Tag: arkansas

lifestyle

Hey new girl!

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

What a fun night learning to make an adorable wreath with @shopiveylane! We are old friends and I’ve admired her whimsical creations for a long time! When I had the opportunity to attend a workshop with @t2kuhle it was not just a “yes” but a “heck yes!” Didn’t they turn out great? And look at all these beautiful women! What you don’t see in this picture is my anxiety hiding behind my creation! Sometimes being the new girl is hard- we literally moved here 1 week ago from dallas! I was excited to attend until it was time to attend! Ever feel that way? I thought of a million reasons to stay home…there were so many boxes to unpack still, I couldn’t find my cute clothes (still in a box) and I won’t know anyone…just to name a few! Are you as good at creating excuses as I am? My sprained brain can get very creative! But…I put on my big girl pants, added a cute top and long vest to hide the stress eating from the past year, threw on a long necklace (to elongate the look from the stress eating) and walked in the door! There was my precious friend Tonya who I haven’t seen in real life (irl for the cool kids) in about 20 years! She was so friendly and adorable and hasn’t aged a bit- in fact- she is cuter than ever! I confessed my temptation to stay home and she totally understood but was glad I showed up anyway! I found a seat at the end of the table and was soon joined by a beautiful woman and her daughter-in-law who had come together! (That made my heart smile). Then out came the mesh, ribbons, bows and laughter- everyone working away to create the cutest wreath ever!

But perhaps the most important thing I learned last night was the importance of showing up even when you don’t feel like it! Of meeting new friends and being the first to say hello when others don’t. I think maybe everyone feels a little insecure? When we sat down- another sweet gal next to me said-“I don’t think I can do this!” By the end of the night she had figured out all the things and was ready to make another for fall! Do you ever go into something thinking “I can’t do new things?” I sure do! What is something you have done lately to step out of your comfort zone?

lifestyle

Let’s mix things up!

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

I’m not a big baker or cook! Actually that’s not accurate- there was a day when I could whip up anything and everything in the kitchen- and enjoy it! I loved entertaining friends, making a feast and creating a great spread!!! Given the opportunity, I think I’d still enjoy it again! The food, the friends and the fellowship is the best!!

I’m reminded of those delicious days as I’m unpacking our boxes that have been in storage for over a year! We are still not settled but able to pull out some of my favorite things! One item- as heavy as it is- has made every move with us! My kitchenaid mixer!!! My grandmother gave it to me as a wedding present 40 years ago-and ever since I’ve whipped up so many delicious things for my husband, children and now new grand baby!!

Doesn’t this bread look amazing? It tasted even better! This also got my thinking! I met an old friend yesterday morning at The Neighbors Mill in Rogers, Arkansas and they had loaves of fresh strawberry pecan bread served warm with real butter!! Oh my goodness- soooo delicious! As I contemplated buying the entire loaf- which I didn’t because…no self control… I thought of my mixer and how I used to make homemade bread! The search for the stored box began and today I unpacked it!

KitchenAid is still the best around with so many beautiful on trend colors as well as the classic stainless steel and white! You might even see me flirting with a new one at Williams Sonoma and admiring all the new colors and designs! Aren’t they wonderful?

Yet- I come home to my first love – my vintage avocado mixer (that color was on trend back in the day). The crazy part is that my old mixer still works like a charm. Do you have a vintage appliance that you can’t part with or upgrade? I don’t feel like I’m super sentimental but apparently my vintage mixer holds a special place in my heart! In fact- it just might be time to whip up a batch of homemade cookies to christen our new home! What do you think? Once we get moved into our permanent home, I might actually splurge on a new kitchenaid but I’ll always have a spot for my vintage mixer my grandmother gave me!

Here is the link to all things kitchenaid- (ps – this is not an ad or sponsored post- I just love my mixer). https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/see-all.html

lifestyle

First interview

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

You never know what a day may bring! I remind myself of that everyday- on the good days and the hard days and the days that seem like they go on forever because you are in the “waiting room”- as I do fondly call it!

When I started this draft, I was sitting in the parking lot of the embassy suites in Rogers, Arkansas, while Jeff met with a hiring manager for a major pharmaceutical company. (Doing 1 of my favorite things- listening to Sirius satellite radio and working on my phone).

We had literally gotten the call the afternoon before in Dallas- 5 hours away – for this 1:00 meeting today. It was not convenient but it was necessary! Remember- you never know what a day may bring! We don’t know if this is the right career move for him but it’s an opportunity to connect with others and explore possibilities. So why make last minute arrangements and go? This👉🏻

Because…. you will never know if you don’t consider the possibilities. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no. If you don’t try, you will never know what you can do!

Where are you in your life? Are you connected? Are you living in your purpose? Or are you trying to find what you were created for? As hard as this season of our life has been, is currently, I know there is a purpose bigger than the day to day frustrations!!

We were made for more! You were made for more! You were created for great things! Look at the things that come easy to you- the things you are great at that don’t come easy to everyone—those are GIFTS!!!! Are you a great communicator? Do you make others feel valued and listened to? Are you great at putting together a weekly menu? Are you great at math? Writing a budget? Can you see solutions when others only see problems? Do you love to entertain people in your home or make them feel welcome where you are? That is the GIFT of hospitality! What comes easy to you? Take a deep look inside and think, “how can I serve others and make the world a better place?” You are needed! Every special thing about you is important!

But what if we were all gifted in the very same way? What if we all had the same strengths? Can you imagine?

The Bible talks about the body- see this in 1 Corinthians 12- Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.  How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

…So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.  If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”All the parts of the body matter- even the big toe! Especially the big toe!! You matter! You are needed- even if you feel like a big toe! (Google it- why you need a big toe). No, seriously!

So what comes naturally to you? Have you thought about it? Operate from your strengths- use your strengths to serve others and together we can make the world a better place!

I’d love to hear what your strengths are? Are you not sure? There is a great book called Strengths finder 2.0. I’ll post the link! (Not an AD). There is a test you can take then the book breaks down all the results! It is eye opening!! Share your strengths when you take the test. I’d love to know your top 5. Oh…the interview? It went well but call backs next week so we will see! Subscribe for future posts to see how things turn out! It’s gonna be good! I have no clue how but it’s gonna be great! I believe that! Do you?

https://www.google.com/search?q=strengthsfinder+test&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#imgrc=c_o101efwTXRgM:

lifestyle

The lay-off!

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

Day 1- The news came on Friday-Jeff was being laid off from his pharmaceutical sales specialist job of 15 years! The job that transferred him across the metroplex 6 months after we built our beautiful new house! The house we sold 18 months later bc the commute was brutal and we needed to live closer to his territory! That was just 3 months ago! 😬 Yep- that job!

So Friday was numbing! We found out recently it was coming but hopeful the chopping block wouldn’t come down on him (us). Well, it did! So that was Friday! Fortunately, I was at a business retreat with awesome friends who have known us well for decades and love us! The best place to be when you get bad news is with your friends! To clarify- only if your friends are super encouraging! If your friends aren’t going to make a bad situation better- maybe reconsider. Just sayin’! Choose wisely!

So Jeff came to join us for lunch and rub shoulders with uplifting people- always a good idea! While I remained at the retreat, Jeff drove back to take care of our furry kids- Oliver and Ivy Bichon, and do the only acceptable thing on a Friday night in Texas- go to a high school football game with our daughter and son-law! Friday night lights! Now exactly our experience growing up in a Little Rock, Arkansas. Everything IS bigger in Texas!

The shock didn’t set in til Saturday as we grieved for amazing friends and colleagues who were also “reorganized!” REORGANIZED-that is the word they choose to use because it sounds so much better than downsized! Not really- but what ever makes the decision makers sleep at night! No discussion here about the process – heartless as it may be- bc we aren’t looking back!

Then Sunday—it was a day of refocus, encouragement at Gateway church and an amazing message by Tony Evans. Want to be encouraged to defeat the giants in your life? Here is the link- https://youtu.be/ld7P6DQbDiA

We finished the day with Jeff’s favorite meal at Texas Road House! Because sometimes you need a yummy steak and rolls!!! Yep!!!! CARBS with butter!!!! This was not the day to pass on the rolls!

Hello Monday!!!! ❤️ The first day of a new future and transition is exhausting! Change is hard! Life is hard! Tying up loose ends, closing expense reports, clearing out storage unit, accounting for samples but…the biggest expenditure of energy? Choosing a mindset of moving forward and letting go of the secure! #ivybichon – who usually will prefer to sit with me- was full on therapy dog and loving on her daddy! So rest!!!

Restorative rest! Not for long but in the in between! I’m so proud of Jeff! He has been weighed down for a while and working so hard! The lay-off was certainly not in our plan but the peace we have reminds us of Gods care, protection and covering! He has shown up and gone before us to protect us when we didn’t even know we needed it!

This is not the end – it is a new beginning! But for this minute- rest! Recharge! Renew! And dream big dreams!!!

Have their been times in your life when you have had to recharge? What makes you feel renewed? What is your self care strategy when you are wiped out? If you don’t have one, praying you will look at yourself and see what you can do to rejuvenate! Are you a caregiver for someone else? That is exhausting! Just like on the airplane- when the oxygen mask drops- put it on yourself first! Praying peace and rest for you and new beginnings! Kelly

lifestyle

What if you are rejected?

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

Wow!!! This is so true when you see change through the perspective of faith!! Change can be exactly what you need to point you in the right direction! The last few years have been crazy, unsettling and exhausting! We have yearned to find a home in one place and create some long lost stability! The list is long and it has been a season of testing, trials and uncertainty! But-in the midst of it all- there has been protection, healing, growth, new friends, perspective and renewed vision! It has brought wisdom and fresh eyes to see many things as they really are! It is not lost on us that it has been like cracking open the hard shell of expectations to explore what could be inside. Renewal? Hope? What about dreaming a new dream? We are having big conversations about this lately! And, if we needed more earth shattering reality to push us out of our comfort zone- Jeff was laid off from his job Friday! Ouch!!!!

Just when things seemed to be finally settling down as we sold our house & moved closer to his territory to reduce his giant commute across the metroplex!! But, this we know!!! God is still in control! We can see His protection for things headed our way that we didn’t even see! He was already making a way! His dreams for us far exceed ours and we desire His best! Grateful for the encouragement of friends and drops of wisdom that seem to surround us! Can’t wait to see what the future holds!

So today? Let’s be intentional and prepare for the future!

Uncategorized

Turkey Day

This Sweet Southern LifeLeave a comment

That’s what it was called when I was in high school! It was actually a huge football game tradition between two rivalries in Little Rock, Arkansas-Hall High School (where my husband attended-although I didn’t know him yet) and my alma mater-Central High School). The focus of the day was friends and football but always, the food!

Now that I am older and my kids are grown “turkey day” has changed from thanksgiving feasts at school to thankfulness to GRATEFULNESS for life and health and love!  Life soars past us at super sonic speed and every year that passes leaves me gobsmacked (I think that’s a word -I’ve always liked it) at what I have NOT accomplished in the previous 12 months.

Do you ever feel a little depressed at this time of year?  I know that I do.  What I’ve been told is that we are normal-we are not alone.  While it SEEMS that the whole world is a picture perfect photo op and my house is anything but, I have to remember, that what we see on facebook is only a highlight reel-its not the messy reality that we all live in.  I can tell you-FOR REAL-that should I ever post a perfect photograph of an awesome plate of food -said food may or may have not been made from scratch by me AND it was perfectly lit BEFORE it was photographed IN portrait mode AND everyone had to move their dirty dishes out of the way first.   THAT, my friends, is real life.

Here is also real life! I’m an only child married to an only child! For many reasons, holidays make me sad. One day, I might share about some of those things-I’m still “unpacking” that.  But…. these things I know.  In this world we live in, although easy to forget, we do have so much to be grateful for.  The little things mean a lot! Take time to SEE the people around you! They might be feeling a little lonely too -especially this time of year.  Create memories with your family-not just buy more STUFF!!!  Say “hello” to strangers, smile at a struggling mom with a crying baby-we have all been there (she is doing the best she knows how to do), give out some grace this year, don’t be afraid of the messy-you don’t have to be perfect.  Oh yeah-it’s not a competition.  And… in case you need permission, that toxic “friend”? – it’s ok to create healthy boundaries- you are not the problem. (check out Dr. Henry Cloud-Boundaries-great book-life changing) drcloud.com

Oh-and the TURKEY?  yeah…… you can buy that…. Funny thing? I don’t even like turkey. But we will have turkey because my husband loves it and so does my new son-in-law- But because there are only 4 of us-and 2 of us are always counting calories/carbs, it will be a limited feast-I’ll  head over to 407 BBQ across the road and buy a small amount of turkey and ham and pulled pork (yep-because I’d rather have that).  We will have lots of left overs which will make for yummy sandwiches later! 407bbq.com

We walk a fine line between the traditional and non-traditional around here-one year we actually had pizza for thanksgiving-or was it spaghetti? Shocking, I know. It’s just soooo much food for so few people.  All I remember about that year is that both my kids were home and that was all that mattered to me.

So I’ll go drink my protein shake for now and make the shopping list. Sure wish our son could be here-oh well, I can’t spend time on things I can’t control-I will be GRATEFUL for my son and his life, pray for him and look forward to seeing him again.  Life is short!  Thankful is not a strong enough word.  Lets be GRATEFUL!!!!!!  Happy Thanksgiving! Kelly ☘️

Uncategorized

Virtual friends?

This Sweet Southern Life1 Comment

I plan to share later about connecting our virtual world with the real world. You CAN develop and cultivate relationships online and off, personal and professional! Because you might not see my post from earlier, I wanted to show an excerpt here to highlight the thoughtfulness of a creative friend and give you an example. To get the whole story, go to https://www.facebook.com/kelly.cornelsen/posts/10155235424173914:0