The Mom Weekly Volume 123: December 16, 2025
You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.
Notes:
I really thought I would have a lot more ideas about the topic of today’s weekly, so I hope that you will all give me some ideas to update this post in future months! There must be dozens of other ideas like the ones I share, and I look forward to hearing yours.
Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention that today is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen! I realized too late that I should have written all about her for today, but I will save that for another time, when I have time to give it my full attention. In the meantime, have some tea, scones, and maybe watch one of the movie adaptations in her honor today.
Remember how much I love you,
Mom
When I Was a Kid, Netflix Came in the Mail
This is the oft-said expression around here whenever someone remarks on some new invention or something that has become common in life, unlike when someone “was a kid.”
Now, when I was a kid, Netflix didn’t exist, but we were just on the cusp of being able to videotape shows so that we could watch them. Things are always changing, and often for the better!
It’s important to remember that, especially at times when there is so much bad news and negativity. Of course, the many things in our world that are dreadful are bad. No one is denying that! At the same time, it is worth reflecting on little things that make our lives better or easier, and that didn’t exist before.
Just a few examples of how we all have it easier and/or better than we used to:
—Salad kits.
—salad kits have gotten really good in recent years. It’s remarkable to think about how easy it is to have a vegetable side or even a meal (when you add a protein). Some of my favorites: Sam’s Club Caesar salad kit—this is good for several meals for more than one person. The dressing is actually quite good. I think it’s less than $6, which is a steal. Also, Trader Joe’s and Aldi have interesting and tasty salad kits. When I checked at Costco recently, I was not impressed at how they looked or the prices (I think the Caesar salad kit went for $9), but otherwise, there are plenty of places to get them. What are some of your favorites?
—Playlists/Mixtape Technology.
I’m not sure what the kids call it, but it’s a selection of songs you make for someone and give to them. We used to call them mixtapes.
I vividly remember being in college and tape-recording a song from another tape, and being poised to press “pause” at the very moment the song ended, so I could cue up the next favorite song I wanted to include. Such a labor of love! These days Spotify just automatically makes playlists for you. I will say that those playlists are never as good as the ones that you can make yourself, but that’s another story.
—completing taxes (i.e. TurboTax).
Back in the day, we had to fill out our tax returns on paper and mail them to the IRS (and the state equivalent) because it was the only option. And we had to check and re-check the math to make sure that everything was correct. So much stress! Turbotax is such a great time-saver. The software gets better every year, and takes you through a questionnaire to help you include everything you need to. I know many people use CPAs or firms for completing their taxes, but I find it a useful exercise, and relatively easy these days.
—useful home and life information and tutorials.
Whether it’s how to operate a certain appliance or re-learn how to do something tech-related, to comparing recipes for a certain item, like meatloaf or ginger cookies, the Internet has a broad range of information. What actually surprises me is how it’s actually a skill to find truly helpful information, and not everyone is good at it. It takes some effort! That could be worth writing about soon.
Interesting/Notable:
Hannukah began on December 14, and runs through December 22. The latter date is when I will plan to make latkes, so get ready!
As many of you know, Hallmark produces two or three Hannukah themed movies each year, and they are usually pretty solid. They are often more family-oriented or at least involve family ties, and religious observance, than the regular Christmas movies.
“Round and Round” is a Hannukah-themed movie from 2023; we absolutely adored it. I would pay money to see it in the theater. I know I’ve mentioned it before, and will definitely watch it again this year. If you like “Groundhog Day,” you will LOVE this one.