Living Life One Day At A Time

 

Intentional Steps Forward on a Warm Oklahoma Day

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

It is going to be another warm day here in Oklahoma, but honestly, that’s just part of summer. Whether we’re ready for it or not, the heat is headed our way!

My agenda for today is pretty simple. After work, I need to drop off some donations that I forgot to take yesterday. Other than that, I don’t have any major plans, which is perfectly fine with me. Sometimes the best evenings are the quiet ones.

When I get home, I want to continue working on my decluttering journey. My goal is to tackle just one dresser drawer. Last night, I made some great progress by donating about twenty pieces of clothing and two pairs of shoes. I may not be moving at lightning speed, but I am making steady headway, and that’s what matters. Little by little, the clutter is disappearing.

I’ve also decided it’s time to get serious about my eating habits again. This morning, I stepped on the scale and realized I’ve gained back ten pounds. It didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t come off overnight either, but it’s definitely a wake-up call.

My biggest challenge lately has been my sweet tooth. It seems stronger than ever, and saying no to sugary treats hasn’t been easy. I know I don’t need the extra calories, the sugar, or my favorite Mocha Java Monster drinks, even though I absolutely love them. I recently bought a case of sugar-free Monsters, but let’s be honest—they just aren’t quite the same!

Today, I’m trying to make better choices. For breakfast, I had a protein shake. For lunch, I packed half a roll of spicy crab sushi along with celery and peanut butter. I’m also taking a sugar-free Pepsi and a large glass of ice water. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making better choices one meal at a time.

Work continues to be a challenge. I’m still not meeting my retention goals, but I have been very intentional about eliminating distractions from my desk. Instead of letting outside things pull my attention away, I’m focusing fully on each call as it comes in.

The reality is that many of the members I speak with are making difficult financial decisions. With grocery prices, gas prices, and everyday expenses continuing to rise, people are cutting back wherever they can. The services we offer are valuable, but for many families they’re not considered essential. Honestly, I understand completely because Mr. C and I have felt the squeeze ourselves.

We’re doing fine, but we’re still paying off several unexpected household expenses from earlier this year. We have about five payments left on our hot water tank and our water well repairs. Those extra bills definitely make a difference in the monthly budget. It’s a good reminder that many families are simply doing their best to make ends meet.

On a happier note, I’d like to spend a little time today looking for a couple of easy swaps on Swap-bot. I meant to do it over the weekend but never got around to it. I always enjoy sending happy mail, and there’s something special about finding a fun envelope waiting in the mailbox. It’s a small joy, but sometimes the smallest joys brighten a day the most.

As I move through today, I’m reminding myself that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic. Whether it’s cleaning out one drawer, making a healthier food choice, focusing on one call at a time, or sending a little happy mail, every small step counts.

And today, that is enough. 

Hello June

 

June 1st, 2026 — A New Chapter Begins

Today is June 1st, 2026, and somehow we are already standing at the halfway point of the year. It honestly feels impossible that six months of 2026 have already come and gone. Some days seemed to fly by in a blur, while others felt long and heavy, but here we are beginning a brand-new month and stepping into the second half of the year.

First of all, I want to wish everyone a blessed, peaceful, and fulfilling day ahead. I hope this second half of 2026 brings happiness, better health, success, laughter, comfort, answered prayers, and many wonderful moments with the people you love most.

Do you happen to have anything special planned for June? Big vacation? Summer projects? Family gatherings? Fresh goals? I honestly do not have any huge plans myself, and maybe that is okay. Sometimes the quieter seasons end up being the ones that matter the most.

Personally, I am really going to focus on spending more intentional time with Mr. C, my family, my friends, and especially my grandbabies. Life moves so quickly, and I have realized lately that I do not want to always be rushing from one thing to another without fully soaking in the moments right in front of me. I want to make memories instead of just making to-do lists. I want more front porch conversations, more laughter, more little road trips, more hugs, and more moments where I put the phone down and truly enjoy the people around me.

One thing about June 1st that always gets me thinking is how I tend to look at my life in seasons or chapters, almost like a book being written one page at a time. Today feels like opening the very first page of Chapter Six in the book of 2026.

Five chapters have already been written.

Some pages have made us smile.
Some pages have made us stronger.
Some pages have tested us.
Some pages may have even changed us forever.

There were probably moments we wish we could relive again and moments we are grateful to leave behind. But that is the thing about life — every chapter teaches us something, even the difficult ones.

And now today gives us a blank page.

A fresh start.
Another chance.
Another opportunity to notice the beauty instead of rushing right past it.

As I move into this next chapter, I really want to work on carrying more gratitude, more wonder, more kindness, more joy, and honestly… more positivity. I have noticed as I have gotten older that sometimes I have become a little more grumpy and negative than I used to be. Maybe life and stress and responsibilities can slowly sneak that into our hearts if we are not careful. But I do not want to stay there.

So this month, I am going to intentionally work on shifting my mindset. I want to become softer instead of harder. More optimistic instead of expecting the worst. More thankful for the little things instead of focusing on what is missing. I want to laugh more, complain less, and truly appreciate the people and moments that make life meaningful.

Summer is here.
The days are longer.
The sunsets are prettier.
And maybe this chapter still has some beautiful surprises waiting for all of us.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little part of your day here with me. I truly appreciate every single one of you who takes the time to read my ramblings, reflections, stories, and little pieces of everyday life.

Now I would love to hear from you:
What are your goals, hopes, or thoughts for June 2026?

Let’s step into this new chapter together and see where the pages take us.

Have a marvelous day, friends.

Happy New Year 2026

Hello 2026: Goals, Gratitude, and a Whole Lot of Excitement

Happy New Year, friends! ✨

Hello, 2026—you already feel like you’re going to be a good one.

I’m stepping into this new year with excitement buzzing in my bones and a heart full of anticipation. There’s just something about a fresh calendar that makes everything feel possible again. This year isn’t about pressure or perfection for me—it’s about intention, experiences, and progress in whatever form that takes.

One of the biggest highlights on the horizon is a dream I’ve carried with me since I was about 16 years old: a trip to New York City. I can hardly believe I finally get to say that out loud. I’m looking forward to all the touristy things—walking the streets, soaking in the energy, and seeing places I’ve only ever admired from afar. It feels surreal and incredibly exciting to check this off my life list.

Another trip close to my heart will be heading north to visit Trevor and his family. This Nana needs some quality snuggle time with Kyndall and Liam. There is nothing better than being surrounded by little voices, laughter, and the sweet chaos that only grandchildren bring.

2026 also marks a special milestone for Mr. C. and me—our 5th wedding anniversary. Even though we’ve been together for over 20 years, it still feels worth celebrating. Life has had its seasons, but we’re still here, still choosing each other, and that’s something I never take for granted.

As for my goals this year, I’m keeping things realistic and meaningful. Decluttering the house is high on my list. The older I get, the stronger the urge becomes to simplify and let go of what no longer serves us. I don’t need to do it all at once—I just need to start somewhere.

I’m also committing to working in a personal journal. I love my blog, but I want something just for me—a space to decorate with washi tape and stickers, to write without editing, and to create for the joy of it.

Health is another focus this year. I’ll be honest—I love carbs, sugar, pasta, bread, and chocolate. Cutting back won’t be easy, but I know small changes add up, and I want to take better care of myself.

I’ve also been missing having a home computer. My desk is organized, staged, and ready—it just needs the computer to bring it to life. I truly believe if it’s there, I’ll use it.

And then there’s my passport. Still not finished. Still on the list. This is the year it gets done—no more excuses.

I don’t make resolutions because they never seem to stick for me. Goals feel gentler. If I stumble, I’ll keep going. If something no longer fits, I’ll adjust. That’s grace, and I’m allowing myself plenty of it this year.

Here’s to new beginnings, meaningful goals, and a year filled with experiences worth remembering.

Cheers to 2026—let’s do this. 🥂