Easter Eggs

If you’ve noticed my recent absence from the blog, it’s not because I ran out of things to say. I just have secrets. A ridiculous, bordering-on-absurd amount of secrets.

Frankly, it’s a miracle I’ve kept my mouth shut this long. I am historically terrible at keeping things under wraps, so if I type even one wrong syllable, the floodgates will open and my highly classified information will be out in the wild.

Massive life changes are on the horizon, and things are about to look very different around here. To be honest, I’m actually a little relieved my readership isn't the size of a small country right now. I’ve been dropping subtle hints in my posts lately—think Taylor Swift-level Easter eggs, just without the stadium tours and sequined bodysuits.

So far, no one has cracked the code, which is entirely for the best. If my master plan leaked early, it would completely ruin the dramatic reveal I have playing in my head.

Big changes are coming. I absolutely cannot wait to finally spill the beans—and more importantly, to start living them. Stay tuned!

Powerful and Important!

Men don't get nearly enough credit. That's not a slight against women—it's simply an observation that's worth making.

Take construction workers, for example. They scale skyscrapers dozens of stories high, connected to the building by little more than a rope and a helmet. Most of us wouldn't last five minutes up there, yet these men show up every day to build the cities we live in.

And it doesn't stop there. For centuries, men have gone to war, sacrificed their lives, and worked grueling jobs to provide for their families and communities. Many have single-handedly put kids through college, kept a roof over their family's heads, and done so without much recognition.

There's a tendency in modern culture to undermine traditionally masculine traits—strength, protectiveness, and a natural drive to provide. But these qualities aren't flaws. They're part of what makes men such a vital part of the family unit and society at large.

None of this diminishes the role of women. Raising children, nurturing a family, and contributing to the workforce are all extraordinary things. But it takes both. Men and women each bring something unique and essential to the table, and it's only when we work together as equal partners that things truly function well.

Perhaps it's an old-fashioned view, but dismissing the value of masculinity doesn't serve anyone. Men are the backbone of many families and communities—and it's time we acknowledged that more openly.

My allergies are bad right now.

Me: when I get up and start moving around I get a headache!

Dennis: THAT’S when I get a headache!!  When you get up and start moving around! 😳

🕷️

This is the year for FAFO.

Here's something I've been thinking about lately. People tend to prioritize themselves—which is understandable. But it got me reflecting on my own position as a business owner, and whether I'm too accommodating.

As a business owner, I'm often cast as the villain. When employees can't pay their bills or feel they deserve more, I'm the first one they blame—not their own skills or work ethic. Many move from one job to the next without ever truly appreciating what an employer provides: stability, opportunity, and a paycheck.

Over the past year, I've heard more and more people talking about quitting, finding new jobs, or even retiring. There's nothing wrong with that—growth and self-improvement are important. But when someone has supported your journey, don't let them feel like their contributions meant nothing. The word I'm looking for is unappreciated.

You are not the boss of me!

   I’ve always had a low tolerance for nonsense, but lately, my patience account is officially overdrawn. I am done treating my life like a group project where I need majority approval just to spend my own money. I’ve reached that magical point where I plan to do exactly what I want, without needing to file a request form in triplicate first.

Too Many Acronyms in my Life

 I’ve officially exhausted my supply of patience for stupidity. Actually, let's be precise: I’ve lost the will to deal with people. Specifically, clients.

It’s a cruel cosmic joke that to keep my business running, I have to actually interact with the public. I’m rapidly losing the ability to feign interest. Yes, I understand the basic economic principle that clients equal income, but let's be clear: they are not my boss.

I already answer to DHS, NECPA, FACFP, and QRIS. Honestly, how many acronyms does it take to supervise a room full of toddlers? I have quite enough overlords, thank you. So, when a client approaches me with some trivial, earth-shattering complaint, I don't feel the urge to provide "service." I feel the urge to cut them loose and let them annoy someone else.

Be careful what you wish for

 "Be careful what you wish for," they say. After running a business for over three decades, I’m finally taking that advice to heart. For years, I’ve been the rock—the one who stayed put through the complaints, the threats to quit, and the walk-outs. I’m often amazed at how some people manage to pay their bills when they seem to have unlimited time to complain! Well, now it’s my turn to do the walking.

The current situation with DHS is, to put it mildly, a mess. They are tearing up the system, and I have zero desire to stick around for the fallout.

I’ve decided to seek a life that offers more meaning than just being the person everyone vents to.The DHS changes—supposedly "just until June"—are the final straw. I am officially done with the endless rules, the regulations, the office politics, and the clients who seem to think businesses run on good vibes rather than revenue. Everyone wants a deal, but "deals" don't meet payroll.

Ultimately, you have to decide who you’re going to please: your staff, your clients, or yourself. For thirty years, I put myself last. Not anymore. I’m starting a new chapter and leaving the chaos for someone else to figure out. If serving as a sounding board is my unofficial job, I should really start charging a consultation fee.

Happy Birthday Mom! You are 92 today!

Heading Back to the Coal Mine

 Tomorrow, I return to work after a seven-week hiatus. To say I have "mixed feelings" would be an understatement. On one hand, I’ve genuinely missed my staff. On the other hand, the thought of dealing with DHS again makes my inner voice scream "NO!" at a volume that is frankly unprofessional.

I have a mountain of work waiting for me, and I’m still undecided on whether I’m dreading it or looking forward to the distraction. I’ve only done the bare minimum while recovering from surgery—which is still an ongoing process, by the way—so the "to-do" list is intimidating. Naturally, I am currently managing that anxiety by procrastinating and writing this blog post instead.

I usually love to work, but I'm questioning if this is still the work I love. Running a daycare should be fun, but the bureaucracy is sucking the joy right out of the room.

However, my house is clean and the holiday chaos is packed away, so I have run out of valid excuses. It’s time to write a list and get moving. Hopefully, after a couple of weeks of catching up, I’ll have a clearer perspective on where I stand in the job market—or at least stop screaming internally.

Boys Take Over!

It was a takeover at my place tonight—Short boys edition! I swapped the girls for the boys and we went straight into party mode. First stop: the grocery store to raid the snack aisle and pick out a feast.

They battled it out on video games while I cooked, and then we all crashed for a movie. These kids are hilarious, full of energy, and absolute blasts to have around. I love it when they visit

Girl Time

Started the New Year right with some much-needed girl time! 💖 It was a blast hanging out with my grand-girls—I've missed them so much. We raided the snack cabinet, played some awesome new games, and got crafty making Valentine cards for friends and family. I'm also teaching them some classic games so the whole family can join in next time! They are growing up way too fast, so I'm soaking up every second of fun they'll give me. 🥰

A Cup of Joe that will Last All Day!

 If I warm up my coffee ONCE..... I warm it up 10 times before I drink it......  If I even drink it!  Dennis teases me when I have any procedure and can't drink anything before that I can still make coffee cause I never drink it anyway!  Today I took down my big Christmas tree that took me about 1.5 hours to do, and in that time I warmed it up 3 times and never took a drink! I even load it up with good stuff sometimes and take a drink... ONE... and then it's to the microwave over and over and over!

I will probably die of thirst with a cup of cold coffee in the next room!