If you had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would you do?
So, this is today’s WP writing prompt and it made me smile.
They say money can’t buy happiness, but in reality – whoever has tons of money and can’t find happiness from it – is shopping at the wrong malls / stores! 👀
If I had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would I do?
I’d be sitting at my computer for a few minutes – to pay off my car and start some kind of “give away”, so someone could win it.
A single mom or dad who has no car.
Someone whose car is about to break down.
A teenager who just got their license, but their parents can’t afford to give them a car.
I’d give mine away after paying it off – to someone who truly needs it, and then – I’d go to the dealer and get myself a nice family SUV.
Of course, I’d have to stop at Starbucks in my nice family SUV, and celebrate the fact that I finally have one, and got rid of my little foreign one.
I’d make sure the kids and I went shopping. More for them – than myself – to allow them to pick out brand new clothes and shoes.
I’d pack up my entire apartment and get the hell out of Minnesota, and move closer to home again.
I’d totally pay off other bills, and send some money to friends, so they can enjoy a day or two doing whatever they want to do to treat themselves or their kids. 🩷
I’m not hard to please.
I don’t need or want the finer things in life.
I just want that family SUV finally, my bills to be paid, to get out of Minnesota and back to people and places we love and know, and my kids, friends and family to be happy.
That’s not too much to ask for. Is it? 🧐
Yes!
That is all.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
I’m about to start mine and run errands with my older son and relax before tonight’s graduation ceremony and tomorrow’s early morning road trip to IL. ❤️
I wouldn’t say the series finale, because they have a season 4 coming out now and I can’t wait – but, the best end to a series for the season – definitely!
My daughter and I love that show and for the three seasons we’ve been watching it, our jaws dropped so many times during plot twists and things that happened – that we didn’t expect.
I had to laugh in season 3 when Georgia was on trial for a possible murder and my son walked in while we were watching it and cheering as her son covered for her.
My son said, “I know I did NOT just walk in on the two of you cheering that she may get away with murder!”. We joked that he had to watch the whole show from the beginning to understand. 😜
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers if you haven’t seen it yet, but the ending – the final episode of season 3…left my daughter and I shocked.
So, if you have seen it, you’ll know what I’m talking about and if not, I’ll just say that Georgia chugged the milk she took out of the fridge.
Why does that matter???
Oh baby! 👀 It matters!!!
My daughter caught on first, jumped up and yelled, “Omg! Ooooohhh! Omg! Nnnnooo!”. I was late realizing what the heck she realized before I did, but then she told me, “Georgia chugged milk!”.
Me: Yeah, so?
My daughter asked if I remembered something she told Ginny earlier in the show.
Then….it hit me!!!! 🫣🧐
The show is great and if you haven’t seen it, I absolutely recommend getting started now before season 4 is here.
You can check out some clips on TikTok or YouTube and see what it’s all about, but absolutely let me know if you watch it and like it. 🩷
TEAM JOE ALL THE WAY!!!!!
He knew Georgia isn’t one to be messed with.
He knew she was and could be dangerous if her or her kids were messed with, and still – he adored the hell out of that woman!
With that being said …..
If you’re going through a lot right now, or you feel like everything is hitting you all at once as you’re just trying to survive and find room to actually have a minute of nothing going wrong – I’m sending you big virtual hugs right now.
Me too, loves! Me too!
So, I knew my brakes needed to be changed – mostly in the back and I was going to do that.
Honestly, I was – but life gets in the way and I get so busy and tired – that I didn’t really think much of it. I kept thinking “tomorrow” – “tomorrow” – “tomorrow”. Until my car decided it wasn’t waiting anymore. My brakes were grinding, but yesterday – it sounded like cans stuck in the tires when I was driving, and it was horrible. The noise was awful, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
So, I called a parts store yesterday to see how much my back rotors and brake pads would be, and told the guy I talked to – that I knew both front and back needed to be changed, but the awful noise sounds like it’s coming mostly from the back. The store closed in literally 10 minutes yesterday evening, so I was surprised when he asked how close I was, and said if I wanted to swing by, he’d check it out.
He was waiting outside for me, and when he looked at the front tires inside, he told me, “Oh girl! You’re good here. These have about 20% left, so you do need to change them in the next few weeks to a month, but they’re in okay shape for now”. He went to the back, and said he heard the noise when I pulled in, and when he looked in the back, he was shocked I was still driving the car. He said I basically had no more rotors and they were awful – including the brakes.
Metal on metal.
He told me I could not drive like that, and we went into the store to get me some new rotors and brake pads for the back for now.
He said with the rotors, the brake pads were free.
He asked if I had anyone to do them for me, and I told him no. He asked how much shops were charging me and I told him hundreds.
I know because I’ve called different shops.
If I’m being honest, that’s why I’ve waited so long. With my daughter’s prom, graduation, bills, rent – I needed to save those hundreds to get it done, so when I tell you the good Lord works in mysterious ways and always works things out for the best – believe that!!!!
The guy at the auto parts store told me he could do the brakes and rotors for me, and if not – his female roommate (who also works there with him) knows how to do that and she could, or they both could. The girl told me how easy it is, and said she could teach me.
I told her I’d love to learn.
If you want to know a crazy, fun fact about me – a long time ago – I wanted to go to Lincoln Tech – up in Illinois – to become a mechanic, but my boyfriend at the time – was so jealous and told me he didn’t want me around all those guys who also go to school to be mechanics. So, I never went and I kick myself in the ass for it now, but I think I may just go get my certification to maybe do mechanics on the side of my Criminal justice career one day.
It’s something I am interested in learning, so I can work on my own car.
That ex is long gone, and I’ve learned to never let a person get in the way of your dreams – no matter who it is.
So, this guy at the auto store last night offered to the work for me, and said he has a date “tomorrow” (meaning today), so he wouldn’t be available until later in the afternoon because it’s an all-night kind of thing. I knew exactly what that meant, as I smiled and told him, “Yay for overnighters!”. 😁
I don’t judge! Do your thing, dude! He and his roommate were super nice, and they helped me more than they know.
All I had to do was pay for the parts and he took care of some of it using his employee discount – which helped me even more.
I asked what he would charge me for putting everything on, so I could make sure I had the money ready, but to my shock – he told me he wasn’t charging me. I demanded I pay him and he told me he enjoys helping others, so he wouldn’t be taking any money because we’ve all been in a situation where we’ve needed help and just some kind of kindness. ❤️
Those who know me personally – know that I love helping others, and I believe that what goes around – comes around, so if I can lend a hand where it’s needed, make someone smile by doing something kind for them, or helping them out, I’m going to do it.
I used to think kindness was rare these days, but these two proved me wrong!
Today, the guy (who is gay by the way) told me that the guy who he had a date with last night – dissed him. Never showed up. I felt bad for him and told him that unless he has a good excuse – we don’t give second changes because some guys can’t see they have a good thing right in front of them, and that there’s someone for him out there – who will.
So, I had to laugh when he was still working on my car when I got out of work, sent his roommate to pick me up to bring back to their apartment and garage, and I noticed a cute guy sitting in a car near the garage. I offered to buy this guy who was doing my rotors and brakes lunch earlier in the day, and he denied it because he said he was going to dinner with the guy he’s been talking to.
Well, as I stood in the garage – he whispered to me that the guy in the car – is the same one who dissed him last night.
I gave him this
look….
and joked with him.
“Now, didn’t we just talk about this? We don’t do 2nd changes when people mess up the very first time!”.
He playfully hit me and waved his finger at me, while he laughed because he knows damn well we talked about this. lol.
Truth be told – he was amazing keeping me up to date on my car all day while he had it, and found ways around different issues he ran into, and he and his roommate were so cool about everything.
I almost feel like I’ve known them longer than just meeting them last night.
He asked me at one point if I knew how to drive a stick-shift car. I said no. He asked if I wanted to learn. I said hell yeah.
So, he’ll be teaching me that – on top of how to fix my own car. 😁
Did I just make two new friends? I possibly did. ha. Look at me – socializing. This is fun. lmfao.
So, I guess I should start with the fact that he picked my car up from work this morning and I handed him the keys.
It wasn’t until after he drove off with my car – that I realized I know nothing about this guy except his first name and that he’s gay, and where he works. No last name. I never even asked for a Driver’s license, or where he lives, so for all I knew – he could be taking my car to a chop shop, and selling the good parts of my beautiful foreign car.
Luckily – he didn’t do that, and seriously, I’m so grateful for him because tonight – my car is outside with no grinding or squeaking, and he and his roommate are to thank for that. He still refuses to let me pay them, but he did ask if I wanted to come by for some drinks some time – so I may just tell him – only if he lets me buy the drinks!
He showed me his own BMW and all the work he does on that himself, and I was impressed.
He had to move his BMW to get my car out of the garage when it was finished, and he was planning to test drive it, but I saw the crazy way he drove his BMW, so when his roommate asked if I wanted to go with him for the test drive, I joked and told her, “No thanks! I’ve seen how he drives!”. Of course, I was walking over to my car and I was going to go with, so she smiled and told me playfully, “Have fun!”.
When he took off fast and slammed on the brakes to test them, I joked that he could have warned me before he scared me.
I gave him so many hugs after it was all done, and I am so grateful the good Lord put these two in my life to take care of my car needs, and to be the kind, beautiful souls they are.
The roommate told me she believes whatever you put out into the world, you get back – and maybe this is my good Karma for once – for me helping so many people over the years because if I’m being honest – while my kids may not understand why I help so many strangers – for me …. it heals a part of my own hurt and pain – when I can make someone else smile or take a load off their shoulders if they’re going through something. 💕
To “M” and “H” – you two are angels in disguise and I am forever grateful for you both for today.
Not only did they do the brakes and rotors and make sure my car was safe to drive to IL. this weekend – but “M” also checked my fluids, my lights, my engine, and so many other things to see if there was anything else he could fix. We talked about having some work done when I come back from IL. but I told him he has to let me give him something – even if it’s just treating them to lunch, or bringing a box of donuts to their job for their employees – as both are managers there.
I want to repay their kindness and the fact that they refused to take any money from me, besides for the parts.
So, that’s taken care of – it’s another thing off my mind – and tomorrow – my daughter graduates high school.
We’re about to finish decorating her cap, I’m going to straighten her hair – so it’s nice and pretty tomorrow, and it’s an early bedtime for me – as I have to run errands in the morning and get everything ready for the moment we walk out of the house to watch her walk the stage and start a new chapter in her life.
Am I going to cry? Yes. Yes I am!
She told me they would be playing the song “LANDSLIDE” – and that song always makes me cry, but having a daughter graduating while that song is playing – my tears are going to be all over the place because like that song says – I’m afraid of changes and for years, I’ve built my life around my kids. Around her.
Like the song also says- (time makes you bolder … even children get older, and I’m getting older, too!).
I once asked my mom if she ever looks at photos of me and my brother when we were little, and cries now that we’re adults, and she quickly said “YES!”. And, that’s how I feel. I get it now. I understand all those tears she cried when we turned another year older, or went through another accomplishment.
By this time tomorrow night – my daughter will be finished with high school, and we’ll be packing for our road trip home to IL. to celebrate.
I’m wiping away tears while writing this – because what the hell? Who told her she could get older this fast?! lol.
When we moved to Minnesota, we were celebrating her 11th birthday, and now – she’ll be a high school graduate and she’ll turn 18 in August. We’re already looking into college programs for EMT, and everything she plans to get into.
I am so proud, so happy and sad at the same time.
It’s bitter-sweet.
They will also be playing a slideshow of the graduates when they were babies / little kids and their photos now as Seniors.
Listen. Y’all just overnight me as many boxes of tissues as you can. haha.
My loves – I have so much to do tomorrow, so I hope you all have a great night.
You may remember me from “grabadrinkandsitwithme”, but I had to start over since I couldn’t get into that site for some reason and had to contact WP support.
If you followed me there – join me here.
Subscribe for updates, or if you use WP – hit that follow button and I’ll follow you right back. 😊
That being said – I’m not happy I lost everything over there but let me catch you up on everything that’s been going on since the last time I wrote on the old blog and now. Also, if you just found me by accident and have no idea who I am, feel free to learn and get to know me.
I promise – I’m awesome and friendly – most of the time. ha. (Usually after Coffee). lol.
Parenting and graduation: 🎓
My youngest daughter is about to graduation high school, and we’ve been so busy doing all of the last-minute things needed before graduation.
She has been amazing at kept her grades up. In fact, she’s been on the honor roll much of the time she’s been in high school, and all of Senior year. She has all of her credits in all of her other classes, and she’s about to get her last one needed – in her English class.
I’m so proud of her and so amazed at the same time – because she could have dropped all of her other classes if she wanted to, and just went to school for 50 minutes a day for her English class she needed this last credit in, but she has still gone to school all day long – for classes she doesn’t even need anymore – including a Psychology class she picked up for fun. She has said she needs something to do during the day or she’ll go crazy, and I giggled at that, but I am so happy that she’s dedicated to her education and wants to stay busy with school.
She graduates this coming Friday and it’s so bitter-sweet.
She has come such a long way, and it’s hard to believe that when we moved to Minnesota in 2020 – she was just starting 7th grade here, and now – she’s a Senior and about to leave the school, her friends she’s made here, and all her favorite teachers, but – we will forever remember all the funny and wild memories, all the people who made her time at this school special, and those who helped her so much. 💕
PROM:
A few weeks ago – she and her friends attended prom.
The very last school dance ever for these Seniors. The very last Prom they will ever go to.
I was a little nervous because she picked out a dress that she loved, and the woman at the shop we got it from – listed the alterations that needed to be made and guaranteed us that it would be ready by 3 PM on the Friday before Prom. Prom was the following day – Saturday, so when my son used my car to run his own errands and I was at work, I asked him to swing by the shop and pick up the dress at 3 – and then come get me from work.
When he came to pick me up, he walked inside and told me, “So, about the dress – it’s not ready, and the lady is working on a blue dress right now. She has other customers in there and one that called while I was there – mad because their dresses aren’t done, either. She said she was going to stay late tonight and finish Kailani’s dress and she would call you when it’s ready”.
I panicked.
I called her and she told me the same thing she told my son. She would stay late and finish it and call me when it’s finished.
We got my daughter’s Winter formal dress a few months ago – from the same lady, and we had no problems with it or her, so I trusted her – but at the same time, if the dress wasn’t ready that same day, I had to work Saturday and I wasn’t sure it would be ready or I could pick it up on time for prom later Saturday evening. So, when I picked up the kids from school on that Friday, I dropped off my oldest and youngest son at home, took my daughter with me and we went to the dress shop to wait for her dress.
When we got there, the lady once again said she would call me when it’s ready, and she said she already called her husband and son and told them not to wait up for her for dinner because she needed to work late to get some dresses ready. I politely told her we’d sit and wait, and there was no rush, but we wanted to make sure it was done that same day.
We were there for twenty minutes sitting by the fitting rooms – when she stopped working on my daughter’s dress and told us she needed to call her husband and son and let them know she was going to be late coming home.
My daughter and I gave each other a:
look…
Didn’t she say she already did that?
We didn’t say anything to her, and she was amazing at getting the dress done quickly while we were there, having my daughter try it on, and we were able to take it home that same night.
The next issue after panicking because the dress wasn’t ready – was my daughter complaining on the way home about finding shapewear. I call her “Mousey” because she’s so little and she has the perfect figure, but she thinks she has a tummy on her. She hates her stomach and she wanted to find something that made her stomach look flatter.
I thought she was crazy because the dress already looked great on her, but you can’t argue with a teenage girl who has her mind set on something. So, I went to Walmart that Friday night and picked up a shapewear piece that goes over the stomach to make it look flatter, and she tried it on when we got home.
She hated it and said it didn’t fit her right. 🤔 She then said she wasn’t going to prom if she didn’t get some kind of shapewear. She told me to ask the woman upstairs that I’m friends with. I did – and I prayed silently that she saved me from this nightmare of Shapewear for my teenager who didn’t even need it.
I joked with my daughter and told her that the $360 I paid for the dress and all the stress it gave me – says she absolutely was going to prom – with or without the shapewear!
The woman upstairs is a lifesaver! I was not driving 30 minutes and miles and miles back to Walmart, so when the woman upstairs laughed about the dilemma I was in, and told me she has one she a piece she only wore once and didn’t like – that my daughter could have – I was forever grateful when my daughter went upstairs to get it, and she loved the way it fit!
You know what she also did?
She put the shapewear I brought her from Walmart OVER the one the woman upstairs gave her – to flatten her stomach even more.
Make it make sense!!!!!!!
I just looked at her with both shapewears on and said:
Pick and choose your battles, right?!
We went to the lake, so I can grab a few photos of my daughter down there, and then to the school, so I could grab some photos with her and her friends there – the Saturday of prom.
Before prom started, the school had the GRAND MARCH – where parents and people in the community could come see students in their dresses and tuxes, see them walk across a stage, and take photos.
Students who had a date – walked the stage with their dates, and those who didn’t – were able to walk with a friend of their choice.
My daughter walked with her good friend, Pey.
I loved when the announcer shared parents’ names with everyone – who was walking the stage as they walked – and said, “The son of” – “The daughter of” – (parent’s names).
My kiddos dress. ❤️
The Grand March was beautiful, and everyone looked so nice.
The theme was PARIS.
They had the high school gym set up so beautifully.
😊
After the Grand March, I took as many photos as I could – along with all the other parents, etc. and I left once they started setting up for the prom participants to have dinner before prom started.
Prom ended at 11:30 PM that night and the after-prom party started.
The school held the afterparty to keep students safe and off the roads, and I was so happy Kailani decided to attend it as well. She changed out of her dress into regular clothes to be comfortable, and called me to let me know to pick her up at 2:30 AM because she was learning to gamble.
She said she was playing Roulette and wanted to go to a casino now when she turns 18.
I joked and told her, “I think I’ll come get you now. What is the school teaching you guys?!”.
I was so glad she had a great time, and she even won a Legos set that she built as soon as she came home.
Prom went well.
We also had Senior Tea this past week.
The Seniors tried on their caps and gowns, and they were able to invite a (+1) to join them in the high school gym to take photos of them in their caps and gowns with friends, with a 2026 graduation light up sign, have cake and coffee / punch, and just enjoy the last week of our seniors being there.
When I arrived, I didn’t see my daughter or any of her friends, but the principal said they were doing handprints and would be right out. When I finally saw her and her good friend Pey walk out of the office in their caps and gowns, I had to wipe away the tears.
Her friend Pey came running over to me and made me laugh when she reached out her arms and told me, “Nooooooo mom! Don’t cry!”. For the longest – years and years – many of the kids at the high school have called me “MOM”. They’ve all become my adopted children, and I’ve gotten to know them and some of their families as well.
No matter where they go in life, what path they all take – I hope they know I’ll always be “mom” and they can always reach out to me if they need anything. 😔
It’s so hard to believe this will all be over on Friday.
No more late-night studying and homework.
No more dances and pep fests that my daughter loved so much.
No more funny moments with friends and coming out of school telling me anything and everything that happened during the day.
No more field trips.
No more Football games my daughter never missed.
This Friday – it all comes to an end, and she will be heading off to college classes to become an EMT, and start many new friendships, new memories and a new path. I guess there will be College Football games, late night studying and homework, and all the above – huh?!
So, we’ve been going crazy getting ready for the end of high school, and graduation and trying to figure out where she goes from here.
Our schedule has absolutely been crazy busy lately, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because I know when it’s all over in a few days, I’m going to miss it!
This coming Saturday – We’ll be leaving to Chicago pretty early in the morning because a month ago – I surprised her with tickets to see Romeo Santos and Prince Royce. (Two of her favorite Spanish singers).
I planned to use that money to allow myself to see Cardi B. when she was on her (Am I the drama) tour – but instead, decided to skip that and use the money on my daughter as an early graduation gift – when I found out she wanted to see them.
She was so excited, and I can’t wait to head home for a few days – for this event and just to get away from Minnesota for a bit.
BASEBALL:
On top of running around for everything related to prom weeks ago, Senior tea last week and now graduation – I’ve also been running around for Baseball.
My little dude loves Baseball, and while we’ve only played for fun, and I’ve taught him a thing or two about the game – he’s never played on a professional or school team, so when he said he wanted to join school baseball this summer – I was all for it.
The principal was amazing at making sure he was able to get onto the team.
The crossing guard / Librarian stopped me a few weeks ago and asked if I was able to have J – add me too the group text for baseball families. I said I had no idea there was one, and she said she would talk to him to get me added.
He’s not only the Police chief in our small town, but he’s also the Baseball coach, so I was grateful she made sure she got me added to the group text chat.
He added me and messaged me separately from the group chat – telling me what the schedules were looking like for practices and games, and what Elijah would need for practices. He was also awesome enough to ask if Elijah needed cleats.
I planned to buy him some, but if Elijah went to his first and second practices and decided he didn’t like it and didn’t want to play on the team – then we would have brand new cleats he was never going to use again, so I took the coach up on the offer to grab a pair he had – that didn’t fit his son – who is also on the team.
I was grateful for that, and now that Elijah gets excited for practices and loves them, and I know he loves Baseball for sure – I can eventually go grab him a brand-new pair of cleats.
I also have to thank Chase and Jen at Dunham sports – because they were so awesome helping me pick out the protective cups for down below, Elijah’s baseball pants that fit him well, and a belt that goes with it. Chase grabbed some and told me he’d have them ready for me when we got there, and Jen was the one who ran back and forth to find other things we needed, so I’m grateful for everyone who made this all possible for Elijah to get started.
He loves it!
It also takes him off his video games for a while and gets him outdoors, so I’m happy with it.
I joked that this means I’m going to have to actually socialize in this small town, and I made a funny “ewww” comment as I talked to another mom who volunteers with practices. She laughed and promised me all the parents with kids in baseball – are usually normal and nice.
So, when I moved out here in 2020, I learned fast that gossip spreads like wildfires in this little town, everyone knows everyone and everyone is in each other’s business, so I kept to myself – except for interacting with those I worked with, and a few good friends I have made out here that I’ve grown to love and trust dearly. Other than that – I really have tried to make more friends here, but every time I think I’ve made some great new friends, I’ve been dragged into drama, or I’ve found out that they were crazy, so again – I’ve kept to myself for the most part.
The first mother I talked to that was at the first baseball practice we attended last week – absolutely agreed with me that it’s hard to trust anyone in this little town, but again – she said those moms and dads with kids on the team – are great! 😊 I have to thank her as well because she was amazing with helping out and teaching Elijah the ropes – along with the coach – who taught him a lot – at the first practice.
What I love – is that the coach guaranteed me that there will be NO bullying or boys putting each other down on his team, and he believes in uplifting each other, supporting each other and being there for one another. He made sure all the boys on his team know that they WILL be nice and help each other.
I think Elijah will do just fine, and I’m happy he has this opportunity to play on a team.
If you want to giggle – with the coach also being the Police chief out here – he stopped me a few weeks ago for turning into the wrong lane because I was so tired, and not paying attention, but all my stuff was legit – so he just warned me and we had a good laugh about it. When he asked what I was doing and I innocently said, “I haven’t had my coffee yet” – I think he knew it was an honest mistake – as I did switch over to the correct lane before he stopped me. So, the first day of baseball practice – I walked up to him to get the cleats and properly introduce myself, but I stopped mid-sentence and told him, “Never mind! You know who I am”. 🤣
Anyway –
I’m excited to travel to different areas for games, and to watch my kiddo play other teams from different areas.
My car is about to be loaded with snacks, drinks, baseball stuff, etc. My schedules are about to be so full – of work, games, practices, college stuff my daughter, and many other things, but again – I wouldn’t have it any other way. My schedule is usually always busy anyway, but it’s just about to get a little shake-up with many different and new things.
It keeps me busy and keeps my mind off other things I’d rather not think about.
WORK:
I’m still at the same place I’ve been at for many months now and I absolutely love my people.
Is my job dangerous and wild? It can be on some days.
Do I get paid a lot? Hell no.
Still, it’s so worth it and the tenants in the facility I work in – make it worth it.
I have days where I’m stressed out and there’s tenants arguing on one side, or a fight breaking out on another side that we have to run and stop – or – some of my tenants are dragging themselves in drunk off their asses and we have to assist them. There are some who have mental issues and we have to deal with mental breakdowns or trying to calm someone down when they’re highly agitated and pissed off, but I think every day being different – also makes it fun and interesting.
I’ve picked up extra shifts lately, and plan to slow down for the summer.
I want to live life and not just work all of the time.
I want to spend much of the summer with my kids and not at work.
I plan to create a schedule that allows me to work early mornings or late nights – maybe both – so I can spend summer days doing fun things with the kiddos.
And in the meantime – I love and enjoy my job.
While the pay could be better – while the leadership could be better – I don’t mind my co-workers. My job is crazy – wild – busy – and keeps me on my toes. I need that.
Our tenants in the facility are funny, fun, wild, crazy, silly, playful, and even when they’re angry, and have us running around dealing with all of their (sometimes) nonsense – I love them all dearly and I’ve grown close to many of them. 😊
MOVING:
Eventually, we’d like to move to a suburb of IL. or close to the border of IL / WI.
We want to move closer to family and friends again. Places we’re familiar with and we know.
Where we don’t have to travel miles and miles or hours and hours to have fun or go to stores that we love. Where we don’t have to wait months to get into the doctors or dentists.
I do not miss the traffic in a big city, and our country roads here are amazing, but other than that – there’s nothing for us here in Minnesota.
We’ve lived here for so long – because I wanted my daughter to finish school here and now that she’s done soon, we’re ready to go.
So, I’m trying to possibly get out of here before the summer is over, but we’ll see what happens.
I’ve already started packing things we don’t use or need out right now, and I’ll continue with the hopes that I can save enough to get the hell gone. I have a love / hate relationship with this state, and whenever I’m in IL. I don’t think about Minnesota at all.
Not to mention that there’s better career opportunities back home, and I’m ready to go somewhere – where I can actually use my college degrees with many options.
I’m lost. I’m not going to lie.
I’m so damn lost in Minnesota.
It’s not home. It was supposed to be, but after my oldest passed (the reason we moved here to begin with) – it could never be home.
I want to go home, and that involves a good amount of money, and a lot of planning.
One day.
FITNESS:
When I lost my oldest kiddo, I went into a deep depression.
I won’t get into that too much right now, but I didn’t even want to get out of bed most days.
That depression lasted for the last few years. I lost her in 2021.
I started drinking, and eating fast food like crazy.
The pain was real, and I didn’t feel like doing much – let alone cooking healthy foods, so while I functioned – went to work, paid bills, etc. I used fast food as a way to come home and not have to do anything once I was in the house and could shut the world out all those years.
That means I’ve gained some weight, and while I was so active and loved working on while I lived in Chicago, and my oldest was still alive, that all stopped when I moved to Minnesota and she was killed. So, in 2026 – I promised myself when the clock hit midnight in 2025 turning in 2026 – that I would drag my ass out of this little funky depression I’ve been in for so many years, and finally learn how to live again.
I would learn how to be happy again.
I would learn to love life again.
That means – working out, eating healthier, and getting back to being “fit” like I was when I first moved to Minnesota.
That time isn’t right now.
It’s coming, but – not yet.
I’m headed to IL. this weekend to celebrate my youngest daughter’s graduation, and take her to a concert she wants to go to (as I’ve mentioned) – and that means food. IL. has so many authentic Latin, Greek, Italian, etc. places with some amazing food that we just can’t find out here, so – I can’t do the whole fitness thing this week / weekend. I love my authentic foods and the variety of places in IL. way too much to try to eat healthy on a trip out there.🤣
However, when I come back to Minnesota – game on! Watch how I transform this body back into the active beauty I once was. lol.
Seriously, I do plan to get my fitness routine going and really stick to it this time and maybe by December – I will allow myself some junk food because hello – CHRISTMAS COOKIES! ha.
Seriously, I just want to live, truly laugh and smile again, and find my happiness all over.
LIFE:
I don’t have much of a life these days.
I’m always working, or running around for one of the kids and their events, sports, etc. or I’m just at home enjoying a nice quiet evening with movies whenever I get the chance.
I promised myself that this year – I’d meet new people, make new friends, and go out more.
It’s almost June and all I’ve done is run errands constantly and work as much as I can.
I do need to enjoy summer and sneak some kind of fun in there or have some kind of life here. I know. I know!
I wish I had other updates for you, but right now – this is all that’s going on.
My life isn’t even close to being “together”, but each day brings something new, crazy, interesting or fun – so I can’t complain.
Again, hit that follow and I’ll follow you right back, or subscribe by email for updates. ❤️
I hope all of you continue to follow me here and have the best summer possible!
My little dude is bugging me to set the pool up outside, so he can enjoy the warm weather for a while before I have to get ready for work later tonight.
Xoxo...I love you! 