiday inspired candle from Bath and Body Works.Done!
December 10th: Wear my funkiest pair of leg warmers (or treat myself to a new pair) December 11th: Watch Nailed It! Holiday Edition on Netflix Done!
December 12th: Make a holiday playlist on Spotify and share it with all my friends on social media for them to enjoy listening toDone!
December 13th: Watch Holidate on NetflixDone!
December 14th: Watch Home Alone
December 15th: Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
December 16th: Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 17th: Start binging the Netflix seres Dash and Lily. Only watch certain episodes on the day it is titled.
December 18th: Leave a card/gift for my mail delivery person and/or garbage person who is working extra hard this time of year Done!
December 19th: Wear rhinestone reindeer antlersDone!
December 20th: Watch Rudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerDone!
December 21st: Watch Gremlins.Done!
December 22nd: Read the book Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares to my class Done!
December 23rd: Watch Love, Actually
December 24th: Read The Nutcracker by E.T.A HoffmannDone!
December 25th: CHRISTMAS!!! Watch all of the Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes and spend time with my loved ones.Done!

Friday, October 1, 2021

Countdown to Halloween -- 2021 Edition

My favorite holiday, besides my birthday, is Halloween. I am drawn to all things Halloween/Autumn -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, cheesy 80s horror movies, dressing up, anything pumpkin flavored or scented, sweater weather... Just love it! With that said I thought it would be cool to do a COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN activities list. Most of this stuff will be done by myself or with friends and family. I will admit that due to the pandemic and the deaths of my parents -- I have lost my gumption and my spark of things that I used to love. However I am working hard to bring that spark back; to make myself feel good again; and to reculivate my happiness. Therefore this list, instead of being with dates, I will put 31 things to go to celebrate and countdown to Halloween. Here we go!


1:Watch Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Beetlejuice, Casper, Ghosbusters (1984 and 2016), Evil Dead, Addams Family, Addams Family Values, Halloween, The Exorcist, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Friday The 13th, Scream, It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shaun Of The Dead, Tucker And Dale Vs. Evil, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Blair Witch Project, Frankenstein, Edward Scissorhands, Frankenweenie, Teen Witch, The Witches, Little Shop Of Horrors, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Practical Magic, The Monster Squad, Ernest Scared Stupid, They Live.
2. Throw a pumpkin carving party
3. Give yourself a spooky manicure
4. Fill clear plastic gloves with candy and treats
5. Play Glow-In-The-Dark Mini Golf
6. Visit a haunted house
7. Try some cool face paint that could be your entire costume
8. Share Halloween punsDone!
9. Send Halloween mail Done!
10. Visit a pumpkin patch
11. Play Halloween Bingo
12. Go on a scary hayride
13. Go on a legal tour of a haunted place or a ghost walk
14. Bake googly eye cookies
15. See a scary death metal band in concert
16. Make a Halloween playlist and share Spotify list
17. Get lost in a corn maize
18. Take pictures of the changing leaves
19. Read a story in The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
20. Read 2 tales in Toil and Trouble
21. Drink cider
22. Get candles with a cinnamon or pumpkin smell from Bath and Body Works for my room.
23. Make my own Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte at home
24. Bake something pumpkin inspired
25. HAPPY BIRTHDAT VERONICA!!!
26. Get myself a Halloween inspired flower bouquet
27. Burn A Habit – Write down a habit I am attempting to kick (and would like to have broken by next Halloweenn) and either burn it in a cauldron or in a bonfire.
28. Dance the Monster Mash either by myself or with loved ones.
29. Attend Slutty Halloween Homebound Hoedown
30. Wear bone headclip 31. HALLOWEEN!! Watch The Shining and do spell in the Daily Spellbook for The Good Witch book.

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Hindsight Is Most Certainly 2020 -- Yearly Reflection

Oh 2020....you have been one heck of a year. To say that this year is for the history books is a big understatement. Throught the power of a End of the Year journaling workshop with the one and only Gala Darling, let me reflect on this year as best as I can.

1. What are you most proud of this year? I am most proud of the way that I dealt with taking care of my father. It was a heavy ordeal with the constant changes of his health. However it showed me and taught me just how strong and resilient I can be when faced with challenges. I love a good challenge and will meet it head on and accept and conquer as best as I can.
2.How have you grown in 2020? How have I grown in 2020 -- by learning how to slow the fuck down, how to be more open and vulnerable with the ones that I love, creating boundaries, not going down or following a negative spiral (this does take some more work and lessons to learn however I am getting better at it), being more confident in my skin, learning that there is life outide of social media and not everything I see on social media is the be all end all truth, learning how to feel my feelings, and just returning to myself.
3.What happened this year that you responded completely differently to? What happened this year that I responded completely differently to is the way I navigate my relationships that has broken my codependent nature. While I still think of others, I respond now with "how will this help me? how will this spark my joy?" instead of people pleasing.
4.What pattern did you break? The pattern of codependency. Oh my goddess was I one codependent mess -- always relying on others for my happiness. Nope. No more. It feels goood.
5.What are your top 3 accomplishments? My top 3 accomplishments are getting tenure as an educator, being the caregiver for my father, and getting 6 figures in my savings account.
6.Which relationships have deepened this year? The relationships that have deepened this year are the relationship to myself, my best friends Veronica/Dan Law/Michael Peelman and the relationship with my boyfriend Mike Semko.
7.What practices have I embraced this year? The practices I have embraced this year are cooking/baking, gratitude practice, EFT Technique, hydration, and personalized vitamins that are customized for my body in mind.
8.What peoplee, activities, media, and events have helped you get through 2020? In no particular order -- Gilnore Girls, Sex and the City, Veronica Vargas, Mike Semko, Dan Law, Michael Peelman, Craig Liggeons, J.C. Simonetti, FB Messenger, Spotify, Tasty.co, getting to ride in a Ford Mustang bare-assed, culinary adventures in my kitchen, the return of Nerd Herders Rebooted, Discord, Tabletop Simulator on Steam.
9.What mistakes have I learned from? Hmmm. I would have to say that the mistakes I have learned from would be the way I react to statements that sound like a personal dig, but in reality it is outward projection from the person saying it. Other mistakes I have learned from would be in concerns with my health -- learning what my body will tolerate and not tolerate, what vitamins I am deficient in, and figuring out what makes me feel the best.
10.What was my most challenging moment? Most challenging moment -- watching my father succumb to lung cancer. Watching my father who was so social, so full of life, so driven, so talkative basically become a shell of himself. It was hard to watch. It was also a challenge learning how to become a caregiver with the constant changes in his health regimen. I would also be remiss in saying that another challenging moment of this year was the pandemic. From being an extrovert with an Aries fiery spirit to basically be extinguished and be placed into isolation -- whoo boy did it take its toll. However I am one for challenges and I accept it and here I am now.
11.What was my most triumphant moment? Getting tenure as an educator during remote learning. I learned so many new tech skills and continue to learn. Another triumphant moment -- learning how to slow the fuck down and patience. While I have always been a patient person, to hone that skill even more so -- YES QUEEN.
12.What are you grateful for? I am grateful for the challenges that 2020 brought to me. It helped me to be stronger, to be more resilient. I am also grateful for learning how to enjoy my own company more. Grateful for the lessons of vulnerablity and openness and transparency. Grateful for the deepenning of relationships. Grateful for my home, my health, my laughter, my intelligence, my generous heart. Grateful to learning how to recover from codependency and self sabotage. Grateful for the many kicks in the ass from my dear friends when I was seemingly down and wouldn't speak. Grateful for learning how to build and create boundaries -- especially at work and in my relationships.
13. Scores yourself out of 10 in these categories:
Relationships: 7
Self Care: 5
Career: 10
Spirituality: 7

14.How can I bump up these numbers in 2021? How can I bump up these numbers -- DRINK MORE WATER for one. Get myself back into my weekly skincare facial routine. Plan in a sacred hour every day. Continue to practice gratitude and EFT. Continue to be more open and communciative and vulnerable.
15.What are you most looking forward to in 2021? Definitely looking forward to the ability to travel again. I miss my dear friends Eric and Ian up in Canada and I always have fun when I am around them. i am also looking forward to the return of events -- concerts, festivals, Broadway shows. Nothing says recharge like pounding beats in your ears. I am also looking forward to learning more/expanding my horizons. Lots of opportunities out there.
16.What aspects of yourself are you going to embrace in 2021? The aspects of myself that I am going to embrace in 2021 are my voice/my opinion, supportive people, curiousity/questioning skills, open communication, listening, vulnerability.
17.What are three words that you wish to embody in 2020? Abundance, love, recharge
18.What is one goal that excites me in 2021? Creating patio seating in my backyard with A Small Green Space
19.What do you need to do to finish 2020 on a high? Refresh my bedsheets and my hair. Self care. Eat some yummy food. Talk with/hang with loved ones. Laugh. Dance. Smile as much as possible.