Getting Mr.C’s Birthday Plans in Order

 

 Birthday Prep, Busy Thursday & Honey BBQ Wings in the Crockpot

Well hello friends!

I cannot believe today is March 12, 2026 already. This week has absolutely flown by, and I’m pretty sure a big reason for that is all the planning I’ve been doing for Luther’s birthday celebration that we’re hosting at our house this Saturday. Between that and just trying to stay focused and do my best at work each day, the time has just slipped right on by.

This morning we got one big thing checked off the list — our grocery pickup order. That always feels like such a win! I made sure to include the drinks and a few food items we’ll need for the birthday celebration.

For drinks, we’re keeping it simple and crowd-friendly:

- A couple gallons of Milo’s sweet tea

- Root beer  

- Diet Coke  

- Sprite  

- And some caffeine-free strawberry pop

I also grabbed a bag of boneless chicken wings that I’ll make in the crockpot for everyone.

For the main party food, we’re planning to pick up:

- Five large pizzas

- A couple family cheese sticks

- Two orders of boneless wings

One of those wings will be hot for Brody, and the other will probably be garlic parmesan. Then I’ll have my honey barbecue wings cooking in the crockpot, so there should be plenty of food for everyone.

After work today I’m going to run in and grab birthday paper plates and party supplies, and that should pretty much take care of everything we need for Saturday.

While I’m at work today, Mr. C plans to help by doing some cleaning around the house — dusting, vacuuming, and straightening things up. I always appreciate that teamwork when we’re getting ready for company.

Tonight after I get home, my to-do list continues. I’ll need to:

- Fold the laundry that’s waiting in the dryer  

- Clean off my dining room table, which currently has a rather impressive pile of bills sitting on it  

- Finish paying a couple of those bills  

- And run by the store to pick up the photos I had processed so I can get them into my Flora junk journal

So yes… it’s definitely going to be a full Thursday, but it’s all good things and part of getting ready for a fun family celebration.

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### Easy Crockpot Honey BBQ Boneless Wings

Since I mentioned the wings, I thought I’d share the simple way I make them.

Ingredients

- 1 bag frozen boneless chicken wings  

- 1 cup honey barbecue sauce (use your favorite brand)  

- ¼ cup honey  

- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce  

- ½ teaspoon garlic powder  

Instructions

1. Place the frozen boneless wings into your crockpot.  

2. In a small bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.  

3. Pour the sauce mixture over the wings and stir gently to coat them.  

4. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, stirring once or twice if possible.  

5. Serve warm and enjoy!

They come out sweet, tangy, and fall-apart tender, and they’re always a hit at gatherings.

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Well friends, that’s the update for today. I hope your Thursday is going well, and that you’re finding a little joy in the everyday moments.

Be safe, be well, and I’ll see you next time.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. 

Planner Girl Makes Plans

 

                            Getting My Life Organized – One Master List at a Time

There is something incredibly satisfying about sitting down and getting all of your thoughts in one place. Recently, I decided it was time to do another master list for my life — the kind where everything goes in one spot. Not just chores or errands, but plans, ideas, books, supplies, and even little adventures I want to make sure actually happen.

I had made a list like this not too long ago, but I realized how helpful it was to see everything together. It gives me a chance to step back, reevaluate what I’ve accomplished, and remind myself of the things I still want to do or need to pick up. Sometimes life gets so busy that those little intentions slip through the cracks, and this list helps keep them front and center.

One thing I’ve really been focusing on for 2026 is embracing life more fully. I want this year to be about making memories and reconnecting with people who mean a lot to me. Over the years, it’s easy to let time slip away and suddenly realize you haven’t seen certain friends or family members nearly as much as you’d like.

This year I’m determined to bridge that gap.

There’s something so special about reconnecting with someone you grew up with. Sitting across from a cousin or an old friend and suddenly remembering things you haven’t thought about in years — the silly moments, the trouble you got into as kids, the laughter that still feels just as real decades later. Those are the moments that make life feel rich and full.

So naturally, a few of those memory-making plans made it onto my master list.

First up, I’m planning dinner with my cousin Blenda. It’s been too long since we’ve just sat down together and caught up. I can already imagine the stories and laughter that will come out of that evening.

Another fun outing with Brenda will be a shopping trip. I want her to come along with me to help pick out a couple of outfits for my upcoming New York City trip. Sometimes it’s just more fun to shop with someone who knows you well and can give an honest opinion.

We also have an important celebration to reschedule. Poor Mr. C’s birthday plans had to be postponed not once but twice because he wasn’t feeling well. So now we’re planning a grill-out celebration for March 15th. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can finally celebrate properly.

Another item on my “things to do” list is dinner at Texas Roadhouse with my coworker Desiree. We’ve been talking about doing that for a couple of weeks now, and sometimes you just have to stop talking about it and actually make the plan happen.

And of course, at least one Sunday Funday this month with my friend Sherry. Everyone needs a day like that — a day to relax, laugh, and just enjoy being together.

Now my “things to buy” list isn’t very exciting, but it’s definitely practical. A few small things that make everyday life run a little smoother. I need cough drops for both home and work, some Vitamin D, kitchen sponges, and a pack of AA batteries. Nothing glamorous, but definitely necessary.

Then there’s the fun side of my list — my junk journal supplies for March.

I absolutely love putting together seasonal pages, and for March I’m planning something bright and festive. I need scrapbook paper in greens and yellows, along with stickers featuring leprechauns, shamrocks, pots of gold, and rainbows. It will be the perfect theme to celebrate the month and add a little creativity to my journaling.

Of course, I also made sure to include my upcoming reading plans. Two books are currently on my list.

The first is The Grid Is Gone by Joey Wills, which sounds like a fascinating read. The second book is One Lost Rainy Day, the first book in The Ravenhood Legacy series. I’ve heard that one is a little on the spicy side, and I have to admit I’m curious to see what all the buzz is about.

Looking further ahead, there are several exciting things already on my calendar.

In May, I’ll be heading to Oklahoma City with my friend Nancy to see Mac Saturn at Beer City Music Hall on May 23rd. I’m really looking forward to that concert and a fun night out.

Then there’s my New York City trip coming up in April 2026, which I’m incredibly excited about. New York is one of those places that always feels magical — so much energy, so much to see, and so many memories waiting to happen.

And shortly after that, I’ll be heading to North Dakota in May of 2026. That will be another adventure entirely, and I’m looking forward to every bit of it.

One thing I’ve decided is that I’m going to continue making these master lists at least once a month. It helps me see where I’m making progress and what things I still want to work toward. More than anything, it reminds me to actually live the life I keep dreaming about.

Because life isn’t just about getting through the days — it’s about filling them with experiences, laughter, creativity, and connection with the people who matter most.

And sometimes, all it takes to start making that happen is a simple list.

Simple Tuesday here in Oklahoma

    

                      A Simple Tuesday, Bills to Pay and Small Blessings Along the Way

Tuesday mornings don’t always come with big excitement, but sometimes they bring something just as good — the quiet feeling that it’s going to be a decent day.

This morning started like many others, with me heading to work and taking care of a quick stop by the bank. I dropped our bill money into the account through the drop box so that later today I can sit down and start paying a few things off. There’s always something waiting on the list — the electric bill, a couple of our Affirm payments, and a few other odds and ends that seem to arrive like clockwork every single month.

Isn’t it funny how bills work that way? Just when you feel like you’re finally getting caught up, they circle right back around again.

I’ll admit, I will feel a lot better once those Affirm payments are taken care of. One of them is from my flight to North Dakota back in October, and I’ve been slowly working on getting that paid down. The other is the larger payment we took on when we had to replace the water tank and pressure tank for the well from Lowe’s. That one runs about $100 a month. Even though it’s another bill, I remind myself often how grateful I am that we had that option when everything happened. Living without hot water — or even water coming out of the well at all — simply wasn’t something we could do.

Sometimes those unexpected expenses really remind you how important the little everyday comforts are.

As for work today, I’m hoping for a productive day. My goal is to make at least twelve saves. Yesterday several people hit twenty saves, which is impressive, but I try not to get too wrapped up in comparing myself to others. It can be easy to wonder if you’re doing enough or pushing hard enough when you see someone else’s numbers.

But the truth is, the best thing I can do is stay in my own lane and do my job the way I’ve been trained — honestly and to the best of my ability. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me.

If things are a little quieter at work today than they were yesterday, I plan to spend some time working in my budget planner. We get paid this Thursday, and with my trip coming up in April, I want to make sure I’m putting aside what I need while also making sure every bill gets taken care of.

Budgeting may not be glamorous, but it sure does bring peace of mind.

After work, I have a small mission that I’m actually looking forward to — picking up dinner for Luther. He mentioned he’s finally craving a cheeseburger. Considering he’s been sick since Thursday and hasn’t really eaten much of anything solid, I’d say that’s a pretty good sign that he’s starting to feel a little better.

Over the past few days he’s mostly had things like cream of chicken soup, applesauce, and mashed potatoes, so a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink from Sonic sounds like a pretty big step back toward normal. I imagine he must be pretty hungry by now.

Sometimes it’s the simple things — like bringing someone a cheeseburger after a rough few days — that feel like the biggest act of care.

So that’s what today looks like for me. Work, bills, budgeting, and hopefully ending the evening with a small sign that Luther is feeling better.

Nothing extraordinary. Just a regular Tuesday, moving forward one small step at a time.

And honestly, some days that’s more than enough.

Mr. C’s. Birthday unfortunately ill.

                                            

                                                  A Quiet Saturday with a Little Music

Saturday finally arrived—the day I had originally planned to celebrate Mr. C’s birthday. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as planned. Mr. C had been feeling pretty sick since Thursday night, so we made the decision to postpone the celebration I had been looking forward to. Of course, his health comes first, so we decided to just take the day slow and easy.

Most of the morning and early afternoon were very low-key around the house. I spent some time puttering around, doing a few little things here and there, while Mr. C mostly rested and tried his best not to feel miserable. I also worked a bit in my Mora journal, which was a nice, peaceful way to spend some time. Sometimes those quiet moments are exactly what we need.

Later in the afternoon, I mentioned to Mr. C that I might like to get out of the house for a little while—maybe run over to Cotton Blossom or somewhere nearby just to break up the day. I knew he wasn’t feeling up to going anywhere, and he told me I should just go ahead and get out for a bit if I wanted to.

I first tried calling my cousin Brenda, but she didn’t answer. So I reached out to my friend Nancy instead. As luck would have it, she told me that a friend of hers was playing live music over in Elgin that evening. Since Elgin isn’t too far from us, we decided it sounded like the perfect little outing. David Halliburton has been performing in small venues for many years. Nancy and him seem to be really close friends, which is totally cool.

Nancy came by the house around 8 o’clock, and we headed over to hear him play. While we were there, I also got to meet his wife, which was really nice. We ended up having a really enjoyable time. I was surprised that I knew quite a few of the songs he was singing, which made it even more fun to sit back and listen.

It was simply nice to get out on a Saturday night and spend some time with a lifelong friend. Even though the birthday celebration didn’t happen like we had planned, the evening still turned into a pleasant little adventure.

And that was pretty much how I spent my Saturday.

Did y’all have any fun plans this weekend? I’d love to hear about it. Drop a quick hello down in the comments and let me know what you were up to.

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, and thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

#WeekendReflections #SaturdayStories #SimpleMoments #LiveMusicNights #LifeAsItHappens

Thursday is here!

                          

                                     Peach Skies & Little Win

Good morning, friends.

It’s 6:40 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. The sky this morning is covered in clouds, but they’re glowing with the softest peach tone. It’s one of those quiet, breathtaking moments that makes you pause and think about how big this universe really is. Sometimes that thought feels overwhelming — how small we are in the grand scheme of things. But other times, like this morning, it feels comforting. Like we’re just tiny pieces of something beautifully designed.

Yesterday had a few sweet wins, and I’m carrying that into today.

First — Luther sold his old truck. The one that doesn’t even run! He got $900 for it, and the gentleman who bought it — Rodney, who recently moved to Chickasha from California — was genuinely excited about putting some elbow grease into it. I love that. There’s something special about someone seeing potential where others might not.

That $900 is officially going toward a new refrigerator. Y’all have heard me talk about ours slowly giving up on us. So that felt like a responsible, grown-up victory. I tucked that money safely away, and hopefully by next week we’ll have a new fridge picked out and on the way. One thing at a time, right? After that, we’ll focus on getting Mr. C a used vehicle — but not until my Jeep is paid off in July. Slow and steady.

Yesterday also brought a moment that absolutely made Mr.C’s. day. Alisha called him while she was in Rome. He was over the moon. If you know him, you know he carries a lot of anxiety when family travels outside our usual circle. So hearing her voice, knowing she and Jonathan are safe and enjoying themselves, meant everything. She told him they were on their way to a food tour — which is such an Alicia thing to do. No matter where she travels — cruises, California, New York — she always finds a food tour. I love that she has that “thing” she consistently does. It makes her adventures uniquely hers.

As for today, it’s Thursday, and I’m walking into work determined to simply do my best. I’ve fallen short on my saves lately — and I’ve been honest about that. But today, instead of focusing on numbers alone, I’m focusing on the experience. Every member deserves patience, clarity, and kindness. That part is within my control. If I can give each person a good interaction, then I can walk away knowing I did my part.

And if we have downtime between calls, I am pulling out my journal. I am officially two weeks behind in February, and March is peeking around the corner with absolutely nothing planned. I’m especially motivated because of my journal swap with  Moira. We’ve been exchanging journals for years now. Through her pages, I’ve watched her girls grow up. I’ve read about milestones, hard days, celebrations — life through her eyes. That kind of friendship is rare. This current journal runs from January through the end of May, and while we don’t have rules about what goes in them — daily entries, art pages, lists — I want hers to feel as thoughtful and full as the ones she sends me.

After work, I need to swing by the post office and grab a flat rate mailer. I have the cutest little boy boots for Liam to send to Mellissa  and Trevor, and I’m adding a couple of items for Kyndall too. I may not make it before they close at 4:30, so Saturday morning might be more realistic. Sometimes the to-do list has to wait its turn.

And last night? Total tech fail. I didn’t realize how much I’d been on my tablet at work, and by 6:30 p.m. it was down to 10%. I usually unwind with YouTube, TikTok, or Pinterest, but my tablet basically said, “No ma’am.” Maybe that was my cue to unplug a little.

So here we are. A peach-colored sky. A truck sold. A refrigerator fund started. A daughter calling from across the ocean. A journal waiting to be filled. A Thursday full of opportunity to try again.

Life isn’t perfect, but it’s moving. And sometimes that’s enough.

What’s one small win you’re carrying into today?

Wednesday Ramblings

 

           Wednesday Ramblings: Pivot, Push & Pink Skies

I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. This week is flying by so fast.

On my drive to work this morning around 6:40 a.m., the sky was absolutely breathtaking — layers of blue, pink, and purple blending together like a watercolor painting. It’s one of those quiet moments that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be awake and witnessing it. I’m ready for this day to develop.

I’m still riding the high from such a fun weekend. Saturday was packed in the best way. I had a great time with my co-worker Sheila, and then getting to see Bob Snyder at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City with Nancy was such a treat. There’s just something about live music in an intimate setting that feeds the soul a little differently.

Sunday was supposed to be Mr. C’s early birthday celebration. Since Jonathan and Alicia will be in Italy during his actual birthday, we planned a grill-out at Brody and Savannah’s to celebrate ahead of time. But… real life happened. Lane and Landon (and a few others) ended up sick, so we made the call to postpone. Pivot and evolve, right?

The only downside was that I had already ordered the cupcake cake. But honestly, we just made it work. We picked it up, shared cupcakes with Lane and Landon, and with Brody and Savannah, and turned it into something sweet in a different way. Not what we planned — but still special.

Monday at work, though? Whew. Not my best day.

I’m really going to have to push it because I’m not on track to hit my monthly goal. I still need 60 saves this week, which feels pretty close to impossible for me. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to try very, very hard and just focus on one member at a time. That’s all I can do.

One evening after work — maybe tomorrow — I’m planning to head over to Blake and Jessica’s to see Hattie, Brooks, and Logan. I also need to talk more about the New York trip. Just thinking about that makes me excited.

At home, I’ve been staging Christmas decor, and it’s looking so much better. It’s past time to get it back in closet or out in shop. I still need to take a few totes out to the shop, but getting things organized is helping my stress level. I’ve realized I function so much better when things aren’t sitting on my mental to-do list, quietly nagging at me.

And then there’s my perioral dermatitis. It’s really bothering me right now — itchy, painful, burning when I put anything on it. Besides the medicine Dr. Angie prescribed, I think I’m going to try “zero therapy” on my face. A very gentle, sensitive soap, the medication, and nothing else. No extra products. Just letting my skin calm down and heal. Sometimes less really is more.

So that’s my Wednesday ramble. Beautiful skies. Weekend gratitude. Work pressure. Family pivots. Skin struggles. And still — a thankful heart.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. If you’re reading this, I’d love for you to say a quick hi in the comments. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.

Saturday Shenanigans

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=tru+red+pens&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-

Saturday Shenanigans & A Surprise Night Out 🎉

Saturday turned out to be one of those “let’s just do all the things” kind of days — and honestly, I loved every minute of it.

A few days ago, my coworker Sheila asked if I wanted to ride with her to Lawton, Oklahoma. I told her yes, of course — but added that I didn’t want to be gone all day because I had a few things I wanted to get done around the house later. She said that was perfectly fine; she just didn’t want to make the trip by herself. And that’s all the convincing I needed.

I left the house at 9:30 a.m., filled up my gas tank, and made it to the Lawton~Duncan Y right on time to meet her. First stop? Hobby Lobby.

Sheila was on a mission to find birthday gifts for her dad, and she did such a good job. She picked out quality paints, paint brushes, a Marine magnet, and the cutest container to package everything together. I love when gifts feel thoughtful like that.

Now let’s talk about what I found. 😄

I bought a 50-piece washi tape set (because clearly I don’t have enough), lots of stickers, and some journaling supplies. I also finally bought the photo storage container with individual boxes inside for organizing stickers. I’ve had my eye on it for months, and since my current container is completely full, I decided it was time. No regrets!

After Hobby Lobby, we ran across the street to Braum’s for Diet Cokes because priorities. Then we stopped at DD’s where I found some socks for Mr. C to tuck into his birthday gifts. We had originally planned to celebrate Sunday, but with a few people feeling under the weather, we pushed it back. Once Alisha and Jonathan get back from Italy 🇮🇹, we’ll grill out and celebrate properly.

Next up was the Asian Market. Sheila grabbed some of her favorite snacks. I didn’t buy anything at first but told her I’d be back for the strawberry ice cream on our way out of town. (Spoiler alert: I absolutely went back for it.)

For lunch, we went to the Asian Fusion Buffet. The food was decent — I stuck with my usual: fried rice, fried potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour soup, plus a few extras. Nothing fancy, just good comfort buffet food.

After lunch, we made one more stop at the Asian Market so Sheila could grab a few more things — and yes, I got that strawberry ice cream. It was so good. Totally worth the second trip. Our final stop was Dollar Tree so she could pick up a few face items, and then we headed home.

But wait… the day wasn’t done.

While we were at the buffet, Nancy called and asked if I wanted to go to The Blue Door in OKC to see Bob Schneider play. She had already bought the tickets! I told her I’d check with Mr. C, and he said, “Sure!” So now she’s picking me up at 6:30 p.m., and we should be home by midnight.

From Hobby Lobby hauls to spontaneous live music plans — I’d say that’s a pretty packed Saturday. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wednesday Ramblings

Wednesday Ramblings & Birthday Prep

Good morning, friends!

It’s 6:35 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. I don’t have to be there until 7:00, but I always leave a little early—because life loves a surprise, and I do not. Plus, I like having those few quiet minutes to get my system up and running and head to the break room to fill up my water container before the phones start ringing. A prepared girl is a peaceful girl.

Last night I finished The Apartment Sitter by Paige Brooks and oh my goodness… it was so good. The kind of book that makes you stay up later than you meant to and then think about it while brushing your teeth. I already know I’ll be looking into more of her books.

Now that we’re smack in the middle of the week, I’ve shifted into party-planning mode. Mr. C’s birthday cookout is this Sunday, and you know I love a good celebration. I’ve been making my list, checking it twice, and trying to get everything organized so the day can just be fun instead of frantic.

We’re keeping it classic cookout style:

🛒 Birthday Cookout Grocery List

Meats:

• Steaks
• Smoked sausage
• Hot links
• Hamburgers
• Hot dogs

Sides:

• Baked beans
• Potato salad

Extras I’m leaning toward making:

• Jalapeño poppers
• Bacon-wrapped little smokies

And of course, I’m ordering him a cupcake cake from Walmart because birthdays require cake. Period.

On top of party prep, I’m planning to tackle my taxes this weekend. I’ve got everything gathered—I just need to sit down and actually do it. I’m thinking Sunday  will be the day. Say a little prayer for my patience.

Something else on my heart this morning is my son, Aaron. He’s going through a hard patch, and as a mama, that helpless feeling is heavy. You want to fix it. You want to say the magic words that make it click. But sometimes they just have to walk through it themselves. I’m praying he finds his way out of his own head and into some peace soon. If you’re the praying type, we’ll take all the good thoughts.

In happier planning news, I’ve got a suitcase open for New York City. It’s too early to fully pack since I’m still wearing half the clothes I want to take, but I can start organizing. Makeup, duplicate chargers (because I never take my good ones from the house!), and deciding what I can fit into a carry-on and backpack. I’m determined to leave room for souvenirs.

Tomorrow our vice president, Stephanie, and other important folks will be at work. That means no scrolling, no sneaking in a few pages on my iPad between calls. Maybe that’s exactly what I need to focus in and hit my daily goal of 12 saves. Sometimes a little supervision is the push we didn’t know we needed.

And yes, there are days I wish I were independently wealthy and didn’t have to clock in anywhere. But since I’m not, I’ll keep showing up and doing my best. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll stumble into the perfect little side hustle. For now, I’ll just keep building what I can, one blog post at a time.

Today my sweet hubby is driving me to work, which I love. It gives me time to think, to type, and to share this little slice of my Wednesday with you.

Thanks for stopping by, friends. I hope your Wednesday is productive and full of love.