Flashback Friday

This was yesterday.

That's not that long ago I realize. Flashbacks don't necessarily have to be from a long time ago. I make the rules here.

That was a joke.

Joy slept without blankie, the love of her life, last night. It was a long night. She wakes up feeling for blankie kind of all night. I know this because I let her sleep with me to calm her down and all night a little three year old hand kept feeling the sleeve of my pjs. Bless her heart.

Today, the quest to find blankie begins. If its not found by 2 pm the quest to replace blankie begins.

Wish me luck.

Update!!!!!

Operation blankie recovery successful.

A perfect day

Planting new things, having a picnic outside, looking at the pool and planning our first big swim. It'll be soon, mark my words.

I love Spring.

The End.

Today is a new day

So last week I fell off the workout wagon. My back was messed up and I got a cold. The kids had allergy junk and I was exhausted.

Today is a new day.

Yes, today is a new day. The cats, (mine plus Emmy's) have already killed a mouse in the house. I've already written, "Call Orkin and talk about the mice issue" on the calendar. Emmy is headed to her old place to talk to adjusters and HOA reps. Ty is already at school. Life is already moving on.

It's quite a ride we've been on, isn't it y'all? You've stood by me through really low times and we've laughed at the I-could-not-make-this-stuff-up times. Fears have run rampant and when I've shared them you've supported me. Today is a new day, and I'm saying thank you.

This blog is my best therapy. Thank you for sticking with me. And now...it's time for the ball. Gotta run.

And then Emmy's house burned down

Y'all. Yesterday there was a fire in Emmy and Ethan's condo. It started in the wall of the condo below theirs and spread up to theirs. They were at work. We got the call around 1 pm.

The rest of the day looked like this.

The firemen got everything under control before the whole building caught on fire. Once they let us in the devastation hit. It could've been much much worse.

But it was bad.

For about an hour Emmy couldn't find one of their cats. When she did he was hiding deep in a dresser. Once she had him everyone was relieved.

But it was bad.

They are staying with me for a little while. Their cats too. My kids are thrilled. There are tons of reasons to be thankful. They could've been home. The lady who smelled smoke early on could be been at work. The cats could've never appeared. Lots of blessings.

But it was bad.

Lord, sometimes lately it feels like You're using loss an awful lot in our lives to refine and teach us. Help us cling to You. Help us find You in the bad. There is bad, Lord, no doubt about it. Loss, confusion, heartache, pain, and questions. Lots of questions. But we are trying to trust in Your plans. Don't leave us, Lord. Meet us here, in the middle of the bad. Do Your work in all of us. Help us believe that all things are governed by You, and all things will be redeemed for good one day. Even if it's on Your side of Heaven.

Sock bun tutorial

What it looks like. Not for everybody, and I'll admit I wasn't interested either until about a month ago. But my sister told me about this.

It's a sock bun cheating tool. Watch this.

Good morning crazy hair. Let's talk.

Ponytail. Done. Slide donut (that's what I call it,) over pony tail. Easy.

Make your best Cousin It impersonation. Spread your hair around donut to completely cover it up. Smooth hair over it and distribute your hair evenly.

Slide a ponytail holder over the big mound of hair.

Not looking right yet...

Wrap hair in one direction around the bun and use bobby pins to hide the ends. In my case the leftover hair is still long so I had to use approximately 67 bobby pins. Maybe it was closer to 27.

Done!

It took about 3 minutes.

The End.

How Joy does homemade donuts

I let her be in charge of the sprinkles.

The End.

It's Nattie's birthday today. A full day of celebrating, drawing pictures, eating junk. The kids and I couldn't be more thankful for Nattie. For who she's been and who she is now. She wears many hats but none is as important to her as being a mom and grandma. We love you Nattie!

Lookout