This Weekend I...

This Weekend I...

..made cookies with my Grandma and cousin Grace.  We made spritzes and these chocolate chip coconut cookies, delicious.  We also made these powdered sugar mocha cookies too & then we started the dough for the peanut blossoms.  

...worked, even went in on my day off & then got a lecture from my boss about coming in when my grandparents were in town.  I get this Friday off as a trade, I'll take it :)

...beat the sickness that Lynn, Ryan & Mady got.  

...started catching up on 2.5 seasons of Grey's Anatomy. #obsessed

...went to an amazing church service.  I love my church!  

link up with Syndal & tell us what you did this weekend!  

Sunday Social

Once again linking up with Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social! 

1. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?

This picture I took of Cooper a month or so ago, probably my favorite picture of him that I've taken.  

2. What do you keep beside your bed?

I sleep on the top bunk, so nothing really. 

3. What is your least favorite chore?

Cleaning the tub.  

4. If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?

Having to blowdry my hair.  

5. What do you do to vent anger?

Pray, talk to Lynn, blast music, etc. 

6. What is your favorite holiday of the year and why?

Christmas. I like it because I get to celebrate my faith & I get to soak in an abundance of family & grandparent time.  

Book Club Friday

I have read five and a half books since Tuesday morning.  I love to read, but even for me that is crazy!

What books have me so intertwined in their pages?

The first five books in the Baxter Family series, and I'm in the middle of the sixth one as we speak.  

The Baxter family series is broken into five different sets of books, along with one last wrap up book. 

-the Redemption series(I just finished reading these for the first time)

-the Firstborn series(I'm reading it as we speak for the first time)

-the Sunrise series(which I've read, but will re-read when I get through the firstborn series)

-Above the Line series(which has the Baxters more in the background, & I have never read)

-& lastly, the Bailey Flanigan series, which also has the Baxters more in the background, and I have read, but will read once again once I'm done with the Above the Line and previous series.  

These books have sucked me in & I just love the way Karen Kingsbury writes.  She is probably one of my favorite authors, ever.  I like that she shows the men as great Christian men, but that they also have flaws.  The Baxter family reminds me of my family & I love them & love learning more about them each chapter I read! 

So who's your favorite author?  

Link up with the BUB and tell me!  

Favorite Part of Home

Day 4

My favorite thing about home? The people who share it with me of course!

I couldn't imagine home without them!  

It's Okay

I haven't linked up with Neely & Amber in a while, so I thought I would go ahead and do that today!

It's Okay...

It's okay that I have read six books in less than 48 hours.  I read Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury & then am starting the Baxter Family Series, also by her. 

It's okay that I wait until the very last minute to plug my phone in before it dies. 

It's okay that I whine and complain every time my lady friend shows up each month.  

It's okay that I only agreed to share my Ben & Jerry's ice cream with Lynn after she asked me three or four times. 

It's okay that I drowned said Ben & Jerry's in chocolate chips and chocolate syrup.  

It's okay that I just might be addicted to Mountain Dew. 

It's okay that I'm counting down the hours til I see my grandparents this afternoon.  

It's okay that I'm also super pumped that George Strait is only 62 days away.  

What's okay with you today?  

What Home Is to Me

Day 3 of Holly & Katie's link up!

Home to me is more than a house at the end of a long driveway. 

It's a hug from my grandparents after not seeing them for a month and a half. 

It's late night chats and laughs with my sister.  

It's Cooper licking me & Chloe gnawing at my hand. 

It's Ryan teasing me.  

It's my Dad & Lynn asking about my day at school or work. 

It's my haven at the end of a long day.. 

Home to me is love.  

Without love, my home means nothing.  It's just a house.  

Where I Live Now..

I'm all sorts of bummed that I missed yesterday's prompt, but I still live in one of my hometowns(I'm a divorce kid, so I had 2), so you get to see my where I live now/hometown #2 today!  

 I only visited here every other weekend year round and two weeks in the summer growing up, but I've always related more to this (almost in the country) way of life versus the ten minutes to Minneapolis way of life that I had when I lived with my mom. 

Where I live today, we have a great sense of community. 

Where I live today, it feels like everyone knows everyone else. 

Where I live today, I'm known as Mady & Ryan's sister.  & that's okay.  

Where I live today, my parents have lived all their lives.  

Where I live today, my grandparents house is only two houses away, 

Where I live today, I love it.  

Where I live today, I hope I live for as many tomorrows as possible.  

You Should Know..

Stealing a page out of Erin's book with this post idea.  

Since doing the Minnesota Nice giveaway, I've gained a few new friends it seems :)

So I thought I would give you a few things you should know about me.  

1.  My family means the world to me, the only thing that means more? My relationship with God. 

2. I'm a crazy dog lady.  My furbabies are like my children.  

3. My sister Mady is one of my best friends. 

4. I'm going to school for court reporting. 

5. I'm a country girl.  I like fourwheeling & tubing down our river over clubbing & partying. 

6. I'm the elephant in the room and definitely stand up for my beliefs.  I do believe everyone has a right to their opinion, as long as they voice it respectfully. 

7. I'm constantly listening to music.  Mostly country.  That goes back to numero five.  

That's it for now, wanna know more? Just ask!

Have a great rest of your Friday's Eve everyone!  

Life Lately.

So over the long weekend, I have done the following:

-Family Turkey Day 5k

-Participated in Ugly Sweater Day at church

& today is my Grandpa's birthday,

I hope he has a great day, they come home in 16 days(: 

Have a great Tuesday everybody!  

Friday Letters.

Dear Thanksgiving,
You were pretty awesome.  Even the 5k wasn't too bad.

Dear Family Turkey Day 5k,
Next year, I will finish you.  I will train better.  First year wasn't too shabby.

Dear Karin,
That being said, I am cursing you today, because my legs are KILLING ME!

Dear Legs,
You can stop burning any time.  You are all stretched out due to the running back and forth that I did ALL DAY today between the service desk and layaway.

Dear Customers,
I mean what I say & I say what I mean. Therefore NO, means NO!

Dear Grandpa,
I hate that you are having to go through this cancer business again, but know that I am praying for you & I love you!

 linking up with Ashley for Friday Letters!

Firsts.

1. First thing you do when you wake up in the morning.

Check the time on my phone & check messages. etc/ 

2. First thing you reach for when you open the fridge.

Usually either the OJ bottle or the milk jug and take a swig.  Lynn & I are both notorious for just drinking out of the carton.  

3. First things you do when you go to the gym.

Gym? What is a gym? A gym is a new thing to me lol. 

4. First thing you do you when you get home from work.

Usually get into my pj's since I usually work 2 to 11.  

5. First car

No first car yet. 

6. First car accident / traffic violation

Mady & I were stopped for not stopping completely at a stop sign.

7. First thing you wanted to be when you grew up

Shania Twain. 

8. First choice beverage

Mountain Dew or Orange Juice. 

9. First choice breakfast

My grandpa's pancakes. 

10. First choice dessert

Anything chocolate. Anything!

11. First song that comes to mind

What Kind of Fool-Gary Allan

12. First major purchase

First semester of college tuition. 

13. First job

Dietary Aide at a nursing home. 

14. First time you flew on a plane

2005 to Florida. 

15. First real "big girl" job

Still haven't gotten a big girl job yet! 

Sorry, Not Sorry.

Here are just a few things I'm sorry, not sorry about at the moment..

I'm sorry, not sorry, that I am writing this post at 11:52p.

I'm sorry, not sorry, that after you swore at me, I wasn't all sunshine and butterflies.

I'm sorry, not sorry, about singing Matt Redman's songs at work.

I'm sorry, not sorry that I'm watching the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants while I write this..

I'm sorry, not sorry that I'm excited about the clean room that I now have.

What are you sorry, not sorry about?

Threes.

Three names I go by: 
1. Meghan
2. Megs
3. Little Bit/Squeeze Box

Three jobs I have had in my life: 
1. Dietary Aide
2. Cashier
3. Service Desk Associate

Three places I have lived: 
1. Bemidji, MN

2. Burnsville, MN
3. Elk River, MN

Three Favorite Drinks 
1. Coffee
2. Mountain Dew
3. Mello Yello

Three TV shows I watch: 
1. Criminal Minds
2. NCIS 
3. Teen Mom 2

Three places I have visited: 
1. Charlotte, NC
2. Knoxville, IA
3. Loudon, NH

People that text me regularly: 
1. Lynn
2. Jayme
3. Veronica

Three of my favorite foods: 
1. Kings Hawaiian Rolls
2. Chocolate
3. Anything my Grandma Makes

Three friends I think will respond: 
1. No 
2. Frickin' 
3. Clue 

Three pets that I've had: 
1. Dog 
2. Rabbit 
3. Duck

Three places I want to visit before I die: 
1. Jamaica
2. Australia
3. Germany 

Three things I'd like to do before winter is done! 
1. Go skiing
2. Make a snowman
3. Go snowmobiling

Three things I hate: 
1. Bad drivers 
2. Drama 
3. Racism 

Three things that scare me: 
1. Clowns 
2. Spiders 
3. Losing the people I love

Three things I can't live without: 
1. Cell phone 
2. My bed 
3. My puppies

Three things I will never do: 
1. Go to high school again
2. Steal
3. Hard drugs

Thankful.

This week's edition of Sunday Social is what are you grateful for?  Well let me show you! My Family

My Relationship with Jesus!

My relationship with all of my cousins, but especially my best cousin friend, Spencer

My furbabies

My relationship with my grandparents

Source: google.com via Desiree on Pinterest

Good times with friends

The blog world and the outlet it's given me to get my thoughts out into the world. 

one of my first blog headers! 

Country Music

Source: livelaughlovecountry.tumblr.com via Erin on Pinterest

My Freedom & a wonderful country to live in!

Source: etsy.com via Nina on Pinterest

A job & coworkers that I love!

Taken before work in one of the store's bathrooms.  & if you can't tell by the blue shirt, I work at Wal-Mart :) 

Leave a comment and tell me, what's one thing you are grateful for?

Crazy Dog Lady.

I admit it. I love dogs.  I'm most happy when I have at least one dog in my life. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Savannah on Pinterest

I have always had a dog at either my mom's or my dad's, and most of the time, as it is right now, I have had a dog at both places.  

My first dog that I remember having is Lady.  She was a black lab, and she started out as my grandparents' dog, but when she was 3 or 4, she became our dog.  She was so gentle and sweet.  She died when I was in fourth grade.  She lived with me at my mom's house after my parents divorce. 

My stepmom had two dogs when her and my dad started seeing each other, Duke who was a dalmatian & Spike who was a Pomeranian.  She got Jack, a girl chocolate lab(we didn't name her), for my Dad as a birthday present one of the first years they were married.  

We had Jack from my third grade year up until she died between my freshman and sophomore years of college.  

Colonel was our beagle that we got at my Mom's house in December 2004.  We got him right before my stepdad deployed overseas.  He ran away & got hit by a car in September of 2006.  

Sam was a rescue weimaraner who we got from a family friend at my dad's when I was in either ninth or tenth grade.  

Sam passed away after being poisoned January of my freshman year of college. 

Leader was the beagle we got at my mom's house my ninth grade year after Colonel passed away.  He is still my baby and loves sleeping with me whenever I go back to my mom's. 

When Sam passed away, we at first weren't going to get another dog for awhile, but our house was WAY too quiet, so we got Cooper who is also a weim, and he's been ours since February 2011.  

& lastly, we got Chloe, a golden retriever from my Uncle who owns Chloe's mom.  She is almost 5 months old & a total princess!

I love my dogs as if they were my children and they are spoiled rotten, and I would not have it any other way. 

Over the years, we've also had a pair of birds at my mom's house, numerous rabbits at my dad's, along with baby ducklings that we raised until they were old enough to be on their own. 

Eenie,Meenie, Minie, Moe, Pinkie & Tom.  

That Girl.

I'm "that girl"

That girl who loves Jesus unapologetically & fully & yet still fails daily. 

That girl who loves her family as well & will protect them and be loyal til her dying day. 

That girl who has music playing 95% of all the time. 

That girl who sings along with her phone while she has headphones in on break at work. 

That girl who loves her job & most of her co-workers and who realizes how blessed she is to say that. 

That girl who gets upset when she sees people mistreating pets. 

That girl who thinks guys who are gentlemen are the definition of sexy. 

That girl who will play game after game of NHL 99 with her younger brother and get beat 9 times out of ten.  

Yeah, I'm that girl.  & I'm not sorry.  

It's Okay!

It's Thursday & It's Okay!

linking up with the fabulous duo of Neely & Amber!

It's Okay...

...that I'm looking forward to Saturday just for the fact that I get to sleep in.  I have been up by 6 the last two mornings with one more coming tomorrow. YUCK!

...that I'm pretty pumped that I won Amber's November Group Giveaway, I think I'll be hitting up Target & Starbucks soon!  

...to drink the Dew at 7 in the morning because of the first statement. 

...to be annoyed when bloggers only show a preview of their entry on Google Reader(and yes I'm fully aware that that statement makes me sound like a brat!)

...to be buying People's Sexiest Man Alive issue as soon as I get to work!

...to laugh at my sister when she tells her boyfriend to "get over it & quit being a girl." that girl is her mother's daughter! <3 it="it" nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

What's Okay with YOU? 

My Legacy.

We talked about legacy at church a few months ago, and ever since then, I've been thinking about what I want my legacy to be when I leave this earth, hopefully not for many, many years, but when I leave nonetheless. 

via

& then I was discussing it in a roundabout way with Lynn as well last night.  

As many of you know, I'm a big sister to 5 siblings, and younger sister to one.  Full,half & step intermixed in there.  One major thing I want my brothers and sisters to be able to say about me is that I was there for them.  That I tried my hardest to help them and support them any way I could. I was there when they needed a shoulder to cry on or I was an ear to listen to their dreams and worries and wishes.  That I wasn't judgmental towards them or a situation they put themselves in.

I want my friends to also be able to say the same thing, that I was there for them, no matter what.  That I didn't care how far away or how "inconvenient" it was for me, that I made them feel as if I moved mountains to be there for them.  

I want people to be able to hear my name & smile & laugh, and say that I was a great person to be around, that I always gave my all, that I cared for each individual, that I could make them laugh when they felt like crying.  

Some might think that I am contemplating my legacy much too early in life, because I am only twenty, but I truly believe that you make an impact on a new person each day, and you might never see that person again, so do you want them to be able to remember you in a positive or negative way? The choice is yours. 

So tell me, what is one thing you want people to remember about you and your legacy? 

By The Numbers..

My weekend was pretty fun considering I also worked all weekend!  

I thought I'd share my weekend by the numbers.

                                                                                   Source: allcomedypics.com via Ankit on Pinterest

(100+) The number of times I laughed at Pitch Perfect, I saw it with my parents as part of their date night, why yes, I specialize in being the third wheel, why do you ask?

(13) The age my youngest cousin on my Mom's side turned on Sunday, we celebrated her birthday on Saturday, gosh I feel old.

(2) The number my brother Ryan has beat me on NHL '99 on the N64 that he dug out of the basement.

(48) The age my Dad is turning today.

(1) Times I've ever been to Pizza Ranch and overstuffed myself.

(4) Number of days I've worked in the last five.

What was something you did this weekend?  

The Eleventh.

Happy Veterans Day!

Remember to thank a Veteran today, because all gave some and some gave all. 

My family is full of vets, both sides, so I grew up being proud of my country and proud of the military!

Thank you to all veterans! 

It's Okay.

It's okay to be totally excited that Jenn is giving my blog a total makeover, and she's putting it in place tonight!

It's okay to see a movie with your parents, we saw Pitch Perfect, loved it!

It's okay to love having clean sheets & a warm bed!

It's okay that you're laying on your floor while your dog is on said warm bed. 

It's okay to love the movie 17 again. "I think our hands just made a baby"

It's okay for this list to be shorter than usual.  

linking up with Neely & Amber

I Vote...

Totally swiped this idea from Bon!

Yesterday was the election, which you obviously know unless, you live under a rock..

So this has absolutely NOTHING to do with politics pinky promise!

I vote for a Starbucks on every corner,

I vote for everyone to have at least one dog in their lifetime, seriously, they love you unconditionally. 

I vote for DVR's to able to record more than two things at a time. 

I vote for stiffer penalties for those that hurt pets. 

I vote for country music. 

I vote for blogging.  

I vote for that one friendship that stands the test of time.  

So what do YOU vote for? 

My God.

God has called me and each and every one of his followers to respect each other & all of humankind.  Regardless. 

So I will respect President Obama.  

Because I know. 

I know my God is greater, my God is stronger, my God is HIGHER than ANY other. 

& please, please quit spreading hate.  

If you voted Romney yay you, if you voted Obama, yay you, if you didn't vote, yay you too.  

But please, the name calling? Not necessary.  Spreading hate is NOT going to change the out come of the election.  

-Stepping off of my soapbox now-

Love you all! 

Write This Down..

When I saw Joelle was doing this linkup, I knew I had to join in,

I love seeing everyone's handwriting.  

src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g474/JoelleDuff/Writeitdownbutton.png"/>

The four things were to write down were 

a) your name and signature

b) your blog title

c) where you blog from

d) a favorite quote or song lyric

So here you go!

Go link up, it's up all week!  

Favorite Songs.

These are a few of my fave songs at the moment! Enjoy them!

Enjoy (:

Dear Friday,

Dear Friday,

You are probably the craziest day at work, so I'm not sure I can say I'm glad you are here. 

Dear Mady,

I like your boyfriend, he treats you nice & is a sweetheart, don't let him go! & nice try, thinking you could beat him in arm wrestling.

Dear Nick,

You hurt my sister, you better watch out for me.  But I like you, you're a good guy!

Dear Chloe,

You drive me nuts sometimes, but you are too cute to stay mad at for long!

Dear Karen,

Thanks for knowing what I'm gonna say before I say it.  You give the best hugs!

Dear Perkins hostess,

When you asked if we needed a kids menu when Mady,Nick & I came in, you made us laugh.  & yes, I'm just small.  

It's Okay

It's Okay....

...to buy Halloween candy at Wal-Mart since it's 50% off plus you get your 10% discount!

...to be sad when you realize your grandparents aren't two houses down but five or six states away now.  

....to not believe it's already November. 

...to buckle up and hold on tight, because it's November and you work at Wal-Mart customer service, hello busy!

...to not have done anything last night but watch the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Criminal Minds with your parents.  

What's okay with you today? 

Link up with Amber & Neely & let us know!

It's Okay..

It's Okay

...to cry when you hear hard news..

..to love wearing your cowboy boots, because they are so comfy!

...to be counting down til December, because that's when your grandparents will be back in MN!

...to scream like you are five when you watch your dad carry a mouse out of the downstairs bathroom.

...to turn down $10 to get rid of a mouse and instead say I'll call my Grandpa!

...to not like this snow that is falling, I want my fall back!