Keeping Sane in Chaos

Two posts in a night?! What is that Ornery Dame up to?

Life has been off the hook crazy over the last few weeks and our hectic schedule has got me thinking about my own sanity. It is time for me to make a few changes. Some have already been in the works, but others are new, and some are yet to come.

• I need to free my life of unnecessary drama. Some people make me crazy. Really, it is on me for letting them affect me so negatively, but if I remove myself from the situations, it eliminates some of the crazy. Prime example: I deleted Larry’s ex from my Facebook friends list and already feel better. I deleted people that air out a lot of their drama and I hid people that post political crap that drives me crazy.
• I have asked Larry to move out. We are just not able to blend our families successfully and I am miserable because of it. Things will only get worse the longer we wait; especially with Alvin wanting to live with his father.
• It is time to re-evaluate my spending. This girl has got to get back into a budget! First up, my cell phone bill is off the hook-shopping for new providers this weekend.
• Meal plan! It is amazing how much better I feel when I have a plan for what we will have for dinner daily. Preparing warm up breakfasts is an amazing time saver and keeps me from hearing kids complain about nothing to eat. And, finally, I need to keep lots of snacky things on hand for lunches and, well, snacks.
• Make time for studying! This semester, I am taking two classes. So far, I have worked out the following schedule: I get up early during the week to do my virtual gym class. I read on my lunch breaks and sit down to work out math problems after the kids climb in bed.
• Find ways to vent. Last week, I went out to sing karaoke with one of my oldest and dearest friends. Tonight, I went crazy cheering for our football team. Frankly, it was awesome.
• Blog more. This has been on my mind a while. It is time for some changes. It is time for more posts and more of the real me. Confession time: names have previously been changed to protect the innocent. I originally renamed many of the people in my life: my kids, my boyfriend, his kid, and our families. I am kind of over it. I will not be changing everyone; I prefer not to cause drama with Larry and the ex. But my family and my kids will be the real deal. Added bonus for a somewhat full disclosure; I can post more pics and let you all see more of my real life!

Now is a great time for some of the changes that need to take place. This three day weekend will allow me to catch up around the house, shop, organize, and next week will be a better one.

Bad Parenting-Marching Band Edition

Tonight was the start of our football season. In my world, that is a big deal. I am a devoted band mom and rarely miss a game. I love to see my daughter out on the field. I love to witness the progression that takes place as they move through the season perfecting their show. It is pretty darn awesome.

This year brought with it a new crop of marchers. I was surprised to find a familiar face in the new crop of kids, but an old friend’s son joined the ranks.

I guess I should back up a step or two. This friend is someone I knew when I was married. He was the best friend of my ex, my children’s father. I left years ago when I wanted away from drama, alcohol, and drugs. I walked out the door and left behind many of our mutual friends. I have run into a few from time to time and will be cordial, but that is about it.

Seeing this kid had me a little worried about what the season would hold. I really prefer not to hang out with my old friend any more than necessary, but hate to be rude as well. I like my distance from our past life and have worked hard to provide a good life for my kids. Unfortunately for my old friend and his kid, he never seemed to want to change and from what I can tell has put his own desires in front of being the parent his kid deserves. I prefer not to witness it.

Back to tonight, I really didn’t give it a lot of thought initially, but I did not see my old friend. I did not see any of his family which is surprising as the grandmother tends to be very involved. With the hustle and bustle of everything, I just assumed I had missed them somehow. It was not until after the game that my daughter said something about the situation.

My very intuitive fourteen year old noticed that something was wrong with her bandmate. She said he was crying and that she saw him cry on more than one occasion because his dad did not bother to show up for their show. She said that she did not like the boy’s dad and that he is a “terrible parent.”

My heart breaks for the boy. He deserves better than to be constantly disappointed by the only parent he has. I thought about speaking to the grandmother, but I doubt it would do any good. I almost messaged the dad, but I would probably make matters worse.

He doesn’t know me and, despite my charm and good graces, I doubt he would let me take him under my wing at 16 years of age. But, I want this boy to have some family present at the home games. My plan, I am going to message the dad and grandma prior to the game and let them know what is going on. I am going to ask if they are going. Not knowing will not be an excuse. Unfortunately, I cannot do much more than that.

Our next home game is next week. There is a tailgate beforehand. Here’s to hoping the kid has a much better Friday next week.

Making Progress

Love when I feel like things are moving in the right direction. I had the best weekend for getting things accomplished. I know it was only last week that I posted about all of the projects I had going on, and I still have quite a few things that I want to do, but I feel like an update is due given everything that was completed over the weekend.

• I finished the afghan for my new nephew. I forgot to take it when I saw the little booger yesterday, but it is done!
• I got crafty with spray paint and painted some containers for the camper.
• With the kids assistance, we were able to make/freeze 12 Canadian bacon and egg English muffins, a few biscuits with egg and Canadian bacon, and a batch of chocolate chip granola bars
• We switched out Jeanette’s small chest of drawers with a larger one that we had in the attic for more drawer space
• Kids assisted with laundry, ironing, and cleaning of the family room
• And overall straightening and cleaning of the casa (not that anyone can really tell now)

Overall, it was not a bad weekend. Still lots to be done before school starts again, but we are definitely making progress!