Huckleberry Row

Yesterday, my husband and I spent the day together. We began the day picking up some secondhand camera lenses. Bargain of the day, great investment. We shared breakfast at Cracker Barrel, picked up some groceries, attended the memorial service for a dear friend of mine and did a bit of shopping. We drove on back roads, twisting through small towns, enjoying the autumn breeze and absolutely perfect weather. On our way back home, we stopped in West Concord, the town where my husband attended grade school. The original school building, built in 1902, has since been converted into a community center and historical society. Walking around the partially dilapidated building, I asked my husband to share memories of his childhood with me. He showed me where the cafeteria was, places kids on the playground hung out, and the room where he learned to use his very first tool. A hand saw. If only that teacher knew how important introducing that hand saw in kindergarten would be to ...

Today is wedding anniversary #9 for my husband and I. As a general rule, I do not speak details of my personal relationships on Facebook. My opinion, old school as it may be, is that one person's intimate life details are not eligible for another person to publicize on social media. Drama, please... The one clear and purposeful exception I make is in the explanation of love I have for my husband Keith. I could mush on and on about him all day. He never stops surprising me with new ways of showing how much he loves me.  And honestly, after nine years, I love the guy more every day. I tell you these details, not to make you believe we live a fairytale life. But to show an example of what getting back up after being knocked down looks like. We've both been married before, that will give you enough trust issues to float an ark. But it's different being in a marriage with someone who wants the same things you want, who you can openly communicate with without fear of retributi...

Saving money is in my DNA. My grandmother taught me a boatload of valuable life skills, one of which was how to save a few bucks here and there. Call me thrifty, cheap, a bargain hunter. Call me what you will, but don't dishonor the family tradition of frugality by turning up your nose. I rarely pay retail. For anything. One of the ways I make my money work for me is by stretching every dollar. I've had an Amazon Prime membership for several years, and I love it. Here's your chance to check out the benefits and try it FREE. Sign up for an Amazon Prime 30-day Free Trial. Only $99 annual membership program earns you special benefits: * Instantly watch thousands of movies and TV episodes * Borrow Kindle books * Get unlimited FREE two-day shipping (no minimum order size) * SO MUCH MORE! SIGN UP HERE -->  Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial Complete Amazon Prime Benefit List (as of March 2017) Source: Amazon.com FREE Two-Day Shipping on eligible items...

I'm a firm believer that empowered women, empower women. Huckleberry Row celebrates not just women,  but all those who empower others. So here's the deal... This is a safe place to share your thoughts,  experiences and feelings with others.  Please. Be nice. The world is full of enough hatred;  negativity here will not be tolerated. Share what you like. Positivity breeds happiness. So smile, Sunshine. You are worth it!

VIDEO PSA To anyone out there, wondering why their sweetheart, friend, mother or nephew has been hooked on the same boy band since the 90's. Just watch. http://www.onecountry.com/florida-georgia-line-god-your-mama-and-me-2275801493.html I used to think I would literally die if another girl even looked at MY Backstreet Boy. No favorite. I wasn't fickle, they were all a bunch of hotties. Now 25 years later, I'm watching them happily kiss their wives and sing about how in love they are. Gotta tell ya, nothing hotter. Never question why the love of your life still crushes on boy bands. They're making it easier for you. And at the end of the day, you are. The One.

Team #22Kill  Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. started the #22KILL movement in 2013 after learning about the staggering statistic that an average of 22 veterans are killed by suicide every day. HCC has committed to researching and understanding the genesis of this epidemic, and educating the general public on the issue. #22KILL is a platform to raise awareness not just towards veteran suicide, but also to the issues that can lead them to suicide; these issues stem primarily from mental health conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, and stresses of transitioning out of the military. The solution is veteran empowerment. One of the biggest challenges veterans face is finding a sense of purpose after service. #22KILL directly supports veteran empowerment programs that help veterans maximize their talents and understand their value outside of the military. #22KILL also continually provides support for other veteran organizations, community events...

I set out on an adventure today to find an arbor for my garden. This great arbor hunt started from a Facebook post in a community group I belong to, accompanied by some fantastic photos that really reeled me in. After my afternoon errands were finished, I headed to the edge of town and found a quaint farm. I expected to find some neat stuff because of the photos I had seen online, but what I hadn't expected to find was the truly enjoyable, relaxing peace that this farm held. Upon arriving, I met Brenda who was working on pricing and organizing her amazing collection she had amassed from traveling throughout the country. I had no qualms telling her what a fantastic picker she was! Brenda and I shared an easygoing conversation about topics from animals to children to death to God. In my humble opinion, when you meet someone who believes, it doesn't take long for you to recognize that in each other and begin speaking of God and His precious son. Brenda told me about some very ...