Two Noras and a Mic

Ringing in 2026!

Send us a textThe holidays are over, the house is quiet, and the batteries—literal and social—need a recharge. We open the door on that in-between mood: the relief of wrapping paper cleared, the small panic when a favorite tool (hi, Dyson) dies, and the surprising joy of a new coat, fresh socks, or a perfect iced tea cup that makes winter feel a notch warmer.From there, we zoom out. We compare reading goals to the comfort of nightly word games and design a plan that doesn’t pit pleasure against growth. We talk boundaries through the lens of “social battery” science, spotting early signs of burnout and choosing better exit ramps before you’re tapped out. Our take on stress flips the script, favoring meaningful action—movement, helpfulness, tidy wins—over retreat-only self-care. You’ll leave with practical, low-friction ways to feel better without waiting for motivation to strike.We also have fun with New Year rituals around the world and the ones we can craft at home: color-coded intentions, wish confetti, plates in Denmark, waves in Brazil. And yes, we detour into iguanas “freezing” in Florida and the chaotic charm of local countdown TV before landing on what really makes a reset stick—consistency with heart, goals that fit your real life, and rituals that make ordinary days feel new.If this conversation made you smile or gave you one idea to try tonight, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Your notes help more people find the show and keep this community growing.Mike Haggerty Buick GMCRight on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Wrapped And Ready

Send us a textThe shortest day of the year brought big energy: we kicked off with solstice coziness, then plunged into a Chicago adventure that ended with a minivan reversing down Lower Wacker so we could make the Nutcracker!We trade laughs and real talk about value and scarcity—from wild penny auctions to a color-of-the-year that didn’t quite land—before landing on the joyful noise of a kid-made song that refuses to leave our heads. From there, we zoom into practical habit science and why Wednesdays are a smarter start line than Mondays. It’s a lighter lift, faster wins, and a better shot at keeping momentum through the holidays without the guilt spiral.Then we unwrap the good stuff: how to wrap gifts that wow without overspending. We share where to find sturdy paper that doesn’t tear, why wire ribbon changes everything, and how to make playful pom-pom toppers from leftover scraps. We dig into the psychology of presentation (yes, wrapping changes how a gift is received) and the surprising history of modern wrapping thanks to the Hall brothers. We also debate unwrapped wedding showers and how to honor givers whether you display gifts or open them live—gratitude is the key either way.We close with our highs and lows—eye drama, laundry fails, Nutcracker magic—and the traditions that make Christmas morning stretch longer. If you want a warm, witty guide to making this season feel intentional, beautiful, and actually doable, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves a big bow, and tell us: tags or stickers for your gifts? We’re taking votes.Mike Haggerty Buick GMCRight on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Let it Snow!

Send us a textDecember hits different when the lights go up early and the shopping falls behind. We open with that honest tension—trees trimmed, carts half‑filled—and a little serendipity: Sidewalk Surfer, the skate shop Nora grew up admiring, just landed on a NY Times national “best stores” list. From there we steer into language shaping our timelines, decoding Oxford’s “rage bait,” the hype around “biohacking” and “aura farming,” and why Cambridge’s “parasocial” feels uncomfortably familiar. The words aren’t just trends; they’re a map to how we prod, posture, and sometimes get pulled into scams that exploit our need to belong.Food brings levity and nostalgia. We laugh at the Cheez‑It crusted turkey leg on a bowl‑game menu and turn it into a practical kitchen win: oven‑baked Cheez‑It chicken tenders with panko crunch, kid‑approved and weeknight‑friendly. It’s a reminder that December rewards low‑lift comfort, especially when schedules run hot and daylight runs short. Then snow takes the mic. We admit we love the first clean blanket and the all‑clear of a true snow day, even if driving is dicey and parking lots become slush quarries. Along the way we trade memorable stats—from Mount Baker’s jaw‑dropping totals to Chicago’s legendary 1967 blizzard—and talk about staying safe, staying sane, and letting the weather give us permission to slow down.The heart of this conversation lives in small rituals: carols on repeat, hot chocolate under winter lights, kids asking Santa for sweaters, and a seven‑year‑old’s band called The Hot Coco debuting an outrageously catchy track named “Reconciliation.” These moments don’t erase the chaos; they anchor it. If you’ve been craving a pause, a laugh, and a nudge to choose warmth over noise, you’re in the right place. Listen, share with a friend who needs a snow‑day vibe, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show.Mike Haggerty Buick GMCRight on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Our Topic was Skating...but our Brains Had Other Ideas

Send us a textThe first big snow didn’t drift in; it dropped like a hammer. We swap white‑knuckle drives and holiday detours, laugh about leaves buried under ice. Then curiosity takes over: a Japanese “human washing machine” promises micro-bubble bliss, London falls for Trader Joe’s totes, and a beauty headline reignites the parasite cleanse debate. A canned sparkling “Proscato” becomes our most honest taste test yet—more kid champagne than prosecco—and somehow the gateway to better bubbles, French 75s, and the idea that tiny, low‑stakes experiments can rescue a dark afternoon. From there we glide into skating: roller rinks in unfinished basements, first crushes with wallet chains and Stüssy, and the jump from rollerblades to ice. We dig into the history, from bone blades on frozen lakes to the Dutch metal revolution, and why hockey is double talent—edge control plus puck sense—in a sport that rewards grit and grace.The emotional center lands with our highs and lows: the churn of family life, the longing for even ground, and a blissful surprise spa night with hot pools, cold plunges, and one unforgettable massage miscommunication. It’s a winter survival guide disguised as a hang with friends—part science, part nostalgia, and a lot of heart. If you’ve ever tried to keep a house feeling like Christmas while the snow stacks and schedules wobble, this one’s for you.If you smiled, learned something, or felt seen, tap follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review. Your notes shape the show and keep this cozy corner of the internet warm.Mike Haggerty Buick GMCRight on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Talking turkey...and bears and backs

Send us a textA bear behind a dollar store counter isn’t how most holiday chats begin, but that’s where ours goes—straight into the absurd, the timely, and the surprisingly useful. We start with a lightning round of cultural curiosities: a 17-year-old who turned cozy hoodies and dreamy unboxing into a booming brand, the mystery of National “Have a Bad Day” Day, and the Midwest-made story of Sweetest Day. Then we poke at Heinz’s “leftover gravy,” asking whether it’s a real condiment or just a novelty container dressed in nostalgia.From there, we pull the chair closer to the table and carve into turkey. We explore how turkey became the Thanksgiving centerpiece—from Sarah Josepha Hale’s relentless advocacy to the practicality that made the bird a staple—and why so many of us love a thin-shaved turkey sandwich yet shrug at the holiday roast. We share smart planning tips to cut food waste, talk stuffing without the sage wars, and lay out the case for spatchcocking: a faster, flatter, crispier path to juicy meat that any butcher can prep. For a dose of wonder, we add wild turkey facts—25 mph sprints, short bursts of flight, color-changing heads—and a simple Mylar trick to keep them away from your porch.Hosting this season? We offer clear, kind scripts that nudge RSVPs without nagging and set firm boundaries without sending a Venmo request for pastries. We untangle the “Nona” décor trend and land on a warmer idea: curate what actually sparks joy, skip the rest, and protect your peace. We close with real life—back twinges from hair-whipping and yard work, a street finally repaved, and a kid’s birthday dinner that turns into pure laughter with older friends and no screens. That’s the point of the season: fewer perfect moments, more true ones.If this conversation made you smile, think, or rethink your turkey plan, hit follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us: spatchcock, classic roast, or team sides all the way?