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.📚