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Friday Favorites

I didn’t have to work today!  Talk about a HAPPY FRIDAY!

It’s the first week of July and a significant time in America as we celebrate our nation’s independence!

happy flag day GIF

Although it is JULY, June was a great month and in my family there were several Birthdays.  We gathered last Saturday evening at Mama’s house to CELEBRATE

Favorite # ONE

JUNE Birthdays

Stuart became part of our family in 1988 when he married my sister.  Chynna joined the family when she married my nephew Clay.  Emily became my daughter-in-law when she married Richard in 2013.  And the newest member of our family is Adrian who was born in 2018.

There was a time when I was the only person in my family to celebrate a birthday in June.

Now there are FIVE of us!

~

Favorite # TWO

A Short Work Week

This week I went to work on Monday and Tuesday then took off on Wednesday for a Beach Day in St. Augustine with LB!

and later that evening…

Favorite # THREE

Hanging out at the Pier

Each Wednesday night throughout the summer there is the Music by the Sea event at the St. Johns County Pier.  This week the Ain’t Too Proud band entertained and motivated LB and I to sing along.

With Thursday being a holiday, we were able to stay for the entire event.

We had a GREAT time!

~

Favorite # FOUR

Independence

presented by individual style!

vacation love GIF by Molang

To celebrate Independence Day the family came by for food and festivities!

LB grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

Some of us enjoyed the pool.

Emily brought sparklers, which we had a good time with later that evening.

~

Favorite # FIVE

Outdoor Décor

to show our patriotism.

We finally got around to displaying the American Flag.

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I am blessed and grateful to be an American!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Happy Mother’s Day

Here’s another poem to tell you
(just in case you haven’t guessed)

Of all the Mamas in the world
You’re the sweetest and the best.

You’ve been there for your daughters
through the laughter and the tears

Throughout the years your patience
has continued every minuteYou sweeten up our family,
I’m so glad to have you in it!

A finer model for “that quote”
in all the world there never was
What you’ve always tried to teach me…

Pretty is as Pretty Does

On this day I wish you gladness,
just like what you pass around.
May your joyfulness continue,
And your happiness abound.

You are a lovely lady and forever you will bethe greatest Mama in the world

you mean everything to me!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO THE BEST MAMA EVER!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

It has been a long week.

Remember when I said change is good?

I’ve CHANGED my mind.

Nevertheless, I will remain positive because there is much to be grateful for… most especially because it is

And time for Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Donuts

Some in my circle will not darken the doors of Wal-Mart.  I understand, as it is typically filled with the People of Wal-Mart.

Nevertheless the Wal-Mart bakery makes fresh donuts daily and they are delicious.

And cheap.

And there are very few People of Wal-Mart shopping at 7:30 AM.

I brought a dozen to work for my peeps today and bought a box of six chocolate frosted Bavarian cream for LB.He was pretty excited.

~

Favorite # TWO

My New Jacket

I’ve been looking for a jacket similar to the yellow one that I mentioned in my Shop ’til You Drop post.

I found one at Loft and on Saturday it arrived at my front door.  The only thing I wasn’t completely satisfied with was the belt.  I don’t want to wear the jacket tied and I don’t like the dangling belt.

So I ripped out the belt loops.I’ve worn it four times this week.

~

Favorite # THREE

My Sister

is moving back to my side of town.

I’m thinking I might need to bother her more often.

I bet this is why she didn’t tell me she was moving back to my side of town!

~

Favorite # FOUR

A New Restaurant

Salsas

opened a new location on my side of town.

It is tidy, adorably decorated and just in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

and the fajitas are served in a lava rock dingo.  At least that is what it looks like!

I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned La Nopalera as being my favorite restaurant, but Salsas may be a contender.

~

Also just in time to celebrate the weekend…

Favorite # FIVE

I AM FINISHED WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Although there has been no time for blogging this week

Alice In Wonderland Disney GIF

 there’s always time for

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

Carrot Cake Trifle

I first posted this recipe here but thought it would be a good idea to post it again… with a photo this time.

Look at those luscious layers.

I made the Carrot Cake Trifle for Easter Sunday Dinner dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Carrot Cake Mix & required ingredients
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 sticks of softened butter
  • 3 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla
  • 16 oz. Cool Whip
  • Chopped walnuts

Easiest dessert recipe ever!

Directions:

  • Prepare the carrot cake according to package directions, allow to cool.
  • Cut cake into cubes.
  • Mix filling by beating together cream cheese and butter.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Fold frosting mixture together with Cool Whip.
  • Layer in trifle dish with carrot cake and walnuts.

OMG delicious!

~

Rory was not the least bit interested in dinner and seemed to need a nap.  I was rocking her and noticed that her little legs were cold, so I asked Levi if he would bring her a blanket.  Not only did he bring a blanket, he brought a story book because, before any baby takes a nap, a story is in order.

Favorite # TWO

Everyone enjoys

Story Time

There was no nap.

~

Favorite # THREE

Easter Baskets

for everyoneAs long as I’m able, I’ll make sure these babies have goodies in their Easter baskets!

~

Favorite # FOUR

Family Time

It is good for the extended family to get together for special occasions.

On this occasion we enjoyed Easter Sunday dinner, an Easter egg hunt family photos then two sweet girls got to come home with Glammy to play.

~

Later that evening, LB and I watched the Jacksonville Passion Play presented by First Baptist Church which featured the talents of

Favorite # FIVE

Several special members of my family Thanks for the Jesus selfie, Dillon.  Who else has one of these???

My nephew Dillon played the part of Judas Iscariot (that’s him in the back with the money bag), my brother-in-law Stuart was an angry Pharisee, My Mama, Aunt Linda, niece Sydney, and cousin Sarah all had parts in this program.  I was impressed with the talent that was displayed from my family!

I hope you had a

Flowers GIF by dasherzallerliebste

Special Thanks to LB my personal Photographer

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Dear Daddy

Today would have been your 73rd birthday.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.

A lot has happened since you’ve been gone.

Sydney was born shortly after you left.  You didn’t get to meet her, but I know you would love her.  She looks so much like Gina.

Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Kyle, Clay, and Dillon have all graduated from high-school.  Some have gone on to graduate from college…with the highest distinction.

~

All your grandsons are very protective.

Clay has been true to his word.  He takes good care of his Mema.  He has a manner about him that is remarkably familiar.  I always think of you when I see him.

Clay married Chynna; now they have a little boy and two little girls.

Richard had a hard time after you left; we spent many nights consoling him.  He had just turned 11.

You would be so proud of him today.

He is a preacher.  Richard married Emily… and now they have two little girls.

Lydia is Richard’s oldest;  although she doesn’t look like me, if you spent time with her, she would remind you of me when I was a little girl [according to Mama].Can you believe I’m a Glammy???

You might find it hard to believe, but all your grandchildren remember you vividly;  And your great-grandchildren know you from the many photos they’ve seen.

I know you would enjoy seeing photos of them too:

Easter 2018 Thea, Levi, Sydney, Lydia
Lydia, Levi, Thea
Lydia & Rory
Rory & Lydia
Adrienne, Thea, Levi
Rory (and Levi)
Levi

They Are So Sweet

Mama is crazy about them…

you would be too!

~

We’ve met some of your relatives and learned a lot about your heritage in the past 18 years.

  Recently Stuart discovered and shared pictures of your great grandfather William VanSickle Cox.

This is what he looked like His nose is familiar.

It appears that he was in the service; something I understand you considered.

Mama told us about that.

We talk about a lot of things in our group text.

Speaking of group text…

When you left us, we weren’t as technologically equipped as we are now.

Today everyone in the family has a personal cell phone and we keep in touch via this group text.

We talk about you often.

I saved this bit of communication from last Memorial Day:

Remembering will sometimes invoke a tearful moment, but will always bring a smile.

Thank you for the memories and for leaving a bit of yourself in each of us.

 

You would be HAPPY to know that Mama is doing well. 

And we are all fine.

We know that we will see you again Daddy; and thank you for showing us The Way.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

It has been a less than satisfactory week.

Even Friday was a disappointment.   Nevertheless, I DO have

Friday Favorites

to share.

Favorite # ONE

Groundhog Day

was a good day.

Groundhog Day is a celebrated tradition that is based on superstition.

Observed in the U.S. [and Canada] on February 2nd and originating with the Pennsylvania Dutch, it is said that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its burrow and winter will persist for six more weeks.  However, if it is cloudy, and no shadow appears, the spring season will arrive early (source).

On February 2nd, the groundhog predicted an early spring.  It was the 19th time in the past 133 years that an early spring has been predicated by the little furball (source).

Instead of celebrating as the good folks of Punxsutawney do, LB and I gathered with some of my favorite people to celebrate a special birthday… which brings me to

Favorite # TWO

Mama’s Birthday

Although we celebrated this special day on February 2nd, her birthday is January 31st. She appeared to be having a good time.See that cake???

Favorite # THREE

Lemon Pound Cake

I made two this week.

The first was a special request by my coworker and friend Wendy who celebrated a birthday on January 29th.  The recipe I used came from Add A Pinch which you can find here.

It was so good, I made one for Mama.

Favorite # FOUR

Birthday Selfies

Everyone needs a photo-bombed birthday selfie.  You haven’t been shown adequate love without one.  In my family, we are experts at bombing the birthday selfie…and it is fun…

Favorite # FIVE

A Concert

starring two Princesses (Thea and Lydia) and the Dinosaur Whisperer (Levi).

With a special solo by the littlest Glammy’s Girl (Rory).

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

This is Serious…

 

IT’S FRIDAY!

It’s time for my:

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

My Niece

My sister has one daughter, which means I have one niece, which is one of the many things that makes her so special.  That’s her and her cat.

Sydney celebrated her 17th birthday this week.

Gina posted this on social media…She looks a lot like her pretty Mama.

Happy Birthday Sydney!

~

Favorite # TWO

Perfect Attendance Party

In the inbound call center world, it is a VERY BIG DEAL to have perfects attendance.  So much so, the company throws a party for the individuals who are able to make it an entire year without using a “sick” day.  To celebrate these exceptional folks, the company will throw a party for them.  This year the party included Jimmy Johns subs and a movie,

Central Intelligence.  The movie was great!  The Buffalo Chicken sub came home with me; LB and I will sample it this weekend.

~

Favorite # THREE

These Shoes

Amanda presented these lovely leopard print sandals to me for Christmas…I wore them to work this week.

They looked great with my purple pants.

~

Favorite # FOUR

A Fantasy Closet

With my design skills and LB’s ability to do anything, we should have no trouble building an exact replica of this fantasy closet in one of our spare rooms.

Right LB?

~

Favorite # FIVE

I don’t usually pick an OOTD for a favorite… especially when my pics are taken in my garage at 7AM EST.  But this was a cute winter outfit and I got a lot of compliments!

Vest // Sweater // Jeans // Shoes

~

In addition to the favorites that I’ve listed, I have many blessings to be thankful for… I’m thankful for family,  I’m thankful to have a job, I’m thankful for my good health, I’m thankful for my closetful of clothes and clothes that I have no place to put!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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