How to Upcycle Your Photo Christmas Cards into a Valentine's Day Banner

As I started taking down the Christmas decorations and storing them for next year,  I thought maybe I could find a way to upcycle my Christmas cards from this year.  I decided to use them to make a Valentine's Day banner.  This turned out to be such a fun and easy project!  And I think you will like it too!  What better way to enter the season of love than to be surrounded by photos of friends and family!

Here's a list of the materials I used to make this Valentine's banner: 

• Photo Christmas Cards
• Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter (or stencil)
• Marker or Pen
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Twine or Ribbon

Step 1:  Sort your Christmas cards.  I had A LOT of photo cards, but a handful of other cards too.  I only used the photo cards for this project.  I sorted all others into a separate pile to be stored for Christmas crafts next year.  

Step 2: Use your heart shaped cookie cutter or stencil to trace a heart around the picture you want to feature on your banner.  Some cards only have one photo and some have lots.  I positioned my cookie cutter a few times before deciding which photos to use for my banner.  Depending on the layout of the card you are using, you may need to rotate your stencil slightly to get the desired image inside your heart. 

Step 3: Once you have all your hearts drawn, carefully cut them out. 

Step 4:  Using your hole punch, punch two holes in the top of each heart shape.  Be careful not to punch too close to the edge of your heart or over anything (or anyone) important!

Step 5:  Finally, use your twine or ribbon to string your hearts together.  Your banner is complete and ready to display!

I love how this little banner turned out!  And I hope you will give it a try too!

Make sure you check out these other Harris Sisters blog posts for ideas on how to decorate for Valentine's Day:

• How to transform your Christmas Tree into a Valentine's Tree
• O Valentine Tree! O Valentine Tree! (vintage Disney cards on an aluminum tree)
• A Valentine-y Kitchen Tour
• Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
• Pink Depression Glass

Happy 10th Anniversary to Our Blog!

Can you believe it's been TEN years already? We can tell you without a doubt that those years have literally flown by. On September 2, 2012, we published our very first blog post. What we didn't know was that by launching that first post ten years ago, we'd be gaining thousands of followers - across multiple social media platforms - in every state across the US and in countries across the world! 

The subject of that first post captured what was popular in the world at the time: remake photos. And it also gave you a glimpse into who we are as sisters and how we cherish not only our time together, but the memories we make together as well.

To commemorate our blog anniversary, here's another remake photo for you, ten years later. 

The Harris Sisters (2022)

And here's the original remake that we kicked off the blog with:

The Harris Sisters (2012)

And here's a walk down memory lane with the photo that started it all:

The Harris Sisters (Circa 1995)

In the ten years since we hit the publish button on that first post, we've met great people, made new friends, acquired new readers, and learned so much about blogging and social media. Each one of us is able to use our talents to contribute to the blog in a meaningful way, and we're able to share that with you.

A BIG Thank You!

We want to dedicate this post to all of our readers, without whom this blog would simply not be what it is today. 

Your comments always motivate us, and we will always be grateful for the community that we've created with you!

So, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. For reading our blog posts. For following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For liking and commenting on our posts and sharing them with others to help grow our audience. For praising and inspiring and making suggestions and being kind when so many people in the world are not.

We thank you. We appreciate you. We couldn't do it without you.

Here's to the next 10 - 

Donna, Deanna & Misty
"The Harris Sisters"

100+ College Care Package Ideas

You might remember your first days in a college dorm room. Once your parents helped you move in boxes upon boxes of all your college essentials and they said their goodbyes, you not only had your first taste of freedom, but you might have also felt a little homesick. And of course, nothing was more welcome during that time than a care package from home!

We’ve recently sent Harris Sister Misty’s oldest daughter Charlotte off to college, which has got us thinking that maybe we should send her some goodies to let her know we’re thinking about her.

What Can I Send a Homesick College Student?

Ideas for a college care package don’t need to be super complicated or even expensive. These ideas for what to put in a college care package are things that college students need, they’re easy to find, and they’re sure to be appreciated. This list of 100+ ideas will make it easy for you to DIY your own care package for a college student.

When picking out fun things for your college student’s care package, make sure to also include a few everyday necessities. 

Homemade Food Ideas

Lots of times, college kids might appreciate some homemade food. From snack foods to cookies and candies to quick breads, these recipes are not only quick and easy to make but they will also be easy to package and send. Whip up a batch of these goodies, keep some for yourself, and share some with your favorite college student.

No Bake Choc Oat Cookies

1.      Polka-Dot Party Popcorn
2.      Autumn Trail Mix
3.      Liar-Liar Chex Mix
4.      Peanut Butter Balls
5.      No-Bake Choc Oat Cookies
6.      White Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps
7.      Butter Cookies with Sprinkles
8.      Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
9.      Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
10.    No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
11.    Cake Walk Slash Bake Sale Brownies
12.    Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
13.    Lemon Blueberry Quick Bread
14.    It’s Now or Never Quick Bread
15.    Sweet Potato Pecan Bread
16.    Super Moist Pumpkin Bread
17.    Cranberry Zucchini Bread
18.    Nutella Banana Swirl Bread

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prepackaged Food & Drink Items

Your college student will appreciate receiving any of these food, snack, and drink items. Because they are prepackaged, they have longer shelf-lives. Some of these items make convenient grab-and-go snacks and others are handy when they just don't have the energy to trudge all the way to the cafeteria for a meal. Don't forget to look for items that are easy-to-make in a dorm room with the help of a microwave!

19.    Hot Chocolate 
20.    Tea
21.    Coffee Pods
22.    Flavored Drink Mix Pouches (Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Etc.)
23.    Microwave Popcorn
24.    Protein Bars
25.    Granola Bars
26.    Beef Jerky
27.    Pringles
28.    Squeezable Applesauce
29.    Peanut Butter (Single Serve Size)
30.    Instant Oatmeal Cups
31.    Macaroni & Cheese Cups 
32.    Ramen Noodles
33.    Microwavable Rice or Pasta Side Dishes
34.    Snack Cups (Fruit, Pudding, Etc.)
35.    Pop Tarts
36.    Nuts
37.    Dried Fruit
38.    Candy
39.    Cookies (Oreos, Nutter Butters, Girl Scout Cookies, Etc.)
40.    Gum
41.    Mints
42.    Hot Sauce
43.    Canned Soup (with Pop Top Lids)
44.    Saltine Crackers
45.    Snack or Sandwich Crackers

First-Aid & Health Items

Keep your college student healthy with a supply of health and wellness items. They can stash many of these items away in a first-aid kit made from a pencil box. You can find smaller sizes of many of these items at your local dollar store that will be the perfect size for a dorm room.

46.    Tissues
47.    Cough Drops
48.    Cold Medicine
49.    Tylenol
50.    Band-Aids
51.    Antibiotic Ointment
52.    Hydrocortisone Cream
53.    Antacids
54.    Airborne or Emergen-C
55.    Multivitamins
56.    Eye Drops
57.    Hand Sanitizer (Portable / Keychain Size)
58.    Extra Face Masks

Toiletries / Self-Care Items

Help your college student keep personal care essentials in stock or help them take a break from studying with fun spa items like mud masks and sugar scrubs. 

59.    Makeup
60.    Nail Polish
61.    Nail Polish Remover Wipes
62.    Mud Masks
63.    Sugar Scrub
64.    Lotion
65.    Shampoo
66.    Conditioner
67.    Deodorant
68.    Toothbrush
69.    Toothpaste
70.    Floss
71.    Mouthwash
72.    Disposable Razors
73.    Shaving Cream
74.    Bath Pouf or Loofah
75.    Body Wash or Soap
76.    Feminine Hygiene Products
77.    Lip Balm
78.    Hair Ties
79.    Bobby Pins
80.    Sunscreen
81.    Turbi Twist Hair Towel
82.    Eyeglasses Cleaner Wipes

Extra School Supplies

These items will come in handy (especially toward the end of the semester when initial supplies might be running low). You can stock up on them at back-to-school time.

83.    Notebooks
84.    Notebook Paper
85.    Sticky Notes
86.    Tape Flags
87.    Note Cards
88.    Pens
89.    Pencils
90.    Highlighters
91.    Sharpies
92.    Stationery
93.    Stamps

Other Practical Ideas

Make sure to include some of these everyday necessities in your college student's care package. 

94.      Socks
95.      Sleep Mask
96.      Disinfectant Cleaning Wipes
97.      Tide-To-Go
98.      Laundry Detergent (Pods)
99.      Fabric Softener Sheets
100.    Roll of Quarters (if Their Dorm Has Coin-Operated Washing Machines)
101.    Lint Roller
102.    Command Hooks
103.    Paper Plates
104.    Disposable Eating Utensils

Fun Ideas

Don’t forget that sometimes fun items are the most appreciated! These items are sure to put a smile on your college student’s face.

105.    Notes from Family and Friends
106.    Photos from Home
107.    Holiday Decorations for Their Dorm Room
108.    Gift Cards to Fast Food Restaurants in the Area (Pizza, Coffee, Etc.)
109.    Favorite Magazines
110.    Brainteasers or Puzzles
111.    Card Games or Board Games
112.    College Spirit Wear from Their New School (T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Hat, Etc.)
113.    Coffee Mug
114.    Insulated Tumbler
115.    Lottery Scratch Off Tickets

How to Pack and Ship a Care Package

Choose a Shipping Box

Before you buy any items for your care package, pick your shipping box. This is one of the most important steps because the box you choose will determine:  

• the number of items you will need to fill your care package 
• the cost of shipping

Keep in mind that priority mail boxes (which are free from the Post Office) might be your best bet. You can stuff everything you can into one box (up to 70 lbs.) and ship it anywhere in the US for one flat fee. Priority mail includes delivery between one to three business days. And it also comes with tracking and up to $50 of insurance.

Choose a Theme

If you'd like to choose a theme, do that before purchasing items for your care package. For example, if you'd like to send all Halloween-themed items or all coffee-themed items, this will narrow your shopping list. You can also decorate your shipping box to match the theme if you'd like.

Purchase Your Items (and Fill 'er Up!)

Next, purchase enough items to fill your box. If you choose to include an item like a mug or an insulated tumbler, you can always optimize space by filling the inside of the item with other small items like candy.

Package Your Box Carefully

Package your items so that they arrive as intended. Remember to purchase items that will hold up well during the shipping process. 

• Package homemade food items in a plastic container to ensure they arrive unharmed. 
• Because prepackaged food items often come in smaller packages within larger boxes, remember that you might be able to fit more items in your care package if you remove individual items from their larger packaging before adding to your shipping box.
• Make sure to pack self-care items extra carefully to ensure that they don’t leak during shipping. Package items like shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in gallon-sized Ziploc bags.
• Be careful with fragile and special items. Consider that things may melt or get ruined during shipping. Put photos, drawings, handwritten notes, etc., in Ziploc bags to keep those items safe during transit. 

Double-Check Your Address

If you're sending a package to a new student on campus, make sure you've double-checked that you've listed the address correctly on the shipping label, including any important information like the residence hall name and room number. Remember that students tend to change addresses each year, so make sure that you're not sending the package to the address you had on file for them last year (and go ahead and update your address book with their new contact information when you're sending the first package of the year).

College Care Package Tips - Final Thoughts

Remember that your college student will appreciate receiving a care package in the mail from you! If you've got a few family members that are sending items to the same student, try to spread out your packages so that they aren't all arriving at the same time. If there are any items that your college student needs, have them let you know so that you can include them in the next care package you send. 

And one final tip - your care package doesn't even have to be a fancy "package" - if they need something specific, you can just add that item to your Amazon Subscribe and Save Orders and have it delivered directly to them whenever they need it.

This post contains affiliate links.

I Hope You Dance: A Mother's Letter to her Kindergartner

I recently penned this little letter to my new kindergarten girl.  She started school late last week, but this will be her first full week as a kindergartner.  It has been such a fun and exciting time in our family- buying school supplies for the first time, talking about how "big girl" elementary school would work, adjusting bed times and our daily routines, and on and on and on.  In any case, I thought I would share this milestone with you all.   

But honestly, I think you can substitute "Kindergarten" with any grade, or any big "first" for that matter, as you read on through these thoughts below.   It is so important to encourage our little ones, even when they aren't so little anymore.  And so important to lift up our teachers.  They have such big and wonderful jobs to do.  And I am grateful for everyone who positively impacts my little girl.

Today begins a big, new, fresh chapter in this family. Today, Lexi starts Kindergarten and we are THRILLED for her. Such a big step for such a big girl. So on this day- on this journey that begins anew for you- I wish so many things. Lexi girl, today and all throughout your years, I hope you will:

• respect, 

• listen, 

• play, 

• volunteer, 

• befriend, 

• observe, 

• learn, 

• be kind,

• conquer,

• help,

• behave,

• relate,

• remember,

• sing, 

• notice, 

• include,

• think,

• congratulate, 

• smile, 

• inquire, 

• cheer, 

• be fierce, 

• create, 

• love,

• encourage, 

• show pride,

• cooperate,

• grow, 

• skip, 

• thrive, 

• understand,

• be thoughtful, 

• sympathize, 

• lead, 

• follow, 

(and know when to do each.)

And always remember to:

• BE YOU, 

• SOAR, 

• DANCE.

I hope you dance. 

Now, today, every day, for all the years to come, ALWAYS. 

I hope you dance.

Reflections

Hi there, friends.  Just checking in and feeling like it's time to catch up again.  Last year around my birthday I posted a similar entry of random thoughts and reflections.  And while I don't always post these thoughts publicly, I do certainly entertain them- especially around the old birthday each year.  So here's a snippet of what's happening with me lately.

Age is just a number, or so they say. My number now stands at 43 and I'm completely ok with that. I would rather my number go up than be up. In fact I spent the past year thinking I was already 43. (Isn't that something that old people do?) In any case, I have either squandered the year or gained one, depending on your perspective.

Birthdays will always, always make me a little nostalgic. Each one my own personal New Year's Day as the old year passes away and a new one lies before me. I always find myself taking a trip down memory lane to remember what has brought me here, lingering on the good stuff and skimming quickly past a few things too...

Speaking of perspective, the passing of time surely lends you that. I have discovered that I am quite possibly the least competitive person I know. I love throwing stuff away but I'm also deeply sentimental. I am a fall/ winter person. Give me a chill in the air or even some snow and I'm a happy girl. I spent the majority of my adult life thinking I wouldn't be a mother. But now that I am one, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love being a mom. Lexi's mom. Yes, it defines me in many ways, but I am humbled to be a part of the magic that happens daily.

I know me very well. And there is a comfort that comes with that; a confidence. I am a speaker by profession, a talker by extension, though at my core I am rather shy. I am a thinker. A listener. Sometimes even a doer. I am a dog person, really just an animal person. I love deeply. I care deeply. I strive to be the best version of me that I can be. I'm not there yet, but as long as He's still working on me, I try to give myself a little slack.

I dance in public. I sing out loud. (Lexi tells me I sound like Elsa- from Frozen, though I'm pretty sure Idina Menzel isn't too worried. Bless her heart and the innocence of youth.) I talk to most everyone. About most everything. I can even hold my own in some sports conversations and most things related to preschool youngins. But only religion and politics with those I know very well.

I am southern through and through. Manners, respect, charm, chivalry. I love the south, real ladies, true gentlemen, grits, handwritten thank you notes, collard greens, country roads, potato salad, the smell of tobacco and earth, peonies, gardenias and magnolia blossoms. Cornbread should never be sweet but tea always is. If there was ever anyone born too late, it was me. I would have been in my hey day in the 1950s.

My name isn't that long. 6 letters. Short on the page but long on the tongue. As such, people have always shortened my name. D is the most common, and I always respond to it. Daddy is the only person on earth who still calls me Annie. When he says it, it sounds right and I know exactly who he is talking to (or about). If ANYONE else were to call me Annie, it wouldn't register at all.

I have about 12 umbrellas in my car but rarely use any of them. And when it's truly pouring down, there is never one within arm's reach. I am not a morning person. I don't understand people who are. My day starts with coffee (lots of cream, no sugar) and ends with wine. (Red. Cab sav, please.) I do, however, switch to white in the heat of the summer. I'm not a monster.

I don't eat cheese, even on my pizza. Never have.

I am 5' 7.5". I have always rounded that up to 5' 8". People have long thought I am much taller than that, I'm sure because I almost always wear heels. If you catch me in tennis shoes or flip flips, you will realize quickly that I'm not a close to 6' as you may have thought. Though my mom was and she still wore heels daily too.

There is beauty in everything. If you look. Really look.

I have my Grandma Elizabeth's green eyes and my Mama's freckles. I also inherited my mom's cooking abilities (which she would have been the first to admit were less than.) But I do have the handwritten copies of all of Grandma Elizabeth's famous recipes, and every time I make her chicken soup or coconut pie, I still feel like maybe I can cook a little after all. One day I will see them both again on the other side and I have a feeling we will all have a good laugh about my cooking abilities. For that moment I cannot wait.

Life is short. Do the good stuff now. Eat, drink, be merry. Use the good china. Dance. Pray. Burn the candles. Use the pretty towels. If they get soiled, wash them. (Duh.) Respect your elders. Listen to their stories. Remember. **Respect everyone.** Travel. Sightsee. Leave only footprints. Take only memories. Love is all around. Grab onto it and hold on tight.

I'm pretty sure differential equations is loooong gone, but by golly I know every song, every lyric, every note to the Frozen soundtrack. And I'm completely ok with that too.

43, here's to us.

And if that wasn't enough for you, here's the click for the entry I wrote last year.  

Making a Costume Jewelry Christmas Tree

Well, here we are knocking on the door of another December, and thus another holly jolly holiday season.  So it's high time I share this project with you that I've been working on for some time now.  In truth, this little project is honestly YEARS in the making, though my contributions are much more recent.  May I present to you this costume jewelry Christmas tree made from my husband's grandmother's jewelry.    John has always lovingly referred to his grandmother as "Smith" and I have heard so many stories about good old Smith over the years I almost feel like I knew her myself.  She actually passed away shortly before I met John so I never had the pleasure, but working on this tree connected me in a very special way to her.  

Smith actually started this tree herself many many years ago.  John's parents saved it all this time and presented it to me along with a large bag of her jewelry several months ago, wondering if I might like to finish it.  So this is the "before" picture of the tree as I received it.  It was a large felted cone sitting atop a velvet covered box.  Several pieces of her jewelry already adorned it along with many many hand beaded straight pins and a mix of painted cockle burrs thrown in for good measure. 

This large pin that reads "Mother" was my favorite of the items that were already on the tree.  I actually ended up carefully removing all the jewelry, pins, and cockle burrs to begin with a clean slate, knowing that each of these pieces would find their own special spot on the tree once again as I started rebuilding it.   In fact, I'm pretty sure the "Mother" pin was the first thing I placed back on the tree when I started the reconstruction. 

Here you can see some of those cockle burrs, along with another favorite.  I loved the twisty turns of this watch swagged onto the tree. 

So once I removed everything from the tree, I wrapped it carefully in satin ribbon, pinning it to the tree all the way to the top.  I wanted to use all of Smith's original components, but the tree itself was very old, so the ribbon provided an extra layer of support for the tree as well as a pretty and clean backdrop to begin the process of adding the jewelry back on. 

I sorted all of her jewelry out before I started pinning to see what she had and make a little plan for myself.  She acutally had quite a few Christmas-y pieces like this Santa pin that I prominently displayed near the top.  If you look carefully to Santa's lower right side, you will also see a large gold  pin that reads "Lucille".  That was Smith's first name.  The pin near Santa's right hand bears the initials "DH".  The pin is actually from Deaconess Hospital, but since those are also my (maiden) initials, I worked it in close to the "Lucille" pin.  

I used a grouping of hat pins and stick pins to create the top of the tree.  See the initial "L" pin in the middle?  Another "L" for Lucille. 

I didn't have quite enough of Smith's jewelry to complete the tree, but thankfully John's parents also gave me a bunch of John's mom's old jewelry too.  So I supplemented with some of Jan's things here and there.  The signet pin you see her bears Jan's initials.  I love how this tree connects these generations.  It all started with Smith, sprinkled with some of her daughter's- Jan's- things, finished my me, and one day this pretty little tree will pass on to Lexi- who would have been Smith's great granddaughter. 

And here is the final product.  Just in time for Christmas!  Actually, I finished this tree back in October in time for what would have been Smith's 100th birthday this year.  

She stands nearly two feet tall with the base, but if you are hoping to recreate something similar, you could certainly make it to whatever scale works for you.  Cones in all sizes are available at your local craft store.  And this was actually very very easy to complete. I just used straight pins to attach the jewelry to the tree, so nothing is permanently attached and the pieces are all still intact.  

I'm so pleased with how she turned out.  And honestly, I don't think I will take her down after Christmas.  She is a beauty, made with love, and we will celebrate that year-round.  

Goodbye to One of the 18 Summers

We’ve all read how our children only get 18 summers, so we need to make every one count. Of course they’ll have a summer every year, but after childhood it just won’t be the same. 

And we’ve also read how you never know when it’s “the last time.” The last time for what? For everything. Your child will get older and just stop doing some things he’s always done, and you won’t realize it until he stops. So, you really need to savor every moment with your children while you have them.

So my latest “last time” story is that it’s time for Aidyn to get braces. We’ve done all the preliminary visits and he just had his last three baby teeth pulled so that they can put the braces on. What does that mean? A few weeks ago, he just had his last visit from the Tooth Fairy. Now, at age 12 (almost 13), he doesn’t subscribe to this sort of magic anymore (it is more for show on behalf of his younger brother). But it is the last time, and it is a big deal. My baby is growing up.

And if that wasn't enough of a wake up call, little brother Jaxon just had a birthday - he turned 10! So, I really don't have any single digit kiddos anymore.

They are both nearly as tall as me! The times are a-changin' in our household, that's for sure!

The boys head back to school next week, so you’d better believe we are going to eek out as much summer fun as we can during the short amount of time we have left.

And in the spirit of savoring time with your children and the 18 carefree summers that they are allotted, this is an open letter to childhood summers:

Dearest Summertime of Childhood,

It pains me to say that you’ll be leaving us soon. Although we know you’ll return around the same time next year, we’ll have to agree to part ways for now. And that means for the time being, we must bid a fond farewell to:

Pool Time

• Perfecting our diving into the pool
• Adjusting a new pair of swim goggles so that they fit just right

All Other Manners of Getting and Staying Wet to Cool Off in the Heat

• Playful romps in the sprinkler
• Waiting for our turn at the Slip-N-Slide
• Water gun fights
• Wading in the creek

Enjoying the Delicious Foods of Summer

• The sticky sweetness of melting Popsicles and ice cream sandwiches running down our chins and fingers
• Picking fresh produce from the garden or from the local Farmers Market
• Smoothies, sundaes, and milkshakes
• Juicy tomato sandwiches with just the right amount of salt and pepper
• Relaxing on the deck or in the hammock while dinner cooks on the grill
• Fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries
• Visiting local ice cream shops to taste test their best homemade flavors 

Beach Time

• Gathering seashells, sand dollars, and rocks along the beach just after sunrise
• Riding the ocean waves on rafts
• The smell of sunscreen as you reapply it to sun-warmed skin
• A smattering of freckles across our noses and cheeks

Summertime Fun

• Sleepovers and adventures with cousins and good friends
• Catching lightning bugs (or fireflies if you live north of the Mason-Dixon line)
• Sparklers, pop-its, and fireworks
• Playing basketball barefoot in the rain
• Playing trivia games during road trips to parts unknown
• Staying up late playing video games and sleeping late the next day to make up for it
• Freedom from homework, school projects, and other kid responsibilities

Summer, we have had so much fun with you, and as always we are so sad to see you go. Please remember to visit again the same time next year. We will be waiting with open arms and more energy than you can imagine! 

Until we meet again – 

Opt for Optimism

I have started a 30-day challenge called Opt for Optimism, and I am inviting you all to join me.  It's fun and completely free of charge, and very uplifting for the spirit.   The mission is simple- to put optimism into action by completing a small challenge each day for 30 days.  You know, they say if you do something for 30 days, it becomes a habit....  Some of these challenges are personal reminders.  Others are random acts of kindness.  It's all good.   Good for the soul.  Good for you and for each other.   Let's do this. 

So how does this work?  You just visit the Opt For Optimism Website, and enter your email address to sign up for the challenge.  After that, you will begin to receive a daily email with a small challenge for you to complete. It's that easy.  It's all done on the honor system so there is no one to answer to other than yourself.  But these challenges are simple and fun and will certainly get you thinking and hopefully putting those thoughts into action too.  

My first challenge was to compile a list of at least 5 things I am grateful for and post it somewhere I will see everyday.   I posted my little list on the bathroom mirror so I see it first thing each day and again before I go to bed at night.  

Today I am on a mission to leave a kind note on a stranger's car.  I already have a note tucked into my purse just waiting to hop onto someone's windshield at some point today.  I know if I received an uplifting note on my car, it would brighten up my day so much.  I hope this does the same for someone else.   Remember, you never know what others are going through and how much your light might brighten their day.

Let's all try to shine a little brighter, ok?  Today, tomorrow, always.  

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself

Hi yall!  It's been a little while since I've been active on the blog- like before the holidays.  My  sincere apologies.  I do miss this, and you all too.  What can I say?  I'm busy.  Life is busy, but you already knew that, I'm sure, because you all have wonderful and busy lives too.  I am working on  cooking up several new blog posts for you, but to kick things off, I thought I would share the following with you.  

I posted this on my personal Facebook page on my birthday last month, and I feel like it pretty accurately sums up my life these days.  Aside from my mention of being a wife, I feel like this also could double as a singles' ad.  Heaven help me.  

42- Wow. My heart and my thoughts are full. I don’t believe in hiding your age. Why bother? You are what you are. And for all my years, I can now say that I am living my best life.

I am a wife, a mother (to a 3 year old- how many 40-somethings can say that?), a sister (to 2 of the best women I’ve ever known), a daughter, a friend- to a fabulous group of women whom I cherish, a niece, a cousin, an aunt (many times over), a sister-in-law, a daughter-in-law, a dance mom, a class mom, and a stay-at-home mom (which by the way, is the hardest and most rewarding job I have personally ever known, and I’ve had some doozies).

My life has taken so many twists and turns. But it has all led me here. At 42, I know what I like, what I want, who I like. And I know the things that make me happy and those that do not. I sing out loud- usually badly, but occasionally I find an actual key and surprise myself. I dance with strangers. I talk - a lot- sometimes about things that matter. The years have taught me of the virtues of patience. I have known loss and I have known love. My cup overflows daily.

I believe youth is wasted on the young, and I also believe that is something that old(er) people say.  I am older than I’ve ever been, but also younger than I’ve ever been. I no longer try to impress anyone but myself. If I can do that, then I’ve accomplished something. I am humbled daily. I learn daily. I don’t care what other people think about me anymore. But occasionally I still do. I am a complex conundrum, but aren’t we all?

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my Mama. Now she was a good woman. Someone that I try to be every day. She wasn’t much of a cook, but neither am I. She loved with all her heart. She taught me how to work hard, and I do. Every single day of my life.

I have traveled all over this world, but I still believe there is no better place than my bed. I nap EVERY SINGLE DAY. I love red wine and coffee. If I have vices, I suppose you could say those are it. But I have never smoked a cigarette in my life and that’s saying something for a small-town North Carolina girl.

I like me. Almost always. But sometimes I get cranky. See the aforementioned need for sleep, coffee, and red wine. Pretty much in that order. I believe in love, being kind to one another, and lifting each other up. We all need a little help from time to time, so pay it forward and just be a good person.

42- Double the legal drinking age, but occasionally a good-intentioned young’un still cards me. Bless my heart and all of my 42 years. And may the good Lord see fit to bless me with a few more so I can learn a few more things between here and the other side, because, y’all, I think it’s just getting good.