BOOM Bitch. But also, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!🎄🎄

Ok... this is... a lot. Like... A LOT. So... your girl did a thing... got a thing... something a thing. THE POINT IS our gameplan to move South might be getting a little bit more fast-tracked because your girl got herself a new job. I KNOW.

I never thought I would be here. I literally thought I would be at my current company until I either retired (ha! the dream that none of us ever get) or killed over or they fired me. Something... nothing like getting a whole different job. But now... here we are.

And it is A LOT for me to feel. Overwhelmed... grateful... about to blow the tippy top right off my head. AHHH!! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited, but I'm also extremely nervous and anxious. Nervous that I may be in over my head... anxious that I'm going to screw this up and ruin our lives... but extremely grateful for the opportunity and overwhelmed by the magnitude of which this changes our lives. 

Besides... we wanted a whole new life and nothing says whole new life more than changing absolutely everything about it. Aside from us and our pups, we want to change EVERYTHING else. So... we are. 

I am having so many feelings about everything and just trying to push through them all. They're so overwhelming that it'll be more of an on-the-go layout.

I got the confirmation for my new job on Tuesday and immediately let my boss know. Now... we got two weeks (not including the rest of this weird holiday week) to do what they want me to do and then I'm South bound for on-location training. After that I'll be working remote... until we move to Florida and then we'll (they'll) decide on my hybrid in office/remote roll. 

I didn't expect this to happen. It quite literally came out of nowhere... but who am I to kick a gift horse in the mouth when amazing opportunities fall from the sky?

I thought we had more time... after my job let me know that transitioning to a remote position wouldn't be feasible for me and they wanted me to start training another girl, Dev and I talked about moving up our timeline. Literally the only thing holding us in Indy was my job, so why wouldn't we after knowing it wasn't an option anymore? But... we still thought it would be somewhere between six-eight months. We definitely wanted to be out before next Winter set in... but then this happened and jumpstarted even more.

I will say though, ever since we just became firm in our decision to move back South, it feels like the universe has been pushing us in that direction expediently. Things are falling into place and while it's all still crazy, it very much feels like the right decision.

The progress we've made on our house is insane. We've been needing to go through and get rid of things FOREVER and there's no time like the present, right? And through it we have been. We decided to get rid of all the negativity and bullshit that we've been carrying around for other people all these years and literally start NEW when we restart. No more living a life based on the worry of other people's opinions. If it makes us happy, it's ours. If not? Bye bye. People, places, things. All of it.

Needless to say... we've thrown out A LOT of shit. I was a little sad to see some of it go... but only because I'm a hoarder and so much is changing so quickly that my anxiety is trying to keep up. After it's out of sight though? I'm loving it. The house is well underway to being painted (Eggshell-Gypsum for the clean finished looking win) and then there's just a few more things to do inside and we can switch to out. 

There's still so damn much to get accomplished. We need to talk to AM about selling our house probably this weekend (when it's ready) and get all this trash bullshit hauled off (no idea how we're going to achieve that) and finish painting and fix the fence and do some curb appeal.

Plus... I need to train a little for this new job (I was sent a link with some videos so hopefully that will give me a little insight) and buy some new clothes for it because your girl doesn't dress business... but I will be in this office with the bigwigs. I'll also need to take out my lip ring, hide my green hair, and cover these tattoos. You know... make me look boring instead of the exotic creature I am. All good though... it's all temporary to get where we need to be. 

There's so much to do and so little time to do it... but is that gonna stop us from having a nice dinner and watching Stranger Things on this here Christmas day/evening? Nope. We literally accomplished so much yesterday and earlier today that we're gonna break and eat and watch these little motherf*ckers in Hawkins.

What? We got SO much done in the last two days... time for Dev to take a little nap (before he gets up and makes me that delicious steak) and me to make some mashed taters... and for us to curl up with our babies and cuddle and just be together. 

Life is changing... fast. It's here and we're trying to keep up. At the end of the day, we're gonna be ok. But if y'all could keep some good vibes and put some good juju out there for us... we'd appreciate it. Thanks to all our family and friends that reached out this year for Christmas (even though the Glisson's were super lame this year and got absolutely nothing holly jolly accomplished... there's too much to do!). 

It's been so crazy the last couple of months... let's see where the next few take us. 

From our family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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.

🎄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!!

It's not like we haven't already been playing the game the last few weeks.

It's always weird when a holiday that I get off work falls in the middle of the week. For instance, Independence Day was this past Thursday so work Mon-Wed... off Thursday... back to work on Friday. I'm not complaining by any means, because yes, give me all the days off while still being employed... but it still feels weird and throws shit off. Luckily, Dani is awesome and let me do a halfsie day on Friday (hoorah for her).

People do it big around us for the 4th. We've spent the last three weeks or so playing our annual neighborhood game of "gunfire or fireworks?" and people are still ringing it out.

While Dev fell asleep Thursday... with Sparkles faithfully under the covers hiding from the boom-boom... I sat outside with Xur and Steve for a bit watching the firework show the city puts on (our house was surrounded by the bright lights). It was relaxing and I sat out watching lights and contemplating life.

We decided to do it right come Saturday though. We needed it.

Last week was a clusterf*ck of anxiety and the weekend entailed stress-induced debilitation, so come Saturday... the Glisson's needed a little pick me up. We loaded our three babies up and headed over to Mavis's for the afternoon/evening. I mean... nothing says feel better than hanging out with your bestie couple friends, right? That's what we're going with.

Mavis was kid-free for the night (a rarity in their lives) so we loaded up all our pups (and one of theirs) and we all headed down to Prairie Creek to watch the firework show. Nothing says good time quite like watching fireworks on the lake with your hubby and babies.

We had a great time and didn't even make it home until almost two in the morning... because we're wild and do what we want! Really though... it's cause Mavis lives SO far away. And yes, I'm being a little dramatic but damn, I want those bitches to live closer... like... can y'all just be my neighbors already?

And that's how we spent our Saturday... hanging out, helping Mavis move a couch and watching fireworks. Because nothing says good time like fire in the sky.

💕I'll tell the (fur)daddy happy day on his day.💕

Happy Fathers Day, to my (fur)baby daddy! That’s right… you hold all them puppies, good lookin.

To say my Gatorbaby is the best (fur)daddy in all the land would be an understatement. There isn't a single person on this planet I would rather or even want to do life with. He loves me fiercely and he loves our pups on another level. Whether they're happy, sad, sick, or sleepy... they want their daddy.

And honestly, I can't blame them. I want their daddy too.

There have been many people over the years to ask when we're having kids (not if- when), and my favorite answer Dev tends to give is- "Do you not see my kids right f*ckin there? They have four legs apiece, that's two extra legs, how the f*ck did you miss em standing there?"

Our (fur)babies are our legitimate babies and no one can tell us any different. "Having kids and having dogs aren't even close to the same thing!"

Ok... but if your kid is being a dick and bites our kid and our kid bites him back... we correct him like he's a kid... you wouldn't correct him like a kid. You would correct him like a dog. We wanna know what your kid did to our kid like you want to know what our kid did to your kid. And if you think you're coming after our kid with all your vengeance and attitude, either one of us will physically fight you over any of the three of them. See the difference?

In case you don't let me tell you... if our kids are falling off a cliff... you better go for yours... because we're going for ours.

And that's the kind of life partner and (fur)daddy I get to spend my life with. One that makes everything better. Protective, but gentle. Crazy, but loyal. Headstrong, but tender. All of these qualities make up the man my pups and I look to for comfort and unconditional love.

And he never fails to deliver.

Happy Father's Day, my love. You deserve all the love and happiness life has to offer... and then some. 

Meeting Baby J and other happenings leaving 2023.

Y'all, 2023 is coming to its end and we closed out the year (or, we're in the process of closing it) with getting to meet the newest little Glisson member. He was born on Tuesday 12/26 and when I tell you he is about the best natured baby I've ever met in my entire life, I ain't playing.

Meet- Jensen. JT. Baby J. Glissonbug. 

Whichever we choose to call him at whatever point (we've had over nine months to come up with these nicknames), he just coos and scrunches his little nose up. It's so f*cking adorable. 

Dev and I were so damn excited to meet the little guy. 

We weren't sure how the hospitals work when you deliver these days (after Covid everything changed, when his sister gave birth last time, they barely let her husband in the room), so we didn't go there (we didn't want to kick any parents or such out to visit), but yesterday they had been home for about eighteen hours and invited us over... so over we went!

It was amazing to meet the human Mace has been growing this whole time and getting to see them interact and Trav handle his first baby, it was just an incredible thing to be apart of. Dev and I even got a little teary-eyed on a few occasions and honestly, I didn't know we were that age yet but I'm good with it.

When I was younger, being around babies and kids got on my nerves. On so many levels it was insane and I felt like such an asshole at all times. I know that's harsh and mean, but it's accurate. I thought they were too loud and too wild and honestly, just too much. However, as I've gotten older, I've come to the realization that I do like babies and kids... I just needed to age into my patience for them.

Don't get me wrong, we're still very much on the "we're not having kids" train because we do not want any of our own, but it is nice that we can spend time with the ones we love and enjoy that time and watch them grow into full ass people. It's fun and exciting and emotional. 

Being Uncle Devon and Aunt Katie is a wild ride and we wear those badges with love, honor, and pride.

Aside from meeting Baby J, we have a busy weekend ahead of us leading out of 2023.

Dev and I have some WRTTMM errands to run and then tomorrow we're helping out my cousin, Bonehead, with his move. It's going to be a whole lot but hopefully, we'll get it at a good spot for him and make life a little less chaotic.

After that, the plans are kind of up in the air. We don't have anything "planned" for Sunday but we usually tend to spend it running our store errands or chilling with each other at the house. Depending on how long we're helping Bonehead tomorrow, I may see if we can just stop at the store and at Patsy's (I need to see if she'll go with us to have my phone switched over) on the way home so we don't even have to leave our house at all Sunday or Monday.

Like I said, Sunday is still debatable. Monday, however? We're staying home and not leaving our house AT ALL for anything. Not debatable. We literally started off 2023 getting brutally attacked by a hobo and frankly, we ain't trying to relive that life. We learned our lesson and will be spending our time inside with each other and our pups and ignoring the outside world.

Just the way we like it. Besides, we got Dev a bunch of new tattoo ink that I know he's itching to try out, so we'll probably be spending some Saturday evening, Sunday, and Monday time doing that. Hanging out, together, while my hubby makes me a human art gallery (that's how I feel and I love it!).

Christmas was... interesting and eye-opening. Definitely learned some things. Not anything bad or upsetting concerning my direct family, but certainly some things that throw change into action for the future.

Here's to all of us. We're two days away from 2024, and we're all literally just hoping for the best. It's been a rough year for everyone (it's been a shit year for us but I know it is not exclusive to us), but we're all trying to pull through and do our best.

And until then, I'll be busy getting hubby and pup snuggles. 

The ramblings of a cold little gremlin. *it's snaining outside*

It's that time of year again where everybody feels the need to be extra. Extra blessings (braggadocio), extra tidings (passive-aggressiveness), extra presents (audacity), extra extra extra. I really shouldn't be as cynical as what I am and yet, HERE WE ARE. You know, I wouldn't be this way if people didn't make me this way. But, I digress.

Christmas is in one week and would you like to know what I've done for the holiday season? Not a damn thing. Ok, that's not entirely true... I did make cards and get them sent out (literally all done on the 15th) and we put up our tree yesterday.

Other than that? Zilch.

It's been an off year so we decided to take an off year. Usually this time of year we're running around like crazy people. D's making jerky and I'm baking treats and we run everything down to the last minute of getting everything done and shipped out. This year? Nope. With D being off work with his health and me having very little to no will to actually roll out of bed in the mornings, we decided this year just wasn't it. So, we didn't.

And you know what? While it feels a little off and there are certain moments that you feel guilt, the majority of the feeling I get is... oh well. And I know that sounds shitty, but I don't mean for it to. I just happen to like the feeling that it's holiday time and there are no expectations. We're not killing ourselves trying to finish baking and cooking. We're not running crazy trying to remember if we got everybody gifts. We're not going into monumental amounts of debt to show people hey we're here. We're just doing our thing and have no set plans.

Sparkles ear is still swelled up. Poor little guy has had this issue for weeks now and while I would like to feel like it's better, I don't really know. It looks like the swelling is going down to me but I'm also not a doctor. I'm just a gal doing what I do and trying to be a good wife and (pup)mom over here. We still have him on round the clock meds and he's still a little turd about all of it (anybody ever tells you pitties aren't stubborn is a damn liar), but for the most part, I think we're doing all we can. He's still stubborn, I'm still a worry-wart, and D probably needs a vacation from us all.

We've had a little craziness at work lately. The last few weeks have been hectic. Between year end and the holidays, letting people (one person) go and people wanting the final of everything, things have been round the clock consistent. We're not doing a big holiday party at work this year like we usually do (and I for one am NOT sad about it), but we are doing a little something. 

I have to get payroll done early so we can get all that lined up because we are having a little meeting on Friday. Everybody is supposed to be at the shop around noon and we'll have pizza (that I preordered last week), soda, beer (no worries, all employees are 21+), and some treats. Then they'll hand out checks and the little treat bags Dani and I made last Friday (she had a cute little idea and who doesn't love a good treat bag?) and everybody can be on their merry way.

Festive and efficient. Just the way I like it.

Other than that, we've been going through the things in our shed/garage. It may not sound like much, but let me tell you, it is quite literally my entire life for the first almost thirty years thrown into boxes and shoved into a bin to deal with another day. The only reason it hasn't been done before now is because I quite literally find the task to be so overwhelming. It's my life, my Momma's life, and some of my Grammy's life. All shoved into boxes and bins and totes and honestly, at times it all makes me want to cry. It's alot. To deal with, to carry, to go through, just all of it. We've made pretty good progress and I'm pretty happy with the results so far. While it is overwhelming and at times wants to take me to my knees, I carry on and eventually, I'll be through it all.

The amount of tattoos I now have is a little insane to me. I currently have four healing (two small, one medium and one large) and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. I used to think I would hate being covered in tattoos. It was always a bit of a "no no" and was kind of engrained into me that it was something I just wasn't going to do. And then one day I realized I didn't do it for all reasons someone else had that I didn't believe in the first place... and then the cycle started. 

Personally, I love feeling like a doodle pad. It may sound strange but I almost feel like a piece of art in a gallery. Not a fancy and/or expensive gallery... perhaps not even a gallery at all... yeah, I more feel like a graffiti wall that people adore. Maybe people don't adore me but the art on my skin makes me feel like how I think people feel looking at the art they love. And that's a good feeling to me. I like looking down and seeing pieces of me and reminders of my life told through a story on my skin. It's fun and addicting and beautiful. D's currently reworking a moon piece on my back (he completed my thigh angular fish last night) and I was up until one this morning getting the work done and then all cleaned up. It's nowhere near finished but it's looking beautiful.

D finally got his new/permanent plate. He's going through the adjustment period of getting a new one (you wouldn't think it's a thing but it truly is a hell of a learning curve) and he's still sore from the bone/tooth fragments that are working their way out, but for the most part, he's doing real good. While it's been a hell of a process, he says he would do it all over again to not be in the pain he was in, and honestly, that means it was all worth it to me.

And yeah, that's where we are. We're waiting for the holidays, and getting tattoos, and spoiling our pups while watching Sparkles ear, and unpacking all of my childhood trauma. It's been a good time. Also, I've successfully avoided round the clock Mariah Carey this season, so we're taking the f*cking win.

You ever just been not that all into it? I mean, you were but now not so much? Happened to me.

It's official... I had four days off work... just staying in my house in pajamas... drinking coffee... sitting on a heating pad round the clock... cuddling with pups... getting snuggles from the husband... watching The Machine and laughing my ass off... receiving various and random tattoos... and now I'm back at work.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job (most days), but the effort it took for my ass to crawl out of my demon hole and present myself to the world bright and early this morning was ridiculous. Seriously, you would have thought I was Grandpa Joe... without the golden ticket.

I say that because I'm apparently at the age where I have a bad hip now? Like, both my hips were fine and then I just randomly woke up one morning, after having done NOTHING to require said injury, and now my left hip is my designated bad hip? Because it's always hurting and the cold doesn't help? Wtf?!!

Anyhoos... this past weekend was amazing and Dev and I (and our babies of course!) mostly stayed inside and hid from the rest of the world. We only ventured out on Saturday for a little bit to pick up a few grocery essentials (ie: pup food and chocolate milk) and the rest of the time? Spent together at the house. And I LOVED it. 

Our poor little Sparkles is still feeling rundown but I would like to say he's on the up-and-up of it. I mean, I would like to say it even though I don't know if it's true. We're basically on a routine of Tylenol and allergy meds to try and manage until this thing goes away. My poor baby, I just want all my guys to feel good.

Dev also gave me a few new tattoos while in our own lockdown (we made alot of pandemic references this past week so forgive me). I have a shit ton of ink now and honestly, I love it. Dev essentially helps me put my personality on the outside of my body and makes me feel pretty. Pretty colors and shapes and things that mean something to me. I feel like a walking art gallery and it makes me feel nice. I think the majority of people would be very surprised to see how much of my body is now covered... Dev's family would be pumped and think it matches my personality and quirkiness to a tee... my family... would probably have me committed and that's why I wear long sleeves around them. 

I'm kidding...mostly but not really at all.

OOOHHHH!! So Thanksgiving consisted of Dev, me and the pups at our house. We didn't see the need to have a ginormous meal with all the fixins (Dev is still recovering from mouth surgery and learning to chew again), so I made French dip roast and mashed taters with homemade beef gravy. Y'ALL. When I say that shit was delicious I'm not even trying to toot my own horn. But seriously, that shit was sooo good. 

I hadn't made homemade gravy in a damn minute. Don't get me wrong, I know how (pretty sure they'd have kicked me out of the holler if I hadn't learned), but it's been awhile. Honestly, the entire time I was making it I kept waiting for it to f*ck up. But, it never did and that shit was delicious. Seriously, even Dev said had he not already loved and been married to me, that gravy would have sealed the deal.

And in case you need any pointers for your next gravy run (you know, because expert now obviously), just know, add butter until that shit looks exactly how you want and think it will work. Sure, you may already be using another kind of fat to start off with (bacon/sausage grease, etc.), but honestly, if you get that shit too thick or clumpy, add some butter. It'll help and be delicious. 

Artery clogging but delightful.

So yeah, that's where we are with it. We had a wonderful few days but now it's time to get back to our everyday adult lives. And by that, I just mean I have to wear regular pants for like ten hours and then I'll be back home with my guys getting snuggles and snacks and lovin and tattoos and just living a good life with my babies.

Worth it. 

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!!

Did I just do two Mondays in a row? I feel like I did. *suspicious*

Do you ever just have one of those days where you wake up and you're like this is just not it? Happened to me. Well, happens to me on the regular but especially today.

Y'all, this little chika ain't twenty years old anymore and I FEELS it.

Yesterday was the 4th which means there was a day off to be had and some fun to accomplish. It also means that I was off the weekend, worked Monday, off Tuesday, and back in the office on Wednesday.

What. The. F*ck.

Don't get me wrong, I love having certain holidays off (I never used to get those) and I'm not one to kick a gift horse in his mouth, but this off-on-off-on situation has me all sorts of confused. I swear, my ass doesn't know whether to shit or fart glitter.

My alarm went off this morning and I seriously contemplated throwing it out the window. Then I woke up a couple more seconds and realized even if I did that I'd still have to go into work and then I'd have a broken window, so you know... didn't want one more thing to deal with.

Yesterday was fun and we had a good time. We headed up to Mavis's for the day and hung out at Mace's parents house. We took the pups with us because we didn't want to leave them alone with all the fireworks, but they stayed with their cousins at the Mavis homebase. That way, they were right down the road from us but didn't have to stay out in all that constant heat.

And when I tell y'all it was hot yesterday, I mean SUMBITCH. We ate and laughed and all had a good time, but y'all THAT HEAT. Humid would be the understatement of the century. We walked down to some firework get together they have and between the four of us, I bet you could've filled a kiddie pool with all that sweat.

D and I headed out before the legit firework show started (we live about an hour and ten mins from them) since it was already so late (well after ten), but we essentially got a monstrous firework show because we saw everyone's from Muncie to Indy. It was pretty great.

We got home after eleven (almost midnight) and stayed up well until one this morning snuggling and watching Tiktok videos in bed together.

And now? We're back to reality and I need a nap and some cuddles. Luckily, I left all four of my boys at the house when I left this morning, so when its time for me to get off and come home, we can do NOTHING.

Because I'm old and need to recover. At least, that's what my left hip keeps telling me.

You're the only reason I celebrate Father's Day. ♥️♥️

Happy Fathers Day, my love. This photo literally says all that needs said for the level of love you have for our pups and what they feel in return.

You’re the best

furdaddy around these parts.

 

I know we just had Memorial Day weekend and all but... *SNORES*

Y'all, I am officially back to work after a three-day weekend and I am not having it. Sure, I'm very proud and feel blessed that I have a job I love (most days) and I am forever thankful for it BUT COME ON. Let me snuggle back into the covers and recover my whole ass body. That's it, I just need another day.

You see, we had a real fun weekend. While it was supposed to just be me, Dev and our pups, we ended up spending the majority of the time with Travis and Macey (aka Mavis). We alternated between houses and managed everything from tattoos to homemade french dips to dabbling in botany. 

And yesterday, the four of us took the tubes down White River for the day. I had personally never been tubing before and we all were a little lost on the process. It was supposed to be a three-four hour trip and it ended up being five and a half instead. Which was fine, except we're all a little crispy for it. Why we waited until the day before we had to go back to our normal lives to do this I'll never know, but here we are.

I straight up went from being Dev's little princess to being his little lobster. Seriously, my shins and stomach are F****D up. And D's shoulders? Pfsshh. CRISPY like KFC. I know Mace and Travis HAVE to be feeling that shit today. Mace is pale like me and Trav is a ginger so you know they're extra spicy looking this AM. *And yes, we used sunscreen, but that shit only goes so far.*

Full disclosure, I had to dress like Miss Honey from Matilda for work today, because things touching me aren't a thing. I asked Dev how I looked and his words were... "sexy... like a librarian." I wasn't aware dudes had a thing for librarians, so I'm taking it as a win. Then again, I mentioned the Miss Honey thing and he was like, "well, now that you mention it." It could be worse. I could be having a Trunchbull moment.

We all laugh about it, because what else are we supposed to do? Not to mention we have a couple new tattoos (Leo is a new dino-lizard on my thigh), a new bombass recipe, and memories to go round. Honestly, while I'm exhausted and want to do nothing but sleep right now, the fact we were going and had those experiences and that fun was worth it.

Seriously though, today when I get home I'm having a shower, putting on some comfy clothes, have a chill moment, snuggle with my pups and hubby, eat some leftover spaghetti (I made that shit when we got home from the river last night and it is delicious), and watching tv. That's it. That's all I'm doing and can't nobody change my mind.

Please.

Time isn't real and 2023 is creeping like a three-part Netflix documentary.

I've essentially felt like I've been in a time warp since the Friday before Christmas... so... December 23rd?! I've basically just decided that between that time and this coming Monday (ie: the day after the first of the year and my final day of the last three day weekend I'll have for awhile) time means nothing and we're pretending to live in a calm and serene bubble. 

Worrying about what will be and what is and what's going to sounds like a fucking 2023 Katie problem and I stand behind that reasoning. Sure, I'm doing all the things required of my adult life (work... ok, I'm just going to work, that's all), but I've decided I like having a carefree and oohsah attitude, so I think I want to keep it moving forward.

And in the spirit of keeping with that trend, I'm going to tell you a random story. Fact? Statement? Whatever.

I should probably start this out by saying D and I fell asleep at like eight thirty last night, but I was awake by eleven thirty, got up, took a shower, did dishes, and proceeded to not sleep for the next... until my alarm went off this morning, D also tossed and turned all night (when one of us can't sleep the other can feel it... or something). By the time my alarm went off I was reading a book on my Kindle and D rolled over and we proceeded to watch Tiktok videos together until well after six.

Once we rolled out of bed and I did the bare minimum to make myself presentable for the human population... we proceeded to stand in our kitchen talking while I made my coffee and he essentially made me feel better about having to deal with people that aren't him or our pups today.

Before I tell you what D said and how I laughed and knew it was beyond accurate, I feel like there needs to be a little context for you to understand this. I believe that our relationship is so loving and fun, because we're the best of friends along with being together. And I know people say their significant other is their best friend all the time, but when I say it, I legitimately mean it. He truly is my best friend and I could spend 25/8 with him and be perfectly fine with it. Unhealthy and codependent? Absolutely. Do I give a shit? Not even one.

With this level of friendship also comes our constant honesty. Neither one of us are under the impression that we're perfect. We both have our faults and where one slacks the other picks it up. It's not a problem for us, because all the things I hate doing he does and all the things he hates I don't mind doing. Sure, we like to tease each other about it, but neither of us truly care to do it for the other. We know our strengths and weaknesses and love each other for them. How boring would it be if everybody did the same things all the time without fail? Ugh.

So... while D has been home alone with the pups all day, he's been cleaning and organizing and basically doing all of the things we've been talking about needing done around the house that we just keep putting off.

Why do we keep putting them off? Well... because they're all things that are not "difficult" projects but are "time consuming" projects. Which means we can't really do them after work... because my anxiety will not allow me to shut off my brain until a project is completed once it's been started... but would default to weekend projects. Honestly, once the weekend rolls around we want to spend time together doing fun things or resting from the hard ass week not do adult projects that make me want to pull my perfectly ridiculous hair out.

And yes, we both realize that every other person on the planet has to figure this shit out and make it work, but D and I have a very unique approach to our lives and the way we live them... another million explanations for a million other days.

Back to the point. So, D has been doing all these projects by starting them first thing in the morning and having them done by the time I'm home from work in the afternoons. Which means I get to see all the amazing results and the vision we've talked about a million times come to life, but I don't actually have to see or participate in the anxiety inducing clusterfuck of it all. If I'm being honest (which I often am... sometimes to a fault) I love that shit, dude. It has been the best and now all I can think about are the fun things I get to do, because all the boring shit is out of the way.

The garage? Taken care of. Apparently Trav is coming by this morning (that boy will show up at four o'clock this afternoon and pretend it's nine in the morning *cry laughter*) to help D load up and haul off all the stuff we know for a fact is garbage. Then all that will be left is going through the boxes and sorting through what we keep, what goes to my brother, what goes to other family members, and what gets thrown out. I know it sounds daunting (because it is), but some of this stuff I've been moving around with me my entire life and I've been avoiding it all for going on four years. I think it's time I stop avoiding and start dealing with the last piece I haven't started dealing with yet.

The kitchen? Amazing. That's all I have to say about it and he's not even done yet. He rearranged our shelving and reorganized the entire system... got rid of some things and revamped the rest. He's got our bottom shelves left and then it will all be done. All I'll have to think about is how I want to paint our cabinets when the time comes. *swoon*

In fact, he's done so much around the house and in general lately that I kind of just want to jump his bones all the time, because that shit is sexy without even meaning to be sexy. You know what I mean? Maybe I'm just reading too much smut on Kindle.

Anyways... while we were talking this morning we were discussing the things that are done and the next things he's going to start on (quite literally the only man on the planet I know that requested a "honey-do" list) and he said, 

"I know you don't really like change... especially when you have to deal with it... but I was hoping that with me doing it all you would like it."

Bro, write that on my fucking tombstone. If that isn't the most accurate description of my personality I don't know what is. I immediately started laughing which in turn made him start laughing and next thing I know I just felt good. He has that way. I don't know what he does or how he does it, but somehow and someway he just makes me feel... good. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes.

Because it's the truth. I love absolutely everything he's done to the house/garage. It's incredible and so fun and cozy and basically a dream come true. It's both of our eclectic personalities coiled into one tiny little space and I am HERE FOR IT. 

But just the thought of doing it all had me nervous twitching like a tweaker. And he knew that. He knew that I would eventually do it, but as soon as I started it I was going to get overwhelmed and in my own head about it. The man just knows me too well. So... he did it. He did all the things that could be done without me directly being there and he'll help me with all the rest moving forward. 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the kind of support and love that I want to continue throughout not only the new year, but our lives together. 

I'm not perfect. So far from it I can't even see it as a blip in my rearview... and he not only knows that but accepts it and loves me for it. We love that we both acknowledge that we're human and we don't expect perfection out of each other. We only need and want love and understanding. We want to be together and live our lives our own way.

So yeah... I've been in a time warp for a week now... but I know once life catches back up and the anxiety and dauntingness that is the everyday starts creeping in that my husband will have my back and we'll keep doing it together. Because we truly are a pair now. You get one, you best be ready for the other, because we don't really like to do anything without the other.

Again, codependent? More than accurate. Do we care? Behold the field in which we grow our fucks... and see that it is barren.

It was a regular ole scene from Mad Max out there.

Y'all, it is frigid ass cold out here in these parts and my hubby and I are battering down for the count!

With the temperature being a "scorching" -10° and the wind velocity increasing by the minute and essentially making it feel as if it's -32° you could say that shit is getting a bit serious. There's snow and ice everywhere and quite honestly, I just want to wear sweatpants and thermal socks and not leave our house for the next... oh, I don't know... six months? Give or take... dependent upon our will towards the end.

D drove me into work this morning, because the roads (and weather in general) were questionable and if I'm being 100% real with you guys, it did not hurt my feelings at all to be chauffeured around in this ridiculousness.

We decided the highway was probably a better choice since it was so early and no roads had been cleared, but it didn't really matter, because they hadn't done anything for the highway either. Basically, D and I took the ice/snow covered highway with no way to see the lines and we hauled ass and were all over the place.

Why? Because it's not everyday you get to reenact a scene from Fury Road with your ride or die quite literally right next to you. We couldn't help ourselves. It had to be done. NO REGRETS.

Also, I totally ignored the fact that I'm the one who essentially taught my husband how to drive in snow and ice, because now that he knows how to deal with it, he feels the need to take care of me that way. And I'm not arguing, because I love that shit.

We finished all the errands we had and all the holiday shit is done (I think?), so if anybody needs us we will quite literally be hunkered down in our house with each other and our pups enjoying this holiday weekend and trying to stay at least lukewarm. 

Wish us luck and stay safe and warm out there, folks! Merry Christmas!!

We do this to ourselves every year... because gluttons for punishment... or something along those lines.

Can we all take a moment to come to terms with how woefully unprepared I am for the upcoming holiday? Ie: CHRISTMAS. I'm not the only person on this struggle bus, right? I have a hard time believing that everyone has all of their Christmas shopping, baking, wrapping, and planning accomplished. 

I mean... it's only the 12th, so I still have plenty of time to accomplish all of our goals and not lose my hair in the process, right?

Guuuuuyyyyyyysssssss..... RIGHT?!!?!

The majority of everything we needed to "get" was accomplished this past weekend after a trip to Costco, a trip to Kroger, and a full Saturday evening (ok, not full because it was only like 45 minutes right before we went to sleep, but still!) spent perusing and ordering gifts from Amazon. 

Now I only have to get a gift for... Greg... and Gabriel... and Travis... and Danielle. Plus, we still have to make all of our "treats" and get those packaged and divided up. 

There still isn't a Christmas tree in our house. I got one out the weekend before last, hated it and put it back away. D and I tried to find our small one that we like, but we found literally every single tree except the one we were looking for. At this point, I really want to get a tree out for D, but I also don't want to deal with it at all.

Also, once I get that dump run I want to do accomplished we will no longer have like six Christmas trees. Another story for another day. 

Adding to that, I have no idea what we're doing in the way of Christmas dinner or celebration. I'm assuming it will be me + D + our pups as usual, but we haven't really talked about it and I don't necessarily want to bring it up even though I need to. 

Eh, potato tomato.

WAIT!! I do know what we're having for Christmas dinner. We got a small ham this weekend! So... we're doing ham, mashed taters, green beans, and rolls. Check that off the list!

As far as celebrating goes, we'll probably do presents in the morning, dinner in the afternoon, and dependent upon the weather, perhaps D will take me for a bike ride. Then maybe we can spend the rest of the day together riding the bike, playing chess, working on puzzles, hanging out with each other and our pups, and just enjoying the day.

Before that happens though, we need to get all the rest of this stuff done. (We started on jerky last night). This week will probably be full of treat making in the evening, because we would like to get this shit done and shipped... at least to his family. We have a couple extra days to get mine done.

At least I get to do all of this with my hubby by my side. I like that we enjoy different hobbies/interests together and enjoy spending so much time together. He truly is my best friend and I believe that this time of year would be extremely hard without him by my side. Actually, all times of the year. He's simply my comfort.

With this ever-growing list of goals that need conquered at least I got our Christmas cards printed and mailed out. Even though they weren't how I wanted them to be. I finally got to the point where I was annoyed with myself and was like just do it! They're not my favorite, but I do like them either way.

If you need me, I'll be elbow deep in flour and jerky seasonings. Merry Christmas!

The holiday season is here and we're cold. Also, breakfast.

I don't want to be one of "those people" but have y'all felt the temperature outside lately? Holy fucking shit, it's subzero. Ok... maybe that's being a little bit dramatic, BUT it feels ridiculous to me. And also, I am dramatic. So... there's that.

This is the first year that Winter has ever bothered me. Usually I love and welcome it with open arms. Cuddly days and sweatpants? Hell yes. And I have to say, if I didn't have to be an adult and go out into the world... if I could just enjoy Winter from my house... I think I would still love it as much as what I always have.

However, 6:00am Katie feels very different about the weather considering she's dealing with the frigidness in the pitch black. I'm already over having freezing fingers and having to warm my car up. And it's only been a couple of weeks. D was over it before it even began and honestly, I get it.

But... we're not gonna let this get us down. Why? Because we're fucking tough, that's why... also, we don't really have a choice considering if we want to live our everyday lives we have to deal with it.

Tomato, potato.

Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow and what are our big plans? Well, in true us fashion, D and I will be at our house celebrating with our pups and I'm going to cook us a big brunch situation. The first couple of years I did a turkey, last year I did a roast, but this year we decided to go all out on breakfast foods. 

I know it's not traditional or anything like that, but why can't it be our new tradition?

That's how traditions are made, right? Somebody just thought of something one day and ran with it? If not, then I'm breaking tradition again and doing it anyways. I was going to cook a big dinner like always, but I somehow came up with the idea of a "brunch" situation (I think maybe I seen it on one of those random Netflix shows or my little buzzed ass was Tiktoking or something?)

Either way, I mentioned it as a possibly and D informed his mom Saturday on the phone that's what we were doing when she asked, so I'm assuming that's the go ahead on this plan? 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm actually really excited about it. D isn't a huge breakfast person, and doesn't even like biscuits and gravy (I KNOW and I was unaware of it until after we were married for over a year), so I don't usually cook breakfast foods. Which is insane, because it's my favorite. Sure, we'll have pancakes for dinner or something on occasion, or we might stop at Pana and pick up some donuts, but mostly we just don't have breakfast.

This time though? Y'all better be prepared because I am going all out. If I only get a giant breakfast spread once a damn year you best believe it's going to have EVERYTHING. Ok... maybe not everything. But, it will have all the shit we like.

And honestly, isn't that and being with people you love the most in the world the whole point of the holidays? Hence spending all of mine with D and our babies. 

Also, not for nothing, but this past weekend D and I got some winter gear and I officially have to wear three layers of clothing everywhere except in our house. Therefore, when my four day weekend gets here (starting after work tomorrow), I probably won't be seen out of the house much. Unless I'm on the back of D's bike.

Another story for another day. 

❤️ Any day we get to celebrate each other is a good day!! ❤️

Happy Fathers Day, to my (fur)baby daddy! You’re the shit dreams are made of, my love.

I don't care what anyone says, being a (fur)parent is still being a parent! And honestly, I have the best baby daddy around these here parts. You can disagree with any of that all you want, but frankly, I'm not going to listen to it. Then I'm going to keep keeping on my merry little way in my own little world.

Why? Because that amazing baby daddy of mine let's me live in our own little world and it is a nice world to live in.

So here's to you, baby. We may not have a "traditional" family, but we have the amazing family that works for us. I love you to the moon and back and all across the stars! You're it, you're the shit, and you're the best husband and daddy around. 

**all the kisses here**

I know I talk about my husband alot.... oh, that's it. That's all I wanted to acknowledge and say.

My heart: "I love my husband enough to buy him diamonds!"

My wallet: "These diamonds though, bro."

Happy Valentine's Day, hubby. You make life a roller coaster (in the very best of ways!) and I wouldn't want to do any of this with anyone other than you! 

Maybe we watch too much tv, or catch a buzz too often. Maybe we're weird for having our living room be our bedroom and having curtains instead of doors in the house like we're hippies. 

But, you know what? I wouldn't trade what we have for anything. So yeah, give me the cuddles and the lazy evenings of binge-watching our shows and playing COD. Let's just hang out with our pups and live our lives the exact way we want to.

Which hilariously enough, is what we've always done! 

Here's to you, my love. I may not be perfect, but you'll never find someone who loves or adores you more.

And when it comes to you living the rest of our lives with me? May the odds be ever in your favor.