Closing out 2015 and my word for 2016

My calendar at work informed my that there are only 3 days left in the year.

I feel like 2015 just started.  I know it's cliche to say that, but somehow since Boomer started school, its like years just fly by and I have no clue where the year went.

2015 was a banner year for us though. We finally, FINALLY moved into a two bedroom place. This was something I had wanted since I separated from JJ and I finally made it happen. I love our new place, and I'm working on decorating and making it a home. I also got a new job, which came with a promotion. I know that I have worked very hard since finishing school to establish myself in my industry, but to see it all come together they way it did this fall was...a blessing for sure.

Boomer continues to do well at school, and is now playing the trombone. Leave it to my daughter to pick a brass instrument that is bigger than she is. When she went in to be fitted, the gentleman doing the fittings was concerned that such a tiny person wouldn't be able to get a noise out of it. Well...she blew us all away. Literally. She's also involved in a program in school where she reads to kindergarteners. All her teachers have told me how great and patient she is with the younger kids. (Which makes me laugh because home girl has no patience for me!)

I read a post on The College Prepster this morning where she wrote about getting ready for 2016 and choosing a word. My word for 2016 is going to be adulting.

Adulting has become something my contemporaries talk about when commenting on how hard it is to be a grownup, or how incapable they are of doing it, or how they don't want to, etc.

Well, I reject this.

I'm 30. In 2016, I will be 31. I am an adult. Period. It is past time to own it and do what needs to be done no matter how difficult, how boring, how scary. Need to rollover a 401k into a Roth IRA? Ok I don't know how exactly, but big girl panties on, I will figure it out and do it. Need to furnish my apartment? Stop complaining that I don't know how to decorate, and get some books from the library, ask for help from people who can and get that shiz done!

2016. Adulting. Let's do it.

 

Manic Monday : June 1, 2015.....Just Kidding It is Tuesday

*It was so Manic...it's published on a Tuesday*


If someone says 'manic Monday' and you don't immediately start singing that Bangles song...then I don't know what I can do to help you.

It is an entirely manic Monday.

I'm moving in 9 days.

I haven't packed a thing.

I have no movers.

I will be out of town this weekend.

So basically...I'm so far behind the eight ball, I can't even see it.

I think I've been in some sort of denial regarding the move. I know it is happening, I've wanted it to happen, but at the same time I haven't. I like living across the street from my mother. I have gotten used to my place, and even though it is crazy small and I don't have my own room, I will miss it.

It was a wonderful cozy place, when Boomer and I needed it. It was MINE. Without any help from anyone. It was proof that I could do it all on my own. It was OURS. Boomer liked having a roomie. She knew that if she was scared she could just take a few steps and be in my bed for a cuddle. We could be silly and have underwear dance parties. We could finally get a kitty friend.

And so we have grown up in this place. Our little 3 person family. (Yes, Jack is a person.) This place served its purpose and while I am sad to see it go, and really, really, really sad to leave my fireplace, I am excited for new adventures. I'm excited to decorate. I am excited to sleep in an adult size bed. (QUEEN SIZE) I am excited for Boomer and I to each have our own space. She only needs to walk a few more steps for cuddles.

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I don't do well with change. This is another big one. Boomer and I are nothing if not strong, resilient girls so I know we will be fine.

This post isn't going anywhere. Just my thoughts. Bear with me guys....the move will be over soon.

Moving: 14 Days and Counting

Suddenly I went from moving in a month...to moving in two weeks.

I still don't have movers.

I haven't packed a thing.

In an effort to purge things, my house now looks like a war-zone.

Oh...and my car is acting up.

When it rains it pours.

So...in the midst of all the raining, blogging got lost last week. I know, I know I was planning on getting back to posting 2-3 times a week (and that is still my goal, someone keep me honest), but life just royally got in the way last week.

Does anyone have great suggestions about moving, movers, how to get your soon to be 9 year old to not be a hoarder?

I'm all ears!

Moving : 27 Days and Counting

Yes, we are moving again.

In the almost 4 years I've been blogging...I will have moved...3 times.

Once just Boomer and I, then JJ moved in with us, then Boomer and I moved out on our own again. (Yes...my marriage clearly had some ups and downs.)

Now we are moving again. I should be a pro, but the last move was actually almost 2 years ago. 2 years of accumulating stuff. 2 years of routine.

Moving is stressful. First there is the actual decision to move. Which I agonized over for 2 years. Not EVEN kidding.I planned on our 1 bedroom townhouse being a temporary stop in the midst of the divorce. Then Boomer switched schools and my commute went to Hades.  My current commute takes me up to the northern suburb where Boomer attends school, then past my house again to the eastern suburb where I work.

That 42 minutes  quoted by Google? Lies. It takes an hour. Twice a day. So more than an entire workday each week. In my car. They increased my rent again this year, to a price that made it cheaper to just move.  Also....we've been living in a 1 bedroom townhouse for 2 years. We each have separate beds....but share a room. While it was good at first while Boomer was dealing with the split. Momma now absolutely needs her own room. With a door. That shuts. That also locks.

Now, once you decide to move...then you have to chose a new home. OMG. The amount of places I looked at. Then dragged my mother to look at. Then looked at again with Momm and Boomer. It was insane. The places I loved were inevitably expensive. Then the places I though were priced alright I didn't like. I finally picked a place though, that will cut down our commute and that I think we will be happy in.

I know...15 minutes doesn't seem like much, but it adds up, and I won't be fighting as much traffic anymore, so truly this is going to cut my commute almost in half.

Now comes the logistical nightmare part.

Packing. Choosing movers.

I hate to pack everything. Part of me wants to get started and pack ALL THE THINGS. This is not practical because I need things day to day. So I'm trying to weed out all the things that DON'T need to make this move with us...in lieu of packing.

Movers. I now have enough real furniture in my possession that I don't trust the u-haul and friends method of moving. My pretty brand new couch will be moved by licenced, insured movers dang it! Said movers are not cheap.

So that is where we are. A month from D-Day. Oh and moving day?

The day before Boomer's 9th birthday.

Pray Saints.

KGB turns 4!!!!!!!!!

Wow...

I can't believe that 4 years ago today I wrote my first post!

My blog back then....oh boy I wish I had screen caps. I know nothing about blog design so I had the most basic of basic templates and I just had no clue what I was doing.

That being said I still don't.

My current design was created by someone else, even though I read Sarah's tutorials I still can't make all my pictures the same size, and for a while there my bloggy was silent.

Blogging has been an amazing outlet over the past 4 years. I met some of the coolest ladies here in my own city that I am blessed to call my IRL friends. I've 'met' other equally cool ladies from across the country and globe. I've used this space to write about parenting, and the off the wall Sh*t Boomer Says. I've talked about my relationships with men, my family, and myself. I've even shared my favorite beauty tips and tricks...and there was a brief foray into fashion blogging. :shudder:

So happy 4 YEARS KGB!!!!!

An Obvious Metaphor For Life

I work in a very modern, mostly glass building. It is beautiful and where the building is located I can see some of the most amazing wildlife outside my window. Deer, bunnies, baby ducklings, baby geese, their noisy parents, herring, frogs...it is basically like a little park right outside my window.

All spring we have collected at the windows oooh-ing an ahhing over the adorable fuzzy chicks, the cute little cotton tails, and the beautiful does.

There is one pitfall to the beautiful glass windows, and all the nature.

Every so often a bird just flies into the windows.

You hear this awful thud...and you know what has taken place.

It happened yesterday. There was a thunk. We all knew what it was.

We walked to the window and there was the bird laying on the ground. A tiny, perfect, beautiful emerald green hummingbird.

Lying at a weird angle. Moving a little here and there.

Every time it happens you hope they are just stunned. You hope they hop up and carry on....so we stand there, encouraging from behind the glass.

It was more heartbreaking this time, because it was so tiny, and so beautiful. Majestic.

I watched for a few minutes, and then returned to my desk. I didn't want to watch a tiny, beautiful creature's last moments.

Then I heard my co-workers cheer. The bird got up...and flew away.

So there you go, an obvious metaphor for life.

What I Did This Weekend: May 4, 2015

May the Fourth be With You!

Yes, I know, two weekend recaps back to back Whitney?

Look, I'm blogging more than once in a 6 month period so let's all be really happy about the little things.

Friday -

We were instructed to leave work early by the boss, and when the boss says leave early and the day is as beautiful as it was Friday, you listen.

I drove up to get Boomer from school, and she was super excited about her recent library acquisitions. She's very much my daughter and loves to read graphic novels. Don't ever call them comics; She will get offended. I also managed to snap this pic!

I love this because she even sits like me when she reads. I got a little caught up when we stopped to get gas.....I really wanted to read her new X-Men. So I did. Windows down for about 30 minutes. It was great.

We then headed to mom's because I needed a derby hat! Also....I'm in love with my mom's dog.

Saturday-

I woke up with the beginning of a migraine, but Boomer reeeeeeally wanted to go to a Derby themed birthday party some friends were throwing so I decided to power through. I also went with a completely different hat and outfit.

The party was so cute and fun, no detail was missed down to roses frozen in the ice cubes. There were ponies for the children to ride, Mint Juleps for the adults to drink, and fabulous hats and fashion. This family is known for their themed parties and this one certainly hit the mark!

Unfortunately by the time we were leaving to have Saturday dinner with my mom, my migraine was back in full force. I also made the stupid mistake of eating carrots. (I am allergic). So on the freeway on the way home my body just revolted. Mostly my stomach. It wasn't pretty. I made it my mom's house, and basically died in my old room. There was benadryl and migraine medicine involved....I remember some powerade, but mostly I rolled around moaning, asking Boomer to 'please Jesus turn off the lights'.

Sunday-

Ah, Sunday...the dawning of a new day. I was feeling better and it was Investiture Day for Boomer's church group so I had to pull it together! I ran home with Booms to get changed and presentable and headed to the church. I was SO proud of my girl who earned seven honors/awards along with the pin for her level. She was so proud of herself and I loved what her teacher had to say about her:

When you look at Boomer you think 'Oh, what a little lady!', but this girl is a leader! She will get the rest of her class to do what they need to do. She says, 'hey, let's get this done, let's do this and that!', and they all listen. She is so driven and full of passion!

That is exactly the kind of woman I'm trying to raise. Yes, we are ladies, because MY mother wouldn't have it any other way; but we are so much more that that!

After that we went back to mom's house for a little nap. Then I somehow convinced my family to head to the Spring Columbus Flea with me. I've been wanting to go for awhile and I was glad Mom and Boomer were down with being adventurous with me.

I had so much fun looking through all the cool antiques, and crafts/artisanal goods! I almost took a dresser home with me....but we are moving soon and I'm already storing a mattress in my mother's garage....I don't think I can convince her to store a dresser in there too. No matter how stunning, and perfectly mid century modern it was. Sigh. Anyway, this is what I picked up, a print for the new house and this super cute hair bow for Boomer! Boomer is her mother's daughter though...she fell in love with an antique camera...I'm going to talk to the vendor about finding one for her birthday!

After that we strolled around the campus area, went to Target to price bike's for Boomer's birthday, and headed to Johnny Rockets for chilli cheese fries and milk shakes! Then this song came on and I totally embarassed not only Boomer, but my mother as well. Backstreet for the WIN!!!


That was our weekend, how was yours? Did you guys do anything exciting?

 

What I Did This Weekend : April 29, 2015

Hey All...

I feel like it has been so long since I blogged, I get a pass for doing a weekend recap on Wednesday afternoon.

Glad we are all in agreement.

Let's start with last Friday. It was my bosses last day. She has been a mentor to me for over three years, so to say it was a little emotional is an understatement. Apparently it was a little more draining than I thought, because I went to my mother's house, laid down in my old bed, and when I came too it was 9:30 am the next morning.

Party Animal.

Saturday was a little more exciting. I got to get all dolled up, and go with my best friend to the Season Opener Party for Columbus Cars and Coffee. My close friend from high school created Columbus Cars and Coffee and throws this party every year. It was at the Franklin Park Conservatory and it was a blast. Beautiful exotic cars, body painted models, cigars, high end luxury watches....it was wild.

Excuse the grainy photography....the really nice pictures I stole from my friend Joe. 

If you follow me on instagram you probably saw a few more shots.

If you follow me on snapchat....I'm sorry.

The next day I was required to pull myself all the way together for the baby shower of a friend. All I can say is thank GAWD that shower didn't start until 3pm, because I was a little dead.

How precious is this cake? Her theme was woodlands!

Confession. I had a weird moment of baby fever while at the shower. A colleague at work recently had a baby, and brought him in. I got to hold the baby and watch him while dad went to a meeting....and I got achy ovaries for a second then too.

This was weird for a few reasons. 

A) I have been single now foreeeeeever. So there are no potential fathers in my life.

B) I have told anyone who will listen how much I don't think I'll ever be having another baby.

Anywho...that's what went on this weekend. I've really missed blogging...and I've wanted to get back to this space. I've dipped a toe in the water the past several weeks, reading and commenting on some of my favs around blog land. I just feel like blogging has changed so much these days. Gone are the days where we were reading about each other's lives and really getting to 'know' bloggers. Now it seems like everything is 'pin this' and how tos.  For awhile I didn't have anything to say, and now that I do feel like writing again...I wonder are there still people out there interested in the ramblings of a 29 year old single mom of one?

Hopefully there are, and I'll be doing my best to post at least 2-3 times a week.

A Curly Girls Guide to Stop Washing Your Hair

Hey Everyone!

Yes, it has been ages since I've blogged.

Five months. 5. Who's counting though?

For those of you that have been reading awhile, you'll remember that Boomer awhile ago went through a phase of hating her hair.  I went on a natural hair bender, and wore my hair in it's natural curly state for over 6 months. During that time, I experimented with all kinds of products and methods and I found out something.

My hair did a LOT better when I ditched shampoos.

Now, I did not jump on the baking soda and vinegar band wagon. I like product too much. I'll tell you what I did pick up though!

Cleansing Conditioners:

You will often hear naturalistas talk about co-wash. I had no clue what that was, but essentially it is using conditioner to rinse and wash your hair. Bigger hair brands caught on to this and starting marketing cleansing conditioners. Here are two of my favorites.

These are both easy on the wallet and can be picked up at any drug store, or grocery store.


Sulfate Free Shampoo:

For those of us that just can't give up the bubbles and washing, or for those who have product build up (because what curly haired girl doesn't) this is for you. The L'Oreal Evercreme is my hands down favorite. My hair feels great, not stripped and frizzy and wild. Now if you have MASSIVE product build up. I'm talking to the point that your curls have lost life, and your hair wouldn't shine if you drenched it in baby oil? Then use this shampoo and add a DIME sized amount of clarifying shampoo. Your curls will thank you.

This brand is a little pricier, and will run you about $6 for a bottle. However since you are now washing your hair A LOT less, it will last you months!


Let's just talk really quickly about what DOES NOT WORK for the curls.

Dry Shampoo.

Why? You can't brush it out without breaking your curl pattern and causing even more frizz and craziness. Curly hair does it's best work, when you just leave it alone. I mean literally get out of the shower, throw some gel on it, and don't touch it for a few days. You want a mess? You want tangles, and at the end to still have dry shampoo residue all over your head? Then spray some dry shampoo in your curly roots. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Now for my friends with straight or wavy hair, fear not. My friend Colleen who blogs over at Coocoo for Coco has a guide just for you!