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!

Monthly Musings ~ January 2025

 Today's Monthly Musings is winter self-care.  I am linking up with Patty and Holly for this.  

1.  What do you do to stay warm in winter?

I wear my blardigan a lot and will use a cozy blanket on the couch.  It is rare I turn up my heat to 70.

2.  Favorite wintertime activity?

My favorite activity is probably just staying in and watching tv honestly!  Another activity is January is a good time to de-clutter, but I may not say that is a favorite.

3. Any different beauty routines in winter?

I tend to use more lip products to prevent chapping, but most of my beauty routine stays the same.  I use sunscreen year round.

4. Skaing, sledding or skiing?

I honestly don't participate in any of these on any regular basis.  I did enjoy ice skating a few years ago in Bryant Park though!

5. Favorite winter recipes?

I enjoy soups in the winter with chicken tortilla and tomato soup being my favorites.

6. Favorite winter hot beverage?

I like a sugar free hot chocolate or a hot tea.

7.  Best winter memories?

My best memories would be playing in the snow as a child and with my girls when they were little.  

8.  Coldest day that you remember?

Two years ago, we had an extremely cold week in January when the temperatures were below freezing for a week with highs in the teens. That is the most recent memory I have had of consistent cold below freezing.

9.  How are your practicing self care this winter?

I am lifting weights once a week, going to a dance class, got a massage and spent time with friends so far.

10.  Flannel sheets, yes or no?

Before menopause, I would use flannel sheets, but I have not used them this year.  Maybe I will again in the future though because I do like the coziness of them, but don't want to get hot while I sleep.

Hope you all have a good day!  And good news, only 1 more day of January!

Hodgepodge

 Today I join with Joyce for Hodgepodge.  Hope it is a great day for you!

1. What was your after school routine like when you were a kid? 

I lived 5 houses from my elementary school, so I often walked to and from school.  When I came home, I often remember watching an episode of the Brady Bunch and having an afternoon snack. I am guessing I did any homework, ate dinner and watched tv as a family.

2. January 26 is National Green Juice Day ( I guess it's true everything really does have it's day). Do you juice, as in make your own in an attempt to get healthy? Do you do the green juices? What's your favorite kind of juice (home blended or store bought, either one)? 

I don't plan on drinking green juice, or probably any juice.  If I do drink juice, I like pineapple, orange, or grape.  If I buy some, it would be a low sugar pineapple.  

3. What's something trivial about which you have a strong opinion? 

I have a strong opinion of people cutting me off in traffic when there is no where to go.

4. What do you need more of in your life? Less of? 

I am going to be honest, I erased my first answers.

I need honesty and less paperwork.

5. Give us three adjectives to describe your January.

fun, exhausting, stressful

With the exhaustion and stress, I did have some fun and I still am living with hope for my future, including February!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I am so thankful for my favorite playlist on Spotify with worship music to encourage me, a job, great friends, my phone, a reliable car, this blog community and my family!

Hello Monday...and Tuesday

Well hello friends!  I feel like it has been a while.  I have missed you!

Last I wrote last week, I was asking for prayers.  I know I have asked for this a lot over the past year.  There are multiple situations in my life with some major things going on, not just the one, unfortunately.  Please continue to pray for strength, wisdom and justice to be done in these situations for me.  Wednesday-Friday were some of the hardest days of my life.  The road isn't much clearer, but I am taking it one day at a time.  I know it all seems so vague here, but so much of this I need to keep private.  Here I am last Wednesday morning wearing my beautiful butterfly necklace my oldest daughter gave me for Christmas.  The butterfly represents a new life and that is the road I am trying to start.

Thursday night, I was able to focus on serving others.  Jenn and her son came to help me serve dinner at the hospital that I do monthly.

In perfect timing, my best friend flew in town Friday to be with me after a difficult week.  We went to my favorite breakfast place Saturday morning.

We did some cleaning and packing and then went to my favorite yogurt place!

Saturday night, we built a fire outside, enjoyed some wine, snacks, music and laughter.

Sunday, we went to church, lunch with one of my other closest friends and then rested in the afternoon. I worked Monday morning and then we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant.  We stopped by my parents house to say hi and my dad played a song from Phantom on the piano for us. He is so talented and I never tire of hearing him play.  I grew up with a lot of music being played in my home either on the radio, albums or my dad playing the piano or organ.  Yes, we had both in my childhood home!

I took Heidi back to the airport Monday afternoon and then spent some time just catching up at home a little bit.  

I hope you all are doing well!

 

Hodgepodge ~ January 22, 2025

 Good morning.  This is a week with a lot going on for me.  Today, like none other, I need your prayers on an important issue.  I'm sorry to be vague, but please pray for my strength as I face some people in a hard situation that impacts my future.  I know the Lord goes not only before me, but will be with me.  However, I am always brave enough to ask for extra prayers on the extra hard days.  I hope to spend time tonight with a friend, so I am being pro-active to have something to look forward to tonight.

On to the blog post....I love joining up with Joyce each week for the Hodgepodge.

1. What's a winter memory you treasure (can be from any winter in your lifetime)?

A recent memory is when my girls and I went to New York City and went ice skating at Bryant Park.  It was such a fun time! I also treasure winter memories when my girls were little and playing in the snow. 

Now these sweet throwbacks....

2. Tell us about the last time or a recent time you were caught up in red tape. Does it send your frustration level off the charts or is it something you've come to expect when dealing with any sort of bureaucracy?

Ironic this is a question today!  I am currently caught up in some and try to manage my emotions through a lot of healing and self-control.

I saw this and it really made me laugh! I am all for looking for the laughter in life. I feel like it goes right in line with this question.

3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What's your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing? 

I do like fish, however, the only fish I usually cook at home is salmon.  I also like red fish.  I have never been ice fishing and that is not on my bucket list! In the seafood category, I do like shrimp, crawfish and crab as well.  Crab cakes is another favorite food.

4. Did you watch any of the US President's Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan 20? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being not at all and 10 being very very) how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics? 

I did watch the highlights on Monday.  I would say I don't follow politics too closely as I feel like no matter what side, it is a lot of sharing opinions and arguing.  I don't have the bandwidth for a lot of extra negativity in my life right now.  I am a patriotic person, but I don't get involved with local politics nor do I watch the news.  I don't have any news apps on my phone either. All of that said, I am glad we have a change in administration.

5. What's the coziest thing you own and what makes it so? 

I have 2 "blardigans" and I wear one of them most days.  I bought this back in 2016. This is a Barefoot Dreams cardigan that is so cozy!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thank you for reading and thank you for your prayers today. I'm going to be okay. And this song called "You're going to be Okay" by Jenn Johnson is a great reminder.  Whatever you are going through, you too will be okay too.  I will end by sharing the lyrics:

I know it's all you've got to just be strong

And it's a fight just to keep it together

I know you think that you are too far gone

But hope is never lost

Hope is never lost

Hold on, don't let go

Just take one step closer

Put one foot in front of the other

You'll get through this

Just follow the light in the darkness

You're gonna be OK

I know your heart is heavy from those nights

But just remember that you are a fighter

You never know just what tomorrow holds

And you're stronger than you know

Oh, you're stronger than you know

Hold on, don't let go

When the night is closing in

Don't give up and don't give in

This won't last, it's not the end

It's not the end

You're gonna be OK

You're not alone

Never alone

You're gonna be OK