Thinking Out Loud- Photo Challenge

Several years ago my BFF Kristi  hosted a weekly(or maybe it was monthly) photo challenge. I LOVED doing them. I was looking through my blog and came across several photos that I had submitted to these challenges and I thought about how much fun this was and how much I missed it. Maybe if anyone is interested we could revive this monthly photo challenge. Kristi? What do you think?

Kristi would come up with a list of topics and you would have to take a photo that coincides with said topic. I've done several of these types of challenges on Instagram. 

Here are some of my photos that I have submitted. I can't remember the topics to each. 

I could only assume that the topic on this one was HOT

What I loved most about doing these challenges was that I got to get out and do something that I loved doing. I was always looking for things that would relate to what the topic was and was able to get really creative. 

If you have an interest in doing a photo challenge let me know. I would love to linkup. 

Jake's New Loft Bed

This past weekend we built Jake his new loft bed. We spent hours cutting, sanding, staining and assembling. This was a group project that turned out amazing. Special thank you to Mr. J, his Mom Laura and Step Dad Steve for all their hard work.

We used plans from Ana White website. Mr. J modified the plans to allow more head room under the bed. We used weathered gray quick dry stain.

What's Up, Weekend? April 21st, 2017

Well, Hello Friday! I have looked forward to seeing you all week. Here is what made me happy this week. 

1. Birthday flowers, dinner with family and friends and birthday shenanigans. Sure felt loved this week. 

2. Frankie and Grace. Started watching it this week. Such a cute show. 

3.Mr. J is building Jake a loft bed this weekend (which I will blog about next week). This man HATES sanding but did it for 10 hours  yesterday. Why? because he loves me and wants to make this amazing bed for my son. Melts my heart!

4. How much my son love Mr.J just makes me so happy. Sometimes I have to remind Jake to give Mr. J some space. If I didn't he would never leave him alone. 

5. Co-workers that recognize my birthday and also know I am obsessed with pigs. I also got cupcakes(in honor of me because they know I haven't had sugar in over 8 weeks)

6. Best friends that still show up to your birthday dinners. Even after 25 years. 

7. Spring

8. The fact that in 1 week from today we will be living in Our Happy Place. 

9. Steak salad(can you believe I forgot to snap a pic)

10. Mr. J's parents are coming in from SD to help build Jake's new bed. I enjoy their company and look forward to seeing them. 

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Our weather is supposed to be gorgeous and I hope you are all blessed with the same. 

xxoo

My 30 Something Birthday!

On Tuesday I celebrated my 39th 26th birthday. Jake thinks I'm 26. I wonder if I should tell him the truth. It's sorta been a long running joke that he thinks that but now I am starting to feel a little guilty. Maybe once I hit the 40 I will break it to him. 


My Birthday week started out pretty awesome when I got my new InstantPot from Mr. J's Mom. I wanted one of these so bad and it came just in time for me to make perfect hard boiled eggs for Easter. 

On my Birthday I received these beautiful flowers from my sweetie Mr. J. 

Last night Mr.J, Jake and I met some of my family and my bff's out for my birthday dinner. I have been friends with these beautiful ladies for over 25 years. 

Several attempts at a picture. (Bashy was a little squirmy)

Kristi has her hands full, That is FOR SURE

Dash wanted to be in the picture.This is his Spider-man pose 

  Success!!

Kristi and Jakey

Love my Kristi Kris!

Mr, J says my Birthday week doesn't end until Saturday, so I am excited for my last few days of my celebration. Apparently, some people celebrate their Birthday MONTH. I am ok with a Birthday week. Although a month all about me would be pretty cool too. 😉

Hello, My Name is Cooper!

Hello, my name is Cooper and here is a picture of me on my owners bed. Aren't I cute?! I love this bed!

I hate this bed!!

Sometimes my owners leave me home all day alone and out of my crate and I get to do this.

But sometimes I do this.

AND THIS....(Daddy didn't want those shoes Mommy got him anyway)

Mom says that I'm lucky I'm so cute and sweet. 

But I got my Daddy wrapped around my paws 

Stay tuned and I will introduce you to my Sister Rosa. She is kind of a drama queen but I still love her.

Thanks for stopping by my Moms Blog!

Easter Weekend

We had an awesome Easter weekend. Jake was super excited to dye Easter eggs and for the Easter bunny to come. On Sunday we headed to the Family Easter potluck. There was lot of people there this year and lots of yummy food.  I didn't take as many pictures as I normally would because my phone was about to die. It's not like me to not have a fully charged camera phone in hand. I was a tad disappointed in myself. 

Jake dying his eggs(which I cooked in my new InstantPot-post for another day)

Jake hunting for his Easter basket

 Found it!

Easter Egg Hunt

The boys in my life

Mr. J and I still didn't take a picture together. How can it be that this photo taking crazy woman, doesn't have one picture with my favorite man over 8?! Despite what you might think I actually hate having my picture taken. We will get a picture together. Stay tuned.

Did you all have a good Easter? Tell me about it?

What's Up Weekend? April 14th, 2017

I'm patting myself on the back for making it through THE LONGEST WEEK EVER!! Well hello, Friday! I sure have missed you. Linkin up with my girls, Charlotte, Lindsay and Chrissy from the PP. Here is my list of  the 5 things that made me happy this week in no particular order.


1. Spring- First pic made me call Minnesota a Bitch. I felt really bad about that about 8 hours later when I took the second picture. I love you Minnesota. I apologize for what I said. 

2. His face. Seriously! Ah, Mom..Not another picture?! This kid makes me laugh. 

3. These two. They love each other. I love just sitting back and watching them together(and snapping pics, of course). I am blessed to have a partner that loves my child the way he does. 

4. I failed miserably with my 5 Day Goal Challenge. We move in 2 weeks to Our Happy Place I'm happy to report that I actually packed a little this week. To say I have procrastinated is an understatement 

5. How could this mug not make me happy?!

What made you happy this week??

How To Be A True Friend

I've had this blog since June 17. 2008 and one of my most favorite things is going back and reading my old posts. In the past 9 years there have been years were I've neglected my blog and some where my blog was thriving and I felt like I was hitting my stride. As I was looking back on different posts throughout the years I came across this post I'm about to share. I thought it was fitting to share  as I have recently joined a pretty amazing blog support group and am starting to form new friendships. I found these tips in The Happiness Project. 



Here twelve tips for how to act like a true friend:

1. Be supportive when your friend has bad news. This is perhaps the most critical duty of a friend.

2. Be supportive when your friend has good news. This is trickier; surprisingly, it’s sometimes harder to be supportive when someone gets a promotion, gets engaged, or enjoys other good fortune, than it is to be supportive when someone is going through a hard time.

3. Don’t gossip. It’s not nice. Also, although it may be fun to gossip about Pat with Jean, Jean is probably going to feel wary of being your friend—you’re not trustworthy. Along the same lines…

4. Keep a secret. One of the most satisfying aspects of friendship is that it allows two people to confide in each other. Spilling secrets will destroy that. Ah, it’s so delicious to disclose a secret—but you have to resist.

5. Exchange favors. Along with the feeling of intimacy, one of the best parts of friendship is the feeling of support it provides. And while getting support is important, giving support may be even more important for boosting happiness.

6. Don’t criticize a friend’s sweetheart or spouse—and, at the other extreme, don’t flirt with a friend’s sweetheart or spouse.

7. Be kind to a friend’s children.

8. Be friendly to a friend’s friends. In fact, in a phenomenon called “triadic closure,” people tend to befriend the friends of their friends – and this is very satisfying. Friendships thrive on inter-connection, and it’s both energizing and comforting to feel that you’re building not just friendships, but a social network.

9. Show up. Sometimes a friend wants you to show up someplace when you’d really rather not: a wedding in a different state; a surprise party that falls on New Year’s Eve, when you’d rather be doing something else. Recognize a command performance, and don’t miss it.

10. Remember birthdays.

Confessions Of My Obsessions

There are a few things I feel like I couldn't live without. My obsession to these things I'm about to tell you about, runs deep. While I know I wouldn't actually die without these things I tend to think my life would be meaningless without them. (OK not really)


Pinterest
Ask Mr. J about this one. I love you Pinterest!Follow me!

AmazonPrime
If you don't have a Prime membership I highly recommend getting one. The monthly membership fee pays for itself with the free 2 day shipping. Click here to get a list of the benefits you get when you have a membership.

Friends
I'm not sure how I can watch the same show over and over and over and still love it. Greatest sitcom of all time(besides Roseanne of course)

MAC Lipstick
You may cost 17 dollars a tube but I will pay it because I love you. 

Heavy Whipping Cream 

I follow a Keto WOE(way of eating) and this is a staple for me. I love it in my coffee. I buy in bulk. 

FitBit Charge HR

I explain my obsession with my fitbit HERE

Kerrygold Butter

Try it! You will never buy another brand once you do. Some say it is hard to find but my local Aldi's carries it.

13 Reasons Why

If you haven't watched 13 Reasons Why, you are missing out. If you want to read a really good review check out Jenn's blog . Her review is the reason I decided to watch.

MAC Lightful Tinted Cream

If you want light coverage, a moisturizer and an SPF, I recommend this product. It's 35 dollars a tube but It lasts a long time(you only need a little) I wear this everyday. 

Goats and pigs

This picture needs no explanation. Once again, you're welcome!

What are you currently obsessed with?