CAUTION: Woman In Progress

My middle sister (Sis2, if you're new here...or if you're here at all) gave me one of those Amope electric nail file/buffer tools for my birthday. I did not ask for one because I do okay with some clippers and an emery board but she said she was trying to give me something "useful" instead of "decorative" because I was in the midst of purging my house of useless crap right around my birthday. When was the last time I was here, btw? Did you know I had a birthday? I've now got my shoulder pressed hard against 40, y'all and I really haven't started to care yet. Maybe next year when 40 stops pushing back and I fall face first into middle age. (Is 40 middle age?) Anyway, so the fingernail tool thingy. Yeah. If you're ever thinking of getting a loved one something like that, make sure he/she is really into nail care. I am not, in case you haven't figured that out. I have crap nails. They peel and split once they reach a certain length so I ...

Two weekends ago Ethan competed in his first martial arts tournament. While he had a couple of demonstrations under his belt, (no karate pun intended), he'd never competed. Mostly because tournaments are usually expensive and many of them require some distance to travel. Fortunately, one came up that was located in my hometown and was either free to enter or had a low entry fee because Ethan got to compete. Lyssa and I waiting for the competitions to start. Y'all...I'm not even going to lie or pretend that karate tournaments are my jam because they are not. They are loud and chaotic and take forever. I am really glad that I went, though. Even though Sis2 had to emotionally blackmail me into going. haha It wasn't that I didn't want to support and cheer on our little man. I love those kids like my own--truly. But I didn't feel good that weekend and I was tired and being the hermit I am, I really wanted to stay cloistered in my home for the duration of the we...

This ended up going on our Christmas card along with our selfie. Efan in his Snoopy pj's waiting on us to get the goody making train going. Yes, he is sitting on the table. He's a rebel like that. haha They legit used two bottles of sprinkles on the chocolate covered pretzels. Well, I think they also ate sprinkles by the handful, too. The cutest pair of cousins I ever did see. It was Christmas Eve Eve before I got all the presents wrapped and Libby was so over it all. But I managed to get her to pose with them anyway. Peanut Butter Truffle aka Buckeye. That was my Christmas Eve breakfast. Emmy was able to come a couple of days BEFORE Christmas this year which meant she got to participate in Christmas Eve Brunch. Usually it's Christmas Eve Breakfast but she insisted on going hunting that morning which is why she slept all the way to town and why it was brunch instead of breakfast. She did not get a deer the entire time she was here, much to he...

Just as I knew it would, my nine days of freedom flew by in a blur of crazy. It seemed especially fast after all those weeks of anticipation when time dragged by in slow motion.   I'd like to say that I am back at work renewed and refreshed and ready to face the year. That's what I'd like to say. In reality I am back at work exhausted, headachy, mildly depressed and ready to go home. I don't know that this year's break did my soul much good. Also, it's taken me FOUR DAYS to finish this post. Four. So. You know. Soul crushing work is also a thing.   Anyway, on with my thoughts...   I started off the first week running errands and wrapping up last minute Christmasy things. Then on Tuesday, Mama  had surgery to correct a couple of bulging discs that were pinching a nerve and causing great pain. Yes. The Tuesday before Christmas my mother goes and has surgery. Fortunately, Daddy was able to go with her so I didn't have to spend the day in the hosp...