Sometimes

 Sometimes, you need this to get your day started...

And other days, you need things more like these...

It's all about balance, my friends!

Have a happy Wednesday.

Billie Jo

( Google for the fun.)

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! The sun is shining today, and when I stepped outside to take Mocha and Cosmo out, I felt spring. Each season has a distinct feel to me, and although I am not good at describing it adequately, you know what I mean. It may be specific to each of us, but today, I felt spring here in Pennsylvania for the first time this year.

Along with that feeling came a brief nostalgia and memories of spring mornings past ~ Rushing out the door on my way to high school without a jacket and without having to wait for the car to warm up and the windows to defrost ~ Driving to work in the light of day knowing my precious second graders would start asking me if they have to wear their coats outside at recess ~ Snapping two little ones into the blue and white double stroller for a morning walk and pointing out the buds that will bloom and the leaves that will appear ~ Rising early to watch the world wake up as I sip my morning coffee. 

Although I am, at heart, an inside girl, content to watch all the goings on from the comfort of my cozy home, I am happy that spring has arrived. I look forward to open windows, longer days, green leaves, and afternoons on the porch. Now, I am off to check my supply of allergy medicine, which will surely come in handy along with all the good spring brings. Just saying. 

Have a lovely day, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

( Photo is from a favorite website, happi )

The Good, The Good, And The Ugly

Hello, my friends! Happy Friday! Before we jump into the weekend, I'm sharing a few pictures of the past week in Pennsylvania. First up, the good.

~ This little guy right here  ~ 

Cosmo is the sweetest, cuddliest, most loving dog ever. 

~ So much yummy food ~

Lobster Alfredo at Red Lobster when we went to dinner with my bestie Heather and her husband, Dave...

Our first summertime meal of Steve's smash burgers and fries...

 And avocado, soft-boiled egg, and tomatoes on a multigrain English muffin Madison made for me!

Another Good? 

~ This cookbook ~

I recently purchased this cookbook on Amazon and received it this week. It is a beautiful cookbook written by a dear blog friend of mine, Marilyn. It is filled with delicious recipes inspired by her time spent in the kitchen with her mother, made with fresh, homegrown food. I made the coleslaw the very day I received the book! If you want to have an opportunity to win a copy, just click Right Here to go to Marilyn's blog, Mountain Top Spice!

Now, The Ugly.

~ A Sticky, Smelly Mess ~

May I ask a favor? Please remind me never to buy the huge, heavy laundry detergent containers with a sickly floral scent. I don't know about you, but wiping thick laundry soap off a bathroom floor is not something I want to repeat—ever. Also, I will be purchasing scent-free from now on.

Well, that is enough for today! I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friends. Quiet here with mass and a visit to see my mom. More good things.

Billie Jo

Four Down, One To Go!

Hello! And Happy Wednesday! We have been back in Pennsylvania since Easter and have enjoyed many visits with friends and family, as well as organizing things like closets and shelves. I have also been checking off some essential things on my list. I scheduled all my appointments for this month, and I have one more to go. My friend Dannielle, who blogs beautifully HERE, always reminds me how good it is to "Check it Off. " If you have read here for any amount of time, you may remember I am diagnosed with OCD and suffer from Health Anxiety. I am thankful that through years of therapy and hard work, along with medication, I am doing much better and am no longer paralyzed with fear about these appointments and the results. I can see each as not something I have to do but rather something I get to do. I still don't look forward to going, but I realize I am blessed to have the opportunity to do so. So far this month, I have had...

a mammogram and ultrasound, 

a dental checkup and cleaning,

a yearly physical with my primary care physician,

and an annual skin check with my dermatologist.

Last up is my yearly eye doctor appointment next Monday. I am happy and blessed to report that all of these appointments went well, and I am good to go for a year! The anticipatory anxiety I felt prior to each, which, let's be honest, is very normal, was well worth the peace of mind I have now. I scheduled my appointments for next year and have tucked the appointment cards into my planner. Please know I do not share all this for any reason other than to encourage anyone needing a reminder to get these appointments scheduled and checked off. It is a good feeling, I promise.

Have a lovely Wednesday, my friends. After an absolutely glorious spring day yesterday, we will see a cloudy, rainy day here. I am ready to be cozy! Thanks for visiting, my friends. I am always happy you do.

Billie Jo

(Google for the images!)