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Friday Favorites

What am I going to do with myself now that I have no assignments to submit???

I suppose I’ll have to CELEBRATE

I’m going to begin the celebration by seeing if I can come up with a few Friday Favorites to post.

Favorite # ONE

Having No Assignments to Submit

If you read my HAPPY THURSDAY post, you know that it has been an arduous journey as I’ve attempted to figure out what I’m going to be when I GROW UP.  It seems that I get bored easily.

And guess what?  I still don’t know what I want to be!  Maybe a baker.

The important thing is that I have attained a goal and I even though I have not received my diploma, it is on the way and I have already checked it off my LIST

~

Old Navy keeps giving me 40% off my purchase and BONUS BUCKS because they know I’m a shopaholic.  With their last bait I purchased

Favorite # TWO

These Sweaters

Textured V-Neck Sweater Tunic for Women

They are not heavy and not scratchy and very comfortable.  When I’m getting ready for a day in front of my desk, they are my new top of choice.

Favorite # THREE

These Boots

Y’all I got these at WalMart and I love them.  When LB and I go on our fall trip, and we happen upon a waterfall to explore, these will be perfect!

So you can probably see by my background, I have managed to find time to decorate for fall.

Favorite # FOUR

Fall Décor

I’ve pulled it out of the closetand put it in place.

It makes everything seem warm and cozy, adding seasonal pleasantness.

Another recent change I’ve made is adding one of our Bose radios to my home office.  This has allowed me to play soft music in the background using my old CDs, instead of letting Alexa choose for me.  One of the CDs I’ve enjoyed the most is

Favorite # FIVE

Happy Friday!

~

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

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today is the best Thursday ever!

In case you’ve forgotten me, I’m Kim, the creator of this blog. 

I’ve been very busy for the last eight weeks and all of my free time has been devoted to a college course.  Tonight I submitted an essay, which contained several topics, but one in particular that I wanted to share.  My professor chose the topics, this one was my favorite…

Interdisciplinarity

Merriam-Webster ignores the word interdisciplinarity and defines interdisciplinary as “involving two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines” (Interdisciplinary, n.d.).  This is using more than one approach to address a problem, and in doing so, fashioning an entirely new field.  Gregor Mendel is the most popular example of a successful interdisciplinarian.  As a scientist studying pea plants, Mendel identified the concept of genetics using the disciplines of statistics and applying them to biology.  An interdisciplinary studies degree in higher education involves integrating multiple fields of study, up to three concentrations, as opposed to one major or a single field of study.

The first time I took interest in the word interdisciplinary was the day I contacted Liberty University’s Student Affairs to change my major.  Instead I learned that there was a possibility that I could soon retire from my career as a student.  As I would learn, the Interdisciplinary Studies degree would give me the opportunity to customize my “field of study” using courses I had already taken toward completion of my degree.

I researched the interdisciplinary studies degree online and I remember reading how it is important to select courses that you are passionate about.  Since I’ve never discovered anything to be continuously passionate about, I thought I may have trouble deciding.  But thanks to a 1996 whim to attain a degree in nursing, I had taken so many science courses,  I was on task to be a science major.  Clearly, a degree in nursing didn’t happen, but later in 2006 I earned my Associate of Science in Interior Design Technology degree.  This led me to decide I would continue on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business, so I would be better prepared to manage my own interior design business some glorious day in the future.

Being a business major at Liberty University required me to take courses such as Statistics, Accounting I, Accounting II, and Business Law.  I soon reached my threshold of tolerance for business courses, so I made the change to interdisciplinary studies. Having a transcript filled with business and sciences courses, I chose to wrap up with more science courses, specifically behavioral sciences.

Today I will complete my interdisciplinary studies core class, Knowledge Synthesis for Professional & Personal Development, INDS 400.  I am writing my last essay for this last course to complete the anticipated degree.  It has been a long and winding road, “many times I’ve been alone and many times I’ve cried” (Lennon & McCartney, 1970).  Nevertheless, this year I will finally be awarded with the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree and I am thrilled.

~

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

References

Covey, S. (2015). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People infographics edition. Mango Publishing Group

Interdisciplinary. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interdisciplinary

Lennon, J., McCartney, P. (1970). The Long and Winding Road [Song]. On Let It Be. Apple Records. Retrieved from  https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6793826/The+Beatles/The+Long+and+Winding+Road

Friday Favorites

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Can you believe it?  Today is the first Friday of fall 2020!

Easy enough… that will be my

Favorite # ONE

FALL

is my favorite season because I love the look of the sky as it begins to change shades with the new season.

I also love my fall vacation.  Due to the whole COVID thing, I’m not quite sure how vacation will play out this year.  I’m pretty sure masks will be involved.  I’m positive that there will be no tasting at Colonial Mustard’s in Highlands, NC.  WHICH IS A BUMMER.  I’m going to be hopeful that it will be mostly normal, and possibly more wonderful than usual.  My sister may get to cat-sit for me this year, because we are going to try to have Mama come along.

Speaking of Mama, this week she asked me to look for something that she needed.  I can’t say what it is, because it is part of a surprise project.  So I started searching, and in doing so began emptying my Lane cedar chest.

All the way to the bottom

  I discovered that I may have a hoarding problem.

Favorite # TWO

All This Stuff

I have the church newsletter from June 1984

A TV guide from “the ’80s”The game ball from the best girl’s softball game EVER!A newspaper spread featuring the best group of people I ever worked with:I don’t know why I have these comic books.  They must belong to Richard.A FL Times Union dated Wednesday, September 12, 2001…And another 2001 newspaper announcing a personal, heart-breaking happening…

Everything came out and a few hours later, everything went back in.  Except for a couple of things that I couldn’t make fit.

Also I found what Mama was looking for 😄

She was in her yard last night, trimming roses, so I walked over to chat for a few minutes.  I noticed that some of her discards might make a pretty bouquet, so she told me to take them.

Favorite # THREE

I knew that Elvis would like it!

Favorite # FOUR

It is

National Daughters Day

Mine are the BEST!

~

Favorite # FIVE

Pumpkins!

Just because it is fall.

And I couldn’t think of anything else.

~

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

True Story

Not that the others stories aren’t true.

A post by Mary

It’s 3 AM and as I lay in bed thinking,  I keep waiting for someone to start beating on my windows, screaming hysterically, begging to be let in because someone is trying to kill him. 

It’s just now beginning to hit me that I had experienced this same scenario

Last Night

I throw back my covers and rush towards the noise. Looking out the window, I see a young man sitting with his back to me, in a chair on my patio, rocking back and forth.  He is pleading for someone, anyone in the house to let him in because they are coming and they have guns. For a moment I thought it was my grandson and I know something terrible must’ve happened. As I try to decipher the situation, I realize it isn’t my grandson, but a total stranger. It momentarily occurs to me to not help him. But if they were coming with guns I have to do something… now. I run to the door and let him in where he collapses on the floor. Then I ran for my gun.  He move away from the windows so ‘they’ wouldn’t see him.  He sat in the hall and I stood at the other end of the hall pointing the gun at him.

I didn’t feel he was any danger to me, but the people outside might be.

Then I did what I should have done first…

I called 911

As I’m calling I tell the man that since we are strangers and I don’t know him, that he better not make a move towards me because I would have to shoot him. I find out all about him as I relay the information to the 911 operator, asking her to please not leave me. She tells me she won’t and the police are on the way. The young man sat whimpering and rocking. Though it seemed like an eternity, in only a few minutes there were spotlights in the backyard. The police had arrived and I tell my visitor to slowly move from between me and the door and lie face-down on the floor. (that’s what they do on TV). I keep my gun pointed at him as I unlock the door.

There are two of America’s finest and one says she’s got a gun; and in a very stern voice says put the gun down.

 

I lay it on the table. They cuff my visitor but they are very gentle with him. He is led away. A few moments later one of the policemen returns to explain to me that they know him from other occasions and that he has PTSD.

My heart goes out to him and I silently pray for him.

I haven’t decided yet but I think about visiting his home when he returns from the mental facility. I thank the policeman for being who and what he is.

Safe and Sound

I lock the door and go to bed.  As sleep escapes me, I pray…

Heavenly Father, who gives rest to His children, will You wash over me a peace that passes all understanding as I lay down to sleep tonight?  Be merciful, O Lord, and give sweet sleep to Your child.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

~

MDR

Friday Favorites

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I’m so glad we finally got here.

The week started out right because Monday was a holiday and the workweek didn’t begin until Tuesday.  This is always a good thing.  Because, you know what they say about Monday… can’t trust that day.  And with that, my first favorite is obviously

Monday

Favorite # ONE

On Monday I slept late, and pretty much did nothing all day.  On Monday afternoon, LB and I went to Salsas for a Mexican dinner fix.

~

On Tuesday, I went back to work. SAME OLD SAME OLD for me.

But for Lydia, there was a milestone.  She started school.

Favorite # TWO

Kindergarten

Wasn’t kindergarten wonderful?

I can’t remember.

but this is my favorite KindergärtnerHer Mama posted these cute first day of school pics on social media.

~

Favorite # THREE

My baby with his baby

Thank you Emily!

~

Using my Old Navy credit card to pay for my class at Liberty University has paid off in the form of REWARD BUCKS.  With those bucks I indulged in the following “haul”

Favorite # FOUR

There are other items that have not yet arrived, but these are my favorites.

Also I’ve learned that straight, boot cut and flare jeans (as opposed to skinny) are the jeans on trend in 2020, so I needed to begin my search for something new (since my old ones don’t fit anymore).  Recently I have been watching a new fashion stylist on YouTube who provided this information.

That stylist is my

Favorite # FIVE

with her “Boujee On A Budget” series, this blogger does exactly what I would do if I had time.  She reveals the spring/fall runway fashions and trends with examples of lower cost styles.  I’ve enjoyed watching her videos.  I’m pretty sure you will enjoy watching too.

 

~

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

FAVORITES

ONFinally FRIDAY!

I can do whatever I want for the next two days.  And so can you.

As long as we stay home.

To celebrate the end of the week, I’m going to begin by naming five of my favorites.

Last week, LB and I joined my family on a trip to Orlando to celebrate my sister’s birthday.  I published a blog post about that later than I meant to, but you can read it here.  We shopped all afternoon at Disney Springs and one of my favorite stores there is COACH.  It was there that I found my

Favorite # ONE

This Coach Handbag

It is a little handbag, crossbody bag, and backpack.Don’t let me loose in a COACH shoppe.

I won’t leave without something cute!

~

Favorite # TWO

On Tuesday, LB and I took a ride to COSTCO to pick up his new glasses.

While we were there, I was browsing through the books for sale and found this…I remember listening to my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. McKean as she read this to our class.

I was ALL IN!

Chapter 1. Before Breakfast

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.  “Out to the hoghouse”, replied Mrs. Arable.  “Some pigs were born last night.”

I can’t wait to read it to Lydia!

~

That same Tuesday was National Banana Split Day.  So LB said, “Let’s go to Dreamette to celebrate.”

Favorite # THREE

 DREAMETTE

  I told him that I was counting calories and it would not be helpful if I consumed a banana split from Dreamette.  He assured me that we would stop by, purchase one item, have one bite, and throw the rest away…

Are You KIDDING ME???

It was incredibly delicious!

Although it was delicious and obviously we were unable stop ourselves from devouring the entire 12 ounce cup… I was a little disappointed in the presentation.

After all this is what I expected…

 

I am pretty sure I can do better…

Favorite # FOUR

YEP!

#NationalBananaSplitDay

~

Today is the 55th Anniversary of my Mama and Daddy’s wedding day.  They were high school sweethearts and this photo is my

Favorite # FIVE

I Love you Mama!

~

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

What’s Up Wednesday

What’s Up Wednesday is a monthly compilation of

What’s Up

 posted on a Wednesday.

Here it is…

What we’re eating

WE are counting calories on our MyFitnessPal app so WE don’t overdo it (WE = ME).  But at the same time, still enjoying a tasty treat here and there, though LB enjoys them more than I do.

And speaking of tasty, a no-bake pie recipe caught my eye  on Pinterest.  I tweaked it a bit to make it mostly sugar free and gluten free and not over 494 calories per serving.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

Chocolate Crust

  • 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup Swerve confectioner’s sugar-substitute
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt

Peanut Butter Filling

  • 12 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Swerve confectioner’s sugar-substitute
  • 1 cup all natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Chocolate Drizzle

  • 2 1/2 ounces of sugar-free chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil

Peanut Butter Drizzle

  • 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Instructions

Chocolate Crust

  1. In a medium-sized bowl combine the almond flour, Swerve, cocoa powder, and salt.
  2. Add the melted butter and mix well.
  3. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate with butter or coconut oil.
  4. Press crust to the bottom of the pie pan and slightly up the sides of the pan.
  5. Place in the pie pan with the crust in the freezer while you make the pie filling.

Peanut Butter Filling

  1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer beat the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, all-natural peanut butter, Swerve, and salt.
  2. Add the heavy whipping cream and combine.
  3. Spread the pie filling evenly over the chocolate crust and place back in the freezer.
  4. Next make the chocolate and peanut butter toppings.

Chocolate Topping

  1. Melt the sugar-free chocolate chips with the coconut oil in a microwavable bowl in 30-second intervals or using a double boiler. Stir until well combined. Set aside.

Peanut Butter Topping

  1. In a small microwavable bowl melt the tablespoon of coconut oil and combine with creamy peanut butter for about 30 seconds. Set aside.
  2. Remove pie from freezer and drizzle the peanut butter topping on top of pie, then do the same with the chocolate topping.
  3. Alternate the peanut butter and chocolate drizzles until you are satisfied that you have enough.
  4. Place the pie in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes to fully set or 2 hours in the refrigerator before slicing.
  5. When ready to serve, garnish the top of the pie with salted peanuts and optional whipped cream.
  6. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks.

 

It won’t last that long in this house.

LB hasn’t complained, but I did not like the taste of the almond flour crust and if I make this again will use a store bought chocolate graham cracker crust.  No shame in that, and not many more calories.

~

What I’m loving

Since we are confined… I am loving the fact that I have a big yard and part of the back yard includes a screened in pool.  This COVID confinement is stifling, but it is great to be able to go outside of the house and relax without having to wear a mask.

~

What we’ve been up to

Still working from home and, as I previously mentioned, doing a lot of baking, which leads to a lot of time on the treadmill.

~

What I’ve been working on

I recently started listing items for sale on Poshmark and try to list or update at least one item per week.  It is slow going, but that is pretty much what I expected.

Still in the early stage, but I have a landscape project that I am planning with the help of Better Homes and Gardens…

Not exactly the same, just using as a guide.

~

What I’m excited about~

What I’m dreading

INDS 400

I am trying to be positive and have every reason to be because I have begun the last class I will need in order to graduate.

Class of 2020 WOO HOO.

Why I’m dreading it is because the class is described as “research intensive” and I’m not in the mood for research, especially the intensive kind.  It is going to be a rough 8 weeks.  Keep me in your prayers.

~

What I’m reading

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

and

The Cengage Guide to Research/MINDTAP, Miller-Cochran/Rodrigo, 3rd edition.
Only because I have to.

~

What I’m watching/listening to

My most recent obsession, which may eventually drive LB crazy, is Erin Busbee.

Her blog is BUSBEE Style

but I really love watching/listening to her on BUSBEE Style TV

She has great style tips.

~

What I’m wearing

same as you…

~

What I’m doing this weekend

I’m not sure yet!

Probably working on one or more of the many things I mentioned earlier.

~

What I’m looking forward to next month

Taking a couple of days off from work.  I can’t wait!

~

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

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