This & That

Can't believe it's been two weeks since I last posted! Life sure gets busy when the school year begins. Nothing too exciting going on around here right now, but I thought I would share a few things I have bought/received recently. First up are a few crafty things I found at Tuesday Morning a few weeks ago. They have such awesome prices and nice, quality items. I bought a paper cutter...I needed a new one for home. I also bought a tool to use for torn paper edges. I have been wanting one of those.

I couldn't pass up this cute little number 4, since it's my favorite number. I can easily repaint it! And I just fell in love with these cute buttons!

Last weekend, my friend Jeana and I went out to dinner and did a little shopping and I was thrilled to find a small mercury glass lamp. I have been looking for one for weeks for my living room. This one was perfect in every way! I found it at TJ Maxx.

Here it is on the black cabinet in my living room...love!

I also found a galvanized "H" at Michael's. I have a hard time finding the letter "H". It must be one of the more popular beginning letters for last names. 

Joey and I went to a yard sale and I only purchased one item...and it was just $1! I love this large metal plate rack...but I won't be using it for plates! Stay tuned.....

After school let out one day, I was walking my kiddos up to the parent pick-up area and one of my moms met me with this little beauty! She made it just for me! I never receive a handmade gift and never out of the blue like that. I was so tickled! Her little boy, my student, picked out the colors himself. This couldn't have been more perfect for me if I had ordered it custom made. So sweet...:)

It holds three pint sized painted mason jars. I can't wait to put some fresh flowers in it!

I also finished my book.....and it didn't disappoint. It was a little different for this author, but after I read the end, I totally understood why. I highly recommend him, but I would start with his older novels first.

I know it's not much, but that's it for today! I did finally receive a little something I ordered for my new vehicle and I hope to share just a few photos of it tomorrow. I am loving it! For now though, I am off to lay back down. My allergies hit me full force yesterday and have just about done me in. I haven't done much other that lay around today and it's almost 7 p.m.! I am hoping and praying I feel better before Monday morning though because I really am not ready to leave my little kinders in the care of a substitute yet. Have a blessed weekend all.....until next time.....

My New Cruise Bag!

Happy Tuesday everyone!
And, for me, it's happy official first day of summer break...:) 

Can I get a Woo! Hoo! 

I can't describe how much I look forward to and love summer break. It is a time of R&R, but it's also a time of playing catch-up on things I might have slacked on during the school year. I read a lot and usually craft a lot as well...:)

 Today, I want to share a couple things from my recent shopping trip. If you're a regular reader, then you know I am going on a cruise in a few days!!! I leave Saturday the 15th and will return Thursday the 20th. I am so excited since this is my first cruise! I went shopping for new clothes since I really needed some. I had not bought summer clothes in quite some time. I also bought a new bag for the trip to hold all my "stuff" I need and want to take. I am going to share the bag as well as the contents with you if you care to see my "stuff"! Next time you see it, it will probably be beside me in a lounge chair somewhere out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!

Here is the bag I chose. This wasn't what I originally had in mind, but I fell in love with it when I spotted it. It is the East/West tote by Dena. I had never heard of or seen this brand before, but I could tell it was very well made and the accents are leather. I found this bag at TJ Maxx (one of my absolute favorite places to shop). I paid $24.95 for it. I found it online for $79.95, so I think I got an excellent deal! I just love the fabric colors, the leather trim (just look at that cute little tassel), and all the pockets!

OK....so, here's what I am putting in it! 

First up is my new sunglasses (please excuse the fingerprints, I haven't cleaned them yet).

And of course, my reading glasses. I'll definitely need those to read the books I'm taking!

Of course, my wallet and iPhone. I probably won't use it much since it will be roaming and charges will be astronomical! I am going to Verizon and check on adding the International calling plan though. I'm having a hard time coping with not being able to communicate with my daughter while I'm gone! Even if I don't add that to my plan, I may need the camera!

Speaking of, how do you like my new Fossil wallet? I got it at TJ Maxx as well, for $24.95. Half the price I found it online! I love the color...how about you?

Next up is a notepad. I have to have something to make lists & take notes while reading, etc. 

In the photo below, is my chevron bag I always carry in my purse. It contains random things like ibuprofen, tissues, a nail file, throat lozenges, feminine products, etc. I also found this cute little floral bag at TJ Maxx for $3.99. I plan to put my cosmetic items in it....lip gloss & compact.

I just love my little camera. I bought it a few years ago with birthday money and have used it thousands of times! It takes really good photos and the color just makes me smile! I do need to pick up a new SD card though....mine is full! I will keep it in this cute little case that came with my new Waverly toiletry bag.

I am taking my new Charles Martin book. He is my favorite author. He is a  southern, christian author and his books are very clean.  He can weave such amazing tales! I would compare him to Nicholas Sparks....my 2nd favorite author! I own and have read all of his books! You can check him out here.

I am also reading some professional development books. I started this one last summer and never finished due to starting it at the very end of summer. 

I downloaded this one on my Kindle Fire. I am currently reading it too. Speaking of my Kindle....my new case is supposed to arrive tomorrow!

I'm also taking my new book I bought over the weekend, just in case I finish Teach Like a Champion.

Here are a few photos of the bag. I love the leather trim.....I know I already mentioned that...lol! The handles should hold up well!

 

The designer's tag.

There are pockets on either end as well as one on the front and back and inside! Here is my eyeglass case in one end pocket.

Here is the back pocket.

And lastly...here is the bag all packed and ready to go! Now I just need to pack my suitcases. I started on that today...:) You think I'm ready to go? LOL..:) 

This week is another busy week, even though I'm on summer break. I have my annual visit with my gynecologist (JOY....NOT!) Thursday the 13th (which happens to be my son's 18th birthday) and have a few last minute things to pick up before the cruise that day as well. I have been busy cleaning, catching up all the laundry, packing and gathering, and trying to reorganize my craft room a little. (Maybe I'll share that tomorrow!) Also, my mom's birthday is Saturday the 15th...the day we leave. So.....we are all getting together for a supper Friday night to celebrate their birthdays and Father's Day as well as my hubby's upcoming birthday. My son wants lasagna so I'm sure that's what we'll have.  And, since I have so much to do, I really must stop rambling and get busy! If you stuck around through this entire post....bless you, and thank you! I appreciate you so very much...:)

Until next time.....

Challenging Myself!!

Hello! Who doesn't love a good challenge? I know I do, however sometimes I'm not so good at sticking with it! I plan to change that this year. I have challenged myself to several things as part of my New Year's resolutions! Here they are....in no particular order.

52 Week Money Challenge

I was checking up on ProTeacher this morning when I stumbled across this idea. It is simple....basically, you save the amount of whatever week of the year it is. So, week 1 you put $1 in savings, week 2 is $2, week 35 is $35! Some folks are doing a countdown and starting with $52 the first week. It's up to you.....but simple, right? I don't know why I have never thought to do this before. Anywho, I totally went to the Facebook page to sign up for the challenge. Here is the link to go check it out for yourself. If you do it, at the end of the year, you will have saved $1,378.00!....easy peasy! 

Devotional Time

Here is my Instagram picture I made to remind myself that I need that quiet time with God each morning. I always say I'm going to do this, but never follow through. I'm trying hard this year to make it a priority! My Secret Santa at school gave me the little orange book titled The Chosen Path and it has a devotion a day. The other book, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort & Joy is one my sister gave me over 10 years ago that I am rereading. It is an excellent book and really focuses on gratitude, as well as living simply and in the moment. I highly recommend it...:) It too has a page a day for the entire year!

Good Reads

This one I can thank my beautiful daughter, Miranda for! Here she is wearing her Smart Folks Read shirt! She is and always has been a reader! She devours books....makes a mama proud!

Anyway, she introduced me to goodreads and I just had to delve right in and sign up for a challenge! I challenged myself to read at least 25 books this year. It is hard for me to find time during the school year, but I have been trying to squeeze in a few minutes here and there because I love to read! Right now I am reading a sweet little fiction book called Candles on Bay Street. 

It's really good so far and I just found out that a Hallmark movie was made from it in 2006. Now I'm dying to see the movie! Next up on my list is Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. I really want to read it before I see the movie....which comes out in February! Sounds like a date night with the hubs to me...:) More about goodreads though.....you can basically list books you have read and want to read, as well as rate books, take quizzes on them and so on. It a true book nerds dream...lol! Check it out!

Couch to 5K

Ok....so this one will probably be the most difficult, but I am determined to do it! I am starting the year out by walking every evening, drinking only water, and eating healthier. I am hoping to lost about 30-40 pounds and then start the C25K work-out. A couple years ago, I lost about 30 pounds and I felt so much better. I'm ready to do it again. Running a 5K is a goal of mine and it's on my bucket list! I'm not getting any younger so I figure if I'm going to do it then I better get started.....NOW! I can't keep putting it off. Wish me luck and I could use some prayers too!

Last but not least....my Pinterest challenge!

I don't know about you, but I love Pinterest! I discovered the treasure trove almost a year before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and quickly fell in LOVE. I am such a visual person and pinning pictures instead of saving bookmarks totally works for me. I have well over 5,000 pins now, but haven't been as good as I could be at actually using the ideas, recipes, tutorials, etc! So....my challenge to myself this year is to actually cook at least one dinner recipe and one dessert recipe per week. ( I know I just talked about losing weight, but I don't go cold turkey on sweets...I love them and still eat them in moderation.) I also want to make some of the crafty things I have pinned, and try some of the organization and house-cleaning tips and tricks. Now....I have already made lots of the things I have pinned such as homemade croutons, vinegar & alcohol cleaner, chocolate chip cookies,  and the button monogram (see my V below...on the right) just to name a few! I want to make more though....there are so many awesome things! 

Here are a few I want to make, try, or do this year.....

Painted floor...for the new porch we hope to build this summer!

Source: The Sunset Lane

Swing bed.....for the future porch!

Source: Jane Coslick

My very own library.....I have the books, now we just need to build my floor to ceiling shelves and a ladder!

Source: Mini Manor Blog

Paint my bedroom furniture....I have this exact same French Provincial dresser and nightstands by United. I bought them at a consignment shop a couple years ago!

Formerly listed on ETSY 

Board and batten for my dining room wall!

Source: Just a Girl 

Well....those are my 5 challenges! I know it's a lot, but I'm going to do my best to keep up with them and hope to be able to report success at the end of the year! So....what are your challenges this year? Please share and as always.....