Weekend Highlight ... This Past Weekend

I am finally caught up. 

Last week was mainly relaxing for a change, and I almost did not know what to do with myself. So I went to Target to buy outdoor pillows, ran to get Ken some medicine, and had a small wreck in my own yard with minor damage to my vehicle and my father-in-law's truck. I am one heck of a daughter-in-law, and he is one forgiving father-in-law.

Friday evening, we beat the senior citizens to dinner at our favorite Mexican place. Eating dinner at 4:00 is one of the perks of being an educator.

I also played in my favorite antique place, University Pickers, and went to a thrift store, where I scored some burlap pillow cases, in which, I will use them for something else. How could you sleep on burlap pillow cases?

After all our running around, we went home to walk the Tootsie girl, because after all her shenanigans, she needs to walk. Did I mention she ate a whole loaf of bread last week? We had to go “all hide your pizza, hide your bread, because there is a sneaky eater up in here” in our house.

I spoke to the vet who recommended a thyroid test. Since Ken was not with me, I agreed because Toots had not stole food off the counter in a few years. Her results came back fine, so they left a message saying that she just has bad behavior and may need some new shampoo. I got all that for $79 + I finally saw the word “sucker” written across my forehead. Thank you very much. 

Despite this, we love our vet, and Tootsie does not act a fool in there like she does in other public places. 

 I love Friday night walks with cool breezes. It makes the neighbors come out, and so we spent most of our walk visiting with folks. We need to bring the front porches back!

Once we got home, we lit a fire in the chiminea, and sat outside for almost two hours. There is something about a fire and cool breezes gently running through your hair as well as a party on the group text with your friends.

The power of group texts! Have you tried it? It will run your battery down, but keep your spirits high.

Saturday morning was LAZY. Another perk of being an educator is that you cannot sleep past seven. Our window was open and the smell of yard sales came sweeping in. I got up, put my yoga pants on, and walked next door to realize that I was no longer in a treasure hunting mood. The downloading of fonts picked my interests along with an almost pot of coffee.

*Note to self, if you intend on sitting on the computer all morning, don’t drink an almost pot of coffee. It will have you running for the lavatory more than you want.

However, as I was pouring, yet, another cup of coffee, I saw a cardinal family sifting through my yard looking for things for their own house. I could not help, but smile and think … how beautiful, even the birds yard sale and bargain to make their homes cozy and delightful.

The rest of the day involved weeping and gnashing of weeds, hand raking leaves out of flower beds, and numerous trips to the compost pile. 

You read that right, hand raking leaves. It is not for the faint of heart, but it does give you time to ponder such things as life, blessings, and why there is currently no yard boy. If I had a yard boy, I could save this early-thirty-something body for more enjoyable things such as pedicures, picking out fabric, rearranging my patio, 

and reaping the benefits of having a yard boy. But, no, there is no yard boy, so, 6 hours later, I did the total body work out, gardening style, established the base of my farmer’s tan, and was more like Pig-Pen.

A shower was in order and then bed rest, because I did not stretch this early-thirty-something body well enough and was already feeling the burn.

As we were eating our leftover Mexican around 5ish, I look at the handsome man, with the bright blue eyes, sitting across me and said, “What do you want to do?” After a few rounds back and forth, I finally mentioned either movies or Lowe’s to start our project. He looked at me and replied, “I was thinking the same thing.” In some cases, when you are married, two really become one, and it is scary at times. You realize that your truly married your best friend. 

Lowe’s won out as well as making a pit stop at the local ice cream place. We had gift cards burning a hole in our pockets, people, and a project a comin’.

We spent the rest of the evening partying on the patio. 

I helped with some cuts, but I am amazingly slow. Ken did all the hard stuff, like cut angles, figuring out what needs to go with what, and making sure everything is level. I showed some Pretzel Crisps who was boss and threatened to go get fast food, because I had the late night munchies.

There was also a party pooper ...

At midnight, I finally asked if we could finish tomorrow. Ken looked as if he could have heard that an hour ago.

However, 6:49 a.m., Sunday morning, I bounce up and was raring to go. Tootsie girl and I enjoyed the melodious birds, cool breezes, and a nice cup of coffee for me, not her. She is already chocolate enough. 

There was also a sweet devotion and spray paint involved, but not at the same time. 

I am almost positive that tomorrow at 5 a.m., I will not be bouncing off the walls and wonder why I did not get more sleep this weekend. 

We finally finished our project. So details coming soon!   

Last Week's Weekend Highlights

I am a little behind schedule as far as sharing our weekends. 

We could label this as Mississippi Weekend, Part 2

I was in a thrifting mood this weekend. Which is a good thing since I conveniently had to use the bathroom at the Goodwill in Corinth, MS. May I mention that is a really nice Goodwill and on my way back from the bathroom, some lampshades and vintage pillow cases may have followed me out after making a pit stop at the register?

Oh the joys of traveling to Mississippi. These bathroom stops make my husband's eyes roll.

Speaking of the husband, he spent last weekend and this weekend putting in a security system in our parents's church with the help of both our fathers and a few men from church. They can now record the sermons and keep a watch out on the parking lot. All the men involved have totally geeked out over this system.

So Saturday, for me, involved thrifting with Mama and Middle. We hit some yard sales and some thrift stores, while spending some quality time praying for our lives. One reason is that I may or may not have told my mother that she was no longer a fun mother since she refused to participate in the yard rolling escapade from last weekend. She then proceeded to prove to us that she was a fun mother by driving her race car all over Memphis. I'm pretty sure my face and hands stayed plastered to the window because I saw my life flash before my eyes more than I desired. 

Another reason we prayed for our lives is that Middle introduced us to some new treasure stores. Some of these treasure stores had pig trails that you traveled hoping it did not lead to a meat locker. We survived and came home with some prizes, our lives being the greatest of all.

So we ate, hunted, and laughed until it hurt and I got a McCarty creamer for$.50!

Sunday morning involved a good country breakfast prepared by Old McDonald himself who also showed me how to make his scrumptious, famous steaks that he was serving for lunch for the preacher and his wife.

I had the best seat in the house Sunday morning as the new preacher took his post. I had my sweet in-laws on my left and my parents on my right. My husband was in the sound booth making sure the security system was working properly. Boys and their toys.

The service was good and involved a few tears and passing of tissues. There were a lot of prayers and hugs and love being spread around. Afterwards, I had to check my face to make sure I was not mistaken for being a member of Kiss.

Lunch was good as well as the company. We are excited for this new couple as they embark on this new journey in our hometown.

So you may have reached this point and want to know about Tootsie.

Well, she ate another whole pizza again.

Sneaky devil.

Thank goodness my parents ate what they wanted from the first pizza. The funny part was that when Mama dropped Middle and me off at Middle's place, she said, "Tootsie said to order her a pizza." Karma is not a good thing.

There was a 3 am bathroom call where Tootsie got me in the kisser. She needs to trim her whiskers, but it got my attention even though I was already awake to watch the hour go by that we lost last night.

Lesson: Put all food up from counter unless you want Tootsie to be on clean up  crew.

So here is to a week where you will be making up for the hour lost. At least there will be sunlight.

Satisfying my Cravings ...

Around this time of year, I begin sitting on my hands because I am anxious for pretty weather, planting my vegetable gardening, and watching my flowers pop up from the warm ground.

To help my craziness, I bought a few houseplants to change out the dead ones from last year. 

Houseplants are not my forte, but they do help with the winter blues.  

I enjoy having them tucked here and there, especially around my kitchen and on my table. 

This sweet asparagus fern is from our wedding.

Even though it gets messy, I like having it in the house during the winter to watch its new growth reach the sunshine. 

It brings hope that Spring is just around the corner! 

The Art of Letter Writing ...

Letters are a dying art, as we can tell with the price of postage these days. 

It makes me sad, but how cool is it that you can instantly get information to someone? It is fast, easy, and free. 

This fast paced life has become a necessity, but letter writing is of a slower, simpler period.

Simplicity seems to be the latest trend even as we hang on for dear life!

~

First of all, you need some fun stationery. 

I ordered mine from Vistaprint. I always add the linen finish just to have a special touch. 

Next, think of someone who may need a little lift. 

I don't know about you, but it seems that whenever I get a little note or letter in the mail, it is exactly when I need some encouragement. 

The timing is always perfect! 

Once you know who you are writing to, write from the heart, letting them know exactly how much they mean to you. 

Add some humor if possible. 

Humor is always the best medicine. 

Finally, lick that envelope (or use a sponge), put on that postage, and place it in the mail! 

You never know. The favor will most likely be returned very soon. 

And speaking of that, I have a lot of favors to return! 

Hanky Art ...

I finally got around to taking my Christmas cards down and put away in a photo album and was left with a naked chicken wire frame.

No one needs a naked chicken wire frame. 

So handkerchiefs to the rescue along with some copies of old family photos. 

It adds such a nice touch of color as well as act as a remind of all the strong women who have led our family for many generations. 

My New Social Media ...

Recently, I decided to get off Facebook for a bit. I still have my page up, and will answer messages and such, but I am rarely spending any of those moments of when I get bored perusing the news feed. 

Instead, I spend a lot of time on Instagram (havendaniels) and playing various games of Words with Friends with my mother and Lea Ann. I also Pinterest quite frequently. 

These sites are free from drama, and I still get to see what everyone is having for supper on Instagram. 

I prefer to save the DRAMA (that is 9 points in WWF) for my mama. 

I have also read a few books lately that I thought I share. 

Um, this book totally rocked my world, and I will probably read it several times as well as read some of her other books. 

She will make you laugh, cry, and ponder your true meaning on this Earth all while cleaning out your closet. You will never look at your clothes in the same way nor the way you eat or how you recycle. You may develop a love for gardening.

Brace yourself! :)

~

I seriously finished this book in half a day. Ken was trying to nap, and I keep waking him up with my stifled giggles. It is nice to see the brighter side of motherhood.

~

This devotion helps to start my week days.

Such beautiful devotions of God's grace in our lives and finding true joy and gratitude in the every day moments. 

Ann Voskamp uses everyday situations between her farm, adventures, and six children to explain God's great mercy and grace and encourages you to find your every day gifts. 

This is the follow up to her amazing book 

A deep thinking book that I will have to revisit one day.

~

and last, but not least, my Sunday nights have involved this ...

Oh Happy Day! We finally have an awesome, addictive show that we can watch on our antenna.

~

This is the best social media there is! 

I hate that it is over for this season, but I will just rewatch all the seasons until next January. 

If you haven't jumped on this bandwagon, you need to grab your hat and be read for a wild ride! 

Maggie Smith would approve! 

Weekend Highlights

It has been another action packed, fun eating, witty weekend in the great state of Mississippi. 


Friday evening, Middle and her sweet bestie came down, and along with Mama, we went to go check out Baby sister's newly bought house. Some how we took a detour through the local Dollar General, passed the offering plate to collect some money, and purchased 5 packages of toilet paper. 


Every body's first house needs to be christened.





This was great Friday therapy especially since I hosted a field trip that day for my little scholars. 


Mama refused to commit and scolded us profusely even though we explained it was all out of love. 


And boy do we love. Oh Saturday, we spend several hours helping Baby sister (who, if she is reading this, is probably not happy with her sisters because she just realized it was our crazy selves that rolled her yard. Hi, Alana! Amber, I hate you missed it!) with painting bedrooms and bathrooms all Saturday. Middle also was a killer on some light fixtures and one poor vanity. 


Since Baby just closed on the house, there was no heat. Daddy provided a kerosene heather that I was sure would blow us up. 


During the initial plugging in of the heater, Tootsie and I practically ran out of the house. Nonetheless, the heater did work and kept our muscles warm and fuzzy because you really use your muscles to paint.


I felt my muscles screaming the next day. 


I failed to mention that when we returned Friday evening from our little adventure, the great Tootsie girl polished off almost 2 Papa John pizzas that were sitting on the counter.


She was the designated baby sitter to the other dogs. So as the babysitter, she thought it was her duty to feed everyone. 



There was jalapeños on most of the slices.


Then there was a 3 am pleading to go outside, followed by an approximately 7 minutes of drinking water. 


Heifer. 


While we were working at Baby Sister's, Ken, his daddy and brother, and my daddy all worked at the church. 


So Saturday night, we dragged our tired selves to a local pizza place, to break up the monotony due to pizza being a favorite among all family members, even dogs. 


And then after a seriously good night's rest, we awoke to the smell of bacon, eggs, biscuits, and COFFEE, with Daddy orchestrating it all. 


We had a few leftovers that we left on the table to skip on over to church. Once we returned, Daddy met us at the door. 


It was very clear that the table cloth had been moved so the vintage Pyrex bowl, that once held the leftovers, was teetering on the edge, but wiped clean. 



Apparently, Tootsie needed some brunch. 


Not only does she feel comfortable at her grandmother's, she also painted half of herself grey, hanging out with the girls Saturday, all while wearing a neck brace to prevent her from licking her hurt leg. 


 Clearly, she can still reach all kind of delicious delights. 


I also took the shortcut from the interstate to my parents Friday night by climbing up the hill by the bridge just as Ken and Daddy drove by.


Did I mention that I was driving Ken's truck? 


Well, here is to another bright and shiny week. Go roll some yards.