Woah so it’s been almost exactly a month since I last posted…and there has been so much going on since then. Last time I was here things were nuts and I was in a valley, this time…well, things aren’t as low but I’m not shouting from the rooftops either. Even as I type this my computer is giving me the business BUT I’m trying to keep my focus on positivity strong.
A little bit of what’s been up this past month…
It’s that time again! I missed doing a currently in the month of May because it was sooo hectic. This month hasn’t been anywhere near as hectic but it certainly has been exhausting so let’s just dive right in…
Reading: I have really failed in the reading department here lately. I’ve been using that word a lot…fail…this month. I started reading Orange is the New Black because it was at work, and I got to chapter 3, but I’ve since left that job…as of like…not even a week ago…so I am no longer reading that at the moment. All though I did suggest that for the first book of the book club SKB and I plan to start…if that ever happens. I also realized that I have developed a really bad habit of starting books and not finishing them here recently and I want to end that! I’ve been learning lots of things about myself here lately actually…..
I feel it’s important that you know that I am listening to 60’s and 70’s greatest hits on Pandora while I write this. And it’s epic. Perfect soundtrack.
So if you read, skimmed or just looked at the photos on my Memorial Day weekend post, then you’ve already seen the above photo (or on IG @jlynnjustad) but I’m not a fashion blogger so that’s the best photo I have of the dress that was a huge source of encouragement to be a couple of weeks ago! If you know me personally, you’re probably tired of hearing me talk about the power of positive thought haha! It’s such a real thing though and could work for anyone if they put the intense effort it takes to use it, so I love sharing about it and all the examples in my life of how it really works!
Hey hey! Testing 1, 2, 3… I’m finally dusting off the ol’ keyboard to bring you an update on the main event of my month, Memorial Day weekend in Charleston, SC! Just a heads up this post is super photo heavy! :)
I know I haven’t been here as much these past few months but if you’ve been following along on this little space recently, you know it’s because we’ve been working really hard to accomplish a few goals and I’m happy to report that we are making strong progress and are really enjoying the process!
With everything we’ve had going on, we weren’t even really able to stop and celebrate Andre’s birthday, which fell on the 17th of this month. We hadn’t been able to stop for much of anything to be honest but we had been anticipating this weekend of R&R (and party fun) in Charleston for a while because one of his close friends was set to marry on the 27th…which happens to be my birthday!
Currently trying to get my life together.
ahhhhhhhh.
I feel like I’m always saying that and the law of attraction tells me, the fact that I’m always saying that…is why I am always saying that! Ha! I need to find a new saying. I need to get a good affirmation going. Any suggestions?
Let’s get started with this little catch up, shall we?
Hello friends!
If it feels like I’ve been out of touch lately…well it’s because I have been! Between two jobs (and picking up odd shifts at the restaurant, filling in for people), working on my new nutrition&exercise plan (I’ll share more on that in the coming weeks), and trying to build up momentum to go with gazelle intensity towards our Total Money Makeover goals (I haven’t shared about this yet but I will!)…I’m beat! All those things are bits of happiness though because I’m thankful to have work, to be making strides of progress with my health and eating habits and of course that we’ve been getting serious about whipping our finances into shape. Because of my schedule, it’s hard to set a routine but I’m going to make it happen! It might not happen overnight, but it WILL happen! Growing up is…difficult in the beginning stages haha but it’s all very exciting! Not to mention a few exciting things that have occurred in the last week!
You may have seen this photo on instagram (@jlynnjustad) but our sweet nephew (I’ll refer to him from here on out as J3) was born a little over a week before his due date of Easter morning! Mom and baby are doing great and we are so thrilled to have him here! I totally neglected to mention it in my currently post because truth be told, I thought I would get at least another one (or maybe even two) blog posts before he was born so my excitement was contained as to not get too anxious haha but the little booger surprised us all! He’s so gorgeous and so loved!
grainy photos make me feel nostalgic.
Happy St. Patrick’s day everyone!!
I couldn’t think of a better day in March to kick off my official once a month “Currently” posts. I’ve seen other bloggers do them and I’ve always thought they were so cute and I always enjoy reading them so I figured I would give it a try myself :) I hope you’re wearing your green today!
Happy Monday and Happy LEAP DAY!!!
Wooohooo!!! We won’t see this day for another 4 years, yall. There is something so exciting about that for me. I don’t know why. It always seemed kinda silly to me I think and I tend to love silly things (there’s a time and a place though of course…).
ANYWAYYY..
Back to silly!
As you saw if you were around here on Friday, over the weekend we celebrated the birthday of my younger brother who is in fact, a Leap Day baby! That’s of course yet another (and the best) reason I love Leap Day aside from the fact it’s a totally silly day and it inspired one of my favorite episodes of Frasier (Season 3 episode 16 if you want to watch on Netflix!). We went out downtown to a restaurant I had never been to before and it was so much fun! I met my brother’s friends for the first time, we had good food&beverages, and I was able to give him his “happy single digit birthday” card. It had mermaids on the front and a long, sappy, emotional personal message on the inside because we’re a very emotional people in our family.
It was all around a wonderful time and I am so delighted that I was able to spend that night with him and his dear friends.
sillies :P
Happy birthday to my sweet brother, Sterling. You mean the world to me and having you in my life is one of my truest treasures! ♥
xx
Happy Friday friends!
It’s been a minute since I have had a moment to show up here. I started a new job last Monday so I’ve been trying to get in to what will be my solid routine for the next long while. I finally feel good about the direction things are moving but it’s sure exhausting adjusting to new hours and scheduling. I’m sure everyone can relate in some way or another!
Anyway, Happy Friday! It’s been a while since I’ve had a Monday-Friday non service industry related job so I had forgotten how good it feels to be one of those people excited for the weekend! I’m particularly excited for this weekend because my brother is turning 20 on Monday so we’re celebrating this Saturday! We’re also celebrating on Monday because that day only comes around once every four years! Yay for leap year babies!! And this episode of Frasier.
Last weekend was an exciting one as well though because I got to take a girls trip with my step sisters to my hometown for a wedding event! My sister Jasmine is moving towards engagement with her longtime beau so we thought it would be fun to check out a fairly small bridal expo at a venue right on the beach. She’s always wanted a beach wedding so it was a perfect opportunity to dip her toes into the sea of wedding planning as well as see family and just have an all around good time together.
Parked.
We left later in the evening on Friday after I got off work. We made it there fairly quickly, talking music and Pinterest wedding inspo along the way. Once we got in, even though it was late and we felt a little tired, we somehow ended up until about 2am chatting with our grandparents by the fireplace about literally everything. I mean- we covered love, fear, books, God, our dreams and goals…just all around life in general. It was so good to my soul.
Saturday morning/afternoon I made my way to visit with my maternal grandmother at her new apartment. It was such a sweet time. She just moved not too long ago and her new apartment is so sassy! It’s like a little bachelorette pad!! She lives near her sister too so they are able to visit everyday and I can just tell that she is so happy. She looks so great and it made my heart swell to be able to spend time with her. I was able to ask her about some important things about what she remembered from the civil rights movement too and I am so thankful that I am able to ask her those things and get her perspective.
After I saw her, I headed to my uncle’s house to pick up my little cousin for lunch and I introduced her to one of my favorite restaurants of all time, Flaming Amy’s. They have THE BEST pineapple salsa. I could probably drink it. That sounds gross but not if you’ve had this salsa. You know what I’m talking about, Hayley!
After that I went back to my grandparent’s and we started to get ready for the night. We had plans to meet my (maternal) cousin out downtown for drinks and dancing. We went super early though and ended up doing appetizers, then met up with a couple of my hometown friends…which resulted in karaoke!!!!! So. Much. Fun. After karaoke, my hometown friends headed home and I headed to the dance club with my fam. I LOVE that I’m able to spend time with members from my mom’s side of the family AND my dad’s together, even though my parents are no longer together. I also ran into a very drunk friend on the way to the car to go home, who bench pressed me over his head while I was eating a hotdog. It was madness and I loved it.
Love my fam!!
My wedding band tattoo ♥
I was clearly not the driver.
Sunday we spent a few hours at the expo eating, drinking and taking hysterical photo booth photos. Oh and we also checked out some wedding vendors, haha! It was a GREAT weekend. I needed that kind of fun. Sometimes you just need a weekend with your girls (even though not all of mine were there). These young women are my family, my heart and my soul and I love them.
blurry but I don’t care. Love these memories ♥
Cheers to last Fridays, this Fridays and next Fridays!
xx