So yesterday morning, my friend K., Michelle, Mary, and I went thrift store shopping! We were going to do several, but the first one managed to fulfill all the wants. And monopolize the budget. ;) It was really fun---K. brought us to a thrift store that is usually not in my path. In return, I baked her (and all the family) an Oreo Cheesecake. Talk about shopping power! Thank you, K. for making the shopping trip so awesome!!!

Here are a few of my finds:

Oh! these shorts are so comfy!!!

And my favorite:

Thrift stores are a lot of fun! They can be frustrating at times. But the overall benefits and adventures are worth it. =D

Bro Jeremiah is now 17! ...from the party last night:

If any of you are interested in signing up for swagbucks, here is my referral link:  http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/rcover  In case anybody wanted to know!! Feel free to sign up and have some fun!

  Looking forward to the double-header softball game this evening! Hope it cools off soon. It's like 95' or so. =/ Naw, it'll be a smashing game!

This morning helped freeze corn. AND went through some of my junk/stuff/papers/piles. I think it's more organized now. Threw some of it away. Will be putting some in storage. Giving some to the girls if they want it. And take the rest of it with me. =) Hopefully will get some of the clothes stuff smoothed out this week. Still have to buy a formal. B| Ick. Not looking forward to that. Jeremiah's coming home tonight. That's a bright thought for my day! Yay!

Swagbucks

Hey Followers!

I just signed up for Swagbucks! Sorry to those of you out there that already have it--I did not sign up under anyone. I was planning on it, but as I was going thru and figuring it out, it didn't ask if I was "referred" by anyone. Which was what I was looking for. 'Cause I was wanting to be underneath someone. Before I knew it, I was all signed up and going, 'You guys missed something in there!' Oh well. Next time, right?! Ah, I think  I mostly got the hang of it, too. So far, so good!
But! if any of you other want to get free stuff for just using the internet and doing normal stuff (or taking a little extra time), let me know! and I will figure out how to get people underneath me! Hehe. =P

So, if you hadn't figured out yet, I am back at home. I was gone in Big Sandy, TX from May 22 to June 27, volunteering at STEP 2012! as a team leader. [I will post some pix when I get them. If you want more, you'll have to visit me. ;P] It was a lot of fun and a huge adventure being in a leadership position. And you learn different things. [Hmmm, imagine that!] Different things, because you're "in charge" and even if you feel you have no clue what you're supposed to do or how mature you're supposed to act...um, you do it anyways! and cry out to God for His guidance and help. This year I was tested and grew a lot more: spiritually and mentally. You find out all those blind spots in your life where you are lacking. Lacking patience. Lacking the right words to say. Lacking the ability to really connect with your girls and go heart to heart with them. So. When you ask for patience? God gives you an opportunity to practice patience. When you ask for the right words to say? God gives you an opportunity to speak the words He gives you. When you ask for your girls' hearts? God gives you an opportunity to talk and reach out to them. I'm not saying I now excel in all of these areas. I didn't always take the chances given. I didn't always show love at the right time, in the right manner. I didn't always speak the words that should have been said, with a heart that meant it, etc.

But, as Laura, my awesome amazing group leader, pointed out to me: just because we are not at STEP anymore doesn't mean that we have to stop encouraging the girls and getting to know them more. Which reminds me. Hehe, I have some correspondence to do! That remains a challenge to be conquered.

Since I've returned, I haven't had any super wonderful happenstances...The ATI conference in Sac. The 4th of July. Potluck lunch at church for Cousin who will be moving to volunteer at a Bible College. Finished up some shots/vaccinations for school. Got the first major bill for that. [Oh joy!] Oh! Oh! Ooooh! I did have a speechlessly fantastic moment! On Sunday, I bought myself a laptop!! It's an Asus and her name is Jessalyn. =D She's the best yet and I love her already!

Toodles, poodles! that's all for now!