Grateful

I just had 6 glorious days off of work.

Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE my job. It doesn't always feel like work.

I never get the Sunday Scaries.

But having 6 solid days off was good for my soul.

I enjoyed every second.

On the first day, Steve and I headed out toward Buffalo. 

They had just gotten like 80 inches of snow within 3 days.

There's a country store out there I have been meaning to check out for like 15 years.

Yeah, I know.

My old boss from my very first job owns this country store and ran it while working at the agency full time.

It's grown over the years and it's just freaking amazing inside.

The wall of cookie cutters. Please excuse Steve's creepy expression.

What a cool music player! This is a replica and they are pricey! My new boss (the owner of the company I work at now) saw my stories on IG and commented that one of his prize possessions happens to be one of these from 1890 from his grandparents! How amazing is that?!

I didn't end up taking more pictures, unfortunately. It was just SO cute in there! The upstairs was ALL Christmas with so many cool things to look at.

We bought a few things - a meatloaf sauce starter, pancake mix, stocking stuffers for the kids and some old-fashioned candy! 

Steve and I needed a nice day out together. 

We got home in time to do some chores around the house and got the girls off the bus. We went to my mom's for dinner and the girls slept there until Thanksgiving! 

'Tis The Season!

I'm not respecting the turkey this year.

I'm not waiting until December first to put up my Christmas decorations.

This weekend?

It's happening.

I can't wait.

I've finally gotten to the place in my life where I feel like I have enough decorations for the main areas of my home. I mean, there's always room for another gnome or reindeer, but generally speaking? I have a lot of stuff. 

I love it.

I get to set up, organize, reorganize, etc. until it's just right. 

Whilst playing a Christmas movie on FreeForm, of course. 

It just doesn't get any better.

This is my weekend. 

Friday was a super slow day at work and the girls didn't have school because of Veteran's Day. 

I decided it was the perfect day.

I realize my table, chairs and rug don't match. The table and chairs were gifted to me and were maddd expensive and the rug is just old. Haven't had time to replace it yet. I don't want to get rid of the table, but it doesn't fit the farmhouse feel. 

We went to Mom's Saturday to bake pies and hang out. 

And decorate her house, too! 

Blueberry and Apple pies!

Their favorite is blueberry! 

And it turned out to be the right weekend to decorate.

This is what it looked like when we got home.

Winter is here. 

I have a few more things to put up in the house, and of course, the real tree.

I have a 6ft white Christmas tree coming with white and red ornaments. Can't wait till that gets here! 

The magic is thick in the air and the kids are feeling it. My mom's house smelled so good and the girls were dying over the already-wrapped presents my mom had put under the tree. 

I'm trying to put the seriousness of my life on the back burner during the holiday season, for a couple of reasons: 1. The girls. I don't want to dampen any of the magic they should experience. 2. My mental health. I have just so much shit going on it's ridiculous. I've asked several times 'how much can one human endure before they totally break?' 

So I'm going to take it easy this holiday season. And really, truly take care of myself. Take care of my kids. Enjoy the time off with them.

Long Overdue

I met my best friend forever when I was 22. 

It felt like I had known her my entire life and we were just so similar. In our beliefs, in how we had fun, what pissed us off, everything.

We never lived in the same town, though. Ever.

So that was super hard. 

But we only live about 2 hours away from each other, so it's not terrible. We met up at the midway point where there's a big mall and did lunch and shopping. 

We made it work. 

That being said, COVID, personal things and family garbage kept us apart for the last 4 years. I mean, texting here and there on birthdays and significant dates were still there, but it wasn't the same. 

Those years were hard. 

Every single time I wanted to tell someone something, it was always her. But then I'd hesitate. And then ended up not telling her or calling her or whatever.

And during those years, another great friend of mine stepped up and became my person. But he's a dude and sometimes being BFFs with a married dude doesn't look that great. 

And that wasn't the same either. He's a great shoulder to cry on, but he can be down right mean, lol. I mean, he tells me the truth, no matter what so I'm grateful. Like a step-brother? 

But again, just not the same. 

Until my life came crashing down and I needed her. 

And I called her and told her my life was crumbling, and, ironically, in the exact same way hers did, 6 years ago.

She's literally the only person who knows how I feel, exactly. 

No judgement. 

Just listening.

And maybe a little bit of hope.

And a shit ton of laughing so hard we almost puked. 

And in that moment, everything was gone and me and my BFF were back together. 

The same as it always had been. 

The way it should be.

My rock. 

I'm forever grateful to spend almost 2 days with her, with GORGEOUS weather (that never happens, ever! In almost 20 years of knowing each other! It always rains!!)

I didn't take any pictures because I didn't keep my phone out. We talked. A lot.

I got to see her kid, whom I haven't seen since she was 8. 

I met her when she was 10 days old. And I continued to see her every few months until 3 years ago. 

So it was well overdue.

And I'm SO glad I to see her. We will NEVER allow this to happen again.

A piece of my heart just got put back. And just at the right time.