Thriving This Thursday

 

                                       Thursday Thoughts 

It is a calm 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, February 12th, and I am headed to work with a fresh mindset, a hot cup of determination, and high hopes for a good day with my members.

The last week in my retention department has stretched me a little. I’ve been struggling to hit my saves goal, and if you know me, you know I take that seriously. My daily goal is usually 12 saves, and lately I’ve been coming up short. But today, I’m changing my approach. I’m slowing down. I’m focusing. I’m going to truly talk with my members instead of rushing through calls. Sometimes it’s not about pushing harder — it’s about connecting better.

Yesterday we had our year-end review, merit increase meeting, and monthly meeting all rolled into one. I walked away feeling secure and valued, which means so much in today’s workplace. I did receive a 3% merit increase. I’m not sure exactly what that will look like paycheck-wise (we’ll find out in mid-March), but I’m grateful. It may not be huge, but it’s progress — and progress counts.

After work today, it’s go-time.

First stop: Walmart. I need to pick up a medication Dr. Angie prescribed for my face, plus a birthday card and gift bag for Brooks’ birthday party this weekend.

While I’m there, I’m also grabbing supplies for our department potluck at work on Friday. I’m picking up a plastic tablecloth, paper plates, and utensils — because somebody has to bring the paper goods! I’m also grabbing some sugar cookies to share. I’m not sure what everyone else is bringing yet, but I do know we won’t go hungry because I’m also placing an order for a pizza to be delivered to us. Listen, you can never go wrong with cookies and pizza. That’s just solid team-building right there.

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Tonight, I’m also placing a pizza order to pick up on my way home. I’ll meet Luther over at Brody and Savannah’s so we can have supper together. I don’t get to see Lane, Landon, and Sophie much during the week because of my work schedule, so that time means everything to me. We’ll probably stay until around 7 p.m., then head home so I can do my nighttime routine and wind down for a good night’s rest.

It’s a full day. A grateful day. A forward-moving day.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Be sure to say hello or leave a comment — I truly love hearing from you and catching up with your week too. 💛

Not a normal Tuesday

A Different Kind of Day

Some days just feel different from the moment you walk in the door.

This morning when I got to work, Sherry let us know we would be moving cubicles a day early. That meant no easing into it — it was time to pack up immediately. I logged into my computer, handled what I needed to, and then started going through everything in my space.

And let me just say… it looked like I had moved in permanently.

I had things tucked into every corner — papers, random notes, office supplies, and of course, my Legos. So. Many. Legos.

I carefully packed up all the sets I’ve put together so I can safely get them home and onto shelves. I was honestly surprised at how many I had sitting on my desk and shelf. If you know me at all, you already know this isn’t the end of the Lego collection. I’ll absolutely be looking for another set soon to build between calls. There’s just something so calming about snapping those tiny pieces together while my headset rests for a minute. It’s my little pocket of peace during a busy call center day.

I took off work at 1:00 PM. Originally Luther had a doctor’s appointment, but it was canceled, so my afternoon opened up a bit before my own 4:20 PM appointment with Dr. Angie — my three-month follow-up for lab work. I also planned to address something that’s been bothering me: my face turning red unexpectedly.

Before heading back home, I drove out to Grandpa Kendall’s to pick up money for Aaron, then made my way back to Duncan, Oklahoma. I stopped at Walmart to pick up medicine for Mr. C., supplies to make my travel folder for my upcoming New York trip (which I’m getting more excited about by the day!), and — very importantly — a big tote for all my Legos.

It’s time to get them in one place. Not only will it keep everything organized, but it will also keep the grandchildren from getting into them. And let me tell you, stepping on a Lego is not an experience I ever want to relive. Those things are brutal on bare feet!

By the time I left Walmart, it was around 3:00 PM. Since I was already out, I went ahead and drove over to the doctor’s office and let them know I was early. They actually checked me in ahead of schedule, which felt like a small blessing in a full day.

Dr. Angie saw me fairly quickly. The lab results showed I need to work on my vitamin deficiency and my “bad” fats. So here we are again — refocusing on my diet and making some changes. She also wants me walking at least 8,000 steps a day.

Eight. Thousand. Steps.

Yikes.

It’s doable, but I’m going to have to be intentional about it. That means being more aware of how much I’m moving and finding little ways to build steps into my routine. Maybe pacing during phone calls at home, parking farther away, or even adding a short evening walk. It’s not impossible — it’s just going to take consistency.

On the way home, I stopped at Taco Tico and picked up dinner. I had a taco salad, and Mr. C. got a couple of soft tacos. After a day of running around, it felt nice not to cook.

We ended the evening visiting and watching the news. My heart has been heavy hearing about Nancy Guthrie being missing for ten days now. Savannah Guthrie has made several pleas for the return of her mother. I can’t imagine what that family is going through. It’s one of those stories that just sticks with you and makes you hold your loved ones a little tighter.

All in all, it was a full, different kind of day — part productive, part reflective, and a reminder that life is always moving. Sometimes we’re packing up cubicles. Sometimes we’re organizing Legos. Sometimes we’re making doctor plans and step goals.

And sometimes, we’re just grateful to end the day at home.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. 💛

Saturday Reset Cleaning

 

         Saturday Reset Cleaning: Starting the Weekend Fresh

This morning, we decided to switch things up and do our usual weekend reset on a Saturday instead of Sunday evening. The plan was simple: get the house in order today so tomorrow could be reserved for our monthly grocery shopping trip. Honestly, this may become our new normal.

We started our chores right at 8 a.m. and wrapped up by 10 a.m., which felt like a win all on its own. There’s something so satisfying about knocking out housework early and still having most of the day ahead of you.

We began in the kitchen, as we usually do. Counters were wiped down, clean dishes were put away, and the refrigerator got a much-needed cleanout. You know the kind—checking expiration dates, tossing leftovers that had seen better days, and giving the shelves a quick wipe. After that, we swept and mopped the floor, leaving the kitchen fresh and ready for the week ahead.

Next, we headed into the bedroom. We cleaned off our bedside tables (they always seem to collect random things), emptied the trash, dusted, and vacuumed. It didn’t take long, but it made a big difference. There’s something calming about walking into a tidy bedroom at the end of the day.

From there, we moved on to the living room. Thankfully, it hardly ever gets too bad, but it’s always nice to give it a good dusting and vacuum to make it sparkle again. A clean living room just feels more inviting, especially when you plan on spending some quiet time reading or watching TV later.

Our last stop was the dining room. I cleaned off the table and tackled the weekly mail pile. Please tell me I’m not the only one who lets mail stack up throughout the week! I sorted through everything, discarded a lot of unnecessary papers, and organized my medicines. I still need to put them into my daily pill organizer—I tend to do better when all my pills are together. Sometimes I laugh and say my breakfast is my medications. If you know, you know.

By the time we finished, the house felt lighter somehow. Clean, calm, and ready for the weekend. Growing up, Saturday mornings were always cleaning days in my house. My mom would be up early, getting everything done, and doing this reset today brought back some really good childhood memories.

For lunch, we kept things simple and delicious. We made burritos topped with chili, using leftovers from a few nights ago when Mr. C. made chili. It was fast, easy, and surprisingly good—one of those meals that reminds you leftovers can be just as comforting as the original dish.

Later in the afternoon, I headed out to the laundromat. I arrived around 4 p.m. and was finished by 5 p.m., which is always a relief. After that, I stopped to fill up the Jeep with gas since Cherrie and I are heading to Norman, Oklahoma tomorrow for groceries. I also ordered dinner from Subway, making one last stop before heading home. I was back in the house by 6 p.m.

Overall, the day was incredibly productive, but it never felt rushed or stressful. I still had plenty of time to relax, read on my Kindle, and watch a little TV. Most importantly, I was home with my sweet husband, and that’s always the best part of any day.

Getting everything done early made the weekend feel longer and more peaceful. There’s something comforting about a clean home, full bellies, and nowhere you have to be. If this Saturday reset becomes our new routine, I’m all for it.

Friday Vibes

                                                                          Looking at the Weekend

I am so grateful today is Friday. There’s just something about knowing the weekend is finally here that makes everything feel a little lighter. Even when life is busy—and let’s be honest, it usually is—it’s nice to pause for a moment and look ahead at what’s coming instead of rushing through the days.

This weekend feels like a good one, full but not overwhelming, and that’s my favorite kind.

Tomorrow will start with a trip to the laundromat since our washing machine is still not working. It’s not exactly how I’d choose to spend a Saturday, but I’m making the best of it. I plan to wash all the clothes so we can hopefully be set for the week ahead. Sometimes those simple, necessary errands are just part of life, and I try to remind myself that they won’t last forever.

After that, I’ll be picking up some pizzas so we can celebrate Lane’s actual birthday at Brody and Savannah’s. Even though there’s already been celebrating, there’s something special about acknowledging someone on their real birthday. I also have a small toy for Lane to open on his big day, and I’m looking forward to seeing his reaction. Those little moments are what really stick with you.

Sunday is shaping up to be a busy but fun day as well. My best friend Cherrie  and I are heading to Norman to Crest to do our monthly grocery shopping. It’s funny how errands like grocery shopping become more enjoyable when you’re doing them with your best friend. We always manage to laugh, catch up, and somehow turn a regular chore into quality time.

I’m also hoping we can find something fun to do while we’re out so I’ll have a cute “Sunday Funday” blog post to write about. That’s always the goal—memories first, blog post second. When I get back home and unload groceries, I’ll head over to Blake and Jessica’s to take Brooks his small birthday gift and wish him a happy birthday on his actual day. It makes my heart happy to be able to do that.

All in all, it feels like a good, well-balanced weekend. Busy, yes—but full of people I love and moments that matter.

Another thing that’s been on my mind lately is vacation planning. This morning, my sweet husband asked me how much money I already have saved for my New York trip in April. When I gave him the total, I honestly surprised myself. I have half of what I plan to take in cash already saved, and that feels like a big accomplishment.

I still need to purchase my plane ticket, which I’ll put on a credit card and then pay off, but overall I feel like I’m in a really good place financially for this trip. I cannot even put into words how excited I am. This New York trip has lived in my mind for years—decades, really—and I’m so grateful that it’s finally becoming a reality. It feels like one of those dreams that’s been waiting patiently for its turn.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, yesterday at work my coworkers were talking about doing a team-building day trip to Las Vegas. The idea is to fly out early in the morning and come back late that night, sometime in September. I’ve never done a trip like that before, but honestly, it sounds like it could be a lot of fun with my work besties.

They’re estimating flights around $200, plus spending money for food, souvenirs, and maybe a little casino fun. That means I’ll need to start a separate envelope just for that trip. Between New York, a possible Vegas day trip, and hopefully another visit to North Dakota to see Trevor and his family, there’s a lot of planning ahead.

I’m still hoping I can make it to North Dakota in May for Kyndall’s birthday. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be able to get the time off, but I’m going to try. A Nana has to at least try, right?

Of course, while planning trips and fun things, real life is still happening. We still need to be looking at buying a new washing machine so we don’t have to keep hauling laundry to the laundromat. And I’m also trying to be intentional about making time for Sherry and our Sunday Fun Days.

We’ve been talking about keeping those days more budget-friendly, and honestly, that makes sense. There are so many free or low-cost things to do locally or even in Oklahoma City if you really look. Walks, festivals, people-watching, window shopping, parks, and little hidden gems—we just need to start seeking them out. Saving money doesn’t mean giving up fun, and I think that’s an important lesson we’re both embracing.

So that’s a little peek into my weekend and what’s been on my mind lately. What are your plans for the weekend? If you think of any fun activities you think I might enjoy, definitely leave a comment—I’d love to hear your ideas.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by and read. I’d really love it if you’d say hello in the comments. I hope you have a wonderful day, a relaxing weekend, and as always—thanks for stopping by.

Creating a master list to do, buy and read

                                  A Master List Kind of Life

Do you ever end up with a random list of things to do, buy, and read—scattered across sticky notes, notebooks, and scraps of paper? Because same.

Lately, I’ve been collecting all my little notes and finally compiling them into one master list. It feels oddly satisfying, like I’m rounding up loose ends and giving my brain a break. I decided to add this list to my blog so it’s readily available—and honestly, so I can hold myself accountable.

Sometimes writing things down isn’t enough. Sometimes I need to see the list, revisit it, and maybe even share it. If this post helps you make a list of your own, then that’s a bonus.

Things To Do

One of my bigger goals right now is getting more organized with my finances. It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary.

• Call all of my credit card companies
• Get current balances
• Confirm minimum payments
• Write down due dates

Adulting isn’t fun, but future me will definitely appreciate the effort.

Things To Buy

Some of these are practical, some are just for joy—and honestly, both matter.

• Batteries: AA, AAA, C, and D (because we never have the right ones)
• Desk décor and accessories

I’m tired of what I currently have on my desk, and since I’m moving cubicles, it feels like the perfect time for a refresh. A new space deserves a little personality.

• February junk journal supplies
  
• Hearts
• Stickers
• Scrapbook paper in pinks, reds, and purples

February creativity calls for cozy colors and all the hearts.

• Eye cleaner towelettes

Not exciting, but very necessary.

Books To Read

My reading list is a mix of fiction, growth, and a little nostalgia.

• Flock by Kate Stewart
• Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
• Percy Jackson books

Sometimes you need depth, sometimes you need comfort reads—and sometimes you need both.

Looking Ahead: Travel Planning

Even if the trips are months away, planning gives me something to look forward to.

• Look for flights to North Dakota in May
• Look for flights to Las Vegas in September

There’s something hopeful about penciling in future adventures.

This master list isn’t about perfection—it’s about clarity. Writing it all down helps me feel less scattered and more intentional. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or forgetful lately, maybe it’s time to gather your sticky notes and make a master list of your own. You might be surprised how grounding it feels.