Guess who's back... back again... Didder's back... tell no one.

You ever spent your whole life believing you descended from white trash and then get confirmation that really you just descended from disgusting people? Humbling, honestly. Got the confirmation, it's noted, and moving forward will be adjusted accordingly.

Moving on... we officially have walls, y'all! Building our forever home has certainly been a process... and while we still have a LONG way to go, the fact that it's coming together and taking shape is a beautiful experience. Watching my hubby build us a house with his two bare hands? Hot bonus.

And I do mean hot... because you know... it's Florida outside, dude. 

We'll be looking at ceiling materials, bathroom capabilities, and carports soon enough. Oh... and your girl needs a bed. So put that on the list. Actually, the list is long, so I'll keep track... kind of.

I found out yesterday that I'll be going to our home office next month for some training in our new systems. I'll be in office (with most of my team members!) for a week and we're hoping to get this integration streamlined. I mostly work remote but this time around... training needs to be on hand. Big changes are a coming!

Other than that... life has been peaceful and full. I try not to let the negativity of others' lives interfere with mine, but I'd be lying if I said that sometimes reflection hurts. Not even reflection of yourself... reflection of the situations and circumstances people feel justified bringing into your life. 

But we're done with that... I promised myself that once we moved South, I would no longer let the actions of people who were supposed to care and chose to hurt or mislead instead have any bearing on our new life. It's hard but I meant it and I'm getting there one painful step at a time.

Clarity is both refreshing and devastating.

With that being said, if you need us? We'll be over here living the best version of our lives possible and filling our cups with love and respect and decency and understanding and all the good things life has to offer. If you don't have any of that to bring to the table? 

Stay the fuck in your own dining room.

Three months in... (out?)... and it's Florida outside. *insert humidity here*

It's been a minute since I rambled on about the happenings in my life. Not from a lack of want but rather a lack of opportunity. I might be on a computer like nine hours a day... but your girl be busy!

Life has been chaotic... in the best way possible. We're officially Florida residents now. That's right, you heard it... the Glissons are official.

And we were in our new hometown for a total of six days before we got a court date. That's right, six days in and we got pulled over for a license plate cover. You know, the same one that's been on every car I've had for the past eight/nine years and has traveled from the top of Michigan to the bottom of Florida umpteen times in that allotted amount of time? Yeah, that one. We tried to explain to the officer that we had no idea about that Florida law as we had just moved here six days before and let her know we would be removing it immediately... but she didn't care and threatened (subtly but still) to take my hubby to jail for it.

No worries... I added that little tidbit in there for the plot (even though it's true because seriously, y'all?!) but everything's taken care of... I contacted the State Attorney, provided proof of compliance and explained the situation and they essentially were like... well... you didn't know and immediately rectified it, so you don't have to come to court and everything's dismissed. HALLELUJAH. 

Sadly, my brother is going through something with his dad and I'm trying to be supportive... it's alot but I love my brother and while we don't always see eye to eye, I have always been here for him. I'll continue to be here for him. I just can't involve myself more than I am. My mental health and spiteful core won't allow it.

Other than that, everything's been pretty good.

It took a while to get our lender to send the title to get our plates but once we got that, it's been daisies.

We're staying with my FIL for the time being while we work on building up our house. It's been nice and we all get along beautifully. We've all gotten into some kind of random routine that works for us and keeps everybody happy. 

Our house is coming along nicely. I would love to say it's been no problem since we had the money to put into it from our Indy house... but it's been three months and we have yet to see a dime for that house. Originally, we did some research and fixed up everything in the house to make it able to be sold (under Indy restrictions). Was it perfect? No, absolutely not. But it was a good house that was well maintained and had solid bones. I let *redacted* know we wanted to sell and she was on board. A few weeks into living in FL she called me up and asked if she sent me $25k, if we could call it even (for now) so that my little cousin could move in and take it over... we would revisit the price when she was in a place to be able to afford a house on her own. I was fine with that and proceeded to give them all info to get everything turned over into *redacted*'s name like she needed/wanted. And then weeks went by... so I reached out and *redacted* informed me that she "had to do work on the house and didn't think that should come out of her pocket" and let me know that she would send me whatever was left over after she was done. Don't worry she included an entire list of (COSMETIC) problems that she would be having done. A few weeks later... nothing so I reached out. Another reason. A few weeks after that... I reached out... another reason. At this point it's been almost three months and while I'm not trying to be an unreasonable asshole... BRO, WTF?! Maybe I'm wrong... but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to be compensated for the house I put the down payment on, paid the mortgage on for eight years, and maintained han solo. Hopefully, it works out here soon because like most normal people who sell their house... I would like to reinvest my money. And I would hope *redacted* wouldn't be comfortable living with the fact she screwed over legit the only person in our family that's she's helped that didn't screw her over to begin with. I'll tell you one thing though, I'll NEVER put myself into another situation where I take someone at their word. Been there, got screwed over for that. I don't mean to be bitter, but I've done everything right the entire time when it came to that house and at the end of the day, it didn't matter how much I tried to do right by someone. They still did what they wanted with only themselves in mind. 

Sad. Apart from that, life has been happy. 

We bought our house the day after we moved here and they delivered it within a few days. Since then, it's been nonstop trying to get it up and running. We got the insulation done... and let me just tell you, spray foam insulation is a learning curve that me and my hubby had to master real quick like. Ok, "master" is probably pushing it, but we got it done and it works good! Jerm and Cass came up and Dev/Jerm ran our electric (score one for having an electrician BIL). We officially have two ACs set up (one front of house-one back)... we have a window unit and a portable. The first portable we got we had to send back because of the compressor but once we got the new one and Dev changed the outlet... we were all good!

They delivered the materials for our walls today, so we'll be getting that done over the next few days and then it'll be time to get the materials for our ceiling and start setting up for bathroom/kitchen. 

We love staying with my FIL, but we both can't wait to have our own space again! Legit can't wait for decorating and crafts and all the goodness. Cuddles and late-night standup binge-watching and honestly? Just to have all our stuff unpacked again because while it might sound funny, I MISS MY STUFF!

Work has been crazy and I love it. The company I work for was bought by another company in January so we're in the process of transitioning everything over to their systems. It's a lot but your girl likes working remote and staying busy. Seriously... remote work might be my calling.

Do I wish I felt like I meant more to the people we left behind in the North? Sure... but it's not worth my mental health to dwell on it. If they don't want and love me for the person I am, then I guess I just meant how much they proved.

So yeah, that's where we're at. Living our best Florida lives (we had a beach day with his mom's side of the family a couple of weeks ago and had the best time... I haven't had a beach day since I was like twelve) and doing our best. There's so much to go over but I'm running out of writing time. Hopefully, in the next few weeks/month or so we'll have pretty much all our house done, the Indy house will be resolved and then we can get Dev's bike and go back to regularly scheduled programming. 

Because honestly? This life with my hubby and pups is the best thing I've ever had and I wanna keep running with it. Our lives are full of being together, pup loving, Dunkin coffee, boiled peanuts, Texas nachos, laughs, adventures and love. I couldn't ask for nor would I want more.

Until the next time I can get around these parts (hopefully regularly once life is calm again)... xoxoxoxo.

Through dark and dust (and bullshit) here we are. 😶

Remember when I said we had one more trip to FL before our final because I had a meeting in March? 

HA! HAHHHHHAHAAAHhahahaha..... hahahahahahhahaha...... HA!!

One more trip, my ass. We never made it to my meeting in March. Oh, we tried... of course we tried. But the universe wasn't having it and decided to throw us a curveball. And by curveball, I mean... shit got real awful real quick and bitches were about to have a nervous breakdown. 

It's me... and my husband... we were those bitches.

Let's back up a bit. We've been preparing and trying to get things situated so we could make our big move to FL. It's been a... process. While we had planned on being out no later than early February (again- HA!) things kept happening that set us back and it was like with every one step forward there were three back. EXHAUSTING isn't even a strong enough word for it. 

But we figured, go with the flow and do our best. And our best consisted of one more meeting trip before the move. Were we happy about making the trip and then having to turn around and do it again a few weeks later? No. But were we willing to do said task? Absolutely.

And that got us stuck on the side of the Louisville bridge in the middle of the night in rush hour traffic. Yeah, you read that right. There we were, the Friday before my meeting (with every intention of reporting bright and early Monday morning) broke down over two hours from home with our babies in the car. And that's where the nightmare started.

Our Bronco completely died... like we were in the fastlane and all the sudden my husband looked me deadass in the face and said, "our car just lost full power." Not what you want to hear at any point, let alone in that situation. He managed to get us across the three lanes of traffic and to the shoulder, but we were still at the top of the bridge. Was I helpful? NOPE. Why? Because your girl has a thing about bridges and every horrible thought, I could have possibly had happened. I blame all the Final Destination movies of my youth, but I digress. 

It should've just been inconvenient, not life altering. Afterall, we have full warranties and roadside assistance. Guess what? Didn't help AT ALL. Not only did Ford Roadside Assistance leave us high and dry in the middle of the night on the side of the highway but when my husband managed to get our car to a hotel and then to a willing dealership it still was horrible. 

I called multiple people to come pick us up (we were over two hours from home) and was met with variations of "sorry, busy, I have plans" or they didn't even bother to answer. Finally, I got ahold of my brother, and he agreed to come pick us up if we gave him gas money. Fair, it's a rough economy. But then, we had to leave our car at that Ford dealership in Sellersburg for a week for repairs and they did... nothing. Like, absolutely 100% nothing. They cleared the code on the car and then parked it for a week after assuring us Ford would handle it. They didn't. 

We had to go get the car the next weekend and drive it the two hours back dying and revolting the entire time (dangerous, much?) and take it to the dealership where we bought it. They got us in and got us a loaner vehicle (something no other dealership we talked to or the Ford "case manager" helped with) and they had it for a week to do all the repairs it required.

Apparently, it had a recall for the battery (that we never got notice of), needed an update (again, something we weren't notified about), and the fuel pump had to be replaced. Three incredibly important things that needed handled before a catastrophe that we were left in the dark about. Don't get me wrong... cars will be cars. I know that and accept that and understand that a car can have an issue after fifteen miles. I get it. HOWEVER, vehicles are NOT cheap and when you pay the fees to have the service and warranties and you are not only NOT made aware of issues but then you're left stranded on the side of the road with your entire family in the middle of the night in a $50k car that has 26k miles on it after doing EVERYTHING right, you tend to get a little pissy. At least, I f*cking did. 

I love my car... but at this point I'd damn near get rid of it just so I never have to deal with Ford customer service EVER again. The Ford "Case Manager" I had was assigned to me and called on Wednesday (remind you, this happened on the previous Friday) to tell me she was off Thursday, didn't return my call on Friday and couldn't help me come Saturday. She did absolutely nothing helpful or offered good advice and we were not helped until we got it to our dealership and they handled it all. Needless to say, case mangers? A F*cking joke.

Thankfully, we got Trudy back. And she seems to be in good spirits (thanks you mechanic Nick!).

But... that whole situation definitely broke us in spirit. It was disheartening to find out where I stand to everyone close around me. My SIL/BIL were already figuring out what to do with the kids and loading up because they were not about to leave us on the side of the road. They were going to make the nine-hour trip... but some people I called couldn't even be bothered to make the one-and-a-half-hour trip. Really lets you know where you stand with who... that's all I'm saying.  

At that point, we were broken and sad and just f*cking over it. So... I decided to liquidate some shit, we got rid of a bunch more shit (my brother and the scrappers in our alley have made out like bandits), and we scheduled to have movers take our shit.

Why? Because we want out and there's literally NOTHING keeping us here anymore. It's hard to sell a house when I work remote (ie: always home) and you have two pups, so we're clearing out and it's going on the market next Monday. They dropped off our containers last Friday, we packed them up this last weekend, and they'll be picked up this Thursday. We'll be sticking around so I can work on Friday (I took off Monday) and then we're heading out to our new life come that evening.

And we CANNOT f*cking wait. Since I get to stay a remote employee, it opened up some possibilities and we're going to the little town we originally wanted. We'll be staying with Dev's dad until our house is built/ready and then life will be lifing. We're all so damn excited we can't wait. 

We're ready for this life change and are ready to leave all the negative behind. This experience/transition has been eye opening and devastating and exciting and all the things... and it's time. It's time for Katie, Dev and their pups to be South. 

Keep your fingers crossed for us... we're hoping for the best and forcing our way through. This time next week... hopefully I'll be knee-deep in house plans surrounded by peace and quiet... and hopefully some barbeque. And for the love of all that's holy, pray this house sells quickly so we can just be DONE with Indiana altogether.

There so much more I want to talk about... I'm hoping the next update has all sunshine and roses to share. (Work is going really good- but that's for another time). But like I said, this is where we are now. Still playing the waiting game... but with a deadline in our sights. And it can't come soon enough.

Hopefully, there won't be many more winters spent like this. *siberian*

Has your ass ever hurt so bad that the thought of sitting in a car for another road trip quite literally makes you want to commit a felony? No? Ok... thanks for that... asking for a friend.

This past Saturday, Dev and me loaded our babies into the car and took a little WRTTMM trip. Spending a day with our entire family together is the shit my dreams are made of... but having to sit in a car for like a total of nine hours to accomplish said goals? Exhausting.

I digress... because at least we got the important shit handled and we can move forward. And by move forward, I mean concentrate on renovating our house and staying out of the frigidness that is Midwest winter. 

Seriously... have y'all seen shit out there? Frigid. Unappealing. Bluck!

I only mentioned Saturday to bring up the fact that the temperature started dropping rapidly that day and is in NO MOOD to realign itself. It's been raining since midnight last night and here we are at eleven the next morning... and look at it go... strong and steady. 

I read a report last night that said by this coming Saturday the wind chills would be somewhere around -14° and that's just where we are. That's not counting all the shit we would have to deal with if we go out. Hopefully, we've gotten all our "running" errands accomplished and only small "run to the store to pick something up" errands remain.

Why? Because f*ck this. It's frikkin' freezing out side! If you need the Glissons, we'll essentially be holed up in our little shoebox trying to manage boxes and paint and stay warm... exuberantly planning our future in the Sunshine State. 

Side note: I received a perhaps encouraging message from my MIL earlier... so good vibes and happy thoughts out into the universe for us, please and thank you.

 

I don't know what it's gonna be... but we have all the ideas.

Ever since we became firm in our decision to cut bait with Indy and head South we've been talking about our next steps. Fixing up our house to sell... deciding on future homes... debating our work to life balance and how that translates into our future work load... imagining sunshine as opposed to the frigid death that is currently blowing outside.

Seriously, feels like the movie "The Thing" out there. Frigid and not entirely unsettling. 

Intertwined with all these decisions and unknowns are also a bunch of questions that Dev has been asking me forever but I've never really had an answer for him. Sweetheart, what are your hobbies? What do you like to do? What kind of life do you want to live? What makes you happy?

And honestly? I don't know. And I know that sounds ridiculous because I'm thirty-five so how could I possibly NOT know? And yet, here we are. I've always been more of a "I have to work, I'll get to that later" type of person. Before I stopped going to therapy, I was referred to as exhibiting "hyperarousal." And no, that isn't as dirty minded as it sounds... it means I live in a constant state of "fight or flight." 

Doesn't stop there though... did you know with fight or flight also comes freeze or fawn? It was all new to me and I'm not sure I followed it all as well as I would have liked but basically it shoved a mirror in my face and made me see I was a people-pleasing bundle of nerves ready to crack at the first sign of failure. Apparently when it's "always up to you" to find the solution or your entire family is screwed... and you start that shit at fourteen... and who knows what leading up to that... well... there tends to be some long-lingering side effects.

As in... I don't really know who I am as a person. I mean, I'm getting there and have a better handle on it now than what I ever have... but I'm not really there yet. Deep down? I know who I am. In my soul and how I want to treat people... but the pieces that make up me? I got nothing.

But, I'm trying. And Dev is as supportive and loving as he's ever been with all of it. I could deadass look that man in the face and tell him I never want to work a day in my life ever again and if I really meant it, I truly believe he would find a way to make it happen. He's the first and only person in my entire life to want me to do any and everything I want and to hold absolutely none of me back. Big personality? No problem for him.

He's got that soulmate shit on lock.

So I've been thinking about things I might want to do. Hobbies I might want to try... even if I end up hating them. I want to try things I've never had the opportunity to pursue and find out if I love them or if they're just an annoying little fantasy. I want to do new things and go on adventures and spend as much time as humanly possible with my husband. If we're going to rebuild this new life... I want us as happy as possible for the rest of it.

First things first... we have to narrow down our camper. I think we've decided to go used and possibly buy second hand. We want it to basically function however we need it to start out and we'll do all the upgrades and changes as time goes on. Something nice but not ridiculous. We want to learn how to run everything on solar and learn how to do all maintenance and customization on our own.

And then... I want to fill it with love and music and puppies. Make it cozy and homey but entirely us. 

We both want a massive garden... fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and shrubbery. And then I want to get back into canning and baking and homesteading. Make my own bread and figure out how to use these plants medicinally and get lost in the process of it all.

Books... podcasts... radio... television... social media... firsthand life experience.

Refurbishing that table with my MIL over Thanksgiving was so much fun and Dev and me got lost in the process. It's not something I've ever done but have always been interested in. She explained what I needed to do and when I messed up or wasn't sure, she was patient and understanding. Always has been, always is, and probably forever will be. Dev mentioned it to me when we were talking and said he had never seen me invest in something and it hold my attention to the point I didn't walk away. Which is fair, because my attention span is nonexistent. But... this I liked. And I want to do more of it, I think. I already have ideas for furniture we're taking with us and things we'll want and I can do in the future. Will it happen? I don't know... but I'm excited to find out. 

I want to get my nose re-pierced and get a bunch more tattoos. Green hair? If possible, I want to keep it forever. My SIL (hi, Cait!) insists that she's never met a person in her entire life that looks like they have green hair naturally... but it somehow looks like it should've grown right out of my own head that way. I want to cut the collar off ALL my shirts and wear shoes as little as possible. Like I said before, feral Katie is my favorite Katie.

I want to collect antiques and make them useful again... maybe find an old Singer sewing machine, fix it up and get back into sewing. Clothes and quilts... helpful shit for our lives that can translate into love. Maybe find an old wringer washer and hang up a clothes line. Simple things that people have upgraded in their lives and forgot where it started. 

I want to look into having bees... and learning to weld... maybe take up crazy painting. Learn how to put a lift on and do the maintenance to our Bronco. Build a lean-to and gather pieces of the universe around us to build a sanctuary.

We plan to follow my in-laws around and make them our besties. Dev has missed his family on a level that I could never explain and the thought of getting to hang out with them and have dinners and adventures and family time? Serene. I'm gonna follow my FIL around and make him teach me shit. Hell, you can learn from the man just standing next to him. And while he's talking bikes with Dev... I'll be talking paint versus stain with my MIL. Maybe we'll finally even get around to her putting me on a horse. I mean... they're a horse family and she used to barrel-ride... if anybody is gonna teach me some shit, it would be her.

We want to see our niece and nephews grow firsthand... not just in pictures and video calls. We want to be apart of their childhoods and be known as their "free spirit" aunt and uncle. We want them to know they can come to us and they'll find nothing but love and understanding and patience. We want to grow with them and get to see the amazing people they become. Do I want to pick up your kid from school and be the adult responsible for their well being? Absolutely not. But, do I want to go on that list that says I'm one of the most trusted adults that their lives have to offer? Desperately. Put us on the f*cking list.

And yeah, I don't know how we're going to manage all this or how we're gonna get there... but you know what? We're gonna do it together and get there eventually because it's what we want. Neither of us know what the future holds as far as our jobs... but that's literally the only thing. (Truthfully, when it comes down to it, if we could both work part-time at the same place on the same shift we'd be just as happy as anything else... even though I'm really beseeching the universe to find that remote position).

We don't know what life is going to look like when we get there... it's a new beginning... but we do know what we want to build towards. And honestly? I'll take that over misery any day. Just having a plan and pushing this to be our reality has made changes in the both of us. We know what we want and what we don't want and we can figure out the details along the way... together.

But, if y'all could manifest some ease and sprinkle-sprinkle out into the universe for us? I would greatly appreciate it. Because the fear of the unknown is overwhelming... even though we're working on it.

Hopefully, it's the last long drive before the BIG one.🌞🌻🌞🌻🌞

We spent Thanksgiving week in Florida with Dev's side of the family. We don't usually go down for holidays... we're more of a "come down for vacation once a year and for emergencies and unplanned happy events (ie: weddings and Jelly concerts)" type of folks... but Dev's mom asked us two or three months ago if we would come down this year... and... well... I can't tell that woman no to save my whole life.

Sooo... I worked Monday and then we headed South. (With my trusty laptop in tow because I still had some shit to do for the rest of the week because no rest for the weary and all that).

The trip down was pretty good... we made decent timing and our pups were chill and enjoyed the ride. Sure, it's always alot, but once we're there... we're good to go. You know why? Because we pulled up to my MIL's around nine in the morning... parked Trudy... and didn't start her again until we left out for my FIL's on Saturday evening. When I tell you my in-laws are the best, I ain't bullshitting.

The trip back North? Stupid. Between "Severe Winter Weather" advisories and people not realizing they're operating a vehicle so they should probably be paying attention to that... it was mayhem. We ended up taking backroads for the last forty miles of our trip home, because the interstate backed up and people were acting a fool. 

I digress. Mostly because I refuse to spend anymore time trying to figure people out. At least for the time being.

Our pups were probably the most excited. Between all the attention, snacks, cuddles, and general merriment of their existence, they were living their best lives.

My Gatorbaby? He always thrives when he's home. What can I say? He's a Sunshine State boy through and through. He's never not happy and breathtaking when we're there. He loves his family and the happiness that pours out of him when we're around them damn near brings tears to my eyes every damn time.

Me? I also thrive down South. I'm what my FIL (Pops) refers to as feral... barefoot, sunburnt, hair unbrushed, legs unshaved... it's chaos of the highest order. And I fuckin' love it. So does my husband and his entire family. Peaceful Katie is the best Katie.

With all the changes headed our way... we're hoping the next trip we have to make down South is THE last trip and therefore, moving time. *fingers-crossed*

Life has been stressful and chaotic lately... between life changes and house renovations and pups with skin irritation and frigid weather and people in general... yeah, it's just been overwhelming. So, we needed to get away and have a break and spend some time with people we love the most and love us the best.

We spent Thanksgiving with all the family that got to come over and the rest of our days were spent relaxing, hanging out with my in-laws (and one of my SIL's for a couple days), doing projects (ie: refinishing a table and watching my FIL put together a four-wheeler), watching my hubby do some bomb-ass tattoos on my MIL and SIL, and just imagining and planning our future.

When I tell you I've been a nervous wreck and overwhelmed... I ain't lying. The unknown and instability and changes that are coming have been on my brain and playing on loop for weeks on end. I've driven myself to the brink and back more than once. I honestly thought I was about to break in half. But... when they assured us we weren't alone and were welcome and loved and missed and needed? Something in me calmed and shifted. Sure, this is still scary... but worth it and thrilling. I'm still scared because of the unknown but I feel better knowing my hubby's family has our backs.

And the life we're trying to build and is on the horizon? Riveting.

🐝I just want to be a beekeeper and live a peaceful f*cking life.🐝🐝

Y'all ever have one of those days where you think to yourself, "if I could guarantee the outcome, I'd be all in?" Yeah, that's me... only... not so much a day as an existential crisis. But whatever... I'm trying.

Dev and me live in Indy because of my job. Full stop... no other reason. Honestly, if it wasn't for my job, my ass would've bounced when I lost momma. Why? Because the city is not for me and I am woefully unhappy here. And yeah, I know there's nonsense and meanness no matter where you go... but I feel better about it in the country. I know how to handle it in the country. This city life? Pass. Too much, too many, too close, too soon, just TOO EXCESSIVE.

But here we sit... because financial stability. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my job. Sure, it's not the most glamorous position in the world, but it's mine and I've worked really hard to get where I am. There's only so far to climb in my company, but I feel like I have value as an employee and honestly, that's enough for me. I've never wanted fancy or to be "a boss bitch" so where I'm at is a good little spot for me. I know my job and not to toot my own horn, but I'm fairly efficient and know my shit... mostly. So yeah, I love my job and everything that it's given me. I never thought I would make the money I do in the position I'm in with the level of background and education I have.

However... if I could do my exact job remotely? From somewhere that doesn't require me to be in this city and try to build our lives here? From literally our peaceful little spot that we dream of? Yeah... I would love it even more. And the thing is... my job can be done remotely. We've tried it... succeeded in the short term... I can only imagine the level I could accomplish if I built a hub in our home and set everything from my office up. I truly believe I could not only do it, but do it just as well as what I do from here. BUT... I don't know if that would even be an option. It's never been done before in our company... and I don't know if it would be something they would be open to even discussing. I mean, sure it's never been done... but then again, my position didn't even exist until we built it into what we needed.

So yeah, that worries me because the stability I have at my job is unmatched by everything else I've encountered in my life. And while I would love to be the freespirit I feel on the inside, the fact remains that I've been working to support a family since I was fourteen years old and that part of my brain just won't shut off. You know, the... we'll have to start over, budgeting columns, what-ifs... all of it. It won't stop and it won't shut down and honestly it's running on a loop in my head driving me crazy.

However... if me and Dev keep talking and it comes down to it, I'll have a choice to make. I would try to establish the remote position first... try everything I could... but if that wasn't an option, I would have to choose. And the choice would be... stay in Indy for my career and chance that everything will be there for us until we get to retirement... or take the gamble and move my husband back to his family.

While it would be a hard decision to restart... it's also getting harder to justify my career over our happiness. Because lord knows my hubby is as unhappy here as I am. If he had his way, we would've been back in the sunshine state a few years ago.

And it's not like we haven't tried to build something meaningful and beautiful here. We've lived our lives and tried our best to be good to people. And while I would love to say we could show you the fruit of our labor, the fact of the matter is, no one gives a shit around here. My family essentially went on a tour telling people that Dev was gonna move me back to Florida and take me away as soon as we got married... he didn't... but they did stop inviting us to stuff, reaching out via the telephone, and continue with, "Katie changed."

Yeah... Katie changed... Katie lost her mom and had her entire world flipped on it's head and it's been nonstop ever since. Forgive me if I needed a breather from cookouts and holidays for a little bit. I wasn't trying to be excommunicated... I was trying to survive.

Ever since my brother moved out... I rarely hear from him. He made a big spiel about "not wanting to lose our relationship" when he moved out and I told him we were adults and perfectly capable of having a normal sibling relationship where he lived with his family and I lived with mine. I was apparently wrong about that... but not wrong about the fact my brother is resentful and petty about it. In the past month, I've reached out on four separate occasions just trying to catch up and maybe set up a time to hang out... he's rejected them all and contacted me once to tell me about our nephew having an accident and needing stitches. In fact, we haven't seen our nephew since my brother moved out. He works four minutes from our house and lives twenty minutes from us... but does he stop by? Nope. And while I would love to just swing by his house to say hi once in awhile, his living arrangement is different and not open for popups. Is he trying to punish me by not letting me see my nephew because I put my foot down and made him move out? I don't know... but either way... it feels real lonely on that front too.

And I get it... the rest of my family has their own families to worry about. I understand and I'm happy that they're happy... but clearly... I don't fit into the narrative. My aunts and uncles and cousins have their own children and grandchildren and my brother still has his father and his own child. Dev and me don't want kids... so I guess... we're just done?

Maybe I feel wrong about it, but it is how I feel. I'm not resentful or angry or sad about it, it's more of a clarity of the situation. And the truth is, I did in fact move to Indy for momma. I never would've chosen to come here on my own. I might not have stayed where I was, but I'm definitely not the same as my momma on that front. She was a city girl through and through... me?

Not so much.

Dev? Dev still has family that not only needs him but wants him... and me too. They want to include us in their everyday lives and holidays and they have our backs regardless. While I can say I have one or two people that have my back like that (ok... one and it's Dani) he has a list. And it's beautiful to see. I know he misses his family. Hell, I miss his family. Every time we go down there it feels right and my chest decompresses in a way it simply doesn't in the city.

His family up here? One-sided, not unlike mine. Everything was all fun and games when we were putting in all the effort, fronting money, driving the miles, and essentially doing it all. The minute we stopped putting forth 100% of the effort? That friendship fizzled and died out faster than a firecracker. Sure, he still texts his cousin, but the relationship we had with him and his family? Evaporated. All because we said enough was enough.

Hilariously enough, kind of like the situation with my brother.

The friendships we've tried to build have been no damn different.

I would love nothing more than to sell our house, move to that little ten acres in northern FL, build a hub to work remote, and start living our dream lives right this second.

But again... stability. And the unknown. 

It's hard to "go with the flow" or "take a chance" when literally all responsibility has been on your shoulders for as long as you can remember. And I know I don't have to live that life anymore... but old habits die hard and all that. I've had to start over so many times out of pure survival that I don't know how to kickstart something new without breaking mentally. It's frustrating and quite frankly, I hate that part of myself. I would love to make a decision strictly just because it's what I want and let the chips fall where they may and know everything will work out in the end. Except... I'm not built like that. I want to be... but conditioning has a stronghold that's hard as f*ck to fight.

You know, I always had this joke once I got the job I have now that I'm here until I'm either "fired or retired." But, I don't think I ever really thought it through for what it was. They've recently increased the retirement age from 65 to 67. Let's be real, Social Security won't exist by the time it's my turn and the fact they want people to quite literally work their asses off until they're essentially in the nursing home is f*cking laughable. Early retirement is at least 55... probably soon to increase... and even then there are so many penalties and fees. There's literally no such thing as working to an end goal anymore. People just want to take and take and we're forced to keep giving if we want to keep up. It's f*cking exhausting.

I say that to say... that means I have AT LEAST another twenty to thirty(ish because a few more than that) years to go before I can even think about retiring. Which means, if we wait until retirement to build the life and dream we want, we may very well be too old or dead to enjoy it by then. Not to be morbid... but the world is crazy these days and our luck is horseshit.

I want to continue my job until it's time to lay it down... but I don't honestly believe I have another twenty to thirty or more years left where we are. Even if I did, why would we want to build somewhere we're miserable and wait to be surrounded by all we want until then?

You know, that whole fairy godmother with the sprinkles thing I've been trying to manifest for the last couple of months would come in real handy right about now. It would be nice to be able to make a decision in life strictly based on happiness and want not finances and turmoil.

It's out there. It's on our minds and in our conversations and I would be lying if I said I wasn't going crazy thinking everything through a million times. I keep waiting for something to give or change or I don't know what, but I know sooner or later I'm gonna have to choose. Not like "CHOOSE" but choose, because something's gotta give and we can't keep being miserable.

He made a comment the other day when we were talking... and while I know he didn't mean it in a bad way... I felt the honesty in it and it hit me in the chest. He was trying to tell me how he feels and said he wanted to spend time with his parents while he still could. And... I get that. My parents are gone. My one sibling could care less. I haven't seen my nephew in over a year. Lost my grandparents years ago. Dev still has three parents, two grandparents, three siblings (four if you count his friend that may as well be my third BIL), and a slew of nieces and nephews. All of whom would give anything for their boy to come back to his roots.

While I grew up in Tennessee... I have no desire to go back there. I want to be surrounded by familiar but new. Comfort but depth.

Our fifth wedding anniversary is next month. Five years of building and trying and doing and loving. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I do often think about the next anniversary... and the next... because I want us to be as happy together as possible, but is it possible to be your happiest self when you're miserable with your surroundings? I don't know. I would like to believe I'm enough, but that's not really fair to my husband. Sure, I may be enough... but should I be? When he has the option of so much more? He could be surrounded by people and places that are good for his soul.

And I could learn to be whomever I've always wanted to be. No pressure or restrictions or expectations. Just me with my husband and babies on a little farm, tending to bees, growing plants. I could learn all the things I've always wanted to and try and fail and succeed and grow and be at peace.

What I want: build a homestead, bake bread, grow plants, tend to bees, play with my pups, have early mornings on the porch with my husband, spend time with family, go to events, cook holiday meals, run through the woods with Dev on my heels... peace. Stability. Happiness. Tranquility. To be able to exist and just be still. Just be me.

What I need: a miracle.

I don't know where the future will take us. I don't know where I'll be this time next year. I don't know if I'll be sitting right here in thirty years or if I'll get hit by a meteor by my next birthday.

What I do know is one day soon I'm gonna have some decisions to make and whether good, bad or ugly, the questions will come knockin' whether I'm ready for them or not. Why? Because mental health is no joke and mine is patchy at best. And honestly? Seeing my husband so depressed is too much. It's devastating and makes me want to cry on the regular. He says he's good, but he forgets that I know him and I see it. I don't know how he doesn't resent me (he assures me he doesn't), because I would resent me. I mean, he's literally only here because of me and I'm literally only here because of my career.

Dun dun dun.

I know we'll probably give it until the beginning of the year and reevaluate. So between now and then, if the universe could help me out and sprinkle some of that goodness down, that would be greatly appreciated.

🌻I just grow sunshine in the backyard.🌻🌻And other ramblings.

Life is hectic. And crazy. And exasperating. And expensive. And hard. And overwhelming.

Life is beautiful. And fun. And full. And happy. And wild. And exquisite.

And we're all just along for the ride and hoping for the best. I've never wanted a big life. There's nothing in my personality that screams boss bitch in a Mcmansion with fourteen spoiled children. Never wanted it.

What I have always wanted was a small life. A happy life... stability. And to spend it with someone who chooses me first... every single time... no hesitation.

I found my person... and I'm so lucky and grateful for it.

Our life... while chaotic and hard at times... is ours and we're trying our best. Neither of us have ever wanted big. We've just wanted safe... and ours... and each other.

BUT... if y'all got a spare fairy godmother out there floating around, we'll take one of those too. You know what they say... manifestation and shit.

This weekend was... different. Any weekend I get to spend all the time with my hubby is amazing... but this weekend was weird for us. I don't know why. Probably because we had company on Saturday and then it stormed all day. And then Sunday morning the power company blew our transponder and we didn't have power for seven hours.

So... we did a load of clothes at Bonehead's and hung out. But Dev was sick... so home we went... to dead ass quiet. There was also an oil change in there for Trudy. And our pups went to Bonehead's with us and hung out with the babies... Sparkles loves heights...Steve doesn't do down the stairs. It was hilarious and adorable.

On the plus side? Dev got his tray, fake skin, and new ink. And I got a Tymo. Could we afford it? Probably not. Am I waiting for a miracle to pull us out of this funk and set us into my fantasy? Perhaps. #wishfulthinking

My cup plant though? Thriving and wreaking havoc. I think it might be a bit roid-raged out on motor oil... TBD.

Life is looking a little crazy right now.

Let me start this by saying... I thought we all agreed that 2025 was going to be a better time. Like... just in general and away from all the tomfuckery that has managed to invade our lives the last... however long it's been. Are we all stuck in some crazy fever dream right now?

I digress. Because if not... well... it's been a long couple of weeks.

Dev and me have been in Florida for over a week now. And while that may sound like vacation fun for most, let me assure you, if this is your idea of a vacation, neither of us EVER want to go on vacation with any of you. NEVER EVER.

A few weeks ago, Dev's daddy had to be rushed to the ER. After a week in the hospital, he was diagnosed with pancreatitis, told he had a pocket of fluid above his pancreas/pushing on the back wall of his stomach, and needed his gallbladder removed. He was sent home to "manage the inflammation" until his doctor returned from vacation. 

Cut to the Friday before last...I get a call at work in the afternoon from Dev telling me his daddy's friend is taking him back to the ER because he's in so much pain. So I immediately call my boss, pack everything I need to work remote, and headed to the house. We loaded up the car and our babies and to Florida we came. It takes us approximately thirteen hours to make it to the part of Florida we need to be. Luckily... this isn't exactly our first f*cking rodeo.

Eleven hours after making it to the ER waiting room, my FIL was finally admitted... and he's been there ever since. I'm not usually one to complain about healthcare. I've worked it... I've lived it... I understand it... I KNOW things can only move so fast and you can only do so much.

But when I tell you this has to be the most frustrating hospital experience of my entire life, I'm not exaggerating. I dealt with a lot of crazy shit when it came to Momma's health... A LOT. But this? Come the f*ck on. He was in the hospital from Friday afternoon (admitted Saturday morning) and they literally did no testing on him until Wednesday. Which is when they did the CT scan... and determined the fluid pocket hadn't gotten better under their "supervision"... it had actually gotten worse... and there were two.

You know what that means? That means his Thursday gallbladder removal was cancelled, and a Friday endoscopy with drainage was scheduled. Should be fine, right? Cool... it happened... they drained, put a stint, had a look around. Cool. Informed us they had to go in and do it again on Monday. Ok... but they don't know if or when they'll be taking his gallbladder. Why? Because they want to see if the inflammation can be managed. You mean the inflammation that had increased by six because this wasn't handled three weeks ago? And then what?

Don't know. We've had three doctors... doctors... not nurses, techs, administrators, case managers, no... DOCTORS tell us THREE different things and while they all start the conversation with "I've conferred with my team of fellow doctors" not a damn one of them seems to have EVER talked with the other two. They're confused, unfocused, and quite frankly, I don't understand how my FIL thinks they're so fantastic when literally the ball has been dropped at every opportunity presented.

He gets a new tray each time there's a meal because they can't agree on which diet he should be on... he was told to tell them as soon as as he feels pressure in his spine because they need to manage his pain for the inflammation... and then proceed to get lost in route to their medcart. And before people get butthurt, YES, I know nursing is a stressful and strenuous job and things happen out of your control. Multiple patients, one of you. I get it and I empathize. You can't drop everything for one person and you're not at their beck and call. I get it. However, when your patient has strict instructions and you leave their room and say "I'll grab that and be right back" and then I have to track you down over two hours later because at this point he's in fetal position pain, that's a f*cking problem. I shouldn't have to find a completely different nurse, ask where she is, get the response "I have no clue where she is" and tell them to find her before I throw a temper tantrum level hissy fit that would make my ancestors raise up and be proud of my level of petty before they assist him and do what the orders say.

COME ON. 

Unless you are working the triage unit of the ER... why the f*ck are you not on your own floor taking care of the patients assigned to you?

I didn't pull this shit out of my hat... they're your rules and guidelines and you're not even f*cking following them? Over two hours later? If your time management skills are that shit, perhaps you should find a new career. This one? Not for you. And I say that holding alot of love for nurses in my heart... this isn't an attack on all nursing. This is calling out one situation that repeated itself more than once and they still can't manage to get a handle on it. 

The entire thing is frustrating because they seem as confused and unsure as the rest of us. Hey guys, it's literally y'alls thing to have a plan. That's the whole reason he came here. For the third time. With pancreatitis. That still hasn't been handled. Because it keeps getting put off. And no one can seem to agree on a f*cking game plan.

Fun fact: this is the third time he's been admitted to this exact hospital for pancreatitis (the first time was March 2020).

Fun times. Hopefully, we'll find out something after the second endoscopy/drainage tomorrow, but with this team of doctors and staff? I'm not holding my f*cking breath. Mostly because I don't trust a damn one of them to know how to get me breathing again once I pass out.

My FIL? Pissed... irritable... angry... all the adjectives that encompass being rude and shit to my husband. And yeah, I understand he's frustrated and at his wit's end and he wants to go home, but f*ck, Dev is literally the ONLY person trying to help and he's getting a f*cking flogging for it. My BIL? Fantastic at being completely unhelpful and self-victimization. So... that's fun. Everybody else? Has an opinion or excuse but no justified reasoning.

And my husband? Bless his sweet, big, amazing heart. He's trying his best and doing all he can. We've been to the hospital everyday to visit, get updates, and cleaned the house inside and out. Cleared land, cut trees, kept the pups on their schedule. And all he wants is to do all he can to help get his dad better... he's not asking for praise or anything else... but not making his life more difficult by fighting, arguing and treating him like shit would be much appreciated. He didn't put anybody in this situation, and he 's doing all he can to help, and somehow he's the bad guy?

Yeah... I'm f*cking over that. My husband has a heart condition and I can't in good conscience let his mental and physical health be determined by shitheads who want to act like children. So... something has to give. Or, I'm going to have to make it give.

Thinking maybe we'll just load up our babies and disappear into the mountains never to be seen or heard from again by any person we've ever come into contact with throughout life.

TBD.

💙My Uncle Wayne was a great man and I will truly miss him.💙💙

My Uncle Wayne was a good man... a fair man. Really... kind of a legend. Seriously, ask anyone that knew him well. He hasn't been in our industry for going on thirty years and we still have people ask about him to this day. That's how amazing and completely memorable he was. He was one of those men that even when you know death comes for everyone eventually, you kind of thought he might avoid it. At least, I kind of did. 

He always seemed so much bigger in life than what I could ever imagine. I've been blessed enough throughout my life that I got to spend time with him... from a child whose uncle made her dreams come true by showing up Christmas Eve with a Barbie dreamhouse... to a preteen who ate fried fish with sunburnt cheeks... to a teenager making his drinks and serving his supper... to an adult when I got to take my husband to his house and just visit and be. There are so many things I want to say and so many feelings I feel... but I don't know how to get them all out at once. Like with most things, I would think this is something I deal with bit by bit. Piece by piece. And manic cleaning and decluttering one step after the other.

I'm going to miss Uncle Wayne. In so many ways. I'm going to miss our random phone calls and how no matter what, he always had some advice and what felt like, my back. I truly hope he's now at peace and the people who were there at the end for their own selfishness, reap what they sow. I hope he can rest easy knowing he's reunited in spirit with Aunt Linda and the girls. And honestly? I hope he's proud of what he left behind. A life well lived and a legacy to rival that of anyone you come across. And maybe, just maybe, a little of me too. Because he was the kind of man you wanted to make proud. And I hope I do.

Harold Wayne Fullen, 79, of Astor Florida passed away on May 20, 2025. He was a loving son, husband, brother and friend. If help was needed, Wayne was there to offer a hand and an encouraging word.

Wayne was born in Clinchco, Virginia on November 29, 1945, to Charlie and Rebecca “Lucile” Fullen. The Fullens then relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana during Wayne’s childhood.

At the young age of 17 in 1962, Wayne joined the United States Marine Corps. He remained on active duty until August of 1965 as an MP whereupon he returned to Indianapolis to his family and friends.

On March 12, 1966, Wayne was married to Linda Lou (Blankenship) Fullen in Indianapolis, Indiana. They remained in Indiana until 2014 when they relocated to Astor, Florida. Wayne and Linda had 2 dogs, Leelee and Tina, who were their 4-legged children. Leelee and Tina were very well-loved. Wayne and Linda remained happily married until Linda’s passing in June of 2019.

Wayne was a member of the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, 32° Freemasons and the Murat Shriners since 1974.

Wayne was a founding member of Superior Carpet Installers, Inc. in 1966 and later became owner and president of the company. Wayne will be remembered by many in the flooring industry for his hard work, grit and determination as well as his savvy business sense. He remained in control of the company until 1996 when he sold the company to the employees by creating an ESOP. Wayne then retired in 1998 after 32 years of owning and operating Superior Carpet Installers, Inc.

Wayne was an avid bass fisherman for many, many years. When relocating to Astor, Florida, Wayne and Linda lived on the St. John’s River where Wayne enjoyed fishing and boating for leisure. He is well known to all for this fishing – catching the fish and also hosting frequent fish fries to share his bounty with family and friends alike.

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, brother Mitchell “Mickey” Fullen, brother James Fullen, brother Bobby Fullen, sister Patricia “Patty” Fullen and sister Peggy Austin. He leaves behind brother Russell “Rusty” Fullen, many nieces and nephews as well as many more great nieces and great nephews.

Wayne has requested that no service be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Murat Shriners at https://www.muratshriners.com/jacoby.

🎄It's not a bahumbug, but I did think it was already done.🎄🎄

Christmas is in two days and I would like to go on the record of saying, it feels like Christmas already happened. Maybe it's the fact we had our company party last Friday... maybe it's the fact there's no snow or family is spread every which way... but essentially, we're all just waiting.

Waiting for today and tomorrow to happen so I can be off on Wednesday. Ok, not everybody is waiting on that one, but you can't blame a girl for trying.

Last week when Dani and I ran to the Costco to pick things up for our party, I found Sparkles and Steve a couple little Christmas llamas. They're so damn cute. I got a gray one for Sparkles and a white one for Steve... and Sparkles is having none of it. I don't know if he's scared of them or just doesn't like them, but he gave his to Steve and she took them without hesitation. Little chunker loves them.

Dev also put our tree out last week. Put a little Santa statue out too. I guess you could say the Glisson house is all ready for Christmas morning. 

This past weekend was the cookie weekend. We didn't do Christmas presents this year (because everything is like five million dollars!), but Dev did ask me to make his parents some baked treats so we could mail them out. That's what his daddy always requests... homemade treats! 

Why? Because he's a fifty-something year old single man that lives alone with his pups and works construction. He ain't exactly breaking out the cookie sheets anytime soon... so being the DIL I strive to be, cookies it is! And of course we have to send some his momma's way... can't send treats to one but not the other!

I made four different kinds of cookies (oatmeal/coconut, gingerbread, quick drop fudgies, and peanut butter) and a batch of peppermint swirl brownies. Because my MIL doesn't really do cookies, but she'll f*ck a brownie up. 

I thought I was going to have to make a whole other batch of peanut butter (I made a double batch to begin with!) because Dev couldn't stop eating them. Seriously, he loved them and I wanted him to eat as many as he wanted, because that's not usually his thing. Usually, I make bake treats and he'll eat a little but he's never one to clear something out.

So when I make something he's ALL into? Take it, eat it, IT'S YOURS. That's how I ended up promising to make another batch of peanut butter cookies and another batch of peppermint brownies this week. If that's what he wants, that's what he's gonna get.

I don't know what we're gonna do for Christmas this year. I think Mavis may have invited us over (we do tend to spend holidays with them), but if I'm being honest, I kind of just want to stay home with Dev and our babies and do Christmas with just us. I guess we'll see how things turn out. Who knows, depending on how things look, maybe we'll have a regular ole WRTTMM.

OH!! One more thing... Dev informed me a few years ago that he didn't like nor did he eat biscuits and gravy. I was like WTF??!!?! because that's essentially one of the things that raised me... and asked him if he purposefully didn't tell me that until after we got married because that's some dealbreaker shit. And then we laughed, because we both know I love him more than B&G but still. This has been going on for awhile and I've been giving him shit for it. Well... last week he asked what I wanted for supper and I REALLY wanted B&G. So, he told me to make it and he'd try it... he hadn't had it since he was a kid so he was willing to see if things change.

Guess what? Things changed. He not only loved the B&G I made (hallelujah!), but he requested that I make it again this week. Guess what else? I learned that my hubby didn't like B&G because when my FIL makes it, he fries it all up... and makes brown gravy. Sorry, what? BROWN gravy and sausage biscuits? I didn't know my FIL was a terrorist but here we are. 

I told Dev if he tried it again he would like it... and all I can say to that is... VINDICATION!

🎄🎄We probably won't do anything else for Christmas.🎄🎄

But at least we got these cards on lockdown! Honestly, I don't know what it is about our family Christmas cards that I love so much... but there's just something about collecting all our favorite photos from the year, putting them all together and signing off as the Glisson family that makes me happy. 

We probably won't be doing presents this year (because everybody's broke, right?) and we probably won't be having a massive dinner (two peeps + two pups = not a thirteen course meal), but we always like to make sure to send our love out in one form or another.

And my favorite way? Christmas cards. 

Look at me go... December 13th and they're ready... I'm ahead of myself this year round. Well, I mean, if you don't count the fact we still haven't put up our tree this year. Are we even going to? Only time will tell, but it's anybody's guess at this point. But still... cards!

Merry Christmas from me and mine to you and yours! Love, Devon, Katherine, Xur, Sparkles, and Steve! xoxoxoxo

The bathroom art on Thanksgiving was giving *chef's kiss*

Holidays are usually weird for us. The majority of Dev's family lives in Florida and the majority of mine have their own things to deal with. It's usually just our little family at the house, having a good time come holiday time... but sometimes we venture out and pretend that we're normal folks doing normal folk things.

Usually with Mavis. And this year was no exception. Mace's mom and stepdad moved this year and they all invited us over to spend Thanksgiving with them. We had a good time. We all ate, hung out, rode go-karts, and just enjoyed the day.

But the highlight? The wall art on Mace's moms bathroom walls.

I was such a little cutie. What happened? I don't know.

When I was little, one of my all time favorite people was my uncle, Steve. In my eyes, he was a big ole hero. A marine in his youth and husband and father with age... a wonderful family member in general. He lived a hard life... he had demons... but you would never know that if you were a little girl looking up to him.

He's also the uncle that convinced me I was going to turn into a chicken when I got the chicken pox and that the hillbillies were gonna steal my teeth while I was growing up in the hollar. What? It might have freaked me out as a kid, but I can completely confirm that as an adult, that shit is hilarious.

My Uncle Steve had four kids, my cousins: Tanya, Laura, Heather, and Steve. (Jr). Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend alot of time with them growing up, so we're not particularly close, but we do still love each other and talk when the opportunity presents itself. And today, my cousin, Heather reached out via Facebook just to send me a photo she came across.

Because Uncle Steve was the best, I was adorable, and it's the holidays. Merry Christmas!!

The most amazing time of anything ever in the existence of all of it.

Y'all... I literally just had the most amazing experience and even though it happened like three days ago... I'm still very AAAAHHHHHH!!!! about it.

I got to see... live in concert... my favorite performer in the history of ever... JELLY ROLL.

And when I say it was good... it was SO GOOD. The dude literally has me walking on cloud nine and smiling so hard my face hurts. Jelly was literally the first artist I ever followed starting from the underground. I remember hoping to find mixtapes (how old did that just make me sound?) back in the day... and didn't care if I had to swipe from a party or friend!

Welcome to the Trap House? Nah... Welcome to my favorite musician to ever grace the presence of a stage in general.

I didn't think I was ever going to get to see Jelly perform live. While I love him... TicketMaster is NOT exactly in our regularly scheduled budget. However... I married the most amazing man on the planet and I mean, he had to descend from greatness, right? 

Insert... my MIL. The company she works for gets tickets to basically any kind of performance that happens at the Kia Center in Orlando, FL. Sports... standup... and MUSIC. Her and my FIL make the most of the ticket grabs and she's even taken the other kids and some friends. I mean, honestly, why wouldn't you make the most of it?

She was telling us all this when we were down in FL this past April and I made the joke, "Haha... well if you ever get tickets to Jelly Roll I call dibs! I'd totally drive my ass down here just for Jelly!" Hardy har har... right?

WRONG. Not even three weeks later, Trisha Noelle got on that phone and said, "baby... see you in September!" I was so damn excited I know I had to look like 👀 and sound something like 😱. Tell me I didn't marry into the most amazing family on the planet and I'll call your fucking bluff.

FOR MONTHS I had anticipated this and was practically bouncing on my tiptoes waiting for the day we would head to Florida and by extension... JELLY. And come last Friday evening... my hubby loaded us and our babies up and on the road we were.

The concert wasn't until Tuesday night (that's right... Jelly sold out the Kia Center on a motherfucking Tuesday!), so we got to spend the weekend with the family and had a good ole time... swimming, cooking, drinking, tattooing, meeting Mitch's new gal (who happens to be adorable), and basically, just being together. 

Late nights turned into early mornings and coffee as always, keeps me going. We truly needed this vacation... and my spirit feels a little refreshed and serene.

Cut to Tuesday evening... MIL watched our babies and loaded us into an Uber to send us downtown Orlando. So many firsts... first time using Uber... first time seeing Jelly... first time having all access to a private suite at any venue... first time at the Kia Center... first time going to a concert with my hubby... first time I almost punched a security guard in the face because she was in between me and my mission to see Jelly (plus, she was just plain fucking rude)... first time I watched it rain in a building... first time I ever paid that ridiculous amount of money for two sweatshirts and one t-shirt... first time leaving my babies with a sitter... just all the firsts.

Then... the time came. JELLY took the stage and Katie started having heart palpitations. Nobody makes me feel my feelings quite like Jelly always has... afterall, there's a reason my playlist is called "Jammin' to Jelly."

Dev and I laughed and sang and cried and danced and basically just lived in the wonderment. I didn't take one picture... I was too engrossed in the stage and couldn't pull my eyes away. Luckily, once again... hubby had my back. 

IT. WAS. AMAZING.

Of course, we're back home now and back to our regularly scheduled programming... but I would be lying if I said I wasn't still walking on air. Life isn't always happy and there are plenty of things to make us feel down or try to break us... but this? This memory will last forever and the fact I got to share it with my husband made it all the more special and priceless to me.

So... shout out to my MIL- YOU'RE THE BEST AND I LOVE YOU. And shout out to my husband- I COULDN'T DO LIFE WITHOUT YOU! I LOVE YOU! And shout out to Jelly because- THAT WAS THE MOST INCREDIBLE SHOW.

Now if you'll excuse me... I have to go be a regular ole adult now. No worries... still star-eyed mentality though.

Four hours ain't enough... but it's better than nothing.💚

We got a nice little surprise yesterday... my mother and father in law showed up at the house! Who would've thought we'd run into a couple of Floridians in our neck of the woods? Apparently, they've been in Illinois the last few days and stopped by Indy on their way through for little ole us.

How sweet is that?! It was so good to get to see them and talk for awhile. I made supper (chili, per Dev's request!) and we all just hung around and caught up on the back porch.

Also, how cool is it that Dev and me are rearranging our lives and house to accommodate our ever-growing sense of selves?! 

Now... we can hang out on the back porch! Soon... living room!

Unfortunately, they were headed back South (like us, they're adults and have jobs and responsibilities- BOO!), so they couldn't stay for long (not even the night... they wanted to get on the road), but four hours is better than having to wait another two months... which is when we'll get to see them again (for Jelly!).

Side note: I don't know if they were really there for four hours or more or less... I am spitballing my best over here. I didn't feel the need to take meeting minutes or anything.

The four of us talked about any and every thing we could think of (and I love it).

We caught them up on the goings on in our lives... work is work, we're making life changes, the house is different (and will change again), Dev's tattoo career is kicking off... aside from the drama (that is NOT ours), life is good.

And they caught us up on theirs... work is work, they're changing the house and making it their own (and we're so happy for them!), they spent the weekend working Guy's family's 1852 family farm, and like us, people are bringing negativity into their lives that has no business being anywhere near them.

I mean, who doesn't love when the people you're surrounded with take advantage, manipulate, and guilt you into their way of life? Good times.

I'm not gonna lie though... we straight up tried to convince them to move up North. I don't even care if it's Indy or Illinois... but COME ON. Let my in-laws be three hours from me as opposed to fifteen. DO IT. Come to the dark side... we don't take shit from people and we live the lives we want regardless of other peoples opinions. You're gonna love it.

Our pups were so excited to see their grandparents and it was the first time they got to meet Steve. Xur and Sparkles were already turned up to level 147 and once their little sis joined in... all bets were off.

They even brought us a little keepsake from Guy's family farm... it's a hand painted shovel (beautiful) that has a little sign that reads, "thankful you should be." I don't know how old the piece is (probably very) but the fact I read it in Yoda's voice made me smile so damn hard. We love it and added it to our collection of sentimental objects (ie: Dev said I had another piece to add to my hoarding collection... but this one is special!).

So yeah... we were very excited and happy to see them... had a fantastic time hanging out and eating supper... tried to convince them to move North with us... laughed a shit ton... and were sad to watch them pull away. All in all, it was a nice little visit and I'm very happy, especially for Dev, that he got to see his mom and stepdad. We love them and want all the love and happiness for them that's possible.

But seriously, y'all... move up here with us. I'll help you make the chicken wings.

Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good to move forward. 💙

Here we are making changes in life... and it feels good and scary and sad and liberating.

The talk with my brother about him moving out went exactly how I predicted it would. His initial reaction was pure rage... complete with the threat looming over our heads... then transitioned into not speaking to me or my husband for almost two days... only mean mugging and side-eying... to talking shit about me and my house to my nephew and who knows who else... to showing up at the house come Sunday at one o'clock ready to talk about his next steps and where we all stood moving forward.

I feel like we could've just skipped all that first part and went right into the next steps and moving forward part... but then it wouldn't have been my brother so here we are.

My brother is in a... strange situation with his baby mama. I don't envy him in the slightest and actually have quite a bit of sympathy for the situation... especially given all the information I've recently come into. I don't know specifics, because again you never know someone else's life... but also, I think she's been mind-fucking my brother for the past decade.

Sunday was the first time we've actually all talked about the situation and put all of our cards on the table. We started at the very beginning and worked our way through everything and the only thing that doesn't add up... is her. Needless to say, her math ain't mathing and I'm tired of just nodding along and accepting bullshit excuses. 

2024 ain't no joke... and while we're making changes and not taking anybody's bullshit anymore... let's just put it all out there.

We talked through it all and by the end, I think my brother has at least a direction to follow. He's going to have to make changes and decisions for his and our nephew's lives... and he's going to have to put them first and deal with whatever situation comes his way. I know my decision has put him in this position, but it's also been a long time coming and running from your problems solves nothing.

I know... I tried... tried drinking excessively too... neither works.

But, I also know that he's strong and a good father and he can do what he needs and has to do. Whatever that looks like for him, Dev and me will have his back 100% because we love him unconditionally and that's how our family works... we love them.

I don't know what these new changes will bring and I don't know what life is going to look like in a couple months... but we're about to find out. I honestly think it will be a good change and may even bring us all closer together... but... only time will tell.

🔆 Back at it like... well... just back at it. 🔆🔆

Last week was our annual FL trip to see the family. We didn't get to go last year because D had two surgeries, our pups had some veterinary things, and well... shit be expensive. Needless to say, we were well do for some Sunshine State family time.

And once again... the fam did not disappoint. 

We got to my MIL/FIL's house Saturday morning and by Saturday evening, we were at Mitch's bonfire, surrounded by live music (shout out to Silver Springs, FL band- Propaganjah!) and all kinds of people we love.

By Sunday, we were out at River Ranch riding quads and drinking booze. Ok... I only had one beer and a shot of Jack Fire but you get the idea. We were there for hours getting sunburned (peeling, party of one right over here), laughing until our sides hurt, and memorializing our dude... Dennis.

And let's not forget the family dinners (which by the way... you kids need to help your damn mama cook and clean more!), the family injuries (my Gatorbaby fractured his foot and my BIL, Brad, broke a rib), and the family talks (nothing beats early morning coffee with the in-laws!).

We stayed at his mom's Saturday through Tuesday and headed out to my other FIL's house on Wednesday morning. 

On the way over (it's about a three hour drive North), we even got to stop by and see my Uncle Wayne and visit with him for a couple hours! It was so good to see him and get to hang out for a bit. I (technically) have other members of my family that live in FL, but honestly, the only one I cared for seeing was Uncle Wayne. Most people don't see my Uncle the same way I see him. And I get it, he's very opinionated and set in his ways. However, he's never been anything but accepting of me and he truly makes me feel loved just for being myself. I'm 100% me and comfy around him and we both just go with the flow. We're different, and the same, and are just happy to be in each other's lives any which way we can. I love that dude and wish I lived closer so I could see him more often.

By Wednesday afternoon we were at my FIL's house and having a grand ole time. It's much more lowkey at Dev's dads house (he's a han solo liver like us), but we still love going and getting to hang out and spend time with him. More lowkey is not a bad thing for us and honestly, I feel like this trip was really good for all of us. We definitely needed it.

As always, the family teased and asked when we were moving back to FL. We hear it every time and they love to joke and mess with me about it. Ever since I moved out of FL when I was seventeen, I've always said I'll never move back. F*ck FL, right? I ain't going back! I've been talking mad shit for like going on twenty years now. And we all know how much I love to talk shit. 

But... I mean... I talked mad shit about never getting married for almost thirty years and now look at my ass. I f*cking love being married. My husband must think my favorite f*cking meal is crow or something, because I be eating it left right and center when it comes to him. The truth is, we have no plans for moving back. Ok... not "no plans" but no plans in the near future. I know we will, because honestly, if I said let's move today, my hubby would have been packed three days ago. He misses his family... hell, I miss his family. And this trip around, really cemented the fact that yes, one day, we will be going back. 

We always say we're not staying here the rest of our lives. City life is just simply not for me... I do it because I have to but do I like it? No... I never have. I moved here for Momma, and while I don't regret it, it's also not what I would have chosen if it was just me. Truthfully, I want to live in f*ck all nowhere again and very few people have access to me. I want peace and happiness. That's what I want. Nothing fancy or expensive or extravagant. 

The only thing keeping us in Indy right now is my job. I simply can't justify walking away from the stability and amazing job that I have... I also can't leave my girl out to dry. I've been part of this team for going on twelve years and while that might not mean anything for some, it means something to me.

So no... we're not planning on moving back anytime soon. But yes... we are planning to move back someday. When that will be, I have no idea. Maybe retirement... maybe before then. Honestly, life has a way of throwing curve balls my way and one of these days I might say f*ck it and pull an Elizabeth Ann. TBD.

Afterall, with five acres waiting for us... it's something to look forward to. #ForeverHome

You know what we didn't anticipate this time around though? The fact that this past weekend was the Kentucky Derby. F*cking Louisville, amirite? We got beyond lucky when we came through because the highway was a clear and straight shot... but every single exit to get off the highway and into Louisville? F*ck that. Glad we were headed straight through. Although, I will say we watched the Derby with my FIL this year and we actually really enjoyed it. It's not really my thing... even being raised in damn near Kentucky, I'm just not that kind of Derby gal. I mean, I'm f*cking terrified of horses so why would I be about it? But, we had fun and it's added to my list of memories with dad.

So yeah... we had an amazing vacation and my ass 100% almost didn't come back. And this is the first time I said that and I truly mean it. We'll be (hopefully) heading back down in September for a couple days because my MIL is the f*cking best and got me JELLY ROLL tickets. Three days before Momma's 60th birthday and one month before mine and Dev's four year anniversary. Can I get a whoop whoop?!!

And now that we're back home, we have decided (well... Dev decided) that when I'm not at work, we are on vacation time. All about Katie all the time. And I have to say... I don't hate it!