June Inventory

June felt like it flew by in a blink of the eye. I am happy we are finally out of the tough part of quarantine; New Jersey has basically lifted almost all the restrictions. A big bulk of the restrictions will be lifted next week and while I am still ambivalent about eating out, a lot of people are embracing it. I am curious to see how things are going to unfold.

Highlights
-Paddleboarding
-Walks by the water
-Finally out of quarantine 

Lowpoints
-People not following restrictions
-All the unrest through the Country

Favorite Moments
-Friday night sunset Paddleboarding on the creek
-Early morning walks 

Favorite Posts
What's up Wednesday
June's Photo Story
June's Mixtape

Looking Forward to
-Beach Days
-More Paddleboarding
-Getting my tax refund (!!)

Quote of the Month
-Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of change.- Bob Kerry

Hope and Wishes for July
- Enjoy the sunshine, take time for the little things and see new things

What to look forward to in July
-Plant mom update (!!)
-How my word of the year still applies
-Top 10 Favorite books

I am looking forward to July and what shanangins await us. 

[[to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1]]

-gabrielle

Fabulous Five on Friday

Woah! This was quite a week. I know I have said that basically every week during this mess but this week, I think it up there in the top 5 weirdest weeks I've had in a long time.  

I am linking up with Andrea and Erica for Friday Favorites or as I am naming it this week -"Friday Ramblings" 

Monday morning started off with me hitting my head on my car door. I have no idea how it happened but boy did I see stars because of it. I seriously thought I gave myself a concussion, it hurt that bad. Some ice on the way to work and luckily my hair was able to cover the large bruise on my head. It still hurts but at least its back to normal color and its flattened out. I started Monday out with a literal bang.

On Wednesday there was a water main break on the street in front of my office. The street was closed and it was a mess.  When I was walking by to leave, there was a man in the very large hole they dug almost up to his chest. I giggled to myself because I  signed up for alerts from the county sheriff's department for road closures and emergency alerts; I did not get an alert about this but I do get alerts about a random town's Facebook live with the mayor. [[insert unamused face here]]

Yesterday, I did something very adult like- I schedule my own doctors appointments. Both doctor offices are taking precautions and I am happy for that. I made them both first thing in the morning.  I am ambivalent about things opening up again. I want things to get back to normal but I know the normal we used to know, is not going to be the same normal going forward. I think baby steps for me will do the trick. I ventured to the food store last Saturday at 7 AM and that was the first time I was in a store since the beginning of March. 

At work I have been getting really random calls and wacky questions. Is it a full moon? Is Mercury in retrograde again or did it come out of it? I don't know but I do know people are coming up with wacky situations and questions, that make me really think. On the flip side of these wacky questions and random calls, I have been able to really clean up some files that have been hanging around forever which makes me so happy. 

My plans for this week are the usual home things-laundry and getting organized for the upcoming week. I am hoping to paint and create; I would like to set up my blog schedule for July as well.  A quiet weekend sets the tone for the upcoming week and I feel better starting the new week (and new month like that).

What are you up to this weekend? Have you ventured out to stores? Has your state began to open up more? Let me know in the comments below. 

Also here are some things I have been giggling at over this past week:

I honestly couldn't stop laughing at this (out loud) for a good

ten minutes. 

I sent this to my mom because this is EXACTLY what she

does cooking. A little of this, a little of that.

[[Maybe you were made for this very moment; to walk bravely through blazing fire, and by grace, come forth, as gold. Morgan Harper Nichols]]

-gabrielle

Did you see this weeks posts: The Summer List and June Mixtape

June Mixtape

Last night's sunset

It's time for June's playlist already....I am pretty sure I just made May's playlist. HA! I loved making this playlist this month; all these songs I've had stuck in my head and they make me smile. It's a great playlist to kick the summer off. I think it's a great mix of new and old songs that all have catchy beats to them. What are you listening to this month?

WGJ vol. 6

Single Saturday Night- Cole Swindell

Church In A Chevy- Jordan Davis

Countryside-Florida Georgia Line

In the Woulds (feat. Chase Rice and Lauen Alaina)

Home- Jutty

It's About Time- Craig Campbell

A Little Lime-Jordan Davis

Redneck Love Song- Morgan Wallen

Getting Good- Lauren Alaina

Hold You Tonight - Gryffin and Chris Lane

Dancing Forever-Acoustic- Michael Ray

Hard Days- Brantley Gilbert

Love (Remix)-We Are Messengers, Mali Music

It's Your (I've Been Looking For)- Lewis Brice

Make Me Wanna- Thomas Rhett

Nowhere Fast- Old Dominion

Like A Wrecking Ball- Eric Church

Riser- Dierks Bentley

Love You Like I Used To- Russell Dickerson

Almost Maybes- Jordan Davis

Listen here.
Did you miss the previous playlists- find them here:
Vol 1. Vol 2. Vol 3. Vol 4. Vol 5.

[[Out there in the quiet I heard Him talking to me; Amazing Grace came flooding through the windshield; Felt some broken parts of me start to heal- Jordan Davis]]

-gabrielle

The Summer List

☀🌴🦩🌊
Happy Summer!

It's here, its finally here! I love summertime so much- the days are longer, nights are more magical, ice cream tastes better, catching lighting bugs and so many more amazing reasons.

My plan for this summer is to enjoy summer to the fullest. Last summer sucked; there is no other way of saying that and I am determined to make this the best summer I've had in a long time. Thinking about how this summer should look (it did not include a global pandemic and masks but here we are), I wanted it to encompass all fun things that are made even better in the summer, so I came up with The Summer List. I hope to complete all these things and more; I will update later in the summer to let you all know what I accomplished.

1. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset on the Beach

2. Play a Round of Mini Golf on the Boardwalk

3. Visit a Lighthouse

4. Find Sea Glass

5. Go to a Drive in Movie

6.  Happy Hour at a Waterfront Bar

7. Take a Long Hike

8. See Fireworks

9. Yoga on the Beach

10. Kayak on the Bay

What is on your summer list ?

[[at the end of the day, your feet should be sandy, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling]]

-gabrielle

Fabulous Five on Friday

Happy friYAY!

How was everyone's week? I know I keep saying it, but this week flew by once again. Work has been steady to busy each day. I go into work thinking I have a plan and sometimes I am able to accomplish what I need to do plus more but then other days, I get maybe one thing crossed off my to do list. I like how its ever changing and it keeps me on my toes. I am very grateful that I am (was) able to work during all of this. It definitely helped keep my mind distracted and off the craziness of the pandemic.

New Jersey went to Phase two this week, which means restaurants are able to offer outdoor seating (even if they never had that before), more stores can be opened and starting Monday, you can get a haircut and get your nails done among other things. Its really interesting to see how we are slowly opening up compared to the rest of the country. I still feel like we are the bad kids who got grounded but at least its getting better.

Here are some random thoughts for this week:

1. On Monday, I started to listen to my liked songs on Spotify, as the day wore on and I  transitioned from home to work and back to home, I made sure I was still listening to the songs on my liked page. As the week wore on, I continued to do this. It has been fun to revisit some songs that I have since forgotten about. By Thursday morning, I had listened to all 800+ songs. It was interesting to see when I saved certain songs and it transported me back to that time and what I was doing

2. I took a walk around my neighborhood and I felt like Snow White, I saw a bunny, chipmunk, a groundhog, a swan, 2 ducks and way too many birds to count. The groundhog was funny, he got a running start and jumped into the woods. All I could think about was him saying "WHEEEEEE!"

3. For the last few weeks, I have been feeling this pull to paint more. Rumi said " Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." I tried hydrodipping a few weeks ago and ever since then I have been trying to find time to paint and create but there is not enough time in the day.  Anyone else have that problem, not having enough time in the day for everything you want to do?

4. I was sad to read the NYT's article " Is It Okay to Dump him Because of his Medical Condition?", that the author would call the person's medical condition a burden stung. I have had this fear in the past and I still have the fear now. I am not a burden,  I am a person who has some challenges and all I want, more than anything, is to lead a normal life. The author did add an addendum to the article and backtrack, somewhat, to retract the burden comment. I get it, entering into a relationship knowing that if things go for the long haul, you might end up being caregiver, but you might not, its a chance you have to willing to take.

I think that is all my brain is going to give me to type tonight. I am looking forward to sharing my June playlist next week and my summer wish list.

[[No one is really busy. it all depends on what number you are on their priority list.]]

Linking up with Andrea and Erika

-gabrielle

PS. did you miss this weeks posts? Find them here: June Photo Story & What's Up Wednesday.

PPS. Also this made me laugh this week:

Whats up Wednesday

2017 Sunset on the river

Happy Wednesday friends! I haven't done a What's up Wednesday in a long time! I love doing these and then looking back each month. Its neat to see what I was up to at that specific point in time. 

Life has settled into this new normal and its different but in a good way.  New Jersey has finally entered Phase 2 of the reopening plan. It has been fun to see restaurants set up outdoor dining that normally don't have outdoor dining.  I don't know if I am completely comfortable yet to head out shopping or try outdoor dining just yet. One good thing is my heart isn't racing like it used to back when this all started. I have embraced this newness and tried to be positive about quarantine and COVID.  What else can we do? 

What are you up to this Wednesday?

What I'm Eating This Week
I have been loving raspberries, bananas and red peppers lately.
I cannot get enough of them. 

What I'm Reminiscing About
Life before this mess

What I've Been Loving

This beautiful weather we have been having and spending as much time as I can outside

What I'm Dreading

With things reopening, I am dreading people not following the rules

What I'm Working On
Trying to balance my time better for things I want to do; so many things, so little time

What I'm Excited About

More time spent outside; working on a new painting for friends and new adventures

What I'm Watching

I watched Just Mercy (5 stars) and this weekend I plan to watch The King of Staten Island

What I'm Listening To

My Spotify Library from newest to oldest song. I have about 800+ songs saved and I will do this randomly throughout the year

What I'm Wearing

Bright colors, dresses and fun sandals

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Standup Paddleboarding on Friday night and Fathers Day on Sunday

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

Fireworks, seeing more friends and spending even more time outside

What Else is New

Not too much; I have been pretty content with life lately. 

I have a plan and I am excited to see where it takes me. 

[[Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sesnstive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32.]]

-gabrielle

Ps. I can relate to this meme so much. I do it Every.Single.Day. HA!

June Photo Story

I know I say this every month, but how the heck is it already the middle of June- seriously?! I am pretty sure my mind is still stuck in Mid-March. HA!

This month's photo story is mostly nature. I didn't realize it until I looked at these photos that I spent a lot of time outside in the past month and I LOVED it! The weather has been absolutely perfect and it seems as if I cannot get enough of sunshine and nature.

What have you taken photos of in the past month?

Mosaic Sidewalk Art

I was having an odd morning then when I got out of the car I found this.

Midday cruise

Found on my walk

Wide Open Road

Shady Path

Back Bays

So Pretty and So Purple

Focused

Reflection

Peony's in mommy's garden

Sunbathing Swans

Peach Colored Rose

Sand Dunes

Sea Shells

Sunshine in the Sand

Paddle Boarding on the creek

The Queen

Sea Grass

Sun and Sea

Scenic spot

Drive by birthday celebrations

[You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14]

-gabrielle

Fabulous Five on Friday

Hi Friday, I am sure glad to see you!

I took a break from here. The world felt heavy. I didn't know what to say. I thought a lot of thoughts lately. My mind has been all over the place. I needed to re-center myself and I did that. I stepped back from everything and I think it has made me think a little clearer and things have come into focus that I never would have seen otherwise. My take away from this- we need more kindness in this world. Plain and simple. Being kind never hurt anymore, no one was offended by someone's kindness and 99% of the time, kindness promotes more kindness.

As I was looking through my photos on my phone, I came across this verse I saved last summer. Grayson Kennedy (from LivePD) posted in on his Instagram account and I think its so appropriate for the present.

One thing I have really relied on a lot lately, more than ever is my faith. In the past, I have prayed here and there; mostly when I was sick and wanted to be well again. Now, I find myself saying prayers in the moments of quiet time and times where my mind is racing. It has been helping me keep calm and centered. I have been making sure I complete my daily devotional- I am currently working through What Really Matters. What have you been praying for?

 I am ready to jump back into my routine of writing and posting on here and instagram so catch me next week with new posts. I am excited to share some fun things with you this summer.

[If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. James 1:5]

-gabrielle

Movie Monday

Happy June! I am so excited for a new month with new possibilities ahead. In May I didn't read any books again. I gave myself grace to do what I can and this month, movies were the easier for me to consume. I really liked all the movies that I  watched this month.

12 Strong ⭐⭐⭐⭐- this was such a great movie and it made it even better because it was a true story. I couldn't believe what these soldiers went through and how they accomplished what they set out to do. This kept me engaged the whole time. Such a great story and crazy that it was a 'secret' mission so when the finally came back, they didn't get any recognition until now.

The Fittest-⭐⭐⭐.5  I love watching cross fit documentaries. (there I said it,  I am such a weirdo that doesn't even participate in CrossFit but I have so much respect for these athletes) Each year they put out the documentary for the CrossFit games I get so excited. The format of the CrossFit games was completely new in 2019 and all the normal top of the class athletes were thrown off by this. It was interesting to see how the got to the fittest. The amount of training and dedication that these athletes put into this sport is ridiculous and amazing to see.

Troop Beverly Hills-⭐⭐⭐ This was one of my favorite movies growing up. I wanted to be in Troop Beverly Hills so bad as a kid! A fun and light hearted movie that is a trip down memory lane with all the 80s fashion and lingo. I still love it for all of the cheesiness after all of this time.

Center Stage- ⭐⭐.5 This movie turned 20 a few weeks ago so I had to re-watch it. I love it even more after learning they used real dancers in this movie. Now it makes sense why it looked so real and so good.

Eighth Grade-⭐⭐⭐ This faux documentary reminded me so much of how I was in eighth grade- awkward and self conscious. I thought it was really well put together and showed how hard eighth grade really is and how communication is through technology and these kids don't know a world without technology.

and for my weirdest TV obsession during quarantine:

Survivor- Season 21-⭐⭐⭐. I never have watched Survivor before and I watched it because I learned one of my favorite country musician, Chase Rice, was a contestant on it back in 2011. This was super entertaining and I found myself watching just one more episode and really rooting for the contestants. If you're wondering, Chase Rice finished 2nd this season.

There it is, my random assortment of Movies and TV shows that I watched in May. I am currently watching Survivor Season 26. I have about 5 episodes left in this season. I plan on watching another season after this one. I'm hooked on this show.

[[Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.- Ferris Bueller]]

-gabrielle