Grocery shopping with shopping 🛍️

 

Sunday Fun Day: Coffee, Shopping, Laughter & a 95!

There are just some Sundays that seem to hit a little differently, and my Sunday Fun Days with my best friend Cherrie are definitely some of those days! ❤️

 This morning Cherrie pulled up to my house around 9:30,  and we were ready to get our day started. Our first stop? Scooter’s in Chickasha, Oklahoma, of course! Because really, can two best friends start a Sunday Fun Day without coffee? I think not. 😂

I ordered the Maple Delicious, and Cherrie got the Caramelicious. Coffee in hand, we were ready to hit the road and head toward Norman.

A Surprisingly Successful Shopping Day

One of the nice things about this particular grocery-shopping day was that my list wasn’t nearly as long as it normally is.

Mr. C has been using Walmart delivery lately, and let me tell you—it really does make a difference! He had already had several cases of water delivered, along with some bulk items and about four 12-packs of drinks. He also ordered some of our household necessities, including toilet paper, paper towels, bathroom cleaner, bleach, and laundry soap.

That took quite a few things off my grocery list, which meant I could concentrate on what we actually needed.

And let me just say…I stayed on budget!

My grocery budget this month was $375, which is actually less than what I normally have to work with. I usually find a way to go over by $50 or even $100. If we need something, we need it, and I’ll make it work.

But this time?

I came in at approximately $351!

I was pretty proud of myself. That’s a grocery-shopping victory in my book! 🛒🎉

And Then We Did Something Unheard Of…

We went to Norman, and for perhaps the first time in forever, neither one of us needed anything from Ollie’s!

If you know Cherrie, you know that Ollie’s is basically her go-to destination for coffee pods and laundry detergent. But she was good this time. I didn’t need anything either.

So we actually passed right by Ollie’s.

I know.

Who ARE we? 😂

Instead, we headed over to TJ Maxx.

I found a basket that I’m planning to use for a Christmas drink-and-treat package for our Dirty Santa gift. Luther wanted to take that route, so I’ll probably start gathering what I need sometime in November. I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself because, well…we all know how that goes!

Then we went into Burlington, where I picked up two new towels for the bathroom and some house spray because I love having the house smell good.

Ross was next, but honestly, I didn’t really find anything I needed there.

And that’s okay!

Sometimes you can walk into a store, look around, and walk right back out without spending money. That’s actually a skill I’m learning. 😂

Let’s Talk Dirty Santa

While we’re on the subject of gifts, I’ve also been thinking about what I want to do for Dirty Santa.

Brody and Savannah, along with Charles and Elizabeth, are all going on a cruise in May. I’m debating between putting together a fun little cruise-themed gift basket or getting an inexpensive piece of luggage.

I’m leaning toward the luggage because I think Brody and Savannah could probably use some.

If I do go that route, I’ll definitely look for something in a neutral color so it’s useful for just about anybody. I’m actually thinking about ordering it this week, getting it wrapped, and putting it away until we need it.

Yes, I’m planning ahead.

Who am I? 😂

Mexican Food & Queso…Because Obviously

After all that shopping, we worked up an appetite.

We stopped at Ted’s Mexican Restaurant, which is always a good idea. I had the pork street tacos, and they were delicious!

But let’s be honest.

The real star of the show for me was the queso and chips.

I LOVE their queso. ❤️

There is just something about sitting down with your best friend, eating good food, drinking something yummy, and talking about everything and absolutely nothing at the same time.

That’s the good stuff.

Then Came the Grocery Store Challenge

After lunch, we headed over to Crest, and I have to say, I was impressed with myself.

I was probably in there for an hour and a half, maybe even less, and I whipped through that grocery list!

I found everything I needed, picked up a few things that weren’t technically on the list—which is basically a requirement of grocery shopping—and still managed to stay under my $375 budget.

$351.

I’ll take it!

But the Best Part Wasn’t the Shopping

Honestly, the shopping wasn’t even the best part of the day.

The best part was simply spending the day with Cherrie.

There was laughter.

There were complaints.

There was coffee.

There was shopping.

There was Mexican food.

There was probably a little bit of “Do we really need that?” followed by “Well…maybe.” 😂

And there was just that comfortable kind of friendship where you can spend an entire day together, laugh until your stomach hurts, complain about whatever is bothering you, wander through stores, eat good food, and just enjoy being together.

Those are the days I treasure.

Before we headed home, I made one more stop at Burger King to pick up Luther his dinner.

Because after a full Sunday Fun Day, the man deserved some dinner too!

And One More Little Victory…

I can’t finish this post without mentioning something else I’m pretty excited about.

I FINISHED MY CREDIT COUNSELING! 🎉🎉🎉

And remember how I told you I had to make at least a 70 on the test?

Well…

I MADE A 95!

NINETY-FIVE!

I was so stinkin’ excited when I saw that score. I knew I could pass it, but getting a 95 felt like a little extra pat on the back.

With everything I’m working through financially right now, finishing the credit counseling and doing well on that test felt like another step forward.

One more thing checked off the list.

One more little victory.

And maybe that’s what this Sunday Fun Day was really about.

It wasn’t just about groceries or shopping or coffee.

It was about small victories, good friends, laughter, and making progress—even when life feels a little complicated.

I’ll take a Sunday like that any day of the week.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day, and I’ll see you next time! ❤️

Karen

Thursday Adventures

A Thursday Full of Little Adventures, Friendship, and Getting Things Done

Today is Thursday, and I have already decided it is going to be a good day. Sometimes you just have to start the day with the right mindset, and that is exactly what I am doing.

My goal for work today is simple: stay positive, give it my best, and help people understand why they really do need the services we provide. Some days can be challenging, but I am choosing to focus on the people I can help and the difference I can make.

After work, I had a little adventure planned. My sciatic nerve has started bothering me again. Thankfully, it is nothing like it was before, but I know myself well enough to know that I want to stay ahead of the pain and keep moving in the right direction. So after work, I was headed to Lawton to see my chiropractor.

Then Cherrie messaged me and asked if I was off work Friday. I had to laugh because I was like, “No ma’am, I work Monday through Friday unless it is a holiday!” 😂

Since she was off, I asked if she wanted to ride with me to Lawton. My chiropractor appointment only takes about 15 minutes, and then we could do a little shopping since we were already there. It is not often that we get to do something during the week, so with her new schedule, we are just figuring out what works best for us.

And honestly… this ended up being the perfect little evening.

I met Cherrie at the Duncan Lawton Y after work, and we headed to my appointment. After that, we walked over to Five Below because I was on a mission. I have been looking for a specific sticker book, and while they did not have the exact one I wanted, I still found one that I liked. Of course, I also picked up some much-needed eyeliner because somehow that always seems to disappear when you  need it.

I also found a cute little yo-yo that I am going to put in Kendall’s treasure box in her dresser drawer. I love finding little things that I know the grandkids will enjoy.

Our next stop was Hobby Lobby, and honestly, I do not get to go there nearly enough. It was the perfect time to wander around and look at all the fun things.

I found the cutest floral picture for our bedroom that I think will look so pretty with our new bedding. I also picked up everything I needed to make treats for Sophie’s first birthday party — candy melts, cellophane bags, and craft sticks.

After all that shopping, we were getting hungry, so we stopped at Long John Silver’s. I picked up a meal for Mr. C, and for myself I got fish, chicken, and hush puppies. Sherry got herself a coconut shrimp meal. We ate our dinner on the way home, chatting and enjoying our little girls’ night out.

I dropped Cherrie back off at her vehicle, and I was home by about 8 o’clock.

For a normal weekday, this was definitely a late night for me, but it was worth it. Sometimes you have to make time for friendships, even if it means changing up your routine a little bit.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday! And if you are like me, you are probably already looking forward to the weekend. I hope you have some fun plans, some relaxing moments, and maybe a little adventure of your own.

Drop a comment below and just say hi — I always love hearing from you!

Until next time, I’ll see you later. ❤️

Easy Birthday Party Treat Ideas

Quick Rice Krispie Treats Using Pre-Made Rice Krispies

Ingredients:

• 1 package pre-made Rice Krispie treats
• 1 cup candy melts (any color you like)
• Sprinkles (optional)
• Cellophane treat bags
• Craft sticks

Directions:

1. Unwrap each Rice Krispie treat.
2. Carefully insert a craft stick into the bottom of each treat.
3. Melt candy melts according to package directions.
4. Dip or drizzle the Rice Krispie treats with melted candy.
5. Add sprinkles while the candy coating is still wet.
6. Place on parchment paper until set.
7. Wrap each treat in a cellophane bag for a cute party favor.

These are simple, inexpensive, and perfect for little hands at birthday parties!

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods

Ingredients:

• 1 bag pretzel rods
• 1 package candy melts or chocolate melting wafers
• Sprinkles, crushed candy, or drizzle topping (optional)
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Melt your candy melts according to the package instructions.
2. Pour melted chocolate into a tall cup or glass to make dipping easier.
3. Dip each pretzel rod halfway into the chocolate.
4. Let the extra chocolate drip off.
5. Add sprinkles or decorations before the chocolate sets.
6. Lay the pretzels on parchment paper.
7. Allow them to completely harden before packaging.

Tip: These can be made a few days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. They make adorable birthday party treats!

#ThursdayAdventures #LittleMomentsBigMemories #FamilyFriendsAndFun

Tulsa Bound

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma Bound

This weekend was finally our Tulsa birthday adventure, and let me tell you, it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Me and Cherrie loaded up and headed out bright and early Saturday morning. She made it to my house around 7:30 a.m., and before long we were officially Tulsa, Oklahoma bound. The drive takes several hours from my house, but honestly, the excitement made the trip fly by.

Our first stop was the Tulsa Farmers Market, and I absolutely loved it. There were so many vendors set up with fresh produce, beautiful flowers, handmade soaps, lotions, and all kinds of goodies. They even had a live musician playing while everyone walked around shopping, and it just created such a fun atmosphere. I was actually surprised by how many people were there. It felt lively and cheerful and was such a great way to kick off the trip.

After the farmers market, we headed over to The Outsiders House Museum. I have to say, it was a really cute setup. The gift shop alone was huge and packed with all kinds of merchandise and memorabilia. Walking through everything honestly made me want to sit down and watch The Outsiders all over again. It brought back so many memories.

Next, we made our way to the Fire Department Museum. They were serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and root beer floats, plus admission was free for the event. I’ll be honest though — I was a little underwhelmed with the museum itself. I think I expected there to be more exhibits than there actually were. But even so, I’m still glad we went. I got to take a few pictures and officially mark it off my list.

We did also get to see some of the Vintage cars that was in the Route 66 car parade. Celebrating the centennial celebration of Route 66. 

From there, we drove over to Jenks where they were hosting a food truck festival. That place was packed with people, live music, and food trucks everywhere. It was definitely one of those fun community events where you can just walk around, people-watch, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Of course, no girls trip is complete without a little shopping. We stopped at Ross where I picked up a charger, and then headed over to Ollie’s. I found a book about U.S. state parks for only $3.99 that I originally planned to decompose for pictures and journaling. But now I’m debating if I can actually cut it up because there’s so much good information in it. That’s always the struggle with creative projects, isn’t it?

Later in the day, we headed downtown to visit the Center of the Universe. I’m glad we stopped there, but they’re currently redoing and revamping parts of it, so it’s kind of in transition right now. Also, let me just say — they tell you when you stand in the middle and talk, nobody outside the circle can hear you. Not true. Not true at all. But hey, we still had fun and got another thing checked off our Tulsa bucket list.

By this point, we were exhausted. We had walked so many steps, seen so much, and taken tons of pictures. But we still had one more stop to make before calling it a night.

We headed over to the Blue Whale in Catoosa for their big celebration weekend. There were vendors, food trucks, live bands, and lots of people enjoying the festivities. We walked down to the Blue Whale itself and checked out the brand-new gift shop since it was opening weekend. It really was a huge celebration and such a fun Route 66 stop.

Finally, we made our way to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to check into our room. To top off the night, we went to see Neil McCoy in concert, and he absolutely put on a fantastic show. It was the perfect ending to a very full and very fun day.

Overall, this trip was exactly what I hoped it would be. Lots of laughter, lots of memories, lots of walking, and lots of fun celebrating birthdays with my best friend. We made it back to the hotel around midnight, which honestly wasn’t too shabby considering everything we packed into one day.