Thankful Thursday V10.4

Just in case it happens to be your first time stopping by Thankful Thursday let me tell you a bit about it. It's a weekly link up that myself (and other bloggers) host every week in which we list off things we are thankful for. Now these things can be serious or completely ridiculous, BUT, something we are thankful for nonetheless. I leave my link up open for an entire week because honestly you shouldn't just be thankful on Thursday, but EVERYDAY. And you are welcome to link up with me whenever. :) I'd love to have you join in on our fun! The button is below, feel free to grab one and link on up!

<center><a title="Brown Eyed Bell(e)" href="http://browneyedbell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu46/HeatherLC02/thankfulthursday3.jpg"/></a></center>

This week I am thankful for:

♥ trying new restaurants.

♥ swimming in the rain :)

♥ lots of hours at work. we had thought "crunch time" wouldn't hit until after the 4th of July. we thought wrong. it's upon us. Yay for overtime. If you don't see me around as much on here, you know why. When you work in political research, election years are crazy!

♥ Ryan's dad went to the emergency room on Sunday night. They weren't sure what was going on but thankfully it was just his sugar being really out of whack. He is good now.

♥ Digging out old clothes that you haven't worn in so long that people think it's a brand new outfit.

♥ a friend of mine in need of a job found one.

♥ Sunshine. You don't realize how much of a difference it makes in your mood until you go a few days without it. I don't know how people can live in Seattle and other places that are cloudy all the time.

♥ Making wishes @ 1:11 and 11:11. Speaking of, it's 1:11 right now :)

♥ this print. great reminder for everyone.

                                                                 Source: thisisnick.com via Jengerbread on Pinterest

♥ Music. I've said it before, but I love how music can be associated so much with memories. 

♫♪ a melody sounds like a memory ♫♪

Those are a few of the things I am thankful for this past week. What about YOU?

I am linking up with some other Thankful Thursday's this week: The Fontenot Four, Kate Says Stuff, A Punk, A Pumpkin, and a Peanut, Black Tag Diaries, & First Day Of My Life.

Tropical Storm Debby

Florida is getting some much needed rain thanks to tropical storm Debby. We started getting rain around midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning at my house. It rained ALL day Sunday, and on and off all day yesterday, as well as today looks to be the same. While it's not raining at this very moment, the winds are gusting insanely as we get bands of the storm still coming across central Florida. Florida has been hit pretty hard by this storm. I think it took a lot of people by surprise. I know I for one am NOT ready for hurricane season. I don't even have a flashlight or candles. I think I need to stock up. I am praying for my neighbors as even though I don't have much damage in my location, people that are as close as an hour or two away are having horrid effects from Debby including mandatory evacuations, flooding, and tornadoes. We even had some tornadoes touch down in my county.

I've borrowed some pictures that I've found online of effects of Debby. I will try to give credit where credit is due:

The following photo's were found on the ABC Action News website:

The two photos below were borrowed from the TBO website:

 And guess what? Just like that, it's raining, again, at my house. Please keep Florida in your prayers.

God has a positive answer

One of my coworkers passed around a sheet of paper last week titled Handy Little Chart: God has a positive answer. I figured I'd share it with you all today.

                                                                      Source: quotesnsayings.net via Karen on Pinterest

You Say: It's impossible.

God Says: All things are possible -- Luke 18:27

You Say: I'm too tired.

God Says: I will give you rest -- Matthew 11:28-30

You Say: Nobody really loves me.

God Says: I love you -- John 3:16 & John 3:34

You Say: I can't go on.

God Says: My grace is sufficient -- II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15

You Say: I can't figure things out.

God Says: I will direct your steps -- Proverbs 3:5-6

You Say: I can't do it.

God Says: You can do all things -- Philippians 4:13

You Say: I'm not able.

God Says: I am able -- II Corinthians 9:8

 You Say: It's not worth it.

God Says: It will be worth it -- Roman 8:28

You Say: I can't forgive myself.

God Says: I forgive you -- I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1

You Say: I can't manage.

God Says: I will supply all your needs -- Philippians 4:19

You Say: I'm afraid.

God Says: I have not given you a spirit of fear -- II Timothy 1:7

You Say: I'm always worried and frustrated.

God Says: Cast all your cares on ME -- I Peter 5:7

You Say: I'm not smart enough.

God Says: I give you wisdom -- I Corinthians 1:30

You Say: I feel all alone.

God Says: I will never leave or forsake you -- Hebrews 13:5

                                                            Source: clengheartsyou.tumblr.com via Janet on Pinterest

Thankful Thursday V10.3

Just in case it happens to be your first time stopping by Thankful Thursday let me tell you a bit about it. It's a weekly link up that myself (and other bloggers) host every week in which we list off things we are thankful for. Now these things can be serious or completely ridiculous, BUT, something we are thankful for nonetheless. I leave my link up open for an entire week because honestly you shouldn't just be thankful on Thursday, but EVERYDAY. And you are welcome to link up with me whenever. :) I'd love to have you join in on our fun! The button is below, feel free to grab one and link on up!

<center> <a title="Brown Eyed Bell(e)" href="http://browneyedbell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu46/HeatherLC02/thankfulthursday3.jpg"/></a></center>
This week I am thankful for:

♥ an overcast week that has made my morning walks pretty enjoyable. usually by June in Florida, if I want to walk without a heat stroke, I have to start real early. I've still been able to start my walk as last as 11am and be okay. 

♥ that I got off early enough on Father's Day that I was still able to spend time with my Daddy. I didn't get off in enough time to cook him an awesome dinner but I was still able to order pizza and watch Breaking Dawn (HIS choice) with him.

♥ Uno's pizzeria. I don't love all their food, but, I do love this one appetizer, it's like a loaded baked potato pizza. Plus I got to meet up with my cousin in Orlando so it was double awesome.

♥ another awesome night at the race track. I am so glad my friend Amanda got me back into going. I hadn't been in years and I forgot how much fun I had. I need to take my Dad with me soon, he loves races.

♥ that Ryan and I have someone to mow our yard. We only have a push mower and that just is not sufficient for 2 acres. Thankfully Ryan has a friend at work with an industrial mower that we pay to come out and mow it weekly.

♥ Strawberry Watermelon Gatorade. What an awesome flavor for the summer!!

♥ My puppies. They melt my heart, always. Bullseye will find anywhere to sleep on me.

♥ The original Teen Mom cast returning for one last season. This is a guilty pleasure of mine. I love Maci & Catelynn! They are my favorites!

♥ random Mexican taco stands on the side of the road. Think what you want, their food is amazing! The picture below is a torta which is kind of like a Mexican hamburger. YUM!

♥ Quickie drive through car washes, because I can be lazy!

I am linking up with some other Thankful Thursday's this week: The Fontenot Four, Kate Says Stuff, A Punk, A Pumpkin, and a Peanut, Black Tag Diaries, & First Day Of My Life.

What are YOU thankful for?

A Dandelion Tattoo

I've been wanting another tattoo for awhile now. And I think the time is coming. Currently I have two, a pink star with 3 smaller black stars on my lower bikini line area as well as a Jesus fish on my left foot.

Next up?

A Dandelion.

Why you may ask? Well, Dandelions have meaning to me. I am a dreamer. As a kid I always picked up Dandelions, made a wish, and then blew the Dandelion seeds as far as I could watch them go. I still am a dreamer. I like to wish on Dandelions, as well as when I catch the clock at 1:11 or 11:11 (which I do quite often as a matter of fact).

Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite pictures of Dandelion Tattoos. I am still undecided where I want to place the Dandelion but I am leaning towards my left rib cage area. 

                                                                                         Source: weheartit.com via Heather on Pinterest

                                                                                            Source: tattoo-teez.com via Heather on Pinterest

                                                                                       Source: pimpmyspace.org via Heather on Pinterest

                                                                                Source: grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

                                                                                                 Source: mc6.knows.it via Heather on Pinterest

Granted, I want to make mine more me and have my little dandelion seeds float off into music notes because has so much meaning for me as well... and I'd like a little quote such as "a melody is like a memory" or "memories never fade". Such tough decisions :) What about you? Are there any tattoos you've been thinking about getting?

Happy Father's Day

I don't know about you, but I often feel like Father's Day is overlooked. It doesn't get nearly as much attention as Mother's Day, and that saddens me. 

A prime example is at my place of employment. We had Mother's Day off, but today? Yeah, we will be working.

I don't like to admit it, but I am even a bit guilty of overlooking it in ways. For example, for Mother's Day, I probably sent out like 20 cards, maybe more. Father's Day? Did I send out multiple cards? No... Now, I know most men don't really care much about cards, but still, when I look at it, it makes me a bit mad at myself to see that even I, in a way, didn't pay as much attention to Father's Day as I did Mother's Day.

What really, really irks me is Father's that want to be a part of their kids life but can't because the mother doesn't allow it. It really sucks to have to go through the court systems just to be able to spend time with your own child, but, you gotta do what you gotta do. I have a couple of friends that are going through this very situation. One hasn't seen his kids in TWO YEARS. Wow. Thankfully the courts finally got it settled, and the kids will be coming to Florida in July. Another friend lives a mere 30 minutes away from his child and constantly tries to get his kid for the weekend and no luck. WHY?! Why would someone willingly keep their children away from a father that WANTS to be a part of their life? I just don't get it. I know other people that WISH the father of their kids would WANT to come around. Having a broken family is hard enough, why make it harder? I know a few people who have broken families that have all been able to not only remain civilized for the children (who are now grown, my age) but they remained friends. What a beautiful thing!

Anyways, I am going off on a rant, so I will end it with a:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DADDY!!

I am so blessed to have him as my earthly Father <3

Thankful Thursday V10.2

Just in case it happens to be your first time stopping by Thankful Thursday let me tell you a bit about it. It's a weekly link up that myself (and other bloggers) host every week in which we list off things we are thankful for. Now these things can be serious or completely ridiculous, BUT, something we are thankful for nonetheless. I leave my link up open for an entire week because honestly you shouldn't just be thankful on Thursday, but EVERYDAY. And you are welcome to link up with me whenever. :) I'd love to have you join in on our fun! The button is below, feel free to grab one and link on up!

<center><a title="Brown Eyed Bell(e)" href="http://browneyedbell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu46/HeatherLC02/thankfulthursday3.jpg"/></a></center>



♥ authentic taco's. mmmm. I could eat these bad boys every day.

♥ my tempurpedic bed. this ties into the good nights sleep from last weeks Thankful Thursday post. nothing like a tempur!

♥ trying new recipes. I tried a few last week. some failed, some will be made again.

♥ a mini road trip to Port Saint Lucie last weekend to visit one of my best friends.

♥ having time to catch up with two of my best friends as we drove to Port Saint Lucie.

♥ a good phlebotomist. I had to have my yearly CBC blood work done yesterday and usually I am a hard prick. yesterday? It took longer for me to park than it did to get signed in AND have my blood drawn. That was a first.

♥ enlightening conversations. sometimes you just never know what is really going through someone's mind. if you have something to tell someone, tell them!

♥ that my laptop is hanging in just long enough to publish this post. I really hate this HP that I have. It's overheated since day one and sometimes just doesn't function. Regardless, I realize I am blessed to even own a laptop, SO, I am thankful for it.

♥ that you guys still love me even though I don't post lotsa cool pictures with every post? I am a horrible blogger sometimes, LOL. I don't have a nice camera though, so I just snap what I can and make do! works for me

♥ coupons. I love saving any penny that I can!


I am linking up with some other Thankful Thursday's this week: The Fontenot Four, Kate Says Stuff, A Punk, A Pumpkin, and a Peanut, Black Tag Diaries, & First Day Of My Life.

What are YOU thankful for?

Nanner Bread

Oh how one statement can bring back a flood of memories. :)

Sunday my sister and I were texting back and forth, as we do daily, and she mentioned that she had baked two pans of nanner bread. My sister and I both find it therapeutic to bake. Mmm.

There was no way her household alone was going to finish off two whole pans, so she told me her night was completed as she had just called the local police station (which is about a half a block away from her place) and told them "this is NOT an emergency, please don't laugh, I have two pans of nanner bread I won't eat" And just like that, the police were on their way, in the cop car, to pick up the nanner bread. :) She even included a stick of real butter and a knife. Oh, how I adore small town life.  I SO wish I lived with her in Kansas. Of course it would have been too weird to take a picture, but, like she said, it was a site to be seen, and I believe it. I am sure the cops were extremely grateful, and they said they'd leave the pan on her porch later.

I agree 100% with my sister when she said makes me happy to do something nice when I had a bad day. The world would be a better and safer place if when someone had a bad day they gave someone else a good day.

Truer words could not have been spoken. What about you? What do you do when YOU have a bad day? I can be honest... usually when I have a bad day, I take it out on others, and probably cause them to have a bad day.... This is not right, I know. I try not to. I just need to aspire to be more like my big sister <3

On another random note, when she mentioned baking the banana bread and giving it to the local police, it reminded me of kind acts our mother used to do. When I was younger I can remember multiple times my Mom would bake banana bread and take it to the DJ's at our local country station. They knew her by name, and raved about her banana bread. When I told my sister she said "I always knew I had to get it from somewhere! They say mine is the best in five counties!!" Makes me smile big. I wish my sister could have got to meet our mom before she passed. Sigh. I know she is watching over us both, proud.

                                                                                     Source: Uploaded by user via Joel on Pinterest

Today...

I have

- walked 2 miles with a friend
- watched the weather... hopeful for a cold front in Florida. in June. yeah, right. I know. A girl can dream.
- made a Publix run
- procrastinated on a blood work appointment, there's always tomorrow, right?
- stopped by my Dad's house for a visit
- tried a new recipe. upside down deep dish pizza casserole. it was a success. orange chicken recipe from yesterday? not a success.
- killed 3 brown widows. EW!
- received a phone call from my bank and been informed that my husband's credit card has been compromised and cancelled. um, scary?!
- looked at my pool longingly and wished I had time to jump in

I will 

- pick up a friend/coworkers on the way to work
- attend a supervisor meeting at work
- work
- get caught up on my "Bible in a year" book. I am at least a week behind. I know, tsk tsk.
- read some more of Catching Fire. maybe. If I get through some of my Bible in a year first.
- fast after midnight, just in case I decide to go get my blood work done tomorrow. I have all week to go.

Happy Tuesday, Friends.

Photo Drop!

It's been awhile since I've done one of these so here we go:

Catching Fire @ the pool AND beach

Butterbean on the left, his Momma who lives across the street on the right.

1. feet up on dash on way to spring hill 2. Aidan's 5th birthday cake  3. Stephy & me

4. @ Adale Speedway    5. Me & Em poolside    6. Sweet thank you card from Heather

7. a cat ON the dashboard?    8. Found a flower     9. 7 for $20 at Bath & Body

1. home made enchiladas    2. hole in one doughnuts     3. fried mac and cheese

Movie Night with Co-workers on Memorial Day :)

Turtles everywhere near my house

I felt like a Zebra day, and so did my friend/coworker!! <3

have a blessed Sunday, friends <3

Thankful Thursday V10.1

Just in case it happens to be your first time stopping by Thankful Thursday let me tell you a bit about it. It's a weekly link up that myself (and other bloggers) host every week in which we list off things we are thankful for. Now these things can be serious or completely ridiculous, BUT, something we are thankful for nonetheless. I leave my link up open for an entire week because honestly you shouldn't just be thankful on Thursday, but EVERYDAY. And you are welcome to link up with me whenever. :) I'd love to have you join in on our fun! The button is below, feel free to grab one and link on up!

<center><a title="Brown Eyed Bell(e)" href="http://browneyedbell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu46/HeatherLC02/thankfulthursday3.jpg"/></a></center>

This week I am thankful for:

♥ walking buddies. I have to walk daily to help keep the pain in my back away. people might think I am super motivated and that's why I walk daily. Not really. I just don't want to stiffen up ridiculously because of the spondylolisthesis. SO, having a walking buddy makes it SO much more fun for me. AND, I walk further when I am chatting with someone else.

♥ a good nights sleep. I slept so heavy last night. It was wonderful.

♥ Cloudy, rainy days. I hear a lot of people complaining, but, let's be honest. Florida needs the rain. I want this burn ban to be lifted so I can have some bon fires :)

♥ Knowing that no matter what I shouldn't worry because God will find a way to provide. Had a few of those "annual" or "semi annual" bills pop up this month. Never any fun!

♥ a super fun night at the local speed way. I hadn't been in years and went last Saturday to watch a friends niece race and I had so much fun. I can't wait to go again. The epic road trip with K afterwards was fun as well!

♥ a light work at week. It's been super light at work this week. I mean super light. To the point where we have canceled almost every one's shift with the exception of supervisors. I am just thankful that I've gotten a few hours in. a few is so much better than none.

♥ an upcoming road trip with two great friends. On Saturday we are trekking about 2.5 hours south to go visit another friend for the day. can't wait!

♥ that I was able to make it to Spring Hill for my "nephew's" 5th birthday :)

I am linking up with some other Thankful Thursday's this week: The Fontenot Four, Kate Says Stuff, A Punk, A Pumpkin, and a Peanut, Black Tag Diaries, & First Day Of My Life.

What about you? What are YOU thankful for recently?

lack of posts

                                                                               Source: paulzii.tumblr.com via Enrique on Pinterest

I feel the need to apologize for the lack of posts as of recent. To be honest, see above. Life is busy and busy is life. I just haven't had the leisurely time to blog. Of course, I could have forced it, just to get a post up, BUT, what fun is that? I blog for fun... It's a digital scrap book of my life. If I don't have time to blog I am not going to force it. I am even super behind on reading and commenting on my favorite blogs, and that saddens me, but, I will catch up soon. promise. miss you all! what have YOU been up to?

                                                                                   Source: di.net via Nikki on Pinterest