TOOT YOUR OWN HORN

Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m not good at anything!” Or “I can’t do anything right!” How about “If only I was good at _____!” Yep, I’ve been there! There have been many days when I felt totally useless and had nothing to offer, nothing to give. And although I don’t like what aging is doing to my body, it has improved my mind and my mindset. I know deep down in my heart that there are things I am good at and while I’ve never been anyone to brag, I think all of us owe it to ourselves to toot our own horn every now and then! 

 

Let’s talk about the things we are good at, instead of dwelling on what we don’t think we are. I thought it would be fun to list 10 things that I know in my heart I’m good at. I have a feeling other people would tell me the same things and most of them are things people have told me I excel at. Those attributes are what make each of us unique and we should be proud of those things. 

 
Flowers
Taking care of and planting annual flowers to be exact. If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I inherited my green thumb from my mama! She always has the most beautiful flowers in the world and I’m happy to take care of the ones I plant every spring and watch how beautifully they grow. Since I wasn’t around the blog last summer, you didn’t get to see what I planted last year. Here’s a couple photos and I might do an entire post on it this Spring. In the past I’ve done post called picking posies where my mom and I go to greenhouses and plot our flower landscape each April. Would you like post on that?

..and this was before they were even at their fullest 

Lil Flower area by the Pool Shed

Decorating the Front Porch
Especially during the fall and Christmas season, people tell me that my front porch decorations should be in a magazine. Imagine my surprise when Pioneer Woman magazine reached out to me last year, and I was included in their Fall Edition in an article about pumpkins and porch decorations. They had seen a photo of one of my Fall porches on Pinterest and wanted more. I sent them pictures from each year and ironically enough they chose the year that was my least favorite, lol! I tried to do something different every year, but you can guarantee there are lots of pumpkins and mums.  

Honored! That years Fall Porch HERE

But this was my favorite year. See that Post HERE

In the Kitchen
Cooking and baking are my jam! I pretty much cook almost every single night. I have some of my favorites in my Recipes Tab so I won't go putting all my favs here. I love to cook for others, and I love to try new recipes. And it’s funny with the baking, years ago, you may remember I entered baked goods in the county fair and won many ribbons. One year, I even won the Bursting with Blueberries contest. I never have done that cookbook like I wanted to, but maybe one day. My husband always tells me my cookies are 100 times better than Crumbl cookies which always makes me feel good. There’s nothing like a homemade cookie, but homemade cookies must be done right. LOL! You'll see on the sidebars, my most pinned posts on Pinterest are my Food Posts.

Recipe using Strawberries HERE

Recipe for the PB Fudge HERE

Decorating/House Design
I love to decorate and it’s one of those things that again, I say I wish I was better at but everyone that comes to our home loves it. I especially loved designing our new home 8 yrs ago and when my husband and I watch HGTV shows, we say we could design them so much better, ha ha.

We have 5 bathrooms, but these two are my favs..the Powder Bath and the Glam Bath in my Upstairs Office/Craft area

 
Gift Giving
My love language is truly giving gifts to those I love! And not just any old gift, I am adamant about finding the perfect thing that fits that person and that I know they will love! And if it's one I'm mailing, I love to decorate the boxes. It’s one of my greatest joys to see people open gifts that I have picked out just for them! 

A Birthday Box sent to a Bestie in Louisiana 

 
Spreading Kindness
I try to make the day for someone every day! I’m all about giving genuine compliments, opening a door for someone and helping them in any way I can. This world needs more kindness, and it needs to be engraved in our souls to spread it to others.

Being Empathetic 
This somewhat goes along with being kind, but the addition to that is being empathetic! To know when others are hurting to know when others just need a listening ear, to know when to relate to what others are going through so that they know they’re not alone! If you ask me, I would say being empathetic is one of my greatest qualities.
 
Games
I love to play games, and we don’t as often as I wish. But I have to say I’m pretty darn good at them! I love me a mean game of Yahtzee, Uno and mine and Mr. Nine’s favorite, gin rummy! Mini golf, Badminton Especially love playing corn hole with the kids, and don’t mind boasting when we beat the younger set, lol!

So Proud Beating our kids, LOL

Dealing cards like a Boss since 1974, I'm on the left, Cuz-n on the right

Stylin’
OK, I will admit, I’m not as into fashion in my 50s as I was when I was younger. Part of that is because I no longer work in the professional world and part of that is because I just want to be comfortable and cozy these days! Give me a cute leisure outfit to play with the granddaughters and I’m in heaven! But I’d be lying if I said, I didn’t love getting dressed up every now and then and styling things from time to time for you all on the blog.

A Few outfits you missed last summer 

while I was on Sabbatical.

MOG Dress in June

I LOVE Jumpsuits as you know..

This one Available HERE It's a FAV!

Christmas
Ok, this last one kind of combines a lot of these, but you know I take pride in being a queen of Christmas! Everything for decorating my numerous trees to taking trays of baked goods to friends and family, to beautifully wrapping gifts, and picking out just the right thing for people and making all the favorite foods on Christmas Day and making it special for my sweet family! Spreading Christmas Cheer my dears! 

Gosh, I got on a roll, and I think it was good for my soul! I thought of many more and I picked up my own Debbie Downer attitude from the times I think there’s nothing I can do! When in reality, there is so much we all are good at! 

 

Now, there are some things that I definitely won’t be exceptional at that I wish I was. Probably the number one thing is singing, but you know what? When I’m singing songs or lullabies to the granddaughters I feel like a songbird, haha! 

I encourage you to make your own list of those things you are awesome at! If you’re a blogger, write a post about it! If you’re not, write it down in your journal or on a piece of paper and every now and then when you’re down on yourself, look at it to remind you of all the cool things you CAN do! And always remember, I love ya!

Linking up with Momfessionals and Between Naps on The Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Hello Monday // Sunday's on Silverado // Life and Linda

xoxo 

FINDING JOY

What on Earth….literally, is going on in this world? The events in New Orleans last week on the very 1st day of the year just broke my heart. The sad truth is events like this are never going to stop. But one day we will, we’ll take our last breath. As I’m in the 2nd half of my life, I’m really asking myself, why aren’t I doing more of the things that bring me Joy? And I’m telling myself to treasure those joyful moments even more deeply. As cliche as it is, we only get one life and when that last breath comes, I hope my soul goes out on a joyful note and I hope yours does too. 

As I look back at this past year, I’m sad at how many people seem to have lost their Joy. I’m ashamed at sometimes being made to feel guilty when I get giddy excited about something. There are so many joy squashers out there! The world is full of negative Nellie’s, bullies of all ages and hurting souls. Let’s show them what Joy is by wearing it on our sleeve, by embracing the happiness that small and big things bring us. 

I had a very hard time finding joy in the first half of 2024. There were days I couldn’t find strength, or grace or even one foot in front of the other. I often wondered if I’d ever even smile or laugh again? But as with everyone, happiness ebbs and flows, more bad times are to come but so are the good ones. So what if even during the rough times, we stop and recognize Joy! A warm cup of tea on a cold afternoon, a fresh dye job on my very graying roots, a hug from a loved one, my doggie just sitting by my side in solitude. Joys don’t have to be ginormous, really it’s the culmination of small joys that lights the way even on the darkest days. 

And remember, joy may not be here today but there’s memories of joys, there’s a future with joys! I often think about my happiest, most joyful memories when I’m feeling low. 

How I wish I could send everyone, especially those hurting, a big ole helping of Joy! While that’s not possible, I hope I can at least spread it to those I encounter. It’s one of the reasons I came back to blogging, even spreading a speck of Joy is worth it. The flame on my candle is small but if I can light yours, I’ll do it! If we all try harder to see the Joy, maybe we’ll rub off on others. 

 

Never let anyone take JOY from you! Relish it, soak it up because those joys are meant for YOU! But what a gift to share some of it with others. 

 

Do you recognize Joy? Do you allow yourself to feel it? 

Can you let go of the painful, the bad, and be open to it!

And please tell me you try to spread it as best you can my sweet friends! 

 I WISH YOU AN ABUNDANCE OF JOY 

IN THE FRESH NEW YEAR AHEAD!!

PS: Something else that brings me joy besides the obvious, most precious....my family...…is there's only 298 days til I decorate for Christmas again. LOL!! Man, our home looks sparse; clean but sparse, LOL!

 

Linking up with Between Naps on the Porch // Thursday Fashion Files // I Do deClaire // Momfessionals // Hello Monday

xoxo 

LETTING GO IN THE NEW YEAR

Motivation abounds, doesn’t it? After the first of the year, it’s everywhere you turn. I do truly feel we should be motivating everyone every single day. However, if a fresh new year gets everybody in a positive, move forward mindset, then so be it.

 

Do you make resolutions? Do you choose a word of the year as your mantra? I used to. And I guess in a way, you could say I chose two words this year those being letting go. But this is about all the things I’m letting go of in 2024. I shared a synopsis of it on an Instagram Reel last week, but I thought it made for a good post as I know many of you stated you could resonate with it.

While I didn’t go into detail on Instagram. I will go into a little bit more depth here. And before I get to that, I will say I kind of have a motto for the year.

 

Less Tears and Fears in the New Year!

I cried A LOT last year! I’m an emotional person anyway, but coupled that with that crazy menopause, (I’ll get part two of my menopause journey in a few weeks), along with just some hard “stuff” and the water works flowed often. I’m not saying it’s wrong to cry, just the opposite, getting out your emotions with tears is healthy. But there comes a point where it’s like you’re crying over spilt milk, you know what I mean? There are so many things that we can’t change, and I think smiles are so much more enjoyable than tears. And the fears have got to go!

 

As for the things I’m letting Go of. Here’s the List:

 

-Joy Stealers

No explanation here, never let anything or anyone steal your JOY!

-Clutter

I have been on a mission this month to purge, purge, purge. I’m never as good at it as I want to be, but each day this month I’m working on some aspect of our home whether it’s a closet or a drawer. I haven’t made it every day, but when I do Declutter an area, and it feels good!

 

-Toxicity

I don’t just mean people and friends. Already rid of a couple last year. I’m also talking about the toxic stuff we put into our bodies and in our homes and pollutants we surround ourselves with. Even a toxic mindset is detrimental. Just trying to be cleaner.

 

-People Pleasing

I think many of us can say we’ve been here. We do do do do do but no one ever seems to check in on us or asks us what we need.

 

-Mindless Scrolling/Mindless Media in all forms

Oh, my goodness where do I even begin? I will do an entire post on how much social media is hurting us, including the scrolling, the mindless scrolling. Studies have shown that instead of scrolling when you wake up, you should do something relaxing for your brain like deep breathing, or stretching, or just lying there and that those things get your day off to a much better start. It literally is harmful to your brain to scroll. Social media is a wasteful time suck. For all the helpful things we find, I guarantee you there is way more useless stuff that we are seeing while we could be spending our time doing things we love and with those we love. NOW some people LOVE social media and that's ok too; I happen to imagine it's a minority, but remember it's what YOU WANT in your life, no one else has that power. BUT the power it has over us is indeed scary....

-Self Absorbed People

That’s another one of the sad parts of social media. This is where I’ve seen many people emerge from not to mention what’s happened to many the past few years just in our world and in life. Have a heart for others! It's not about YOU!

 

-Comparison

No explanation needed, if I never used to do it, why should I start now just because of that stupid social media and societies notions of how things should be!?

 

-Rest when my body needs to rest

Do it, you need it!

-Mean Girls in Midlife

Ugh! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would’ve had to deal with this middle school mentality again in midlife! How pitiful! Just stop ladies! Side note, I am excited to see the musical reboot of this movie, lol.

 

-Worry oh the Worry

I know, worrying is just plain wrong and pointless and I will try to do better!

-Keeping too much sugar around

If it’s in the house, I eat it, you know what I’m saying, lol.

-Pretending aging is awesome (it’s really not, lol)

I’m working on entire post about how hard aging is. Someone took it the wrong way on my Instagram. Aging is indeed a privilege and can be joyous at times and in many ways, there are things that are so much better but aging is downright HARD and 99% of you could relate so I will expand in a future post.

One last Letting go tidbit: This quote is a tough pill to swallow if you’ve been there, are there or will be there. I think many of us can relate and it hurts to the core when you care so much but others don't reciprocate. It could just mean they fail to realize how much you want and need them or it could be there is that lack of care on their end. Man that stings when you adore someone so much. They don't realize what they're missing do they; the love, care, laughs, loyalty and fun you have to offer!

 

Last year I told you I would be bringing more meaningful posts, I’ve even done away with weekly fashion posts, instead, sharing the clothing or outfits I love on Friday Favorites or an occasional dedicated post, but I feel like I didn’t bring enough meat in 2023. Believe me, I have so many post drafts that I created last year that I will finally push the publish button on. 

There's your dose of Monday Motivation, lol!

 

Let me know how you’re looking at 2024. 

What are you letting go of?

LINKING-UP with Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // 

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday

xoxo 

NINE THINGS LAST YEAR TAUGHT ME THAT'LL HELP ME SLAY 2020

I am a lifelong learner, always something new to know. But one thing I need to work on even more on this decade is learning from mistakes and encountered situations or environments. While many of us have shared goals and intentions and reflected on the past year, I decided to take a look at how to slay this new year and decade from looking at the past. 

Hope you can relate to some of these. 

1. Not everyone has a good heart!             

I’ve always been that person who sees the good in everyone and thinks everyone has hope and potential but unfortunately, that’s not the case for some. There are just some people in this world that will never be kindhearted no matter how bad you want them to be!

2. Expected outcomes often turn out to be the unexpected.                                    

There are so many times that we kind of expect what an outcome will be, or we expect how people will react to a certain situation. I realize this is not the case. The prime example was when our sweet Daisy passed away last summer. It was me who I thought would be the strongest regarding the event, but it turned out to be me who grieved the hardest and the longest. While my family was hurting, they are men and they did not show it in the same way I did. At first, I was a little angry, but then I came to understand. This is something I will remember moving into this new decade. And I will be open to the fact that I may not react the way people think I should either.

3. There really is something to this Joy Thing.                                                    

Within the past two years that I’ve quit my Professional Position, I’ve decided that I am only going to surround myself with things and people that bring me joy. This year, I’m going to make even more of an effort to do that. If it makes me anxious or stressed or leaning towards the negative, I must let it go!

4. Love is all you need.

How true is this and that’s probably what is wrong with our world right now. The hate is outweighing the love. When you look at your own life, think about the people that love you and about the people that you love! Concentrate on that and know that if the world falls apart and everything good goes away, you will forever have that love, whether the people are with you here today, miles apart or in heaven, that love continues through all of the time. and in regard to romantic love, strive for this quote below.

5. It doesn’t matter where your friends live as long as they live in your heart...but try to get together yearly.                                   

I have been blessed to find a friend group, where the only drawback is, we don’t live close to each other, we are scattered across the country. While I miss having a best friend in my area, I'm blessed to have 5 besties. These are the kinds of ladies that bring me infinite joy and while we keep in touch in all other ways including our beloved Marco Polo, the most important thing is that we are going to make an effort to get together annually and let me tell you, our trips are the best!

From our last trip to Texas

Here is a print I had made for the ladies recently from an Etsy shop that just reminded me of the 6 of us and one if the best things..all our butts look good, lol! The Etsy shop I got these from has closed but find the same thing to customize HERE

6. Food is medicine.                                    

This is so true and I’m going to remember this, especially going into the new year. When I eat junk, I feel like junk but when I eat whole and healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and unprocessed items, my body feels and behaves so much better. when I put things in my mouth, I need to remember I’m doing it to stay alive and healthy. While I will still allow myself the occasional treat, I just have to remember, stop, not so many extra treats, LOL!

7. Not everyone will like you.                        

My goodness is this ever true! It’s like, you know in your heart you’re a good person, you try to be kind and loving to everyone, but some people simply will find that as a threat and everyone has different taste, even where friendships and people are concerned. There were still a couple negative comments on my blog this year and I found it hilarious that for every poll I did on Instagram stories, there was always one or two followers that would disagree with everything I had to say. Moving forward into this new decade, I guess I just don’t care. Haters are gonna hate and all I can do is live my life the way it should be lived and always treat others with kindness! And I’ve stop trying to get people to follow me back on Insta..waste of time..I leave like a bazillion nice comments and all they do is like it, never reciprocate, never follow back…ok….

8. My Body needs Sleep!

Isn’t this the truth! Sleep is so important. You know sometimes I wonder why my boys sleep in so late but then I remember that I was a teenager who liked to sleep until noon because it means our bodies need it! I am an early riser and most productive in the morning and I probably always will be. However, it is so silly to get up super early just to comment on blogs and link up. I can comment any time and why get up on the mornings I don’t have a blog post when I can sleep in until my man gets up or even a little later. This is a perk of having older kids and no longer working in the professional world because trust me I put in my years getting up early when they had school start times at 7:25 AM. I’m definitely not saying sleep until noon, I’m still usually up before seven or eight, but over the holiday break, I enjoyed more sleep in days and realized it is so worth it!

9. Taking a Step Back = More

I don’t really have a word for 2020, just lots of intentions. However, one thing I want to work on is simplifying in so many aspects of my life. It really is true that less is more. I relate to this in the fact that I want to simplify my cooking with more wholesome and easy ingredients. And I want to simplify my stress. I’m not going to put in so many hours into the blog and Instagram. Currently I work on this blog about 50 hours a week and to save from getting burnt out and ending this hobby, I’m simply not going to worry about it as much. Nothing really changes when I put more time into it. so why not put just enough time into it, the time I want to devote and place my precious time in other areas of my life! I’m also going to try to not buy so much “stuff” and instead to concentrate on experiences. People think you always need to move forward to succeed, I think taking a small step back helps you grow by leaps and bounds.

One of those dear friends I alluded to in number 5 has a BIRTHDAY today. I could not let this blog post slip by without wishing her the ultimate day and entire week of happiness and joy! This precious friend of mine shines her light wherever she goes. Her positivity, sweet take on life, culinary skills, excellent taste, Love of family and fierce loyalty to friends is hands-down inspirational! Head over to her fabulous BLOG and wish one of my ultimate besties, my dear Laura Horton, a very Happy Birthday! Wish she'd move to Indiana, lol!

HERE's to Hoping YOU all SLAY 2020 too!!

LINKING-UP with Creative Muster Party // Metamorphosis Monday// Tuesday Talk with Erika and Ashley // Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // 

xoxo