Yes/No Detroit

It's been a long two weeks—last weekend was supposed to be the "fun" weekend where we went to Indiana (my husband for a bachelor party day, for a friend who is getting married, and then us both celebrating birthdays with my in-laws), but unfortunately Baby K had a fever that Friday, so we ended up staying put. This weekend is the "not fun" weekend, as I have colonoscopy prep ...  Green Lantern deep dish round pizza with pepperoni, from Southfield What I've been up to this week: Eating good food. Definitely eating whatever I want this week because I can't eat hardly anything Saturday, Sunday, and Monday due to prep ... we had Great Greek takeout a few days ago, I think maybe last weekend, and also Noori via Doordash. Last night we had Thai Fresh (in Northville) via Doordash as well, so I'll have some of those leftovers for lunch today, and on Wednesday night, we had Green Lantern, from the Southfield location—they sometimes send me free pizza or chees...

This week seemed to go by really slow, compared to last week—unfortunately, I have not kicked the cough I mentioned last week, but yesterday I had a doctor's appointment and got some meds for it, at least.  Possible Huggies or Sam's model? What I've been up to this week: Seeing a movie at the theater. I was debating whether I wanted to take Good Friday off or Easter Monday or neither—I ended up taking Easter Monday off, and since I hadn't seen a movie since my birthday in January, I wanted to go to the theater. I saw The Super Mario Galaxy Movie since I'm a big Mario fan and overall I enjoyed it, although I'll admit I fell asleep for about a half-hour during it since I was super tired that day. It was fun to be back at the theater again though and hopefully I'll make it back there soon—I basically can only go during the week if Baby K is in daycare.  Getting delivery and takeout . We got delivery from La Saj, in Troy, via Doordash, and I used to really love ...

I was in Orlando from Sunday through Wednesday this week for work, and even though it was hot (about 87-89 degrees daily), it was nice to attend my conference and also get some consecutive sleep. Peeps bracelet from Alex and Ani What I've been up to this week: Work trip to Orlando . The last time I had been to Orlando was January 2018, when a friend and I hit up Disney World for two or three days, I believe, and Universal Studios for two days. I didn't have any theme park time this trip, unfortunately, but my conference (a candy one) was a lot of fun and I also squeezed in about an hour at the hotel's pool and waterslide area (see pic below).  Eating out and getting delivery . The day before I went on my trip, we got Pink Garlic via Doordash, which was tasty. The Sunday I arrived, I didn't get into my hotel room until 2pm or so, and my Uber had passed a Zaxby's on the way there—I have only had them once, so I got it via Doordash for lunch, plus I always get almond m...

I haven't had time to watch Rental Family yet, but it looks pretty good, and I'm a big fan of Brendan Fraser. One of my lucky readers will win a digital code to own their own copy of the film! See below for details. About the movie Journey to Japan and into the heart of human connection with Searchlight Pictures’ “Rental Family,” which arrived on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on January 13. Film synopsis Set in modern-day Tokyo, Rental Family follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection. Digital and Blu-ray bonus materials Feat...

January went by super fast and super slow, all at once, somehow, and we are finally near the end. My husband and I took today off work to go to Frankenmuth for Snowfest, but between the cold weather and other things, it didn't happen ... instead we will do some local errands since we have the time.  Monty Python's Spamalot at the Fisher What I've been up to this week: Taking care of a sick child (still).  Last Wednesday, Baby K got sent home from daycare with a fever . We kept her out Thursday and Friday, and by Monday, she was a lot better—however, because of the weather and the snow, daycare decide to close, which left us in a bind since we both work. We ended up both working a half day and switching off childcare. She's a lot better now, though, which is good. Seeing Spamalot at the Fisher Theatre . Last night, a friend and I went to the Fisher to see Monty Python's Spamalot , which will be there for another few days. I am not a huge Monty Python fan but overall...

I was able to see Song Sung Blue at the theater last week, on my birthday, and I cannot say enough good things about it—it's probably one of the best, if not the best, movie I have seen this year (and pre-August aka pre-Baby K I saw quite a bit of movies!). Fun fact, also—I follow the director, Craig Brewer, on Twitter (aka X), ever since his Footloose remake came out, and in the early 2010s he would sometimes respond when I tweeted at him, so I was excited to see he directed this one. Two of my lucky readers will win a digital code for the movie, also! See below for details.  The film is now available on digital platforms to buy or rent, and will be on Blu-ray on February 17. About the movie: Academy Award® nominees Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) and Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Almost Famous), in her Golden Globe® and Actor Award® nominated role, bring adoration and vulnerability to Focus Features’ inspirational love story SONG SUNG BLUE, arrivi...

Somehow we are already in the midst of January—we've been getting a ton of snow here this week, both expected and unexpected, and I'm not a fan.  Adam's PB Cup Fudge Ripple at Cheesecake Factory What I've been up to this week: Celebrating my birthday . My birthday was on Tuesday and I took the day off work. I saw the 11am showing of Song Sung Blue , at Emagine Novi, which was fabulous— The Greatest Showman is one of my favorite movies, so I wasn't surprised Hugh Jackman did a great job with another movie which required a ton of singing; Kate Hudson was really good too. After that, I met my parents for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, also in Novi, and then I grabbed my free Starbucks drink before picking up Baby K from daycare. All in all, it was a pretty good day.  Watching TV shows . Hijack  is back on AppleTV, but sadly only one episode, and Tell Me Lies released three new episodes on Hulu (my favorite toxic show, lol). I've also been watching Good Cop/Bad Co...

I wasn't able to see Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere in theaters, but I'm excited to see it, especially with Jeremy Allen White (The Bear ) as the musician himself. Two of my lucky readers will win a digital code for the movie!  Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is now on digital and will be available on 4K and Blu-ray on January 20. Film synopsis From 20th Century Studios, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 “Nebraska” album. Recorded on a 4-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey bedroom, the album marked a pivotal time in his life and is considered one of his most enduring works – a raw, haunted acoustic record populated by lost souls searching for a reason to believe.  The musician and songwriter is portrayed with great heart and sound by Jeremy Allen White, who authentically plays guitar and sings in this artful performance t...

I haven't watched the new Tron: Ares yet (because with an infant, I barely have time to watch TV, lol ...) but I now own it on digital and I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime, three  of my lucky readers will win Movies Anywhere codes for the movie—see details below! About the movie: Get a head start on the future this holiday season when the epic sci-fi action-adventure Tron: Ares arrives on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Just in time for winter break viewing, the newest chapter in the Tron saga invites fans to experience a bold new world and a high-velocity spectacle right from home. The edge-of-your-seat action expands in the new year when Tron: Ares powers onto 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and DVD beginning January 6, 2026. Film synopsis: Get ready for the electrifying action and adventure of Tron: Ares . When a highly sophisticated Program named Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, it...

I feel like November flew by, and here we are in December. My whole household has been sick this week, so we recruited my MIL to come in from Indiana, and it has been nice to actually get some sleep, I've been getting maybe seven non-consecutive hours per night.  What I've been up to this week: Being sick. Pretty sure Baby K picked up something at daycare, as she's had a stuffy nose for weeks now, and infected both my husband and myself; he's coming out on the other side of it soon, but I'm kind of in the midst of it, which isn't good since we are going to Indiana and then Louisville next week for vacation (Baby K will be staying with my in-laws). I've been having to reschedule work videos, too, because I had no voice; today is a bit better, but I've developed a small cough, ugh.  Going to the clurb (LOL). Last Friday, my parents babysat Baby K while my husband and I went to Sam's Club, to get some formula that was on sale. They also still have a fab...

Writing this on a Thursday this week, because we are tentatively going to Indiana to see my in-laws tomorrow through Sunday ... however, the weather does not look good (1-3 inches of snow) so plans are now up in the air. We will go to my parents' house today, however, and that's a 15-minute drive, so that is still happening.  Campfire Funnel Fries, from West End Kitchen, WB What I've been up to this week: Going out to eat!  It's a rare treat when I get to dine IN a restaurant nowadays, and I did it twice this week—my husband and I went to Frankenmuth together on Friday, when Baby K was at daycare, and we had the AYCE chicken meal at Zehnders. Also, a friend and I were supposed to see Wheel of Fortune Live this Tuesday, at the Fisher, but it got canceled, so instead we tried out West End Kitchen, in West Bloomfield, which was very good—a bit pricey, but the campfire funnel fries (see pic above) were very tasty (and in the shape of a campfire! With ice cream hidden undern...

Super short Friday Five today, because we are trying to get Baby K out the door to daycare ... my husband and I both took today off work and we are headed to Frankenmuth today, I'm super excited about it although it means I'll have to pump "on the road" so we'll see how that goes ...  What I've been up to this week: Getting takeout/delivery . On Saturday night we got Pink Garlic via Doordash, and on Monday I had to run some errands so I got myself Culver's (I was at Meijer/Costco, same area in WB/Commerce Twp) which was tasty.  Seeing a movie at the theater!  Of course I slept through part of it, LOL, but I saw Now You See Me: Now You Don't on Sunday, because my parents (aka the grandparents) babysat for me, and from what I saw of it, I'd give it 4/5 stars. I liked the other movies in the franchise, as well. I signed up for the Emagine Extras program, which is $12.75 a year, so I could book online without any fees, and they gave me a free medium po...

Happy Halloween! Last year we had *eight* trick-or-treaters, which was the record for us, LOL. In 2022 and 2023 I believe there were about five. We'll see what happens tonight. Today is also my second-to-last day of maternity leave, as Baby K starts daycare on Monday and I go back to the "office" (I primarily work from home) on Tuesday. Baby K in one of her many Halloween outfits What I've been up to this week: Seeing Back to the Future: The Musical at the Detroit Opera House . On Wednesday, my husband and I ventured out to the Detroit Opera House to see Back to the Future: The Musical (huge shoutout to one of my friends for babysitting Baby K!), which was a lot of fun. I hadn't seen this one yet, and although the music isn't super remarkable, it's definitely worth seeing for the special effects/tech itself. A replica of the DeLorean was outside of the Opera House beforehand too, and we got a picture with it, which was great. The musical will be in town un...

I had never even heard of The Roses until recently, but it has a fantastic cast, and it's based on The War of the Roses , the 1989 movie. Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman were both fabulous in this, and five of my lucky readers will win a digital code to own the movie! (see below) About the movie: The combustible love story of Ivy and Theo Rose ignites at home when Jay Roach’s The Roses, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, has arrived on digital October 21 (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home) and on Blu-ray, and will arrive on DVD November 25. Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch): successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing – as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 classic film The War of the Roses, based o...

I am up early today because we had a furniture delivery, but Baby K is still asleep, so I'm enjoying a leisurely breakfast (cereal) for the first time in a while. Until she wakes up, anyways ...  What I've been up to this week: Attending a wedding . A friend I know from a Meetup group for board games, whom I've probably known for about 5-10 years now, got married on Saturday night at the Henry Ford (Lovett Hall, technically) and my husband and I attended it. The venue was beautiful, and it's very historical, too; there was a board up on the wall with some old clippings, news items, etc. about the venue. We didn't stay too long, only until about 10pm, but it was still nice to get all dressed up and also see my friend get married—I believe the last time we saw each other IRL was when my husband and I visited Boston in 2023, and took engagement photos, since she now lives in Boston. Visiting with in-laws . The original plan was for my MIL to come into town to babysit w...