'And the clock strikes 12. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!'
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 31 Happy New Year
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 30 Baking
"Taste testers reporting for duty!"
Monday, December 29, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 29 Ice Skating
"This so wasn't a good idea"
Sunday, December 28, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 28 Ugly Sweater
"No...really...it looks great..."
Saturday, December 27, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 27 Shiver
"Ge...get me som...somethiiing warm NOOOW!"
Friday, December 26, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 26 Sledding
"UGH...they are so embarrassing!"
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 23 Gift Wrapping
"How do we always get stuck with the wrapping?"
Monday, December 22, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 21 Letter to Santa
'Dear Santa, I can explain...'
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 18 Secret Santa
"Um...gee...thanks..." (Love those holiday gift exchanges.)
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 17 Holiday Song
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 16 Stockings
'...And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...'
Monday, December 15, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 15 Mistletoe
"Come give Big Daddy a kiss under the mistletoe"
Sunday, December 14, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 14 Caroling
Spreading a little Christmas cheer.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 12 Shopping
"I promise, just one last stop."
Thursday, December 11, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 11 Greeting Cards
Keeping in touch with those that matter to us
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 10 Fireplace
The quiet before the storm
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 8 Gingerbread
"We're gonna catch the Gingerbread man!"
Sunday, December 7, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 7 Wild Card
"Hope he don't drop her..."
Saturday, December 6, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 6 Angel
"See we are cute little angels...at least in the snow."
As Life Goes: Gen. 5.5-Matthew
My first year of college went well. It took some adjusting
to get used to living in a dorm, but after about 2 months things started to
settle. My classes were a breeze, but they were only the freshman courses and I
suspected once I got into the classes dedicated to my major things would get
harder. I had decided on something basic like a business major since I’d be
running the grocery chain with Dad, both he and Mom thought that was a good
general degree.
Before I left, Dad had a talk with me to make sure taking over
the store in Riverview was really what I wanted. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t
feeling obligated to work in the family business. Truth was I hadn’t considered
any other options, I’d always assumed that what he wanted me to do. I assured
him I wanted to do this. I looked forward to taking over some of the operations
and helping grow Nature’s Way into a common household name, plus Dad was trying
to oversee all three stores. Mom helped some, but business wasn’t really that interesting
to her, she rather just keep the shelves stocked with her fruits, veggies, and
jams. Those jams were a big hit in the dorm. I made the mistake of sharing some
with my buddies and pretty soon half the floor was asking when my mom would be
sending more.
College life was fun. The stress wasn’t too bad, but when things
did get rough, working out was still a huge help.
The repetition of the
exercises helped and my buddies joked I had the cleanest room in the place. When
I’d come home on breaks, Kraig and I would still get together and hang out a
bit if he was home as well.
Dax had been stationed overseas and was loving it. Gramps
told me to make sure I was fully enjoying my college years since those were
some great years in his life. Grams reminded him that was only because he was
lucky enough to meet her. My second year passed fairly uneventful. I was taking Gramps' advice some. I did have fun, went to
parties, and dated a bit, but kept that casual.
My third year kicked off with a bang. The guys planned one hell of a welcome back party. Since we were legal, harder drinks flowed instead of just the keg. We were partying until nearly 4 am before I stumbled off to bed.
I was sleeping great until a loud scream followed
by a hard shove sent me falling to the floor.
“Who are you and what are you doing in my room?” the girl
yelled.
My head was pounding and I was still a bit groggy from last
night as I picked myself up off the floor.
“Get out!” she screamed again.
“Shh…can you not be so loud?” I groaned looking around. I
knew I was out of it last night so maybe I had wandered into the wrong room,
but as things started to focus I saw that it was my own.
“I…I’m calling campus security if you don’t get out now!”
“Um…hate to break it to ya, but you are in my room, and…” I
looked at her taking in her sleep wear which consisted of my t-shirt and a pair
of boy cut panties. I’d slept next to this all night and not known?! “You’re wearing
my shirt,” I finished, grinning broadly.
“What? No…” she mumbled to herself looking around. The anger
she had moments ago were replaced with embarrassment.
Friday, December 5, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 5 Lights
Celebrating the lights of the season.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 4 Hot Cocoa
Nothing better than a story and a cup of warm cocoa!
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 3 Winter Wonderland
The place wishes can come true
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 2 Decorations
We're gonna win best decorations this year!
Monday, December 1, 2014
2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 1 Christmas Tree
Just like the Halloween challenge, RWN is doing a Christmas (or whatever ever holiday you celebrate) photo challenge. For the next 31 days, I'll be posting some festive picture based off the word prompt.
Continue Reading: "2014 Christmas Challenge: Day 1 Christmas Tree"
We're gonna get the biggest one!
Sunday, November 30, 2014
As Life Goes: Gen. 5.4-Matthew
The next day Mom spent a lot of time out with her plants. She had broken down into tears when Dad got home after his attempted talk with Claudia’s mom. He said her mind was made up and that she wouldn’t let her daughter’s life be ruined by some ‘careless fuck-up’. Dad tried to tell them that we would take the baby, but Claudia refused to be 'fat and ugly'. I needed focus. I needed order. Counting wasn’t even helping. I was restless the whole day. I constantly checked the sinks making sure there were no leaks. I cleaned everything.
I brushed Vor, twelve strokes on one side followed by twelve
on the other. Kraig and Dax had both been calling and texting me, but I didn’t
respond. Around 5 I got one from her: It’s
done. I sat and stared at it. Why did she send that? It was bad enough she
was getting done, but to text me? Frustrated I got up, and changed quickly.
“Where are you going?” Dad asked.
“I need out for a bit. Going for a run.” I left before he
could say anything.
I ran hoping the air would clear my head. I kept going over
that fight with her, her hateful words replayed in my head. “Someone old and rich…having a brat…” I
pushed myself harder as I ran, counting each stride. I cared about her. I was
her friend, her shoulder to cry on. I’d let her talk me into all sorts of
things because I loved her. I was stupid, everyone tried to tell me she was bad
news, a user, even Uncle Carter and Grandpa Davis told me I shouldn’t get so
serious at such a young age but did I listen? No!
My pace picked up…seventy-three,
seventy-four, seventy-five…I can’t believe I was so blinded by her. How
could I not have seen what kind of person she really was?!...eighty-two, eighty-three… I kept
running, my legs started to burn but I didn’t care. It’s done…the text popped into my head. I’d found out I was going
to be a father, then lost that child in a space of twenty-four hours. “I don’t want it…” eighty-seven, eighty-eight...
I was only 17, was I really ready to be a father? Sure my parents would have been supportive and helped, but that would have been a major alteration to my life. I could have done it. I have family, lots of family. How could she just not give me a say? How was that fair? “…the manner I require…” She was nothing more than a user, an opportunist. She wanted the easy way. To marry some rich old guy and live the life of luxury. I stopped running once I reached the cove.
I was only 17, was I really ready to be a father? Sure my parents would have been supportive and helped, but that would have been a major alteration to my life. I could have done it. I have family, lots of family. How could she just not give me a say? How was that fair? “…the manner I require…” She was nothing more than a user, an opportunist. She wanted the easy way. To marry some rich old guy and live the life of luxury. I stopped running once I reached the cove.
“She doesn’t know,” I said out loud trying to catch my
breath. Laughter over took me. Claudia wanted a rich guy that would spoil her but she didn't know that's what she already had. A girl like her was not someone I needed to have in my life, or my family's life. I hated that this whole situation made my mother so sad. I wished I could go back and listen to their warnings, or not lied to my parents to spend so much time with her. There were many things I would change if I could, but unfortunately I couldn't.
The rest of the weekend I spent being extra nice to Mom. I
helped in the garden watched those cheesy romantic comedy movies with her. I
felt bad for how upset she still was. She'd be fine during the day, but I'd hear her crying in her room at night.
Claudia’s decision upset me, but I was more pissed off at how it affected my
mother. I had my role in the situation, I knew that, and I was going to do my
best to make up for it. I could do that by spending more time with her and making sure she, and Dad knew how much I appreciated them.
I thought I was ready to face Claudia until Monday rolled
around. I made my bed, making sure there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight. Brushed my
teeth, counting to make sure I did an even number of strokes, then I checked
the sink to make sure it was shut off tightly. Mom and Dad noticed I was
distracted at breakfast and offered to let me stay home if I needed to, but I
declined. I’d done nothing wrong. I could face her. I picked up Kraig and Dax
and talking to them kept my mind off her temporarily. Dax was telling me he was
glad I’d finally broke up with her. I’d not told them why, it was bad enough
nothing was kept quiet in the family.
Mom never used the family’s status to do things, but she’d
called Grandpa to see if he could do anything to stop Claudia. He was angry, but
there simply wasn’t enough time to try, he’d said if she’d given us more notice
we could have taken her to court possibly. I hadn’t been sure if I wanted to
deal with all of that anyway, especially knowing the kind of person she really
was. As painful as it was to admit it, but her rash decision was for the best. I’d never say that out loud to Mom though.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
As Life Goes: Gen. 5.3-Matthew
***SENSITIVE ISSUE CHAPTER***
The start of my junior year. Dad taught me to drive and Grandpa bought me a new car the day I got my license. Mom and Dad weren’t all that happy about it. They’d got me a little scooter to use, but I couldn’t take Claudia out in that, and what happened on rainy days. They couldn’t deny that logic.
I still hung out with Dax and Kraig. I was the first one to
get a car so they were just as excited as I was. Not that not having a car
stopped us. One of the parents would drive me into town when I needed. At times
I kinda wished we didn’t live so far away from everything, but the idea of
moving freaked me out a bit. I was already preparing myself a year in advance
for college. When we toured Bay University, I’d originally wanted to rent an
apartment. I wasn’t really keen on staying in the dorms, but they did have
co-ed dorms so that was a plus.
Claudia and I were still dating, exclusively dating, for the
past few months. She would come over and we’d do homework and such together. My
courses seem to come easier to me this year and I was acing nearly all of them.
Claudia struggled a bit so I was happy to help when I could. We no longer had
many classes together, since I bumped up to the more advanced levels. The only
class we did have was History but luckily we still had the same lunch period. Mom
had warmed up to her and by warmed up, stopped asking me if we were still
dating on a weekly basis. Claudia was funny and a blast to hang around. Hell,
even Dax and Kraig stopped giving me as much shit about her when they realized
she was a big a prankster as the three of us.
When we wanted ‘alone’ time we usually hung out at her
house. My parents didn’t know how much her mom wasn’t home. I didn’t like lying
to them so I’d tell them we were meeting up at the library or something, which
wouldn’t be a total untruth. We just didn’t stay there long.
Junior prom was approaching. Claudia told me no at first.
She wasn’t into all those sorts of traditions and thought they were kinda
stupid. Then she said she couldn’t go because her mom wouldn’t give her money
for a dress. Claudia told me it was because her father hadn’t paid his child
support in a while and her mom was pissed. For some reason that woman wanted to
punish Claudia for her dad’s actions. I thought that was unfair. I’d only met
her mom once or twice in the two years I’d know Claudia. I came from such a close
knit family seeing how different Claudia’s was, I had a hard time wrapping my
head around it. My family did things for the holidays we were always together
if we could be. Sometimes Aunt Hope and Uncle Caleb came out other times we’d
go to Aurora Skies to be with them. Since I felt bad Claudia didn’t want to go
with me because she wouldn’t have a dress I decided to take her shopping since
I’d just gotten paid. I never did much with the money I earned from the store
anyway and so I had most of it saved in an account Dad made me open. He was big
on teaching me financial responsibility.
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