What's Up Wednesday

What I'm eating this week....

Right now, I'm on a fresh fruit kick.
All the fresh pineapple & fresh watermelon.
mmm... give me all the yummy summer fruits!

What I'm reminiscing about....

All the graduations has me thinking back to 1990 when I graduated high school.

Man... how long ago

You think back when you're making those big transitions in life & you try to see the future.

... & being in the future, it never turns out how you think, does it?  For bad... for good.

What I'm loving...

Rachel... on The Bachelorette.
I am excited for this season because I think this girl has it going on.
She's beautiful, she's smart. She seems like she's not going to take any stupid playing on the show.
Fingers crossed I still say that in a few weeks.

What we've been up to....

We're on TICK WATCH right now.
They seem to be everywhere right now so we're constantly checking out each other's hair & checking out the dogs ... it's already so bad. I cant imagine how the rest of summer is going to go.

What I'm dreading....

Humidity
Totally dreading it
I dont mind the warm air or heat... but when there is no air to breath because of humidity?
UGHHH
plus, my hair is dreading it.

What I'm working on....
Right now, I'm working on a little hand lettering cards that I want to send out to some special people.
I'm excited how they all are coming along.

What I'm watching/reading....

I've been starting to binge the show on TV Land - Younger.

I'm loving it.  I really like that actress anyways - Sutton Foster - she was on Bunheads & I loved her on that too.

& Hilary Duff is adorable.

& I didnt even realize when I started watching that it's made by the guy who did Sex & the City.

I can see that same sort of vibe with it.

What I'm listening to...

Ever since Harry Styles did his Carpool Karaoke on James Corden, 

I really liked the song he sang on there.

So off to Spotify I went & I really have enjoyed a lot of the songs on his new album.

Especially Sign of the Times

Who knew!!!

What I'm wearing....

So I got turned on to these jeans from Old Navy

... & I didnt want to like them. 

I mean, I have given the hubs so much grief for paying for jeans with rips & tears in them

... but I love these....

& the hubs totally laughed at me when I put them on & showed him.

OK... he's the fashion diva in our house apparently & knows the styles before I do.

What I'm doing this weekend....

I've got a busy one ahead...
I'm going to do a photo session with a big family
& then I have a bridal shower this weekend too that I'm excited about celebrating
& plus, its our final MSM for the season so that's bittersweet.

What I'm looking forward to next month....

ALL THE SUNSHINE!!!!
The sun starts setting a minute earlier starting June 21 so I'm going to love every bit of all the sunlight we get throughout June!!!

The weekend that had it all...including an extra day

Can we all confess how badly we want 3-day weekends to be a normal thing in life?

It just makes sense.  For sanity reasons alone.

Friday had me stopping to celebrate the long weekend by getting a Frappe... a free on with my reward stars. That always makes it taste even more yummy.

I didnt eat any dinner for the night so I figure those calories balanced out.

Saturday, I ended up going outside & sitting & enjoying the air that was full of rainy air - I love the smell of rainy air...

But I ended up sitting out there reading this book that I had just started the night before...

& I ended up sitting outside & reading it until I was finished.

I can't believe I did that. I never just sit & read a whole book... it was heavenly.

& then I was shocked it was 2 in the afternoon & I had spent 5 hours sitting in that same position.

Guess you could say the book had its hold on me.

The day was full of sunshine, then rain, then sunshine, then rain... a crazy day.

Ricky &I had run down to get some dinner & I was sure I was going to run into everyone I knew because I didnt have on any make up. Luckily, I survived that one without bumping into someone.

We arent appetizer kind of people, but Ricky wanted to try something new... they are called Sauer Balls... they are fried balls of sauerkraut. OH MY GOSH - they were AMAZING. The waitress brought us some Thousand Island dressing with them because she said she liked it... I cant get over how good they were.

Needless to say, we were so stuffed from these that we had a big TO GO bag to take home.

Ricky needed to run into Home Depot, which is like torture to me... so for payback, we also ran over to do a Target run.  I was good with that.

Sunday had me at church - with only one more MSM meet up for the year next week. I can't believe that.  So sad.

But after that, we changed our bible study time so I had 3 hours to kill.... so Ricky & I went to Sam's Club to shop around & where I could buy some fresh pineapple... yum!  & then we went to grab some lunch at McAlisters.  I love they have changed their menus that now show the calories... which is kind of shocking on some dishes. YIKES.

We kicked off our new study & had new faces join in ... & it was just so wonderful to get some good discussion going & to kick off our study of BREATHE by Priscilla Shirer... we can tell that its going to be a good study for everyone.



Because we start late now, I ended up not getting home till nearly 8... yikes.

I'm glad it was a long weekend just for that reason.

Monday, I ended up sleeping in till 8. THANK YOU LORD> That's how you do a long weekend!!!!

But I was so productive on Monday, I was actually amazed.

I got my closet switched over... which was sort of depressing going through clothes that are a little snugger this year than last. But I'm going to turn that to motivation & not depression.  Right?

& while I was cleaning out my closet, I ended up finding a box that I wasnt even sure what was in it.  It was like finding a time capsule. It held so many things from when Ricky & I first started dating... & cards from friends... & concert & movie tickets. We found a movie ticket where it cost $4.00 for the movie. WHAT?!?!? Have we been together a long time or what?

We are babies... I am 21 years old... WOW... just wow

& then I ended up cleaning up my library which is a job in itself. That room has turned int our 'catch all' room -  especially around Christmas - so I still have wrapping stuff & boxes & gifts that we bought at the end of the year for next holiday all laying around in there. It was exhausting... & I still have a load to do.

I do have a bunch of books I need to give to my reading friends too that have those little free libraries in their area.  I have a LOADDDDDD.

Between my closet & the library, I have a HUGE load that will be going to Goodwill soon.

I wasnt about to cook dinner after all the work for the day, so Ricky let me pick Beef O'Brady's for dinner - some place he's never been a huge fan of - but it looks like they've changed up their menu & we were both happy.

Veggie Bowl... DELICIOUS

& then it's always depressing to know that a weekend is winding down - especially a long weekend.

But at least this one was full of friends, of reading, of productivity... it doesnt get any better than that.

How was your weekend?

Friday Favorites {05/26/17}

Favorite Dress



My client from my photo session had on a dress in this line & it was ADORABLE!!!!
She even had people ask her a few times where she got it at & I can confirm it is super cute in person too.  I had to go to the site myself & check out their dresses.
Some of them are on sale right now too for around $35.00!!!


Favorite Drink to Try




I love me some Apple Cider Vinegar... I can drink it plain in water
But this just looks & sounds so much better!



Favorite Beauty & the Beast



If you have a daughter & you're not dressing her in this...
then we need to talk!



Favorite Crafty Item



Ohhhh - my Washi Tape heart is loving this thing!!!


Favorite Home Decor



Yep... I need this in my camera room.
& they sell like 6 different styles of cameras...
wouldnt it be cute to have them all on a couch?
& cheap enough too - under $8.00 for each pillow!!!

Favorite Art

Isnt this Disney painting so beautiful.
I love seeing Anna & Elsa as real little girls.

Favorite Peencha

Favorite Funnies

I AM SOOOOO TRYING THIS!!!!!!

.... when I turn on Netflix




... when I try a new Pinterest project




... how it feels when I knit



...me at 4:00pm today




Happy Weekend Y'all!!!

Magical smiles, my daddy's heart & I'm ready for 2018!!!! {Thankful Thursday #126}

This week I am Thankful For:

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

354 / Sweet message.
I so loved that one of the girls I did her Senior pictures, sent me this IG message. I loved she shared with me her invite with her pictures on it. I had met her the day I did her pictures & she was just the sweetest soul. I saw she won Prom Queen &her boyfriend won Prom King. I was so happy for her.

356 / Daddy OK.
So my dad had to go in for a heart cath last week & ended up getting 2 more stents put in.  He's been having problems breathing & they said this was a big reason why.  He's got some blockage still in other arteries but they are saying with medicine & change of diet, it should take care of that.  So I'm glad he went & got checked out & everything went well with this.  Now, to make sure he sticks to that heart healthy diet! #waggingmyfinger  He sure does love his fried foods.  He & his Fry-Daddy could be considered best friends.

358 / MSM Friday Night Chat.
I mentioned this Monday... but loved these girls took time out of their Friday night to come down & sit at my house & chat & gab about life & fun & the weekend plans.

359 / Seeing my past clients.
I did this couple's engagement pictures, their wedding, their first daughter's pictures so I was so happy when she scheduled with me to do family pictures. I just love staying connected with people.



360 / Chasity's help.
See that little girls smile above?  It was a doozy to pull out. Her mom & dad said she is not a smiling person for pictures so they didnt expect big smiles in the pics & totally OK with that.  Well, I knew having a almost 2 year old, I was going to need assistance.I try not to bother Chasity ever since she's become a mom of 2 & still working full time & use her mainly for weddings... but I also knew I could use her magical help & plus, Chasity & this beautiful momma knew each other from high school so I knew they would both love to see each other as well. & as you can see from the picture, Chasity's magic did indeed work.

361 / Perfect timing.
I also mentioned this Monday but let me tell you - we could NOT have timed this photo session better for the weather & the rain & hail that came in.  Whew!!! I usually walk my clients down a pretty long path to get pictures down by a lake... & I saw my weather app & thought we'd better not. If we did, we would have totally gotten caught in the horrible weather. & when I say horrible, I mean, a tornado hit not too far from us - HORRIBLE!!!!  Thank you Lord for discernment! ... & a great weather app.


363 / Dinner with friends.
It was great getting to spend some time with our friends after the photo session.  We need to do it more often.


366 / All the outside reading.
I'm still thankful for this.... & will be until the humidity kicks in.  It'll probably be on my list every week until then.  #sorrynotsorry

368 / Running.
I havent been much into running since my half marathon but needed to do some cardio & also didnt want to miss out on the gorgeous evening - so went for a run... & it felt really good.  I love when running feels good.  I think the pressure of training is off & I can just enjoy it a little bit now. I may have to dabble back into again.

370 / Erin Condren Planner.
Yep... I already got my 2018 planner!!!! The week they released the new ones for the year, they were offering some freebies & I had a coupon for $25.00 of a planner #GoMe so I had to take advantage of it & snag up early.  I mean, I ordered it about a month ago & it just came in this past Tuesday - so I'm glad I got the jump on it.  Plus, I really do have to write down 2018 dates early when it comes to photo sessions so I am glad to be on the ball & not live off post its for future appointments.
Plus - isnt it so SUPER CUTE?!?!?!!?

Tell me something good about your week!!!

Thankful for my new badge too - isn't she pretty!!

Random Thoughts....

... I think I'm really getting old. I have officially hurt my neck/shoulder/upper back AGAIN... from goodness knows what.  Living?  Breathing? Moving? Sleeping?  You know you're falling apart when you pull something so bad from just being still.  Geez.

... I'm zooming through re-reading 13 Reason Why to compare it to the show.  But I'm excited to get through it & get it behind me. It's really wearing on me.  I need some totally corny & cheesy love story after all this heaviness.  It is interesting to see the differences from book to show - but I am REALLY surprised how true to form it is. Even  a lot of the lines are EXACT from one to another.  I dig that.

... My heart is just aching over the Manchester bombing.  This world is just full of hatefulness.  Anger & rage is just stirring & brewing.  You see it so much, in small ways.... everywhere... every day. People are fighting & arguing over the dumbest littlest things.  I have a feeling its only going to get worse because it seems people just dont want to take the step to get along with one another... to find compromise... to see that everyone around you is human.  God be near.

... it just seems like more & more bloggers are fading out.   I dont know why. Podcasts are what everyone seems to be going to & I love me some podcasts, but I am such a blogging girl, Plus, I dont have all the time to devote to each podcast if everyone makes the move.  I mean, when you read a blogger post, it usually takes a few minutes - 10-15 minutes top usually... these podcasts are usually 45-60 minutes.  Yikes... Plus,  I just love reading stories - I love pictures. Let me rephrase - I REALLY love pictures.  I dont know - I just love the relationships that can come out of blogging, seeing people's lives laid out for sharing... but it seems that a lot of blogging is turning all about promotion.  Give me life stories.  It's really sapping my own blogging mojo lately too... which I hate.  I also know summer time is when blogging takes a nose dive.  Come back bloggers.  I miss reading your words.

... I lived for all the pictures of Pippa's wedding over the weekend.  I never tire of royal stuff.  & George & Charlotte?  I just cant get enough of them.




... I am in loathing with the shirts this spring/summer.  All the holes in the shoulder area...  & all the off the shoulder things... just not my style.  Looks good on everyone else - I just am not a fan of my upper body.   I just want to know where everyone is getting good strapless bras too because I have yet to ever find a good one & you would have to have one for these shirts.  I'm never going to church or work with my shoulders showing like that.. & that's basically the only places I go... so yeah, these shirts - THAT ARE EVERYWHERE - not going to work for me.
I also have the worst time with finding a good tee.  My spring/summer struggle is real.

... Anyone know anything about an Anti-inflammatory diet?  It's been intriguing me reading all the health issues that inflammation can cause. It looks like its really basically a clean diet - more towards a Mediterranean diet.  Doesn't it always just come back to eating more fruits & veggies?

The weekend I walked back into my friend's house.....

Why do these weekends fly by?  Seriously, its not even fair.

I had a busy & packed weekend full of faces I loved seeing.

Friday night, I was going to finish up 13 Reasons Why when I got a phone call from one of my MSM girls.  They were down the street at their friends house... the one who is now living in my friend's Steph's house.  (That post I talked about that is right HERE)

Anyways, they wanted to know if it was OK if they could run down & say hi....

Of course.  I knew this was going to happen but less than a week after they found out where I lived?  Made me laugh.  But the girls came over & I turned off 13 Reasons Why & put on a lighter movie... The Secret Life of Pets ;) I love that movie.

It was so fun talking to the girls & they were making plans for us all to do things during the summer. I just love these girls & love they want me to spend time with them.

They had walked over when it was light outside & by the time they were ready to head home, sun was set & it was dark.  I live on a country road full of hills & no street lights. No way I was going to let them walk home.  So I told them to get in the car & I'd drive them home ... & let me tell you, I almost had a panic attack when I turned into that drive way.  I havent been in that drive way in 10 years.

& then the girl that lives there, her dad is a police officer & he was anxious about his daughter coming down to my house in the first place so I told her to have her dad come out & meet me so he knew who I was... & she text him & she said, "He said you can come in"

... breath in... breath out...

I am now walking up the side walk of my friend's house... & walked in the living room where I havent stood in so many years... & so many memories were flooding me.

It was so surreal, I cant even begin to tell you....

But I did meet her father & all the girls hugged me & I headed home... crying my eyes out.

I was in the perfect mood to finish up 13 Reasons Why.... & let the heart tearing continue.

OH MY GOSH... I finished it up - those last 3 episodes.  I was cringing & so upset. I dont remember the book having that same sort of grip on me. I really need to re-read it.  I think I'm going to start on it today actually.

I ended up staying up to nearly 1 am to finish out the show....

so that meant I slept in on Saturday.  Nice. Super nice.

I was able to take my time & do some cleaning & worked out my body & worked out my hand lettering... & did some on my Bible Study for the week....

& then it was time to go do a family photo session.

I did this couple's wedding... & then their first baby's pictures... & here they are a family of 4 now. I love seeing these families grow & staying in touch with people. It helps when your clients are amazing people.



We werent sure we were going to be able to pull it off because the weather had been iffy all weekend.  But I swear by my app Accuweather & it said it would rain one time during our session & it sprinkled EXACTLY the time it said it would - just long enough for us to hide under some steps & let it pass....

& then it said some large hail was going to come through & luckily, we had JUST finished the session when it came in. & MAN OH MAN... I need to check my car & see if there is any damage.

Chasity had come up to help me since I knew there was going to be a little one.  Kids anywhere from 1-4 years old, you need extra attention getting tactics. & Chasity is a pro.  But we planned on getting the hubbys & her kiddos to all meet up afterwards & we were able to go out to dinner together.

I cant believe I didnt take any pictures... I was just loving talking to Emerson.  She is just at a funny age right now.  & still loving Beauty & the Beast.  She at one point got up & was walking around the restaurant singing "Belle"... everyone was laughing at her... while my heart was bursting with pride.

I ended up getting home & washing up after that humid photo session & I knocked out EARLY.  So much for sleeping in.

The drive home... the storm finally passed

Sunday had me at church & MSM... I cant believe we only have 3 more weeks & then our summer break.  The girls are already wanting some dates planned for summer get togethers ... a total must.

I had to run to Target to get some stuff & then ran over to see my parents & drop off a heart healthy cookbook for my daddy.

I came home & had to take advantage of cooler temps (Finally) & sunny skies (finally) & finished up my latest book.

Then I finished up m evening by editing... & thinking of the week ahead.. the one before a holiday  weekend. That always makes the week more tolerable, doesnt it?

So how was your weekend?

Did you have horrible rains?

Did you watch 13 Reasons Why?