Merry Christmas!

One of the best ones I've had in almost 7 years. Not because I got a lot of stuff. Not because of what I gave necessarily either. Both things happened though. 

It was great because....

...it was stress free. I could just enjoy it. Enjoy my kids. Enjoy family. Enjoy the moments. No drama. No fake shit or folks pretending to do something they didn't want to do. Genuine love. Definitely got out to see folks too so I wasn't in the house just sitting. It was good to get out. 

This is how they all should be. They may not all be this way but this definitely what I've been looking for. Comfort. Security. Stability. No super highs and super lows. Just even Life with normal issues.

Were people missed? They SURE WERE. This is the FIRST Christmas my Mama isn't here for me, even if she was sick. She's not here. I could at least call her or video chat her before and have some form of communication. Can't do that now but through.... 

Even with that, this was still a good time. Granddaughter's first Christmas where she can sort of grasp what's happening. She's running around. Opening gifts. Having fun. Playing with her new stuff and of course, the boxes. Definitely worthy memories.  

Now, to get watching some of these games this week then back to the return of my youngest daughter out of protocol. Girl is hungry and can't wait to hoop again. I look forward to her return to play as she realized how much it means to HER. Not to me. Not to her coach. Not her friends. 

HER. It was hard for her to watch from the side but safety first. No way I was sending her back out there until she was ready. She missed a few important games. Learned some lessons along the way too because even though someone else was at fault, she could make some decisions too that may keep her out of harm's way a little better. Turn that inner need to win for the big picture kind of thing. 

She's more than ready now. Should be interesting to see how things play out. Still have to play the games. Her presence was missed though. From her teammates, to opposing teams and even coaches who don't have to play her on their regular season schedule. Lots of concern about her absence. 

I'll save all the 'New Year' stuff for just that. A post about that.

Enjoy your Holidays people! 

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Intentional I am...

Intentional I'll continue to be. I am intentional when I grant access & I'm equally intentional when I deny it. 

Don't let anyone 'guilt you' into giving them access either by calling you 'arrogant'. Or telling you that you think you are special. It's a trap. Trust me. 

Know you are special, know that THEY KNOW YOU ARE SPECIAL which is why they want access and keep them cut off. Let them continue to have the access that they deserve. 

Which is none. 

Have the days you deserve and keep that kind of stuff out of your Life. 

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My Youngest Child

 I heard the words I've wanted to hear from my youngest child for a minute after a basketball game was over. 

I had SO MUCH FUN.. 

She's so good at it that people sometimes suck the fun outta the damn game for her. 

She just went and played. Let it fall where it may. 

She played great. Period. Highlight assist. Customary 3's. Handles. A little foul trouble though. Not under her control. 

That's it. That's the post. 

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Winter 'depression'.. it's dark but all is not lost!

I'm one of the many who suffer a bit once the clocks 'fall back' and the daylight gets a little scarce. It's not TOO BAD but it does happen. Some call it 'winter depression'. Some call it other things. I call it...

It sucks. 

Now, ALL DOESN'T SUCK ABOUT THIS TIME PERIOD. I just thought I'd address that part first. 

I don't 'love' the holidays but I do LIKE THEM. I don't look in envy at others at what they have. I have my own little things I do around this time of the year. I will go out and visit folks. Covid/Flu might still have me a bit cautious but I'll go out. 

Those that really know me know that this is the time of year of my favorite sport. 

Basketball. 

Been going to ALL THE GAMES. All the scrimmages. All the practices. The season already started for college, NBA and such but now the high school season is upon us. I get to see my babygirl play. 

You might see me out because I don't miss her games. I probably don't look real happy because I'm a focused parent but I promise I wouldn't miss it for the World. (And haven't.. ask around. lol) The other kids love the support too. Everyone can't make these games. I can. So I make sure I support them too and that I'm not one of those crazy parents in the crowd. 

When my last kid is done wtih playing ball, I'll be involved with it on the other side but now? I'm just enjoying the ride. All the 5 am practices are paying off. We don't have to do those anymore. We can just go to regular practice, some training EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE and go live LIFE. 

The kid is excited and focused. Grades are great. Head of her shop in school. She's got options baby! (That won't be the last time you see me type that about her. I promise.) Super proud of that kid man. She just doesn't know how proud. 

So yeah it gets dark and I 'think' I don't want to go anywhere. Then, I see the schedule, not just for her games but other games and out the door we go. 

We do ride to see 'the lights' and stuff too. I don't post much about that. I don't post much about family dinners either but those happen. Might even slip to some warm weather to escape some of this cold in the middle of all the 'seasonal depression' period. We'll see. 

December 21st STILL can't get here fast enough. The days get 'longer' with each passing day after that. Weeks after, when the games are still going on, the daylight last longer and longer. I can't wait. 

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