Where is the Jetsons transportation?

 I am sick of cars. 

We have had car problems since October. Back then it was that the car over heated all the time and leaked. We took it to a place to fix it, and they said they did and yet, it was still leaking and overheating. So we took it back. We get it back from them and they say it is fine, yet, while driving it, the gas starts leaking out of the car and so once again, back to the shop it goes. Pretty sure it took at least two more trips to get it so it no longer over heats or leaks.

The problem that occurred today is it won't shift into gear. Like you can move the lever thingy, but nothing happens. And it was fine like 10 minutes before. So our car is stuck outside of Hubs work and a nice co-worker of his gave us a ride home. Of course this happened on a day when I had the car, so two people required a ride home instead of one. 

As a kid I watched the Jetsons and everyone was all talk about how that was what the future would be like. And while we do have zoom calls and virtual appointments and school we do not have flying cars. We do not have all the bells and whistles that made the Jetsons super cool.

Why is that?? I would like that. I mean, apart from the fact that I am actually terrified of flying, but I think I could make an exception for a flying car. 

Maybe.

 
Hell, at this point I will take transportation by horse. Actually, that would be super cool. Minus the fact that I would then need a wagon or something to transport things home in. Plus, we would need like a horse per person. And I guess horses need food and a place to live. And while we have a decent sized yard, it is NOT horsed size. 

So maybe horses are not a good route to go. 

I have always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. In fact, when Kolby started kindergarten I had began studying to get a permit...but then the pandemic happened, and I started homeschooling and well, that is still on the bucket list of things to learn. 

But I guess that a motorcycle, while fun, would not solve the current problem either, because similarly to a horse, it is not exactly a family vehicle. Although, it does not eat nor really need a place to live.

 
So back to the Jetsons...I feel like we somehow got deprived of some awesome technology. I have my theories on the why of this, but that is probably a topic for another day. 

If it wasn't winter and we didn't have crazy ass weather walking would not be outta the question until we could figure things out. But like, there is still ice on the ground, and no guarantee that it will be nice anytime soon. Plus, we don't live super close to things. Driving we are about 10 minutes from his work, walking...a good hour probably. No grocery stores are close by in walking standards either.

Maybe I need to learn more about cars. Ya know, learn how to MacGyver shit into working. I learned how to change a tire from the dad of the baby I nannied for...and that came in handy, had to do that in a prom dress. But other than that, I am not all that knowledgeable about trouble shooting car problems. 

So, what is the biggest issue you have had with a car? Do you wish we had some Jetson vehicles? How much can you fix on your car yourself before having to find a good auto shop to take it to? Do you have any MacGyver talents? Not just on cars, but any skills that you would like to share. Join in the conversation in the comments and let me know!!

Well, it's nearly 7pm. I have had a doughnut and 2 sticks of cheese all day so I guess I should find some grub. Until next time Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!!

Where can I get a How-To Guide?

 Who else needs a How to Guide?

I feel like I need a How-To Guide to this thing called adulting or just life in general. Anyone else? I can't believe that I am the only one who feels this way, but if I am that is fine too. If you have the answers please leave them for me. Or tell me where you got the guide because I need to read it like STAT.

I remember after having Kolby, I had stayed in the hospital for a week (had to have an emergency c-section so wanted that extra time) the minute I was packing up to leave the hospital it hit me. Like, wait a minute, y'all are sending me home, with the baby and what am I supposed to do? Who is going to tell me what to do? Where is the play book for this?  And it was such an odd feeling because I wanted a baby REALLY badly, but suddenly it hit me that like, I was going to be the one in charge. Like, I was the person who needed to have the answers. Talk about a deer in headlights moment. 

And I am sure that all parents, especially moms feel that way. 

Except there are days, lots of days, that I want a How to Guide or a play book to being an adult. Like please tell me how to do all the damn things in the 24 hours that are in a day, while also getting enough sleep and eating and all the things. Like what? How? Cause I refuse to give up sleep. Sorry that is not gonna happen. And I need to do certain things for my mental health. Then I have homeschooling, then recording and prepping for the next school day. Then I like to read, and don't forget about eating, and walking (which is my working out for the year), then dishes and laundry at the very least, then writing and the random crap that pops up from day to day. 

I will be 43 in May and I still have not figured this shit out. At all. It feels like the to-do list grows and the energy drains and I am juggling, the balls are in mid-air but I don't know how to juggle. Truthfully I really don't know how to juggle. 

But this feeling doesn't just pertain to the to-do list but like: here is a "funny" fact about me. I hate to make appointments for me. Like it stresses me out, I panic. HOWEVER, I have zero issues doing it for Kolby. That's easy. I freeze when it comes to stuff for myself. I can and have advocated for my son with no apologies but if it comes to doing the same for me, I am like, "oh, no that's ok". Like I go from Pitbull to doormat. Where is the How-To guide for that situation??

Like were these life skills taught in High School and I missed the class? Is this something that everyone else excels at and I have just missed the mark? 

Or do we need a support group for being an adult? Like a community of people who are like hey I gotcha on that one. Or here is the script on what to say. (Like seriously I NEED this. Introvert problems here!) 

When it comes to the day-to-day life things where do you fall? Do you just have you shit together or are you like me looking for the directions that you must have misplaced somewhere? Are you really good at making all the appointments or do you put it off until the last possible moment because you avoid doing things that you don't like doing? Join in the conversation in the comments and let me know!!

Until next time Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!!

 On Being an Aunt

January 28, 2025

6:30pm

Today I spent the day in Indy helping watch my nephew "E" (or Big Dog E as I call him as he was a big baby) while my sister went to an appointment. I enjoy spending time with him. He is currently 14 months old and it's a nice way to get my "baby fix". Especially since I can no longer have kids. Also, he thinks I am hilarious which is pretty nice. 

Although, I would not want to do the baby stage again. This kid has some ENERGY. I forgot how non-stop toddlers were. Or how if you do something one time they like to repeat it over and over and over and over and...you get the point. It is very nice to be at the stage where I love on the baby and then go home to my potty-trained, self-sufficient big kid. 

Anyways, this got me thinking about being an Aunt.

I became an Aunt for the first time at the age of 15. It's a side effect to having siblings that are 15+ years older than you. Ironically, a month after being an Aunt I became a big sister again. Anyways, I had no idea what being an Aunt was as a teenager. Don't get me wrong, I loved (and still love) my niece and I enjoyed spending time with her. The problem was I graduated High School and then went to college and never lived back at home. So visiting was less frequent. 

I did still see her and I got her this really cute Ball State University cheerleader outfit for little kids. But the role I played in her life then, is not the same as the role I am playing in E's life now. 

So of course, me being me, I have to over think it. I kinda feel bad that it is a different dynamic. I can acknowledge that different times of life and all that do make a difference. 

Then I also started to think about the fact that I really don't have any Aunts that I had lots of interaction with.  On my mom's side I have one Aunt and then as a young kid I had three great aunts that I got to interact with.  I probably saw my great aunts more often because when I was younger we spent more time in Minnesota. My aunt married my uncle (my mom's brother) when i was young, think like between 4-6ish years old. She is very nice and every summer we went to Minnesota we would visit. That was just every summer, until I was 17. She did come to my wedding though so that was nice. 

Then on my dad's side the only Aunt that I had in the States, my dad was born in England and a large portion of his family lives in England, lived in South Dakota. We visited her like every other summer/ every two summers from third grade until my junior year of High School I believe. 

Nearby extended family is not something I grew up with. So the fact that Kolby gets to see his grandparents, aunt and uncle more frequently than every summer or every other summer, and E does also, is definitely a good thing.  

Are you an Aunt? Do you have a favorite Aunt? What qualities make someone a good Aunt? Join in the conversation in the comments and let me know!!

Until next time Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!!

 January 27, 2025

8:00 pm

I am sure you are wondering what is up with the name of the blog Life After... and the address Life After Religion Book.

Alright, so the book I am writing is titled Life After Religion, but I didn't want to name a blog that because I do not want to only talk about religion. I mean I have a lot to say on the subject, but I want to talk about more things than just religion. 

However, I like the idea of Life After...like everything. What I mean is that in some situations it feels like "how can things go on?" or "how can life keep going?" Or in the case of my book, I was always taught that without Christianity you could not have a good life...but guess what you can. SURPRISE! 

So anyway, that is why behind the title. 

Like I said though, so many things will be discussed here. 

Some future topics:

    Menopause

    Staffy's and Pitbulls

    Discussing my favorite television shows

    Cats

    Chasing your dreams

    Sensory Processing Disorder

    Living in Indiana

    Facing your Fears

    Bucket List

    Music and Dancing

    Religion    

    My book

    Political feelings

    Anarchism

    Homeschooling

    Where do socks go in the dryer?

    Coffee vs tea...and that is just part of the list. I am sure that more things will come to mind as life goes on. 

If you have any ideas on things to discuss or that you want to hear my thoughts on let me know. 

Time for bed...I value sleep...almost as much as I value waking up to have coffee!!

Until next time: Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!!

    

Monday, January 27, 2025

11am

 Hello!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

So some basic info for this first blog, ya know so that you can know what to expect and who i am and what not.

My name is Jenn. I am in my 40s. I am a stay at home homeschooling mom and a writer. Feels weird to call myself that, but I am. I believe I will (self) publish my first book by the end of February 2025 and have some poetry and other topics for other books as well. 

Not to mention, I have thoughts. And opinions. Lots of them. 

And time for silence and niceness is over.

Now, a lot of my thoughts may be about political, social, or religious stuff...but I have lots of opinions on EVERYTHING.  I am a very opinionated person. Sorry, not sorry. 

So this place is one where I will vent/share my thoughts. I invite interaction and discussion. Hell, I would love discussion. HOWEVER, what we will not do is be rude. Especially to others who might share on here. I get that I am putting myself and my thoughts out into the Universe, so if you really get hit with the spirit of evilness and just can't control yourself, whatever. But what won't happen is meaning mean and hateful to others who comment. 

So to recap the only "rule": If ya gotta be mean and hateful direct it at me. Not at others who comment. 

Other than that this is a place to just discuss all the things from the political climate in the US as of 1/20/25 to raising children to why on Earth can we not get more shows with the biker boys from Sons of Anarchy to where in the world do socks go when you dry them?

Well, that's all for now. Gotta get ready to do some teaching. In the next blog I'll explain more about the name and address but for now....

Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!