#screenshot Saturday is like Christmas but better for me

[monards]

three days until screenshot Saturday..,

[calumsash]

ok so i posted a cashton fic rec a couple of months ago and since then i have expanded my horizons and read more than just these two. this fandom truly has the best writers and i can’t thank you enough for the joy and comfort your fics bring me and many more im sure. most of these are cashton and cake since they are personally my favourite pairings to read, i still have many more on my to-read list so hopefully i make another one of these with more fics! so here we go in no particular order with the fics i got around to reading in these couple of months:

calum hood/ashton irwin

Empty Gut by @daydadahlias​ - Cowboys and horses and long, lonely nights in the wilderness. (11k)

here’s the thing, i have been hearing about jess’ fics from a friend of mine before i came across their blog, got many screenshots of their lashton fics (which the moment i start reading more lashton they’ll be first in line) and from what i saw i was in love with the writing. so when i saw you writing a brokeback mountain AU for cashton, none the less, you got me. it was so heartbreaking and i loved the way you wrote all of ashton’s inner monologues. i knew how the movie ends and i still cried at the ending for calum.

Fall Into Me by @ashtcnirwin​ - In which Ashton acquires a couple of piercings and it comes with a slight change in his way of being, and it throws Calum for a loop. (16k)

holy shit where do i start, it’s always refreshing to read sub!ash since usually it’s the opposite. i really loved the different dynamics you put into these fics between all the guys. one second i was laughing my ass off and another second it got way too hot in the room while reading this, which in my opinion is a great combo. also, im very grateful you graced us with a part two for this series cause when i didn’t think it could get better it did.

In Your Sweet December Haze by @fourdrunksluts​ - It’s been years since Ashton’s last seen his best friend's dorky little brother, Calum, but when their families decide to get together for their first shared Christmas since they were all kids, it’s more than just the holiday spirit that pulls Ashton in. (20k)

this fic has just the right amount of angst and comfort, i could literally picture this as a film. i loved the back and forth in the timeline and that way you slowly realize the chain of events that let them to the present. also, you made me cry over a furby and i can’t get over that.

i want you (bless my soul) by @michaelownsmyheart​ - In which Ashton moves in with a guy named Michael, Michael is in love with Luke and annoyed at Calum, and the guy with shaved blue hair from the elevator is too hot for Ashton to know what to do about it. (22k)

oh boy this is a good one, another sub!ash and im really loving this. the cashton here was excellent, but what was also excellent is the friendship between michael and ashton - their dynamic was so funny and sweet and they’re the perfect roommates.

calum hood/luke hemmings

He Did Ballet by @kaleidoscopeminds​ - Luke's life is perfectly on track. He is about to get everything he's ever wanted, to become a Principal dancer for the Royal Ballet. He's focused, determined and nothing will get in his way. Then he meets Calum, a smooth-tongued barman with dangerous eyes, and suddenly not everything's so simple. (37k)

the motherfuckin ballet fic everybody! the first cake fic i read and what got me into this mess. i really loved the buildup in the relationship and the combination of fluff and angst (chapter 7 im looking at you) and ballet au just has my heart ok?

more than just a neon weekend by @clumsyclifford​ - Calum shifts into a sitting position. The sheets fall further down his body and Luke looks down at his hands so he won’t stare. He’s still mostly naked, too, and he can feel Calum watching him, and his cheeks burn. Calum needs to leave. Calum needs to take his clothes and go and they need to never tell anyone about this and never talk about it again, because this could destroy the band if it turns into — if anything. (8k)

listen, im a sucker for angst and miscommunication and this got it. the whole fic got me hurting for both luke and, just wanting for them to be ok. “Means nothing to me if it’s nothing to you” you just had to hurt me huh. i was just waiting for them to talk properly and for them end each others pain.

the flatmate arrangement by @kaleidoscopeminds​ - Hi Calum/Poor Struggling Paralegal, So I’ll be upfront with you. It’s a one-bed flat. I also live here. HOWEVER before you delete this and think I’m a freak, I work nights so I wouldn’t be here anytime you would be. You can have the flat exclusively from 6 pm to 8 am, Saturday night and all day Sunday. Understand this sounds like a bit of a crazy arrangement but I could do with the cash, let me know what you think? Luke Hemmings (Poor Struggling Children’s Nurse). (20k)

this au is so cute, you really got me wishing to have a roommate that i will never see. i love how michael and ashton both were like “this is crazy, why do you wanna die?” and luke and calum are like “it’s fine, don’t be dramatic”. luke backing when he’s stressed? leaving calum baked goods? them leaving notes to each other? this is so sweet i love this fic.

michael clifford/ashton irwin

Gotta Be Cruel to be Kind by @fourdrunksluts​ - The fandom required 10 Things I Hate About You fic. (26k)

you are right. every fandom needs a 10 things i hate about you fic! and michael and ashton as patrick and kat was just perfect. side cake was also adorable. it got all the great parts of the movie, but you changed it in a way that made the story so much better.

luke hemmings/ashton irwin

Off-Screen by @allsassnoclass​ - Now that classes are being taught from home due to the pandemic, students are getting a glimpse into Professor Irwin's home life, especially when his mysterious husband keeps interrupting class. (3k)

i loved that this one was from an outsider’s perspective. it gave me the feeling like i was one of the students in ashton’s class haha. luke being a clingy husband is also adorable. just pure fluff.

OT4

Let Go Of Any Hesitation by @fourdrunksluts​ - When Ashton's frustration is a creative block, it becomes the entire band's problem, and they each have their own idea of how to get him out of his head. (18k)

this one got it all, i love reading about ashton getting all the attention and getting taken care of. truly is a sucker for ashton and his boys. ashton is so stubborn here, but the moment he lets go it’s so good.

once again, thank you for writing these, you all are incredible and deserve all the love ♥

[larryfanficwriter98]

Chapter Six

Louis jumped when his phone started ringing and he looked at it to see a facetime request from Harry. He grinned and answered it leaving the living room to enter the kitchen. Harry was outside in sunny Los Angeles with Hollywood hills behind him from a patio.

"Do you realize the shitshow you have caused on my picture?" Harry greeted him clearly amused, letting Louis know he wasn't upset at all. "I woke up on Christmas Day to this. You have the nerve to comment on my picture and not follow me then you turn your profile on private so I can’t stalk you? Really? I have to have permission to look at your modeling pictures. You're a dick. An absolute dick." Louis laughed covering his mouth with his hand that was currently covered in Harry's pink merch sweater. "You didn't even follow me."

"I'll follow you I promise. I'll do it now, look I’m grabbing my new fancy macbook and logging in.

"You better. Jerk. I'll follow you after you follow me. Some boyfriend you are." Harry said, making Louis shake his head as he logged in and got on his Instagram account, then he went to his notifications and his eyes widened.

"I have 147 follow requests." Louis told Harry before he clicked on one of the notifications of a reply on his comment. "Holy shit. They're crazy."

"Yeah no kidding." Louis went to Harry's profile and followed him, "finally." Not a minute later Harry sent a request to follow him that he accepted immediately, "there's my hot boyfriend."

"Stop it." Louis said blushing as he commented on Harry's newest picture from a few days ago. It was of the view from his plane as they flew over the ocean to California. He commented "When I asked you to send pics this was not what I was talking about.👀.". Harry looked off to the side from the screen to his mac-book that was beside him on a side table, he frowned for a second then he laughed.

"Louis! No.." Harry said laughing as he turned a deep red, "you're gross." He said even though Louis could see him typing on his laptop. Louis waited then he got the notification and he laughed as he read the reply from Harry reading,

''This is a family friendly account. Go away.

.

.

.

.

.

I'll send some more later. I'll be sure to wear that hat you like.🤠"

"I think we broke your fans." Louis said laughing

"We should get off before you go and get a ship started."

"A ship?"

"Just wait."

~~~~~~~~

It took a few weeks for it to really sink in for Louis that he was dating Harry Styles. That he was dating an international award winning popstar. He was dating a Gucci model. He was reminded of this when he had stumbled upon a few of his photos. He and Harry talked daily and even facetimes for both of their New Years Eve, Louis had to wake up for Harry's but it was worth it. Recently on occasion one or both of them could be caught looking longingly at the screen, but they always did something to cheer the other one up.

Louis had a countdown on his phone so anytime he looked at it, it would tell him how much longer until Harry was back in the UK. Harry would still be busy and have things to do until March when his tour ended, but he would be here and Louis couldn't wait. Harry often talked about missing home, especially when it got to the last leg of the tour, said it always got harder, but it was even worse now.

After a lot of talking Louis and Harry finally made the decision to make Louis profile public after many flirty comments to each other in Harry's posts. Louis had even made a Twitter account just so he could attach a photo of their facetime one day and tell Harry how cute he looked when he had eye crud. Harry hadn't liked that picture at all and told Louis there would be payback.

The payback had been a video of Louis when he was drunk in January and was shaking his ass on a table. Liam had recorded it laughing his ass off as he, Zayn, and Niall kept men away from him. Louis had been wasted that night and didn't remember it at all, but there was video evidence and now it was all over twitter. That video has caused a lot of fans to talk about his ass which had Louis bushing as he read the tweets.

So Louis made his Instagram public and posted a picture of him in Harry's lilac sweater standing in front of his floor length mirror. The sweater fell to his thighs, just long enough to cover everything that needed to be covered since he didn't have anything else on. It was a side view so his ass curve was visible and he made sure to stick out just a little bit more. In the caption he wrote,

Okay, but why do I have thousands of teen girls asking about my ass? 👀

Harry was the first one to like the post and commented,

👀 that's a nice sweater. Mind sharing? It's a bit chilly over here.

Send me new ones and we can discuss potentially sending you this sweater.

You realize my house has a closet full of sweaters. And my laundry detergent. As well as my cologne.

👀...You don't say...and for no particular reason...what's your address?

😂 I've conveniently forgot.

🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻

LEWIS! How dare you. This is a family friendly account

Yours is family friendly. Mine is not.

~~~~~~~~~~

Since October Louis' Instagram had been filled with a lot of things that involved Harry in some way. Most of it was pictures of the gifts Harry sent, now it was of their screenshot facetime calls or pictures Harry sent through texts. It was also of Louis posting his new flowers biweekly that was delivered to his house by a florist employee.

Occasionally it was regular things like a selfie or a picture of him and the lads flicking the camera off on a group shot. His middle finger apparently became a "thing" that Harry's fans loved, he didn't exactly know why nor did he really care. His family had taken the news to him dating Harry Styles pretty well all things considered as did the lads.

"So I've been thinking." Louis was pulled away from his phone by Liam speaking

"You didn't hurt yourself did you?" Louis asked

"Ha ha. I was thinking we all have vacation time and Valentine's Day is next week. How about we fly out to Orlando, Florida to see your boyfriend." Louis tensed, "if that is something you two are ready for."

"You want us to fly out to Orlando for Valentine's Day so I can meet my international popstar boyfriend for the first time? While he just happens to be in one place for a week."

"Without telling Harry. Yes. He gave you the address to his Orlando home to return the sweaters didn't he? Just bring them in person."

"But what if-"

"No what ifs. Come on Lou let's be impulsive one last time." Zayn said, "let's go to Orlando and have fun and meet your boyfriend."

"Alright. How much is a flight-"

"Nope. Not happening. We are all pitching in to buy your flight. It's our gift to you." Niall spoke this time grinning. "Besides thanks to you and your paranoia we all have a few thousand in our savings."

"What? No. I am buying my own-"

"No you're not. We got this. Now call your boss and tell her you need vacation for next week."

Louis grinned and went to his contacts thinking about how he got so lucky to have three amazing best friends. They have noticed that lately the distance has been affecting Louis more than he was willing to admit. The few times they all facetimed with Harry Louis knew they could see the longing in Harry's face too whenever he and Louis looked at each other. After getting the vacation he had until Saturday at 4am to keep it a secret from Harry.

Departure was 4am Saturday (11pm Friday Orlando time), the flight was 9 hours long so they would stay up all night Friday and sleep on the plane. Landing will be 8am Orlando time (1pm Manchester time). However since they were sleeping the flight down they were going to be adjusted to Orlando time. It was genius the way the lads had planned it, the return flight was the same, flying during the night so they landed in the morning at Manchester. Louis didn't know how he was expected to keep it a secret. He was terrible with secret keeping.

[screeching-seventeen-blog]

older brother! seungkwan

i woke up from my nap and this is all i could think about

oKAY TO be specific, seungkwan is your twin brother that happens to be seven minutes older

and those seven minutes matter, to seungkwan, and seungkwan only tBh

so we’ve all seen seungkwan with his sister and we all know they’re #sibling goals

so are you and seungkwan any different

NO!

first things first, you two probably have like a 500+ day streak with each other because you send each other really bad photos, which he later screenshots for future purposes, or a photo of best friend! vernon choking on coke (coca cola, not drugs, don’t do drugs y’all)

and when i mean future purposes, i mean he posts them to blackmail you, or just because he feels like it

but it’s okay because you do the same

also, you, seungkwan and vernon are the trio

you three are always seen with each other since the day seungkwan met him, and the only time you’re not together growing up is because they had training

so when they debuted you were a proud mum

you: OMG IM SO PROUD OF MY SONS

vernon: you’re a month older than me, that’s not possible??

seungkwan: thanKS MUM!

vernon: ????

you’re also practically the mother of all carats practically since debut since he’d always post a photo with you when you meet up, and all the carats are like wOw the cutest siblings! you’re sister is so cute!! and you just reply with something like ‘i’m the only cute sibiling ;)’ then ‘jokes, kwannie is a cutie’

and then it just goes on until you’re unofficially officially the mother of carats

ever since debut, he hasn’t been able to contact you, so when he finds out from vernon you’re dating someone called kevin stan the boyz pls, he goes into interrogation mode

he’d probably either be like, no,,,, he’s the spawn of satan, or gurrrrllll,,, he deserves better (he really means, i approve)

he’s also willing to fight anyone who upsets you, because he believes his little sister deserves only the best and the best doesn’t include being upset

he also gets upset from time to time and you just know,, twin telepathy??? 

so you text him and you comfort him and tell him he’s perfect to carats and that carats wouldn’t want him anyway else

it’s also an unspoken rule that these moments can’t be used in arguements

speaking of arguements,,, they don’t happen often, but when they do, it’s usually jokingly

something like:

seungkwan: VERNON WOULD RATHER DATE ME OVER YOU I’M FUNNIER

you: WELL I’M COOLER THAN YOU 

seungkwan: WELL I’M TALLER THAN YOU

you: YOU WOULDN’T DARE!!!

ten minutes later

you: i would hate dating vernon

seungkwan: i know right

vernon: *sighs as deeply as he can*

i also think older brother! seungkwan would include shopping

and it’s either going to nice stores to find decent clothing with feedback from each other, rushing to any store and buying the cheapest and nicest ugly sweater because you forgot about the family’s christmas ugly sweater competition and you and seungkwan aren’t LoSiNG! or SEUNGKWAN I DIDN’T BUY THE PRESENT 

can i mention that when you guys go shopping you buy matching key chains of your favourite line characters, and for vernon’s birthday you two pretend you both paid at least ten dollars but you both paid less than five bc it was on sale and you split it

I FORGOT TO MENTION

going karaoke with seungkwan and trying to out sing each other is your thing

so every first saturday of the month you call seungcheol up to drive you two to karaoke, supervise, then drive you guys back

as tired as he is of it, he doesn’t mind because he just catches up on his dramas

tl;dr, you and seungkwan love to compete with each other, but it’s out of love, and you’d fight anyone for each other

- admin jola

IM SO SORRY WE’RE INACTIVE AS HELL

[cmmndrwidw]

woop woop rant train coming in again 🙌🏼

story time 👌🏻

(the more important things are below the line)

My former best friend just texted me today after we had no contact for over 1 1/2 years(!).

We went to school together for years, played soccer on the same team for years, did everything together every f*cking second of every day.

Beginning'19 I got a offer for a job two hrs away from home. It was amazing, but I would have to move there, wouldn't be able to play soccer anymore.

I thought about it for weeks. Talked to everyone about it. Decided I'd take it. I told my coach in march '19 about it. (I'm a goalkeeper, same as my former best friend). Pre Season starts in August. I'd start my job on August 15th. My 18th Birthday was 5 days prior, hers two weeks before mine.

In July '19 she decided she'd try out at a club 4 hrs away from home. She got in. Told it our Coach just before Pre Season started. Suddenly our team had no goalkeeper for two teams. I felt really bad, even though my absence was planned and hers was sudden.

Well however that's not even important...

I moved away, she moved away. In the end we were 6 hours apart. I was working 6 days a week, close to 12 hrs a day. She had her practice and school. We still stayed in touch every day.

I finally got out of that job, moved closer to home had better hrs, was able to come home more often.

------------------------------------------------------------

One night she sends me snap with her 'girlfriend' 'she loves her so much' etc. (She always told everyone she wasn't gay or bi, she knew I was. I regularly was asked if we were together. I had a big crush on her. She always played it off.)

I got a text from another one of our friends asking me if I saw the snap of her and her girlfriend. Asking me how I felt about it. (She knew I had a crush on her)

All the while I was texting with my best friend asking her why she felt like she couldn't talk with me about all of it, etc. She told me the snap was an accident, I wasn't supposed to see it.

idk I cried all thru the next three days, damn never knew what heartbreak felt like. it was horrible.

After three days she send me a screenshot of her texts with our friend who asked me about the snap.

The just thought they could play a joke on me. A JOKE! They thought it was funny. FUNNY!

Well as you can probably assume, I didn't take it well...asked them why the did it, why they thought it was funny etc. After a while they got defensive, said it was my fault cause I took it seriously, and so on...

After a few days I asked my best friend if we could talk personally. She said she didn't had the time. (We were home at the exact same dates).

On this Saturday there was the christmas party of our (my) team. We had this hourlong recap of the last year. It was long enough for it to have a break in it. In this break I looked at my phone and saw she texted me. Asked me if I would be at the christmas party. I texted back 'yes'. At this moment I heard greetings from my teammates and looked up to see her coming in. She didn't even look at me, my teammates ofc noticed, but didn't say anything.

The recap went on, she sat at the opposite side of the table. After few minutes I looked at my phone and saw another text from her. 'If I had known you'd be here, I wouldn't have come.'

Later on my teammates asked me about all of it and I told them about everything. All of them were on my side, even though I wasn't. Funny, eh?

Whatever, a few days after that I got a voice message from her, yelling at me. Because I told lies to my mates, why would I even talk to them....

I didn't answer, cause I was just so overwhelmed with everything.

So no more contact between us for over 1 and a half years. Today completely out of the blue she texted me again.

'Hey, you wanted to talk with me back then, but I have 't had the time to. I'll offer you to talk now. Think about it, if you won't? well then don't, not my problem. If you want to talk, I'll give you the chance to talk about it and get all of this out of the way.'

(rough translation)

I have yet to write back. I don't even know what to write. What to do...

[slavicbarbi3]

Thoughts on Success

I in no way consider myself a feminist. The word itself makes me cringe. I am a beautiful, fiscally conservative woman with a steady career, who has worked hard to be where I am. I never realized until I became a SUCCESFUL woman how many men and women are uncomfortable with my presence & sheer existence.

As a successful woman I have faced ridicule where my male counterparts receive praise. Upon commenting to someone how many hours a week I spent in the office or on-site with clients I was asked by a wide-eyed, (I am sure well-meaning) woman in her mid 50′s, “How much do you see your kids? Maybe you should change careers...that's a lot of time away from home...especially that young.” While my male counterparts are given the classic “Look at you, burning the candle at both ends for your family!”

I have also faced disbelief that I, a woman, could negotiate my first sale at a higher commission than the agency standard. I closed on a half a million-dollar property at 9 percent commission meaning I walked away with 6 percent and the agency, 3. For an entire month rumors spiraled I was sleeping with my clients, a rumor I may add, affected my personal life when a co-worker took to social media to state said rumors as fact. The screenshot of the post was sent to me by a friend &  co-worker. This was promptly put to rest when I addressed her at my cubicle in the center of the agency, my boss in earshot. I calmly, and professionally called her out about her lack of professionalism, and reminded her of the repercussions such behavior could have.

After that I received either apology, or people stayed away from me. (I liked those people better.) My boss apologized profusely and told me it would not happen again, that there would be training. I told him it wouldn’t be necessary, it wasn’t his fault, I thanked him for taking care of it on his end. I stated with a smile, that I was fine and was satisfied. No training necessary I just wanted to work. He seemed uncomfortable and thought maybe I meant something else. He felt he needed to cover himself, because in his mind. women never mean what they say. He mandated the training, to which I told him, I would not attend.

I later concluded she was angry because the listing from which I obtained the client was originally hers, she was sick so I was asked by my boss to show the property. The client and I built a great rapport, and after listening to his needs we determined my listing was a better option and price for him. He brought me two more clients, and I closed all three sales within my first 90 days at the agency. My client list kept growing from those initial three sales. The rumor milling co-worker was eventually let go after she threw a flute of champagne in my face at the company Christmas party, where I was recognized for being the highest seller in the office.

Even to women, my sheer existence, the “no-nonsense” way I carried myself, my success was a threat. Her husband had chatted me up at the party, nothing inappropriate just a simple exchange of congratulations and light conversations. which I can only postulate lead to the eventual rage behind the champagne flute incident.

He told me, many months later on a coffee date that was the night he had decided to divorce her. He filed the day after Christmas and it was served to her on Valentine's day. Ouch. He said at home, I had become a fixation of her lack of confidence. He had warned her that the rumors and posting would be a very bad idea. He said when he met me at the party he realized all the things she had said about me were completely false, and that he had dealt with this with her for years. She even once accused him of cheating on her with a woman in her office even though he had never stepped foot in it. The imaginary affair sparked the creation of a joint Facebook account. We went on several lovely dates and had a wonderful summer fling. in the end, I did not pursue something more serious. He was a bit bitter but accepted it and we remain friends. After the champagne flute incident, it took about 6 months for my boss to relax and realize I was, a woman of my word, and I was not going to do anything I didn’t want to do. My boss and I grew to have a great mentor-mentee relationship. When he saw I had a way with people, and was very good at selling, he took me under his wing (within a respectable distance so not to concern HR) and I became a broker within 16 months of my career.

Once I became a broker, I was able to have more control over my time, I spent more days working from home, enjoying my kids. I no longer needed my full-time nanny to drop them off and pick them up from school. She stayed on part-time while she attended college.

By age 30 I had made my first million dollars, had my own brokerage firm, and was “the boss”. Which wasn’t bad for a girl who only had a 2-year degree from a community college and was raising two kids on her own.

With both my kids now in school, I had decided it was time to go back to the dating world. I am a very efficient person. The questions I ask someone to determine whether or not I meet them. Several times I had experiences where guys had given me the “right answers’ but when I met them they were more interested in talking about my money, how much did I make? How much did my car cost? This was always a red flag and I often promptly ended the date there. I even once had a guy ask me if I fucked my boss to get my job. To which I responded “I wish that was possible! It would have saved me 250 hours that I could have spent with my kids!” followed by me asking the bartender to cash me out.

No matter where I turned it seemed I faced some sort of stereotype, gender norm, or judgment. I learned quickly I had to be careful who I entertained whether it be romantically, professionally, or platonically. The more my wealth flourished, the more I attracted leeches.

One night I came home, I popped my heels off and I poured myself a drink, my usual nightly routine. My nanny had just finished dinner, she asked me about my day. She told me about the boy's day. I remember her taking my glass, and she looked into my eyes. I am not sure if it was my tired state, but I had stared too long. She took my disheveled look like an open invitation to kiss me and proceeded to grind on me. It took me what felt like way too long to realize what was happening. I pushed her off and we awkwardly stood there for a moment both trying to collect our thoughts. She apologized, and said she thought she sensed something. I told her it was ok. She started panicking, asking if she would be fired, to which I said “no of course not! it's ok! I will see you tomorrow” She had admitted to me, via email, she was very attracted to me and wanted to be my sugar baby. To which I told her, I didn’t want to make our relationship unprofessional. I kept the email for “just in case” because one thing I learned early on in life before the military or anything else was “CYOA” (Cover your own a**!) She was a no call no show the next three days. I thought nothing of it and hired a new nanny. This time I hired a single mom of 2 in her mid 40′s, who came with great references and was much cheaper hourly than the au pair agency. She and her oldest daughter both clean for me every Wednesday and Saturday and I set her sister up with a job at the agency. She is a fantastic fit and has been with us for two years now.

A month after the kissing incident,I received a call from the agency stating the young lady was preparing to sue for damages and wrongful firing. A simple forwarding of the email resolved the case, and I received an apology from the agency. Her lawyer dropped her as a client. She had illegally recorded me in my own home and this was her only evidence. My full video on the nanny cam and the email were enough to clear me of any wrongdoing. About 6 months later I received a check from her lawyer for my time and legal fees. I am now 32, and I can honestly say while being successful has its benefits, I often miss when I was broke. I miss the lack of judgment I faced. I had different stress as a broke single mom than I do now. In fact, I think I have MORE stress now. When you become successful you must be hyper-aware at all times. The constant feeling of being on edge, who to trust, where to invest, and the constant ridicule can be tiring. The only difference between the new me and the old me is I can take a vacation to get away from it.

[kansascityhappenings]

Joe’s Weather World: Evaluating the snowstorm (MON-12/16)

There have been a ton of blogs over the last 10 days or so…and I want to take a couple of days off from the blog but before I do…I wanted to sort of recap this past snowstorm and give you a clue what’s ahead…hint: take you pictures now and the kids may want to wear shorts again before Christmas.

Forecast:

Today: Some light snow/flurries in the area…accumulations will be minor and probably not be impactful but in some areas there might be a dusting to 1″ around KC…the better chances of 1-2″ or so is more towards the south of the KC Metro area. Temperatures steady in the mid 20s

Tonight: Rapid clearing and cold with lows close to 10°

Tomorrow: Sunny and chilly…highs near 32°

Wednesday: Sunny and chilly with highs in the mid 30s

Discussion:

First the good news…the pattern really wants to warm up…and I have a feeling more 50s are coming…and there would be a chance of some 60s in our future as well…\

We’re not quite done yet with snow though…

There is actually some dry air between 6 and 10,000 feet or so that needs to be overcome for some of that stuff to work its way to the surface.

The issue we’re going to have is the snow on the ground. Yesterday we saw between about 3″ up towards KCI to over 8″ towards Pleasant Hill>Belton>Peculiar>Kingsville area. I thought there would be a tight gradient of lighter to heavier totals and there was to some extent.

Here is what happened with the storm…

The highest total I could find was close to 12″(!) out towards the SE of Manhattan.

Closer towards the Metro…

and some specific numbers…

My personal critique of MY forecast thoughts leading into the event is OK…but there were some things that I didn’t do as well with…

Overall the snow totals worked out well…I thought…so that is good. Timing worked out pretty well so that is good. Impacts etc were more or less accurate.

I also go back to this graphic that I showed more than 10 days before the storm even arrived in KC…

This is a screenshot from December 3rd(!)…5PM show…12 days ago… #justsayin #snow #15th jl pic.twitter.com/3OtWfbRQUP

— Fox 4 Weather KC (@fox4wx) December 16, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

I highlighted the 15th for you…that’s pretty good.

My personal issue is that I underestimated the front end thumping of snow and over-estimated the back end snow coming today. That is a negative. I talked about 2 waves of snow for almost a week…and in reality it was wave #1 of snow that was the big deal and not wave #2.

So my overall personal grade for the storm I feel is a B-. Demerits for yesterday’s thumping. Positives for the longer range prediction…remember I was writing about this when it wasn’t even a storm out in the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. Positives for the overall accumulation for the vast majority of the region…although northern MO outperformed somewhat as well yesterday.

Now that storm is done…don’t ask me how KCI managed only about 3″ from this…but there were some totals up there close so I guess we accept that. It was a record for yesterday’s date though…officially 3.3″. Garry and I were joking with each other last night…about this. I wanted a higher total to get me started on the way to my winter forecast of 26″.

So with what we had yesterday…we’re now up to 5.2″ of snow.

Here’s the thing though…the pattern is going to be very anti-snow for awhile.

The snow that is out there will be refrigerating the near surface air…and it’s going to take awhile to get rid of it. When skies clear out tonight we should tank towards daybreak. That cold air will linger through tomorrow and probably Wednesday too.

The other issue is just above the surface there is a lot of mild air setting up…especially towards the end of the week. IF there was no snow on the ground we’d be in the 50s…on Wednesday but the snow will cut 10-15° or so from that potential.

There is a lot of snow out there that we need to get rid of…that process will accelerate on Thursday…heck no snow on the ground on Thursday would send highs to near 60° but we won’t get that warm

The good news is that the snow will be gone before the weekend…then we can really go to town for warmth. Data today shows soe really warm air building into the area and I’m beginning to think we could see 60°+ days possibly Saturday or maybe Sunday  with mild days into the early part of Christmas week.

The chances of a White Christmas at this point look to be about 3% or so…there may be a system near Christmas but with all the warm air in the Plains…it will be tough to get wintry weather from that. It appears we’ll need a Christmas miracle for the KC area for snow.

Take your winter pictures over the next few days…tough to see when we get more accumulating snow right now.

The 8-14 day forecast shows this trend…for temperatures.

I think the warmer weather will have run it’s course around Christmas with a more seasonable last week of December

OK that’s it for a couple of days…lots of blogging and working on my vacation so I want to check out of both till Thursday when I go back to work again.

Our feature photo comes from ‎Jeff Johnson‎ in Olathe…it almost looks like a painting!

Joe

  from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/12/16/joes-weather-world-evaluating-the-snowstorm-mon-12-16/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/joes-weather-world-evaluating-the-snowstorm-mon-12-16/

[rosieandthekangaroo]

Last days of winter

I started this post in Catalan and then decided to translate to English because I am a mess. And it ended up being very long, so let’s go!

So, here I will be talking about the last days I spent in Australia and, even though *the feeeeeels*, I will try to narrate what happened without boring you with sentimentalisms (is this a word?). I have been postponing this moment for a few days but if I have managed to have a blog for an entire year, I am not going to leave it unfinished.

The title is both literal (I went from winter to summer) and a kind of reference to the second album by Noah And The Whale, “First Days Of Spring”, but don’t read too much into this.

So, let’s go as it happened. I will go by topics or groups of people because we all know everyone loves reading about themselves so this way people can find the activities they shared with me all together :D

The day I left + the trip will be at the end of the post and in chronological order because I decided so.

UNI.

Exams: blahblahblah, boring, I am excellent, very good grades, boring boring. bye.

Things with 1206 girls and friends:

We went to the beautiful Grounds Of Alexandria.

We walked around for a while, took some cute pictures and then sat for lunch.

We also enjoyed a walk around The Observatory, where we took some pre-teen pictures of our feet that I am not even going to upload because I am too old for that.

But as you can see, the views were cool and my camera dirty.

The same night we went out and woke up very fresh for a beautiful sunrise at Circular Quay:

A post shared by Rosie (@sitagram) on Jul 1, 2017 at 2:58pm PDT

The next day was Katie’s last Sunday (and las day) in Sydney, so we did what people are supposed to do in their last day: Manly by ferry and Bondi walk!

I didn’t take many pictures in Manly because I was very busy buying this jacket:

A post shared by Rosie (@sitagram) on Jul 2, 2017 at 4:24am PDT

I had been trying it on forever but I never ended up buying it because it was too expensive, so when I saw it was 30% off I took it as a sign and got it. In the following days four (4, quatre, lau) people told me they liked it without me asking so that’s a win.

The waves were amazing that day. Sometimes I wish I was a better swimmer... But we are not, and it was cold, so we decided to just stare at them:

A few days later was Lydia’s last day in Sydney, so obviously we did some of the last day musts. In this case, we did Coogee to Bondi.

Gordon’s bay was pretty pretty:

And I sat on a rock south of Bondi pretending to be cool:

A post shared by Rosie (@sitagram) on Jul 5, 2017 at 7:45pm PDT

With half of the girls gone came the time for my last days... Maisie, my true savior in life, came with me to do some hikes I had never done and helped me discover new spots in Sydney.

We did a hike around North Sydney and Watson’s Bay, very pretty <3

She also came with me to do Coogee to Maroubra 

We love each other but don’t sit together in the bus because having a window is important.

My last day was a Sunday so we followed the rules and did Manly by ferry and Bondi to Bronte. I don’t have any good pictures because I was focused on enjoying it, but you have seen it so many times that you can probably imagine it. Thanks Maisie for being there for me so much. Love you.

Since it was a Sunday, it was also infusion day! It’s not my favorite day of the week, but it was slightly better because I got Jarnae to cook my remaining frozen fish for me and I ate it in the sofa and then got Kate in charge of the sauce:

Change in people:

TXOKO THINGS!

First of all, let’s go with San Fermin:

The Txoko organized it Saturday the 8th of July, the day before leaving for Uluru. Or maybe I pressured Uluru friends to leave the day after San Fermin so we could enjoy both. Who knows... (<3)

San Fermin is a tradition that has many things I don’t like but, luckily, the Sydney version didn’t involve them. I dressed up in white

And ended up in not so white.

And you’ll be wondering what happened. Well, we’ll have to go through the pictures to figure it out.

It started with a cup of kalimotxo and a delicious lunch.

It looked like a promising night, even the TV was there:

As you can see, and all Australians could see because this is a still from the piece of news we were in, I was sitting at the end of the table, between the people and the kalimotxo.

Therefore, I was in charge of all the table’s refills and obviously took my 3% every time. 

All good.

And it got even better when I found my true self. My spirit animal. She approached me and asked me to avoid standing next to her. I was very confused until I realized we were both wearing the same jacket. 

I am no Sherlock Holmes, but I think the stains in my clothes appeared just before this picture:

I do have other pictures that could help us solve this mystery, but maybe the public eye is better without them.

The morning after San Fermin we went to Uluru (see the previous post), and the same day we returned to Sydney Montgarri and I went to my last Euskara lesson (straight from the airport!). 

We played some games and learned some words and then more people came and we ate dinner all together <3 It was very nice and I am very thankful for the great moments we shared, and I am pretty sure that in September I will start looking for a place to keep learning Euskera! A part from the lesson and the beautiful dinner, they gave me a t-shirt and a handmade plate that I will keep forever. Eskerrik asko!

My last Saturday was also spent at the Txoko because we celebrated a Castellers lunch, CHRISTMAS IN JULY! The menu was a traditional Catalan Christmas menu

But a down under version: the pilota (meatballs) were of kangaroo meat (or that’s what I was told).

We also had delicious canelons and sorbet the llimona. And to finish, homemade Suchard!!! (Montgarri, this was excellent!).

I had a personalized balloon as a farewell present (and I actually took it all the way home!). 

It was also Maria’s farewell and we both got a Castellers de Sydney bandana signed by everyone

It was nice and sad, thanks for so much, colla!

But let’s not cry, for now. 

Later we played some canalla-friendly games and said goodbye to the canalla and to the Txoko :_(

And held the tears to enjoy a fun night out! We started at Frankie’s Pizza (I could not leave Australia without going to the fucking famous secret room!)

Then we took a cab to Soda Factory and pretended to be fine. YAY. 

Then we said goodbye. And it was bad. Actual images of me crying on the way back home. 

Good thing I was with Maria. Or bad, I don’t know, because she was also crying.

Tip: don’t say goodbye while drunk. 

Ok let’s change topics.

FUN PART CALLED: THINGS NOT CLASSIFIED!

This first one is from castells, so it is linked to the last section, but it’s not a txoko thing... whatever. Last day of castells was fun and I am lucky it was the last because Montgarri broke my pants. I have to say that Anna started breaking them a while ago when she confused pocket and faixa, but Montgarri made the hole ten times bigger and did it in the middle of a tower, so I couldn’t move to cover myself. We laughed a lot, so it’s alright.

The search for new strings became ridiculous because I went to too many stores and they were “out of strings”, “don’t have this kind”, “never had strings”, “closed for whatever”... BUUUUT, it led me to one of the most beautiful music stores I have ever been so there ya go.

I also ended up going to enjoy the sunset at the Opera and it was bananice.

On one of the days I went with the girls to the Bondi area I went for a walk with Bruno. While I waited for him the sky was falling red and super nice. 

After that, they invited me for dinner (after my absurd intentions to pretend I wanted to leave) and we ended up sharing a nice meal and beautiful evening. We even sang the song I wrote for them (this one) with a ukelele. I have a video but don’t know how to upload it here. But here you have a screenshot:

It was nice, thanks Ocean People. 

And now... LAST DAY + TRIP.

To be fair, we’ll start with the last evening. 

We did a nice reunion home. We didn’t do a dinner because of logistics (I was getting my infusions and stuff), but all 1206 (minus Katie, plus Liz) spent a nice evening together. We saw a very entertaining tv show and shared some good laughs. 

While I was getting my infusion I was chatting to Montgarri. She wanted to come say goodbye but she lives in the North Pole, so I told her it was ok, we could call or skype. I thought she was home so we thought skype was better, but then she called me. I could not get it on time so I texted her: skype or call? And she answered “hug!” with a selfie in front of my door. And now tell me, what have I done to deserve people like this around me? Seriously, Montgarri, you are the best. We stayed home for a little while, chatted, even sang a little bit, and then we said goodbye. I didn’t cry because I wasn’t drunk, but it was sad. But we’ll see each other very soon, right? ;)

That evening I finished packing and had to say goodbye to Liz, my beautiful crazy friend, so I went to sleep with the weirdest feeling on Earth.

The next morning I woke up very early and finished packing and cleaning. Then I met with Coti and Beñat for a coffee, since we hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye.

After the coffee, they came to pick up a yoga mat that no one in my flat wanted. On the way home, we stopped at free store because I was told there would be a guitar case in the morning (and I badly needed one to take Daisy home safe).

The case was not in the free store but, on the way to the elevator, we saw a guy with a big trolley full of things and, I think it was Beñat, spotted the case. So lucky they saw it before anyone else could take it!

We took the case upstairs, Coti took the yoga mat and we went back downstairs to say goodbye. 

Very thankful they came so early in the morning, I feel so lucky to have these two crazy (haired) people as friends!

After saying goodbye I went to check out and said the first goodbye of the morning to Jarnae, my beautiful singer and wall mate. Then I finished packing and got Maisie and Kate to help me carry my luggage to the uber.

Then we said a quick goodbye to avoid crying. Or that’s what we thought. The poor uber guy had to deal with my ugly sobbing. 

But when I got to the airport I had to have a clear mind: I was taking too much weight and a guitar!

Have you seen this face? This is the face of a lucky bastard. 

I was allowed 2 suitcases of 23kg each. Well... I carried one of 18,5 kg and another of 30,5kg and DID NOT PAY. I also begged to take the guitar to cabin with me and they let me. Well, they told me that they might have to check it in last minute, but they didn’t, they stored it in some kind of lockers they have next to where they keep the food.

So, once I left the security check behind, I went for the important stuff: spending my last dollars on TimTams. The guitar case I got was soo cool that had side pockets that could fit two TimTam boxes!!!

Once I got the cookies I found a quiet corner where I played some guitar (very quietly, just enough to distract myself), and I ate the fish leftovers I had. 

The first flight was bad. I was supposed to stay awake for most of it and I did, but ugh. I saw Hidden Figures and Dr Strange. Movies were good, but staying awake is hard!

Then we stopped in Singapore and I chose the wrong toilet.

I was also supposed to stay awake for the first 7-8h of the second flight. I rewatched the last Sherlock episode and Pulp Fiction, but I ended up falling asleep too soon.

Then in London, the transfer was easy, but the flight was packed. On the boarding line, I saw small suitcases being checked, so I panicked. A guitar is was bigger than that!

When it was my turn the lady didn’t even look at the guitar so I walked without saying anything. While waiting at the gate chairs, while the rich people were already boarding, a woman approached me pointing at my guitar. I froze. I was ready to not-so-fake cry if necessary. But then she said “get in line with the business people to ensure you have space for that”. Oh la la. So the guitar got home safe. And me too.

When I went to pick up the luggage my two suitcases were the first to appear in front of me. The trip back home was like suspiciously good, especially compared with the way there!

And finally, the meeting! My mom, sisters and sister products (Lluc) were waiting for me with personalized t-shirts!!! They even had one for me. And for some of my friends woohoo!!! They are so cool!!!

So that’s it. That’s the end of my experience in Australia, for now. But this is surely not the last post. I am keeping this blog for other Australia-related activities and thoughts and stuff.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me make this year so fucking cool. I hope we meet again soon. Like really soon. I am not saying this just to say it, I really mean it. I have met very special people and, even though we will not be talking very often nor sharing moments, I am sure you’ll always have a special place in my brain (fuck the heart), and I really want to see you all. 

Now I am almost crying, mira per on.

Dw.

[abovethesmokestacks]

Oh, How We’ve Grown (3/4)

Title: Oh, How We’ve Grown Pairing: Bucky x Reader Rating: General Audiences Word count: 1.4k Warnings: swearing, feels? Spoilers: None

Apparently ten hours of sleep and waking up to freaking 400 notes does a lot to restore you from severe fatigue. You guys are being so kind, and I appreciate all the kind words you throw my way. So much so that and I may or may not have screenshotted some of your feedback to look at on a bad day. Only one chapter left after this one, I’m sort of nervous. As always, if you want in on the tag list, send me an ask. Do not ask in reblogs and replies because they tend to disappear in the notes, and I’d feel bad if I missed someone.

| chapter 1 | chapter 2 | chapter 3 | chapter 4 |

III

We found weekend jobs, when we got paid We’d buy cheap spirits and drink them straight Me and my friends have not thrown up in so long

”Domino’s, may I take your order?”

So it’s not the most glamorous job in the world. It’s the worst. It’s slaving for minimum wage in Satan’s sweaty armpit while hoards of rude customers chip away at your faith in humanity. You keep repeating that it’s only for another couple of months more, that you need the money, that it’s a good experience. You roll your eyes when the line crackles as the customer hushes violently into the receiver.

”Shh! Shut up, Steve, I'mma order!”

No. No fucking way.

���Sam?”

”Huh? Sorry, did I misdial?” He sounds drunk, and you’re more than a little jealous. Working the evening shift on a Saturday night sucks extra hard.

”Not unless you want pizza. But it’s Sam, right? Sam Wilson?”

”Yeah…”

”We grew up together, you know my brother Clint, ” you explain. It’s been a while. A year or so, maybe two, possibly three, since you last saw him.

”Wait, is this… Baby Barton?”

The nickname stuck after that night when you got drunk for the first time, and you’ve bristled enough over it that even Clint’s over the novelty.

”I wish you’d stop calling me that.”

”Hell, no! Holy fuck, haven’t seen you in ages!”

”Technically, you’re not seeing me now either,” you point out into your headset.

”Still with the claws, Bab-” He almost says it but corrects himself with a swallow that might also be a suppressed burp. ”Barton.”

”What can I getcha?”

As much as you’d love to chat with Sam, you’re on the clock. Brass don’t like it when you stretch out calls for too long, and you’re already pushing it.

”Yo, Steve! Whaddaya havin’?”

You can’t hear the answer, and part of you is wondering if the Steve in the background is your Steve, Clint’s Steve, and if so… Shaking your head, you force the thought away. Out of all your brother’s friends, Bucky’s the one that’s seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth. You saw him at Christmas after the beer-incident, and the summer after, but then he never really came home. It pained you to not know where he went, however you didn’t feel like you could ask Clint. He was too invested in his studies, didn’t go to the same college, and at the time it felt too awkward to ask your brother why the friend you maybe-sorta had a crush on didn’t come home during breaks anymore. You only met up at the castle a couple more time, each time with fewer and fewer friends, until you realized it would only be you and Clint there, and no way in hell were you getting drunk with your brother.

”Barton? Barton!”

”Hmm?” Sam’s voice interrupts your little walk down memory lane.

”Did ya get that?”

”Sorry, bad line,” you lie, perking up to listen for real this time. “Could you say that again?”

”Three large pizzas, one New York, one Meat Feast and one Pepperoni Feast, two orders of cheesy bread and one order of chicken wings.”

”Got it.”

You repeat back the order, give Sam the total and take his address and credit card number, giving him an estimate of when his order will arrive.

”Hey, Barton, you should come hang out with us. ’S been a while, and… you know.”

”Sam, unless it’s slipped your attention, I’m working.”

”All night?”

Okay, so he has a point. You get off your shift in three hours. So what if you are dead on your feet now? You could just pop by, it isn’t too far from your own apartment as it turns out. No biggie. Right?

”Come on, Barton. You already have my address,” Sam teases, and you just knows he smiling that crooked smile, all white teeth and chivalrous charm that had all the neighbourhood ladies swooning over Mrs Wilson’s perfect little gentleman back in the day.

”Which I shouldn’t use for my personal gain!” you hiss at him.

”Come on…”

You sigh, looking over your shoulder. Your co-workers seem busy as ever, zipping back and forth. You shouldn’t. But what if… No. Yes. No. But-

”I get off in three hours,” you huffed. ”If I’m not dead, I might swing by.”

”You better! See you round, Baby Barton!”

You allow him that one, in part because Sam hangs up before you can chew him out. Three hours to decide. Pedaling home to conk out on the couch or pedaling off to a semi-reunion. It’s a choice that puts a pep in your step, and you breeze through the rude, drunk and semi-incoherent orders until it’s time to clock out. By the time you’re on your bike, you know you couldn’t resist temptation even if you tried.

Sam is a lot more buff than last time you saw him, but has apparently not learned how to hold his liquor. He’s a happy drunk, greeting you with a shot glass in each hand and exclaiming ”BABY BARTON!” so loudly it makes you wince quietly. It’s a bit embarrassing to have him herd you into the apartment, still in your work pants with a ratty band t-shirt and a sweater to keep you warm, declaring you to be his best friend’s baby sister to anyone still sober enough to listen and care.

”Hey, I thought I was your best friend!”

Steve is really your Steve, a mass of muscles and a backwards baseball cap that you hope is only ironic. When he envelopes you in a hug it’s something akin to hugging a mountain, but he’s as easygoing and polite as ever, running interference when Sam gets a bit too excited. You hover around them, gravitating towards Steve when Sam disappears for refills or a disastrous round of beer pong.

Of course you catch up. It’s standard, an exchange of data. Clint’s fine, he’s out trying to make good on his degree. It’s tough, market is what it is, blah blah. Really, Tony got hitched? Natasha’s a mystery as always, last Steve heard she was in Russia heading up a division for the company she worked for.

”So, what about Bucky?” you ask hesitantly.

Steve cocks his head, his eyes searching your face for something before answering.

”Military,” he then answers, taking a sip of his beer.

”What?”

”Yeah. Didn’t finish college. Dropped out and enlisted before our junior year.”

”Oh. Okay. Is he..?”

You’re not sure why you’re really asking. There was never anything there, nothing more than a silly high school crush that would never become anything. It was a kiss on the cheek, platonic in hindsight. So why is your heart thundering in your chest at the news of Bucky’s career?

”He’s fine. I think,” Steve blurts out, immediately backpedaling when he sees your shocked expression. ”No, no, he’s okay! He calls sometimes when he’s back at base, wherever the hell that ends up being. Shit, I have to tell him I met you next time he calls, he’ll be so stoked to hear about you!”

”W-why?”

It flashes across his face, so rapidly that anyone else might miss it, but time is different, you know that, and you see it clearly before it’s erased and replaced by an easy grin.

”People from the old block, you know. Where everyone ended up. So… where did you end up?”

He’s trying to avoid the subject, and you’re too tired, too overwhelmed to contest him. You offer up your own story, simple and boring as it might be while Steve nods in all the right places. Conversation dies between you after that, and you end up ducking out just as Sam pukes out the window.

You ponder the night as you bike home through deserted streets. Nothing’s like it used to be. When you finally stumble in through the door, you make a beeline for the sorry excuse of a box that constitutes your liquor cabinet, pulling out a bottle off off-brand, cheap-as-they-come vodka and taking a swig. Nostalgia and the wear of a long day thud dully behind your temples and you’re not sure if you want to remember or if this will go down as another “seemed like a good idea at the time”-deal. Try as you might, your thoughts wander, travelling unfathomable miles to a man with blue eyes and cropped hair, tucked away in some hellish corner of the world, and you weep for him when you fall into bed.

@loup-malin, @ursulaismymiddlename, @bakexprayxlove, @callamint,  @mrshopkirk, @tatortot2701, @ceebeetumbles, @avengerofyourheart, @booksandshowsandmovies-ohmy, @themcuhasruinedme, @creideamhgradochas, @feepsmoothie, @nuvoleincielo, @wellfuckbuck, @mellifluous-melodramas, @bovaria, @sebbytrash, @ouatalways, @awaitingjudgementx, @thelastjedl, @4theluvofall, @just-another-fangirl777, @avengingnights, @softwhispers, @therealgingermermaid, @c-maximoffs, @ipaintmelodies, @reniescarlett, @mizzzpink, @winter-in-wakanda, @seargantbcky, @dishonourablethief, @the-overly-attached-fangirl, @blackcoffeeandgreenteaforme, @lostinspace33, @thetalesofmooseandsquirrel, @mirkwoods—princess, @lenavonschweetz, @ourpeachskies, @v271828, @caitsymichelle13, @noticulous, @abigrumple, @with-a-hint-of-pesto-aioli, @skeletoresinthebasement, @captainmqmeep, @vvintersouldier, @ayeputita, @netflixa, @theloveablesociopath, @themistsofmyavalon, @bailieinabottle, @thatisstilltheterm, @thedevilreadsbooks, @lenia1d, @prplprincez, @whenhumanityislost,

[amberwolfmoon-blog]

December is a very important month for me. Sure, everyone sorta says that if they celebrate Xmas. Hell, even if the people don't celebrate Christmas but still enjoy the holidays, everyone can say December is important. Society deems it to be as much.

So yes, I do celebrate Xmas. No, I dont celebrate Christ. I'm not a Christian. So, let's just get that outta the way first. My Pa's Birthday is on Xmas, so my brother pulled a prank on me when I was little saying that Grandpa was Jesus & for a while I believe him. I pulled the same prank on my younger sisters. Pretty terrible, but couldn't resist when all I wanted to be was just like my big bro.

Anyways, moving on to the point.

First & most importantly, because this picture was screenshot in thought of him, my son was born in December & it's been my mission to find more jewelry with his birth stones inside it. He was my favorite Xmas present of 2017 & the best new year gift I have ever been given. He's radically changed my life for the better and truly has helped shape my life and me into a better person, the person I really want to be.

I sent a text to a buddy the other day that pretty much sums it up;

"The key is to enjoy him in every moment that I have him in my arms, constantly reminding myself it will all end sooner than I'd ever want. Hes already so big, so amazing, so strong. He literally takes my breath away and can always get me to smile. Honestly, it's ...what real love is. It makes you love your partner even more. Not just bcuz you made a life, which is amazing in itself, but it helps you see how you should be caring for everyone & loving them. Just as passionately, as earnestly, ready to teach, to learn, to listen. It's all so damn basic, but having a kid makes it all make sense. That's the gift Charlie has given to me. "

But its crazy, because if I think about it, all the signs point directly to him, to my son. It's like the universe was trying to reveal signs to me along the way, a push here and there in the right direction to lead me to my twin-flame & to having him. I swear Kai chose me in some other metaphysical way I cant explain.

Years before I had Kai, my Mom found a necklace for me that was buried on her property. Again, Turquoise with radiant red beds right next to them-- which so happens to be MY Dragon's color.

We joke all the time that the reason why our birthdays are the same, 6 years apart, you older and born on the same day (Saturday) was because it took 6 years to create me, to make me for you.

I swear that is absolutely the truth. You are my twin flame and my whole life has been pointing absolutely to you.

[happy2bmyownboss]

honestly don’t even know what all we did last week. It seemed to have went by in such a blur. I do know that I had put out a few different posts and here are the links in case you missed them:

Midweek Progress: Coming Back From An Organizing Burnout

A Pocket Full of Pennies

Choosing The Right Fit For School

Square Dancing Could Add Years To Your Life

Family Fun Day: Books, Elvis, Ice Cream, and Another Huge UPS Delivery

Becoming Debt Free One Bill At A Time

Favorite Lemon Meringue Pie

A Completely Honest Review Of Our First Hello Fresh Box!

  I hate how I sit down to write a quick little post and my internet acts up and makes it take foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…………………

But anyways let’s get back to what all we did last week…

We did get more packages from UPS and Fed Ex… the drivers pretty much know me by name and recognize me when I am out and about now… I guess that’s a good thing?

**This post does contain some affiliate links that help to support our blog.

We got lots of more school supplies like the ones below:

The kids are really loving their new Add & Subtract Abacus by Melissa & Doug!

I am also loving this little book right here:

My kids know that their brother has special needs but they don’t really know how to explain it to others. They are also very accepting of other children they meet who have special needs. I am hoping that this book along with a couple others I have ordered will help them.

We got quite a few FREE samples in the mail last week:

I’ve posted most of the links for these on my Kirby’s Koupons page on Facebook @kirbyskoupons.

We had a great time on Friday at the Silver Stars Club in Ft. White, FL. I know the lighting was really bad in this photo.

Then on Saturday we went to a Christmas in July benefit dance for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. I keep trying to upload the video clip but this internet isn’t letting me… you can check it out on my Facebook here. Here are a couple of screenshots though.

I love those ruby red slippers and they always get so many compliments but they don’t work quite like Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz. We just picked up this movie to watch with the kids too.

We went to Walmart to check out a few items and to get our weekly groceries. Mr. Awesome was with me, which doesn’t happen too often, and he was HUNGRY so we went a little off budget.

We did get a TON of fresh fruit which I cut up and stored in various containers in the fridge so we would have some quick and easy snacks through the week. I even cut a few apples with our favorite apple slicer and then put a rubber band around them to keep them fresh. The kids love apples but they seem to waste quite a bit when they aren’t cut up.

While at Walmart I did a little ‘window shopping’ for some new shelves that I might want when we get around to that special project I mentioned a couple of months ago… yes, I’m a little discouraged that it hasn’t happened yet and I am afraid that procrastination has taken hold of someone and it may not happen… sniff, sniff.

I looked at some planners too but the prices on what they had were CRAZY so I think I’ll look around online or just use something I already have.

I still haven’t gotten around to making those Haystack Cookies but I plan to make those after lunch which will be after I finish this post. I’ll post my recipe too when I get them made. The kids are playing some different board games right now while I blog a little.

I really wanted to try to do a vlog or two this week but I don’t know if that is gonna happen. My phone has been messing up and our lighting is not that great so my tablet doesn’t make videos very well nor does my laptop. We’ll see how that goes.

One thing I wanted to a vlog on was our curriculum for the upcoming year and the supplies we have gotten specifically for that. We have gotten a ton of other supplies that I have been stashing in the once uncluttered homeschool area… yep, it’s pretty full again but at least it’s organized!

As for this morning it has been a little bit busy trying to get our chores done. I have also been working on a new magnetic chart for the kids… it’s still a work in progress but I’ll post a picture of that soon. I did get through most of my routine and in the process I decided to cut back my poor little plant.

Pitiful isn’t it?

After I cleaned the kitchen a couple of months ago I had moved my pretty plant to the top of the cabinet. Well, I kept forgetting to water it and it was looking a bit sad. This morning everything seemed dead so I cut it back and managed to find a couple of green areas so fingers crossed it will come back.

Last week our cleaning zone was in the Kitchen where I didn’t really do anything special. This week is the Bathroom and Another Room which happens to be the Office this time around. I don’t have an office so I’m gonna just try to work on getting me a better work area fixed up. I do plan on trying to get a deep cleaning done in the bathroom because it really needs it.

We have a special dance to attend tonight so I need to work on getting our outfits ready for that. I love the garment steamer that I got a few weeks ago. It works well on freshening up my outfits even the delicate lace trim on some of them. It also works well on Mr. Awesome’s pants and keeps us looking so well put together! It is much easier than using the steam press I have set up in the tiny bathroom as well.

I’m gonna keep the steam press around because it will be really useful when I get an area set up for sewing, I am trying to work on that this week too. I have a couple of ideas in my head but I haven’t actually gotten out my measuring tape or put pen to paper yet to see if it will work.

I’ve also been working trying to work on getting some lessons planned out and ready to go for the new school year. This has been a bit frustrating as our internet is once again not working well and the kids just get so excited when they see me working on stuff and printing out things.

Whew! This has taken me way longer than I intended… the internet keeps flipping in and out and my pics keep getting taken out of the post. I better stop while I am ahead right now as I still have a lot of things to finish up before lunch time.

I hope you all have a great day… What are your plans for the week?

  A Look Back On The Past Week And A Peek Ahead To This Week honestly don't even know what all we did last week. It seemed to have went by in such a blur.

[ralphmorgan-blog1]

How To Finally Get Over Your Ex

He doesn't have to be an actual ex-boyfriend to have fucked with your head.

Whether you've just gotten out of a real relationship or a pseudo one, you still committed your thoughts to one person. And now that it's over, your thoughts naturally must go elsewhere.

Sure, you have an uncanny ability to talk at length about this season's Essie colors, or whether Kourtney and Scott's love for one another is eternal, but your mind will eventually find its way back to the guy you couldn't stop thinking about a week—or even a month—ago.

But you have to stop thinking about him before you can let yourself start thinking about someone else (besides yourself, obviously).

“Power is being told you're not loved and not being destroyed by it.” —Madonna

If you had it easy and had actual closure to your relationship, all you really have to do is wait. Time, Netflix and SoulCycle heal all wounds. Embrace them.

Keep reminding yourself that your breakup was for the best, and that even though life sucks right now, it will be so much better later on when your mind is clear of your ex, and onto better things like the hot guy you're hooking up with or the new Chanel bag your mom got you for Christmas.

The real way to get over someone you have been under for so long is to find ways to stop thinking about him. But when you do find your mind wandering into ex territory, which typically happens when your phone dies or when the Brazilian-wax technician isn't particularly talkative that day, just let yourself go there.

Allow yourself to feel sad about the situation, that you miss him, you miss having a boyfriend, blah fucking blah. A little sadness is normal, lean into it for a few minutes.

The Boyfriend Mourning Formula

Dated under a year: (The amount you liked him from a scale 0-5) x [0.5 (months you dated)] = weeks to get over him.

Example: You fell out of love. So you're basically over it. Zero multiplied by anything is zero. Congrats, Betch, you're ready to move on.

Second Example: You were together for nine months, you loved him and he broke your heart. 5x[.5(9)]=22.5 weeks, or 5–6 months. Remember this is a maximum. If you take longer than this, spare your friends the agony and seek professional help. Please.

One to three years: You have six months to one year. You're allowed one month to wallow in your own self-pity, but that's it. Use the rest of this time of mourning to get back to your old self.

Over three years: You have one year and that's it. Okay MAYBE one and a half depending on the dramatic nature of the breakup. Just remember, Botox can't stop your eggs from aging.

But don't ever pity yourself. You are not hopeless; you will bounce back to your normal self. Allow yourself those few minutes of sadness, but then snap out of it. Remember that you don't need to be in a relationship to be happy. Don't forget, you're a betch. Don't make us look bad.

Eventually the sadness will subside and you'll be able to think clearly. Make it a point to go out when you would have typically stayed in with him. If you had a favorite restaurant at which you two always ate, go find an even better restaurant and make a fucking new memory with your besties.

Fuck, we feel like sad pathetic losers even writing this. But it's fine, because being depressed over a guy is a super pathetic sad and loser-y state to be in. Once you are able to look back and laugh at just how sad and pathetic you were during those long weeks or months (hopefully not years, time is the only thing you can't ever get back), then congrats because you are so over it.

Other signs you are over it: Hearing his name and not getting a weird nauseating feeling in the pit of your stomach. Good sign. Seeing him in public without peeing your pants. Another good sign.

You may also be over it if you go on a date with someone and not once even think of your ex. But by date, we don't mean a one-night stand.

Sure, go out and have sex with a stranger, we don't discourage it. But don't assume that just because you fucked someone else, you're through the mourning process. Fuck for yourself, don't do it out of revenge or sadness. Because eventually the sex will end (probably too quickly), and you will go back to the rut from which you came (or more likely, didn't come).

However, if you didn't have closure to your relationship, that's an entirely different fucked-up playing field. This guy either ghosted you or never really gave you a concise, believable answer as to why he ended things.

When this happens, you have to make your own closure, which is about as easy and exciting as a juice cleanse or having a conversation with a cabdriver. Lucky for you, we have a handy guide for you to get over this loser.

The name of the game is replay, reconsider and repeat. (Yes, it's a play on lather, rinse, repeat.) Unless you're dirty AF, the goal of a hair-shower (not to be confused with a body-shower, which you should do daily) is to get rid of the dirt and oils that have accumulated on your scalp and hair throughout the day(s).

Now think of that dirt you're removing like the guy you're seeing. If you can get rid of him with just one rinse, congrats. But if you can't, keep repeating, Betch. He's bound to get out of your hair eventually.

Step One: Replay

Replay the relationship in your head. But instead of looking at it from your biased and slightly fantasized perspective, look at it from his. Don't be too hard on yourself, but imagine what he was thinking during each conversation or situation that you think may have taken part in your relationship's demise.

When you were saying, “I'm having a birthday party Saturday, you should stop by if you want,” is it possible he heard, “I want you to meet all my friends and celebrate a life milestone with me, and I'm just tricking you into a relationship?"

Step Two: Reconsider

Now that you've seen his perspective, it's time to be realistic and reconsider the situation. Delve deeper into what the actual truth of each situation is. Only then will you uncover what was actually wrong with the relationship and your communication.

Here, even though it hurts, try to be as real as you can. Maybe after some consideration you realized that you didn't really know him, and he didn't know you at all. You even asked your friends what they thought of him and they're like, What's he look like again? Perhaps you were obsessed with the idea of him and not actually him. You know that saying that goes “there's your side, his side, and the truth?"

Well the goal of this process is to see the truth. You're not a 45-year-old alcoholic homemaker from the 1950s; you don't need to lie to yourself.

Step Three: Repeat

Repeat this until you come to the inevitable conclusion that you two just weren't right for each other and, more important, he wasn't right for you.

So whatever happened during whatever period of time you were dating eventually ends up irrelevant, and you accept the fact that you don't even need to hear his side of the story because your version is about one billion times more profound than any bullshit he will have to say.

You're a betch, so you're pretty fucking smart, or at least smart enough to figure out that guys are pretty fucking stupid. As long as your reasoning isn't entirely delusional (again, lying to yourself isn't cute and is instead marginally psychotic), then you'll be able to get over him 100 percent of the time.

Unless he like, died—then take comfort in the fact that at least you weren't dumped and like, see a real therapist.

What Would Karen Do?

The complete opposite. She will use this time to dwell on how perfect his jawline is while rereading every text conversation the two of them ever had. She will then Google “how to hack into Snapchat's database to recover selfies of ex-boyfriend.”

After she sees Results Not Found, she will continue to talk about him until her friends kindly tell her to stop bitching about that bro, he was an asshole and never liked you.

She will storm away, feeling offended and over it for about five minutes. When she gets home, she'll troll Tinder until she finds him, will take a screenshot, send it to him and say, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'VE MOVED ON SO FAST. DIDN'T I MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU!?!?

He will not respond. She'll think, he prob just didn't get the text.

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How To Finally Get Over Your Ex was originally posted by A 18 MOA Top News from around

[chelsorz07]

midseason breaks really suck ass

But here’s the latest from my facebook memories. 2009/2017

***********FOODOLOGY*************** 1. What is your salad dressing of choice? honey dijon. Ranch. 2. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? tgi friday's. Usually Applebee’s. Gotta have me some quesadilla burgers. I also love BJ’s Brewhouse and Bob Evans. 3. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? wings. Pizza. 4. What are your pizza toppings of choice? cheese, pepperoni, and hot sauce. Cheese. 5.What do you like to put on your toast? butter. Butter for use with fried eggs, grape jelly for scrambled. I don’t eat toast unless it’s with eggs. 6. Any vegetables you don't like? not really. i thoroughly enjoy vegetables. I stopped liking broccoli several years ago.  7. Do you eat seafood? no. Still no. Never will. ***********TECHNOLOGY*************** 1. How many televisions are in your house? three. Four total, three that are hooked up. 2. What color cell phone do you have? black. Grey. 3. How long would it take you to look up who invented the Rubber Band? seconds. the interwebs are cool like that. A really long time because I don’t feel like it. 4. Have any idea how many megahertz your computer has? no. i'm sure dave could tell me but i don't know. No. But I’m pretty sure they run in gigahertz now. ***************BIOLOGY****************** 1. Are you right-handed or left-handed? left. Lefty. Hail Satan. 2. Have you ever had anything removed from your body? tonsils. Tonsils and gallbladder. 3. What is the last heavy item you lifted? maranda. Marshall. 4. Have you ever been knocked unconscious? i had a concussion when i was five. I don’t remember the fall that caused the concussion knocking me unconscious. I just remember my babysitter yelling at me for trying to take a nap because I wasn’t supposed to fall asleep. ************BULLCRAPOLOGY************** 1. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? no. Meh. Idk. 2. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? no idea. I never really had a new name in mind but I’ve always hated mine. 3. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? hell yeah i love hot sauce. I’d do it for free but I also wouldn’t turn down a thousand bucks. ************DUMBOLOGY****************** 1. How many pairs of flip flops do you own? six-ish. At least ten. And I only ever wear the red or black ones. 2. Last time you had a run-in with the cops? my fucking birthday. A few years ago I got a ticket for “running a red light”. I maintain that it didn’t turn yellow until I was at the line and there’s no way I could’ve stopped in time. But I paid my $112 and got on with my life. 3. Last person you talked to? chele & megan. In person, Sue at work. Online/texting, Amanda. 4. Last person you hugged? dave. Austen. **************FAVORITOLOGY**************** 1. Season? fall. That will always stay the same. 2. Holiday? fourth of july & new year's. Fourth of July and Halloween. I have no idea what I ever liked about New Year’s. 3. Day of the week? saturday. Thursday & Sunday. 4. Month? october. Don’t really have one, as long as it isn’t snowing. ***********CURRENTOLOGY***************** 1. Missing someone? gary. Dave, my family, my friends. 2. Mood? content, but tired. Pissed about being sick, tired AF, really not wanting to go to work tomorrow. 3. What are you listening to? that 70s show. Literally just the sound of my furnace and laptop. 4. Watching? same. Nothing. ***************RANDOMOLOGY***************** 1. First place you went this morning? pee. I haven’t gone anywhere. It was great. 2. What's the last movie you saw? idk. Die Hard. 3. Do you smile often? yep. Ehh kinda. I mean I like to laugh but I’m not really a happy person. ***************OTHER-OLOGY***************** 1. Do you always answer your phone? rarely. Never unless I’m expecting a specific call. And even then there’s like a 65% chance that I fell asleep and couldn’t answer anyway. 2. Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? could be anyone. Probably Dave. He’s always up then, whether it be just getting up to get ready for work or almost done with the night shift. 3. If you could change your eye color what would it be? i wouldn't. well maybe i'd make them more green than hazel but i like them this way. I like my eyes. And they ARE more green now. 4. Do you prefer cold or hot? warm. Tepid. 5. Whats your favorite gossip magazine? cosmo isn't really a gossip magazine...it's more for sex tips than anything...and it's the only one i read. I don’t read magazines. 6. Have you ever had a pet fish? no.  Nope, my cats would murder it.

8. What's on your wish list for your birthday? this gorgeous ring from tiffany's (don't get the wrong idea - it's only a hundred bucks), and booze. lots and lots of booze. Probably just money. 9. Can you do push ups? no. Not even the girly ones. 10. Can you do a chin up? ha nope. Not since I was 14 in volleyball conditioning. 11. Does the future make you more nervous or excited? both. Nervous. Everything makes me nervous. 12. Do you have any saved texts? yes. I mean who saves texts anymore? That’s what screenshotting is for. 13. Ever been in a car wreck? no. Not a wreck. I was with my mom when she skimmed the side of a van in a parking lot but it was minor damage and I took out someone’s taillight with my truck once in a different parking lot but it literally cost ten dollars to replace it. 14. Do you have an accent? apparently a "yankee" one. I get real southern when I’m drunk or pissed off. Which is funny because I’m not southern. 15. What is the last song to make you cry? idk. every song makes me cry. i can't keep track. My former answer stands. 16. Plans tonight? just got back from megan's. now i'm going to bed. Tonight just ended. I planned to sleep three hours ago. Now I have to pee and actually sleep.  17. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? yeah. Yes but I probably haven’t. 18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? nothing. i have no money. I didn’t get them all yesterday, but the last three things I bought were a phone card, Arby’s, and a box of peppermint crunch junior mints. 19. Have you ever been given roses? just for graduation. i hate flowers. Same. 20. Current worry? bills. How the fuck I’m gonna make it to work tomorrow with this illness. And the weather. 21.Current hate? psoriasis. Winter. And my sinuses. 22. Met someone who changed your life? of course. Everyone I’ve met has changed my life, for better or worse, in large ways and small. 23. How will you bring in the New Year? like a drunken idiot, along with my best friends. In bed. Or probably more accurately, on the couch with my netflix and my kitties. 24. What song represents you? all of them. music in general represents me. Still true. But right now I can’t stop listening to Matchbox Twenty’s second album. Rob Thomas is just so freaking talented. 25. Name three people who might complete this? i don't think anyone on here will. erin maybe, if she gets really bored. Nobody because it’s almost ten years old and this is tumblr. 26. Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? no. Probably not. 27. Have you ever been to a concert? many. i've seen eleven shows this year alone. Tons. We go to at least one or two a year. At least. 28. Do you have any tattoos/piercings? ears pierced, one tattoo so far. My ears closed and I’ve added a tattoo.  30. Does anyone love you? hope so. Maybe like two people. 31. Ever had someone sing to you? yeah. Usually Amanda. We serenade each other. 32. When did you last cry? don't know. Christmas day I believe. I was in pain and tired and stressed out and didn’t have time to get ready before going to do festivities.  33. Do you like to cuddle? love it. Ehh. Sometimes. Othertimes I feel like I’m literally suffocating.  34. Have you held hands with anyone today? nooo i didn't get to see him at all :( Um no. We don’t really hold hands. Like almost never. And I haven’t seen him since Wednesday morning, won’t again until January 4th or 5th. 35. What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? country - i wasn't allowed to listen to anything else. i still snuck in my sister's room at night to watch vh1 though lol Country. And Matchbox Twenty. That was the first non-country album I ever owned. 36. Are most of the friends in your life new or old? new. a couple old. Old. I like the friends I have and don’t need new ones. 37. Do you like pulpy orange juice? i don't like orange juice at all. unless it's got vodka in it. Fuck no. I don’t want shit floating around in my juice. I do, however, now enjoy the occasional glass of OJ. Couldn’t drink it every day but it’s alright. Mostly I require that my beverages contain copious amounts of caffeine. 

[sundrypassiongal]

Blog Makeover + Changes

Hello hello!

I just realized that Christmas holiday is coming and very excited about it! Finally, a break from all of paperworks ^^.

Enough chatter now! I will give you a list to easily spot the difference that already been made and some things that I change in the future. Behold, it contains a lot of links!

Are you ready?

 1. Tumblr Theme :

I am currently using this awesome FREE tumblr themes from WG- Themes. I used the Elise theme because I wanted to “show off” my profile on the blog. It has so many customizable options. But since the main purpose of this blog is it’s universal, I change into Esten instead. I found that the Esten theme fits better while it’s simpler. I now have no profile section, but you could always contact me from the bottom links of the blog. 

Also, instead of colourful background and theme, I now prefer the simple color to emphasize the colourfulness of each posts.

2. The Topics :

I was luckily affiliated as a “partner” in itch.io, an indie games platform. So, I will try to focus more on the game review section. I really am happy to be included in the community! 

I will still posts about other things like makeups and snacks. Also the amazing websites I found on the net. But I will try to diligently post every week for game review!

3. Game Review :

I found this obstacle when I copied the Steam game review : I don’t know how to make spoiler hover and to make the table here. So, instead of a full review written here, I will redirect you to my Steam page for full review and screenshots. 

Then, I will talk about my own experience on playing the game in this blog. Maybe I will made it a specific section instead of game review. Does “Game Experience” sounds cool enough? It will contains spoilers and opinion after I play some game. 

What about non - Steam game review then? Damn, I have just realized that now. Hmm, I’ll stick to the original plan then. But now we will have a new section for my game chatters.

4. Makeup Review :

I plan to only share the decorative cosmetics (limited to coloured products). Because doing skincare review require great patience to record them each week to see any progress. You know I am too lazy busy to do that.

5. Update Time :

Does Saturday good enough for weekly post?

6. Tags :

Now I will limit the tag organizer into just several tags: game/ makeup/ edibles/ figures/ coolwebs (webs I recommend) / other ( mini stories, random post like this). There is a search bar at the bottom now, it’s easier to find using keywords. Good luck, though, on finding things you’re curious about!

Well, that’s all for now. Wish me luck on managing this blog even better!

[yahoo-shutdown-corner-blog]

Super Bowl commercials 2017: Grading the best and worst of the big game

Super Bowl Sunday! It’s a national holiday when we have to sit through football in order to watch those beloved ads. For the fifth year, Yahoo Sports’ Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) and Kevin Kaduk (@kevinkaduk) are here to walk you through the cheesy, the corny, the weepy, and the funny of this year’s ads, updated live as they air. As always, we rate ads on a completely unscientific and utterly biased basis. Let’s make with the grading!

GRADE: A

GODADDY: The Internet

No Danica Patrick this time around, but there’s enough tucked into this quick spot about “The Internet” to keep you pausing your DVR right on through the rest of the quarter. A strong spot, one that will reward some repeated viewing … and perhaps a Wikipedia page of its own.

TURBO TAX: Humpty Dumpty

This is the leader in the clubhouse for best ad. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men are pretty dang useless, as it turns out.

HONDA: Yearbook

This was fun! Great concept, clever execution, even if there was a bit of creepy Hall-of-Presidents feel to the moving celebrity faces. This ad stayed in its lane, didn’t overreach, and ought to be one of the more favorably reviewed ones of the night.

LOGAN: Amazing Grace

The new trailer for the new movie. Everything Wolverine is awesome. We will not debate this.

NFL: Super Bowl Babies

Come on, who can hate Baby Beast Mode?

T-MOBILE: Snoop & Martha Stewart

Pot? Can of bisque? Brilliant.

KIA: Melissa McCarthy

Fresh off her triumphant performance on Saturday Night Live, Melissa McCarthy tears it up in this KIA ad, getting knocked into a ship, off a tree, and into an ice crevasse. Wanton violence always sells well.

[Newsletter: Get 5 great stories from the Yahoo Sports blogs in your inbox every morning!] GRADE: B

BUICK: Cam Newton vs. Little Kids

This is the basic template for a Super Bowl commercial: celebrity + cute kids + easy premise: what if Cam Newton played football against a bunch of tots? It’s a straight rip on the old Saturday Night Live Peyton Manning commercial, where Peyton hounded and harangued a bunch of six-year-olds, but without the menace. (Facebook America would just LOVE an angry Cam Newton barking at little munchkins.) Anyway, nice concept, decent execution, awkward stingers to close it, overall not an embarrassment … yeah, this is the Buick of Super Bowl commercials.

HULU: The Handmaid’s Tale

Well, that’s one grim-as-hell teaser for a new Hulu series. “Better never means better for everyone.” Interesting subtext to several of the ads this game, isn’t there?

COCA-COLA: Coke and Meals Love Story

Man, that is some good-looking food. No, seriously. They could’ve paired that food with, I dunno, motor oil or something and we’d be all over it.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: Pirate’s Life

It’s zombies. It’s pirates. It’s Johnny Cash. Come on, that’s a winning combination any way you cut it.

BUDWEISER: Immigration

About as subtle as a bottle of Bud thrown straight at your skull, this is a highly stylized tale of an immigrant coming to America’s shores and living out every American’s dream: creating his very own never-ending supply of beer. Someone will get offended — someone always gets offended — and someone at the party will miss the point as they fact-check this ad (“There’s no ban on German immigrants!”). But hey, this isn’t college. Nobody’s forcing you to drink Budweiser.

SKITTLES: Romance the Rainbow

Clever little ad. A few points: with a precision throwing arm like this, the young man on the lawn is wasting his talents slinging Skittles to an unappreciative girlfriend and her extended family. Second, hearing people chew food and groan in pleasure as they do is just flat-out disgusting. Third, every commercial would be improved by an extraneous woodchuck.

MICHELOB ULTRA: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

“Working out is the new bar-hopping” is a clever idea. And any time you bring the “Cheers” theme into play, you’re playing with house money.

TIDE: Bradshaw Stain

What seemed like a huge flub in pregame discussions on FOX Sports–a stain on Terry Bradshaw’s shirt–was actually a setup for this ad, in which Bradshaw goes in search of a clean shirt. Cute little idea, but anyone concerned about the integrity of media should be concerned that Tide has — all right, even we know how ridiculous that sentence is.

BUSCH: The Same Sound

If your beer keeps going SSSSHHHHHHH long after you open it, it better give you burps that last equally as long.

SNICKERS: Live Big Game Ad

Adam Driver in a live ad, calling out the score of the game and then destroying an entire western town. Nice idea, but it didn’t quite sell the “live” feel.

BUDWEISER: Ghost of Spuds McKenzie

Ghost dog! Ghost dog! This one goes on a bit long, but it’s a fine premise: the ghost of ‘80s party animal Spuds McKenzie showing a reluctant dude what he’s missing, Christmas Carol-style. The midair-dangling dog was a wee bit creepy, though, we gotta be honest.

WIX: Dinner Date

The best trailer for a movie that does not exist, Jason Statham and Gal Gadot turn a night out into an all-out brawl. Not sure what that has to do with website design, but hey, logic is not a big prerequisite on Super Bowl night.

GRADE: C

MR. CLEAN: Fantasy Clean

You’ve gone your whole life without seeing Mr. Clean’s cartoon butt pumping as he mops the floor. And you did OK without that image, didn’t you. Good luck with that image in your skull for the rest of your days.

AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO: Secret Society

Worth it if only for the gratuitous Tom Brady jab snuck in there in the extended version. The “secrets” were pretty well-trod territory, but I would be interested in learning more about how this crew of bumbling fools somehow managed to hold the keys all the world’s mysteries. On second thought, maybe I wouldn’t.

T-MOBILE: Taxes and Fees; Wireless Pain

Kristen Schaal gets, uh, excited by the prospect of paying a lot for her wireless bill. Interesting fetish there. Good luck explaining that one to the kids.

PORSCHE: Delivering the Mail

I mean, if you had a Porsche, wouldn’t you drive it as far and as fast as you possibly could?

GOOGLE HOME: Take Me Home

The first ad after kickoff leads off with a Pride flag, and proceeds through a heartstring-tugging montage of moments all allegedly needing Google Home to supplement them. Tries to answer the question “Why do I need Google Home?” Does not do so.

TIFFANY: Lady Gaga

Huh. So she has one triumphant halftime show and three minutes later Lady Gaga’s shilling for Tiffany. That’s some upward mobility.

MOBILE STRIKE: I’m Back

The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger his own self, reappears (when did he leave?) to promote the Mobile Strike app. He does so with a range of one-liners from his own movies, but we’re disappointed he didn’t work in “It’s not a tumor!”

84 LUMBER: Journey

A mother and child journey through badlands and bad territory, holding tight to one another along the way. But you can’t leave an ad with a cliffhanger!

BAI: Bai Bai

Christopher Walken does Christopher Walken things. Justin Timberlake gets paid a king’s ransom for sitting there expressionlessly. America!

YELLOW TAIL: Party Roo

Wine company slingin’ wine via a sketchy yellow-suited dude and a CGI kangaroo that moves like some unholy offspring of the girl from the well in The Ring and last year’s Puppymonkeybaby. Good-time party scene: check. Gratuitous bikini? Check. And “Want to pet my ‘roo?” instantly becomes the “Yeah, baby!” of 2017. Do not trust anyone who says it, either ironically or unironically.

IT’S A 10: Bad Hair

“We’re in for four years of bad hair!” Now that’s how you get attention for your product. Of course, getting the attention of the president may not always go the way you’d expect.

ZZZQUIL: Life Keeps You Up

A boss looming over you at night, all night? Why, that would be … gosh, that would be wonderful, right, boss? You’re welcome to come over and bark at me in the middle of the night anytime!

GRADE: D

MICHELIN: Getting You There

Fairly routine ad here. When you need to get somewhere, you need good tires to do so. It’s always strange to downgrade ads with genuinely nice messages, but this is the Big Game, folks. Gotta come stronger than just a sweet message.

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TRANSFORMERS: The Last Knight

You want to bring your film some gravitas, you bring Anthony Hopkins aboard. Odds he even knows what a “Transformer” is? Anyway, big robots smashing stuff is always red meat for a Super Bowl commercial.

GRADE: F

WONDERFUL PISTACHIOS: Workout

It’s a cartoon elephant on a treadmill. The elephant breaks the treadmill. That is an awful lot of money spent on that less-than-spectacular Super Bowl ad.

WENDY’S: Cold As Ice

Cheap burger joints freeze their patties, then heat ‘em up with hair dryers. Again: decent enough premise, but this is the Super Bowl. Decent isn’t enough.

More Super Bowl coverage on Yahoo Sports: • Patriots’ owner hopes President Trump can get his Super Bowl ring back from Putin • From hospital bed to the Super Bowl: George H.W. Bush performs coin flip at Super Bowl • There’s no good reason why Tom Brady is the player everyone loves to hate

Cam Newton outruns a vicious defense in Buick’s Super Bowl ad. (Screenshot)

____ Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.

[surveyjunkie]

0102

How was your day today? It’s actually been pretty decent for a Monday. Productive but not too crazy in the office today. The day is only halfway over though, I have my brother’s bday dinner later this evening so that should be fun. 

What did you last heat up in the microwave? Sliders

Do you know anybody that has a distinct laugh? Yes

What was the last thing you ate that had nuts in it? A spinach salad. It had almonds in it. 

Do you like the smell of peppermint? Love it.

How many pieces did the last puzzle you completed have? I haven’t done a puzzle in yearssss. I have no idea.

Who did you last borrow something from? I borrowed tights from my mom this morning

Did you accept or deny your last friend request? I accepted it

Who did you last shake hands with? I think it was a realtor on Saturday when I was looking at apartments

On average, how many pizza slices do you eat in one sitting? Three

Have you ever gotten a matching piercing or tattoo with someone? Noo

Do you know how to juggle? No

What brand are your sunglasses? I don’t have any sunglasses.

When did you last turn on the fan or A/C? It’s been a few months now because it’s been so coldddd.

Who or what did you last take a picture of? I had to look...it was a screenshot of a buffalo dip recipe

Do you use a dishwasher or do you hand-wash your dishes? Both. We rinse them off first, and then they go through the dishwasher. <<

Has anybody asked you out on a date recently? No, been in a relationship for five months now

What color eyes does the last person you texted have? Blue

When was the last time somebody asked you to be their girlfriend? August

Who’s in the room with you right now? A bunch of people, I’m in an office

Do you keep a bucket list? No

Name something you’re picky about: Food.

Who did you last ask for help? My co-worker

Do you believe that there is always room in your heart for your first love? Um...no. Sorry. My first love was a manipulative piece of shit. 

Where is the next place you will travel to? Mansfield I’m sure

Have you ever worn the opposite sexes underwear? No.

Have you cried today at all? I almost cried when I bit the inside of my cheek earlier eating a sandwich. It hurt soooo fcking bad. 

What were you doing at 8:00 this morning? I was getting ready for work

When was the last time you cried? No idea

Do you say sexy a lot? Not really. 

Do you have any LGBT friends? Yes.

What is something you currently want? To not have a giant canker sore in my mouth

When did you last throw up? The last time I drank alone with Kyle, lol. I think that was 3 months ago actually. 

Do you like corn? Yes.

Do you still think about your exes? I really only think about the one simply because of how long it lasted and the fact that we lived together. I don’t have any feelings for that person though. 

How old were you when you had your first kiss? Twelve. 

Ever made out in a pool? Yes

Where is your default picture taken? Josh’s room

Have you ever gambled in a casino? Yep, lots of times. I love playing the penny slots. 

Do you like to have long hair or short hair? Both. I like the way long hair looks on me but it gets really bothersome. Short hair feels better. 

What is your favorite place you have traveled? Lake Cumberland is my favorite place that I’ve been to so far. 

Do you like ice cream? Yes

What is your favorite color? Black and teal

What was the last thing you bought? Subway

Where do you keep your money? In my bank.

What was the weather like today? It’s freezing right now

What did you want for Christmas? A North Face coat, and I got it. It’s sooooo warm. 

Last vacation destination you went to? Norris Lake 

Do you want to cut your hair? It’s fine how it is now. 

Do you like to eat ice? I like sucking on it sometimes, but I don’t chew it. 

What is your favorite place to shop? Target

The last boy you talked to? My boyfriend

Do you like sushi? Yes

Do you have empty bottles of alcohol hidden somewhere? No

Are you over the age of 25? Nope

Are you typically a jealous person? Envious.

Own bright colored underwear? Yeah.

Who is the last person to text you? Josh