Every Monday, we complain the weekend went too fast. It feels like we blink, and we’re saying, tomorrow’s Friday again, though! Jackie and I were just talking about that. Can’t believe it’s almost another weekend!

That big ol’ bruised thumb there, is from attempting to block Adam’s hand from connecting with my behind, last night. Not wise. I know better. He had held my arms out of the way, and swatted me a few times. We were just getting ready to take our shower, and after he’d spanked me, I was kind of ignoring him. He said something to me, and my response was snarky. He spun me around, to face him, and knowing what was coming, I threw my hand behind me. My finger is fine, just swollen and bruised.

I had text Adam, yesterday evening, shortly before he got home from work. I had to find out what was coming.

We had supper, and a normal evening. When Adam told me he was ready to go take a shower, I figured that’s when I’d be answering to him. I figured right. If I would’ve kept my mouth shut, and then, if I hadn’t have reached my hand back, I’d be perfectly fine. He really wasn’t grumpy with me. It just took me a little too long to let go of my own attitude…

Adam’s had a good week. He’s getting a pretty big award, for his work. I’m very proud of him!

It’s cooler, today. Only mid 60s, and mostly been cloudy. It stormed, last night. We got lots of thunder and lightning. It rained hard, for awhile.

I haven’t gotten a whole lot done, today. I baked some chocolate chip cookies, yesterday. Haven’t baked anything today, though. I put on some cute jeans, that make my butt look good. I did my hair and makeup. I’ve done all my regular chores. Pick up the house, make the beds, clean the kitchen. I’m making the tater tot casserole for supper, tonight.

It was Oliver’s second birthday, yesterday! He got some extra treats, a lot of love and games of tug of war with us, plus Mj and I took the dogs for an over 2 mile walk. Oliver has his appointment to get fixed, coming up. After many conversations with our vet, we’d decided to wait on that. For bigger dogs, it can be better for them, to let them finish growing, before getting them neutered. Studies suggest that it helps with their bones and joint health. He’s 2 now, so it’s time to get it done. I already got him a soft cone, kind of like a neck pillow, because he would go crazy if he had to wear one of those big ol’ “cones of shame”.

Justin waited in line, this morning, for almost 4 hours. He was trying to get us all tickets to Morgan Wallen’s impromptu concert, tomorrow night. He was SO close, too!! They ran out of tickets, just before he got up there. It was so sweet of him to try that hard for us, though!

After tomorrow, the kids are on Spring Break, for a whole week. Justin, Jackie, Adam, and I are planning to play some cornhole, this weekend. We’re deciding what we all want to BBQ. The kids voted for chicken. I’m good with whatever. Anything Adam grills is delicious!

That’s about all I know, for today.

They did an echocardiogram, and met with the specialist. Pj is GREAT! That makes me sooo happy! I just wanted to let all my readers who’ve been following along know, we got some great news, today ❤️

Yesterday evening, Justin came over and hung out with us. Jackie got the flowers he had ordered for her. They’re beautiful!

We had a great time, just sitting around, talking about everything and nothing, at the same time. Jackie and I wanted to stay up, a little bit longer, so she asked Justin to keep Adam entertained.

We went to bed, around 10:30pm. Adam was tired, but I still got laid. As we were laying in bed, I rolled my eyes, after Adam had said something. He caught me. We’d just been teasing and laughing, seconds earlier. I didn’t like how serious, and grumpy he got. Then, he accused me of doing it again. But, I hadn’t, that time! He said, “That’s two.” It made me mad, so I said, “Fine, then I’m gonna do it again”, and I looked right at him, glared, and rolled my eyes. He said, “That’s three”. That’s when I really lost my shit. I told him, “Ya know what? Fine. Fuck it…Fuck it. Fuck off. And, fuck you.” That’s when Adam informed me that tomorrow, when he gets home, he’s going to give me a spanking. He was calm, but I was frustrated. I said, “Whatever”. He said, “You say that tonight, but about 2:00 tomorrow afternoon, I’m going to get a text from you asking questions, trying to figure out if you’re still in trouble.”

Dammit if he wasn’t right… It’s not 2:00 yet, but I’m wondering whether he was serious serious, or maybe he forgot? Should I say anything? Should I just keep quiet, since he’s expecting me to be questioning him, now? I was in such a good mood, yesterday! It was just something about Adam’s smug tone of voice, that set me off. We’d gone from joking around, to serious, in seconds. There are plenty of times, when I know and accept that I’ve screwed up. Last night, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be in trouble. Well, not until I really went off the rails, and told him exactly what I thought, and where he could go. That crossed the line. I do accept that much. I regret the way I handled myself. If I’d have just calmly spoken to him, and told him what was frustrating me, that would’ve made a world of difference. I have done a much better job of containing my attitude, when my brain wants to go full bitch mode. I didn’t do so good, last night, though.

I felt Adam give me a kiss, before he left. He’s replied to my texts, and seems fine. I haven’t brought up what happened, last night.

It’s another beautiful day, here. Sunny, and around 80 degrees. I’ve got our bedding hanging out to dry, on the deck. Another neighbor was outside cutting his grass, so the whole house smells like fresh cut grass and clean laundry. They’re calling for thunderstorms, later this evening. I’m going to take the dogs on another walk, after Jackie’s lunch break. I like to sit on the deck, and eat lunch with her.

My sister, her husband, and baby Pj are on their way to Vanderbilt children’s. Pj is going to see the pediatric cardiologist specialist, today. I’m really anxious to find out what he has to say!

“The longer I live, the more I believe, you do have to give if you want to receive. There’s a time to listen, and a time to talk. And, you might have to crawl, even after you walk. Had sure things blow up in my face. Seen the long shot win the race. Been knocked down by the slamming’ door. Picked myself up and came back for more. Life’s a dance. You learn as you go. Sometimes you lead. Sometimes you follow. Don’t worry ‘bout what you don’t know. Life’s a dance. You learn as you go.”

~John Michael Montgomery

I often tell Adam, I can’t know what I don’t know. I suppose that’s how I’ve lived, all my life. People tell me, I always insist on learning things “the hard way”. I know I’m prone to taking chances. I’m careful about things I’ve learned better about. I’m responsible with money. I don’t ever put my children at risk. For myself, I can be kind of a risk taker. There’s this need to know, what if, that speaks so loudly to me. I need to find out, for myself. It’s like I’ve fallen so many times, I’m not particularly afraid of it anymore. I’m not sure whether it’s stupidity, courage, or maybe a mixture? I guess, it’s just who I am.

While there have been a series of unfortunate events, and people, who’ve failed me horribly, I mostly have been blessed to have people I know will be there, if I fall. If I make a mistake, there are people who I can count on. They will help me back up, onto my feet. Of course, I’d do the same for them! I love “my people” fiercely.

I automatically give “ my people” the benefit of doubt, until there’s irrefutable evidence to the contrary. I might view the rest of the world through skeptical eyes, but not “my people”. I pretty much expect the world is lying to me. Not “my people”, though. That can be devastating to me, when that deep trust gets broken. Despite being beaten down before, I always have faith in the people I love. It isn’t a half faith, either. It’s all in. This might be the risky side of me? It’s how I operate. If you’re in my circle, you’ve got my utmost trust. When that’s been tested, even in small ways, it shakes me. It’s hard for me to ever believe anyone I love would lie to me.

I’m not anywhere near perfect. I have told “half truths”. I do, what Adam calls, “sidestep”, sometimes. I always tell on myself, though. I can’t stand knowing I haven’t told the entire truth to someone I love. I’m not a liar. I absolutely can’t do that. I’ve lived this out for so long, “my people” always trust what I tell them. Having their trust is what keeps me honest. I won’t betray it. I’m a horrible liar. Even when it’s a silly thing, like a surprise, my ears turn beat red if I have to tell a fib, to keep the surprise a secret. So long as nobody specifically asks me about it, I can keep quiet. If I’m questioned, though, it’s game over.

Justin ordered flowers, for Jackie. He text me, and asked me to keep an eye out for them. I haven’t said a word about that surprise, to Jackie!

I’ve been paying my sister’s mobile phone bill, for almost 3 years, now. I finally gathered the courage to tell her, she’s going to have to do her own thing. She’s married. I really shouldn’t have to feel responsible for her bills. When our mother disappeared, my sister had been on her phone plan. When that got cut off, I invited her to get on mine. She was supposed to pay for her part of the bill, but it never happened. I’ve spent over $3,000 paying for her iPhone and Apple Watch bills. I told her, I’ll pay off what’s left of her iPhone, so she can keep it. She can take it and do whatever she wants with it. I can get a new phone, a new watch, and still spend less than I’ve been paying for hers and mine together. That was hard for me to do, though. I love my sister. I feel a responsibility toward her, beings I’m the “older”, sister. Adam never complained about her being under my phone plan, but I think it’s past time to give her the opportunity to “adult”, for herself. I love her to death, but it isn’t fair for Adam and I to be taking care of my married, grown sister’s bills. Even though I know all of these things I’m saying are true, I still felt guilty and nervous to tell her. She took it better than I’d worried she might. Thank goodness!

I think I’m going to go take the dogs for a walk, now that I’ve got all my “to do’s” checked off the list. It’s gorgeous, today! 72 degrees, sunny, and zero wind blowing. We heard someone cutting their grass, awhile ago. We also noticed our neighbor’s AC cut on, while Jackie and I sat on the deck, during her lunch break. I think it feels perfect. Lots of windows open, and the house is just right.

“Don’t blink. ‘Cause just like that, you’re 6 years old and you take a nap. Then you, wake up and you’re 25, and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife. Don’t blink. You just might miss your babies growing like mine did…”

I remember dancing with my son, Wyatt, when he was a little baby. This song specifically takes me back to those memories. I loved to dance with my babies. I always have music playing. I’d hold my babies, in my arms, and dance with them, until they fell asleep. Then, I’d keep dancing, because I so wanted to hang onto that moment. This song always got to me, because it’s so true. You wake up, and he’s 13…

The kids will be on Spring Break, next week. We’re going to go visit Adam’s mom, at the end of that week. March 18th, we’ve got a guitar night, at Poppy’s, planned. In April, we’re going to Florida, for a family vacation. Justin and Jackie are coming along, too. We’ve got some fun stuff coming up!

It’s sunny and warm again, today. The birds are singing. The trees are all starting to get green. Mosquitos are coming back to life, because I’ve gotten bit up, the last week or so.

I’m fixing my taco lasagne for supper, tonight. I’m planning to clean all the main floor bathrooms, and wash the kids bedding. It was rainy and crappy, on Sunday, so I waited until I knew it would be sunny and warm, so I can hang their blankets and sheets out. Earlier, Jackie helped me pull my stove out, so I could clean under and behind it. Kind of doing the “spring cleaning” thing, now! I need to run to the store, again. We need coffee, laundry detergent, and sour cream. I forgot to grab sour cream, for tonight’s supper. I swear, the minute I bring home groceries, I’m starting a new list of things we need…It never ends!

I’m going to grab myself one more cup of coffee, sit out on the deck, and then get myself ready to go to the store. I want to get that done, so I can be home when Jackie is on her lunch break. We want to sit out on the deck, and enjoy the weather. 😊

I don’t think I’ve shared this recipe, yet. I’m planning to make this, later this week. All you need is

A bag of frozen tater tots

1 pound ground beef or turkey

2 cans of sweet corn

2 cans of creamed corn

Velveeta (or your choice) cheese

Brown the ground beef. Shred the cheese. Mix corn, cheese, and ground beef in a 9×13 casserole dish. Top with a layer of tater tots. Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes.

And we have another very simple, filling, and yummy supper 😊

“We’re up when the rooster crows
Clock in when the whistle blows
Eight hours ticking slow
And then tomorrow we’ll do it all over again”

“I’m a member of a blue collar crowd
They can never, nah they can’t keep us down
If you gotta, gotta label me, label me proud”

“I belong to the drinking class
Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs
If you’re one of us, raise your glass
I belong to the drinking class”

“We laugh, we cry, we love
Go hard when the going’s tough
Push back, come push and shove
Knock us down, we’ll get back up again and again”

“I’m a member of a good timing crowd
We get rowdy, we get wild and loud
If you gotta, gotta label me, label me proud”

“I belong to the drinking class
Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs
If you’re one of us, raise your glass
I belong to the drinking class”

“We all know why we’re here
A little fun, a little music, a little whiskey, a little beer
We’re gonna shake off those long week blues
Ladies, break out your dancing shoes
It don’t matter what night it is, it’s Friday
It’s Saturday and Sunday
I just want to hear you say
I just want to hear you sing it
Y’all sing it with me”

“We belong to the drinking class
Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs
If you’re one of us, raise your glass
We belong to the drinking class”

~Lee Brice

Jackie is starting to develop some real love, for Justin. It makes me so happy to see her this happy! He is amazing, to her. He’s become a great friend, to Adam and I. They’re planning to go meet his family, in Wyoming, this summer. Justin told Adam, if all keeps going this well, he wants to propose when they get back. It’s incredible, how when you find “your person”, everything just works. All of the pieces start to come together, and it’s such a beautiful thing to see happen for my best friend.

We have plans, for summer. We’re all going to get a 4 seater side by side, that we can take out driving, together. Jackie and Justin want to find a house in our subdivision. We have quickly all become great friends, and I believe it will stay this way. I can’t describe how excited I am, that Jackie has found Justin, and that we have all grown to be such close friends. Adam enjoys hanging out, with Justin. He gets silly, and laughs. They can do their own thing, while Jackie and I do ours, and we all have fun. We can all hang out together, and have the best times, too. The lives of every one of “my people”, have grown and changed in the most beautiful ways. This last year has brought an unbelievable amount of blessings to me, and to all the people I love. My sister got married, and had a beautiful baby girl. My dad met the sweetest woman, who we all love as family now. Everyone is healthy, and happy, and we’ve all had some wonderful things come to us. I’m taking a moment to celebrate how amazing that is. How lucky I am. How thankful I am. I honestly have never felt this deep sense of peace, like I do lately. God is so good. ❤️

“I’m in a hurry to get things done. Oh I rush and rush until life’s no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die, but I’m in a hurry and don’t know why…”

~Alabama

It was only supposed to be low 70s, today. It’s 80 degrees outside, right now. It started off cloudy and rainy, but the sun came out, around 10:00am. It’s windy, but it’s a warm wind. I’m loving it!

I had to grab a few things from the store, this morning. I’ve got a couple loads of laundry done, wiped down all the kitchen counters. I cleaned out the sink, the stove and oven, and wiped down the fronts of all the appliances. I swept, vacuumed, and mopped. Now, I’m taking a break. Decided to come sit on the deck, and enjoy the warm sunshine.

I’m making meatball sub sandwiches, for supper. I have some frozen Italian meatballs, ready to go. All I have to do is heat them up. I cook them in the pasta sauce, on the stove. We put the meatballs and some sauce inside sub rolls, and top with mozzarella cheese. I’m going to make onion rings, to go with.

Most every morning, I send Adam a picture of Oliver passed out, in our bed. He sleeps in his kennel, at night, but he always goes for a nap on our bed, after the kids leave for school.

I suppose I’ll go back inside, and get back to work. I want to make some muffins, for the kids. They like to eat them, for breakfast. This way, I’ll have some ready for them to eat, tomorrow morning. They’ll be getting home, in about an hour. I frosted some graham crackers, with cream cheese frosting in the middle, for them to have for snack. I need to get more fruit. I sometimes make this fruit dip. It’s just one part marshmallow fluff to one part cream cheese. Mix together well, and you can dip grapes, apples, pineapple chunks, strawberries…anything you like. It’s delicious!

Whether we’re having a guitar night at Poppy’s, going out driving around, looking for dirt roads to explore, playing cornhole or ping pong, or just standing around in my kitchen, we always laugh and have a great time. I think that’s an amazing thing, to have people who I can be silly and share laughter with. I’m just thinking about how blessed I am. I love “my people” so much.

We’ve had another awesome weekend. We’re already making plans for a ping pong night, next weekend. Tomorrow, it’s back to the “grind”. I’m feeling so happy, though. I’m so grateful for these people around me, my family, and friends who are family.

I haven’t had a bad day, for a good while. I haven’t been in trouble, with Adam, in a good while. I know it makes my writing a little less intense, but I’m loving it. We share much more joy than sadness, in our home. There’s way more sweet, than sour. I haven’t felt this “light”, in a very long time. Sharing the silly, the fun, the good here, rather than just the hard stuff, has really helped me to recognize how many more good days I have, than bad.

Well, we ended up going to the pink elephant, last night. It was a lot of fun, though! We also drove backroads around the “Bell Witch” caves. We didn’t stay out as long as the last time. We were in bed by midnight.

Adam and Justin had a great time, too! We were jamming to songs from the 50’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s.

The weather is cloudy, again. It’s low 60s, but I miss the sunshine. I’m making chili dogs tonight, for supper. Adam’s going to grill some hotdogs and brats. I have chili, nacho cheese, and jalapeños we can pile on top of them.

I’m sitting in the kitchen, with Jackie. We’ve been looking through pictures and videos. We’ve had so many fun times, just since January! It’s fun to look back at all the memories we’ve made. Justin fits right into our crazy, too. It’s awesome.