Day 23: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! NOT

I can pretty much guarantee there will be no Christmas decoration up before the week after Thanksgiving. LOL

Breakfast this morning. A Chicken wrap with a side of Shreracha. LOL

My mom and my sis are in North Carolina this weekend picking up my nephew from his dads house for the holidays. I can't believe he's 16! Seems like it was just yesterday when my sister was sending him off for his first day of school!

The sky was beautiful (not to mention all of the colors of the trees) today as Nicki and I traveled to the church to work on bulletins.

No you are not seeing things. That's my twin uncles who somehow got roped into coming out and singing in the Christmas program.

My little cousin! Yep, I'm pretty sure he will be as close as we will ever come to grandparents. LOL

A little retail therapy from the Dollar Tree!

The closest I have come to Christmas so far is pulling out my Christmas folder.

Day 22: Day Dreaming

I've had a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas so I thought watching the Disney Christmas parade would help. All that did was make me homesick for WDW.

We said goodbye to a very special lady on Friday. She will be missed! 

We didn't get home that evening until 5 pm. Usually not a big deal but with the time change 5 pm just seems like 10 at night. lol 

I was craving a soft cone ice cream all day. Thank goodness Nicki can't to the rescue. 

Marc still had to go to class after the funeral. By the time he returned that night  he was just as emotionally drained as I was. Needless to say I fell asleep while he watched the game. This morning I found out he fell asleep watching the game as well. We are pretty pitiful! lol 

I should have slept better but the last week or so I have been going to bed thinking about ministry, dreaming about ministry in my sleep and waking up thinking about ministry. That pretty much takes care of getting a good nights sleep!  NOT! lol

Day 21: Hedge of Protection!

I got up this morning with pain in both arms so the most I've done today is attempt to fold a few clothes, eat and chill under the blanket. 

The day probably would have been drama free if my oldest daughter hadn't called and said she was on lockdown because there was a team of cops swarmed around an apartment building near her job. It would be nearly six hours before the lockdown would be lifted.

I made a decision a while ago to ask God to surround my children ( especially once they became adults) under a hedge of protection because let's face it, we can never be everywhere that our children are. Tonight I'm thanking him for his grace and mercy and for keeping my child safe. 

Day 20: Lazy Day Wednesday!

I've been having Disney withdrawals so for some reason I thought drinking out of my Pop Century mug would help! 

Well when at first you don't succeed grab the comfort food.

And if that doesn't work try some retail therapy! In my case it was mostly window shopping but I did find a coupon for JustFab that I for sure will be using before the end of the month! lol 

Of course as a last resort there is always chocolate! LOL

Marc worked so late Wednesday night that we weren't able to get there in time to serve dinner. As a matter of fact he went straight from work so I stayed at home and cuddled up under the blanket. 

Day 19: I got nothing!

Today was one of those days where you hope to accomplish a lot and then the day ends and you got nothin!

And it didn't help when the day ended with one of my favorite shows knocking off one of the lead characters!! I'm still in shock this morning. And yes I know in the grand scheme of things it matters not! Don't judge me...I said I had nothin! lol 

Day 18: Fall Decor Remix!

Monday I truly took advantage of my Sabbath Day and did nothing but vegetate on the sofa.  I didn't have a lot going on that would have made for a full days blog so I thought I would go around and take pics of my fall decor to share before I start taking things down and prepare for Christmas (which will not happen until the week after Christmas). I don't have any of the usual pressures associated with Thanksgiving this year because I'm not hosting them. LOL

I kept my kitchen table neutral this year. Everything is from either the dollar tree of the local thrift store.

Owl mitten is from Walmart and the plaid potholders are from Ollies.

I got the pie holder last fall after Thanksgiving. I use to have an apple one but Marc broke it.

Towels came from Rite Aid last year after Thanksgiving. I have two additional towels in green at other areas of my kitchen.

I added a new runner this year. It came from Roses last year (notice a pattern).

These are candle holders. With the exception of one which I won at a banquet raffle they all came from the Thrift Store.

A platter Marc and I picked up last year at Walmart.....and yes, after Thanksgiving. LOL

Picked up the new Fall Candle Sleeve at Bath and Bodyworks at the end of the summer. 

Another runner from Roses and pumpkins from last year that were in my glass cake stand. I don't have set places for each of my decorations. As a matter of fact I like to switch it around sometime and use the same items in a different way.

Day 17: All Crocked Up!

The day started out great. I got up early and fixed dinner (mostly in crockpots) so that we could eat as soon as we came home. It would be a minute since we had two services in a day.

I put veggies in my big crock pot.

Apples with cinnamon in my small crockpot.

And I stewed the last of our ripe tomatoes on the stove. 

I had leftover roast beef with gravy from the banquet that I had in the freezer at church so I planned to send that back with Nicki after church to be defrosted. 

After service we ended up having to come home before the second service because Marc and I both forgot to bring him a t-shirt and fresh dress shirt to change into after the morning service at WABC. 

Probably a good thing to because we were all starving and this allowed us to grab a quick snack before heading to hear the men sing at a neighbor church. 

I didn't know at the time but this was the same church Marc's niece got married in a few years ago. Boy has it changed! And I think it gave our members and idea of what we can do down the line when we finally stop fighting with the city of Norfolk to build! 

By the way this is a picture from the wedding! It's amazing what some plaster,  more comfortable chairs and additional lightning can do for a place! 

Day 16: Mixed Emotions

Today has been a day filled with highs and lows.

Started out the day hanging with Nicki on one of her make-up gigs.

Then after Marc returned from class we headed to P-Town to see a son in the ministry be installed as pastor of a church.

Melvin and his lovely wife have a long journey ahead. Often times they will be tempted to throw in the towel. I know this from experience. Please keep them in your prayers.

After the service we headed to WABC to work on Sundays programs. 

Upon returning home we learned if the passing of a very special lady in our lives and the lives of the children. I think I'm still in shock because every time I think of Mama Ida I see my children's faces and the fact that she was the first person at our old church who made my children, my husband and myself feel like family. 

I know there is more I could say but in all honesty I'm numb and the only thing I want to do is crawl in bed and go to sleep. There are some people in your life that you think will be there forever! I'm starting to get frustrated with the fact life sometimes gets so are busy that before we know it days, weeks and months have gone by before you know it. And then when you look up its too late and a loved one has gone home to be with the Lord.

Day 15: Road Dogs!

Today is probably the first day this week that I was actually headed somewhere! Can someone please explain where the weeks and days go? Because to me it seems just a few days ago that we celebrated our anniversary!

I knew we were going with Marc to class today since it was only a potluck get together and he wouldn't be there tell midnight. 

It doesn't take much of an excuse for Nicki and I to hop into a car when someone says road trip! And yes I know I'm cheesin!

This is me at the WAWA in the bathroom taking a picture! Yes I did it! Don't judge me! lol 

Downtown Richmond!

Me sportin my new boots! 

Who knew I would enjoy sitting in a college class ( Church Administration) soaking in the conversation?? 

With this one! 

Sidebar: We brought fresh fruits and veggies for the potluck!!! lol 

And I'm pretty sure Nicki never imagined she would be sitting in a class with her dad! Especially a Theology course! But God knew it!!! Don't you just luv his sense of humor??

Day 14: Broken Record!

Not much to report today! I feel like this is all I've said this week! lol But in all honesty today was all about laundry, dishes and playing catch up!

I'd gotten really good at emptying my dishwasher each morning, loading it during the day and running it at night before going to bed. But with all of the festivities this past weekend I had got just a tad bit behind. My goal is to be back on track by tomorrow morning!

My teapot and Teavanna tea maker has been my best friend today!! 

Laundry has to be my least favorite chore to do! But this week I'm playing catch up on that as well. 

So basically the next week will be spent playing catch up! lol

Day 13: Shuffling Along!

Not much to post today. I spent most of the morning just shuffling along until it was time to go to church.

We heated up leftovers at church so I didn't have to cook.

This is the candy from Marc's gift from the kids at WABC. Ummm...this looks more like a stash I would want to have! It doesn't  help that its just sitting there on his desk staring at me. lol

We stop in Target almost every Wednesday after bible study. I've been eyeing these boots for a month! Today I just bit the bullet and paid for them. Watch next week they will be on sale. lol No problem since I've also got my eye on a brown pair!! 

It's been freezing cold the last few days. I'm actually one of those crazy people that likes the winter time but even better then that I love warm pjs and hot tea. I've allowed myself to have both today!! 

I must have been really tired when I got home because I fell asleep with the phone in my hand! While still blogging mind you! Thank goodness blogspot saved my post automatically . 

Day 12:11-12-13

Not much to report today! Unless you count the date today!!

I slept in late and then started addressing the thank you notes for our anniversary.

I also washed a bunch of linen. 

Watched a bit of YouTube! Which in this case caused some major Disney withdrawals!  

We had a lot of food left over from the weekend. I've been snacking all day. Funny thing is I enjoyed the fruit more then anything. My taste buds are really wacky right now. 

I plan to chill the rest of the night and watch my favorite TV shows including NCIS!