Thursday, March 24, 2016

Group Messaging and Text Etiquette



A couple weeks ago, there was a day when I had three separate group texts going on simultaneously. Let's just let that marinate there for a second. Three. Separate. Group. Texts. My phone was going off all day and usually it was for a simple response such as "ok" or "praying" or something similar to that. It made me wonder if there is or should be some group text or message etiquette. I mean, I doubt Miss Manners wrote a chapter of the dos and don'ts of social media and cell phones. 



I took to Facebook and asked my friends what they thought about group texting and messaging. I found out that some people like the convenience of them and others vehemently despise them. Here are some responses that I got. I think these are a great way to ensure we aren't driving each other batty with incessant dings from FB messenger or constant text message alerts on our phones, and just good rules of thumb for being considerate. 

"Unless the group is texting about a common activity the group is doing together, a person on the receiving end should reply by private text to the sender. I do like the convenience of group text for the sender. I hate it when people group text me about things that don't have anything directly to do with me and my phone blows up all day." 

"Ok for the sender to send out in a group text, but I don't need to hear everyone reply yes/no. That can be done directly."

"The first one I thought of is being in a group text and I don't have all the numbers saved in my phone. I want to know who I'm saying what to! But that's just my OCD and paranoia kicking in."

"Keep the number of people in the group small. Make sure that they know each other (and therefore likely know exactly who is in the group, as opposed to knowing a couple of people and just seeing the numbers for others)."

"Being a nurse and in people's homes, I need to keep my phone on but forced to turn on silent when added to a group text because it's so rude to be caring for someone and their phone continues to go off.

Group Texting and Messaging Etiquette:

1. If you aren't asked a specific question in which requires a response, don't send a text back. If you want to respond to the sender, send a private message back. That way all the others in the group message don't receive a lot of responses that aren't for them.

2. Don't have a conversation between just two people in a group text.

3. Be mindful of what time you start the group text. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't call that person at that time, don't text or message. 

4. Be considerate. 

Group texting can be a wonderful thing! It's a great way to send out prayer requests, get information out to a group of people quickly, and to plan an outing or get-together. We just need to be mindful of our responses and what others are receiving on the other end. 

Would you add any rules to this list?

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Life Lately

My goodness! It's Wednesday already and it's been too long since I've posted. Life, sometimes, seems to get in the way of my projects and plans and it turn, posting here. I wanted to stop in today and let you know what's been going on. 


Last week, I was busy getting my articles finished up for Southern Holiday Life's spring/summer issue. I had two articles due and had mislabeled the due date on my calendar so I had to really bust it to get it in. When writing articles (and even blog posts) there is a lot of time and effort that goes into the finished product. There's the planning/shopping phase to get what you need for the project, then you have to actually do the project, take lots and lots of photos, then edit photos and write the article or post itself. One article or post can represent a lot of hard work and time that goes on behind the scenes. And I absolute love it! I love having a deadline to work toward (that's what us procrastinators need to get things done). Deadlines usually force me to get creative juices flowing. The above photo is only one from my craft article, but you'll have to wait until this issue comes out for the full how-to.


My second article was a spring porch update and here are a couple of my favorite detail shots I got. ( I LOVE the up-close detail shots.)Aren't these calla lilies gorgeous?  I got a new camera, by the way, and I'm loving the photos I'm able to take with it!


 OH! This shot! I took this in the early morning light when the dew was still on the ground, and little droplets of water were on the plants. I just love this photo with that little drop of water. It made me smile so big!


Another reason I haven't posted as much is I've been having horrible, horrible migraines almost daily. It had gotten to the point that I could call it chronic and it was no fun at all! I couldn't figure out why I've been having headaches so frequently. I've had migraines since I was a little girl, but never this often. For the past few months, they've grown in intensity and in frequency. I thought it was my sinus issues and snoring (even though I don't have apnea), but I took antibiotics and tried some oils and things to help with that, but didn't get much relief. Then last week, I finally had a breakthrough.




It was time for my yearly eye exam and my prescription had changed and I had developed an astigmatism in my left eye. I got new glasses, which has prompted my husband to call me Velma. Does that mean he doesn't like them? I don't know. Anyway, I've had glasses for years, but haven't had to wear them much more than for driving at night or at the movies. And speaking of movies, my friend Stephanie and I took our girls to see Zootopia when it came out, so I wore my glasses during the movie. I had had a headache all day and it wouldn't let up, even after ample amounts of caffeine and pain reliever. But by the end of the movie, my headache was easing off! Then it dawned on me. Maybe my headaches are from my eyes straining. So, I starting wearing my glasses all day, every day and my headaches have been much less frequent and painful! I'm so very happy to have figured that out. I guess I should've thought about that before, but I've never had to wear my glasses that much in the past. My eyesight has gotten worse so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. That's what getting older does for you.


Since this past Saturday, my Katlyn has been running a fever. It has spiked up to 104 and 103 so we were really concerned. I took her to the doctor yesterday and it's just a viral infection so we just have to let it run its course. I hope she can go back to school tomorrow. She's finally feeling a bit better today!

There have been lots of other things keeping us busy around here, as well. Ashlyn went out of basketball season and straight into softball. But, I'm loving this season of life and wouldn't trade it for anything!



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Tuesday, March 08, 2016

House Goals: Painted Brick

Ever since we moved into our ranch fixer upper almost three years ago, plans to one day paint our orangeish-red brick has been on the list. While we have stained our shutters, installed a new front door and painted it, and landscaped, the exterior still has something lacking. And over the past couple years as Chip and Joanna Gaines entered on the scene, the popularity of painted brick has risen even more. 

Today, I'm dreaming and planning for when we paint our brick rancher. House goals, if you will. Not only do the homes I'm showing you today scream modern style, they also seem classic. Like they'll be the epitome of beautiful homes for years to come. 


Painted Brick Inspi
// Magnolia Homes //

// Magnolia Homes //

// Magnolia Homes //

// Magnolia Homes //


// Magnolia Homes //



// Beneath My Heart //

Aren't all of those painted brick homes just gorgeous? It helps me to be able to visualize what our home may look like painted. 


This photo of our home's front entry was taken late spring last year after we installed the new front door. You can she the orange brick just kind of screams at you. I'm looking forward to a more neutral color as a backdrop for pretty landscaping. Aghhh....house goals. 

Monday, March 07, 2016

First Signs of Spring



I love the change of seasons so much. I love the promise of things to come, especially in spring. There's rebirth, things made new, and a renewed sense of excitement. At least for me there is. Last week, I walked around my yard to see if I could find some signs of spring emerging and I was pleased to see just that. Just wanted to share this with you guys today! Spring is coming! Enjoy!




















































Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Spring Wreath Refresh


While I was making my mossy monogram letter a couple days ago, I decided that I would use the rest of the moss to refresh a wreath that I already had on hand. 




I love this moss wreath (that I actually bought from a friend), but the moss had faded and it was kind of just blah. It no longer was a vibrant green, more of just muted green. But for Spring, I really wanted vibrant so I decided to add the new moss to it to give it new life. 


This bag of moss came from TJ Maxx for only $3.99. I was able to do this project as well as the monogram letter and still had some left over for future projects. And once again, this was very simple and quick; just hot glue and around ten minutes to make this wreath sing again. 











For not a lot of money or time, I was able to refresh this wreath for a vibrant spring entry item! It makes me so excited that Spring is on its way! 

Also check out:

Wooden Spring Moss Monogram Letter 

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