12.30.2019

2020 Vision

A new year, a new decade...

Can you believe it's almost 2020??

It slightly boggles the mind how much has happened in the last year.

I can not believe my kid is about to leave for boot camp, how much he's matured (and still has work to do) and how much is going to change in the coming months. Seeing him off to his future is a blessing and difficult to watch. I love him, wholeheartedly, and I will miss him. I won't miss the struggles of him figuring shit out though. I think he will do well in the military, that it will give him a solid foundation for his future work and work ethic. I hope he thrives.

I am literally 1 class away from my bachelor's degree. I can't not express enough how freaking excited I am for that. It will be the first time in about 5 years where I won't have homework, reading or a paper due, forums to post or anything school related to stress over. It is such a huge relief. I will finally have time to focus on the more mundane things of the house, and on those not so mundane things like myself and my relationships. It's almost ironic that Raven is leaving the same time I start my class and ends the same time as my class does. A bit of a minor parallel there.

Mike has sold his house. The holidays are close to over and life is shifting into a new pattern. This year is definitely one for getting back into back into physical shape, for de-cluttering my house and life,  and just breathing a little bit easier.

One step forward. Continue on and just keep at it!

7.24.2019

One of the many moments...

Had a great dinner date with my love 


And I know I am seriously lucky to have such an awesome boyfriend !!!
💖

6.15.2019

A Mini Update

I had a suspicion this month was going to be rough one. It's almost been one year since my Dad died. His birthday, father's day and death all happened this month. Adding to this, I am taking 2 classes at the same time, something I try to avoid because I like my sanity and having at least some time to spend with those I love. It's all stressful.

So. To add to the drama, my sister. Who *was* a ward of the state until this past week. She's struggling, but I do think she will be able to swim in the long term, with some help along the way. But damn, it's just one more thing.

One of my teachers is a twat. At least my other teacher is nice and easier to work with. I have literally 3 more classes before I am done with my Bachelors and I am so freaking excited about that.

My son signed up with the Air Force. I am so proud of him. He still has to go to MEPS, and he's signed up for Delayed Enlistment (so that he can take a vacation with his Dad which is awesome) this means he won't go to boot camp until sometime in or after August. I honestly think the Air Force will be good for him and that he will succeed there. He's so damn smart, so very capable.

My boyfriend, he is just still freaking amazing. So damn happy that I am with him, so damn lucky in our relationship.

So. Overall, life is good, perhaps not so easy this month, but life is still good. I am happy and content and looking forward to next month!

4.25.2019

How to cripple today's teens and young adults?

Have an internet outage.

Seriously, I am doing my homework at the Green Turtle right now because it has a more reliable internet than my house and it's due by midnight.

Getting home today, my son and niece (17 and 23 for ages) were both complaining of how slow their cell phones are and how the main wifi was not working and they could not watch TV (I stream it, no more cable) and how they couldn't watch youtube or netflex or whatever.

It's just kinda funny.

Breathe, it will be ok.

It's really not the end of the world to not always have instant internet access.

Love them, it was a good reminder to me if anything. Live in the moment.

4.24.2019

Excited for Spring and Summer

Can I just say that the weather changing, even if it has caused my allergies to go hay wire, has been awesome. I am loving the warmth of the sun and the blooms of the flowers.

I'm excited to do yard work, turn the earth and plant some herbs or veggies.

Also, I am back to red hair. I tried bleaching it, going blue and attempted purple, which just made it overall this cool gray/silver color with some leftover blue roots and some purple highlights. Interesting, but a bit off. Now that it's red again, I need a bit of a shorter style.

Classes are still going. Almost one with the current class, and I will have a week off before the next one starts. What is new is this summer I am taking 2 classes, with a month overlap, not my typical MO. I will be graduating in the spring of 2020 and I am definitely excited for that!

My kid is doing amazing. Mostly A's and B's, he's about to turn 18 and then graduate. I am so damn proud of him. He has a job lined up until he is processed with the Air Force (fingers crossed on that). He is just a good kid, and I am so happy he's made some good decisions and is thinking about his future, even if he is clueless on what that is as of yet. Who has a clue at 18?? Very very few and even then it can change pretty rapidly and easily. He's been lucky in some things, but I am just happy with how much he's matured in the last couple of years. It's so nice to see the person you love and have taught and guided and helped to develop into a person you are proud of and want in your life. That does not always happen.

In other news, I still have this amazing boyfriend that I absolutely am in love with and super happy to still be with. It's going on 6 years soon and that is pretty damn amazing :)

3.21.2019

Mini Vacation Highlights

It was a great mini vacation! Even though I had this stupid ass cold during it, I much rather be in Orlando with the sniffles than stuck at home!

This was at Universal Citywalk, it was this great steam punk themed called the "Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen". Great food, drinks and service.

 
This was just one of those little bars, that had some good Margaritas :)


    
Ok, so at Disney Springs, Jock Lindsey's Hanger is probably one of our favorite places to go. 


I'm pretty sure I took this at the Irish pub called Ragland Road, love them too.


Splitsville no longer has frozen margaritas on tap, so I tried their "Swampwater". Pretty delicious!


Disney's version of steam punk theme, The Edison. You know, it' wasn't my fave. I liked the one at Universal better

Best way to end our trip <3 p="">



2.04.2019

Upcoming Mini Vacation

As we inch closer and closer to our mini vacation, I am definitely getting excited.

We will be Orlando, first at Cabana Bay for a night (near Universal) and then 3 nights by Disney Springs.

Spending 1 day at Epcot for the International Flower & Garden Festival

A topiary of Belle and Beast

Last year we did the Mickey's Magical Christmas so I love the fact we get to do a different season.

A break from work, life and school will be seriously enjoyed and appreciated.

Nothing better than a little bit of Disney love!

March can't come soon enough!!!

1.06.2019

Xmas Present

So, my absolutely amazing boyfriend gave me an adventure for my Xmas present.

I had no idea what or where, everything was a total surprise! We stayed at the Stonewall Jackson hotel, which was perfect. He took me to see the Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse. The play, above and beyond amazing. The actors were amazing. The whole night, seriously, just amazing.

We had lunch at Edelweiss, a German restaurant, that had some of the best food and beer I've had. If you ever get a chance to go to Stauton, VA, the hotel, playhouse and Edelweiss are all highly recommended.


  



Then, as we headed home, we stopped at the Luray Caverns, which was different from anything I have ever done, mainly because you end up 164 ft below the earth and you see things that look like they are movie affects. Loved it.


   




We stopped in at this place called Nana's Irish Pub, had an awesome chicken pot pie and of course, an even more amazing beer


I love this man, I am so lucky and I can not wait for the next adventure!