Wow, it's 2013 already!

Where have the days gone?!  I really enjoyed a little over two weeks off from work to relax and soak in our holidays.  Really hating that saying that all good things must come to an end, because it was back to work on January 2nd.  

Don't misunderstand me, I am ever so grateful I have a job and a job that I enjoy.  We've started the new semester at the University, but before classes began this week; I was standing on this stage giving a presentation to over 350 new incoming students.

Every first few days of semesters are whirlwind busy, like battling a tornado in a corner.  Yet, there is something very satisfying to watch today's youth chase their educational dreams.

I've been posting some of my Goodwill outfits over on Design to Shine's Facebook page.  Watch soon for a post of recent finds and outfits I've thrown together in a mad morning rush.  Plus I am hoping to do a few posts on building a solid thrift wardrobe!  Is that something anyone would be interested in reading?

No written resolutions for me this year, although I have a few tucked in my brain.  ;-)

I signed up for a Valentine mug swap via snail mail.  Exciting!  Who doesn't like a fun package in the mail?!

You fill out a very short survey, provide your information and then swap!  Can you believe when asked what type candy I like it took FOREVER for me to decide? It's not that I am really *that* picky, it's just that I don't really purchase a lot of candy.  My favorite mini candy treat are the individually wrapped small Reese's peanut butter cups.  Just the right size and not too much.  I keep them in the frig occasionally and have them for cravings.  Other than that my only other sweet treat favorites are usually chocolate chip cookies, homemade fresh pound cake and banana pudding.  LOL  Can you imagine shipping banana pudding in the mail?  Just made myself laugh.

When asked where I like to shop, uh THRIFT!  Although I don't think that is exactly what the organizers meant.

If you would like to join the swap, you still have time.  Check out the details at Sew Caroline or Rags to Stitches.

How is 2013 treating you?

Our Farm Life

Isn't she adorable?  Read more about her and our simple farm life over on my other blog:

Southern Sunflower Seeds

Would LOVE to see you there.  :-)

Southern Sunflower Seeds

I'm blogging again!  Because of HUGE life changes and adjustments, I haven't had much time to devote to making over old stuff or snapping photos of my continued Goodwill finds.  Life is busy and we have re-evaluated everything.  The Farmer and I have had long conversations.  We want to get 'back to our roots'.   Not that we have lived far from them.  Life to us, isn't about how much we have or the amount in our bank accounts.  We deeply desire the 'simple life'.  A slower life.  Not really an easier life.  Because I can confess, life on the farm is HARD WORK!  But it's fun and rewarding in ways I'm not sure mere words can describe.

So this is my notification that Design to Shine may have fewer posts (not that I have posted often this year!).  I am however, blogging again at Southern Sunflower Seeds.

My posts will be about the life we are building on our small farm.  Our animals and why we have them, how we care for them and how they are giving back to us.  Along with farm recipes, cooking and menu planning.

I will share some farm makeovers when they happen and things about how we are celebrating the holidays, simply down on the farm life and more.

This blog won't disappear.  I still have the longing to 'shine' my light, just in a different manner that doesn't leave me feeling I have to post, or have a new craft project, junk makeover or Goodwill outfit to share.  I sincerely cherish each and every blogger I've had the joy to read, that has followed or I have gotten to know through Design to Shine.  You will never know how much each one of you have meant to me.  I hope to still check in.  I'm not going anywhere!

So if you are interested, I would love to have you join me while I share our small family farm adventures.  Here is the link, once again:
Southern Sunflower Seeds

Working 4 a Living

So far this month I have given 30 presentations at Orientations for fall freshmen and transfer students attending the University where I work.  Tuesday I will give 4 more presentations to round out this month.  This is where I have basically lived the entire month of June.

The building on campus where all of our Orientations are held.  

After standing 4 hours giving 4 perky presentations in a row; this gal ain't stopping to snap photos in the evening.  I strip off dress heels and outfits for comfy shorts and t's.  The best I can show you is a few bathroom snap shots of a couple of awesome thrifty finds.
One of my recent and favorite finds is this Evan Picone dress.

My daughter spotted this beautiful blue while Goodwill shopping with me.  I love it.  Even though the tag says 'dry clean only' ...it's been washed in my regular ole washing machine and line dried with no issues.  Bonus!
Cost less than $6 too.  Can't beat that.  Plus I always get compliments on it.
The other wonderful thrift find was the Elle top.  Ruffles are in style, great color and very comfortable fabric.  Not to mention cool for our hot summer Georgia days.

The skirt is several years old, but has the perfect colors to match this top!  I don't even remember where I picked up the skirt.  May have been a gift from my mom.   Yes, I am wearing a strap tank under it for modesty at work.  The tank was also a thrift purchase.

Have any of you been layering your bracelets?  I've noticed the style over on InstaGram (which seems to be all I have time for lately - quick looksies).  Here was a recent attempt of mine at layering.  It's FUN!

On another little fashion note:  I usually wear a burgundy wine color toenail polish.  My 20 year old daughter was shocked to see I decided to go all out and DARING this summer by painting my toes a pretty PINK that I found while picking up groceries in Walmart.

Now if I just had a little more time to spend by the pool showing them off!  Hope you are enjoying your summer.  My thrift shopping has been sorely lacking lately.  The LAST of the June Orientations are this week, so hopefully I will have a quieter July; along with some much needed time off.
Have you found any great thrift buys lately?  Share please!  Cause I'm going through withdrawals.  

Photo Review of My Week

Welcome to March!  Will it be lucky?  Do you have a lucky shirt?  Truth:  I snapped a photo of the shirt, but did not purchase it.

Sunday was a beautiful day, so I went for a walk around the barn yard.  Thought I would snap a photo of the 'baby daddy' to share.  This is Tall Tom ...the father of our one little growing turkey. While out on my stroll around the farm...

I ran into this big feller.  Levi is always up for a talk and a treat.

Finally got around to checking out 32 degrees.  New to our town and my first visit to a yogurt bar.  The place was so crowded we ate our treat in the car.  Yummy!  I see another date night in my near future.

Love when I get a haircut.  Back to Sassy me style. ;-)

Everything except my socks, necklace and homemade flower pin was purchased at a thrift store.  To see the full outfit, plus 5 other thrifty fashions; check out my weekly wear post.

We celebrated National Pancake Day.  Hey, this Mom loved the easy supper!  The reason we didn't have pancakes for breakfast?  Because round here, it's a mad dash out the door and we are lucky everyone escapes the farm wearing a matching pair of shoes!  Bear gets to eat breakfast at 'school'.  I wonder if he had pancakes twice that day?  If so, he didn't mind...they are his favorite.

Country roads, take me home...every day.

Current local gas prices.  My tiny car is sucking up more of my paycheck pennies with every increase.

Still loving InstaGram!  It's my quick fix throughout the day.  Finding new photogs to follow.

You can find me @sherri9

Happy Friday!  Welcome to March!

What are you doing this weekend?

My Week in Photos

I'm loving Instagram!  The little photo sharing app on my iPhone.  It's fun.  Plus some of the ladies I follow are really amazing with just a cell phone camera.  Here's a glimpse into my week via better than last week photos from Instagram:

Saturday morning breakfast.  Blueberry pancakes at iHop.  Yummy!

Weekly Menu Planning.  Wanna know how I do it?  Read Easy Menu Planning.

Errands around town with Bear.

Lazy rainy Sunday.

Sunday's dinner - My Easy Chicken Pot Pie.

Eggs!  Compliments of our farm chickens.

Brown bagging lunch this week.  Have you ever tried to find parking at a University?

View off the balcony outside my office at the U...winter in Georgia.

I've worn my favorite boots four days this week to work.  Flat and comfy!
Plus a sneak peek at my Thursday outfit (skirt via Goodwill).
Linking up with InstaFriday.  Check out all the other great pics from the week.
Plus if you like, follow me on InstaGram sherri9

2011 in Review

What a difference a year makes!

Not to sound like a cliche.  There have been some MAJOR changes this year round the farm.

Enough to crow about.
January

A major and rare snow storm for rural Gawga, resulted in an extended 'snow-cation' from work for a week.
No worries, down on the farm we always have a way of gettin to and fro.

My daughter on the 4-wheeler.
February

With the month of LOVE came a thrifty Goodwill styled Valentine's mantel on the farm;
and additions of my Goodwill Glamorous Fashions for work and play.

March
The month that started one of the biggest changes in our empty nesting down on the farm.
The addition of a 3 year old boy (my nephew) via a temporary custody order.

We call him, Booger Bear don't ask my how that nickname, wasn't my idea...I usually refer to him as Bear here.
To celebrate CHANGE and to try NOT to look like Bear's Grandma, I went BOLD with my Goodwill Glamorous fashion statement this month.

April
Warmer temps brought out the Spring colors in my thrifty fashions.

From head to toes - Goodwill purchased.
A spring mantel was tossed together for zero dollars, using what I had on hand.

Love my birdies and old things.

Bear hunted eggs and

held bunnies at a local farm.

We were blessed as my sister had her 3rd successful brain surgery.
May

We played.

And we opened the pool, Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the arrival of Summer!
June

Had me putting together a little boy's room with a thrifty makeover.

In addition to our vegetable garden, we put together our own mini Fairy Garden.

Which is still thriving in our office during the winter.

And a fun visit to the Zoo.
July
Found us frolicking on vacation at the beach...

Bear's very first trip to see the ocean!

Starting a new daycare "school".

August

We enjoyed the small things down on the farm.

Once again, August found us back in the courtroom regarding custody of Bear.  

The case was continued.

September

Had me turning another year older...along with a shift in job duties;

becoming our Social Media Marketing Coordinator at work...

and attending a Social Media Training Conference in Atlanta.

Bear adopted a Grandfather.

October

My very simple Fall mantel.

We went back to court, yes yet again...only to cancel the hearing and reschedule for December.

October had us celebrating Bear's 4th Birthday in a BIG way....

A huge Cowboy Up party in our Barn (yep, with the chickens...there are photos to prove it)

Over 30 family, friends and community members came out to support one precious little boy.

Of course, we ...

went Trunk-r-Treating.

November

We remembered all that we are grateful for in our lives.

Our very own Tall Tom, who was NOT on our Thanksgiving table. ;-)

December

We decorated...

Our Tree,  our mantel and our table.

We toured a Historic Home and visited Santa.

We crafted...

and we had a visit from a silly Elf, named Mister Sam....

Then Santa came...

However, the BEST gift we received for Christmas this year wasn't delivered under the tree or wrapped in pretty paper.  It came in the mail.  After a December 8th court visit, permanent custody of Bear was awarded to us...the final papers arrived in the mail on Christmas Eve.