the Wednesday hodgepodge

 

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm here linking up with Joyce for today's weekly Hodgepodge. I'll jump in!

1. No foolin'! April's here; what's one fun thing on your April calendar? I have a trip at the end of this month that I've been looking forward to for months! I've been excited, but now that it's almost here, I am literally thinking about and talking about it with Marilyn all the time. I cannot wait for our second annual bloggers' retreat! Last year Marilyn, Joanne, Tanya, and I went to Nashville for a long weekend; this year that same group plus Amy and Maria are doing it again, this time in Louisville! It's going to be epic. Marilyn and I are driving together, and we'll pick up Tanya in Nashville on our way. Maria will meet us there, Joanne is flying in from Connecticut, and Amy lives there, so we'll meet up Friday afternoon and get the party started! 

2. It's often said, "A fool and his money are soon parted"...what's the last thing you wasted money on? This one's hard, because I don't waste money. I would say that one time in the last nine months, I paid for an exercise app on my phone that I only used four times; I canceled it quickly, but still. I was irritated with myself for paying for that when I could have used YouTube for free doing the same thing.

3. April 2nd is National DIY Day. Are you a do-it-yourself kind of person? What's the last thing you DIYed? What's the last thing you hired someone to do for you? I am definitely a DIY person and here is my last project below.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so, do you have a favorite dish that calls for that?  I do not eat lamb, but I have eaten it before. I am not a fan of it, honestly, and also? They're too cute to eat. 

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain. I always call myself a basic white female, because I love Target, coffee, and browsing to shop. 🤣

6. Insert your own random thought here. I don't have any new worship songs to share, but I am having a moment with fast and upbeat music. Because of that, I've been listening to a lot of Maroon 5 and Meghan Trainor lately. My current favorite is the song Rollin' by Meghan Trainor. Here's the video below.

This is always such a fun post to write! I love reading your answers as well, so I'll see you over on your blogs later today. Thanks for being here to read mine! Love to all. 

Jenn 

unforgettable meaningful moments

 

Happy Tuesday, friends, and happy April! I have so many pictures on my phone that I forget to share for one reason or another, that I have started making this type of post a regular occurrence. It's another way that I like to document life here on my blog; you all know how much I love to look back on things like this. Anyway, I'll jump in, but that's why I keep sharing posts like this. I hope you enjoy this one! 

I'll never forget this moment of seeing that calendar reminder in my car. It was a Friday and I'd just driven through a car wash; I looked at my screen and saw that reminder for the first time. I just about lost it! I went to Costco after that, then I filled up my gas tank, and I ended the afternoon by going to Dad's gravesite. It felt like the right thing to do, you know? And, it was Friday with Dad. 

This is my friend, Dean. He's the head of the security team at church, and he's taken on a sort of father-type role in my life. I love that he helps me so much at work! He changed this clock for me the weekend the time changed, and every Sunday when I get there, he already has at least two pots of coffee made for me. How precious is he? 

Burning things feels therapeutic. I loved doing this with Marilyn at her house one night! 

I loved the night my three Memphis guys were here together. I never want to forget these moments! But I also always miss Noah when we're together and he's in Dallas. 

Speaking of Noah, I love that he got to meet a couple of his favorite people from a show we all used to watch together! He sent me this the week of his birthday; I love that it made his birthday week more special. 

Having Teresa here in my home for four nights this month was so special to me! I've missed having someone here at home with me at night, and I slept so good while she was here. I love the memories we made that weekend, and this was a fun night of going out to see the moon. 

I loved the whole weekend, and how the timing of it perfectly coincided with me signing my divorce papers. God is in all those little details, and He knows what I need and when I need it better than I know that myself. 

I love that my brother Trey drove a few hours to see my sons while they were in Dallas. That means so much to me, and something I won't ever forget. 

Being amidst all of my best friends is something unforgettable. 

Celebrating Dad's first birthday in Heaven with my sister Trish this weekend was something I won't ever forget. It was a tough one! 

I love that my friends' invite me into their lives; this was me celebrating Luna turning two on Saturday. These are the same wonderful people that wouldn't take "no" to me coming over for their family Thanksgiving. I love these people so much! 

I don't ever want to forget the urgency to paint my front door on Sunday. My best girls and I talked about this on Friday night while we were out; it went from talking to reality in nothing flat! I went to Lowe's on Sunday afternoon, found this yummy Raspberry Sorbet color, then came home and painted the door. One hour later it was done! 

Here's the street view! I bought a new white door hanger from Hobby Lobby, and I love how it pops against that bright pink. I know this isn't for everyone, but man it makes me happy! Jonah said it was "a little too pink" for his taste, but he's a great sport. 

Proof of happiness!

Lastly, I don't want to forget this significant milestone of losing 25 pounds since January 24th. I only started doing this because I want to feel better and be healthy. I'm not doing it for anyone other than myself; though it does help when I get compliments. I can tell the difference in my appearance and in the fit of my clothes, but other people are starting to notice it as well. It feels like a big accomplishment, and I'm proud of myself for sticking with it for two full months. I'm excited to keep going! 

Do you have any unforgettable meaningful moments from recent days that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all! 

Jenn ❤️