hashtag.......

I went on Pinterest tonight to create a board.  "Back to School for Mama".  Yes, I'm going back to school...and excited about it!!!

Everything I searched on Pinterest came up with ideas for being a mom sending your child to college, which is great, and we are sending a child to college this year, but what about me?  Where are ideas for 39 year old women headed back to school?  To finish the degree they didn't finish when they were youngER?  They got caught up partying in the 90's, had some fun, thought they figured it out, had a beautiful daughter, & didn't finish school?  Where's that funny pinterest card?  Where's that neat idea to pin to my board?

I searched "back to school mama", "mommy back to school", "back to college"...in retrospect, those clearly pulled up what they should.

I think this is what I like to call #whitegirlproblems.  Whatever you want to call it, I want to go back to college!

That plan, about to be working, was my excitement for the week...that and got my crazy pills adjusted.  Better dosage & I feel great.

Stephen got Brendan tonight, then got sushi for us, and came home with sushi dinner.  What a fun night...pillows on the floor, chopsticks, & listening now to our sons talking to each other, getting caught up.  Baby girl in bed & Bug is at her cousin's.

"The Conjuring" again, because it rocks.

Happy weekend, friends!

new day looked beautiful today!

As we navigate this parenting thing, we lived through a scary night last night as our oldest was in a car accident.  She is okay, thank goodness.  The other driver is okay, too, thank goodness.

We do everything we can to keep our kids safe and teach them right, and it is disorienting to know that there are some things that happen that we can't influence.  Like accidents.  We're so glad she's okay, and everybody was okay.

On the way home from the hospital, Stephen was involved in an accident.  A pedestrian stepped out in front of him, we think drunk, and he hit him.  I've never seen my husband as shaken as he was last night.  The man got up, wouldn't accept help from Stephen, and apologized for hitting his car!  Stephen stopped, got out, and tried to help him.  Tried to call an ambulance.  The man wouldn't let him, and left.  I looked at Stephen's car this morning and there is damage.  Stephen, and our youngest son and youngest daughter, all saw this, and nobody slept well.  We think the man was intoxicated, but it doesn't matter.  Stephen didn't do anything wrong, but it doesn't matter.  He still is seeing that image and worrying about that man.  He called HCSO when he got home and reported it, and we have no way of knowing that the man is okay.  No news is probably good news here, as we would've heard if he went to the hospital because Stephen reported it.

I called my mom immediately, crying.  I had a scary experience with our child, and then she had one with her son-in-law.  So funny how you always want your mom.

We're left to wonder if the man is okay.  I hope so.  Please pray for him.  And please pray for my husband and children, as they deal with those images.

It's probably not just a parenting thing, but a being a human thing.  Don't we all just want each other to have love and give love?  And not get hurt...and do the right thing.  I know we did.  I know, but it still is sobering.

fists pounding, feet stomping, ugliest face

I had a temper tantrum this morning, and am using my blog briefly to explode so I can calm back down and act like a grownup.  If you don't want to see a middle aged white woman act like a crazy bitch, click the little "x" at the top of the tab now.

Dear HOA of the neighborhood we rent in a house in,

Fuck you.  You, and others like you, have too much power.  I'm sure that if we knew somebody, or had a friend in your sad, ridiculous exclusive little circle of power hungry assholes, we would not have had to pay the almost $200 it cost to get my teenage daughter's car out of tow.  No note, no knock on the door, you see the car every fucking day in the driveway, so you know it belongs to somebody that lives here and isn't unauthorized.  Fuck you and the over-sized, overpriced SUV you rode in on.  

We will be moving out of this neighborhood (thank goodness) in less than a year, and I will be giggling, full of delight, as we pull out of here for the last time.

By the way, this neighborhood is nice......but it isn't that nice.  There are foreclosures every third or fourth house, the houses are way too close together, all look alike, and, quite frankly, this neighborhood is overrated.  I feel anxious and claustrophobic in this neighborhood.  To the neighbors that like this neighborhood, I apologize if that offends you.  It's just not my style, and I'm grateful that we are renting.

HOA nazis - next time you're speeding through the neighborhood in your monster sized gas sucking off road that never goes off road vehicle and speed over a speed bump, spilling your frapuccino all over you, while you cuss into your bluetooth, I'll be laughing.

Sincerely,

The bitch that lives 10 houses down from the newest neighbor, the sex offender

cleaning can suck it

I don't like to clean.  I don't like it.  It doesn't like me.  That being said, I rolled my ass out of bed this morning, had breakfast, and went to my cousin's apartment to help him clean it for the walk through this weekend, as he's moving.  I hope he knows how much I love him.

By the way, if you're reading this, cuz, I cranked your a/c way down while I was cleaning.  Expect a little change in your electric bill.

His move is reminding me, as if we need a reminder, but still, that life is about change.  Stuff doesn't always go the way we think it will, or want it to.  Roll with it, go with the flow, all those sayings.....they're, well, true.  If we paralyze ourselves, we don't move forward.  And forward is the only to go, y'all.  Fear can get us stuck...comfort...but sometimes you have to do uncomfortable things to make your life more.....well, a life.

So, as much as I'll miss him, I know he needs to move on from where he was.  He'll be back.  His favorite cousin is here.  (Me).

And now, we will all descend on the Kennedy Compound & have dinner with him...he's not going far, but it's worth a baked ziti, and the calories, to let him smile as he moves from Brandon...for now.  He'll be back...his favorite cousin is here.

Not logging myfitnesspal tonight.  

yep, it's time for my red chevy silverado

I drive a silver minivan.  Our old minivan had bunches of stickers all over the windows, courtesy of our youngest.  Easily identifiable.  The new one has its ways of being identifiable as well, but sometimes blends in.  I went to Sweetbay today for three items.  I did well - only got those three items.  I purposely parked on the outskirts of Sweetbay, making it easier for me to get to the highway to get our son from school.  I don't normally park there.  As I was leaving, I headed to a lane I would normally park in.  I walked all the way up to a van that looked very much like mine, hitting the "beep beep" unlock thing on my key, and tried to open the door.  The lady that was sitting there couponing nearly shit her pants.  She yelled, "YOU SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!!!"  I was laughing, and couldn't stop laughing.  I said, "I am so sorry!  Your van looks just like mine!"  and I laughed.  And laughed.  She said, "It's okay", and I could see her shaking.  I laughed as I searched the parking lot for my van.

If I had a red Chevy Silverado this wouldn't happen as often.  Hint hint nudge nudge.

What a week...germ infestation took over this whole week.  Finally felt able to work out yesterday and I think I overdid it.  Yes, spin class.  Vagina not hurting as bad as it did last week.  Went to the Y today, too, and got on the treadmill.  More laid back workout for my vagina.

I have like 800 calories left AND I've had two glasses of Pinot Grigio.  If I don't eat, I'm..........  #winning

Lindsey?

I went to spin class yesterday for the first time in months...yes, my vagina hurts.  It felt good to be back at it, though.  I love spin, and have been bad about making time for it.  It kicks my ass, for sure, but it's a great workout.  FINALLY put my bike "setup" in my phone so I'll know where to set it next time.  Good to know the 'Express" class kicks your ass harder than the regular class because you don't get the breaks...good to know.  Good to know.

The instructor asked me my name, I introduced myself (she was awesome)...and then I was introduced to the class as Lindsey.  That's a first...never been called Lindsey.  That made me laugh...inside.  I remembered my inside face & voice.  My bestie would be proud.

So, today, with an aching vagina, I took the kids to school, had a doctor appointment, got a flu shot, bought birthday presents for our great niece and one of my favorite people's son, went to Walmart (ugh), took our oldest to have lunch with our youngest at the elementary school, went to Publix, argued with my daughter (I did GREAT today...yay me!  I let her have her say), helped with band uniforms at the middle school (fittings and ironing - you should've seen me.  Stephen would've needed privacy), and school pickups.

I now sit with a glass of Pinot Grigio and don't plan to move much.  Pizza ordered, kids relaxing.

Friday, bitches.

blessed

bless·ed

blest,ˈblesid/

adjective

1. 1.

   made holy; consecrated.
2. 2.

   informal

   used in mild expressions of annoyance or exasperation.

   "there wasn't a blessed thing anybody could have done"

noun

1. 1.

   those who live with God in heaven.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   I was thinking about how blessed I am, and decided to Google "blessed".  No, I didn't mean holy or consecrated...didn't mean annoyed or exasperated.  Didn't mean living in Heaven.  Apparently I was completely incorrect in my understanding of the definition of "blessed".

   
   

   Then I started thinking, "Man, I wish we would've invested in Google".  Then I realized my mind wanders.  I mean, I knew this, but boy have I done it a lot lately.  

   
   

   Having said that, today is Global Pulmonary Fibrosis Day.  My dad passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis October 18, 2010.  Awareness is important.  If you don't know what it is, and are looking for a cause to support, I tell you, my friends, this is one you can support...research, cures, all of it.  There is no cure, there isn't enough research.  

   
   

   Blessings...I'm so thankful for every second that my dad got to be my dad.  I'm so grateful for my children's relationships with him.  And I'm so grateful that he loved my mom to the end of the earth and beyond.  

   
   

   Don't really care what the definition is - I know God touched our family when he gave us our dad.  God touched me when he gave me my family.  And for this, I am thankful.  Thank you, God.