Retirement thoughts

 

Do you sometimes wonder how you to to this exact point in your life? I always wondered if  I would be here when I was 50ish years old.  Am amazed with my life, it’s much better than I could have ever dreamed.  No it’s not perfect and it’s a lot messy, but wouldn’t trade it for anything else. 

As I look toward retirement I know I am not prepared. I have just started my 401k and Roth plans. So not very much money in them.  Looking back on my past life is I was just trying to survive. Neither one of my parents really spoke about saving money for the future. They did the best they could with what knowledge they had.  I just wish I had someone who could have taught me the importance of saving money. Now I am struggling with when I can retire on just social security. I don’t want to work forever, but realistically I may have to work till I am 65 years old. I haven’t exactly put budget to paper to see what I may be looking at going forward. 

What my mom did teach me was how to be thrifty so I do have that knowledge.  I love thrift stores and watching how people repurpose stuff.  Comparing prices from a few different grocery stores is next on my list to start doing. I do pay for Amazon Prime annually and do feel like it saves me money on shipping. Although I know if I order a certain amount that I will still receive free shipping. We do watch Amazon prime frequently. I already watch for sales on birthday gifts and Christmas gifts. I keep a tote of gifts I pick up thru the year.  For instance I bought a grill utensil set 1/2 off.  When Victoria Secret and Bath and Body have sales I will buy and put up. My love language is gifting others, so I need to save money when I can. 

We live out in the country on 2 acres on a dead end road. Our bills are very reasonable compared to so many others. So we are very fortunate in that area. We don’t have a water bill as we have a water well. The maintenance on it could be expensive but overall it’s been good to us.  We also have a septic system and that has also been a low maintenance system to us.  So as we get older at least our household expenses are lower than others.  

So here I am thinking about my overall life and what budget cuts I can do to make my money stretch. I think I will up the percentage to my Roth plan.  Like seeing the numbers add up each pay period. I won’t miss that money since it will be such a low percent every 2 weeks.  

I am blessed with my life no regrets just wish I had been more wiser with money.  If you have any tips on saving money as I move toward retirement, please drop them below. 

Sick beyond sick

 This morning I got up feeling sick. Before I left for work I was throwing up. My stomach was cramping badly.  I knew I couldn’t miss work as I didn’t want to get a write up. That’s just part of working in a call center, no unscheduled days off.  This year I have already called in twice sick.  

Looking back I started taking a higher dosage of medicine and I think that is the issue along with my eating habits.  I am going to see about going back to original dosage and go back to really watching my diet more closely. 

My manager sent me home about 8:30 AM.  I came straight home and went to bathroom and went to bed. I only got up to go to bathroom.  I was so miserable.  I do not want to keep being this sick. It’s miserable for sure. I slept off and on all day. What I will say from experience is as I am getting older when I get sick it just hits harder than when I was younger.  

Am thankful for my husband as he went and got me sprite and crackers.  He stayed away in the living room just in case I had a virus.  I really think it was my medication but can’t say for sure. 

Monday ramblings about routines

 Are you ready for the week? I can say honestly that I haven’t been doing my Sunday night reset.  When I was being intentional about getting ready for the week, it seemed to make me more organized.  Not sure what happened but I just completely stopped getting prepared.  Maybe I stopped because I was exhausted after being on the road and enjoying Sunday Funday’s. This morning it hit me hard that the routine that I enjoyed doing hadn’t been happening in months.  Then I thought maybe I am a failure, but that isn’t true at all.  I don’t want to beat myself up, instead I am going to create a list of what is important to me and try to get back into good habits that help my mental health and wellbeing. Just because I fell off the wagon doesn’t mean I can’t dust myself off and try again. 

What did I do that made my life easier on Sunday evenings you may be wondering…here’s a few things that helped me tremendously.

Pulling out 6 work outfits (one is extra so I have choices).  Paired with undergarments and jewelry.  That way I can make the decision quickly.  I do try not to wear same outfits every week. 

Using my medication organizer.  That way I am not having to use extra time to open all my bottles twice a day. If I have the pills ready to go, I will take them everyday as prescribed. Otherwise I may not take my medication every day. 

Meal planning for my work lunches.  If any prep work is needed will get that done as well.  With it being summertime I am leaning towards sandwiches, pinwheels, pasta salads and adult lunchables.  Meal prepping seems to make sense to me as it saves time and money. Waiting till the morning to figure out what I’m going to eat for lunch can be stressful. Who needs stress at 6 am? 

On weekends Mr. C. Makes sure my gas tank is full. He also will check fluids and make sure my air in tires is where they need to be.  Am so thankful that he keeps his eyes on our vehicles. Plus I don’t have to be out in either extreme heat or cold depending on Oklahoma weather.  

I also like to go thru the house and straighten up places that need a little assistance.  I need to make myself a cleaning chart, maybe focusing on one room a day or however I choose to clean. 

Do you have a routine that you are currently doing? I am open to any suggestions on what might work better for me. 

Baked Beans Crockpot Style

Sweet and spicy crockpot, baked beans

 At our house, we’re always on the lookout for easy recipes-Especially ones that make mealtime feel special without a lot of fuss. Mr. C recently watched a YouTube video on baked beans, and of course, we had to give it a try. Baked beans are a staple around here whenever we fire up the grill or make ribs so finding new-to-us recipes is always a treat. 

The best part about this dish is how simple it is to toss together with ingredient we usually have on hand. Plus, it’s a crockpot recipe, which makes it even better-you just set it and let it do the work. We ended up tweaking the original recipe to suit our tastes, because that’s the beauty of cooking at home: You get to make it your own. around here, we like a little kick of spices, so that’s exactly what we added.

Baked bean recipe

Ingredients

Two cans, bush baked beans, drained

1 pound of ground beef, browned

1/2 pound of smoked sausage

One large white onion

One Bell pepper, diced

One cup of brown sugar

1/3 bottle of brown sugar, honey, habanero sauce

2/3 cup of sweet barbecue sauce

Directions 

Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain

Diced onion and green

Combine all ingredients in crockpot

Cook on 3 to 4 hours until flavors are well blended.

What comes out is a sweet, slightly spicy baked bean dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, ribs, or even just a slice of cornbread. It’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, and tasty enough to become a new family favorite. 

So next time you’re grilling out, give these baked beans a try-you may just find yourself going back for seconds ( or thirds!)

 

 

Simple Joys & Family

                Slow Sundays, Sweet Memories 

Today was one of those slow, easy going Sundays that I really love. Reminding me of the beauty in ordinary moments. Today is a mix of quiet, comfort, and a little adventure. 

The morning started off gently, no alarms, no rushing around. I fixed a simple breakfast of ham and eggs for Mr. C. and I. Now, everyone who knows us knows that I’m not the main cooking the house. Ever since his retirement back in 2015, my sweet husband has taken on most of the cooking and household responsibilities. He does it so effortlessly that sometimes I forget how much he truely spoils and loves me. I can honestly say I don’t take it for granted- I feel blessed to have a partner who takes such joy in caring for our home and making sure we’re well fed.

After breakfast, we teamed up in the kitchen to prepare something for dinner. We put together a pot of baked beans, but not just your ordinary kind. This recipe included ground hamburger and smoked sausage, and it was inspired by a video Mr. C. had come across on YouTube. We’re both fans of hearty one-pot meals-something simple that simmers all afternoon while we go about our day. 

                     

                  An Afternoon in Chickasha

By early afternoon, I was ready for a little outing so I grabbed my camera and headed to Chickasha Oklahoma for a little outing. I’ve always loved exploring with no big agenda-just seeing what catches my eye. 

My first stop was HTeaO where I treated myself to a Chai tea. There’s something about having a favorite drink in hand that makes a little adventure even more enjoyable.  

There is just something about trains that sings to my soul. Growing up we lived next to the railroad and I was very fortunate to be able to have been inside the caboose several times when I was younger. I remember being said when they took away the caboose. 

I definitely had to carry on one of my own traditions: It might sound simple, but it connects me to the past and reminds me of the history beneath our steps. I’ve done it before, and today it felt special to recreate that memory. 

Next I made my way to see the old train,  that’s located near the largest leg lamp. I also seen the antique auto club area, where I noticed they were storing a big Christmas tree the town uses each year. Little details like that always makes me smile-it feels like a peek behind the curtain at how the community comes together for special traditions. The Chickasha Festival of Lights is amazing, people from around the world come to see our lights in the park.

I stopped back by the famous Leg Lamp-yes, just like the one from A Christmas Story. Even though I’ve taken photos of it before, I couldn’t resist it from a new angle. 

I ended my adventures by finding a couple of murals, each one adding a splash of color and creativity to the town

Stopped by Dollar Tree for a few items while in Chickasha Okla.

Brody my bonus son does like his food very spicy.Just had to pick them up for him to try.  He has a high tolerance for extreme spicy foods.  I like a bit of spice but not when it burns my tongue.  

                             Family Time

Later in afternoon, I called in a Pizza Hut order so we could take dinner over to Brody and Savannah’s. Spending time with our grandchildren is always the highlight of my week. There’s nothing like hearing their laughter, watching them play, and just being part of their world for a few hours. Family moments like these are priceless, and I know someday I’ll look back on them with so much gratitude. 

                               Reflections

As the day winds down, I can’t help but reflect on how full my heart feels. A slow morning a shared meal with Mr. C., a little solo adventure with my camera, and an evening spent with family-it’s these simple rhythms that bring me the most joy. 

Life doesn’t have to be grand or complicated to be meaningful. In fact, I think it’s in days like this, when life feels richest.  Here’s to more Sundays filled with good food, small adventures, and the warmth of family. 

  🩷🌸🩷Congratulations Dylan and Kara🩷🌸🩷

They are adorable together. 

On Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, my sweet niece Kara married her longtime partner Dylan at the beautiful Hanza Heartland venue. 💕 The setting could not have been more perfect—rustic yet modern, with both indoor and outdoor options (and even a little playground to keep the younger kiddos entertained!).

Kara is my brother Lonnie’s middle daughter, and her mama is Stacey. Together, Kara and Dylan already share such a beautiful family with their two precious girls, Laiklyn and Hadlee. Seeing them all together on such a special day just melted my heart. 🥰

The wedding ceremony took place outside, with Megan D.—my cousin’s daughter—officiating. (Her parents are Tammy and Darrell, and I was so glad to catch up with them too. It’s been months since I’ve seen Megan in person, and what a joy to see her play such an important role!)

The decorations were straight out of a fairytale—romantically inspired with lots of gorgeous pink flowers. 🌸 Inside, the reception was cozy, full of laughter, hugs, and plenty of catching up with family and friends. The evening was just beautiful—not too hot, and such a blessing for an outdoor wedding in August!

I stayed to watch them make their grand departure, and my heart was so full. I couldn’t be more excited to see Kara and Dylan continue their journey together, growing their love as husband and wife, and as parents to their two sweet girls.

Made them a gift basket of assorted items.

Love how the decorations turned out. So romantic. 

The memorial table brought a few tears. 

By the time I got to the food table there wasnt much left. But managed to make a meal that reminded me of my younger years. It was very good. 

Kirsten and Bryson 

Kara and Dylan. 

Kara and me

My niece’s Kayetlynn and Kara along with Bryson and Dylan.

Kirsten  and me. Another sweet niece, she is my brother Lonnie’s youngest daughter. 

My oldest son Blake with his bride Jessica. She was a bridesmaid for Kara. 

Here I am with Kirsten and Kayetlynn.

Blake and Brooks enjoying the evening.

Brooks loves his nerf guns. Once his cousins were available they spent a lot of time playing in the playground area.

Kayetlynn, Kara, Grannie Karen, and me. Love that I got this picture of us.

 

Hello August,

 

Can you believe that this is already August? I am not sure what August has in store for me, but am ready to see how this month turns out.  I do know that I have a niece getting married this month. Am very excited to see her grow with the love she has for Dylan. .  

Haven’t discussed Sunday Funday’s with Cherrie so not sure what we will be doing.  I would like for us to do a picnic near water as one of our days.  I also want to go shopping and buy a complete line of bath products at either Bealls, Tjmaxx, or Burlington’s.  I have my coconut bath items  also vanilla scented items.  I want to get maybe a floral scent or watermelon scent.  I have been watching Tic Tok and see so many various products and that made me think that I need more bath products! 

At work this month I need at least 12 saves a day to meet my monthly goal. Oh crap sometimes that’s nearly impossible for me to achieve.  I really like my job and co-workers so I had better buckle down and get my numbers. My job is very stressful but worth it when payday rolls around.  

I also need to make my optometrist appointment to get my eyes checked. I already know I need a new improved prescription. Can tell my eyes are getting worse.  So I guess I will call soon and make that appointment toward end of month.  

Am proud of myself I have made a tentative plans on my next several blog posts most will be about summer fun.  I really am going to embrace being out of my comfort zone this summer.  As I am getting older I really need to make each and every day count.  

Started a new composition notebook journal swap over at Swap-Bot.  It’s going to be a two month journal. I have already started the journal, as I don’t want to get behind. I ordered a junk journal kit from Etsy in the color of yellow. Oh my goodness it has 50 cute and random supplies that I plan on using in my journal.  Go check out DandACards, they will hook you up with some fun journal supplies. I am going to be placing another order soon. Am leaning toward a green pack as well as a purple pack.  I also will go thru my stickers and pull corresponding stickers that match the color kit I purchased. What’s on your agenda for August?