Whose f*cking roads are you talking about again?!??!

I seen a recent study... survey... whatever you want to call it.

There was an article that claimed Indiana has some of the best roads, if not THE best roads in the US. And as someone who lives in and traverses the Indy roads on the daily... on behalf of our city (and most of the state) I call bullshit.

And if you don't believe me... I got receipts.

Last year when we still had Doug Judy... had to buy five tires in five months. That doesn't include the patches.

This year? With four months to go?

In June... Bonehead patched my tire for me.

Last month... had to have Trudy's front tire replaced completely because of a hole in the sidewall.

And just this week... me AND Dani had to have our tires replaced. My front passenger side. Her rear passenger side.

So... this whole best roads in the country bullshit you're trying to sell? We ain't f*cking buying.

Dev and me travel ALOT... lots of states... lots of highways and county roads.

Indiana? F*cked. Ohio? F*cked. Michigan? Amazing... after the first couple of minutes from point of entry. Y'all keep doing you! Tennessee? F*cked. Kentucky? Yee-F*cking-Haw kinda f*cked. Georgia? Pretty good. Alabama? F*cked. Florida? North is fantastic... once you start getting midways? F*cked.

The audacity of these folks to even pretend these roads aren't Jacked to Jesus and we're all just doing the best we can. If they're so fantastic, then y'all pay for all these tire problems... cause shit be expensive!

We just said f*ck it and did what we wanted. *it feels so sexy*

So... remember the whole hoping to get another year or two out of Doug Judy before we traded in? Well... that wasn't in the cards. Mostly, because every time either of us hold cards someone walks by and sets the f*cking deck on fire.

I digress. We've been having issues with DJ for awhile now.

First the brakes (yes, I know everyone has to change their brakes but this was an exception as it wasn't time!)... next was the throttle body... then the transmission started it's shit. And that's not even counting all the tires we've had to replace this year (f*cking six!) and have fixed (too many to count). It was one thing after another and nickel/diming us to death.

It was stressful and draining and needed to be addressed. But like... alot has been going on recently! We lost our Xur-Xur and our water heater went out... again... and we had it fixed... again... and then it went out... again... so we had to have it replaced completely... AGAIN. This is the third water heater in seven years and to say we got every warranty you could think of this time around is NO joke.

Anyways... so Wednesday we were supposed to have a winter storm come through. It was supposed to hit late in the evening and be the first "real" winter weather we've dealt with this year. I was scared to take DJ out into the winter weather with it acting crazy, but what choice was there? None. 

Except... my hubby was having none of it and finally was like, we have to bite this bullet and get you a better car. We'd been looking for weeks and decided on a few different things, so he picked me up when I got off work and away to Ford we went!

Why Ford? Because Ford has Broncos. And right after we got engaged, Dev had asked me what my dream car was and I let him know in no uncertain terms that I had for my entire life wanted a Bronco. Don't know why, that's always just been it for me. He told me, "one day, baby!" because you know, expensive, and then I promptly forgot about the conversation because it was like five or six years ago and who remembers shit like that?

My husband does. So when the opportunity for a new car came our way... and we were kind of financially on board with it... he was like, perfect time, sweetheart!

We literally walked into Ford and I was like, "ok... this is what I have" *insert questionable credit debt, a small down payment, and negative equity from DJ here*... "this is what I want" *insert Bronco*... and "this is what I'm willing to concede on and what I'm not." And then we played Find A Car.

Hilariously enough, the first (and only) Bronco we looked at was the one we got. Mostly because when I drove I fell in love... but also because it was between two (same Bronco- different color) and mine already had the tow package installed.

I always said I couldn't justify an $800 car payment... then we absolutely had to have a new car because ours wasn't going to make us through the winter... I drove a Bronco... the finance lady slid the paper across her desk to me... I almost had a stroke when I seen the payments... contemplated jumping through the window so I could hightail it out of there... made eye contact with my husband... watched the defeat on his face because he just knew I wasn't about to have that... sat there for a second... and decided to pull a wild card. Because f*ck it.

And that's how I justified our not $800 but not too far from it car payment.

For the record, if you don't have to, I wouldn't recommend car purchase in your near future, because that shit is expensive. But this Bronco, though?

Yeah, I recommend that shit. Because it is INCREDIBLE. Dude, I'm so in love with this car. I've never been one of those people that was super into cars. Essentially, if it got me from point A to point B, I didn't give a shit about the rest. But this one? 

Oh, this one. Yeah... this bitch will make you fall in love. At least, it did us.

I've never had a brand new car before. I've always bought used and hoped for the best. Dev was so pumped that we got to buy my very first brand new car together. So, we're happy about it for multiple reasons. It's exciting. 

Y'all meet... TRUDY. Trudy Judy.

Because even though Doug couldn't stay, we still have mad love for him. Trudy just happens to be his buffed up sister. It's got essentially everything we wanted and the rest will be done over time. Because we plan on driving this motherf*cker until the wheels fall off! I tell you what, trading a FWD for a 4X4 in Indiana winter is where it's at. There ain't no going back! Not to mention, it's got the perfect setup for our babies and roadtripping.

And that's how we became a Bronco family. Because my husband is the best, our luck is the worst, and we just take the hits as they come and brace for impact... but like... at least we do it together!

Chaa... chaaa... chaaaannnggeeeeessss.

When Dev and me said we weren't fuckin having it in 2024... we weren't playing. The amount of changes and decisions that have been made to put our best foot forward into an amazing life together, just for us, is astronomical. 

Two steps forward and one step back is still a step forward.

I don't know what it is or what exactly happened but it was like one day I had this epiphany that I wanted to live a happy life full of laughter and spectacularness with Dev and I didn't give a shit what anyone had to say about it. I wanted to be so different than what I've ever had the opportunity in life to be.

And since that moment... whatever it was... Dev has been my never-ending support... both in emotion and spine. Yeah, 2024 is in fact the year I decided to reinforce my spine and start handling life the way it was coming at me and not the way I thought I had to.

It's been fucking spectacular.

I feel like my body and mindset will forever feel the need to jump into survival mode... fight or flight at this point is ingrained... but there's a peace to knowing somebody has my back in all things... hands down... no questions asked... just mine.

With all that said... changes. More changes in the list that is 2024.

We sold the Juke. And we sold the Juke for a number of reasons... my favorite one being that it allowed us to pay off that pesky credit card that happens to be the bane of my fucking existence. Selling it made our car insurance go down a bit. We also sold it because while Dev said it was in fact his dream car (he's had it for five years), it's also not super practical for a man that stands at 6'3. Look at us... being adults and shit.

While we were hopeful we had a year or two (maybe even three?) left in Judy... I think we're gonna have to bite the bullet and upgrade. It doesn't feel like it's been that long but I looked the other day and it's going on three years. Which isn't alot... but is considering we've got an extra almost 100,000 miles on that motherf*cker since it's been in the family. In our defense we didn't think we were gonna get a new car and then immediately have to make like a dozen trips to FL right after. It wouldn't be the worse to upgrade... we need more space for our pups... Judy worked great for two big pups and a small pup but three big ones is pushing it. Xur and Sparkles ain't getting younger and Steve ain't getting smaller. The only thing that makes me anxious is the payment. If we can stay around the same or not go up by much, I'm good. But, I just can't justify a $1,000/month car payment. Who the fuck can afford that? So... we'll see. It's definitely on the list. We are a traveling family.

Xur's hip is still hurt. We were honestly hoping it was just one of those injuries that needed time but it's not getting any better... so I think our boy may have to go to the vet. It's obviously not constantly in pain but it's immobile and super sensitive. I don't know what they'll do but the more Dev and me talk... the more I think he may have to go get a workup.

Our water heater went out. Again. And my front tire on Judy is going flat. Again. Both those things are on the list to fix in the next... oh I don't know... somewhere between the next two mental breakdowns.

I don't even want to get into the whole battery for the Juke/my brother story... another day perhaps. *cue eye roll*

Dev's client base is starting to pick up a bit more as time goes on. He's still doing the mobile thing but we've also set the house up where clients can come over and he can work from home too. Don't get me wrong... we don't want everybody in our house... but we also don't want him in everybody else's house... you know? We've talked about converting the garage/mancave shed into an "in home" tattoo studio situation and while the plans aren't set in stone, we've got some real good ideas.

So yeah... just a little catchup and some plans. 2024 has been hectic but we're all just trying our best. Dev and me are doing all we can to make ourselves and each other happy because we promised each other... if we got married we would be as happy as possible and live the exact life we wanted.

Lucky for us, we don't need much to make us happy. And honestly, that's my favorite part.

Why does this always happen to me when my husband isn't there?!

There I was... minding my own business... heading home from work... fifteen minutes early because we had a company meeting today and Dani let me cut out... taking my time and being more cautious... because well... Hurricane Helene brought her bullshit up here... approaching my first round-about... and boom... rear-ended.

Seriously?! That's what I get for having the audacity to be excited to cut out of work early. 

I'm fine... Doug Judy is fine... the little lady that rear-ended me is fine... her car is... well... she'll probably have to get that looked at. Bless her heart... she was the sweetest little thing and felt so damn terrible. Apparently she had just gotten her car back this morning and she said when she hit the brake... her car accelerated.

Whether she overestimated her car's ability or underestimated the distance because her frontend and my back... I don't know... but I truly hope she gets her car fixed and that everything is ok with her moving forward. I don't want her driving around in a faulty car... hopefully whatever the issue is, she's ok.

Poor thing... I got out of my car to check on her once we pulled to the side (and I looked in my rearview and confirmed she wasn't a giant pissed off dude ready to beat my ass for some bullshit... been there)... and I think she honestly thought I was gonna start yelling and being mean to her or something. She looked that scared.

I got her calmed down and let her know I was fine... my car was fine (it's barely a little noticeable dent in my bumper)... and waited until the police showed up to write the report... forty minutes later... but that's neither here nor there. Shit is confusing to me but we got it figured out. I didn't have to do anything... and as far as I know she's good.

So yeah... instead of fifteen minutes early... I was forty-five minutes late. Happy Friday.

Five tires... in five months... this is f*cking stupid.

Y'all... you ever had something happen to you so many times that you're convinced no one is ever going to believe you? Like... it sounds so ridiculous there's no way it isn't made up?

Happened to me.

It's officially the end of May (five months into 2024)... and I just had to go to my tire guy and have my back tire replaced... again. That's literally the fifth tire that I've had replaced THIS YEAR and that's not even counting the multiple flats/plugs that go along with it. What? You didn't think it was just all buying tires, did you? Nope. On top of buying five tires, I've had to plug at least four I can think of (there may be more). Again... just this year.

When did I become the age where I have a legit f*cking "tire guy"? Like... he's my go to right down the road and gives me deals because I'm such a frequent customer. Honestly, I think the man just feels bad for me, because this shit is ridiculous and if he wasn't the one helping me out, he would never believe me.

I mean... it sounds like some shit a man says when he's trying to talk shit about his ole lady's driving. Except, I'm the ole lady and my husband is like WHAT KEEPS HAPPENING? Because sometimes he's driving when it happens.

For instance, I was driving to work this morning and ran over this dime-piece beauty (no, I didn't see it- yes, I'm f*cking blind) at 6:30. Had to put my donut on and hobble around for the day until Dev took me to get it replaced after work. HOWEVER, we literally just had the tire on the opposite side replaced a week ago YESTERDAY because we were driving home from Mavis's super late... turned on the street home... and somebody shot our tire.

No, I'm not exaggerating... you literally can't make this shit up. #WelcomeToIndy

We had to change that bitch at two am... one dude stopped and asked if we needed help and when I told him no he then proceeded to try and get a phone charger from me that I didn't have. Good times.

So yeah... I'm on my fifth new tire of the year. Ok... new to me... my dude has the best deals on used tires that are basically brand new and I've come to the place where I've had to buy SO many and I have to replace them SO frequently, I basically refuse to buy brand new tires anymore.

I can't wait until I can go home with my hubbs and babies and black velvet.

I don't know what's going on with me today, but I woke up in the strangest mood. Ok... not the "strangest" mood... I actually just woke up feeling incredibly sad and off. I'm not sure why, this was a good weekend and yesterday was all kinds of downtime fun.

Dev thinks maybe I had nightmares that I don't remember but still feel now that I'm awake. He may be right and honestly, if it wasn't for him, I don't really know what I would do sometimes. I can be incredibly off and he's still by my side being my true North. That man of mine... he's something only dreams are made of.

Like all the other days I feel my feelings and don't know why, I'm just making it through the day and trying to think of anything that may pull me out of this funk. Sometimes are easier than others, but all we can do is put one foot in front of the other and remember all the amazing things we have in our lives... right?

Mental health is no f*cking joke.

Judy needed new brakes. I was driving home last Wednesday and honestly, it sounded like I was dragging a bicycle. Cue my panic and pullover and then having the hubbs confirm that yes, my brakes were in fact, GONE. I can't be too shit about it though, it's the first time we've replaced them since we've had it. I've personally never done a brake job on a car and Dev has only done a few, so we were a little lost on this. Luckily, my brother is a mechanic and was able to guide us through the process (and it only took all three of us beating that bitch of a caliper in to get it right). 

I called the Meineke because I was like, well, I know it will cost more than if we do it ourselves, but they're mechanics so I should let them do their job... and then dude told me "yeah darlin, stop on by and we'll get you right in... the minimum starts at $500." Now, I'm all for paying people for their services but F*CK YO COUCH THAT IS SO MUCH MONEY AND YOU ARE ROBBING PEOPLE BLIND! Shame on y'all.

Needless to say, it was a whole lot of fuck that and three hours later I have new back brakes.

Between my brakes needing changed and the flat tire I woke up to (and my "strange" mood), Dev has been driving me to and from work. And I have to say, having my hubbs wake up with me, be with me on the ride, and all that in between, a gal could get used to this spoiled little life. 

We took a WRTTMM on Saturday after the brake job and Dev and I have come to the conclusion with all the traveling we do (we live in deadass city so when we do go out... we drive far away) we should definitely pick up yoga. Because these asses be ouchy. I've been collecting info on it for a few weeks (we've had this talk a couple times) and I think we'd be a good fit for yoga/pilates/callanetics. I mostly just want the stretching and maybe to build a little muscle strength (your girl be fragile), and he wants it for stretching and mobility... neither of us needs or wants to lose weight so that's not a factor we have to worry about. Just some low impact stuff to maybe make us feel better.

Now all we have to do is actually find the will to follow through with it. Pheesh... good luck with that.

Aside from that, today is my MIL's 57th birthday and we'll be headed down that way again in a couple of weeks. We can't wait to see everybody again and get to spend some more time with them.

If anybody needs me the rest of the day, I'll be trying very hard to keep my shit together and divert this existential crisis, and waiting until I can curl up with the hubbs and our pups. Because that's my safe space and I feel like I need it real bad today.

We're in the 100,000 mile club.

As of yesterday afternoon... Doug Judy officially has 100,000 miles. And I still love it as much as the day we brought him home... if not more. He's been good to me.

Hopefully, being the little champ he is, there's lots more trips and love to come!

Do you ever have "one of those days" and have no clue why?

My drive on the way into work this morning was.... interesting.

Nothing happened and it was uneventful, really, but I don't know. The best way I know how to describe it is....

I don't know if I'm in a mood or if people are driving like assholes.

I know it could go either way, because honestly, I feel like I'm in some type of mood I can't quite put my finger on, but in my defense, this motherfucker was going 28 in a 40. Maybe that's not reason enough to lose your shit, but my shit was well lost by that point. I mean, that not unreasonable. I don't want you to speed. Ok fine, yes I do. BUT, I won't be a dick about it as long as you're driving at least the speed limit.

Eh, you win some, you lose some.

🌴 I should've stayed in bed today.... on vacay. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

Have you ever gotten back from vacation and as soon as you step foot into your everyday life you're just like.... uhh, nope? No? Funny.... happened to me. 

D and I just got back from our annual Florida/see the family vacation (4/1-4/10) and to say that we were perfectly content living the chill life for a week would be an understatement. Seriously, it was so damn nice to just relax and unwind. We rushed for nothing and worried for not. It was honestly damn ideal.

We drove Doug Judy down this year and I have to say this was the most comfortable trip all around yet. The first year had fantastic traffic conditions. Covid was doing it's thing and we were legitimately the only car on the road for miles upon miles, but BeetleJuke was not a comfy ride for a family of five. Last year was extremely comfortable, because we had the van, but traffic was a nightmare and a normally 14/15 hour trip ended up taking us over 22 hours to accomplish. This year though? Not only did we luck out on the traffic front, but Doug Judy was perfect for a family of five. Our trip down took about 13 hours and our trip home took about 11.

I've said it once, but I'll say it again.... DOUG JUDY IS A F*CKING BEAST!!

I got sunburnt to the point of a couple blisters popping up on my shoulder, but it was worth it to get to hang out with everybody, wash mine and my MIL's rides, and drive the side-by-side! I even met some new members of my extended married into family. Ok, they're not new, technically I'm the new one, but they're new to me! Everyone was awesome as always and it amazes me at times what a loving and close family I married into. Shit blows my mind.

I even got thrown into my MIL's pool by D's our 6'8/370 lbs. cousin. Dude literally threw me over his shoulder and laughed when I immediately gave up and just hung there. Bro, I am 5'0/120 lbs. WHERE WAS I GONNA GO?! So yes, I not only got to meet family members that I hadn't had a chance to before (and they were f*cking great!), but I got to see my returning faves! I talk about it like it's a reality show of some sort, but they love me all the same for it.

My FIL made me authentic German food and I'm literally drooling thinking about it right now. He made Rouladen. Have you ever had Rouladen? If not, let me tell you right damn now, you are missing out my friend. The concept of it sounds a bit strange when you explain it, but trust me like I trusted him and you will not be disappointed. Now that I think about it, my in-laws fed me too damn well and now I'm spoiled and all of this non-vacation food is just a real Debbie Downer.

My MIL was going to put me on a horse this time around, but time got away from us (as I said, we rushed for absolutely nothing), so that got postponed until next year. However, the three of us did find the roof rack that I wanted for Doug Judy and seven bags of Acme jerky, so postponing getting on a harbinger of death with hooves was alright with me. I'm nothing if not a compromiser. *wink wink*

While staying with my other FIL, we basically just hung out, watched Ink Master and the new Scream movie (yay!!), chilled, and once again, got in no rush for absolutely anything. Did I mention how relaxed we both were for ten whole days? 

Even the driving didn't stress us out. I don't think either of us have been that relaxed in.... well.... maybe ever. I don't know what it was, but it was just so damn nice.

And now we're back to our everyday lives.... back to work.... and I can't help but think we should've stayed our asses on vacation. Sure, that's completely unreasonable and nobody actually gets to live their entire lives like it's a vacation, but it's a real nice thought. A real, damn good, wish it was a possibility thought.

Honestly, I just want to scream at people to leave me alone and let me live on island time (even though I've never actually been to an island?), because I'M STAYING IN MY BUBBLE WITH MY HUSBAND DAMMIT!

Ugh, fine. Back to the real world it is.

My husband had absolutely no effing idea what a snow day was.

Remember when I said I didn't remember Landon being such a dick and let everybody know that a winter storm was heading our way? Well, guess what? It hit. And it was a giant pain in the ass. Our area alone got 7.6 inches of snow (actual inches, not man inches) and that's not counting the two inches of ice or the 30 mph wind. Needless to say, it's been a cold last week.

It started on Wednesday evening and lasted until Friday morning. I worked from home on Thursday, so D drove Doug Judy to work, but on Friday I had to come in and D stayed home. His tires were terrible and needed replaced and when he got up Friday morning two of his tires were completely flat and one of his rims were frozen to the road. 

Driving into work on Friday morning was a f*cking nightmare too. I knew that the side roads would be horseshit, but they're usually pretty good about keeping the main roads cleared. That was not the case with Landon. What usually is a 20-25 minute drive for me took damn near an hour or more and there was not one street clear on my way in. I even got stuck in our slush pit of an alley trying to get out. So what did I do? Remembered my Momma's advice and hoped for the best. I got out.

The plan was to do whatever we needed to do and stay home as much as possible. Did that happen? Not even a little bit. We didn't prepare for this winter storm and instead decided to just wing it. Probably not our smartest move, but it's what happened.

And it wasn't even for just work or groceries. D and I just had to go out on Saturday morning, because we're adults and as we all know, being an adult is the f*cking worst! Nevermind that the temperature was literally 0° with a wind chill value of -10°. Did that matter? Nope. Why? Because he still had to open the store and I had to go have new tires put on his car. Ah, adulthood. We even made the trip out to Aunt Mary's yesterday to water her plants and check on everything! And swung by Sally's to get D some new clippers and me a new hair treatment.

Tayder is hating this frigidness (I don't blame him, this cold doesn't do nice things for his arthritis!). Spart and Xur are loving it and would stay in the snow playing for ten hours if we'd let them. And D and I couldn't seem to get enough of playing in it on Thursday and Friday either. I worked from home and he got off at noon, so we had an old school snow day.

And then he had to call me out on the fact that he had no clue what you were supposed to do on a snow day, because he had never had one his entire life. Sad. So, we totally fixed that problem and now he knows how to handle snow days!

Side note: do y'all know how long it's been since I've felt the need to wear longjohns under my pants and three pairs of socks? Seriously? Do you know how long it's been since I've been cold enough to layer like this? It's been a damn minute, I'll tell you that. Even D's mind is blown by the amount of clothes I've layered on my body the last week. 

So yeah, we're all good and dug out at this point. There's still some slick spots on the roads and the snow is sticking around for a bit, but we're all good. Doug Judy handles in the snow very well and Beetlejuice is a little mini tank. 

Now we're back to our normal routine. We're at work. I need to clean our house/do laundry and go to the BMV. D is playing COD and trying to deal with the eczema problem that came out of nowhere. Like I said, adulthood.

The illness that is 2022. And yes, I'm talking about the whole year already. *dumpster fire*

Y'all, I try not to complain too much. Sure, I joke around about little inconvenient things here and there, but it's usually all in good fun and humor. However, to say that this year has already got me trying to cower in the corner and stay hidden somewhere would be an understatement. 

It's literally been whooping my ass. And we're only twenty-six days in.

Ouch.

The first thing to happen in 2022 was the fact I had to replace Ricardo. Don't get me wrong, I love Doug Judy. I do. And sure, it was probably time for me to update in the vehicle department, but damn! It would've been nice to be able to come to that decision with my husband instead of being forced into it.

Then, I lost a tooth. And not just a random back tooth. NO. My second front tooth on my left side? Gone. Nadda. Zilch. D and I were talking one night and then all of the sudden my tooth broke and I spit it out. I shit you not. The next day I had to go into the dentist and have him pull the remaining tooth so that it wouldn't break more. Did I get a partial yet? Nope. Apparently, the other five times that I've had my six front teeth fixed means absolutely nothing and they all need replaced. So for now, I'm rocking not having a front tooth. And yeah, I look like a Hilljack as much as I sound like one now.

Finally, (and I say finally, because please let this be the last thing bad to happen, I'm begging you!!) I have been so f*cking sick for the last few days that I honestly just wanted somebody to throw me in the trash. I'm a suffer in silence type of gal. When I'm sick I want to be left alone, take long showers, and talk to no one. This time though? Damn. D asked me on Monday night if he needed to take me to the ER and it was honestly the first time in my life where I almost said yes. It was horrible. Still don't know if it was food poisoning or Covid, but I'm being tested tomorrow and honestly, I don't care which it was as long as I don't get my hubby or pups (or anyone else!) sick too.

Also, it's zero degrees outside with a wind-chill of -20. You know your girl likes cold weather, hell sometimes downright frigid, but damn. I don't like having to see all my babies freeze every time they need to go outside. (D included).

So yeah, that's where I'm at twenty-six days into the new year. Just trying to get by and not make waves. I'm somewhere between paranoid and a nuclear mental break. Honestly? I just feel exhausted and want to curl up in the bed with my pups and hubs and stay there. And yeah, I've been doing that, because I'm sick, but I still don't feel 100% so I could still go for it.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

PB&J ride again! (And yes, I name all of my cars and they're all dudes).

I was sad to see Ricardo go, but it was time. Say hello to the newest (and shiniest) member of the Glisson family. His name is Doug Judy and he makes me feel like I'm driving a beast. I'm fairly comfortable driving him (it'll get better with time!) and he's big enough to be our family/roadtrip car AND my everyday vehicle. We're excited and can't wait to get this baby on the road!