Quick Fix ~ Pregnancy Cravings ~ Guest Post

In my last "Quick Fix" post I highlighted past blog entries for your to look at for other "Quick Fixes" . While working on the post and scrolling through older ones I thought this might be a good topic to invite a few guest bloggers onto . Since I have several friends who enjoy blogging as much as I do I of course reached out to them first . Our first Guest Post in the Quick Fix series will be from my friend Cindy . Cindy is a wife , mother , blogger , DIYer and my former "back up!!" in the ol' RD Days . She is currently pregnant with her second child which leads us to today's  "Quick Fix" .

Pregnancy Cravings ~ A Quick Fix From Cindy

Since cake is my main pregnancy craving , I've been making a good amount of cupcakes . I don't have the time to ice 24 cupcakes with a knife, nor do I feel like it . I don't want to spend money on pastry bags or fancy tips either . And the icing tools I do have are just too hard to clean .

 

So , I've started putting my icing in a gallon zip lock bag . I simply close the bag , cut off one of the corners , and make little swirls on each cupcake . Then , when I'm finished , there is no clean up ! Just throw the bag away . Today's flavor was red velvet with cream cheese icing .

You can also filled deviled eggs this way . I simply put the filling in a sandwich size ziplock , cut off one corner and fill the egg white halves . Less mess . Quicker . Easy clean up .


Thanks so much Cindy for sharing this super easy quick fix with everyone !! If you would like to check out more of Cindy's ideas , crafts and DIY projects you can click on  http://sothecooksaid.blogspot.com/

What "Quick Fixes" have you come up with in a jam ?! Please feel free to share with us in the comment section . Stay tuned for more "Quick Fixes" from guests bloggers in the near future !!! Until then you can click on the high lighted links through out this blog for other "Quick Fix" posts found through out the Faith Journals . We all could use a little help making life a little more simple .

Mini - Muffins ~ Quick Fix

Through out the posts in the Faith Journals you will see "Quick Fix" posts . This is me just sharing with you something that made my life a little easier and didn't take too much time or money . Some of them you may have already thought of or you may be like myself and this is the first you've heard of it . For me each "Quick Fix" was a "ah-ha" moment or a "Why have I never thought of this before ?" moment . So , if you are in the "I already thought of that . " category , please try not to judge me too harshly for my slowness .

Today's  "Quick Fix" involves breakfast for seven . This week a few of my besties spent a few days in a city near mine . So , we of course made some time to spend together . Before meeting up with them I wanted to make something to help out this week with their meal plan . They had 4 children with them 6 and under in age . In order to save some money and make the most of the time together they did the grocery/take turns cooking route . Which I think is great when you are staying in a facility with a kitchen ! I wanted to make something that would last for a few days , be kid friendly , as well as adult friendly and of course yummy ! I am not sure why , but I didn't come to this conclusion until the day before I was heading their way . So , in addition to these requirements I needed something quick and easy . One of my Chattanooga besties , Amanda , always keeps muffin packets on hand in her kitchen . Well , at least she use too when we lived in Chatt . I am sure she still does , especially now that she has three little ones to keep fed . I had never really given these packets much thought in the grocery until after a visit to Amanda's . Her husband was out of town , they lived way out in the boonies , so she had Jack and I stay over for extra company . She probably wanted Jacks intense dog ability to hear ANYTHING for a alarm system . LOL !! Anyway , the next morning for breakfast she whipped up a couple batches of muffins with coffee for breakfast . It was scrumptious ! Ever since I have made sure to keep a pack in my cub bard for a quick breakfast or to-go snack .

With that in mind I decided these quick muffin packs would make for the perfect thing to take to my friends and their kids . I figured they'd be great for breakfast with coffee for the adults or milk/juice for the kids . Be handy little post pool time snacks or even be good to have in the car for their drive home and if all else failed they could feed them to the wild life near their cabin ! So , I purchased 5 packs in a variety of flavors (blueberry , apple cinnamon , chocolate - chocolate chip , and banana nut) . Each pack was less than $1.00  , makes 6 "normal" muffins , takes about 15 minutes to baked and only requires a half cup of milk . Since I wanted this treat to also be appealing to little hands I decided to make mini-muffins along with the "normal" sized muffins . When all was said and done I had spent less than $5.00 , less than a hour , two and half cups of milk, and made several dozen mini - muffins and about a dozen (ish) normal size muffins . I used the Martha White brand , but there are a variety of others out there and a few that you can use water instead of milk . I just prefer this brand after trying the others .

Muffins Cooling - My discipline is improving  .
I did not eat not even one muffin prior to
delivering them to my friends .

I used a picnic type bowl to transport them in since I didn't have anything large enough or easy enough to travel with . I lined the bowl with pretty napkins , put the larger muffins on the bottom and the mini muffins on top and then covered it with foil to keep them fresh . I keep a small box in the back of my car for transporting items that I don't want to tip over and the bowl fit perfectly .

Super cute cup cake liners to make them
easy to grab and less mess . I had these
liners on hand after purchasing them from
Easter clearance items . There is nothing "Easter" per say about them .
I suppose it I their spring colors . Anyway , the liners ended up being super handy
and totally worth the quarter or two I spent on them .

 

The day I delivered (a Tuesday) them we sure did end up eating a few post pool time to hold us over until dinner . By Thursday when I meet back up with my friends they reported back that all the muffins had been eaten and enjoyed !! I was so glad to have been able to donate a little something to their meal plans and that the adults and children enjoyed them so much ! Super easy , super inexpensive and super yummy !!! My kind of a "Quick Fix" !!

These little packets have also come in handy when I have guests to make breakfast for or are trying to get on the road before breakfast time . They are a easy to-go food . Feel free to click on the high lighted links through out this blog for other "Quick Fix" posts found through out the Faith Journals . What have you done/baked/created lately that would fit into the "Quick Fix" category ?! Feel free to share with us !!! We all could use a little help making life a little more simple .

~ Discount Diva ~ Break it Down - Session 1 ~ "Would you like your reciept ?" ~

I was out shopping with a friend a while back and was asked , "How did you do that ? " , referring to the price I paid verses the amount of goodies I walked away with . I thought you might enjoy a quick break down on how it works too . Today's break down is specific to coupons found on your receipt . If ever asked , "Would you like your receipt ?" (because some places give you a option so not to waste printer paper) I always say YES !! At the bottom of some of these receipts there will be a survey web site or phone number . I honestly couldn't tell you the last time it was a phone number , but still I am sure they exist . I am going to do a quick little break down for you to hopefully help you see these surveys as a help not a hassle . I know that when you are standing in store , hands full of goodies it is sometimes hard to do the math on if you are getting a good deal , if it is worth the purchase to use the coupon , etc . I have done this so many times that I am sure the people think I am stealing due to how long I had been standing there .

When doing these surveys online you are never asked anything personal in the area of address , social security number , credit card number , etc . If you ever are asked for something so personal on a survey please hear this in your head " ABORT ABORT ABORT !!!! " . Todays specific examples are going to be with Bath and Body Works and Sonic .

Bath and Body Works receipts occasionally have a survey offer at the bottom . You simply go online , follow the prompts , answer the questions and after about 5 minutes (if that) and completing the survey you are given a discount code to write onto a blank spot on your receipt . The normal I have noticed tends to be $10.00 off of a $30 purchase . Now , at first I thought I am not going to be spending $30 in order to make this coupon worth it . I was wrong ! This is how I made the most out of my coupon . Now and then Bath and Body Works will put their 3-wick candles on sale 2/$22 . My favorite are French Lavender Vanilla . Lavender is a helpful scent to have on hand for migraine sufferers , making it necessary for me to keep around . Regularly these great candles are 1/$22 (which I just can't bring myself to pay) making the sale basically a 2-for-1 . With these in hand I am already almost to my $30.00 requirement . Remember , if I spend $30 I receive $10 off the purchase making the candles 2/$20 by the time I am done . Now I think , "What else can I purchase that is 1. needed ( I don't want to waste money . That is just counter productive . ) and 2. will not push me over that $30.00 requirement (my goal is to save money and get the most for my buck after all) " .  There are several options at B&BW since they normally have a "3 for $"  of a" buy 2 get 1" kind of deal going on with lotions , sprays and what nots . Today's deal was purchase 3 travel size lotions , sprays or bath gels for $10.00 (this was a great deal b/c the usual is 3/$12) .  You could purchase a variety of any scent but , for me I took the opportunity to mark a birthday gift off my "to-purchase" list . I purchased a set for a friend going on a trip . I thought it made for the perfect bday gift and handy for travel size requirements ! So , with my coupon and the deals they had that day I ended up leaving the store with two 3-wick candles (normally $22 each) and three travel size items (buy 3 for $10) making my total after the coupon , sale discounts and with taxes right around $23.00 ish dollars . Basically making the three travel size items free . It was totally worth the 5 minutes it took to complete the survey weeks earlier . Also , the survey coupons never expire (I was told by a sales associate) so there is no rush to use it . They do not work online or in combination with the promotional coupons that they send out in the mail . Victoria Secret use to do a similar coupon on their receipts . I believe it was $10 off of $50 . I am unsure if they still do b/c it's been so long since I've shopped there , but it's worth a glance at your receipt . Especially during Semi-Annual Sale time .  Just a FYI .

This is how I do at My Sonic , I try to keep a free route 44 coupon in my purse at all times . You never know when you are just gonna NEED a cherry-limeaid ! Again , these coupons are attained by doing a quick online survey . The survey is found at the bottom of your receipt and almost blends in with the normal this and that of receipt information . It barely takes 5 minutes and again at the end you are given a code to write onto your receipt . It would seem that these codes do not expire either , however I have not had the chance to ask someone for 100% surety . I have just had one for a really long time and still been able to use it . Think about it , go through the drive-thru at happy hour (2-4pm) spend $1.00 ish on a bevi , get a survey on your receipt , complete survey , and receive code for a free beverage no matter the time of day....making all hours , happy hour ! A route 44 is a ginormous bevi I think it is something one could sip on all day....or for several days . It cost $2.19 before taxes at most Sonics that I have visited . In the long run making your previous drink purchase a 2 for 1 . Every now and then the coupon is a free route 44 w a food purchase . I think even if you "have" to buy some mozzarella sticks you are coming off with a good deal !

Just for some size perspective - this is a large .

I know it might all seem silly or like a bunch of work just to save a buck . That is what I thought originally , but my couponing , survey taking and just paying attention has saved me so much in the long run that it makes it worth it for me . It has yet to be a task not worth the deal . I hope that these examples of break downs help you to think through coupons you may have or may attain in the future and how to best use them . I hope to write a few more of these in the future helping you to break down the simply discounts that are all around you .  Happy Shopping !! Happy Couponing !!

~ Happy 4th of July !!! ~

 

 Happy 4th of July from The Faith Journals !!!

 

 

Jack Davis and I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful day with people you love celebrating the amazing freedom that is a gift to us . As you can see in the above collage Jack has enjoyed being outside , eating a turkey burger patty , and (not pictured) playing with his favorite neighborhood dog , Storm . And yes , we wore July 4th tiara's as apart of our holiday fashion . Like you are THAT surprised that I have July 4th themed tiara's . Jack did not enjoy the tiara as much as I did , of course .

Thank you Papaw for your 20 years of service to the
US Navy . This is Papaw back in the day on one of the
battle ships . He looks so cool !!!!!

Thank you to the Partin family for your sacrifice in
service in the US Army . Jon is a service man and Sarah is
his wife (she's m'bff ) .

I hope that today you had the opportunity in some form or fashion to thank those who sacrifice so that we can be free to celebrate and live any way we want . Above is a picture of Papaw in his living on a carrier days and my bff Sarah with her husband who serves in the Army . We can't forget to thank the families of the military men . They all sacrifice in one way or another for our freedom . In hearing stories from my Mamaw and watching Sarah's journey as military wives I believe the military wife is a form of super hero .

Enjoy the rest of your fourth !! I am unsure Jack and I will do the firework thing . He has a tendency to think they are an intruder and runs around barking.....even if we are outside .

He refuses to look at the camera .

How did you celebrate this holiday ?!


Out takes of an attempt to get a good picture .
You can see the defeat in his eyes .



~ My Favorite Things ~



OBVIOUSLY!!!

Alright y'all as much as I would love to be like Oprah with this "Favorite Things" post and "give you a car ! you a car ! you a car !" , that's just not gonna happen . I could possibly give away a lip gloss...possibly , but I don't even know how to go about that at this point . LOL !! Today's post is going to be me sharing a few of m'fave-O-rite things hoping that it will remind you of some of the things that make you irrationally happy . It is so easy and can become such a habit to only see the negative in our worlds . To focus on what isn't happening or what we do not have instead of what is and what we do have . So , lets get started with something fun !!!

“I said pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.”
― Marilyn Monroe

I am not sure if it is my age , all the changes in my day-to-day "normal" or what , but I have become an official lipstick addict . I have even recently sent a tube or two to a few of my friends as gifts . I think it is such a lady like and womanly gift to give . It may eventually become a go-to gift to give . I feel so much more feminine and put together when I am wearing lipstick . Don't get it wrong kiddos , I still LOVESSSSSSSSS lip gloss and chap sticks too, but that beautiful tube of wine colored lipstick is currently my cosmetology bliss . Thank you Ashleigh Givens for that beautiful Mary Kay lipstick that seems to have sent me into a lipstick spiral . I would highly encourage you all to dig through your make up bag , borrow your mom's or a friends and give lipstick a try the next time you're getting dolled up to go out .  If you need a "dealer" may I recommend my good friend Ashleigh !!
"Heels and red lipstick will put the fear of God into people" - Dita Von Teese

“A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting. ”
― Christian Dior

While we are on the "what makes ya feel like a grown woman" topic , let me introduce perfume to the discussion . Not body spray , not roll on oils , not lotion , but PERFUME !!!! It's become another one of those things that helps me feel oh so womanly and completely put together . It's a gift that my family has enjoyed giving for Christmas every since I was a little girl . Of course back then it was names like "Loves Baby Soft" and Debbie Gibson's "Electric Youth" instead of Coach or Banana Republic . Kidd you not I would still get giddy if I found a bottle of Baby Soft in my Christmas stocking . I absolutely adored it !!! And again , yes I totally have a bottle of "Love Spell" and "Berry Kiss" body sprays under the sink that I wear , but there is just something about a beautiful bottle with an amazing scent that when you spray/dab it onto your wrists makes you feel like such a lady . It can be romantic , care free or even set the tone for business to be done . "Perfume is the most intense form of memory" - Jean Paul Guerlain . “A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.”   ― Coco Chanel 

Sidenote/piece of advice : honeysuckle perfume/spray after a summer storm = worst decision of your life .

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
― Jane Austen

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”
― Mark Twain

Since it is Summer I need to give a nod to "Summer Reads" . Why is it in the Summer we give ourselves permission to read things that are a bit on the light side ? I don't know the answer , but I don't mind the easy reads either . So far this Summer I have spent a bit of time in waiting rooms , making me rather glad of the McKays finds I purchased a while ago . Initially thinking they would make for good coffee table books . I have finished the quick read of Style by Kate Spade and am in the process of reading The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia . I have had to put it down a few times due to interruptions , but I am excited to finish it in the next couple weeks . It is a easy read on "A less is more approach to staying chic and shopping smart" . On the stack of "to-read" is a little paper back by Edith Head called The Dress Doctor , Jennifer Love Hewitts ,  The Day I Shot Cupid and a few other little fun books . Fashion and relationships are always a favorite for me , making these books perfect for Summer reading . Also pictured is my new favorite summer bag !! It is a Lily Bloom cross body bag . Lily Bloom is a eco-friendly company making them even more wonderful in my book . You know how I love to #reducereuserepurpose !! I also got it for a wonderful price through EBATES and Sears Shop Your Way Rewards . Eco-friendly & a good bargain equals retail therapy bliss . Along with my bag there is of course a fashion magazine and my new favorite , circle a word . ELLE has become my FAVE fashion mag . I find myself not just flipping through and gazing at the gorgeous pics , but actually reading articles that are applicable to me , my life , and what I'd like to see happen in my world.....eventually . I also like that it doesn't completely focus the articles on sex and relationships like some other "fashion" mags do . I mean , I get it , we all need that secret go to for certain questions that just can't be asked out loud , but I don't want an entire magazine of it when I got the magazine for the purpose of fashion . So , kudos #ELLEUS !!!! I adore you !! The circle a word is something that has been in my world FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRR . Mamaw always has a book with her just in case she needs to pass time . I have done them here and there in the past , but I got this gem "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book at the Dollar Tree and I am glad I spent the $1 .00 . It has helped pass waiting room time for sure . I have decided to adopt Mamaws theory that they are a good thing to keep around for just in case .

 

Pictured above are my favorites of : Traveling , jewelry , dreaming of Paris , going on walks at the local park and reading outside after , my Nalgene , forever21 sunnies , bargains , witch hazel (the best astringent ever ) and YARDLEYS English Lavender soap . I have eczema on my arms which can be rather embarrassing . After having the doctor prescribe a medicine that ended up being too expensive for me to buy I had to get creative . I started with the norm of things like cortisone and what not . It seemed to only anger it more . After doing a little reading and research I decided to give witch hazel a go . I already had a bottle that cost about a $1.00 from Target and it seemed to be helping , but not completely . I then tried a combination which included changing my soap . I had a coupon (of course) for Yardley and had read a lot of wonderful things about it . EUREKA !! It worked . I am so excited and happy that this $2 .00 remedy worked for me . It was a glorious alternative to the $100.00 prescription . I am hoping to stock up on Yardley soon .  I read the Dollar Tree Coupon Policy and am thinking it will be a great resource for that . I noticed just today that they had Yardley English Lavender on one of their shelves . I suggest Yardley even if you don't have a skin condition that needs some love . It is a wonderful , delicate soap and Lavender is a natural relaxant . BONUS !!

I was taking a pic of the DVDs and someone thought
he was suppose to be in front of the camera .
I blame myself . I am "that" mom that blinds her baby with the flash of a camera .

 ALLLLL m'friends know I love me a good binge-a-thon . Gossip Girl , Gilmore Girls , The Big Bang Theory , The West Wing , & FRIENDS are some of my favorite go-to binge box sets . Back when I didn't have cable the box set and my dvd player where my best friends on a rainy , snowy , or sick day . That is actually how I feel in love with the idea of a box set/binge-a-thons . I was living in my first "all my own" tiny one bedroom apartment in Virginia and was extremely sick . It was just after Christmas and I had gotten a Gilmore Girls box set as a gift . All my friends were still away for the Holidays and I think there was a fresh snow on the ground . So , while I sat on my "hand me down busted" couch , sick as could be , I popped in the box set . It helped me get my mind off my pain and made me feel not so alone in that tiny apartment . To this day when I am "shut-it" sick I go to my Gilmore Girl box sets for relief and brain candy . And if you don't know by now that Jack Davis is a favorite then I'm not sure I can even talk to you .

Ebe's 30th BDay - DC Weekend
(why are we in front of the White House & yet the WH isn't in our picture ?!)
#brainfreeze #tourist #whydidn'tthelocalthinkofit

Bowling w the Gparents on a break fr college .

I would hope it goes with out saying that my family and friends are ABSOLUETLY MY FAVORITES !!! Everything I am , everything I have , everything that is to come is because of my friends and family . We travel together , we text constantly , we are as close now as when we lived in the same place , and we make a point to take time to spend together . Being intentional is half the battle in ANY relationship !!! I am excited to see several of my FUHouse roomies next week . They will be a few counties over and I plan to go visit for a day . I get giddy just thinking about hugging their necks and squeezing their babies !! Family - "forgetaboutittttt" (said as Joey Tribiani) . This time in my life has had its highs and lows . With out my family to support and love me even on my dark days I would never survive . I love that they love Jack Davis as if he where a "real boy" . I kinda think they like him more than me . Which is alright . I suppose he has fewer mood swings . My extended family is just as amazing . You can read a few of their hilarious gems HERE in one of my past posts . When I tell people stories about my family they tend to believe the stories are made up or "Stacie edited".......until they meet my family . After that , all doubt is removed .

 

Last , but definitely not least on my FAVORITE list is of course none other than STARBUCKS !! I realize that yes I can make coffee in my house for much cheaper . I do !! However , every now and then you just need that cup and that smell that only comes from starbucks beverages . It may be and probably is just mental , but it seriously brings a calm that tells me everything is gonna be alright . This starbucks purchase was actually FREE !!! In my past post  "Earn When You Spend" , I mention several companies that reward you for using their product . Kelloggs is one of those companies . (another one of my favorite things is cereal and rewards) When you purchase a Kelloggs brand item there will be a code printed inside the box . You can go to www.kelloggsfamilyrewards.com , create an account(for free) , and start entering those codes into your account . As they add up you can use them in the Kelloggs shop for items such as reuseable totes (another one of my faves) , kitchen tools , books , magazines and even STARBUCKS !!! In my experience it is worth the few minutes it takes to enter the codes . I mean , I am going to buy cereal anyway I might as well get a reward for it !! RIGHT ?!! That's one of my grocery shopping motto's . Every now and then companies that have such programs will send you a "bonus reward" that isn't deducted from your points simply for being a member of the program . One of those rewards in the past has been a Shutterfly photo book . Photo books can cost close to $40.00 w/shipping and all . Making photo books one of my favorite bonus' to receive . I will be writing a post soon about a Shutterfly project I am working on courtesy of a reward bonus so, stay tuned .  My most recent Kellogg family reward was a $5.00 Starbucks gift card !!! GLORY !!! It was easy to "purchase" , download to my Starbucks account and then transfer to my smart phone . That's right , you don't even need the actual in had card to pay . All you do is download the Starbucks Ap  to your smart phone (recommend because they often send you free music , aps and books for downloading ~ music & free is M'FAVORITE) and then you can transfer/load gift cards to your account . You'll have a "pay" link on your ap that creates a bar code for the barista to scan and deduct/add from/to your Starbucks Gift Cards . It's wonderful , easy and makes giving/getting gift cards such a simple thing . Yesterday , being Monday , I had several things on my to-do list . I was even overwhelmed by the idea of to-do's in days to come . So , I decided that even though my town doesn't have a Starbucks I was going to use that gift card . I drove a county over and got a beautiful grande white mocha . The 20 minute drive back to my county was the most blissful part of my day . It may end up being the most blissful part of the week . Don't you judge me !! It was a doctor recommend outing . #truestory #prescriptionforstarbucks

 

I hope that you've enjoyed glimpsing my favorite things and that this post has brought to mind the things that bring you bliss on an overwhelming day . Sometimes it really is the little "things" in life that make it a bit more bearable .

If you have to be told that this is one of my faves then
I question the validity of our friendship .



How is your Summer going ?
What are a few of your FAVORITE things ?


( you can click on any of the highlighted links to find past blogs , resources for items found in this post , etc .)

To keep up to date with The Faith Journals or receive notices on new blog posts , I invite you to follow me on Instagram ! You can click on the link below to be directed to my #insta .







 

 

 





~ Summers With Papaw ~

Growing up my summers were mainly spent either at my Great-Grandma Hannah's or at my Grandparents . Mom was a working-single mother so after school and summer vacations I spent Monday through Friday with family watching over me . I don't recall ever really minding it other than having to wake up early . Which by the way is still a pet peeve of mine . There is however one occasion I never minded waking up early for and that was going fishing with my Papaw . Papaw worked for the school system so while his summers weren't completely work free he did have the occasional morning to spend on the lake . Being the only grandchild I was of course his eternal side kick .

I can still recall catching my first blue gill . I was in the middle of a small fishing boat with a grandparent on either side of me . Wearing , of course , a life jacket....that was probably tied to something in case I fell in . I was still too little to know how to swim . That doesn't really matter though . Even if we went out on the lake today Papaw would be sure I had on a life jacket....it is the law after all .  Anyway , I had a child sized fishing pole with bait that had been placed on it for me , when all of a sudden I get that tug !! It's a tug that stops your heart no matter how many years you've spent fishing . With the encouragement (and by encouragement I mean screaming and hand flailing) of my gparents I reeled in the little fish and immediately screamed and went to the other side of the boat . I am not sure what exactly my toddler mind was expecting , but when that little guy came flying out of the water I was suddenly afraid for my life . I have gotten past those little girl , icky fish fears and can proudly bait my own hook and unhook my own fish.....usually .

Today as I took Papaw to another doctor appointment I started thinking about how much our summers have changed . We have gone from him driving me places to me driving him places . We haven't been to the lake in quiet a while , but we both still dream of one day owning one of those fancy speed boats and catching an amazing rock fish of the likes no one has seen . While this time in our lives is probably difficult for us both , but for different reasons , I truly wouldn't be doing anything else . I am glad to be able to help my grandparents out here and there . Not everyone has that opportunity and I am becoming more and more aware of how special it is . While I don't have a "job" yet and that could change any day , I am glad that my "work" for the moment is helping people I love . My family has spent a lot of time watching over me as I grew up and now it is my turn to help watch over them . I am glad to pick up my cousin from school , I am happy to drive Papaw to the doctor or to pick up a few groceries for Mamaw . I am pleased to be with in driving distance of both my parents and able to meet either of them out for a surprise dinner or trip to the mall . I know that all of this could change in a minute so I am doing my best to keep my mind and heart focused on Gods plans and timing for all of our lives .

~ Newest Shutterfly Project ~

Every body knows how I love "real" mail . I love sending mail as well as receiving it so , when Shutterfly sent me a special bonus for 10 free note cards it was a no brainer !!! If you are not a Shutterfly user I would highly recommend that you check them out . I use their site for the majority of my personalized projects/gifts . New note cards have been on my shopping list for several weeks and I just haven't found any I "love" . Yes , I am that particular about my note cards . Making todays' Shutterfly freebie a extra fun surprise and now I can mark one more thing off my list .

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.




 

In case you wonder , when you are sent one of these amazing Shutterfly free/discount codes it goes towards the item you are purchasing and doesn't include tax or shipping . However , for me the cost of shipping is usually worth the purchase and ends up being less than if I had went out to a store and purchased or had someone else make whatever it is I am getting . And as I have said probably a gazillion times , personalized notes or gifts are really some of the best ! Also , once you have shopped with Shutterfly they will continue sending you discounts , freebies and other fun offers for your future projects . If you are interested in checking out Shutterfly and the items they offer you can do so by clicking on any of the highlighted links on this page . The picture above is a copy of the card I ordered . I ordered it in a 5x5 flat card , just to be a little sassy in comparison to the norm 3x5 folded card . It is one of my favorite scenic pictures from a trip to Seattle last summer that I edited with Instagram . I think it will be a great note card for this summers correspondence to friends and family .