Life Happens Laugh Anyway

Episode 7: Thrifting & Dumpster Diving

Hey Humor Consumers,

In Episode 7 we take you along as we discuss the thrill of thrifting and dumpster diving. We are both addicted to upcycling, repurposing, and just finding great things at low prices or free. What’s not to love?

In this episode we discuss…

• Cathrine’s backstory being a young kid at auctions and her mom bribing her with hot dogs and bushes.
• The power of PAINT and how this inexpensive tool can be used to decorate.
• Goodwill adventures and how we ended up in St. Louis when we were supposed to be going to Alabama.
• We both share how many pre-loved major furniture and home décor items we have in our current homes. The number is pretty high.
• Some of our favorite finds.
• We talk about Youtuber and thrifter Kristin McGowan and her Youtube video 5 household items you should be thrifting.

Our spiritual encouragement comes from 2Corinthians 5:17.

Want to consume more humor? You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy & Cathrine

Copyright Tracy DeGraaf All Rights Reserved

p.s. Check out our socials for pics of our favorite pre-loved items in our homes.

Episode 6: Insomnia: Stuff that keeps you up at night and what to do about it.

Hey Humor Consumers,

We are moving right along in podcast-land with Episode 6. (If you only knew how many hours and hours of mistakes we have made with the tech stuff, you would definitely be laughing with us over it.)

But, alas, we never give up and never give in. We just keep begging our grown kids to help us for free. He he.

In this episode of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast, we discuss what keeps you up at night. Yes, that’s right, good old ‘insomnia.’

In this episode we will cover…

• What is insomnia? Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and early waking.
• Sleep hygiene: sleeping in a quiet, dark and cool room; hiding the clock, caffeine reduction, regular morning exercise, maintaining regular sleep schedule, comfortable mattress, not going to bed too full or too hungry, no smoking or drinking and no screen time right before bed.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI): Getting pros on board can help a ton!

Our spiritual encouragement comes from Philippians 4:6-9

Want to consume more humor? You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy & Cathrine

Copyright Tracy DeGraaf All Rights Reserved

p.s. We truly hope you get a great night’s sleep tonight and that this episode was helpful.

 

Episode 5: Joy: How to get and keep it.

Hey Humor Consumers!

In this episode we chat about how to keep joy in your life even when your life feels like a giant dumpster fire. We cover...

• Chapter 7 of Tracy's book Laugh Anyway Mom
• Laminated Jesus
• How our biggest problem has been solved
• Tips

Spiritual encouragement...

Psalm 51:10-19

You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Episode 4: Gray Hair: When and how to let it grow.

Hey Humor Consumers,

In Episode 4 we talk about gray hair and the journey of letting it show. 

• How to go gray? Cold turkey, shave, partial color, and strip color and add toner. 
• When to go gray? How do you know you're ready?
• Why go gray? The four reasons Tracy decided to go gray: time, money, curiosity, chemicals.
• Surviving the transition by leaning on support groups and sticking to your guns. 

Spiritual encouragement: Proverbs 16:31

Want to consume more humor? You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy & Cathrine

Copyright Tracy DeGraaf All Rights Reserved

p.s. If you are transitioning to gray, let us know. Or, even if you're just thinking about it, reach out and connect with us. 

Episode 3: Hijacker Hormones: Are you a hostage?

Hey Humor Consumers,

In Episode 3 of Life Happens Laugh Anyway author and comedian we talk about the challenges of navigating the rollercoaster of female hormones.

• Pregnancy hormone hijacking (audio clip of pregnancy meltdown)
• Tracy yells at a grown man
• Lady Whiskers
• Hormones, libido and soup
• Tips for managing stress

Inspiration: Deuteronomy 31:8

If you enjoyed this episode, you can help others find our podcast by leaving a five star review, so please do that. :0)

For more information about author comedian Tracy DeGraaf and to purchase her book and merchandise go to https://tracydegraaf.com/

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy and Cathrine

p.s. Steady as she goes ol' gal!

Episode 2: Epic Mom Fails

Hey Humor Consumers,

Wow! Episode 2 is a doozy. Who hasn't had an 'epic' mom fail? We all have. 

In this episode of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast, we discuss...

• Social pressure and comparison
• Differences throughout the ages 
• Forgetting kids at cheerleading practice and more
• Social isolation and how to overcome it (even during a pandemic).
• Ideas from a TedTalk from Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, author of Mommy Burnout

We also share some tips and truths about failures and how to overcome them.

Our spiritual encouragement comes from Isaiah 43:18-19

Want to consume more humor? You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy & Cathrine

Copyright Tracy DeGraaf All Rights Reserved

p.s. Remember, it's not failure....it's feedback. Hang in there moms.

 

Episode 1: Funniest ER trips and what we learned

In this inaugural episode of Life Happens Laugh Anyway, author and stand-up comedian Tracy DeGraaf and her bff Cathrine discuss humorous visits to the Emergency Room. They also provide tips and tricks on how to make ER trips less stressful.

• Icy face-plant into a gravel driveway,  fake heart attacks, and a real appendicitis attack.
• Top reasons people go to the ER
• Quick facts about the ER.
• Survival tips for anyone going to the ER
• When to go to the ER

Proverbs 3:5-6

You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Prequel Episode: How Tracy and Cathrine met and why launching a podcast.

Hey Humor Consumers,

Welcome to our podcast! I am comedian, Tracy DeGraaf and I host this show along with my bestie, Cathrine Schipman. 

In this abbreviated episode of the Life Happens Laugh Anyway Podcast, we share...

• How we met on the day before 9/11.
• What we thought of each other back then.
• How we do life together and our families have even moved twice so that we could still live on the same street. (Yes, we are THAT committed to being neighbors and our husbands are friends too.)

Want to consume more humor? You can purchase Tracy's book and check out more about her comedy and ministry on at https://tracydegraaf.com/

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by leaving a 5 star review. 

Virtual Hugs,

Tracy & Cathrine

Copyright Tracy DeGraaf All Rights Reserved

p.s. We hope you love the podcast and that it brings you a little info in an entertaining way and most of all, that you leave each episode with spiritual encouragement.