Sunday, April 5, 2026

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.


Saturday, April 4, 2026

Easter Blessings

 


Saturday, April 4th, 2026 — Easter Weekend Joy 🌸


There is just something about Easter weekend that feels extra special, and this Saturday was one of those days that reminded me how sweet life can be—even when it’s a little cold, muddy, and windy.



Luther and I started our morning early, heading to Marlow to the Eddie Palmer ballpark to watch the grandboys play t-ball. Now, let me set the scene for you… the night before, we had over five inches of rain. Yes—five. So you can imagine what we were walking into. Mud everywhere, wet bleachers, a cold wind that cut right through you… but none of that was going to stop us from showing up.



Lane was playing on field 6, and Brooks on field 7, so we were bouncing back and forth trying to catch all the action. I sat for a bit with John and Sherry—Jessica’s parents—and we visited while watching the boys. But I’m going to be honest… after about two innings, I waved the white flag. That cold was no joke! I told them, “I’m heading to the car,” and that heater never felt so good. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and warm up where you can.


Once the games wrapped up, Luther and I headed home because the day was far from over. We had a full afternoon ahead with our Easter celebration—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.


But before I get into all that goodness, I just want to pause for a moment and say how grateful I am. Watching Luther and Elizabeth co-grandparent the way they do truly warms my heart. They’ve found a way to put differences aside and show up for those grandbabies in such a healthy, loving way. And that? That is a blessing. It may not always be perfect on every level, but when it comes to the grandkids, they are doing it right—and that matters.




Now… let’s talk about the food, because oh my goodness, there was plenty! This was one of those gatherings where nobody leaves hungry and everybody goes back for seconds (or thirds). We had hamburger sliders, several kinds of hot links, classic wieners, potato salad, not one but two kinds of deviled eggs, fresh salad, all the burger fixings, mac and cheese, and corn. And of course, the sweets—because what is a celebration without dessert?








We celebrated Alicia’s birthday with her cake, and there were cupcakes with pink icing that were just as cute as they were tasty. Rickie made a cookie cake (which is always a favorite around here), and between all of that, there was more than enough to go around—and then some. Leftovers for days, which I’m definitely not complaining about!




At the end of it all, I sat back and just took it in. The laughter, the kids running around, the conversations, the full plates, and full hearts. These are the moments that matter. The ones you don’t rush. The ones you hold onto.


If I had to sum up the day in just a few words, I’d say it was blessed, meaningful, and full of love.


And truly… that’s everything.



Thursday, April 2, 2026

You’re So Bad Book Review

You’re So Bad — A Fake Dating Rom-Com That Completely Hooked Me 💕


I just finished You’re So Bad by Angela Casella, and let me tell you—this one was such a fun, feel-good escape that I didn’t want to put it down.


At the heart of the story is Shauna, who agrees to be a bridesmaid in what might be the most awkward wedding setup ever: her ex is marrying her former best friend. Instead of letting anyone see how much that betrayal affected her self-worth, she puts on a brave face… and that’s where things start to get interesting.


Enter Leonard—her grandma’s very unexpected solution. He’s rough around the edges, totally not what he seems, and somehow gets introduced as a pediatric surgeon (thanks, Grandma 😅). Their fake relationship quickly spirals into a series of hilarious, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The chemistry between Shauna and Leonard is so entertaining to watch unfold, especially as the “fake” part starts to blur.


What I really loved about this book is that it’s more than just a rom-com. Yes, it has all the fun tropes—fake dating, bad boy vibes, revenge energy—but it also weaves in deeper themes like healing after betrayal, rediscovering your worth, and finding unexpected family in the people around you. The addition of a runaway teen trying to escape a tough foster care situation adds another emotional layer that gives the story more heart and purpose.


And can we talk about the side characters? Between the supportive friends, quirky grandma, and even a few lovable pets, the whole world feels warm and full of life. It’s the kind of story that makes you laugh, swoon a little, and root hard for everyone to find their happy ending.


Overall, this was such an engaging read—funny, emotional, and just the right amount of messy. If you love fake dating romances with a little bite, a lot of heart, and characters you won’t forget, this one is definitely worth picking up. I already know I’ll be reading more from this author. 

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Midweek views

 




Hello, my friends. Happy Wednesday morning 🌤️


I am feeling so much better today, and let me just say—I am incredibly grateful for that. Yesterday had a bit of a rough start. I ended up getting sick at work, and for a little while there, I really thought I might have to pack it up and head home early. I’m still not entirely sure what caused it, but I have a feeling it might be related to my medication. Thankfully, I took a Zofran for the nausea, and it worked pretty quickly. That relief was everything in the moment.


Even though I wasn’t feeling my best, I pushed through and made it to the end of my shift. I ended the day with seven saves—not my strongest day, but honestly, I will take it. Especially considering I also handled several special handling calls, which may not bring in as much, but they still count for something. By the time 4:00 p.m. rolled around, I was more than ready to head home and rest.


But the day didn’t end there—instead, it turned into something really sweet.


Later that evening, we headed out to the Marlow baseball fields to watch Lane and Brooks play… against each other, which made it extra fun. There was one moment that absolutely cracked me up. I had been sitting on one side near the opposing team’s dugout when Brooks spotted me and called out, asking what I was doing over there and telling me I should be on his side. I thought, well now… I didn’t realize I was being monitored so closely by a five-year-old! 😄


A little while later, I moved over to the other side to visit with Blake and Jessica, and Hattie went off to play on the swings. Not long after, Brooks noticed my empty seat and asked where I had gone. When he found out I had wandered off, he seemed very concerned until it was explained to him. Later, I told him I had another grandson playing on the other team, and that’s why I had been over there. His little “oh, okay” made it all make sense to him. These babies—they just melt my heart.


Moments like that really make everything else fade into the background.


Now here we are—Wednesday morning, 6:40 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. Today is going to be a shorter day for me since I’m leaving at noon, and I’m really looking forward to that. We had originally planned to go to the doctor, but those plans changed, so instead I’m going to take care of a few errands.


First stop will be returning my Skechers—they’re just a bit too big, so back they go. After that, I’ll be picking up Mr. C from Brody and Savannah’s, and we’ll head to the tag agency to get his license taken care of since it expired at the end of February. Somewhere in there, I’m sure we’ll just enjoy some time together, which he already seems excited about—and honestly, so am I.


Before I fully settle into the afternoon, I’ve got a few small but important things I want to accomplish:


• Call PikePass and pay my outstanding balance (and prepare myself for the inevitable hold time 🙃)  

• Refill my medication organizer so I can stay on track a little easier  

• Sit down and write a letter  


Nothing too overwhelming—just enough to feel productive while still keeping the day gentle.


For now, I might swing by Sonic and grab a drink to help carry me through the morning hours. Sometimes it’s the little things, right?


Overall, I’m just thankful today—to be feeling better, to have had such a sweet evening with family, and to have a slower afternoon ahead with someone I love.


And that feels like more than enough 💛

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Food Compilation for March

Fish and fry’s 

Loaded baked potato fry Rib Crib.

Club sandwich 

Chicken fried steak

Stew

Iced coffee so yummy

Subway sandwich 

Cheesy pasta

Roast and veggies with mashed potatoes 

Mexican platter

Club sandwich 

Strawberry Shake

Meatloaf, green beans and mashed pot 

Max birthday cookie

Crockpot chicken and stuffing with vegetables 

I have been forgetting to take pictures of our food we eat. Am going to try to remember to snap more photos of our meals. It’s a nice reminder of what we enjoyed for the month. Especially if we ate anything not on our normal rotation. We normally eat the same foods always. Mr. C. and I have totally different taste in food. He’s not one to try new foods very often.

 

Sunday, March 29, 2026

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 workweek 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.

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Weekend at Home

                                    Slow Saturday, Full Heart


Hello and happy, easy Saturday, my friend.  


This weekend, I made a very intentional choice—to stay home with Mr. C. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. With my trip coming up soon, it just felt important to slow down and soak up some time together. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed.


We started the morning nice and easy, curled up watching a couple of movies. No rushing, no big plans—just being. Somewhere in between, we got a little productive too, knocking out some housework and making the space feel good again.


Breakfast was simple but perfect. I went the cozy route with pancakes, and Mr. C opted for hot links—very on brand for both of us. After that, we started pulling together ingredients for an early lunch because I had been craving a good, homemade meatloaf for a couple of days now. And let me tell you… we have a secret weapon in this house—a can of meatloaf fixing (not even sure the brand), but it works every single time. We had everything assembled by around 10-ish, already looking forward to meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. A true comfort meal.


The rest of the day was a mix of TV and me sneaking away to the guest bedroom to start organizing for my trip. I’m really trying to do better this time—not overpack like I’ve done my whole life. I’ve realized it actually gives me anxiety having too much stuff I don’t even use. So today, I focused on getting my liquids together—shampoo, conditioner, makeup—all in one place so I’m not scrambling at the last minute. Progress, not perfection.


I do still think I need to pick up a pajama set. The one I had in mind is definitely more winter than spring, and with April weather coming, I already know I’d be too warm. So that’s one small thing left to figure out.


I was also invited by my friend Nancy to go see a musician perform in Medicine Park tonight, which honestly sounded like a really nice outing. But I made the choice to stay in. Driving at night just isn’t something I’m comfortable with these days, and I’ve learned to listen to that instead of pushing through. There will be other nights, other chances.


And so here I am—ending the day feeling content, grounded, and grateful. It wasn’t anything big or fancy, just a simple day at home. But sometimes those are the ones that fill your heart the most.


Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little piece of your day with me. My life may be simple, but it is full of blessings—and I’m so grateful you’re here to share in it.


Until next time 🤍