What's up Wednesday

I've actually missed out doing this the past few months

but its a fun way to recap your month & what you're looking forward to

... so here's What's Up!

What We're Eating This Week...

As hot & miserable as its been, we have been addicted to some Outshine Fruit Bars

Cold & refreshing... & I love the hunks of fruit in these too.

I am hooked on the Mango flavor & Ricky loves the Lime.

Good stuff!

What I'm Reminiscing About...

It's been a year since we left our old church that we attended for 15 years.

I've really been thinking about everything that happened to cause our church to just fall apart

 & it still breaks my heart to no end.

I can really let myself get back into feeling all those emotions of sadness & anger.

But then I see where we are now, a year later - & I am so thankful for God leading us to a new church & giving us the opportunity to serve in an amazing place, under such Godly wise people.

I believe I'm where I'm supposed to be... but it all still tugs at my heart.

What I'm Loving...

I just grabbed a bottle of body wash for no particular reason at Target

... & I'm LOVING this stuff.

It smells so clean & its so moisturizing on my skin. 

I really do like the Method brand Target carries.

I also love the All purpose cleaners they have.

What We've Been Up To....

... nothing really exciting actually...

I guess you could say we've been getting back into routine with Ricky back at work.

I wish I could use this space to say we've decided what we want to do with our kitchen... or we're planning our Disney trip - or any trip really.  

But nope. Back into a normal working routine.

... sigh...

What I'm Dreading...

My shoulder / Bicep Tendonitis hurting.

Fall is a photographer's busy time & that means a lot of editing on the computer which aggravates & flares up my arm EVERY TIME.

I am looking forward to all the beautiful sessions ahead... 

but I'm not looking forward to that pain.

This applies for September as well!

What I'm Working On...

I've been getting my Bullet Journal together for 2017.

I have been searching out Pinterest for MONTHS on how I want this to lay out

... & I've finally started getting it all together & I'm LOVING IT!

I love how I can make it exactly what I need.

& that its smaller but still have plenty of space to write in.

I'll have to do a post on my finished product when I get all my pages in it I want

(Books / movies / workout pages / monthly accountability / Birthdays)

It legit took me about 6 hours to draw up all my monthly calendars & label them
... this bullet journal stuff ain't no joke...

What I'm Excited About...

I SOOOOO cant wait for this movie.

I read all of these books as soon as they came out & anxious to see how they bring it to life.

I can already tell from the previews this movie is NOT like the book in which characters have which special power... but I'm going in with an open mind.

What I'm watching/Reading...

I always saw the commercials for this in the midst of all the Bravo shows I watch, 

so went to On Demand & checked out the first show.

... I couldnt stop... I had to watch one after the other.

HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

& on the total opposite side of the spectrum, I'm all about Stranger Things.

I've seen where people watch the whole thing in one day.

I'm proud of myself for spacing it out - giving it a little drag time.

I am loving it.  Total Goonies/Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind kinda vibe

What I'm Listening To...

I'm a huge Big Brother fan & have since gotten hooked on Rob - the guy from Survivor - his podcast. He updates his podcast every day after a show - & has past contestants on there. It's really funny & gives some good insight & also gives some spoilers on what's going on in the house for those that aren't watching it on live feeds.  I'll miss this after Big Brother is over.

... but then it'll be time for Survivor.

#AlltheRealityShows

What I'm Wearing...

I posted this yellow dress last week on my Friday Favorites

... & then Old Navy had to go & put out a sale of 40% off of dresses.

So yep... got it... & also got it in the other pattern (A black floral) & also this grey jersey dress

Thanks Old Navy!

What I'm Doing This Weekend...

Labor Day weekend... YAHOOOO!!!!!

We're going to be seeing the Grand kiddos so it'll be an exciting weekend

... y'all know I'll be taking lots of pictures so brace yourself

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month...

ALL THINGS FALL!!!!!

I can start pulling out FALL decorations

...its my favorite time of the year!!!

Ricky always tells me I can't put up fall decorations in the house until at LEAST October first... but I have to remind him that the first of day of Fall is in September - so I typically put my stuff up right about that time.

BRING ON FALL!!!!!

What's Your Favorite Fall Transition Piece

I am all about two of those pieces right there



First, that Olive green vest. I could wear it every day. Seriously.
It takes great restraint to not put it on with every pair of pants I own & every shirt I wear.
LOVE IT.

& the other piece?
My mustard yellow cowl that I made.
I love that piece so much. Again - want to wear it every day.
& don't forget - my ETSY Story has a lot of similar items.

Never stop trying new things....I'm not! NEXT UP!

Y'all know me... always starting something new.

Well, once again, I'm buddying up with my partner Nathalie whom we did the Hammer & Chisel program together.

We may be many states away from each other but she encourages me so much on getting through these work outs.

Accountability is a real thang!

We've even started a new hashtag for this round.  Nathalie thought it up - that clever gal. She is a teacher so she has a way with words anyways... but we did #chiseledknitters for our last round - so this time we're doing #hardcorpschiseledknitters

How's that for a mouthful & a hashtag?

But it works because we are doing the 22 Minute Hard Corp program now.

I'm looking forward to something new.

New programs are always exciting to me.  I'm the person who is always wanting to change things up & do new things.  That's why some work out programs aren't for me because I'm not the person who likes doing the same routine over & over & over & over again.

Saying that, I do see this one only has a few workouts that DOES seem to get repeated often.
That makes me nervous.  I'm hoping that I love them so much, I dont mind doing the same workout I did on Monday again on Wednesday....
... though the idea of that already turns me off a little.

But I'm going to PRESS ON & give it a try.

I am looking forward to some Tony Horton in my life again. I know a lot of people get irritated by him, but he distracts me a lot of times from the pain of some of the exercises.  I haven't done any of his workouts since P90X3 which I LOVED as well.

I'm also glad to see these videos aren't a forever long workout.  I'm good for a video that is about 35-40 minutes.  Anything longer & I'm moaning & groaning... though I don't mind walking or running for an hour.  Funny how that works.

& again, on the flip side, I am nervous that the full video is going to be burpee & burpee & some more burpees.  This is based off of a military work out & isn't that where burpees originated?

Kudos to me - I AM much better doing burpees than when I first starting working out.  But it doesnt mean I love them or anything, or look forward to doing an insane amount of them every day.

But again - that whole pressing on thing...

Anyhooooo... this is supposed to be an 8 week program which will take me through till my vacation in October.  Perfect timing.

So once again, a new program in front of me.  We'll see how it all goes.

How many new things have ya'll seen me start here on Training Tuesday.
I think I kicked this off with my half marathon training - check.
& then the Hammer & Chisel program - check.
& then another round of 21 day Fix Extreme - check.
& here we are again.

After this, I'll have one more program I'm starting in November that will take me through 2016

... & then back to half marathon training.

Full circle baby! Full circle.

Have you tried this program?

Do you like Tony Horton?

Are you a fan of burpees or not?

The weekend a stuffed goat was painted blue or pink....

It's Monday & I still have my face.
Consider it a good weekend.
I mean, it was so miserably hot, I thought for sure my face was going to melt off.

What is this?  The end of August?  Because it feels like the end of the world. It was so hot & humid.  I guess summer is getting in its last few rounds of "TAKE THIS"

But since I'm thankful I didn't melt my face off, I got to smile through my weekend... let's rehash all the things that made me smile through the sweat.

Friday night was all about the MSM Hangout.  The theme for the night?  Blue Vs. Pink.  Boys Vs. Girls.  Serious Business is what that means.

It didn't start until 8pm & since I'm usually getting ready to get in bed at 8 pm on a Friday because let's face it, I'm old, I knew I was going to have to go for some reinforcements via Starbucks & some iced coffee.

Old Person Fuel

It did the trick.  Also being in a room of HUNDREDS of pumped up middle schoolers was enough to get my energy up too.

These kids are just so much fun! They were into the competitions & ready to WIN IT ALL!!!

Look at all the kiddos!!!!

I mean, the winner did get to have our stuffed taxidermy goat painted either pink or blue.

& yes, I did just say our taxidermy goat.  Middle School Ministry has its litttle odd things.

By the way - our goat stands for Greatest Of All Time (GOAT)... when there are competitions, the winners get to sign our goat's little cape.

... ok... the goat freaks me out a bit. The kids like it.  I will actually be very happy if I never have to sign the goat.  I want to cry over the goat actually. Ms. Animals Rights & all....

Anyways - high stakes.  A BLUE goat or a PINK goat.

We had to all fit in one square :) #tightsqueeze

I loved it because it was a great opportunity to get to know these kids better.  I am already LOVINGGGGGGG so much getting to know my 7th grade girls.  They are just the sweetest bunch of girls with a heart for Jesus.  I see a lot of great connections that are going to last for years to come.

One of my new friends... she is so amazing

Well... I'm sorry to say... after 2 hours of competition, the goat ended up being painted BLUE... BOO!!!!
Whatyagonnado....
Dang it.

But the girls gave a hearty effort.

& we all know girls can handle loss so much better than guys #throwingshade
so it all worked out in the end ok.

Fun was had... that was the most important part.

& I even walked out with pink paint on my face.

How do you not call it a good night when you come home with pink paint on your face?

I was so wired when I got home (Thanks Starbucks, you did your job) so I ended up staying up to watch the Celebrity Big Brother finale...  & then the after show.

I ended up being up till nearly 2am before I went to bed...

Whose an old lady? Not this girl!! BAM!

So I was so looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday after being the up all night girl... & then woke up at 7am.  7:00 ... seriously. What kind of cruel trick is that?

I tried to go back to sleep & I couldn't.  I guess my body was like, Joke's on you!

At least its Saturday... & I had no plans so I could care less. It's a day of no make up, running shorts & messy buns.  No cares in the world.

I ended up using my morning time for some Bible Journaling...

Hello Cup of Coffee

& then some reading for the Bible Study group on Sunday

Hello 2nd cup of coffee

& then Ricky & I had to run out to go to Sam's Club.

Can we hold it a second because I'm a little dumfounded about leaving Sam's Club.
I walked out spending $171....

WHAT?  On WHAT?  I have no idea.

When I saw my Total on the cash register

& the worst part? I had $24.00 in savings off things too with sales.... so it would have been over $200

It was honestly like 9 things too - its not like I went shopping for a restaurant to refill the pantry.

I got dog food (on sale) - avocados (cheaper than the grocery) - some laundry stuff (on sale also)
... & OK, I got a book.
I cant ever leave Sam's Club without a book.  Especially when they're only $6.86.

But danggggggg - $171.00  I'm still in shock.

I knew I had to get home. Get in my bubble of "NO SPENDING"... except the internet is home & we all know my computer automatically logs into Amazon.

I did good though - I settled in for more Netflix to end my day.

Sunday has us back at church & another great message at MSM.

This week we talked about DRAMA QUEENS.. a PERFECT talk for middle school students. Heck, I know some adults that could have heard this lesson.

& yes, I get it ... I have been accused MORE than once in my life about being dramatic....

but adding some drama in life does make it a little bit more fun.

I'm all about FUN drama... not dramatic drama. Y'all get me, right?

As soon as MSM was over, it was time for my favorite time every 3 weeks - JOY Sisters Bible Study group....

& the fun thing about this time?  We actually had one of our out of town girls that wanted to be a part of it, she Skyped in with us.  She stayed on with us for about 2 hours. I loved how easy it was for her to be a part of the conversation & loved getting her input.

The world can be a small place sometimes....

& then we also had a new face join us. She is actually one of my past brides - so in that room were THREE of my past brides. I said I'm going to end up just having all my brides in this Bible Study by the end of it all.  If you want me to shoot your wedding, you're going to have to come talk Jesus with me afterwards. Sounds like a new package deal.

Speaking of weddings, everyone left & I stuck around to talk about our next upcoming wedding with Chasity & I got some extra time of playing with our Grand Buddy Emerson.  That little girl... she is just the cutest.
I got a picture of her on my camera I need to upload... PRECIOUSSSSSS... I can eat her up.

The best part of the day with her?  She called me Belle. Like legit called me by the name Belle.
I felt like my job on this earth is accomplished.

But I got home in time to eat some dinner with Ricky & then before I knew it, it was time for Big Brother & I did try to watch a bit of the MTV Music Awards.

Did I say I wasn't old earlier... because watching the MTV Movie Awards reminds me I am definitely getting old.

Some of the music. Some of the clothing. I honestly couldnt handle it. Half way through Beyonce's performance, when I said, "What is going on here?" about 4 times, I just threw up my hands & turned it over to HGTV.  More my speed.
I'll claim my oldness sometimes....

So how was your weekend?

Is it horribly HOT & HUMID where you are at?

Do you tend to be dramatic sometimes?

What's the best way you use SKYPE or Facetime?

Friday Favorites

Favorite Halloween Fun


How stinkin' easy is this???
Wouldnt it be cute to put on your kiddos lunch bags to surprise them?
I've said it before, I'll say it again
GOOGLY EYES MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!!!

Favorite Fashion



I NEED this Old Navy dress.
Seriously.
I think it would be perfect for any season.
Put with some leggings & boots? Perfect color for Fall!!

Favorite Coffee Mug



Favorite Beauty & the Beast


Lumiere is probably my most favorite Disney character ever.
... besides Belle & Beast. Y'all know that's on a different level.
So I have to get this ornament that is out this year.
I mean, he lights up. How fantastic is that???

Favorite T-shirt

... I mean... is that too much to ask for?


Favorite Peencha



Is this thing for real?
Because if it is... I need one in my life
Harvey Dent needs a little sister

Favorite Funnies

... how I try to fix more computer / wireless / modem problems




... every time I eat a bowl of pasta




... when someone asks me if I have any photo openings in the Fall




... when I realize my Saturday is totally open with no plans




... when a package I'm expecting to be at my door when I get home isn't there




... how I feel every morning when my alarm goes off for work




... me at 4:00pm




Happy Weekend Y'all!!!