Last day of the year....

I can't believe it is the last day of December. Saturday I didn't have to be at work until the afternoon so I went to the Scrapbook Super Store Clearance Center. They have moved to a bigger store so there was a tone of stuff to look at. I have several projects that are not scrapbook related that I need embellishments or paper for. I was also looking for things for my Happy Planner weekly spread like quotes and motivation. So I found the 15 items below for my projects. 

I also found four pages of beach paper for an upcoming project.

This Scrapbook store always throws some freebies in your bag as a thank you for coming by. Saturday I got some paisley scrap pieces, a page of floral stickers and a package of punch out felt shapes. There are 5 sheets of different colors in there. And everything in this pic was free.

The one thing I love about this store is that prices are discounted since it is a clearance store. THEN they ring it up and you get an automatic 50% discount because it is a clearance store. As you can see I got my $9.31 worth of stuff for $4.65 plus tax for a total of $5.10. Then I got all that free stuff too.

And right before I left each clerk handed me a 10% off coupon for Texas Roadhouse. Since that is one of my fave places to go to eat and I spend around $15 when I go there, that means I will save about $3 between two trips. So saving $3 for spending $5.10 is a good deal in my eyes.

Since scrapbooking takes a lot of work and a lot of pictures to be printed, I may try doing what they call a junk journal. More to come on this topic after I do some more research, but here is a sample of one on Pinterest. 

Now that Christmas is over, I need to start looking for more Valentine's Day decor. I spent some Pinterest time yeasterday. I like these. I want to find the XOXO sign, a white pitcher and the sparkly hearts. 

These are simple and cute. I bet I could get everything at Dollar Tree to do this craft.  

I want to get some S & P shakers like this at the Dollar Tree and some pink paint. I just want a simple ribbon around the top, nothing as decorative as below.

I am writing my blog late tonight because I spent the day enjoying it since we have worked so many hours at work lately. I decided later this afternoon to go out to the lake and the dam to get some fresh air. My granddaughter Shelby decided she want to ride out with me. It was 70 degrees and windy but it was a warm "feel good" wind. 

Shelby decided I needed to do a photo shoot. We had a really good time. 

I have been just hanging out at the house the rest of the evening, working on a few things for next year. Making plans. It's really windy and it is pouring the rain (again). We have had way more than our share of rain this year. Saw this on Facebook earlier and it is so true.

Just about 2 more hours left in 2018. I am going to try to stay up to ring it in until 12:01 then I am heading to bed. Hope you are having a great New Year's Eve and are staying safe.

Sunday's Songs

Week in review....

These past week has been a whirlwind of activity at work and at home. A week ago, I baked cookies for gifts for work and ended up baking close to 20 dozen assorted cookies. I split them up and delivered them to each department at work that I work with daily. That night I realized it was a full moon and got an awesome picture of the sky.

I got a lot of gifts from friends at work and love them all. But my favorite was the tall pelican and the pineapple. They are looking great in my beach room. 

I love the fact that the pineapple is a night light. It's really neat.

The kids came over for Christmas eve and we had our family Christmas. My grandchildren are growing up way too fast for me. We had a great time. I got some wonderful gifts from them and hated to see them leave to go home.

I always pick myself up a few things for Christmas to have under my tree for Christmas morning. I was thrilled with my new Happy Planner.

I got the planner and some supplies to decorated some of the pages so I don't have a blah planner. I love sprucing things up.

The favorite thing I bought myself was a birthstone ring. It is blue topaz. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it. I am so happy with it.

My word for 2019 is going to be DARE as I come outside of my comfort zone and dare to be what I want to be and do what I want to do instead of what others expect of me. Thirty-One came out with a new canvas bag called a statement bag. You can customize your own bag. My friend Jonnie at work designed me a motivational poster about DARE. I will be sharing the story behind the word on January 1st. But he ended the poster with the words "When you think you've given your all, I dare you to be more." I just loved that line so I'm using it as my mantra in 2019. That's why I wanted my bag to say Dare to be MORE. I can't wait to get it. I will post the actual product when it comes in.

I am going to really work my Thirty-One business next year. They are offering a lot of incentives. In January, I have a goal of $1000 in sales and I will receive this bag. I am in love with the new Island Nights pattern. 

Well, that's it for today. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

After Christmas update....

I had some computer issues before Christmas and then when I was finally able to get back on here, life had gotten so busy with Christmas baking and cooking and gift wrapping and gatherings, that I decided to take a little blogging break. I will be back tomorrow with some updates of the past week.

I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I will be back to "visit" tomorrow. 

It's getting closer

Christmas is just around the corner. It's getting closer every day. My Christmas menu is made. All the gifts are wrapped and under the tree.

I went out last night with some of my friends after work for wing night (although I don't eat wings.) Had a wonderful time with them. 

Saturday I am going to do all my baking for work gifts on Sunday. Sunday is the church Christmas play by our adults. 

Then Monday, I will get up early to bake the goodies and prep the meal for the kids coming over that night on Christmas eve. We will track Santa's route all evening on Norad's Santa tracker. Not sure how much I'll get to post over the next few days, but I hope you and yours find true pleasure this holiday season and have a very Merry Christmas. And remember.....

Virtual Christmas visits

Today starts my round of virtual "visits" with my family for Christmas. First is my niece Emili and her friend Brittany. These two girls love life. They love sports, travel and decorating their houses for holidays. This is the interior of their house later this week I'm going to do a blog post of the exterior of everybody's house we visit this week. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

My gals love their sports. This is an adorable tree.

I have always wanted one of those little real trees. I need to see if I can find me one.

I am a sucker for kitchen Christmas decor. Love this.

I loved all their decor, but this was my favorite. 

Christmas Songs

The week ahead....

We are entering into the busiest week of the year at work, so I'm not going to have a lot of spare time. I do have a few more Christmas gifts to pick up and then I need to decide what to bake for Christmas goodies. I only have 2 days off this week and not back to back to get everything done before Christmas eve.

But I can do it. I freak out about this time every year but still end up getting it all done in time. I have some friends who love baked goods but don't bake so I will be doing up some cookies and small loaf cakes for gifts. I have been checking out ways to package them.

I think I like the bags and Baker's Twine or maybe the Parchment paper and twine. The clear bags and the paper are at Dollar Tree. And I already have the twine from a craft project. 

I also want to try some "chocolate-dipped" goodies this year.

Well, I have a short window of time to figure this out so I better get started. Have a great weekend.