Friday, May 22, 2015

3 days, 19 hours, 0 minutes until I come back.

(I'm taking a half a day at work today). 


I think that most people are. And while most of them have Holiday weekend plans, that's just not the case for me. Most people go out of town and head straight for a lake. Don't ask me what the connection between water and Memorial Day is, because I couldn't even begin to tell you. However, all you hear about for this particular weekend is three days off, lake, beer, etc. While it really should be spent remembering those who have served our Country (I love and respect you guys!!), people tend to forget that for some reason.

I would just like to put it out there while I can- Thank you guys (and gals); I know that you are under-appreciated and the lengths that you go and the strain that you put on not only yourselves, but also your families, there's just no words or enough gratitude that can thoroughly express it. Thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. It's because of you that we get to live in this amazing Country and enjoy all the little things. It's because of you that I can even write this and that anything and everything is possible. Again, thank you!!

Ok, enough with the heavy.

Like I was saying, I'm taking a half a day at work today (11:00). Is it because I have amazing weekend plans that I want to get a head start on? No. I do however need to run about 50 errands, do laundry, clean the house and pick up a bunch of random things. I know, I shouldn't be so wild and crazy.

My cousin and his wife are having a cook-out on Sunday (Race Day), because for some reason my family has always celebrated that. Which is a little strange to me, seeing as there's only like six people that like to watch and/or listen to it (and that's usually only on the actual race day, not all season long). But who am I to try and screw with or re-manage tradition? No one, that's who. And the rest of the time, who knows what will be going on.

So, to everyone out there I say: Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Be safe, be friendly and while it's always nice to have time off of work or to spend time with your loved ones, just take a moment to remember that we get to do all of that because of the ones that have in the past, that do in the present and that will in the future protect us. Have a great time and remember DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

I have a 'ME' sense of fashion.

{This post was semi-inspired by a lovely lady named Whitney Way Thore. She's a firm believer in no body shaming and just being yourself; I stand behind her 100%. To follow her on Instagram go to- @whitneywaythore and to see my multiple fashion woes and follow my life go to- @kdhopwood}

I've always been one of those girls that wears exactly what she wants. I don't really care what other people think about my wardrobe choices and I'm not one to demand to be caught up on the newest trends. If anything I have my own set of guidelines and rules. I'm just very much me. I'm sure that there are people out there that look at me and think that I'm dressed weird, or that I'm chubby or about five million other things. But you know what? I didn't ask for their opinions nor do I value them. I'm a firm believer in everyone being unique and themselves. If everyone was the same life would be woefully boring. And I'm not trying to make some huge statement or talk down about people, that's not it at all. I'm just trying to understand why people feel that it's necessary to downgrade other people for the way that they look. Hey, all those people that look down their noses, you might not be a quarter as pretty or grand as you think that you are. Afterall, a ugly heart stays that way. There's no amount of make-up, product or dieting that will fix that. To me, ugly only lives on the inside.

Rule #1: Comfort.


  • This outfit was between me changing out of my work clothes and into pajamas. My baby needed his tummy rubbed, so that was more important than a fashion statement.

I can't walk in heels, I don't like showing a lot of skin and I don't see the point in wearing your clothes so tight that you can't function. How any of the girls can claim to be comfortable when you can clearly tell that they can't even bend their knees to walk is beyond me. (Although, if that's what they want to do, than more power to them, it's just not for me). I like cute clothes, but I'm not going to put myself in the situation with something being so tight or low that I feel uncomfortable with my body and in my own skin. It's just not going to happen.

Rule #2: Stay true to you.


  • Yes, I am wearing camo overalls. Yes, I do have a Daniel Boone hat and muck boots on. And finally yes, Tayder is in my overalls with me. Because YOLO.

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a bit random and eclectic. Not with just clothes or knick-knacks, but with everything in my everyday life. My personality is very much its own thing. Since the day that I met Betty Lynn she has said that I'm sassy and loveable in all the right ways. I just don't care what people think about me or what I'm wearing. I might have been born in the city, but I was moved at a very young age and raised in the country. Therefore, even though I'm living in the city again, I'm still (always have been and always will be) very much a little country bumpkin at heart.
 
Rule #3: A little wacky and uncoordinated.


  • These are totally my pajamas (it was chilly), I was just outside watering our flowers in the evening. Shh, don't tell.

Don't get me wrong, I don't wear things like this to work, because that would be unprofessional, but who do I have to impress on my own time? Absolutely no one, that's who. And these people out there that are all - "You can't wear that in public" or "I can't believe you would do something like that" and "That's inappropriate" I have a question for y'all. Who in the hell do you think you are? Who done went and died and made you hall monitor of everyone elses wardrobe choices? Huh? If you don't like what someone is wearing or think that it's dumb you know what? There's this amazing little thing called looking the other direction. Seriously, you should try it sometime. Maybe they think that you look equally if not more ridiculous, but do they say anything about it? No. Why? Because some people have better things to do than to judge other people for something so trivial.

Don't even stress if other people don't like you or what you look like. You just do you and tell the Haters to piss off. #nobodyshame

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

There's no crying in baseball.

(I wear my Jim Beam shirt to the ball park- let it go).

In the last few weeks I've been to more softball games than my entire life combined. I didn't play softball, none of my close friends played softball, it just wasn't for us. Not saying that there's anything wrong with being active in community sports, it just wasn't in the cards for any of us. We were doing other things. Things like..... well, never you mind what we were doing, we'll just say not sports and leave it at that.

But Solae is playing and Momma and I (along with Aunt Poot) have yet to miss a game. That's right, we've been there cheering her on and showing our pride. What can I say? The little girl makes us smile. And watching the games are pretty entertaining as well. I mean, who would've thought? I never would have. All I'm saying is, had I known that you got a parade when you played softball, then I might have considered it.

The family sits in our little fold out chairs with our drinks and we laugh and carry on. I'm surprised that at some point we haven't gotten kicked out. In all honesty, we're loud. Not mean or nasty, just loud. She has three games this week. Last night, Thursday and Friday. I think her team slept through the game last night, the balls just flew and rolled right by them and they hardly acknowledged them. It must've just been one of those days.


There's a thing called Defeat and then there's whatever in the hell happened out on that field last night. Seriously. The ball rolled across the field past three different girls, they all watched it and then one from the opposite side of the field ran over to get it and threw it in, because the original three just stared at it. It was like watching the Walking Dead, except without all the good parts and Daryl Dixon (which is in all honesty, the good parts).

We were comparing the game to different movies and shows that are softball (technically baseball, but close enough) related. Momma was probably the most accurate as she went with the Bad News Bears. You know, before they had Kelly Leak. Ashley was going with Angels in the Outfield (they could've used a miracle) and Val just kept screaming- BUELLER. I don't really know why, but it was hilarious, so we let it go. Me? I just like to go all Jimmy Dugan on people and quote A League of their Own. It's my thing, let me have it. So, here's hoping for a better game tomorrow. Wish us luck!!

Friday, May 15, 2015

A Farmer and a Bug walk into a (not so) bar.

When I worked at the nursing home we used to dress up for all sorts of occasions. I was usually front and center and completely on board with all of it, because I love dressing up in costumes. Honestly, if it weren't for my crippling, fear induced, stage fright I assume that I would've went out to be a drama major, that's how much I love dressing up (in costumes).

For the first couple of years (you know, before the buttheads took over) we dressed up for something at least once a month. Halloween? Anything was game. Christmas? Hello, Mrs. Clause. When March rolled around I was a crazy haired leprechaun. Also, the Easter Bunny, Cupid, a Zombie, Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), a Fairy, Laura Ingalls and a myriad of other things. And I do mean a lot of things. We used to make most of our costumes (hello, being broke) and our little patients seemed to enjoy those the most. And none more so than this one:


Yes, you are seeing that correctly. Your eyes are not deceiving you. That's my buddy Ash and me at our old nursing station, taking a break just long enough to sign off on our paperwork and for Charlie to snap a picture. In our first homemade Halloween costumes since we had started there. She of course wore her bibs and straw hat. Can you guess what she is? If you guessed Farmer then you would be right. Now, can you guess what I am? I'll give you a hint. I'm in pajamas and I have a set of homemade antennas on my head. Are you confused? In case you are, I'll let you know, I'm a.....

Bed Bug. 

That's right, a bed bug. We were trying to come up with costumes one night and I had heard something on the radio about a bed bug outbreak. While I would never want to be involved in something like that (heebee jeebees), I thought that it might be a cute idea. It must have been, because everyone laughed and high-fived me and the patients loved it. Even a few years later some of them would ask me about that costume and chuckle. They would insist that we dress up more often and it would make them smile from ear to ear. And you know what? Worth it.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

It really is a small world afterall.

(But first- a little back story).

Connor and I (Mo's first born).

Most people know the story about how Mo and I first met and became friends, but not many people know too much else when it comes to our lives. We like our privacy. However, when you decide to have a blog that talks about your life, the people in it and other random things, sometimes you have to reveal a thing or two. And when you have a friend who writes about their lives, you kind of just go along with it to, because you know that she would do the same for you. Some things are always meant to be kept to yourself, but others you can find the exception for.

When Mo and I became friends we were just a couple of little kids. We played outside climbing trees and wore little frilly dresses to school and church. There was hardly ever a time that we didn't have dirt on our hands (until we had to wash up for supper) or a kool-aid mustache. Even as kids we had to work and had responsibilities, but things just seemed to be far more simple.

Mo's Momma's name was- Betty. Mrs. Betty as the rest of us called her. She was the age of most of our grandparents, but as kids we never put too much thought into it. Why would we have? She was a very nice lady and always made everyone feel welcome and loved. She let us stay up late watching tv on nights that we didn't have school (we would sneak and watch "birthing" shows), because none of us were ever allowed to stay with anyone on school nights. She would make us mayonnaise and pickle sandwiches (that sound gross, but are surprisingly delicious and Mo still eats them to this day). She was just a really great lady.

What none of us knew, or really cared to know, was that Betty wasn't Mo's biological mother. In fact, she wasn't even technically related to her by blood. You see, Betty had a daughter named Jo and Jo had a friend names Essie that she had ran around with while growing up. Essie is in fact Mo's biological mother. And when she had Mo's older sister Tricia, her grandparents took her to raise. And then she got pregnant with Mo a few years later and left her with Betty on a random visit. And Betty loved her unconditionally and without fault. She raised her as her very own. (Side note: Mo also has a brother that Essie did in fact raise, but none of the three of them are what you would call "close").

Mo and I (Prom 2008).

Have you ever met those people in life that you think- "Wow. They broke the mold when they made that lady". I have that feeling about very few people. My Momma is number one. But I have to say, Betty ranks right up there. It takes a special kind of person to be able to take a child in to raise and love her without any thought of yourself. And there we were, just kids.

And then when we were eleven years old, Betty passed away. It was a sad time and no one really knew what to say or do to help. I had no clue how to make Mo feel better and not be sad, so I was just there for her. And after a little time had passed, Mo began not to be so sad. Although, she still continues to love and miss Betty every single day.

Mo's biological mom seen her about once a year for as long as I can remember. And there were a couple of Summers that Mo went to visit her for a couple of weeks. She lived in Indiana while we lived in Tennessee and Betty, while always being her Momma, always encouraged her to spend time with her if that's what she wanted. I'm not sure if Mo really wanted to spend time with Essie, or if she just felt obligated like she should, but in any event after Betty passed Mo went to live with her daughter Jo and Jo finished raising her. And a couple of years back, Jo passed away.

Essie's kept in semi-contact with her over the years and even made the two trips to Tennessee when Mo delivered her first two babies (she's supposed to go down for the third one this month as well). And of course Mo lets her have things to do with the kids and they're friendly, but it's like she always says- "She's trying to be 'Momma' and she's not, Betty is".

And I told you all of that to tell you this.

Remember when I said that Essie lived in Indiana while we lived in Tennessee? Well, she did and that's where Mo would stay during the times that she visited in the Summer and ever so often. The other day when I was sitting in Aunt Poot and Uncle Doodles garage I listened to them talk about a woman named Essie. I found it strange, because let's face it, that's not exactly a common name. They talked about her a bit longer and I finally realized that they were in fact talking about Mo's Essie. So, Poot and I walked down to her house for me to officially meet her.


That's right, she not only lives within walking distance of my Aunts house (and very close to mine), but she actually lives just two houses down from them. And has for years. It's the same house that Mo used to spend those Summers at. Do you know what that means? That means that had my family not moved to Tennessee when I was very young where I met Mo and we became friends, there is a likely chance that I would have met her at some point in the Summer (because my Aunt would have babysat while Momma was at work) and we would have still been friends. I called her to tell her all of this and she replied with- "Of course we would've. It was just meant to be, and I couldn't have ever asked for a better best friend in my lifetime". (Cue the 'Awes' right now).

I know that I've been talking quite a bit about Mo here lately, but I reckon I've just got her on the brain since she's about to have her third baby and I'm not going to be there for it. Well, not physically there at least. She informed me that I'm always there in heart.     

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

They re-arranged it for Mothers Day.

This past Sunday, like so many other people, we celebrated Mothers Day. The girls (or at least the majority of them) in our family got together at Dani's house for a little get together/cookout. It rained so thankfully Chris manned the grill and there was a canopy to hide beneath. Nothing to fret over though, it didn't rain long and even if it did, whatevs.


This is the second get together for "us girls" this year. Everybody used to get together at least once a year and they called it the "Sister Thing", because we're fantastic at naming things. Then we moved away when I was real little and I assume that they kept doing it for a few years and all of the sudden stopped. I don't really know what happened; but Aunt Susi (who usually hosted it) decided that she wanted to have us all start doing it again and most people seemed fairly enthused (or at least half/half interested), so we started. {Side note: Susi brought scones to celebrate the birth of the royal baby}.


Also, Momma seemed to have a pretty decent day considering that she was sick. I tell you what, this viral thing that's going around is really kicking ass. It seems like someone from every household has caught it in one form or another. So, fingers crossed that it's over and out for the rest of the year!! 

Thursday, May 7, 2015

My hands smelled like garlic for five days.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to go ahead and attempt to make my own guacamole. Again. I had tried once before, but things didn't turn out so well. Mostly because I went crazy with lime juice and if anyone ever tells you that there's no such thing as too much lime juice in guacamole, that person is a liar. Trust me, been there done that. But that aside, I decided that I wanted to try it again. I prefer mine with tomatoes, because I think that it just tastes 400x better. Then again, there's not many things that I don't think tomatoes make taste better. They're one of my favorite foods.

What I used:
  • 2 avacados
  • minced garlic
  • tomatoes
  • yellow onion
  • guacamole seasoning
  • cilantro
As you may notice I completely skipped the lime and/or lemon juice. I came to realize that with the pre-packaged seasoning that it just didn't need it. Also, I used cherry tomatoes cut up fine, because I just think that they have better flavor. I bought a clove of garlic to mince up myself (I was having a complete Barefoot Contessa moment) and decided that next time I will just be buying a jar of pre-minced garlic. I get that they say fresh ingredients are better, but my hands smelled like garlic for five days. And I tried washing them in all sorts of things to try and get rid of it. To no avail. All in all though, it was delicious and I'll definitely be making it again!! I'm the only one at my house that eats it, so I only have to make a lot little.  

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

They're so in love that they shared it with social media.

I saw a post on FB this morning that was all about some girl telling her boyfriend how much she loved him, how he was the best, that he was the greatest thing that's ever happened to her and that they were soulmates. Of course, he replied with the usual- "Oh, I love you too baby. You're the best woman on the planet and I love you more than anything". (Mind you that they both have kids).

And then it went on like this for about six messages and finished off with- "Happy one month anniversary!! I love you! I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together!!" And the only thing that I could think was- Wow. Just, wow. One month and all of that? And these are grown people with children, not teenagers. I expect things like that from a teenager. But you know, to each their own. YOU ARE NOT THAT IN LOVE, SIR.

I really have no reasoning for telling someone this, I just seen it and felt the need to share it. I see things like this all of the time. Mostly from people I grew up with or worked with. And every time that I see those posts I have the same reaction. I roll my eyes a bit and keep scrolling. Basically it's the same couple of girls (and one guy) that do it too.

The one that I was previously talking about has posted that same message about four different guys all in a six month span. At least she's consistent. And by the time I was done reading it the only thing that I could think was why in the world I would actually finish reading through all of that. I mean, I didn't even really care. But somehow I got sucked in and felt the need to know the rest of their story. By the way, guess what? There's really not that much to the story. Because it's been ONE month.