Thankful Thursday

This week I am Thankful For:

{Numbers go with my One-Thousand Gifts Journal / just ignore}

577 / Hand Lettering book for free.
I got this book to look over & review & let me tell you - I LOVE IT. It's probably my favorite hand lettering book I've ever looked through. It has step by step instructions on things & not just the same old "do these strokes over & over".  I'm super impressed with it ... & again, even happier I got it for free!

578 / Fun surprise.
I had a hair appointment & got home to find these canvases laying on the counter. I asked Ricky what those were & he said, "They were outside when I got home".. & then I noticed the 'signature' on it - a cowboy hat.  Knew immediately who they were from.  Isn't my daddy the greatest?

579 / 5k on a pretty day.
I was glad to get out & enjoy the gorgeous weather over the weekend. It really has inspired me to lace up some shoes & get out & enjoy this fall air more often.

A bush at the park I was at

580 / TJ Maxx for dogs!
I ran into TJ Maxx just to look at their picture frames ... & yeah, ok, their journals (Cant NOT look at their journals while in there) & stopped by the pet aisle. I was SO THRILLED. I found some deer antlers for Harvey Dent for $9.99.  The same ones that go for about $30.00 at the pet stores. I stocked up on those babies!  My Harvey Dent is one happy boy right now.

581 / New addition to our group.
I love when a new baby comes into our bible study group. That baby is usually fought over by all the ladies... & now, we have the ones that were originally babies when we started, now ALSO fighting to hold the new babies.  The struggle is real.

582 / Bible Study Finished.
We made it through another study guide in our JOY group.  I love we are getting a few of these under our belts.

583 / Beautiful evenings.
Its the kind of evenings that I want to sit outside until I cant see my book or Kindle in front of my face anymore. Enjoying all of these humid-free / before it gets too cold evenings.

584 / Started a new 10k running program.
... let's see how it goes....

586 / Found a letter board CHEAP!
Did you know Walmart had these letter boards for $9.99 ... & the extra letters for another $9.99... though after pulling it out & looking - I wouldnt bother with the extra letters. The gray is hard to see against the white & there's not a lot of the blue letters. I ended up buying more black letters off Amazon - put your money towards that instead.  But I'm still loving my white background letter board.  Be prepared to see a lot of it in IG pics ;)

What good things have happened in your life this past week?

Also going to give a shout out of thanks for all the good we are seeing from people reaching out & helpings being hands & feet of Jesus in the horrible aftermath of Harvey in Texas.  It's so good to see what when the rubber meets the road, people dont care who you voted for, or what color your skin is, or what your sexuality is... its just about helping one another.  Let THAT be the norm.

What's Up Wednesday - August

What We're Eating This Week

We had last night some Black Bean Pasta with some portabella mushrooms & peppers.
mmmm... a little taste of heaven.



& for the record, Ricky is the one who picked out this pasta!
Look at the Hubs making good choices!

What I'm Reminiscing About

I've been all about all the Princess Diana shows on the past few months.
I still could cry thinking about the loss of her in this world.  I dont know... she just held a fairy tale status to me. I grew up watching her. Can remember my mom waking me up at 4am to get in bed with her to watch that magical wedding.  But what we learned later is how fairy tales dont really exist, do they? ... She will always enchant me though.
I can remember the day of her dying.  It actually was on one of our girls birthday.
I left the tv on all night long after the news of her accident & heard the news of her passing in the middle of the night - about the same time as I watched her wedding.
Breaks my heart.

What I'm Loving

I got this cell phone holder on Amazon for a Lightning Deal... but even regular price, super cheap, under $10. I love having it on my dresser, making it easier to see my phone. It's really sturdy too. I'm loving that I made a rash decision in ordering it.

(Click Pic for link)

What We've Been Up To

Well, not really me... but I've been a cheerleader of my husband...
but HE's been up to clearing out some trees from our back property to build a new little area for some yard equipment... & he & our neighbor took down some trees & left a perfect spot that now has me wanting to put something out there for a reading area.

What I'm Dreading
Evenings getting darker earlier...
I'm already hating the mornings require head lights now.

What I'm Working On

Right now, I'm working on a new knit shawl... loving it.
Depends on if I have enough yarn for 2 of these if I'm keeping it or if its going into my store ;)
Always the internal battle of making something & giving it up when I love it.

What I'm Excited About

ALL THINGS FALL AHEAD!!!!!!!
I cant wait to pull out my Halloween & fall decorations.
To me, its the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!!!!

What I'm Watching / Reading



Loving YOUNGER!!! SOOO Team Charles!
Odd Mom Out - HILARIOUS!!!
Big Brother - worst season ever but cant stop watching
Real Housewives of OC - Love Lydia


Loving this book... getting near the end of it & I'm taking it slow because I dont want it to be over.

What I'm Listening To

My Joysters totally turned me onto this album & I've been keeping it on repeat all week long.

What I'm Wearing



(I apparently have taken on a "GO TO" pose - didnt even realize that until I uploaded these)

What I'm doing this Weekend

Hoping to get some stuff done for my Etsy store...
new projects....
involving wood & hand lettering.
ohhhh - exciting.
I'm just looking forward to a long weekend!!!!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

We have a Fall Retreat for our Youth Ministry coming up in September where we'll be heading back up to camp.  At least its for a weekend... & we're keeping fingers crossed this one is Puke Free since its just 2 days instead of 5. #pleaseLord

The weekend that had me trying not to get blood on my white pants....

Here we are again.... Monday.

How fast they come.

Friday started off with some grocery shopping & picking up some mexican bowls from their new deli.... which were DELICIOUS!!!!!!!  Glad to find another quick go-to for a fast dinner when we need one now.

I got home though & was on a mission - to organize a corner shelf in our kitchen.

I treated myself to this organizer at Hobby Lobby earlier that day that I had had my eye on forthe longest time & was anxious to put it to use.

The main thing to note... I own WAYYYY too many pens & pencils. This isnt even all of them.
I take my writing utensils seriously.

It ended up taking me a few hours to get this whole shelf organized... but loved walking away from it & having at least one place organized in my house.

I then spent the rest of my Friday starting on a new knitting project... always entertaining to me.

& catching up on some So You Think You Can Dance.

Exciting stuff!  I know how to party on a Friday night.

Saturday, after doing a few wake up calls with Bruno, it felt wonderful getting a day off to sleep in. It was cool & I had the windows open & I just could have laid there all morning long.

But the cool air made me get up & make some coffee & do my other favorite thing... get my Kindle & go out on the porch with the fresh crisp air. It was wonderful.

I then got my Bible study stuff together & sat out there until the sun drifted across the table to reach me.

I wanted to try out my new watch GPS feature so headed down to the local park to get in some miles.

I hadnt laced up running shoes in awile...  &felt it. UGH.
But the watch was awesome... my body felt so NOT awesome... but glad to get some miles under my feet.

On the way home, I stopped by my parents house ...

& then got a call from Ricky he wanted to go out & get some dinner.

I'm all about food - especially after doing a 5k.

We ran into Q'doba since we are now on a Mexican bowl kick... & it didnt disappoint.

& of course, you cant go out anywhere without a quick trip into Target.  #saturdayvibes

We got home & ended up watching Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (I am so in love with Baby Groot) & we laughed that we felt like 'young kids" because we were up past 11:30. Wow... that's just sad.

Sunday, I ended up sleeping in late again... #sorrynotsorry

So ended up missing church, & wasnt sure how it was going to go to get to MSM.

First, I lost my keys, which made me late getting out.... & then on the way to MSM, I got a nose bleed. GEEZ. & it wasnt bad enough I had a nose bleed, I had on WHITE PANTS with a nose bleed. GASP. I was grabbing everything I could to cover my pants.  I did end up dripping blood all over my red, white & blue plaid shirt... & of course, every drip went into the white parts. UGHHHH....

I finally got to church & forgot my glasses in my car, went back only to find I had left the TRUNK OF MY CAR UP when I was looking for a garbage bag to put all my bloody tissues. With some of my photo equipment right there to snag .... WOW... just wow....

I was glad to get in church so I could get some Jesus all up in my day....

We had a great group this Sunday....

There's my white pants... nose blood free

& then it was time to waste some hours.

It's just a weird time when I get out of church at 12:30 & bible study isn't till 3:30 ... sometimes I have some things or Ricky will meet me for lunch or the time just goes fast.... & then there's Sundays like this one where I didnt have anything to do....

I ran over to TJ Maxx & then headed to a coffee shop nearby  & had a new Handlettering book I had been sent & got a drink & spent some time practicing .... it was really nice actually to have some slow time & an amazing drink.

Then it was time for our JOY group... we finished up our latest study. WHOOO HOOOO...

& we had a new baby in our mix.

This is our group's 6th new baby since we joined together. Isn't that CRAZY?!?!? All the babies!! & we still have 2 more in the oven cooking.

But we love our babies....

Those 2 big girls were our first babies in the group.

I got to spend some time talking with my friend after bible study & then stopped to pick up some dinner for Ricky & I ...

& didnt get home until 8:00... wow... that was a long Sunday.

Glad to be home....
& not glad to be setting the alarm clock for another week.

I just really need the weekends & weekdays to change places Wouldnt that be amazing?

At least we have a long weekend ahead on the next one.

Let the countdown begin for that!!!

& Side Note.... been watching all weekend of the horrible Hurricane Harvey.  Which every time they say the name on TV, our Harvey stops & looks like, "Did someone say my name?".... but praying for everyone there. My Son in Law has family down in the Houston area & just glad for social media to see updates that everyone is OK.  Scary stuff.  Praying for everyone in that area....

How was your weekend?

Was it nicer weather?

Do you love Mexican bowls?

Do you love some quiet time at a coffee shop?

Friday Favorite 08/25/17

Favorite Purse

I saw this bag at Target the other day & I stopped in my tracks.
LOVE IT!  I'm waiting for a sale & I've already found my Fall bag

Favorite Halloween




I liked this because I know one of my grandsons HAS to have big bugs like this laying around his room.  How easy to grab a few & paint gold & blue to a frame... perfect Halloween decoration.

Favorite Beauty & the Beast



Yep... they have this for a Halloween costume this year.
I feel like I NEED it, right?

Favorite Office Product



I love this to sit on your desk & just blow air on your face.
That way papers aren't going every direction.
Plus... its pink.

Favorite Peencha

Favorite Video




I'm all about any Broadway song
& love they did this on Eclipse day
Big reference to Little Shop of Horrors

Favorite Funnies

This just made me laugh because I love 5k's on holidays ... sorry honey...

... my husband every time he does one load of laundry

... how I live about 95% of my life

... every morning when my alarm goes off for work

... me at 4:00pm

Happy Weekend Y'all!!!

No delays, after the storm & HAPPY MAIL!!!! ..... {Thankful Thursday #139}

This week I am Thankful For:

{numbers go with my One Thousand Gifts Journal / just ignore}

559 / Little Clinic
This sinus infection had my face in all sorts of pain... so I stopped at the Little Clinic on the way home from work. I love these places. I was in & out & had my prescription filled & headed home in less than an hour.  The best inventions!

561 / No Delay!
I had ordered my new Garmin watch from Best Buy the weekend before & they told me it would be in 5 days later (BOO!) & I said OK.  Well, then I got an email 3 days later saying it would be delayed & would take 30 DAYS TO COME IN.  Shut up. I can get the same thing on Amazon for the same price on 2 day shipping. So I contacted them & told them I'd be returning it... & lo & behold, they told me that it did indeed look like it would come in on time. I told them if it wasn't there on Thursday, I'm coming in regardless & I'm either walking out with a watch, or a refund.... & ta-da... I got a watch.

563 / One night potty trips.
Oh mercy... I cant tell you how nice it is when Bruno only has to go potty one time in a night instead of two... or three... or four... (its happens more than I care to say)

564 / Perfect lighting for Maternity pics.
I loved my beautiful pregnant momma was willing to drive over by me to take advantage of the beautiful scenery... & we planned it for the most gorgeous lighting on her.  I just love all her pictures in this session.

566 / Dr. Husband
While I was tackling a photo session with a sinus infection, Ricky stopped at the store to get me some Advil Cold & Sinus (the only thing that helps my sinuses) & had it waiting for me when I got home. ahhhh....

567 / HAPPY MAIL!!!!!
So when I woke up with a fever & felt awful, getting the kindest surprise in the mail TOTALLY 10000% made my day.  The sweet & precious & beautiful Audrey send me the kindest words of encouragement & a trip to Starbucks to enjoy. Girlfriend GETS ME!!!! .... I'm telling you - I just LOVE Blog world & the amazing people in it.

570 / Youth kiddos mommas.
I am loving getting to know my youth kids families - especially their moms. Such incredible women. I see where these girls get their kindness & love of Jesus.  I especially love that these girls & their moms have the best relationships.  Says a lot.

571 / Sunday with Ricky.
Like I mentioned on Monday, its SUPER RARE Ricky & I actually spend a Sunday together, much less get to see much of one another so I loved that we got to have lunch & do some shopping together this past weekend.

573 / Eclipse Lunch.
Panera at lunch is usually a MADHOUSE. I've seen people have to wait for a table to open up before... & on Eclipse day?  It was like I rented out the place all to myself. It was HEAVENLY.  Such a pun intended.

574 / Happy Birthday my old man
16 ... or 17... never looked so good on a dog.

575 / Hair Day!
Goodness GRACIOUS... the gray was taking over.  Now I feel like I can go out without a hat on for a few weeks ;)

576 / After the storm.
It was so hot & humid & miserable the past few days.... & a huge storm came through & man, what a difference. Its like a small preview of Fall.  I think we're having nice weather for quite a while. I'll take every bit of it.

So what good things are you being blessed with this week?