Blog Challenge: Day 21: Something I Miss

I mostly miss my childhood. Being footloose and fancy free. You know, back in the good old days. Before cell phones, computers, internet, 1,000 cable channels, DVR's, all that technological jumble-fuck that has infiltrated our society and pretty much turned us to shit.

Life was simpler then. When we were bored, we went outside and played. If we went somewhere, you would hear from us when we got back. There was no keep in touch 24/7, no telling the world what you were doing, when you were doing it, how you were doing it and how long you would be doing it for, no instant messaging, no status updates, tweets or instagram photos. Cameras took this really archaic stuff called FILM, not a memory card. You couldn't load your pictures on a computer and edit them, you had to take them to a photo lab and get them developed. No editing there either, you either took good pictures, or you sucked. There was no happy medium. Letters were a form of communication. LETTERS. You know, the things you used to do when you wanted to talk to someone far away but didn't quite have the money for that long distance call?? Paper, pen, envelope, stamp. HANDWRITING. I know, odd, not normal, how old fashioned!

How ironic that I am posting all of this HERE, in the mighty, mighty blogosphere for all of the world to read. Just as soon as I hit that post button.

I miss the simplicity. Unless something catostrophic happens, I won't have as much simplicity as I would like, unless of course, I go off grid. Maybe I will one day. Maybe.

Potatin' on for the rest of my day!!

Enjoy yours :)

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 20: Where I Want To Be In 10 Years

This challenge has turned out to be rather loaded. Loaded with all kinds of ammunition. Whatever, moving forward. 

I have so much that I want to do with my life. 10 years is not that far away. Actually, it will be here before I know it. 

Within 10 years I can see myself right where I want to be. Living on my family compound, with my parents, my sister & brother in law, my niece, my kiddos, maybe a new husband if I am blessed enough to be granted one. Acres and acres of cleared land, wooded land, a stocked lake, sheds, chickens, maybe some livestock, learning to hunt, clean the things I kill, properly cook them, use their hides. You know, I'll turn into a real country redneck girl. I'll wear blue jeans and t shirts (wow, so different from my normal wardrobe today), ballcaps, maybe a cowboy hat, boots, sneakers, but make no mistake, flip flops will abound in my compound. Even though my family compound will be far inland, I will make sure that I make it back to the coast. One annual trip to the beach. Sand must be between my toes at least once a year. I was born and raised at the oceanfront. Saltwater runs in my veins. I will have a big old farm truck, painted pink. Just because. I will have lots of purple flowers. All different kinds. I will can, preserve, cook, fuck shit up, laugh, be happy, love, and continue my awesomeness. Because let's be honest, even when I am 10 years older, I will STILL be amazing and awesome and someone that everyone wants to be part of. Just a true statement, true story. Life. I can't wait to get to living the rest of mine!!!

Potatin' the rest of my day away!!

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 19: My Worst Habits

Hang on to your seats, cuz this is gonna be one hell of a blog.

I have a lot of bad habits. Shall I list them?

1. Smoking: Nasty little habit, however, it prevents me from becoming homicidal, so, tobacco will continue to be my friend.
2. Cursing: Can't really fucking stop that shit, now can I? It's just too damn hard. Been doing it too damn long. It is what it fucking is. Like it or don't. I don't fucking care.
3. Taking too much shit: That's pretty self explanatory. I take too much shit from people and I stuff it all down until I explode. That's all about to stop. From now on, you piss me off? FUCK YOU. I'm gonna say something. If I think you are being an asshole, I am gonna tell your ass. You can like it, lump it or stick it where the sun don't shine for all I care. I am DONE taking shit.
4. Trying too hard to make everyone else happy: I'm pretty much done with this one too. I don't give a shit if I make you happy, sad, angry, livid, pissy, butt hurt or anything else for that matter. Because NEWSFLASH MOTHER FUCKERS, this is MY life, and I'm gonna do with it what I damn well please. Don't like it? Fuck off. I don't give a shit.

I'm sure there are many, many more bad habits that I have, however, I'm done trying to figure them all out. I am sure that others could list countless more habits that they find absolutely abhorrent about me, but, this isn't their blog, now is it?? Anything you want to add? Add it to your own fucking blog.

Done with this one and almost caught up!!

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 18: What Am I Afraid Of?

Nothing. I am afraid of not a damn thing. Ok, that's a lie.

There are lots of things that I am afraid of. Snakes, mice, rats, things that go bump in the night. You know, typical girlie fears.

There are other things that I am afraid of. My pending divorce, starting a new life, losing the people I love, growing old, moving forward. I'm guessing that I should be elaborating on these fears for you.

I'm screaming afraid of the snakes, mice, and rats. SERIOUSLY. I SCREAM. They scare me. I realize that generally speaking they won't hurt me, and they are more afraid of me than I am of them. But, none the less, still, scared shitless of them.

On to the bigger and badder fears.

My pending divorce. You see, it's not so much that I am afraid of this. It is a grieving process. I am grieving the loss of a relationship. A 12 and a half year relationship, and almost 11 year marriage. It's sad, it hurts, it's lonely and no matter who says it, it was never a waste of time. Period. It was time well spent. Living, learning, laughing, growing, building, crying, fighting, overcoming, rejoicing, making tiny humans, building friendships, losing friendships, regaining friendships, and creating a family. So, wasted time? No. Not at all.

Starting a new life. This is a daunting task. It's scary and unknown and lonely and disturbing and it makes me cry and scream trying to build something alone. But, I have learned this....I can and will do it. Because I am THEIR mom. I will do it for them, and them only. Because I have learned that in this huge picture, I don't matter, he doesn't matter, THEY matter. They are the reason that I get up everyday. They are what keeps me chugging along. When it hurts so bad I want to just crawl away in a hole and never surface again, THEY smile, laugh, tell me they love me, and then life is worth it again.

Losing the people I love. No lie, this scares the shit out of me. I can 't bear the thought of losing my grandparents, my parents, my family. I've lost one grandparent, and that alone nearly tore me apart. I can't imagine how much worse it will be the more loss I encounter. I can't talk about this anymore. It makes me want to cry.

Growing old. I don't want to get old, and it's happening. It's happening people. It's scary. I'm getting gray hairs, creaky bones, sore joints and my brain no longer functions like it used to. Don't like it. I just don't like it.

Moving forward. Moving forward is a daunting task. It is difficult, and painful and terrifying. But, I will do it. I will manage to make it. I may feel as if my feet are cemented to the ground, but, I know that once I get moving, I will break into a run that will be so fast, no one will be able to catch me.

Because I am awesome, and amazing, and I don't give a shit if you choose to move forward with me or not. Because, where I am going, it will be sure to be epic.

There you have it.

Later,

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 17: Favorite Childhood Book

Jelly Beans For Breakfast.

Don't know it? Tough shit. It's out of print. I can't even share it with my kids. Whatever.

That's all you get today. I'm tired, and stressed, and worried about my niece.

Goodnight Blogosphere.

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 16: Dream Job

This is such a loaded question. I mean, really, really loaded. Since I am beyond exhausted, have a new family photo shoot to edit and put together, AND this blog to write, I am going to try to make this a brief one. (It also doesn't hurt one bit that my dream job ties in with a little gloating today.)

When I was 4, someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Well, my answer was simply this: “A nurse. A nurse that helps babies be born.”

That has been my dream ever since. To work with laboring moms, coach them through, and witness the miracle of new life every day. To steal away moments in the nursery and snuggle all the sweet, soft, oh so amazing smelling babies. Well, life takes funny turns and twists along the way, and, well, my dream never became a reality. Oh well. Maybe in my next life?

Even though my dream never came true, it's ok. I have 3 babies of my own, 5 nephews, 4 nieces and 1 brand new great niece. I am so in love with every single one of them. Especially our brand new edition. Sweet baby Lydia. Born yesterday. She is beautiful, and perfect, and tiny, and squeaky, and just plain amazing. I snuggled her today. I kissed on her sweet, fat cheeks. She loves her Auntie MeMe. I know she does. She was so content in my arms. (I'm claiming this, and the first one of you jackasses that tries to say she DOESN'T love her Auntie MeMe, well, your ass is going down. [I can talk like this, I'm not around her tiny little perfect, innocent ears.])

Here is OUR debut in the blogosphere. A perfectly content Lydia, and a super proud, happy, gloating Auntie MeMe.

Look at it. Be amazed at our beauty. Now, carry on and be sad and sorry that you aren't as amazing as we are.

Hugs and Love!

~Lou~

Blog Challenge: Day 15: Timeline Of My Day

Bear with me. It's Sunday. I was supposed to blog this on Saturday. I know, bad blogger. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Time slipped away from me and before I knew it, it was midnight, and I seriously needed to go to sleep. So, catching up I go.

Saturday:

Get up.

Eat homemade doughnuts, drink coffee.

Receive phone call. My niece is in labor! Baby watch begins.

Drive around hunting for the picture perfect castle...

Send text message to my sister in law to check on my niece.

Snap some random shots.

Send another text message to my sister in law to check on my niece.

Arrive back at house.

Send yet another text message to my sister in law to check on my niece.

Sit around discussing randomness.

Send ANOTHER text message to my sister in law to check on my niece.

Start assisting with dinner preparations.

Finish assisting with dinner preparations.

Receive text from my sister in law...SHE'S HERE!! My Great niece arrived at 4:45 pm weighing in at 7 lbs. 4 oz., and measuring 20” long.

Picture received. OMG. Beautiful baby! SO EXCITED. Pretty sure I did some kind of happy dance.

Ate dinner.

Called sister in law to check on my niece and my great niece. There were some issues, my niece had some serious complications. Prayers were lifted up and updates would be made. I was told that baby was well, mom was hanging in there.

Sat outside watching children jump on trampoline and blow bubbles.

Received phone call from sister in law telling me my niece was ok for the night, but they were keeping an eye on her.

Watched fireworks show.

Watched kids blowing more bubbles and jumping on the trampoline again.

Talked for a little while.

Retired for the evening.

There you go. My crazy Saturday. I loved every minute of it.

Going to attempt to write my blog for today. Not promising anything at this point. I just had a LONG conversation on the phone that was HIGHLY unexpected. Whatever. Such is my life these days. HIGHLY UNEXPECTED.

~Lou~