Tag: parenting

A song and the effects, funny Eli moments, and being human.

What’s a song that changed your life?

   I can’t say it really changed my life …. but the song that has always had a huge impact on my life and my emotions is Kelly Clarkson – (Because of You).

Any time I hear it, I cry.

It doesn’t matter if I don’t want to or not, if I try not to, or if I try thinking of something else while it’s on…. I cry.

Sometimes, I have to change it when I hear it on the radio because if I’m in a good mood, I don’t want it ruined.

Because of you – reminds me of my dad. Not in a good way, either.

I don’t talk a lot about what happened with my dad because he’s gone now and what’s the point? But…. We never really had a good relationship, and he’s done things that have made it hard for me to trust a lot of people.

He taught me when I was young (without even realizing it), that there are people out there that have the wrong intentions, that can’t be trusted, that are only involved in your life to see what they can get out of it and who don’t care if they hurt you or not, as long as you stay quiet about it.

My dad was the first man to ever break my heart and make me not trust people from the time I was about 11 ….all the way into my adult years.

So, when I hear Because of you – every single word – every single lyric – reminds me of why I don’t trust a lot of people. Why I play it safe and stick to who and what I know. Why I’m so protective (maybe over protective) of my own kids and why I’m guarded.

I don’t let a lot of people into my inner circle and I like to keep my circle small.

He’s the reason I’m so protective of kids these days. I don’t care if they’re my kids or other people’s kids, but I will fight for a child’s safety, their rights, their voice. Them in general. I will defend a child. I will always make sure any child I encounter is safe.

My dad left me with a lot of emotional scars to deal with. A lot of anger. A lot of sadness. A lot of distrust, and I hate that.

So, the song that has changed my life or takes me through emotions – is because of you … because I feel just the way she felt in that song.

Betrayed. Angered. Irritated. Sad. Hurt. Untrusting.

Kelly wrote that song about her parents and their bitter divorce when she was 6. All the trauma she went through. All the things she saw between them, and things that were going on in the home when she was growing up.

She wrote it about the trust issues she now faces because of the trauma she encountered when she was growing up. She wrote it about the broken home she grew up in, and all the pain and emotional distress she faced and still faces because of it.

I feel that! I know the feeling.

I don’t like to talk about my dad and the things that happened, and not a lot of people care to hear it, so I don’t even bring it up.

I always believed that when our souls get up there to God when we pass….we all have to answer to him and we can’t deny what we’ve done here on this earth, so some part of me wants to believe that he had to answer for his actions here on earth. 🫤

Still, what happened….what I’ve dealt with and what he put me through as a child, has taught me I can’t trust everybody, to keep my circle small with a handful of people I do trust, and to protect every child that needs it.

It’s such a great song and I’ve always made sure that my children are safe, protected, and to know they can talk to me about anything and I’ll believe them. I’ll defend them. I’ll trust them because as the saying goes …..

“Overprotective mothers were once under protected daughters”.

I absolutely love how she talks about protecting her own child and never allowing her child to go through anything she went through or had to see as a child. 🩷

I stand by that!

I’ll always cry when I hear this song and let it play.

It will always affect me, but it’s such a true, powerful and real song that I absolutely love, and that speaks truth for those who never had anyone to say, “I believe you!”, or “You’re safe now!”.

Anyway, lets move on to better things, Yes?

Let me make you laugh.

My little dude’s teacher emailed me last night and she asked how he seems. She asked if he had any more complaints.

When he first started at this school a few months ago, there were two little boys bothering him and saying things to him that hurt my son’s feelings and he didn’t like it. He was letting it get to him, and I finally said something to the teacher, who I noticed – did most likely handle it because now my son and these boys are somewhat friendly towards each other.

My son hasn’t had any more complaints and I always ask him if anyone bothered him, said anything to him, or if someone is messing with him, and these days – he always says no. He comes out of school most of the times – happy, and ready to tell me about his day or what happened during the day – (which I’m so grateful for).

Things have been so much better now – than when he first started at this new school.

The teacher has said he’s a great kid, but he likes to be funny, silly, play around in class, and yes – that’s my Elijah. He loves making people laugh and being goofy, but we’ve talked about the right places to do it, and school isn’t one of those places. Especially if the teacher is trying to teach, and he’s trying to be funny.

She said she was so proud of him for how he was on Tuesday and Friday of last week, and I giggled and asked about the other three days.
In the email, she said he’s a great kid, but he loves to argue and always has to be right. She did a (LOL) – to let me know she was laughing about it, though.

I called Elijah because I was out when I got the email, and I asked him about it.

I asked why he fights with his teacher. Why he argues with her.

He said, “Because she always wants to be right. She always thinks she’s right”. He had no idea she said the same thing about him, so that made me laugh so much. I told him it’s funny, because she says the same thing about him.

I do know my son could be a lawyer one day because he does love to argue and try to be right.

Example: I’ve told him over and over and over again last week – every day he went to school – to put his sweaters on because he’d wrap them around his waist.

He’d argue that it wasn’t even that cold outside, and I’d argue back that he needed to put on his sweaters. Every day. I kept telling him he was going to get sick. He kept insisting it was fine and he wasn’t cold. I told him the weather was, and we went back and forth. I finally decided to do the whole pick and choose your battles thing, and since it wasn’t freezing and it was just a little chilly, I just said, “Fine! When you get sick, I don’t want nothing about not wanting to go to school because you’re going!”. He insisted he wasn’t going to get sick because it’s not cold outside – he said.

Halloween – same thing. I demanded he wears a long-sleeve shirt under his baseball costume and he argued with me. I argued back and it was not up for discussion. Halloween was beautiful, but it was still a bit chilly that night, and I was a glad I made him wear his long-sleeve, but he insisted on keeping the sleeves pushed up to his elbows and it drove me crazy.

I warned him again about getting sick, and he insisted he wouldn’t.

Yesterday, I heard him sniffling, and I knew his nose was stuffed. He kept blowing it, and I knew he was getting sick. I looked at him and just said – very calmly – “Uh – huh”. I already knew. He looked at me, smiled and said, “I’m not getting sick!”.

My face:

Idk..that sounds an awful lot like a cold coming on, Kid!

Mom always know best, but he’ll learn as he gets older.

I didn’t listen to my mom much when I was younger, but I learned a lot of hard life lessons because she was always right and I didn’t want to listen. lol.

I guess he’ll have to learn lessons the same way, huh?!

anyway……

I have a good friend I adore – and she is always asking if I’m reading my Bible, taking notes, praying, trusting God, etc.

I have so much going on in my life right now, that she’ll send me Bible quotes and verses, and videos to listen to about God.

I love her dearly, and I love God dearly – but lately, I’ve been feeling like I’ve been losing some of my faith, and I hate this feeling. I’ve prayed so many times and so much, I’m starting to wonder if he’s up there listening or not.

Last week, she messaged me and I told her right away not to bring up any Bible verses, ask if I’ve read my Bible or anything because I didn’t want to hear it.

She absolutely respected my wishes, and she was great at just being there for me.

However, I was in my car last night and I prayed. Out-loud. I went and got myself Wendy’s – and as I sat in the car, I saw a Dollar tree across the way, and I thought about the Bible sitting in my bag at home – that I haven’t touched in so long.


I decided it was time.

I decided to run to the Dollar tree and grab myself what I now named “My God notebook”.

The outside is black and it says “Notes”. The inside looks like pages you can draw on – with no lines or anything, but I don’t need lines. I plan to take out my Bible and start reading it again. I plan to write down my favorite verses, scriptures, stories, etc.

I plan to write down my dreams, my goals, my wishes, my prayers in there and just anything in my heart that I need to get out – and don’t want to write for the world to see. It’s all going in there as my little “God’s eyes only” book – I guess you could say.

I need to get my faith back, and start trusting God again to know what he’s doing up there, to have a plan for my life, and even if nothing makes sense to me right now – I know he knows everything he’s got planned for me, and that little by little – things will start falling into place.

That’s where I am in my life right now. Lost. Confused. Losing faith I need to hang on to and make stronger. Ready to turn it all over to God and let him do things that I can’t do on my own without him.

My life is far from perfect right now, and in fact – it’s a whole mess, and messy – but I love running across motivational videos and one I heard recently was on a Ben Matias video – that I absolutely adore.

It goes back and forth between two alter-egos. Him acting as two people.

I’ll say 1 and 2.

1: I’m tired. I’m tired of trying to get my life together. Every time I think I’m getting better – something else goes wrong. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore.

2: Congratulations! You’ve officially found out that you’re a human being. Think you’re supposed to have everything figured out? You think you’re supposed to wake up every morning knowing exactly what to do with your life?

1: NO, but…..

2: But what? You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to disappoint people. You’re going to have days where you don’t get a damn thing right.

1: I know that!

2: Then why are you beating yourself up for? You’re so busy thinking about the things that you haven’t gotten done, that you can’t even enjoy the things that you’ve already done.

1: It feels like I’m failing everybody.

2: Everybody? Who is everybody? ‘Cause last time I checked, you’re the only one that has to live your life, and you’re treating yourself worse than anybody else ever has. You’re not perfect. I’m not perfect. Nobody on this damn earth is perfect. So, why do you think you’re the only exception?

1: I’m just scared I’m going to screw everything up.

2: Then, screw up!!! Fix what you can. Apologize when you need to. Learn something and keep going. ‘Cause what do you want me to say? That you’re never going to have a bad day? ‘Cause I can’t promise you that! What I can tell you is…life goes on. No matter what the situation. Every puzzle in life can be solved by moving pieces around, and if you need a break, go take a break. You can come back to the puzzle later, but you can’t get back the time staring at it.

I loved this so much, and I agree with it fully.

I’m learning that I’m going to make mistakes, disappoint people, and have bad days, and that’s okay. I’m learning I can’t please everyone, I’m the only one who has to live this life and I have to do what makes me happy, or move the puzzle pieces around the way I need to – to make them all fit the way I need them to – if that makes sense.

I need to do what I need to do – to make sure my life is good, and whatever anyone thinks or has an opinion on – not my issue. Let them be disappointed or bothered by my choices, but they’re my choices.

So, while I don’t talk about everything going on right now, or everything I have on my plate – I just have to figure out how to allow myself to screw up sometimes, stop trying to please everyone, and to do what I feel is best for myself and my kids – as I try to put my life back together and get everything figured out.

Messy and all.

Baby, if you’re reading this…..

We’re all human. We’re allowed to have messy lives and situations. We’re allowed to disappoint people and make mistakes. We’re allowed to screw up and start over. We’re allowed to do what we feel is best for us and be happy …even if others don’t like our choices. We’re allowed to be human!

Whatever you’re feeling, dealing with, going through….you got this and I’m right there with you as we all try to figure shit out because all of us in this life…are dealing with some madness in different ways.

I got nothing else right now.

Love you!

By the way – LITE FM 93.9 Chicago is turning on the holiday lite within the next day or two, so pay attention and listen in my loves.

XoXo

Family fun not (but not for me),  today’s WP writing prompt, and home hunting.

Tell us about your morning routine.

   Sure.

I wake up before 7 AM, wash my face and shower.

Get ready for the day.

Take my older son to work.

Take my little dude to school, and many times – my daughter will make me a cup of coffee. 😊

I don’t have to be at work until later in the day, so the mornings are usually spent watching movies with my daughter, or trying to figure out what we’re doing the rest of the morning. ❤️

Plain and simple.

I don’t have a busy routine in the mornings and I’m grateful for that.

    In other news ….my kiddo had his first school event since being at the new school he’s going to here in Illinois.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t go because I didn’t want to he sneezing and coughing all over the place and I was still pretty sick yesterday. I’ve been fighting this thing for almost a week now, and I lost my dang voice as I think I mentioned before.

I’ve been looking forward to it all week. My little dude has been looking forward to it all week.

It was a family fun night, and I didn’t want him to miss it. I really wanted to go to meet new parents and maybe get to know them and their kids, but I couldn’t even talk, so there was no point.

My daughter jumped in and saved the day when she said she’ll go with Elijah, and I was able to drop them off. She was a life saver yesterday and I’m so grateful for her.

I waited in the car and let them enjoy their time, as they played games, had popcorn, and ran around doing other things. It was packed and I really do wish I could have gone and enjoyed everything, but he totally understood why I didn’t.

Kailani messaged me a while into it and said my friend Stephanie was there. That was pretty awesome and I got a bit excited to learn that her stepson goes to the same school. I had no idea, but it’s good to know that I won’t be alone at future events, and she’ll be there. ☺️

So, I didn’t get to enjoy this family fun night I’ve been looking forward to, but I’ll be at all the future events. 💜

I was actually in the ER because I was so miserable the night before last, and I haven’t been able to sleep. Y’all know I hate hospitals and doctors, so for me to go get checked – you know I had to be feeling really bad.

I walked in, and they quickly did an X-ray.

One of the male nurses stuck a whole swab up my nose – way back – which is so uncomfortable and painful – to test for covid and the flu.

Then he sticks another down my throat to test for Strep – and on top of telling me he was going to start an IV – he tells me, “This is just going to be a little poke”. That little poke – hurt like hell, and the female entering my information into the computer tells me, “His name is Alex if you want to go after him”. I laughed and told Alex I’d be waiting for him in the parking lot after his shift was over – which made him laugh.

The wait at the hospital was going to be hours, and I just wanted to lay down, so I decided not to wait, and I went home to sleep it off. Or try to – because for days – as I said – I haven’t been able to sleep.

All of my tests came back negative or normal, so I’m just really sick, and I think I’m finally at the end of it.

I had some hot lemon tea today and my older son was laughing when I talked with my regular voice for a good 2 seconds and it left again. 🤣

I tried.

So, that’s what’s going on in my world right now.

Trying to fight this damn thing and living life.

I will also share that for the last month or so, we’ve been staying with my aunt and uncle until we find a place out here in Illinois.

My aunt and uncle’s house has always been our home away from home and we love it here. They’ve been amazing and we’re so grateful for them, but of course – we need our own place again and the one I thought I wanted – fell through.

We went to go look at a cute little – cozy apartment in one of the suburbs near us a few weeks ago, and I really liked this place, but when we saw it, there were still people living there and I like to do a full search of a place before I move in.

I always look for signs of mold, bugs, and other issues before I say, “We’ll take it!”, and I couldn’t really look around the way I wanted to – with the people’s things in there. So, we just kind of looked in the rooms, the bathroom, the kitchen, living room, etc. and I liked when the landlord told me that there’s a patio right outside the kitchen door, and she loves seeing patio furniture, so if I have some – put it out and use the patio. ❤️

However – what am I using it for? To get a view of the parking lot? lol.

Still, the living room had a nice view when the blinds were open, so I really did want to take that place.

I asked her if we could come back and look at it a 2nd time when the current tenants moved out, and she did call me a week later and told us to come back.

We went back to look and she told me she loves my family, and would love to have us move in.

However – the way landlords run background checks on future tenants, always be sure to do the same on your future landlords because I dealt with a slumlord for 6 years, and I never want to deal with one again.

When I did my research on this landlord, her name came up with all kinds of lawsuits, and complaints against her from other tenants. 👀 So, I really had to decide if I wanted to take that gamble and take the place, not knowing how she’d be with us.

She tried to hire my daughter to work in her office, and she seemed really happy about renting to us, but at the end of the day – her prices kept changing and going up, and this was one of the complaints against her.

The washer didn’t work and she wanted us to use the basement washer. Why? If I’m paying rent and I have a washer and dryer in my unit – I expect them to work and me to be able to use the ones right in my apartment. She didn’t have any plans to get the washer fixed, either.

She did plan to change the blinds and have the apartment painted, but then I noticed a crack in the ceiling and what looked like part of the living room ceiling could fall at any moment. It almost looked like a water stain and water damage from the apartment above, maybe?

She said she thinks it came from their AC leaking, and could have that fixed. You could or you will? I told her I didn’t need it falling on our heads, and she said she guarantees it won’t, and that it’s drywall.

She told us she learned her lesson, because in one of her other apartments – part of a ceiling fell and almost hit a child in the head while he was in bed. 🫩 Seriously?

As much as we wanted and needed that place, I decided to dodge a bullet, save myself money and headaches and keep looking.

The final straw was when she wanted $75 for the application fee, but then switched it to $150.

So then – we found another place out in another suburb not too far, and the guy seemed so cool.

He told me all the great reasons I should rent from him and then threw in, “Plus, I’m tall, dark and handsome!”. 😆 Sir! I’m looking for an apartment, not a man!

He told me about a sweet elderly woman who lived in the apartment for years, and that he used to bring her Amazon packages up to her whenever she got them, and said, “Isn’t that sweet?”. He wanted brownie points – I’m guessing? I told him how sweet that was, and my daughter laughed and told me, “He’s about to bring your Amazon packages up to you all the time”.

What kind of made us giggle more – was that he asked if we had pets, and when we said we had a cat and bunny, he said he loves bunnies, but he’s allergic. He then says, “I just don’t want to be sneezing all over the place daily, but I guess I can take something for it!”.

My daughter whispered, “What the hell? You’re not going to be living with us. What do you mean daily?”. 🤣 She also whispered something about me opening my eyes one day, and he’s going to be standing over me with breakfast in bed, telling me not to worry about why he’s in the apartment. lol.

Kailani is hilarious, but this landlord really was acting weird and the things he was saying – made me wonder. Then again – maybe he’s just lonely? I don’t know.

He asked where I work and how much I make. Rent was $1,600 and he told me, “Oh yeah! You’ll be fine”. I guess we could have taken that one, but I’ve also dealt with a creepy landlord previously and I don’t want that again either.

So, we’ve kept looking and we’ve found a few we plan to hopefully go see this week.

I also know I want a house next year, so I’ve been looking for a new real estate agent and to see what’s on the market right now. Maybe by next fall.

I never wanted to own a house. I didn’t want the headaches that came with it, but I know it’s probably the best thing to do for my kids and myself. 💜

Until then, the apartment hunt continues and I’m excited to find something, and continue settling into life in Illinois again.

My aunt and uncle have been amazing and my uncle gets upset when I talk about leaving or going to see an apartment, but my aunt retires in a few weeks, and I’m going to feel bad if we’re still there when she should have a quiet house and my uncle all to herself. 😊

So, we’re trying to find something asap.

That’s another thing that’s been on my mind and a big stressor lately. Still, faith over fear and trust that God already has the perfect place waiting for us.

       I’m out of here.

       Love ya.

                  🤍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🍵

Naps and baseball.

Daily writing prompt
What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?
View all responses

In response to today’s WP writing prompt – NAPS! 🤣❤️

I’m old. I know.

Once you pass 40, a nap becomes a beautiful thing.

When I was younger, I HATED naps.

My (Yia-Yia) grandma and my (Papa) grandpa used to make my brother and I take naps when we came home from school every day. They used to babysit until our parents got home from work, and we had to nap for at least an hour. They had a love seat couch and a regular one, so we’d pick our couches, lay down and proceed to make each other laugh, instead of napping.

If Papa heard us talking and laughing, he’d stand by the little area between the living room and kitchen and bang his cane on the counter.

We tried to shut up and go to sleep when we heard that, but one of us would always start laughing again, causing the other to start laughing. Eventually, we’d fall asleep.

As I got older, I no longer felt like I needed a nap, so my grandparents would tell me just to lay down and wait until my brother fell asleep, and I could get back up. That’s what I did for a year or so – before he pretended to be asleep one day and realized I was getting up and not napping anymore.

He finally told my grandparents he didn’t want to nap, and they no longer made us, but for the time they did – we hated those forced naps.

I remember him confronting them and yelling, “If she doesn’t have to take a nap, neither do I”. They didn’t even fight with him about it. They agreed.

Now that I’m 44, Naps have become lovely.

If I’ve had a long morning or woke up early – and have the time to nap during the day, I’m doing it!

It’s doesn’t happen often. I’m usually super busy with work, the kids, and just making sure everything gets paid or done, but the moments that I can actually take a time out and nap – it’s great. I love naps, now. Especially on a dark, cloudy, stormy day.

…………..

Now that we have that out of the way, today is a Baseball Day.

My little dude has a game not too far away.

We were supposed to have a Double-header last night, but it was storming most of the day, and the other team’s field was under water.

I can’t say I was disappointed because I wasn’t looking forward to that long drive, but they rescheduled for the 2nd week in July, so we still have to make that drive.

When I signed Elijah up for Baseball, I didn’t realize it was traveling Baseball, but I’ve done this before with my older son when he played Basketball. We used to have to travel to Wisconsin – sometimes for all day games. It’s not a big deal. It’s just a lot of time and gas.

I love watching Elijah play, and it gets him away from the video games, so I’m still going to travel to wherever they play, and yes – I’m still going to whine about it, but I know he loves the game, and he loves his coaches and team, so it’s all worth it. ⚾🧢

I have nothing for you today.

I shall go get my day started and maybe take a small nap. lol.

Seriously, love you all and whoever may come across this – I hope you have a fantastic day.

❤️Shel❤️

My parents once told me…………

What’s something you used to believe as a kid that seems ridiculous now?

   My parents used to tell me if I turned on the lights in the car while they were driving, the police would pull them over. 👀😁

Of course, that sounds ridiculous now and I’ve turned the lights on in my car while driving. Cops don’t care. My own kids have turned the lights on in the car while I’m driving, and the cops don’t care. That is in fact – a MYTH.

I’ve never been pulled over for it, and I don’t even think that’s a thing, but my parents really had me believing that when I was younger. (lol)

…………..

Let’s talk about my youngest daughter, though!

That little spoiled girl.

When she graduated high school a few weeks ago, she had the option to either have a graduation party, or go see two Latin singers she absolutely loves (Romeo Santos and Prince Royce) in concert – out in Chicago.

She picked the concert in Chicago.

When we came back to Minnesota, she saw that all her friends were having graduation parties, so she made a comment about it and I felt like she really did want one. We talked about it, and while I refused to spend hundreds on a big party because she already made her choice, I was more than willing to have a graduation (get-together) for her with just a few of her close friends.

She was more than happy with that idea, so I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off – planning that and getting everything together for it.

                           That was today.

I got off work, went and grabbed a few pizzas for her and her friends, went to pick up one of her friends because she’s on the route I take home, and the rest of my daughter’s friends had their parents drop them off. One of them drove herself.

We got the cake, the decorations, plates, chips, dip, pop, napkins, etc. yesterday, so that was all ready for today because I refused to rush around after work.

My daughter was excited about it, and even though she had a choice and picked the concert, I didn’t want her to feel left out of a graduation party, or at least something fun with her friends, so I caved!

I told them they could have the entire living room, dining room and kitchen to themselves and do whatever. (Watch movies, play games, play PS5, and so on) – and I wouldn’t bother them.

I promised my little dude we’d take our pizza into his room and watch movies, just him and I. He loved that idea, and that’s what we did. 😊 I invited my older son to join us, but he was on his PS5 in his own room.

Here’s one thing I learned a long time ago. (Years ago actually)…….

When teenage girls get together – they are crazy, wild and loud. They laugh a little too loud. They have no filters and say the craziest things. They scream and joke around a little too loudly. They make a hell of a lot of noise, and they are all hyper and goofy, so I didn’t expect anything other than that today, and that’s exactly what I got. 😂

They blasted the music, and I smiled and giggled a bit as I listened to them all singing different songs together.

Yes, they were really loud, but I didn’t mind.

I know my daughter had the best time and I’m so happy I was able to do this for her.

I wanted to take so many cute photos, but I also just wanted to leave her and her friends alone, so my little dude and I – stayed in his room watching movies and we let the girls have their fun.

My kitchen is a mess from cake and pizza.

The girls are now just relaxing in the living room – as I write this.

I hope and think that they are finally calming down from the hyper day they’ve had, and all the fun.

I’m so grateful she has some great friends in her life.

One of her friends was dropped off by the parents, and they came inside for a bit to chat.

I was more than grateful when the mom suggested I let her husband fix my car because it needs some work, the brakes and rotors need to be done – along with a few other things.

I haven’t been able to find a mechanic who I actually trust and who actually knows what they’re doing. So, I’ll take my car over there one day and allow him to fix it all if he can.

The little get-together for my daughter was a success.

The girls are still enjoying this.

The night is coming to an end, and I will be driving two of the girls home, probably coming back and enjoying a glass of wine in silence, and getting to bed early – as I work in the morning.

I have nothing else going on tonight, and I hope all of you have a beautiful one.

Love you.

😊Shel😊

If I could tell my 20-year-old self – something, The “D” word hits one of my favorite couples, and a rained-out baseball game.

Daily writing prompt
What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
View all responses

“Baby, go to college and start a career now. If you wait, life is going to kick your ass!”.

Today’s WP writing prompt asked. I’m answering.

I know they say that no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to go back to school, but I will also add to that – that it’s a lot harder if you’re older.

If you’re in your 20’s – Do it while you’re young! Go to college NOW!

I was raising a kid when I was 20, and I was still partying and living my best life, so I wasn’t thinking about college.

I wanted to go.

I knew I should go to college right then and there.

Well, I did go for a little bit, but not the way I should have been.

I enrolled for Psychology because at the time – that’s what I thought I wanted to do, but I dropped those classes because then I thought I wanted to be a nurse.

I took up CNA classes at first and planned to get my LPN license. Eventually, I wanted to go for my RN license because I wanted to be a Labor and Delivery nurse, but sometimes – not all pregnancies and births go the way they’re supposed to, and I knew I didn’t want to see the awful side of it. The pregnancies and births that didn’t go smoothly, or the babies that ended up in the NICU for whatever reasons.

So……………

I left those classes because Massage therapy sounded nice, but I wasn’t interested in the fact that we had to get completely naked in class, and work on each other (because that’s part of Massage therapy) in real life. Of course, we were all covered by thin sheets, but still.

I left those classes, and when I finally figured out what I really wanted to do – I should have just gone to college, stuck with it, finished and got into my career young.

I always knew what I wanted to be or do from the time I was 15, (Probation officer) so it wasn’t like I was still “trying to figure it out”. Or was I? Maybe I was just trying to make sure before I enrolled in classes again.

When I finally knew for sure……………….

I just didn’t feel like I had time for that because when was I going to spend time with my kid, or have time to party? I was making the wrong choices and felt like I had all the time in the world for college, and “I’ll go one day”. That was my mind-set and I wish it wasn’t back then, but the reality is – even though I am now 43, and graduated college with two Criminal Justice degrees, it was so much harder to balance work, kids, bills, and life in general when I did finally go to college at the age of 39.

I graduated with my associate degree in 2023, and my BA degree in 2025, and I am so proud of that.

It is proof that no matter how old you are, you can still go back to school and do something with yourself, but – it is so much harder as you get older and have to balance different things, meet school paper deadlines and do projects, and so on.

If I had a chance to tell my 20-year-old self – something – it would be not to wait. To go to college while you’re 20 and only have one kid. While you’re not working crazy hours and overtime and paying all these bills, and losing your damn mind trying to survive in your 40’s.

I am still so proud of all the men and women who do go to college at a later age and finish, but it’s a lot harder, and I’m sure many would agree with me.

It’s not easy to raise kids, pay bills, work their asses off and are my age – just now going to college to better their lives.

I will also say that as we get older – even if we graduate college and have the best GPA’s and degrees, it’s not enough to get the career you want because now you’re a lot older, and people our ages are looking forward to only working the next 20-something years and living the rest of our lives having fun, retired and happy – not just trying to start the career you wanted to start many years ago while you were younger, and didn’t get your ass into college right away.

It’s not only harder going to college when you’re older, but also to start a career you want when you’re older.

I do suggest if you’re in your teens or 20’s and you’re reading this – you plan to go to college right after high school and get the career you want while you’re still young enough to do so.

As for me, I sadly live in an area / small town – where there isn’t many or any opportunities to be in the career I want, so, I will be moving somewhere bigger and better in the next few months to a year and making sure I make this happen for myself, but………….

………………… don’t wait to go to college and think you can be what you want to be later, because sometimes – that doesn’t happen, it may be too late, and you just need to motivate yourself to do it now.

Hell, even if you’re in your 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and still thinking about college and wish you could – you SHOULD!

It’s never too late. It just becomes a little harder, but if I did it, why not you?

SO, I’d just tell my 20-year-old self to enroll, finish now, and become what you’ve always wanted to become.

Don’t wait.

Besides that……………..

I think by now – we all went to bed last night or woke up this morning to the shocking and sad news that:

(Image taken from TMZ)

I was scrolling Facebook last night, and I scrolled past a TMZ post reporting it, and we all know that TMZ doesn’t report it – if it’s not facts, right? They are my “go-to” when I want to check sources and make sure the news I hear is real.

I was so heartbroken to hear this because what the hell?

Jelly and Bunnie seemed like they were so happy.

They seemed like the perfect couple.

I just read Bunnie’s new book about how they were healing together after everything that happened in their past with each other and as individuals.

I heard a few months ago, Bunnie was doing treatments to try to get pregnant and have their baby.

So, this came out of nowhere for everyone, and I think the entire world is feeling this.

I’m not a huge Jelly roll fan, but him as a person and all the good things that he has done for others – makes him an amazing person, and we all know I absolutely adore and love Bunnie XO. She’s real, raw and doesn’t care what people think.

She inspires others to not care what people think, and she has done so much good for others as well.

So, to hear that he filed for this divorce, it’s sad.

It just proves that when others see another couple looking all cuddled up and happy, all cute and think that they are “the perfect couple”, we never know what goes on behind closed doors, or what struggles their marriage is having.

A married couple could look so happy and perfect outdoors around people, go home together, and be miserable.

The wife is unhappy and truly wants a divorce, but they have kids, assets, a business, or whatever else they own together, so it will be tough and expensive to get out of the marriage, or the husband feels that way. Maybe both – but not all “happy and perfect” marriages are the way they seem and Jelly and Bunnie proved that.

Someone in our family – or our friend groups can seem like they have the healthiest, best marriage and in reality, when the couple is home alone – they’re doing nothing but fighting, or not speaking to each other and not sleeping in the same bed anymore.

We never know the reality of what couples DON’T want us to see, so – we think and see what they portray, and that’s how it is now with Bunnie and Jelly. He filed in May, and nobody knew anything until they just announced it and news channels reported it.

Bunnie was with Jelly when he had nothing. She helped him financially, emotionally and mentally when he was going through some of his darkest times, and she helped raise his daughter, and he did a lot of things for her as well, so I’m hoping they remain good friends, continue to be there for each other, and get to live their individual happy lives now – apart. 💔

NOBODY SAW THIS ONE COMING, but that’s life.

******

Baseball:

We drove an hour 1/2 away to another part of Minnesota last night for the double-header our team was supposed to play, but while GPS showed at first it was 2-hours, it was about an hour and some minutes or so.

We got their and my kids were speechless at how beautiful and huge this other school was.

They have their own ICE arena, and my kids joked that if those kids ever came to our little town, they’d want to turn around go back to their little town.

Anyway, it was cold.

The weather called for storms, and it was lightening with rumbles of thunder way off in the distance, but we all knew it was going to eventually get to us.

The coaches kept an eye on the weather, and there were talks about either waiting it out for the 2nd game, or rescheduling. As we sat on the bleachers, the clouds got lower, darker, and weather apps were saying, “Take shelter now”. That part of Minnesota has seen a few tornados, and I just told my kids to be ready to run to the car, open it and start it up, and I’d grab Elijah (my little dude), and I’d run to the car as well.

I wanted to make sure they were safe, while I made sure my little dude was safe – if anything major happened, but – thankfully, it just started pouring right after we won our first game against this school, and the boys all ran into the dugout to eat hotdogs, and whatever else the moms and dads brought.

We brought the chips, and I felt like I should have gotten something healthy, but I was so happy to hear that almost every kid on the team dug into the chips, and they were good with it. 😁

My little dude came running over to me and told me the coach said he could leave because they probably weren’t playing the 2nd game. I walked over to the coach to make sure – because sometimes, my little dude likes to play around too much, but he was right.

Our Coach and the coach from the other team were talking about how it wasn’t supposed to stop raining until later, and they were talking about rescheduling. The other coach mentioned how if the boys went back onto the field, they’d be cold, wet and miserable and I was glad he made that call to end it for the night.

So, we were able to leave and get home earlier than we expected, and it was nice to not have to drive late on dark, country roads. We drove while it was still light outside and got home safely by the grace of God!

The boys have an hour-long practice today.

I had to laugh when we were leaving the field yesterday, walking to the car and my daughter ran past me.

She yelled, “Go! Go! Run! I stole a box of the chips we brought!”.

She was running, so I thought she was serious. I yelled her name and told her to get back by me, but she stopped running, laughed and said she was just joking.

She smiled and said, “If I were to steal anything – it wouldn’t be a box of chips!”. She was raised right, and she knows better, so I’m not worried about her stealing anything, but I did think she took the box of chips – maybe thinking they were done with it.

I had brought two boxes, and she said she grabbed a bag, and one of the coaches told her all the boys already had chips, and they were done, so she was able to take that box home.

All-in-all, the boys had fun yesterday before the wind picked up and it started raining.

There were no tornados.

We got home safe.

I was up early this morning, and this mama hasn’t had coffee yet, so I love you all and hope you have a blessed day if you run across this!

❤️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. 💔

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.

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⚾

Baseball.

Good morning honey bunches!

My little dude had his second game last night for the team he plays on.

They played against another school.

Last week, they won their first game and last night – they won their second. ❤️

We traveled almost an hour away to get to that school, and it was a good game.

The coach from the other team drove me crazy because he wouldn’t just let the kids have fun.

He had to keep screaming at his team and he sounded like he was getting aggravated because our team kept scoring. These poor kids couldn’t concentrate on the game because they were hearing him all up in their ears.

I couldn’t concentrate on the game because he kept screaming plays at his team while they were on the field.

I felt like walking up to him and telling him:

I’m just being funny, but I seriously wanted to go tell him to let his team play and that nobody wants to hear him screaming every second.

He was calling his teams names so much, they didn’t know if they should look at the ball or look at him.

I love our coaches!

Our coaches were peaceful and quietly gave our boys advice and then backed off and let them do their thing – while encouraging them and cheering them on.

Our coaches know the boys have to concentrate and to leave them be when they’re on the field.

The boys know what they’re doing and if they don’t, the coaches will jump in and simply let them know what to do. Other than that, our coaches are calm, respectful, and know it’s just a game – win or lose.

I think after we were able to get many homeruns, he finally gave up and finally stopped screaming onto the field.

Still, our boys won. They did a great job. They worked so well together, and I was proud of my son because while he is still learning to bat a little better, the coaches did an amazing job at getting him to at least know when and how to bat. He was able to hit the ball and get to 1st base, and beyond.

I saw him smile on 1st base and it made me smile as a mother. He was proud of himself, and he had every right to be! 😊

I love that the boys on our team cheer each other on. I love that the other parents cheer each other’s kids on.

I will say that I feel so bad because I don’t know all of their kid’s names. I know a few of the kids on the team from being in classes with my son over the years, but I don’t know them all, so when other parents are cheering for the boys at bat – or out in the field – I just go with the flow and listen for who they’re cheering for.

I still feel a little out of place.

I’m not from here, and I don’t know all of the parents.

I’ve gotten to know a few great ones, and I’m so grateful that they’ve been so friendly and welcoming, so supportive and kind, but it still feels a little awkward to be around a bunch of people who grew up knowing each other, or who have been friends forever since they’ve all lived in this little town forever, and I just came here years ago.

Either way, Elijah is loving this and I’m going to keep driving him wherever he needs to go for games, and keep showing up to all of his games, rain or shine. Knowing everyone or not.

Feeling out of place or not.

I miss home.

I miss my people.

I miss my friends.

I miss my family.

I miss familiar places.

It’s been hard adjusting to life in this little town, and I’m always so blessed when someone I meet out here – acts like I’ve been here forever, and treats me like I’m one of them, so I thank them for that.

I think getting out and being around other moms and dads has been good for me because ever since my oldest passed, I haven’t wanted to be around anyone. I admit – I’ve isolated myself and have thrown myself into work and have avoided making new friends, meeting new people or going out – as much as possible, and I need to get back to living life.

I’ve had a few good laughs with the other baseball moms and dads and having great conversations while watching our kids play – has done something good for my soul. ❤️

I’m happy I got Elijah involved with baseball and on the team, and that he’s loved it and has thrived on it.

Remember when I said I volunteered to clean bathrooms and take out the garbage after two games because parents were asked to sign up to volunteer for something? I got out of that 2nd bathroom cleaning sign up because it stormed yesterday, and most teams were cancelling their games, so the main coaches’ wife messaged me – saying I didn’t have to do the 2nd clean up yesterday like I was supposed to. Like I signed up for.

Yay for that – because if you also remember if you read my last post – I had to scoop out (with many napkins) – Sunflower seeds from a urinal the 1st clean up I did.

Our next game is a long drive away, but that’s not until next Monday, so I have time to relax a bit.

I remember doing traveling Basketball and Football with my older son, so the traveling thing is nothing new to me when it comes to sports.

I think this Baseball thing is good for both my little dude and me.

In other news………………

I’m a little jealous right now that Illinois is getting storms, and it’s sunny and clear here.

I love a good storm!

Did I mention I miss home?

Part of my goals for the next two months involve taking on a 2nd job, getting my daughter’s bunny the surgery it needs, paying off some bills and a good chuck of my car, and saving to move closer to home.

Part of me thought of making our little town home, and just buying a house here.

I’d love for my son to continue to play on this great team and grow up playing with the same boys he’s playing ball with now, but I know my other kids and myself – could never fully be happy here.

It’s a tough situation and tough choices need to be made, but I believe wherever we move – my son will thrive in baseball, and I want that “happily ever after” wherever we are. Just my kids and I. I want us all to be happy.

I hate decisions when it comes to knowing what’s best and what our hearts really want.

Let me go get my day started.

Love you!

😊Shel😊

A funny cop story, my birthday theme, and Baseball – (Sunflower seeds in the Urinal).

Good morning darlings!

I love to write because sometimes – if someone is going through something, or having a bad day, I can share something that might make them laugh or help them a bit.

If I can make someone even smile or put them in a better mood, I’m all for it.

So, let me tell you about the cutie with a badge that got me yesterday morning.

CUTIE WITH A BADGE:

I was out and about and coming off of a country dirt road. I was stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn left and waiting for cars going back and forth – to pass, so I could make my turn.

This cop turned onto the same country dirt road I was about to turn off of and when I looked straight at him, I saw he was looking straight at me.

Dammit. Sometimes – that eye contact isn’t always a good thing. (I say that with humor).

Whenever you have a cop’s attention, it’s probably for a reason – other than your makeup and hair being on point. ha.

I looked in my rearview when he passed by, and I saw him make a slow U-turn, so I already knew I was about to be stopped.

I made my left turn and pulled over before he even turned on his lights.

Of course, he made the same left turn and flipped his lights on – pulling behind me on the side of the road.

He comes over to the window and tells me he wanted to stop me to see if I knew that my front license plate sticker was missing, and he couldn’t read my license plate in the front.

He laughed when I told him, “I was wondering what I did wrong. I was just sitting there waiting to turn!”. I admitted I knew about the license plate. I have no idea how it happened, but I’m guessing last year when we had some hurricane-winds come through and damage a lot of things. It was already peeling a bit, so that probably finished it off, and because the back plate is still there, and no cops really say anything about it – I just left it alone.

I don’t plan on keeping my car much longer anyway. I do plan to trade it in or sell it cheap one day soon, so I’m trying not to put a bunch of money into it, either. I want a family SUV.

Anyway, cutie with a badge asks if I have my license and insurance on me and he’ll get me on my way.

My license? At home on my desk. 🤔I was honest and told him I left it at home, but I’d give him all of my information.

He took a look at the insurance and without even asking my information – told me he’d be right back and he was just going to make sure my license was valid. I’m guessing he looked me up by the plate information in the back?! So, he comes back – tells me it’s valid, and then says, “Hey! By any chance, do you happen to know a Daniel S******?”. I looked at him confused, and told him no.

Whoever this Daniel is – he better not be saying he’s associated with me. (lol)

The cop laughed and told me he is looking for him.

I told cutie with a badge that I’m originally from Chicago, moved here in 2020 – and just kind of …………………………………..

He finished my sentence for me when he smiled and said, “Mind your own business and stay to yourself?”.

Sir! At this point – just write down your number because you’re already finishing my sentences. You seem to know me so well. 😁

He sent me on my way and told me to have a great day, but I did feel like telling him not to let people he stops – know that he’s looking for this Daniel guy because whoever really does know this Daniel guy – can lie about it and then go tell this Daniel guy this cop is looking for him – which will make this Daniel guy go into hiding if he’s not already. Maybe he’s looking for Daniel because he’s missing.

Not sure.

Either way, Cutie with a badge let me go – and said he just wanted to know if I knew about my license plate.

It’s my car. I sure do.

…………………………………………………

MY BIRTHDAY:

Every year for my birthday, the kids and I go see a movie, order pizza and have a cake.

I wanted to do something different this year and maybe do a themed birthday for myself.

I came across a TikTok post a few weeks ago – that showed old toys and characters from cartoons, and Rainbow Brite was one of the characters they showed. When I was little, I loved her! I had so many things of Rainbow Brite and I carried that doll around to most places I went. (If you don’t know who she is – Google her).

I decided I wanted a Rainbow Brite themed birthday this year.

I was going to buy the RB costume from Amazon and wear it all damn day long for fun. I wanted to be crazy, wild, creative on my birthday – no matter where I went or what we did this year, and if people looked at me weird or funny, I’d proudly and in a silly, playful way announce, “It’s my birthday! I get to do what I want and dress how I want!”.

Hell, maybe some people would take it as a photo Opp and post it to their socials for fun – because why not?! There are other fun people in the world who get a good laugh out of the crazy, wild fun people like me doing the most random things just because.

I decided to ditch the costume. I felt like that was a little too much, but I still wanted to do something with that theme, so I decided to order a Rainbow Brite cake at least – instead of having the boring, basic Walmart cakes we get for my birthday every year. I also do plan to order a colorful, fun, bright and crazy wig and take some cute, fun photos – because again – why not?!

So, I called a local bakery nearby and asked them if they could make a Rainbow Brite cake for me.

You should have seen my face when the young lady who answered the phone – asked me, “Rainbow Brite? What is that? Is that a character or a show or something?” 🤔

Seriously?????

Is – she – so – for – real – right – now??????

I looked at my older son who was sitting next to me when I was on the phone with the bakery, and I explained to her – who RB is. I told her she’s from the 80’s and 90’s. The bakery girl told me to send her over a photo of what I wanted and said they could do it if it’s not copy written.

When I hung up the phone – I sent her the photo of what I want on the cake.

I also sent her one of just a plain rainbow if she can’t do the RB cake – and I’d order some RB cake toppers myself because Amazon has almost everything, right?

When I sent the photos over to the bakery, I mentioned to my son that I can’t believe she didn’t know who Rainbow Brite is, and he laughed – telling me, “It’s because you’re old!”.

OLD AND FABULOUS, DARLING!

What I don’t want to do this year for my birthday – is go see another movie.

I may just take the kids to the park – and grill. Maybe do some fishing. Maybe head to a totally different area and get lost somewhere to change the scenery.

I just want to have fun. Forget everything for one day and do something amazing this year for my birthday.

It’s coming up in 9 days, and I have to figure out what I want to do, but I know that I don’t want to go see a movie, and I don’t want to be home. So, we’ll see.

BASEBALL GAME:

My little dude had his first baseball game yesterday against another school’s team.

It was a home game, and we won.

He didn’t play much.

He was mostly center field and batted once, but he’s just really learning the game and his coach is amazing at teaching it.

My kiddo throws beautifully. He catches beautifully, but he’s just learning to bat, and run bases, etc.

He’s loved baseball forever now, but I feel bad because I’ve only taught him catching and pitching, and never really thought of batting and bases, since we’ve only played for fun.

Now that he’s on a team, of course he needs to get better and practice batting, bases, and the basics of the game, so I’m happy he has the coach he has and the other volunteer coaches, because they’re excellent with him.

Still, what matters – is that he has fun, he learns, and he gets better with time.

He’s not the only kid who is just learning the real game and that’s okay.

They all encourage each other, work as a team, and help one another.

So, we won yesterday and tomorrow – we play a different school.

It’s so exciting to see him be a part of something, and to finally – really – learn the sport he has been interested in for a while now.

Parents were told to sign up to volunteer for a few things, and for some reason, I decided to sign up to clean up the bathrooms and take out the trash when the games are over. It only has to be done twice, but – I’m wondering if any other parents volunteered for cleanup duty, or if it was just my goofy self.

I don’t mind though. As a mother, I’m always cleaning, and that includes the bathroom!

In all honesty, I thought – how bad could a bathroom be after a kid’s game, but – WHICH ONE OF YOU LITTLE BOOGERS PUT SUNFLOWER SEEDS IN THE URINAL????????????????? 🤔🤣 The fact that I had to get a napkin and dig them out – was not right! A few napkins, actually! Oy.

I’m a mom, so it didn’t really bother me, and nothing grosses me out or surprises me anymore, but still – I’m curious as to which kid decided that would be funny!

I had to laugh when one of the dads I talk to – said he wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a kid who did it, but a grown ass man.

Sir, did you do it?! lol. Kidding. I know he wouldn’t, but you know what? It wouldn’t surprise me if it was grown ass man who did it, either. Lord, have Mercy!

My loves.

I wish I had more to write, but for now – I’m out of here.

😊Shel😊

Let’s play “Catch – up” on my life lately.

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 that 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 to myself:

We went to the lake, so I could 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).

The Grand March was beautiful, and everyone looked so nice.

The theme was PARIS, and the set up was amazing.

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, and 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 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 – (the main coach) – 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 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.

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.

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.

❤️Shel❤️