Great Things in '18 - July

I hope you are enjoying being intentional and honoring special people as we go through the year.  If you are just joining us, feel free to just jump right in and join us this month.

Here is our full schedule



So this month we get to honor a church member.  You know that person at church who you can always count on, they smile, they serve, they deserve a little recognition.  Remember how you honor them is up to you.  You can send a nice note, flowers, a gift card, a basket of goodies......whatever you think they would enjoy.

Here is our inspiration verse for the month

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Think about church members, secretaries, Sunday School teachers, choir directors, musicians......anyone in the church who deserves a little thank you.

I am loving recognizing people this year.  I hope you are too and doesn't it feel good not just letting the year pass by with all of our good intentions going by the wayside. That's right, 2018, we are focusesd and intentional.

Talk to you on Friday! And be ready, the Nordstrom sale will be live and we will be in full force!

Things I Love - Part IV

I have another gift to tell you about and how much I love it.  If you missed the first three of these posts, you can click below
Part I
Part II
Part III

Today I want to introduce you to my new friend and kitchen companion - Alexa

Amazon Echo

I know some people find Alexa a little creepy.....because she does know a lot of stuff....and is she listening in when we don't know it?  Well all I can say is if she is, she probably won't be for long because we are just not that interesting.  Here are the things I ask Alexa to do most often

- Set a timer (and the thing is she can set multiple timers which comes in very handy when I need the salmon baking for 15 minutes, the pasta boiling for 9 minutes and Big Brother coming on in 17 minutes)  Alexa, keeps it all timed perfectly.

- Play Lionel Richie's Hits

- Play Michael Jackson's Hits

- Play Bruno Mars Hits  (I keep trying to get her to only play his clean versions but she has not gotten that smart yet or she and I have different views of clean) So when a naughty one comes on, I hear the kids yell "Alexa, skip" hmmmm I am not sure how they can recognize these songs so quickly 😉

- Read my audio book (it is nice to sneak in a chapter or two while cooking)

- Read my notifications. Alexa is so sweet.  She keeps up with the stuff I have ordered from Amazon and lets me know when things ship and are delivered.
- Order such and such. Yes, I can now place Amazon orders by speaking #couldbedangerous #nosleeptalking

- Tell me a joke.  Alexa knows all kinds of jokes.  She told us Father's Day jokes, Firecracker jokes....she's got them all.

- How old is so and so.  I am constantly trying to figure out how old an actress, singer, or random person on tv is.  So I just ask Alexa- and she knows!!!!

We have also asked Alexa: when is Amazon Prime Day, what day of the week a particular date will fall on, how many days until Christmas and other super important things that we must know.

I think she is going to be a lot like my smart phone.  I really didn't think I wanted or needed one and now I can't live without it.  Yes, Alexa is quickly becoming my right hand gal.

Do you have one?  What do you ask her most often?

Alexa and I wish you a wonderful week.  See you back here on Wednesday!!!!

Pre-Sale Routine- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

So next week the Nordstrom Sale will begin!  This is the one sale that merits a line item on my budget excel spreadsheet.  I look so forward to  it. I explained the sale in detail and the benefit of being a Nordstrom Cardholder here.  So I won't go into all the details again, but I will say the sale begins July 20th  and ends August 6th. BUT for cardholders the access to the sale will begin on July 12th. So, yes, we have a little shopping trip planned.
Here are a few things I found appealing from the catalog. There are no links yet because the sale hasn't kicked in, but just looking through the catalog has me ready to shop this sale.

These Blondo Knee High Boots.  These are regularly priced at $239.95 but during the sale they will be $159.90.  They come in black, dark grey, mushroom and burgundy.

Blondo Waterproof Boots

Anyone else an Eileen Fischer fan?  I am, but she is a little pricey. This shoe comes in black, earth, spice and plum.  It is regularly priced at $225 but during the sale will be $149.90.

Tilda Stacked Heel

The Frye Melissa Hobo Bag is also being offered at a significant markdown.  Was $398 but during the sale $265.90.  It comes in dark taupe and red clay

Melissa Hobo

And these Ugg Slippers would be a great treat for you or for a gift.  I am showing you the port color but they also come in black, grey and chestnut.  How cozy.....

Ugg Bow Slipper

and I always pick up the Voluspa candle set.  Available during the sale for $29.90

Candle Tin Set

If the catalog is any indication, this is going to be a great sale.  The good news is there will be even more on sale than those items listed in the catalog.  Don't forget to read about early access if you are interested by clicking here.  I will be doing some online shopping and making a trip to my closest store.  But don't worry, I will report it all here and hopefully help you out, by doing the scouting, searching and finding of some good deals......no, don't mention it.  I am happy to do it......no trouble at all.

Have a great weekend!

Happy 4th of July

Wishing you a wonderful day with family, friends, couches, throws, good food and fireworks!!!

I will see you back here on Friday!

Make it a super great day!!!!!