Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

A small Southern town.

An ordinary Saturday night.

A little boy disappears without a trace…

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marybethwhalen

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Nov 9

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File this under things you do when you’re waiting on your husband: A quick Saturday planner flip for those who like this sort of thing. I’ve got five inserts in here— four on the elastics and one slid into the back pocket. There’s one for scratch notes, one for monthly/forward planning, one for weekly, and one for daily, plus a more permanent list book for reference. This system is one I always use, no matter what the size. But right now I’m finding that this little passport is perfection. 😍 (Shops are tagged if you’d like more info.)
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#planning #plannergirl #passportplanner #makingplans #plannercommunity #iykyk #whatstheplan #amwriting #amplanning

marybethwhalen

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Oct 21

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Today is Back to the Future Day— the day that Marty McFly ventured ahead to October 21, 2015– a day that sounded far into the future back in 1985. And now we are almost 10 years past that date!
There’s no better day to get a copy of my novel, Every Moment Since since the storyline revolves around the disappearance of a little boy whose hero was Marty McFly. Check out the link in my bio to find your favorite retailers and engage in a little time travel of your own. I hope you enjoy this story and thank you to those who’ve read it!
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#backtothefuture #backtothefutureday #backintime #thepoweroflove #everymomentsince #newnovel #shereads #southernfiction #mystery #bookstagram #nowreading #tbr

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Oct 11

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Today fall was in the air, so we took the long way home after two back to back book events in Charlotte and Davidson NC on Wednesday and Thursday nights. (Thanks to @parkroadbooksclt and @mainstreetbooksdavidson !) We stopped off in Monroe NC and pretended we were Gilmore Girls for a couple of hours. We can attest that downtown Monroe does give off some serious Stars Hollow vibes— and today was a perfect day to soak them up. The shops we visited are tagged in case you live close enough and want to plan your own fall visit.
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#fallfun #fallvibes #october2024 #momanddaughter #familyfun #monroenc #gilmoregirls #starshollow #scavengerhunt #itsthelittlethings #booktour #everymomentsince

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Sep 26

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I’ve been waiting to share these and today is the day! I cannot take credit for this brilliant idea— that goes to @belbeckabby— but these journaling cards are going to be so fun to share with those who come to my events in the coming weeks. This concept of contact information/journaling card just thrills my journaling and book-loving heart!
I hope you will come out and see me while I’m on book tour (dates and links are available on my site— link in bio) and grab your card to take home. I’m thinking of the bookstagrammers who will fill it out and share it here, and the planners who will add it to their planner, and the journalers who will tuck it in their journal. And of people like me who will do all three! 😊 Most of all I’m thinking of all of us who have found community here, and how cool it is to have another way to draw us together in our love of paper and pens… and words.
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#everymomentsince #thebooktide #newnovel #fallfiction #shereads #bookstagram #plannercommunity #journaling #amwriting #nowreading #southernfiction #bookjournal #pretty

marybethwhalen

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Sep 21

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Tomorrow might be the first day of fall but it’s still summer today.
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#endlesssummer #sunsetbeachnc #happyplace

marybethwhalen

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Sep 16

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Sharing an A6 travelers notebook I put together in advance of a busy fall season. I needed something easy to throw in my bag and A6 is a go-to size for me. It’s not tiny, but it’s still portable.
As promised I have tagged Odd Girl Journals and The Paper Starfish, so be sure to check them out. And if you want to get yourself a Hobonichi A6 Techo for 2025 I can recommend Jet Pens as a reliable source. I will tag them as well. Planning and journaling is a hobby for me so don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. It’s one of my favorite subjects to talk about— right along with books and writing!
NOTE: I said the spring edition goes through May— the calendar does. The dailies only go through March.
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#plannergirl #stationerynerd #a6planner
#hobonichitechoa6 #hobonichicousin #dailyplanning #weeklyplanning #monthlyplanner #takenotes #journaling #amwriting #authorsofinstagram

marybethwhalen

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Sep 13

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Sharing this event schedule with you guys in hopes that, if I’m going to be anywhere near you, you’ll come see me. Consider this post your invitation! If you’re interested in an event I’d recommend contacting the store listed for more information (I have tagged the venues if possible) or you can dm me and I will try to answer any questions you may have. This book has been the book of my heart for the past four years. So I’m excited to share my heart with you this fall!
(ONE DATE CORRECTION: Pacolet Library is on October 29, not October 1!)
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#booktour #bookevent #comeseeme #october #november #fallfun #fallbooks #southernfiction #suspense #familydrama #literarymystery #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #youreinvited

marybethwhalen

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Aug 31

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August you were a full, fun month with a transition to being empty nesters after 32 years of having a kid at home, a gorgeous moonrise with friends, getting to hang out with an Olympic medalist, beach days, marking 33 years of being married, celebrating our oldest and youngest’s birthdays,and marking one year of Cameron being here, which was, of course, the most important of all!
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#momofmany #familylife #amwriting #plannercommunity #sunsetbeach #coastalliving

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Aug 29

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It’s astonishing how fast this little cutie turned into a college beauty. Happy birthday to the youngest Whalen. We are so glad you completed our family 19 years ago today.
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#momlife #momofmany #timeflies #birthdaywishes #celebration

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Aug 2

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I’ve been meaning to do a monthly recap at the end of each month every month this year. Figures it would take me half a year to finally get to it.
So, here’s July in a nutshell— a fun, fast, full month filled with family and friends. (I know— that’s a lot of alliteration. But it’s true.) From a weekend with the world’s cutest baby to a retreat with writing friends to IT shutdowns leading to too many hours spent in the Atlanta airport to a fun weekend with friends at Lake Burton GA— and all the little highs and lows in between— July was chapter 7 of a story called 2024.

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Jul 9

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I was totally influenced and I have no regrets! 😁 Very happy with my Day Designer pocket planner from Target and thankful to @iheart2plan @planningbasics @katiekplans @amberwood19 and @paperloveplan for enticing me with your lovely setups.
This planner is going to be perfect during a busy season of my life when simple and portable is the name of the game. If you have any questions about what I shared you can DM me, or ask a question in the comments. And let me know if you’re using one too— I’d love to see it in action.
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#daydesigner #daydesignerplanner #planning #plannercommunity #planneraddict #academicplanner #targetfinds #pocketplanner #cuteness

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Jul 2

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My time at the 2024 American Library Association Conference was fast and fun-filled! I got to have the first official signing of my upcoming novel Every Moment Since, speak on a panel with talented authors, and spend time with some of the team and authors from Harper Muse. Plus eat yummy food, meet librarians, readers, and teachers, and visit San Diego. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!
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#everymomentsince #newnovel #southernfiction #familydrama #literarymystery #whathappenedtodavy #americanlibraryassociation #fortheloveofbooks #readers #shereads #thebooktide

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Jun 5

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It’s not every day that you launch the last of six kids. I keep expecting to feel sad, but mostly what I feel is grateful. Grateful for these people we ushered through childhood and launched into adulthood. Grateful for the memories and laughter and even the hard times. Grateful that, while one phase is ending, another phase lies ahead. It’s the end of an era— but if I’ve learned anything about motherhood, my job is far from over. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

marybethwhalen

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May 17

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Want to know what the book is about? I hope you do— and I hope you’ll decide you want to read it. Here’s a summary:

Everyone in Wynotte, North Carolina, knows the name Davy Malcor. Knows the video clip of him juggling four balls, “All at the very same time!” Knows the Marty McFly jacket his mother made for his birthday that he wore proudly, and often. But no one knows what happened to him the night he went missing more than twenty years ago.
When the jacket is unexpectedly uncovered, the cold case reopens, and Davy’s family is thrust into yet another media storm. But at the heart of the story are four people forever changed by one single night: Thaddeus Malcor, Davy’s older brother, created the life of his dreams by writing a bestselling memoir about his family’s experience and is enjoying success and notoriety as a result, even if the memoir doesn’t quite reveal the whole story. Tabitha Malcor, his mother, is divorced and living alone, advocating for victims’ rights and faithfully cataloging her regrets each week, never including her biggest regret of all. Anissa Weaver was just a kid herself when Davy went missing, and her connection to him is one she cannot reveal as she serves as the Malcor family’s Public Information Officer. And, long suspected in Davy’s disappearance, Gordon Swift has kept his head down and scraped together a decent life. But the new attention to the case makes it impossible to hide from the public, and the past.
With hauntingly vivid prose, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen peels back the curtain on the inner turmoil of those who were left behind in the small Southern community as they pick up the pieces that remain and press forward into the light to find hope and healing.
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#newnovel #southernfiction #familydrama #womensfiction #thebooktide #shereads #comingsoon

marybethwhalen

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May 12

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May is a month I look forward to all year. Not only is it the last month of school (in many places) and the official kick off of the summer season (my favorite!) but it’s also the month of Mother’s Day and my birthday, which means my family is forced to acknowledge my valuable contribution not just once, but two times. 😁

This month has already been extra special because it’s the first May with this little girl being part of the celebration. Thank you, Cameron, for being here to make all our celebrations shine brighter. (And thank you to my husband Curt for capturing this moment by the fire last night.)

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
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#mothersday #grateful #family #grandbaby #goodthingsinlife #countingmyblessings #may #itsgonnabemay

marybethwhalen

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May 8

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So excited to share my cover reveal with you all today! EVERY MOMENT SINCE is out 10/1/24 and is available for preorder now. Link in bio and feel free to share with all your reading friends 😍!!

Description:

A small Southern town. An ordinary Saturday night. A little boy disappears without a trace.
Everyone in Wynotte, North Carolina, knows the name Davy Malcor. Knows the video clip of him juggling four balls, “All at the very same time!” Knows the Marty McFly jacket his mother made for his birthday that he wore proudly, and often. But no one knows what happened to him the night he went missing more than twenty years ago.
When the jacket is unexpectedly uncovered, the cold case reopens, and Davy’s family is thrust into yet another media storm. But at the heart of the story are four people forever changed by one single night: Thaddeus Malcor, Davy’s older brother, created the life of his dreams by writing a bestselling memoir about his family’s experience and is enjoying success and notoriety as a result, even if the memoir doesn’t quite reveal the whole story. Tabitha Malcor, his mother, is divorced and living alone, advocating for victims’ rights and faithfully cataloging her regrets each week, never including her biggest regret of all. Anissa Weaver was just a kid herself when Davy went missing, and her connection to him is one she cannot reveal as she serves as the Malcor family’s Public Information Officer. And, long suspected in Davy’s disappearance, Gordon Swift has kept his head down and scraped together a decent life. But the new attention to the case makes it impossible to hide from the public, and the past.
With hauntingly vivid prose, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen peels back the curtain on the inner turmoil of those who were left behind in the small Southern community as they pick up the pieces that remain and press forward into the light to find hope and healing.
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#womensfiction #newnovel #southernfiction #read #thebooktide #shereads #preorder #coverreveal #ncauthor #

marybethwhalen

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Apr 27

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I got an offer to travel down to Beaufort, SC to see one of my all-time favorite movies at the home where it was filmed and I couldn’t say yes fast enough! After touring the amazing home and enjoying some fun drinks and food (while listening to the best soundtrack ever), we all settled in to watch The Big Chill on the same lawn where they played football in the movie.

There are some moments you must settle into, lest you overlook how much they mean. Last night was one of them. Thank you @friendsofcarolinehospice @tidalholm and @jennifertuckwiller for a truly memorable night. And thank you to the cast and crew of The Big Chill for making a movie that never gets old.
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#thebigchill #beaufortsc #tidalholm #goodfriendsgoodtimes #whatanight

marybethwhalen

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Mar 18

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This was the last picture I took of you before you got sick. Looking back, I’m not sure why I snapped it. It was such an ordinary moment— you and I hanging out in our usual spots, doing our usual thing. Nothing significant was happening, yet now I treasure this ordinary moment for the very fact of its ordinariness. It is precious because I’ll never get it back.

We didn’t know it at the time but you were probably sick then. You didn’t show it, though. You hung by my side, always faithful, always there. Because you were a good dog. The best dog.

You were little, but you’ve left a big hole in your absence. A hole that’ll never be filled because you are irreplaceable. Goodbye my little friend, my mostly companion. Salem, you will be forever missed.

marybethwhalen

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Jan 25

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I’ve been sitting on this news for quite some time, waiting for it to be official. And it finally is— which means I get to share it with you!! I am thrilled to announce that my tenth novel, EVERY MOMENT SINCE, will be out this fall. This novel was years in the making and I can’t wait to share it with past and future readers. Thanks to my agent @arielestewart and my editor @laura.l.wheeler for making this dream a reality!

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Jan 3

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marybethwhalen

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Jan 1

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I read 75 books in 2023. Most were, admittedly, fiction. But these were the standout nonfiction titles of the year. They fascinated me, or kept me turning pages, or made me smile— or all three. What’s a nonfiction title you think I should have on my 2024 list? I’d love to know!

marybethwhalen

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Jan 1

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These are my ten favorite novels of 2023. (I shared my five favorite nonfiction titles in another reel.) These books made me stay up late, made me think long after the last page was turned, made me feel.
If you’ve shared your favorites of the year, please let me know. I don’t *need* to add more books to my TBR, but I will anyway.

marybethwhalen

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Nov 20

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The other night my friend @tilowe and I ran into these ladies. They made their way to their table at Oliver’s Restaurant in Southport NC proudly decked out as Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company, turning heads as they did, clearly living their best lives. I had to get a photo with them because @tracigkeel and I have a running joke about adopting the caftan life, and our hopes of one day retiring to go “Full Roper.”

I’ve thought a lot about them since I ran into them— thinking about how much fun they were having, how much joy was in the air around them. They didn’t wait to go “Full Roper” for “someday”— they carpe diemed the Roper life, even if just for a night. I think there’s a message in there for all of us. We might not all want to don mu’umu’mus (and yes I did look up that spelling!) and wigs and bar hop in a limo (which they did!) but we can all do that fun or zany thing we’ve been wanting to do, maybe not all the time. But maybe just for one night.

(PS: The #mrsroperbarcrawl is a thing— please leave a comment if you’ve seen it or done it or know someone who has!)

#mrsroper #threescompany #liveyourbestlife #doyou #fullroper #southportnc #writingretreat #oliversrestaurant

marybethwhalen

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Sep 20

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marybethwhalen

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Aug 14

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One week ago today I met someone very special. No offense to the future children my children give birth to, but this little girl will always be special. Because she’s the first child one of my children gave birth to. This weekend I got the unexpected chance to spend some one on one time with her. We had some long chats. I promised her lots of things. Things I hope time and circumstance will cooperate with me on because I intend to keep those promises. Most of all I told her how loved she is by so many people, and how blessed we all are that she’s joined us. Welcome, Cameron. Your Embee is so glad you’re here. 💕

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Feb 23

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I went to an Ash Wednesday labyrinth walk today. I’d never done something like that before and I had no idea what to expect. I invited a friend to go with me because the unknown is always better with a friend. But when I sent her the info about it she said, “I have no idea what this is.” To which I replied, “Neither do I. But I’m going to go find out.” (I mean it was being held at a large local church. How dangerous could it be?) So I went by myself.
I wandered through the labyrinth to the center, reading the little handout they provided as I walked, holding a rock they also provided. The rock was to symbolize anything we came in carrying. And I mean, y’all. It’s 2023. We are all carrying something. So I helped myself to a rock. (I considered grabbing several but felt that I should leave some for other people.)
When I got to the center of the labyrinth I laid my rock down on a paper that said GRACE. And I stood and said a prayer, there, on this first day of Lent. And then, here’s the best part— as I walked out of the center, I went out a different way than I came in. The metaphor wasn’t lost on me.
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#labyrinthwalk #ashwednesday #lentbegins #doitanyway #grace #thenext40days

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Feb 15

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This past weekend I had the privilege of spending the day with some wonderful writers at the gorgeous @dreadriverco distillery. We toured, we sampled, we ate, and we talked. Some of us even wrote, which is what we were *supposed* to be doing. But it’s hard to focus when surrounded by new and old writing friends. I’m so grateful for this place, these women, and this experience. A special thank you to @dugasmd1 for making this happen, and to all the writers who went along with this crazy idea (all tagged here). I hope you’re glad you did.

marybethwhalen

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Feb 15

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He likes red, I like white
He drinks coffee, I drink tea
He gets the Caesar salad, I get the garden
He’s left brain, I’m right
He’s thinking, I’m feeling (Myers Briggs)
He’s a morning person, I’m… not
And yet, 32 years in, Happy Valentines Day.
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#valentinesday #myvalentine

marybethwhalen

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Jan 26

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I’m bound and determined to make reading more of a priority this year and stop letting mindless social media steal my time. There’s just so many great books I’m missing out on if I don’t! This is a glimpse of my most anticipated novels of 2023. (Rest assured, I do have more, there just wasn’t room in the frame…And thank you @netgalley and the gracious publishers who provided these early copies!)
So, tell me, what’s missing from this list? What’s your most anticipated book of 2023? How are you making reading a priority, if you are? I’d love to know!
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#readmorebooks #amreading #mostanticipatedbooks #professionalreader #readinglife #2023releases

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Dec 31

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Tonight we celebrate another year around the sun. When I took this photo this week I was struck by how perfectly it captures my feelings as we close out the year: the light wanes, yet shines on the path ahead.
I’m ready for tonight, ready to leave 2022 behind and move forward. Dear 2023, we pray you arrive with your pockets filled with love and joy and hope and unity and kindness and wonder and peace. Yes. All of that.
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#happynewyear #goodbye2022 #2023 #newyearseve #sunset #newyearreflections #anotheryeararoundthesun #wondrous

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Dec 30

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My favorite books of 2022:
2 memoirs (both of which I listened to, which I highly recommend), 3 novels, which I chose for the beautiful writing, and the way they made me feel while reading. And the series that I have to say saved my reading year for 2022 and made me remember how much there is to love about books— the wit! The intrigue! The characters! I just love Ibrahim, Ron, Elizabeth, and, of course, Joyce.
If you post the “best of” for your reading year, let me know— or leave your favorites in the comments. I love to see what stood out to others.

marybethwhalen

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Jun 8

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When I was five years old, I was in a commercial for Leggs pantyhose. In it I am a little girl playing dress up who interrupts her mother’s visit with a friend to show her that “I have wrinkly pantyhose too just like yours.” The mother is, of course, mortified. No one wants to have their wrinkly pantyhose pointed out.

Here’s what I remember: My parents let me pick out any gift I wanted in honor of my television debut. I chose John Denver’s Greatest Hits 8 track. Our local paper, The Charlotte Observer, came out and interviewed me because at the time a lot of national tv commercials were being made in Charlotte. Also, once it came on during The Love Boat and I got to stay up and watch it. These were heady times.

Anyway, it ended up running for years and years. (The concern about wrinkly pantyhose continued for quite some time apparently.) But all I had to show for it was a grainy VHS tape and some still photos my parents took by holding the camera right up to the television and clicking away, giving new meaning to the term “screenshot.”

Periodically I would search You Tube just to see if by some miracle someone had posted it. And late last night, lo and behold, I found it! I’m still giddy over this unexpected gift, a 35 second time capsule I never thought I’d see again.

Huge thanks to Bionic Disco on You Tube for posting this lost piece of my own history. And if you’d like to see it, it’s linked on my Linktree in my bio. 😁
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#leggspantyhose #1970s #1970scommercials #commercials #advertising #childactor #charlotteobserver #theloveboat #youtube #bionicdisco #memories

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Feb 7

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This weekend I told some old friends the story of how, when I turned 30, I was holding my fourth child on my lap as I blew out the candles on my cake thinking “I’ve got exactly what I wanted— four kids before I turn 30, 2 boys, 2 girls. Life has turned out just the way I wanted.”
(Let’s all just take a moment and reflect on how cute she was, that naive, yet earnest, girl I used to be. Bless.)
Today I had lunch with these two, the ones who came after those four, the ones who, had life gone according to the way I planned it, I’d have missed out on.
Do I post this to challenge others to have more kids? Not at all. (Y’all, six kids is HARD. I’ll be the first to admit it… ok maybe not the first.)
I post this just to say that our plans might sound good to us, but they aren’t always what’s best for us. Every time I see these faces, I have a reminder that life— even when it doesn’t go according to our well-devised plans— has a way of working out exactly the way it always should’ve been. When times get hard this is what I hold onto. I hope you will, too.
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#momofmany #largefamily #thisisus #lovemykids #momlife #bestlaidplans #plannermama #livingproof #itworksout #italwaysworksout

marybethwhalen

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Jan 7

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This is my planner stack for 2022. I just used way too many dots explaining it all in my stories. It’s also saved to my highlights. So, for any of you who are into planning, time management, or are just curious about people who are, feel free to watch. And don’t hesitate to DM me with questions if you have them. I love to talk all things planning. It’s sort of a sickness.
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#2022plans #plannersystem #daydesigner #websterspages #a6stalogy #moleskinepocket #weeklyplanning #dailyplanning #rapidlogging #bulletjournal #bujo #oliclip #blueskyplanners #moleskineexpanded #timeblocking

marybethwhalen

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Dec 23

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Sending greetings from our little corner of the world, to yours. Wishing you much love, peace, and joy these next few days. Even when these things aren’t readily apparent, I hope we all dig till we find the best parts of what this season is meant to be. The effort, I’m learning, is usually worth it.
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#merrymerry #gratefulforgrace #christmastime #peacelovejoy #luke2 #familytime #sunsetbeachnc #coastalcarolina #kindredspiritmailbox

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Dec 8

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A few years ago I wrote a novel called The Bridge Tender that was based around the decision to move this swing bridge in order to make way for a more accessible bridge for Sunset Beach NC. Though the bridge was beloved by many, progress eventually beat out sentiment and the little bridge was retired from its decades of service.
The plan was to simply tow it away since it was no longer needed. But some kind and thoughtful citizens of Sunset Beach knew this bridge was more than just a bridge— it was a symbol of what was once the only access to a very special place, a vestige of times gone by. So they rallied and saved it, moving it inland and creating a site where people can now tour it, attend community events, and reminisce.
Tonight I got to attend the Christmas tree lighting at the Old Bridge. Even better, I got to be part of the community that surrounds it. Sometimes you stand back in wonder at how life works out. Tonight was one of those times.
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#sunsetbeachnc #carolinacoastalliving #oldbridgepreservationsociety #treelighting #christmastime #smalltownlife #loveithere

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Nov 21

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Years ago @latshea and I attended the same church and people kept telling us we needed to meet each other. Each of us, separately and unknowingly, decided that we had enough friends and didn’t need to meet the other, thank you very much. Eventually our paths crossed and, lo and behold, we discovered those people knew what they were talking about— we did need to be friends, and we have been ever since. Since we don’t live in the same town anymore, we no longer get to see each other as much as we like. But last night we did, and we picked up right where we left off. Which is, by my estimation, the sign of a true friendship
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#goodfriendsgoodtimes #genesis #thelastdominotour #thankful #memories

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Nov 17

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Our daughter got married this weekend, officially becoming a stepmom to these three cuties, which means Curt and I became instant grandparents. It was important to all of us to make sure the kids saw that not only was their dad getting married, but they were becoming part of a big, loud, crazy family. So, ready or not, Booker kids, we are here for you, ready to be your Embee (a play on my nickname, MB, that my daughter came up with) and Pops, committed to be there for all that lies ahead. Welcome to the family.
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#family #wedding #grandparents #celebration #november #largefamilylife

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Nov 16

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I always wanted three girls. I just didn’t know I wanted these three particular girls. What fun it was to get dressed up and celebrate with them this weekend. What a privilege it is for all three of them to call me mom
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#momofgirls #momlife #lovemygirls #weddingweekend #sunsetbeachnc #family #soproud

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Nov 15

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I was drawn to this place from the minute we moved in— this little chapel that spoke of times gone by, and times to come. This weekend was one of those times, the culmination of dreams and plans and hopes distilled into one truly perfect November afternoon. But— and I think this is important to say— also a place, and time, where uncertainty met hope, where past surrendered to future. The older I get, the more I’m learning that’s the secret. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. I keep having to do it— I guess I need the practice
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#embee #seatrail #sunsetbeachnc #weddingweekend #mykidgotmarried #family

marybethwhalen

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Nov 4

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I’ve never seen a recipe for cooked apples like my mom’s. I don’t go to the trouble of making them very often, but I’m always glad I did, especially around the holidays. They’re not necessarily healthy… but they sure are good. They make a great side dish, or dessert! Let me know if you make them, ok?
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#fallfood #letseat #anappleaday #southernfood #justlikemoms #whatsfordinner

marybethwhalen

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Oct 9

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Anyone else think a dreary Saturday morning cozied up in bed with your books and journals is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures?
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#journaling #planners #travelersnotebook #retrowtures #sojournerusa #moleskine #hobonichi #chicsparrow #handstitchedleathert #alltheprettythings #penaddict

marybethwhalen

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Oct 1

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A new month. What will you fill it with? Making family memories, seeing friends or neighbors, establishing a new habit, finally pursuing that dream? The first day of a new month is when I like to think about all of these things, and get them down on paper so I can see them all month long
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#october #goalsetting #makeplans #smplans #a6stalogy #planner

marybethwhalen

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Sep 24

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marybethwhalen

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Aug 16

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This morning I spontaneously decided to take a break from social media. I think it’ll be a week, but I might like it so much I extend it. The news and opinions are just too much sometimes and I’m increasingly aware that maybe we just aren’t supposed to know all that we know as much as we do? Like maybe our brains, hearts, and bodies aren’t designed for this? I just know I need to do something else— like journal and read and listen to music and talk to friends and go for walks and prepare our remaining kid at home to go back to school. Take care of yourselves and I’ll see y’all soon(ish).

marybethwhalen

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Aug 9

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Took a walk today. Saw some turtles. Questioned my own sanity for walking at the hottest part of the day. Persevered. Listened to my audiobook, which made the walk more bearable. How has your Monday been?
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#mondaymotivation #turtles #goforawalk #itshot #august #summertime #sunsetbeachnc

marybethwhalen

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Jul 3

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Here’s to returning home after a week well spent and writing goals met. Here’s to words and movies and writer friends. Here’s to excellent hosts and long beach walks and remembering our why. And, always, here’s to laughter, no matter what happens
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#writingretreat #writerfriends #amwriting #writersofinstagram #newsmyrnabeach #florida #goodfriendsgoodtimes #makingmemories

marybethwhalen

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Jun 20

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Got to spend Father’s Day with four of our six kids today. Missed @ashleighewhalen and @mattwhalen3 but appreciated family time with a good lunch and beautiful views since Tropical Storm Claudette held off
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#tropicalstormclaudette #wilmingtonnc #marinagrill #fathersday #firstdayofsummer #familytime

marybethwhalen

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Jun 14

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I left my house yesterday for a few nights away to work on my writing. I thought I’d let Jack explain why
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#writersofinstagram #amwriting #diywritersretreat #writersretreat #jacknicholson #theshining #allworkandnoplaymakesjackadullboy

marybethwhalen

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Jun 11

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In the 80s I discovered two loves— Sunset Beach, NC and the show Moonlighting. Fitting that I got to take this new book by my friend Scott Ryan to Sunset Beach to read today. The more things change, the more they stay the same. (Congrats Scott—Go to @fayettevillemafiapress for your copy!)
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#moonlightingbook #moonlightingtvshow #davidaddison #cybillshepherd #brucewillis #oralhistory #newbook #outnow

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