Louisiana trip

We spent the weekend and some of this week in Louisiana, enjoying king cakes and beignets and seeing some friends. It was so nice to get those extra few days.

We arrived Friday night. I stopped by Walmart to pick up snacks and a few groceries and said hey to Kyle while he was working. We got to Sean's, unloaded our stuff and put the kids to bed. Zac and I watched some TV, then called it a night.

Saturday, we woke up early and met up with Kyle at Cafe Du Monde for breakfast and much-needed coffee. Kyle decided to ride with us across the lake so Zac could finally get his tattoo he came up with. His original idea was a little bonkers, but Jessie took its elements and created a badass piece. We hung around the mall to kill some time before heading over to Electric Expressions. Kyle and I hung out with the kids for the duration of the tattoo. We went to Target and picked up some food from Sonic. It wasn't too bad, just a little boring. I was going to get my Bride covered up but decided to let Zac have the time and get as much done on his as Jessie could. She's 90% finished with it, but it looks really awesome. We're going to go back in March to see her for mine.

Sunday was our lazy day. Mawmaw broke her foot, so she wasn't in the mood for company, understandably so. Zac took us out for frozen yogurt and some shopping at Five Below and 2nd & Charles.

Monday, we went picked up doughnuts and drove across the lake to see Katie and Chase at the Lafranier park and to give them their late Christmas gifts. We walked through the bird sanctuary, then let the kids ride the carousel while we visited. It was nice to have a day outside that wasn't flooded with rain. After parting with Katie, we headed to McAlister's for lunch, then went back to Sean's.

Tuesday was Mardi Gras. There was some miscommunication between Krystal and me about Kayden's birthday. I thought we were going to meet up with them Tuesday afternoon for the birthday party, but they spent all day at the Mardi Gras parade. Zac and I weren't up for staying out in the sun all day with the little boys and with Zac's fresh tattoo, so we skipped out. I told her we'd give her Kayden's gift when we go back in March, if we do get to see them. So, since we didn't have plans, we just spent the day being lazy and hanging around Target. I managed to finally find a teddy bear for Cole. I've been looking all over for one and Target had it. He loves plushies right now and will give them a big squeeze.

Wednesday, I spent the majority of our time washing our clothes and cleaning up the kids' messes. I got us packed up and we hung out with Sean until he left for work, then we drove home. I like how relaxed this trip felt. It wasn't rush all over the place like usual when we're only around for a weekend. Next trip is mainly for a tattoo, so I'll probably send Zac with the kids to visit family.

Valentine's 2020

Zac wanted to take me out for Valentine's Day, just us. Mom kept the kids and we headed over to Jackson to grab some pizza from Basil's and macarons from La Brioche. We went to an art shop just enjoyed walking around without the kids.

Robo Ham

I took Leah with me to PetsMart to look at birds and random critters. They had some robo-dwarf hamsters that are just the tiniest little creatures ever. I may have been impulsive, but I bought her one. Her name is Minnie and she's adorable. We already had a small cage that Ginny outgrew, so... we're putting it to use.

February

It's been a while since I've been in here... Honestly, I've been tired. Not like "oh it's been a long day I'm exhausted", but like... I haven't slept more than maybe three hours a night for the past three weeks.

We're dogsitting for a friend. Something I immediately regretted agreeing to the next day. They picked up one dog, but left the other, so we're stuck with a big, loud, clumsy dog until they can take him when they get their new place. I'm frustrated and tired. He barks most of the night. I don't know what he's barking at. He just barks... and keeps barking. He barks right outside our bedroom window and the baby is still in our room, so when Dog barks, Cole wakes up, then I have to wake up to get Cole back to sleep (usually by nursing until he settles down) and then it starts again. It's been like this basically three weeks straight. Earlier this week, I was up most of the night, only to wake up on Monday morning to an unhappy and tired Cole and zero coffee. Said Dog is also destroying my yard by digging holes. There are seven now. It's been raining, so I've got puddles throughout the yard where water has collected in the holes. He's torn up the trampoline pad, the grill cover, my garden, and basically chews anything that accidentally gets left outside to bits. My kids can't go outside because Dog is big and jumps and he's started snapping at Ruby. I'm really hoping the friend takes her dog this week. I want my yard back and I want to clean my back door window because Dog has completely messed it up with mud. I wonder if maybe it's better that I can't see outside so I can't see how much destruction is done.

I'm just tired. Tired of not sleeping, not having energy during the day, tired of a fussy baby who isn't getting enough sleep, tired of coffee not working.

End rant. Hopefully my next entry is better.

Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live

Zac was online a few weeks ago and found out about a monster truck event that would be local. Elias is obsessed with all the vehicles so we nabbed some tickets. It did not disappoint. All the kids loved it, even Cole, who didn't even get upset with being startled by loud engines. It was such a cool experience. I've always wanted to go see monster trucks demolishing cars and am so glad we could.

Playground

It's been cold for a consecutive amount of days, which is strange for the south but also kinda nice? We're actually having a real winter during winter, complete with jackets and mittens and central heat. I hate being cold, but the kids love it, so we thought why not spend today outside in the cold at the park?

I wrapped Cole in my sweater, walked toward the swings and said, Nope! then headed back to the car to breastfeed and snuggle in front of the heater while sitting on my heated seat. Meanwhile, Zac stayed within sight and pushed Elias on the swings while Jac and Leah ran around. They insisted they weren't cold, but 10 minutes later, they were all shaking like nervous Chihuahuas to get back in the car. I'm ready for spring. I think I mentioned that when autumn was over, that I was excited for winter but would be hoping for spring, ha.

Family & C Spire

Aunt Trish invited us over to her house for some late Christmas family time, but it fell on C Spire day. I told Zac to take the big kids to C Spire and I'd take the boys with me. It was a nice visit, aside from a cousin I've never cared for, ha. She treated Elias with disdain for wearing purple nail polish. He's four. Big deal.

Anyhoo, it was nice visiting with Papaw and Mamaw. I haven't seen Mamaw since Dad's memorial. My boys were on their best behavior and the drive was great. Elias watched a movie and Cole slept the whole way there, the whole way back. I listened to My Favorite Murder podcast and enjoyed some Starbucks. Zac said the big kids had fun at C Spire, though he didn't take many pictures since they were all busy doing their own things. And omg, it rained the whole day. I've been weird about driving in the rain since my wreck in 2013, but it wasn't too scary today.

Family stuff

Mom had a get-together at her house this afternoon. Granny, Jason, and Jason's new wife, Jennifer, all came to visit and hang out. Rachel cooked a bunch of junk food, so we ate and hung out. It was... interesting. Mom started on some drama, which changed the atmosphere of the house, but I went because I wanted the kids to see Granny and I've been getting chummy with Rachel. Plus, OMG, the boys loved their gifts. I almost cried when they hugged me. Aside from the drama, the visit was nice. I probably ate too much junk food, but oh well. I'm starting my workouts tomorrow.

January

It's a new year. I guess I'll post some resolutions?

-No fast food. Try to make healthier meals at home and only eat out on special occasions.

-Work out or at least get more active. Get to 135 pounds by the end of the year (honestly, that's only about 5-7 pounds away).

-Drink more water.

-More quality time with the kids: board games and such.

-Take more walks and go to the playground more often.

-Don't spend so much on Christmas. Get them clothes and things they don't have to keep (candy, soaps, etc.) and maybe ONE thing from Santa.

-Purge things we don't need: dishes, clothes, toys, stuff, etc.

-Make more art.

-Create more DIY products like candles, disinfectant, soap, etc.

-Less time on social media. I already deleted my Facebook.

It looks like a big list this year, which makes it more intimidating and less practical, but I'm hoping to see how it goes.

2020 - A year in review: 2019

A year in review: 2019.

See also:
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 and 2009

1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?

*Grew vegetables in a garden I started from scratch.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?

*I had pretty good self-control with personal purchases, I think. I definitely was more neat and I definitely removed excess clutter.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

*We aren't very close, but Hilda had Olivia.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

*No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?

*None, still.

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

*A house that isn't in Pississippi.

7. What events from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory?

*I acted in a play! Also, concerts.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

*A mildly successful garden and making my own candles.

9. What was your biggest failure?

*I almost ruined two friendships.

10. Did you suffer an illness or injury?

*A cold that lasted too long.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

*My laptop.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

*Elias broke his leg, but didn't let that stop him from having fun in Tennessee.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
*My mother... basically.

14. Where did most of your money go?

*Christmas. I'd like to make that not happen next year.

15. What did you get really excited about?

*World of Warcraft: Classic.

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?

*Bad Guy by Billie Eilish... I think I've heard it once a week since the beginning of the year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

-Happier or sadder? Happier, I think.

-Thinner or fatter? Thinner!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

*More outdoor stuff. It seems we stayed indoors the majority of the year.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

*Technology.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

*We went to Louisiana to see Zac's family and some friends.

21. Did you fall in love in 2019?

*In love with the theater.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

*Friends forever. But, we started watching Hot Ones on YouTube, if that counts.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

*Not that I know of.

24. What was the best book you read?

*Recursion by Blake Crouch and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

25. What was your favorite musical discovery?

Billie Eilish.

26. What did you want and get?

*A doll house... reveal on that when I get the missing piece and finish putting it together.

27. What did you want and not get?

*A refrigerator. We actually ordered one and they delayed it three times, so we cancelled the order and are planning to get one after our refund. And a French bulldog.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

*John Wick 3.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

*We went to Gatlinburg, even though it was after my birthday. I turned 36.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

*Moving would have been cool. Maybe next year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

*Pretty much 90s grunge.

32. What kept you sane?

*My friends, Zac, whiskey.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

*Shirley Manson forever.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

*The current governor of Pississippi, but on a positive, the impeachment of the "president".

35. Who do you miss?

*My sissy. Always.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

*My cast mates were pretty rad.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

*Be a better friend.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

*Ehh... I really can't think of anything. "Say, what's in this drink?"