the Weekender

Prickly pear cactus growing from a rugged cliffside in Badlands National Park, South Dakota beneath a bright blue summer sky.

Hello friend! Glad you’re here. This picture above is a favorite of mine from the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Random cacti growing from the rocks. I may have to get it printed on a canvas. Isn’t she a beauty?

Miscellany:

1. This week was all about preparing for a garage sale. Today (Saturday) is day 2 in the citywide garage sales here in Rogersville and Fordland. My sister and I had a lot less to sell than usual. However, we sold about $500 on the first day — so we were pretty happy and the weather was perfect.

2. Do any of you have coin jars in your house? We’ve had a gallon glass bottle forever and I would always empty my change purse into it and Steve would contribute here and there. It came in handy for garage sale change too. Lol. I also have this coin bank for quarters.

Anywho, this week I decided to empty the big glass jar and take it to a coin counting machine. Plus, there were a lot of pennies and since they’ve ceased production, I didn’t want to be stuck with 2787 pennies I couldn’t use. Haha. (The Coinstar kiosk tells you count number for each coin. Pretty cool).

I found out that my bank had a Coinstar machine and there were no fees for account holders. All it required was the tap of my debit card and the machine did the rest. After about 15 minutes, $177 was deposited into my account. There’s a first time for everything.

Now to start filling that jar all over again. Haha.

3. Looking for a fun Father’s Day activity? Be sure to check out these Father’s Day Conversation Starters and enjoy meaningful family conversations with Dad — along with friends and family too.

4. Update on my back. I think I forgot to mention it, but I did have an MRI towards the end of May. The MRI showed nothing unusual, some normal degeneration, etc. I made some calls and started some Physical Therapy this week. I’m hopeful this will give me some much needed relief. I do covet your continued prayers, as we’re now at 7-8 months since the onset of the pain. CrAzY town.

5. If you’re a celebrator — or like mini things (I happen to be both), these mini taper candleholders and these mini twisted taper candles will “brighten up” any and all occasions. I was so excited for this purchase! They’re both adorable.

6. Currently reading The Teacher by Freida McFadden. It’s a psychological thrille and WOW! I’m so close to finishing it and I have no idea how it’s going to end.

Are you a reader? I’d love to hear some of your recommendations.

7. My June Vibes:

Longer days and those glorious late sunsets that make you lose track of time.
Fireflies putting on their nightly show while we sit in the backyard and soak it all in.
Barefoot walks through the grass and quiet moments spent on the porch.
The smell of freshly cut grass, blooming gardens, and all the beauty that comes with the season.
Homemade dirty sodas, iced coffees, and espresso drinks that make afternoons feel a little more fun.
Ice cream cones that somehow taste even better in the summertime.
Wandering through farmers markets filled with colorful flowers, fresh produce, and local treasures.

What are your June Vibes? I’d love to hear.