Enjoying our Sunday

 

 

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Morning

Sunday is usually our easy day, especially if I don’t have any errands to run, and today was no exception. Mr. C and I stayed home and enjoyed a relaxing morning together. We got a few chores done around the house, and he put a roast with potatoes, celery, and onions in the slow cooker for supper. While it cooked, I spent some time working in Moira’s journal, which was a nice way to unwind.

Afternoon Plans

Our plan for the afternoon was to head to Elizabeth and Charles’s house around 3:30 because they were moving to Rush Springs. We were looking forward to seeing Alisha and Jonathan since they were coming down to help with the move. As often happens, though, plans changed a little.

When we arrived, everyone was already in full moving mode. Jonathan, Alisha, Lane, and Landon were in one vehicle, Elizabeth was driving another, Charles had his truck loaded down, and their friends Michael and Tracy were already ahead of them. With so many people helping and everything packed up, it made sense for them to keep moving forward. I think Mr. C may have had his feelings hurt just a little, but realistically there was no way they could have made the trip to Rush Springs and back before our dinner plans.

So, we pivoted.

Picnic and Family Visit

We headed to Braums and picked up supper, and then Mr. C surprised me by taking me to the Rush Springs Park for a picnic. If you know me, you know I’m always asking him to take me on a picnic, so this absolutely made my heart happy. It was such a thoughtful surprise and ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day.

After our picnic, we drove over to Elizabeth and Charles’s new house. They were still unloading, and their biggest priority was getting their large fish aquarium set up and getting the fish safely back into their home. We got to visit with Alisha and Jonathan for a little while before making our excuses and heading home.

Decluttering Progress

Earlier in the day, I had told Mr. C that I wanted to go through my clothes and pull out at least 20 items to donate to Goodwill. Once I got started, I found even more things I no longer needed. By the time I finished, I had filled a large black trash bag with donations that I’ll be dropping off after work tomorrow. It may not have made a huge dent in the overall clutter, but it definitely made me feel better. I also had a large sack or trash. My goal is to continue decluttering throughout the rest of the month.

Evening

Later in the evening, I talked with my son Aaron and checked in with Blake to see how their trip was going. Blake and Jessica, along with the kids, Grandma Berdine, and several cousins, spent five days at Padre Island. It’s a little over an 11-hour drive, but when you’re traveling with a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a teenager, you know it takes a bit longer with all the snack, restroom, and stretch breaks along the way. From the photos they shared, it looks like they had an absolutely wonderful time. Seeing the kids make memories with their cousins and Grandma Berdine made me smile.

Reflections

All in all, it turned out to be a simple but very full Sunday—good food, a surprise picnic, family visits, and a little progress on my decluttering journey. It was also a good reminder that not every day unfolds the way we expect it to, and sometimes the best moments come from being willing to adjust our plans and embrace what the day brings. Even though our original visit didn’t happen quite the way we imagined, we still got to spend time with family, celebrate a new chapter for Elizabeth and Charles, and enjoy some unexpected time together. Days like this leave me feeling grateful for the people in my life, the flexibility to make the most of changing circumstances, and the simple blessings that often end up meaning the most.

Concert at Riverwind with UncleCracker

 

A Night of Music, Friendship, and a Lesson About Oklahoma Heat

Saturday, June 13, was a night I had been looking forward to for quite a while. My friend Brenda and I headed to Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma, for an outdoor concert featuring Uncle Kracker and the Gin Blossoms. It was a special night because it was my first time attending one of their outdoor concerts, and it was also Brenda’s very first concert experience at Riverwind.

I’ve always enjoyed Uncle Kracker’s music. Originally, the concert lineup included Cheap Trick and the Gin Blossoms, but unfortunately Cheap Trick had to cancel all of their June performances due to circumstances beyond their control. Even so, for a $10 ticket, this concert was absolutely worth every penny.

The concert itself was a lot of fun. Brenda and I were definitely stepping outside our comfort zones, but that’s part of what made the evening memorable. Brenda even walked around and ended up getting a free hat and having her picture taken, which made her day. I think she mostly came along to keep me company, but I’m so glad she did because we genuinely had a wonderful time together.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for, though, was the Oklahoma heat. Since the concert was outdoors, the temperatures were pretty intense, and unfortunately my medications and extreme heat do not make a good combination.

At one point, I got up to grab something to eat from the barbecue truck. While I was standing in line, I suddenly started feeling very sick. My vision began to darken, I was seeing dark spots, and honestly, I thought I might pass out right there. One lady noticed and came over asking if I was okay. I told her, “No, but I will be,” because at that moment I really wasn’t sure what else to say.

Looking back, I probably should have abandoned the food line and gone straight back to my seat. At the time, I remember thinking, “I don’t need that food that badly,” but I really wanted my cold drink. Somehow, I made it back to my chair, and after sitting down for about twenty minutes, I slowly started feeling better.

Thankfully, the rest of the evening went smoothly, and I was able to enjoy the music and the company. It was definitely a reminder that I need to listen to my body and be extra careful in the heat. As much as I enjoyed the concert, I’ve decided that outdoor summer concerts probably aren’t for me anymore. Riverwind has three more concerts scheduled between now and September, but I think I’ll be sitting those out.

Even with that scary moment, I don’t regret going. Brenda had a great time, I got to hear some music I love, and we shared a new experience together. Plus, Brenda drove her own vehicle, which made the evening even easier.

All in all, it was a fun night filled with music, friendship, laughter, and a good reminder that sometimes our bodies let us know when it’s time to slow down. Lesson learned: Karen and Oklahoma summer heat simply do not mix!

#RiverwindCasino #UncleKracker #GinBlossoms #GirlsNightOut #ConcertMemories #OklahomaLife #Friendship #WeekendAdventures

Thursday To Do List

 

To-Do List Thursday

Thursday, June 11th

This week has absolutely flown by! Before I knew it, Thursday had arrived, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about where I stand with my errands and responsibilities.

Today, I don’t have any errands to run after work, which feels like a little victory. I may stop and pick up dinner on the way home, but otherwise, I think I’ve managed to get everything taken care of for the week. Well… almost everything. I still need to get my nails filled. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll do that Friday evening after work or Saturday morning before we head to Norman, Oklahoma, for the Cheap Trick concert Saturday night. Either way, it needs to happen soon!

This morning started a little differently than usual. Mr. C wasn’t feeling very well when he woke up. As many of you know, his health isn’t always the best, and it always worries me when he’s feeling more down than normal. He looked at me this morning and asked, “Can I ask you a big favor? Will you pack your lunch today?” Of course, that wasn’t a problem at all. We already knew what I was taking, so all I had to do was gather everything together.

If you happen to think about it today, I’d appreciate any good thoughts, prayers, or positive vibes you could send his way. I’m hoping he’ll start feeling better soon.

Since I’ve been trying to be more intentional with my time lately, I’ve created a new to-do list for the next few days.

First, I want to order a new capri outfit for summer. However, I’ve made a deal with myself: I can’t place the order until I’ve gone through my closet and donated at least 20 items. I already have a couple of outfits picked out, so choosing isn’t the hard part. Letting go of clothes I no longer need is the challenge! Hopefully, that little reward system will motivate me to tackle the closet sooner rather than later.

Second, I need to finish Moira’s journal. I’m hoping to carve out enough time this weekend to complete it and get it mailed. I’ve already received hers, and it was absolutely fantastic. When I compare mine to hers, I sometimes feel like mine is lacking. But she has always seemed to enjoy my journals, so I’m trying not to be too hard on myself.

Third, I’d like to hop on Swap-bot and find a few quick-turnaround swaps. I’m thinking maybe a letter-writing swap, a postcard swap, and a happy mail swap. For those unfamiliar with happy mail, it’s basically a collection of fun little goodies like memo sheets, stickers, scrapbook paper, to-do lists, and other crafty bits and pieces that can be used in junk journals and creative projects. They’re always fun to put together and even more fun to receive.

Fourth, when I get home this evening, I plan to spend a little time in my craft room. Last night I bought another storage tote, and my goal is to gather all of my stickers into one place. Right now, they’re scattered through various drawers and containers. Having them all together will save me a lot of time searching when I need them.

Fifth, I need to sit down and make a meal plan. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked a full meal at home, and I think it’s time. Right now, I’m leaning toward a chicken pasta dish that’s similar to one from Olive Garden. I’ve made it before, and we both really enjoyed it. The best part is that it works well in the slow cooker. I’m even considering putting a little Southwestern spin on it by adding a few extra ingredients and some spice. We both enjoy flavorful food, so that sounds pretty tempting.

Overall, I’m just trying to stay productive and intentional with my time. I’ve realized that I spend more hours than I’d like scrolling social media or reading on my Kindle. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with relaxing, I’ve also learned something recently after dealing with my sciatica flare-up: when I feel good, I need to take advantage of those days. When I don’t feel good, I don’t feel like doing much of anything. So while I’m feeling well, I want to make progress on the things that matter to me.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet today. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Before you go, leave me a comment and tell me where you’re reading from. I’d love to see how far this little personal blog reaches.

Cheers,

Karen

Brody’s Birthday Celebration

It is going to be a beautiful Thursday, and I have been so excited all day because tonight we are celebrating Brody’s 33rd birthday at our house. There is just something special about having everybody together in one place, visiting, laughing, eating way too much food, and making memories.

This year, Brody wanted a pizza party, and honestly, it turned out perfect. We ordered six different three-topping pizzas from Pizza Hut along with two orders of boneless wings and cheese sticks. We definitely did not let anybody go hungry! We also had two big ice chests completely filled with drinks. We had wine, beer, tea, water, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Diet Pepsi, root beer, orange Crush, and even Kool-Aid Bursts for the kiddos.

Elizabeth brought the biggest salad along with several different salad dressings, including ranch — because if you know Brody, you know he eats almost everything with ranch! She also brought strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, and cupcakes, so dessert was absolutely covered.

Brody started opening his smaller gifts first. Luther and I gave him five Monster energy drinks, which he got a kick out of. Elizabeth and Charles gave him a hard-shell two-gun case and a t-shirt, and Alisha and Jonathan brought gifts as well. He seemed really happy and appreciative of everything, which made me smile because little did he know, the BIG surprise was still waiting behind the garage door.

I wanted to make sure the kiddos had plenty to do, so after work I stopped by Walmart and picked up five water guns, some sidewalk chalk, and a basketball. We also brought out a few outside toys and the little workbench that Landon loves to play with. The kids had the absolute best time running, chasing each other, laughing, and playing outside.

We had such a wonderful group show up for the party. Of course there was me and Mr. C, Brody, Savannah, Lane, Landon, Sophie, Alicia and Jonathan, Elizabeth and Charles, Sabrina and her two children Avery and Aviana, plus Larry and Julie. Larry and Julie also brought their granddaughter Holly, whose nickname is “Hoppy,” and she was just the cutest thing ever. She told us she loves bunny rabbits and she fit right in with everybody immediately. She was so talkative and sweet, and honestly kept us all entertained.

As the evening started winding down, we began casually moving tables and rearranging things in the garage so we could finally reveal Brody’s big surprise. We told him we needed him to open the garage door so we could grab something out, and the second that door lifted up, there sat his massive new 36-gun safe.

Y’all… the look on his face was priceless.

That safe is HEAVY, but seeing how excited and surprised he was made every bit of planning worth it. I think at that moment he realized why the earlier gifts had seemed a little smaller than usual. We definitely managed to keep him guessing.

Around 8 o’clock people slowly started heading home. By then my back was hurting pretty badly, so I went inside to sit down and rest while Luther, Brody, and Elizabeth handled a lot of the cleanup for me, which I appreciated so much.

Overall, the party was a huge success. There was lots of laughter, good food, sweet moments with family and friends, and memories I know we will all hold onto for a very long time. Those are truly the best kinds of evenings.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Please leave a note where you’re reading this blog from. And if you have any blogs that you might want me to read, drop them down below as well. Have a great rest of your week!

New Phone System

 

Mid-Week Ramblings | Pizza Parties, Phone System Chaos & Just Getting Through the Week

Today is Wednesday, June 3rd, and honestly, this week has flown by pretty fast — thankfully. We’ve had a lot on our plate lately, so there hasn’t really been much time to slow down.

First and foremost, we’re getting everything ready for Brody’s birthday celebration Thursday evening around 6 p.m. I did a grocery pickup after work yesterday and got most of what we’ll need. We decided on a pizza party this year, which honestly feels easy and fun for everyone involved.

We already have our order figured out: six different three-topping pizzas, boneless wings, and breadsticks. Elizabeth is bringing salad, cake, and maybe cupcakes too, so there should definitely be plenty of food for everybody. I’m really looking forward to it.

Now let’s talk about work for a minute.

Y’all know I mention work stress fairly often, but yesterday was a whole different level. Two weeks ago, they gave us less than a 30-minute training class on a brand-new phone system, and yesterday morning they basically just threw us into it and said, “Good luck.”

I was LOST.

At one point, I texted Mr. C and told him this whole thing was some kind of BS and I wanted to come home. Thankfully, my boss Sherry kept reassuring me that we’d figure it out together, and eventually we did start learning as we went along.

But here’s my salty moment of the day…

Why do companies always release systems before they’re fully functional? Why are we the ones expected to work out all the bugs while still trying to do our actual jobs?

We couldn’t tell when calls were coming in. Emails weren’t working properly. I couldn’t star important transfer numbers. I couldn’t transfer members to supervisors correctly. It was one thing after another.

And every answer was:
“We’re working on getting the bugs fixed.”

Wouldn’t it make more sense to fix them before rollout?

Still, I made it through the day. And honestly, I had to keep reminding myself that if I ever left this job and started somewhere new, I’d still have to learn another system there too. Whether it’s a doctor’s office, a school cafeteria, a convenience store, or anything else — learning new things is part of life.

So I took a breath, asked questions, kept trying, and survived the day.

Another adjustment this week is that because our department didn’t perform well last month, we’ve temporarily lost our “desk activities.” Normally during downtime I might journal, color, or work on small Lego sets at my desk. Starting Monday, all of that stopped.

I’ll be honest though… giving work my full attention for two straight eight-hour days hasn’t been a bad thing. Different? Absolutely. But manageable.

Sometimes you just have to play the game smart, do your job well, and make your money.

That’s life sometimes.

Tonight after work, I’m planning to grab Sonic for supper, pick up a couple bags of ice for the party, and then come home and clean up around my end table and kitchen counters. Most of the birthday party will be outside, but people still come inside to use the bathroom or wander through the kitchen, so I want things looking decent.

And Friday night, we get to wrap up the week by going to Lane’s ballgame at 7 p.m.

So despite the stress, the bugs, the chaos, and the long days… it’s shaping up to be a pretty good week after all.

Happy Tuesday

Good morning, friends. Happy Tuesday! Today is June 2nd, 2026, and this morning I woke up feeling very motivated to start tackling some of the things that I have been putting off for way too long. You know those little projects that stay in the back of your mind for months? Well… today is the day to finally start checking some of them off my list.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything at once, I decided to break things down into smaller goals and focus on one thing at a time.

Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish this week:

• Closet clean-out and donation pile
I have officially started going through closets, shoes, purses, and all the extra “stuff” that I keep hanging onto for no reason. Clothes that are too big, too small, too worn out, or things I simply never wear anymore are all going into a donation pile. Honestly, I have shoes I haven’t touched in years, so why am I still keeping them? It feels like the perfect time to let go of excess clutter and simplify things a little.

• Decluttering my devices and storage
My iPad has been begging for storage space because it refuses to update until I clean things out. So that’s another big project on my list this week. I’m going through photos, apps, downloads, and files on both my iPad and phone to free up some room and get everything updated properly again. It’s definitely time-consuming, but it needs to be done. I’m also planning to start ordering printed photos again instead of keeping thousands of pictures stored on my devices. I miss having actual printed memories to look through.

• Finishing Moira’s  journal
Mora’s journal arrived yesterday, and she included the sweetest little packages of pens and goodies inside. Now I need to focus on finishing my part of the journal and gathering a few fun things to send back with it. I’m also going to message her and ask if she would mind giving me about two weeks to finish everything up and get it mailed back to her. I really want to take my time and make it special.

• Planning Brody’s birthday party
Thursday, June 4th, we’ll be celebrating Brody’s birthday here at the house with around 20 family members and friends. We’re keeping things simple and fun with a pizza party — six pizzas, breadsticks, drinks, and all the paper goods. Elizabeth is bringing the cake, a big salad, and possibly cupcakes for the little kids.

One thing I’m really excited about is setting up the karaoke machine outside along with cornhole. I’ve had that karaoke machine for a couple of years now, and we’ve honestly never used it. So I figured… why not? Even if nobody sings much, it’ll still add a fun vibe to the party.

Brody is going to be VERY surprised by his main gift this year because several of us all chipped in together to buy him a large gun safe that holds around 36 guns. He is going to absolutely love it. I’m also putting together a small gift bag with Monster drinks and some of his favorite candy so he’ll still have a few things to open at the party. I think Elizabeth and Savannah also picked up a few smaller gifts for him too, so he’ll definitely have some surprises waiting.

Overall, this week is shaping up to be a busy but productive one, and honestly, I’m looking forward to it. Sometimes it feels really good to reset, declutter, and focus on getting life a little more organized.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I’d love to know where you’re reading from, so leave me a comment below and say hello!

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and blessed day ahead.

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.