Marching Forward

How the heck did we end up in March already?  Heaven help, the time is zipping by and I feel like I'm getting left behind in a daze.

One thing that has me out of it - my health is having weird issues again.  Tummy and chest, scary stuff when you say chest issues.  I'm still trying to pay off the crazy bills from June so I really don't want to go somewhere and have more bills pile up.  I'm trying to stay calm and convince myself it's all tummy related like I was told it was so quit worrying that my chest hurts, too. *sigh* Do you pray? And if so, can you say a prayer for me? Thanks.

I also have an acquaintance - the wife of an old boyfriend (99% of the time I end on good terms, so no hard feelings) - she has some serious health issues with major surgery coming up at the end of the month.  March 23 to be exact.  I told her I believed in God and was sending up prayers for her, her family (they have three kids) and the doctors.  It's really serious stuff, so if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for them, too, that would be great.  I appreciate it greatly.

I'm so excited - I introduced one of my online friends to one of my real life friend's online store and she loved it! I mean, I love her stuff, but it was so cool to connect someone else to it, too.  You are welcome to visit - she was interested in calligraphy and it just so happens my friend sells calligraphy teaching kits! I know, how perfect!  www.leenmachine.com Go ahead and click it - you know you want to. :)

Have you heard about these people who role play online by stealing other people's photos of their babies and children and such? They make entire role play lives around these photos of kids they don't know.  Seriously, go to twitter or instagram and look for #rpbaby.  Completely terrifies me of having pics of the sweet nieces online.  I'm sure someone thinks that's harmless, but I think it's horrible. Thoughts on this anyone? Because I'm half tempted to just take down the blog and keep my private instagram and private facebook.

On a much happier note, I'm heading to my brother and sister-in-laws for supper tonight and I'm taking Vulture Dip.  Sounds totally gross but it's yummy.  My brother is bonkers for it.  Just so happens I found the exact recipe I use online - here it is.  The blog is called "Food from the Forest" but she has the recipe there if you'd like to try it.  Think spinach, cheese, tomatoes, picante sauce... it's good, trust me.  I'll probably pass on it to play it safe, but I'm glad to bring him something he loves.

Ok, let me go get ready to head for their house.  I'll post cute pics again soon - once I figure out how to easily watermark them before posting. :) Happy Hump Day!

Adios 2013...

Holy cow, Batman, where did 2013 go?? It's just crazy to think the entire year is G.O.N.E. I mentioned before, I'm not sad to see 2013 go, but there have been some really wonderful moments that I wanted to remember. 

January: Pinned It/Did it - Love canvas.  This was made for my sister from the kids for Valentine's Day.  The baby's feet and the preteen's hands.  :)  I thought it was cute! 

February: I am going to toot my own horn about the racing scrapbook I made for my friend, Paulene.  It was an honor to be part of her racing memories! :)  

March: 500th post!!!   And it just happened on a Muffin Monday. :) 

April:  Friday's Letters in April.  What can I say, I was boring in April.  But here is Sweet Niece and she's adorable. :) 

May:  I blogged roughly "Every Day in May."  - my Favorites and my Struggles. 

June:  Sweet Niece #2 turned ONE and I lost my sidekick - Muffin. :(

July:  The annual Family Beach Trip! WOOP WOOP!  And lots of scrappin'. 

August:  A Monday Muse on a Wednesday with lots of pics pics pics (and one picnic). 

September:  It's My Birthday!! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the USO! 

October:  The NOTEBOOK: It's not what you think, it's better! 

November: Friday's Letters - just a snippet of my life. Love it. 

December:  My column for YC Magazine.  

So there you go! :) A review of 2013!!! Thanks for reading, for being my "imaginary friends," for commenting and caring (because I know some of you do!).  Happy 2014!!! 

A Pictoral Review

I love photos and take MILLIONS of them everywhere I am. Driving to work, shopping, birthday parties, holidays, whatever the occasion.  So enjoy some pics from 2013 - LOTS of pics from 2013. :)  My everyday blessings and not even a drop in the bucket.  Thanks to all my family, friends, blogger peeps, - I appreciate you all so much! And mainly, thanks to the Lord above for everything good and loving in my life. :)

 

Friday's Letters

Ya'll, it's one of my favorites times of the week - FRIDAY'S LETTERS!

Dear Macy Mae, (1.) you are toooo cute. You were so much fun during Halloween, loving on your pumpkin, sitting on your pumpkin, you even dressed a little pumpkin-y for Halloween. And you discovered you liked getting loot just for being cute (like that doesn't happen everyday...).  Dear Family, (2.) I'm so very blessed to have all of you right around me. This picture of mom and her sister, both with their grandkids, just reminds me of growing up with all my aunts and uncles close by.  Love it.  Dear Lord, (3.) I have really appreciated and enjoyed your sunrises and sunsets lately.  Thanks for giving me a heart that can see Your beauty. Dear Christian Friends, (4.) you are so very encouraging to me - to see your faith and your success, you have no idea! Paulene, thanks for sharing this today on IG. :) Dear MJ, (5.) What a WONDERFUL surprise to bring me Susan Branch's book! I stayed up late last night reading it, I've taken small breaks throughout today and WOW, it's like you are right there with her for every step! It's just wonderful. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I'm so glad the end is here for 31 Days.  :)  I enjoyed it, I'm very thankful that I'm actually back to feeling like blogging again instead of it just making me a touch sad.  31 Days really pulled me out of that funk and made me notice and appreciate God, my heavenly Father, so much more. So thanks for going on that bumpy ride with me (where I skipped a few days here and there).

I'm NOT doing the 31 Day of Thankful, but I'm sure I will blog more about things I'm thankful for in November.  So many blessings, so so many.  So I'm sure I'll share some this month.

But for now, since I'm already late turning in my article for the local magazine I write for, I better go focus on that for a while.  Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here soon!

Awww, thanks Morgan Family!

I'm feeling very special this morning, because Leslie & Matt Morgan at Did You Hear About The Morgans chose me for their Liebster Award! :)  Many thanks, ya'll, I'm very honored.

I've had the Liebster Award twice before (read here and here) and it just tickles me pink because someone out there thinks I'm cool enough to share me with their peeps.  I'm glowing with happiness! :)

So Liebster, what is that?  Basically, in German, "Liebster" means kind, love, happy, friendly, - you know, just down right awesome.  I do have many blogs I follow but most have been nominated for this award or have more than 200 followers, which is one of the stipulations for the award (to have less than 200 followers).  I hate not to pay it forward, but know I still love ya'll. :)

SO, as part of the awesomness of the award, I should answer the 11 questions Leslie has asked of me! Drum roll please....

1. Favorite comfort food?  I never fix them for myself, but mom's pinto beans and cornbread always hits the spot.
2. Favorite movie of ALL TIME? Oh holy night. Maybe Animal House? :) 
3. Favorite hobby? Scrpabooking! 
4. If you had a full Saturday without any plans, What would you do? I usually spend those scrapping for my business.  OUtside of that, I shop with mom and visit with my sister and nieces.
5. #1 item on your bucket list? Yeah I don't have one of those. I need to make one.
6. Favorite memory of high school/college? Most of those days were good ones to me. A million friends all in one spot from 8 - 8 (due to band practice) what's not to love?
7. Favorite dessert? Tiramasu
8. Current favorite TV show?  Big Brother! Bachelorette! and NCIS OH And DOWNTON ABBEY!!!
9. Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip maybe?
10. Favorite Vacation Spot?  I don't think I've found it yet. :)  I usually do the beach, love the mountains... but I think there is a perfect spot I haven't discovered yet. 
11. Favorite Restaurant?  The Clock in Gaffney. 

Ok folks, more than you'd ever want to know about me. :)  Thanks again to The Morgans for sharing some love with me.  Ya'll go have a great hump day!

Friday's Letters

Dear blog, I'm sorry I've neglected you this week. I just haven't felt like writing. What is there to say? After the events of this week, I'm thankful for my many many blessings and sad at all the loss this nation has seen.  I'll do better next week.














Dear Carrie, Thanks for 1) the purchase from Pressed Clovers and 2) being my first blate! It was awesome meeting another blogger in my neck of the woods - you are a very cool cat.  We'll do it again and I won't talk so much. And we'll invite Paulene because ya'll need to meet, too!

Dear Family, I'm so happy I'm part of you.  It's awesome to see the love in my group of people.  I didn't get a picture this week of my brother and sister-in-law, but they are awesome, my sis, b-i-l, and two nieces are awesome. Mom and Dad - ya'll rock!

Dear Baby Jail, I'm so glad my sweet niece likes you.  You are making life much easier on my parents.  And thanks to my awesome friends Donna and Sister Beth for sending you our way. They saved us bunches of money that we would have spent buying you new.

Dear World, I know I've been grouchy this week. There is a lot going on, you just never know what all is happening in a person's life, you know?  There are many things that I need to work on to be a better person, to feel better about where I'm at in life.  I've debated back and forth on making them public or keeping them private. To share some of these struggles because I know we are all struggling.  I don't want to be one of those bloggers that looks perfect on the outside when it's falling to pieces on the inside! So I haven't decided, but stick with me anyway. At least you'll get weekly updates of Muffin if nothing else. :)

Ok, go join us on Sweet Season now!

Spring Swap Box!

I am SO EXCITED!  You know how I told you before these boxes seems to pop up just when I need them?! AWESOME! BOX TODAY!

So I tried a different swap program through Katie at Tomorrow With a Smile and I really enjoyed it. It's small, you and your partner give each other gifts and I noticed you really get to know your partner a little bit better.  Like, I'd love to meet my partner from this swap because she's totally awesome and we found several things we have in common!

Who was my partner?  CHRISTINA! from Once Upon a Giggle! She's totally cool, shares a blog with her sister (which I totally didn't get at first glance because I wasn't giving it my full attention. Bad Bethie.)  She has a way of writing that just cracks me up and I love reading her adventures with her son.  I really enjoyed having her as my partner AND she made one heck of an awesome Spring Box that I ADORE! Woop woop!

So let me tell you the story of this package. Christina sent it and immediately left town.  I think I sent mine to her the following day and promptly lost my receipt which has the tracking numbers on it. Ugh. Anyway, I waited and waited... no package. I thought bad things about the Post Office. I finally told Christina - I haven't gotten it yet, I'm so sorry! 

Um. Yeah, so... it seems a coworker put the box in the floor on the side of my desk, where another box of random work crap is located. So who knows how long it's been sitting here in my office, but I had no clue it was here! So when I cleaned up today, I found it! And I'm so excited !

 This is what I found when I opened the box.  Which I needed packing peanuts for a gift this coming Christmas for Macy (yes, I already know what I want to buy her... I'm addicted to that little girl, what can I say?!?!)  But how much fun is this?  This awesome lime green peeking through!

Then I get this awesome box out and it just screams SPRING FUN-NESS!! Even my coworker was interested at this point - a wrapped package inside the cool box! We REALLY wanted to know what was inside now!

And it did not disappoint!  Do you see the shredded paper - love it!  The card was TOO CUTE (she didn't know I grew up with bees! My dad was a beekeeper when I was a kid!)  Two awesome journals that are small enough to fit in my purse. I wanted a way to write down prayer requests so I wouldn't forget them - solution! These cards are THE BOMB (outdated lingo, I know) but I love them! They are wonderful and almost my favorite part. Until you smell this candle, which is so Springy! Agave juice and fresh lime. Wow.

... then there was the chocolate. I say was. Ok no I haven't eaten the ENTIRE bag in the last 30 minutes. ... but that's as much as I'm willing to admit to at this point. :)

THANK YOU CHRISTINA, you totally rock and I'm so glad to get to know you better. Katie, thank you for including me in this swap because I really enjoyed it!!

Check out the other amazing swap boxes by visiting Katie's linkup here!

Friday's Letters & Confessions

Dear Friday, I needed you. Actually, I needed you yesterday, but I also understand you can get here any earlier, so I forgive you for that.

Dear Macy, Sweet Niece, you are so dang cute.  You are at the stage where you learn something new everyday.  It's totally awesome and I love being so close to you that I can enjoy it.

Dear Spring, I'm not sure you received the memo, but you are supposed to be here by now. Granted, you are queueing the plant life around here, but you may need to discipline Mother Nature. She's PMSing or something and giving us the COLD SHOULDER. Seriously, warm it up a bit, ok?

Dear Me, I'm so excited! I did something crafty/pintrest-y and it turned out pretty good! I waited until my Cara Box partner got her box to post this - so here it is! A message board (she actually pinned something like it and I made it).  Just use dry erase markers. I so hope she likes it. She loves whales, so I think she will.

Dear Leslie, how awesome to meet my first Blogger and Etsy Shop Owner in person! I loved the items I bought from your Etsy shop... oh my gosh I'm ready for spring!

Link up with everyone else at Ashley's! :)

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I Confess...

... I have eaten my weight in choclate this week, but don't judge me. I might knife you.

... I have not been focused AT ALL this week. Or last week. Hm... maybe not the week before that, either. Do I need an intervention for my attention span? 

... I managed to get at least four letters out this week, which makes me very happy!

...My house is a wreck and I have totally not felt like doing anything.
This weekend is THE WEEKEND to get it cleaned up and looking like a nice home again. Unfortunately, Toys R Us is also having a sale... so guess which one of these will actually win out this weekend. :) 

... I'm totally excited to do dinner and a play with my friend, Donna, tonight. Dinner is Japanese Steakhouse and play is Chicago and a local high school.  YAY! Can't wait! 

Make your confessions with Aubrey!

March Cara Box!

Ya'll, I have decided when you REALLY need a pick-me-up is when one appears on your doorstep. Or on your office desk, in my case.

My Cara Box was waiting for me at work, a big brown box wanting me to rip into it and find lots of GOODIES inside!!! :)

Clara at Walking in the Light really knocked it out of the park with my awesome Cara Box. This month's theme for our Cara Boxes was to use the first initial of the receiver's first name. B is for BETH! And also a lot of other goodies!

Yes, I have my Cara Boxes delivered to my office because I want to make sure I actually GET them. We've had packages left sitting on top of the mailbox on the road and HELLO, can we say FREE GIFTS for the first person who swipes it? So yeah, this is my messy desk. And my way cool presents! Woop woop!

Bride Wars!!! I am looking forward to a weekend of kicking back and watching chick flicks.  Butterfingers Bites! And I'm going to be so sweet that I'll even share with the office! :)  Que Bella face mask - oh la la! How nice will that be!

B is for BETH MUG!  Isn't this adorable? BBB... and I'll probably eat ice cream out of it. :)  Yum. Blue toenail polish that I plan on using ASAP for the benefit of ALL those around me.  Burt's Bees totally rocks my world-Lemon is one of my favs. And a Blue poof! Isn't this awesome? I think she did great.

THANK YOU CLARA! You are so cool!

I'm packing up my gifts for Tyler at Rays of Purple today and hoooope to have it in the mail this afternoon. I loved this first initial box and had to stop myself from buying anything else with the letter T.   :)  I really enjoyed this month!

Now I'm ready for the Spring Swap Box! :)

---- So I posted this WAY EARLY --- now you all need to go see what everyone's else got in their box, and SIGN UP for next month because HONESTLY, aren't you feeling left out of the fun?? I keep saying - I'm not doing it this month, no really, I'm not. (I always fear I'll disappoint someone or drop the ball or something!) but I'm totally addicted. So why don't you just go ahead and sign up so maybe we'll be matched up! AWESOME!

------------>  OK the link to check out everyone else's loot is with Kaitlyn at Wifessionals!

Friday's Letters And Confessions

Because no letter is complete without pics of Sweet Niece

Dear sickness, I've been polite in asking you to leave my family alone, but you haven't listened. I'm about to put my butt-kickin' boots on and take care of businesses. (I hope this sounds scary enough that you'll leave without a fight...)



Dear Atlanta, your traffic sucks.

Dear Alabama, your road work sucks, but your welcome center is beautiful.

Dear cancer, you suck. End of story.

Dear Hydrocodone cough syrup, you don't suck at all, you rock!

Dear blog friends, I'm so enjoying getting to know you through blogs, comments and conversation!



Dear God, thanks for many blessings, thanks for keeping Pop well so he can take care of everyone else. Especially while I'm gone

Link up with Ashley here!



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Friday Confessions!

I confess...I hadn't cleaned out my car in over a year and found quite a few things I've been missing. Oops.

I confess...my feet shouldn't been seen by man or beast until I get a pedi but oh well. Some folks better prepare to be scared.

I confess...I hate the capchas to post comments and usually have to do them twice. And that's ok when my comment posts afterwards, but when I get the "your comment will post after aporoval" um...isn't that a bit overkill?

I confess...weight loss is no longer an option. Seriously. I want to feel cute again, so I am going to HAVE to be better prepared at home and work.

I confess...I feel very guilty about leaving Muffin at home alone. :(

Make your confessions! Link up to Aubrey!

500th post!! & Muffin Monday!

It is SO fitting that my 500th post be a Muffin Monday post. I can't believe I've actually written 500 of these random coversations with myself... 500! So excited!  Muffin isn't quite as excited, as you can tell.  This is her normal look when I'm home ... she wants to be near me, but wants the lights to be turned out.

When I first started blogging, I set it up to be my own observations and memories jotted down as a record for my own use. If anyone followed along, it would be great. And if they didn't - that was ok, too.  But I do have a small group of folks who follow (thanks ya'll!) and another group that receive emails and reader messages (thanks to ya'll, too!).  I don't have a theme, no cooking theme or fashion theme, but just everyday living inside my skin.  So I appreciate ya'll joining along for the ride. :)

Here is a throw back to my first Muffin Monday.  Enjoy seeing Muffin "grow" along with the blog! :)

Friday's Letter

Dear Sweet Niece #2, you are too cute for your own good.  I love visiting you every morning before work. I love you!  Sweet Niece #1, so glad you are coming home this weekend! :) I miss you when you aren't here. I love you, too, wild child!

Dear Cara Box partner, Kelly, you are awesome. I was pretty discouraged after signing up for Cara Box this month, only to hear the theme is #ClubSexy.  It just seemed to heighten my awareness that I'm single, and the only #ClubSexy in my house would be expenive kitty treats for Muffin. But you are awesome for shrugging that off and saying it's all about pampering you! (or me...) So thanks for that. :)  And Anna, I'm looking forward to creating a box for you! :) 


Dear Edisto, I'm soooo looking forward to frying on your beaches, then relaxing in the beach house. Please let me surivive until then. 

Dear Sherry, the countdown is on!! I'll be hanging out on your back porch very soon! Can't wait! :) 

Dear Readers - I've so enjoyed "meeting" so many wonderful people online. You are inspiring in so many ways! :) 

Head over to Sweet Season and link up with everyone else! :) 

Cara Box Reveal!

It's time for CARA BOX REVEAL!!! This is the first month I have done Cara Box and I LOVED it. Basically, you submit your name to be part of this program.  You will receive a person to give a gift to and someone will send you a gift.  You spend some time getting to know them, you make two new friends, you assemble a box of goodies under $15 for your partner that fits the theme of the month and you have a box arrive on your porch with goodies for you! Is this awesome or what?!  I know, totally love it.

The person I created a box for was Amy.  This story is a bit crazy as she is a Carolina gal living in Kansas. Come to find out, I know her people here in my community! CRAZY?! I think so!  Amy's blog is here and she can tell you more about what I sent her. :)

Andrea (her blog is here!) received my name and she is awesome! :) She sent a list of questions to learn more about me, followed me on instagram and facebook and I just wish we lived closer! I love her inspirational posts that are so uplifting!  This month, Cara Box was about resolutions, but I don't really do resolutions, so I know I made it hard on her. But she did REALLY GREAT!

Yesterday my present was waiting for me on my porch, too adorable.  I was ready to do flips to see what was inside. :)  It was STUFFED full of fun, just for me!

Everything was wrapped really pretty but I took care of that in no time. :)  I love PINK and loved the pink poofs tied to everything. Muffin is going to have a grand time chasing them around the house!

I have chosen "one little word" to apply to my life this year, which is Simplify.  Andrea included the planner to help me get organized and simplify my daily life. 

 I LOVE these notecards!  The first says, "Be encouraged, I will never leave you nor forsake you." - a Bible verse, and how totally encouraging is that? And the second is just beautiful, with rhinestones on the upper right side of the cross.  The envelopes are awesome, too, which is one of those little things I LOVE about stationary. Cool envelopes. :)  The pen is now part of my Thankful Journal and it also mentions living simply.  I am so thankful I chose this word! 

This is just for me! Body mist and lotion to pamper myself - and the card which was full of encouragement. Andrea didn't know it, but I had dropped my bottle of perfume and shattered the bottle, leaving me "scentless." So this is awesome! :) 

Cara Box has been such a blessing, I am so thankful for the two ladies I met through the program. It always amazes me the online network of Christian women out there, and I was matched up with two of them! :) YAY!  

I'm off to link up with everyone else - thanks again, Andrea!! You did an awesome job!