Dierks Bentley sings a song called, “What Was I Thinkin”. There’s a line in it, where he says, “I was thinkin bout a little white tank top sittin right there in the middle by me. I was thinkin bout a long kiss, man just gotta get goin where the night might lead…”

Well, it’s another tank top and shorts kind of day, here in Tennessee! That’s my favorite thing to wear. Either a tank top, or a sundress. Anything you wear when warm weather permits, is always my preferred choice. Summer is my season! I hate being cold. I’m in such a good mood, now that days are getting longer and warmer. The trees are blooming. Flowers are popping up. I love it! I spent the whole morning running errands, so I’m happy to be home, where I can enjoy this beautiful weather.

Our son got his baseball pictures back, yesterday. He looks SO grown!

Justin is coming over, this evening. We’re going to grill some steaks and play a few games of cornhole. The weather drops back down into 50s and 60s for the next several days, so we’re making the most of this last amazing day! I’m making a pasta salad, and some scalloped potatoes, to go along with the steaks.

It’s honestly so warm inside the house, I’m not sure how much housework I’m going to be doing, today. It’s 81 degrees, inside. It’s humid. I’m absolutely not complaining, and I’m certainly not about to turn on the AC, yet. I’m just saying it’s a little stuffy, which makes it kind of hard to get much done! I put off turning the AC on, every single year. I love to have windows open, letting fresh air inside. I love to be outside. I tolerate heat, way better than cold. Adam is just the opposite. In the winter, we argue over how warm I can set the thermostat. In the summer, we argue over how warm I can set the thermostat. 😆 I do 68 degrees, in winter. And, I do 78 degrees, in summer. Enough to cut humidity out of the air, but not cool enough it’s running constantly. Plus, I think we spend more time outdoors, when we’re not spoiled inside a house as cool as the freezer in a grocery store.

Mj was trying to play volleyball with her friend, yesterday. They only had a basketball, because Oliver has eaten all the other balls we had. I picked up a volleyball, so everybody can play, today. I also grabbed some ice cream cones. We’re going to have those after school, for a treat. I found a Twix ice cream bar, for Adam. I think he’ll definitely enjoy it, since Twix is his favorite candy.

I’ve only got a little more than an hour, until my kiddos get home. I suppose I should get something done. Jackie washed her bedding. I’m going to go hang it out, for her. I think I’ll go ahead and make the pasta and potatoes, so I don’t have to be inside cooking, when everybody’s hanging out, outside. Hopefully my good mood can be “contagious”, and y’all have a wonderful afternoon/evening, too!

~Percy Sledge

Listening to some oldies, now.

I just can’t with that little baby girl! She turns 3 months old, on Feb 25th. She’s already teething! She has been holding her head up from the day she was born. She reminds me of my daughter. She did everything early, too. She was saying “mama, dada”, “baba”(bottle), “caca” (cracker), and “hi” by 5 months old. She walked at 9 months, ran by 10 months.

A few years ago, we really considered another baby. I’d spent a couple years, before that, not so subtly hinting that I wanted another. Then, one night, Adam said to me, “If you really want to, let’s do it”. That’s when I walked that idea back. I hope I made the right choice. I think I did. I love being a mama, but I’m also enjoying this season of our lives. The kids are pretty self sufficient. We can play card games. They help with the chores. It’s been months since we’ve had our daughter climb into bed with us. She occasionally has a bad dream, gets sick, or thunder scares her. We get to sleep, all through the night. We can give our kids all the things they need, and a whole lot they want. I absolutely adore Pj! I just know, it’s easier when Adam tells me no, to having more babies. I know, if I truly wanted it, he would make it happen. He’s an amazing daddy. I think I’m content, though. I would like to get back into caring for foster children, one day. We had a baby boy for about a year and a half, about 8 years ago. We also took care of a 12 year old boy, for over a year, back in 2018. His parents had become homeless. He had no way to get to school, and didn’t have regular meals. We found out through some friends of friends, and offered to let him stay with us. I took him to school, everyday. We tried to give him some happiness. His parents were able to get back on their feet, and he’s with them now. I would definitely do that kind of thing, again.

Last night, Jackie and I were talking, in the kitchen. Adam came in, around 8:15pm, and wanted me to go shower with him. I asked him to wait a little longer. When it got to 9:30pm, he wasn’t waiting any longer. Jackie was worried I was going to be in trouble for messing around for so long. He wasn’t upset, though! If he didn’t want to wait on me, he would’ve just went in and showered, without me. When we finally did get in the shower, I was in a silly mood. We were laughing and goofing around. I ended up rolling my eyes, at Adam, which is why Jackie sent this to me…

The stubborn in me told him, it was worth it, after he slapped my butt for rolling my eyes. That wasn’t a good idea. It ended up costing me a much harder slap on my ass. He ain’t playin’ around, about me rolling my eyes. Just figured I’d mention this little “slip up”.

I’m making chicken sandwiches, for supper. I’ll make some French fries, to go with. It’s a good “summery” meal, since it’s so warm out.

Kiddos should be getting off their school bus, any minute now. I’m going to get some snacks ready for them. We’ve got grapes and apple slices, today.

“I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshiny day!”

~Jimmy Cliff

I’ve changed my outfit three times, today. I started off in pajama pants, that I put on when I got up. I changed into capri leggings, and t-shirt. I’m now in shorts and a tank top. It’s almost 80 degrees outside, and very sunny. It’s the south, so it’s also humid. My hair is even more out of control curly than usual, today. I love it, though!

I sat out on the deck, and drank coffee with Jackie, this morning. After she went to her place, to start her workday, I cleaned up the kitchen. I’ve been washing towels, and hanging them out on the deck, to dry. I swept the kitchen, entryway, and bathrooms. Then, I mopped them. The smell of lemongrass, after I’ve used my steam mop, is one of my favorite scents. I’m going to vacuum the living room, stairs, and my bedroom. Oliver is terrified of the vacuum, though. I decided to take a break, while he’s enjoying laying in the sun, before I bring out that scary vacuum cleaner.

Do y’all remember, awhile back, when I was fighting with our doctor’s office about a copay I knew I had paid? Well, I wound up paying them, again. Only because I didn’t want some stupid $25 bill to show up on our credit report. However, I continued to argue that it was already paid. And, guess what?

Jackie should be coming up for lunch, soon. I’m going to heat something up, and hang out with her, while she’s on her lunch break. I hope everyone is having as beautiful a day as I am!

You can’t ever break up with him. They’re like, best friends now!

Jackie just sent me these videos she took, from Saturday night. 😂

I swear, when we look through pictures, it looks like ALL we do is have fun!

~Thompson Square

When Adam first started to “pursue” me, I was very resistant to his efforts. Not in a mean way. I just wasn’t looking for a relationship. I honestly believed he wanted to have sex with me, and then he’d disappear. I wasn’t that kind of girl. He patiently stuck around. He’d bring movies and pizza over, to my place. He would play with my hair, while I laid on his shoulder. After months of having him consistently show up for me, I decided maybe I would like to kiss him? We were hanging out at his house. Jackie was there, with her boyfriend. We had a few other friends there, too. I walked away, to go get something, and Adam followed me. As soon as we were out of sight, I put my arms around his neck, and I kissed him. He asked me to stay the night with him, but I wasn’t ready for that. I think, in my mind, I still thought he would disappear, if I slept with him. Days later, I was drugged and raped, by an old coworker. Jackie and Adam were the first people to show up. Jackie stayed with me, in my townhouse. The one I was so proud to have gotten for myself. Adam brought me food. He worked on my car, changing the brakes, for me. He never tried to pressure me. I can’t predict what might’ve happened, had things not played out just the way they did. His buddies have suggested that Adam was attracted to the fact that I wouldn’t have sex, for so long. He wasn’t used to being turned down. Adam insists, he would’ve fallen in love, even if I’d have given in right away.

I cannot begin to imagine what my life would look like, without Adam. This man, who I repeatedly pushed away, is the love of my life. This man, who I “wasn’t interested in”, is my favorite person in the whole world. I’m so very grateful, that he saw something in me. Something that kept him coming back. The other day, I asked him when he knew he wanted to marry me? He told me he knew very quickly.

One day, he told me he was helping a friend move, but had actually taken Jackie and my sister, to help him pick out my engagement ring. We had been together for about a year, at that point. He spoke with my dad, before he popped the question. He asked me in front of my whole family. I honestly can’t remember what he said, but he got down on one knee, and nervously asked me to marry him. I cried, and said, “OF COURSE!” We were legally married, a month later. We’ve been “church married”, for 12 years, on March 26th.

We never told our family about our legal marriage, and we fully intended to give them a “real” wedding. Life happened, and we didn’t get it done, until 2 years later. Adam’s dad had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We wanted to make sure he was a part of our wedding. We planned everything, in just two and a half months. Warp speeded our whole wedding. Adam’s dad passed away the day before we were married, though. He made us promise to go through with our wedding, no matter what happened. We did. It’s a very very bittersweet memory. We didn’t go on our honeymoon. The day after our wedding, we began to make the arrangements for his father’s funeral. I’m glad we followed through, and got “church married”, despite all of the sadness around it. Saying our vows, in front of our family, friends, and God, is something we’ve taken very seriously. That is also when I took Adam’s last name. We didn’t realize what that would later mean to us, at the time, but it’s a big deal. We both began to seek out a relationship with Christ, shortly after all of this. Adam’s dad helped both of us to facilitate a real relationship, with God. I so wish his dad could see our babies. I wish that Adam could have that man still in his life, too.

We have been through so many challenges, but so many more blessings. I truly grow an even deeper bond, with Adam, as every new year, together, passes by. It’s funny, sometimes I miss our “youth”, but I also wouldn’t ever want to go back in time, because I know the progress we’ve made. We’ve overcome so much, together. We’ve celebrated so many successes, together. We really are each other’s “better half”.

Just realized something, this evening.

I had to text Adam, and tell him just how long it’s been, since the last time he seriously spanked my ass! I’m feeling proud!

“Today the world we live in, realness tends to wash and fade away. That’s why if you ain’t walking shit, then I don’t care for shit you say. I met the folks I idolize, and so far they’re some white ass lies. Just country faking good disguise, now tell me how that tends to fly. I’m on my southern rhyme twang, baby, come and roll with me. Backwoods as it gets and not the shit that you see on T.V. I’m talking Chevy C10, kicking up some brown rocks .30-06 with a cedar-stained wood stock…”

~Upchurch & Luke Combs

We have a name for tourists, when we see them on Broadway. You typically see several bachelorette parties, and we call them the “woo girls”. We don’t go downtown, to Broadway, very often. I think it’s been over 3 years, since we went to any Broadway bars. I do love seeing live music, but it’s always so darned crazy! Lots of drunk “woo girls”, and too many liquored up “tough guys”, acting like idiots.

The last time we went out, on Broadway, there were several members of our dominant 1% biker club there. Adam and I were standing outside, waiting for our Uber to pick us up. I didn’t see what was happening, but one of the bikers had walked up behind me, and as he went to put his arm around me, I suddenly saw Adam step over and holler, “WHOAAAA!” Let me say, I have absolutely nothing against bikers. I’m very much about living your life on your own terms, so long as you’re not harming anyone. I know enough about biker culture to know, had that guy stepped to Adam, the entire club would have joined in. Adam knows that, too. Still, he was going to protect me, whatever the risks. As it turned out, the guy held his arms up, apologized, and moved on. One of his buddies also approached Adam to apologize, and offered to buy him a beer. We declined that offer. To this day, remembering how unafraid Adam was, when it came to keeping me safe, is one of the most attractive memories I can recall.

I baked a loaf of chocolate chip bread, for Adam and the kids. I don’t particularly like much chocolate, but they love it.

I’ve gotten all the stuff around the house done. The sun decided to make an appearance. That helps! I opened a couple of windows, letting some fresh air inside. Adam had an appointment, with Google’s local headquarters, today. He calls that place “Fort Knox”, because they don’t allow your phone to be out. They check ID, and make him go through more security than a military base. It’s always cool to hear about the different places he sometimes ends up going to.

Pj is going to see the pediatric cardiology specialist on March 1. I’m so anxious to see what they have to say. I’m proud of my sister, for having the attitude she has, about it all. She said she thinks Pj’s hemangioma was a blessing, because they’d never have known about her heart, otherwise. It’s the same condition that so many young athletes die unexpectedly from. We don’t do EKG’s at well child visits, so it’s often undiagnosed.

Y’all, I have not so much as rolled my eyes at Adam, lately. My rebellious spirit seems to have quieted. She’s still in there, but not so loud, anymore. There’s a sense of peace and security to that. Adam’s got me, and I’m trusting that.

~BlackBerry Smoke

We were in bed by 9:30pm, last night. Adam went to work, but I could’ve slept in. Instead, I woke up, wide awake, at 5:45am. My school days alarm goes off at 5:41am. I always set alarms for times that don’t end in increments of 5 minutes. If I need to be up at 5:00am, I set my alarm for either 4:59, or 5:01. It drives Jackie crazy, but I have a weird thing about alarms. It’s just one of my “quirks”.

I’m doing lots of laundry, today. I kind of neglected my household stuff, this weekend. We had such a full, fun weekend, but I didn’t get much done around the house. I’m playing catch up, now. I’m making potato soup, for supper. I add diced ham to it, because Adam is a big “meat and potatoes” type of guy. He never once has complained about something I’ve cooked, but I still know his preferences, and I try to always keep them in mind.

I was listening to a podcast, earlier. They were discussing “intrusive thoughts”. He said, if you’re plagued by thoughts or memories of something that still haunts you from your past, the best way to help yourself, is to intentionally bring these things to your mind once in awhile. Think the memory through. Tell yourself what you can do to prevent this ever happening again. Remind yourself that you’re stronger and wiser, now. I thought that was neat advice. This is something that happens to me, occasionally. I can be going about my day, when I’m slapped with “intrusive thoughts” about an old trauma. I hadn’t ever heard this advice, but I did do something like that, after I was sexually assaulted. I told myself the story, sometimes. I reminded myself that I hadn’t done anything wrong. I didn’t deserve it. I remembered how I thought, felt, what I was wearing, all of the ways I had nothing to do with what happened to me. It helped me to get past it, too. I don’t really struggle, when it comes to that memory, anymore. I do still have some other issues that I might have to try to work through, using his advice.

I’ve got music playing, now. The dishwasher, washer, and dryer are all going. The kids must be recovering, from the busy weekend, because they slept in, and have been pretty quiet and lazy. I’m just letting them be. It’s about 65 degrees, outside, but it’s cloudy and dreary. That makes it extra hard to find motivation! I suppose I’ll go get the rest of my list checked off, before I get too sleepy from standing still. I’d like to vacuum and sweep and mop. We’ve had a lot of people in and out of our house, so the floors need a good cleaning.

If Heaven is anything like the last several days I’ve spent, with my family, I can’t wait. I wish I could bottle these times up, so I could drink them in anytime I wanted to.

We had family and friends over for burgers, brats, and hotdogs. Adam did a perfect job grilling them. We had some cucumbers soaked in vinegar, water, and onion. Jackie made some asparagus with lemon pepper and olive oil. We had macaroni salad. Jackie’s sister brought chips. I’m stuffed.

We played a few games of cornhole. Jackie, Justin, my sister, and her husband just left. They’re going bowling. We’re babysitting Pj. I held her, as we walked circles around the house. She fell asleep. Now Adam’s snuggling her.

Adam is working tomorrow, but nobody else has to get up for work or school. It has been such a fun weekend! I just bought a new pack and play crib, for the babies. We have Jackie’s niece and Pj over here so often, I decided I need to get one here. Adam was teasing me, because we donated our old one, right before we moved. I did not expect my sister to be having any babies, though! I just bought Pj a new bottle. She’s breastfed, so it can be a challenge to get her to drink from a bottle. I’d noticed, when we’ve had her, she might like a wider bottle neck. I spent about 45 minutes researching, and came up with one I thought she might like. It’s called “Comotomo”. We tried it, the other day, when my sister was here with her. She actually took right to it! I told Adam about how I’d got it for her. He’s always so fine with buying things for the kids and babies. He even turns the thermostat up, when the babies are here. If Jackie’s niece or Pj is here, he’ll quietly turn the heat up, for them.

I suppose I should get the kitchen cleaned up. I have a feeling we’re going to be ready for bed early, tonight. It’s bittersweet, having this weekend come to its end.