Memphis Bridges: September 2025

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Talking About it Tuesdays ~ September 30, 2025

Hi there! Today, Jenn and I are talking about some more talking points from the book, Burn After Writing. It has been fun for our Tuesday prompts!

If I could have a conversation today with one person from history, it would be:

I am choosing a group of people, my grandparents.

One of my grandfathers died when I was 1 year old. The other died when I was a sophomore in college. He was my hero and still one the best men I have ever known. I would give just about anything for a hug from my Pop.

My life quote:

I often say to quote the airlines, "Put on your own oxygen mask first." I think there is some wisdom here to take care of yourself so you can help take care of those around you.

The one relationship you would like to fix is:

Whoa, this one would be my former spouse. If this was asked a few years ago, I would have said the same answer, but would have hoped from a different outcome than I think about now.

My autobiography would be called:

It's Not Your Fault

Things that make me happy/favorite "little things" in life:

(In no particular order)

Playing cards with my daughters

My greats

A good night's sleep

A good meal

Frozen yogurt with a friend

Kayaking

Seeing fall colors

Good music, bonus if it is live

Laughter with a friend

Traveling

Sunsets

Hugs

Paycheck

Things that make me laugh:

Friends, especially laughter with Jenn!

My daughters are both so funny in their unique ways.

My cute little greats :)

All the reels my friends send each day!

If I could give one thing to one person it would be:

Going with the first thing that comes to mind, is I would take my dad on a trip to New York City. My dad has been to NYC many times. I have been to NYC many times. We have been at least 4 or 5 times probably together. He is such a caregiver to my mom and he has taken such good care of me these past few years. I would love to treat him finally to a trip and take him to all the broadway plays, which is his favorite thing to do in the city.

I secretly envy:

This is suppose to be a secret, but I would say skinny people. I mean, not really true envy, but I do often wish I had a different build/metabolism & have always wished to be thinner.

If I could be anywhere in the world right now:

On a cruise or a road trip with someone I love...side note, next year I am doing this. My girls and I are going on a cruise! These pictures are from our last cruise in 2022.

My greatest fear:

Another person being around my kids and grandkids & I will leave it at that for now. There is lots of context that I won't explain here on the blog.

If I could be a fly on the wall:

I thought about this for a hot second thinking where I would want to be to see what people were thinking or saying about me. But then, I thought, I don't really want that and remembered the wise words of Mel Robbins, author of the Let Them theory:

This seems like a good place to end the blog. Let them and let me.

Have a good day!

Monday, September 29, 2025

Hello Monday ~ September 29, 2025

Hi. My weekend was somewhat low key, but good. How was yours?

My Friday morning started rough with a visitor, but I moved on with my day determined to still make the best of it. I worked that morning and took a drive in the afternoon to look at some apartment complexes. Afterwards, I stopped by Jenn's house for about an hour for a visit. It was a nice way to start the weekend! I went grocery shopping and came home and made sausage balls while listening to music. It was a quiet, but good Friday night. I enjoyed being in my kitchen and lit my new fall candle!

Saturday morning, I had college football playing and 2 couples from church came over to help me with some house projects. I served strawberries and sausage balls as a mid morning snack. We had BBQ chicken nachos for lunch.

This was the before stone wall project...

This was the after! I am so grateful.

Jenn and Kendra came by for a short visit too. I was able to clean my garage and felt good getting some projects done. My list is getting shorter! I spent the afternoon cleaning up from the work.

That evening, Kendra and I went to Jenn's house. We sat around the fire pit with drinks and snacks and played on apps. Oh my, what a night.

Sunday was church, a few things at home, and then back to church for a dinner.

Somehow September has come and gone so quickly. October is starting out at a fast pace too.

Hope you enjoy your day!

Friday, September 26, 2025

Friday Favorites ~ September 26, 2025

Whoo, what a week! Happy Friday guys! I am jumping on here to round out the week with some favorites.

Monday, I worked then met a friend for lunch at Salad Station. It was her first time to go to my favorite place & she loves it now too!

The big highlight of the day and of my week is that I have a new great niece that was born Monday! I was able to go by the hospital and hold this little bundle of joy. I don't want to share pictures yet, but eventually I will. I like to give the parents a chance to post something first. If you are wondering, I now have 12 greats. My brother has 1 grandchild and my sister has 11 and another one on the way. She is just 3 1/2 years older than me :).

After work Tuesday, I picked up Jenn and took her to my hometown. She was able to meet my parents and I even rode her by my childhood home and the first home I purchased. We ate at Mexican restaurant and then went to the outlet center. It was a fun night!

I thought this was funny when I read it this week and can so relate!

Wednesday, I worked, got an oil change, and then got a hot stone massage! It was wonderful.

I also picked up this new lip liner. It is the Morphe brand that Jenn introduced me to this week.

Wednesday night, I went to bible study then hung out with friends afterwards.

Thursday was a long day of work and I served dinner to families at the hospital. It was a busy night, but good. I came home and watched the first episode of The Golden Bachelor. Did you watch?

Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Hodgepodge ~ September 24, 2025

It's fall hodgepodge time!

1. Fall officially rolls into the Northern Hemisphere on Monday (9/22)...what's your favorite thing about fall?

My favorite thing about fall is the cooler temperatures. Secondary things I love are warm drinks, fall colors, boots, sweatshirts, bonfires and pumpkin baked goods!

2. What's one thing on your real or proverbial autumn bucket list?

My bucket list for 2025 has been to keep surviving through all the seasons!

3. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and cranberries are some of the top fall foods. Which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Any on the list you don't eat? Which one have you had most recently?

Out of this list, I eat apples in their true form, but don't like baked apples. I love a pumpkin bread/muffins. I also enjoy sweet potatoes mashed or as fries. I like butternut squash, but rarely cook or eat it. Cranberries are only something I like mixed into a drink. I hope to do some baking with pumpkins soon. Here is one of my favorite recipes I have shared many times on the blog (hint - the magic ingredient is orange juice!):

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

4. 'Fall is proof that change is beautiful' is a popular sentiment. Would you agree or no? Elaborate.

I do believe change can be beautiful. It can also be hard, but getting rid of the things that don't bring you life are good to shed and then welcome life giving change. Of course, sometimes change isn't what we asked for, so we still have to adjust and try to look for the good in the change.

5. Is there a spot near you where people go to see the leaves change color? Will you try to leaf peep somewhere this fall? Lonely Planet lists the following ten places as the best for leaf peeping...of those listed which would you most like to visit?

Stowe, Vermont~Shenandoah National Park, Virginia~Columbia River Gorge, Oregon~Zion National Park, Utah~Tennessee/North Carolina border~West Virgina~Northwestern Wyoming~Wisconsin Northwoods~Northern Nevada~Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas

Of these areas, Arkansas is closest to me. My brother lives near Shenandoah National Park and loves that area. I have visited Zion National Park, but not in the fall. The TN/NC border is a beautiful area to see during the fall. If I could go visit one of these, I would choose Stowe, Vermont!