Enjoying our Sunday

 

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Morning

Sunday is usually our easy day, especially if I don’t have any errands to run, and today was no exception. Mr. C and I stayed home and enjoyed a relaxing morning together. We got a few chores done around the house, and he put a roast with potatoes, celery, and onions in the slow cooker for supper. While it cooked, I spent some time working in Moira,s  journal, which was a nice way to unwind.

Afternoon Plans

Our plan for the afternoon was to head to Elizabeth and Charles’s house around 3:30 because they were moving to Rush Springs. We were looking forward to seeing Alisha and Jonathan since they were coming down to help with the move. As often happens, though, plans changed a little.

When we arrived, everyone was already in full moving mode. Jonathan, Alisha, Lane, and Landon were in one vehicle, Elizabeth was driving another, Charles had his truck loaded down, and their friends Michael and Tracy were already ahead of them. With so many people helping and everything packed up, it made sense for them to keep moving forward. I think Mr. C may have had his feelings hurt just a little, but realistically there was no way they could have made the trip to Rush Springs and back before our dinner plans.

So, we pivoted.

Picnic and Family Visit

We headed to Braums and picked up supper, and then Mr. C surprised me by taking me to the Rush Springs Park for a picnic. If you know me, you know I’m always asking him to take me on a picnic, so this absolutely made my heart happy. It was such a thoughtful surprise and ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day.

After our picnic, we drove over to Elizabeth and Charles’s new house. They were still unloading, and their biggest priority was getting their large fish aquarium set up and getting the fish safely back into their home. We got to visit with Alisha and Jonathan for a little while before making our excuses and heading home.

Decluttering Progress

Earlier in the day, I had told Mr. C that I wanted to go through my clothes and pull out at least 20 items to donate to Goodwill. Once I got started, I found even more things I no longer needed. By the time I finished, I had filled a large black trash bag with donations that I’ll be dropping off after work tomorrow. It may not have made a huge dent in the overall clutter, but it definitely made me feel better. I also had a large sack or trash. My goal is to continue decluttering throughout the rest of the month.

Evening

Later in the evening, I talked with my son Aaron and checked in with Blake to see how their trip was going. Blake and Jessica, along with the kids, Grandma Berdine, and several cousins, spent five days at Padre Island. It’s a little over an 11-hour drive, but when you’re traveling with a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a teenager, you know it takes a bit longer with all the snack, restroom, and stretch breaks along the way. From the photos they shared, it looks like they had an absolutely wonderful time. Seeing the kids make memories with their cousins and Grandma Berdine made me smile.

Reflections

All in all, it turned out to be a simple but very full Sunday—good food, a surprise picnic, family visits, and a little progress on my decluttering journey. It was also a good reminder that not every day unfolds the way we expect it to, and sometimes the best moments come from being willing to adjust our plans and embrace what the day brings. Even though our original visit didn’t happen quite the way we imagined, we still got to spend time with family, celebrate a new chapter for Elizabeth and Charles, and enjoy some unexpected time together. Days like this leave me feeling grateful for the people in my life, the flexibility to make the most of changing circumstances, and the simple blessings that often end up meaning the most.

Happy Tuesday

Good morning, friends. Happy Tuesday! Today is June 2nd, 2026, and this morning I woke up feeling very motivated to start tackling some of the things that I have been putting off for way too long. You know those little projects that stay in the back of your mind for months? Well… today is the day to finally start checking some of them off my list.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything at once, I decided to break things down into smaller goals and focus on one thing at a time.

Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish this week:

• Closet clean-out and donation pile
I have officially started going through closets, shoes, purses, and all the extra “stuff” that I keep hanging onto for no reason. Clothes that are too big, too small, too worn out, or things I simply never wear anymore are all going into a donation pile. Honestly, I have shoes I haven’t touched in years, so why am I still keeping them? It feels like the perfect time to let go of excess clutter and simplify things a little.

• Decluttering my devices and storage
My iPad has been begging for storage space because it refuses to update until I clean things out. So that’s another big project on my list this week. I’m going through photos, apps, downloads, and files on both my iPad and phone to free up some room and get everything updated properly again. It’s definitely time-consuming, but it needs to be done. I’m also planning to start ordering printed photos again instead of keeping thousands of pictures stored on my devices. I miss having actual printed memories to look through.

• Finishing Moira’s  journal
Mora’s journal arrived yesterday, and she included the sweetest little packages of pens and goodies inside. Now I need to focus on finishing my part of the journal and gathering a few fun things to send back with it. I’m also going to message her and ask if she would mind giving me about two weeks to finish everything up and get it mailed back to her. I really want to take my time and make it special.

• Planning Brody’s birthday party
Thursday, June 4th, we’ll be celebrating Brody’s birthday here at the house with around 20 family members and friends. We’re keeping things simple and fun with a pizza party — six pizzas, breadsticks, drinks, and all the paper goods. Elizabeth is bringing the cake, a big salad, and possibly cupcakes for the little kids.

One thing I’m really excited about is setting up the karaoke machine outside along with cornhole. I’ve had that karaoke machine for a couple of years now, and we’ve honestly never used it. So I figured… why not? Even if nobody sings much, it’ll still add a fun vibe to the party.

Brody is going to be VERY surprised by his main gift this year because several of us all chipped in together to buy him a large gun safe that holds around 36 guns. He is going to absolutely love it. I’m also putting together a small gift bag with Monster drinks and some of his favorite candy so he’ll still have a few things to open at the party. I think Elizabeth and Savannah also picked up a few smaller gifts for him too, so he’ll definitely have some surprises waiting.

Overall, this week is shaping up to be a busy but productive one, and honestly, I’m looking forward to it. Sometimes it feels really good to reset, declutter, and focus on getting life a little more organized.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I’d love to know where you’re reading from, so leave me a comment below and say hello!

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and blessed day ahead.

Living Life

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026

Happy Midweek!

I cannot believe we are already wrapping up another Wednesday. Sometimes it feels like this year is moving at lightning speed, and other times I feel like I am just trying to keep up with my own thoughts and projects. Lately, I have really been procrastinating on getting my blog updated. I honestly do not know why I do this every single time. Maybe I get overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start, or maybe my creativity simply shifts into other things like journaling, letter writing, or planning little adventures. I tend to get stuck in my own head sometimes, and before I know it, the blog gets pushed to the back burner again.

Even so, today I am focusing on doing my best at work and helping my members however I can. We have new girls coming out of training, and apparently I must be doing something right because management keeps having coworkers sit in and listen to my calls. I still do not know if that is a blessing or a curse! It definitely adds a little stress to the day because I do not exactly see myself as a teacher, but I will absolutely do my best to help encourage and support them.

After work, I need to make a quick Walmart run for the essentials: milk, snacks, and of course a few Monster drinks to survive the rest of this week and probably part of next week too. I already know how this trip will go. I will walk in needing five things and somehow walk out with twenty. Walmart has a way of convincing you that you suddenly need items you never even considered before entering the store!

I also need to pick up a few snacks for Mr. C since this weekend I will be heading to Tulsa with Cherrie for our birthday weekend getaway. I am honestly so excited about this trip. We are trying to keep things budget-friendly, which works out perfectly because Tulsa is celebrating the Route 66 Centennial this weekend. There are going to be so many free and low-cost events happening all over the city.

One thing I am especially excited about is visiting the fire department museum. They are offering free admission along with hot dogs, hamburgers, and root beer floats. If you have followed my blog for any amount of time, then you already know firefighters absolutely have my heart and always will. There is just something about first responders — firefighters, police officers, military personnel — that I deeply admire and respect. But firefighters in particular? I cannot even fully explain it. They have always held a special place in my heart.

On the way home tonight, I am planning to grab supper from Braum’s. I am getting their grilled chicken strawberry salad, and I am being smart about it by dividing it into two meals. Half for supper tonight and the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I even remembered to ask for an extra dressing this time, which honestly feels like a personal victory. I will probably throw in a few crackers along with some pepper jack and cheddar cheese, and lunch tomorrow will be easy, filling, and pretty healthy too.

Health-wise, my sciatica nerve does seem to be calming down a little bit, thankfully. Nights are still the hardest part, and I am really hoping I can sleep in our bedroom all night without having to move around trying to get comfortable. Fingers crossed for a decent night of sleep because that makes such a huge difference in everything else.

For now, though, I am simply taking this week one day at a time, trying to focus on the good moments, looking forward to Tulsa, and reminding myself that not everything has to be perfect to still be meaningful.

#MidweekRamblings #TulsaBound #Route66Centennial #BirthdayWeekend #FirefighterHeart #WalmartRuns #BraumsDinner #SciaticaStruggles #EverydayLife #OklahomaLiving #JournalingLife #SimpleMoments

Monday is Here

Monday Ramblings – Tulsa Plans, Journaling, and Sciatica Struggles

Monday, May 18th

I am honestly surprised at how quickly May is flying by. Before we know it, Sherry and I will be headed to Tulsa for our little weekend getaway on May 30th and 31st, and we are both really looking forward to it.

I have been working on a list of places I would like for us to visit while we are there. One place high on my list is the Center of the Universe. I have always thought that sounded so neat and unique. I also want to visit the free farmers market and spend some time at Mother Road Market. I think it will be fun because there are so many vendors and food booths there, so Sherry and I can each pick whatever sounds good to us. We usually enjoy similar foods anyway, but it will still be fun to see what catches our attention.

Another thing I really want to do is take pictures of Tulsa’s murals and spend time exploring the art district downtown. Tulsa has so much character, and I know we are going to enjoy simply walking around and seeing where the weekend takes us. I do need to finalize our itinerary soon, just so we have a little guide to follow if we run out of ideas while we are there.

When I got home yesterday, I had such a sweet surprise waiting for me. Someone from one of my Facebook journaling groups sent me a random act of kindness envelope filled with journaling goodies. There were little pieces of paper, stickers, and other fun bits to use in my journal. It truly made my day. I need to remember to take a picture of everything she sent and tag her in the group so I can properly thank her for her kindness.

Last night Luther and I went to Lane’s game. We ended up leaving early, but the weather was actually pretty nice considering it was over 85 degrees. The wind was blowing hard enough to keep things somewhat cool, which made sitting outside much more enjoyable.

Once we got home and settled in for the evening, my sciatica nerve started bothering me more than usual. I told Luther that after work Tuesday I plan on driving to Lawton to go back to The Joint chiropractor. Since I signed up for their monthly plan, I can go four times a month for $79, and honestly that seems like a pretty good deal compared to paying $65 per visit elsewhere.

I do like Dr. Ellis in Marlow because he is much closer to home, but he mainly uses a machine for adjustments. I personally feel like I get better relief from hands-on adjustments and manipulation. Sometimes that seems to help my back and hips loosen up better.

Sciatica can really be frustrating because it happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve is actually the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back down through the hips and legs. Many people notice that the pain becomes worse at night or after sitting for long periods of time. Thankfully, gentle movement, stretching, chiropractic care, and heat can sometimes help relieve the discomfort.

I also really need to keep working on my journal for Mora and get it completed. I feel a little behind, and the closer the deadline gets, the more I start to panic. I think I will be okay though. I have also started preparing another journal that I believe will be for July. I have already been gluing pages together and creating some background art pages so I can stay a little ahead before the journal officially begins.

As many of y’all already know, I truly love junk journaling and creative journaling. I enjoy getting little glimpses into other people’s lives and seeing how they decorate and create their pages. It is such a creative and comforting hobby for me.

Thank y’all so much for stopping by my blog on this Monday evening. I hope you all had a wonderful day, and I appreciate every single visit and comment more than you know.

#TulsaTrip #JunkJournalLove #SciaticaJourney #CreativeLife

Errand Sunday

Sunday Reset & Small Town Errands

Sunday, May 17th, 2026

Mr. C and I got up early this morning and enjoyed a slow, peaceful start to our Sunday. We spent part of the morning getting caught up on some of our TV shows and honestly just enjoying the quiet together before the day got busy. Those kinds of mornings always feel good for the soul.

Around 11 a.m., I headed to Chickasha to run errands. I had a little list of things I needed to get done, but I also planned it where I could make a fun little afternoon out of it. Before I left, I grabbed my Aldi bags and my insulated bag because with these warmer temperatures, I knew I needed something to keep the milk and sweet tea cool on the drive home.

My first stop was Walmart. I ran in to pick up some photos I had printed and grabbed a few things while I was there. I picked up a gallon of milk, some Dawn Powerwash spray, some Match Light charcoal for grilling, and candy for the candy bowl for when Lane and Landon come over. They love gummy worms, and I may have picked up some chocolate too.

From there, I headed to HTeaO to finally use a $25 gift card I have been carrying around forever. I got a gallon of sweet tea and tried their wedding cake tea, which was actually really good. I will admit, I was a little surprised that the gallon of tea was $6.75, but at least I finally used the gift card!

Next stop was Dollar Tree where I grabbed some wide-ruled notebook paper, envelopes, a grill lighter, and a few snacks. I also picked up some peanut butter M&Ms which are definitely one of my weaknesses. Being diabetic, I know I should probably leave them alone, but sometimes you just want a little treat.

After that, I stopped by Aldi and picked up a few things for work lunches this week. Nothing major, just enough to help make the week easier. I grabbed snack crackers with cheese, pepper jack cheese, pretzels with garden vegetable dip, potato salad, strawberries, and a few other little snacks.

My last stop before heading home was Burger King. I picked up Mr. C a Texas Whopper meal and got myself the original chicken sandwich meal. By then, I was definitely ready to head back home and settle in for the evening.

Earlier this morning before I left, I had already put dinner in the slow cooker. I made the Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe, which is one of those easy comfort meals that always turns out good.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Slow Cooker Style)

Ingredients:

- 2 to 3 chicken breasts

- 1 bottle Olive Garden Italian dressing

- 1 block cream cheese

- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

- Pasta of choice

Directions:

Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour the Olive Garden dressing over the top. Add the cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and easy to shred. Shred the chicken, stir everything together until creamy, and serve over cooked pasta. It makes the house smell amazing all day long.

Once I got home, we did what I call our little Sunday reset. Mr. C handled the laundry by washing and drying everything while I folded and put it away. We wiped down the kitchen, swept and mopped the floors, and just got everything tidied up for the upcoming week.

I also finished Kyndall’s homemade card and letter. I just need to address it and get it mailed out. She keeps every letter I send her, which honestly melts my heart. She told me once, “Nana, you’ve sent me a hundred letters!” That may not exactly be true, but I do try to send them often because I know how much she enjoys getting mail.

Overall, this weekend was exactly what I needed. I had enough time to be productive, enough downtime to rest, and plenty of little moments that made me feel grateful for this simple life we’re building.

Now it’s time to get ready for another week ahead.

Kyndall’s 7th Birthday

May 5th, 2026 — Kyndall Turns Seven 💕

Today is Kyndall’s birthday, and my heart is feeling a little heavy knowing I can’t be there in person to celebrate with her. That’s just part of living far away, I suppose—but it doesn’t make it any easier when you love someone as much as I love that sweet girl.

Kyndall is the big 7 today, and she has been so excited counting down to it. A couple of days ago, I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, and in true Kyndall fashion, she said, “Nana, I don’t care. You always get me good things.” That right there just melted me. There is something so special about a child who feels loved and content like that.

Of course, I still wanted to make sure I got her something she truly wanted, so I checked in with her mama. Melissa told me Kyndall had her heart set on a pottery wheel for kids, and I thought—oh yes, that is perfect. I got online right away and ordered one for her. I can already picture her creating little masterpieces and being so proud of herself.

We also sent her $100 from Grandpa Kendall so she could go pick out something fun for herself—because what seven-year-old doesn’t love a little birthday shopping spree? And honestly, I’m not done yet. In a few days, I’ll probably send her some film for her Insta camera and maybe a little lip gloss or two… just because. That’s one of the perks of being Nana—you get to surprise them for no reason at all.

And of course, I can’t forget baby Liam. I’m already thinking about putting together a little care package for both of them. It just feels right.

Even though I’m not there, it brings me so much comfort knowing how well Kyndall is loved and cared for. Melissa and Trevor do such a wonderful job keeping her busy and involved. Between swimming, gymnastics, and all the activities at the Roughrider Center, she is thriving. Now she’s even talking about learning how to play chess—imagine that! She’s growing into such a bright, curious, and joyful little person.

I have truly loved watching her become who she is. Her laughter, her sweetness, her spirit—it fills my heart in a way that’s hard to even put into words.

So today, from afar, I’m celebrating my beautiful granddaughter. Happy 7th birthday, Kyndall,. Nana loves you more than you could ever know. 

Thursday Ramblings

Thursday Ramblings — Birthday Plans & Tulsa Dreams

Today is Thursday, May 7th, and I turn 59 years old on May 9th! I am honestly so excited about my birthday this year. Sometimes birthdays feel simple, and sometimes they feel extra special, and this one definitely feels special to me.

Mr. C and I are still trying to decide exactly what we’re going to do for my birthday dinner. Right now, I think we may either go eat at Interurban or bring it home and have a cozy dinner there. We’ve also talked about just doing a simple little ice cream date at Dairy Queen in Chickasha. Honestly, either one sounds perfect to me.

Part of the reason we’re keeping it simple is because Mr. C is already treating me and Cherrie to a Tulsa birthday weekend on May 30th, and I am SO excited about that trip. We’ll leave early Saturday morning and come back Sunday evening, and I already have a huge list of things I want to do.

At the very top of my list is the Tulsa Farmers Market. I absolutely love walking around markets, looking at handmade items, fresh flowers, baked goods, and just soaking in the atmosphere. I also really want to visit the Outsiders House Museum. I’ve heard such great things about it, and for only $10, it sounds like a fun little stop.

Another place I hope we get to visit is the Tulsa Botanic Garden. I know the flowers and walking paths will be beautiful this time of year. And of course, I know we’ll spend some time at the Hard Rock Casino Saturday evening. They have several restaurants inside, and honestly, I’m already thinking about all the good food.

I’d also love to spend some time exploring the Tulsa Arts District and taking pictures of some of the murals around downtown. Tulsa has so many colorful and artistic spots, and I definitely want to capture a few photos while we’re there.

A few other Tulsa ideas that are on my “maybe” list are:

• Gathering Place Park

• Route 66 attractions

• Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

• Mother Road Market

• Cherry Street shopping and coffee spots

• Watching the sunset over the river parks

I already know there’s no way we’ll fit everything into one weekend, but honestly, planning the trip is half the fun for me.

Today after work, I’ve got several errands I need to run. I need to pick up my medicine, and I’d really like to get my nails done if I can work it in. Lane also has baseball practice tonight at 5:00. I may not make it right at the beginning, but that’s okay. It’s only tee-ball practice, and sometimes you just have to do what you can do.

I’ve also been working hard on my budget lately. I’m getting very close to paying off my Jeep, which feels amazing. I also only have one payment plus $40 left on another bill I’ve been paying since 2023. That is going to be such a relief once it’s completely off my monthly budget.

Of course, once one trip is planned, I’m already thinking about the next one. I’m hoping to go to Watford City later this year once I find tickets on sale. I’ll probably only stay about four days because I don’t want to overstay my welcome, but I’m really looking forward to it.

And beyond that, I’m already dreaming about a bigger trip for next year and hopefully even a trip to North Dakota to spend time with Trevor’s family.  Traveling takes money, planning, and time off work, but I truly enjoy the planning process almost as much as the actual trip itself.

Anyway, I hope y’all have a wonderful Thursday and are making fun plans for your own weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.