Wednesday Ramblings

 

           Wednesday Ramblings: Pivot, Push & Pink Skies

I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. This week is flying by so fast.

On my drive to work this morning around 6:40 a.m., the sky was absolutely breathtaking — layers of blue, pink, and purple blending together like a watercolor painting. It’s one of those quiet moments that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be awake and witnessing it. I’m ready for this day to develop.

I’m still riding the high from such a fun weekend. Saturday was packed in the best way. I had a great time with my co-worker Sheila, and then getting to see Bob Snyder at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City with Nancy was such a treat. There’s just something about live music in an intimate setting that feeds the soul a little differently.

Sunday was supposed to be Mr. C’s early birthday celebration. Since Jonathan and Alicia will be in Italy during his actual birthday, we planned a grill-out at Brody and Savannah’s to celebrate ahead of time. But… real life happened. Lane and Landon (and a few others) ended up sick, so we made the call to postpone. Pivot and evolve, right?

The only downside was that I had already ordered the cupcake cake. But honestly, we just made it work. We picked it up, shared cupcakes with Lane and Landon, and with Brody and Savannah, and turned it into something sweet in a different way. Not what we planned — but still special.

Monday at work, though? Whew. Not my best day.

I’m really going to have to push it because I’m not on track to hit my monthly goal. I still need 60 saves this week, which feels pretty close to impossible for me. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to try very, very hard and just focus on one member at a time. That’s all I can do.

One evening after work — maybe tomorrow — I’m planning to head over to Blake and Jessica’s to see Hattie, Brooks, and Logan. I also need to talk more about the New York trip. Just thinking about that makes me excited.

At home, I’ve been staging Christmas decor, and it’s looking so much better. It’s past time to get it back in closet or out in shop. I still need to take a few totes out to the shop, but getting things organized is helping my stress level. I’ve realized I function so much better when things aren’t sitting on my mental to-do list, quietly nagging at me.

And then there’s my perioral dermatitis. It’s really bothering me right now — itchy, painful, burning when I put anything on it. Besides the medicine Dr. Angie prescribed, I think I’m going to try “zero therapy” on my face. A very gentle, sensitive soap, the medication, and nothing else. No extra products. Just letting my skin calm down and heal. Sometimes less really is more.

So that’s my Wednesday ramble. Beautiful skies. Weekend gratitude. Work pressure. Family pivots. Skin struggles. And still — a thankful heart.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. If you’re reading this, I’d love for you to say a quick hi in the comments. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.

Wednesday Ramblings

Wednesday Ramblings & Birthday Prep

Good morning, friends!

It’s 6:35 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. I don’t have to be there until 7:00, but I always leave a little early—because life loves a surprise, and I do not. Plus, I like having those few quiet minutes to get my system up and running and head to the break room to fill up my water container before the phones start ringing. A prepared girl is a peaceful girl.

Last night I finished The Apartment Sitter by Paige Brooks and oh my goodness… it was so good. The kind of book that makes you stay up later than you meant to and then think about it while brushing your teeth. I already know I’ll be looking into more of her books.

Now that we’re smack in the middle of the week, I’ve shifted into party-planning mode. Mr. C’s birthday cookout is this Sunday, and you know I love a good celebration. I’ve been making my list, checking it twice, and trying to get everything organized so the day can just be fun instead of frantic.

We’re keeping it classic cookout style:

🛒 Birthday Cookout Grocery List

Meats:

• Steaks
• Smoked sausage
• Hot links
• Hamburgers
• Hot dogs

Sides:

• Baked beans
• Potato salad

Extras I’m leaning toward making:

• Jalapeño poppers
• Bacon-wrapped little smokies

And of course, I’m ordering him a cupcake cake from Walmart because birthdays require cake. Period.

On top of party prep, I’m planning to tackle my taxes this weekend. I’ve got everything gathered—I just need to sit down and actually do it. I’m thinking Sunday  will be the day. Say a little prayer for my patience.

Something else on my heart this morning is my son, Aaron. He’s going through a hard patch, and as a mama, that helpless feeling is heavy. You want to fix it. You want to say the magic words that make it click. But sometimes they just have to walk through it themselves. I’m praying he finds his way out of his own head and into some peace soon. If you’re the praying type, we’ll take all the good thoughts.

In happier planning news, I’ve got a suitcase open for New York City. It’s too early to fully pack since I’m still wearing half the clothes I want to take, but I can start organizing. Makeup, duplicate chargers (because I never take my good ones from the house!), and deciding what I can fit into a carry-on and backpack. I’m determined to leave room for souvenirs.

Tomorrow our vice president, Stephanie, and other important folks will be at work. That means no scrolling, no sneaking in a few pages on my iPad between calls. Maybe that’s exactly what I need to focus in and hit my daily goal of 12 saves. Sometimes a little supervision is the push we didn’t know we needed.

And yes, there are days I wish I were independently wealthy and didn’t have to clock in anywhere. But since I’m not, I’ll keep showing up and doing my best. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll stumble into the perfect little side hustle. For now, I’ll just keep building what I can, one blog post at a time.

Today my sweet hubby is driving me to work, which I love. It gives me time to think, to type, and to share this little slice of my Wednesday with you.

Thanks for stopping by, friends. I hope your Wednesday is productive and full of love.

Wednesday Ramblings

  

Wednesday Ramblings

This morning, Mr. C. is driving me to work, and I’m enjoying it more than I realized I would. These thirty minutes together have turned into quiet, quality time—and bonus time for me to work on my blog. As Christmas gets closer, finding time for everything feels harder. My thoughts are going in a million different directions at once, and some days it feels like I’m juggling more than I can comfortably hold.

Lately, we’ve been trying to figure out how to purchase a used vehicle for Mr. C. Vehicles are so expensive, and right now we just don’t have the funds set aside. It’s a reminder that come the beginning of the year, I really need to be more intentional about saving. Life has a way of keeping us grounded in reality, even during the holiday season.

At work, I’m thankful to be on track with my savings goals this month. Meeting expectations feels good, especially during such a busy season. I currently need forty saves to hit my goal for December, and while it’s challenging, I’m proud that I’m staying focused and pushing forward.

                         

This morning is thick with fog, and I’m grateful my husband is behind the wheel. This time of year always makes me nervous with deer running everywhere—especially living out in the country. The fog, the wildlife, and the early morning darkness can make even a short drive feel heavy, but today I feel safe and thankful.

                                       

Looking ahead, I’m excited about December 27th when the grandchildren come over for Christmas. We’re keeping it simple—pizza, a cookie platter, and an easy dessert. What matters most isn’t the menu, but the memories. I’m so looking forward to seeing Aaron’s children and Blake’s family. It will be loud, messy, and filled with laughter—the best kind of chaos.

                                           

I’ve noticed I haven’t been reading on my Kindle as much lately. Work has been too busy to read during breaks, and at home, I’ve been filling my time with other activities. Seasons change, and sometimes our routines do too.

As I sit here in front of my office at 6:57 a.m., I already feel blessed. I usually go inside around 7:10 to get my computer ready for the day, but today I’m pausing to acknowledge the small moments—the ride to work, the foggy morning, the anticipation of family time. I know today will be a good day.

Finding Balance In The Everyday

 

Today is Wednesday, and sometimes I catch myself wondering if my life has fallen into a predictable routine—work, home, time with my husband, and scrolling through YouTube and TikTok. Most afternoons, as soon as I leave work, I call my husband. We usually visit for 10–12 minutes, catching up before I make the rest of my 30-minute drive home. If I have time, I call my best friend, Cherrie—spelled C-H-E-R-R-I-E—and we talk about anything we might have missed during the week.

Once I’m home, Luther almost always has dinner ready. We eat, talk about our day, and then wind down by watching the news. We tend to go to bed early. With Luther’s health, he doesn’t always feel like sitting in the living room late, and that’s okay—quiet evenings together have become part of our rhythm.

Tomorrow, November 20th, my oldest son, Blake, turns 34 years old! I don’t know how the years passed so quickly. I’m incredibly proud of the man he has become. He’s a wonderful father, a strong partner to Jessica, a dedicated worker, and someone who continues to set goals and meet them. I just can’t say enough good things about him.

But as time keeps moving, I find myself thinking more about my own future—how long I’ll be here, what I want the rest of my life to look like. I’m fortunate that my health is mostly good, aside from high blood pressure and being overweight. I’m working on eating better, getting more physical activity, and staying motivated to do the right things for my body and mind.

My job, as blessed as I am to have it, is extremely stressful. The pay is the best in our area, and the benefits couldn’t be better, but talking on the phone all day can be draining. Not every member who calls in is cheerful—many are dealing with real-life struggles like job loss, homelessness, bankruptcy, or accidents. I try to listen with compassion and help them find solutions, but some days the emotional load weighs heavy.

Would I love a less stressful job? Absolutely. Would it pay the same? Probably not. So for now, I’m sitting still, trusting that the right path will reveal itself in time. I’m seriously considering retiring at 63 if I can afford it. I’ve worked my whole life, and the thought of slowing down sounds peaceful. My biggest concern is that I didn’t prepare as well as I should have for retirement.

I’m looking for small ways to improve that now—putting aside more money, adjusting my 401(k), and finding little “tips and tricks” to grow my savings. I’m planning to increase my 401(k) contributions next year by a point or two and start building more cushion for the future.

These mid-week moments make me pause and reflect on where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed. Life may be predictable at times, but it’s also full of love, responsibility, and the quiet beauty  of everyday life.

A Wednesday State Of Mind

 

                                     Wednesday Ramblings

Today, I got up around 4:45 a.m. to get my day started. I got ready and watched some news on TV this morning. My biggest thought was about the government shutdown—how are families and single parents going to feed their children and themselves without food stamps? I feel very fortunate that we do not rely on food stamps, nor would we qualify for them, but I’m grateful they exist for those who truly need them. I’m not sure how much longer this shutdown will last, but it’s beginning to feel like a hostage situation—nobody wants to give in, and the people who depend on help are the ones who suffer.

On another note, I’m a bit frustrated because I’ve lost my debit card. I’ve backtracked and searched every nook and cranny, but it’s nowhere to be found. I know exactly where I used it last, but it’s disappeared. As soon as the banks open this morning, I’ll be calling to cancel that card and order a replacement. Not having it pretty much affects everything I do since I rarely keep cash on hand.

This weekend, I plan to do our monthly grocery shopping at Crest in Norman, Oklahoma. I’ll probably just withdraw cash for that trip. Thankfully, I do have another debit card with a different bank that I use for “fun day Sunday” or dining out. I don’t keep much money on that one, but at least it’s something I can use in the meantime. Of course, losing my main card makes my husband nervous—he’s always worried someone will find it and use it. To make matters worse, I can’t log in to the website to check recent purchases, so that’s another thing to deal with.

Something else on my mind lately is getting my bills under better control. I want to get to a place where I’m one or two months ahead on everything, but that takes careful planning and discipline. With the holidays coming up, I’m not sure I’m ready to take that on just yet—maybe I’ll start fresh at the beginning of the year.

I do feel good about my progress with Christmas shopping. I’ve been buying for one family at a time, which makes things much easier. Luther already has gifts for Brody, Savannah, Lane, Landon, Sophie, Jacob, Alisha, and Jonathan—I just need to get them wrapped. Michelle’s kids’ presents are already bought and wrapped, too. Now I’m focusing on Blake and Jessica’s family. Most of their gifts are done, but I want to add an experience gift, so I’m planning to get Brooks and Hattie $25 gift cards each to Chuck E. Cheese.

For Jessica, I’ll probably go with something kitchen-related or a Bath & Body Works set—she always loves those. For Blake, I’m thinking a pair of Hey Dudes and a gift certificate to Harbor Freight, which is his favorite store.

As for me, I honestly don’t know what I want this year. I really don’t need anything. Maybe I’ll ask for a new printer since mine only works when it feels like it. I use it often, so that would be a practical gift. I just need to research which brand would be the best fit for me.

Last but not least, there are a couple of new job opportunities at work, and one of them—Business Solutions—has caught my attention. It would be ideal since I wouldn’t be on the phones with members all day. Most of the communication is just between supervisors and team members. My hesitation is leaving my current supervisor—she really looks out for her team and always has our backs as long as we do our part. It’s always a tough decision when you love your job but wonder what the next step could bring.