Down South
I’m from Oklahoma but have lived in southern Louisiana for the past 21 years. My southern hospitality derives from my Oklahoma roots, but my salty language and other bad habits flourished in Louisiana. What brought me here? Stupidity. Stupidity brought me here- And love…I guess mostly love- One crazy, teachers-gone-wild spring break to New Orleans I met my husband on the not-so romantic streets of the French Quarter. Then… get this! We meet again randomly the next night! Serendipity! I was in my 20’s at the time to give this story some context. So of course, I did what any educated young girl would do, I quit my full-time teaching position in Dallas and moved…with no job, no health plan…no plan. That’s the “stupidity”- Fortunately, it all worked out! So far- Ahhh…. there’s the love-
This Life
Since then we’ve had two amazing children and the perfect life! Lol! I would love to say that’s how the story goes, but we all know that life is a roller coaster of ups and downs, love and loss, challenges and struggles, progressions and regressions. It’s also full of crazy ass hormones and menopause! It’s finite and beautiful, but frustrating, messy, and perfectly unperfect. Don’t get me wrong, I’m blessed, but shit has gone down! Alanis Morrissette best states it with her lyrics, “you live, you learn”. I KNOW I’ve done some living and have hopefully learned some things along the way.
“No Frills, A Lot of Fluff” is me… not fancy, but sometimes a little extra. Yes, much wiser than I was in my twenties, but still trying to figure it all out in my late forties. Learning how to date my husband again after a long rough patch. Learning how to raise a confident, strong 16-year-old daughter while battling conflicting ideas of what I “thought” it would be like. Trying to just keep my 14-year-old son from becoming an asshole while keeping him on the “move-out-of-the-house” path after graduation. Learning how to keep my anxiety and sanity in check along with getting my ADHD-self somewhat organized and on time! Still struggling to conquer my son’s ADHD, one minor breakdown (that would be mine…) at a time while combating ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) that likes to tag along. Learning the best products for covering gray hairs, while trying to just find some damn clothing that fits my 29-year-old mindset and my 48-year-old body! Learning….struggling….learning….struggling….repeat….