Audra Jennings

Just in case this post comes across as complaining, let me say up front that it is not. I think it's funny. We sat out this morning, Thanksgiving Day, to head to Cypress for a two-day craft show. We picked this particular event in part as a mini giveaway and part avoiding potential family drama. The plan was to stop at Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving lunch when we got to Conroe, then check into the hotel in time for Dad to watch the Cowboy game.  Do you know me and plans? We are in two different cars so that we have one to run around in without a trailer attached and to also have extra books in case we sell a lot, especially since it's a two-day event. First planned stop: Buc-ees in Madisonville. Let me just say that you haven't seen anything like Buc-ees on Thanksgiving. If you live outside of Texas and don't know what Buc-ees is, it is a very large gas station and convenience store that boasts "The #1 place for #1" aka the cleanes...

I have been holed up in my house a lot lately, even on the weekends. So, instead of getting in the craft room, I felt the need to go on a shopping excursion. Two goals: Clothes and an L-shaped desk so I'll have one piece of furniture instead of three or four and be able to better set up the mission control that is my current desk, especially since it's where I spend most of my waking hours. It's a good thing my first stop (which I expected to be the least productive one) was the best one. I loaded up on new shirts because I never go shopping and need new ones, if even just for video conferences. I am told on the new conference screen my head is two foot by three foot. Everything I have is pathetic. I bought everything I tried on, ten in all! I also got a couple of pairs of shoes. Not exactly what I set out for, but they will work. Then, a trip to Ikea was an absolute waste. My mom bought a 99 cent trash can and I bought some bag clips (think for chips and such) for ...

This year for Thanksgiving, we fled north. Opposite migration you might say.  It was the only the second time in the memory of my entire life that I didn't have Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Normally, I spend most of Wednesday cooking. There were most definitely positives of being gone for the week. It didn't really feel like Thanksgiving though.  It's never my first choice to spend any time in Branson. As a side note to anything of relevance, the town has taken a swing down except when it comes to shopping. I'm not sure if the tornado of a couple of years ago wiped everything out or everyone took to the same opinion of the town that I've had. So many things were closed. Churches have taken over a number of theaters. Some of the hotels torn down needed to be torn down anyway. So, back to Branson. On the way to some show one weekend, Mom mentioned how Stillwaters had been sending condo deals via email. Mom and Dad are always game to go t...

Another Saturday, another Saturday that my house has still not been cleaned. I don't live in filth like an episode of Hoarders or anything, I just have a layer of dust over EVERYTHING. And my bathroom could use a good scrubbing. No, instead of doing housework, I went on a shopping expedition with Angie and her son Deacon. We, of course, went to Hobby Lobby, and I found the items I needed that were half price, and actually found some wood circles that they haven't had in stores (and don't have online) for months. That was very productive, and we hit a couple of good sales amid all the crazies out on tax free weekend. I straightened up the "studio" so I could do a little work. I do have some new items to post soon. I know... you can hardly wait! ;)

I am fairly certain that I will lose cable and/or electricity while The Bachelorette is on tonight. It's just a hunch. Today, I spent Memorial Day shopping with my mom for clothes to wear on a business trip in four weeks. Of course, it also involved going to Hobby Lobby. And Cracker Barrel. #noshame Here I am, all ready to start blogging at 7:00 after rushing around the house doing this and that, and the show doesn't start until 8:00 tonight. Seriously? Grumble. I have things to do, so I'll go do them for an hour and come back. Tonight, Kaitlyn picks the first group of men she wants to take out on a date. From the previews, it appears there will be a lot of kissing, and the drama is already starting. To start off the show, Chris Harrison checks in with Kaitlyn the morning after the rose ceremony. They talk about early kisses and guys who were interested in Britt. Meanwhile at the mansion, all the guys are still comparing notes about who voted for Britt and w...

For the last couple of days, I have been on what is evidently going to be my "vacation" for the year. I use that term loosely. I didn't completely disconnect from work (I checked email way too much), and it doesn't feel like I have been much of anywhere. In fact, my boss called as we were arriving in Paige, TX, and she rarely ever calls me (I call her). We were trying to find something with Paige on it to see if we could. It was kind of a bet we had going on. Mom wanted to go to Antiques Weekend in the Round Top, TX area. It's one of the countries largest flea market type antique sales. Officially, next weekend is THE weekend, so not everything was up and running, but there was plenty, let me tell you. It's turned into a month long event with vendors staying in travel trailers all over the place (next to the porta-potties). It was unlike anything I had ever seen. Tents set up in huge fields filled with a lot of overpriced old stuff. There was a lot of ...

I tried to beg any friend on Facebook who might be willing to join me for Cracker Barrel and Hobby Lobby today. However, it was to no avail. I have some weekends were I just really need out of the house (even though I did get out last weekend). Working and living in the same place, by yourself, can cause cabin fever. I always tell people that working from home is better for people with families than for single people. Anyway... My parents skipped town with their friends, so Mom wasn't around to go with me. I'm so tired of wearing the same stuff around the house, and I seriously thought about wearing a shirt I've had since 2006 today. I took that as a sign to try to find stores having Memorial Day sales. Lane Bryant had a buy one get one free sale. Besides, I can only wait so long to find shoes to wear in Atlanta for ICRS (the International Christian Retail Show), and I leave in less than four weeks. I need shoes that minimize my feet hurting as much walking as there wil...

This weekend, I made a quick trip out of town. After work yesterday, I made my way down to Belton - the closest place to Georgetown that I could find a room (thanks to the South by Southwest music and arts festival) - so that I could speak to the CenTex Chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). I did get some shopping in at Lane Bryant and Cracker Barrel (I always find something there if I eat there) before spending a while prepping some web links I might need for my presentation on publicity and marketing for authors. I bought three dresses! I was looking for blouses and found dresses. I almost bought four. I may still order the other one. As much as people think I talk too much and wish for me to be quiet, it's kind of hard to believe that I had my first invitation to speak before a group. I think I actually did well and was sure of my answers. It helped that it was a great group of authors. Usually driving doesn't bother me especially what should have been...

The trip continues... We join Paige already in progress... Wednesday: Tragen (Bear in German) Wakey, wakey!! Woke up about 8 o’clock and packed up the cabin and all our stuff. Our morning consists of Krispy Kreme’s Doughnuts, McDonald’s (since Paige doesn’t eat donuts – making it 5 days in a row for pancakes of some sort, I think) , the Mill painting shop, more fast and awesome Go-Karts where Peyton did a 360. Went on a hunt for Wear’s monuments, markers and graves (including a trip to the library and cemetery… think episode of Who Do You Think You Are) , and to top it all off, the largerest Alpine Slide in the U.S. would be the last thing in Pigeon Forge. A great way to finish!! (Twice!) Around Cade’s Cove we go. A beautiful view. We saw deer and a bear which was one of the highlights of the day. Nashville here we come!! Cracker Barrel stop which was sooo good!! Then to Comfort in to relax and chillax after such a busy few days!! This was the day we hit ...

This is the much anticipated vacation week. I'm with my parents, Peyton and Paige.  Paige is going to be our guest blogger along the way.  Take it away Paigey! (Oh, and these are the photos that I could upload from my phone. I may post more pictures later on.) Friday: Nuggets  So pumped for this week! Our vacation has begun with Peyton writing down things to the second, licenses tag in hand, Gramal has the wheel, and we were all packed and ready!  It is hot in Texas of course, 103 to be exact! First potty stop would be at 5:09, first do right in Trinidad, and then I-20 at 5:33. Louisiana at 6:40 and then another rest stop were we sat at the picnic tables and ate some supper. Then we were on the road again!! With Audra driving and me at shot gun we were off.  Today I learned that Pops knows all about 1957 like the Milwaukee line up that year but he can't remember what he had for lunch. At 9:36 the whole car broke out into The Star Spangled ...

Today, Paige, Peyton and I had a shopping day out. We all had gift cards burning holes in our pockets. I went through mine better than they went through theirs. Peyton and I got some Starbucks. I bought a little lamp and vase at Cracker Barrel which took out that card. Then we met Rakia for burgers at a new place called Scrumbsous. I am not sure if I spelled that right, but it has crumb in it. I am sure the pies were great but we ate too much burgers and sweet potato fries and onion rings between us. And it was a great visit. Found mom a calendar for 75% off at Mardels of the same brand she wanted. I used my Hobby Lobby card for yarn. No surprise. The girls found 50% off frames. Much like my mom said about Brian and I when we were young, I should not have fed them. I thought they were going to break everything in the store. We went to Justice at the mall where Taylor Swift music was playing and so help me I will never ever ever get the song out of my head. I refused to let ...

Stir crazy from being in my house or the church building for three straight weeks, I was stir crazy and decided to go looking for picture frames for some of the the pictures I took and bought on my trip. So, I spent all day shopping. After getting myself going the right way with a frappachino at Starbuck's (basically what happens anytime I drive through Ennis), I debated the three routes I could go. To Waxahachie where I'd hopefully find what I wanted at Target, and then on to Arlington. Or just go to Arlington. Or go to Mesquite and possibly meet up with Rakia. She ended up having something going on, but I was already that direction when I heard back from her. I started off at Garden Ridge where they have Christmas out before school starts. That's a million shades of wrong, but I found the orange Christmas decorations that I could not find last year. In case you don't remember, Peyton was disgruntled that I had a purple tree (Paige's favorite color), but not or...