happy birthday to my mama

I had customers today who reminded me that arguing over little shit isn't important.  They were arguing over who would get their dad's truck.  I was uncomfortable, working & trying to act like I didn't hear them arguing over a truck.  Money...it was about money.  Made me sad.  I hope my family & friends know how much I love them.

Then, customers that were talking about the strangest things in front of me...then one mentioned that they need to get more banana chips.  Right then, the other one asked if I had a trash can.  Yes, I do, I told him...he handed me a banana chip.  Food.  He handed me food not wrapped.  I couldn't get to the hand sanitizer fast enough after they left.  People make me smile mostly.  :)

My car overheated again...put water in the reservoir & it overheated on the way home.  I just had a radiator put in, so the mechanic is going to be seeing my van tomorrow.  If you see a middle aged woman with a van stranded between Mango and Valrico tomorrow, stop & help a sister out.

Happy birthday to my mama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My mama is 68 years old today...and the best mom in the world and the most beautiful mom in the world!!!!!!!!!  Hoping to drink too much wine and eat cake this weekend.  :)  This is the best part of my day - my mama is here and loves me and we're going to celebrate her when my kids are back...I love you mom!!!!!!!!!!!

Now some t.v. and laundry.  I live life on the edge & everything...  :)

3 day weekends rock

Winter is here & B-Town is cold.  If you know me, you know I don't like being cold.  Sucking it up and wearing long sleeves and sweaters and socks and boots and my nails look horrible and my cuticles are dry and the sky and plants seem down because it's cold.  I feel more down when it's cold, I don't blame the sky & plants.

Got a 3 day weekend for Martin Luther King, Jr. day and it was a really good weekend. My boyfriend & I watched football, soccer, football, hockey, "Ted 2", & old t.v.  Crock potted all weekend and made some great dinners...wings and little smokies in BBQ sauce...pulled pork with yellow rice & black beans...BBQ chicken with macaroni & cheese...tonight I am thanking Publix deli for dinner and watching the Lightning game.  Go Lightning!!!!!!!!

Because of the 3 day weekend, work was crazy today from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  No stopping.  All of my customers were nice, though, & I had a good day.  

Laundry going, garbage out, pajamas on.  Have a good night y'all!!!!!!

learning about me

I'm learning more about myself the last few days.  Some I like & some I don't like as much.  I guess that's where we make ourselves better or work on ourselves?  Being aware of where you know you can be better?

I've been trying for awhile to be somebody I can like & love and I'm doing a lot better at it, but I still find places I can be better...it's hard not to see that as a good thing instead of a failure.  Sometimes I feel alone and other times I know I have lots of love around me & for me.  I know that more than I feel alone, but the times I feel alone stink & want to be louder than what I know.  It's work every day to remind myself I'm worth liking myself.  It shouldn't be...why do I have to work so hard at liking myself?  I'm doing better, and I'm proud of myself...it's one of those questions that I ask...why didn't I like myself to start with?

There's my brain at the moment.  And now I'll lighten it a little and say my other daughter is home!!!!!!!!!  Kirsten came over with Jen, and Kirsten, Jen, Rachel, my mama, my sissy, my sister by heart, & I had brunch and got caught up.  So cool to see her...so glad to see her!!!!!!!!  I can't believe they're grownups...what?????  :)

Football on since 4:00 p.m.  Bucs aren't in it so I yawned and turned on the game...  :)  Just joking...I love to watch good football  I love it more when the Bucs are in it.....next year  :)  Ham and butter beans for dinner...I think the kids may be hammed out since Christmas but it was on sale so..........  :)  My boyfriend's dad came and helped me set up my dryer & I'm doing laundry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I didn't think I'd ever be so excited to be doing laundry.  :)

In true west central Florida style, it went from 89 degrees to almost 50 degrees today & is cold tonight.  And will be all week.  If you know me you know I'm not jumping up and down about that.  We have blankets and socks...we'll be okay  :)  This Florida girl is ready for some beach time with her bestie...

peas for dinner

GNR announced their tour...told you so!!!!!!!!!  Trying to figure out what shit I'm going to sell to go............  :)  Waiting to hear from Axl which seats he's reserving for me......  :)

My mom brought my dad's recliner down to use until I have couches, and ever since it's been here, I've fallen asleep in it every time I sat in it...not sure if it's because I'm tired or because it's dad's.  Many a remote control holding snoring don't let go of the remote control times happened in that recliner!!!!!  :)

So I slept in the recliner last night...don't feel bad for me.  It was a good night's sleep.  Woke up in time to get ready for work and get to work early.  Back in my van, rockin' like a fucking rockstar in my minivan...

Went grocery shopping tonight & officially have no money.  The budget I'm working on makes me laugh.  It's good to laugh.

Being by myself is becoming easier...by myself like I'm the only one in the house to talk to and it's me talking to me...some days I'm saying don't tug on my cape...other days I'm looking for my cape...it's always on.  I'm learning that.

feels good

My car broke down and is now fixed.  The water was turned on a day late, but it's turned on.  The pool has a lot of work to be done, but I know what I need to do.  All because of family and friends.  Thank you to my mama & my boyfriend's mom for your help with my car, the water, and the pool.  I don't adult as good as I should and y'all help me :)

Leftovers for dinner standing by my kitchen counter.  Straight out of paper towels and napkins.  Eating over the sink makes that not as big a deal.  :)  Was going to do laundry but it's cold and I got home at like 8:30 p.m.  Tomorrow night maybe.....in West Central Florida style, I was cold as heck today and tomorrow won't be as cold.  I'll still be cold because I'm a Florida girl, but it won't be as cold.  :)

We've been in our new home for a month today.  Mandy's House of Madness & Music.  I love it as much as I did Dec. 5.  Feels good to come home  :)

Kennedy Christmas

In Kennedy style, Christmas was today at the Kennedy Bullpen...all the food y'all ate a couple of days ago we were eating today.  And a lot of it.  And I brought food home which I'm not sure how that happened...laughter, love, & hugs...sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, cousins, grandmas...missing my dad so much, but I know he was there.

Reminded so much today about what family is just by watching the love.  I feel so fortunate to grow up knowing what true love is.......and I won't forget it.

House full of crazy cousins tonight...and I wouldn't want it any other way.....my crazy family I love you.

been a little while

Moved into our home December 5 with the help of some amazing people.  Got Internet & tv last week...now you know why I haven't blogged.  :)  Computer was up, but in 19 year old's room for the first week or two & is now in my office.  :)

I had Internet and tv service before I had a tv.  I had a tv stand before I had a tv.  Thank you to amazing friends and their parents.  And now I have a tv thank you to my bestie.  Kids rooms are pretty much set up, I have a kitchen with dishes, and had friends over this weekend.  We watched "Christmas Vacation" on my tv in chairs from my patio.  We had too many snacks, lots of good music, lots of laughter, and hugs.  Before that, went to a Christmas party with someone special to me, and had a good time there.  An awesome Saturday night.

With so much to be grateful for this year, I'm thinking about how much beautiful is in my life.  And Christmas is a good time to think about it.  Think about it all year, yes, but especially now.  A time for change and growth for me, for love and bumps in the road and successes and fuckups.

I promise myself to be the best Mandy that I can be.  And to love me.  And know I'm on this earth for a reason...and I think it's to be kind and love and make smiling contagious...life is beautiful, y'all