Linda
Linda is a Michigan native who moved to Iowa City in 2011 and hasn’t left yet. She and her husband of twelve years, Jacob, have two spunky kids – a kindergartner and a third grader. Linda works full time at the University of Iowa as the Administrative Director for the Medical Scientist Training Program. Together, Linda and her family enjoy cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (shhhh!), going on adventures both big and small, and playing board games (they have over 100 and will play with anyone they can talk into it). Linda is often told she has two volumes: on and off, and she will enthusiastically respond to any news you tell her. No matter the volume she uses, Linda is an “old soul” with a love for baking, embroidery, and old movies.
Turning 40: Look Ma, I made it!
This year was a milestone birthday — I turned 40 at the beginning of February. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about that. Lately, my husband, my mother, and other extended family...
Vacationing with Friends: 9 Tips for Taking the Trip
When I was young, I used to envision my life as an adult. Didn’t you? I observed my parents invite their adult friends over to hang out and I’d think about how I would...
A Moment to Mosaic (Thanks TikTok)
For all you hip and rad moms out there who use TikTok, you may have seen the recent trend called "mosaic." It was going around a bit over the summer. In this trend, the...
Kind is Not Quiet (At Least Not for Me!)
When you think of someone who is kind, what qualities do you think of? Friendly? Generous? Considerate? Do you envision a meek and soft-spoken person who puts others before themselves? Is a kind person quiet and...
Are We Still Friends? Friendships Past the Pandemic
As you can imagine, over the course of the last year I participated in fewer coffee dates and practically zero lunches with dear friends. I didn’t grab brunch with my work bestie. I didn’t...
I Really Do Like My Husband: Who Knew That Would Happen?
When I was dating in college, I never made it past a six-month relationship. I had one relationship where the guy was just too cocky. Another where it felt like we were buddies and...
Side-Part Hair, Don’t Care: Thoughts on the Gen Z vs. Millennial Fashion Feud
I heard there is a fashion feud going on. Gen Z vs. Millennials.
Apparently using certain emojis, the way we do our hair, and the jeans we wear are very controversial these days. Who knew...
More than Enough: The Pressure of a Pandemic Birthday
My son had a birthday recently.
I’ve been constantly thinking about what we could do with him to help make his birthday special during a pandemic. I was feeling a lot of self-imposed pressure. I...
12 Hours in the Life of a Local Mom: Homeschooling, Work, and a Biopsy,...
6:30 a.m.
My alarm goes off. I need to pee but can’t bring myself to unravel from the cocoon of my comforter. I should also shower. I should have showered last night, but I fell...
Laughter through Tears: Day One of Virtual Learning
Despite my propensity to strong emotional responses to SO many things in my life, I tend to “wait and see” during a crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis. And as a result of this...