I'm sorry. I truly am.
I know you're 24/7, but I'm quite certain you didn't anticipate a really excited, impatient, creative person interrupting your relaxing Sunday afternoon. I bet you didn't anticipate me interrupting your MNF viewing, either, so I'm sure the during-business-hours call that I couldn't answer was the ideal compromise...sorry I couldn't answer, but this exciting project is "just" a side job (and "just" a crazy dream that I'm seeing come true, so bear with me!), so I can't answer the phone and troubleshoot during the day. But, thanks for returning my call during the Jets-Colts game tonight.
I appreciate your patience after saying "to get to this next piece, you're going to need an Allen wrench," when my response was "hold on, let me look for that real quick..." I know you heard the frantic typing as I google image searched "Allen wrench" - but really, if Matt's toolbox was labeled "this is a screwdriver" and "this is a drill bit" and so on, it would be easier. Just kidding, I know what a screwdriver is. Anyway, it was probably clear to you that I had NO CLUE what I was talking about after my Google search, especially considering my dear husband informed me we do in fact have an Allen wrench that goes on the end of the screw driver (WHAT? GOOGLE!?), so thanks for not laughing.
I was at least able to see the part in question, and I'm sure my creative description of what I was looking at was one of the most entertaining things you'd heard all evening... "So that green strip? It looks like someone took a bite out of it. You know, like an apple, but not smooth like the Apple logo, more like real teeth, it's jagged-y. Wait! I think that green thing is a computer part. Oh yeah, to answer your question, yes, maybe part of it could be melted."
When you said you would call back at 7:00 in the morning to help me order the part, I'm sure my hopeful-to-high-pitched "Pacific time? Oh, no...EASTERN time? Ohhh-kay." gave away my dislike of mornings, so if I'm a little groggy at 6:00 a.m CST when my phone rings to place the order, I apologize. That's way before my usual wake up time, but maybe I'll get up and do something productive. Haha, just kidding.
And though we haven't had this conversation yet, I apologize before it even happens... I will probably ask if you offer free two-day shipping, and if you don't, I will be checking for the part on AmazonPrime as I'm placing the order with you. I'm really impatient, as discussed earlier, and AmazonPrime is just so convenient.
Thanks so much for all your help,
Shaeken
9.21.2015
9.11.2015
#FriYAYFavorites
It's FRIDAY! Can I get an amen? And I'm turning up to class two weeks in a row, #ThankYouVeryMuch.
We spent most of Labor Day weekend in Dallas and, until the morning we left, had the BEST time. We stayed at a beautiful hotel (but I'm not linking to it, for many reasons), enjoyed a day of shopping at the Allen Outlets & the Container Store, ate In & Out Burger and the most delicious hole-in-the-wall, Piggie Pie Pizza, and watched plenty of college football! Unfortunately, someone decided they wanted the purchases we had made and stole them from our vehicle, and the hotel waived it off and acted as though it was a common occurrence. Thankfully Officer Jefferson with the Dallas PD was nice to work with and our credit card company is being helpful so far. Also, the kindness of another person toward me and my business totally made my Sunday morning bearable and reminded me that people are good, and not to let the bad influence my overall outlook. So, while it's been a frustrating week and I no longer have the beautiful JCrew skirt I planned to wear in our Christmas pictures (seriously guys, it was perfect), life goes on, and I'm seeking the good rather than dwelling on the bad.
My first FAVORITE is how God puts things in front of you exactly when you need them. When I started my Bible study Thursday morning, I looked at the verse of the day on my Bibe app - Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." This verse has become my prayer - that my life would look like that verse. While reading that verse, I flipped back a little to Romans 15:5-6, which was the verse of my sorority in college, Sigma Phi Lambda. I am so thankful for my time as a Phi Lamb and for the people in my life who I know because of Phi Lamb, including my sweet "Phamily" and the beautiful ladies below!
Another FAVORITE this week is my discovery of the Wet Brush. Seriously, this thing is a miracle worker! My tangly hair is detangled in just a few brushes without even trying, and it's not ripping my shedding-prone hair out of my head, which is even better. They're less than $10 which makes buying one even better.
My last FAVORITE (not to be mistaken for LEAST favorite!) for today is that I was invited to speak at FAPC's Marketing with Social Media this week! But that's not the best part. Guys, they gave me a #SelfieStick. So far I've failed miserably at taking pictures with it but I'm determined to have a strong selfie game with this new addition. For real, though, it was an honor to be invited to speak about social media and I loved spending part of my day in Stillwater. Now I'm even more excited to watch my FAVORITE team play tomorrow in Boone Pickens Stadium - GO POKES!
Happy weekend!
We spent most of Labor Day weekend in Dallas and, until the morning we left, had the BEST time. We stayed at a beautiful hotel (but I'm not linking to it, for many reasons), enjoyed a day of shopping at the Allen Outlets & the Container Store, ate In & Out Burger and the most delicious hole-in-the-wall, Piggie Pie Pizza, and watched plenty of college football! Unfortunately, someone decided they wanted the purchases we had made and stole them from our vehicle, and the hotel waived it off and acted as though it was a common occurrence. Thankfully Officer Jefferson with the Dallas PD was nice to work with and our credit card company is being helpful so far. Also, the kindness of another person toward me and my business totally made my Sunday morning bearable and reminded me that people are good, and not to let the bad influence my overall outlook. So, while it's been a frustrating week and I no longer have the beautiful JCrew skirt I planned to wear in our Christmas pictures (seriously guys, it was perfect), life goes on, and I'm seeking the good rather than dwelling on the bad.
My first FAVORITE is how God puts things in front of you exactly when you need them. When I started my Bible study Thursday morning, I looked at the verse of the day on my Bibe app - Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." This verse has become my prayer - that my life would look like that verse. While reading that verse, I flipped back a little to Romans 15:5-6, which was the verse of my sorority in college, Sigma Phi Lambda. I am so thankful for my time as a Phi Lamb and for the people in my life who I know because of Phi Lamb, including my sweet "Phamily" and the beautiful ladies below!
Another FAVORITE this week is my discovery of the Wet Brush. Seriously, this thing is a miracle worker! My tangly hair is detangled in just a few brushes without even trying, and it's not ripping my shedding-prone hair out of my head, which is even better. They're less than $10 which makes buying one even better.
Happy weekend!
9.04.2015
#FridayFavorites
I've said it before, and I'll certainly say it again, but I've missed this corner of the internet. After a lot of blogging talk in my world lately (Hi Lauren, Lisa and Karen!), I decided I needed to dust off the cobwebs and visit again, hopefully a little more frequently than I have been in the last year or so :) I decided #FridayFavorites was a perfect way to reenter blogland!
My first FAVORITE is that we recently got a storm shelter installed! Our house was only a few years old and in perfect condition when we bought it, so we haven't had to "fix" much of anything - the only thing that comes to mind is a bathtub that wouldn't stop running! Instead of having to fix, we've been able to enjoy living in it. However, there are a few upgrades I want to do, and top of the list was installing a storm shelter! After a fairly active storm season, Matt witnessed the extent of my fears and we arranged to have one put in ASAP.
Thank you to the Chickasaw Nation for providing grants to your citizens (even those of us not living in the boundaries!) to help make shelters more affordable! I'm so thankful to belong to a tribe who truly cares about their people. If you're local and looking for a shelter company, I recommend FlatSafe. They have showroom in Yukon and can do in-garage shelters on existing homes. They were also quick to get an installation date and really easy to work with - everyone I talked to was really nice!
My second FAVORITE is that it's SEPTEMBER!! I love September - football starts, fall starts, basketball is around the corner, there's a stock show, oh and FOUR of my favorite guys have birthdays! That's right, from the 19th-24th we will celebrate Trapaw, Matt, K and Kale all turning another year older.
Speaking of football, I've been writing this post for about 2 hours, but I keep getting distracted. I sat down to write and watch OSU's first game of the season. I'm hoping this game is just a fluke and not a sign of how the season is going to go. I didn't anticipate the Pokes struggling this much against CMU. It looks like we just need to give the QB the ball and let them run because that seems to be all that's working... Fingers crossed things start looking up ASAP! (Update: by the time I finished this, the game wasn't yet over and my Cowboys are up 24-13, so let's hope this continues!)
Another FAVORITE is that September is #HungerActionMonth! It's time to take action in the fight against hunger and help our neighbors in need. Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the nation, with 1 in 6 Oklahomans struggling with hunger, including 1 in 4 children. Click to learn more about hunger in Oklahoma, and if you're interested in learning how you can fight hunger, click here or contact me. Not in Oklahoma? Find your local Feeding America Food Bank here and get involved in the fight against hunger. If you're in central or western Oklahoma and need help with food, click here to find a Regional Food Bank partner agency near you.
The last thing I'm going to highlight today was my FAVORITE weekend this summer - our summer vacation! We spent 4th of July weekend in Nashville with my parents and brothers. I was SO excited! I'd never been to the Grand Ole Opry, and we went ON July 4 with Vince Gill performing! So, pretty much the best night we could've picked :) We also toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and I just loved the Trisha Yearwood exhibit!
Happy Friday, friends! Have a great long weekend! Maybe I'll even see you soon for a weekend update ;)
My first FAVORITE is that we recently got a storm shelter installed! Our house was only a few years old and in perfect condition when we bought it, so we haven't had to "fix" much of anything - the only thing that comes to mind is a bathtub that wouldn't stop running! Instead of having to fix, we've been able to enjoy living in it. However, there are a few upgrades I want to do, and top of the list was installing a storm shelter! After a fairly active storm season, Matt witnessed the extent of my fears and we arranged to have one put in ASAP.
Thank you to the Chickasaw Nation for providing grants to your citizens (even those of us not living in the boundaries!) to help make shelters more affordable! I'm so thankful to belong to a tribe who truly cares about their people. If you're local and looking for a shelter company, I recommend FlatSafe. They have showroom in Yukon and can do in-garage shelters on existing homes. They were also quick to get an installation date and really easy to work with - everyone I talked to was really nice!
My second FAVORITE is that it's SEPTEMBER!! I love September - football starts, fall starts, basketball is around the corner, there's a stock show, oh and FOUR of my favorite guys have birthdays! That's right, from the 19th-24th we will celebrate Trapaw, Matt, K and Kale all turning another year older.
Speaking of football, I've been writing this post for about 2 hours, but I keep getting distracted. I sat down to write and watch OSU's first game of the season. I'm hoping this game is just a fluke and not a sign of how the season is going to go. I didn't anticipate the Pokes struggling this much against CMU. It looks like we just need to give the QB the ball and let them run because that seems to be all that's working... Fingers crossed things start looking up ASAP! (Update: by the time I finished this, the game wasn't yet over and my Cowboys are up 24-13, so let's hope this continues!)
Another FAVORITE is that September is #HungerActionMonth! It's time to take action in the fight against hunger and help our neighbors in need. Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the nation, with 1 in 6 Oklahomans struggling with hunger, including 1 in 4 children. Click to learn more about hunger in Oklahoma, and if you're interested in learning how you can fight hunger, click here or contact me. Not in Oklahoma? Find your local Feeding America Food Bank here and get involved in the fight against hunger. If you're in central or western Oklahoma and need help with food, click here to find a Regional Food Bank partner agency near you.
The last thing I'm going to highlight today was my FAVORITE weekend this summer - our summer vacation! We spent 4th of July weekend in Nashville with my parents and brothers. I was SO excited! I'd never been to the Grand Ole Opry, and we went ON July 4 with Vince Gill performing! So, pretty much the best night we could've picked :) We also toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and I just loved the Trisha Yearwood exhibit!
Happy Friday, friends! Have a great long weekend! Maybe I'll even see you soon for a weekend update ;)
7.13.2015
No Off Days
Happy Monday! I'm currently working on a post about our 4th of July weekend (yes, a week late #AsAlways), but in the meantime, I wanted to share Shaeken, LLC's latest shirts with you.
Make your next workout worthy of a #GymSelfie with our new tees and tanks!
These shirts, titled No Off Days | Lifting and No Off Days | Running, are available for preorder now through my Etsy shop or on my Facebook page! They are each available on a variety of shirt colors (ink will be green/gray or yellow/white, as pictured) and in THREE styles: unisex tee ($18), unisex tank ($20) or flowy tank($20)! I'm a big fan of the flowy tanks - for those of you who like sporting a racerback tank but want some modesty, this is perfect: it's flowy, so not tight, and the neckline isn't cut too low, either.
Preorders will be taken through Sunday, July 19, and only a limited number will be available after that! Shipping is $6 for the first item and $2 for any additional items. Questions or want to order? Email shaekenLLC (at) gmail (dot) com, visit my Facebook page or Etsy shop, or comment below :)
6.08.2015
Weekend: Offseason
On Friday, a new coworker and I were discussing our love of sports, our favorite teams, etc. and I made the comment "I really don't like summer... no stock shows, no football, no basketball...it's just so boring!" I didn't realize then that I would spend what felt like my entire weekend watching sports!
Friday evening, Matt and I went to an OKC Dodgers game and I had an absolute blast. I've never known much baseball or followed it closely, but it was a great way to spend a beautiful Friday evening. I'm already trying to figure out when we can go again! Bonus: since we got tickets through Matt's work, we also got matching baseball hats!
On Saturday, my mom let me know my brothers were going to be playing summer league games at their school that afternoon. Never one to pass up an opportunity to watch my favorite Panthers, I enjoyed spending the afternoon in the stands cheering them on.
Sunday I spent a couple more hours in Amber watching Kale play. After cheer practices + games in the new gym all of last year, I forgot just how hot the old gym could get! My mom, pictured below in the lime green t-shirt, actually refereed games in the old gym all day. Yes, in JEANS. And one game in flip flops - a scary thought if you know our accident-prone family (I think the injury gene came from dad's side, not mom's, thankfully!).
Friday evening, Matt and I went to an OKC Dodgers game and I had an absolute blast. I've never known much baseball or followed it closely, but it was a great way to spend a beautiful Friday evening. I'm already trying to figure out when we can go again! Bonus: since we got tickets through Matt's work, we also got matching baseball hats!
On Saturday, my mom let me know my brothers were going to be playing summer league games at their school that afternoon. Never one to pass up an opportunity to watch my favorite Panthers, I enjoyed spending the afternoon in the stands cheering them on.
Sunday I spent a couple more hours in Amber watching Kale play. After cheer practices + games in the new gym all of last year, I forgot just how hot the old gym could get! My mom, pictured below in the lime green t-shirt, actually refereed games in the old gym all day. Yes, in JEANS. And one game in flip flops - a scary thought if you know our accident-prone family (I think the injury gene came from dad's side, not mom's, thankfully!).
This truly was a great offseason weekend. About 5-6 months from now, when there are basketball games most nights of the week + OSU football games on the weekend and a million other things going on, I'm sure we'll be wishing for the slowness of the offseason. Happy Monday, friends!
PS - is there a Panda Express near you? Eat there today & help fight hunger!
3.02.2015
InstaView: February
Despite the best laid plans and all that, it happened again: I forgot about neglected this little corner of the web. This weekend, I told myself, this weekend I'll take pictures so I can do a weekend recap. Instead, this weekend was spent mainly in our sweats staying out of the SnOklahoma weather and trying to stay warm.
So, until I get with it, here's a look at my life in the month of February.
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| Craft supplies for Mini Cheer Camp, aka the most exhausting Saturday morning of my year | Having less than half the squad show up for cheer practice means rewarding those who do show up with a fun practice. Keely Bug put her trust in K to do a one man stunt, and they didn't do half bad! | In our family, there are three seasons: stock show, basketball and offseason (when you're getting ready for stock show and basketball seasons, of course!). I'm so proud of K and Kale, and I love spending my evenings in the stands cheering them on. |
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| February means celebrating Juicy Lucy's birthday! | Shaeken, LLC's Love Never Fails shirts came in during the first week of February and it was so exciting to deliver them! | I was wearing my Love Never Fails shirt at a basketball game and my cousin Jimmie Lea asked where I got it and bought hers on the spot! I knew there was a reason the box of shirts was in my car :) |
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| I enjoy running when there's something to look at. As in, outside. I don't so much enjoy the treadmill because it gets boring watching the same patch of dirt outside the window and I'm afraid if I turn my head to see what's on the gym's TVs I'll fall off the machine. So, I bring my iPad, and there's nothing worse than when it won't work. #LongestRunEver | FFA week was the last week of February and I work with not one but TWO other FFA alumni! You know your office is awesome when you have these kind of coworkers! | My aunt Kandi held a painting party at the beginning of the month and this is my artwork! It's now hanging on our bedroom wall - just enough pink and gold that it makes my heart happy but not so much that Matt gives it the side eye. ;) |
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| Winter stuck around Oklahoma last week! Matt and I both got off early on Monday so we bundled the dogs up for some fun outside not because they *need* jackets, but because it's just too cute. I mean seriously have you ever seen anything more adorable than Hashtag in her leg warmers? | Click here for the video of Thabo chasing a ball through the snow | Friday was also a leave-work-early day, and my jeep just looked too cool covered in snow not to photograph. #JeepLife |
Keep up with me every day on Instagram, where I post much more frequently!
1.23.2015
#EveryDayWithShae: The one where I make a huge announcement. Or two.
Goooooooood Friday morning, friends! I'm looking forward to listening to the Sports Animal this afternoon and hearing the "be happy Friday" song because it TOTALLY is! :) Full disclosure: I'm writing this post on Thursday night and today has just been the BEST week.
First, a huge announcement:
Dad and I both took off work on Friday to surprise Momma at school for her birthday! And surprise her, we did! We even sent a selfie from the cafeteria asking when she was going to come to lunch, and she thought we were just at lunch together in the city and being "annoying!" I think her cake was too perfect - a basketball court with deflated basketballs, her jersey number, a pile of chipped golf balls, and, to represent her current coaching job, shiny new pom poms! :) The home score was 50, in honor of her birthday, and it was on the Tigers side, while the visitors, the Panthers, had a score of 0. She may currently be a Panther, but she was a Tiger first (and at heart!) and said the score is accurate: "we always beat them!!" We continued the celebrating on Sunday at lunch with the family then celebrated Dad's birthday on Tuesday night at dinner!
On Saturday, we finally took down our Christmas tree/decorations. Enough said?
The weather was finally pretty enough this weekend to take a run!! So, on Sunday, after lunch and before cheer practice, Thabo and I did just that! I think chasing him all over the sidewalk was as much of a workout as the run was.
On Monday night, K played in the first round of the Grady County Tournament. We didn't get to go, but they're streaming it online, so we got to watch!! They won and K played so well. Thank you, Kool 105.5, for streaming the games so that those of us who can't make it can still watch! My uncle in Washington got to watch, too.
On Tuesday, I spent all day - literally, all day...didn't stop for lunch - working on a website :)
That continued on Wednesday. After work on Wednesday, Matt and I had the New Members class at our church...so dinner was popcorn. I was so tired!
First, a huge announcement:
I've decided to take a leap of faith and chase a dream: I'm selling the shirts I design!!
For years, I've designed shirts (among other things) for teams, organizations, events and my day-job. I've wanted to sell my own designs, that I design because I think they're awesome, not because someone asks me to, but have let my own fears hold me back. Finally, last Friday, I knew I couldn't let my fears be bigger than my faith any longer, and designed my first ever, for-sale-because-I-love-it shirt! Without further ado, I present to you....
Love Never Fails
The final design printed on the shirts won't be watermarked, I promise :) I am so thankful for the support and orders I've received from friends and family and even people I don't know already on Facebook & Instagram! I'm taking preorders for these shirts through Sunday and they will be in before Valentine's Day, so if you are interested in snagging one of your own, let me know - email shaeken(at)okstatealumni.org. The prices are: v-neck $22 | dolman $25 | baseball $22 | crew neck $18 (that's clockwise from the top right in the picture above, bee-tee-dub).
Moving on! Since this is an #EveryDayWithShae post, I thought I would go ahead and give a brief update of what else I talked about this week, too. Sorry it's a day late - you'll forgive me when you see the other announcement at the end of this post!
On Thursday night, #BabyTate came over. Don't you love how I've turned your child's name into a hashtag, Lori? Tate and Thabo had endless fun playing with pom pom balls in the laundry basket!
On Saturday, we finally took down our Christmas tree/decorations. Enough said?
The weather was finally pretty enough this weekend to take a run!! So, on Sunday, after lunch and before cheer practice, Thabo and I did just that! I think chasing him all over the sidewalk was as much of a workout as the run was.
On Monday night, K played in the first round of the Grady County Tournament. We didn't get to go, but they're streaming it online, so we got to watch!! They won and K played so well. Thank you, Kool 105.5, for streaming the games so that those of us who can't make it can still watch! My uncle in Washington got to watch, too.
On Tuesday, I spent all day - literally, all day...didn't stop for lunch - working on a website :)
That continued on Wednesday. After work on Wednesday, Matt and I had the New Members class at our church...so dinner was popcorn. I was so tired!
But that didn't stop me from waking up today to have an AWESOME day! I found my makeup compact that I was SURE was gone forever. My mom sent me a picture showing our HS girls had hit their new stunt. Then, my boss brought breakfast to celebrate....(ready for announcement #2?)...the launch of our new WEBSITE!!!
Finally, after MONTHS of work, it's here!! I'm SO excited with the newly redesigned www.regionalfoodbank.org. It is so colorful and full of HOPE. Check it out, follow me on Instagram to keep up with all this fun every day and have a great weekend!
PS - don't forget to preorder your shirt before Sunday if you want one!
1.15.2015
#EveryDayWithShae: Week 2
I'm really enjoying 2015 so far! I mean, I haven't stopped writing 2014 on everything yet (I'll get there!), but so far I would have to say the year is a success.
On Sunday my parents made my dreams come true....we saw GARTH!!! You see, my mom introduced me to great music even before I was born by "taking me" to a Sawyer Brown concert. My childhood soundtrack was full of songs like Thank God for You, I Cross My Heart and The Thunder Rolls. I'm a little hurt that they decided to make the George Strait concert they went to a date night and left me at home...but all was forgiven with this show. With every song Garth played on Sunday I would turn to my mom and say "THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!!" My parents bought the tickets for themselves, me & Matt, and my brothers for Christmas. Mom has the video of the 4 of us "kids" opening our stockings and I'm afraid my screaming might have broken her phone speakers :) So, again....Momma and Daddy - THANK YOU!!!!!
On Monday night, after I helped my Grandma Nett set up her new iPad, I went home and worked a little more on the craft project from above...Yes, it has a name! I have one step left, and I think I'll be able to get it done this weekend then I'll share what it is. :)
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Last week, the creative & talented Brenna posted on Instagram a picture wearing a blanket scarf and tagged it #DIY. Say what? Yes, this friend of mine made her own version of the blanket scarf I've been drooling over for months. Immediately I asked her to share how she did it and made a trip to Hancock's to make my own.
Friday night Matt and I stayed in - he did some homework, we watched Criminal Minds (duh) and I spent some time crafting....I promise to reveal this as SOON as it's done because it's going to be SO AWESOME.
Saturday morning I got to go watch my oldest favorite Panther (I have two!) play basketball - FINALLY! K broke his ankle during the first game of the year (which I had to miss) and was out for the first half of the season. He got to start playing again after Christmas break, and Saturday was the first HS game I've been able to make it to this semester (they've only had a few!). I love watching K and Kale play basketball and show their steers...well really I just love everything about being their sister!
On Monday night, after I helped my Grandma Nett set up her new iPad, I went home and worked a little more on the craft project from above...Yes, it has a name! I have one step left, and I think I'll be able to get it done this weekend then I'll share what it is. :)
On Tuesday, I shared a real picture wearing my scarf. I love it so much and thought the outfit was so cute that I totally used Photo Booth to take a picture before having coworker take one for Brenna's blog! Since I know everyone wants one, go over to the Frilly Farm Girl blog to see how to make your own (PS the flannel was half off at Hancock's last week when I went, so maybe you'll luck out and only pay $6 for this incredible scarf, too!!). This is literally a 3-minute project, not including drive time.
Yesterday was going to be a busy day, and Thabo just knew he was going to need extra sleep to tackle it. When Matt leaves for work in the morning, he tosses the puppies on the bed with me and I get to snuggle with two adorable little faces for a few minutes until my alarm goes off. Then, they lay on the bed patiently while I get ready. When I turned on the lamp and got out of bed on this day, Thabo gave me this "Please, just a few more minutes of sleep!" look. Yesterday's busy day involved a full day of designing, designing, designing at work (I'm really glad I'm not having some sort of weird creative black right now!) followed by the New Members Class at the church we are joining (yay for fellowship and new friends!), then Arby's for dinner (double yay for not having to cook one night, haha).
Today is yet another busy, full day at work ("busy season" is in full swing right now...though it never truly stops around here!) and tonight we might finally get our tree down. I had a dream last night that we did, so it's a good sign, right? :) Don't forget, you can follow #EveryDayWithShae on Instagram and see what else I'm up to!
1.08.2015
#EveryDayWithShae: Week 1
I don't need to point out that it's been a hot minute since I've blogged... October, but who's keeping track, right? I almost forgot what it feels like to come to this little corner of the web and fill a blank box with words, stories and memories. To be creative. Don't get me wrong - the creativity is flowing - it has to every day at work when I'm challenged to design something new, create something better, engage a diverse audience. It just hasn't been flowing in this direction.
I began blogging to chronicle my daily adventures - the exciting ones, the mundane ones, the sad ones. I started blogging five years ago, wanting to celebrate the every day sprinkles and glitter of life. Over time, blogging began to feel like a chore or competition (strangely, because those don't usually go together in my mind), and that's when I knew I needed to unapologetically take a break and allow myself to find my creativity in my own time. I had to come to a place where I didn't feel like I had to force myself to blog about the expected topics every weekday - I want to desire to come to www.shaeken.com and write about my life - what's happening, what does it look like today? What's exciting? What's not? What do I want to write about today? Do I want to write about the awesome TV show we watched last night (Criminal Minds and Gilmore Girls have my full attention right now)? Do I want to write about the newborn calves out on the Kennedy Farm (FLUFFY COWS!!! Sorry, Dad)? Do I want to write about the totally failed dinner I made - or the amazingly awesome one (I've finally mastered a grilled cheese!)? Do I want to write about how Matt and I have an office/craft room/bedroom for our dogs that I'm still trying to figure out how to make work for all 3 uses? Or maybe I just want to write about the pretty sunrise I rarely get up in time to see, the way God spoke to me today, or wish a loved one happy birthday.
All of that to say, I'm going to start writing what I feel like writing, and not feel like I have to fit some "lifestyle blogger" mold. I'm going to celebrate the sprinkles & glitter. I'm going to use this space on the web to again fuel my creativity, challenge myself, and to share with family and friends what I've been up to - you all know I have the tendency to get long-winded in my storytelling.
With that, I decided to start my first challenge of the year on January 1: #EveryDayWithShae. I'm going to be Instagramming some part of my day, every day, then I'll come here and share it. And on that note, I give you week one.
On Monday nights when Matt has class and I don't go to a basketball game, I like to make a delicious meal for dinner, then have what's left over for lunch for a few days. I made Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup in the crockpot this week. Oh, goodness. The house smelled heavenly when I walked in from work...cozy, inviting, and like I needed to sit by the fire with a good book while I enjoyed my mug of soup. So I did.
I began blogging to chronicle my daily adventures - the exciting ones, the mundane ones, the sad ones. I started blogging five years ago, wanting to celebrate the every day sprinkles and glitter of life. Over time, blogging began to feel like a chore or competition (strangely, because those don't usually go together in my mind), and that's when I knew I needed to unapologetically take a break and allow myself to find my creativity in my own time. I had to come to a place where I didn't feel like I had to force myself to blog about the expected topics every weekday - I want to desire to come to www.shaeken.com and write about my life - what's happening, what does it look like today? What's exciting? What's not? What do I want to write about today? Do I want to write about the awesome TV show we watched last night (Criminal Minds and Gilmore Girls have my full attention right now)? Do I want to write about the newborn calves out on the Kennedy Farm (FLUFFY COWS!!! Sorry, Dad)? Do I want to write about the totally failed dinner I made - or the amazingly awesome one (I've finally mastered a grilled cheese!)? Do I want to write about how Matt and I have an office/craft room/bedroom for our dogs that I'm still trying to figure out how to make work for all 3 uses? Or maybe I just want to write about the pretty sunrise I rarely get up in time to see, the way God spoke to me today, or wish a loved one happy birthday.
All of that to say, I'm going to start writing what I feel like writing, and not feel like I have to fit some "lifestyle blogger" mold. I'm going to celebrate the sprinkles & glitter. I'm going to use this space on the web to again fuel my creativity, challenge myself, and to share with family and friends what I've been up to - you all know I have the tendency to get long-winded in my storytelling.
With that, I decided to start my first challenge of the year on January 1: #EveryDayWithShae. I'm going to be Instagramming some part of my day, every day, then I'll come here and share it. And on that note, I give you week one.
On January 1, we celebrated KoKeMo Christmas! KoKeMo is an easier way of saying Koger-Kennedy-Mortimer :) The 3 of us pictured, Christy, mom and me, were supposed to run a 5K on this freezing morning with Christy's brother, sister-in-law and one of her nieces. Thankfully, the people organizing the race postponed it because of the glaze of ice coating parts of Oklahoma. Instead, we had yummy breakfast food and enjoyed time with friends family. Although, come January 17, supposedly we're running the rescheduled race. I really need to lace up my tennis shoes...
On January 2, my OSU Cowboys took on my Uncle's Washington Huskies in the Cactus Bowl. I don't think I've ever been more excited watching a game that started after 9:00 (I really like an early bedtime)! I only slept during a little bit of the game and saw all the important parts... like everything James Castleman did. I mean, really, is there anything the guy can't do? For more on the game, check out Pistols Firing's 10 Thoughts - he sums it up well.
On January 3, I promised Instagram I would blog soon...while drinking my hot chocolate. Here, I'm making good on that promise. For more thoughts on this, see the top of the post.
I told you Gilmore Girls is totally my jam right now! After church, lunch, cheer practice, grocery shopping and a shower, I decided to end my weekend with Luke and Lorelai's engagement! Apparently I'm not the only one of my friends who's taking advantage of Netflix's offerings - anyone want to get together to binge watch season 6? :)
On Monday nights when Matt has class and I don't go to a basketball game, I like to make a delicious meal for dinner, then have what's left over for lunch for a few days. I made Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup in the crockpot this week. Oh, goodness. The house smelled heavenly when I walked in from work...cozy, inviting, and like I needed to sit by the fire with a good book while I enjoyed my mug of soup. So I did.
Hashtag is the sweet pup we adopted in August, and she loves snuggles. Probably more than I do. She prefers to snuggle as close to your face as possible. For reference, my phone was on my nose for this picture.
We have a chalkboard in our kitchen that I enjoy decorating every week. Sometimes I put verses on there, sometimes I put quotes, often times it's something about OSU, and this week, it had to do with the cloudy skies outside when I got home from work. It's approximately negative eighty degrees in Oklahoma (just kidding, but it has been at or below freezing most of the last week). If those gray skies would just bring some snow I wouldn't mind!
And this is just a bonus picture! On New Years Eve, I took Hashtag to the groomer while I was at lunch and picked her up after work. She's wearing a hot pink jacket and we picked up these adorable leg warmers on our way out of PetsMart. With her bow and fresh haircut, I think she just looks too sweet! This was right as I put her in the car - after I bucked up, I looked over at her in the passenger's seat and saw she'd already made herself comfortable by snuggling into the blanket I keep in my car during the winter!
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