Category Archives: growing up

On Guilty Pleasures and Just Plain Guilt

Gone are the days of getting a pedicure every 3 weeks because…you know honey, our pregnant sister in law can’t go by herself!

True story…when our sister in law was pregnant I went with her every three weeks throughout nearly her entire pregnancy to get a pedicure.

That was also the time we were renting a house, with a (comparatively) tiny little yard.

When all we had to worry about was ourselves. And what we were going to do that weekend.

Fast forward just over 5 years (holy crap our niece is 5 years old!), one giant mortgage, one giant piece of land, two houses, two demanding careers, a dog and one kid later and I recently realized it’s been over a year since my last pedicure.

Over.A.Year.

Total white girl problems, I know, but seriously…when did this happen?

I’m going with a girlfriend this evening to get a pedicure and you know what? I feel bad about it.

I have guilt over a freaking pedicure.

Do I deserve to pamper myself? Have I worked hard enough for it? I mean, really, in the grand scheme of things Andy works way harder than I do. He deserves some kind of relaxing something…and if he doesn’t do something fun, why should I?

Yes I know I should go.

And yes, I know that once I’m there I will enjoy it.

And yes, I know that after this glorious 75 minute spa pedicure my mind and my heart (and my feet) will thank me.

Rylee’s Recap: Her 3-year Well Check

Dear Rylee: Looking ahead to your teenage years

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My Dear Miss Rylee,

I know you only recently turned 3, and that your teenage years seem so far off, but I’ve been thinking lately and I wanted to go over a few things about what you can and cannot expect when you hit those dreaded wonderful teen years. And while I’m at it, I’ll also throw in a few tips that’ll make the whole world a happier place.

I don’t even know where to start…

I guess since it’s Summer break and I’ve been running into this a lot lately (no pun intended) we’ll start here…

When you’re a teenager and you cross a street or parking lot or anywhere else you could potentially hold up traffic, DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE! You need to be considerate of other people my dear. That means I want you to run that sweet little behind across the road so that the car doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve got the “pedestrians have the right of way” mentality. And also? If you’re on a road with a sidewalk, for the love of all things holy, use.the.sidewalk.

I want you to be mindful of others. That means when you’re walking through the mall (or football game or where ever) with your little pack of girlfriends, don’t take up the entire walkway. People may want to go around you you know. And people also don’t want to hear about “how drunk you were at so-n-so’s party last week” or that those shorts that girl had on made her look like such a skank…or whatever mean term you crazy kids will use by that point.

I happen to think that last little bit also ties in with not being hateful or judgmental or rude.

Back to being mindful of others, and considerate for that matter, if you notice someone close-ish behind you as you are walking into a building, wait and hold the door for them. Then smile at them too. It’ll brighten their day. This rule also applies to any pregnant lady, mom with babies/toddlers, any older person and anyone with their hands full. Don’t question it, it’s just the right thing to do.

Never, ever underestimate the power of a solid handshake and eye contact. I know you might think it’s silly, but trust me on this one. Oh, and you’d be smart to mention that to any boy you plan on dating too.

Honey I am going to tell you right now, you are not going to get paid for good grades…ever. I don’t care if all of your friends get paid for every A they get. You need to try your hardest, that’s all your dad and I ask. If you don’t get straight A’s, that’s fine as long as you put forth your very best effort.

As long as you are busy in school with sports, or some other extra curricular activity like 4H or FFA or DECA or whatever you choose, your father and I will provide you with a vehicle to drive and pay for your gas and insurance. The minute you stop participating in sports or your chosen activity for whatever reason? You better plan on getting a job. Period.

Well, baby girl, I think that’s all I’ve got for now but don’t be surprised if I add to this list someday.

I want you to love your teenage years, but I also want you to be a well rounded kid that has some common courtesies that are no longer so common.

If you want me to teach you a proper handshake, just let me know.

I love you more than life itself,

Your Mama

Photo Credit

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Have anything to add to my list? Leave me a comment…I want to hear!

Pity…party of one.

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These last few days I’ve just been in a funk. Last night it all seemed to be rising quickly to my breaking point and I had this great post I was writing in my head all about the crappy stuff and how tough my life is and woe is me. A regular old pity party.

Things like having a three year old who loves to push your buttons until she finds just the right one to make you snap. The stupid asshole dog got skunked again. My garden that I finally got under control and planted has decided to take a shit and none of my cucumbers sprouted and the beans all sprouted then died soon after. I’m ready to just cover that section back up with the winter cover and call it a day. And the weeds…oh the weeds. (I am completely convinced that weeds are another one of God’s way to punish Adam and Eve…and now us). And how my wonderful, hardworking husband came home from his 12 day trip to turn right around a few days later and work a 12 hour, then a 14 hour day on the rental…during my weekend. When I specifically requested he get help with Ry during the week so that we could have family time on the weekends. Then there was the realization that, after the rental project was over and the new renters are in, our focus is going to shift to all the other projects on the property that will have been neglected…like painting the barn and repainting the front of our house and mowing the grass on the back half of our property, and by the times that’s all done the front part will need to be brush hogged again. Plus that’s also on top of the regular mowing of our “yard”. Suddenly, all of the fun summer “to-dos” I had swirling around in my head seemed to come to a screeching halt.

Combine all that with the fact that I just went off of a medication I’d been on going on 3 years and my hormones are just all sorts of crazy and it was getting to me. Holy balls was it getting to me…

Then, last night after I put Rylee to bed, while Andy was (still) down working at the rental I picked up the phone and made a phone call. While there was nothing deep and philosophical about the conversation, it automatically made me feel better. The mini bowl of chocolate ice cream probably helped too.

After I hung up the phone I thought for a few minutes. And I prayed.

This whole shit storm? Guess what…it’s just life. And it’s a life that we chose. Sure we might not get to go on all the amazing camping trips I had planned out in my head. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t go on one. And we can do plenty of other fun stuff. I need to stop being so selfish. It’s time for me to put my big girl britches on and suck it up.

We chose this.

P.S. Shout out to my very best friend Julia…my B. Just…thanks…

I’m for Change. Are you?

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The following is a post sponsored by Yahoo! Every time someone clicks here to make Yahoo! their homepage, they’re showing their support for Girls For A Change.

I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
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Being a female working in the heavily male dominated hunting industry, I don’t have the luxury of being timid or soft spoken. I have to be willing to speak up. Take charge. Lead a project. Give direction.

It’s my job to make things happen.

I have been very fortunate in my life to be surrounded by strong, amazing women who have taught me what it means to stand up for what I believe in, to be independent, to take charge and to never look back. Women like…

My grandma…who was a parachute packer in WWII, got her driver’s license at the age of 36, who battled cancer and beat it twice and who, up until the last minute of her life, had such a thoughtful heart.

My mom…who ran a successful handmade business while raising 4 kids.

My cousin…who became a widow when she was only 22, with a 2 year old and another just weeks from being born.

My sister…who worked hard through college and landed an amazing job not long after graduation not only using her degree but incorporating her passion for the outdoors.

My youth pastor…who showed me that it’s ok to just be yourself.

Growing up with them to look up to taught me so much about life and the true meaning of “it may not always be blue skies, but there’s always a silver lining”.

I really don’t know where I’d be in my life right now if it wasn’t for the influence of these women.

It’s hard for me to imagine that there are girls growing up right now without a strong, independent female role model to look up to.

Enter Girls For A Change.

I only recently learned about Girls For A Change, or GFC. But from what I know, I’m pumped. I love what they stand for.

“Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. We invite young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. GFC empowers girls for personal and social transformation. The program inspires girls to have the voice, ability and problem solving capacity to speak up, be decision makers, create visionary change and realize their full potential.”

I love this. Every single young girl should know that it’s OK to speak up and make things happen. Don’t you?

You can help!

Right now Yahoo! will donate $10 to GFC for EACH PERSON who clicks here to make Yahoo! their home page. Up to $10,000! Pretty awesome, am I right!?

I’m the kind of person that likes to make things happen so I’ve done it.

I’m willing to make the change for such a great cause.

What about you?

Are you willing to make things happen?

Somewhere In The Middle

Mostly Average Accounts of the World's Okayest Mom.