ALL THE THINGS.... 101 Things in 1001 Days - March 2023 Edition - Yes, I know I am late! LOL

March was a fabulous month for my journey to accomplish 101 things in 1001 days!

For spring break this year my niece, Haley, and I traveled to Napa!  It was an amazing week.  The area was unseasonably rainy for this time of year but perfect for sipping wine on patios, looking out over gorgeous vineyards and beautiful sunsets.

Day 1:

We flew into San Jose and drove to Pentaluma where we were staying.  I used Turo for car rental option which was so much cheaper than going through a rental agency!  Seriously, download the app and try it if you are traveling.  

Our first stop was Domaine Carneros for a champagne tasting.  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.  

We then made our way to Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar.

Day 2:

Calistoga was the destination for our second day where our journey took us to the Castello Di Amorosa.  It was a great day.  I mean who doesn't love a castle?  Although I do think I am a princess, I decided a castle was too damp and cold for me to live long term. :)

                                        

Downtown Calistoga was full of quaint shops and spots to eat.  We chose Sam's Social Club.  We sat by the fire place and because it was chilly, folks had puffy vests on.  I felt like I was at a ski lodge rather than wine country.  It was a great place to eat and enjoy the scenery and slow pace.

Day 3:  

This was going to be the MOST epic day!  We had planned a hot air balloon ride.  We got up and drove to the launch pad.  Just then the phone rang and the call was that the flight had been cancelled due to high gusts and rain.  We were so disappointed.  However, we found a cute little café for breakfast and made plans to go to Albuquerque, NM in June to mark this one off my list.

We did a little shopping and then headed to the Robert Biale Vineyard.  It was the cutest place.  There weren't a lot of people there, so we were able to ask a lot of questions and take in the view.

Once we decided (reluctantly) to leave, we drove to Oxbow Market and browsed around.  There was an Italian place across the street where we ate dinner.

Day 4:

Our sweet adventure was coming to a close as we prepared to go home on day 4, but not before we went to one more winery in downtown Pentuluma with some delicious pizza.  It truly was one of the most relaxing, easy going and beautiful trips I have taken!  

I absolutely cannot wait for more adventures!

In March, my Fab5 group along with the 3 husbands in our group, took a road trip to Sugarland to see the Savannah Bananas!  If you do not know who they are think Harlem Globetrotters for baseball.  Look them up on Tik Tok.  They are hilarious!  It was chilly that night but such a fun night!

We had a group photo taken, but apparently I did not have it on my camera roll :)  

Finally, a few other things I crossed off of my list were that I received my passport, ordered an air fryer (love it), and planted a few things in raised garden beds.  My strawberries are starting to make and taste so sweet.  I cannot wait to make "SASSY'S JAM" at some point (even if it's next season).

More to come....for now, be blessed, be BRAVE, and know you are equipped!

P.S.  One of my goals is to get 1001 followers for my blog.  If you read this, please give me a follow!

Thank you in advance!

Love, Stacey

ALL THE THINGS.... 101 Things in 1001 Days - February Edition

On February 1, 2023, I started a fun journey of 101 Things in 1001 Days.  This list is full of bucket list items and some things I didn't even know I really needed/wanted to do! :)  Here are some things I have already been able to mark off or parts of things marked off.

February:

This was all about my birthday!

The first stop was at the SER Steaks + Spirits for a great view and a toast to the birthday weekend.  The view was great - sorry we didn't take a pic with the view!  Definite recommend!

From there, we went to RH Rooftop in Dallas!  OH MY WORD-- it was so amazing.  I will be revisiting this restaurant.  There wasn't one thing we ordered that wasn't to die for.  

 

We did make reservations!

You should RUN to the Open Table app and make a reservation.  It was just so good!  Of course it was right after our ice/snow week, so the outside patio was closed.  However, it looked equally incredible to have a summer cocktail!

The following day I took advantage of some birthday perks!  50% off of a Kendra Scott piece and a free Sprinkles STRAWBERRY cupcake - yes please! #iykyk

That night, Tiff and Lyndsey joined us and we headed to another local spot:  Meddlesome Moth.  Seriously - this was so good as well.  If you haven't been - you need to put his locally owned spot on your list!  Everything we had was super yummy.

Speakeasies are becoming a popular thing.  Since we found a fabulous one in Savannah in November, we thought we would see what Dallas had to offer.  We found one called Room 520 and decided to visit.  It wasn't somewhere we want to go back, but it was a good time!

The next day (which was my actual birthday), we headed to brunch to meet up with Paige at Haywire and then off to Fair Park to see Pretty Woman, the Musical.  

I'm not sure how people knew it was my birthday! :)

Finally, we drove over to XOXO for a fun dining experience which was decorated in more pink than you can imagine.  The staff is funny and love to have a good time!  It's probably not on one of my top places to return, but it was fun to go with the Fab5!

With this weekend I only marked off eating at 1 locally owned restaurants from my home to Dallas.  The goal is 10 in 1001 days.  

Several more items have been marked off already in March!  I can't wait to share!

Until then, I hope you visit some of these place  and create adventures for yourself!

Be Bold, Be Blessed, and know you are EQUIPPED

Love, SK

101 Things in 1001 Days

 If you know me, you know I love a challenge.  I happened upon a blog using the 101 Things in 1001 Days.  (This is from Day Zero Project originally)

Here's the scoop:

The Challenge:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part)

Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Naturally, I thought this was a fabulous idea.  I have to admit, it took me a couple of days to come up with 101 things. I researched many others' 101 lists and how each categorized them. I'm excited about my list and even if I am not able to complete ALL 101 things, it will be an amazing 1001 days! I have added a countdown to start on February 1 (only fitting for opening ceremony day for my birthday month).  I am going to update in 100-day increments.  Here is my list! I hope you are inspired to make one for yourself.  There's not date specific timeframe, so you can start any time!

Adventure Awaits

1.      Napa Valley

2.     Niagra Falls

3.     Canada

4.     New England in the fall

5.     Tuscany

6.     Santa Fe (again)

7.     Savannah (again)

8.     Nashville

9.     Martha's Vineyard

10.   Seattle/Portland

11.    Grand Canyon

12.   Greece

13.   See Cherry Blossoms in D.C.

14.   Spa Day in Hot Springs

15.  Go to a destination where one of the 30 books I                 will read is set

16.  NYC (greatest attraction itinerary)

17.  Cruise to Alaska

18.  Hot Air Balloon Ride

19.  Go to an aquarium.

20.Complete Adventure Book

21.  Dig for Topaz

22. Get a passport

23. Take sister trip

24. Eat at 10 locally owned restaurants from my town         to Dallas

        *Meddlesome Moth (2/4/23)

25. Take a day trip

26. Go to 3 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Restaurants

27.  Take a spontaneous weekend trip

28.  Stay in Dolly Pardon's hotel in Nashville

Cooking - My therapy

29.  Cook my way through a cookbook

30.  Make a lattice top pie crust

31.    Take a cooking class

32.   Buy an air fryer

33.   Perfect making Norma's homemade rolls

Let Me Entertain You

34.  Drive-in movie

35.  Take pictures with the big sunflowers in Waco

36.  Slip and Slide kickball game

37.   Pay for someone else's meal in a restaurant

38.  Get 1001 followers on Tik Tok and Blog

39.  Go to a comedy show

40.  Ride Ferris Wheel at state fair

41.   Go to George W Bush Presidential Library in Dallas

42.  Go to a concert

43.  Watch Grey's Anatomy from Season 1; episode 1 

44.  Watch 5 Docuseries

45.  Go to a cat and wine lounge

46.  Go to a Savannah Bananas game

47.  Go to Farmer's Market

48.  Go to a festival

Home Improvements

49.  Create a garden with raised beds

50.  Bring my backyard oasis plan to fruition

51.    Finish front landscaping

52.   Redo laundry room

53.   Clean out garage

54.   Sell/donate/trash unwanted/unneeded items in                 garage

Health Matters

55.  Run a 5K

56.  Run a 10K

57.  Complete Couch to 10K app (FINALLY)

58.  Complete 28 day wall pilates challenge

59.  Sit on the beach and watch the sunrise

60.  Trampoline exercise class

61.    Hit my weight goal

62.   No fast food for a month

63.   Drink 64 oz of water daily for a month

64.   Walk 10,000 steps each day for 2 weeks

65.  Reduce DP intake to 1 per day for a month

66.  Go to bed before 9:30 for 1 week

67.  Take a walk with a camera to capture the moments

68.  Eat recommended servings of veges/fruits for a                 week

69.  Try Intermittent Fasting for 1 month

Being a Bookworm

70.  Read 30 books

        *1) Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil

71.    Read Bible completely through

72.   Read books I own and never read (included in the                 30 books)

73.   Read 30 minutes before bedtime instead of on                 a device for 1 month

Write It Down

74.  Start writing a book

75.  Create/Do/Make 1 thing I have pinned on Pinterest              each week (143 weeks in 1001 days)

76.  Write a handwritten letter to someone each month             (38/39 months)

77.  Update/transfer to my new recipe book

78.  Create/print my own favorites recipe book

79.  Write blog to update accomplishments from list

80.  Finish show picture frames

81.   Unsubscribe from all unwanted emails

82.  Share itineraries of the trips I take 

83.  Make a "dream" board with all items on this list

Professional

84.  Retire

85.  Create a second stream of income

86.  Create one PBL per grade level (K-5)

87.   Present at a conference

88.   Leave work at personal set time - no working until             dark:30

Money, Money, Money 

89.  Debt free other than car and house

90.  Save $10 for every goal accomplished

91.    No spend month except for food, fuel and REAL                 necessities

92.   Leave 100% tip at a restaurant

93.   Take lunch to work for a month

94.   Create a Christmas 2025 budget and stick to it.

95.   Save Christmas budget amount for 2025

96.   Create a plan to achieve all saving category goals                 in Quicken

All The Other Things

97.  Make my bed every day for a month

98.  Mail a care package to someone

99.  Try at least 5 life hacks from Tik Tok

100.Learn to fold fitted sheets

101. Get quilt made of theater shirts

Whew!  There it is, Friends!  I absolutely cannot wait to get started tomorrow and see how many things I can mark off!  The next 1001 days will be full of fun, intentionality, and CELEBRATION! (my word for this year)

Be Blessed, Be Brave, and KNOW you are equipped!

XOXO 💞  Stacey (A.K.A. Sassy)

Too Much Noise

Hey Friends!

What movie are we in?  Seriously, 2020 cannot be a reality!  It seems so chaotic and full of noise.

I feel everyone is just screaming at one another via social media.  Now, I love people with passion.  It's a great quality to posses.  However, my advice to the people I work with is - usually it's not about WHAT you say, but it's HOW you say it.  Man, my heart is so sad at the way humans are speaking about other humans.  Yes, we are going to disagree and that's ok - letting our voices be heard is how needed change happens.  However, the awful words people are using against one another had my anxiety all over the place wondering at every turn what we are teaching the young people that are watching us?

I had to give myself a break from the noise and meditate in the Word.  Immediately Psalms 46:1 came to mind.  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.   This quieted my soul and I started to pray for my friends that lost parents and grandparents in the last few weeks.  I prayed for my friends with infertility issues.  I am so thankful that a friend that was told years ago she probably would never be able to have a baby just brought home a beautiful baby girl.  I prayed for my friends (and those that I don't know) that have been subjected to social injustices.  It's not ok and I see you!  I thanked him that he is FOR ME (and you too)!  I thanked him for his provision.  I thanked him that even in the darkest hours, he reminds us his mercies are new each day --- just hold on. 

Our world is full of unknowns and chaos.  I am thankful that I know and trust full well the one who is in complete control.  I can rest assured in his promises - and you can too. 

I hope no matter what you may be facing or maybe just coming out of - that you find the same hope in Jesus that I have.  He really is all you need, friend!

May his presence go before you

And behind you and beside you

All around you and within you

He is with you.  He is with you.

In the morning, in the evening

In your coming and your going

In your weeping and rejoicing

HE IS FOR YOU.  HE IS FOR YOU!

May you find the peace that passes all understanding this week.  

Thank you for letting me share my heart.  Please feel free to share with your people who may need to be encouraged.

Be Brave...  Be Blessed... and KNOW YOU ARE EQUIPPED!

Love, Stacey

When Sleep Escapes.... Just Blog

Hey Friends!  I hope everyone is doing well during our stay at home time.  Man, it's hard!  If you know me, you know I absolutely HATE the grocery store.  These days it's basically my only outing and I love it.  Listen-- I have all the things to cook all the meals right now.  Because we are at home, there are many things NOT happening.   Many milestones cannot be celebrated in the traditional sense.  However a wise man once told me that God works in the differences too.  We have to be willing to look and listen.  Trying to find the silver lining can be challenging.  I'm not going to lie.  It's good to talk to people who you know will encourage you and lift you up not allowing you to stay in the pits for long.  I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I love Annie Downs' books.  Seriously, I think we would be great friends.  She plainly states where her favorite coffee place is in Nashville, so I feel that is an open invitation to go have coffee with her. :)  I'm reading her book Speak Love right now.   She talks about how in school people said unkind things.  I mean do we not all have a story?  I'm sure there were other things said about me but really the only thing I remember is in elementary school some boys called me "red-headed woodpecker".  (In case you didn't know - Woody Woodpecker cartoon was really popular at that time--- and I'm aging myself!)  It hurt my heart mostly because I couldn't help that I had red hair.  As a result, I hated having red hair for a while.  It made me different being the only (or at least one of very few) one not having blonde or brunette hair.  At some point the tide shifted and I embraced being different and loved having a feature that set me apart from others.

Being a Christian makes me different too.  When the world around me is chaotic, I know that my comfort and peace comes from something not in this world.  2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  That was so easy to type, but sometimes hard to live day in and day out.  There are situations that are "temporary" that, man, seem to have no end.   In the still of the night, doubts creep in and thoughts of what if... (yes, I'm speaking from experience as I'm blogging at 1 a.m.) That is when I cannot allow my emotions to be my truth.  I have to recount how God has blessed and provided for me through these trying times.  Yes, they still may not be over, but his love never fails.  Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will delight in you, HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE, he will rejoice over you with singing."  That was exactly what I needed tonight - his love to quiet all the what ifs and doubts.  Whatever you may be facing now, I hope you allow our good, good Father to quiet you with his love.  He sees you, he knows you and he loves you like no one else.

This is definitely a different time in our lives.  Let's use this time for good.  Take time to encourage someone.  What I know with my whole being is that God doesn't waste a thing.  I've always believed that delays can be divine intervention.  There are a lot of delays right now.  How can we allow God to use these delays to serve and speak love to those around us?   Our words are powerful.  Use them wisely.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.  It means a lot to me.

Be Brave...  Be Blessed... and KNOW YOU ARE EQUIPPED!

OH MY WORD!!

Hello My Friends,

I'm back and full steam ahead in 2020.  For the last few years I have chosen a word for the year.  Last year it was "discipline".  As I chose this word I was thinking it represented discipline in working out, eating better, managing and saving money, reading my Bible.  I'm sure many of you had the same hopes.  Sometimes I wonder as we make these great plans of how things will look if God is thinking "that's so cute she is making all these plans".  See, in January of 2019 I had absolutely no idea just how the events in my life would shape that word into a whole new meaning.

In the spring there were some major shifts in my world.  I had no idea what to do.  I had absolutely no control over what was happening to my world.  However, in those months that followed my word - discipline- took on an entirely different meaning.  I was completely humbled at the feet of Jesus, and asking Him daily how to walk through all the things.  It was a time I was completely broken, but I was always comforted by people Christ put in my path to encourage me.  I was comforted by the words that Jesus put in my heart on a daily basis.  There were days I was sure I would never laugh or smile again.  As a believer I had no idea how Jesus was going to work this for good as it says in Romans 8:28.  However, I did believe.  It wasn't going to happen in my own strength because I had none.   Then, in the summer I took my annual girl's trip and one of my peeps snapped this picture.

When my friend sent this picture I think it was truly the first time I knew I would laugh again and at some point life would return to normal --- whatever that was.  There were more ups and downs as the days went on.

Still I believed and pressed on and one day God opened new doors to people and places that would become a place to heal personally and lead professionally.  I tell you this story to say that God had a whole different definition and plan for my word - discipline that I would need to navigate 2019.  I would need the discipline of humbling myself.  I would need discipline in owning Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still"  If you know me, you KNOW I don't do "still" well.  However, through all the trials of 2019, I can say that I love Jesus more than I did before.  I know his promise of provision like never before, and I am blessed in truly knowing how much I am loved not only by my heavenly father but those in my world.

As 2020 approached I began praying about my new word.  Several I was tossing around, but one stood out the most.  It was FEARLESS.  Listen, I have to say I was a little afraid of the word - ironically. :)  However, I know more than ever it's a fearlessness of knowing that I truly can do all things THROUGH CHRIST - not on my own.  It scared me a little to think how God was going to grow that word in me this year.  However, being brave means you do it even if you are afraid.  This year's blog will be about the ways I am choosing to be fearless with the hashtag #fearlessin2020.  Now it's out there.  My peeps must hold me accountable.

So here's a recent picture of the girl who behind that smile had a year of experience that could have completely broken her - and did for a time.  God provided in a BIG way, and now I have an amazing beauty for ashes story that has forever changed my path.  Whatever 2019 brought you, I hope that the you will take those lessons and make 2020 an incredible year.

Happy New Year, my friends. 
BE BRAVE.... BE BLESSED .... and KNOW YOU ARE EQUIPPED.

Choose Joy, Be Brave, and Love BIG!

Hey Friends!

As I contemplated what I wanted to focus on with my blog this week, I thought about May from an educator's or student's perspective.  For many of my friends who have graduating seniors, it's the end of a milestone.  Side bar - am I the only one who cries whenever "Pomp and Circumstance" plays?  I look at all of the graduates walking in and they have a world of opportunities ahead of them.  And... did you know that Pomp and Circumstance has lyrics?  WHAT???  I found them as I was working on this post.

Here is a few lines:
Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet,God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.

Wow!! Even without words, the music evokes hope to me and then look at the last two lines... God wants you to be BRAVE moving into the next stage of life.  So, to my mama friends who shed tears this week at graduations... you be brave too as you send your precious gifts into the world wherever and whatever that is.

As an educator May is always full of endings.  We end a year with fabulous kids and parents.  We come to the end of careers as some of our favs retire who have served kids tirelessly for 30 years! There are also ends to one school and beginnings at others.  Change is part of the business.  It's hard!  I'm not going to lie.  I hate to see my people move on,  and now I am the one at the end of an era and moving into a new beginning.   It's all the feels, y'all!  

How fitting that I finished my book by Annie Downs this week?- have I mentioned I LOVE her? :)

Her book, Let's All Be Brave , has spoken to me so very much.  She talked about discipline (my New Year's word for the year) is the basis of being brave (my other mantra for the year).   She said, "If you are brave, you are willing to walk the map that is yours, the one with twists and turns you've never expected, and you must be DISCIPLINED enough to stay on the narrow road under your feet.  Step by step.  Each step leads to the next, and before you know it, you are walking in a rhythm of courage."  Sit on that for a moment.  It's so good, right?  

There are so many things that we cannot control in our lives.  All of the unknowns will cause major anxiety if we let them.  It's discipline that controls that.  It's reaching for the hope we have that we know who is in control of all things and walking in faith - step by step.  The first part of this year has had trials for sure.  I have come to know what true dependence on God is.  It's not easy because I'm a "fixer".  I want to handle things but, when I totally surrendered to pray God's will for my life with a period not a comma - so many things became clear.  Seeing how God used the circumstances to increase my faith continued to make me brave on my journey.  I say it all the time.  Life can be hard and messy.  Everyone has their own personal trials and successes.  I am thankful for the people who God uses to continue to encourage me to be brave every day.  

Today, I was scrolling through Facebook and this popped up.  My sweet friend makes the best signs.  When I saw it I immediately text her.  She already knew I would want this.  The post that went along with this sign seriously made me ugly cry with the snot nose and all.    I asked her if I could use the picture.  I added the link so you can order one too. (she doesn't know I'm doing that!)  These are my go to sayings.  So, if you need to remember to choose joy, be brave, and love Big, this is perfect.  

To order your sign:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtX7Udk2jKeLgHMgDDidFcnFa9vs23c9VWiehHlmnlqwpLZQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR1RJCDMByreyzh7CqZfT1zfvlFa9vET1D7hopv0JrZmwQS2J-BaGUs_VSo

I'll end with my favorite quote from Hope Floats:  “Beginnings are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts. So when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. And it will.”

No matter if you are at the beginning, middle, or end of a particular journey - have hope my friends.  You are not alone.  Be Brave and make a difference wherever you are planted.

Have a great week and  BE BLESSED... BE BRAVE and know you are EQUIPPED!

XOXO Stacey