Life with Me, Jackabee

January: Month in Review {02.05.25}

Hello and happy Wednesday friends! I hope your week has been going well and you're looking forward to the second half of your week. We've been having a fairly quiet week and I'm thankful since it felt like January was a million years long.

For today's post, I thought I would pick up another round of month in review. I know last month I didn't post so this will hopefully be a fun recap for you.

What's New
Justin started a new job in January and we are so thankful. He was laid off at the end of September and since then he was actively looking for a new position. I'm thankful he was able to find a job and it seems like it is a wonderful company. I'm looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes while he is working there.

Monthly Goals Update
Honestly, the goal for January was just to start the year off on a positive note and I think we managed to do that. I read a total of six books to start off the year, attended my first ever book release party and spent some much needed time celebrating friends and families birthdays.

This month I'm working to be more active on my goals and keep actual track of them so next month I'll have a better report for you all.

Top Performing Posts for January
Because I didn't post any in January, there wasn't any top read posts for last month, so here's a throwback to my top performing posts in August of 2024.

1. Most Anticipated Reads for Fall 2024
2. Tuesday Things {09.10.24}
3. Fall Bucket List 2024

What I Watched
Justin and I have been watching a few shows together and it has been so fun: High Potential & Will Trent. We randomly started watching Will Trent last year on Hulu and it worked out perfectly because the newest season started right around the time we were all caught up on the show. High Potential is a new show that came out last Fall and it's a great show.

Have any shows you like that you think I should watch? Comment below!

What I Read
I read a total of six books in January which was crazy! I'm posting my book review later this week so be sure to come back and read what I thought about the books.

Last Month's Spotify Playlist

I think this may be a repeat, but I've been hooked on Chappell Roan and have been listening to a playlist that is her music + similar music. It is such a great playlist.

Well that is all for today. Thanks for checking out my month in review!

Have a wonderful day,
Jackie
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Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

tuesday things {02.04.25}

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are enjoying a great start to your week and have many fun things to look forward to for the rest of the week. Today I am doing another round of 5 Things Friday where I share 5 things from the past week. If you want to see past Tuesday Things, click here.

1. Last night I attended a book club with my mom. We read The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh and it was such a fun read. If you like Julie and Julia, then I would 100% recommend this one as well.

2. It's hard to believe we've finished January already; however, did anyone else feel like January took soooooo long to finish? I think this happens every year, but I feel like January is the longest month of the year and December is the shortest. I would guess it has something to do with the fact that December is always so busy then January is so slow. But who knows?

3. We have been redoing our guest bedroom and turning it into a library of sorts. Our guest bedroom has just been collecting junk since we moved into our home eight years ago and it's about time we use the space for something other than a junk space. We finished putting in the bookshelves over the weekend so now I need to figure out how I want to organize them all because it won't just be books.

4. I have been crocheting for almost a year now and it's amazing how much I have learned in the past year. I've been working on little gifts for my girlfriends for Galentine's Day and I'm very excited with how they are turning out. I'll have to share photos once I get them gifted to everyone.

5. I feel like for the first time in several years we are actually having "Winter" in Michigan. I know that's a bit weird to say, but the last five or so years we had cold without snow. This winter we're actually getting regular snow and it's so pretty. I love when it snows and am so glad we had as much as we did this year. I know not everyone would agree with me, but I am very excited about it.

Well that is all for today! I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday and great rest of your week.

Until next time,
Jackie

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Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

2025 , Month at a Glance

February: Month @ a Glance {02.03.25}

Hello and happy February friends! I hope your 2025 is off to an excellent start and you are looking forward to 2025. Obviously, I am a bit late to the game as I am just now doing a post for 2025, but I took January to get myself rested and organized and to be honest, I'm glad I did. But that being said, we're a few days into February and I thought it would be fun to pick back up this month.

ON THE AGENDA THIS MONTH

1. Cocktail Book Club with my Mama. My mom and I have been doing a monthly book club where you read the book and a local restaurant makes cocktails themed around the book. We missed January due to the holiday schedule, but we're picking it back up this month with The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh. If you read Julie and Julia and liked it, then I'd highly recommend this one too.

2. Coffee shop/book store/cafe visit with friends. This coming weekend, a few girlfriends and I are going to check out another local indie book store. We've been checking out a few places around us and I am excited to check this one out. Without meaning to, I've managed to buy a cat-themed book every time we've gone out so now it's became a bit of a joke but I plan to keep it going.

3. Brunch date with some friends. I've made some really great friends at book club and a few of us are going out to my favorite brunch spot in a few weeks. I love going to this place and look forward to great food and great company.

4. Galentine's Day with my girlfriends. I'm excited because some of my girlfriends are coming over for a Galentine's Day brunch and we always have so much fun. We're doing a favorite things gift exchange and I just ordered my gifts today. I cannot wait.

5. Baby Shower for a friend. My friend's baby shower is this month and I'm excited to celebrate her. I finished a baby blanket for her this weekend and really loved the pattern. I'm planning to make another one or two of the blanket just for fun because I loved making it so much.

6. Other book clubs this month. This month I'm signed up for quite a few! I've got fantasy, Sarah J. Maas, mystery/thriller and dark romance. Plus, I was selected to do some ARC reviews which I'm very excited to read.

GOALS FOR February

1. Start a workout routine. We've been working hard to get our guest bedroom repurposed to be a more usable space for us and that includes setting my Peloton back up and moving my walking pad upstairs. The goal is to get it put together so I can start working out in there.

2. Take my vitamins every day this month. It seems like such a silly thing, but I really need to get better about taking my vitamins every day. So this month I'm working to do that.

Like previous months I will be using a tracker that I created which was inspired by Evermore Paper Co.. Their website is still down, so I am using my version I created for tracking this month. I'm hoping their site will go back up soon, but if you'd like to use mine, just click on the image at the end of this post - to be clear their version was free and this version is free. I will not earn any income from this printable.

Well I think that is everything for today! I hope you have a great month!

Question of the Day: What do you have planned in February?

Have a wonderful day,
Jackie
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Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

2024 , tuesday things

Tuesday Things {12.03.24}

1. Baking cookies is always so much fun, but man is it not good to have them around the house. I feel like ever time I go to the kitchen I end up taking a cookie (or three) and that cannot be good for my diet.

2. How is your Christmas shopping going? I think I'm like 95% done? I have a few little things to get for Justin's stocking and a few things for a friend of mine but otherwise, I think I am doing great and cannot wait to get them all wrapped and ready to give out to friends and family.

3. We actually have snow here in Michigan which is blowing my mind. The last few years we haven't had a ton of show - especially this early in the season - and this year we've already got some snow and some cooler temperatures. I honestly do not mind the snow/cold so I'm thrilled that it's here.

4. I have a bunch of errands to run this week - mostly returns and pick ups so I am hoping those go smoothly. Sometimes during the holidays it can be a bit chaotic to run out and do even the simplest thing.

5. I have been sewing a tree skirt for my coworker and I'm excited about it. I followed a pattern and it's been so fun watching the whole thing come together. She had these beautiful and colorful fabrics and I cannot wait to see how they come together under her tree.

2024 , Broadway in Detroit

The Wiz is coming to the Fisher Theatre June 17 - 29, 2025 {12.02.24}

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE ALL-NEW NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

BROADWAY HIT MUSICAL

THE WIZ

JUNE 17 – 29, 2025 AT THE FISHER THEATRE

Producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker and NETworks Presentations are thrilled to announce that tickets for the Detroit engagement of The Wiz coming to the Fisher Theatre June 17 – 29, 2025 will go on sale Saturday, November 30. Tickets can be purchased online at BroadwayInDetroit.com starting at 10:00 a.m. and in person at the Fisher Theatre box office starting at Noon.

Everybody look around! The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back and coming to Detroit! THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years.

Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets” and Chicago Tribune proclaims THE WIZ is “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!

This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), director Schele Williams (The Notebook, revival of Disney’s Aida), award-winning choreographer JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Black is King), additional material by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (“The Amber Ruffin Show,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers”), Joseph Joubert (music supervision, orchestrations, & music arrangements), Allen René Louis (vocal arrangements, music arrangements), and Emmy Award®-winning music director and Grammy Award®-winning writer, Adam Blackstone and Terence Vaughn (Dance Music Arrangers), and Paul Byssainthe Jr. (Music Director), are conjuring up an Oz unlike anything ever seen before. A dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop will bring a whole new groove to easing on down the road.

THE WIZ design team includes scenic design by Academy Award-winning Hannah Beachler (Black Panther, Beyoncé’s Black is King and Lemonade), costume design by Emmy Award-winning and two-time Academy Award-nominated Sharen Davis (Ray, Dreamgirls), lighting design by Barrymore Award-winning Ryan J. O’Gara (Thoughts of a Colored Man), sound design by Jon Weston (Parade), video and projection design by Daniel Brodie (Motown the Musical), wig design by Charles LaPointe (MJ the Musical) and make-up design by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche (The Piano Lesson) and casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

The production also includes ‘Everybody Rejoice’ music and lyrics by Luther Vandross, as well as the ‘Emerald City Ballet’ with music by Timothy Graphenreed.

Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, The Wiz takes one of the world’s most enduring (and enduringly white) American fantasies, and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.

THE WIZ premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, going on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Dee Dee Bridgewater), Best Choreography (George Faison), and in a Broadway first, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design (Geoffrey Holder). “Ease on Down the Road” became the show’s break-out single, and “Home” has since become a bona fide classic. That original production ran for four years (first at The Majestic Theatre and later at The Broadway Theatre) – and 1,672 performances – on Broadway. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson.

Additional information on tour cities, venues, performance schedules and single ticket on sale dates are available at WizMusical.com and follow THE WIZ on social media channels.

Performance times for THE WIZ appearing June 17 – 29, 2025 at the Fisher Theatre located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI are:

Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m.
Special Open Caption performance on Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $40.00 (includes parking & facility fee) and will go on sale Saturday, November 30. Tickets can be purchased online at BroadwayInDetroit.com at 10:00 a.m. and in person at the Fisher Theatre box office starting at Noon.

For group sales (10 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@atgentertainment.com or call 313-871-1132.

Broadway In Detroit is an ATG Entertainment company. ATG Entertainment is a world leader in live entertainment whose portfolio of venues includes historic theatres, studio theatres, cinemas, conference spaces, and modern live music arenas. ATG Entertainment own, operate or program 64 of the world’s most iconic venues across the UK, the US and Germany entertaining over 18 million audience members each year.

Performance schedules, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. Broadway In Detroit urges patrons to use caution when purchasing tickets online through a site other than BroadwayInDetroit.com. Individual tickets purchased from a ticket broker or “third party” ticket reseller involves risk and may not be authentic, sold at box office prices, or with correct performance and venue information. Broadway In Detroit box offices cannot verify tickets sold through a third party or ticket reseller. Broadway In Detroit is also unable to contact third party purchasers with pertinent updates or changes regarding performances.

For more information on Broadway in Detroit, subscriptions, group sales and more, please visit www.BroadwayinDetroit.com

Follow @BroadwayInDetroit on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok and on X (Twitter) @BroadwayDetroit

Have a wonderful day,

Jackie

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Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

2024 , Month at a Glance

December: Month @ a Glance {12.01.24}

Hello and happy December friends! I hope you had a wonderful November and will forgive me for my absence last month. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but one day I was planning out posts for the whole month, then the next it was November 30th. I hope you had a wonderful month and are looking for some fun things ahead. December is always busy for us, but I am looking forward to everything we have planned.

ON THE AGENDA THIS MONTH

1. Cookie baking with mom. Mom came over today to bake cookies and it was very nice. We baked chocolate chip, peanut butter and spritz cookies. It is a bit of an annual tradition so it worked out that we were able to do it today.

2. Les Misérables with mom. On top of baking cookies today, mom and I are going to see Les Misérables on Thursday. I have never seen it live so it will be a great time and perfect start to the month of December.

3. Book Clubs this month. I have a total of six book clubs this month:

a. The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year - Cocktail Book Club
b. Kingdom of Ash - SJM Book Club
c. Silent Book Club monthly meeting
d. A Song to Drown Rivers - Fantasy Book Club
e. A Very Bad Things - Mystery/Thriller Book Club
f. Heartless Hunter - A Court of Pong and Literature Book Club

Honestly, I am not sure why I signed up for so many this month, but I am overall very excited to do them all. I'm almost done with The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year for tomorrow's meeting and I think it will be fun.

4. Extended family Christmas. This weekend I am going to my extended family Christmas party with my mom's entire extended family. I haven't seen some of them in a long time so it will be nice to see them.

5. Friendsmas. We're also doing our Friendsmas party on Saturday and it will be super fun. We're going to decorate gingerbread houses, exchange gifts and hopefully play some games.

6. Fantasy Book Club Party. I'm excited because I was invited to the Fantasy Book Club Holiday party. It will be a bunch of us fantasy/SJM readers getting together and spending some time together.

7. Birthday party for my friend's kiddo. My friend's daughter turns 3 this month and I'll be going to her birthday party. I think it will be a lot of fun - even if to just see how cute the kids are.

8. Christmas with our families. We always celebrate Christmas with my family on December 23, so we will be going there on that day. Then we will be celebrating Christmas with his family the Sunday after Christmas. I love our traditions with our families.

9. Ann Arbor day with friends. I am excited because towards the end of the month I will be going to Ann Arbor (Michigan) for a day of book store hopping and coffee shops. It will be such a fun time and I am very much looking forward to going with the ladies.

GOALS FOR DECEMBER

1. Focus on self-care. I say this every month, but this month especially it will be very important I keep up on my self care. This includes skin care, drinking water, taking vitamins, etc. I have been skipping a lot of these and I am suffering for it.

2. Start moving for 30 minutes a day. Along with self-care, I would like to start moving my body for 30 minutes a day. I've been scouting out some videos on YouTube that I'd like to try and I think it will help me with #1.

3. Be deliberate with my time with friends/family. Life is too short to be anything but present and this month I'd like to practice that.

4. Start planning for 2025. I know it seems so far away, but before we know it we will be staring 2025 down and I'd like to have a decent plan for my year before I actually start my year.

Well I think that is everything for today! I hope you have a great month!

Question of the Day: What do you have planned in December?