What happens when you’ve gone to the same church all your life but then life happened and now you don’t feel it’s home. You feel a sense of guilt for not attending but it almost causes you more stress and anxiety just going. You’re not spiritually getting filled anymore. You want your child raised in church but know that them receiving their pre-k education in a faith based realm is also beneficial. Sure, this is all anxiety speaking but if I’m getting myself ready on my day off, I want to leave feeling refreshed and learned something new. It’s nothing against the pastor by any means. In fact, I feel guilty that he could even think that we don’t attend because of him.

In whomevers defense, this all started when I was pregnant, 5 years ago. I was sick every single day and of course I had to go to work but on Sunday, my day off; I could be sick at home and not lose PTO days. Then you have a traumatic birth and your favorite person who you got the most joy of seeing Sunday morning passes and it’s just not the same. Sure a person, a physical human shouldn’t be your why for attending a church but it sure can help. Heck, it’s almost crazy to think I used to show up to church and even teach Sunday school after going out the night before. Why.. because I’m human! Growing up, if we had a soccer or softball game, we’d go to church even for just 20 minutes in our uniform and then leave for the game to do best of both worlds. I remember growing up in youth group and absolutely loved it. I hope for Bennett to do the same somewhere. I recall not having a Sunday school in my young adult life so I joined the one my parents went to and really enjoyed it. However, after some time I was asked to teach younger kiddos in Sunday School. Of course I helped, but deep down I didn’t love it. Selfishly I wanted to attend my own class, even if I was the youngest who attended it. Years of helping with VBS, that eventually became a chore than a joy.

You know what else is hard about going back to the church you used to faithfully attend is the happy medium of your interactions with the congregation. If you have anxiety, then the people kindly saying how it’s good to see you will cause you complete embarrassment but then again if someone doesn’t greet you, you can’t help but to feel that you weren’t important enough to be in attendance there.

Then, you try out a couple other churches. One where your kids pre-k is and one where your mother in law attends. I’m sure those churches want a young family to join them regularly but I also don’t like the pressure from it either. That’s a lot of responsibility to commit to something you’re not sure on. Where’s the happy medium? Heck; what even is the happy medium? You want to try out other churches and might even scope them out online some, thanks to COVID putting that option out there, but you know your going to be sick to your stomach the whole time your trying to enter the doors of the new church to “sample” it.

No church is perfect, but I can’t help but to judge every little detail when in attendance. Again, I’m human. If there’s too many pop songs.. no thanks. If not one single person greeted you.. last time there. Were you overly greeted.. they must be desperate. Do they do weird chants that don’t seem like something you believe in.. pass! How about how the people are almost too happy, cult like.. oof! Are they quick to judge your energetic kid – dueces!

Why is finding a church so hard? Sure you can ask around, get genuine info from your friends and family but it’s different for everyone. Plus it’s really no different than when people make a fb post asking who the best doctor in the area is. So often people put a name but don’t actually give out the reasons of why they like them so much. You know.. I’m very picky on what I purchase, who I see, my reasoning for choices. For example; where Bennett attends daycare and preschool, why I buy certain brands to eat, how I decided what purse to carry, why we don’t have a truck yet, why we’ve yet to move, etc – surely you get the picture now.

Ohhh let’s rewind.. while you can’t find a home church, you explore different small groups and let me tell you.. you sure do learn a lot about different denominations while doing so. I really never thought they were that different from each other and it’s hard to determine what is right versus wrong. The first small group I ever attended was what I call my reasoning for needing grief therapy after my grandma had passed. I absolutely loved it and the people in it. I still have some relationships from it. However, from this group and gaining closer bonds, I learned of some things that I just don’t agree with and for that, well.. you get the picture. I then attend another one via a Baptist church and loved how they ran things and the fellowship that was had, but sometimes friendships change so you don’t attend anymore. Then, you try a new church’s small group and love it for weeks, but you eventually get a belief pushed down your throat and as though shamed for doing so and the rest of that is history.

You know small groups are truly a great way to meet new people, hear new views, “test drive” different churches but most importantly (to me), you can learn while asking questions versus sitting and hearing a sermon with no way to really intervene. It’s like Sunday school but better because you get a ton of real life scenarios. You gain and grow spiritually and mentally. Some may say small groups should come after you’ve been attending a church for a while, but personally I like small groups better.

All in all, I’m not sure what I’m trying to get at. Besides the fact that I love putting my thoughts into writing and words. I’m soo not against church, maybe I just haven’t found the right one for me and my family. Maybe I want to see what other small groups are out there? I ran a small group for a year not long ago actually. It was a Bible Journaling group and I absolutely loved it but it was kind of a lot of pressure when you didn’t have any curriculum to go off of or the fear of people not showing up.

New thought.. what about those who put church over their family? That’s hard for me. Church/God is there 24/7, your family is not always going to be here.

Random thoughts for churches.. you want to get church goers involved, especially the young families. But you also can’t push too hard. It’s such a delicate situation. Why is church hard sometimes? I see these tiktoks of people doing church in homes and families come to them just fellowshipping and worshipping but who here has the house size to start that? And, when something that cool happens, it grows and it’ll grow fast and then you’re losing the simplicity of it.

So, if you’ve gotten to this part of the blog, don’t worry.. I still love and believe in God. I want the best for my kid and family and their walk in faith. I’m not searching for you to feel sorry for me or to say you’ll be praying. I just enjoy blogging my thoughts and sharing with others as maybe, just maybe.. it’ll resonate with someone else too.

Hi everyone!

Unfortunately, there’s not much to say compared to year’s past. Sure, a lot has happened that I’ll update you on, but it’s nothing to really go into detail about (LOL), so I’ll do some bullet points with pictures 🙂 ENJOY!

• Bennett started daycare at Ms. Erica’s and recently transitioned to her brand new facility
• Bennett also started preschool at Central Christian Preschool, twice/week
• In January we purchased a 2-bay horse trailer that is now a mobile bar, we call her Tenleigh’s
• Daniel continues to wheel & deal sports cards. Be sure to follow him at the following: TikTok: @feefers_sportscards Instagram: @feefersportscards Ebay: desry2012
• I don’t believe I’ve done any Instacart with ALDI this year, but plan to over Christmas break
• I am now in my 2nd year of teaching 6th grade Special Education at the Moberly Middle School
• Daniel is on his 20th year with Butler Supply now
• Ethan lives in Columbia with a great group of guys while attending MU for his degree along the lines of being an Athletic Director
• A couple nights/week, Ethan scrimmages with the MU girls basketball team
• Ethan continues to work at Murry’s, is an intern for the MU Athletic Business Office and occassionally still works for John Orscheln and the Claysville Store
• Grandma Dorothy passed this year and we are getting ready to go through some of her favorite holidays without her for the first time.
• I started my Masters in Special Education through Grand Canyon University and I intend to graduate in October 2023
• It seemed we had more family pictures this year than we ever have (Bar pictures, surprise pictures with Marilyn, and the hot cocoa bar photo shoot)
• Bennett turns 4 on January 16th and Ethan turns 20 on January 5th
• Hennifer passed this year and Bennett still talks about it. We don’t know what happened, but the rest of the chickens are doing well, even if the heat got to OG a little bit.
• Still no deer yet, dangit!

For next year.. I’m hoping we have tons of bookings with the bar, lose weight, save money, and build our greenhouse out of windows.

In conclusion, if you’ve read this “card”, I would highly appreciate you guys following Daniel on his social handles and inviting all your facebook friends (and others) to follow us on the Tenleigh’s facebook account. As always, prayers are great and beneficial – helps make the world go round!

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!

Running a business is hard.  Sure, it’s enjoyable, but whew!  It’s a lot!  Last night I spent about 3 hours doing the books.  You know… Logging receipts.  Balancing the checkbook. Comparing profits of events for the year vs. hot cocoa bars.  Seeing how much hot cocoa bar supplies were against the profit.  Running W-9’s.  Seeing what events to do again next year.  Emails.  And so much more!  You begin questioning yourself if it’s worth it.  I’m sure the outside looking in seems like having a mobile bar is easy.  You know, you just drive up and it’s set – unfortunately, that’s not the case at all.  Curios as to what we have to do for every event and this is just what I can remember off the top of my head while typing this (see below).  At this time in our business adventure, I can’t imagine running everything for a bigger cooperation and then adding paid staff into it too.  No wonder things are so expensive!  It’s expensive to run a business in itself.  When I purchase something (especially small scale like a meal or coffee) all I can think of now is how much it actually cost the company versus what they made.  Cups are expensive, garnishes, napkins, and supplies are expensive.  That doesn’t even include your labor, “hourly wage” or gas. 

• Depending on the town we’re booked in, we have to make sure we have a business license there (an additional cost).  We also have to contact the Health Dept. to get inspected there.  These are very timely things with a lot of emails back & forth and/or phone calls.
• We have to calculate all our supplies to the estimated number of guests there will be and then some.
• If it’s hot drinks, then we prep everything ahead of time to make sure the drink is especially hot for you.
• You have to make sure you have at least $100 of change on you and don’t forget the square and chargers.  Making sure your phone is charged is crucial too in order to use the hot spot efficiently. 
• We like to get to an event 30 minutes to an hour before start time to make sure everything is set up accordingly.  Don’t forget the drive time to get to these places.
• Oddly enough, sometimes parking can be like a puzzle piece and then leveling the trailer to be as flat as possible.
• Making sure the trailer is spiffy clean before and after events.
• Do the social media to broadcast the event to make sure it has reached everyone possible. 
• Mix up your décor so it’s not the same at every event.
• Create and distribute invoices and contracts.
• After the event, wrap up and send follow-up emails in hopes of getting google and facebook reviews to grow your business.
• Hand out brochures in hopes of future bookings.
• Hand wash all supplies after the event – a very tedious job! 
• Find the coordinator of the event to introduce yourself face-to-face.
• Constantly think of tweaks to make in order for better serving (put shelf in where frig was to go, storage under live edge, etc.)
• Have all unknown supplies on hand in case something happens (cleaning supplies, tools, office supplies)
• Find a sitter for the event and be sure to pick him up timely even when the events run late. 

This all sounds so negative but this is just the reality.  There’s A LOT that goes into each individual event.  This doesn’t even nearly include everything that went into it during the physical build, taxes, costs, insurances, collaborating, advertising, marketing, community outreach, etc.  Sometimes I think, OK, when is this going to naturally take off.  When will it be an abundance of income or overwhelming the amount of ground we cover.  Remember, this is just the small-scale side of things we want to do.  In time, there will be an event center, more or less. 

I guess the purpose of today’s blog is all kinds of things. 

1. Blogging allows me a chance to express myself through writing.
2. This paints a picture of almost every detail that goes into owning a mobile bar and hosting events. 
3. How important it is to support small businesses.
4. The break down of everything you’re getting with us when you book with us.
5. The perks of hiring us vs. trying to do a DIY.  Trust me, we are legally covered and insured. 

Happy Monday everyone – Cheers!

Brittany Esry

#findmobilebars #mobilebars #tenleighs #tenleighloumae #communityfirst #midmissourievents #midmissouriweddings #horsetrailer #horsetrailerbar #aesthetic #photoop #entertainment #wedding #events #baronwheels #renovation #horserenovation #tenleighsmobilebar

As always, be sure to check out ALL our social handles…

Facebook : Tenleigh’s
Instagram : @tenleighloumae

TikTok : @tenleighloumae

Email : tenleighloumae@gmail.com

Phone : 660.651.1671

Website : http://www.tenleighs.com

Pinterest : Tenleigh Lou Mae’s Mobile Bar LLC

Please be mindful as I’ve wanted to blog for MONTHS now but haven’t got around to it. All my drafts weren’t interesting enough to post publicly so this is what’s been on my mind a lot lately and what I went with. The downfall to it is that it may seem out of order but remember.. a lot of this are my thoughts and feelings and don’t forget that I live a life of anxiety (off all meds since Fall 2021 though – YAY!), depression and other medical diagnosis that is besides the point.. anyways, enjoy!

On 2/8/22, I sent Daniel the following list via text as I was feeling helpless, lost, overwhelmed and just kind of begging for an escape of hope and help… (see below).  Today, I feel so much better but maybe that’s only because my to-do list is pretty well taken care of.

“I got so much on my plate I’m struggling to prioritize…

– do instacart for more money

– get an LLC

– post about Tenleigh’s to gain followers and potential customers 

– study for this test I know nothing about and then take said test and stress I won’t pass and waste money 

– they need a coach for Bennett’s soccer team 

– eat healthy 

– use blackstone that I have researched for so long and now just sits there unused and no food to use on it bc we’re poor 

– prepare for this interview 

– find money for a dryer 

– keep house clean 

– go walk to get in routine 

– Bible journaling”

And then… there’s this.. a list of all new things and changes I’ve made in the last year. à (not even a year as the majority of this all happened in August 2021.. bless that month’s soul!)

1.      Leaving a career I thought would be my forever (I had more to say but God nudged me to delete it).

2. Getting a new job completely last minute that paid about $16K less than what I was making, as I put in my prior job’s notice before having a job to fall back on to. If you know me and how much of a planner I am then you should be able to put the pieces together that something is off there 😉

3.      Starting a Bible Journaling class held at my church, monthly. 

4.      Getting new placement for Bennett.

5.      Bought a horse trailer in January 2022 to start a business.

6.      Have a chicken coop up and running now. 

7.      Now, gathering windows to get a greenhouse built

And that’s not even all.. I plan to discontinue from some clubs and change some financial advisors around too.  I mean, if these people and entities won’t talk to you in public then why continue serving them?  Probably my new found motto…

Moving forward, life is hard, like legit HARD!

Currently I’m trying to take it step by step, day by day.  Sure, that sounds cheesy and easier said than done but for example.. I’m only eating when my body feels hungry.  I already feel more energized!  Yes, this is new but I do hope it sticks.  I’m thinking more before I speak, like texting someone… am I wanting to say what I want to say because of pride orr what will I get from it? Ya know..

Today, someone on facebook shared the following plagiarized poem and it spoke to me…

“Quit trying to fit the mold of society.

That’s what losers do.

Be the person who turns heads…

Be the person who acts and thinks independently…

Be the person who bleeds authenticity…

Life gets much better when you break free from society’s standards and expectations…

Just let it rip.

Do the best you can.

Go hard as you can.

Admit when you mess up and move forward.

Everything else will work itself out”.

-Andy Frisella (edited)

This poem is truly what I try to do all the time.  Sometimes I think that’s why all my haters don’t like me.  I like being weird. I’m trying to find myself even. What’s that mean? Soo many things.. what are my hobbies, what do I want to focus on, what “look” do I want.. what clothing style is mine.  Ya know?!  Like I love comfy, but I want cute and functional but I want to slim my body down with my clothes yet be eclectic.  I’ve come to learn that my clothes aren’t matching my personality, yet, but they will soon!  I like a little rustic with comfort yet different from others in a hippy sense but not so hippy.  Like I wish my thighs would fit overalls well because dang I’d be cute.  I think deep down I’ve always been this way but now I want to live it, not just feel it.  Now if only I could afford all those funky, eclectic beautiful pieces! 

Newish Subject Area: Soon you’ll see a Tenleigh’s facebook post on the “why” for our mobile bar and it’s simple.. look at my list above… why not?!  Seriously, why not.  I get overly fixated of only having one physical life on earth and it just baffles me that all these people have dreams, hopes and desires and yet they let money stand in the way, feelings, family, etc. NOW is the time to live it.  We’re not given another life.  I’m all about making memories with my family and friends and this is just that.. memories!  Sure, Heaven will be amazing but live the life you have right now.  Stop being miserable! You have a job you hate?!  Do something about it and figure it out.. stop living that life!  You have friends who are toxic?.. find a plan/way to politely remove them.  You have goals you want to reach? Start now.. why wait for tomorrow.  What’s your aim?  What’s your fixation?  Are you chasing something?  I am.  It doesn’t mean it’s always a good thing but I’m always wanting more. I’m never satisfied, especially in my professional life.

What else have I learned about myself within this past year? Wow.. so much.. so much so that I started making a list in my notes on my phone and it goes like this..

Fun Facts About Me:

1.    I have my conceal & carry license 

2.    I love to swim (be in water)

3.    I want to master the piano, never have fully completed lessons though 

4.    I want to ride horses

5.    One of my favorite hobbies is trout fishing 

6.    I can turn my tongue into the shape of a clover 

7. I love political/hierarchy stuff like Sarah Palin, Trump and Princess Diana

8. I want to learn to can and be a homesteader

• I’m impulsive
• I’m tough on the outside and mean it but really my anxiety and undiagnosed adhd gets to me and then my feelings show
• I make rational decisions
• I’m a penny pincher even though I don’t want to be
• I can be a Debbie downer bc I’m so practical and realistic that some times it can be hard to have fun.
• I ask questions like a toddler. I’m always wanting to learn more and figure out the why’s
• Sometimes I want and expect more than I can even achieve
• I’m too genuine.
• Idk how to lie
• I’m overly loyal
• I’m not a big hugger but I want to snug throughout the night
• I struggle between am I a believer or am I just knowledgeable
• I struggle with forgiving and forgetting and play out past scenarios in my head all the time.
• At times I’m gutsy but idk where that comes from
• I’m a chicken shit but also very brave
• How come my mind and my heart aren’t on the same page and then I feel like a broken record at the same time.
• I want free from this hell.

 

You might ask yourself… why did Brittany put her bad qualities on here and not capture all her good? Well 1^st, thank you for the compliment and 2^nd because I’m learning my flaws and what makes me who I am and how those flaws are actually great qualities and traits to have! Like being impulsive, it helps me get things conquered and done quickly. It also shows I’m passionate and care. Do I sound negative sometimes? Well it’s most likely because I’m thinking it all through to make sure that’s the best direction or decision to go with. Being overly loyal sounds like a great quality; however, it’s exhausting. It means you don’t say “no”. It means you’re overworked and your mind never stops.

So, for those who have caused me trauma, those who only speak negative on me, those who have ripped my heart and those who give me anxiety for all the wrong reasons… keep it up. Keep it up why don’t you because you know what.. you’re the ones who make me better, make me not want to be who I was. I want to prove myself because you want me to fail, well honey, I swear that one day I’m going to be far better off than you (I know that sounds rude but it’s what keeps me motivated sometimes). Even when you facebook stalk me, get on to your current staff for having relations with me (I know you’re reading this), doubt my decisions or want to fail in a relationship because ours failed… know that I know you do this but I try my damndest to take the higher road and not bad mouth you about it. Trust me, I wish I had the guts to make explicit facebook posts or facts about certain companies like others so freely do and get applauded for. I just patiently (not easy) sit back and watch until it all unfolds.

Next Chapter…

You know how many times I’ve cried lately… too many to admit I’m sure but hey.. who’s counting when you do it quietly in the shower.. lol 

I’ve let my previous job get to me. I’ve let those who I thought were “friends” control my life for weeks and what has it brought me.. less time with my family/friends, negative thoughts, self-doubt and anxiety. I’m done with it and I declare it in His name! What have I gained of this though? Self-awareness, neighbors becoming true friends and my eyes and heart opened much wider. Does the process suck? Yes, way too much. I felt sick for days sometimes, didn’t get good sleep, couldn’t stop thinking about it and not focused, but it’s not my loss, it’s my gain.

Moving forward, a few updates from that original list…

-We have an LLC thanks to Daniel and our amazing tax lady – “Tenleigh Lou Mae’s LLC” to be exact.

-I have Tenleigh’s posts scheduled out regularly on social media and we continue to mark things off our to-do lists.  I hope and pray that everyone is in support of us, but unfortunately that will never happen.  Those that do support, all I can say is “thank You” and I hope you help us spread the word. 

-We love our Blackstone! Food tastes soo good on it. You feel like you really can only cook healthy food on it (meat and veggies, I did do cinnamon rolls once though). But regardless, we’re learning how to use it and one day I’ll have a screened in porch to use it even more often.

-Our money is getting saved but also all spent with the trailer… we continue to do an envelope challenge that gains a good chunk of money (I have a budgeting blog I’ll post once all debt is paid off.  Slowly but surely we’re getting there. #life). I intend to use last years for a paint job now. 

-Bible Journaling has been going on for 5 months now and while our attendance isn’t grand, I do thoroughly enjoy it and it brings me much joy!  Cue the Netflix chick on decluttering…

-Our dryer is still working.. yay!

-Instacart will primarily be for this Summer and in the meantime just keep tutoring after school once/week, Daniel umpiring and doing his sports cards business to gain some extra funds.

-I’m working on the health aspect as recently I had some labs run and a CT (due to digestive issues) and I am extremely pre-diabetic with a fatty liver that they don’t know if it’s from weight or genetics.  The digestive issues stress me out too… years ago they cut out pre-cancerous polyps and I’ve had more colonoscopies and endoscopies than someone my age should.  Insurance can confirm that too!  My issues don’t stop and in fact they’ve gotten worse.. it scares me to think that I could have cancer that’s not caught in time and Bennett would have to be raised without a mom.  

-The interview went decent, but I was the runner up… it’s in His time though don’t forget! 

-Bennett’s soccer team ended up having a coach and we learned our lesson with what to expect with MASA and toddlers.

-I don’t know why I ever mentioned keeping the house clean because it’s so small that we always keep it clean and picked up as is.

-And lastly, the latest update… I will now be starting my Masters program on May 19^th.. yes, that’s this month. I will be getting my Masters in Special Education through Grand Canyon University and this will be a 1.5 year program where I will become a certified teacher with my Masters. I should have mentioned it earlier but I also live for my bucket list (see below for those that are curious) and I find much joy in checking things off of it and getting my Masters was one of them. This might not be the most ideal program that I actually wanted for myself but it does get the job done.

(insert bucket list here)…umm ya.. so I’m super disappointed as I had a list of all my bucket item things on my iPhone and when I went to copy and paste it here it deleted.  I’ve tried googling how to undo it but it’s not working. I feel heart broken… what happened to it?  I depended on my list as it was important, yet I filed it in my unimportant file (Grace & Frankie thing regarding Robert..).  All I remember being on it is… going to Fast Eddies, getting my boating license (which I did this year!), getting my motorcycle license, going to various places (I had a beautiful list made), getting my Masters and so much more that I don’t even know what was there.. ☹ I do have a list of things I want to learn but that was a little different than my Bucket List.  That list goes as follows: 

1.     Tie flies

2.     Line dance/square dance

3.     Kayak

4.     Hunt

5.     Canning

6.     How to make sun tea

7.     How to ride a horse

8.     How to play pickleball

9.     How to play the piano

10.  How to quilt and crochet

IF anyone wants to teach me any of these things for free this Summer, please let me know.. seriously!  

 

Another check off system I find much joy in is my Food Passport! I love trying out new restaurants (new to me anyway) and checking them off! I’ve been doing this for years as I made it with Shelby and Blair probably 5 or so years ago.

So, what do I plan to do this Summer with all this new found headspace? 😉 Well, I’m hoping I get to work Summer School, I’ll do Instacart as much as possible, work on my Masters and try to write a children’s book about Bennett Spring. I have 2 other children’s books I’ve wrote that I just need illustrations and publicists for – one is like a nursery rhyme about donuts and the other is about eggs and all it’s variations and if it hatched inside you (wow.. I’ll never pick up a publicist with a description like that.. note to self: work on your summary!)… why is that so challenging?

Anyways… 

I am healed, but not fully and trust me.. I cannot wait to keep working on myself, my family and those I truly love and care about.

You know.. God is real right?

Psalm 13:1-6;
¹ Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
² Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.

³ May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
⁴ those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

⁵ “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
⁶ And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold^[c] refined seven times.

In conclusion, Our thoughts matter.

Signing off… “One Love” à that’s from a favorite TikToker I follow… he’s blind and says it at the end of every video [ @asfvision ]

But wait.. there’s more! We have other big plans happening and coming along, sooner than later.. I’m guessing Fall 2023! To be continued.

Well, well , well….the Corona has finally hit me. Not that I wanted it to but isn’t almost everyone suspected to get it at some point? I’m glad to get it out of the way. My fear is my toddler getting it though! No kissing and loving on him for a while.

On September 22nd, I got the results.. positive. And not no pregnancy test positive either. It’s weird. I’m vaccinated so I don’t think it’s what it’s supposed to feel like but let me tell ya.. I got zero energy.

This blog post is simply to be vulnerable and blog my daily covid thoughts and feelings.

Today was the first full day home. I’m tired. Sleep is amazing but is it really any different than how I am on a day off anyway? This cough is only here and there but it’s making me pee my pants too often. It’s a good thing it’s beautiful out to at least hang out in my yard. Today I ran out of breath at one point. I wasn’t sure if it was the covid or because I’m fat. Chronicles of covid I suppose.

Do I have taste & smell? I don’t know… OJ and another juice tasted like an aluminum, metal kind of taste earlier. I tried some vinegar onions and it tasted slimy. (Insert barfing face)

Will covid make me skinny?

Why do I have days off for this but I have zero energy to do anything.

Did I really lose my smell or is this just me and my allergy issues?

How did they make so many vaccine options so quickly but no kind of medicine to help you feel better once you do get it….

It’s Saturday and Daniel got tested now and it’s negative. Hooray for him! Also weird though. Ughhh is this over with. When you’re told you can’t go anywhere it seems way worse than just choosing not to on your own…

I’ve been tired a lot. No energy. Body aches are the worst part and that comes with a headache too. There’s digestive stuff as well. I’ve puked once and then you know, the other direction… wink-wink! Butttt is that covid?! Heck, I’m used to it.

I’m so bummed I’m missing such fun activities this weekend. Ugh! Junk Junktion, Gus Macker, Homecoming parade, Alumni party , car show, bounce houses and mini train for Bennett. Annndddd to top it off, the weather is spot on! Now I can’t imagine being quarantined in hot weather because I keep going outside to enjoy it. I should be grateful this isn’t kicking my butt and that I’m alive. Im human don’t forget and this is just me being vulnerable.

Is there such thing as false positives? Surely that’s me right. Covid is stupid! I know it hits everyone differently but I’m over this!

Welp… I googled it. It appears to be very rare unlike false negatives. Can you believe how long I’m out for regardless of feeling “fine” now? Isn’t it weird that a medical person can tell you what you can and can’t do with having covid (so controlling) yet when your doctor recommends you lose weight or whatever it may be we typically just brush it off. Likkkeee who’s in control here?

If I go get tested again and it now says negative, am I in the clear?

Surely that’s enough thoughts for now. Til tomorrow…. Monday…!

It’s Monday… freakin really?!?! I’m so over this. Why is staying home and isolating yourself so hard? Why’s it weigh on your mental health so much. Gosh dang! Of course with covid you find out who your true friends are by those who do or DON’T check in with you. Feel guilty? Well you should. I’m over these body aches, they make me feel like I can’t do anything! Y’all aren’t posting enough on social media to keep me occupied. I grabbed a book, no energy to read though. I mean what is there to even snoop on right now? Daniel was at work all day today and now umpiring. I’m. Tired!!! Bennett, not so much. This shit makes you grouchy. Whhhhyyyy??? You realize I could go out of town where people don’t know me and be just fine. Of course my conscience could never! Ughhh such a stigmatism with this stuff!

It’s 10:14pm on Monday and this shit (literally shit) is getting old. As soon as you think you’re all fine… BOOM! You’re queazy and a nasty headache. Blahhhh!!!

Is today Tuesday?! I had to look. Mannnn I feel like dog shit! In more ways than one. Don’t trust a fart while having covid peeps… zero appetite yet I think I’m hungry. Nope… feel like I got the flu. How do doctors and all these health people expect you to take care of a toddler when you feel horrible?! Team no rules at the Esry household right now.

I believe I’ve worn the same “pajamas” for 4-5 days now. That means sleeping in them and lounging throughout the day.

If you saw me in public right now I probably look like I’ve gotten my hair darkened but really it’s just cause I need to take a shower.

So what has sounded good that I dare NOT to eat…. Lulas burger & fries. Taco Bell (goshhhh whyyyy.. that makes me sick when I’m healthy). 💩

Continue reading “COVID-19, year 2021 📽” →

First off, thanks to everyone who has sent us Christmas cards. There has definitely been some cute ones. Bennett truly loves opening mail too!

Do you realize how much stress comes along with Christmas actually? I mean really, it’s not necessary. I think it’s great to give, but when you’re trying to save money to accomplish your dreams and live off the land it makes things very ‘strapped’. Call me a Scrooge, but it’s as though Christmas is just an exchange of money when it comes to the gifts part. As of today (12/22/2020), I only have maybe 1/4 of the presents wrapped. WHY you ask? I can’t decide what should be from Santa, what is from us and what is birthday presents and that is just all plum silly! My favorite part of Christmas growing up and still to this day is the stockings, yet I don’t carry on that tradition as making a stocking truly magical is super expensive AND Daniel didn’t do stockings with Ethan so that wouldn’t be fair to start with Bennett I don’t think. Is it really necessary to do Santa at this age with Bennett? But then I’m too true to myself that if I don’t do it this year then I’ll remember next year and feel like I broke a tradition(s). My mom’s parents ALWAYS came over Christmas morning to watch us open our Santa gifts, regardless of the weather. I think it’d be fun to share that joy of our parents watching Bennett open his gifts on Christmas morning too, but then again I want to be selfish… is that okay? And let’s be real.. our house is too small for all that business. Ugh.. how do you start/stop/maintain traditions because frankly cookies for Santa is adorable, but really I just wanna put out some of my double stuff Oreos and call it good!

Ok… now about the kids…. Bessie is fine… she’s maintaining her weight pretty well. Bennett doesn’t follow her diet. She kicks us off our own furniture frequently just so she can sprawl out. She snores and expects her belly to be rubbed often. I think Bennett is her best friend, but also her worse enemy. He sits on her and says, “giddy up”. Bless that “woo woo” as Bennett likes to call her.

• Ethan turns 18 in January!
  • Ethan is currently in his senior year of high school at Southern Boone.  He and his soccer team won 1^st in state
  • After graduation, Ethan plans to attend MACC out of Columbia, MO and stay in an apartment in Columbia with a couple buddies
  • Ethan is currently playing basketball for the school and continues to work at the Claysville store

• Bennett turns 2 in January.  He’ll be having a modern, vintage farmhouse themed birthday party.
  • He loves being outside, all things animals, Little People and sweet tea. He expects any body of water to have fish in it to catch.
  • He highly enjoys playing basketball, catch, kicking the soccer ball and watching hunting videos with his Dad
  • Bennett talks non-stop and can literally say just about anything.  Right now, he can be quite bossy by telling you to “move”, “stop”, “done”, “reach”, “helppppp”, etc.
  • We now have Fort Bennett complete with all the bells and whistles.  Personally, I think it’s so cool!  He has a phone, slide, tool station, mud kitchen (AKA: “Cafe Bennett”), mail station, cabinet for all his kitchen supplies and so much more. 

What have we done this year of COVID:

Not much Christmas spirit seems to be had my way this year.  Nothing on purpose, just isn’t there for whatever reason.  I love everything Christmas, but this year is just different.  And no, it’s not COVID or 2020 related, because then that’d just be an excuse.  I love how Bennett helped put the ornaments on the tree again this year and that each ornament is Hallmark and shares a story/memory.  Last year at Thanksgiving time, I and some other family members helped me string cranberries and popcorn for my Christmas tree at my Mamaw & Papaw’s house.  This year I had made a note to do the same, but with oranges.  Due to COVID, we didn’t get together for Thanksgiving, but it’s a good thing we didn’t do the oranges together because it took forever to complete.  I had to dehydrate them for almost 20 hours. 

• I’ve been slowly working on getting our chicken coop put together, hoping to get it completed after this winter then have chickens
• I made Christmas arrangements for sale. I really enjoy doing this, but there’s really not enough time, money or space to do this.
• Daniel’s gone hunting some, but not like he’d like. He’s killed a deer and we’ve made a ton of jerky; which Bennett and Bessie both can’t get enough of.
• We got my Grandma’s outdoor table & chairs sandblasted and painted this Summer after wanting to do so the past 3 years or so. This is a set she used to have sitting on her back deck at her house on West Lee Street. I believe it was her parents or Grandparents too!
• Not many trips were taken to Bennett Spring this year like we had liked to, due to finances and time. BUT, the times we did go, the place was packed of “newbies” and it just wasn’t the same there; crowded, loud, people didn’t know how to fish, lack of fishing etiquette and so forth. Plus, it cost us loads of money each trip as something happened with the truck each time.. broke down, window cracked, blah blahhhh!
• Daniel is with Butler Supply still and I am with ICAN Missouri Foundation. We are both really proud of the companies we work for and believe in it’s growth within our communities.
• Daniel turned 40 this year and I threw him an “Older Bud Wiser” bday party!
• Bennett and I spent a lot of time at the Amish and Orscheln on the weekends while Daniel umpired. One of our favorite pastimes 💁🏼‍♀️

This year is the 2^nd year without my Grandma here for the holidays. She always loved Christmas. I miss helping put up her Christmas decorations and my back hurting from crawling underneath her crawlspace to get the decorations out. I miss my mom spraying perfume on the wrapping paper to get rid of the mildew smell because my Grandma was adamant, she wasn’t going to throw it away and waste it. I miss my Grandma cutting the Christmas napkins in half because there wasn’t any need for everyone to use one big napkin just because. I miss spending the night at her house on West Lee and listening to the Alvin & the Chipmunks Christmas cassette while falling asleep. I miss hearing her record player play particular songs while we put up the decorations. I miss wearing matching Christmas attire with my cousin Jaci for the holidays. I miss when planning the holidays was much simpler and people just knew what to expect… now you can’t even get a text back from your own family members to get together for the holidays.

So what else will be missed this Christmas you ask?  Well Daniel is already asking how Bob Mac is going to live with himself with no one there to open gifts with.  Who’s going to teach Bennett this year to peak at gifts?  I know there’s next year, but is there next year?  Papaw has always loved Christmas, he’s literally a kid at heart.  He’d used to get his pocket knife out to cut the seal of the tape so smoothly so that no one would know that we peaked.  Sometimes he’d wrap gifts in newspaper (typically the comic section).  He’d always buy and wrap gifts to himself and always act as though he was surprised to open them.. ha!  Usually, he’d always buy himself a new Budweiser stein.  Mamaw would always get so irritable at him for letting us peak but he’d get such excitement doing this and it was always so fun.  A lot of times he’d take us into the hot tub room (now the eBay room) to unwrap a gift or something in secret, away from Mamaw.  Isn’t it funny how sometimes 2 opposites can be so in love? 😊

We also have Daniel’s Grandma Dorothy at MeadowRidge and unable to leave or see anybody for quite some time really and that puts quite a strain on things and such a different sense of “holiday spirit” altogether.

We could use prayers, as selfish as that sounds. I hate asking, let alone putting private information out there. Heck, our country needs prayers. But I go in for a procedure on New Year’s Eve to see if there’s any new cancer cells/polyps as my doctor is concerned. I find myself more worried about being put under than what could be discovered.

Ahh.. well Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!  I hope that no one sticks to their new year’s resolutions so I don’t feel like crap when I go off my diet when the rest of ya’ll lose weight.  Cheers to the years where life was just a little simpler!  God Bless!

Love,

The Esry’s

(Daniel, Brittany, Ethan, Bennett, Bessie)

Maybe next year we’ll have a lab or a blood hound? Hmm…

7.13.2020

Listen to link above while reading… makes it better and sets the mood.

Dare I dive into this topic? What’s the topic even really about? I choose to not explain as I imagine most people with any form of social media in the area and even surrounding areas are well aware of what’s going on in our community right now. If you don’t, feel free to head on over to Moberly Talks on Facebook and check it out. Heck, maybe type in some of the current, Republican Party names in the search engine and you will know exactly what I’m talking about. So you might be wondering.. Why is she doing a blog on this? Why not just a simple fb post? Is there really a need to bring more attention to such a topic? And my answer is “YES!” Yes to all of it. My thoughts are too long for a regular status. I haven’t blogged in a while and the attention I want to bring is not necessarily for a particular candidate to become anymore “famous” than he/they already is/are. But I can say this much, how sad that in our life today that in order to ‘feel heard’ or for people to ‘believe’ or persuade or get them to see the truth or whatever that may be (regardless of the topic) is via social media. Yuck! And don’t start telling yourself in your head that today’s world has changed, society is different, things aren’t like they used to be… blah blah blah.. because that’s exactly where I feel the need to blog, because of that issue, right there.

When everything was first released on social media I had a number of thoughts and feelings. Let’s all be transparent here… it was legit better than any reality show currently on TV. It really kind of reminded me of Jersey Shore but some may say more similar to Tiger King (sorry, I refuse to watch it).

(Insert your own Tiger King quote here for those that know the show and can humor themselves) 🐅 👑

And while some things keep getting posted, added and commented on – there’s still a ton of mixed emotions and feelings. The raw truth is that it is SAD! This is all sad. Is this real life? Is this MY community? OUR community? And if you’re one of the candidates reading this, a family member of theirs or a close friend… this blog is not directed personally at anyone because frankly everyone of them are involved and neither 3 are innocent. So unless you feel to no longer continue reading.. please know that those supporting anything to any 3 of these publicly running candidates, you can be considered just as guilty. Oh well, we’re all human I suppose. Two wrongs don’t make a right. And a sin is a sin regardless of how big or small but enough is enough. We need to get to our roots, morals & GOD!

New training suggestions:

1. Not only is there a large issue with drugs in this county that needs fixin’ (don’t start hating on Moberly and Randolph County now.. news flash: it’s everywhere!) but there’s also an issue with respect and something called morals and values. Maybe onboarding training and quarterly training of such would be very beneficial. You want to put God on your squad cars, then represent Him to the best of your abilities on AND off of duty!

2. Trust – sometimes that might not come to one naturally but something needs to be done about it. There’s obviously an issue of trust within those walls, between those convicted and others too. But let me put something out there for you to think about… if one of the candidates can’t be loyal to his own wife in their marriage, what makes you think he’ll be loyal to our county and someone we can trust and count on? Surely those videos won’t come to surface.. Lead by example. Train your deputies to be better than you regardless of the county (this is all general). Do your best. Gain the communities trust and for gosh sakes, respect your spouse and children. Surely there is some trainings and classes on that.

3. Maybe roles need to be reversed with inmates for a while or something at first..? Where’s our roots people? Small town or not, this isn’t just the good ol’ boy system no more. Yet everything is also just handed to you. I can’t personally speak much on it as I was not raised there but you realize my Dad and his siblings were truly raised in the jail. They grew up there. Lived literally with the inmates. Do our current employees have that much respect for the inmates, regardless of crime, to even sit down and have a meal with them? Do they know what I would do to get my Grandma’s homemade cooking one more time!!! Yeah! She cooked for every inmate in that jail at 110 South Main Street. To this day, my father has the most random of people coming up to him and talking to him in public. You know what, most of the time those people know him from… jail! I’ve heard it numerous times that if Sheriff Price arrested you that he was also there for you as he wanted to help. Not monopolize, scrutinize or publicize anyone for their wrong doing. Sure, they deserved to be arrested and jailed for their wrong doings but it’s also a thing called respect! Teach it!

4. Training on social media. Enough said on that topic.

https://www.moberlymonitor.com/obituaries/20190205/marjorie-price-shepherd?template=ampart

Becoming a Sheriff is a huge role to take on. No, it’s not like being President of the United States but it is a career that one must be devoted to at all hours. You must be genuine too. There’s no politician’ing just at election time. You go to that church spaghetti dinner because you want to be there. You go to the area high school sports event, because you want to be there. You wave at people passing you, because you mean it. You are involved with your community and other clubs, because you are genuine and devoted. Your name rings high and you must hold that name and title to the best of your abilities. Your children and your children’s children should too. Prideful? I think not. I think it’s expected! Up until the day my Grandma died, she still got mail addressed to her as Mrs. Orville Price. How many can say they are called by their spouses name, who’s been gone for 30+ years? I’m sure not very many. It’s called respect, loyalty, a devoted Christian. Get back to it!

So while this entire debate is just sickening it makes me soo so mad all at the same time. Sure, the posts and comments are juicy but you know what I did off and on this weekend? Bawled! I bawled my eyes out. Every post only made my stomach flip even more because all I could think about was my Papa Price and then someone even commented how he was probably rolling over in his grave. I never got to meet that awesome man but I can’t imagine the disgust he’d have yet at the same time, he’s the happiest he’s ever been because on February 4th, 2019 he got the love of his life back in his arms dancing away on Heavens clouds. You know who’d be rolling even more is if my Grandma was alive still hearing about all of this. This upcoming election has only made me miss her more. What I would do to be in her living room.. her sitting in her chair and telling Bennett to “jump” and he would and she’d just laugh and holler.. “I just love you to pieces”! But guess what.. that’s not a thing and never was one, yet this past weeks actions have only reminded me of it even more!

Have a little class, would you.

Y’all need Jesus!

“Radio Randolph 556…No answer, Randolph 556…Randolph 556, out of service. Gone but not forgotten.” 🚔

Leap Year BIRTHDAYS, they only come every 4 years, ya know…

This blog wassss to be completed prior to your 20/80 birthday party, but you know. LIFE. So to those that don’t know you or what this blog is about, you might be wondering what “20/80” is? On February 29th, 2020 you turned 80 years old (age wise), but you’ve only had 20 birthdays to celebrate that have fallen on the calendar. I believe there has only been one occurrence where we have been the same age once before. So with such a special occasion, I thought I’d write a fun blog for you. No specific theme, it’s more or less a blog of memories of things to remember, to look back and smile on. So here’s to you Bobby Dean. Or as others like to call you, Bob Mac or Robert, but to me, I’m addressing this one to the name I gave you from the get go, “Papaw”

I suggest listening to the songs in the background while reading the blog… makes it much more enjoyable! 😁

• You always think you should be identical to your siblings. Afterall you were raised by the same parents, at least for me, I was. Of course people have different personalities and everyone is essentially different but Abbey, Joshua and I are truly different. Sometimes we have such different tastes in things that it makes ya wonder if we were raised in the same household. Yeah, Abbey and I are 5 years apart and Joshua and I are 11 years apart but I do think it’s more than just that and as the years go on I’ve learned just what that is I do believe. With being the first born, my parents were obviously at the youngest in their years then, so ultimately they were working crazy hours in order to provide. Heyyy… it’s what you do when you’re young. While I was raised by my parents, I also was raised and brought up by both sets of my grandparents. During the week I spent a lot of time with my Grandma (my dad’s mom). She’d pick me up from school a lot and I believe I have my Grandma’s heart and soul. On the weekends is where I spent most of my time with my Mamaw and Papaw (my mom’s parents). That’s where I believe I get my sense of worry and stubbornness. Sorry Papaw, I know those aren’t the best of qualities, but it’s also true. But here’s where the differences in personalities and interests from my siblings come into play. Sure, they spent quality time with their grandparents growing up, but it wasn’t near the amount of time I did. When I was in Auxvasse, I don’t remember very many weekends where I wasn’t fishing with my Papaw – unless the weather was bad. Q: Does Abbey and Joshua like to fish? A: Oh no! Now, I’m not big on the heat as I’m hot natured but I sure do love to fish. There’s such a sense of beauty in the sport of fishing and peace that it brings to me. I’m not no farm girl either but I truly believe that all the times hanging out with Papaw on the farm is why I will raise Bennett on land with animals one of these days. There’s just something about it. The smells of the farm like that fresh morning air, the sound of hollering for your herd to come in for feeding time and they all listen and flock your way, the swishing sound of Papaw’s droopy jeans as he practically runs to tend to an animal, the bahh’ing of the sheep first thing in the morning, the dew on the grass that soaks your pant legs. You’ll also hear the swing hanging from the tree creaking with the wind, with a rhythm as though it’ll put you to sleep. The cornstalks in the garden sway back and forth, the farm cat suddenly pokes out of the garden with a field mouse. The crackling noise of the burn barrel being lit, kids laughing while climbing in the trees, lawn mowers revving up and supper is soon to be done and on the table. If you’re lucky, it’ll be on a homemade quilt in the backyard under a shade tree with a picnic basket only to please. All is right on the farm. One of my favorite pastimes is simply sitting on the front porch, being outside and gardening. I’ve always looked up to your garden, as weird as that may sound – it’s true. Fingers crossed my asparagus pops up this year because it’s the 3rd year for it. We used to sit on the back patio and snap green beans and peel black eyed peas. I do not like either but there’s something therapeutic about snappin’ beans. I’d say all this originated from somewhere like a place called Auxvasse with a dash of Bob Mac in it.

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• 

• What about the memory of all the times you’d put black olives and bugles on my fingers… sure, maybe every kid does this but it’s not the same. You always made sure I got a snack for church at the Quick Shop before dropping me off there on Sunday mornings and it was usually Bugles. Plus, your all’s house is really the only place I go that always makes sure there’s a relish tray at every meal, aka: olives! Anyways, now Bennett loves black olives just as much. Makes my heart happy. A lot of times, we’d actually go to the Quick Shop before and after church; plus, you’d always give me money for the offering plate when dropping me off as Mamaw would typically have to go to church early. Speaking of the Quick Shop, that place is like some stomping grounds for me. No joke! Of course they’ve remodeled, I’ve aged, staff are different but it seemed like growing up I was in there so much that it was like my domain/territory. There you’d get a good amount of lottery tickets and the lady there, knowing me by name, would sometimes let me sit on the check-out counter, scratch them off and turn them in right then and there. To this day, I buy some scratchers every now and then. Memories… Before various trips (usually fishing ones for those that may be getting concerned now), you’d always stop by the Quick Shop for a brown bag special. We’d cruise to our destination or next fishing hole, blaring country music with the beer between your legs. As the years went on, I remember always wondering how you were able to secure your drink when you drive with both feet??? Hmmm… My favorite truck of yours was the red single cab with red carpet like interior. If there wasn’t anything on the radio, I believe we’d put in an old cassette tape, most likely Alan Jackson. Sometimes in that ol’ truck I’d get to ride in the back of the truck bed. Of course, that was only when we got onto some property to fish on. I thought I was one cool cat then.

• I recall the many times visiting you at Sydenstrickers and playing pretend in the back between all those dark aisles of tractor parts. The floor would be so dirty and the air so dry, yet fond memories remain. Also, hanging with some of the office staff in their offices. Some of them had candy, but nothing a kid would like per say. What was even better was when you weren’t as busy and I got to ‘play’ on the tractors in the show area.

• I remember one time I convinced you to take us sledding in the pasture by pulling us behind the lawn mower and tying our sled by rope to the back of it. I’m not sure who ended up having more fun in that event..

• The fun times of piddling in the ‘barns’, the basement and the attic. Daniel swears my favorite thing to do is piddle. I don’t mind, I enjoy it, I get it honestly. Piddling and tinkering with things is one of my favorite pastimes. Speaking of your basement, the laundry chute was always so cool yet scary as I’d be afraid I might fall down it myself. After all, it’s not a chute, it’s more like a passage way of a hole to the basement. The freezer where typically the drumsticks were always kept 🍦 😋 And then there’s the toilet… eventually you made walls and a door for it but it was always so ‘interesting’ to me as to why there was just a random, working toilet that was exposed in the basement. In the process of building this blog I happened to come across some toilet history and thought I’d share ☺️

• 

• 

• You know what’s always comical to think of when it comes to any of the memories we’ve shared over the years… a lot of the things could probably be summed up of us (really just you, I was just the tag-along) doing anything that Mamaw didn’t approve of and that’d make her sigh saying your name drawn out, “Bobbbbbb” 😆

• Ohhhh.. the many play houses you built out of cardboard boxes. You’d even go so far and put clear wrap on the windows and a handle for the front door. Pretend play is simply the best and one of my favorite things to do with Bennett already.

• The hot tub room… boy, was that fun! A room dedicated to just relaxing. I can remember the decor like it was yesterday. You all had one of your pictures from a Cruise you went on framed and hanging by the TV. If it wasn’t a cruise, then it’s some picture of you two with a large, white life preserver in the middle, I do believe… I could honestly be getting 2 different photos merged together right now. I’d always have to get a timer set for how long I could be in the hot tub and you’d check on me often; especially if I was splashing too much 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is the timeframe when Nickelodeon had much better shows, late 90’s/early 2000’s. Now the hot tub room is the eBay room. Boyyy do times change!

• I always wanted my 1st beer to be with you. I don’t think that ever truly happened because when I became legal, beer wasn’t my thing then. What’s funny looking back on now, is that after all those years of empty tall boys by the waste side and any time I’d ask for a drink or to have one (prior to being 21), you’d always get on to me and chuckle saying some absurd sentence and how you wouldn’t let me do that until I was of age.

•Life is always what you make of it. I’m sure you know and remember that for YEARS growing up, I’d tell you, convince you, bribe you, anything.. to go to Church. When I was little I thought that was a must, drinking was bad and so on. Back then you’d only go to church if there was food involved or physical labor needed. But there’s more to just going to Church on Sunday mornings and what not, it’s about believing in God and accepting Him as your Lord & Savior. Now, I don’t want to get so personal but I do want to think that my many prayers from when I was younger have finally been coming through. I’ve never seen you this involved with the church in my life. You’ve always been such a caring and giving person. Some probably even have taken advantage of you for your ever giving demeanor. But there’s more to it all, it’s as though being a Disciple of God. Makes me proud and full of bliss!

Love Brittany Esry,

•Your 1st Grandchild

•Who also gave you your 1st great-grandchild

•BP

❤️ Love Always… Your Little Bird Dog

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So much has happened in such a short time since COVID-19 has surfaced. Jobs lost, businesses closed, places on lockdown, 20 second hand-washing, 1 person per shopping cart (not being followed anywhere mind you), supplies in demand and so much more but let’s cut to the chase.

1. Is this pandemic horrible… yes! Have you lived through worse or similar things… yes! Should I take this virus seriously… yes! Are you going to snarl reading this post… maybe. 🤷🏼‍♀️
2. So, are things becoming simpler and more appreciated… I can only hope so. Ones priorities should really start coming into effect by now, if not soon. For myself, I’ve truly enjoyed trying to shop only at places like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, etc. Maybe it doesn’t make a difference, but I feel it’s not as large as Walmart per say, so less exposure? Purchasing items at places that are less limited really gives you an appreciation for things + a wake up call. What’s the difference in me shopping this way than those living in smaller communities and never having the other options unless they want to drive miles away… I’ll answer that one = nothing. I would say that maybe this pandemic will teach people to hunt and fish, but I really don’t want to make it harder on those who already do. Sorry, not sorry, but there really is something extra to eating meat that you or your family provided for you. Same goes for gardening too. Yesss… for those of you in the back who are saying, “well, I provide by purchasing the store bought meat”, I get it… I hear ya! But, there is a difference, taste wise too 😉
3. You know what’s cool… I believe some people are getting tired of playing their video games and they are reverting to nature and quality time with family. Currently I’m debating the option with Daniel as to if he’d rather Bennett grow up playing video games or watching the shows/movies I’ve never seen and not into. I know my answer but he’s undecided still.
4. So you haven’t gone to church in person lately… totally stinks, but WE are the church. Church is not a building — the people are! And those people don’t have to be physical. Sure, it’s more convenient. Heck, I prefer it, but we must make the best of things. Regardless, isn’t it funny how you can get more out of an online sermon from home when you truly have to focus just to get fed how you want vs Sunday mornings in the pew you know you’ll be back next week so who cares if I sneak my phone and check my social media… fess up folks, we all sinners anyways.
5. Will the ER continue to only be utilized for emergencies, since everyone is scared of getting exposed to corona… I hope so! Will more medical needs be listened to and answered more quickly.. that’d be awesome! In & out of the hospital for emergency surgeries verses lag time waiting on paperwork… counting on it.
6. Will they continue to have the shields in place at various stores & pharmacies… idk, but it sure wouldn’t hurt anything to keep them in place. 6-feet apart from others wouldn’t be a bad thing to continue moving forward at grocery stores either. Trust me, I am well aware of one of my 5 senses of you from down the aisle, last thing I need is to be hugged up in the same cooler door of milk with you. 6-feet honey, 6-feet…
7. So you haven’t seen anything this bad or crazy since WWII… well obviously times are way different and instead of new inventions being created, now so-so many are coming together making masks & face shields, alcohol distributors are now making germ-x, people are volunteering their time to do various tasks that they usually wouldn’t do and so on.
8. During the Prohibition, people would have to sneak their alcohol and typically did it within a speakeasy… now we laugh over the debate of underground hair salons. The amount of damage ya’ll are doing to your hair right now is going to cause all the beauticians some OT once they get back to their booths. Please be mindful, their hands and fingers need appreciation too. But hey, some OT peeps are laid off right now, so they’ll take the extra clientele eventually.
9. For how many years now have you had technology in the sense that you could either FaceTime or video chat with someone… long enough, right? So why is it that this virus is what’s making us finally use that technology to reach out to our loved ones regularly, or more often that is? You’ve had it all along – right, why now? Are you feeling guilty or is this just the perspective we’re all now facing? So does the government put social distancing in place to make you want to reach out and see people you love when you can’t… or is it God’s way of getting America and their families back together again and to its roots? I’ll let you answer that.
10. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has made anyone come together like they are now. At least not to my knowledge. 9/11 was horrendous and very depressing, but it still wasn’t something to this nature. Also, it was not to the levels that are reaching these heights, yet because we are told to social distance it’s making us become one as a nation? A country? A county? A town? What is this… reverse psychology? The end of time… Revelations? Shouldn’t we always be supporting our local businesses? (Mind you, even the franchises in our town need help too – our community members work there and our tax dollars we put in there go back into OUR town) Shouldn’t we always be washing our hands? Why are we going out of our way to think essential people now… isn’t that something we should always be doing? Even non-essential people need love too!
11. You know these seniors that literally got kicked where it hurts… why not support them. Support them financially, emotionally, spiritually! So you shared your senior pics on social media from 5, 10, 20+ years ago all smiley and loving life… make a pledge you’re going to donate money to the school for every like you get on the post and then the school will divide it out evenly amongst the senior students. Pray for them! Send anonymous mail of positivity. Sure, some seniors are loving the fact they “graduated” early, but even those students got robbed. Put yourself in their shoes. Time with friends… out the window! Spring sports you’ve been training so hard for… capeesh! Heck, maybe your junior year you were hurt and was only looking forward to your senior year to actually play. First time being asked to prom… fingers crossed they reschedule something. Throwing your graduation cap in the air… virtually.

There’s always going to be the “what if’s”, that’s for sure… make the best of it.

History… God moments – we will prevail.

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Some Christmas time memories of Grandma I wanted to share so it would remind me years from now…

•YEARS ago Grandma would always have individual chocolate milk cartons for us Christmas morning and this year we started that tradition up again.

•Grandma was always so adamant to save every bow on the presents and we typically would house them under the tree and they’d just get re-taped every year.

•I love that we always have hamburger gravy with our biscuits for our Christmas brunch as Grandma always had.

•My brother used to love peppermints when he was around Bennett’s age and I remember in church he’d go to Grandma to get them out of her purse and she’d crunch them in her mouth to make them into smaller pieces for him and now all Bennett wants is to suck on a candy cane. He’ll make it into a super sharp point and get very mad when taking that weapon away though, so watch out!

•My mom used to do all the Christmas wrapping for Grandma and there was a few years Grandma’s Christmas paper smelled of mildew from being stored in the crawl space (she wasn’t one to waste anything). My Grandma refused to toss it and use something else even though my mom was gagging – so she had us spray the paper with perfume 😂 Eventually my mom ended up wrapping the gifts at her own house so on Christmas Day when opening gifts, Grandma would be even more confused and it was the funniest thing. Someone would open something and she’d ask who it was from and it’d be from her OR she’d say how she forgot or something 😆 (she typically had others do the shopping and she’d reimburse them)

•Grandma sure did love her snow villages.

•I recall growing up and having matching outfits with my cousin Jaci that we’d wear at Christmas time at Grandma’s house on West Lee.

•Grandma’s absolute favorite holiday was Christmas and she adored all the lights. I remember, one year, a few of her trees string lights weren’t working and she kept wanting more on it so Nancy did what she requested and added more and it ended up being some outdoor net lighting for bushes that got placed on it and she didn’t even mind… you could totally tell it was net lighting on it! Hahahaha!!!

•When I was young, I remember thinking how Grandma’s tree always made me chuckle due to the amount of bright colored tinsel and shimmery garland on it, yet I always was OBSESSED with her bubble Christmas lights. What I would do to have and see that tree again with all its various lights (sometimes white strands on a green tree even), ornaments that were hard to put on because the tree branches were so thick, the vintage angel on top, the bubbling lights and possibly some chipped ornaments because she couldn’t part with them.

I love you Grandma and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas in Heaven with a beautiful sheet of white snow to dance your feet through with Papa Price and maybe with Casper close by too, if he’s not being ornery – as you’d used to say (he really wasn’t ornery lol)