Friday Favorites ~ November 15, 2024

 Happy Friday! I had so many little favorites this week so here we go.......

Celebrating my birthday Monday was so fun!  The party I had was honestly the best I have ever had.  I was showered with the sweetest words, hugs, laughter and gifts!

I was up early Tuesday morning back to work.

After work, I went to my dance lesson and had so much fun again.  Then I met my parents and sister for a birthday dinner with them.

I received this beautiful birthday card from Joanne! Thank you!

I baked 2 loaves of Sourdough on Wednesday morning and I always love that.

It was such a rainy day Wednesday and I really appreciated Target put their box in plastic when it was left at my front door.

I stopped by to get frozen yogurt and loved the holiday cup sayings.

A favorite on Thursday was going to a free Tango dance class after book club.  One of our book club members decided spur of the moment to meet me there and it was so fun!

My upcoming favorite is my daughter comes home this weekend for the holiday season!  

Hope you have a good weekend!

Hodgepodge ~ November 13, 2024

 Wednesday Hodgepodge edition is here! I am linking up with Joyuce for this post.

1. What's something you think is under appreciated. Explain.  

I think that a smile that radiates kindness is a rare thing and under appreciated in this busy world where we are focused on ourselves most of the time.  I am all for taking time and care for ourself , working on being healthy mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. As a part of that, sharing a smile with someone and saying hello goes a long way.

2. As winter approaches how do you stay productive? 

I may not be the most productive person these days, but as far a productivity goes, I make a lot of lists!  I also give myself a lot of grace.  If I am watching television, I will give myself a time limit and then get up and do a few things.  I think rest is important too!

3. What's a popular food you don't like? 

Peanut butter & beans

I have never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I started eating a few variety of nuts a few years ago & like pistachios, pecans and I will eat walnuts in a salad. 

When it comes to chili or soups, I never add beans.  I like my chili Texas style! I don't eat green beans or baked beans either.

4. What do you think is more interesting-art or history? Elaborate. 

My daughter is an artist, so I have really come to appreciate more art.  She is a detailed artist and mostly does portrait art, which is so skilled and difficult.  

I feel like I have a terrible memory when it comes to history.  Often when I hear about a historical event, I think I must have studied that somewhere along the way but forgot all the details.  I do love it when a movie is made on something from history that most of the world doesn't know about or remember.

5. What advice would you give to someone half your age? 

I would tell her to keep pursuing her hobbies, learn some skills such as something that could earn money now or down the road and also household skills, such as assembling things, budgeting, yard/car maintenance, etc.,  avoid debt, smile a lot, be kind, make friends, work on family relationships and the most important, love Jesus and know God's truth for her.  Identity comes from Him and is not fulfilled from someone else.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have shared some songs here in previously and today's song I would like to share is called "You're Not Done" by Charity Gayle and Leeland

I know you're tired

I know you're weak

And all of that fighting's got you

Down on your knees

You're desperate for change

Desperate to know

There's a light

Still a light

Child lift up your eyes

For your help draws nigh

Child lift up your eyes

It'll be alright

Every tear you've cried

Let the sunlight dry

Every tear you've cried

It'll be alright

If you still have breath in your lungs

If you still have breath in your lungs

You're not done

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Talking About it Tuesday ~ Birthday Day in the Life

 Whew, I am a tired girl, but full of love and support!  I am doing a little birthday Day in the Life from yesterday.

I woke up at 3:30 yesterday morning after some terrible dreams unfortunately.  That was the 4th time I had woken up so I decided to play a worship playlist from Spotify.  I finally got up around 5:30 and started forming my sourdough since I had set out my starter Sunday night.

I wore my 11/11 bracelet on my birthday!  I wear it all through November.

Due to lack of sleep, I used some eye masks as I was getting ready.

One of my sweet families who love on me often called via Facetime and their girls sang Happy Birthday to me since they knew it was my first birthday to wake up alone.

I met Jennifer for breakfast.  It was delicious and fun to catch up with her.

After breakfast, I met another friend at a coffee shop and I enjoyed a hot tea.

I then went to lunch.

My outfit of the day

I stopped at Ulta and picked up this free gift.  I have a few more freebies to pick up throughout the month.

I came home to rest and started this Hallmark Movie. I talked on the phone some and responded to lots of texts, Instagram and Facebook messages.

I got ready and went to my birthday party hosted by some friends at her neighborhood clubhouse.

It was my favorite type of food.....appetizers!

My boss and work roommate came and I am so glad to call them friends!

Two dear friends from my old church

My girls were in each of these girls weddings. I always call them my "young" friends since I met them all when they were in college and are at least 15 years younger than I am.

This has been a sweet friend to me for the last 20 years and she came and drove me to the party.

These are all precious friends who go to my current church with me.  I'm so thankful!

These are friends I have known for the last 20 years at least.  We all homeschooled our kids in the early years and went on many a trips together.  Love them!

Y'all know my precious friend Jennifer!

These friends all shared a sweet word to me and it was so, so encouraging.  It was such a special time for me.  I wish I could have written it all down. I got more birthday gifts than I think I have ever received on a birthday!  I got such a variety of things and also got so many Christmas ornaments and decor!  I bought a new tree this year and so many purchased a Christmas themed gift for me.  I am so excited to decorate! Look at all these goodies!  The 3 pillows were gifts too!

I brought home these flowers and these were also birthday gifts I received!

I came home, did another prep to cold proof my sourdough bread then worked on the blog.  

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and following along with me on this day!

Hello Monday Birthday Edition ~ November 11, 2024

 Hello Monday friends & Happy Veteran's Day!  I am thankful for all who have sacrificed and served to protect our country.  

Today is this little girl's birthday.

Yes, that is me!

Last Thursday night, I went to family dinner house at my sister's house after work and they had a triple chocolate cheesecake for me and sang happy birthday.  I loved being surrounded by my greats for this.  

Friday after work, I joined 3 friends and we went out of town for the weekend to an Airbnb about 3 hours away.  The house was decorated for Christmas!

It was rainy until Saturday afternoon and we took a 2 mile trail in the state park nearby.  There were babbling brooks along the way and then a beautiful waterfall.

We came back and had birthday cake since 3 of us have November birthdays. 

We were only gone 48 hours, so it was quick, but we didn't go out to eat any.  We each brought food for a meal so other than paying for the place to stay, none of us spent any money on the trip, other than a trip to Sonic!  Our Saturday night meal was gumbo and cornbread and it was so good.

I am thankful to have another birthday, another year of life to celebrate.  I also love having a November birthday when it feels like fall and everyone is in the holiday spirit.  This is my first birthday in all 54 that I have woken up alone and will go to bed alone, so that definitely feels different.  However, in between that time, I have lots of celebrations so I am looking forward to the day!

Have a great Monday friends & thank a Veteran!

Friday Favorites ~ November 8, 2024

 Oh November, you will come and go fast.  I am really trying to enjoy my favorite month of the year! Here are a few favorites from the week and one from last week!

I really enjoyed working a puzzle on my new puzzle board this week.  I mentioned this puzzle board on my Amazon purchases this week.  Side note, I purchased this puzzle at the Dollar Tree and I was suprisingly impressed with it!

I love having a morning of the week where I don't have to go anywhere or start the day with work.  Monday morning, I loved being at home just being a little lazy and getting a few little things done, especially after being out of town for 4 days.  I did go and sub for a 3rd grade class for the afternoon, but I still had my morning and evening free.  With the time change, I felt like it was 9pm at 6pm!  

I am enjoying doing a daily gratitude list. Here a few highlights of the week:

 breakfast with Isabella, a job I love, strength to travel alone

I am throwing this back to last week, but a favorite was getting a last minute invitation to go to a Grizzlies game. My co-worker had an extra ticket and I was excited to go and we had good seats too! It was fun to watch my favorite player, Jaren Jackson Jr. play!

I went to a private ballroom/latin dance class this week!  Y'all, I signed up for 2 private lessons and we will see what I do from there.  It was such a fun 30 minutes of my week to learn the foxtrot, rhumba and cha-cha. I go back next week for my 2nd lesson.

My daughter texted me to say I love you.  Made my day.

My best friend is in Nigeria for the month and it was so good to have an audio call with her one afternoon.

I had some hard moments in the week, a few tears, but also some joys too.  

I hope you have a great weekend!