Tuesday, October 6, 2026

fashion files

 


Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm linking up with Amy for the weekly Fashion Files. I'll jump right in!










I've had lots of dress down days at work, which has been nice. I've loved wearing things other than dresses since the weather has cooled off again! I've loved wearing leggings with button down shirts, and I even loved putting on a pair of jeans Saturday night. I've pulled out my dark colored sneakers and long sleeved shirts. I need to do some more digging in my closet to find more fall colored things to wear, and I may even need to do a big try on session. 



And I know I mentioned these yesterday, but I really love my nail color, Lincoln Park After Midnight by OPI. What say you? I'm open to outfit ideas and suggestions!

Thanks for reading today, friends. Love to all!


Jen 


Monday, October 5, 2026

hello Monday

 


Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah to talk about mine. 


Before I start, I'm writing posts everyday this month! Here are the ones I wrote over the weekend, in case you missed out. Here's Saturday's post (things that are making my life more enjoyable), and this is Sunday's (some fall things I'm looking forward to). Now onto the weekend!



These were my Friday night plans. I'm talking more about this particular night next Saturday, so stay tuned! I loved this night; it ended with a house full of people, and Marilyn. It was just what this tired woman needed after a busy week!





I met up with Mom and Trish on Saturday! We had lunch, went to John Mark's, then ended at Ulta. Look at this gorgeous butterfly he made to honor Dolly! I got my nails done after I left them.



I love them! This is Lincoln Park After Midnight by OPI. 










I came home soon after my nail appointment and laid down for a bit before changing clothes and leaving again. I met Mallory, Meredith, and Marilyn at Rotolo's. It was perfect patio weather! This was a fun night. We went to Marilyn's apartment after all of these shenanigans, but I didn't last long. I was tired from a full day!

Sunday morning dawned bright and early for me! My friend Rachel from work invited me to go with her to Tiptonville (a town two hours away) for a fall arts and crafts festival. I said yes, because yesterday would have been my 30th wedding anniversary, and I wanted to be out of my house for the whole day. I was!








This was fun! It was also a little painful, because this was where I went with Chris for a weekend getaway in April of this year. I have a picture of the two of us standing right there by that water that you see pictured. I felt some pain over this, because it still hurts to think about the fun times we had; it was painful, but it was also sweet to think about. 


I'm grateful for a full weekend! What did you do that you loved? I'd love to hear from you! I'll see you back here tomorrow. Love to all!


Jen



Sunday, October 4, 2026

some fall things I'm looking forward to


Happy Sunday, friends! I thought I'd talk about a few things that I'm excited for in this wonderful season that I love. I'll jump right in!

  • sweaters and hoodies
  • conversations around the new fire pit I just bought
  • cozy meals shared with my sons and the bonus ones
  • traveling
  • watching fall themed movies
  • decorating my home with things I love
  • writing
  • continuing on in the school year
  • enjoying all the patio weather I can get while the weather is good
  • hanging out more with my co-workers

Is there anything in particular you're looking forward to this fall? I'd love to hear about it, if so! Thanks for reading here today, friends. Love to all. 


Jen 



Saturday, October 3, 2026

things that are making my life enjoyable

 


Happy Saturday! Welcome to October, the month where I write for 31 days in a row. I will continue this while I'm on vacation next week, with posts that I've written previously and will schedule to post while I'm gone. I hope you enjoy! I mentioned in yesterday's post that some of these will be fun, some serious, and others will be what I've written in my journal lately. 


Today's is going to be more lighthearted, but here are a few things that are making my life enjoyable at the moment.


My bedroom is making my life enjoyable right now! I love it so much. I keep the door closed all day, because no dogs are allowed there anymore. I have a candle warmer going all day, so when I walk in at night to change and get cozy, it's like a wave of peace just washes over me. I love my bedding, my curtains, the smell; it just makes my heart so very happy to be there and to not be sharing it with anyone else. 




This makes me want to go hang out up there. 


Having a Saturday morning routine is making my life more enjoyable! This is when Chris and I used to go get breakfast, so this has been good for me, to be doing something new. I wake up, strip my bed and start the sheets as soon as I get downstairs. Sometimes I take a shower right away, because this allows me to be ready faster if I leave afterward. I drink my coffee, I watch tv a little, then I clean the downstairs, my bedroom and bathroom. By then the sheets have dried and they're back on my bed with it made. 


The books I'm reading are making my life more enjoyable at the moment! I love reading on my lunch break everyday, and I'm trying to get back into the habit of reading at home. My favorite author has come out with a newer series of books: Suitcase Sisters by Robin Jones Gunn. They're so good! There's nothing I love more than a series I can fall in love with.


Writing is making my life enjoyable, so thanks for being here to read my words everyday. It's good for me to be able to do this, and it really is like free therapy. I don't just write here; I write a lot in my journal everyday. Pages and pages sometimes. It goes everywhere with me these days! 


I think I'll wrap this up with that last one; I really do appreciate how much you've all been here to encourage and support me the last couple of years, and especially since Chris died. You'll never know how far your encouraging words go with me, but they're often there at just the right time and on a day when I need it the most. I'll see you back here tomorrow for another short post. Stay tuned! 


Love to all.


Jen


Friday, October 2, 2026

Friday Favorites! October 2, 2026

 



Happy Friday, friends! I hope your week was good; mine went by really fast. I have some favorites from the week that I thought I'd share today! 




I haven't decorated for Halloween outside in years, but this was the year I decided to do that again. I love my new lighted witch pumpkins! I bought them on Amazon last week; one is on the deck, the other is on the front porch. I also have this new white pumpkin you see in my flower bed. You should see some of the decorations in my neighborhood! Some go way above and beyond, so I decided to add mine. This really is my favorite time of year! 




Writing Scripture out has been my favorite thing for many years, but I stopped several years ago. I'm thinking of picking it back up again, and I'll start with one of these! 



My little M went into the guidance counselor's office yesterday during her PE time; my friend Heidi (the 3-5 guidance counselor) has the most adorable, cozy, and relaxing office. I could have spent hours in here, honestly; she even had music playing to add to the atmosphere. What a sweet job she has to be able to do nothing but pour into students everyday! I love this friend so much, and she also happens to be one of my favorite people at Crosswind. She has a little poster with feelings and emotions on it, and when M came in, she asked her what emotion she was feeling at that moment; M pointed to the proud feeling, and my heart swelled in size. I got so emotional over the fact that she felt proud of herself! Her mom loved that, too, and we both shared a moment as I put her in the car that afternoon. I love my job!




I let M pick out a new screensaver for my phone this week; she chose the pink toned one. I love it so much! I'm going to switch it to the pumpkins, though. I love changing my phone wallpaper; do you do this? I get the images from Pinterest, screenshot it, then set it to my phone. 





The Sing devotional is still my favorite. Check out the lyrics to this newly written hymn! It got me this week. My friend Cathy who shared this with me just hugged me for so long in the hallway on Wednesday after we listened to this on our own. I love how we talk about it together each morning! I am so thankful for my work people; I already loved them, but the death I've experienced has bonded us for life.



This dinner was a favorite of the week: a Mississippi mud roast. To the crock pot I added two packs of Italian dressing seasoning, two beers, two cups of water, and the meat. I let it cook on high for one hour, then I turned it to low and added a large jar of the banana pepper rings and the juice and let it cook all day. It was delicious and falling apart by the time I got home. I laughed at the guys here with me...they complained of this making them hungry all day. I think it made the dogs extra hungry too! 



This meal was killer! An arugula/spinach mix salad with oil and vinegar dressing, the best golden herb Kinders' brand fries, and salmon fresh off the grill. 



I loved this image I found on Instagram! I am going to try to do this in October. You know I love a good prompt! I think that additionally I'm going to try to write a blog post each day of this month. Some of it will be fun, some will be serious, some will be excerpts from my journal.



Getting boo'ed at work yesterday was a favorite! I got a candle, some candy, my favorite snack, and a Diet Coke. It was a great way to start a Thursday! 



I'm in love with my front porch, and the pink/orange combo...all of my home, actually. Most of all, I love the peace I have when I'm here. It feels like exhaling after a long day. 


What are you thankful for this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!

Jen



fashion files

  Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm linking up with Amy for the weekly Fashion Files. I'll jump right in! I've had lots of dress down...