Tag: fun

Happy 4th of July, darlings!

Daily writing prompt
What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently that shifted your perspective?
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To answer today’s WP writing prompt – it would absolutely be the lesson of cherishing every great moment and every person you love while they’re still here.

Today is the 4th of July, and I used to take that for granted many years ago.

My oldest daughter was still alive.

My mom and dad were still alive.

My brother and his ex-wife were still together.

I was an auntie to two.

I still lived in Illinois.

4th of Julys used to look a lot different.

For the last few 4ths – everything was different.

My oldest was killed in a car crash with her girlfriend in 2021. She was the passenger.

My dad passed in 2023 from Cancer. My mom passed in 2024 from – what we can only assume was a heart attack, because no autopsy was done. She passed in an assisted living facility. We knew it was probably coming, but we didn’t know it would be that soon. She had just celebrated her 70th birthday. With my dad, he was in hospice for a while, so we knew for sure that death was coming.

My brother and his now ex-wife have since divorced, obviously.

My nephews live with their mother, and I’m now an auntie to three – however, I don’t get to see my niece. My brother’s now ex-fiancé – (a different woman) – wants nothing to do with my brother, so she has decided that includes his family. My niece’s family that she should know. I even sent her a huge box full of adorable baby stuff I picked out when my niece was first born, and a special gift for her, but I got nothing.

I’d love to spend the 4th with her.

My kids and I also now live in Minnesota.

So many things have absolutely changed from the 4th of July traditions I was used to.

We always went to my brother’s place for the 4th, and his wife (now ex) would always make sure I had a drink in my hand when I arrived. lol. My brother and I would joke around. She’d yell at him and tell him to leave me alone, and I’d threaten to kick his ass after I finished my drink. He’d make more jokes, and life was good back then.

My kids would be sitting around the table eating every snack in sight. Chips and dip. My mom’s famous Vegetable pizza, and whatever else was laid out for everyone.

My brother would be grilling, and my older son would be next to him helping or watching over the grill.

My mom and dad would argue about something every 4th of July, and we’d always giggle because it would be something so stupid, but I miss even that. 🤣 They’d both be aggravated with each other, and my dad would say, “Okay, okay!”, and end the fight – letting my mother have the last word, and my mother would look at me and say, “He loves to aggravate me!”. By the end of the night, they’d be sitting next to each other acting like nothing ever happened. ALMOST EVERY 4TH OF JULY!

My nephews would be in the kiddie pool or running around getting into mischief with my little dude, and my youngest daughter chased them around here and there.

We’d take selfies and photos with each other, and of the food.

We poured more drinks.

We joked around and shared so much laughter.

We recalled so many funny “Remember when’s”………..(memories), and we enjoyed each other’s company.

My brother would run in and get the fireworks as soon as dusk arrived, and we’d watch him blow them off in the alley, joking that the fire trucks needed to be on standby.

Once we watched him blow off his fireworks and then watched the fireworks that were lighting up the sky around us, we’d play music (usually country or oldies), sit and talk, laugh, and enjoy the night as it got later and later, and nobody wanted to say goodbye.

We had dessert, more drinks, and more fun.

I miss those days, and that’s how we spent many 4th of Julys.

That’s not something that will ever happen again with all of us there, and it sucks – but life has to go on right?

One lesson I have learned recently that shifted my perspective – is to love everyone so much while they are alive, take so many photos, tell them you love them, cherish them, take the time to look around and cherish each and every moment – because one day – they will be just memories that you wish you could relive one last time at least.

I smiled today as I thought of the past 4th of July’s and how much love, fun, laughter and good times we had.

I thought of the time my brother sat on the tailgate of his pickup truck one 4th, and I told him the burgers were going to burn – as he was jamming out to country music and drinking, and he told me he was going to make my burger extra dark and crispy to shut me up.

I thought of the time my brother sent me a photo of a big piece of wood he super glued wires and different fireworks to and asked what I thought would happen if he set the fireworks off like that. I laughed so much and told him I was going to take bets amongst our friends to see who would arrive first – the fire department, the ambulance or the police.

I thought about the 4th that my oldest kiddo and I got into this huge argument over something goofy, and at the end of the night, I asked if she wanted to go for a ride and have cake, and she laughed and said, “Hell yeah I do!”. She was 18 or 19 at that time I believe. Even those memories are funny now and I miss them.

I thought about many different things from past 4th of Julys that I could never get back, and memories of times that are long gone now, so please – take all the photos you need to with loved ones, cherish good moments before they become memories, and never take them or the people you love for granted because one day, you’re going to wish they were still here and those moments weren’t just memories.

I also love the memories of the 4th of July’s I’d stop by my best friend’s house.

Her mom would make Jello shots. They’d have the music on, and her dad grilled.

Thankfully, if I did go back to Illinois, I could still make more memories on the 4th will all of them.

Her family is like a 2nd family to me, and I know I’m always welcomed there. ❤️

My aunt and Uncle’s house – has become a new tradition on the 4th as well out in Illinois.

We’ve been there the last few 4ths, and I’ve been so grateful they’ve welcomed us into their home because the 4th is always a lot more fun ln a pool watching the fireworks above or hanging out with family.

So, even if we can’t do the old traditions anymore because some people that we love are gone now, and others moved on with their lives – we’ve created new ones and kept other old traditions alive as well on the 4th.

Unfortunately, we’re stuck in Minnesota this year, and nothing really happens in our little town.

The last few years, we’ve had a “no burn ban”, which also included fireworks, so we couldn’t shoot any off out here, but we haven’t heard of anything like that this year. Plus, we’ve had plenty of rain, so I got some Sparklers for the kids, some little pop-it’s for Elijah, and Frankie got a few of the spinning, colorful fireworks.

Nothing crazy because we still want to play it safe.

I made burgers for dinner and got some freeze pops I know my little dude loves, and cupcakes my youngest daughter enjoys.

You know the 4th wouldn’t be the 4th without S’mores! So, I had to get some stuff to make those as well.

My daughter LOVES S’mores!

One thing I truly am missing this 4th – is how the fireworks in Illinois always start weeks before the 4th, and on the 4th – they can start as early as 4 AM – and we’ll hear huge M-80’s being blown off. They can go all the way until 4 AM the next morning, and sometimes – for days after.

Out here in our little town, we hear none of that, and it’s dead. It’s so boring out here, so I’m a little sad tonight that I’m not back home in Illinois, but – it is what it is.

The night is almost over and I wish I was at my best friend’s house or my aunt and uncle’s waiting for the fireworks to begin as we chat, enjoy dinner together, and a few drinks with my aunt (me and her anyway), I have to make the best of being stuck out here and so far from everything and everyone I love out there.

Please – no drinking and driving tonight.

In many bigger cities and states – buses and trains are free tonight from what I’m hearing. Check your local transit center / site.

In many bigger cities and states, Uber and Lyft are offering discouts and vouchers tonight.

Or – if you can’t do any of those and you’re in a smaller area, many police officers who aren’t busy – will sometimes pick you up and safely get you home.

NO EXCUSES!

I love you all, and as the dusk approaches and the fireworks begin – keep having fun, keep enjoying the night, and stay safe. ❤️

I saw a post earlier from one of my good friends – who posted:

“Make sure you put a boot in someone’s ass today in honor of Toby Keith”.

I loved that and it made me smile, so in honor of one of my favorite country singers – T.K. ……………………(Rest in peace and this one is for you and America tonight). 😁

All my love:

❤️Shel❤️

Baseball, an 18th, a trip to Puerto-Rico, and a new Boyfriend. :) (Or – na?)

Good morning!

     My home is clean.

I’m showered and ready to start the day.

It’s beautiful outside, and I hear we’re supposed to get thunderstorms later. (I love those!)

Listen. If you’re getting sick of hearing Baseball talk, you can click the X above and skip all of this, but if not – then let’s talk about it.

My little dude (Elijah) had a game the night before last and last night.

The game the night before last, he did amazing.

It was an away game at another school.

The other team was winning.

So, when Elijah was up to bat, and he cracked the ball half way across the field, and ran – parents and his team on our side all cheered, and we were all so excited! 😊

He smiled when he got to 1st base, and I smiled because I knew he was happy and proud. He always says he sucks, but I always remind him this is his first year playing on a team and not just for fun, so he’s not going to be perfect.

I don’t expect him to be perfect.

This isn’t the major leagues!

I’m not one of those moms who take it seriously.

I want my kid to go out there, give it his best and still have fun / enjoy it.

Nobody is coming to recruit your kid to their team for college or professional ball right now. If you’re one of the moms or dads who lose her mind over your kid not making a good play, or decision on the field, calm down! If you’re one of those moms or dads, have a beer or something after – but don’t take it out on your kid!

I understand that some parents feel like they’re preparing their kids for continuing this sport well on into high school and beyond but worry about all that when they’re teenagers in high school – or beyond.

My son said yesterday – that one of the coaches yelled at his kid in the dugout – in front of the team – because he was goofing off on the field.

My son said the kid cried – in front of the team. He was hurt. He was embarrassed. I don’t blame the kid.

And let me tell you…..

The game the night before last – when my son ran to 2nd base, some mom from the other team started screaming at one of the kids on the field, “You could have caught that! What are you doing? Pay attention!”. She was angry that my son hit 2nd base and the player chasing the ball – didn’t catch it before my son hit 2nd.

Calm down, homegirl! You’ll survive! 👀

Your team might lose, but you’ll survive. (I say that with humor), but damn. I can’t understand for the life of me – why parents take this so seriously when these kids are young and should just be enjoying themselves out there.

I don’t believe in putting all that stress and pressure on kids to be perfect in a sport, as long as they’re trying and giving it their all. 🩵

I’m NOT okay when I hear a parent, coach or someone who should be encouraging a kid – going off on them, making nasty comments, making them cry over a sport, or putting them down.

If I would have heard the coach yelling at his kid over the game and saw the kid crying, I would have said something – because that’s unnecessary!!!

I don’t want to hear all of that “It’s not your business” mess – because when it comes to protecting another child’s feelings – I’ll make it my business!

I asked my son if that same coach had ever yelled at him, and he said no.

I’ve seen coaches from other teams screaming at the kids they’re supposed to be coaching / encouraging, etc. and I’m so grateful that our main coach is quiet, calm, encouraging.

Anyway – the first game the night before last was beautiful.

My son made it back to the home plate, and the cheers for him were wild and so awesome. 💕

When he entered the dugout – his team wrapped him in a group hug, jumped up and down, patted his back and they all tapped the top of his helmet……more like banging on it – he says, but it was the cutest thing.

Everyone was so happy.

Another boy after him scored and we ended up winning.

Take that – Ms. Serious mom from the other team!

I wanted to look at her and be like:

VICTORY DANCE!

Again, I’m just being funny, but stop taking your kids games seriously if they’re 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Give them a break and you should just be having fun as well, and be happy that they’re not in the streets causing trouble and getting arrested.

So, we won the night before, and last night – we lost.

And – that’s okay!

It drives me crazy when someone talks down to or talks about a child and what they could have done better in a sport, rather than just encouraging them and helping them get better.

I absolutely love the coaches and parents who yell, “That’s okay! You’re doing great. Better luck next time. You got this! Shake it off, it’s okay! Nice try!”.

My son ran up to me after the game yesterday and said they lost. I told him it’s okay, and reminded him of the win the night before.

He said he didn’t do good because he didn’t hit any of the balls. I told him not many of our kids did yesterday. They played an older team I believe and that older team was really good.

I told my son not every day is going to be a win. Not every day is going to be cracking the balls across the field like he did the night before, and that’s normal. I told him he tried his best, and he played a good game. 🩵

That’s how it should be!

When we encourage these kids in sports, they’ll know they can make mistakes, have bad days, bad games, and still know that we love them and we’re proud and that there’s no negativity if they don’t do their best on certain days.

It’s a game! These kids are young. Colleges and the big leagues aren’t coming to their games to scout them right now, so chill out!

        ****

    In other news, I was planning a cute 18th birthday for my youngest daughter (who turns 18 next month), and I mentioned to a few of her friends that I’d be having something for her.

I said I’d let them know.

I mean – 18 is a huge milestone that has to be celebrated, right?

My daughter messaged me while I was out this week, and she asked why I told some of her friends that she was having an 18th birthday.

She was NOT happy about it and said she doesn’t want a party. She made it so clear, and she said there’s a few places she wants to go on her birthday but absolutely does not want a party.

Last year for her 17th, we went wherever she wanted to go, and I got her a Sash and crown to wear, but this year – upon not wanting a party, she also told me she doesn’t want a sash and crown.

I told her it’s her 18th, and that’s huge.

Still, I guess I have to respect her wishes, right?

It sucks when kids get older and start clearly stating what they want and don’t want, and no matter what you want to do for them, give them or how you think things should go – you have to honor their wishes sometimes and go with the flow.

I want her to be happy on her 18th, and the places she wants to go – are simple, so that’s what we’re doing for her birthday.

I guess it’s easier on me as well because it’s less money than a big party, and it’s less stressful from not having to plan a big party, so I should be thrilled that she doesn’t want one.

I can’t believe I’ll have another adult child next month, and then – there’s only 8 more years until my little dude turns 18, as he’ll be 10 in November.

Time needs to slow the hell down.

My daughter is turning into her own person now, and she’s finding who she is and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She’s becoming more independent, and she’s so ready to get a job and have her own money.

I am so proud of her!

She has also learned how to play around with ChatGPT, so apparently, we went to Puerto-Rico, and I have a boyfriend. 🤣

The trip we never took.

Plus – the boyfriend that doesn’t exist. He’s cute though, isn’t he? ha.

She makes me giggle when she creates and sends me these fun photos, and I joked with her yesterday that now I kind of want to find a boyfriend and travel to Puerto-Rico. ❤️🤔❤️

My darlings.

I hope you have a beautiful day.

If you’re coming across this – don’t forget to subscribe to get updates by email or hit that follow button and I’ll follow back.

🍵Shel🍵

Be careful who you associate with (and a Doubleheader tonight).

Good morning darlings!

I poured a cup of Coffee this morning and finished watching the new documentary (Maternal Instinct) on Netflix.

All I have to say is – WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT????????????

First of all, this woman (Taylor) sees this man (Wade) at the Rodeo in 2019 – and started communicating on social media and then quickly dating because she thought he was so adorable and had to be with him? Okay. That’s understandable! That’s a cute story, right?

Then – she comes up with this story about how evil her mother is, how her mother is trying to cut her out of a bunch of money she’s supposed to inherit, she doesn’t know the lengths her mother will go to – to make her life hell, so she suggests to (Wade) that she moves in with him to get further away from her mother?

Um – what?!

And – after only a little time of dating – not even really knowing each other much – he’s okay with letting her move in?

She’s buying him all this stuff. New car. New place, and he’s letting her.

You can’t convince me that he wasn’t in it for the money!

You can’t convince me he didn’t like her spoiling him, buying him things and doing whatever she could to keep him with her, including – um excuse me – faking a pregnancy?!!!!!!!!!!!

This woman (Taylor) literally went as far as to faking a pregnancy to keep this man, and she probably knew and felt like he didn’t really love her the way she thought he was going to or wanted him to, but a baby – that would fix everything, right?

I mean – I guess ……………

Enter Reagan.

This woman (Taylor) became friends with the beautiful (Reagan) when she was the photographer at Reagan’s wedding.

They became close friends, and Reagan trusted Taylor.

Reagan gets pregnant, has a great husband and a great life, and this woman (Taylor) is jealous of that. She wants that. She wants that life, but her boyfriend (Wade) acts like he doesn’t want to be with her and hasn’t once told her that he loves her – despite them being together for a while at that point. Despite them living together at that point because she technically forced her way into his home by making him feel like she was in danger from her own mother. (Who did nothing wrong by the way!)

So, Taylor goes on to to tell Wade she’s pregnant.

She does research and prints out fake ultrasound photos, orders a fake pregnancy belly to wear, goes on to stop allowing Wade to see her naked, sleeping in other places away from him, and spending hours in the bathroom, so he doesn’t see that she’s lying.

Months go by and she doesn’t look pregnant, but she has a fake gender reveal, has doctor appointments for baby checks, but doesn’t allow Wade to go in with her or has excuses why he can’t be there, and continues to lie and try to fool people.

Everyone is starting to suspect and tells Wade she’s crazy. She’s lying. She’s not pregnant. People are starting to do their own research and talk to people who know Taylor – including her own mother who confirms Taylor had a full Hysterectomy and can’t get pregnant but is too scared to say anything to Wade because she is afraid Taylor will keep her daughter away from her mother.

Taylor has excuses and reasons for everything when she’s confronted, and Wade’s mother and best friend try to talk reasoning to him and convince him Taylor is lying – but he doesn’t want to hear it.

Nothing in this documentary made sense, especially – him not confronting her himself and trying to find out if she’s really pregnant or not. You don’t love this girl. You only “care about her” from what he eventually admitted to his mother, but you’re going to continue to allow her to live in your house, lie to you, and not try to find out if she’s pregnant or not – because if she’s not and she’s been lying to you – it makes too much sense to use that as an excuse to break up with her and ask her to leave, right?

I do feel like hearing that her family has a lot of money, and she may be inheriting a lot of it soon – that man was putting up with her and her possible lies – because as he said in the beginning of this documentary – if that’s true – “he’d be set”. I think we all heard that part.

I’ve seen so many people talking about how he was just in it for the money, and I can’t say I disagree.

She lied and said her family was wealthy and she was getting some of that money.

I mean, she did buy him a ridiculously expensive truck, and all. So, why wouldn’t he want more where that came from? Someone else said he grew up poor, and it’s hard to say no to money when you grew up with none of it, so that makes sense as well.

I don’t think he’s just this innocent country boy who was caught in the middle of her lies.

I think he knew damn good and well that she wasn’t pregnant, (or at least suspected it) – and he just went with it and didn’t check – because at the end of the day – he could play victim. Maybe he was – just a little bit, but at the same time – I just find it wild that he didn’t ask more questions, find out for sure if there was a baby or not, check her search history, or demand to be in that doctor’s office with her during the “pre-natal” visits.

I watched this whole thing, and my heart broke for Reagan and that baby.

They’re the real innocent victims in this whole thing, and it shows you can’t trust everybody.

Reagan trusted Taylor. Reagan at one point – was the only one who seemed to give her the benefit of doubt and was there for her when everyone else was against her, and Reagan unfortunately – lost her life because of it. 💔

(Photo taken from Bates-Rolf Funeral home site)

I do NOT own this photo, and just had to share where it came from to avoid any legal stuff, but isn’t she beautiful?

My daughter and I both watched this documentary and we both agreed this (Taylor) chick – was insane.

So, if you’ve seen it, you’ll know that after she searched all kinds of crazy things – including videos on C-sections because she was getting desperate after being pregnant for 10 months (eye roll), and needed a baby to present to Wade, she went to Reagan’s house, killed her and cut the baby out.

You know that she tried driving to the hospital and had the baby in the front with her – not breathing, as she was pulled over and tried to play the baby off as hers, and claim she just had it.

You should have seen my face while watching this damn documentary.

I felt like screaming at the T.V:

“THEY CAN TELL YOU DIDN’T HAVE THAT CHILD, YOU IDIOT!!!!!”.

I mean – medical professionals are smart enough to know when you did and didn’t give birth, right? 🤣🤔 I couldn’t believe she really thought that trying to pass it off as her just having this baby in the car – was really going to work.

On top of that – she calls Wade to tell him she just had the baby and they were headed to the hospital – after using a fake number with another phone – to send him four hours away to sell hogs to someone who wasn’t even interested – that she had talked to about these hogs – weeks before that.

This chick is wild.

I know Mental health is a serious thing, but this chick took it to the next level!

This is why you have to be so careful who you associate with and trust.

People like her make it hard to trust anyone these days.

This whole story blew my mind and had me wanting to knock Wade upside the head myself and ask him what his real deal was! Did you stay for the money? Did you not suspect – at all – even for a moment of sanity – that she wasn’t pregnant? Come on now!!!!

Reagan’s mother – 0h my goodness!

I can’t even imagine what Reagan’s mother is going through after walking into that murder scene that day and having to SEE her daughter that way.

For this mother to have that image of walking into her daughter’s house and finding her – in her head the rest of her life – my heart is so broken for her.

She didn’t only lose a daughter, but also a grandchild, and she is one of the real victims in this whole thing as well.

People keep asking if I’ve seen it because those who know me – know I love a good movie and documentary – and these are my thoughts on the whole thing. Yes, I’ve seen it. No, I don’t believe Wade had no idea she wasn’t pregnant – even the slightest hint at least – and Taylor is now on death row.

My youngest daughter and I watched the documentary – (The Crash) – not too long ago, and we thought MacKenzie was insane, but I think Taylor has her beat in that department.

The other victims in this whole thing – Taylor’s mother – who had no idea she was making her look like the bad guy and anyone else involved that slowly drifted away from Taylor because they knew she was crazy. Wade’s family and friends who tried to warn him and had Wade cut them off because of it – those are the real victims.

I can say that even Wade deserves real love despite everything, and I hope he finds someone he does really love – with or without money, and that he can trust someone after all of this.

I hope Taylor’s mother and everyone who fell victim to her lies and deception – and especially the family and friends / husband of Reagan – find some kind of peace in all of this, and that this never happens to anyone else.

WATCH WHO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH. Not everyone has your best interest at heart, and some people can destroy your life in just a few short months. Do your own research and if people are trying to warn you about someone – believe them!

Most of the time – they’re right. Trust your instincts and do your own research.

That’s my point of view and opinions on this whole crazy case.

To Reagan and baby B. – sending big hugs and lots of love to Heaven and may you both – forever be remembered. 😔

To everyone else……

I have a two-hour drive later for a doubleheader baseball game for my little dude in a few hours.

Some of the moms were wondering how the boys would find time to eat, or what they would eat during the games, and I loved that the coach and his wife said they’d be bringing hotdogs, buns and some other things for the boys to eat while they’re playing both games, and other moms decided to chip in.

One said she was bringing fruit.

One said she was bringing a cooler full of Gatorade.

I said I’d bring chips. (Because they go perfectly with hotdogs). 😁I ended up getting two boxes of chips to bring.

Other moms and dads are bringing other things, and I love that we’re all chipping in for our boys who are going to have a long day.

I’m pretty sure Elijah will knock out on the way home tonight.

When I signed him up for Baseball, I didn’t know there was traveling involved, but – it is what it is and he’s having so much fun, so I don’t really mind.

Have a blessed week my loves!

⚾Shel⚾