They say you're never too old to learn something new. I find that's especially true when you have children. Well, my children at least. It seems I'm learning something new every day with them. I suppose it keeps it interesting anyway. This week I was able to accompany a group of 8th graders from Howdy's class on a field trip. When I heard they needed chaperones I asked Howdy, "Do you mind if I go?" He responded with, "Do you have to go?" ...
Ordinary Me
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby
Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. SEX. sex. Sexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsexsex. Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxx. Am I making you uncomfortable yet? Yes? Than you probably don't want to continue. Go ahead, close the page, go back to scrolling FB or Pinterest or something safe like that because I am going to talk about sex and not everyone can handle that. Which kills me. Let me back up and give you a little context here. I grew up ...
Laying Aside My Pride
Why is it so painfully hard to ask for help? It's hard to accept help to begin with, but it's even harder to have to ask for it. Most people that I know, if discovering that someone they know needs help, would jump at the chance to help in any way they could. I'm the same way. If you need something, I will do whatever I can to help, whether it's with time, money, food, transportation, whatever. I am happy to help. It makes me feel good to know ...
Making a Splash
You will never guess where I was today. OK, let me amend that--if you aren't one of my Facebook friends, you'll never guess where I was today. I was at...a waterpark. Again. Didn't I just post how much I dread going to waterparks? Why yes, yes I did. But Bubba and Sassy are heading off to camp next week and for a single, solitary, heat induced moment, I thought it would be fun to have a waterpark send-off. I'm telling you, heat is a dangerous ...
Park It Here
I have a confession to make (yes, another one, don't judge me). I don't enjoy taking my kids to parks. I understand it's pretty much a necessity if you have kids and don't want to go insane. And don't get me wrong, I love to see them playing and having fun. But I don't like sitting there...doing nothing. I get antsy. It's not relaxing for me. I want to be doing something. I am incapable of enjoying doing nothing. Well, that's not entirely true. I ...
Into the Wild Green Yonder
When I was growing up there was one rule for the summer--find something to do or mom would find something for you. And you can bet she wouldn't find something fun. No, mom would find chores for us to do around the house--vacuuming, dishes, or even (*shudder*) mating socks. So once we were up and dressed, we were careful to stay out of mom's sight until dinner. When you are too young for a driver's license but old enough to ride bikes, what do you ...
Maybe It’s Time For a Bicycle
I am a serial killer. Of cars. It's not that I set out to destroy cars, I just have a gift. I'm not sure if it would be negligent homicide? Death by proximity? Whatever it is, I'm tough on my cars and tend to run them into the ground. I've had so much car trouble, in fact, that I keep a tow truck driver on speed dial. When I call, he doesn't answer with "Hello", he answers with "Where are you this time?". I once had a station wagon that I ...
A Letter To My High School Self
While trying to figure out the best advice to give my niece and nephew who are still navigating high school, I couldn't help but reflect back on my own high school years. There were things I loved, things I hated and things I wish I could go back and change. Would I go back and do it all over again? Yes--but only if I could do it with the wisdom that comes with hindsight and experience. (After all, I'm not completely insane.) Or at the very ...
High School Survival Guide
On my side of the family, I have a niece and a nephew who've both graduated from high school and a niece and a nephew who are still in high school. To say that high school is or was a struggle for them is an understatement. Some of that is due to the school work and some of that is due to the drama that comes from student or teacher conflicts. To my niece and nephew still in school I find myself offering up advice on how to survive. Advice that, ...
Has NASCAR Called Yet?
There are very few times in my life when I have felt like my life was in danger. As a rule I try to avoid anything that is dangerous, questionable or even just taxing, so to fear for my very life is a rare experience. And yet, wouldn't you know, I have a story to share about that very thing. In the years B.C. (Before Children), MC and I lived here in TX. While he would go off to his construction work every day, I would drive the 45 minutes to an ...