Day 328/365 or Thanksgiving 2016

It has become very real to me that 2016 is coming to an end, and I wonder where did the year go?  I remember when I thought only old people said things like, "This year has flown by" or "The years go by faster and faster".  I thought they were crazy!  I mean 24 hours is still 24 hours!  I realize now that as we get older we try to pack so much more into those 24 hours than when we were young and had no responsibilities.  Seriously, I want to be Peter Pan some days and not grow up!  Ok - so back to the real topic.... THANKSGIVING.

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday and really always has been - I mean besides my birthday.  Many argue with me that February 5th is not a holiday, but to those in my circle it is because they know I love my day so much.  Christmas, as an adult, has always been very stressful to me.  There is so much anxiety over if people will love the gift you bought.  I always hate buying a gift just to have a gift and not feeling like any real thought went into it.  The commercialization of Christmas wears me out.  In contrast, Thanksgiving is just family getting together sharing a meal and visiting.  Today, I hosted my brother and his family and my mom.  My island sister in Hawaii of course couldn't make it and my other sister was with her in laws.  Sharing just stinks sometimes!  I'm sure they feel the same.  So, I hosted the meal a couple of years but I didn't make the turkey.  This year was my very first year to attempt cooking the bird.  I just did what I had seen others in my family do... slather it with butter, stick onions and celery in the cavity, season it and put it in a turkey oven bag (I seriously want to kiss whoever invented the crock pot bags and oven bags on the mouth) and go.  I did find the neck in the cavity but no giblets.  I just assumed this one didn't have any.  When I talked to my mom (as the turkey was in the oven), I told her they weren't there and she asked me if I checked the other end.  What??? Why??? Seriously!  So, yes, the giblets cooked in the little bag with the turkey.  I found them as I was cutting the turkey.  My mom took them.  I don't make gravy with them.  I don't even like them, Sam, I Am!  I will not eat them in a box.  I will not eat them with a fox.
The other revelation was how did I ever make it before I had a Kitchen Aide mixer?  Seriously, I can totally multitask while it was blending my dough for homemade bread - yes, I did, whipping perfect meringue for my chocolate pie, and mashing the potatoes for my twice baked potato casserole.
No, they didn't pay me for that, but they should.  I could totally do an infomercial for them.

The meal (whoever is cooking) consists of our family favorites.  My grandmother never had a recipe so I had to sit with her to write down as she cooked and we guessed at her measurements.  She taught me how to measure "til it tastes good".   My grandparents are in heaven along with my daddy, so holidays have a little sadness around them as I can't help but think of how much I miss them.  Today, was no different.  I still miss them, but it was more of a peace than sadness.  Smells and tastes are memories as much as physical experiences.  I was washing dishes and looking out the window in my kitchen this morning.  My grandmother used Palmolive as do I.  Just the smell of the dish soap and peering out the window - just like at her house- made sweet memories come flooding back to so much time spent in her kitchen.  I made her banana pudding recipe and my brother said it was just like hers and he even got teary.  I made a chocolate pie that my dad always loved, and as I took a bite I could hear him say, "You did good!"

The last part of this year has been a tough year for me personally, much of which was self inflicted, I admit.  I feel like much of the time I have lost my joy.  Although I really fight myself to say "Today, I choose joy!"  Today, I could say that and really mean it.  I felt peace, joy, and happiness today, and I hadn't felt that in a while.  Thank you, Jesus, for flooding those beautiful memories back to my heart through the smells and tastes that enveloped my kitchen today.  This.... this is why I love Thanksgiving more than anything.  I hope your day was filled with happiness as you celebrated Thanksgiving.

And Yet Another Endeavor.....

Every night I think I am going to sit down and blog, because I realize it has been forever.  I seem to have this problem with having the best intentions and then them falling by the wayside.  I'm trying to find balance. It's an every day struggle.  HOWEVER, I did have the most wonderful opportunity that started this summer.  I was looking for a way to make a little extra income but didn't want to work retail because I knew I would be extremely tired for my day job and it wouldn't be flexible enough for my social activities.  :)  I prayed about what I should do, if anything, and one day there was a box on my front door.  Crazy.... I KNOW!  

I had been a Stitch Fix customer for about 2 years and I have loved the service.  I had the absolute best stylist, Meagan!  She just "got" my style and sent me the best items.  If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, let me tell you about it.  You go online to stitchfix.com and fill out your profile.  Based on this information, you are assigned to a stylist who chooses 5 items for you from pants, tops, accessories, dresses, jacket/coats, etc...  The box is sent to you with a prepaid return envelope.  Once you try all the fabulous pieces on and decide what you love, you can go back to the website and check out.  The items you aren't keeping, you send back in the prepaid envelope.  Shopping made easy.  Now, I'm not going to lie... it's not like the on sale, on sale rack at Kohl's.  It's a little more pricey but always worth a little slurge when you find an amazing piece.  

So that's the backstory.  I came home to my "Fix" on my doorstep and thought, "Hey, what if I could do that?"  I went online and guess what?  They had openings for Dallas stylists.  Now, those of you who know me, know that my work background is business and education not fashion, but those of you who know me, know that I can put an outfit together! :)

I filled out the application because what did I have to lose?  If they laughed at my resume, then I'm no worse off.  I didn't hear for a couple of months and thought I had been passed over.  Then, one evening I got an email that said they wanted to interview me!  WHAT???  Yes, I was going to get an interview.  I went over all the requirements that I needed for the interview, carefully and got busy preparing for the day.  I walked in and had the greatest interview experience with 2 fabulous ladies, Lindsey (who was a teacher for 8 years) and Katie, I'll talk more about Katie.  I really wanted this opportunity and told them that I wasn't afraid of learning something totally out of my typical wheelhouse.  I guess they believed me, because in less than 48 hours, I received another email congratulating and welcoming me into the STITCH FIX family.  I started this adventure in mid July.  I had to go to an all day training and made a wonderful new friend, Lisa.  We have learned together and encouraged each other along the way.  Also, Katie (who interviewed me) became my lead stylist (boss, if you will).  She is amazing and so helpful.  This has been another balancing act but so worth it.  I love what I am learning.  I love when someone opens a box and is wowed by what I sent them.  The feedback is heartwarming.  Sometimes, people are rude - but isn't that anywhere?

If you would like me to shop for you.... use this referral code:  stitchfix.com/referral/3986365

In the "notes to stylist section" ask for me, Stacey Kluttz, to style you.  I would love, love to shop for you!

I am so excited to see where this adventure takes me.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to broaden my horizons and step out of my box.  I am thankful that people are willing to take a chance on me to do something beyond my typical skill set.  It pushes me to be awesome every day - as I tell my Carver peeps to do.  I will keep you updated on this journey!  As always.... more to come!

               SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE

          Yet another challenge for myself!

So, I'm taking a break from completing my list of 45 in 45 (why I haven't finished it???? Good grief). I know I continually put way too many irons in the fire and it leaves me an unbalanced, high anxiety HOT MESS!  As I was reading my email from LIVING WELL, SPENDING LESS there was a link for a new 3 week challenge "Spring Clean Your Life".  I thought this was totally for me.  I am all about purging and who doesn't need a little spring cleaning.  The challenge here is will three weeks be a REAL three weeks or a "STACEY 3 weeks" that might stretch into winter?  Totally can't answer that right now, but in my mind it's about completion.  

Day 1:  

• Reserve a night this week
  Take out your calendar and determine a night that you will say no to something that doesn’t bring you joy and yes to something that does. Take time to be still.

When I looked at the calendar --- there was no time like the present!  I took tonight off.  It's not that I said no to something that DIDN'T bring me joy, I just decided that tonight was the night I needed to be still - I'm not sure if going running is considered being "still" but it does bring me joy and a little less guilt for eating 1/2 a piece of chocolate pie today (IT WAS A BIG PIECE).  Total side bar--- there is this little pie shop in Greenville, TX called "Ain't Just Pie".   Why have I not heard of this place before today?  They have PIE HAPPY HOUR?  Who doesn't like pie--- that's all I'm sayin'!  Back on track now....I have sat in the quiet of my living room.  I can only hear the tapping of the keyboard and the air conditioning running (moment of thanks for that!).  It is complete peace.  There was a point in my life that I would have NEVER embraced this much quiet and would have thrown me into a dark place, but I have learned to embrace these moments when I can just be still and KNOW.

• Reign in your spending
  Track and balance your spending (try setting up a budget using the 50/30/20 method). Take an active role in understanding not just what finances are coming in and going out, but why. Are the items your money is going to reflect what you truly value?  

THIS....THIS.... is what I hate but find it totally necessary.  I really can make a budget work on paper.  I mean it is beautiful, balanced and perfect.  Put into action--- not so much!  I don't use the exact budget form listed above.  I purchased the organizer from Living Well, Spending Less and it is AMAZING.  I mean even the least organized person can be organized with this calendar. I am getting better and realizing what I am spending my money on and why.  That's really the question for me.  I will be totally transparent and say that I did some heavy retail therapy in the not so distant past and now it's all catching up with me.   Having something new felt good and I wanted to feel good because my heart did not.   However, I do have a possible opportunity for a side gig so if you're a praying person, please say a prayer for me that this door will open and I will be a better steward of the money I have and be mindful of the future story that I want.

• Practice an attitude of gratitude
  It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially when your financial situation may seem “not enough.” Practicing an attitude of gratitude can help build wealth. When you stop comparing yourself to the Joneses, you allow yourself to be happy with what you have and not give in to mindless consumerism. 

If you don't know me well, you may not know that I am an assistant principal at an elementary school.  Let's face it, we all know that the end of the year is pretty much complete survival mode.  Everyone is tired and has little tolerance for children and co-workers.  I sent an email asking the staff to make a list of 10 things they are grateful for and keep it close at all times.  I asked that when they felt negativity creep in to take this out and read it.  It's a fact that one can't be negative in the midst of feeling grateful.  I shared my list and encouraged them to share their list with me as well.  The staff that did share their list made me know their hearts a little bit deeper and appreciate them for who they truly are.  Here are my 10 things that I still look at regularly.

1.  I am thankful for my family who loves me unconditionally and are my biggest fans.

2.  I am thankful that I know Jesus.

3.  I am thankful for the incredible role models and mentors that have taught me to be the woman I am today.

4.  I am thankful for my job and the lessons I learn from the staff (and the kids) daily.

5.  I am thankful for those who give me grace, even undeserved.

6.  I am thankful  that I have a circle of friends who love me beyond measure.

7.  I am thankful for the difference I have been able to make in the lives of kiddos (and hopefully adults) in my 13 years in education.

8.  I am thankful for my education and the GRIT that it took to obtain it.

9.  I am thankful for my community theater that gives me a creative outlet that my wound up tight self needs.

10.  I am thankful for my community group at church who help me grow and learn in all areas of my life.

My cup runneth over even as I read this list again.  How could I ask for more?

One thing that I would ask any prayer warriors..... my heart is heavy as I have learned that one of my sweet theater kiddos is having some serious medical issues.  Tests are being run.  She has baffled the pediatric doctors (she kind of rolls like that anyway).  Please lift this sweet family up.  I would rather not share their name as I hadn't planned on writing this and didn't ask her mom but God knows every hair on her precious head.  Thank you in advance!

Wanderings in the Bishop Arts District

So I have lived in the Dallas area my entire life and there is so much I haven't seen.  I have actually been TO the Bishop Arts District to go to my friend's husband's restaurant, Boulevardier.  It's a fantastic place with great food and beverages!  If you haven't gone --- RUN, don't walk, do not collect $200!  JUST GO!!! It's THAT good!

Okay - so beyond my lovely visits here, I have never walked around and explored the Bishop Arts District.  It's a great area where some great little shops line the streets.  Older homes have been converted into some trendy, upscale shops.  Parking can be terrible, but it's so worth the effort.

So on my birthday week-end, my sweet friend, Crystal, and I went to explore this area.  On our way, we decided we needed a pedicure and since we were on no time schedule whatsoever, we stopped at my favorite place, Layla's, and relaxed for an hour.

I know, I know - no lipstick!  Just wait - I don't have naked lips for ever!

We left there and made it to Bishop Arts.  We drove around a little and lucky enough found a great parking spot.  We shopped around a little bit - mostly window shopped.  Those prices - though!  We decided we were hungry and went to someone I had never been----  #32 Hunky's Old Fashioned Hamburgers.  It was REALLY good, but Crystal and I could have shared one burger and order of fries.  They weren't stingy at all.  They have a lot of great shakes and desserts too, but we already had other ideas for dessert.

Crystal bought a hat at a store that had a HUGE sale!  And.... notice that my lips are naked no longer. :)

We had to walk that burger off for a while, then headed to the Pie Emporium. I can't count this one, because I have been to the one in McKinney, but the line stayed well out of the door at this location.  We went ahead and jumped in line.  Once we got inside, it was pretty tight quarters.  We just took our pie to go because we were still full.  After shopping around a little more, we headed out.  While we were leaving, we saw the GRILLED CHEESE COMPANY.  Who doesn't love a grilled cheese?  Next time we said we were going to try that!

We then headed back to Rockwall and made a few stops.  We then decided we were hungry again (we ate our burger early). Crystal is my sushi loving friend so we decided to try a place in Rockwall that neither of us had been to:  #33 Edo Japan.

We sat in this section.  We ordered our drinks and started chit chatting with each other.  I'm glad we had been together all day because after a couple of minutes, our conversation was hijacked by the man sitting at the table beside us.  He had a story for everything.  We were dying, he did buy me a drink for my birthday so I guess it wasn't all bad.  I eventually HAD to go to the bathroom, although our friend, Julie, says she would have killed me if I had left her to talk to the stranger that has now become our best friend - but the struggle was REAL.  I had to go!  We figured he was nice enough and probably just lonely.  He was a truck driver.  I could tell you all the things I learned, but for real this blog entry would be eternally long.  Let's just say, Crystal and I could go to his family reunion and know most everyone and know stories to laugh over as well.  : / sigh.....

We did have a laugh so whatever keeps life interesting.  We got back to my house and decided to go get coffee at THE WELL on the square.  It's a great little place.  We drank coffee and hung out there for a while and about 10 p.m. decided to call it a day.  I love my friends in general, but there are those who embrace the complete birthday month!  What a great day and 2 more things checked off the list.  

Yes, I realize I am so behind.... I still have my list of things to keep adding.  I am SOOOOO close, but I don't know if I'm going to make it to 45.  We shall see....

More of the 45 in 45! February is Almost Over---- Will I Make It?

Okay, Okay--- I am so behind.  I am a terrible blogger.  I love that some people are totally committed to blogging daily and that is always my desire but my reality is that I'm tired at night and I just don't have my writing brain on.  Not that my posts are hilarious and completely witty but I don't want them completely void of anything fun.  I'm not going to lie.... sometimes I crack myself up when I'm blogging, so if I don't - then I think, "Why does anyone else want to read this?"  Tonight, I feeling it. I have several days to blog about to get caught up but I'm sure I only have time for one night of fun because the bachelor is coming on.  Although, I will confess that sometimes I can't wait to see who wins so I check realitysteve.com for the REAL scoop.  He's usually right, you know.  NO, I will not ruin it for the rest of you.... AND if you are wondering I DO NOT read the last page of my books.   It's just the information is out there just waiting to be read.......  Okay I am digressing.


Oh one more thing.... I am STILL loving my HelloFresh boxes of fabulous healthy meals.  Look what I made tonight!  It's Chili Roasted Shrimp.  It was so easy and tasted wonderful.  Thank you HelloFresh.  If you want to try it out visit: www.hellofresh.com/raf-helloshare/?c=9PVSUQ
That's my referral code attached.  You won't be sorry!

Totally A.D.D!  Sorry Readers-- but to know me is to love me? Right?

Now to the REAL business:


This entry begins when my theater going friends, Julie and Crystal, wanted to go see If/Then at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.  I had never seen the show either, so I called my fabulous friend, Jameelah to see what deal she could find for us.  That's the back story, so now on to the evening of new things.

These are my girls who are helping me chip away at my 45 new things so I can make it by midnight, February 29th,  I'm getting close but I don't know how close..... another reason to blog regularly....

Crystal found a GREAT restaurant #30 Stampede 66.

We were there fairly early on a week night so it wasn't crowded at all.  The service was amazing.  We had a great server, Kyle, who we enjoyed talking to through the night.  We had to all go look at the bathroom doors after Julie ventured out.  It was pretty cool, but you better pay attention because you the women's bathroom had women names across the belts and the men's room and men's names across the belt.

Now it sounds pretty basic but I'm going to tell you the truth when I say there was still some anxiety over opening the door without a clear and concise sign that we are all used to seeing.
  No question...... there it is......

So, let's talk about Kyle.  The Waite staff are dressed in Cowboy shirts, jeans and boots.  Now we could all tell that Kyle was a pretty hip kind of guy so to show him how smart we were, we told him that we had been talking and decided that this probably wasn't in his daily wardrobe beyond work.  We were right.  See, our inference skills are always working!   He had a great sense of humor!  He was a great server.  He had great attention to detail and even asked if we were on a time schedule so he could be sure to get us out in a timely manner.  If you go to Stampede 66 --- ask for Kyle.  He was amazing!!! (and leave him a good tip).   He has my blog site, so if he actually does read this, he'll be glad I put that in. :)

After an amazing meal and dessert, we headed over to the ATTPAC to see the show  #31 --- If/Then.                                                                                                                                               

Jackie Burns played the lead in the show.  She was also Elphaba in Wicked.  So how could I not love her?  She has an amazing voice.  The entire cast was great.

 Of course we always go for the photo opp in the lobby.  It's a tradition.  This was was pretty tame compared to others we have done! ;)

We get to our AMAZING seats and of course take a selfie because that's just fun.  There was one seat on the end, which I thought was odd to have one random seat empty, but I thought maybe someone was flying solo and that was that.  Then,  all of a sudden I hear a familiar voice ask if that seat was taken and when I turned around I yelled, "SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!" (which made most everyone around us laugh) and it was JAMEELAH!!!  I was so excited that she surprised me by coming to the show with us and getting to meet my girls!!  She's definitely the best!!  I'm smiling just thinking about it.  Don't mind the big pimple on my forehead.  Yes, I guess my body is going back to being 14 UGHHHH!

I have to admit that I pretty much had a blonde moment (no offense to my blonde friends) through the entire show.  The music and acting was great and I loved the artistry of it all.  I was lost a lot of the time though.  Once we got in the car I told my girls that I was confused and asked whose baby was it and Julie said, "It depended on the reality she was in."  The light bulb went off and I got it.  We laughed and laughed so we had to go back through the show so I could experience the premise of the fact that the show was called IF/THEN....It had been a long week.  I didn't know I was going to have to put thought into my musical experience.  Regardless, it was a fun, fun night with some of my besties.  Loved the food, loved the show, and 2 more things knocked off my list!

********************************************************************************

UPDATE on NO SPENDING MONTH of JANUARY

This was probably one of the most difficult things I have ever attempted.  The first week wasn't bad and actually the second week wasn't too bad either.  The last two weeks were ROUGH!  It was hard and I saw just how much money I spend on NOTHING kind of things because these are the things I wanted...... drive through, STARBUCKS, and such.  Now that the month is over, I have to say that I am more cautious about how much I visit Starbucks and I am careful about fast food.  One because the calories are ridiculous and two--- I have food at home.  I just have to have the energy and will to do it. :)  So, all in all I did survive and I did spend a little but not near the amount I have spent in the past.  It did make me come up with a budget and look at every bit I was spending/wasting. It was a good experiment and I'm glad I did it.  It might be a while before I attempt it again though.  Thank you #livingwellspendingless for your daily words of encouragement.  One thing I did do is a lot of purging--- which I totally believe in doing regularly!

CATCHING UP: Dallas Sites I've Never Seen from June & October- adding to my list of 45!

  Dallas Sites I've Never Seen

I'm going through my camera and my phone to find pictures that I was going to blog about that added to my 45 but didn't.  Here I sit on a lovely and productive Saturday afternoon (because I've already gotten my 10,000 steps for today! #partyonthewrist #fitbitrocks).  In June, (yes, I know it's January - I already pleaded my case on that one) my sister, Donna, and I hit Dallas Farmer's market.  How have I lived in this area my whole life and never been down there?  There was a lot of construction going on, and I can't even imagine what it is going to look like when it is finished.  Oh, I'll be checking it out!  That is for sure.  Totally out of order - but #25 is DALLAS FARMER'S MARKET.  

I really should say that we ate our way through Farmer's Market.  I love samples of freshness.  We bought some fruit and veges but I didn't get a picture of those BUT..... Here is a picture of my favorite find of the day.  I had to search on the web for one because I couldn't get my picture that I took to download. #technologychallenged.

T-Rex Pickles

They had traditional dill but they also had other great concoctions on hand.  They were the nicest people.  They talked to us for a while just sharing their business with us.  We like friendly people.:) Find them on FaceBook at:  https://www.facebook.com/TRexPickles/

While we were in the neighborhood we stopped and walked around Pioneer Plaza.  In case you don't know the history behind the Plaza here it is in a nutshell (because I love Texas History #alwaysa4thgradeteacher) per Wikipedia --- so we know it's true (:  #26 Pioneer Plaza

The large sculpture commemorates nineteenth century cattle drives that took place along the Shawnee Trail, the earliest and easternmost route by which Texas longhorn cattle were taken to northern railheads. The trail passed through Austin, Waco, and Dallas until the Chisolm Trail siphoned off most of the traffic in 1867.^[4]The 49 bronze steers and 3 trail riders sculptures were created by artist Robert Summers of Glen Rose, Texas. Each steer is larger-than-life at six feet high; all together the sculpture is the largest bronze monument of its kind in the world. Set along an artificial ridge and past a man-made limestone cliff, native landscaping with a flowing stream and waterfall help create the dramatic effect.

Just "horsing" around--- get it?

Also at Pioneer Plaza was a little water family.

They were so cute! I know you just said "AWWWWW" when you saw them. :)

I think these are the only things I missed on my camera.  Now to look at my phone.....  Yes, I found an October 10, 2015 outing in Dallas.  This one will knock a few off of my list.

My sister and her family are so sweet to always include me in many of their family outings for dinner.  She likes helping me mark things off of my list as well.  They invited me to #27 HG Supply (located at 2008 Greenville Ave Dallas TX or find their web page www.hgsplyco.com).

This is a very trendy place.  I almost felt old with all the 20s and 30s that were there, but hey I embraced it!  While we waited for a table Sister and I went upstairs to the rooftop area.  It was AMAZING -- full but amazing!  I want to go back when the weather is nice and sit up there.  We didn't have a long wait at all.  Once we got to the table and ordered appetizers and drinks----SELFIE time!

OH MYLANTA!!!! I cannot begin to tell you how much I love my sister!  She is the most amazing woman I know.  She is always, always FOR me!  #sistersrock

We do let Gary play too- sometimes.

We ordered nachos for an appetizer and they were AH-MAZING!!! 

 Donna and I split something for dinner and it was so beautifully plated, we hated to dig in.  That moment passed quickly

My half of dinner! TOTALLY YUM!

After dinner we decided to walk around in the area.  I ran into some friends and Donna continues to say she can't take me anywhere that I don't find someone I know. :)

We walked down to the #28 Dallas thing I haven't seen before:  The Truckyard!

(photo taken by dallas.eater.com)

The guy at the door carded my nephew, his girlfriend, my niece and her boyfriend.  He didn't card Donna or Gary which totally offended my older sister.  I hung back and asked the guy to card me and then I loudly proclaimed, "Oh wait, Sister, I have to show him my ID!"  She was not very happy so I did confess that we set it up.  She felt better. 

We didn't stay long but I totally loved this place.  It was so low key and everyone just hanging out with friends.  There was even a bar up in a tree.  Yes, I said IN A TREE-- and adult treehouse!

(Photo from D Magazine)

I also ran into a friend from the show I had just finished.  So random....  When the weather is lovely in Texas again (after March), I will go back.  If you haven't been to either of these places, I'm just sayin'  YOU SHOULD GO!

There is also a Trader Joe's on the corner and Donna wanted to stop and get some things that can only be found there!  Before we went inside there was a beautiful fall/pumpkin display.  You know I have lived in Texas all my life and have never taken a picture in the bluebonnets.  Well, I missed the season again so I figured a pumpkin patch would do. #29 - Picture surrounded by pumpkins and fall, y'all! I was taking many shots here and didn't realize I was entertaining the employees. :)  It's a good thing because they were technically closing up but they liked us so they let us come it.  

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I think this is all the backtracking I have to do.  Getting closer!!!  I have 16 more to go and I have a few that can be knocked off my list from this week.  I will blog about that tomorrow and let you know how my 31 days of no spending turned out!