“It happens”, A horny bunny, car issues, a fun concert and other chats.

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 Shel R.5 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

To answer today’s WP writing prompt question………………..

I want the words “It happens” – in memory of my oldest daughter – with Angel wings, the time of her birth and the time of her death.

I don’t want the dates on there because I don’t want to remember the date of her death.

I’d rather see the time she was born – that made me a mother, and the time of her death (the hour she got to meet God and felt peace).

“It happens” – represents the very last hilarious memory we had together.

*****

I was near Minneapolis the day before the “it happens” incident – for a dentist appointment and I stopped at Wendy’s on the way home.

I live 4 hours from Minneapolis, so it was a long drive and I was starving.

I ended up leaving my debit card at Wendy’s, so when I called them – I was told that the manager has it in the safe, and if I brought my I.D. in the next day, he’d hand it over. I needed my debit card the next day, so early in the morning – I’m talking (5 AM) early – I got ready to drive all that way to go get my card.

My Tiffie “Jordan” found out and asked if she could come with me. She lived across the hall at the time, and I told her to be ready.

She loved long car rides, and she was ready before I was.

My youngest daughter rode with us as well.

On the way back, we were all so tired from waking up earlier that morning, so we were quiet driving home.

My oldest was in the passenger seat and she randomly said, “The Tile shop” – as she was looking out of the window.

I looked over, saw the Tile shop, and replied, “It happens!”.

I have no idea why I said that, but I was so tired – it just came out for no reason.

My daughter was so confused, looked over at me and says, “Wwwwhaaattt? Why would you say that? That didn’t require a response”. 🤣 We all started laughing so hard. Literally, we had tears in our eyes because we couldn’t stop laughing.

She kept mocking me and saying, “It happens!”, and then said “The tile shop. It happens!” – joking that it could be their new motto / jingle. She said “it happens” made no sense, and we just kept laughing. Eventually, she had to tell me to stop because I was laughing so hard, I couldn’t drive straight, but that’s what made that moment even more hilarious.

I’m sitting here laughing right now – not able to drink my coffee because I still recall how much we were laughing – at that moment.

It went on for at least 10 minutes, and when we stopped – one of us would say it again, “The tile shop. It happens!”, and we’d all start laughing again.

We decided at that moment – that as soon as my youngest daughter turned 18, we’d each go get matching “It happens” tattoos.

I don’t know if my youngest daughter still wants to do that or not, and Tiffie “Jordan” has passed on – but it’s a tattoo that I plan to get for myself – because it’s a reminder not only of our last hilarious memory with my oldest that day – but – of the fact that life happens, and doesn’t stop or slow down for anyone – even in grief.

And now – I’m crying as I write this part.

For me, “It happens” – is both a great memory months before she passed, and a reminder that there’s things in life I can’t control, and I just have to shrug my shoulders, say “It happens” and trust God to take care of those things. “It happens” can be both – a funny memory and a sad reminder that things do happen and life has to go on.

So, for me – I want the tattoo – as a reminder of both meanings.

My next tattoo:

Again – with the time of her birth and the time of her death.

💕

I also want to eventually get a memorial tattoo a little more meaningful, but I haven’t figured that out yet.

I have different ideas.

As for where I’d put it, still not sure of that, either – but it’s happening. It happens. ha.

*****

Anyway, let me share some updates.

The landlord finally sold the building.

He had new roofs put on last week, and the lady who helps him with the property and I – were kind of talking and I realized that he probably accepted an offer, and one of the conditions of the purchase – was that he put new roofs on the garage and building.

I would have asked for those garages to be torn down and rebuilt if I were buying this place, but either way – I’m hoping the new people are good. I’m hoping they’re not a “put a band-aid on it and call it a day” people – like our landlord was.

Everyone got notices on their doors yesterday – stating that as of today – we have new owners.

It said they have to honor all leases until leases end, and that they will be reaching out to introduce themselves. Not sure if it’s in email, person or by phone. It also said they will let everyone know how to pay April rent, and I’m hoping we can pay online, because I was so tired of using VENMO or money orders to send rent to our last landlord.

Still, even if I move soon – I’m happy the people living here – have new owners for the building because while I don’t think our last landlord was a bad guy, I do think he wasn’t the best landlord.

The bunny:

My daughter’s bunny stinks!

Really bad.

I kept telling her to clean the cage, because I thought it was the bedding or that she wasn’t changing it, and she kept telling me she cleans his cage out all the time.

We went back and forth for weeks on it, and I kept buying her different bedding to see which one worked best for the smell, and no matter how many times she changed the bedding or cleaned the cage and scrubbed it down – I’d go in her room, and it smelled like hell in there, and I still thought it was the cage.

She insisted it was the bunny. I told her there’s no way the bunny smells like that.

So, I gave in and took the bunny to the vet last week, and upon getting close to the small transport cage he was in, I smelled the bunny. The smell was coming from the bunny. I just looked at my daughter and yelled, “OH MY GOD!”. She said, “See! I told you it was him!”.

The vet did a full exam and some lab work, and the lab work looked good, so when she came back into the room to talk to us, she said the problem was simple.

She told my daughter to cover her ears (joking around of course!).

The vet looked at me and told me, “The bunny is horny!”.

I looked at her like:

And laughed.

“You’re joking, right?” – I said.

She said this is common and when male bunnies get horny and want some – they don’t wash themselves like they should or like they’re supposed to be.

They stop taking care of themselves because the smellier the bunny – the more they attract female bunnies.

She then adds to it and tells me that he’ll hump whatever he can in his cage and when he ejaculates – it sticks to his fur in the back and his testicles. 🙄 That in return – is making parts of his bedding stick to his testicles because he’s all sticky and nasty, and because he’s not cleaning himself because he wants to attract a female bunny – that’s all coming together and creating that awful smell on him.

I rolled my eyes, and asked what could be done.

She said it’s easily fixable in BUCKS. I didn’t even know they call male bunnies – BUCKS.

I thought that was just for male deer.

Them not cleaning themselves and making themselves smell like that – asserts maturity and dominance according to the vet, and in the wild – will attract a female bunny.

Maybe I should have done more research before walking into a pet store and thinking a bunny would be adorable for my daughter after she lost her bird a few years back.

So now – this bunny is maturing, and he’s horny – which is causing all these other issues and the smell.

He’s nasty and unsanitary! That’s what he is. He’s doing it for attention from a female bunny as I said, and he doesn’t realize his dumbass is an inside bunny and there’s no female bunnies around. Nor – will there ever be! Sorry for ya – Looney! Dammit, Looney! Yes, that’s his name.

My daughter thinks this is hilarious.

I ($600 later) do not!

So, the plan? To get the $600 together to have his testicles removed, remove all the sticky parts of his bottom from him ejaculating on himself and getting his bedding stuck to it as well – which obviously requires surgery and him to be put under – so he doesn’t try to get away and hurt himself during surgery.

His ears need to be cleaned also. Again, he’s not cleaning himself like he should be – for the simple and stupid fact that he doesn’t understand he’s an indoor bunny.

Some people I’ve told this story to – laugh so much when I tell it – and they suggested I get a female bunny because it would be cheaper than surgery for our male bunny. No thanks!

A female bunny for our male bunny = a bunch of baby bunnies I don’t need or want.

I swear – my life is never boring.

If it’s not something with the kids – it’s one of the animals. If it’s not the kids or the animals – a bill pops up to surprise me or something at work is going on that I have to deal with. If it’s not any of that – my car comes up with a new issue.

Life needs to slow the hell down and let me just sit and breath for a minute!

But it doesn’t stop there.

Want to talk about my car?! Let’s do that!

So, if you remember and you read my blogs pretty regularly – (Thank you first of all) – 2nd – you’ll know my car has been giving me problems.

The EPC and check engine light have been on in the last few months.

The RPM needle goes crazy sometimes and bounces around on its own.

This causes my engine to shake like crazy and my car to make this loud, awful noise.

My car feels like it wants to shut off or take off – either one – by itself. It feels like it wants to accelerate on its own sometimes.

When I’m parked and the car is on – it rattles and sometimes – it feels weird driving when I step on the gas.

Now, I like to support small businesses, and if a small business is amazing and gives great customer service, I’ll promote them everywhere and anywhere for free. I’ll tell the world about them – to help them grow their business.

However, if customer service is awful, and they do nothing to fix the issue or make it right – I’m also going to let people know that they should go elsewhere.

Now, everyone has different experiences with different places, so I can only tell what happened to me and it’s their choice to go try the business out or take my advice and go elsewhere.

Anyway – I’ll call this guy “Mario”, although – I should put him on blast, but that’s not the kind of person I am.

I took my car to Mario’s shop months ago and explained the issues. He saw the issues for himself when he got in my car, looked under my hood and saw / heard everything that was going on.

“It’s an easy fix. It’s the Spark plug! You have a bad one!”. Mario told me.

“Great! Let’s get that ordered and taken care of!”. I told Mario.

I was grateful it wasn’t anything big (Or – so I thought!).

He changed the Spark plug the same day, and I left.

$100 later – and my car was good for a day and then started doing the same exact things all over again and I realized Mario was wrong. So, I took the car back, told him it wasn’t a Spark plug, and he acted confused, but told me if I give him a few hours with my car to do a “deep dive” – he’d figure it out.

A few weeks later, Mario checked it out and told me, “You need a new Timing chain”. He said something about the Timing chain being bad, and half of it sliding down 3 teeth on Cam shaft bank 1 – or whatever the hell he said. Something like that. lol. I didn’t listen fully, but he also said the other Spark plugs and a sensor also need to be changed.

I asked if that would fix these issues and he said – in his heavy accent, “Yes, yes!”.

Fine. Let’s get those parts ordered and get this all done.

A few months ago – back in January I believe it was – my car was in the shop, and everything was being replaced. His wife was nice enough to drive me home and then pick me up to go back and get my car when it was done – many hours later.

I took it home, drove it and thanked them so much – because it drove beautifully – FOR THAT DAY.

The next day – I went to pick up the kids from school, and my car stated, but it wouldn’t go anywhere. It smelled highly of gas, and I called Mario and let him know. He came right over because his shop is right down the block.

When he looked under the hood – he giggled a bit and told me, “Your fuel pump just went…………..” (and he made the exploding noise with his mouth). Excuse me? Why are you laughing first of all? 2nd – my fuel pump was just fine before you worked on my car.

I didn’t tell him that because I didn’t want to accuse him of anything, but he says, “maybe you need a new fuel pump, but maybe not. Maybe you have a fuel leak, but maybe not”. I do or don’t to all of your “maybe’s” sir. Figure it out! So, he reconnected it and said it should be okay. It’s been okay for now, but who knows if it’s messing up or not. My car was able to be driven that day, but it’s still doing the same exact issues it was doing when it originally went to this guy.

The Spark plug didn’t fix it.

The Timing chain replacement, other Spark plugs being changed and the sensor didn’t fix it. It was back to doing the same things.

I took it back to him again. It also started doing this thing where it jerks forward when I try to drive.

I told him all of that and how none of the things he’s done, has fixed the issues.

The 4th time I took it back to him – he said something just needed to be cleaned from under the hood, so he did that. It drove fine that day.

Still back to the same problems the next day.

I almost feel like he’s just resetting stuff in my car to make it drive okay for a bit and hope it stops the issues.

The 5th time I had it back to him – he says, “Um, maybe a mouse got into your engine area and chewed some wires. Maybe not”.

What is with him and all these maybes? I was getting annoyed, and told him that he keeps guessing what’s wrong, and still not fixing the original problem. He asked me to bring the car back again – and he looked at it a 6th time.

This time, he said that day:

“Okay. I know now! It’s a valve. The valve is stuck”. I asked if he was absolutely positive because a real mechanic would have figured it out the first time, instead of changing all these other parts that I don’t even know if I really needed or not. He guaranteed me it’s the valve.

I argued that he guaranteed me it was all the other parts he changed as well.

He stood there in front of me GOOGLING the problems and looked up – as he said, “What could it be?”.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?

So, I yelled at him. I felt bad, but I was so angry and bothered that he was googling what it could be – and he was pretty much admitting he didn’t know, so I paid for those other parts for nothing. He was guessing what it was, and the original problem was still going on. Here I was for the 6th time in his shop – and he didn’t know what it was.

He asked me for another day with my car, so he can check it out again and he had the nerve to tell me that it may get “costly”. NO! NO! HELL NO! I am not letting you touch my car again, and that’s what I told him when I was in there for the 6th time.

I let him know I wanted my money back, so I could go to a shop who knows what they’re doing.

A few days before that, I took it to another shop for a 2nd opinion, and I was told that the Timing chain is 3 teeth down and the same thing about the cam shaft that this guy said, and they said if it was changed, it was put on wrong.

Now, I’m left wondering if I paid for a Timing chain that was never changed.

So, I told him about that and what the 2nd shop said. I told him that they said I don’t need a valve like he said. I need the Timing chain done right, and I need a new harness, and this guy – MARIO – never mentioned a new harness, which leads me to believe he has no clue what he’s doing, and he collects money for his guesses – and possibly – for work he never does.

So, yes – I yelled at him.

Not loud, but I raised my voice a bit, and he told me he can’t give my money back because he did the work. I told him that he got paid to fix the issues and he did not!

He looked at the ceiling, laughed and walked to the back.

I kind of giggled thinking, “This man is about to go cut my brake lines for yelling at him!”.

I have been so patient and so kind with him, and I’ve let him have my car – trusting him more than I should have – to fix the original problems, and he didn’t. He couldn’t.

I read a review on his site where some other woman came in, and she was angry as well because half her new parts she had put in before going to him – were all changed to old parts, and he supposedly took her new parts out – and she too – said he was replacing things that there was nothing wrong with, and a few other things.

She warned people about going to him. She said he and his wife seem like good, sweet people – but she thinks they’re running a scam.

So, my car won’t be going back to him, and now it’s a game of figuring out the best shop to get it fixed and how much it’s going to cost for the real issues to be taken care of. I have always thought it was something with the throttle body because I don’t know too much about cars – but I know a little bit here and there amd it seemed like it.

I have a friend in IL. who asked me what was going on with and when I described the issues – he said it sounds like the throttle body accelerator pedal and maybe an engine sensor.

I was just in IL. not too long ago, and part of me really wishes I would have thought about him and taken my car to him. He’s a mechanic, and he’s really good at his job, but – I didn’t think about it until he messaged me asking what’s going on, and I was already back in Minnesota.

He did ask me to go somewhere to have the codes pulled up, and to let him know, and I plan to do that this weekend.

I was happy he mentioned the throttle body because that was my first thought as well.

I should have totally been a mechanic. ha.

So, besides the bunny needing this surgery, so he’s not horny and doesn’t smell anymore – and so he hopefully starts cleaning himself – and these car issues I’m still having – there’s also moving.

My plan was to find somewhere to move to by the beginning or middle of May, so that when my daughter graduates – we have a moving truck in the parking lot, and the moment we come out of that school after graduation – we’re in the car heading to our new place close to – or in – IL. However, it’s so damn tough trying to find a place when you have to travel hours to go look at the places.

So, I plan to get a list of places together by April 20th maybe, and start planning a trip out that way to go look – hoping that my car is fixed by then.

The bunny. The car. Moving. Finding a job out in Wisconsin or IL. wherever we move – it’s all so stressful, and my sanity – is still intact. GO ME! lol.

While I sit here and sip my coffee and think of everything I have on my plate and all the stress that’s upon me right now – I do have to smile and let you know how proud I am of my daughter.

She only needs two more credits to graduate.

One is for her elective class (Teacher’s assistant). She’s been a TA in my son’s room for the last few months and she loves it. She will be done with her credit in her elective – this semester, which means if she decides she doesn’t want to be a TA next semester, she can drop that from her schedule, since she’ll have that one credit she needs.

She needed all 4 semesters of her last English class, so she still has to go for that this semester and next, and after next semester is over, she’ll have her last credit she needs. 🤗

That means – that after this semester is over and she receives her last credit for her (TA) elective class – she only needs her English class.

That means – if she wanted to right now – she could drop all her other classes, and only do TA and English every day, and go to school for those two hours.

That means – once her elective class is over – she only needs English next semester and would only have one class – and can go to school 50 minutes a day and that’s it.

This girl – is taking all these other classes and going to school all day long – for fun.

To see her friends.

To have something to do – as she said.

She doesn’t have to go to school until 11 AM – which would be her TA class, and then her English, and she can come home. However, she actually enjoys going to school – even when she doesn’t need to be there and even when she’s taking these other classes – when she doesn’t have to.

I am so damn proud of her.

She is also now taking a course that OSHA offers – for anyone looking to further their education and have some safety training in their future career. Kailani wants to be an EMT, so she’s taking their class for that.

This girl has been amazing and has worked her ass off to get where she is right now, and she deserves the world. So, I think I mentioned this before – but instead of buying myself Cardi B. tickets when she was in Minnesota for a concert – I brought Kailani Romeo Santos and Prince Royce tickets to surprise her with – as an early graduation gift.

She wants to go see them so bad, and I’m more than happy to make that happen for her.

I got the tickets already if I didn’t mention that before, and if so – my bad.

She earned it.

💕

Still, I hope we live in IL. or close to it at the time of the concert because it’s at the end of May, and I don’t want to have to worry about getting a hotel room for the night. I just want to go home and relax – unpack – and hear all about how she enjoyed her night – the night of the concert.

Loves.

Pray that everything works out for us, because life is kicking my ass right now, and it’s just me alone doing everything for the kids – the animals – and nothing for myself.

I’m exhausted. I’m drained, but I still feel blessed and have faith.

💕Shel💕

Another walk-through, and Saturday’s Winter formal.

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Shel R.1 Comment

Hello darlings.

I was up bright and early this morning making sure my kids were awake and everything looks nice – for the Realtor and “interested party” that was coming at 8:30.

My landlord is selling the building – (or trying to), but he’s had no luck. He put in up for sale months ago and had it up for months. People came and people went, and nobody was interested.

There were a few people who did make offers, but he wants his full asking price – which is outrageously too high for all the issues this building has – that need to be fixed, and there’s been no upgrades or updated anything in most of the apartments.

I think I’m probably the only one with one of the newer apartments and that’s because he had to update and upgrade a few things here before I moved in – because the last people who lived in this apartment – completely destroyed it. So, we got a lot of the newer things, but other apartments still have the same old cabinets, counters, dishwashers, fridges, carpets, etc. from many years ago.

He’s had many people come to look at this place with different realtors, and they’ve passed on it because it needs a lot of work and upgrades, so he took it off the market for a month or two, and now – it’s back up again – at the same outrageously crazy price he was asking before.

I would have just taken one of the offers one of the interested parties offered, left it as an “as is” price, and called it a day if this were my building. I feel like he was lucky to have been offered anything at all from the one or two offers he did have.

Now that it’s back online for sale again, he’s had a few different “interested parties” in and out of the building and everyone keeps getting these notification papers that people are coming to look on different days, but still – nothing comes of it. Still, tenants have to comply, let these people in their apartments, and have no say.

This morning, the realtor and the “interested party” that was supposed to come by, looked at different apartments and came to knock on mine at around 8:45. I let the lady and the guy in, and the guy looked at the living room, and immediately went to look at the bathroom.

I’ve noticed that many of the people interested – seem to go straight to the bathroom and start there. So, I had to look it up and ask why realtors and people interested in homes or buildings for sale – look at bathrooms first. He’s not the first one who has went straight for our bathroom and I read this on Google:

“Realtors and buyers often look at bathrooms first because they serve as an immediate, honest indicator of a home’s overall maintenance, hygiene, and potential for expensive renovation costs. Because bathrooms are intimate, personal spaces, they trigger strong, immediate emotional responses—either comfort and trust or doubt and disgust—within seconds of walking in.

Here is why the bathroom is prioritized:

“The Tell” for the Home: If a bathroom is updated and clean, it suggests the entire home is cared for, increasing the buyer’s confidence in the investment.

Indicator of Overall Maintenance: Buyers assume that if visible details like grout, caulking, or fixtures in the bathroom are neglected, other, less visible systems in the house (like plumbing or electrical) have also been ignored.

High Cost of Renovation: Bathrooms are among the most expensive rooms to renovate per square foot due to labor and plumbing, making an outdated or poor-quality bathroom a major “red flag” or “deal-breaker”.

Emotional First Impression: A clean, updated, spa-like bathroom helps buyers instantly imagine themselves living in the home, whereas a dirty, smelly, or cramped bathroom can make them turn away immediately.

Functionality Check: Buyers immediately check for practical necessities like storage space, water pressure, and proper ventilation (to prevent mold), which are essential for daily comfort”.

***

I found this interesting, and it makes sense.

I guess they know exactly what they’re looking for.

If I’m being honest, all they have to do is pull into the parking lot and they can see that the place isn’t worth as much as he’s asking for it.

There’s so many things wrong with it – just on the outside of the building.

The entire parking lot needs to be redone.

All of the garages have huge holes in the walls and let in the elements because the doors are broken and falling apart. I remember one summer a few years back – there was a guy working on the garages to try to make them look semi-decent, and he had been doing so all day in the heat. I left a few times and came back that day, and he was still working and sweating. I had BBQed (before I found out we couldn’t do that here), and I asked that man if he ate at all that day. He said “no” and told me the landlord wanted his work done as soon as possible, and I told that man to get down from the ladder and come eat. He did and he was grateful. He did tell us that day that he told the landlord the garages aren’t repairable and need to be torn down and rebuilt, but the landlord didn’t want to spend that money.

So, that problem is still going on, and people can see that when they come look at the building to potentially buy it.

The building looks like it’s lifting off of the foundation.

The patios on the 1st floor are pulling away from the building.

The balconies on the 2nd floor are one good snowstorm or windstorm away from collapsing.

There’s a big sink hole right by the garages that we’ve been watching for a while now, and hoping nothing happens.

Nothing is updated or upgraded.

I’m sure that ugly, dusty carpet in the hallways has been there since this place was built in the 90s.

This place needs tons of work and I could go on and on.

The woman who works with the landlord to show the building and apartments – says the same thing. Nobody wants it because they find out it needs too much work.

I feel like if he took offers, realized this place isn’t in the best conditions and accepted the highest offer – it would have sold a long time ago “as is”. Greed can make a person do some wild things though, and while us tenants here continue to wake up early as hell sometimes for these realtors and “interested parties” who then pass on this place – or rush home late evenings sometimes to let them in – we just have to be quiet and allow it.

I have only stayed for the last few years because I do love my apartment. It’s a big 3-bedroom and like I said, I have the newer apartment. Plus, I wanted my daughter to finish high school here, and she’s almost done – so, it’s time to get ready to move on to bigger and better things and places in a few months.

I hope the landlord does get to sell the building and it goes to some amazing new people who will update and upgrade everything and really take care of it – the way all the tenants here – deserve. ❤️

He also sent the plumber here today because underneath the kitchen sink – there has been water a few times. There has been puddles on my kitchen floor because of it – that I’ve had to clean up. It’s only happened twice, but still – I wasn’t going to continue to let it happen. I had some plumber come and fix the garbage disposal a few weeks back, and that’s when it started.

The Plumber was here a few minutes after the realtor and the interested party left, and he said the guy who fixed the garbage disposal – forgot to tighten up the connection, so he thinks water is spewing from that at times. He tightened it, connected some gray piece, and asked me if his company did that work. I said no, and he was happy to hear that. 🤣 I promised him that I’ve had nothing but good experiences with his company since I’ve lived here for 6 years and have had them come out a few times for different things. The guy who did the garbage disposal – was from a totally different company.

Can I also share how cute this plumber was today?! lol.

I was a good girl, though. ha.

Part of me needs a nap now, and part of me knows I have things to do and it’s not happening.

****

Let’s talk about my daughter’s Winter formal dance this past Saturday.

She asked if I could pick up her friend that I’ll call “Aly”, and also – one of her best friends that I’ll call “Paisley”. (For privacy reasons of course!).

I got off of work at 3, got home about 3:30-ish, took my shoes off and planned to sit down, eat and relax for a bit before I picked up the girls because it was early and the dance didn’t start until later that night. As soon as I sat down to turn on a movie and relax, my daughter asked if we could go get Aly because her mom was leaving the house at 5 and wanted to lock up. She said Aly didn’t have an extra key to lock their front door, so her mom wanted to make sure she was picked up before she left and locked up.

No. I didn’t get to eat or watch anything. I threw my shoes back on, got ready and we left to get Aly.

My daughter told me her mom was going out somewhere.

We got Aly and then went to go get Paisley. Her mom was going out somewhere as well and wanted to wait until Paisley was picked up and safe with me.

I joked on the way to Aly’s and asked my daughter, “Hold up! Why are all the moms going out and I’m the one who gets to play Chauffeur, cook, baker and babysitter?”. My daughter laughed. I was teasing her though and I truly didn’t mind. I was thankful that the girls were getting ready at my place, and I was the one who got to take them to their dance, drop them off, pick them up from the dance and bring them home because I know I would have been nervous if my daughter wanted to go to someone else’s house to get ready and their parents were driving.

So, they came over and I made pizza. I planned to bake Cupcakes, but we had no time and the girls were rushing to get ready and trying on different dresses. My daughter gave one of the girls a black dress she had and let her keep, I straightened my daughter’s hair and painted her toenails, and one of the girls asked if I could do her hair and paint her toenails as well. I did so. 😊 I wanted tons of photos, but I only took one of my daughter by herself and one of her and her friends before they rushed out the door later that evening – to have me drop them off.

I should have taken a video of these three young ladies trying to walk to my car over piles and piles of ice and snow – in their heels. lmfao.

They held on to each other!

Thankfully, they made it without slipping.

When I dropped them off, I heard the music blasting from way inside and I knew they were going to have a great time.

I was even more thankful that our little town had two police cars sitting near by that night.

I prayed and asked the good Lord to watch over them for the next few hours, and I was even grateful that my daughter took time out of her night to keep in touch with me and let me know they were okay. I told them before they got out of my car to head into the dance – that if they felt like something was wrong or off or if they felt like they were in any kind of danger, to let me know and I’d come get them immediately!

Nothing happened and they got back safe.

When it was time for me to go get them, my daughter called me and asked if another friend of theirs that I’ll call (Alice) could come to the house and hang out for a bit until her mother and father were able to pick her up. Alice came there with her date, but after picking her up at her house earlier that day 30 minutes late, making her sit in the backseat because his friend was in the front, and dissing her at the dance to dance with other girls, Alice didn’t feel comfortable with him driving her back home.

I felt so bad for this Alice girl, but I know her mother and I absolutely told my daughter we’d take care of Alice until her mom and dad picked her up.

Her mom is a teacher at the school, and her other daughter and my daughter became good friends when my daughter started going to this school when we moved to this little town. Her and her other daughter were the first ones to show us so much comfort and love after my oldest child passed, and they’ve been huge parts of our lives ever since, so of course I was going to make sure Alice didn’t have to go home with this boy who dissed her and treated her so poorly that night.

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, her parents were already at my place to pick her up. The dad knows this boy’s dad, so he said he planned to have a talk with the father, and Alice just wanted to cry. I gave her the biggest hug and told her unfortunately, as boys grow into men – it doesn’t get any better and you just have to learn which ones to let go of, and which ones deserve our time and attention, but one thing we don’t do as we get older, is cry over a boy / man, and I asked Alice to please remember that and her worth.

I told her how much I love her, and if she needed to talk, I was there for her. 💕

These young girls break my heart when I see them wishing for a boy who isn’t worth it, crying over them, or feeling some kind of way because of one. My daughter has been so in love with this one boy at her school, and when he left the dance on Saturday, she told me she already misses him, and they’re not even dating. I just kind of giggled, but I told my daughter so many times that in the future, she will probably meet someone so much better and cuter – and won’t even remember this boy she has liked for years now.

Still, the girls had a great time, and everything went well.

I dropped my daughter’s friends off and get this………………………….

One of their moms was so amazing and got me a bottle of red wine because I was so cool about picking the girls up and bringing them home – she felt that’s the least she could do.

I truly am grateful and have that bottle sitting in my fridge for after dinner tonight. I plan to enjoy a few glasses after my crazy, long weekend. 😁 I just thought that was really thoughtful and sweet of that mom.

I really have nothing else going on today.

I have errands to run, and I promised my little dude I’d make my famous Burgers for dinner that he loves so much.

You all have a blessed rest of the week, and I love you!

💕Shel💕

My dream home (WP writing prompt), and a few other things.

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Shel R.9 Comments

Daily writing prompt

Write about your dream home.

View all responses

That’s not hard to do at all.

Today’s WP writing prompt is to describe my dream home.

I just talked to a realtor yesterday about this, because I’m looking to buy in the near future, and I’ve had a team of people I plan to work with when I’m ready.

I don’t even need a huge house. I could find a one-story ranch style house and be so happy with it, as long as it comes with the things I’ve always wanted in a home.

My “wants” are simple.

My dream home has to have a decent-sized backyard for BBQs and get-togethers with friends, my kids and their friends, family, etc. I’d love to have a big tree in the backyard – for a treehouse to be built. If you know me personally, you’ll know I’ve always wanted a treehouse.

FOR ME. NOT THE KIDS. 🤣

It would be my own personal space to write or to just run to for silence. It would be my own personal space to hang out in – a glass or two of wine late at night, look up at the stars and just think. It would be my own personal “happy place”.

My dream home would have a beautiful kitchen with tons of kitchen cabinet and counter space because I love to cook and bake. One thing I’ve always wanted – is a beautiful kitchen island right in the middle. My aunt and uncle have one and I absolutely love that. It also has tons of cabinets and space to store dishes, pans, etc. Something like theirs – would be lovely.

My dream home would have a finished basement, and that would either be my older son’s room until he moves out – because he’s always talking about having a “man cave” – or – I’d totally get a pool table and a few video games and turn it into a little gaming area for the kids and their friends. The gaming systems would definitely be down there, so if the boys want to yell and scream at their games – it’s all done in the basement, and I can close the door and tune them out. ha.

They take their gaming seriously, so they could use their own spot to do it in.

The washer and dryer I’ve always wanted – would be in a little laundry room space that I can decorate my way. I’ve always wanted one of those fancy washer and dryers that make a beautiful noise when they’re done. 😁 I always say when I buy a house, those are my first purchases for it.

I also want to make sure there’s tons of natural sunlight.

The apartment I have now – faces the parking lot, and there’s barely any sunlight coming in. I want a house with tons of windows all around that let in the sunlight.

When I was talking to the realtor yesterday, I let her know all of this and she then said, “With three kids, I’m sure you want two bathrooms”. I never thought of that, and it never really mattered to me, but yes – that would be perfect!

I don’t know if I’ll ever get everything I want in a house, because I’ve looked at some beautiful homes while planning to move this summer from where I am now, but if I absolutely love a house, I always find something wrong with it. I don’t like the kitchen, or the yard, or the small rooms. I’ve searched plenty of houses over the last few days and something always throws off the whole vibe and makes me say, “This isn’t the one!”. I’m picky – I know – and right now, I don’t have time to be picky.

So, while I may not buy a house right now, this would be my dream home description for the near future.

While we’re on the subject of houses and a dream home –

I have searched so many apartments and homes in different areas and even different states the last few days, because the deadline is fast approaching when I’d like to have something locked in, secured and ready to move into when we leave here. I want to have something ready by May 1st at least, so when May 31st rolls around, I’ll be cleaning up this place we’re in now, making sure it’s good for the next tenants, and having the last walk-through done.

I have friends and family out in IL. keeping their eyes open for apartments and homes, and we’ll see what happens.

I have been searching as well, and I leave our next place – all in God’s hands.

The search has been a headache and that’s what I’ve done all day – everyday sometimes, but I believe that we will be alright and we will get to move closer to home – as we want to.

****

WALMART AND VALENTINE’S DAY!

Other than the moving and my dream home thing, I have been preparing for Valentine’s Day.

My little dude’s class is having a party, and the teacher sent home a list of students in the class.

One thing I do every year and have fully enjoyed – is making up little goody bags or gift buckets for almost every holiday, and V-day is no different. I made up little baggies filled with pencil sharpeners, bubbles, cute stampers, heart-shaped rings, stickers, and little cute ducks. There’s some other stuff in them as well, and I’ll also be putting candy in them.

I love seeing the looks on their curious little faces when we bring goodies in for his class, and they get excited.

I’ll be bringing in Cupcakes and juice boxes, and a few gifts for some teachers and his as well.

While I was at Walmart yesterday morning grabbing party favors for these little goody bags, I was also looking for V-day cards for little dude to pass out to his class.

Many of them only had 16 in it, and there’s 18 kids. I didn’t want to buy another whole box of 16 – for just 2, so I was looking for a box of cards with 24 or 32 in them – even if we’d have some left over. If I could just buy one box and get it over with – it’s easier.

I ended up asking a woman who worked there and was trying to organize the V-day Isle she was in – if they have a box of 24 cards by any chance or if there’s more in another isle.

She turned to me and I realized she was the same woman that was at the self-checkout line during Halloween when we went in there for face paint. She’s mentally challenged and has a disability where she can’t talk very clearly, but she’s such a sweetheart. We said hello to each other, and we started talking about the party my son was having in his class.

She tried helping me find a box of 24 or 32, and I found one on my own – grabbing some Monster truck cards. A box of 32.

I thanked her for her help and walked to the next isle over to start picking out party favors. She walked over to that isle, showed me another choice of Hot wheel V-day cards, and asked if I wanted those instead. I thanked her but told her I think I’d stick with the Monster trucks, and I kind of giggled when she said, “Can you afford both?”. I politely thanked her and told her I didn’t want both, so she went to put the Hot wheels cards back. I felt bad and thanked her, again.

As I was looking through party favors, she came back over to me and asked if I had a boyfriend or husband. I told her no. I said it was just me and my kids. She said, “I don’t have a boyfriend or husband, either”. I hoped she wasn’t trying to flirt or go somewhere with that – or I’d have to find a very nice way to turn her down – but thankfully, she just started giving me some really cool words of wisdom.

She told me how us single women have to treat ourselves to something on Valentine’s Day, and that it’s more than okay to buy something for ourselves. We don’t need a man to buy anything for us. She said she’s going to buy herself some flowers, and I told her what a beautiful idea that was and said I may treat myself to some as well – along with some chocolate and coffee.

She said women have to work on themselves first, and make sure we feel good about ourselves, and when we’re not even looking – the right man will come along and love us the way we deserve to be loved. 💕 Listen. Don’t let nobody tell you that people with disabilities or those who are mentally challenged – have anything wrong with them, because sometimes – they are the kindest, sweetest, smartest people you will ever meet!

She spoke the truth and I loved what she was saying.

I already know all of that because I preach it all myself, and I agree with all of it.

If you’re a woman – and you’re single – go treat yourself to something fun, or nice. New haircut, new nails, Bath N’ body works goodies, New Victoria Secret goodies, flowers, chocolate, coffee, time with friends – whatever makes you happy and makes you feel good – you don’t need a man to spoil you on V-day. YOU spoil you! Men included… if you’re single – go have fun and enjoy doing something for yourselves.

We chatted for a bit about the fun parts of being single, and treating ourselves to nice things on Valentine’s Day, and then – I had to tell her to “have a nice day”, for the 5th time – and get out of there because if not, she would have stood there and talked all day, and while I didn’t mind – I really had to get out of Walmart and run other errands.

She really is a sweetheart. I enjoy talking to her whenever she’s around Walmart, but I had to go.

After getting Elijah’s goody bag things, I ran a few isles over to grab food for my daughter’s bunny.

On the way to pay – I stopped at the little girl’s section and picked out some cute things for my new niece, Ella.

I know Ella was born weeks ago, and I’ve said before that the mother wants nothing to do with my brother, but I’m hoping by sending Ella some cute things, her mother will reach out to me and let me have a relationship with my niece. I want to know my niece. I should know my niece and my niece should know she has a whole family on her dad’s side – who will love the heck out of her and be there for her. So, I’m hoping when she receives these gifts, her mother reaches out to me, and we can have a civil conversation.

Even if she wants nothing to do with my brother, and he has to handle that in court to see his daughter, I’d like to do it the easy way and see if she’ll allow me to be a part of Ella’s life. I love Ella as much as I love my nephews, T.J. and Matthew – even if Ella and I – haven’t met yet.

So, I grabbed a few adorable things for Ella.

💕

💕

💕

Here’s hoping that Auntie gets to meet her soon and have a relationship with her – if her mother allows.

DINNER AND A MOVIE:

Moving on……………

My youngest son asked if we could watch a movie a few months ago and he picked out ZOOTOPIA.

It was such a funny and cute movie, and I absolutely loved it! 💕

Nick and Judy (Carrots – as he nicknamed her) – are hilarious together and I love the bond they create between them.

If you and your kids haven’t seen it yet, I totally recommend checking it out, or even by yourself if you’re looking for a funny movie to watch, and don’t mind cartoon-ish movies.

So, Saturday – when my little guy asked if we could go to the movies and see ZOOTOPIA 2 – I said “no” at first.

My other kids had eye doctor appointments, the movie place we go to is an hour 1/2 away, and I was tired.

However – I kind of wanted to see part 2, and he said it was really good.

He and his class went to see it, so I figured, “Why not?”. My older kids actually wanted to go see it as well – which was surprising because they’re 23, and 17 – so, we went to their eye doctor appointments and went to see the movie.

We got to the area early, so we stopped and grabbed something to eat at a nice restaurant and all we did inside – was laugh and laugh and laugh. We had so much fun talking, joking around, and making each other laugh harder than normal, but we had a blast. I kept trying to get my kids to lower their voices or be quiet because there were others around us, and while the restaurant was mainly empty – people were still looking at us – as we laughed, couldn’t stop, and enjoyed our time out together.

At one point, we had stopped laughing long enough to eat, but my older son had us laughing again when he giggled and said to my daughter, “I like how you ordered Chocolate chip pancakes you had a taste for so much, but you’re digging into moms Biscuits and Gravy”. 🤣She kept reaching her fork over – picking at my food. We haven’t laughed that much in such a long time, and it was nice – even if others were looking at us and thought we were too loud.

When we got back in the car, I joked that I couldn’t take them anywhere, and they joked that they are DRIVE-THRU kids and not SIT-DOWN-IN-RESTAURANT kids. I didn’t mind though because they were having fun and enjoying themselves.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

I don’t want to spoil anything, so if you haven’t seen ZOOTOPIA 2 yet – you can scroll past this, but I will say that I absolutely love the part where Nick finally opens up to “Carrots”, she finally opens up to him, and they quickly proceed to tell each other their problems and so on, so they could better understand each other in the future and why they have the personalities they do. 🤗 When Nick admits he doesn’t want to lose Judy and that he’s grown to care about her – such a cute moment in the movie.

See part 1 first, and then go see Part 2.

I promise – you won’t be disappointed.

So….

Between getting ready for Valentine’s Day stuff, preparing to get boxes and bins and move, looking for places to move to, getting ready for my daughter’s “lasts” in high school – and preparing for tons of other things – I haven’t had time to sit down and write, so here I am – now that I have a moment to myself.

SENIOR ASSASSIN:

My daughter has started SENIOR ASSASSIN – as I’ve mentioned before. Her and the class of 2026 are now playing and the rules are – you can’t get anyone while they’re at work or school, and if they have their goggles on, they’re safe.

They all have an app they downloaded for Seniors everywhere – who play this game at the end of the year, and it shows all of their locations, so my daughter downloaded that, and she’s been begging me to find her goggles – so she doesn’t get assassinated.

You all know her friends call me “mom”, and I call them my “adopted babies”, so two of her other friends didn’t have goggles, either.

I ended up ordering a 3-pack online from Menards yesterday because no other stores have their summer gear (including goggles) out yet.

I took my daughter and her friend with me to pick them up yesterday, and we all laughed when they came back out to the car after picking them up from the order pick up section and showing me that I ordered goggles for toddlers 3 and up. 🤣 Oops! We went around to the front and I parked, so we could go inside and exchange them for goggles their size.

I was told from Customer service – that if we go to Hardware – they could show us a box of goggles we can pick from.

We found some in the summer section they were setting up, and we grabbed a 3-pack their size, but we also wanted to see what other goggles they had, so we were led upstairs by three associates. I didn’t even know Menards had an upstairs, but I guess that’s where their storage area is, and customers are allowed. (No children). We went up there, and they looked for goggles, but all they had was the ones out on the floor already, which was fine because my daughter and her friend got what they needed, and now – they’re wearing these goggles everywhere outside of school – to be safe.

They’re also carrying their gel blaster guns with them everywhere – in case they see someone outside of school and want to get them before they get “got”. haha.

I love that my daughter is participating because these are memories that she’ll remember forever.

I had to laugh because once Senior Assassin started last week – one teenage boy I’ll call “J” – quickly took out a few classmates, and he eliminated one at the gas station – as he snuck up behind the truck and shot gel blasters into the open window. “J” is sneaky, and he’s the only one that has gotten others out so far, so to be funny – the organizer of this Senior assassin game – called for a BOUNTY to be put on “J’s” head, and anyone can look for him and get him.

I joked that that’s the first one my daughter and her friends should locate and go for once they get goggles.

If Seniors want to follow other Senior’s home and get them – it’s fair game, so now – my daughter is on high alert and told me I better bring her goggles and gun everywhere if I pick her up from school to go anywhere. lol.

I love that she’s making memories, and I’ll forever look back and cherish these times as well – as a parent.

My other two older kids never did these things / events in high school, so it makes me smile to know she’s enjoying her last few months before graduation.

🤗

Dress Shopping:

I took her out of school early today, so we could go dress shopping for her Winter formal coming up.

Everything closes by 5 or 6 out here, so it had to be done early.

We went to a place that has tons of formal dresses for great prices, but unfortunately – she tried on five dresses and none of them fit her, so she walked out of the store disappointed.

We went over to J.C. Penney, and they had a very small selection, so we left there and I caved and went to a Bridal / prom shop.

I knew their prices were going to be outrageous – just by the looks of their dresses, and I was right.

Their dresses start at $250, so the beautiful Indian woman who works there – asked me what my price range was. I told her I wasn’t trying to spend more than $100 or so, but I was willing to see what I could play around with because it was for my daughter and I wanted her to be happy.

I explained that this is her last as a Senior, and she graduates this year, so I want this to be extra special for her.

She asked what my daughter was looking for – a short or long dress. My daughter said short. I looked at the lady and told her, “Not too short”. She surprised me when she told me that she had a mother of a teenager come in and ask if a really short dress her daughter tried on – could be made even shorter. Not me, lady! I want my daughter to look beautiful, in a modestly short dress. Again – not too short. lol.

She asked my daughter what she envisions her perfect dress to look like and what color. My daughter told her she’ll try any colors except pink and purple. My daughter also told the lady she wants a sparkly dress.

The lady grabbed two black dresses and told my daughter to follow her. She asked if my daughter wanted to try to them on, and she said yes. I will say I laughed a bit when the lady kept asking my daughter if she could come in and see how it looked every 5 minutes, and my daughter told her, “I don’t even have it past my bra yet!”. The lady told her for the best fit – she should take her bra off and try dresses on.

So, seven dresses later – the lady brought my daughter a red dress. This poor lady kept going back and forth with my daughter saying no to the first few dresses. The lady was a very patient, and she and I talked a bit as my daughter tried these dresses on. The first red dress she tried on – she came out onto the stand area and looked at herself in the mirrors as the lady fixed the back of that dress. My daughter claimed to like it – but a mother knows better.

I know better….so – when the lady walked away to grab one more dress, I whispered, “Do you really like that one? Don’t make me buy it if you know you don’t like it!”. My daughter whispered, “No!”. See? A mother knows!

The last red dress she tried on, she was absolutely in love with and said she couldn’t stop looking at herself. 😁

She told me a few times she loves that dress, and she even took a photo of herself in the dress – in the mirrors.

That’s how I knew she was being truthfully about loving the last dress she tried on.

It was a little big on the top area, but the lady took down notes on the alterations she had to make.

This dress was one of the $250 dresses, but the lady told me she’d give it to me for $160. I told her she didn’t have to do that, but we were talking about how crazy this economy is, and how happy I just wanted my daughter to be, so I did appreciate her kind gesture, and she made sure I only paid $160.

30 minutes after we left the shop – the lady called and said the alterations were done, so I’m going to pick up the dress in the morning.

As I paid, I smiled because while I could have really used that money – my daughter was so happy, excited, and it made me feel good.

She had me laughing in the car when she said she felt like she was on that show, “Say Yes to the Dress!”. She said she was just waiting for the cameras to come out. ha.

While my daughter was trying on dresses, the lady said she had a mother and daughter who came in there a few days ago, and the mother purchased a $1,400 – quince dress for the daughter, and a $1,600 dress for herself for her 25th wedding anniversary.

I can’t wrap my head around why people would pay so much for dresses, shoes, purses, etc. I’m okay with the little things in life, as long as they’re comfortable and look cute.

I’ve never been the type to need or want the “finer things in life”. My mother and grandmother always taught me to be humble and be happy with what I have because some people would love to have what I have. That has stuck with me all through my life. 💕

As we were walking out of the shop, I couldn’t imagine paying $1,400-$1,600 for a dress for one night, and I thought about weddings and how much those big ones – cost. How much Bridal gowns cost, and I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – if – big if – I ever get married again, I want something simple. Something low-key. Something relaxing – that doesn’t drain our bank accounts.

Listen.

I think I made this long enough, and as always – if you were interested enough to get through this long post and made it to the end, I love you so much.

I’m enjoying a glass or two of wine, so I hope all of you have a fantastic night, and I’ll be back before the weekend.

🤗Shel🤗

A little bit of Nostalgia.

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Shel R.6 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What makes you feel nostalgic?

View all responses

Good morning!

As I sit here with my coffee, I had to answer today’s WP writing prompt because I just saw a video on TikTok that actually made me shed a few tears (literally) when I woke up.

I was still in bed, but I always check the news, the weather, my messages, missed calls, etc. and then – I’ll scroll the TOK for a bit if I have time or nothing to do. I don’t work today, so – as I was scrolling the TOK – the video I saw this morning had some sad music playing in the background and the video said:

“It’s almost 2026. That means that 1996 was 30 years ago! What was your life like back then?”.

Yes, I shed a few tears, because – what do you mean 1996 was 30 years ago?

The first thing I thought about when I saw that video – was “Damn, I graduated 8th grade in 1996 and started high school months later”.

I giggled as I thought back to 8th grade and especially – all the good times in high school.

One of my favorite memories has always been sitting in my English class when it started, and one of my good friends being late. She was trying to run into class before the teacher took attendance, and she ended up falling and sliding into the class – so her body was half in and half out of the door. We were both laughing and I yelled, “SAFE!!!! HOME RUN!!!!”. She got a detention for being late because the bell already rang, and when the teacher told me to come up and get my detention, I asked what for?!

“Screaming in my classroom for no good reason and disrupting the class”.

Me: THE CLASS IS LAUGHING, TOO!

I still got the detention. lol.

Memories like that – make me smile and make me feel NOSTALGIC.

In high school – there was a time where my best friends and I would cut classes once-in-a-while.

DO NOT RECOMMEND!

If you’re young, go to class and do well. I wish I could go back in time and do things over – the right way.

Anyway, there was a day when my best friend and I planned to cut the entire day of school and go to one of our favorite malls, but when we walked out the back door of the high school, her dad was parked right there. I guess he heard our phone conversation the night before and he was ready to take us right back into school – which he did. 🤣

I remember screaming on one side of the hall – to friends’ way on the other side of the hall – and everyone in between – laughing because we were loud. I remember driving our favorite teachers crazy, and everyone in my circle taking up three or four lunch tables because there were so many of us who got along and loved the hell out of each other. 💕

I miss high school if I’m being honest, and those were some of the best days of my life.

Those memories make me feel NOSTALGIC.

Seeing items from back then that I used or had – makes me feel Nostalgic.

Not just the memories of those happier times.

Do you remember the Tamagotchi era?

I had one of these and so did many of the kids in my high school.

I remember many of us trying to sneak and check on our pets during class. I remember getting in trouble over these in class when they made noises because our pets were thirsty, or hungry, or needed to use the bathroom. 😁 I had mine connected to my jeans or book bag and finally – classes started to ban them.

AND – THE DIAL UP CONNECTIONS BACK THEN – WERE WILD.

America Online was super popular back in 1996, and it took forever to get online.

It used the same line as our housephones, and if the phone rang – the connection to AOL was lost.

We’d have to start the long sign on process all over again.

If my parents needed to use the phone, I’d have to get offline, and tell friends I was chatting with, “BRB”.

(Be right back). ha.

Do you remember the awful sound it made while it was trying to connect? If not – or you’re too young to remember it – let me show you what I dealt with – what many kids dealt with – back in the 90s trying to get online. We didn’t have good WI-FI or any at all back then.

Try being a kid in the 90’s – knowing you’re supposed to be in bed – but wanting to chat with friends online and risking your parents hearing these sounds as you try to sneak chat late at night. 🤣

This makes me feel Nostalgic.

When the Chicago Bulls won the 1996 Championship – the world and Chicago of course – went absolutely wild!!!!

When people still talk about it today, it gives me a great sense of Nostalgia. 😁

I was at my best friend’s house spending the night when this took place.

Her, I, her brother and sister and the teens from next door to her house – were all outside and when they won. Cars were honking like crazy; people were yelling out of car windows, fireworks were going off all over, and people were celebrating that win.

A car past by her house, beeped and people were cheering, so her brother started screaming and cheering.

It was late at night, and her mother looked out of their 3rd floor window and called us inside. When we went upstairs and asked why, she told my best friend’s brother, “You’re making too much noise!”. He replied, “So is the rest of Chicago!”. My best friend and I couldn’t help but laugh, so her mother turned around, put her hands on her hips and told us, “Girls! Don’t encourage him!”.

This magazine back then was EVERYTHING and anytime a photo of it pops up somewhere online – or I hear someone talking about it now – it makes me giggle but makes me sad a little. Totally makes me feel Nostalgic. I used to get this magazine in the mail every month when I was a teenager and into my early 20s, and I’d always have to order something from it.

The fashion was definitely unique, and some of the ways those modeling the clothes took the photos – were hilarious. Who was subscribed to get this? DON’T LIE. haha.

It’s not around anymore. They created some knock-off version but it’s nothing like this one.

These magazines were favorites of mine – as well as many other teens back in the 90s:

Remember when Jonathan Taylor Thomas was all teen girls’ dream boy?

Then ………………..

Semi-Now……

(Photo taken from US Weekly. This was him back in 2023, so he has changed a bit once again).

Back to the magazines though –

I used to buy so many copies of different magazines back then, and they came with posters inside.

I miss those days, and again – they make me feel Nostalgic when I hear someone talking about them or see old copies of these magazines. I don’t think they’re around anymore, but I could be wrong. I don’t know what this new generation has now.

I remember one of mine and my best friend’s favorite teen rap groups back then – was KRIS KROSS.

I also remember when she got the very last magazine that had them in it. I was a little jealous, but she was nice enough to let me borrow it. lol.

I was so excited when I got the last copy of their cassette at Kmart when “Totally Krossed out” came out.

That’s what it looked like.

They started the trend back then of people wearing some of their clothes backwards.

Hell, a few months ago – I purchased a small stereo off Amazon with a CD and cassette player, pulled out a bag of Cassettes I still have – and that alone – made me feel Nostalgic.

I had some good times and I think – if I’m being honest – us 90s kids had it great.

My older son says the 90s looks like they were a lot of fun, and he wishes he was able to live through those years, but he was born in 2003. 😊 The 90s were the best, and when I think back to those times, those memories, everything great we had before WI-FI and social media, before smartphones, and all this other technology – life was good.

When we got to ride around and be kids all day.

When we knew it was time to go home – when the streetlights came on.

When we knew where all our friends were – by where all the bikes on the lawn were.

When a piece of gum costs .5-.25 cents for Bazooka – and they came with the comics inside.

When all our family members were still alive and well, and summer days were spent catching fireflies and playing RED ROVER, RED LIGHT – GREEN LIGHT, or WATERCOLORS on the steps of the elementary school by the house.

When we all ran to our houses to get money when we heard the ice cream truck coming and lived just a block or two away from each other.

All of this – makes me feel Nostalgic.

I miss it all and there’s so many other memories, items of Nostalgia – and places I could write about, but I just wanted to jot down a few that came to my mind this morning, as I answered the WP writing prompt, and after I saw that video on TIKTOK about how 1996 was 30 years ago, and it made me tear-up a bit.

It seems like just yesterday, but it’s so far gone, it’s sad.

We did have it good, and the 90s were amazing.

From me graduating 8th grade and starting high school – to all my memories back then, good times, and things I remember or had – it was the best.

One other memory that comes to mind and makes me laugh – is when my best friend slept over one day, and I had my bedroom on the 2nd floor – front of the house, so if I opened the three big windows I had in my bedroom – I could easily climb out onto the this little awning / almost like a roof on the house.

I would go out there and sit on summer nights and just look up at the sky while everyone else slept.

The night my best friend slept over back in high school – we were playing TRUTH OR DARE, and she dared me to go out into the roof and yell, “I LOVE YOU, JAKE!”. (Not his real name, but I’m totally not putting his real name here) – although – he’s deceased now sadly.

He was a teenage boy – a little older than us – who lived a few houses down from where I grew up, and I had the biggest crush on him. My best friend knew that.

Little did I know – that he and his friends were outside at 2 AM – when this dare took place, and I took it!

I climbed out on this little roof, and yelled “I LOVE YOU, JAKE!” – thinking there’s no way he’d hear it.

IMAGINE MY SHOCK – and embarrassment – when Jake yelled back, “I LOVE YOU, TOO!”.

🤣🤣🤣🤣❤️😶😶😶😶😶❤️🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have never climbed back in that window so fast….. !!!!

My best friend couldn’t stop laughing.

I think I avoided Jake after that night.

The reason I couldn’t see that he and his friends were outside – was because there was a huge pine tree right next to our house that blocked the view to his.

I think we were only 15 at that time.

NOSTALGIC memories are totally the best!!!!!

They make me feel like I’m young again, and they’re bitter-sweet.

Another thing that makes me feel Nostalgic – is the sound of a lawn mower running on a hot summer day.

My dad used to always cut the grass in front of our house and in back, and I love the smell of fresh cut grass.

So, when I hear a lawn mower and smell the grass – I think of my younger years.

Road trips – I remember road trips to Michigan to visit family, and Pennsylvania for Family reunions, so now – when my kids and I take road trips anywhere – I think of the crazy days when my mom had to make sure that we packed everything we needed, made sandwiches for the road, and spent hours trying to stop my brother and I from fighting in the car – as I do now sometimes – with my kids. 🤣 Only – I don’t make sandwiches to put in the cooler with pop, and snacks like my parents did.

We just stop and eat somewhere.

Still – road trips make me feel Nostalgic.

I miss that time in life.

When all was good and the weight of the world wasn’t on my shoulders.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading other people’s Nostalgic answers.

Have a beautiful day my loves.

AND – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I know I said it already, but that’s okay.

❤️Shel❤️

Because – Snow.

December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 Shel R.1 Comment

I’m beginning to think God has a timer up there, and at 4 PM exactly – every day – it goes off and releases SNOW!

I swear – the last week or so, every day like clockwork, same time – it’s snowing.

Last night was no different. It started snowing as soon as I headed to Target at 4 PM.

It got bad really fast, and the drive home – 30 minutes back to my little itty-bitty town – was awful.

This is the time of year where Minnesota people get to play, “Hey, where’d the lines go?”, or “Am I on the right side of the road?” – depending on what you want to call it. ha.

Today, was a little better – since crews cleared the roads pretty quickly for the AM drivers, and I got to work with no issues.

What I didn’t know – was that more heavy and nasty snow was expected today, but this time – it started around 1 PM or so. We had a meeting at work, and after the meeting, I sat at the front desk – looking out at the snow as it started.

Around 1:20 PM, my boss sat next to me and we were chatting, as I told her my kids are getting out of school early due to the predicted snowstorm getting worse, and my older son was picking them up. She asked if I knew anything about the other schools up by my job closing early, and I told her I just knew the school in our town was letting the kids out early, but that I didn’t have to get them because my son was.

I got the email, the call, and the text for it.

She suddenly said, “Let me go make some calls”. I thought she was going to call and see if schools up that way where I work – were closing early because maybe she knew kids who go there or adults who work in those schools, but 10 minutes later, as I stood in the middle of the office – she came and stood next to me and said, “I called Jayla. She’s coming in early, so you can get out of here. I know you’ve got a long drive back and the roads are getting nasty. I want you to get home safe”. Jayla is one of my younger co-workers, and she came in for me.

I didn’t even ask my boss if I could leave early, but the fact that she thought about me driving all the way back to my little town in this weather and released me early – shows what kind of boss she is and I’m so grateful for her. 😊Another one of my co-workers took off as well, and I believe my boss did some of her work and was planning to leave early herself – since she has a pretty long drive home.

I will say that the ride home wasn’t too bad, and the plows were out doing their jobs, but the fact that I feel “snowed in” – sort of sucks. I wanted to be out and about doing Christmas shopping, and getting some errands done, but it is nice being home relaxing at the same time.

The school is starting two hours late tomorrow if nothing changes, but of course – the kids are praying it just closes.

I’m off the next few days, so I don’t have to worry about traveling.

I thought the snow was going to miss us this year or that we’d have a mild, chill winter because as of late November – we didn’t have much snow, but I guess that’s changing. 🙄

So, I plan to maybe get my little dude off his video games the next few days – for once and go use the sled I got him a while back – that he hasn’t touched. Snow angels? Yes. Snowman? Yes. I want to do it all. Heck – maybe a hot chocolate run and photos by the lake where the beautiful Christmas lights are all up and the area near the lake is all decorated. Why not?!

*****

My daughter and I were there yesterday – where we planned to take some of her Senior photos because the deadline is fast approaching and we have to get these done, and one turned in for the yearbook. We took some really cute ones, but she didn’t like them, so we have to go do them again.

I absolutely love this one:

She does, too! Unfortunately, we need a photo for the yearbook – where she’s looking up, and she didn’t like the ones we took.

It started snowing bad last night, so we just came home and decided to try again this week.

Plus, this was inside one of the decorations, and I’d like to get the outside during dusk – where we could make it a little “nicer”.

Just when I thought we were about to get these Senior photos done, Senior quote, Senior wills, etc. – turn those in and be done with everything, I got an email about the Senior class rings. Those are $400+ depending on designs, etc.

When they say Senior year is expensive – they’re not lying!!!!

******

If you want to giggle though – my daughter has liked this boy that I’ll call “Kyle” – for the longest.

She decided to take Psychology this year just for fun. Maybe not just for fun – because she plans to become an EMT / Paramedic in the future, and sometimes they deal with mental health and things Psych related, so she will probably use what she learns one day.

This boy Kyle joined Psychology recently, and she doesn’t know why because she says all he does is play around, sleep, and doesn’t pay attention.

My daughter actually likes this class, and when she found out a few days ago that this boy Kyle is now dating a girl she used to be friends with, she dropped Psychology. She felt like if this girl joined Psychology to be in class with this Kyle kid – my daughter didn’t want to deal with that.

I thought it was goofy that she was dropping a class because of a boy or some girl he was dating that may or may not join the class, but she said she was going to join the Yearbook committee instead. She gets a free yearbook if she’s on the committee, so I was all for that. One less cost I have to pay. So, I supported her decision to drop Psychology and go be on the yearbook committee if it made her happy, less stressed out over this young man and worrying about his girlfriend joining that class.

I supported her wanting to make the change of classes.

I told her do what she felt she needed to do – even if I thought letting some girl run her out of that class – was insane. The girl hadn’t even joined the class yet, nor did we know if she was going to.

Last night, my daughter was upset that she dropped that class without thinking. She said when she found out Kyle and her old friend were dating, she just felt sick, and didn’t want to see them together if this girl did join the class, but now – she could care less and she feels like she’ll miss Psychology. She said she’s not going to let Kyle or her old friend dating – run her out of a class she loves, and she’s just going to deal with it if this girl joins that class.

After her going back and forth about if she should just stay in Psychology or not – especially after her main teacher switched her to the yearbook committee when she asked the other day – I looked at her last night like:

“You need to make up your mind, kid!”.

She decided to stay in Psych, and I was so proud of her for not letting this boy she likes or the girl now dating him – keep her from a class she truly does love and enjoys learning in.

Today, she told her main teacher she’ll just stay in Psych, and I’m sure she’s driving him crazy, too! Still – he’s amazing with her and he switched her back to Psychology.

I giggled about the whole thing.

I did tell her that when she graduates – she may look back on these few years and wonder what the hell she was thinking when it comes to this kid, Kyle. I told her about some of my crushes back in high school and how I look back now and wonder the same.

People change. Feelings change, and years from now – this boy Kyle and this girl he’s dating now – may not even remember each other’s last names and they may go their own ways after graduation, so I’m truly happy my daughter didn’t let this class go – because of them.

I think it’s good for her and her future career.

Teenagers make me laugh with their little puppy love relationships.

I remember those days back in high school.

Matter of fact – one of my really good friends from high school and I – we were talking the other day about guys we had crushes on in high school, and when she heard I had a crush on this boy Anthony back in high school, she laughed at me and did the whole, “Ewwww. What was wrong with you?” (Shame game). lol. I look back now, and I laugh about it myself.

I found out she had a crush on this one guy we went to high school with, and I did the same. We totally had different taste in our guys, but we laughed about the guys we once crushed on in high school, and I hope my daughter can look back and do the same – with laughter and humor about it.

There is one really good young man at the school that I wouldn’t mind my daughter dating.

I’ll call him “Brandon”.

Brandon has really liked my daughter since she started there in 8th grade, and every time school let out, he’d be outside yelling, “BYE, KAILANI!” – so loud – that everyone heard him and looked at him. Daily. It was the cutest thing and I’d tell her, “Say bye to that boy!”. She never wanted to. 🤣

He still likes her. He still talks to her. I still wish she’d give him a chance.

A few days ago, when she was telling me about this boy she likes – dating her old good friend now, she looked up at the sky and said, “God, if you have another guy up there who is good and will treat me right, please send him my way!”. I laughed and told her, “HE DID!!! YOU KEEP FRIEND ZONING HIM!”.

(I was talking about Brandon).

She’s 17. She’s allowed to date now, as long as it’s the right kind of boy and he treats her right, but I’m also not in a hurry for her to date, and I told her to make sure that her graduation is her main focus. She’s a great kid, and she has all her credits so far, and she’s so close to finishing the last ones she needs – so, I’m not worried. Still, I want her to make dating a last priority.

In other news –

We’re almost through the holidays and Christmas will be here soon.

I’ve been finishing up Christmas shopping for the kids. I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m doing for dinner Christmas day. I’ve been trying to get cute little goody bags together for Elijah’s class and putting together gifts for his teacher. I’ve been trying to save for and plan a trip back home to Illinois for Christmas to see my aunt and uncle, and possibly one of my cousins, his wife and son – at the end of this month.

I can’t wait until Christmas is over and I can sit down with a glass or two of wine – relax and wait until New Years eve to get this year over with.

I’m counting down the days until we can pack up the moving truck, turn over the keys to the apartment we’re in now, and leave this small town.

Will we miss it? Sure. It’s been home for the last 5 years, but it’s not really “home”. Illinois is.

While we don’t want to move back to Chicago, we’ve been looking at some places at lease closer to it.

Closer to civilization, more varieties of stores and food places. Closer to friends and family we left behind when we moved to Minnesota years ago.

I’ve been looking for houses in Wisconsin – close to the Illinois border, and some houses in the suburbs of Illinois.

I think when we move, I’ll most miss the very little traffic we have here. I’ll miss the amazing people I’ve met here in Minnesota. I’ll miss going to have coffee with one of my good friends who I’ve become close to here. I’ll miss the school for sure and everyone in it.

I’ll miss the residents I have gotten close to in the facility I work in.

I’ll miss the beautiful night sky that shows the stars so brightly because there’s no tall buildings and no streetlights to stop them from shining brightly.

I’ll miss all the beautiful lakes.

I’ll miss all the good times we had in this apartment and around Minnesota.

So, yes – I’ll miss this place, but I’m also okay if I never see it again. ha.

I won’t miss how gossip spreads so fast here and how everyone is in each other’s business.

I won’t miss the lack of food spots, or stores. The dead mall where nobody goes anymore.

I won’t miss the 30-minute drives to the nearest bigger city and home, or how everything is miles or hours away.

I won’t miss struggling to not hit the deer on super dark roads with no lights at night.

I won’t miss the snow that falls in October sometimes.

I won’t miss the -30, -45-degree weather.

I won’t miss this building I live in, and all the craziness that comes with it.

I will miss the fact that this is the last place I saw my oldest child alive and well, but other than the things I will miss here – I’m ready to get the hell out of here once my youngest daughter graduates.

ESPECIALLY – for a better chance at my dream career.

I’ve been looking and I’ve found some amazing houses – but who knows if they’ll be available when I’m ready? Part of me wants to try to buy a house in early February / March, so when we’re ready to move, we have somewhere set already, but part of me can’t afford rent and a mortgage.

This economy has me walking around like:

haha.

Seriously though – part of me feels like I need to start investing in something, and part of me feels like this economy is NOT “single mama friendly”.

I trust God, and his plan and that’s all I can do.

Ah. I just felt like writing tonight, and I’m about to head to bed because it’s only 8:30, but this mama is tired.

Maybe I’ll go finish reading CAUGHT UP.

If you haven’t read that book yet, it’s great, but you have to read – (LIGHTS OUT) – first, so you can understand (CAUGHT UP) and the relationships between the characters. Both books are by the amazing author “NAVESSA ALLEN”. ❤️ I’ll write about them as soon as I finish Caught up. I’m in the middle of it, and just haven’t had the time to finish because I’m always at work, or running errands, etc.

I just found out from a friend that Navessa now has a 3rd book, “GAME ON!”. Hold on girl. Let me get through the 2nd book. 😁

I like to buy and read books off of Kindle. It’s just easier.

So, let me sign off for the night, open my phone and try to finish this book.

I love you all. Stay warm if it’s cold where you are. Be safe. Behave, and Goodnight.

❤️Shel❤️