Bottoms Up!

 I found it wonderfully ironic that we sat at a table with four kids, and the only person to spill their drink was Pop. The humor of the moment doubled the next day—there we were, gathered on the lobby floor of the Oklahoma convention center, and Pop managed to up the ante by spilling a bottle of water right under his butt!

Lolly Got Roasted

My grandkid absolutely roasted me today, and honestly, it was hilarious. We were out at a restaurant in Midtown for a family dinner when my grandkid decided to become a stand-up comedian. The conversation had turned to cars—specifically Matthew’s shiny new ride. Naturally, that spiraled into everyone dreaming out loud about their ideal car. When it was my turn, I said I’d love another Expedition (my personal favorite, for the record). But I added that I’d want the third row, because, I do a lot of stuff with the grandkids....

Cue Wakely, interrupting mid-sentence, with maximum dramatic flair, “NOT ME!” I just blinked at her, trying to process the burn, before sputtering out, “Uh, you live TWO hours away ya dork!” (And yes, the capitals were necessary—you have to get the tone right here). Everyone laughed and Wakely smirked at me... Actually smirked!

The funniest part? When Wakely does visit, that’s exactly when I need the extra row! She always wants to do things with all her girl cousins. Guess she’s just keeping me honest, even from two hours down the road!

Gypsy & the Beast

Being married is hard work! Trust me, I know—I’ve been doing it for 30 years, and sometimes I’m just done. (Seriously, where’s my gold medal?) Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband, but I’m a free-spirited gypsy soul at heart. I thrive on quiet moments alone, spontaneous adventures, and creative whims. And nothing kills the vibe faster than feeling like I have to operate under someone else’s “laws.”

Dictatorship? Not in this house!

Every now and then, I have to (lovingly) remind my husband of that. I’ll say something like, “Hey babe, just a heads-up—I’m not building an empire here, I’m painting with watercolors and making up song lyrics in my head. So, maybe don’t stifle the creative flow, okay??”

Marriage is about compromise, but I draw the line at losing my spark. And sure, some days it’s frustrating, but other days, it’s just flat-out hilarious. After all, who knew a gypsy heart and a rule-follower could make it work for three decades—mostly laughing, occasionally eye-rolling, and sometimes hiding in completely different rooms?

But hey, that’s the beauty of love—it’s messy, hilarious, and just a little exhausting. Cheers to 30 years of figuring it out, one gypsy-soul tantrum at a time.

Is That Me Now?

If social media platforms had family roles, it would definitely be the slightly unhinged aunt who brings chaos to Thanksgiving dinner.

I scroll through my feed, see familiar faces, and suddenly think, Whoa, that’s my classmate?! They look like they could’ve been my parents in high school! Then it hits me like a poorly filtered selfie—I’m the same age as them.

GASP! If they look like my parents did back then… does that mean I do too? NO. Surely not. I’m still in my 20s… right?

RIGHT?!

Afraid not! Reality sets in.... One would think being the Grandmother of 11 kids would keep me in the know.... Sigh* I feel portrayed.

So now, I’ve made the executive decision to avoid mirrors for the remainder of the day—solely to protect my fragile sanity. Thanks a lot, Facebook. You win this round. 🙃

Growing Older, One Ache at a Time (With a Side of Humor)

If you’re anything like me, life can feel a little heavier some days. But here’s the thing—keep moving. That’s the secret, right? Most of us aren't thriving in some perfectly curated life; we're navigating the twists and turns, stumbling and standing, one step at a time.

There are moments, though, when life reminds you that you’re not made of rubber anymore—like when your shoulder aches and doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it used to. Or when a little trip leaves you hurting in places you didn’t even touch on the way down (seriously, how is that even fair?). Suddenly, grabbing that seatbelt to strap on takes a yoga pose you don't possess, and finding a simple word or a friend's name feels like chasing squirls.

Of course, your body has been your constant companion through every moment of life—every mistake, every celebration, every “I’ll take better care of myself tomorrow.” It's carried you through years of late-night snacks, questionable food choices, and plenty of moments where you knew better but just didn’t care. And now? Now it’s asking for a little love and attention, maybe a bit begrudgingly.

You might think, “Why bother now? It’s too late to start over.” But here’s the truth—it’s never too late to start showing your body some kindness. You can’t undo the years, but you can work with what you have. You can stretch more, hydrate better, savor the meals you eat, and slow down when you need to. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about learning to care for the body that’s been caring for you all these years, even when you didn’t realize it.

And sure, life’s aches and pains are reminders that we’re not invincible, but they’re also proof that we’ve lived and loved, and yes, maybe overindulged more times than we can count.

So here’s to moving forward, even when it’s a little slower… because every step is still progress. Be kind to yourself—you’ve been through a lot. And hopefully, you’ve still got so much left ahead.