Back when I worked in radio in Raleigh, there was a big wig called Phil (intentionally leaving out the last name...even though I'm still bitter...but I'm a grown up now, right?) who had a reputation in the industry for being a bit of a tyrant. I suppose nowadays we'd call him a bully, inappropriate, demeaning, … Continue reading The Church Lady
It’s not some people. It’s my kids. And I’ll use the term I try not to use because it takes away from the role I actually play - it’s my step-kids. Having never been a biological mother, I have very little business weighing in on how green that grass is. But sometimes I look over … Continue reading Some People Claim that I’m the Woman to Blame
Vacation Three. I know, right? Another trip? Seriously, Jyl, how many trips are you going on this year....? No, I get it, we were just gone a month ago for a week to Georgia. Then the kids went off to California while Rich and I had a quickie (stahp) in West Virginia. And now, North … Continue reading Three Men And A Lady
I had a birthday celebration email in my inbox from the WordPress folks - seems that it was one year ago that I signed up for the service. I've be waiting by my physical mailbox all week to see if a cake arrives. I hope it's delicious. As with all not-really-a-milestone-but-I-lean-to-the-side-of-overthinking-milestones, I’ve also spent the … Continue reading Blogiversary
In addition to the now resolved internal struggle of 'face-to-face or virtual' for Zack, we've been having a similar debate with Zoe. Well, maybe not that similar. Pandemics, protests, and riots are probably not the same as 'just' a pandemic. We shouldn't have been surprised that the road to Zoe's next step would be lined … Continue reading Despite the protests
We were sitting at hibachi last week, a late celebration of Zoe's birthday, and when the server asked her her name (for the obligatory and annual corny song by the staff ), she visibly bristled. We should have known this would happen as this birthday year, dinner included her good (hmmm....) friend (you know, friend...), … Continue reading Why I’ll never call it your dead name
I've started to continue writing the vacation journey numerous times, but I keep having to stop to pick up EVERY. DANG. EMPTY. WATER. BOTTLE. Why is this so hard? If I were the boss, cases of water wouldn't even be a thing - everyone would get two refillables and they could alternate drinking out of … Continue reading Breaking Out II
Zoe told me that she loved me today. Via text. Unsolicited. Where she actually had to think about it and use her thumbs and had a chance to backspace rather than pushing send. Not the usual drive by at bedtime that we half-heartily exchange 'Goodnight, love you, see you in the morning,' while barely hugging. … Continue reading 525,600 minutes
Life with teens: A lovely day turned into a lovely dinner OH KABOOM WE'RE HAVING AN ARGUMENT *$!@*@&$(%. What the what? Thursday: Twas the night before graduation and all through the house, every creature's disgruntled, my kid is a louse. The cap and the gown hung in the shower with care, in hopes a diploma … Continue reading A Graduation Story
I saw a meme last week that this year it seemed like we (America) got caught building on an Indian burial land. Uh, well, yeah...that does seem to make things clearer. I feel like our life-landlord is looking to our renewal contract, has better tenants in mind and is, therefore, making our lives as hellish … Continue reading 2020, Month 43
