Dreaming Since 1997

  It's the last day of September! It has been a wonderful month for me. I have loved September 2025 so much. It was a blessing filled month. I spent time with family, was able to work out more, changed my perspective on a lot of stressful things in my life, ate a lot of sweets, and drank a lot of coffee, and got to hang out with my friends. There was a lot of beauty 💛 I'll share some of the highlights from this month, starting with the fall colors that have already began! We had some delicious sweets from downtown Portsmouth! I really enjoyed this month so much, and I can't wait for October next!  One thing I would like to do in October is make a blog post every weekday. I have not been as consistent with that as I'd like to be, but that's okay!  Thanks for reading! 

  Hello! Today is going to be a Fun Friday Post! We made it to the weekend (even though I am working an extra weekend shift 😶), so let's kick it off with some fun! What sounds fun?  Well, I did recently put together a fun fall country music play list that I've been listening to just about every time I'm in my car! It's a little Thomas Rhett, Billy Strings, Mogan Wallen, Little Big Town, and more! Just a conglomeration of my favorites.  What looks like fun?  I am excited for a nice weather weekend and going out with some friends tomorrow after work! We will have some good food and I'm sure some good laughs to go with it.  What was fun this week?  I really enjoyed this week, especially the mornings. I woke up early every single day around 6:30, but I never felt sleepy or groggy. I did my quiet time, worked out, went for walks, did laundry or whatever I needed to do. It truly was a great week! I am excited to repeat for next week. I hope you have a great week...

   Hello readers! Probably just my mom and sister, but that's okay! For some crazy reason, I really enjoy typing up my little posts, adding some photos, and publishing it on the internet! Anway, today is  Thankful Thursday , and I gotta say, I love  Thankful Thursdays . I find these are my favorite posts to write. I truly am blessed. Listing out some random things that I'm thankful for always puts me in a great mood. I know I have a lot to pray about, but I think all prayers need to include thanksgiving to the One who gives! Alright, let's go! 1. I am thankful for my home. It's not the biggest, nicest home ever, but I love this place. It is my favorite place I've ever lived. It was built in the early 1950's (1951 I believe). It's simple but we have helped give it some character. I love our cozy rooms, and I love the deck and backyard area. Decorating it has been such a joyous project, and it's ongoing! I am always looking for ways to make the most of wh...

  Hello! I am on a mindful essay topic kick evidently because today, I want to talk about stress. Is all stress bad? Is it bad for us to be under pressure? You put your body through stress when you're working out to get stronger. Throw some beef, vegetables and beef broth in a pressure cooker and it comes out delicious! And it certainly works for coal... but does the same go for everyday life stress?  Growth Just like with muscle mass in the gym, I believe that stress in life helps us grow as individuals. Without stress, we would never learn how to adapt. I think being able to adapt is a GREAT attribute. I feel it is essential if you want to have a successful life. People who have a difficult time adapting to different environments often don't flourish and have to find something that fits them. Don't get me wrong, if things aren't working out and you need to leave the situation, by all means, get out of there! But I do think it should be after making a real effort to ad...

  Hello! I am excited to tell you that I finally went to my local Hobby Lobby! Ah, it felt good to go in there again. I haven't been in one in probably 3 years!  All of the fall decor is out on display, shelves are packed with orange pumpkins, hay bales, and little woodland creatures. I even saw some red and green in there for the next season! I wanted to buy one or two of everything in there, but I was good and only bought some stuff for my dining room table and kitchen.  After looking for some inspiration my favorite app, Pinterest, I found similar items in the store and put them together when I got home.  Then a of couple days later, I finally put out some more of my fall decor, which is basically a collection of pumpkins. We always have some skulls out year-round, so it's an easy transition for my home to go from normal to fall. I just love my skull Barefoot Dreams blanket ❤💀 So far, this fall has been such a treat for me. We've had great weather so far, I've wo...

   Hi! Today I want to write about priorities. What matters, matters. And sometimes, what matters most can get hidden beneath everyday chaos.  Earlier this year, I was feeling very unbalanced- I had a lot of balls in the air, but eventually I began dropping some pretty important ones. So, I decided to pause and reassess my life. I made a couple changes here and there and ended up seeing some positive results. For example, for the last few months, I've been concerned about my protein intake, and started adding more to my diet throughout the day. I have started waking up earlier and walking my dogs in the mornings most days a week so that I can make sure they're getting some exercise and I'm getting some vitamin D. I've had an hour of quiet time every morning for the last 5 years, but I started making more of that hour. I've prioritized praying and talking to God more throughout the day.  Life is always changing, even with our most disciplined routine. We only have 24...

  Hello! Today I will do a recap of my first official fall Saturday from last weekend. It started with a protein latte made at home, chocolate croissants from a local bakery, and college football.  Then the four of us (my in-laws spent the weekend with us!) headed out on a 20-minute drive to Applecrest Farm Orchard! It was BEAUTIFUL there! I could live there. They had everything. Food, flowers, pumpkins, beer, wine, sweet treats, and so much more. There was even a live bluegrass band, so I felt right at home. I kept saying that if I ever have another wedding, it would be here at the orchard!  We were there for a few hours and still didn't do everything they had to offer. I would love to go back and go on the hayride.  Here are some of the pictures we took while we were there. It truly was a fall dream come true! 💛💗

Good morning and welcome back! It is Thankful Thursday !!! I had a busy, busy, BUSY weekend. I didn't have time to get any posts edited or written up for that matter! Anway I am here today. I believe a happy heart starts with gratitude, so let's be happy today! 1. My 3 pets this morning. They have been extra cuddly and sweet.  2. I take my safety for granted. I'm truly grateful for the safe neighborhood and city I live in.  3. Work has been stressful lately, but I am grateful for my job. I love being able to make money for my household.  4. A fun weekend with Thomas' parents! I had one of the most fall Saturdays ever.  5. On my morning walks with the dogs, I usually try to call or facetime my granny. She and I will talk for an hour or so and it's the best. I love her so much.  6. My bridesmaid dress finally came in and it made me excited all over again for the wedding next month!!! 7. I ordered a weighted vest to wear for my walks. It is bright pink and 8lbs. I ...

  Dear Future Me,  Written on a quiet September morning, I am writing a letter to the future me, maybe 10 years from now. I hope you are still writing blog posts! This has been a passion project, no real deadlines or stress, but something that is enjoyable to me. It makes me feel like I'm able to let out some of the pent up urge to just write! I've filled up plenty of diaries over the years, but my blog feels more creative. I like being creative.  Some things I want to you to remember about me, now that your 10 years older, is that I really love my house. I love our yard, our neighborhood, our city. It's magical here, especially in the summer and fall. I try to sit outside for a couple hours most days. I have been crocheting a lot lately, trying to get some blankets made. I hope you're faster than I am now!  I wonder if you're taking naps on your days off work, assuming we still have the same job. I used to nap every single day off, now I never nap. I just drink mor...

  Happy Tuesday! I feel like today is going to be a relaxing day in my house, and I am okay with that. I did go to Bible study this morning at my church. I will be trying to tidy up the house for our company this weekend throughout the day, and I would like to pop into work for a couple hours to help out this evening, but it will be a great, relaxing day. Wanna know why? Because even though I am doing all of this stuff,   I am relaxed.  Circumstances don't have to dictate my life. My experience.  Anyway, enough of the serious talk. Today's post is going to be a list of songs that I believe would be included on the soundtrack to my life, as of today! I'll list 10 songs and the reasons behind each choice! 1. Boondocks by Little Big Town This song makes me think of being from a small town in VA, where you really are in another world. Not that Portsmouth NH is some big city, but compared to where I'm from, it is! I'm proud to be from Whitewood VA, in the heart of Appala...

  Happy Monday! I am excited to start this week for a couple of reasons: my friends and I are meeting up for dinner tonight, my church Bible study starts back up Tuesday, my in-laws are visiting this weekend, and we're going to a pumpkin patch! It's going to be a busy week, but I'm still EXCITED!!! For this post, I wanted to do a recap of the weekend, starting with Friday night! I got home late from work around 8:30 and came home to Thomas and our pets down stairs watching football. Chandler looks like he got tackled right in front of the TV! Ah, my goofy dogs! Here is a prime example of Joey aggravating Regina. Not pictured, me crocheting hot-girl squares. 😉 Saturday was a regular work Saturday, except I got to work with another pharmacist! Overlap on a weekend... I don't think I've ever had that before, but it was so nice! I got home around 6:30 to my family, downstairs, watching college football. Basically looks the exact same as Friday night.  Sunday, I woke up...

    Alright! So today is a  Flashback Friday  post, and I'm going to write about one that I feel like anyone can relate to... Let's talk about Football Fridays! I remember how busy my Fridays were in high school. Now, I am busy every other Friday, working late and into the weekend. It kind of feels the same. Eh, maybe not quite- but let's keep going! Anyway, I remember how excited I would be getting ready for school on football Fridays. I was both a cheerleader and a band member, so I knew I had a lot to do for the whole day, especially if we had a pep rally. I basically didn't get to sit down from the time I got out of school until I went to bed. I was up doing something the whole time. And that's not even counting the early Saturday morning band competitions! This was one of our first band festivals as a couple! Thomas and I are high school sweet hearts 💜 Here I am trying to make sure everyone is in their spot for the dance routine! Our very purple uniform closet...

    Hello! It's  Thankful Thursday ! I am confident that happiness is a result of a thankful heart! So let's get happy! 1. My pets' vet. They are so sweet! I had to get Joey in last minute this morning because I completely forgot about his appointment last Friday! I still feel so awful about that, but the team at the office is so kind and understanding. They got us in right away today.  2. I love this time of year so much. I am so grateful for this new season. I am enjoying as much of it as I can this year!  3. I have dinner plans with some friends on Monday after work, so I'm excited for that!  4. My morning walks with the boys. I am enjoying this weather. It's the perfect way to get in some steps for the day and clear my mind. I can focus better all day. I love to be in the sun, moving.  5. Being off work today. Enough said!  6. My wonderful husband. Thomas truly is the best. I am so thankful for him.  7. My late dear uncle's study Bible. I...

    Welcome back to my blog! I hope everyone is having a great first week in September! I love this time of year. Fall is happening before our very eyes. Fall is usually my busiest season at work, so I try to take in as much of the wonderful parts as possible!  I wanted to share with you all about my pets! They are a huge part of my life. I love them so much, it feels like they're my kids! They are so funny, interesting, and the best gang to hang out with.  Regina My sweet Regina. I found her outside my house during my second year of college. And she's been with me ever since. She's a small, long haired, calico cat. I like to keep her hair lion cut. She looks so cute and fierce with her hair like that! Regina is full of personality. She meows at everyone to pet her or feed her. She hisses at her brothers multiple times a day, mainly Joey because he likes to get right in her face and aggravate her. She's a big hit with our friends and family. She's kind of like a sta...