Ta-Da instead of To-Do in 2022!

 Every January since 2018 I have been scheming and dreaming up a list of things to accomplish during the coming year. This idea is instigated by my favorite author, Gretchen Rubin. And even though I’ve never accomplished everything on my list, it has been mostly fun to have such a list hanging out in my phone notes and over my head. I think it has inspired some action that otherwise wouldn’t have transpired. 

That being said, I just wasn’t feeling it for this year! An “unexpected” year didn’t scream for a tidy to-do list at all! Rather it wants to passionately “TA-DA!” instead of feeling obligated to “TO-DO.” So, every month as I go along, I’ll be on the lookout for two things that I’ve been inspired to complete that are worthy of being that month’s ta-das! It can’t be a boring normal daily thing like “unload the dishwasher” that will get mundanely done again either. So far for January 2022, I have added 

• Complete Art Wall in the Hall.

One day several weeks ago, Danielle and I were inspired to paint the 5 thrifted frames I’ve had for years for this particular project. Then last week, I added the strings and tiny clothespins, hung them in a collage on the hall wall, and Ta-Da! Now we have a designated space for 5 of my little artist’s most current creations. This item has hung out undone on every yearly list since 2019 I do believe. 

So we shall see what gets added yet for January and how the rest of the months go down! 2 items per month through November will equal 22 Ta-Das for 2022. December doesn’t need anything extra I’ve learned.

Are y’all gonna ta-da with me?? My Dad has been ta-daing as long as I can remember! I learned early on from him how fun it is to add things you’ve already done to your list, purely for the fun of crossing them out! 

Remembering Your WOTY ~ Giveaway!

 Now that you have chosen your WOTY and it's forefront in your mind and your year is just proceeding along swimmingly accordingly, (cough, cough)... OR, maybe you are like me and the year is speeding by and you know you need to be reminded constantly of WHAT your WOTY is and WHY you chose it!?

There are so many good ways to remember your word of the year! I like to scour the web for quotes that speak to me pertaining to my word and then use them for my lockscreen and homescreen backgrounds on my phone. Currently I'm using these two respectively.

And this one sparks joy every time I glance at my Apple Watch.

I also am loving having my lightbox which sits above my pantry in the kitchen proclaim:

Q U I E T

💗

#WOTY

Last year I ordered myself a whimsical little copper plant tag from my creative friend, Priscilla Hibner. I loved it so much I ordered them for stocking stuffers for my mom and sisters this past Christmas! If you want to order one, contact Pris at (270) 590-4895. You won't regret it.

The possibilities are endless for ways to keep your WOTY front and center! Others ideas I've heard of are getting custom stickers cut, (you can sticker up your windows, mirrors, phone cover, insulated cup, etc.) getting a t-shirt or hoodie printed, or finding a worded mug.

This year, I've decided to frame quiet 2021 and hang it in my "new to me" home office that I've moved from my dressing room to a corner of our living room. I wanted something super classy, yet simple and minimalistic, so I chose the printable below from this Etsy shop! 

Because I'm so excited about this wall art for my WOTY, I will buy an extra one to give away when I order mine! If you want to enter this drawing, you have to tell me your WOTY in the comments below! If you haven't chosen one, it's not too late! Since I love long comments, I'd also be delighted if you tell me why you chose your word and what you hope it does for you. 

OK, comment away! 

I will do the drawing on Wednesday, so you have until 12:00 midnight on Tuesday before the coach turns back into a pumpkin. 

A Planner, Please!

I NEED a planner! 

Life without a planner feels pointless! 

I just kind of float around, somewhere in la la land. 

I didn't plan not to get a 2019 planner, but neither did I plan to get one before it was too late! 

I've been busy, and I've made lists, but I haven't planned my "19 for 2019!" 

(I definitely did not completely complete my "18 for 2018" but I do know I got way more of it done than had I not planned it! #anotherpost)

Rave reviews are being uttered about the Time Keeper Planner! By the people who planned ahead and ordered them before they were sold out! Argh.

Last year, I found an Eccolo planner at T.J. Maxx for only $9.99 that I loved! It had the best quotes, and instead of crossing things off, it had  these little bubbles to fill in "heavy and dark" just like achievements tests at school! lol

The year before, I splurged on a rad "Bando" planner. It was cool, but hardly worth the extra moolah at $32 plus shipping. 

This year, I'm looking so late that they are sadly picked over! Amidst the rumpled and crumpled ones left at the T.J. Maxx in Daphne, I found a smallish green Eccolo one that's a pleasing shade of green and says, "nevertheless, she persisted." Which I adore. So I purchased it. But, it isn't spiral-bound, and it's pretty small. So I haven't marred it yet. #floaton

Since a couple of my sisters have scored satisfactory planners at our local Walmart, I need to dash up there and check their stock!

Pursuing the perfect planner is proving to be quite a pain! I shall have to settle for something, and soon! Please tell me what planner you love, and why! Or if you even use one! 

Maybe a year of floating would be more fun...

Bring on the Book Club!

Back in July, I joined a BOOK CLUB! Which is something that had always been on my bucket list! Quilting clubs, exercise groups, etc. never held any appeal for me, but Book Club?! Count me in! What could be better than reading a fabulous book and then discussing it with your favorite people while eating food?? There are 10 of us, all local except 2. We plan to read/discuss one book a month, taking turns choosing the titles. 

August - When God Says Go by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. 

September - Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden.

October - MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertche.

 And November was my turn to choose! Always enamored by the French, I selected 

Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott. 

With the holidays, we got a bit off schedule and didn't have our discussion on it until last night! I had so wanted to meet in the Magical Alleyway in Atmore, but alas. It was far too moist and mouldy out. Instead, we dined and discussed every nuance and then some at the Alabama Wing House which ended up being the perfect location! They seated us in a secluded area, and we had the best time being very American eating finger lickin' good wings, fries, and pies whilst debating the ways of the French! Cups of coffee later, we decided that although none of us feel like we are chic, (btw, this word is always pronounced "sheek") we all share the love of reading and learning and expanding our horizons!

January's book is Chop, Chop by L.N. Cronk. 

Mine is on the way from Abebooks.com and I cannot wait! This first go around, I am getting hard-copies of each book and am making whoever chose it write in it why they chose it and sign it. #sentimental

Rest Up & Dress Up!

Happy 2019!
This is not my New Year's Letter in case you are wondering! I may not even write one actually...time will tell! 

I love to choose a theme word or phrase for the year as per Gretchen Rubin's suggestion. It's a challenge to see what word you can come up with that sums up the ambitions, plans, dreams and schemes that you want to embrace in the new year! 

Last year I chose HOME. 

I wanted to stay home more, to "joy-spark" our entire home, and to learn to love being a homemaker! Overall, I'm mostly happy with how the year went! I "think" I was home more, I consciously tried to have days where I never left the premises. I found a pillow cover for the the couch that says "Let's Stay Home." Danielle even told me one day, "Mommy, I love that you are home." And I loved it too. I didn't get the whole house "joy-sparked" but I think I only lack 4 cabinets, and the drawer under the oven! So that's pretty good! I wish I knew how many POUNDS of accumulated clutter went the way of the waste heap or to WeCare! By the way, I HIGHLY recommend Marie Kondo's method and books.

So...for this year I chose a phrase, "REST UP & DRESS UP!" 

Before you are imagining boa scarves and polka dot socks in high-heeled shoes, hear me out! Obviously, "rest up" is pretty self-explanatory! I simply do not sleep enough. I'm a night owl by nature, and I always want to "over-live" and squeeze every last minute out of each day...not wise. I do realize it's almost midnight now, BUT I actually did my extra resting this morning since Danielle went back to sleep in our bed! Score! Also, I want to lay my unnecessary ambitions to rest this year. I want to choose cuddling over computing, relaxing instead of resisting, being present over trying to be perfect. 

Okay, now for the dress up part! Reading Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott was revolutionary! Now I am inspired to incorporate the "10 item core wardrobe" idea into my life! (More on that in another post if y'all are interested) I think it will definitely simplify my life! So I will be focusing on clothes! And sewing! I have decided that I love to sew and that it's amazing that I have been taught how to create couture clothing. So there. 

Now off to rest up I go! 

(once I find my other polka dot sock..!!)

Outside my Rain-spattered Window...

Outside my window... the last drops of rain are slowing slipping down. I was gonna get out and go to church tonight but with no carport or garage; the current deluge "rained" me in!

I am thinking....that it's really hard to know what to do sometimes when both options feel "right" and either choice will make one person happy and the other one sad.

I am thankful...that Danielle loves to eat! There's just something so satisfying about feeding a child. We had Socio's "deetda" with a friend in Pace for lunch today after checking on one of Daniel's jobs. It is truly the best pizza ever! We say this every time we eat it!

In the kitchen... sits a cast iron Dutch oven of boiled peanuts. They turn blackish/purplish from the iron and are just plain good! Try it!

I am wearing... BLACK! BTW, is black a color? Or the absence of color? Either way, I love it.

I am creating...a new hot pink and black lumberjack plaid dress in my mind. Hopefully in reality tomorrow. Or wait; make that later today. It's 12:37 AM.

I am going...to blog more! I've never missed or remembered that work I didn't get done or the zzzz's I didn't z when I chose to write instead! I decided to use this format again tonight because when I haven't written in a while, I feel overwhelmed by all the things I've missed touching on, and this style helps me condense it and feel "current."

I am reading.... Spark JOY by Marie Kondo. I need this woman to come to my house! ASAP. And I'm marathon-reading a new friend's awesome blog!

I am hoping...to sleep double. This is something I wish often was possible!To get the benefits of 2 hours of sleep for every hour slept lol. 

I am looking forward to...taking Danielle to a pumpkin patch. I will let her choose her own pumpkin even if it's really ugly.

I am learning...to accept myself. To be myself, but be my best self.

Around the house....things, stuff, clutter, is drowning us! You wouldn't know that I've been slowly KonMaring for a month now...you wouldn't know it, but I do. I've actually, amazingly taken several loads to WeCare and I can breathe just a wee bit better now. A tiny bit of negative energy from things that don't spark joy has flown away! YAY!

One of my favorite things.... is also one of my worst habits! STAYING UP instead sleeping like normal people do.  I mean I do go to bed when Daniel does, but I get back up! And relish the perfect silence of solitude, and read, and putter, and mutter, and tidy up, and eat, and think, and dream, and have my devotions, and write in my 5 year diary, and Danielle's 5 year diary, and my devotion journal, and sometimes like tonight, I blog. 

My Thankful List 08-20-17

I'm THANKFUL...

...that I'm taking this opportunity to write! Today I decided that during Danielle's  meager naps, I should try to focus on doing "forever" things like writing on this blog, recording in baby book, creating the light fixture I dreamed up years ago etc... instead of  doing "daily always" things like eating, folding laundry, washing dishes, pittering and frittering and so forth! So, here goes!

...for chocolate chip cookie dough WITH PECANS! Oh my word, why do we ever bake the dough into cookies?! It's SO much better in its raw state. And it saves electricity! Score! (Side note: I AM eating whilst I'm typing! I decided it was OK to combine a "forever" with a "daily always.")

....that Katie and I carpe diemed a day and half and transformed Miss Smith's classroom into a tasteful world of ice cream! Retro string lights, hanging cones, a wonky ice cream truck, wild fun facts, and a frosty little night light that's on its way from eBay all added to the magic! Every other year we seem to end up with a food theme...Wonder why?! 

I used this marc johns pic for my bulletin. 

#lovemarcjohnsart

...that it works to use baking soda and Axe body wash to wash filthy work clothes when you discover that you have NO, NONE, NIL laundry detergent  to do laundry in order that your husband might have the benefit of bestowing clean clothing upon himself the next day!

....for Google! How else would I know how to do laundry without the proper soap?!

...that Danl unearthed a cool brown glass bottle on his last home site clearing job! Some guys might not bring home to their wife the world's weird uniquities, but mine does! :)

 (Why isn't uniquity a word?! I should patent it. Uniquity: noun; meaning something strange or unique, not common.) 

....that Daniel kept Danielle so I could attend Katie's classy woodland-themed baby shower as a "sister" instead of a "mom." Don't get me wrong, I ADORE being a mom, but it was awesome to take in the magical decor and delicacies without worrying about my child dismantling them! #daddydaughtertime #happymeal #mcds

...that God answers prayer! Sometimes I don't know if He changes the situation or just helps me to accept it, but I do know that Prayer truly is the Power! One of my friends mentioned in Sunday School a couple of weeks ago that "You can never pray too much!" What an inspiring proposition!

...that I finally figured out how to listen to a podcast! One of those simple things that seem hard until you just do it! I've only listened to Typology Episode 1 (Is anyone else familiar with the Enneagram typing system?? I was just recently introduced to it by a friend, and I am definitely intrigued!) and How I Built This - Spanx: Sara Blakely so far. Totally fascinating! America truly is the place where anything and anyone is possible!

...for the lovely summer vacation we had July 17 - Aug 1! We had the best time ever with old friends and new places! I still plan to do a belated trip report another day, another post. 

....for being able to cuddle and love little Isla Francine in RealTime! So thankful Pierre and Alisha and our beautiful black-haired niece could spend a week in soggy Florida!

...that we will be able to welcome Baby "Bob" before too long! Katie's due date of September 12 is swiftly approaching! 

...for darling Danielle who turned 1 year and 5 months today! She stomps around all grown up in her little rubber rain boots, Coach purse on her shoulder; not a trace of the chubby baby she once was. Until she spies her precious bottle of milk!

 End of story.

typing myself to sleep

I want to write but...

Sleep is sweeter than honey!

Wishing dreams could type...

#latenighthaiku

CS"Eye" Miami

Okay, I've got to blog because I keep thinking of little things I want to write about, but I can't because I've never yet written about Miami! And one  must write in chronological order! It's not that I don't want to write about this epic adventure, I do! I just don't, because I know it'll take me awhile to get it all typed out! So I will start and however long it takes me will just be fine. 

 Over two months ago (gasp!), October 29 to be exact, Miss Susan Smith, Nana, and I flew down to the tropical city of Miami for the purpose of consulting with Dr. Lam at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute about Miss Smith's retinitis pigmentosa. I always pictured Miami a bit on the shady side, meaning that I would need to clutch my purse closely, and cast a wary eye about while cautiously walking the streets, you know, "CSI Miami"ish.

But it wasn't like that at all! We found it to be a friendly city full of helpful people who honked a lot and cooked great food!

Our flight from Pensacola was smooth and comfortable. The ticket agent rebooked us into roomy bulkhead seats, so Nana had plenty of room to sprawl and we luxuriously stretched our legs out as well! As we circled to land, I could see the gorgeous glistening blue-green waters of the Miami beaches! We landed, and then began the trek to get to where we would pick up the puddle-jumper we had rented! A labyrinth of concourses, moving walkways, stairs, and trams later, we finally arrived at the Budget booth and stood in line there for at least an hour. But we had our Hundayi Accent at last! 

Then we checked into our Comfort Suite. Very nice! You can't go wrong with a hotel that has pretty decor and lots of waffle toppings! 

I fell in love with the teardrop light fixtures above this lounger in the lobby! 

We rested a bit, refreshed ourselves, and met the Mennonite Miami gospel tract couple, Riley and Rita Schmidt, at "The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant" Versailles, to experience tasty Cuban cuisine and culture! We were not disappointed! 

 

Of course I had been browsing the menu days prior because it takes me so long to make up me mind when I want to try EVERYTHING! I was happily satisfied with the "The Classic" of the Cuban Samplers. 

THE CLASSIC

White Rice, Black Beans, “Picadillo” Ground Beef, Roast Pork, Sweet Plantains, Ham Croquette, Cuban Tamale, and Cassava with Cuban Mojo

Next we all enjoyed a cup of cafe con leche! I am hooked on this sweet, strong frothy coffee! They bring the espresso in the darling little silver pitcher and then you pour it into the foamed milk. I've tried to make it at home, but alas, have not conquered. 

The next day found us at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

There we met with Dr. Byron L. Lam M.D. and received the sad news that Miss Smith was not a candidate for the gene therapy program that we were hopeful about. But if you don't pursue the possibilities that arise, you will always wonder what alternate route life could have taken. We were both so glad we had made this trip regardless of the outcome. Miss Smith is such an inspiration to me! She bravely handled the disappointment with these sage words, "I've been happy up 'til now, and happy I shall remain!" 

Some good authentic tacos from Huahua's Taqueria also aided in brightening our mood! 

Then we headed to beautiful Miami Beach where we sat on the sand and enjoyed the crashing waves while gazing at the emerald waters...truly gorgeous. This pic below is exactly what it looked like!

 I also was completely mesmerized by the incredible cruise ships lined up along Port Miami. Just ship after ship! Wow. 

A sweet treat from Azucar Ice Cream Company in Little Havana was the next item on our agenda! (It's so much fun traveling with a fellow foodie!) I sampled the avacado ice cream! Not too good, not 

too bad!

We both had waffle cones of their famous signature flavor, Abuela Maria. 

After that, we walked along 8th street and felt like we were abroad! Old men were noisily playing dominoes; people were singing and dancing on the sidewalks. 

We picked out some hand painted souvenirs from a mom and pop shop, then headed back to our little Hyundai Accent lest it get towed for being "overparked!" Parking in Miami - I shall not elaborate, but it wasn't my favorite part of the trip! Back at the hotel, we popped some popcorn, ate leftovers from Versailles, and hit the hay after a long, full day! 

We breakfasted as early as possible the next morning, returned our rental car after an arduous procedure that included some illegal turns and curb hopping, and flew back to Pensacola.

 It is amazing how one can take a trip within one's own state, yet feel like their passport should be boasting another stamp upon return....