Welcome to the Shit Show!

I'm trying to live a more honest and authentic life. So, in that vein, I'm going to share on social media that not everyday is a great day filled with fantastic pictures and activities. In fact, today, has been a real shit show already. It's been overwhelming, and infuriating, and one of those days that I just want to give up and spend my day watching trashy Netflix movies and eating caramel corn. I got one kid up early, forgetting that it was a late arrival day...oops. Then that same kid was having some serious oppositional behavior. The other one was in a good mood, thank God, but said an off-handed comment that made me cry. I have a person at work that, at times, I would really like to just send them a serious sharp-ass email to, reducing them to a quivering puddle of insecurity, but I don't, because it's not professional, and I'm sort of an adult. Mom's still got cancer, and I still never have enough money to live the lavish lifestyle I feel in my soul I'm supposed to be living. And, well, my better eating habits have gone off the rails and I feel a lot of shame there. I will get there again, but today is, CLEARLY, not that day.

There's a bunch of other little things that just add up to a shitty day. So lest you think my life is right on track, and if you do, you probably don't know me well, well now you know the truth. I'm a mess. I'll get through this day and on towards another one tomorrow.

*graphic used from Walmart website, Island Dogs sign. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Welcome-To-The-Shit-Show-LED-Lighted-Sign-Office-Living-Room-Or-Man-Cave/768486537

Return to Football

 While Joe did have a couple of games of football last year, they seemed more conciliatory in nature. This year there is a real excitement about the season.

Last night Joe had a demonstration game. First, he took his senior football pictures.  Including some with Jon and I, and some with his friends.

 August 19, 2021

Chicago Botanical Gardens

 

Jocelyn and I spent a lovely Sunday in July at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  We had been there once before with Mom for Mother’s Day, but we weren’t able to see everything.  This time more things were open including the greenhouses, both tropical and dessert, and the butterfly exhibit.

These one to one moments with her are so precious.

My Superhero!

I loved how the water pooled in the heart of this plant, soaking into the inner, spongy, heart.

Very rare Ghost Orchid.  Only one in the whole garden, displayed in the case shown below.  It was tiny, about the size of my thumb.

I've seen lots of cactus flowers in my life, being from Arizona, but these were just so vibrant and colorful.  They almost looked fake.

Joci really loved being our navigator for the day.  Grandpa would be proud how well she read the map.

My beautiful, precious girl.  Always so many smiles!

We thought these were amazing.  They were dense and furry like a soft coral that had been flocked.

Loved how the dew on these leaves looked like rhinestones sewn onto the edges.

I loved this spot in the gardens.  The way the arch looked out onto the lake.  I could spend some serious time there.  If I could I would hang a hammock, grab a book, and spend the day napping and reading.

Next to the butterfly garden there was a little 'river' that the kids were running around in.  By the end of the day, Joci and I decided to soak our sore feet in the cool water and hang out in the shade.  It ended up being one of our favorite parts.