Hello Monday & Prime Purchases ~ September 2024

 Woo Hoo!  We made it to Monday and it is Prime Purchases recap from the month of September. This falls right in time for another round of Amazon Prime days coming again tomorrow.  Somehow, this doesn't seem like I had a lighter month of purchases.  I depend on Amazon too much apparently, but I am thankful for this convenience too.  Stay tuned at the end for the weekend recap.

Travel Jewelery Organizer

I bought a travel jewelry organizer a few years ago, but I have lost it some where along the way.  I found this one and think I like it even better.  It is compact and has the space for just what I need.

Flat Hair Clips

I liked the idea of having clips in my hair that are flat, however, I still struggle on how to wear any hair clip in a stylish way.  I think I need to watch some you tube videos, ha!

Stone Drying Mat

This was probably an extra purchase, but I really liked the look of this drying mat vs my other one.  This one is smaller, but it is working for me so far. 

IPhone Charging Cords

I feel like this item comes up at least every 6 months for me.

Cordless Table Lamp

I have eyed these for a while and got one half price on a sale.  I think these are such a handy invention!

Lounge Set

I posted a picture of me last week wearing this.  It is my new favorite outfit! I have noticed it goes on sale from tiem to time.

Long Sleeve Tunic Dress

This is my new dress for the fall.  I haven't worn it yet, but think I will enjoy wearing it with boots.

Makeup Brushes

I considered getting something to clean my old brushes, but I just got this affordable set of new brushes.  My old brushes needed to be thrown out and I will try to do a better job in cleaning these.

For the weekend re-cap........Friday afternoon, I went to John Mark's open house.  This is a popular store in Memphis that Sophie Hudson/Boo Mama mentioned as a favorite on a recent podcast episode. It inspired me to do some new decorating for Christmas.

 Friday night, Jennifer and I went to a music festival and I went back on Sunday night too.  Sunday, I met up with some friends from work and we listened to Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors perform.  It was really good.

They had a silent disco!

Saturday morning, I made breakfast, which felt good to do since I don't do a lot of cooking anymore. This was a tortilla with 2 eggs, some cottage cheese, and bacon.

I spent Saturday at home, got a few quotes on a new water heater, ba humbug, and moved a tv into my room.  That really inspired me to clean up while watching Saturday football and the Yankees win.  I still have a lot to go through in this room.

I have a new great nephew who was born Saturday!  He had some complications and is in the NICU, but should be able to come home this week.  I went by to see the parents Sunday afternoon and had a good visit with them.

Have a great Monday!

Friday Favorites ~ October 4, 2024

 Well, it is Friday and I am always glad for a weekend with a little more flexible schedule vs. the work week schedule.

I picked up these flowers Monday at the grocery store and they make me happy.

Monday evening, I had an impromptu visit with 4 of my greats.  I mean, it was the visit I didn't know I needed, but I got the sweetest hugs.  This was a huge favorite way to start my week.

Tuesday was a long day at work.  I stayed late to prepare for a Mahjong Mingle night we hosted at work.  I left in the evening to go to the book signing of Sophie Hudson and met Jennifer there. After the book signing, I went back to work until 9:30 that night.

A favorite on Wednesday was being able to pray on the phone with my oldest daughter who called to talk about some things going on in her life.  Later that night, my youngest called, so it is very rare to talk to both girls on the phone in the same day!

Thursday, I attended an event for women over 50 at my previous church & it was good to see ladies I don't see that often. 

I am hoping for a good weekend and hope you have one as well!

Share Your Shelf ~ October 3, 2024

 Happy Thursday!  I hope you will join up with Tanya, Joanne, Jennifer and myself for this month's Share Your Shelf.

Book One:

This book has mixed reveiws, but I liked it.  Here is the summary:

Molly Gray is a dedicated maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, where she finds immense joy in her job, particularly in returning messy rooms to a state of perfection. Her love for cleaning is palpable, and she takes pride in the well-stocked maid's trolley with all its cleaning supplies. However, Molly's passion for cleanliness doesn't translate into an understanding of social cues or the ability to navigate relationships.

Molly is considered odd by her co-workers, who don't share her enthusiasm for their work. Her closest friend, her grandmother, has passed away, leaving her feeling alone. Molly is also easily deceived by cunning individuals.

One day, when Molly enters the penthouse suite to clean, she discovers the most prestigious hotel guest, Mr. Black, has been murdered. Due to a series of comically unfortunate events, Molly becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigation, leading to a scandal that not only threatens the hotel's reputation but also her own livelihood.

Book Two:

I was able to meet Sophie, aka Boo Mama, Tuesday night at a book signing.  

Here is the book summary:

With relatable stories and disarming grace, popular podcaster and author Sophie Hudson cuts through the confusing, differing stances on Christian women in leadership and offers a resource that empowers women to embrace their roles as leaders. Drawing from the book of Exodus, and using her trademark humor, Sophie skillfully helps you

· identify the leadership traits you already possess

· serve with boldness inside and outside the church

· lead faithfully and consistently

This is your invitation to embrace leadership with confidence and to find joy in understanding how God sees you. Prepare to be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to embrace the truth that you are uniquely made to lead.

   In addition, I have listened to countless podcasts, which probably equal to more time than a book!

I hope you all have a great day!

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Hodgepodge/Currently ~ October 2, 2024

 I am joining up with Jennifer for October's monthly Currently series & with Joyce for this week's Hodgepodge.

I am currently......

Loving

I love all things huckleberry!  I am loving this jam from Glacier National Park to use on my sourdough bread.  I have also enjoyed this Huckleberry Moscato I purchased in Gatlingburg.  

I am also loving weather that is cooler and having plans most nights during the week.

Looking forward to

I am looking forward to my youngest daughter coming home this month for a weekend trip and we will celebrate her birthday!  And I am also looking forward to cooler weather continuing.

Wearing

I bought this comfortable outfit on Amazon and have worn it a few times.  It was a great road trip outfit and I also wore it to church last Sunday because I served in the nursery.  I needed a comfortable outfit that I could easily get up and down from the floor.  I usually wear a necklace with it, but didn't have it on in this picture.

Reading

I am not reading too much right now, but will be sharing that in tomorrow's post, Share Your Shelf. Come back and link up with us then!

Cooking

I am not cooking very much either these days, but somehow, eat plenty.  I eat a lot of bars and snacks these days.

But, I do plan on cooking taco soup, tomoato soup and chili this month.  I probably need temperatures to stay in the low 70's /upper 60's for the highs before I do that though.

1. Hey, it's October...what's one fun thing on your October calendar? 

As mentioned above, my daughter will be coming home one weekend from college! I don't have any huge plans on my October calendar.

2. Thursday is National Poetry Day (first Thursday in October)...do you like to read poetry? If so, what's a favorite poem, or whose poetry do you especially enjoy? 

I don't read too much poetry.  When I was in elementary school, I did keep a poem book of random things I wrote though.  Looking back, it wasn't too poetic at all!

3. Tell us about something you've seen recently that could be described as 'poetry in motion'. 

I went to visit my great nieces the other night.  It was after 7, which is late for me to stop by their house and they live 45 minutes away.  They were on the floor playing a game with their mom, my niece.  I just sat on the floor with them and joined in to watch.  The 4 year old looked at me and smiled and just gracefully walked over and sat right by me so she could be in my lap.  It was such a poetry in motion as she just glided right over to me with no fanfare, but just wanted to cuddle.  My goodness, my heart was overflowing with fullness.

4. What's one song on your autumn playlist? Do you have an autumn playlist? If not, pretend you do. If yes, then feel free to share more than one. 

I have lots of playlists, but honestly, not an autumn one.  I recently made a nighttime list to help me sleep at night:

First Love, Goodness of God, I Am, You're Not Alone

5. Share a quote that inspires you this time of year especially. 

Here is something that spoke to me over the weekend:

"You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with JOY, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.  Oh Lord my God. I will give thanks to you forever."      Psalm 30:11-12

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

This just made me laught when I saw it at a store!

I hope you are having a good week so far!

Talking About it Tuesday ~ Dollywood/October 1, 2024

 Oh y'all, it is October, one of my favorite months.  There will be some hard days this month, but I am looking for the good in each day.  One fun day I had recenlty was last week when my oldest daughter and I spent the day in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  This was 3 days before the major storm hit.

We stood here because we had a family picture at this site last time I was there in 2012.

We started the day by indulging in cinnamon bread made onsite.  It was absolutely delicous.

It was such a fun day to ride so many rides with her and laugh and scream.  This was our favorite ride, Wild Eagle.

Thankfully, I was reminded of this verse before getting on the ride.  We loved this one and even wnet back to ride it again as our last ride of the day.

This is a picture from the internet.  You hang off the side of the track and this goes upside down several times.

Here is a picture I took:

Just a guy playing banjo as you walk around the park :).

Ride times were so short!  We walked up to most rides with no wait.

We went to see the Dolly Experience where you saw a learned about her childhood and saw a lot of her costumes and wigs.

It is such a pretty park and was decorated beautifully for fall.

And we saw Santa getting ready for the holidays, eating a pretzel in a red shirt, growing a beard, ha, ha!

It was such a great day and I'm so thankful we were able to do this before all the flooding and devastation hit this area.