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. 

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.

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.

Midweek Check in

                                    Midweek Rambling — May 6, 2026 ☀️

It’s 6:40 a.m., and just like most mornings, I’m on my way to work with a little quiet time to myself—and honestly, I’ve come to really treasure this part of my day. There’s something about the drive that helps me slow down mentally before everything speeds up. It’s my time to run through my to-do list, think about what I’m grateful for, and even come up with ideas for my Mora journal (which, let’s be honest, I am a little behind on right now).

Speaking of things to look forward to… my birthday is coming up on May 9th! 🎉 I think Luther and I are going to keep things simple and stay close to home, which sounds just perfect to me. I’ve been thinking maybe ordering some Inner Urban for dinner or even just doing a sweet little ice cream date at Dairy Queen in Chickasha. Nothing fancy—just time together, which is really all I want anyway.

Now, the bigger celebration is coming later this month, and I am SO excited. Mr. C planned a trip for me and my BFF Sherry to Tulsa the weekend of May 30th, and I cannot wait. I already have a little list going: the farmers market, the botanical garden, possibly the Gilcrease Museum, and definitely exploring downtown. I’ve also been seeing videos about the “Center of the Universe,” and I kind of want to test it out for myself—because how fun is that?

Financially, I’m trying to be mindful heading into the trip. Luther is helping out, and I’ll be getting a small bonus from work on the 15th. It may not be huge, but every little bit helps—and if I don’t have to dip into my checking account too much, that’s a win in my book.

On the creative side of things, I got a little “happy mail” envelope yesterday from a journaling group I’m in. It was a $3 junk journal supply swap, and while I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, I did realize I already had a lot of what was sent. That’s kind of the gamble with those, though—you never really know what you’re going to get. Still, I’ll definitely use the items, and it’s always fun to get something in the mail.

Today, I’m sending out a Swap Bot envelope of my own, packed with happy mail. I may have gone a little overboard (okay, definitely over an ounce 😅), but I just really want whoever receives it to feel a little extra joy when they open it.

As for the weekend—birthday celebrations and a whole lot of relaxing at home with Luther. And honestly, that sounds just right.

Tuesday Thoughts

April 28, 2026 — what a Tuesday.

The day started like most workdays do—clocking in at 7:30 a.m., doing my best to work some magic and take care of members. Nothing out of the ordinary there… but honestly, I had my eye on the evening the whole time.

It was supposed to be one of those perfect, slightly chaotic, all-American spring nights—Lane’s T-ball game at 6:00 and Brooks taking the field at 7:00. Those evenings are my favorite. They pull us out of the everyday routine and into something a little more fun, a little more us.

As usual, Luther and I had a plan. After work, I’d head home, grab him, and we’d get to the ball fields early (because if you know, you know—parking is no joke out there, and we try to make it easy on him). We got there ahead of the crowd, settled in, and for a moment, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

Then came the plot twist.

While I walked up to the concession stand, Luther got a call—Lane’s game had been canceled. No notification, no heads up. Turns out several kids were sick, and they didn’t have enough players. Totally understandable… but still disappointing, especially after we’d already made the trip and gotten settled.

We ended up catching up with Brody and Savannah for a bit before they headed out to grab food. Then Luther and I regrouped, moved over to Brooks’s field, and got ready for round two of the evening.

And thankfully—that game happened.

We got to sit back, relax, and watch Brooks play, which made the night feel salvaged. Those moments still matter, even when the plans don’t go exactly how you pictured them.

On the way home, we made a quick grocery stop. I ran in for what I thought would be just a few things—ingredients for chicken salad (easy lunches for Thursday and Friday), something quick for dinner (taquitos sounded perfect), and of course, a Monster for the next workday.

Somehow… $40 later… I walked out wondering how “just a few things” turned into that. Groceries these days really have a way of sneaking up on you.

All in all, it was still a good day. A little disappointing at times, sure—but full of real life, small moments, and time with the people who matter most. And at the end of the day, that’s what counts.

#TuesdayThoughts #BaseballLife #TBallMoments #FamilyTime #RealLifeMoments #SimpleJoys #GroceryRun #WorkingLife #SpringEvenings #MakingMemories

Making Memories with Family

There’s just something about a good old Saturday cookout that fills your cup in all the right ways.

We had originally planned to host at our place, but with the weather being unpredictable and a tornado watch looming, we decided to move everything over to Elizabeth and Charles’ house. Honestly, it turned out to be the perfect choice—they’ve got a basement if needed, and thankfully, we didn’t have to use it.

And let me tell you… the food situation was serious.

Luther and I brought the hot links, wieners, smoked sausage, hamburger patties, buns (both kinds!), plus a big potato salad, deviled eggs, chips and dip, fresh sliced tomatoes, and a banana pudding that did not last long. We also picked up a pecan pie because Luther knows Charles loves it—and it was absolutely worth it.

Brody came through with ribeye steaks, and Elizabeth had even more food ready to go—baked beans, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled vegetables. Add in plenty of drinks, and there was more than enough for everyone.

But as good as the food was, the best part was the time together. Visiting, laughing, and watching the boys play made the whole day feel special. Those are the moments that stick with you.

Right in the middle of it all, around 3:00, Jessica texted to let me know Hattie was in the Little Miss Marlo Outlaw pageant that evening. It started at 6:00, and as much as I wanted to be there, I knew there just wasn’t enough time to make it back. I hated missing it—but I already know she looked like an absolute princess. I’ll share more about that in another post, because she deserves her own spotlight. Win or not, she definitely won Nana’s heart.

By the time we got home, we were worn out in the best way—full, happy, and ready to wind down and tidy up for the evening.

Days like this remind me how much I truly enjoy these cookouts with Luther’s family. Good food, good people, and good memories… you really can’t ask for more than that in a weekend.

Thursday Feelings

 Thursday vibes ✨

Woke up this morning like, alright… let’s lock in and finish this week strong. Yesterday? Yeah, not my best. The saves just weren’t there, and I could feel it—it was 100% my mindset. But today, we’re correcting that. I know what I’m capable of, and it’s time to get back to doing it well. No more overthinking, just executing.

Also, can we talk about post-trip chaos for a second? 😅 Normally my suitcase will sit there judging me for a solid week (or two), but NOT today. After work, I’m unpacking everything—suitcase, backpack, all of it. Why drag it out when I could just… be done? Growth. We love to see it.

I grabbed some little keychains for my coworkers on the trip, so I’m bringing those in today too—checking things off the list early feels elite, not gonna lie.

Dinner plan? Keeping it easy. I’m swinging by Wendy’s because Luther is fully in his “I don’t feel like cooking” era lately. I don’t know if it’s lack of inspiration or just burnout, but honestly… I get it. We all hit that wall sometimes.

BUT for when we do get back in the groove, here’s a super easy Instant Pot chicken recipe that’s been saving my life:

🍗 Instant Pot Garlic Butter Chicken

- 2–3 chicken breasts  

- 1 cup chicken broth  

- 3 cloves garlic (minced)  

- 2 tbsp butter  

- 1 tsp paprika  

- 1 tsp Italian seasoning  

- Salt & pepper to taste  

Throw everything into the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, natural release for 5. Shred it up or serve whole. It’s juicy, flavorful, and pairs with literally anything—rice, veggies, pasta… whatever you’ve got.

Simple. No stress. Exactly the vibe we’re going for.

Alright, let’s go make today spectacular 

Sunday Vibes with Grocery Shopping

Sunday Errands, Sweet Friendship & a Little Easter Weekend Reality Check

There’s something about Easter weekend that just feels full—full of plans, full of people, and apparently… full of grocery stores too. This Sunday, my best friend Cherrie and I set out with a simple goal: get the grocery shopping done before my upcoming trip on April 14th. It felt like the one open window in an otherwise busy schedule, and I was determined to make the most of it.

We pulled out of my driveway a little after 10 a.m., both of us thinking we had this day figured out. In my mind, I had already planned a little bonus fun—maybe a quick stroll through TJ Maxx, Ross, and Burlington before tackling the grocery list. Just a little browsing, nothing too serious. But Easter weekend had other plans for us because, surprise…they were all closed! Honestly though, I wasn’t even mad. Sometimes those little unexpected detours just make the day feel more relaxed.

So we shifted gears and made our first stop at Dollar Tree, right there by the stores we couldn’t get into anyway. And let me tell you, that stop was a win. I found exactly what I needed—travel-sized Monday shampoo and conditioner (perfect for my trip!) and even grabbed some coconut oil. It’s funny how the smallest finds can feel like a victory.

Of course, no good outing starts without coffee. Earlier on our drive to Norman, we made a stop at Scooter’s and picked up two iced coffees that absolutely hit the spot. There’s just something about sipping coffee, chatting, and cruising down the road with your best friend that sets the tone for the whole day.

By then, we were ready for lunch. We first thought about stopping at the Golden Corral, but y’all…when I say it was packed, I mean standing room only with a line out the door. That was our cue to pivot. We ended up at Chili’s in Norman, which seemed like a safe, easy choice at the time.

Now, I’m just going to be honest here—this was probably the low point of the day. The wait for our food was longer than expected, and while I tried to give them a little grace because it was Easter weekend, they honestly weren’t that busy. The food itself was just okay. Not terrible, but definitely not something I’d go out of my way for again. Maybe my tastes are changing, or maybe I’m just more mindful about what I’m eating these days as I work on healthier habits. Either way, it just didn’t quite hit like I hoped it would.

But thankfully, the day picked back up right after that.

We made our way over to Crest Foods (just across the street) and got started on the main mission: groceries. We hit the aisles around 1:45 p.m. and were done by 3:20 p.m., which honestly felt like a win. We worked through the list, stayed focused, and got almost everything I needed for the week and for an upcoming cookout when Luther gets the grill going.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a grocery trip without forgetting a few things. No hot pork rinds (which was disappointing), and I completely forgot the hamburger and hot dog buns. But that’s okay—those are easy pickups later this week.

By the time I got home, unloaded the car, and put everything away, I was more than ready to sit down and relax. And that’s exactly what I did.

Looking back, it really was a good, productive Sunday. Not everything went according to plan, but honestly, that didn’t matter. The best part of the whole day wasn’t the shopping or even checking things off my list—it was the time spent with Sherrie. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, change your scenery, laugh a little, and enjoy good company.

Those are the moments that stick with you.

Max’s Birthday Party

A Slow Sunday, Sweet Moments & A Windy Birthday Party

Sunday turned out to be one of those slow, easygoing days that you don’t always plan for—but end up appreciating anyway.

I stayed home with Mr. C., and we decided to make a little mid-morning run into Marlow. We stopped by Sonic for something to eat, then swung into Dollar General to grab a gift bag for Max’s birthday. While I was there, I also picked up a few energy drinks for the work week ahead—just trying to make our errands count while we were already out and about.

Once we made it back home, the rest of the morning and early afternoon was all about relaxing. We finished up the latest season of Virgin River, which I’ll admit—I almost gave up on. I had told Luther last weekend that I was getting a little bored with the same storyline about Doc possibly losing his license. It felt like it just kept circling back. But I’m really glad I stuck with it, because the season ended up being pretty good. Now, I’m still not a big fan of cliffhangers, but I get it—they’ve got to keep us coming back somehow.

Later in the afternoon, we headed over to Brody and Savannah’s to watch the kids for a bit while Savannah ran to the ballpark to pick up Lane’s T-ball outfit. When she got back, she shared something that honestly sounded like a mess. Apparently, there’s some kind of situation involving baseball season passes—money that was supposed to be turned in never made it where it needed to go, and now a police report has been filed.

Savannah was wondering if Marlow Baseball might still honor the passes, even though they never received the funds. And while I understand why everyone would hope for that, I just don’t see how that would be fair or realistic. If the money never made it to them, it seems like the responsibility would fall back on the Rush Springs side of things. It’s an unfortunate situation all around, and I do hope they’re able to recover the money.

By mid-afternoon, it was time for me to head out again—this time to get ready for Max’s birthday party. I made a quick stop at Ross to pick up a few extra things for him. I had already gotten him a big toy truck filled with smaller vehicles, a little Bluey swimming pool, some snacks, and candy. But I couldn’t resist adding a few more things—three summer outfits and a couple of Superman figurines I thought he’d enjoy.

I also picked up pizzas on the way—two cheese and one pepperoni—per Michelle’s request.

The party was at Douglas Park, and I got there around 4:00. Some folks were already there, and the kids were having a good time on the playground. I’ll be honest—situations like that can still feel a little awkward with everything that’s happened between Aaron and Michelle. But at the end of the day, I remind myself that I’m there for Max and Clifford. They’re my grandsons, and I’m going to show up for them every chance I get.

The party itself went really well. Michelle chose a Bluey theme, which was absolutely perfect, though the Oklahoma wind definitely tried to steal the show. But that’s March for you—if it’s not windy, something’s wrong!

I stayed for about an hour and fifteen minutes and got to watch Max open his presents, which is always my favorite part. I also heard that Clifford is going on a field trip to the science museum in Oklahoma City, so I gave him a little $7 for spending money. It wasn’t much, but I wanted him to have something.

Before I left, I made sure to get hugs from Max and Clifford—and even Angel gave me one. Those moments mean more than anything. I also took a second to talk to Wesley and told him that if he ever has a wrestling tournament, to let his mama know to call me. I’d love to come watch him. Whether that happens or not, at least he knows I’m cheering him on.

On my way home, I stopped by Wendy’s to grab Luther something to eat, and I picked up a little chicken nugget kid’s meal for myself.

All in all, it was a simple day—but a full one in its own way. The kind of day that reminds me that even in the middle of ordinary moments, there’s still plenty to be grateful for.

Simple life in Oklahoma

  

Where Did March Go? Cozy Nights & Big Decisions

Good morning, friends!

Can you believe it’s already March 19th, 2026? I truly don’t know where this month has gone, but it feels like it just flew right past me. March has been a pretty good month overall—minus being sick at the beginning. That little bout of norovirus really took it out of me, and if I’m being honest, I still feel like I’m dealing with some of the aftereffects. It sure does make you appreciate feeling normal again!

Lately, I’ve had vacation plans on my mind quite a bit. We’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while now, but with everything going on—especially those long airport security lines—it’s made things feel a little uncertain. I have a feeling Jessica might decide not to go, and while I would definitely be disappointed, I completely understand. The last thing anyone wants is to end up stuck far from home dealing with travel chaos.

We do have Broadway show tickets that are non-refundable, but at the end of the day, peace of mind matters more. For now, we’re just taking it one day at a time and playing it by ear as the trip gets closer.

On the home front, I’ll admit—I’ve been slacking a bit on my journal for Moira. I haven’t worked on it in what feels like forever, and I am definitely behind. I’ve decided that Saturday is the day I’m going to sit down and really focus, with a goal of getting at least three spreads done. Sometimes you just have to gently push yourself back into those creative habits, right? I really don’t want May to sneak up on me and I’m nowhere near finished!

The good news is, I’ve been staying consistent with my blog, and that feels really good. At least one thing is right on track!

And let me tell you—there’s something extra comforting about knowing dinner is already taken care of. Tonight, Mr. C has a roast with vegetables cooking in the crockpot, and I am so looking forward to it. There’s just nothing like a hearty, home-cooked meal simmering all day to make everything feel a little more cozy and calm.

Before you go, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment and let me know you stopped by. It always means so much to hear from you.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!

—Karen 💛

Easy Crockpot Beef Roast (Comfort Food Classic)

Ingredients:

• 1 beef chuck roast (3–4 lbs)
• 4–5 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 3–4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 packet au jus gravy mix
• 1 cup beef broth
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the potatoes, carrots, and onion in the bottom of your crockpot.
2. Set the roast on top of the vegetables.
3. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and au jus mix over the roast.
4. Add minced garlic, then pour the beef broth around the roast.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours (or high for 4–5 hours).
6. Once done, shred or slice the roast and serve with the vegetables and juices.

Tip: Serve with warm rolls or cornbread to soak up all that delicious flavor!