Lent begins March 1st

Lent is the 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday.

This year's dates are March 1st - April 13th.

It is a great time to do some self-reflection.  Many times we use it as a time to give up something that perhaps we overindulge in or to to add something that perhaps we neglect.  Of course, a great addition might be some extra time in study- you could add a devotion, a time of prayer, or have a very specific area of prayer.

I highly recommend my friend Suzanne Matthew's new book, if you are looking to add some special devotion reading.  You can buy the book here.

I am sad to say that I went back to look at what all I had focused on in the past years and apparently I work on the same things every year.  But over the years I have focused on the following:
- added 30 minutes of walking 3 days per week
- allowed myself only 2 hours of television per day
- not done any retail therapy
- no complaining
- keeping the clutter out of my car
- picking up around the whole house before bedtime
- speaking kindly all day

Here's some other ideas for us all to consider:
- donate/throw away 40 things in 40 days
- no eating after dinner
-no soda, sweets, coffee or whatever your vice is (if you can't completely give up, you could reduce)
- Pay 3 compliments each day
- go meatless for a couple of meals per week
- pray for enemies
- limit social media
- establish a phone free time
- don't compare yourself to others
- no snooze buttons
- incorporate a nap on Saturday or Sunday
- don't salt your dinner plate
- take the stairs
-turn off car radio and pray instead
-collect all your change and donate at the end of forty days

So this year my lent goals will be:
1) Suzanne's book
2) only one snooze button hit each morning
3) walk at least 30 minutes 3 times a week

There.  I put it out there. Those are my goals for 2017 lent.

Join in - what are you going to spend the next 40 days doing or not doing?

Another great thing to do is to light candles for Lent.

Sacred Holidays posted this video and I think it is a great explanation and encouragement about lighting candles this season.

Oscar Weekend!

Why are short weeks so long? How does that happen?  Well we made it and deserve a little something something for our efforts.

Especially since it is Oscar Weekend!!!!

This is the weekend that I sit on my couch and wonder how people have so much time to see movies and I make a new list of movies to see when they finally hit Netflix.  However, I love a good theme party and so we will have Oscar night at the house.

In my head, I will be wearing something like this.



But in realty I will be wearing something more along these lines.




Because I am going to need elastic............since Pizza Hut is honoring the Oscar weekend by having 50% off their menu prices.  Thank you, Pizza Hut, for making a little Italian Sausage on a deep dish crust available to me at a discount.  You have to place your order on line to get the deal.  To be honest with you, I was doing a little pre-shopping and I think some of the other deals they have on their site might be better.  Either way I am in!


The films nominated for

BEST PICTURE are:

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

I will get a chance to see Hidden Figures Friday night and that will be only one I have seen.  So more than likely I will be pulling for it!  

Because I am multitasker, I will be doing a little online shopping while watching the Oscars.

In honor of the Oscars, I have tried to find an item relevant to each movie.

The Arrival has something to do with aliens coming to earth.  The trailer shows a lot of people running so I feel these would be a good item to have should we be faced with such an arrival

These are currently being priced matched at Nordstrom for $79.99

Next up Fences.  I almost went with Kleenex for this movie because there is that one scene where Viola is crying and it screams an urgent need for a tissue.  But instead I went with this cute baseball tee.....because apparently baseball is also a big part of the movie.



Hacksaw Ridge - the trailer is super intense.  I think the general theme is a young man wanting to heal rather than hurt.  So I thought this enamel medical box would be a good item.  This would be cute to have in our homes to house our first aid kits.

Up next Hell or High Water......hmmmm well there are a lot of guns being shot in this trailer and banks being robbed, pretty sure this is not PG-13.  But when I look past all the violence apparently the boys are trying to get enough money to pay some bill. So I am going with something to hold our money (money that we earned honestly, of course, never stolen)

I think this blush color is really pretty. Kind of the color of my cheeks after watching that trailer.

Now up Hidden Figures.....no, I am not going with Spanx here, although that is what I use to hide my figure.  These ladies were brilliant and stylish.  I feel like they could have worn these and I want to wear them too.



La La Land is full of music and dancing.  There's a lot of twirling in this movie and nothing twirls like a good fit and flare dress like this one.

I got a glimpse of Lion on an episode of 60 minutes.  It looks like an emotional story and really drew me in. I feel like this one is going to make us need to curl up in the fetal position.  So you may need this throw.


Manchester by the Sea has a lot of intense man emotion in it....and pretty sure it is rated R.  There is a lot of snow in the trailer and really cute coats.  You know it is the perfect time to buy a cute coat during the end of season sales.

Size up in this one!

Finally, Moonlight - oh boy, the trailer is too intense for me.  There is a lot going on in this one and I am not sure what item to pick for this. So I'm going with this


There's a lot of brokenness in this movie so I chose this patchwork cutting board.  Something pieced together yet still broken.  I know this sounds sad and a terrible way to end.  So let's just focus on the beauty of these boards and how nice they would be to entertain with.

Enjoy the Oscars!  Enjoy your weekend!!!!

In my Dreams.....

Did you used to spend time day dreaming? Maybe you still do.  But I have to tell you, I haven't spent any serious energy doing

wouldn't it be nice to's

or

what if I tried's

or

I wish I could's

in a really long time.

I know we are grown ups with responsibilities and limits on our time and resources.....but dreaming is free.  And maybe, just maybe there are some dreams we could and even should be acting upon.

What are your dreams???

What step could you take in making them come true?

Some of the dreams I have had over the years are

1) Owning a florist.  I love fresh flowers.  Love them!!!  So now I routinely buy flowers and keep them in our home.  Turns out I just love flowers not running a florist, so this is a much better solution for me.

2) Quilting.  Well if it counts for anything I have at least two started and some really good ideas for two more......so I am counting this one as a potential win. #eventually

3) Writing.....aaahhh see where this one is going?

Yep, I used to dream about being a published author sitting next to Ann Curry for an interview.  Do you see how old this dream is?  I know Ann is no longer on the Today Show, but she has always been my favorite - and since this is a dream she can totally be interviewing me.

So I write here now periodically and when I hit the publish button for you to read - well lookie there - I published something.  Now if anyone knows Ann, maybe you could drop her a note and let her know my schedule is open for interviews.

Living the Dream, my friends.  I am living the dream!!!!

I hope you are living yours too.

A full load....shoes, socks and bbq

It's a big sale weekend for really tantalizing things like mattresses and grills.  But a few stores are having some fun clothing sales too.

These are not on sale. But at $59.99, they are respectable.  The only problem is I gravitate to the same color in shoes like this.  I have a grey converse and a grey ked but.... they aren't really this shade of grey .......these come in several color choices but I keep coming back to this one.

But honestly ......what is up with these low cut, slip on socks that won't stay on your heel?  Who felt this was a good idea to have your sock balled up in your shoe before you get to the car?!!!  We have bought and tried several different brands.  So far this one is the winner.

Yes, they are 10 bucks but you know what,,,,,,they wash great, they last and they don't have the hidden agenda of trying to bring you to your knees and making you yell mercy.  This is a sock I can be friends with.....who knows maybe you could too.

So I know we need a little bargain in our Friday, so here's a deal for the locals.  This link will take you to WHRP's sweet deal of the week which happens to be $50 worth of Lawlers BBQ certificates for only $25.  This deal will go live at 9:00 cst on Friday (17th) morning.  They will go fast. #beonlineatnine

And now for the sales you can shop this weekend:

Anthropologie has 40% off sale merchandise.

Kate Spade has 25% off with code BUBBLY

Bath and Body Works has 20% off your entire purchase with code TREATS

Madewell has 30% off with code MOODLIFT

J.Crew Factory 50% off everything

Banana Republic 40% off your purchase

Carol & Company 20% with code SWEET

Have a great weekend!!!

My History

I did not want to let the whole month pass without paying tribute to African-American history.  But I feel like you may be well versed in your Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas facts.  Certainly not taking anything away from the contributions they made to our world, but today I wanted to share with you MY African-American historical moments.  I think when we consider history, we think of before our time -  you know pre-us.  But this is the history that was made during my lifetime.  I witnessed this history. It's super special to me because it's about my dad.

Here's a little background about my dad.

He was born in Yantley, AL in 1940.  He was from a family of 12 siblings.  He was a hard worker and walked or hitchhiked to the next major town to get to and from his job.

He graduated from Alabama A&M University with a B.S. in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology with a minor in History and later obtained a masters in Educational Administration and Supervision.

He met my mom in college and we'll pause here to be thankful for that.

Now to the making history part....

My dad was the first African-American in administration (post integration) in Limestone County.  He served as the principal of Mooresville Bell Mina Elementary School and later at Tanner High School. As you can imagine, he was not warmly welcomed in such positions by many during this time.  Yet he put on his shirt and tie every morning, showed up and did an outstanding job.

My dad was also the first African-American to serve on the Athens City Council.  His heart was in service and he went on to serve on the
                     Clean Community Committee
                     911 Emergency System Board
              Athens-Limestone Public Library Board
            Limestone County Property Tax Committee

While I was studying for spelling bees, practicing my cheerleader jumps and taking math exams my dad was quietly, diligently, heroically making history.

He passed away on October 15, 2011.  We miss him, but we are proud to have walked through history with him.  He left my brother and me a legacy of serving others, doing the right things and not having idle hands.

This is a picture of my handsome dad.

One of the memories that really stands out to me is my crying when he, rather than my mom, would pick me up from preschool - not because I didn't love him or didn't want to see him.  No, it was because I knew it would never be a simple ride home.  You see my dad would stop to help every person who ran out of gas, ran out of money, had car trouble, didn't have a car, needed a job, couldn't pay their rent, needed help with groceries.....you name it!

               If the situation was in his path, he felt obligated to help fix it.

At the time I didn't get what an extraordinary character trait this was. But now it is often my whispered prayer that God put a Harvey Craig in my path - couldn't we all use someone like that in our day.

It's in the Books.....

So I really love a good book and I really dig a spreadsheet too.  I married those two loves and have kept a spreadsheet of every book I've read since the mid 80's. Are you wishing you were me right now or are you glad you are not?  It's ok......I go back and forth between similar feelings myself.

Here's what I've read lately (not in spreadsheet form 😌)

The Magnolia Story



Gifted to me for Christmas....I LOVED this book.  I was already a Chip and Joanna fan but now even more so.  I kept saying I wouldn't talk about this book with my daughters because they might want to read it.  But there were parts I just couldn't resist reading out loud to them.  How is Waco's population not exploded? I totally want to move there and have them do a house for me.

Then I moved on to a what I would call a heavy book.

Close Your Eyes Hold Hands


This one is a tough subject told with tough talk.....nuclear power, teenage runaways, drugs, crime.  It is an attention grabbing story line and kept me interested, but I was plum tuckered when I got to the end.  And please be advised this one has more than its fair share of expletives.....

Then I spent some time on this


Yes, I am well aware it is a cookbook and not a novel.  I love recipes and enjoy "reading" a good cook book.  This one is very good.  Simple but tasty meals.  We've made about four things already and have been pleased with them all.

I hope you are reading some good things.  If so, please share. I would love to add to my spreadsheet.📚

End of the week retail therapy.....you're welcome

Here's a few fun things ready to jump into your shopping cart!

Walmart
While I don't cross their automatic doors often, I am not opposed to a good sale.  Right now Walmart is having an online only clearance.  I must say thank you, Walmart.  Online happens to be my favorite way to shop with you.  There are several things, but I was particularly drawn to the Pioneer Woman Collection that is marked down.  In case you don't want enough to get free shipping there are lots of items that are available to buy on line and pick up in the store and that is my 2nd favorite way to shop Walmart.

This pie plate would be great for next Christmas....yes, I said it....Christmas (and we are going to talk more about it soon in a future post) #tightenupyourjinglebells




Does this remind anyone else of the breakfast table growing up?






And if you have a Sam's card, check out this set.

It also comes in gray, coral and teal.  I really like what they have done to make melamine dishes look so much like real dishes.....and they don't chip.

And Homegoods melamine dish game is off the chart right now.  Unfortunately, they don't have pictures on line but it is worth the trip.  Go ahead and grab a shopping cart on your way in.....you're going to need it.

Pottery Barn is also having Friends and Family 20% off.  I am a huge fan of their sheets but they are pricey so this is a good time to buy them.

And look........ the poor retailers are overstocked with Winter clothes.  Whatever made them think that cool weather would follow summer?  That is so 2016.  But the good news is there are quite a few markdowns and now is the time to stock up.  I feel confident that winter will return and we should be prepared.

Ann Taylor has several items marked down and some with an additional 50% off
Dillards is having a spectacular shoe sale.  If you buy on line, some of the items cannot be returned.  However, if you buy in the store you will have 3 days to return.  Worth the trip to the store.

Lastly, I was so excited to discover this!



Listen, if you have had the pleasure of sitting under Suzanne in one of her Bible Studies, I need not say anything else.  If you have not, you are in for a treat as she is a gifted teacher of the Word of God.  I can't wait to get this home.  I think it will be perfect to dive into as we lead up to Easter.  Let's go, Amazon Prime, don't fail me now.

Have a great weekend !!!

Bless your heart......

February is American Heart Month

Did you know? The first American Heart Month took place in February 1964. At that time, more than half the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease. —American Heart Association

I know we spend a lot of time and energy taking care of everyone else.  Why not take some time to do something for yourself?  Call and make an appointment for a heart scan.

You can get a heart screening at Huntsville Hospital Heart Center for $99.

Your scan will give you:

•  A Heart Score to detect the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries
• A Detailed assessment of the risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease
• Blood Pressure
• You can call 256-519-8490 to schedule your appointment.
• If  you are out of the area, you are not off the hook.  Check with your local hospital for a similar offering.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner

It's almost Valentines Day.  If you have small kids, are a teacher or in any capacity responsible for helping small kids celebrate the big day you are acutely aware because you have probably been on Pinterest, thinking you should check Pinterest or cursing its very existence for the elaborate ideas in making things for a gaggle of children.  If that is you - best of luck, my dear friend.  Those of us who are past that stage are secretly chest bumping and high fiving each other.  But don't worry you will look back on these days and cherish them.

But how about even those of us who are past the kiddie stage get back into the fun?  This year go ahead and send at least one card.  If you are feeling particular sporty go ahead and send 3 or 5 or 10....whatever you have in you.  Seriously, are there girlfriends who hang with you no matter what, an aunt or uncle who has always been special to you, or someone who could just use a little lift?  Send a little love to someone...... they will LOVE it and I think you might get a kick out of it too.💖💖💖

If you are already in the mode of sending cards and sentiments, maybe there is one person you could add to this year's list and help them feel special.

This year I ordered these bags from Amazon.  I am putting a simple heart sticker that I found at Target on the bag, buying cookies from a local bakery and passing them out to some co-workers.  Honestly, who doesn't love a little surprise sweet treat?  Of course, Target's dollar section is pretty in pink these days with all kinds of fun Valentine stuff.

See you on the card aisle!

Hello Friday!!!!!

I've got to tell you I am a big fan of Fridays. And I think this one is just swell.  Welcome Friday....make yourself at home and sit a spell.

I don't know what your week has been like but I hope it has been a great one.  Mine has been fairly uneventful and at this point in my life - that is the way I like it.  But I am ready for the weekend.

If you need a little retail therapy after a long week, I found a few things on line:

These earrings come in a set of two and they are on sale for $9.98. Yep two pair for $9.98!!!!


There are four different color choices.  But this pink would be cute for Feb 14th and you'd have the gold for good measure.

This cute little peplum top in on sale at Anthropology. $19.95


The size options are pretty good in this color but limited in the other two colors they offer.

Do you have a pair of joggers?  I probably should have saved my jog pants from high school.  Of course, now I would have to sew two pair together to make them fit me but it could have worked.  But alas, I did not think ahead and got rid of them.... so I have invested in new ones.  These are great to put on when you come in for the day.  I feel like they are great Friday night pants.  Especially if you are like me and your plans include a bag of conversation hearts and a good book.

These are from Target



And if you see me in this EXACT outfit, pretend you haven't seen it before.  I like the striped top under this vest and the vest is a great price.


Best of weekends to you.  I am off to google who is in the Super Bowl so I can get started on our Super Bowl snacks and decor.  Honestly, I don't care much about the game, but football food is good!!! And I am the kind of person who can find the good in a situation and embrace it.

I'll be the girl on the couch hugging the queso.😉