A Little Bit Of Me | Lifestyle Blog by Charnita Fance

I sat down at my desk last night after a long day. My husband and I had just finished dinner, and I had spent twenty minutes outside trying to convince Noro, the neighbor's cat, to eat his food before the other cats got it. I was tired. I just wanted to escape into a virtual world for a bit. But when I loaded up The Sims 4, my excitement turned into frustration within ten minutes. My Sims stood there staring at walls for hours while the clock ticked by. They wouldn't eat. They wouldn't interact with other sims. The game was practically unplayable. Again . It isn't just a one-time thing. I have been playing this franchise for over fifteen years. I remember the magic of The Sims 2 and the incredible freedom of The Sims 3. But lately, trying to enjoy The Sims 4 feels like a chore. Between the lag, the broken packs, and the sheer cost of keeping up, I realized something important last night. It's okay to stop. It's okay to admit that this game isn't fun anymor...

I've never been a huge fan of TikTok. I’m 44, and I haven't been into social media like that for almost 10 years now. I’m just over it . But TikTok is in a league of its own. It’s tailored to young people, not people my age. I just don’t get it. People dancing and lip-syncing in front of the camera. People posting LIVE selfies where they're just flaunting or making weird faces for a few seconds. Why would anyone want to see this!??? Especially from people I don’t even know!? It’s just absurd to me. Plus, I’ve dealt with TikTok groupies all up in my husband’s DMs, and that was the last straw. I absolutely hated TikTok after that. And it’s not just my husband; it’s your husband / boyfriend / significant other. Heck, it’s everyone's husband / boyfriend / significant other! It’s sad. And what’s worse is that it’s mostly YOUNG girls from OTHER countries doing this (outside of the USA). There are gold diggers all over TikTok (especially on TikTok Live begging for gifts/co...

Living in southeast Alabama means our mornings can get pretty humid, but that doesn't stop me from needing my daily caffeine fix. Lately, though, things have changed a bit in my kitchen. I'm 44 years old, and my body just doesn't handle things like it used to. Between dealing with PCOS and managing prediabetes, I've had to get serious about my nutrition. I'm always looking for easy ways to hit my daily goals, and that's where protein coffee comes in. My mornings are usually a zoo. We don't have kids, but with five pets, it sure feels like it. Adah, my older cat, is usually fussing at me for breakfast, while Micah, the kitten, is tearing through the living room. Then I have to check on Sugar the guinea pig and the two bunnies, Lucy and Ricky (they get a nice veggie salad in the mornings). On top of that, Noro, the neighbor's cat, shows up at the side door for his morning treat almost every single day. So, finding a way to get my protein in without havin...

Let’s be real for a second: 2025 was rough . Between the global chaos and just the general heaviness of the world, it felt like we were all holding our breath for twelve months straight. It’s hard not to feel a bit cynical when looking ahead, especially when the previous year left such a mark. But here’s the thing: we survived it. We made it through the noise, the bad news, and the stress, and that counts for something. Personally, I’m ready to turn the page. While 2025 had its moments (I finally got my eyes checked and found out they’re surprisingly healthy, and we even got a rare snow day down here in Dothan), the overall vibe was just heavy. So, I’m looking at 2026 not as a magical fix, but as a chance to rebuild. We don’t need "revolutionary" changes; we just need practical self-care, a little more joy, and a lot less doomscrolling. If you’re feeling worn out but hopeful, let’s talk about how to make this next year genuinely bigger and better. ⚡ Key Takeaways ...

I'm currently sitting at home, trying to ignore the fact that I have a ton of bills piling up, and distracting myself with Season 4 of The Vampire Diaries . My husband and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary back in November, and he's been a good sport about me hogging the TV. Although, I think even he is getting invested in the drama, even if he won't admit it. I’m surrounded by my zoo of pets, and it's chaotic here, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to the chaos in Mystic Falls. Since I am rewatching this in my 40s, I am noticing so many things that went right over my head years ago. I have a lot of feelings, and most of them are frustration. When I watched this show originally, I just went along for the ride. Now? I have questions. I have complaints. And I seriously need to talk about how the writers treated some of my favorite characters. It's a mix of nostalgia and pure annoyance, and I can't look away. ⚡ Key Takeaways 🧔 Alaric ...

I can't believe we're inching closer to 2026. My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this past November, and it really got me thinking about where we are in life. We've been in our current residence for exactly 10 years as of this month. While I love our neighbors (especially the cat next door, Noro, who visits me every single day for treats), I'm so ready for a place that's actually ours. The biggest issue right now is space. My kitchen is incredibly small. I love to cook, but trying to make a big holiday meal in there is a nightmare. I just want to host a dinner where I’m not bumping into the fridge every time I turn around. I know I need to buy a house, but to do that in 2027, I have to fix my credit starting now. I’ve done a lot of research, and I’m personally using a few of these programs to get my score up. If you're in the same boat, here is what is working for me and what experts say are the best options out there. Disclosure: T...