Jan17

“Your armpit needs to eat my toes.”

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Ilsa Rey

It’s been a while since I’ve heard a great #OnlyInJiuJitsu line, and that one certainly qualifies. HRH was reminding me how to do a footlock, not remotely hiding her disbelief that I couldn’t remember.

It’s really depressing, though not surprising, how much I’ve forgotten. Feeling like a brand new student to Master Cycle rather than a bonafide kick butt warrior blue belt* like I once was, is a bummer. *Quiet, HRH. It’s how I felt, okay!?!

When I woke up Saturday morning for the 8:30 class and noted that HRH had messaged me at 12:03 am, I was concerned that she wouldn’t be making it to class with me. Sure enough, she had no babysitter. I would have to brave the boys class solo.

When it was time to partner up that morning, I hung back, letting the dudes do their duding. Instructor, being conscientious of the situation, paired me with Crockett. I was relieved. I did at least know him from before I left, though he was still in the class below mine then. Otherwise, partnering for the first time with a stranger is always a little awkward. Remember that Li’l Trejo incident?

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Jan13

The good, the bad, the writing

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Ilsa Rey

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I know. I know. Writing’s not as much fun as Jiu-Jitsu, but this is important, not to mention half my blog’s name.

My mom is friends with a librarian in charge of ordering new books, so she sent her a copy of mine for consideration. I believe the woman has been a librarian for decades. Therefore, her feedback, which was great to “uh-oh”, is valuable.

Here’s what she said, the great part:

Wish I Was Here is fantastic! I loved the story and pacing and characters! Love Ilsa’s style! An absolutely thrilling, suspenseful, engaging novel!

I read it in two nights. Loved every vowel, every syllable. My only complaint is it kept me up past my bedtime!

We cannot let this title go unnoticed. Two thumbs up, five stars, and fireworks! I’ve not been this excited about a teen book for quite some time!

Not bad, right? Now the uh-oh part:

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Jan7

About my first class back

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Ilsa Rey

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Going back to New Year’s Eve when the decision was made for me to return to Jiu-Jitsu, Hubby said, “I hope you’ll be able to sleep tonight.” I laughed.

But he was right.

It was the same the next night, too. The night after that was the one before my first class. I drugged myself, and Hubby volunteered to sleep on the couch to give me the best chance at restful sleep.

What a guy!

When I woke up for the 8:30 class, coffee and some leftover Christmas limoncello Panettone were ready for me. (Again, what a guy!)

Eyes baggy and looking like a trash can that had been knocked over, rained on overnight, and even passed over by a hungry raccoon, I was on my way!

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Jan3

I’m back, baby!

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Ilsa Rey

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One of the first things Janis at Retirementally Challenged said to me when we finally met up (we’re in the same county for goodness sake!) was, “Why have you lost your blogging mojo?”

Janis and me at a Chili’s halfway between us.

Funny she should ask. On the drive down, Hubby and I had been discussing the issue: namely, I was ashamed to admit that I hadn’t returned to Jiu-Jitsu after breaking my foot in May. How could I tell you all? How would I explain? Did I really want to publicly admit the dream was over?

It didn’t help that Andrea commented on one of my posts, essentially, “Yeah, yeah, great about the book stuff, but where are the Jiu-Jitsu stories?!” I’m paraphrasing slightly.

I also felt guilt-ridden when I came across Jacqui’s comment about me to someone else on her blog:

You see I couldn’t take that lying down.

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Dec21

So much catching up to do

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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You may have noticed I’ve lost my blogging mojo. I’ve had stories to share with you since June when we took a family road trip to Colorado.

I’ll spare you the details and just show pictures. (Sorry, Booky, but at least there are captions for you to read.)

We stayed at Airbnbs of varying degrees of “nice place” to “a serial killer lived here.”

This was one of the good ones:

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Dec6

If you’ve ever wondered what my voice sounds like…

Posted on December 6, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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If you’ve ever wondered what my voice sounds like…

Wynne and Vicki at Heart of the Matter kindly invited me on their podcast to talk about Wish I Was Here and its long, winding road to publication.

Before we started recording, Vicki told me she was upstairs reading, got to the end of chapter nine, and yelled, “Shut up!”

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Nov3

Feeling hoppy

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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Here’s something I haven’t done in a while: post on my blog!

But, for a change of pace, I’ve hopped onto someone else’s blog for a (very) mini book tour. I’m used to hosting others, so this is fun and different.

Jacqui Murray, one of my oldest and closest blog friends, kindly wrote about my debut novel, Wish I Was Here, on her blog.

So, I wish you were there. Go check it out: Ilsa Rey’s Newest Book.

Oh, but wait! Wait! One second! While I have you here, and since I haven’t updated you all in FOR-evah, just one quick thing to show you:

I finished Book 2 (some time ago actually. Ahem. Sorry.) and turned it in to the publisher.

Now we wait for their judgment.

P.S. I didn’t turn it in with “The end, baby!!!” I added that just for you, took a screenshot, then deleted it. 🙂

Sorry, no trivia. Go read Jacqui’s post then come back here if you want an autographed copy mailed to you in time for Christmas.

Oct5

This is why I’ll never make it as an author

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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This is why I’ll never make it as an author

Here’s what happened.

Friday night was the school’s football homecoming game. Usually Hubby takes the kids, and I chill at home alone, blissfully. Ah, introversion. I was also super tired, so a low-key quiet night sounded great.

But, I wrote this book…

Apparently it’s harder to sell books if you don’t talk to people???

The funny, talented, and inspirational Cheryl said she keeps a box of books in her trunk (can do), and then SELLS them to people. (Wait, wut?) She even stops at garage sales and gets the sellers–sellers!–to buy her book!

Cheryl’s book. I bought it without her asking me to. That’s how good she is.

That’s next level salesmanship. I could never.

But, I chugged some caffeine, put a box of books in the trunk of the family van, and the six of us hauled off to the game. I ambitiously put four books in my purse with Hubby saying he could run back to the van if I needed more.

HAHAHAHA!

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Sep28

About that launch party…

Posted on September 28, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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Allow me to take you back in time several weeks. Hop aboard.

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Sep11

At the DMV again

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Ilsa Rey

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Allow me to take you back in time two weeks to my daughter’s and my lovely visit, as they all are, to the DMV. (In case you’re new here, I get a little sarcasticy. I also make up words.)

Daughter’s driving test appointment was at 1:00. We got there around 12:30 and were able to check in right away, but there was a long line of testers ahead of us. We waited on the floor inside for quite a while. Finally, we joined a long line of cars waiting outside. It was 85 degrees, so we kept the van running with the A/C on for who knows how long? An hour? Time has no meaning in those situations.

Also with us was my 8-year-old son, missing school because he hadn’t been feeling well. Like all boys his age, he was quite placid, sitting patiently in the backseat, tapping his knees, humming pleasantly. (Sarcasticy again.)

I turned on the radio to try to calm him. He used the opportunity to “sing along” by saying, “I’m booooreeeeddd” repeatedly in time to the tune. Great stuff! (Yep. You’re getting it now. Sarcasm.)

Finally, it was Daughter’s turn for the drive test with “David,” if that’s even his REAL NAME, so Son and I “relaxed” on an outdoor bench in the shade.

Another mom whose daughter was in line behind us eventually joined us.