Currently...

Sometimes, my mind goes in a million different directions and I can barely remember to put on deoderant in the morning.  (That really happened yesterday - good thing I realized it on my way to work and made a detour to Walgreen's!) 

When my mind is racing, I find it calming and grounding to take different aspects of my life and just focus on them, one at a time.  Today, that comes in the form of a Currently post!

Currently, I'm...

Reading:  Summer Island by Kristin Hannah.  I just finished the first chapter, so I can't say whether I like it or not.  I just finished Sharp Objects, and was a little disappointed.  Unlike Gone Girl, I predicted the ending about half way through the book.

Listening:  To Shark Tank.  These entrepreneurs are so inspiring!  I also like seeing new products, and meeting their creators.  I've bought a few things that I've seen on the show! 

Thinking:  I'm still thinking about my budget, and I'm still trying to figure out what a decent number is for me.  I have an idea, so I'm going to tally my spending for May and see how close I am.

Wishing:  That everything will work out the way they are meant to be. 

Hoping:  That I can believe in the above, and trust in the timing.

Loving:  My new Kate purse that arrived today.  I bought it on a whim when they had an additional 25% off clearance, and am so in love!  I'll share pictures in another post.  Who says you can't buy your own Mother's Day gifts?

Wanting:  Peace, Happiness, and Clarity.  Is that too much to ask?!

Needing:  A good nap.

Eating/Drinking:  I just had a peanut butter Snickers - I don't get peanut anything too often because of A's allergy.  Also drinking water - I'm trying to focus on drinking more!

What are you currently up to?

Currently....

I feel like time is moving so fast - we are already in April tomorrow, and I feel like we just got through the holidays.  I need things to slow down, just a bit.  There are so many things going on right now, I thought a good Currently post would help me focus on what is happening today, rather then worrying about the future. 

Currently I'm...

Reading:  "Uganda Be Kidding Me" by Chelsea Handler.  This is my first Chelsea book (shocking, I know) but I am enjoying it.  The things she gets herself in to are pretty funny to read about.  A good, no-thinker book.  I also just read "Reconstructing Amelia", which was great!

Writing:  Besides this post, I am putting together stories about my time in Japan for you.  The tricky part is remembering the details, and getting my pictures and souvenirs from my Mom's house.  I want it to be finished before publishing the first.  I find myself adding to posts, switching things from one to the other, so it's taking quite a bit more time than I originally thought!

Listening:  Nothing.  It's silent - which is a rare but special treat in my house.  The girl's are at their nanny's house!

Thinking:  About all sorts of things.  E's school registration, our house selling, finding a new one, work - just to name a few.

Wishing:  That our house would sell already.  We've had a lot of activity, so hopefully soon.  It's hard keeping it so clean with two littles and a dog - who freaks out every time he has to get in the car for a showing.  Poor guy!

Hoping:  That once our house sells, we will be able to find our perfect next home.  This next one we will be in for awhile, so it has a lot of pressure to be what we want.

Loving:  The warmer temperatures lately.  60 today and tomorrow!  Although I don't like in between temps (hot or cold only please!), this is a sign that summer is on it's way.

Wanting:  For a smooth month of no spending, starting tomorrow.  (More on this tomorrow)  I need a lot of luck in this area. 

Needing:  A little time to myself, that doesn't involve anything but a book, wine and a bubble bath. 

Eating/Drinking:  I just ate a granola bar, and currently drinking water.  No coffee for this girl! 

What are you currently up to? 

12 Gender Neutral Grab Bag Ideas

Every year, we have four different get togethers with friends and family that includes the fun party element of a grab bag.  We go in turns, opening a random gift, and "stealing" from each other.  That's eight different, gender neutral gifts around $25 each that need to purchased each year!  The goal is always to come up with something different from previous years and have a gift that everyone will want.

This year I thought I'd share some of my favorite grab bag ideas, in case you found yourself in a similar situation.  There are different groups of people, of course, so feel free to adapt any of these to your next group get together!  (Friends that are coming over Saturday - I may be using one of these for my bag, so be surprised!)

Wine Bag
Of course, a nice bottle of wine would make almost anyone happy.  But don't stop there - pair it with some fun wine charms or a pretty bottle stopper.  I am loving this set from Pier 1:

Gourmet Chocolate
A bag full of chocolate?  Yes please.  Fill it up with truffles from a local sweets shop, a bag of Ghiradelli, or Franco mints from Macy's.  And if a guy picks your bag that doesn't like chocolate (and it doesn't get stolen), I guarantee he has a lady or mother in his life that would love it!


Dog Lover 
Pair some yummy, healthy treats with a cute "dog lover" picture frame or ornament.  This is a hot bag at my Mom's house, as we all have furry pets!

Lotto Tickets
Ok, this is probably my favorite bag to pick.  I love the thrill of scratch off tickets, but never buy them for myself.  Even if the person doesn't win anything, it's fun to play!


Water Bottle
Get a great reusable bottle, like a Tervis or a Lifeworks (below).  Fill it up with tea bags, or Crystal Light packets!

On Amazon

Electronics
Most everyone has a phone that plays music.  How about a portable, wireless speaker?  Or one that plugs in to an iPhone?  We had this for a grab bag item last year it was stolen three times!

 Recipe Bag
Pair your favorite recipe with all of the dry ingredients.  Throw in some fun measuring cups or spoons!  I am loving these from World Market:

 

 Mini Liquor Bag
Grab a bunch of those little airplane sized liquor bottles and pair them with some fun whiskey, martini or plain drinking glasses.  Bonus points if you add a few mixers as well.


Sports Themed
If you are all (or most of you) fans of one sports team, buy anything related.  A winter cap, flag, car decal, socks, etc.  At my Mom's and my Dad's house, there is always at least one Iowa Hawkeyes item.

Games
This is fun to receive and can be used the same night.  Pick your favorite group game - Cards Against Humanity (depending on your group!), Scattergories, Phase 10, etc.  Add some candy or popcorn to make a night out of it.

Coffee Lovers
How about a Keurig cup holder organizer?  It's definitely something I would love to have, but would never buy for myself.  (Fun fact - my Mom did this one year and it stolen the max number of times!)  Add some k-cups and you are good to go!

Target

For the Kitchen
How about some fun spices/rubs and grilling tools?  I don't cook very well (especially grilling!), but would happily put these in my cabinet for my husband to use.  Penzey's has a lot of great blends!
 
So there you have it - twelve gender neutral grab bag ideas.  What grab bags have you put together?  Today I'm also wishing you a lot of time with friends and family this holiday season.  Above the gifts, grab bags, yummy holiday drinks, time is really the most precious gift.  And don't forget the real reason for the season!

Linking up with The Grits Blog and Tay Meets World for #Blogmas2014, and Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

  

Currently... Round Two

It's been awhile since I've done a Currently post.  Whenever another blogger posts one of these, they are the first I read.  I love getting a small glimpse in to their lives.  Creepy?  Maybe, but it makes me feel like I really know them.

Reading: The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult.  I love all of her books, and this one has not disappointed.  I need to kick up my reading if I'm going to get through all 20 books on my 101 in 1001 list!

Writing: In my last Currently post, I said I was working on a series.  This is still true - I just hit some major writer's block.  I also write every day for work, so I have a lot of writing going on!

Listening: To Sunday Night Football - not by choice.  Football rules our home on Sundays.

Thinking: About Christmas, more specifically, Christmas shopping.  I love giving gifts and already have my lists made.

Wishing: It wasn't getting cold.  I thrive on extreme temperatures - really hot or really cold.  This in between business is not my favorite.  Snow already!

Hoping: That we have a great time at the pumpkin patch this weekend.  Ever since E was a baby, it's been a tradition to go with my sister and her now husband.  I hope the girls cooperate and we have a good time!

Loving:  That my husband bought cowboy boots this week while in Texas for work!  He usually goes once a month, and has been talking about getting some for years.  He finally came home this time with some.  And I'm loving it.

Wanting: Still wanting a house.  And a Diet Coke.  But since I can't have either, I'd love some ankle boots.  I'm still on the hunt for the perfect pair.

Needing:  E to feel better.  A trip to Urgent Care Saturday gave us chest xrays, a little girl that wouldn't wear the required face mask, two hours of waiting, and finally some cough medicine and an antibiotic.  I also need A to not catch this yuck!

Eating/Drinking: Tim is making a frozen Home Run Inn pizza - if you've never had it, you are missing out.  I'm drinking water with my Lemon essential oil.

Today is Grateful Heart Monday.  Today I'm grateful for good friends.  Tim was gone for work and my good friend stayed with A so I could take E to get checked out.  She stayed for three hours - with her own daughter - so I wouldn't have to take A and risk her getting sick at Urgent Care.  I've said it before, and I'll say it always - good friends are one of life's biggest blessings.

What are you grateful for?

Currently... Round One

Some of my favorite posts to read are the "Currently" posts, that basically give a quick update without too much detail, most recently on Seriously Sarah? and a hundred tiny wishes.  I feel like my life has been a little scattered lately - with the wedding, work stuff, planning trips and working on house things so I thought I'd stop for a moment and embrace what is currently happening in my life.

Currently I'm...

Reading: Bossypants by Tina Fey.  I'm trying to read more, and have 18 books to go on my 101 in 1001 list.  This is an easy read and I'm enjoying it so far!

Writing: Besides this post, I have a whole list of post ideas I am working through - including a series that I am pretty excited about.

Listening: Nothing at the moment.  Complete silence - which is really ok with me, considering I'm used to screaming, whining, and word for word reinactments of Frozen.

Thinking: About my sister and new brother in law, and how they are relaxing on the beach right now.  They deserve it!

Wishing: Summer would hold on just a bit longer.  Yesterday was in the 50's and I was cold.  There are parts of Fall that I like, but Summer is by far my favorite.

Hoping: For a smooth transition when E starts pre-k next month. 

Wearing: This adorable necklace I got as my bridesmaid gift.  Absolutely in love with it!

Loving: The fact that my husband will watch Big Brother with me.  We don't agree on most shows, but I know that he secretly really likes this one.

Wanting: Big scale = A new house.  Small scale = a nice camera.  #firstworldproblems.  Both big purchases, so if I were to get something right now that I wanted, it would be a diet coke.

Needing: A good night's sleep.  I'm still tired from last weekend, and A has been waking up way too early these days.

Feeling: Content.  Sure, there are always things that could be improved, but overall I am happy.  I am healthy, my loved ones are healthy, and we have everything we could possible need, and then some. 

Missing: Quality one on one time with my husband.  Even when we get time alone, we always feel rushed to get back to the girls.  I'm itching for an adult-only vacation!

Today is Wednesday, which means I am linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.  What are you currently wishing for?