Friday's Joy

 

Hi friends! I'm Linking up with Erika and Andrea today! I can't wait to read your posts! 

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Week In Review

So last week I totally flubbed. I thought I copied my most recent Friday Favorites post link and linked it to Andrea and Erika's post but nope. I linked a post from March. I was wondering why that post kept getting so much traffic- its because I linked it 3 separate weeks. HA! That's what I get for not double checking the link. 

This week was a fun week! I spent a lot of time with Keith, we finished Succession Season one and it was crazy! I can't wait to see what happens next!

The usual antics happened at work; I even sauntered over to the library to write for a half hour without distraction. 

I am still going strong with my word search books. I am just about done with the one I keep in my car. I started that one back in December! 

The weather has been colder than normal which is so weird! I would rather it be warmer BUT I am hoping this all leads up to a warmer May. 

Speaking of May, it's Monday  did anyone else realize that?! WOAH! Where did this month go?! 

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Links 

Duck butt lamp///How adorable is this ?! I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this! 

Bell pepper salad/// This looks so yummy! I can't wait try this! (If you can't tell, I am on a cooking kick and I am so excited to try all these things!)

Longest working NYC doorman to retire/// This is the epitome of someone who truly loves their job. Can you image working as a doorman?! He must have so many stories from all of the people he has seen come and go.

Cartwheels at a T-ball game/// NJ for the win! I love this for so many reason but my favorite reason- She was so confident with her cartwheel! She's like " Look at me boys!  I did sooo good!"

27 year old VIP hotel concierge/// Besides the fact that she must be connected somehow, this is a really neat but high stress job. I can't imagine what VIPs ask for and if they are nice about it or not.

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Looking forward

This weekend is all about catching up and getting ready for May! 
A new month is always a new start for me- like its a blank slate to try again. 
I am hoping for some outdoor walks this upcoming week. 

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Posts

Did you miss any of my posts this week? Find them below:

WGJ vol. 40 | Diary #40 | What's Up Wednesday | Notes on Life | Dear April

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[[offline is the new luxury]]

Dear April

Another month in the books. When I look back at my calendar to see what happened this month, I swear this month felt like it was extra long, but in the very best way. So many things have happened this month and it's hard to believe it was only 30 days long! 

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Here are some words that were prominent during my month:  

Warm/// Weather reached 90 degrees a few days and there were a handful of days that were more spring like than winter like. It was a nice break from the cold and rainy March we had. I think everyone got really really excited when the weather reached summer like temperatures. I got my spring clothes out and I am so excited to transition into bright colors and summery prints. 

Sparkly/// Keith and I went to the jewelry store in the very beginning of the month to purchase a Claddagh ring for me. He wanted to wear his so he thought it was a great idea to get me one. ( you can see the photo of our matching rings in Tuesday's posts.) This was really special and while my hand shook like a leaf the whole time we were in there, we had a really nice experience. Every time I look down at my right hand, it makes me smile.

Emotional/// I had a multitude of emotions filter through me this month. At some points of the month, I had a rough time trying to organize these emotions and sometimes they came out of me as word vomit (I don't know how else to explain it.) Some emotions were good, some were bad, some I didn't understand

In-Between/// In my post yesterday, I talked about being in-between and this in-between feeling is new for me and its exciting and scary and its labeled in my brain as a big unknown. I can't wait to see what the next season of my life leads me. 

Lesson///My phone taught me a really interesting lesson this month- always double check the link you are posting. I link my blog to Andrea and Erika's blog on  Friday's for Friday's Favorites. Somehow my phone has saved this one Friday Favorites link from March 24 and while I normally don't check on the link after I post it (terrible habit I know!) I started to realize something was amiss when my current Friday Favorites posts weren't getting the usual traffic but a random March 24th post was getting SO MUCH attention. After a little investigation, I realized that I wasn't posting my most recent post, I was posting March 24th's post week after week. Well, lesson learned, double check your links BEFORE you post it on a link up. 

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Emoji of the Month: 

😍

This was very accurate. I am pretty sure I made this face multiple times this month: when we were picking out my Claddagh ring; at my Easter Egg Hunt and when I saw pretty flowers just to name a few. 

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Flashback

In 2014, I was silly and feeling happy, content and unsettled at the same time; in 2016, I was dealing with a lot of different health issues; in 2017, I hoped to start blogging again under Everyday Jersey Girl; in 2020, there was a lot of uncertainty in the world during quarantine; in 2021, a social media break was productive and in 2022, lots of outside time meant lots of allergies and (unrelated) a great doctors report.

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Gym update

4 early morning's at Retro/// This is my favorite time to go. The crowd seems to be all focused on getting their workout done and then getting out of there. I love seeing the same cast of characters in the morning. 

7 walks/// This was one of my favorite parts of the month- so much outdoor time. 

No yoga or climbing/// I took a step back from Gravity Vault last month and I am happy with my decision. I felt that it was becoming more of a chore than a choice; with my membership expiring this month, I decided to let it run out.

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Looking forward 

It's gonna be.....MAY! 
Lots of fun things happening this month, River to Bay 5K, a carnival, Memorial Day Weekend and getting ready for a fun adventure in the beginning of June. 

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Posts

Did  you miss any of my posts from this month? Find them below:

Random #15 | March Work #ootd | Good Friday | Happy Easter | 12 in 12: April | Fitbit Charge 5 Review | Chase Rice at Starland Ballroom | Shutterbug: Landscape Photography | WGJ vol. 40 | Diary #40 | What's Up Wednesday | Notes on Life

Friday's Joy: 1|2|3

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What a month, what a month! Thanks for always stopping by my corner of the internet!

[[A flower blooms for its own joy- Oscar Wilde]]

Notes on Life

I found the above graphic on Instagram one day and it truly spoke to me. I am 100% a 'noticer'. I love looking around to see what small insignificant but super special moments.

Life is funny and I feel like the more goodness you see,  the more good comes to you. 

Life can be crazy, hard and frustrating but it can also be really really beautiful too. 

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I entered 2023 with a good mindset after 2022 ended up being a really transformative year for me. I wanted the mindset of joy and happiness and kindness and wonder to carry throughout this year. 

Well, with the first quarter of the year complete, I'm reflecting on what has happened, what currently is happening AND what's on the horizon. 

Honestly, I feel like I'm in a good spot in life. I feel content and happy with what I'm doing and what's happening. 

In the midst of all the goodness,  I do feel like I'm in-between. Let me explain, I am in-between my current life's adventure and my next adventure. It can be slightly unsettling at times when I have panic moments but I remember and remind myself that I am exactly where I need to be. 

This in-between space is a funny space and I'm not sure I've been here before do it's very new and very unknown. 

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I saw one of my friends on Instagram post a 'women crush Wednesday' post for herself. She was reflecting on how far she has come, what she has done, what she is currently doing AND where she is going next.  She is clapping for herself and being proud of what she's doing. 

Her post partially inspired this post ( I had an idea already floating around in my mind about this, Her post made me take action )

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The other day, I was looking through my Google photos and a memory from 2019 popped up. I took one look at it and chuckled to myself because on that specific day in 2019, I was wearing the same top I was wearing in 2023. I don't remember why 4 years ago, I took that selfie but I am so glad I did.  

With this post in mind, I decided to take a selfie almost identical to the one from 2019. 

A lot of things are the same, but there are some big differences I see in these two photos. 

The biggest difference you can't see in the photos is I was struggling with my health in 2019 and counting down the days to my surgery which I had very high hopes that it would help me but no one knew for sure.

My eyes were tired and my face was puffy. I was just trying to make it through each day. I wanted to feel better and to be able to experience all that life had in store for me. 

In the 2023 photo, my eyes are bright blue and I'm doing really well with my health. A complete 180 from 2019. My life is in a completely different spot than I thought it was going to be in 2019 and I couldn't be happier. 

2023 Gabrielle has grown up and experienced so much; she is wiser, kinder, goofier and most importantly more comfortable and confident in her skin. 

I wish I could go back and tell 2019 Gabrielle, things are going to be really hard for the next few years but just wait to see what you have waiting for you in 2023. 

I think its so important to look ahead and know where you are going BUT I also think it's super important to look back to see how far you've come. 

What is something you would tell yourself 4 years ago?

[[Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. -Gordon B. Hinckley]]

What's Up Wednesday

 Hi friends! I'm linking up with Shay and Schaeffer today for What's Up Wednesday! I can't wait to read your posts! 

What I'm Eating// 

Everything as usual! Haha

((I know this may seem funny I mention this every month but there were years when I was in a Crohn's Disease flare and I didn't want to eat anything/ate only for calories.  I am always so excited to be able to want to eat))

What I'm Loving//

The spring like weather and lots of outside time and all the colorful clothes that is filling up my closet.

What I've Been Up To//

Living my best life with some really awesome people. Running a monthly 5K, spending time outside, thinking about my future.

What I'm Dreading//

Nothing, I am pretty happy to be in the here and now.

What I'm Working On//

Posts for the upcoming month; a more sustainable workout plan and what I am going to eat for lunch.

What I'm Excited About//

Life and the future. 

What I'm Watching/Reading//

Just finished Successsion Season 1.  What a wild ride! Haha just when I can't think it can get more crazy, it does.

Still not reading anything besides my word search book. Really hoping to change this soon.

What I'm Listening To//

Daily mixes on Spotify and the Outerbank Official Playlist. OOP is the perfect spring background noise

What I'm Wearing//

All the spring colors!

What I'm Doing This Weekend//

Working on blog posts, going for a walk,  and relaxing. Getting ready for MAY.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month//

More days outside; River to Bay 5K; Mothers Day and a spring carnival.

Favorite Amazon Find Of The Month//

Merokeety Women's Summer Sleeveless Striped T-Shirt Dress

Blue and white stripes AND pockets, yes please

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Love sharing what I have been up to each month and I look forward to reading your posts!

[[Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink- Lilly Pulitzer]]

Diary #40

Another month of what I've seen. 
Lots of time outside and lots of time with my favorites.

Lunchtime walk

I couldn't not stop to smell the flowers

Great advice

Picture perfect

New hat for me- baseball girlfriend

matching Claddagh rings

Before Easter Sunday Mass

Love them

I got my Easter Egg Hunt :) 

obligatory Easter photo

Trying the  influencing life out. 

Unexpected views

Blue eyes and messy hair

New Hair cut

Dad's first country concert

Chase Rice at the Starland Ballroom

Chase Rice at Starland Ballroom

Chase Rice at Starland Ballroom

Purple obsession

Baby buzzards/vultures

Morning views

Right place, Right time

Pretty flowers at work

Newlyweds 

This truck reminded me of a vampire. 

 

This is what plants see when I stop to take a photo of them

I love spring

Pretty pinks

Looking up

Are you a weed or plant?

Peeking out

Nature is so pretty when its colorful

Snow in the Spring

'Merica

He loves me

Sunshine

smile

I loved all the things I saw this month.

[[Joy is the most magnetic force in the universe.]]

WGJ vol. 40

Hi friends, I am back for month FORTY (!!) of my playlists. Another month of a fun mix of music. Hope you enjoy!

WGJ vol. 40

Make Me Wanna Be- The Tuten Brothers
Judgin' To Jesus- RaeLynn
Girls Like You- Stripped- Spencer Crandell
Then There Were Two- The Tuten Brothers
Keep Up- RaeLynn
Religiously- Baliey ZImmerman
Wastin' Whiskey- James Barker Band
Outlook- Morgan Wallen
Feel Like This- Ingrid Andress
Damn Good Life- Dalton Dover
Baby I Am- Dalton Dover
Self Love- Avery Anna
11 Beers- The Reklaws, Jacke Owen
Different Shade of Red- Larry Fleet
She's Got A Way- Chris Young
Drink Had Me- Jordan Davis
Worst Day- Julia Cole, Charles Esten
Country Boy's Dream Girl- Ella Langley
Carolina Can- Chase Rice
Springsteen- Eric Church
Love You Again- Chase Matthew
Greatest Hits- Parmalee, FITZ
For You- Parmalee
Dance With You- Brett Young
Left Hand Free- alt-J

Listen Here.

[[Got more than I'm ever gonna need, Took time out to thank Jesus, Man, I got a damn good life- Dalton Dover]]

Friday's Joy

Hi friends!

I am so excited to link up with Erika and Andrea this week!

Right place, right time

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Week in Review 

This week was one of those weeks that moved both super fast and super slow.

The biggest excitement of this week- the Chase Rice concert at Starland Ballroom on Saturday night. I bought these tickets back in December and I have been counting down the days until Saturday. I was SO happy I ended up buying the Starparking pass because not only did we only wait in line for maybe 5 minutes before being let in 15 minutes before the general admission, I was able to snag a front row spot for the concert. FRONT ROW! I had the very best time. He sang all my favorite songs, made me laugh, almost cry and I got to pet Jack his dog! GAH! I could go on talking about this but I will refrain. BUT I will say one last thing I was up WAY past my bed time on Saturday night (so much so) I needed to take a nap Sunday afternoon. HA!

The work week was alright, I was productive and got things done; things were accomplished easier than expected which was super nice. I got to the gym three times this week. I totally learned my lesson (I didn’t) about combining squats and lunges together and for the better part of the week, I was waddling around. It was funny.

I give my office plants a refresh with mommy this week too! I inherited these plants when a coworker retired and I don’t exactly take the best care of them. I water them when I remember and it’s been about 3 years since my mom and I replanted them. My mom couldn’t believe the one plant didn’t have any roots but it still was living . HA! Welcome to planthood with me. Remember when I was a plant mom to 6 orchids?! Yeah, they didn’t last the pandemic.

OH! Adorable baby animal news from my town, NJ. By my work, there are these two buzzards/vultures and they are HUGE. Well we come to find out that they had two eggs, that they kept taking turns sitting on. A few weeks ago, the eggs hatched and two fuzzy baby buzzards/vultures were born. I've been trying to see them and this week I was able to see them. These buzzards/vultures are such unique looking creatures, but their babies are so fuzzy and they are so tiny! 

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Links

Dad hides seashell/// this is probably the cutest thing I’ve seen this week. The genuine joy the daughter shows when she finds this perfect shell.

SURPRISE/// I maybe watched this video a dozen times. The actually shock and surprised looks  on both the bear and the guy is just too cute!

Million dollar mistake/// Yeah, I’m with Dave Ramsey on this one, I don’t get it. Wouldn’t you wake up at $100K debt or even $250K?

Real life Snoopy/// okay, this is the cutest thing I saw this week! Oh my gosh! His humans just need a little yellow bird and it would be perfect.

Barbie=Elite?///This was a really interesting read about the new Barbie movie and how the architecture in the movie is very Barbie and judging where she lived she is rich. 

Mexican Street Corn //// I love street corn and this looks pretty easy. I can't wait to try this.

Paper plane contest/// Off the bat, this reminds me of an episode of the office (a la Paper Airplane season 9, episode 20) BUT this article gets even better when you realize its engineers making the paper airplanes. 

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Looking Forward

Sunshine and seeing Keith this weekend. Maybe a walk if the weather is nice.

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Posts

Chase Rice at Starland Ballroom | Shutterbug: Landscape Photography

12 in 12: April | Fitbit Charge 5 Review

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[[The body achieves what the mind believes]]