May Wrap Up and Such

Hey, readers! How's the brand new month of June treating you so far? Can you believe we're into the summer months? *happiness* I love summer.

So, I'm going to do a quick May Wrap Up and let you all know what's going on in my life.

What happened in May of 2018?

I got sick. Yeah. I came down with something on the 9th or so of May, and I have not gotten better yet. I'm forced to believe that it might be allergies and I might just have to deal with congestion, sniffles, sinus infections, terrible headaches, and achy-ness ... forever. Ha!

May 9th or 10th, my laptop, which I've had since May 2014, officially crashed and died. I've tried to turn it on a couple times since, but can't get it up and running.

At first, a few weeks or so before, when my laptop initially started having problems, I was freaked out at the idea of it dying. But by the time it suddenly died I was fine. I still check my social media on my Kindle Fire, and occasionally have the opportunity to write a blog post on the family computer!

So yes. My blogging/Booktube schedule will be fairly uncertain this summer ... and until I get a new laptop. I do hope to film some more Youtube videos soon!!

I went thrift shopping! (And yard saling.) One of my favorite things to do. <3 Here are some of the gems I found:

Found this at a yard sale. It was $1, I believe. ^_^ And I love it! First off, the color ... I love pinks of all kinds. And it's just elegant and flowy and a nice cut for me.

This pretty shirt was $3 or so at Goodwill. I like lace, and the pale pink.

This was $1 or $2 ... also at Goodwill. It's a little big, but I love the blue color! It's a good color for me, I think. And it's just nice to wear with jeans for a more casual but nice look.

This was from Goodwill. I bought it for about $5. It fit me so perfectly and I don't have a formal, black dress like this, so I couldn't pass it up. ^_^

Also from Goodwill! This one was on sale for $2.50 or so. I love it! It's so fun and such a lovely fit.

These cute wedge heels are from a yard sale! They're like brand-new and I got them for $3!

I also found a few books, and I will hopefully feature those in an upcoming book haul Youtube video! *smiles*

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One of my sisters, the one directly under me in age, graduated this month! Her ceremony/graduation party were really lovely and I'm happy for her! ^_^

I was hired for a job and started working May 14th. I work Monday-Friday, and so far I've felt less than 100% every day. It wears me down emotionally (and physically, not to mention), but I'm learning to cope with it and see the bright side! Today was my first pay day, and it's nice to know I have steady income!

I usually get up around 6:30, and leave work anytime from 3:00 to 5:00. Mostly I get off work around 4:50 p.m.

I'm enjoying working with children (for the most part, haha!), and it's great getting to know my co-workers!

Started going to a ladies' Bible study at my new church. We're going through a book called The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. I'm really liking it so far - especially the video sessions. Priscilla is a powerful speaker and has a warm personality.

I'm also loving Sunday morning worship and Sunday school class. Getting to know new people! ^_^

I won a prize from Tricia Mingerink! I attended a Facebook festival with authors Tricia Mingerink, Sarah Addison-Fox, and Serena Chase. It was such fun! And I won a special book-themed candle.

It's so cool! Natural, smells good, and just so fun. This candle is called "Song of the Mountain", and it was made for Dagger's Sleep by Tricia Mingerink. I can't wait to use it! ^_^

I learned that Kombucha helps clear my head and gives me energy! I love the stuff and buy it fairly often. Gingerberry is the flavor I get the most. I'd like to take one to work everyday, but it's quite expensive! $3 a bottle.

Larabars are my favorite! Have you tried them? They have just a few ingredients - the main ones being nuts and dates. Blueberry Muffin is my favorite. I also love Cashew Cookie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Lemon Bar.

On the last day of May, I drove home during a terrible storm. It was raining so hard I could hardly see. 'Twas quite a thunderstorm, and there were also other warnings and watches. Thankfully, I made it home and safely inside!!

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And now ... the first day of June ... I happened to get off work early and hoping to go to Chick-fil-A tonight! *grins*

Currently reading: King's War by Jill Williamson.

Currently watching: Counting On: Season Five (haven't watched an episode in a little while, actually.)

Currently looking forward to: getting "review books" in the mail, summer event at church, and helping with VBS!

And that's all I have for now. I'm tired. Maybe I'll drink some lemon, ginger tea before going out tonight.

HOW ARE THINGS GOING FOR YOU??

Goodwill Haul of April

Good day, friends! Hope you all are well this Thursday morning. I've recently been shopping at Goodwill and other thrifts stores and found some great deals and articles of clothing to add to my wardrobe.

So I thought I'd do a "Goodwill Haul" post, since you all seemed to enjoy those. *smiles*

Other doings?

• I've been slowly getting over my cold/flu.
• Reading some great books - novels and nonfiction.
• Applying for jobs.
• Writing.
• Praying a lot about the future, work options, and publishing another book!
• Trying out new churches (I'm searching for fellowship and a faith-filled community to be a part of.)
• Greatly anticipating summer.
• Looking into making soap and selling it (I'm determined to make a batch today!).

Anyway, onto the haul ...

Bought this pretty top for $3. I love how feminine and comfortable it is! And the sleeves are such fun ... a little like the style of sleeves on gowns of the late 1700s.

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This one I found for $3 as well. I really like the color (I need to add more color to my wardrobe - I have a lot of classy grays and blacks) and the cut is nice and simple.

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This skirt my mom and sister found for me at Goodwill. It's so flowy, and fun to wear with heels and walk about watching it ripple around my feet. *grins* And I love the color.

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I was so excited to find this dress! (Goodwill - $6) I've always wanted a dress overlaid with lace. It's so feminine and such a lovely, vibrant shade of blue. And I really like that the skirt's hem falls just past my knees and the sleeves come to my elbows - it's very comfortable for me that way. I might wear this dress to a wedding I'm attending this summer. ^_^

Fun pairing it with this necklace, too, giving it perhaps a vintage-y look?

***

Oh, and these chips I found at a grocery store while in town doing my clothing shopping. Who else loves sweet potato chips?? I simply adore them ... they're like the only chips I can have these days (besides tortilla chips). I love salty things, most especially chips. So it's fun to get sweet potato chips for a special snack every now and then.

***

Well, that's all I have for my Thursday post. Come back Monday to watch my fun Q&A video from my Youtube channel! (I already filmed this two-part video, and am excited about sharing it. *grins*)

So where do you shop?

What's your style? Do you like any of the outfits above?

Are you more into salty things or sweet things? Do you like sweet potato chips?

Tell me about life!

Goodwill Haul #2

So, friends, I went to Goodwill again ... clothes shopping (usually I go book shopping there, hehe) ... and I found three shirts and a pair of jeans! For $18! *winks* Makes me feel thrifty.

Anyway! I thought I'd take some pics and do a quick post showing you all the outfits I put together.

Here goes.

 

Favorite shirt of the three?

Do you all like jean jackets? Or leather? I kinda want a leather jacket...

And ... a random picture of me with Miss Kitty. She's getting some gray, or white, hairs, I noticed.

So how's life, my dears? Where do you like to shop? Anything exciting happening?

I'm currently feeling a little under the weather. Maybe my sinuses are acting up, or perhaps I have allergies.

It's getting cooler here, but still sunny and warm.

I'm kinda looking forward to fall. Hmm...

I might do an updated bookshelf tour, now that I finally have all my books with me! *hugs my dear babies*

I just finished reading Romans, and now started John ...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5

My review books are piling up, but I just don't have the motivation to read them right now! Eek! I'm currently trying to get through The Pretender: A Blackguard in Disguise by Ta'Mara Hanscom, but it's not what I expected. And rather crazy! Haha. We'll see...

School started! I'm helping teach. Doing Spelling and History with the kids, currently.

My family got a volleyball net. And badminton. We have a nice big yard at our new house, perfect for such things. (And Ultimate Frisbee, perhaps!) Do you all want to come over this evening? I'll make cookies. *winks and smiles*

Okay. That's all for now. Comment below with what's going on in your life so we can chat. ^_^

Here's a good song ...

A Shopping Trip + Life Update Snippets

Hello, lovely people! Today my family's taking a bit of a break from working on our house to celebrate one of my younger sister's birthdays! Yay!

I thought I would do a quick blog post as well, telling of my shopping adventure. Because shopping is always an adventure ... when you have the right people with you. *winks*

***

My sister needed some items for an upcoming trip, so she and I hopped in the car late morning on Tuesday and headed to town.

We stopped at Goodwill first. I tried on a huge pile of shirts ... which I'm usually not patient enough for. But today I was looking for long cardigans and some summer shirts. I really like the style where the shirt goes longer in the back. Something about it ... it's so flowy and elegant!

Oh, and of course I found a few books there as well! *winks*

(I usually love Lori Wick's novels. Something about them is so real, heartwarming, and charming. Untamed is a Christian Living I picked up because it sounded intriguing.)

Next we got lunch at Chick-fil-A. (Why are you surprised?) It was so fun to just talk and relax and enjoy good food.

Lastly, we went to Walmart to find a few things my sister needed. We got distracted by cute purses, lovely-print pajamas, and adorable $3 shoes! (Of a style we'd both been secretly wanting!) We each had to pick out a pair, before going to get the essentials we came for! (Such as rain jackets and shampoo.)

Anyway, I thought I'd show you the items I found, and outfits I put together with them! If you've been following this blog for long, you probably know I value modesty - so I try to be purposefully aware of that as I shop for different articles of clothing.

What do you think? Ladies, see anything you'd wear?

This blue t-shirt style top goes a little longer in the back. It's a size medium ... perhaps a tad big? But I love the color and just how simple and summery it is.

I loved the fit of this black/gray top! It's so soft, classic, and also of the cut which swoops longer in the back. Very comfortable.

A simple gray shirt. It can be casual or dressy. I really like the fit and cut.

This purple button-up is so flowy and lovely! I simple love it with a belt, and I've been told purple is my color ... so, I'm super happy I bought this!

I thought this orange button-up would be perfect for a Thanksgiving get-together! *smiles* The cut is very fun! So exciting to have found so many shirts with long backs. There's something quite comfortable and feminine about them, I think. I always admire them when I see other women wearing them in town!

Long cardigans are my favorite! ^_^ This teal one is such a beautiful color and kind of an old-fashioned, classy cut. I think it can be used in summer or winter, as I modeled above.

Another long cardigan! Can't go wrong with gray striped! *grins*

So that is what I got! Three t-shirt style tops, two button-up tops, and two long cardigans. Also, aren't my mint-green shoes from Walmart the best? *heart eyes* I very much love them.

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So ... what else?

Well, today, this gluten-free girl got to eat some oreo cookies! Eep!

They are of the glutino brand which, consequently, doesn't use milk in their gluten-free "chocolate vanilla creme" cookies either! It does say it may contain traces of milk, but there's not actually milk in the ingredients. Yay! I was quite excited.

I don't usually eat things like this, but today is a birthday party ... so I figured I may as well have a treat too. *winks*

***

We've been quite busy this month ... and hoping July will be the "move in" month! I've been alternating between working at the house (painting mostly) and watching the little ones at home, housekeeping, making supper, grocery shopping, etc.

- One day, the two little ones and I left "the house" early and stopped at Chick-fil-A for supper! That was fun. *grins* Never mind that my two-year-old brother squeezed his cup to tightly and spilled water all over the floor. The staff at this wonderful restaurant are so very lovely and patient and helpful. -

- Another time, I went shopping with these two and we got ingredients for a Mexican-style meal. I felt so amazing, driving home through the rain, music playing ... just peaceful.

At home, I made salsa, guacamole, and lime & cilantro rice. Cooked up chicken. Warmed up refried beans. Chopped up lettuce. And starting cooking the uncooked tortillas my mom likes to buy. It took me quite a long time to prepare all this! But it was worth it! ^_^ And the rest of the family enjoyed it after they got home from working hard. -

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Oh, and currently reading Recovering Redemption: A Gospel-Saturated Perspective on How to Change by Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer.

It is very, very good. Looking forward to sharing my review soon.

I gotta run and help get things ready for sister's birthday party with the family! And wrap my present for her, oops! Can't believe she's fifteen today! *grins*

How's life going for you all? Anything I can be praying about for you, my dears?