Lost in Aisle 7 Again

Shopping for clothes is not my happy place. The moment I walk into TJ Maxx, it’s like I’ve entered a labyrinth of clingy hangers, fluorescent lights, and racks crammed with too many options. Like they’re daring me to make a decision.  I freeze in place, my brain locking up like my laptop with too many tabs open. My pulse picks up, my breath gets shallow, and a rash starts creeping up my neck. That’s my signal. It’s time to head for the nearest bookstore. Once I recover

Hello Spring, Goodbye Michelin Woman

We (ahem…Steve) mowed our lawn today, so it’s official: no more snow! Cue the confetti and the lawn chairs! I’ve been waiting twelve whole months to share this note—because this one’s a favorite. 💛💙❤️ This Minnesota girl is feeling hopeful! Just listen… Do you hear it? It’s a sweet, breezy melody that sounds like hummingbirds humming hope — bringing lightness, sweetness, and a whole lot of gleefulness. And it’s just warming up. Over the next few weeks, that hum will swell into harmony — giggles, outdoor music,

Chasing Clues and Catching Grace

If I could pick a dream job? Private Eye. Yup. Think Nancy Drew. I’ve always admired her curiosity, determination, and her bravery. (Yes, I know. She’s a fictional character. But she’s still one of my heroes!)  In my daydreams, I imagine opening my own detective agency: “It’s Sweeter When They Sweat.” (Clever name, right?) I can picture it now… Stiletto heels (not just any high heels). Skinny jeans. A form-fitting v-neck tee. And of course—a leather jacket. Waist-length. Zipped up. Ready for action. Flashlight clamped between my

Easter Whispers: Hope is Here

This is personal. I’ve lived the Fridays. I’ve waited through the Saturdays. And I’ve felt the hope of Sunday. I bet you have too. I never tire of sharing this note. It’s truth. It’s encouragement. It’s hope. Please read it and then share it with two people you care about. People who need an extra dose of HOPE this week. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Hi. Scoot your chair a little closer. And if you’re sitting in a comfy arm chair and scooting isn‘t an option, lean in a

She Decided. She Did.

There’s something about a woman’s memoir—the kind that starts with sunshine and ends with strength—that always pulls me in. I love to read. And memoirs are at the top of my list. My favorites are typically written by a not-so-young woman whose story reads something like this… Her life brimmed with hope. Big dreams. Exciting expectations. Blue skies and sun-filled days. She had energy that made skipping in her summer slip-ons easy-peasy.  Then life happened. Dreams dissolved into disappointment. Skipping?  Not a chance. She barely had the

Don’t Miss the Conversation

Girl, you really need to clean that out. The young man offering this undisputed advice was right. My billfold was stuffed, and its zipper was caught on a corner of a receipt. This vault of receipts, cards, and chaos had officially gone on strike. I bet his billfold was crisply organized with no slips of paper peeking out. He certainly appeared more put together than I was. I had gone into the Verizon store with a headache and a cell phone that wouldn’t send text messages.  When

There is More to Life

If someone whispered to me right now, There has to be more to life, I’d whisper back, You bet there is. If those words feel familiar, know this: You aren’t alone. We’ve all got pillows who’ve heard some version of those whispers. A couple of weeks ago, I spent a day with a group of women in Fond du Lac, WI. We talked about our lives—our hopes, fears, joys, and messes—and how we long to know God more. We want to experience everything he has for us

Choose Your Noise Wisely

Who are you listening to? It matters.

“If you’re allergic to this medication, do not take this medication.” (TV ad) “Remove child before folding stroller.” (Instructions) “Caution: Hot coffee is hot.” (Sign) Good grief. It’s scary that we need these messages, isn’t it? Somewhere along the line, common sense was apparently set aside. Did you know that we receive between 4,000 – 10,000 advertising messages alone in a single day? That’s just mind-boggling! And that’s just ads! Then there are emails, social media notifications, text messages, billboards, TV commercials, product labels at the grocery

It’s Time to Plow

Growing up in a small farming community, my sisters and I knew we had really started to “get older” when dad let us plow the field with his beloved John Deere tractor. Getting the field planted depended on that plowing—turning up the soil and breaking up the weed roots. Timing was everything. Weather-watching was all-consuming. Rainstorms weren’t helpful. You’d work all night if the conditions were right. You couldn’t waste a moment.  Plowing brought farming to a whole new level for my sisters and me. We would

Mukluks for our Hearts

Here in Minnesota, we are peaking out from our frosty windows, finally emerging from our frozen tundra.  The days of -20 degree weather, wind chill, and treacherous sidewalks are fading. The snow is clearing, and I even saw a guy in the grocery store wearing shorts when we hit +10 degrees. (It seemed a bit extreme.) No matter the season, we Midwesterners are experts at protecting ourselves from the elements. Remember those elementary school days? We’d spend half of recess just getting ready—pulling on pants under our

Meet Gaye

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Consider me a city girl with a Midwest small town heart. I’m not afraid to poke fun at my own mishaps, and I love laughing out loud 'til it hurts! As a speaker, author, blogger, and Chief Encourager, I bring you a breath of fresh air on this journey we call life!

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