Pet of the week, Magic

I met Magic earlier this month in South Carolina. Magic and his owner were attending the French Bulldog Show.  They traveled from Phoenix, Arizona to be a part of this show. 

 French Bulldogs have a very fascinating history. Why are their ears so cute? Well, when the standards were being established for this breed, the ears might have looked different if the Americans had not voiced their opinions. 

What make this breed so adorable? Do you think their wrinkly faces and bat like ears add to their cuteness? Whatever it is... I just want to squeeze them. 

Frugal Friday .. Black Friday

What is the history of  Black Friday?  The earliest evidence is that the term Black Friday originated in Philadelphia and was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian traffic the day after Thanksgiving.*

Today, many Americans find great joy in shopping this day after Thanksgiving. I was on the many customers in my community that braved the shopping frenzy.

 This morning, I went to Half-Price Books, I was hoping I would receive a free shopping bag. The bags were given to the first 100 shoppers. Inside one of the bags, one lucky shopper would receive a $100 gift certificate.  I arrived too late. 😐

Today, every customer at Half- Price Books  received  20% discount on their purchases. 😂
As my shopping continued, I went to Lowes and purchased poinsettias for fifty cents!
Later, I ventured to the mall and discovered more bargains.


Did you shop today? Or, will you wait for Cyber Monday to take advantage of online deals? Some sales will continue tomorrow.
My tip, make a list. 

*according to one online source

Thankful Thanksgiving

This wall at a local  exercise  facility reminds patrons of the many blessings in our  community.
I think it also serves as a way to encourage us to count our many blessings. 
  

Wordless Wednesday

Cathedral  St. John the Baptist
Savanah, Georgia

Pet of the week, Jeffery

Jeffery is a Brittany Spaniel. This breed has been described as friendly, energetic, intelligent, agile, attentive, adaptable, and happy. This dog may be a perfect pet for the person who will give this breed the daily exercise that they require.

 I met Jeffery earlier this month, when we visited Georgia.

In speaking of pets, John Grogan, said this:
"It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them."

Do you agree? I do.
How often do you begin a conversation with complete strangers regarding pets? You may be walking in the neighborhood, at a dog park or at a pet store and a conversation begins spontaneously. Dogs are natural conversation starters. Why? People usually don't walk cats or birds.

Friendship Friday

Do you have friends who inspire you? Do these friends have a regular exercise routine?  Is exercise a part of your life?

For years, I was an avid walker. Walking was my favorite exercise.  Then, I developed some challenges and was unable to walk long distances. I was forced to look for other options.Today, group classes are an important part of my weekly routine.

In addition to discovering new strengths in my life, I grateful for my exercise buddies. There is so much research that supports the fact of how relationships can strengthen the motivation to exercise.

According to Dian Griesel, Ph.D., co-author of TurboCharged, "Working out with a crowd carries a plethora of intertwined benefits that included consistency, duration, motivation, conversation, and inspiration.  She also states that "Workout with others improve consistency because they involvement a commitment.

Each month, one of my exercise classes gather to celebrate birthdays. This week, we celebrated November birthdays. The social connection makes a difference in our class.

"Most often, it is not the workout that get us out of bed in the morning.
It is the friendships and unspoken bonds of those counting on us to show up."
Fellow Flowers

Time

"You've got

nothing more

valuable than time.

Time is the final currency.

Not money, not power.

David Crosby, 78

blessed

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

But even if you should suffer for what is right, 

you are blessed."

1 Peter 3: 13 - 14

Friendship Friday

"I'm thankful that Jesus set a new standard 

for relationships when 

he showed himself to be a servant 

and a friend."

Patsy Clarimont

Thrift

"We are not to judge thrift solely by the test of saving or spending. It one spends what he should prudently save, that certainly is to be deplored. But if one saves what he should prudently spend, that is not necessarily to be commended. A wise balance between the two is the desired end."
Owen Young

Last Saturday, I attended a Fall Festival. I was tempted to buy this chair.  My only hesitation was how I would get it home. This chair was only twenty -five dollars.

This server was a bargain to one of the shoppers.
She was excited to share how she will use it in her home.
It was thirty-five dollars. What do you think?
Can you image how you might use this in your kitchen. 

Forsyth Park

On this glorious November day, I was not able to capture the
beauty of this fountain. 

Tablescape

"The essence of great entertaining: a seemingly effortless combination of authentic food and imagination presented with a personal touch  and enjoyed in good company."

Annie Falk 

Monday Musings ... Veterans Day

"We often take for granted 

 the very things 

that  most deserve our gratitude."

Cynthia Ozick 

Pet of the week, Colton

""Pets" are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to."

Alfred A. Montepert

This week's pet is a French Bulldog.  According to one online source this breed has been described as easygoing, affectionate, lively, sociable, patient, keen, alert, bright, athletic, and playful.  What a lovely description! 

Earlier this month, a local resort was hosting nearly 300 French Bulldogs! Their owners were participants in a dog show. Colton was one of the participants. 

Colton's face is so adorable. 

Family Friday

"So much of what is

best in us is bound up

in our love of family,

that it remains the 

measure of our stability 

because it measures

our sense of loyalty.'

Haniel Long

Families are a gift! Love spending time with my cousin and aunt.

"The truth ...

"The truth is a like a lion;

You don't have to defend it.

Let is loose; 

It will defend itself."

Saint Augustine

Women's Forum

"In 1987, a small group of dedicated women planted and nurtured an idea for a University- wide women's network. Officially created in 1991, the Women's Forum was established of open discussion, creativity,  and collective problem solving. The roots of the Forum were deeply embedded in the hope that all UK employees would ... "find a fertile and equitable haven for their ideas energies and talents." Susan Stempel, a foundling Women's Forum Chair.

This year's forum was held on October 16. This year's conference theme was : UK Conference 2019 elevate, empower, encourage, engage. I  was humbled to be a part of a panel at this year's UK's Women's Forum.

We were a part of a panel that addressed Connections to the Interational Community 

Sessions were offered in the morning and afternoon. Our keynote speaker was Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie.

Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie is the University of Kentucky assistant coach of track and field.
She participated in five Olympics. She hold gold, silver and bronze medals.
Please take a moment a Google her. She is amazing and inspiring. 

Tasty Tuesday ... a table

"We don't come to the table to fight or defend. We don't come to prove or to conquer, to draw lines in the sand or to stir up trouble. We come to the table because our hunger bring us there. We come with a need, with fragility, with an admission of our humanity. The table is the great equalizer, level playing field many of us have been looking everywhere for. The table is the place where the doing stops, the trying stops, the masks are removed, and we allow ourselves to be nourished , like children. We allow someone else to meet our need. In a world that prides people on not having needs, on going longer and faster, on going without, on powering through, the table is a place of safety and rest and humanity, we are allowed to be as feel as fragile as we feel."
Shauna Niequist Bread and Wine: A love letter to life around the table with recipes

Monday Musings ... retirement

As baby boomers fully embrace retirement, we can see how different individuals chart this season of their lives.
In our experience, we have see friends do the following:

• Travel the United States in a motor home
• Open a boutique that specializes in jewelry, clothing, and alternations
• Become  Real Estate Agents
• Go to Law School
• Mentor students in school system
• Tutor
• Learn to Square Dance
• Innovate new business model by offering a Luxury Mobile Office
• Community Volunteers
• Run for political office 
• Work for political candidates

"Living each day as if it were your last doesn't mean your last day of retirement on a remote island. It means to live fully, authentically, and spontaneously with nothing being held back."
Jack Canfield

every nation, from all tribes, and people and languages ...

"After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches, in their hands, They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
 "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!'
Revelation 7: 9 - 10

How beautifully leaves grow old.

"How beautifully leaves

grow old.

How full of light and color 

are their last days." 

John Burroughs

Thank you Becky for sharing this picture.
#fallisfinallyhere