Hitting that snooze....

I have a deep & serious & personal relationship happening...

... with my snooze button.

I love that big button on my clock.  You know the one.  The one you can find in the darkest of dark.  The one that your hand knows how to hit perfectly at the slightest sound of the worst beep you could possibly hear.

I will fall over every little thing on the floor - even a sock - if I have to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, but let that beep happen & I become a ninja & hone my skills to focus on hitting that button.

Like I said, its a deep & serious & personal relationship...

So I was a little shocked when I heard on the news last week that hitting the snooze button is not good for you.

There's an actual explanation to it...

Something about how it interrupts your natural sleep & ends up making you more tired... blah blah blah...

But I thought, OK, let's see how this works.

My alarm clock is set for 5:30 - which is when I really should get up. I have to leave the house at 6:30.  An hour. OK... but that deep & serious & personal relationship calls my name & I hit the snooze till usually 5:50 & then I'm spending 40 minutes of running around.

But after hearing how its not good for you, I let the alarm go off & I just hit OFF.  No snooze button. I'm sure that long button was wondering why I missed it.  But I just hit off, turned on the TV - which gives Harvey Dent the cue to jump in bed & throw his whole body around my face... there's your wake up call.

But I found I actually wasn't tired.  I got up, got moving.  & then I had extra time to get ready.  Time to love on Sydney.  Time to get my iced coffee ready without me screaming, "I'm going to late again"...

& honestly, I felt a little refreshed.  Seriously?  It worked... it's true?
& I did it a few days in a row... & every day was a actually OK...

Look at that!

I thought about how many times I hit a SNOOZE button in my life too...

Things I put off.
Things I think, "I'll get to it later"

We all have those list of things...

It can be something simple to the complex.

Cleaning my house
Doing that pile of laundry
Organizing my junk drawer
Working out
Changing my diet
Cleaning off some time on my schedule
Going to visit a friend
Making an apology for something I messed up on
Accepting an apology from someone who hurt me
Going where God is calling me to
Stepping out to do what God is wanting me to do

See - simple to complex

We put off so many things in life. 

... & in the end, I guess all this still applies... it's not good for you.

We're talking about a series with our Youth Kiddos about MOVING ... how God calls us to MOVE in our lives... & all of this is what made me think of that stupid snooze button.

Is God setting off alarms in our lives & we once again hit that button telling Him we'll eventually get to it?

I think He wants us to move in so many areas that we just put on a back burner...

I hope there is something that is nagging you today that you keep saying, "Give me another 10 minutes... 10 days... 10 years..." & you're hearing God tell you to stop hitting it... MOVE!!!!

The weekend that had me reading another book... before my busy exploded...

Oh weekend... where did you go so fast?

Friday kicked off for us with The Backyard - our children's ministry program.  I am part of the Dance Team... the closest I'll probably ever get to Dancing with the Stars... & I had a 5 line speaking part. You'd think I was quoting Shakespeare with how much I read over the lines. 

Saturday, Ricky went to help take down the Backyard set so I started my job I do best when he's gone... cleaning!  I actually felt like cleaning.

Isn't that weird when that happens.  It rarely does happen, maybe that's why it feels weird.

But I turned on Pandora & got my kitchen, my foyer, my living room, the bathroom clean & vacuumed the house.  Enough.  Bedrooms can wait.  I can only take the cleaning to a limit.

I actually had to work out & get my sweat on. 

Using my bean bag to give her soft cushion to lay against

After that, I was just lazy & didn't want to do anything but hang out with Sydney.  She just doesn't seem to be doing well at all... breaking our hearts.  It was a windy, misty day, so we took her on the front porch with her bed & let her stay in her favorite place.  I got my book & went out with her & read for 2 hours, finishing it & just enjoying being in 'our spot' for what I'm afraid wont be very many more times....

A highlight of my day though - I got to talk to one of my bloggy friends on the phone!  So funny to hear real voices with people that you feel like you 'know' for years. 
Sara at Make Music from your Heart reached out to me about my bicep tendon & the pain I'm in & she told me about the essential oils that could help.  I've always been intrigued about those essential oils anyways, & always wanted to try them... nothing better for me to try it on then this. 

But it was great just talking with Sara.  I told her its like we've been friends for the longest time because I was wondering how they have all been since their big family wedding that just happened... & she was asking me about Sydney.  Blog friendships really happen.  I've had them happen many times over the years... love it.

Saturday ended with me on my knitting loom finishing up a hat I literally started less then 24 hours earlier.  I am now a hat making machine.

You can tell I'm lazy on this day... #nomakeup

Sunday had me make up for the lazy day on Saturday.

We had church, then our youth group & then MAC (Merge After Church)... it was a perfectly, beautiful, gorgeous day, so when we had to do a photo scavenger hunt, it was perfect weather to be running around.

I just love those kids in that group....

We had to jet out of there so I could run some errands & pick up a few things & then we had to get back so I could grab my camera.

I had an appointment scheduled for Saturday but with the weather being 'iffy' we moved it to Sunday & I'm so glad we did. It was just perfect.

I have had this family in front of my camera a few times & love when families come back with new family members. I can't wait to edit this bunch up, but here's a picture of one of the pics from my computer screen... awful, I know... but you can see how adorable this is going to be...

We also had this little guy dig into a cupcake to celebrate his first birthday that just happened.  When I uploaded the pics, I literally laughed at all of them & was like, "Ricky, get OVER HERE & look at these"... I can't wait to share.

So it was a roller coaster weekend.... lazy to busy... sad about Sydney but happy to still love on her every minute we can... stormy grey clouds to beautiful fall-like temps....

Let's just hope this week is a calm, smooth bunch of days....

Happy Monday everyone!

Five on Friday

1. Jamberry Nails

I have probably bought about 10 sheets of Jamberry Nails... & I've never used any of them.  Why?  Because I'm scared.  Yes, I'm the person scared of nail art.  I had used a similar product by Avon & actually loved them.... when they were on... but getting them off was sticky. Literally.  & they seemed to pull the top layer of my already-thin nails off.  It took a while for my nails to heal up.  So I'm scared to try these now.  I need to look up some YouTube videos to see tricks on getting them off safely.
Anyone use them?  Any scary stories to share?... even better, does anyone have great success with them?


2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I have to finish this book this weekend. I am loving it.  It is written around old pictures that the author found.  Pictures from the past are so freaking WEIRD!

I love that he put such an odd story with the pictures... I am loving this book so far & I'm over half way done.  I just saw there is another book that follows it - I'll have to get that one too.  These sequels and book series suck me in every time.


3. Joan Rivers

I talked about her last Friday... & I'm so sad to hear she passed away.  I heard on the radio this morning some of her past comedy & I just think she was a woman who paved the way for other women comedians.    They said she would be the first person to make fun of her death & I guarantee she totally would.
Fashion Police will never be the same.
I said it before - but if you haven't seen the documentary on her life, watch it.  You really will have a new respect for her.

I always thought my mother in law reminded me of Joan Rivers.  The 'pre-plastic surgery' Joan Rivers.  They have a similar 'look' ... do you see it?

Ricky's momma & daddy
(She was pregnant with Ricky's little brother in this picture & they were getting belly shot)

4. One Year Ago

I can't believe tomorrow will be one year we lost our Yellow Dog ... We still miss Buffy so much.  And now we're facing the loss of our Sydney Girl... this being a dog-parent is tough sometimes...


5. Big Brother

Anyone else watching this season?  I loved it at the beginning with Donny. It seemed like it was going to be a good season, but I've just grown not to care anymore.  Basically because these people don't have a brain... at least one of their own.  They just do everything that Derrick says. If he doesn't win, it'll be ridiculous. He's the only one really playing.  Even last night, during the double eviction, there was a chance to make a big move.  But nope... all predictable... YAWN.  I actually like Derrick but this has just made for boring TV.

As much as I am NOT a Victoria fan, I'd crack up if she ended up winning when she's won nothing all season long.

What's the best book you've read lately?

 

Do you use Jamberry nails?

 

Are you a Big Brother fan, or just tired of the "Derrick show" as well?

 

Happy Friday everyone!!!

 

 

Click & join other's doing a Friday Five

#ProjectThankful14 ... a winner (Twice), new gadgets & date day

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
― Meister Eckhart

 

 

08.28.14 Click Magazine

 

 

I love bloggy contests... especially when I win!

& especially when it has to do with photography!

Look at this!!!

I won a subscription from the awesome Aimee from This Darling Day
A photographer's magazine... I didn't even know it existed.
I will be renewing this subscription 

 

 

 

08.29.14 Knitting Left handed

 

 

It took me a little bit of brain strain

... but I actually got it...

& now, I have to practice & become the knitting pro I once was.

I'm just thankful to have yarn in my hands again

 

 

 

08.30.14 Date Day

 

I loved that Ricky was like, "Get dressed - we're going out for the afternoon"

& we went & had a great lunch & then went & seen Guardians of the Galaxy in 3D...

with the theater being basically empty, Ricky told me he rented it just for me & he just let the other family come in out of the kindness of his heart.

What a guy :)

It was a great day with my hubby.

 

 

 

 

08.31.14 A NEW PHONE!!!!

 

 

Hello love. I'm so excited. I have the new Samsung Galaxy S5

... a real smart phone...

with a 15 megapixel camera!!!

Now I'm praying over it that it lasts me 2 years.

 

 

 

09.01.14 Veggetti!!!!!

 

 

Here it is... in my hands... all mine!!

With my hubs shaking his finger at me.

Ricky bought me 3 zucchini & I'll be twisting away & making some noodles tonight.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

 

 

09.02.14 A Lazy/Busy Day

 

 

Taking an extra day off work to make it a 4 day weekend was the best thing ever.

I loved being lazy in the sense I never brushed my hair, I never changed out of my running shorts & stained up t-shirt, but I got lots done. Editing & laundry.

I want to be a stay at home wife.

I need to talk to the hubs about this.

... listen closely... you may hear his laughter wherever you may be....

 

 

 

 

09.03.14 Free Stickers

 

 

Another bloggy contest that I won!!!!!

It was a package to win free stickers

... which may sound stupid...

but first of all, I love stickers.  Seriously. I have a bundle of Belle stickers & Disney Princess that I will put on cards.

But you can customize these stickers from this place & I won 2 sheets.

I put them to good use & made some for my photography.

I'm excited just to add them on cards & envelopes.

They just made a new customer with giving me free stickers.

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

Amazoning ... August

Another month... another month of shopping.

& do you know, I just finally put Ebates to work, which I think has my balance at 74 cents right now. YAHOO!!!!... Hey, I'll take whatever I can get.

Here's what I bought for the month of August... (I can't believe we're in September)

Japanese Washi Masking Tape

I keep hearing about this tape everywhere & the cute things people do to decorate journals with.  Me, being a Bullet Journal freak (I know.. I know.. I still need to do a video on it) I decided to get some & highlight some things in my journal.  I could see this becoming a fast addiction to buy.

Shipping Labels

Exciting stuff - huh?  But its easier then having to drive out of my way to go to Office Depot when I need stupid office supplies for my photography gig.

3 Stainless Steel Sieves

I got these for the intention of making cold brewed coffee.  It worked out alright, but not really worth all the hassle. I'll stick with my Keurig for the most part.  But I am glad I have these now.  It'll be handy for other kitchen adventures.

The Best Yes

I can't wait to dig into this book. It's next on my list to start reading as soon as I finish my book I'm into right now.  I just love Lysa Terkeurst.  There's certain women authors/speakers that I can totally understand & speaks to me.  Her & Angie Smith are my top two.

Where She Went

I finished reading If I Stay in one weekend & ****SPOILER***** it just sort of leaves you hanging with no real ending... & then there is another book.  Dang it. They hook you into wanting to get the next one so you can understand more of how the story goes.  I can't wait to dig into this one too.

16 Things I Thought Were True

This was a book that was on the Kindle Daily Deals. I always will look up ones the jump out at me on Goodreads & see what the ratings are. If its pretty good, I'll give it a try.  This one looked cute.  So I'll give it a shot.

Side note - anyone on Goodreads that isn't my friend yet?  Find me.

________________

 

Given to review

KT Tape

When Amazon said they would send me this to review, I got a little giddy.  I always have said through the years that KT Tape holds my falling apart body together.  This is a color I haven't bought before though so I get to add this to my collection.  My knee, my shoulder & my back appreciates this review item!

Did you do any shopping at Amazon lately?

 

Which one of these would you want to buy?

 

What's your favorite online shopping spot?

The weekend that I got the new Samsung Galaxy S5... AND a VEGGETTI!!!

I was going to use my normal cute little blue Weekend Roundup button, but feel funny about it since its Tuesday...


Long weekends, what a way to get thrown off.... but oh, how I love them.  I actually love them so much, I'm still going on it.  Yep, I'm off work today...  I'm taking the long weekend to extreme.  Thank you Jesus.


But here's a look back on the Labor Day weekend.


Friday, I was determined to try knitting... left handed!  I'm a pro at knitting right handed - just can't anymore with my stupid bicep tendon.  The pain is ridiculous... but I've been doing the knitting loom left handed & its working... so why not knit left handed? I pulled up some YouTube videos, which teach me basically how to do everything in life, & thought, OK, its what I know, just backwards -how hard can it be?  OH MY GOSH... I think my brain was going to explode.  It was so confusing....

BUT I GOT IT!


I'm slow at it, which I was when I learned to knit right handed... & I knit tight, which I did when I learned to knit right handed... so this has possibilities... That's exciting to me.


Ricky's not that excited that I want to go back to yarn stores again.


Saturday morning found me cleaning as much as I can.


Why is it you can clean part of a house & literally 24 hours, it looks like you haven't touched it in weeks? #frustrating

In the afternoon, Ricky asked if I wanted to go to the movies. He has a thing about making sure he sees every Marvel movie in theaters on the big screen & time was running out on Guardians of the Galaxy.  I personally thought it looked stupid & I had no interest whatsoever.  But friends at church said it was really good so I thought I would give it a try... & hey, it would get me to stop cleaning.

The only one we could make was a 3D movie, which GEEZ... the price of 3D movies are CRAZYYYYYYY.... but man, I'm so glad we saw it in that version.


IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!


There were only us in the theater, a man with his 3 sons & another older couple... that was it.  Well, this movie is pretty funny... & I'm a LOUD LAUGHER... so needless to say, when something funny happened (a lot) - my laugh was the only one you ever heard.  Ricky just shook his head half of the time.  I can't help it. My theory in life is, if its funny, you laugh... loud.


I also cried... like had to wipe tears away cry... the movie has it all.  Even a great 80's soundtrack!


Go see it...

I want to use my knitting skills to make a baby Groot now!

We literally ran out in the rain right after the rain to get up to church where they were doing a concert to raise food for our local food pantries.  We ended up making it just about 20 minutes late.  Pretty good for us.


Sunday had me at a photo session with two gorgeous people.... I had never done a couple's senior session.  I had met this young man at a family session almost a year before & loved that his mom got in touch with me to do his senior pictures... & then his girlfriend came along.  She is just stunning.  It actually worked out really well because as one was changing outfits, we would take pictures of the other person.  And then we got quite a few of 'couples' pictures.  I am so in love with these pictures as I'm working on them.

It turned out really well too because it was called for scattered showers & it was looking pretty dicey at times, but it ended up being really nice - a cool breeze, which is a break from the awful heat we've had - & by the end, the skies were turning blue!  High fiving Jesus again for a beautiful session.


I left & Ricky called me saying he was at Verizon.  WHAT?  Is it possible?  A NEW PHONE???? ... well, Ricky has been a stick in the mud for a few MONTHS about getting a new phone.  Mine just randomly dies, takes forever to turn on, drops calls - its ridiculous.  But nope, he didn't want new phones.  THEN, he came from work last week with a brand new spanking Galaxy S5. SAY WHAT?!?!? .... well, needless to say, he saw how old our phones really are when compared to a new one & he said it was time for us to upgrade.   Really?


Let me tell you - getting a new phone from one company to another is stupid. Just stupid.  We have been at T-Mobile for over 18 years & they wouldn't do any sort of deal for us on a new phone & just no appreciation for being with them for so long.  So we went to Verizon & then trying to cancel with T-Mobile was a joke.  Well, we literally haven't canceled yet so we can't use our Verizon phones yet.  T-Mobile was going to charge us $150.00 to cancel, though we've been out of contract with them FOREVER.... they were coming up with all sorts of stupid things. 

We had the Verizon sales guy call back, acting like Ricky, & guess what, we are in a no-coverage zone - which I think every spot in the USA is a no-coverage zone with T-Mobile... & we are able to cancel free because of the law on that.  YAHOO!!! BUT, its going to take about a few days to get it all straightened out.


I said buying a new phone is like buying a new car. 


But in a few weeks, I can use my own Galaxy S5... & feel like I'm part of the updated world.

Monday found Ricky & I having an Arrow marathon, getting all caught up for the new season.  We watched 12 episodes.... I think I may have even dreamed I shot arrows last night.


& we ran out for lunch & stopped in Kohl's because it was the last day for a $10.00 off coupon... & guess what I used mine on...


A VEGGETTI!!!!

Ricky kept trying to talk me out of it saying I'll never use it... I told him to take his 589th shirt he was buying & shove it, I was getting a veggetti.  It was so funny because every woman in line with me & the cashier was saying that they wanted to try it.... #womenunite  I would just look at Ricky & smirk when they would say something.


I'm anxious to try it... it's gotta be good just to make me win in the marriage argument of life...


So here we are... through with a long weekend... through with a long post..

How was your long weekend?