My Jungle of Life in Oklahoma

Getting closer to Surgery

2026-10-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

A Little Rain, A New Printer & One Day Closer

Hello everyone! It is Wednesday, October 14th, and I am on my way to work on this beautiful, rainy morning.

Well… I say rainy morning, but it actually only rained for about three minutes. 😂 It had just started raining when I left, and I knew we were supposed to get some, but I honestly thought it had gone around us. Other areas of Oklahoma got quite a bit of rain last night. Elk City got around six inches! Meanwhile, we barely got a drop here.

And let me tell you, we need it. We have been so dry for months, so I’ll gladly take whatever rain Mother Nature wants to send our way.

My New Printer Has Been Getting a Workout

As you may remember, I recently ordered myself an HP Smart Tank 6000 series printer, and I have to say… I LOVE IT!

I cannot even tell you how much I have been printing lately.

I’ve been printing stickers that I am fussy cutting, along with all kinds of fun stationery and journal goodies from the Stationery Corner Facebook group I’m in. There are so many talented ladies in that group who generously share their creations, and I am having a blast using them in my journals.

I’ve mainly been using everything I print for my journaling, and I recently started a new journal swap that begins in November. I’ve already started filling in some of the pages and gluing a few things together, so I’ll have plenty of places to use all these fun little stickers and embellishments.

I just ordered a pack of letter-size sticker paper, and I’ve probably already used half of it.

Twenty sheets.

Gone.

😂

No complaints here!

And let me just say… when people tell you that you get what you pay for, sometimes they are absolutely right. I went back and forth about buying a more expensive printer versus buying one of those $40 printers that I like to call a “throwaway printer.”

I decided to spend a little more, and I’m so glad I did.

The print quality is fantastic, and being able to print my own stickers, journal pages, and other crafty things whenever I want has been wonderful.

I’ve been reading reviews about the HP 32-pound paper, too, and apparently the heavier paper can help with ink bleeding through. So I’ll probably be ordering some of that soon.

And then I discovered they even make sticker paper in different colors!

Well, apparently my printer has officially opened the door to a whole new level of crafting. 😂

I’m also hoping that, once I’m feeling better, I can print a couple of pictures I have of Kendall and see how they turn out. I’m curious to see just how good the photo quality is.

One Day Closer to Surgery

And then there is the other thing occupying a pretty big chunk of my brain right now… my surgery.

Unum called me yesterday, and I may have mentioned that in yesterday’s post. The person who will be helping take care of me throughout this journey is April.

She was very nice, and we had a good little conversation. She told me that if I have any questions, I can call her, and of course I can also send questions through my patient portal.

She also mentioned that if I end up needing a hysterectomy, she would be the person working with me through that process as well.

But we’re not going there yet.

For now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the D&C gives us the answers we need, that the test results come back negative for cancer, and that Karen will be good to go.

That’s the plan.

That’s what I’m hoping for.

And I’m choosing to focus on that.

I will admit, I was not expecting my out-of-pocket expense to be around $3,500. That’s a pretty big number to suddenly add to the budget.

But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

At first, I thought maybe I would spread the payments out over a year and a half or even two years. But honestly? I don’t want to do that.

I’d rather tighten up the budget and work really hard to get it paid off in about eight months if I can.

I’d much rather be extra budget-conscious for eight months and get that bill marked PAID than have it hanging over my head for years.

So I may do a little number crunching today and see exactly where I’m at and what I can realistically put toward it.

I originally told the hospital I was probably going to put $300 down, but I’m thinking I may try to put a little more down if I can. Every little bit will help.

A Much Better Wednesday

The good news is that I’m in a much better place mentally today.

Yesterday was just one of those days. I was grumpy, stressed, and probably making myself even more stressed because I was stressed. Does that even make sense?

Sometimes we do that to ourselves.

Today, though, I’m looking at things a little differently.

I just have to get through today.

That’s it.

Get through Wednesday, go home, and then I have several days off to recover.

So far, I think the hardest part of this entire surgery journey has actually been the paperwork, phone calls, figuring everything out, and trying to get all the little details taken care of.

The actual surgery hasn’t even happened yet, and I’ve already completed enough paperwork to qualify for a small degree. 😂

I also called my BFF, Cherrie, yesterday to ask if she had been able to take off work on the 15th for my surgery.

When she started talking, I could tell she hadn’t quite processed that the 15th was basically here.

I had called her Tuesday.

I’m like, “Girl… we have Wednesday and then surgery!”

And she’s like, “Oh my goodness!”

That girl works way too much. She’s working six days a week and doing everything she can to keep her head above water.

My friend Nancy even stated she would take me if needed. But she has her hands completely full with her autistic son Liam.

Thankfully, Mr. C and I had already talked about everything. He told me that as long as my surgery was in Duncan, Oklahoma, he didn’t mind taking me.

So I’ve got that covered.

And now I’m just ready to get through today.

Tomorrow is surgery day.

Today is work day.

And after that, it’s time to rest, recover, and hopefully get some answers.

One day at a time.

That’s all I can do.

And honestly, that’s enough.

Send good vibes and prayers my way!

Karen❤️

Spending The Day At Home

2026-10-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

A Quiet Sunday at Home ☕️❤️

Some Sundays arrive with a full calendar and a long list of places to be. This one arrived quietly—with coffee, a few things to get done, and nowhere else I needed to go. And honestly, with surgery coming up on Thursday, a peaceful day at home with Mr. C. was exactly what I needed.

I didn’t have any big plans on the calendar. No running around, no appointments, no place I had to be. Just hanging out at home with Mr. C. And you know what? Sometimes having no plans are the best plans. I will say that a million times over!

I wanted this Sunday to be a productive-but-relaxed kind of day. I have my upcoming surgery on Thursday, so there are a few things I wanted to get taken care of around the house and a few things I wanted to have checked off my list before then.

First on my list was making my final shopping list for surgery and recovery and getting the things I need ordered from Amazon. I want to be prepared and have everything I might need at the house so I don’t have to worry about it after surgery.

I also wanted to make a grocery list for the things Mr. C. and I might need while I’m recovering. I figure a little planning now will make things much easier later.

Another thing on my Sunday list was playing around with my HP printer and getting a little more familiar with everything it can do. And let me tell you, I am having WAY too much fun with that printer!

I found a wonderful Facebook group called The Stationery Corner, and these ladies are incredibly talented. I have printed off—I couldn’t even tell you how many—sheets of stationery, journal goodies and all kinds of fun things that I can cut out and turn into stickers.

I happened to have some sticker paper left, so I have been cutting things out and decorating my journals. It has been so much fun, and I am really happy with my printer. I can already tell this is going to open up a whole new world of crafting for me!

Of course, there was also laundry. We only had one load that needed to be washed and one load sitting in the dryer, so that wasn’t exactly an overwhelming chore. I figured we could get that done sometime during the day and call it good.

But probably the biggest thing on my Sunday to-do list was finishing up my journal swaps.

I had two journals to finish. One was the September 26th Journal Swap, and the other was Composition Notebook Swap #9.

Now, I have to admit, I made a little discovery with the composition notebooks swap. I originally thought the notebook was just for August. So I made what I thought was a pretty great composition book for August and filled up the pages.

Then I went back and reread the instructions.

Yep.

It was for August AND September. 😂

Since I had already filled the composition notebook, I decided to improvise. I pulled out a little 5x7 journal and filled it with my September entries. It ended up being more of a daily-entry type of journal, and honestly, I think it turned out really cute.

I know Denise D. probably would have been perfectly happy with just the composition notebook, but I wanted to make sure I did my due diligence and gave her something that felt complete.

I’ve swapped journals with Denise through the years, so I know she won’t be disappointed with what I put together for her. And that makes me happy because I really do enjoy creating these little pieces of myself and sending them off to someone else.

So when I look at my Sunday list, it doesn’t seem like I did a whole lot.

But when I actually think about everything I wanted to accomplish, I realize I kept myself pretty busy!

We watched Fire Country and got caught up on that. We watched some football off and on. I played my Cat Sudoku online game, which I find surprisingly relaxing. I worked on my journals, played with my printer, started getting things organized for surgery, and took care of a little laundry.

And honestly?

It was a good Sunday.

Nothing exciting happened. No big adventure. No fancy plans. Just me, Mr. C., the house, my coffee, my crafts, my lists and a whole lot of piddling around.

And sometimes that’s exactly what I need.

I’m trying to remind myself that everything doesn’t have to be an event. Sometimes it’s enough to stay home, work on the things that make you happy, get a few things checked off your list and enjoy a quiet day with someone you love.

So that’s my Sunday.

A little productive.
A little crafty.
A little football.
A little Fire Country.
A little Cat Sudoku.
And a whole lot of staying home and enjoying the day. ❤️

What about you?

Did you have a good Sunday? Did you do something exciting and adventurous, or did you do what I did and just stay home and piddle around the house?

Drop me a note below and let me know where you’re reading my blog from. I always love hearing from you!

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I hope your day brings you a little time to slow down, enjoy the simple things and do something that makes you smile.

Until next time, take care of yourself, enjoy the little moments and remember that a quiet day can still be a very good day.

Cheers,
Karen ❤️🎁

Dirty Soda’s For A Treat

2026-10-08T09:05:20.394-07:00

My Dirty Soda Era Has Begun! 🥤💕

Okay, y’all… I have recently discovered something that apparently has been happening everywhere, and somehow I was late to the party. 😂

Dirty sodas!

I don’t know where I’ve been, but I have discovered that I really like them. There’s just something about taking a regular diet soda, adding a fun flavored syrup, maybe a little cream, and turning it into something that feels like a special treat.

And the best part for me right now is that I already have several syrups sitting at home!

I have chocolate coconut macaroon, salted caramel, caramel pecan, and hazelnut, and I will be adding vanilla syrup to my collection soon. So instead of going out and spending money every time I want one, I’m going to experiment with what I already have in my pantry.

That’s one of the reasons I wanted to write all of these combinations down. I know myself. I’ll make something I absolutely love, and six months from now I’ll be standing in my kitchen thinking, “Now what in the world did I put in that drink?” 😂

So here is my little dirty soda recipe collection for future Karen!

🥤 Diet Coke Creations

Chocolate Coconut Caramel Dream
Diet Coke + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional splash of cream.

Salted Caramel Coke
Diet Coke + salted caramel syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Coke
Diet Coke + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Chocolate Hazelnut Coke
Diet Coke + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + hazelnut syrup + optional cream.

Vanilla Caramel Coke
Diet Coke + vanilla syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional cream.

🍋 Diet Sprite Creations

Salted Caramel Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + vanilla syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional cream.

Coconut Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Cream Sprite
Diet Sprite + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + a splash of cream.

Hazelnut Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + hazelnut syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

🥤 Diet Dr Pepper Creations

Chocolate Coconut Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Salted Caramel Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + salted caramel syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Chocolate Hazelnut Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + hazelnut syrup + optional cream.

And then there’s my Kitchen Sink Dr Pepper… because sometimes you just have to see what happens. 😂

Diet Dr Pepper + a little vanilla + a little salted caramel + a little caramel pecan + maybe some cream.

Who knows? It could be amazing. It could be a disaster. Either way, I’ll have fun finding out!

A Little Treat for Myself ❤️

I think there’s something to be said for treating ourselves every once in a while. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be fancy. And it certainly doesn’t have to be something we do every single day.

Sometimes it’s just a fun drink in a pretty cup.

Since I’m using diet soda, these are a way for me to enjoy a sweet-tasting treat without drinking regular sugary soda. And I can also look for sugar-free syrups when I want to reduce the added sugar even more. Of course, I’ll still check the labels because different syrups can have very different ingredients and nutrition information.

For me, this is really about enjoying the little things.

So today is all about dirty sodas that I plan on making in my future, using what I already have on hand. I have a feeling I’m going to have some winners—and probably a few combinations that make me say, “Well…we won’t be doing THAT again.” 😂

And that’s okay!

Life is about trying new things, finding what makes us happy, and giving ourselves permission to enjoy a little treat along the way.

Now I’ve just got to decide which one I’m going to make first. 🥤💕

Thank you for taking a look at my blog and coming along on all of my little adventures.

Be safe, be well, and cheers!

Karen ❤️

Dilation and Curettage Surgery

2026-10-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

D&C After 50: What Am I Supposed to Expect? 💗

Since my D&C is coming up on October 15th, I have been doing a little research and trying to understand exactly what I should expect. And because I know I’m probably not the only woman who has ever been told, “We need to do a D&C to find out what’s going on,” I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned.

First of all, having a D&C does NOT mean you have cancer.

A D&C, or dilation and curettage, is a procedure where the cervix is opened and tissue is removed from the lining of the uterus. That tissue is then examined under a microscope. One reason doctors perform a D&C is to investigate abnormal bleeding or other changes in the uterus, including checking for conditions such as abnormal or precancerous cells and cancer. (Cancer.gov)

For women who have gone through menopause, unusual vaginal bleeding deserves to be checked out. Endometrial cancer can cause bleeding after menopause, but that symptom can also have other causes. In fact, among women with postmenopausal bleeding, most do not end up being diagnosed with endometrial cancer. (Cancer.gov)

So basically, the D&C is part of the process of getting answers.

What happens during a D&C?

The procedure itself is usually fairly short, although the amount of time you’ll spend at the facility will be longer because of preparation, anesthesia and recovery.

The doctor dilates the cervix and removes tissue from inside the uterus. That tissue goes to a pathologist, who examines it under a microscope. The pathology results are what help determine what is actually going on. (Cancer.gov)

And honestly, I think the waiting for those results may be one of the hardest parts.

What might recovery be like?

Everyone is different, but after a D&C, some women experience cramping and light vaginal bleeding or spotting. You may also feel tired or groggy from anesthesia.

The good news is that a D&C is generally much less involved than a hysterectomy. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal activities, and you’ll want to follow those instructions rather than trying to prove that you’re Superwoman on day two. 😂

For me, I’m planning on giving myself permission to rest.

I’m going to have my bedroom cleaned, fresh sheets on the bed, my chargers nearby, comfortable clothes ready and the things I use most within reach.

I’m also planning some easy meals because nobody wants to come home from surgery and immediately hear, “So…what’s for dinner?” 😂

What should you have at home?

Here are a few things that I’m planning to have ready:

• Comfortable, loose clothing
• Plenty of sanitary pads, since tampons may be restricted during recovery
• Tylenol or Motrin if my doctor says they are safe for me to take
• Kleenex and other bedside necessities
• Phone and tablet chargers
• Earphones
• Easy breakfast and lunch foods
• A few crockpot “dump-and-go” dinners
• Plenty of fluids
• A clean, comfortable place to rest

And probably the most important thing of all…

A little patience with yourself.

What if they do find cancer?

This is the part that can be scary.

A D&C can help provide the tissue needed to determine whether cancer is present. If cancer is found, the next step isn’t necessarily “everything is terrible.” The treatment plan depends on the type and stage of cancer, along with a woman’s overall health and other factors. For endometrial cancer, surgery—including hysterectomy—is a common treatment, and many cases are diagnosed at an early stage. (Cancer.gov)

So for me, I’m trying very hard not to jump ahead.

Right now, I don’t have a cancer diagnosis.

I have a test coming up that is supposed to help my doctors figure out what is happening.

That’s an important difference.

And for all of us women…

If you’re postmenopausal and experiencing unexpected vaginal bleeding, don’t ignore it. Make the appointment. Ask questions. Get the testing your doctor recommends.

It can be scary to hear words like “we need to rule out cancer,” but ruling something out is not the same thing as being diagnosed with it.

That’s something I’m reminding myself of as October 15th gets closer.

I’m nervous. I’m definitely a little scared.

But I’m also getting prepared, asking questions and taking this one step at a time.

And if you’re reading this because you’re facing a D&C too, I hope it helps you feel just a tiny bit more prepared.

We’re going to get through this one step at a time. ❤️

#WomensHealth #DandC #OneDayAtATime

Getting Ready For Surgery

2026-10-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Ramblings: Getting Everything in Order

Okay, everybody… I am really trying to get everything taken care of for my upcoming surgery on October 15th, and let me tell you, there are a LOT of little things that have to be done before you can just show up and have surgery! 😂

I went to work yesterday, and when I was coming back from my 30-minute lunch break, I got a phone call from Dr. McGorn’s office a little after 11:00 a.m. They were letting me know that the paperwork I had turned in wasn’t complete. It didn’t have anywhere for my doctor to sign.

Well, let me just say… I immediately started stressing because I feel like I am running out of time! 😳

So I went over to HR and talked to our scheduling person, Chris, because I swear, I feel like Chris can do pretty much anything. 😂 Unfortunately, he said this was kind of outside his scope. My boss, Sherry, was at lunch, so I went to Shannon, our director, and she said, “You probably need to get back with Christina over at HR in the main office.”

I’m like, “Yes, ma’am. That’s what I’ll do!”

When Sherry got back, I talked to her about it, and she asked me if I had created my UNUM account online.

Ummm… nope. 🤦‍♀️

She explained that THAT was where the problem was. I needed to create the account, and then UNUM would fax the necessary paperwork over to my doctor’s office.

So, that’s pretty much what I focused on for the rest of my workday. I know how important it is to have all of this paperwork in order before my surgery, especially since I will be relying on my UNUM insurance benefits while I’m off work.

Thankfully, I feel like I finally got everything in a good place.

And just to be extra safe, when I got off work I had two printed pages that Sam had given me, just in case the doctor’s office didn’t receive the faxed copies. So I ran those over to Dr. McGorn’s office and dropped them off for Dr. Angie.

One more thing checked off my list! ✔️

After that, I went over to Grandpa Kendall’s to pick up some money for Aaron, but I also stayed and visited with him for a little while.

He’s really not getting up and down anymore and is pretty much immobile. They brought him a hospital bed, and it’s now set up in the living room.

I don’t know… I just hate watching him go downhill so fast. ❤️

I told him what was going on with me and that I was going to have surgery, and he looked at me and said, “My goodness, I guess everybody’s getting down these days.”

I’m like, “Well, hopefully not!” 😂 Hopefully, once I get mine done, I’ll be good to go and back on my feet.

On the way home, I stopped at Taco Mayo and picked up dinner for us. Nearly $30 for fast food! 😳

It absolutely blows my mind how much money we spend on fast food sometimes. But you know what? Sometimes you just have to do what you’ve got to do. When Mr. C isn’t feeling good, picking something up makes things a little easier on him, and sometimes that’s worth it.

And honestly, that’s just the way we do things.

Overall, I felt like yesterday was a pretty good day.

I logged 14 saves at work, which I was really proud of! Although I could already see that four of them didn’t stay on the books, so that was a little disappointing. But in the grand scheme of things, I still had 10 saves that stayed on the books, so I met my daily goal.

I’ll take it! 🙌

So now I’m just continuing to work my way through this list of things that need to be done before October 15th. One day, one phone call, one piece of paperwork at a time.

Hopefully, by the time surgery day gets here, I’ll feel like I’ve got everything under control… or at least as much under control as I possibly can. 😂

I hope that your day is blessed. Be safe and be well.

Cheers,
Karen ❤️

Surgery Journey

2026-10-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

Getting My House—and Myself—Ready for My D&C ❤️

Well, friends, the closer I get to October 15th, the more real this whole surgery thing is starting to feel.

I’ve been trying to get everything in order—my FMLA paperwork, things around the house, and now I’m even thinking about what I might need for the actual recovery.

And if I’m being completely honest…

I’m a little scared.

I’ve heard women talk about their experiences with a D&C, and I’ve heard everything from, “It wasn’t bad at all,” to women saying they had quite a bit of cramping and pain afterward. Since I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel, I decided that instead of worrying about it, I’m going to prepare for it.

So I’m making myself a little D&C Recovery Nest! 😂

I’m thinking about having everything I might need right here at home so I don’t have to worry about running to the store afterward.

Here’s What’s Going on My Recovery Checklist:

Maxi pads.

This one is definitely a must. I’m planning on having plenty of pads on hand because there can be some bleeding or spotting afterward. No need to discover that I forgot them when I’m already home recovering!

A heating pad.

I’m going to have one ready because if I do have those period-like cramps everyone talks about, hopefully a little heat will make me more comfortable.

Comfy pajamas and loose clothes.

This is my excuse to live in pajamas for a few days! I’m going to have some soft, loose clothes and comfortable underwear ready to go.

Easy food.

I’m stocking up on things that don’t require a lot of effort. Crackers, soup, toast, yogurt, applesauce and other easy foods are going to be much better than trying to stand in the kitchen cooking a big meal.

Luckily, I have Mr. C. And we all know he is pretty good about taking care of the cooking department anyway!

Plenty of water and drinks.

I want to make sure I’m staying hydrated, so I’m going to keep a water bottle nearby. I’m thinking my little recovery station will have everything within arm’s reach.

My medications and a thermometer.

I’m going to ask my doctor exactly what I’m allowed to take for pain and have everything ready before surgery. I’m also going to keep a thermometer handy so I can check my temperature if I don’t feel well.

And Then There’s the Cozy Part…

I’m planning on making myself a little recovery spot with extra pillows, blankets, the television remote, my phone charger, my water bottle and probably a few snacks.

Basically, I’m going to make it so I don’t have to get up unless I absolutely want to!

I’m also going to try to get some housework and laundry done before surgery. Not because everything has to be perfect—but because I know myself. If I see a basket of laundry sitting there, I’ll want to do it.

And that’s exactly what I don’t need to be doing.

I’m going to give myself permission to rest.

I’m Also Going to Have Some Help

Mr. C will be around, and I’m very thankful for that.

After anesthesia, I’ll need someone to drive me home, and I’ll want someone around while I’m getting settled. I’m sure he’ll be making sure I have what I need and probably reminding me that I don’t need to be doing housework.

He’s good about that.

What Am I Expecting?

From everything I’ve been told, some cramping and light bleeding or spotting can happen after a D&C. Some women recover very quickly, while others need a few more days before they feel completely normal.

So I’m planning for about three or four slower days, but I’m going to listen to my body instead of putting a deadline on my recovery.

If I feel good, that’s great.

If I need another day in bed, that’s okay, too.

I’m learning that rest isn’t being lazy. Rest is part of healing.

And I’m definitely going to follow the instructions my doctor gives me about when I can return to normal activities, drive, work, use tampons, have sex, take baths and everything else. Everybody’s recovery is different, so I’m not going to compare mine to somebody else’s.

And Then There’s the Part I Don’t Want to Think About…

There are certain symptoms that I won’t ignore.

Heavy bleeding, severe or worsening pain, fever or chills, foul-smelling discharge, fainting or feeling like I’m getting progressively worse are things I’ll contact my doctor about. If something feels seriously wrong, I’ll get help rather than trying to tough it out.

I’m not going into this surgery expecting something bad to happen.

I’m simply going to be prepared.

There’s a difference.

So That’s Where I Am Right Now…

I’m making lists.

I’m getting paperwork done.

I’m getting the house ready.

I’m trying to get my head ready.

And I’m reminding myself that I don’t know what the next few weeks are going to look like yet—and that’s okay.

The D&C is the next step.

We’ll deal with the results when we get them.

And if something more needs to be done after that, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Right now, I’m choosing faith over fear.

I’m going to prepare for my recovery, listen to my doctors, let Mr. C take care of me, and give myself permission to rest.

And maybe I’ll even take advantage of this whole situation and watch a few movies, read a book, work on some crafts and just be still for a little while.

Who knows?

Maybe my body is going to surprise me and I’ll be back on my feet quicker than I think.

But just in case…

The D&C Recovery Nest is officially under construction! 😂❤️

Hey, have a great day, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cheers, Karen ❤️

Monthly Grocery Shopping With Cherrie

2026-10-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday Funday, Good Friends & A Very Successful Grocery Run

Here it is already Sunday evening, and what a blessed day I had! ❤️

My BFF, Cherrie, and I left my house around 9:30 this morning and headed to Norman, Oklahoma, for a little Sunday Funday.

Our first stop was Ollie’s, because Cherrie had to get her usual, of course! 😂 I also knew I could find some of the groceries I needed there for a little less than I would pay at Crest. Their trash bags are also cheaper than what I normally pay, so I decided to pick up a few things for the house.

I ended up spending right at $50 from our grocery budget on things we needed. Then I spent another $50 on things that I wanted. And, of course, I managed to pick up a few Christmas gifts while I was there, too!

One of the things I bought was a cute autumn gnome for my friend Nancy. I thought it would be perfect for her because she has a whole collection of gnomes. A while back, when she went to a book fair, she picked up some things that she thought I would like, so I wanted to return the favor.

Not because I felt obligated to—but because I know how much she loves her gnomes. ❤️

One thing I absolutely love about Nancy is how whimsical she is. She reminds me of a modern-day witchy, hippie gal, and honestly, that has always been her vibe.

I’ve known Nancy my entire life. Our grandparents were friends, our moms were friends, and then we became friends. So we’ve basically been connected through generations.

And that got me thinking…

I love that Nancy has such a distinct personality and vibe. You know exactly who she is when you see the things she loves.

I sometimes wonder what my thing is.

I’m usually very caring and empathetic, and I care deeply about the people around me and what they think. But I don’t know that I necessarily have that one little niche where someone would say, “Oh yeah…that’s definitely Karen.”

Maybe that’s something I need to figure out. 🤷‍♀️

Anyway…that was my little side quest for the day! 😂

After Ollie’s, Cherrie and I headed over to Rosa Mexcal for lunch. I’ve been there several times, and I’ve always had a good experience. The food is good, the staff is friendly, the service is fast, and the prices are pretty reasonable.

I was really hungry, so I ordered the Chipotle Enchiladas for $13.99 and a glass of water with lemon.

The enchiladas were two corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and topped with sour cream, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce. They came with rice and beans.

And let me tell you…they were really good!

I had originally told Cherrie that I wanted street tacos, but we ended up with the brunch menu, and the street tacos weren’t on it. So I missed out on those this time.

But you know what?

Sometimes trying something new isn’t a bad thing.

I probably wouldn’t have ordered the enchiladas if I hadn’t been looking for something else, but I ended up really liking them and would definitely order them again.

Sometimes getting pushed just a little bit outside of our comfort zone is a good thing. You never know when you might discover a new favorite!

After lunch, we headed over to Michael’s.

I’ve decided that I want to make myself a little October journal this month. Not a journal for Swap-Bot. Not something I’m making for someone else. Just a little journal that’s completely for me.

I wanted to find some Halloween-themed die cuts and a fun scrapbook paper pack with fall and Halloween designs. I want this journal to be cute and festive, and I’m really excited about putting it together.

Now…whether I can actually stay focused long enough to finish it is another story! 😂

I have absolutely no problem staying intentional when I’m working on my Swap-Bot journal swaps. But when it comes to making a journal for myself, I tend to wander off somewhere along the way and never finish it.

I’m not sure why I do that!

So, I’m going to try really hard to stay intentional about this one. Maybe this will be the month I actually finish a journal just for myself.

After Michael’s, we headed over to Crest.

And this is where I have to give myself a little pat on the back.

I was in Crest for one hour and 35 minutes.

Now, that might not sound impressive to everyone, but trust me—it is for me! 😂

Usually, I’m in there for two to two and a half hours trying to get everything on my grocery list.

Our grocery budget for mine and Mr. C’s groceries was $350. Since I’d already spent $50 at Ollie’s on groceries, that left me with roughly $300 to spend at Crest.

And I stayed on task!

I was really proud of myself.

While I was shopping, Mr. C called and let me know that I needed to pick up a few groceries for Brody and Savannah, too. So I wrote everything down to make sure I didn’t forget anything they needed for their house.

List in hand, budget in mind, and I managed to get it all done.

I’d call that a successful grocery trip!

Once we checked out, we had to make our usual stop at OnCue for our Diet Cokes. I really like the OnCue we go to in Norman. There’s just something about grabbing that Diet Coke on the way home that makes the day feel complete. 😂

Then we headed toward home.

But we weren’t quite finished yet!

On our way back, we stopped in Chickasha at Aldi’s because I wanted to pick up a few fresh things—grapes, cantaloupe chunks, pineapple spears, and some potato salad.

And then, because Mr. C needed dinner, we swung through the Burger King drive-through and picked up his dinner.

We finally made it home before 4:00 p.m., which was actually a really good time.

That gave Cherrie plenty of time to get home, take care of her animals, and get everything she needed to do done before starting another work week.

And me?

I got to spend the day with my BFF, get some shopping done, find some Christmas gifts, stay within my grocery budget, eat a really good lunch, get supplies for my October journal, and come home at a decent time.

I’d say that’s a pretty darn good Sunday!

I would honestly rate this weekend a 10 out of 10. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I got to spend time with Brenda and Cherrie, do some shopping, find some bargains, pick up groceries, get a few Christmas gifts, and just enjoy being out and about.

Sometimes you don’t need some big elaborate adventure.

Sometimes a day spent with a good friend, a little shopping, good food, a Diet Coke, and getting everything accomplished on your list is exactly what you need.

Today was definitely one of those days.

And now I’m home, the groceries are put away, and I’m ready to settle in and enjoy the rest of my Sunday evening.

Here’s to good friends, little adventures, staying on budget, trying new things, and finding a little joy in the ordinary. ❤️

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Cheers,
Karen 🥂

Oklahoma State Fair

2026-09-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

A Sunday at the Oklahoma State Fair 🎡🐴

Hello everyone!

I am so blessed for the weekend that we had, and Sunday turned out to be a pretty good day too!

Cherrie and I left my house around 9:30 Sunday morning and headed up to Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma State Fair. We got there around 10:30, and I paid $15 for parking, which I honestly think was well worth it. We parked at Gate 9, so it was pretty easy in and easy out, and it was also really close to the exhibits I wanted to see and the horse barns.

Once we got inside, we walked around a little bit and checked out some of the concession stands. We didn’t make it over to the midway or the games, but honestly, neither one of us was really interested in that anyway.

The part I really wanted to see was the building with all of the arts, crafts, and other entries from people all over Oklahoma. I wanted to see who won the blue ribbons and what everyone had made and entered into the fair.

And let me tell you—it was AMAZING!

I took lots of pictures, and seeing all of the things people had made actually got me thinking that maybe I should make something and enter it into the fair next year. How cool would that be? I think that would be a fun little challenge for me!

We also went through the 4-H building and looked at all of their contributions and the different exhibits they had. We didn’t stay a really long time, but we stayed long enough that I was happy with everything I wanted to see, and Sherrie was happy too.

Now, Cherrie probably could have stayed and walked around a whole lot longer than I could have. She is definitely in much better shape than I am! 😂 But I kept telling her, “I can still go! I can make it! Let’s go!”

And then she finally said, “No, I’m kind of done.”

Well, okay then! 😂

We headed out and started thinking about where we wanted to eat. We were leaning toward barbecue, but I had already mentioned that I was going to call in an order from Interurban in Chickasha and pick up Mr. C a chicken-fried steak with a loaded potato for his dinner.

Cherrie said, “Why don’t we just drive down to Chickasha and eat at Interurban?”

And I thought, well, that sounds like a pretty good idea!

She really likes their Chelsea’s Chicken salad, so that’s what she ordered. I decided on half of a club sandwich with a loaded potato. I knew I was going to eat my sandwich there, wrap up my potato, and take it home for another meal—and that’s exactly what I did.

Of course, I also ordered chips and their Blanca queso because their queso is the BEST. Hands down. I even had some leftover to bring home with me. And yes, I was perfectly happy about that! 😂

After we ate, we picked up Mr. C’s dinner and then stopped at Aldi’s. I needed to pick up a few things for my lunches at work this week, and I only spent about $30.

I got some basic things—crackers, chicken breast, cheese, pepper jack cheese, an iced coffee in a carton, and even some watermelon spears.

And let me tell you about those watermelon spears!

I had a couple of them last night, and they were SO good. I honestly wish I would have bought a couple of containers because they were delicious. Plus, I know I need to get more fruit into my diet, so having something like watermelon around for a snack is a pretty good idea.

We got home sometime before 3:00, so it really wasn’t a terribly long day. We got to go to the fair, see the things we wanted to see, eat a good meal, make a quick Aldi’s run, and still get home at a decent time.

Once I got home, I spent some time working in my journal. I did three pages of entries because, as always, I am a little behind. 😂 But three pages is a good start, and it felt good to get back into it and get myself moving in the right direction.

After that, I got ready for bed and settled in to watch some Netflix. I’ve been watching Glow Up, and I have really been enjoying it. I’m going to be sad when I get through all of the episodes!

And that, my friends, was pretty much my entire Sunday.

Nothing too crazy. Nothing too fancy. Just a good day with a good friend, a little time at the fair, good food, a little shopping, some journaling, and a quiet evening at home.

Sometimes those are the best kinds of days.

Thank you all for stopping by my blog! If you would leave me a quick thumbs up to let me know you came by and saw me, I would really appreciate it. Or drop a comment down below—I would love to hear from you!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Cheers,

Karen❤️

Enjoying Life Filled With Blessings

2026-09-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

💕 Midweek Blessings, Thoughtful Gifts & Things to Look Forward To

Sometimes you just have one of those weeks where you stop for a minute and realize, I am really blessed. And honestly, that is exactly where I am this week.

There have been little surprises, thoughtful gifts, good friends, family time, work wins, and a few things on the calendar that I am really looking forward to. So I thought it was time for a little midweek check-in!

🎁 Gifts That Were Made With Love

When I went to our company picnic in Ada this past Saturday, my cousin Dakota’s wife, Whitney, had some late birthday gifts waiting for me. And let me tell you, she knows me!

First of all, she got me a pink Starbucks cup. Everybody knows I love my cups and tumblers. I don’t care how many I already have—there is always room for another one! 😂

But she didn’t stop there.

She used her 3D printer to make me some adorable little fidget toys. There was a crab, some turtles, and several other cute little things. She also gave me an envelope filled with assorted papers that I can use in my journals, and she crocheted me a composition notebook cover for one of my journals.

Every single thing was so thoughtful, and knowing that she made some of these things herself made them even more special.

I just felt so loved and thought of.

I still need to get Whitney her late birthday gift, too. I had every intention of taking it to the picnic, and then somehow I managed to completely forget it at home. 🤦‍♀️ So, Whitney, your gift is coming! I promise!

📚 Then Nancy Spoiled Me, Too!

Monday brought another little dose of happiness.

I went over to my friend Nancy’s house, and Nancy and I go way back. We are childhood friends, our parents were friends, and I believe even our grandparents knew each other. So when I say there is a long history between our families, I mean it.

Nancy had recently been to the Frivious store in Duncan, where they were having a book fair, and she picked up some of the cutest things for me.

She got me bookmarks, postcards, lots of stickers, and the cutest little ghost journal!

That little ghost journal is going to become my October journal, and I am already excited about it. 👻📖

Of course, she knows my love of all things crafty and stationery, so every single thing she picked out was right up my alley.

And I know it’s not really about the gifts.

It’s about being thought of.

There is just something special about someone seeing something and thinking, “Karen would love this.”

When someone knows your personality, your interests, your aesthetic, and the little things that make you happy—and then takes the time to pick something out for you—it really does bring me joy.

I feel very blessed to have people in my life who know me that well.

💻 Work Has Been Pretty Decent

Work has been going pretty well, too.

Tuesday wasn’t exactly my best day. I left with seven saves, and when I’m working toward a goal of 11 or 12 a day, seven just didn’t feel like enough.

So Wednesday became my “okay, let’s make up for Tuesday” day!

And when I left work today, I had 13 saves!

That definitely made me feel better. 😊

I’m just trying to do the very best I can, one call at a time, and help as many members as I can understand the value of having LegalShield.

Some days are easier than others, but I’m continuing to show up and do what I can. That’s really all any of us can do.

🥳 Birthday Celebrations Are Coming!

Friday after work, I’m planning to swing by and pick up Mr. C, and then we’re supposed to head to Oklahoma City to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Savannah’s 32nd birthday!

I’m really looking forward to it.

And, of course, I’m hoping Mr. C feels up to going. I wouldn’t want to go by myself. After all, Savannah is Brody’s wife, and family celebrations are always more fun when we can all be together.

So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Friday works out exactly as planned!

🌳 A Little Family History Project

Saturday, I have tentative plans to head over to Lawton to see my cousin Sissy.

Sissy is 82 years old, and she has a lot of our family-tree information. I would really like to spend some time with her and take pictures of the information she has, especially since I’ve been working on our family history and genealogy project.

And let me tell you—our family tree is BIG.

When your grandparents had nine children, and then all those aunts and uncles started having children of their own, things can get complicated pretty quickly!

There are names, dates, marriages, children, siblings, and generations upon generations to keep track of. Sometimes I look at it all and think, Am I ever going to finish this? 😂

But the good thing is, I don’t have to.

This isn’t a race.

It’s a project I can work on a little at a time, and honestly, I think that’s part of what makes it enjoyable. Every little piece I discover gives me another connection to the people who came before me.

🎡 And Then There’s Sunday!

Sunday is another day I’m really looking forward to because my friend Cherrie and I are planning to go to the Oklahoma State Fair!

It will be the final day of the fair, and I really want to go see some of the exhibits.

I don’t necessarily need to spend the entire day there. I don’t even need to do everything. Sometimes it’s nice just to walk around, look at a few things, enjoy the atmosphere, and make some memories.

So we’ll see what Sunday brings!

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out.

❤️ Counting My Blessings

When I stop and look at everything happening this week, I realize there is a lot to be thankful for.

Thoughtful gifts from Whitney.

A sweet surprise from Nancy.

Friends I’ve known for decades.

Family birthdays to celebrate.

A genealogy project that connects me to generations before me.

A few good workdays.

Plans with people I love.

And, of course, my sweet Mr. C by my side.

Life isn’t perfect. Some days are harder than others, and some days don’t go according to plan.

But there are so many little moments that remind me how incredibly blessed I am.

Sometimes we just have to slow down long enough to notice them.

And this week, I’m definitely noticing. ❤️

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet and spending a few minutes with me.

If you have a minute, leave me a comment and tell me where you’re reading from! I always love knowing where my blog friends are checking in from.

Until next time, keep looking for those little blessings. They really are everywhere. 💕

Life at Home

2026-09-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

A Lazy Sunday That Turned Out Just Right 🏡📺❤️

Sunday, September 20th

Sometimes you just know when you need a lazy day at home.

Today was one of those days.

I had already made up my mind that Sunday was going to be an easy, stay-at-home kind of day with my sweet husband, Mr. C. After talking to my BFF, Cherrie, I was even more convinced. She was planning on staying home, doing some cleaning around the house, and watching scary movies because she had heard we were supposed to get some storms.

So I thought, you know what? I’m doing the same thing!

I had a couple of journals I needed to work on for a Swap-Bot swap, and I had been wanting to make a pineapple pie recipe I’d seen on Facebook. I also had a few little housekeeping chores that needed to be done. Nothing major—just the normal things that seem to magically appear no matter how often you clean!

I was perfectly content with my plan.

Then, at about 11:00 that morning, my phone rang.

It was Cherrie.

“Hey! I just saw that it’s not really going to storm. Do you want to go to the store with me? Maybe go to Ringling Oklahoma to Lori’s Bin?”

Now, I’m always up for an adventure, but I had to ask the important question:

“How long are you talking?”

She started adding it all up and said, “Well, we’ll probably be gone about five hours.”

Five hours?! 😂

I thought about it for a second and said, “Nope. I really do want to stay home.”

I had told her earlier that if she changed her mind and decided to go somewhere, she could call me. But by this point, I had officially entered Do Not Disturb: Homebody Edition.

I just wanted to relax, watch television with my husband, and enjoy a day where I wasn’t rushing around somewhere.

Cherrie completely understood, which made me feel better about my decision.

Of course, Mr. C looked at me like, “Why didn’t you go with her?”

And I told him, “Because I’m not feeling it! I want to be home.”

And honestly, I was.

Sometimes you just have to listen to yourself when your body and your brain are both saying, STAY HOME.

So that’s exactly what I did.

We had a new series we wanted to watch called Neagley, which is a spinoff from Reacher. And let me tell you—we didn’t just watch an episode or two.

We binge-watched the entire season! 😂

And it was really good. It was exactly the kind of thing we needed for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Of course, we couldn’t spend the entire day sitting on the couch. We did manage to get a few things done around the house, too.

We did laundry, emptied the trash, wiped down the counters, and straightened up a few things. Thankfully, our house never gets completely out of control, but sometimes you just have to stop and reset everything.

So we did a little housework, then watched some more Neagley.

In between episodes, we kept up with the football game to see how that was going. And, naturally, we had to keep an eye on the weather and check the news.

Because apparently, even on a lazy Sunday, you still have to know what’s happening in the world! 😂

All in all, it turned out to be a really good day.

It wasn’t exciting.

It wasn’t packed full of plans.

We didn’t go shopping.

We didn’t go on a road trip.

We didn’t even leave the house.

And you know what?

It was perfect.

Sometimes the best days are the ones where you get to stay home, get a few things accomplished, watch something good on television, laugh with the person you love, and just enjoy being together.

Today was busy enough to feel productive but lazy enough to feel like a Sunday.

And honestly, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Here’s to more slow Sundays, comfortable clothes, good television, clean counters, football, and lots of laughter with Mr. C.❤️

Company Picnic 2026

2026-09-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Dinosaurs, Funnel Cake & Finally Finding Yoda! 🦖🍓💚

Saturday was company picnic day, and this year we were headed to Ada, Oklahoma, to Cornerstone Ranch for our annual company-wide picnic.

I told Mindy I would pick her up at 8:00 that morning at our parking lot in Duncan. From there, we picked up Sheila and headed out for a day of food, music, coworkers, and whatever adventures we could find along the way.

Of course, no road trip with these two girls would be complete without a few stops. I knew I needed gas because somehow I had only half a tank, so Ratliff City was our first stop. That worked out perfectly because the girls could use the restroom, grab any snacks or drinks they wanted, and I could fill up the car.

And, naturally, I had to make my Seven Brew stop for a frozen iced coffee. Priorities, people. 😂

We eventually made our way toward Ada, and once we got closer, we stopped at another convenience store. Same song and dance—restroom, drinks, and the girls getting their smoke break while I waited patiently.

But this stop turned out to be more entertaining than usual.

Sheila suddenly wanted to take a picture with the dinosaurs!

Now, here’s a fun fact I apparently did NOT know about Sheila: she loves dinosaurs! 🦖

She told me she had wanted to take a picture with them but didn’t want to ask.

I said, “Girl, let’s do it!”

So she got her dinosaur picture, and naturally, I joined in because why not? They also had a really cool lifelike horse with a cowboy sculpture, so we took a couple pictures with that too.

Mindy decided not to participate. I wish she would have joined us, but I don’t think she’s much of a picture person. That’s okay—we’ll just have to keep working on her. 😂

Finally, we arrived at Cornerstone Ranch.

Usually, we are some of the first people there, but apparently we were running a little behind this year because the parking lot was already filling up. We went inside and immediately saw Deanna, Shelby and Aubrey, so we stopped to say hello. We also saw Sherry and Danny, who were sitting at our usual table—the first table you see when you come in from outside.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room for all of us, so we ended up finding another table on the other side of the building. We wound up sitting with some of our coworkers from Ada, which was actually kind of nice.

Sometimes you have to shake things up a little!

We visited for a while and eventually made our way over to the food trucks. I decided to get a to-go box and grabbed myself some white pasta. And when I say they gave me a BIG helping, I mean they gave me enough pasta to feed a small army! 😂

I also picked up a little sandwich and a bag of chips because I already knew I wanted to take some food home.

And then there was the strawberry funnel cake.

Y’all know I had to have one.

I actually asked the lady at the food truck if there was any way she could make me a smaller funnel cake because I knew I wasn’t going to eat a whole giant one.

She said, “It don’t matter. You’re not paying for it.”

I said, “Well, no, but I’m not going to eat it all!”

She explained that they only make one size.

So I said, “Okay, fine!”

And yes, it was HUGE. 😂

I ate about four bites and that was it. I felt a little guilty about wasting food because I really had tried to get a smaller one. But I have to say, those four bites were GOOD!

Strawberry funnel cake is definitely my favorite, hands down. Especially when it’s hot outside. There’s just something about strawberries, funnel cake and powdered sugar that screams summer.

I also knew I wanted to bring home some street tacos, so when Sheila went over to the taco truck, I asked her if she would bring me some back.

Thankfully, I had planned ahead.

I brought our Yeti cooler with me and filled it with ice before we left. Once I got my street tacos, I put those in the cooler along with my little sandwich and the rest of my pasta.

I was NOT about to spend my Saturday at a company picnic only to spend Sunday with food poisoning because I left food sitting outside in the heat. Nope. Not happening! 😂

We stayed at the picnic until around 1:00. We listened to the live music, visited with people, and enjoyed the day. The band was called Conflict of Interest, and it gave us some entertainment while we hung out.

To be honest, we spent most of our time inside the air-conditioned building. Other than walking out to the food trucks, we weren’t exactly trying to roast ourselves in the Oklahoma heat.

After we left, we stopped outside Ada to use the restroom, and then I had another idea.

I asked the girls if they would mind riding around with me to see if I could find some murals I hadn’t photographed last year.

And guess what?

I FINALLY FOUND THE YODA MURAL! 🎉

I have been wanting to get a picture of that mural for YEARS, and I finally did it!

That honestly made me pretty happy. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a day.

Eventually, we headed back home, and I dropped Mindy and Sheila off before making my way home. By the time I walked through my own front door, it was around 4:30.

Of course, I couldn’t come home empty-handed for Mr. C, so I stopped and picked him up some Little Caesars pizza and breadsticks for dinner.

Because that’s what you do when you’ve been gone all day—you come home with pizza. 😂🍕

Looking back, it really was a good day. I enjoyed spending time with Sheila and Mindy, and I got to visit with some other coworkers too. We laughed, ate, listened to music, took some silly pictures, and I finally got my Yoda mural.

Do I think I need to go to the company picnic every single year from now until the end of time?

Well…

Let’s just say I wouldn’t be heartbroken if I missed one. 😂

It seems like every year is pretty much the same thing—food trucks, music, visiting with a few people, and trying not to melt in the Oklahoma heat. And while I enjoy seeing everyone, I don’t really spend enough time visiting with the other employees to make the long drive feel like a must-do every year.

But maybe that’s okay.

Not every tradition has to last forever. Sometimes it’s enough to enjoy it while you’re there, make a few memories, take a ridiculous picture with a dinosaur, eat four bites of funnel cake, finally find Yoda, and head home.

And that’s exactly what I did.

A pretty good Saturday, if you ask me. ❤️

Friday Is here!

2026-09-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Friday Thoughts: Choosing What Matters ❤️

I am SO glad today is Friday!

You know, every day should be special, but let’s be honest—some days are just better than others. And today, Friday, is definitely one of those days! I am ready for the weekend, and I already have plans that I’m really looking forward to.

Tomorrow Is Work Picnic Day! 🎉

Tomorrow morning, I will be picking up my coworkers and friends, Mindy and Sheila, and we will be heading to Ada, Oklahoma, for our annual work picnic at Cornerstone Ranch.

We’ve been doing this for several years now, and it really is such a fun day. It is one of those events where there is something for pretty much everybody.

They have a petting zoo, hayrides, a zip line, bouncy houses, a little go-kart track for the kids, bingo, and a live band. And then there are the food trucks!

We normally have around seven food trucks there, and the best part? We get to eat from them for FREE! Now that’s my kind of picnic!

There is one food truck in particular that I am really excited about this year. It is the Italian food truck that serves pasta and meatballs inside a cone. Yes, you read that right—a cone full of pasta and meatballs!

I have never tried it, but Shelby absolutely loved it the year before last. Last year the food truck wasn’t there, but this year it has made its return. I think I’m finally going to give it a try!

I am picking Mindy up at LegalShield at 8:00 a.m., and then we’ll swing by Sheila’s house and pick her up.

Sheila has been having some trouble with her car not wanting to start. Apparently, she has been having to get someone to jump-start it almost every day when she leaves work.

Now, I have to admit, I think that’s pretty brave! 😂 If I thought my car might decide not to start and leave me stranded somewhere, I’m not sure I’d be driving it every day. But I guess we all have different levels of faith in our vehicles!

Hopefully she gets that figured out soon.

Feeling Better

I’m also happy to say that I am feeling much better today.

Yesterday was a rough day at work. I just wasn’t feeling good, and it definitely showed in my numbers. I only had four saves, which is pretty horrible compared to what I normally try to accomplish.

But yesterday was also a little unusual because we had an all-hands meeting from 2:00 until 3:30. That’s an hour and a half that we weren’t on the phones.

So honestly, I’m not sure yesterday’s numbers would have been much different anyway.

Today I’m hoping to come in feeling better, start strong, and get some much-needed saves. Every save counts, especially when you’re working toward that paycheck!

One call at a time. That’s what I’m going with today.

A Little Walmart Pickup… That Turned Into Dinner Plans 😂

I placed a Walmart pickup order for this afternoon, and originally I was only going to get a few things.

We needed milk, chocolate syrup, instant mashed potatoes, and some drinks for the house. I figured I’d make a small $35-ish order and be done with it.

Well…we all know how that goes.

Somehow, I ended up adding ingredients for chicken fajitas!

We haven’t had fajitas at home in forever, so now I’m really looking forward to making them. I’m hoping I can make them tomorrow night, but if I’m too tired after the picnic, they’ll just become Sunday’s dinner.

Either way, fajitas are happening!

And then I started thinking about dessert.

There is this no-bake pie called Impossible Pie that I’ve been seeing on Facebook. It only takes four ingredients: crushed pineapple, Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, and a graham cracker crust.

You basically fold everything together, put it into the crust, and let it chill.

Easy. No baking. Four ingredients.

And I think Luther would really like it!

Of course, I realized AFTER I placed my Walmart order that I hadn’t actually added the ingredients for the pie. 🤦‍♀️

Luckily, I still have a few hours to add things to my pickup order, so I may just go back and get them.

Because if I’m going to make chicken fajitas, I might as well have pie too!

That’s just good planning. 😂

Just Being Me at 59

So that’s what’s going on around here this Friday morning.

Nothing earth-shattering. No huge announcements. Just everyday life.

And honestly, that’s what this blog is about.

Thank you for stopping by and spending a little bit of your day with me. I know sometimes my posts aren’t exactly filled with exciting adventures, but this is me.

This is my life at 59 years old.

I’m still working. I’m still figuring things out. I’m still making plans, changing plans, laughing at myself, worrying about things I probably shouldn’t worry about, and getting excited over a food truck that puts pasta and meatballs in a cone. 😂

But I’m also trying to make each day count.

I’m trying to be more intentional about how I spend my time, how I feel, what I do, and how willing I am to push myself outside of my normal routine.

Sometimes being intentional doesn’t mean doing something huge.

Sometimes it means choosing the work picnic because you want to spend time with people you don’t normally see.

Sometimes it means making homemade fajitas because you haven’t had them in forever.

Sometimes it means making a four-ingredient pie because you think your husband will enjoy it.

And sometimes it simply means getting out of bed, going to work, doing your best, and being grateful that you’re feeling better today than you did yesterday.

Life doesn’t have to be extraordinary every single day to be meaningful.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the day special.

And today, I’m choosing to notice those little things.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. ❤️

Here’s to Friday, a fun weekend, good food, good friends, and making the most of whatever life puts in front of us!

Left work with a migraine

2026-09-18T03:25:24.300-07:00

Sometimes a Sick Day Is Just a Sick Day 🤢💤

Well, here it is Wednesday evening, and I hate to admit it, but today was not my day.

I went to work this morning, pulled up all my programs at my cubicle, and honestly thought, Nope. Not doing it.

I had a migraine. I was nauseated. I felt absolutely miserable, and I literally could not function.

Now, when you work in a call center, they definitely frown on you not being there for your scheduled shift. I know that. So even though I was already sitting at my desk, I finally called the attendance line, gave them my information, and told them I wasn’t going to be able to work.

Then I called Sherry.

I could tell by the tone of her voice that she wasn’t exactly thrilled. And honestly, I understand. But there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I wasn’t going to be any good to anybody sitting there feeling like I was going to be sick at any moment.

So… I went home.

And let me tell you, getting home wasn’t exactly a smooth ride either.

I was dry heaving as I walked out to my vehicle. Once I got in, I remember thinking that I might have to pull over a couple of times on the way home. It’s about a 30-minute drive from work to the house, and those 30 minutes felt like a whole lot longer.

Thankfully, I made it home.

I walked through the door and told Mr. C, “I’m going to lay down. Can you get me a Sprite?”

And that’s exactly what I did.

I took my anti-nausea medicine and crawled into bed. From about 7:40 that morning until a little after 9:30, I was completely out.

And apparently, I wasn’t answering my phone either.

Mr. C had gone over to Brody’s for a while. He texted me a couple of times, but I never answered because I was sound asleep. Eventually, he called to make sure I was okay since I wasn’t responding.

I told him to stay there as long as he wanted. There wasn’t anything he could do for me at home anyway.

He eventually came back sometime around three, although honestly, I wasn’t paying much attention to the clock. I finally got myself up, we had something to eat, and I settled onto the couch for the rest of the evening.

I even managed to take a shower.

And you know how when you’re sick for a while, sometimes you just feel… sick? There’s a certain smell you can smell on yourself, and I could smell it.

I finally said, “I’ve got to take a shower.”

So I did.

Mr. C kept telling me, “You’re not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

I told him that considering how bad I had felt all day, I was pretty sure sleep wasn’t going to be my biggest problem!

Looking back, I know I’ve been sick off and on for about the last year and a half. I’ve tried blaming some of it on my medications. I’ve wondered if it’s just stress or life catching up with me. And honestly, I don’t really know.

Maybe some of it is simply getting older.

I don’t have the answer.

What I do know is that today, my body said, “Nope. We’re done.”

And as frustrating as that is, I had to listen.

I hate that I missed work. I hate that I missed the opportunity to make my sales yesterday and keep working toward my goals. I hate feeling like I’m letting people down when I have to call in.

But sometimes you just can’t push through.

Today was one of those days.

A sick day isn’t fun. There is nothing glamorous about migraines, nausea, dry heaving, sleeping half the day away, and forcing yourself into the shower because you don’t even feel like yourself anymore.

But sometimes the best thing you can do is stop, go home, crawl into bed, and let your body rest.

Tomorrow is another day.

And hopefully, a much better one. ❤️

Movie Night to see Practical Magic 2!

2026-09-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

✨ A Little Practical Magic on a Tuesday Night

This week is going by fairly fast, and I’m not complaining one bit! Before I know it, it’ll be Friday again, and you all know how I feel about Fridays. 😂

Yesterday was a little different from my normal workweek routine because I had plans with my friend Nancy. We had decided we were going to go see Practical Magic 2, and I was really looking forward to it. I hadn’t watched any trailers and honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect. Sometimes I think that’s the best way to see a movie—you don’t have somebody else’s opinion sitting in your head before the opening credits even roll.

After work, I headed over to my nail place, Uptown Nails with John, only to discover that I had completely forgotten he is closed on Tuesdays. Of course, I pull up, don’t see the OPEN sign, and immediately think, “Oh, yes… that’s right.” 😂

Since I was already out and had something else I needed to do, I called Michelle. I had ordered a fundraiser item from Angel and was going to give her the money, but they were at Walmart clothes shopping. I didn’t really want to go wandering through Walmart just to hand over some money, so I decided I’d catch up with them another time.

And then my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t eaten.

So I stopped at Arby’s and got a ham slider, a small Coke and a small fry. Nothing fancy—just enough to keep me from sitting in a movie theater starving to death. Because let’s be honest, going to the movies hungry is a rookie mistake. 😂

Instead of sitting in the parking lot with the car running, I found a nice shaded spot over by Ross department store, turned the car off, rolled down the windows and sat there eating my little Arby’s meal. Now, it was 103 degrees outside, but there was actually a nice breeze blowing through the car. For a few minutes, I just sat there and enjoyed it.

Sometimes it’s the simplest little moments that are surprisingly relaxing.

I made my way over to Nancy’s around 5:00. She had been gone most of the day because she had a breast biopsy, and when I got there she was busy fluttering around trying to catch up on everything she hadn’t been able to do while she was gone. We visited for a little bit, then headed out for our movie night.

We got to the Palace Twin Theater in Duncan around 6:15.

Now here’s where our luck—or lack thereof—comes in.

The theater was giving free admission to the first 40 people through the doors.

Guess who was numbers 41 and 42?

Yep.

Of course we were. 😂😂

I mean, seriously. We were two people too late! But honestly, the admission was still less than $5 each, so I wasn’t going to complain. That’s a pretty inexpensive night out these days.

Then we hit the concession stand, because apparently a ham slider at 5:00 wasn’t enough to keep me away from movie theater popcorn.

I got a small popcorn and a large drink, and the whole thing was right around $11. Again, I thought that was pretty reasonable. I remember when you could get movie snacks for practically nothing, but these days I’ll take an $11 popcorn-and-drink combo and call it a win. 😂

And then the movie started.

🎬 So, What Did I Think of

Practical Magic 2

I actually really enjoyed it!

The original Practical Magic came out in 1998 and eventually developed a pretty devoted following, even though it wasn’t initially the big hit that it became over the years. The sequel brings Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman back as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, along with some familiar faces, while bringing the younger generation of the Owens family into the story.

The new movie picks up nearly three decades after the original and continues the story of the Owens family and their complicated magical legacy. This time, Sally’s daughters become much more involved, and the family curse once again becomes a big part of the story.

But honestly, I wasn’t sitting there analyzing the storyline or wondering whether it was going to win an Oscar.

I was there to have fun.

And I did.

Sandra Bullock has always been one of my favorites, so seeing her back as Sally was a big part of the fun for me. And Nicole Kidman? I really enjoy watching what she has been doing these days, too. Seeing the two of them together again brought back that familiar sisterly chemistry that made the original so memorable.

And if you’re a fan of the first movie, there are plenty of little nostalgic touches that make this feel like a return to that world rather than just a completely unrelated movie with the same name.

I won’t give away the movie because I know some of you may want to see it yourselves.

But I will say this:

I thought it was good.

And sometimes that’s all I need from a movie.

Give me a fun story, actors I enjoy, a little nostalgia, some magic, a few laughs and a friend sitting beside me, and I’m happy.

☕ A Little Midweek Fun

Nancy and I don’t get to do things together nearly as often as I’d like. Life gets busy. Work gets in the way. Family gets in the way. Appointments, errands, chores, and all those other things that seem to fill up our calendars happen.

That’s one thing I’m realizing more and more as I get older.

I want to make more time for my friends.

Not just say, “We need to get together sometime.”

Actually get together.

Go to a movie.

Grab dinner.

Take a little road trip.

Sit somewhere and drink coffee.

Laugh about absolutely nothing.

Those are the moments I want more of.

I dropped Nancy back off after the movie and made it home around 9:30. Now, you’d think I would have walked through the door and immediately gone to bed since I knew my alarm was going off at 4:30 a.m.

But nope.

Apparently, my brain didn’t get that memo.

I stayed up until about 10:15 before finally going to bed.

And let me just tell you…

My rear is dragging a little bit this morning. 😂

But you know what?

I don’t go out very often during the workweek. Most evenings I’m home, and that’s perfectly okay with me. But every once in a while, a Tuesday night movie with a good friend is worth being a little tired the next morning.

Especially when you almost got FREE admission.

Almost. 😂

So here’s to a little midweek adventure, inexpensive movie snacks, missing free admission by exactly two people, and making time for the people who make life more fun.

Sometimes you just need a little Practical Magic in your Tuesday night. ✨🎬

And maybe a large movie-theater drink.

Because hydration is important, right? 😉

#MidweekAdventures #FriendshipAndFun #PracticalMagic2 #MovieNight #LifeAfter50

Home With Mr.C Today

2026-09-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

I Actually Stayed Home All Day! 😂

Well, folks… I think I may have actually done it.

I stayed home ALL DAY on Sunday! 😂

I know, I know. I said something very similar about Saturday, and we all know how that turned out. But Sunday was different. I was determined. I told myself that I was going to stay home, hang out with Mr. C, and just enjoy a nice, quiet day around the house.

I don’t think Mr. C really believed I could do it.

But guess what?

I showed him! 😂

Mr. C was up at 4:00 in the morning. I knew he was up, but I decided there was absolutely no reason for me to get out of bed that early. Nope. Not today!

It was my weekend, and I didn’t have anywhere to be, so I stayed right there until about 6:30 a.m. And honestly, it felt pretty good knowing I didn’t have to jump out of bed and get moving.

Lemon Cake to Start the Day

Once I finally got up, I decided to get my lemon cake started.

I had planned ahead and had all my cake ingredients ready to go. I wanted to bake it early in the morning so I wouldn’t be turning the oven on in the middle of the day and heating up the entire house. That seemed like a pretty smart plan to me!

I got everything mixed up and ready for the oven.

There was just one little problem.

I thought I had confectioner’s sugar to make the glaze.

I did not. 🤦‍♀️

So, after a little pantry investigation, I found a can of vanilla icing. I figured I could warm it up in the microwave once the cake came out and drizzle it over the top.

And that’s exactly what I did.

I used my Bundt cake pan, and let me tell you… that lemon cake turned out SO moist! It was really, really good.

In fact, I almost wish I had left the icing off completely because the cake itself was that good. Sometimes simple really is better!

🍋 My Easy Lemon Pudding Cake

If you’re looking for an easy, moist lemon cake, this one is definitely worth trying. The lemon pudding mix helps make the cake extra soft and gives it plenty of lemon flavor.

Ingredients:

1 box lemon cake mix
1 small box instant lemon pudding mix
4 large eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup water
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 cup powdered sugar for the glaze
Or, if you’re like me and discover you don’t have powdered sugar, vanilla icing works too! 😂

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour a Bundt cake pan really well.
In a large bowl, combine the lemon cake mix and lemon pudding mix.
Add the eggs, vegetable oil, water, and lemon extract.
Beat everything together until smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter into your prepared Bundt pan.
Bake for approximately 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a plate.
For a simple glaze, mix powdered sugar with a little lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency and drizzle it over the cooled cake.
Or… warm up some vanilla icing in the microwave for a few seconds and drizzle that over the top like I did!

And trust me, don’t be afraid to taste a piece without the icing. You might decide you like it better that way!

🍳 Breakfast at Home

After getting the cake taken care of, Mr. C and I made breakfast.

We had scrambled eggs with biscuits and gravy, and it was so good. There’s just something about a good breakfast at home on a Sunday morning that feels comforting and cozy.

After breakfast, I decided it was time to tackle something else that had been waiting for me.

🖨️ Breaking In the New Printer

My new HP printer!

This printer is one of those tank-style printers where you actually fill the ink instead of constantly replacing little ink cartridges. I’ve never owned one like this before, so I was pretty excited to see how it worked.

I followed the instructions the best I could, and I will admit it took me a little while to get everything set up and going.

But once I got it working…

I went a little printer crazy. 😂

I probably printed off 60 random sheets!

Okay, maybe not quite 60, but it sure felt like it. 😂

Some of what I printed was important paperwork that I needed to organize and put into a binder, so I got that taken care of. I also printed off a couple of pictures, and that’s when I really noticed the difference.

This printer is NICE.

I can already tell that spending a little extra money for a good printer was worth it. The quality is noticeably better than some of the printers I’ve purchased in the past.

Sometimes you really do get what you pay for!

💻 A Little Blogging Time

Once I got my little printer project finished, I spent some time working on my blog.

I’ve been saving blog post ideas and drafts, so I went through and added some of those to my blog. I’m trying to get myself into the habit of publishing around six to eight blog posts a month, so I wanted to get things organized and updated.

And while I was in my productive little mood, I also managed to write a pen pal letter to Joanie.

That means I’m only one pen pal letter behind now, which feels like a pretty big accomplishment to me!

🍲 Sunday Lunch: Chicken Fiesta Soup

By this point, it was time for lunch, so we put together a quick chicken fiesta soup.

I had bought some shredded cooked chicken the day before, so this was an easy meal to throw together. I didn’t even bother with the crock pot because everything just needed to heat up.

We put it on the stove, let everything warm together, and had ourselves a nice Sunday lunch.

🌶️ Easy Chicken Fiesta Soup

This is one of those recipes that is perfect for a lazy Sunday because you can throw everything into a pot, heat it up and you’re done!

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
4 cups chicken broth
1 packet taco seasoning
½ cup salsa, optional
1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese, optional

Directions:

Add the chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth to a large pot.
Stir in the taco seasoning.
Add salsa if you want a little extra kick.
Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Let it cook for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the flavors have had time to come together.
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese if desired.

You could also add tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, cilantro or jalapeños on top.

And the best part?

No crock pot required! 😂

🏡 A Successful Day at Home

And after lunch?

We pretty much just hung out.

We watched TV, relaxed, worked on a few things around the house, and enjoyed being home.

No running around.

No getting in the car.

No “where are we going today?”

Just a nice, easy Sunday at home with my husband.

And you know what?

I actually enjoyed it! 😂

Don’t get me wrong. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to get out and go. I love a good adventure, a road trip, a grandchild outing, or just finding somewhere we’ve never been before.

But every now and then, staying home is exactly what you need.

So I think I can officially say that my Sunday at home was a success!

I baked a lemon cake, made breakfast, broke in my new printer, organized paperwork, worked on my blog, wrote a pen pal letter, made chicken fiesta soup, watched TV, and spent the day with Mr. C.

Not too bad for a day when I wasn’t supposed to do anything!

Maybe I really can stay home once in a while.

But don’t get too excited, Mr. C. 😂

Have a great day!

Cheers,
Karen ❤️

Change of Plans

2026-09-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

So Much for Staying Home! 😂

Well, I have a confession to make…

I told everyone I was going to stay home ALL weekend.

Apparently, I lied. 😂

Because this morning, we were up before 6:00 a.m. and heading out the door! We were going over to Brody and Savannah’s to watch Landon and Sophie while Lane had his football game. His game started at 8:00 a.m., and honestly, what better way is there to start a Saturday morning than getting to see some of your grandchildren?

I truly cannot imagine my life without all of our grandchildren. They bring so much joy, laughter, and love into our lives. Even when my plans involve staying home, sometimes Nana just needs a little grandbaby time.

Savannah and Lane got back to the house around 9:45, and then we headed to Marlow to make an important breakfast stop at Sonic. Super breakfast burritos and drinks were calling our names! We brought everything back home and enjoyed our breakfast before getting started on a few things around the house.

Mr. C had ordered some new black curtains for our bedroom to go behind the pretty red curtains we already have. And let me tell you…we like our bedroom DARK.

I always joke that we must be vampires because of how dark we keep our house! 🧛‍♀️😂

We don’t use light bulbs over 60 watts. EVER. A lot of that started because of the electrical load in our house. Higher-wattage bulbs seem to blow out quickly, so over the years we learned what works best for this old house.

And speaking of old…our house was built in 1981.

It’s funny how you become accustomed to things when you deal with them day after day and year after year. Things that might seem strange to someone else just become completely normal to you. That’s the beauty—and sometimes the quirkiness—of living in the same house for many years.

I also wrapped Savannah’s birthday present. It was a little awkward to wrap, but I finally conquered it! 😂 I’m going to use the same wrapping paper for Whitney’s birthday gift, too. I’m just waiting for the last part of her gift to arrive later today.

Then it was time for another Nana adventure.

I called Kendall to check in and see what time he wanted me to come out. I left the house around noon and went over to help clean up a little mess where some milk had been spilled. I also put a new pad and some towels down in his chair.

I stayed until about 1:45, and then I decided I wasn’t quite ready for my grandchild fix to be over.

So I called Sherry, Jessica’s mom, and asked if Brooks and Hattie were home and if I could come by for a visit.

Well…you would have thought Nana had arrived with a truckload of presents!

Brooks and Hattie were SO excited to see me, and that absolutely made my heart happy. ❤️

Of course, Nana Karen had to inspect all the toys, and I definitely had to see all of Brooks’ LEGO masterpieces. That boy is amazing with LEGOs! He builds some incredible things.

We played ball, and then Hattie “read” a few books to me. And honestly, those are the moments I treasure.

Nothing fancy.

Nothing expensive.

Just sitting around, playing, laughing, looking at LEGO creations and listening to a little one “read” a book.

Those are the memories that stick with you.

I finally left around 3:30 p.m.

So much for my quiet weekend at home with Mr. C! 😂

On the way home, I stopped at Taco Mayo and picked up a Mexicali Bowl for us to share. It is always so yummy! We really do eat out more than we probably should, but sometimes you just have to admit that somebody else cooking dinner sounds pretty darn good. 😂

I also stopped and picked up some shredded cooked chicken for a dish I’m preparing tomorrow, along with the ingredients to make a lemon Bundt cake.

Once we got home, we didn’t do much of anything else. We watched TV, talked, and just relaxed.

Aaron’s friend Larry W. called because he was concerned about Grandpa Kendall, so we visited for about ten minutes. Larry has become pretty close to Grandpa Kendall over the last several years, and it means a lot that he checks on him. I told him I would call if we needed anything.

Trevor called later, too, and I told him he needs to be calling Grandpa more often. 😉 While I had him on the phone, I also got his sizes for the 4.0 base layers I’m planning to get him for Christmas.

Now I just need to get Blake’s sizes.

And just like that, my “stay home ALL weekend” Saturday turned into a day filled with grandchildren, errands, chores, breakfast burritos, birthday presents, LEGO masterpieces, books, Taco Mayo, and family phone calls.

Would I call that staying home?

Absolutely not.

Would I do it all again?

In a heartbeat. ❤️

Because sometimes the best days are the ones that don’t go according to plan.

And sometimes Nana just has to admit…

She lied. 😂

Weekend Plans

2026-09-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Friday, A Little Bit of Everything—and a Lot to Think About

We finally made it to Friday! 🙌 And I am so glad!

I had already decided that this weekend, I am not going to do much of anything. No running errands. No shopping. No spending money I don’t have. 😂 I am perfectly content to stay home with Mr. C and hopefully knock out a few things that have been sitting on our to-do list.

One of those things is getting back to cleaning the sunroom.

That room gets SO hot, so with the weather finally starting to cool down a little, I think this weekend might be the perfect time to get back there and start working on it. I really need to go through my big, tall cabinet that is packed with craft supplies. I also have a pile of things that need to go to Goodwill, and thankfully, those are already separated and just need to be loaded into the vehicle.

My goal isn’t to completely finish everything this weekend. I know that cabinet may take me two sittings, and that’s okay. I just want to start it, make some progress, and hopefully get one more thing checked off our list.

Small steps still count.

Speaking of small steps, I also need to wrap Savannah’s birthday present that Brody has here at the house. I bought some pretty light green wrapping paper because green is her favorite color. And then I got to thinking…

Why buy more wrapping paper when I already have some?

I’m going to use that same green paper for Whitney’s birthday gift when I take it to her on the 19th for our company picnic. Whatever is left over, I’m going to save for Christmas. Add a red bow to it, and suddenly that green wrapping paper is Christmas wrapping paper! 🎄

It’s just another little reminder to use what you have instead of automatically buying something new.

Those little choices really do add up.

Maybe you’re saving two or three dollars here and a few dollars there. It doesn’t seem like much at the time, but that’s still money you’re not spending. And those little savings can build up faster than you think.

I’ve talked off and on for years about my cash envelope system. I know it’s not the way everybody does things, but it works for me. I don’t necessarily have a perfect rhythm to how much I put away, but I do know one thing:

I want to be more intentional about saving.

Every two weeks, I want to make sure that something goes into savings. No excuses. No “I’ll do it next time.” Something needs to go in there.

After everything we’ve been working on financially, I really want to start building that cushion back up. Even if it starts small, it’s still a start.

And sometimes, I think that’s the whole point.

Small steps. Big savings. One decision at a time.

This morning I also stopped by the bank and deposited some cash so I could get money over to Aaron for his commissary. And while we’re talking about real life, I have something else on my mind this morning.

Last night I went out to see Grandpa Kendall, my stepdad. I stayed about 30 minutes, and honestly, my heart broke.

I know he’s been on hospice. I know he’s not doing well. I know that we are at a point where there isn’t going to be a miracle recovery.

But last night he told me something I didn’t know.

Two weeks ago, he went outside and fell off the porch. He hit his head on one of the steps and lay there for hours and hours—through the day and into the night—before two men finally found him.

They even called MedFlight. He told me they didn’t think he was going to make it. So we are blessed with another day with him.

And somehow, I didn’t know any of this had happened.

Nobody called to tell me.

I know there aren’t a lot of ties there anymore, other than the fact that he loves my boys. But I couldn’t help feeling like someone could have called and let me know what he was going through.

I asked him, “Kendall, do I need to start coming out here more often to see you?”

And his answer stopped me in my tracks.

He said, “Well, it depends on how many times you want to see me alive before I die.”

Okay.

Okay, Kendall.

I hear you.

Sometimes people don’t need a big speech. Sometimes they just need you to show up.

So I am going to do better about that.

I’m going back out Saturday. I’ll probably take him something to eat and spend some time with him. He told me his nurses come three times a week and stay with him for several hours, which makes me feel a little better knowing he’s not completely alone.

But I still need to go see him.

And I think I need to reach out to my boys, too. Kendall didn’t want me to tell them what was going on, especially Aaron, but I have a feeling that Aaron, Trevor, and Blake all need to know. They may not be able to physically be here—Blake is in Texas, Trevor is in North Dakota, and Aaron is three hours away—but I think they deserve the chance to know what is happening with someone who has loved them.

Life is funny.

I started this post thinking I was going to talk about staying home this weekend, cleaning my craft cabinet, wrapping presents, saving money, and trying not to spend money I don’t have.

And somehow, here I am talking about how quickly life can change and how important it is to make time for the people we love.

Maybe that’s what being intentional really means.

Not just being intentional with our money.

Not just being intentional with our homes.

But being intentional with our time.

Because money can be saved.

Craft supplies can be organized.

Wrapping paper can wait.

But time with the people we love is something we don’t get back.

So this weekend, I’ll probably still clean that cabinet. I’ll still wrap those presents. I’ll still try to save a few dollars.

But I’ll also make sure I take some time to go see Kendall.

And maybe that’s the most important thing on my weekend to-do list.

Please send prayers our way for Kendall. I know he’s not going to get better, but I’m praying for easier, more comfortable, more pain-free days than not. ❤️

And as always, thank you for stopping by my blog and spending a little bit of your time with me.

Karen

Living a Simple Life

2026-09-10T16:23:15.824-07:00

Thursday Thoughts: Giving Myself a Little Grace

Well, here we are… Thursday already! 🙌

I knew this short work week was going to fly by, but goodness gracious, here we are at the end of it already. I only have about 16 more hours of work standing between me and the weekend, and honestly, that feels pretty darn good!

I had made myself a to-do list yesterday, and if you’ve been following along with my blog, you’ve probably already seen it. Did I get everything on that list accomplished?

Nope. 😂

But you know what? That’s okay.

I made the list. I have goals. I know what needs to be done, and I’m giving myself permission not to beat myself up because everything didn’t magically get checked off in one day.

So, my new goal is to have that list finished sometime between now and Sunday evening. That’s much more reasonable, don’t you think?

One thing I will be doing tonight is tackling that dryer. The clothes need to come out, get folded, and actually make their way to where they belong instead of continuing to live in the dryer. 😂

I also want to get my five work outfits together for next week. That one can happen whenever I have a little time this weekend.

And I have two pen pal letters that need to be written. I really want to sit down and enjoy doing those instead of rushing through them, so I’m hoping to carve out some quiet time for that.

I also need to pick up a few groceries. I was originally thinking about placing a small grocery pickup order, but honestly, I think I’ll just run into the store and grab what we need. It shouldn’t take long, especially since I’m only planning to spend a small amount.

Sometimes the simplest plan really is the best plan.

Work Is Going Pretty Good!

Work has actually been going well, too, and that is something I’m thankful for.

My goal right now is 12 saves a day, and yesterday I got 11. I’m not going to complain about being one short! I’m right where I need to be, and more importantly, I’m not behind and having to play catch-up.

That takes a LOT of pressure off.

I’m learning that sometimes being one save short of a goal isn’t a failure. It’s just… Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or whatever day it happens to be. 😂

The important thing is that I’m staying on track.

What About Working From Home?

I tested my Starlink Wi-Fi yesterday, and I honestly think I could bring my workstation home and work from here.

But here’s the thing…

I don’t really want to.

I actually like having the structure of getting up, getting ready, and driving to work. I like leaving the house and going into the office. And I’m not 100% convinced that my internet connection would hold up under the workload we have at work with all the different programs we use.

The last thing I need is to be sitting at home fighting with my computer, internet, and five different programs while trying to save memberships. 😂

So for now, I’m going to keep driving to work.

If something changes and working from home becomes necessary, then I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

And honestly, there are bigger questions surrounding our building right now anyway.

We’ve got six air conditioners that are out, and from what I’ve heard, maintenance doesn’t want to repair them because it would put them way over budget. There are also rumors that the company may decide that the building is causing more problems than it’s worth and possibly pay the remaining three years on the lease and walk away.

Rumors are rumors, so who knows what will actually happen.

I’m just going to keep doing my job and let the powers that be figure out what they’re going to do.

A Little Financial Peace

One thing I do know is that having my car paid off has given me a different feeling about my finances.

If something happened with my job, I know I’d have to find something else, and I also know another job might not pay what I’m making now.

But I also know that Velvet is officially paid for, and that is a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

That car payment is no longer hanging over my head every month, and my plan is to put the bulk of that money into savings rather than immediately finding something else to spend it on.

That’s a pretty good feeling.

I’m not saying I have everything figured out. I definitely don’t.

But I feel like I’m building myself a little bit of a cushion, and that makes me feel more secure.

A Quick Stop After Work

After work today, I’ll be heading out to Grandpa Kendall’s to pick up Aaron’s money so I can get it to him.

I called yesterday, and I could tell he wasn’t feeling very good. I asked if he wanted me to come out after work, but he said tomorrow would be fine.

So tomorrow it is.

I also know that I need to make more time to go see him.

He’s on hospice, and that is something that weighs on my heart. Sometimes that 30-minute drive from my house feels like a lot after a long day at work. Sometimes I just don’t have it in me.

But I’m also very aware that time is something we don’t get back.

So I’m going to try to do better about making those visits happen.

I’m giving myself grace for the times I haven’t gone, but I’m also reminding myself that I can make a different choice going forward.

And maybe that’s really the theme of this Thursday.

I don’t have to do everything perfectly.

I don’t have to finish every item on my list in one day.

I don’t have to have every financial or work-related question figured out.

I just need to keep moving forward, one day at a time, and make the best choices I can with what I have.

And right now, I’m doing okay.

Actually… I’m doing pretty darn good. ❤️

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have 16 hours of work standing between me and my weekend! 😂

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I hope y’all have a wonderful Thursday and an even better weekend.

Leave me a comment down below and tell me what’s on YOUR weekend to-do list. I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers,
Karen 🥂

Making List and Getting Things Done.

2026-09-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

September Is Flying By… So I’m Trying to Get Ahead 🍂

Can you believe it is already Wednesday, September 9th, 2026?

I honestly do not understand how this year is flying by so quickly! It seems like we were just celebrating the beginning of 2026, and now here we are heading into the final few months of the year.

But you know what? As crazy as it is to watch the calendar move so quickly, I am actually feeling pretty good about where Mr. C and I are right now. We are making some long-term goals and choices, and we are trying to be more intentional about getting things done instead of waiting until the last minute.

And apparently, that includes thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas already! 😂

Getting a Head Start on the Holidays

Mr. C has already started thinking about things we can buy for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that can sit in the pantry until we need them.

And honestly, I think this is a GREAT idea.

One year we waited until Thanksgiving was right around the corner and discovered that we could not find sage seasoning anywhere! I mean, who knew sage was going to become the hottest commodity in Oklahoma that year? 😂

We ended up borrowing some from one of our neighbors just so we could finish Thanksgiving dinner.

So this year, we are trying to be prepared.

We are starting to think about what we want on the menu, what we can buy ahead of time, whether we will host or someone else will host, and what we can pick up now so we aren’t running around like crazy when the holidays arrive.

The same goes for Christmas.

We have already been buying Christmas presents like crazy, and I am actually pretty excited about that. Having a good portion of the gifts purchased ahead of time will make the next few months SO much less stressful.

My plan is to make a list of everyone we need to buy for, mark off what we already have, and then see what is still missing.

Future Karen is going to appreciate Present-Day Karen for doing this. 😂

Today’s To-Do List

Of course, thinking ahead doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things that need to be done right now.

After work today, I have several things on my list:

💡 Pay the electric bill — it is due tomorrow, so I definitely don’t want to forget this one!
🏦 Stop by the bank and make my last loan payment. It isn’t due until the 15th, but I would love to go ahead and get that taken care of.
👜 Change out my work tote. The one I’ve been carrying just isn’t quite sturdy enough, so I think it is time for something better.
🥤 Place a small grocery/drink order — probably around $35 — to get some more drinks for the house and fill in a few grocery gaps. If work isn’t too busy, I may even get this done between calls.
👚 Empty the dryer, hang up the clothes and fold everything.
👗 Pick out my work clothes for next week. Yes, I know it is only Wednesday, but I LOVE having my outfits ready to grab and go. It makes my mornings so much easier.
💌 Write two pen pal letters — one to Joni and one to Melissa. Once those are finished, I should be caught up!
💰 Work on October’s budget so I can see exactly where I am going to stand going into the new month.

It may sound like a lot, but honestly, most of these things aren’t huge jobs. It is just a matter of getting them done instead of letting them pile up.

And I have discovered that there is something really satisfying about checking things off a list. ✔️

A Little Birthday Gift… Five Months Late 😂

This morning I had a conversation with Whitney, my cousin Dakota’s wife.

She said, “Hey, I’m going to bring you your birthday gift!”

And I immediately thought, Oh yeah… I have your birthday gift too!

There is only one tiny problem.

Our birthday was in May. 😂

So naturally, that conversation sent me straight to Amazon.

Whitney loves cactus-themed things, and I recently found out that she is also getting into pen paling. So I had the PERFECT idea for her.

I ordered her:

🌵 Cactus pen pal letter sets
🌵 A cactus composition book
🌵 Cactus washi tape
🌵 Cactus stickers

I am going to wrap everything up really cute in some green paper and give it to her at our company picnic later this month.

I think she is going to love it!

Now, if I were a better cousin/friend, I would probably drive out to her house and take her something to eat since she has had back surgery. I could make a casserole or something and let her know I am thinking about her.

But she lives about 30 minutes away, and sometimes life just gets busy.

And you know what?

I’m learning that it is okay.

I haven’t forgotten about her. I care about her. And I am doing what I can do.

Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to do EVERYTHING perfectly that we forget to give ourselves credit for the things we actually are doing.

I’m working on that.

Looking Ahead

So here we are… September 9th.

The holidays are coming. The year is winding down. There are bills to pay, budgets to make, laundry to fold, letters to write, groceries to buy and Christmas presents to finish.

But there are also plans.

There are goals.

There are little things we are doing today that will hopefully make life a little easier tomorrow.

And I think that is what I am enjoying most right now.

Mr. C and I are trying to look ahead instead of always looking behind us. We are making plans, getting prepared and figuring out what we want the next few months—and eventually the next few years—to look like.

Maybe that is what this season of life is all about.

Not having everything figured out.

Just taking it one list, one goal and one day at a time. ❤️

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope that you had the best day ever, and drop a comment down below from where you’re reading it from.

Cheers,

Karen❤️

Ready to decorate for fall

2026-09-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

A Little Fall Cozy Is Coming Our Way 🍂☕🏡

Well, friends, I have decided that this upcoming weekend is going to be a stay-home-and-make-my-house-cozy kind of weekend.

And honestly? I am perfectly okay with that.

I don’t have any big plans. No running around. No trying to squeeze a dozen errands into two days. Just me, Mr. C, our home, and maybe a little bit of fall decorating.

Yes, I know. It’s September.

But I am READY. 😂

There is just something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down a little, pull out the cozy throws, change a few things around the house, and make everything feel warm and comfortable.

Bringing Out the Fall Decor

My first project is going to be the living room.

I’m thinking cozy throws tossed over the couches, some fall-colored pillows, a few pumpkins here and there, and maybe a picture or two that has more of a fall feel.

Nothing over the top.

Just enough to make me walk into the room and think, “Ahhh…this feels like fall.”

I’m also thinking about decorating the bathroom.

Now, I don’t normally decorate the bathroom for every season, but I’m trying something new. I’ve decided I want to make each room in our home feel a little more intentional.

So I’m thinking about switching out the shower curtain and adding a few fall-colored accessories.

We’ll see how that goes.

Maybe I’ll become one of those people who decorates EVERYTHING for every season.

Or maybe I’ll decide halfway through that the bathroom was perfectly fine the way it was. 😂

Only time will tell!

And then there’s our bedroom.

We recently changed our comforter, but I’m already thinking about changing it again. I would love something a little darker and cozier for fall—maybe a deep burgundy or a beautiful mauve that works with the colors we already have in the room.

I don’t want to completely change everything.

I just want to layer in a little fall.

Learning to Be a Homemaker

One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is how much more intentional I want to be about our home.

With Mr. C being retired, he has always been the one who keeps things moving around here. He cooks. He takes care of things. He keeps us on track.

Let’s just say I’ve been pretty spoiled. ❤️

So I haven’t always put a whole lot of thought into the homemaking side of things.

But lately, Mr. C and I have been working on making our home feel better, look better, and feel more like a place we truly enjoy being.

And I want to be more involved in that.

Not because everything has to be perfect.

Not because I’m suddenly trying to become Martha Stewart.

But because I want our home to be a place that feels comfortable, welcoming, cozy, and ours.

And maybe decorating for the seasons is just one little way I can start doing that.

Of Course, I Need a Fall Drink! ☕

What’s a cozy decorating day without a good drink?

And before anybody says it…

NO. Pumpkin spice.

I repeat: NO PUMPKIN SPICE. 😂

Pumpkin spice and I have officially decided to remain acquaintances from a very safe distance.

Instead, I’m thinking about making a Maple Brown Sugar Iced Coffee.

🍁 Maple Brown Sugar Iced Coffee

You’ll need:

1 cup cold brewed coffee
½ cup milk or your favorite creamer
1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Ice
A sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Add the maple syrup and brown sugar to your coffee and stir until combined. Pour over a glass full of ice, add your milk or creamer, and give it a good stir.

Top with a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon.

That’s it!

It’s fall-ish without tasting like I’m drinking a pumpkin candle. 😂

And We Have to Eat!

Since I’ll be home decorating, I don’t want to spend the entire day in the kitchen either.

So I’m thinking something simple and comforting for dinner.

🍎 Easy Fall Chicken & Apple Skillet

This one is easy enough for a weekend when you want comfort food without making a giant production out of dinner.

You’ll need:

Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
1–2 apples, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
½ cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper
Optional: a little shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Season your chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove it from the pan.

Add the butter, sliced apples, and onion to the same skillet. Cook until the apples begin to soften and the onions are tender.

Stir together the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and cinnamon, then pour it into the skillet.

Return the chicken to the pan and let everything simmer together for a few minutes.

And if you’re feeling extra fancy, sprinkle a little cheddar cheese over the top.

Serve it with some roasted vegetables, a salad, or even a little mashed potatoes.

Easy. Cozy. Dinner is done.

A Cozy Weekend at Home

So that’s my plan.

I’m going to put on some music, turn on a few pretty lights, make myself an iced coffee, and start moving things around.

Maybe I’ll decorate the living room.

Maybe I’ll tackle the bathroom.

Maybe I’ll change the bedding.

Maybe I’ll get distracted halfway through and sit on the couch with my coffee.

And you know what?

That’s okay too.

I’m learning that homemaking doesn’t have to mean spending an entire day cleaning, organizing, and making everything Pinterest-perfect.

Sometimes it’s simply putting a cozy blanket on the couch.

Sometimes it’s changing the pillows.

Sometimes it’s adding a little seasonal color.

Sometimes it’s turning on the lights, playing your favorite music, and enjoying the home you’ve created.

And that’s really what I’m after.

I don’t need a perfect house.

I just want a home that makes us happy when we walk through the door.

So here’s to a quiet September weekend, a little fall decorating, a little homemaking, a good iced coffee, and hopefully a whole lot of cozy.

Bring on the burgundy, mauve, pumpkins, blankets, and fall vibes!

Just keep the pumpkin spice latte away from me. 😂🍂

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cheers,
Karen ❤️

Car Payment Freedom

2026-09-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

🚙 One Payment Down, One Step Closer to Financial Freedom

Good morning, September!

Well, y’all… I finally did it.

I made my LAST car payment! 🎉🎉🎉

Yesterday, I made that final payment on my Jeep, and I honestly cannot put into words what a relief it was. That car payment has been sitting in my monthly budget for a long time, and knowing that I no longer have to write that check—or, more accurately, watch that money leave my account—is a pretty amazing feeling.

It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

And you know what makes me even happier?

That money is now going to have a new job.

I’m not planning on taking that old car payment and immediately finding a dozen ways to spend it. Nope. I’ve learned enough about money to know better! 😂

My goal is to put the bulk of that payment into savings.

I want to treat it like the payment never disappeared. Instead of sending that money to the finance company every month, I’m going to send it to Future Karen.

And I think Future Karen is going to be very thankful.

Waiting on That Magic Piece of Paper

Now comes the part where I’m going to have to practice a little patience.

I was told it could take approximately 20–30 days for me to receive the payoff paperwork for the Jeep. Once I get that letter, I believe I’ll need to take it to the DMV so they can get everything officially recorded and the lien released.

I’m not going to pretend I know exactly how every step works because, honestly, I don’t. 😂

But I know I’ll be watching the mailbox like a hawk!

Thankfully, I get an email notification showing me what mail is coming to our mailbox, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on those notifications while I’m at work.

And naturally, I’ll have Mr. C checking the mail, too.

“Anything from the Jeep people?”

“Nope.”

“Check again.” 😂

I’m just ready to have that whole process officially finished.

There is something incredibly satisfying about finally owning your vehicle free and clear. One more thing checked off the financial list!

Another Financial Win I Didn’t Expect

And then, as if paying off my Jeep wasn’t enough of a financial victory for one week, I got another little surprise.

I had been trying to get my membership with The Joint Chiropractic canceled. I originally walked my cancellation letter into the Lawton, Oklahoma, office on July 9th and personally handed it to Dr. Cole Young.

I knew I would have to make my July payment to finish out that commitment, and I was okay with that. I just wanted to make sure my cancellation was taken care of so I wouldn’t have another payment coming out of my account.

Then August 16th rolled around…

…and they charged me again.

I thought, “Well, maybe I did something wrong.”

I was actually planning to drive the 45 minutes to Lawton and hand-deliver another handwritten cancellation letter.

But before making that trip, I decided to contact corporate by email and explain exactly what had happened.

I wasn’t even asking for a refund.

I simply wanted the membership canceled and wanted to make sure there would be no more payments coming out of my account.

And wouldn’t you know it?

They responded, canceled the membership, and told me it could take three to five business days for the refund.

Well…

SURPRISE!

I checked my account the very next morning, and the refund was already there!

I was shocked. 😂

Sometimes you just have to speak up, explain the situation, and keep pushing until you get things straightened out.

And now that account is one more thing I can clean up and eventually close out.

I’m Getting Serious About My Money

So when I look at everything happening right now, I realize I’m really in a season of tidying up my finances.

It’s happening pretty rapidly, too.

I’m looking at what comes in, what goes out, what I actually need, and what I can put away.

And I’m learning that financial progress doesn’t always look like suddenly having thousands of dollars sitting in the bank.

Sometimes financial progress looks like:

✔️ Making your final car payment.

✔️ Getting an unwanted membership canceled.

✔️ Getting a refund you weren’t even expecting.

✔️ Closing unnecessary accounts.

✔️ Reworking your budget.

✔️ Putting money into savings instead of spending it.

✔️ Saying, “Nope, I don’t need that.”

Those might seem like little things to someone else, but when you’re working hard to get your finances in better shape, those little things add up.

Three Ways We Can Save More as We Get Older

I’ve also been thinking about how important it is for those of us getting a little older to be intentional about our money.

And yes, I’m officially calling myself a senior now. 😂 I mean, if somebody else wants to argue with me about that, I’ll let them!

But seriously, here are three things I think can make a difference.

1. Take Advantage of Senior Discounts

Don’t be embarrassed to ask!

Restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, museums, hotels, and other businesses sometimes offer senior discounts.

The discount might only be 5%, 10%, or 15%, but remember:

A discount is money you didn’t have to spend.

And I am absolutely willing to ask, “Do y’all have a senior discount?” 😂

2. Revisit Your Monthly Bills

This is one I’m working on right now.

Look at those recurring charges that quietly come out of your account every month.

Streaming services. Memberships. Apps. Subscriptions. Clubs. Services you signed up for and forgot about.

If you aren’t using it, cancel it.

Even $10 here and $15 there can become a nice chunk of money over a year.

3. Give Your Extra Money a Job

This is probably my biggest lesson right now.

When you pay something off, don’t automatically replace that payment with something else.

Give that money a purpose.

For me, that means taking the money that used to go toward my Jeep payment and putting the majority of it into savings.

Maybe your extra money goes toward an emergency fund.

Maybe it’s for home repairs.

Maybe it’s for Christmas.

Maybe it’s for a future vacation.

Whatever it is, give your money a job before it has the opportunity to disappear!

And Then There’s Work…

Now, while things are looking good financially, work has been a little bit of a struggle lately.

I’m not going to sugarcoat that.

But today, I’ve decided I’m going to really buckle down and focus.

I’m going to do my very best on those phones, and if I haven’t met my goal by the end of my regular shift, I’m willing to stay late and pick up two extra.

Because right now, I have a bigger goal in mind.

I’m working toward financial breathing room.

And sometimes that means putting in a little extra effort today so that tomorrow can be a little easier.

A Little Fun This Weekend

Thankfully, I don’t have a whole lot planned for the weekend, which is perfectly okay with me.

Sunday, I’ll be heading out with my best friend, Cherrie, for our monthly grocery shopping trip.

And y’all know how that goes.

We will shop.

We will probably eat somewhere good.

We’ll do a little window shopping.

And we’ll probably find something we absolutely didn’t need but somehow convince ourselves we couldn’t live without. 😂

That’s just how we roll.

But even our grocery trips have become part of my financial planning. I’m paying more attention to what I’m buying, what I’m spending, and how I can make that grocery money stretch.

It’s all about being more intentional.

And isn’t that really what this whole season of my life seems to be about?

Small Wins Are Still Wins

When I look back at where I was financially and look at where I am now, I realize something.

I may not have everything figured out.

I may still have things I’m working on.

I may still have moments when I worry about money.

But I’m making progress.

My Jeep is paid off.

An unwanted membership is canceled.

A refund came back into my account.

I’m reworking my budget.

I’m planning to save the money I just freed up.

And those are some pretty darn good reasons to celebrate.

Maybe financial freedom doesn’t happen overnight.

Maybe it happens one payment, one cancellation, one budget adjustment, and one small decision at a time.

But I’m going to keep going.

Because I’ve worked too hard to get here to stop now.

Here’s to fewer bills, more savings, smarter spending, and a whole lot more breathing room.

And maybe…

just maybe…

Future Karen is going to be pretty proud of Present Karen❤️

Labor Day Celebration

2026-09-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Labor Day, Good Food & A Little Something to Think About

Well, y’all… Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Today started pretty early around our house. I think Mr. C was up around 5:00, and I was up around 6:00. By 6:30, we were already in the kitchen getting things together for our Labor Day potluck at Elizabeth and Charles’ house.

And let me just tell you… there was going to be FOOD! 😂

Mr. C and I were making a lemon cookie pudding that is about as easy as it gets. Lemon cookies, Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla pudding mix. Mix it all together and somehow those simple ingredients turn into something really, really good. Sometimes the easiest recipes are the biggest hits!

We were also making a Mexican casserole and putting together a big salad. I decided to make the salad a little more fun by putting all the toppings in my snack box so everyone could pick and choose what they wanted. You want cheese? Go for it. Croutons? Yep. Whatever toppings you like, make your own perfect salad.

Elizabeth was making her cheese dip with chips, and y’all… her Rotel with sausage is SO GOOD! It reminds me of something my mom used to make, so there’s a little bit of nostalgia mixed in with all that cheesy goodness.

She was also making tacos, and Mr. C and I had bought the ingredients for Savannah to make chicken enchiladas.

This is what was left when I made my plate. Her enchiladas went fast!

So between all of that, we definitely weren’t going to go hungry!

Once we got everything packed up and ready to go, we headed over to Elizabeth and Charles’ house. We got there around 11:00, and before long, the house started filling up.

At first, Alisha and Jonathan weren’t going to be able to make it because they were coming in from Tulsa. But they ended up getting there around 11:30 to pick up Marshall and Scout, the dogs, and they were able to visit with everyone for a while too.

Before long, we had Brody and Savannah, the three kids, Elizabeth and Charles, Alisha and Jonathan, me and Mr. C… basically a pretty full house!

And honestly? It was good.

Savannah and Sophie

Good food. Good conversation. Good fellowship.

We stayed from around 11:00 until almost 2:00, and I would definitely call it a successful outing for Mr. C and me. Sometimes you don’t need some big elaborate adventure. Just getting out of the house, spending time with family, eating good food, and laughing and talking can be enough.

Of course, there was also a little something that got me thinking.

Everyone was talking about taking a cruise next May, and Elizabeth asked me if I wanted to go. Naturally, I mentioned it to Luther.

His response was basically, “I don’t care if you go or not.”

😂 Well, okay then!

But when we got home, we talked about it a little more, and that’s when I started doing the math in my head.

If I went, I would probably be looking at around $1,400 just for the cruise because I wouldn’t have someone sharing the room expense with me. Then there’s spending money, transportation, possibly a hotel if I ride down with someone who stays overnight, food, and all those little extras that seem to magically add up.

And suddenly that $1,400 cruise isn’t a $1,400 cruise anymore.

We’re probably talking $2,500 or more.

And that’s where I’m sitting here thinking…

Do I really want to spend $2,500 on a cruise?

I know it would be fun. I know I’d probably have a wonderful time. And I’m not completely ruling it out yet. But when I look at everything else I’m trying to accomplish financially, I just don’t know if that’s where I want my money to go.

Especially right now.

Maybe I’ll change my mind. Maybe I’ll figure out a way to make it work. But right now, I’m leaning toward passing on this one.

And honestly, I’m okay with that.

Sometimes being intentional with your money means being able to say, “That sounds like a lot of fun, but it’s just not the right thing for me financially right now.”

And speaking of things that make me happy…

When we got home, I spent some time playing on my phone and finished writing a letter to one of my new pen pals. I’m actually sending out three pieces of mail today—one to Denise, one to Katie, and one to Linda.

I’m really proud of myself for getting back into snail mail!

There is just something about sitting down and actually writing a letter to someone. It’s slower than sending a text or typing an email, but somehow that makes it feel a little more special.

After that, I took a shower and got myself ready because tomorrow is going to be another busy day.

I’ll be working overtime tomorrow and staying until 5:00 PM. I’m trying to bring in a little extra money, and I’m also hoping to make up some saves since we weren’t there yesterday.

That means I missed out on potentially getting about 10 saves.

But you know what?

I’m not going to stress about it.

We’re still very early in the month. If I can stay on track now, it will make things so much easier toward the end of the month. I’d much rather work steadily toward my goal than get to the last few days and be scrambling, stressing, and beating myself up because I didn’t make it.

So that’s my Labor Day.

A little family time.

A LOT of good food.

Some laughter and fellowship.

A little cruise conversation.

Three pieces of snail mail.

And a little planning for tomorrow.

Not a bad way to spend a holiday at all.

And maybe that’s something I’m learning more and more as I get older: not every day has to be exciting to be a good day. Sometimes a simple day filled with people you love, good food, and a little time to think is exactly what you need.

Now… if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to go think about that lemon cookie pudding again. 😂

Until next time, friends, take care of yourselves, enjoy the little things, and remember to be intentional with both your time and your money.

Stop by next time. I hope to see you then!

—Karen ❤️

Grocery shopping with shopping 🛍️

2026-09-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday Fun Day: Coffee, Shopping, Laughter & a 95!

There are just some Sundays that seem to hit a little differently, and my Sunday Fun Days with my best friend Cherrie are definitely some of those days! ❤️

This morning Cherrie pulled up to my house around 9:30, and we were ready to get our day started. Our first stop? Scooter’s in Chickasha, Oklahoma, of course! Because really, can two best friends start a Sunday Fun Day without coffee? I think not. 😂

I ordered the Maple Delicious, and Cherrie got the Caramelicious. Coffee in hand, we were ready to hit the road and head toward Norman.

A Surprisingly Successful Shopping Day

One of the nice things about this particular grocery-shopping day was that my list wasn’t nearly as long as it normally is.

Mr. C has been using Walmart delivery lately, and let me tell you—it really does make a difference! He had already had several cases of water delivered, along with some bulk items and about four 12-packs of drinks. He also ordered some of our household necessities, including toilet paper, paper towels, bathroom cleaner, bleach, and laundry soap.

That took quite a few things off my grocery list, which meant I could concentrate on what we actually needed.

And let me just say…I stayed on budget!

My grocery budget this month was $375, which is actually less than what I normally have to work with. I usually find a way to go over by $50 or even $100. If we need something, we need it, and I’ll make it work.

But this time?

I came in at approximately $351!

I was pretty proud of myself. That’s a grocery-shopping victory in my book! 🛒🎉

And Then We Did Something Unheard Of…

We went to Norman, and for perhaps the first time in forever, neither one of us needed anything from Ollie’s!

If you know Cherrie, you know that Ollie’s is basically her go-to destination for coffee pods and laundry detergent. But she was good this time. I didn’t need anything either.

So we actually passed right by Ollie’s.

I know.

Who ARE we? 😂

Instead, we headed over to TJ Maxx.

I found a basket that I’m planning to use for a Christmas drink-and-treat package for our Dirty Santa gift. Luther wanted to take that route, so I’ll probably start gathering what I need sometime in November. I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself because, well…we all know how that goes!

Then we went into Burlington, where I picked up two new towels for the bathroom and some house spray because I love having the house smell good.

Ross was next, but honestly, I didn’t really find anything I needed there.

And that’s okay!

Sometimes you can walk into a store, look around, and walk right back out without spending money. That’s actually a skill I’m learning. 😂

Let’s Talk Dirty Santa

While we’re on the subject of gifts, I’ve also been thinking about what I want to do for Dirty Santa.

Brody and Savannah, along with Charles and Elizabeth, are all going on a cruise in May. I’m debating between putting together a fun little cruise-themed gift basket or getting an inexpensive piece of luggage.

I’m leaning toward the luggage because I think Brody and Savannah could probably use some.

If I do go that route, I’ll definitely look for something in a neutral color so it’s useful for just about anybody. I’m actually thinking about ordering it this week, getting it wrapped, and putting it away until we need it.

Yes, I’m planning ahead.

Who am I? 😂

Mexican Food & Queso…Because Obviously

After all that shopping, we worked up an appetite.

We stopped at Ted’s Mexican Restaurant, which is always a good idea. I had the pork street tacos, and they were delicious!

But let’s be honest.

The real star of the show for me was the queso and chips.

I LOVE their queso. ❤️

There is just something about sitting down with your best friend, eating good food, drinking something yummy, and talking about everything and absolutely nothing at the same time.

That’s the good stuff.

Then Came the Grocery Store Challenge

After lunch, we headed over to Crest, and I have to say, I was impressed with myself.

I was probably in there for an hour and a half, maybe even less, and I whipped through that grocery list!

I found everything I needed, picked up a few things that weren’t technically on the list—which is basically a requirement of grocery shopping—and still managed to stay under my $375 budget.

$351.

I’ll take it!

But the Best Part Wasn’t the Shopping

Honestly, the shopping wasn’t even the best part of the day.

The best part was simply spending the day with Cherrie.

There was laughter.

There were complaints.

There was coffee.

There was shopping.

There was Mexican food.

There was probably a little bit of “Do we really need that?” followed by “Well…maybe.” 😂

And there was just that comfortable kind of friendship where you can spend an entire day together, laugh until your stomach hurts, complain about whatever is bothering you, wander through stores, eat good food, and just enjoy being together.

Those are the days I treasure.

Before we headed home, I made one more stop at Burger King to pick up Luther his dinner.

Because after a full Sunday Fun Day, the man deserved some dinner too!

And One More Little Victory…

I can’t finish this post without mentioning something else I’m pretty excited about.

I FINISHED MY CREDIT COUNSELING! 🎉🎉🎉

And remember how I told you I had to make at least a 70 on the test?

Well…

I MADE A 95!

NINETY-FIVE!

I was so stinkin’ excited when I saw that score. I knew I could pass it, but getting a 95 felt like a little extra pat on the back.

With everything I’m working through financially right now, finishing the credit counseling and doing well on that test felt like another step forward.

One more thing checked off the list.

One more little victory.

And maybe that’s what this Sunday Fun Day was really about.

It wasn’t just about groceries or shopping or coffee.

It was about small victories, good friends, laughter, and making progress—even when life feels a little complicated.

I’ll take a Sunday like that any day of the week.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day, and I’ll see you next time! ❤️

Karen

In Spotlight At Work

2026-09-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

At work I was nominated or be featured in our monthly newsletter. I was asked to tell a few unique things about me that others might not know about me. Felt like this was a good summary about me. The one thing I feel like I left out was mentioning how much my husband means to me. Wanted to share what I sent over to the editors.

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Karen

When I’m not at work helping our members, you can usually find me doing something that involves family, planning, traveling, writing, or simply enjoying the little things in life.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 My Biggest Blessings

Without a doubt, my twelve grandchildren are some of the greatest blessings in my life. They keep me busy, keep me laughing, and remind me just how special family is. Being a grandmother is one of my favorite roles, and I treasure every opportunity I get to spend time with them.

🏔️ A Little Colorado Adventure

One fun fact that many people at work probably don’t know about me is that, when I was in my early twenties, I lived and worked on Pikes Peak in Colorado for four years!

I absolutely loved my time there. I got to wake up surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain scenery, spend time hiking, and explore places like Colorado Springs and Denver. Those years gave me so many wonderful memories, and Colorado still holds a special place in my heart.

💌 I’m a Pen Pal!

I am also a pen pal enthusiast! I currently regularly write to about five women, and I absolutely love getting “happy mail” in my mailbox. In a world where so much communication happens through texts and emails, there is something special about sitting down and writing an actual letter—and even more fun about opening the mailbox and finding something other than a bill!

📖 Planner Girl at Heart

I am definitely a planner girl. I use my planner to keep myself organized and on track with all the things I need to accomplish. I even have a budget planner. Now, whether having a budget planner automatically makes me better at budgeting is still up for debate! 😂 But at least I have a plan!

🗽 My Favorite Vacation

One of my favorite trips was my visit to New York City this past April. I loved exploring the city, seeing the famous sights, and experiencing all the energy that makes New York so unique.

And, of course, I had to experience the food! I had some amazing cannoli in Little Italy, and since I had always heard about New York pizza, I absolutely had to try that too. Let’s just say the cannoli did not disappoint!

❤️ Why Retention Is a Good Fit for Me

One of the things I value most about my time with LegalShield is that I genuinely try to do my job the right way and give each member the best help I can.

Sometimes my heartstrings get pulled because I truly want to help every person I talk to. That’s one of the reasons I feel like the Retention Department has been such a good fit for me. I believe we’re here not only to retain members, but also to help them understand the value of what we offer and make sure they feel heard.

I’m constantly learning in this department, and I’m grateful for the training, tools, and knowledge we’re given to help us become better at what we do. Retention isn’t always easy, but I’ve learned that one bad day doesn’t mean it’s always going to be a bad day.

You have to celebrate the small wins, appreciate the big wins, and keep moving forward.

And that’s probably a pretty good description of me, too: keep learning, keep growing, keep helping, and always look for the next adventure!

Planning for September

2026-09-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

September, Small Wins & Getting My Ducks in a Row 🦆🍂

Y’all… welcome to September!

Can you believe we are already in the last few months of 2026? I swear this year has been flying by at record speed. One minute I was making my goals for the new year, and now here we are talking about fall, Christmas, and what on earth happened to the other eight months!

I haven’t been blogging nearly as much lately, mostly because I keep thinking, “I don’t really have that much going on.”

But maybe that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Sometimes life being a little boring means things are settling down. Sometimes it means we’re working quietly behind the scenes. And sometimes the biggest accomplishments aren’t exciting enough to make the evening news—but they’re still worth celebrating.

So today, I’m celebrating a few small wins.

💰 Money Matters: One BIG Payment!

Let’s start with one that makes me want to do a little happy dance.

This month I am making my LAST payment on my Jeep!

Y’all… HOW EXCITING IS THAT?! 🎉

I am so ready to be done with that $550-ish monthly car payment. Having that money freed up for other things is going to feel like getting a raise without actually getting a raise.

And believe me, I’m going to have to be intentional about where that money goes because I don’t want to look up six months from now and wonder where all that extra money disappeared to.

I’ve also made another pretty big decision when it comes to my finances.

I am no longer using my credit cards.

I’ve relied on credit cards for far too long, and I’ve reached the point where I know I have to break that cycle. That means there isn’t going to be a little piece of plastic waiting in my wallet to rescue me when I’ve spent more than I should.

If I’m out of money…

I’m out of money.

Period.

And honestly? That’s probably going to be a HUGE eye-opener.

This is a choice I’m making for the season of life I’m entering. One of my goals is to retire within the next five years or so, and I know I can’t get there while dragging a bunch of unnecessary credit card debt behind me.

So this may not always be easy.

But easy isn’t necessarily the goal.

Freedom is the goal.

I’m also going to start pulling out some cash every two weeks specifically for a vacation I’m planning for next year. I want that trip to be paid for before I go, which means there will be no vacation loan and no “I’ll figure it out later.”

Nope.

Future Karen is going to appreciate Present Karen putting some money aside. 😂

I’m trying to think ahead instead of constantly playing catch-up.

And that, my friends, is progress.

💌 A Little More Intentional With My Secret Sis

Another little thing I’m excited about is my Secret Sis group.

It’s a Christian-oriented Facebook group where we have a Secret Sis and exchange gifts and encouragement. I’ve received both of my gifts from my Secret Sis, and now it’s my turn to get hers sent out.

I’m planning to order her gift today, and I’ve also made a little goal for myself this month:

I want to send her a card of encouragement at least once a week.

I have noticed that it seems like people are pretty good about sending the gifts, but the cards and little notes of encouragement don’t happen quite as often.

And honestly, I think those little notes can mean just as much—maybe even more.

So I’m going to be intentional about it.

A little card.

A few encouraging words.

A reminder that somebody is thinking about you.

Sometimes that’s all someone needs.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll become the Secret Sis who overwhelms her with cards. 😂

🎄 And Yes… We’re Already Thinking About Christmas!

Now before anybody says, “Karen, it’s September! Put the Christmas tree away!”

Hold on. 😂

We are NOT putting up the tree yet.

But Mr. C and I are already planning for Christmas.

With us being on a limited budget, we have to be very mindful about what we’re buying. Between our children, spouses, ex-spouses and grandchildren, we’re buying for around 25 people.

TWENTY-FIVE.

That’s not Christmas shopping.

That’s a small retail operation. 😂

And let’s be honest… the 12 grandbabies are non-negotiable.

Those babies are getting Christmas presents. Period.

I’ve already purchased something for each of the grandchildren, averaging around $50 each. I’ve ordered everything through Amazon, so they’re already sitting in my “Christmas is coming whether I’m ready or not” pile.

Mr. C has three grandchildren he buys for—Lane, Landon and Sophie—and he’s already purchased their toys, also around $50 each.

But because they’re going on a cruise in May, he’s also planning to give them each $50 cash for spending money on the trip.

I actually love that idea.

It’s a Christmas gift AND something they’ll be able to enjoy while making memories.

He’s also planning to give Brody and Savannah $100 each for the cruise so they’ll have some spending money too.

As for the Brody bunch, they’re pretty much handled.

Well… almost.

I always like to get Brody a fun little gift, and I’m not sure what that will be yet, but I’m giving myself a $30-or-under budget.

Because apparently I can’t just give the man money.

I need to find something that makes Brody laugh. 😂

I’ve also gotten started on gifts for Elizabeth, Alisha and Savannah. I purchased some really cute makeup bag duos that my boss, Sherry, is creating and selling, so each of them has a set.

I’ve also got something in place for Trevor and Melissa.

So when I look at the Christmas situation as a whole, I realize…

I’m actually ahead!

And that feels really good.

Instead of December arriving with me running around like a Christmas elf who has completely lost her mind, I’m trying to spread everything out and buy things intentionally.

That’s really becoming my theme lately:

Be intentional.

Be intentional with my money.

Be intentional with my time.

Be intentional with the things I purchase.

Be intentional with the people I encourage.

And be intentional about the future I want.

Maybe that’s why I haven’t felt like I’ve had much to blog about lately.

I’m not constantly running from one thing to another.

I’m just quietly working on getting my life a little more organized, my finances a little healthier, and my future a little brighter.

And you know what?

Maybe those are some of the best stories to tell.

So here’s to September.

Here’s to small victories.

Here’s to paying off a Jeep.

Here’s to saying goodbye to credit cards.

Here’s to saving cash for future adventures.

Here’s to sending encouragement.

And here’s to being ridiculously early for Christmas shopping. 🎄😂

One small step at a time, y’all. That’s how we’re doing it.