S is for . . .#AtoZChallenge

Tomorrow is a rest day in the A to Z Challenge but for today

S is for SHOPPING

It is only 12:26 on a Saturday and between last night and today, I have done a heck of a lot of shopping!

Last night was grocery shopping - you can check out the picture of my crazy cart here!

I shopped on Amazon Prime last night and ordered the movie Hidden Figures.  Oh my goodness - run and watch it right now if you haven't already done so.

I slept a few hours and hit the ground running again today.

Does buying gas count as shopping??  I've done that at the local Shell Gas station!

Does picking up a prescription count as shopping?  I've done that at the local Walgreen's!!

I went to Trader Joe's and made a few purchases. These are the things I bought to surprise Mark.  He LOVES dark chocolate and he loves curry.  I bought a couple of other things and spent $50 . . .after already spending A LOT last night.  Probably should not have done that . . .

After tootling around in Trader Joe's . . .I was waiting on Talbots to open . . .

I sprinted across (hahahaha!) the parking lot to Talbots.

One of the things I love about Talbots is the sales ladies (they may have men but I've never seen one).  I met the nicest lady this morning and we chatted as she rang up my purchases.  Mark has always said that I can "bag my limit" at Talbots!  I'm so excited.  I can wear something new to work next week!!

On my way home, I made one more shopping stop!

I had seen this ad on our neighborhood facebook page and thought I would stop and browse on my way home.  I bought a tiny gift.  I put the business card by the bag so you could tell how tiny the bag with little handles really is!!  Amanda Skinner with Hosanna Beads was incredibly kind.  If you ever see her at any kind of craft bazaar, you should stop and buy something.  She has no idea I'm posting about her but I love to give a local person a shout out!! She has an Etsy shop HosannaBeads!

I also talked to the Matilda Jane rep for a long time about clothes for Emma and she gave me a catalogue to share with my daughter-in-law.  www.matildajaneclothing.com/jennifervann

I'm going to be honest . . .I think I'm keeping those earrings for myself but just in case you receive them as a gift . . .you know I decided I love you more! hahaha!!  (I didn't say any names on purpose!)

S is for SUDS

Now I'm home and I guess my S word will be suds because I have a mountain of laundry and dishes and cleaning to do!!  You can't even see any of my island or counter space because they are all covered in groceries and laundry!

S is for Steeple to Steeple . . .sleepers, too

I know that some of our friends and co-workers participated in the Steeple to Steeple race this morning - isn't that a cool name?  10K run from one church to another - 5K run starting at one church - everyone ends up at the same church for a party!  There may have been some sprinting and maybe a super hero or two at the race.  Lot's of S's today!!  I participated . . .I was a SLEEPER!!  Really!!  I paid on line and was a sleeper.  I wasn't the only one!  Two major churches are competing for the coveted trophy (a giant wooden church with a steeple) and I haven't heard the results. . .I hope we won!!!

S is for Saturday

What are you doing on this Saturday?

R is #AtoZChallenge

Today is day 18 of the A to Z Challenge.  I've so enjoyed reading a variety of blogs and I've realized that I have lived a fairly boring life.  I've never been on a safari nor have I seen the Northern Lights - I want to do both of those!  I also want to do a zip line!! 

So R . . .yeah . . .it is Friday night and I am brain dead!  I worked today and right after work I decided that I needed to:

1. Rest and Relax

I went to get a pedicure which is normally very relaxing.  Today was not my favorite pedicure ever and I love the place I go . . .it just wasn't the best.  I imagine it was my frame of mind as much as anything BUT I do have pretty toes right now!!

2.  Rescue

As soon as I finished my pedicure, I rescued my granddaughter from daycare.  Actually, her daycare is very nice and the care givers are awesome.  She and I came to my house and played with her toys until her mommy could get here after work.

3. Rest again

My neighbors were having happy hour on their porch after Emma and her mommy left so I visited with them for a few moments.

4. Ridiculous

Then I bought a ridiculous amount of groceries.  We are having a cookout/picnic in the park with our young adult group on Tuesday night so I purchased those groceries, plus some of our own groceries, plus food to prepare for supper club on Thursday night.  I actually didn't buy everything on my list because I was tired of pushing the heavy cart . . .and there was no more room in the cart!!  I've come up with this wonderful way of fitting extra bags . . .I hang the six pack of diet pepsis over the edge of the cart and then I loop sacks around the tops of the bottles.  I actually couldn't fit between parked cars so I got in extra steps by walking to the end of the row!

5. React

As I was unloading the groceries in the garage, one of my sacks broke . . .and a giant jar of salsa hit the concrete floor and exploded.  I did react.  I wanted to cry but I didn't.  I cleaned it up.  I sort of cleaned it up.  I hope I don't back over glass tomorrow.  I need to wash the floor but I think I'll wait until Mark gets back from the farm tomorrow.

6. Race

I just finished watching Hidden Figures.  It was a wonderful movie.  I wanted to scream and cheer multiple times in the movie.  I LOVED the scene where he ripped the colored bathroom sign off the wall and I LOVED the scene where she convinced the judge to allow her to take classes at an all white school -- to be THE FIRST!!  I loved many other scenes and hated the way we (white southerners) have acted over the years.

7. Robitussin

nuff said?  I need Robitussin.  Allergies.

8. Recycle

Tomorrow is the hazardous waste day in my town and they accept old paint cans, old prescriptions, and a million other things.  I'm hoping they will take my empty helium canister.  I know they will dispose of most of these items but hopefully some will be recycled.

9. Religion

I am a Christian.  My identity is in Christ.  I can't imagine my life without faith.

10. Return

I have to return a dress tomorrow . . .I ordered it for Easter and it just isn't right!!

Yes, I know this is THE MOST BORING post ever but I'm headed to bed . . .after some more

Robitussin!!

Q is for . . . #AtoZChallenge

Q is for . . . .

1. Qumran

Qumran is an ancient village on the northwest shore of the dead sea.  It is famous for its caves.  The Dead Sea Scrolls were located in some of these caves.

I have no idea who is holding this brochure for me to take a picture!!  I loved hearing about the Essenes from our tour guide.  Qumran was a very interesting place!!

2. Quilts

My niece, Cissy (her nickname - not her real name!!), makes beautiful quilts and has an unbelievable backlog of orders!  She made this t-shirt quilt for Laura a few years ago.  We mailed a box of Laura's Sorority t-shirts to Cissy and she put them all together to make this quilt.  She has also made more traditional quilts and has won prizes for them!!

I have a friend who lives in another state and her blog is called "My Quilted Nest."  I love the thought of curling up in a big nest of quilts!!

Our senior adult group went to Gee's Bend this week.  You can read about the quilts and people of Gee's Bend here.  I would like to go there someday!

3. Quiet time

I love spending time writing in my prayer journal and reading scripture.  At our old house, I spent that time every morning at our kitchen table and I was surrounded by windows.  At this house, I sit at the kitchen island.  My best time of day for quiet time is early in the morning.  My Bible is held together by a Bible cover from a Discovery weekend from about 10 or 12 years ago.  Yes, I could afford a new Bible or I could ask for one as a gift, but I love this one!

I enjoy keeping a prayer journal and I enjoy having a scripture reading guide of some kind or another.  Two different summers, I have read through all the psalms for a change of pace.

4.  Quiet

I'm not a quiet person.  I love to laugh and I laugh out loud.  I love to participate in a good conversation and the more excited I become, the louder I talk.  I was a straight A student with C's in conduct.  Do they still give conduct grades?  My daddy would say, "It seems to me that someone as smart as you could keep her mouth shut."  What can I say? Obviously, a lot!

5. Quirky

Do you know some quirky folks?  Yeah, I do, too . . .or maybe I'm one of the quirky ones!!

I can't wait to read some other Q blogs . . . those words didn't come as easily to me as have some of the other alphabet letters!!

P is for . . .#AtoZChallenge

I'm continuing on with the letter P.

P is for . . . .

1. Park

On Saturday, we took Emma to the park in front of our house.  We pushed her in the swing - she couldn't decide if she liked it or not.  Laura went down the slide with her and then let her go down the little slide.  Even Laura got in on the swinging action!

2. Plants

 Our little courtyard looks so pretty right now.  Our plants are all green and leafy.  Mark replaced the pine straw last week.  He planted some new mini mondo grass between the pavers.  He also planted some flowers in the pots.

I love this picture of the front gate.  I snapped it early this morning and I bent over and snapped it using the tree branches as a frame.  We have pretty plants!!

 3. Preschool

As I was digging through pictures tonight, I found some old ones to share.  The picture of Glenn and Laura with their preschool class and preschool teacher just melted my heart!  Laura is on the left and Glenn is front and center - yes, they have on matching outfits.  Yes, they matched a lot!

4. Pools

We spent a lot of time at pools - Laura taught swim lessons all through high school and college.  This picture was at the old Lakeshore pool and she was teaching for the Birmingham Swim League.  Glenn actually taught for the Birmingham Swim League, too.

We spent hours upon hours at the local pool and at Uncle John's pool.  It is a good thing that we all have skin that tans easily.

5. Prom

This picture was taken before Laura's prom - she was a junior in high school.  Her date was Timmy - now a married man with little children (or child).  Someone texted me today asking if I had any lanterns she could borrow because she is decorating for her child's prom. 

6. Produce

J & S Produce . . or Jason and Sheila . . .or the veggie man . . .whatever you want to call them . . .they come to our church parking lot twice a week and sell fresh fruits and veggies.  Yum Yum!!  We have awesome tomatoes and very flavorful peaches in the state of Alabama along with all sorts of other fruits and veggies.

7. Prayer Garden

 Several years ago, I was blessed to work on the committee that planned, designed, looked at stone, had conference calls, and saw this project through to completion.  We have the most beautiful prayer garden, labyrinth, and columbarium at our church.  My friend, Julie, took the top picture.  I borrowed the bottom picture from our church Facebook page.  I'm going to buy a niche.  I want to be cremated and have my service at the church and then be taken right down to the garden.  No, that is not depressing nor sad to me.  It is a lovely comforting thought!

8. Phella

Phella is one of my very best friends in the whole world.  We met when my twins were 6 weeks old and she was pregnant with her second child.  Our children grew up together.  We've been in a supper club together for 13 years!  Our sons were roommates through college.  I won't put her picture on her since I didn't ask but just know that I love her and thank God for her friendship.

9. Pasta

My husband is not a lover of pasta but last week I made Hot Cheddar Pasta and he loved it.  I did mix up the cheeses and used some smoky gouda and some other great cheeses.

10. Presents

I love presents!  I love to give them and I love to receive them.  I give them better than I receive.  My love language is gifts . . .or at least one of my love languages is gifts!!

11. Passport

When we went to Israel last year, we found out that Israel doesn't stamp passports anymore.  This made me sad.

12.  Persnickety

I just think that persnickety is a fun "P" word!!

13.  Perfume

I had no trouble coming up with words that begin with "P" for my list today!  I guess I'll end on this one.  I hate perfume.  Actually, I hate most scented products.  Last night, as our ice breaker, each person made up two extra commandments.  (please don't be offended - it was just a fun icebreaker - we were not be sacrilegious).  I didn't think of this one last night so I'm adding it to my list now -- Thou shalt NEVER wear perfume into public spaces because you never know when someone is going to have a major allergic reaction (that might be me!!).

I can't wait to read some other blog posts in the A to Z Challenge highlighting the letter "P"!!

Flying Hodge Podge

1. Tell us about a time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'.
Several years ago, my predecessor was very sick.  Our senior minister (at the time) came to me and asked if I would be interested in filling in/taking her place because he felt like she was going to be too sick to work for quite a while (we NEVER dreamed she was going to die!!).  I had to pray about the decision and after I said yes, she was able to train me for a total of about 6 hours.  She was on full oxygen and I can still see us sitting at her desk.  She went back into the hospital and passed away.  We were all devastated and still miss her to this day!  Mary had the institutional memory for all of us.  She remembered things that no one else could remember.  She knew who did everything and what all needed to be done.  For the first year (and sometimes still!!), I feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I borrowed this picture of Mary with her husband and two of her grandchildren (thanks Wendy - got it from your facebook page!!)  This must have been before she got sick!

2.  When or where would you most like to be 'a fly on the wall'?
So many times!!  Just the other day I said that I would love to be a fly on the wall.  Most of my situations are situations that I can't type about because I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings.

3. 'Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.'-Henry David Thoreau 

Would you agree? Why or why not?
I have mixed feelings about that quote.  I think we can "choose" to have joy in our lives - joy is a part of the fruit of the spirit and it is readily available.  I do know that just because we have joy, we aren't always "happy" by worldly standards.  I think a perfect example would be when we become so fixated on one thing - we think if we have that one thing - we will be happy.  If we turn our attention to other things, happiness is usually right around the corner.

4. Share a favorite movie, book, or song with flying in it's title, lyrics, or theme somewhere.
How about "I'll Fly Away" - an old church song - the kind you might want to clap with or stomp your feet!

5. What is one task or chore you tend to do 'on the fly'? Is this something that really needs to be done another way?
I know I have an answer somewhere in my head for this one . . .

6. What was happening the last time you thought to yourself or said aloud, 'Wow, time flies when you're having fun', and you meant it.
Vacation!!  Time always flies when we are at the beach!  Time also flew while I was in Israel.  It was a long trip and I was worried about being homesick but we were on the go all day every day.

beach vacation - time flies

riding the cable car

at Massada

7. This Thursday is National Garlic Day. Will you add garlic to your menu on Thursday? Do you like garlic? What's your favorite dish made with garlic?
I love using fresh garlic.  I'm cooking beef tips in the crock pot and have fresh garlic cooking along with the meat.  I had never used much fresh garlic until we started ordering some Blue Apron meals.  Goodness gracious, it adds such wonderful flavor.  Right now, my favorite would be to slice carrots into either matchstick pieces are small rounds and sauté with garlic in olive oil with salt and pepper.  I like to cook them until the carrots are tender and begin to caramelize - yum yum!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm so impressed with Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond and her ability to come up with these questions every week!  Thank you!!!

O is for . . . . #AtoZChallenge

O is for . . . .

1. Optimism

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?  Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?  I am an optimist!  I don't have patience with pessimistic people.  One of the meanings is hopefulness about the outcome of something.  I have very close relationships with people who are always worried about the what ifs - what if this happens?  what if that happens?  There are so many things out of our control in this world.  Hope for the best!

2. Onimus

What is an Onimus?  No, WHO is an Onimus?  Mr. Onimus was one of my bosses at South Central Bell, American Bell, and AT&T.  I was the youngest person ever promoted to my position and because I was young and pretty, many people thought I had "slept my way to the top."  Once and for all, I did not!  Mr. Onimus was an unusual man and I wish my friend, Mel Sparkman, was still alive so we could tell you some of our stories.  Mr. Onimus DID help shape me into the person I am today.  He expected total perfection and I worked hard to produce that perfection - or at least the illusion of perfection.

3. Orange and blue

If you live in the state of Alabama, you know that orange and blue are the colors for the Auburn Tigers.  It just so happens that I love the color orange and have splashes of it throughout my house.  This was in December of 2015 - we took my nephew (UT-Austin!) to Auburn to see the town!

Here is a tiny splash of orange on my island (and it is really oranges!)

4. Onions

Are you a fan of onions?  I love them cooked but I cannot stand them raw.  I can tolerate a few raw green onions but not the big round ones.  They give me a migraine!  Anyone else have something similar with raw onions?

5. Omnipotent

Omni - all; Potent - powerful  The God I worship is omnipotent!

6.  Otis and Oliver

I just love those names.  Two of my friends at work have little boys.  One is Otis and the other is Oliver.  I would show you a picture but since they aren't my kids and I haven't asked permission, I won't.  Otis has the cutest personality - he is a tiny guitar playing machine!!

7. Office

Many people dislike going to work - to their office.  I love my office.  I love the people with whom I work (most of the time :-) ) and I love what I do personally and I love what we all do collectively.  I'm sorry for those folks who think of their job as drudgery.

8. Olive Oil

Today is surely one of my most random posts.  I read an article recently about imposter olive oils.  Many name brands were on the list -- they say Olive Oil on the bottle . . .but they aren't.  I love this olive oil from Costco and it was on the "good" list - it is indeed the real thing!

I brought olive oil back from Israel over a year ago.  It is sealed in a can.  I wonder if it is still good???

9. Oven

For years, I complained about my old kitchen.  My appliances weren't great.  I needed a gas stove, etc.  My kitchen in this home is sooo much better!  I do often wish for a double oven.  As much as I cook, I think it would come in so handy!  You can see where my oven and microwave are located.  I could have a double oven put in there but would have to find a place for the microwave - possibly under the island??

10. Oatmeal

Over the last two months, I have eaten so much oatmeal - cold and "raw" - in a mason jar with fruit and yogurt.  My new favorite is 1/3 cup of oatmeal, 1 dannon light and fit cherry yogurt, frozen cherries.  I layer 1/2 of the 1/3 cup on the bottom of the jar, cherries, yogurt, repeat layers.  Oh my goodness, it is still slightly frozen when I get to work.  It is so good!!  The one below is strawberry yogurt, oatmeal, blueberries (2 layers of each) and 2 walnut halves shaved on top.  It is my second favorite!!

N is for . . . .#AtoZChallenge2017

After a wonderful Easter day, we are back at the April blogging challenge - we are blogging from A to Z!

N is for . . .

1. Neighbor

Mr. Rogers always said, "Won't you be my neighbor?"  At our church, we use "Hey Neighbor" often because "who is our neighbor?"  I love when our senior pastor announces the sponsor of the radio broadcast each Sunday and then asks the congregation to say "Hey Neighbor" so that our shut-ins or those listening on Iheart radio will know that they are a part of the day!!

On a more hometown note, we live on a U-shaped street around a park.  Each home has a small courtyard between the houses.  Everyone on our street has a front porch and we can stand on our porches and talk to our neighbors.  We recently had a major hail storm and as soon as it was over, everyone was out on the front porches snapping photos and talking together!

look at that hail!!

rainbow after the storm

2. Nuts

I know some nuts, don't you?  As a matter of fact, I may be one of those nuts!!  I also love most nuts - pecans and almonds and walnuts.  I DETEST cashews.  They make me sick!!!   Do you like nuts?  Favorite?

3. Numbers

I worked for South Central Bell, American Bell, and AT&T (they kept splitting!!) for many years in my first career.  I had an uncanny knack for remembering phone numbers.  I use my cell phone and hands free dialing in the car most of the time now and I don't know anyone's number.  I actually know my best friend's cell number but not her home number.  I can tell you what my childhood phone number was!

4. Naps

Are you a fan of a good nap?  I love a power nap - 20-30 minutes.  I don't like to sleep longer than that because I get really grumpy!!  I love when our grandbaby girl takes a nap on me.  Yesterday she fell asleep in my arms with her head leaning on my cheek!!  I had to gently turn my head so that her little head would roll off onto my shoulder.  She took a nap on me on her birthday!  Look at that birthday tutu!  She was so cute . . .and so tired!!

5.  Nappies

I just finished reading "What Alice Forgot" and they talked about nappies.  It is so interesting to me that we call them diapers (which that word makes no sense either!) and they call them nappies.  I wonder if diapers/nappies are called other things in other parts of the world?

6. Nature

Spring is beautiful here in Alabama but she is killing me with her pollen.  I love all the colors of spring.  This was the altar arrangement at our church yesterday.  Don't the ladies (and a few gentlemen) on our flower committee do an amazing job?  These are not arranged by a florist - they are arranged "in house" by volunteers!!

7. Nervous

Do you get nervous?  I get nervous about some things.  I've been teaching a large adult Sunday school class and facilitating a weekly small group for years.  I still get nervous!!!  I also get really nervous when I have to go sit at a hospital.  Do some things make you nervous?

8.  Nitrous Oxide

Did that throw you?  I asked hubby just now . . ."what word do you first think of when you think of a word that begins with N."  His response was Nitrous Oxide.  I said, "is that happy gas?"  He replied, "yes"!!!  I don't think I would have thought of that word in a million years!!

9. Next

Tomorrow is the letter "O" - I've thought of one "o" word so far (don't go there!!! that is not the word!) but I'll have to see what other words I can think of overnight.  (did you catch that?? Two words that begin with "o")