Gotta Be Real For A Minute...

I just saw this...

...and right now, today, I needed to hear it. I know I'm not alone. Sometimes life just gets to be too much. Either our work life is stressful or our home life is stressful. Financial situations. Physical ailments. The list is endless. 

I've been struggling for the past 3+ weeks with excruciating back pain. Not just the annoying little kink when  you wake up having slept funny, but the hurts-to-breathe, catch-your-breath-with-every-movement, can't-get-away-from-it-no-matter-what-you-do kind of pain. 

It started with a migraine on a Thursday morning, causing me to miss work that day to nurse my aching head...it think I was out of bed for 45 minutes that day. The next morning, my back was so painful, and I had no idea what was going on. I made an appointment with my chiropractor, who is amazing...she got me in that day. I spent 30 minutes with her, and left still in pain. No relief at all. Enter the muscle relaxers and ice packs.

I started that week seeing an acupuncturist, hoping that she would be able to help. I've seen her 4 times so far, and I'm still suffering. More muscle relaxers and ice packs.

I saw my doctor and got x-rays. Nothing new in the images compared to my films from 12 years ago. More muscle relaxers and ice packs.

I'll admit that my day-to-day life, while hectic, is often very sedentary. I sit at a desk for 8 hours per day. I drive to and from work. Finding time to exercise, especially in winter when the weather is always a wildcard, is nearly impossible. I get home in time to make dinner (most often a collaborative effort between Shannon and I), then have a few minutes to sit around before it's time to get the bedtime routine underway. 

The past few weeks, so much of the "at home" stuff has fallen to Shannon - I just don't have it in me. I jokingly tell people that I'm surviving on muscle relaxers, but the truth is, that's exactly what I'm doing. I have to move slowly, very intentionally, and forget about lifting...my purse is often too heavy for me. Sleeping is hard, tossing and turning to find the most comfortable position...for a minute, before I have to shift again. 

I am, quite literally, using all of my energy to just survive. 

Shannon, I love you. Thank you for taking care of me and our family while I'm not able to contribute. Thank you for being patient and understanding. Thank you for supporting my ice pack habit. Thank you for not complaining that it's too much...I know it is, but thank you for not saying so.

There ya go...my moment of "real." Still no end in sight, but I'm surviving.

In true internet fashion, we (I) often share only the parts of life that I'm excited about or proud of...but these moments are just as, if not more, real. And if you're reading this...well, thank you for that too. I see you. I know. You're doing great.

Who Am I??

You guys. I honestly don't even recognize myself. 

I watched the 🏈Superbowl🏈. I mean, I actually sat and watched it! If you know me, this is how I "watch" football...

BUT...

I wasn't puttering around in the kitchen. I wasn't actively trying to avoid it (which is my normal). I sat on the couch with Shannon and Brandi and watched almost the whole thing! I didn't care who won the game (and in all honesty, we DID turn it on mostly for the commercials and half-time show), but I actually got super into it and even called out a couple times when there was a great play...

WHO AM I????

I made a monster pot of queso (I'd never made it before, and was a little shocked that I actually paid money for Velveeta "cheese", but it turned out so good), Shannon made yummy guacamole, and Brandi brought over the most tender steak bites...so simple and so good! Add some tortilla chips for dunking, and some leftover candy from "movie night", and of course, adult beverages (if you haven't tried it yet and you love a good Moscow Mule, got grab some Fever Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer and try it...OMG!!). 😋

Nick had to work, so couldn't join us, and Brooklyn wasn't with us this weekend. Greyson hung out with Brandi's son, Tucker, and they played video games all afternoon. I didn't take any amazing pictures of them like the first time I hosted a Superbowl party, but Brandi and I did get a couple gems! Shannon took a couple photos too, of Brandi and I laughing and staring at the pictures on our phones. 😂

And then, of course, I had to take pictures of the dogs. Togo is almost 3 and still has the biggest case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) that I have ever seen...she makes me crazy, but we love her. And Tazer is our old man at 13 years old, who really only gets excited about one thing anymore...food. 

Well, there you go. That was my BIG news...aren't you so glad you read the whole thing!?!? 😂

6 years later...

I just happened to log into my Blogger account today - I was curious about how long it's been since I last posted anything.

I won't deny, I was a little surprised!

The last post I made was in 2017. HOW??? It is absolutely amazing to me how fast the days go by - the last post I started drafting was when Nick turned 18 and was getting ready to graduate high school...and now he's 22. HOW. DOES. THAT. HAPPEN???

Now, as I type, my family is waiting for me to get home for Movie Night. I promised popcorn 🍿 and movie theater candy 🍬 (from the Dollar Tree), so I'm headed there in a few minutes, and then home to spend time with my crew (well, most of them - Nick has to work tonight, and Brooklyn isn't with us this weekend). We are going to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Should be good!

This past few years have been crazy. I can't even begin to list all the things that have changed in my world, much less all the ways I've changed. Six years is long time to think back on...Greyson was barely in school the last time I posted! 

UN-FORGIVEABLE!!!

I'm not about to lie to myself and say that I'll "post once a week" from now on...I know myself better than that. However, my sincere hope is that I can get here more often with photos, updates, etc. 

But for now...I'm going to watch a movie. 😁