Hello Monday ~ February 17, 2025

 Happy Monday!  Does it seem like February has been a little long?  I feel like once the first 2 months are behind us, the rest of the year seems to go by faster. Here is a little recap of the weekend.

I worked Friday morning and then watched the Hallmark movie, 

An Unexpected Valentine.  It was a cute movie.  The other recent Hallmark movies this year I have recorded haven't really kept my interest for the whole movie.  

After the movie, I ran a few errands, including a stsop by John Mark's store.

I spent the night at my sister's and hung out with these cuties!  

Bedtime snuggles

A great way to go to sleep...being with these little ones.  

Saturday morning, these little girls put on a routine dancing to "5 Little Monkeys" :)

Saturday was a milestone for me so it brought some emotions, a lot of strength and encouragement going forward.  It was a super rainy day.  On such a day, of course I got some frozen yogurt as a treat!

I went to get a massage and then afterwards, got a frosted lemonade from Chick-fil-A. 

Sunday was church, where I kept the nursery, so it was a time of hanging out with friends. I spent the afternoon at home being fairly lazy.  Jennifer and I went to dinner at a mediterranean restaurant and we had a fun visit and catching up from the week.  

 I have a lot of big things coming up once again this week and can use a prayer for tomorrow. Thank you friends. 

Friday Favorites ~ February 14, 2025

 Happy Friday!  I am sharing some updates from the week.  It was a busy, long week for me.

I served breakfast at the local hospital and it is always a fun morning.  It was decorated for Valentine's Day!

I finished up my strength training workouts this week.  I am going to try to continue this, but will do so at a different gym.  It was great to have a personal trainer for the month to teach me some correct movements.

I picked out a plant and a gift card and delivered this to a family my daughter babysits for because they just had a new baby.

I was able to get a lot of work done this week!

My in-laws were in town this week so I met them for dinner last night. I am thankful for the time I had with them.

Other highlights were a quick trip to Oxford to see a friend, yogurt with a co-worker, and lunch with a lday who mentors both of my girls. I have been tired this week and hope to have a little more time at home this weekend and next week.

I hope you all feel loved and have a great weekend!

Hodgepodge ~ Feburary 12, 2025

 It's Wednesday Hodgepodge time with Joyce!

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did your team win? What's your favorite game day snack for whatever sport is happening? 

I did watch and I was so excited to see the Eagles win!

My favorites would be appetizer foods....a mix of hearty foods (meatballs, sausage balls, other protein), fruits/veggies and chips and dips.

2. What's your 'superpower'? 

My most recent superpower in the last few years is P.I. work, trying to find out information on people.

3. Will you do anything special on Valentine's Day? If so do share. Any thoughts on/about this particular holiday? Share a favorite verse or quote relating to love. 

I plan on sepnding the night with my sister and all of her grandchildren....my greats! 

4. Are you a fan of the rom-com genre? If so what's one of your favorites? If you're not a movie go-er then what about a book you love that features a great love story? How about a favorite love song? 

I am a fan and definitley one of my favorite movies is "Sweet Home Alabama".

5. Let's get creative...write an acrostic using the word L-O-V-E. 

L - loyal, listener

O - optimisitic

V - values others

E - ethical, emotionally healthy

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Do yourself a favor and go listen to the song 

"First Love" by Hannah Nall.

  It is a beautiful I listen to every day and will be my theme song on this Valentine weekend. The lyrics are below:

Although I am changing, you're unchangeable oh God.

You will be my first love, be my first love.

And for all the changes that you lead me through oh God

You will be my first love, be my first love.

Every morning when the sun comes up and every evening when the day is done 

You will be my first love, be my first love.

Even when you fill my hearts desires, even when you are consuming fire

You will be my first love, be my first love.

Although I am shaken, you're unshakeable oh God.

You will be my first love, be my first love.

Let my idols crumble.  Your unshakeable oh God. 

You will be my first love, be my first love.

Let every day and every way I live bring glory to you Lord.

May every day and every way I bring glory to you Lord.

Be my first love.

Hello Monday ~ February 10, 2025

Good Morning!  I am happy to have a semi-normal week ahead of me, or so I hope! Last week was full of travel and lots of work. 

I worked almost double time last week as what I normally work due to my travels and an event.  Friday night, Jennifer went with me to buy 60 bags of salad to complete the food provided for my work event Saturday.  We did this after eating Mexican food once again!

Saturday morning, I worked until noon, delivered some food to my family and a friend and ran some errands.  I babysat for a friend of mine Saturday night.  She was so thoughtful and bought me these flowers for an early Valentine's Day!

Sunday, I went to church, met a friend for tea/coffee and then went to Jennifer's house for dinner.  I met a new friend there who is just a tad taller than I am :)

Here are my takes from the Super Bowl:

I enjoyed more of the commercials this year than recently.  

The half-time show felt like one really long song.  

I am so happy the Philadelphia Eagles won!!

I hope you have a great Monday and thanks for reading!

 

Friday Favorites ~ February 7, 2025

 Happy Friday everyone!  I texted a friend this week and typed out Happy Friday, then realizing it was only Tuesday, ha!  So, glad it is Friday and hope you've had a good week! Mine was busy, but here are a few highlights.

Monday, I worked all day, went to my dance lesson and then a trip to Lowe's.  My dance lesson was fun, but it had been 2 weeks, so it took me a little bit to remember some of the moves.  

Tuesday, I drove to Chattanooga to work there for the afternoon.  I went to this cute new restaurant/shopping area in a suburb of Chattanooga.  The weather was beautiful!  I met someone for work at a coffee shop and we sat outside to visit.

This may sound crazy to some of you, but I do really enjoy staying in a hotel by myself.  While I also love company, I am thankful this is something I also don't mind doing alone.  It is rare I travel for work, so I do enjoy it when I get a little road trip.

Wednesday

I surprised my daughter this morning on her birthday!  She had no idea I was in town and I had arranged with one of her co-workers to meet them at a restaurant for breakfast.  She took a video of the event and this is a still shot from the video.  It was so fun to pull off this surprise.  I was thankful to sepnd a few hours with her and hug her neck on her birthday.

Of course, I wore my socks with her picture on them!

I had sourdough avocado toast with eggs and bacon.

Thursday 

I was back in town for work Thursday morning.  Right after work, I went to my niece's house to see most of my greats.  I hadn't seen them in several weeks, so I was overdue for some hugs and fun with them.  I took them a lot of stickers and paper and it kept them quite entertained!

I am always thankful to see Friday come!  

Today is work and I actually work this weekend too due to a work event.  

In addition to seeing my daughter and greats this week, another favorite was having an impromptu dinner with one of my dearest friends.  It was just the gift I needed at that time.  

Due to traveling and literally not being at home hardly at all this week, I missed the book link up and will catch up this weekend.

I hope you all have a great Friday and weekend ahead!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ February 2025

 Good morning!  I am linking up with Jenn and Joyce today for Currently/Hodgepodge....Wednesday favorites!

Loving

I am currently loving going through every closet/drawer in my house.  I am looking forward to streamlining and pairing down stuff.  I am trying to sell things on Facebook marketplace. It is a good feeling!

Anticipating

I am anticipating some current hard situations to be resolved within the next 2 months, or hopefully sooner!

Remembering

Today I am remembering my firstborn daughter who is 24 years old today!  Oh, such sweet memories of 24 great years with her and looking forward to many more!

Sharing

I am sharing time and hugs with friends and family throughout the week whenever I can!

Wish-listing

I am wish listing a lot of things these days!  I am wish listing a clean house, a future place of my own, some freedom in areas of life and wishing for self control for healthier eating!

1. What area of your life feels like you're stuck in a Groundhog's Day loop, doing the same thing over and over? Does it bother you or is that just how life is in this particular season? 

I am in a season of waiting.  Like so many other things recently, I have just learned to accept it and know my life is in God's timing.  

2. Something that makes your heart skip a beat? 

Phone calls/hugs from my daughters; when my greats greet me by name and hugs!

3. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve or are you more of a closed book? Elaborate. 

I would say yes at one point, but I have grown a little toughter over the past few years.  I don't think I am a closed book though, After all, I have a blog!

4. According to Prevention Magazine, these are 25 of the best foods for heart health-

wild salmon, sardines, liver, walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, oatmeal, blueberries, coffee, red wine, green tea, soy milk, dark chocolate, raisins, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, whole grains, apples, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, avocado oil, olive oil 

Which five do you include in your diet most often? Are there any foods on the list you simply cannot abide? 

I include dark chocolate, apples and oranges in my diet most often.  The foods on the list I don't consume are sardines, liver, oatmeal, blueberries, coffee, raisins and grapefruit.

5. What was the last piece of furniture you bought? Is there a piece of furniture you need/want to purchase this year? 

I bought this chest to put at the end of my bed in December.  I am excited to use it.  I would love to purchase a new sofa and round coffee table in 2025.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My song of the week is Dragons by Drew Holcomb.  The main line in the song is

"Go slay all the dragons that stand in your way."

This is what I am praying for in my life!

Enjoy your day and thanks for reading!

Hello Monday ~ February 3, 2025

 Well, it is FINALLY February!  January was long, but the rest of the year will go by fast! Here is a little recap of a low key, but good weekend.  How was yours?  

I worked Friday morning at home and was just so glad to be there.  I spent 2 nights away last week house/teenager sitting for a friend. After work, I had a meeting with some ladies from church to organize some women's events.  I then met up with one of the ladies at Kendra Scott as she was doing her birthday shopping.

I enjoyed Friday night being at home and watched the movie Hillbilly Elegy. Have you seen this movie or read the book?  It is a movie about J.D. Vance's childhood.  The language and subject matter is not for the children, but I thought it was a great movie.  It really is an inspiring story that he is now VP of the USA!

Saturday morning, I spent the day cleaning up my closet.  I threw away a bag of trash and then took a load of items, mostly old t-shirts, to Goodwill. I also made a trip to the grocery store.  

Saturday night, I met Jenn at a mexican restaurant and we both enjoyed a margarita, a good meal, and laughter! Although it was a simple Saturday, it was really a good day!

Sunday morning, I worked on making sourdough bread and put soup in the slow cooker.  This was a good feeling!  I went to church, enjoyed some soup at home afterwards, and went to my parents to visit and share some food with them. I then went to a small group from church. 

I am always thankful for time that I enjoy at home and with others!  

Happy Monday!