Author: Lindsey P. Brackett

When I'm not wrangling four kids and a middle school classroom, I sit on my back porch in the mountains and write southern fiction that's short and long. I believe in Jesus, library fines, supper at the table, the Edislow life, and strong coffee. Pretty much in that order.
30 Blog Challenge · thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Lindsey P. Brackett5 Comments

30This Thursday I am oh, so thankful for…

Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)….good books.  Amazon was awesome enough to send my copy of Mockingjay right away, so I could delve back into Katniss’s tragic yet inspiring world.  Rarely do books live up to my expectations.  I always think, well, definitely saw that coming.  Or, really?  That’s the plan?  Should’ve stopped while you were ahead…but the Hunger Games trilogy has not disappointed.  Twists, turns, and terror I would never have seen coming all add up to the only ending there could be for those that survive.  Can’t recommend it enough.

….family.  Yes, they drive me crazy.  Yes, they are a little crazy.  Yes, I have A LOT of sisters.  Oh, and a brother.  But they’re mine and I love them.  I’m also thankful for the Brackett side of the fam, though I don’t mention them enough (it’s really not their fault that they are not as dramatic as those Paynes).  But they deserve my thanks on a day like today when we had a zillion things going on, so my in-laws picked up dinner and fed my kids so I could eat in semi-peace.

…baths.  There’s nothing more relaxing than a tub, some bubbles, and a good read.  Well, maybe a glass of wine and Joshua rubbing my feet.  Ahh….maybe I’ll make it to next Thursday now. 

What are you thankful for?

30 Blog Challenge · motherhood

Letting Go

Lindsey P. Brackett6 Comments

I have come to the realization that if I am going to make it as a busy working-outside-the-home mom of three, I’ve got to let some things go.  Like using real plates for dinner every night.  I mean the Dixie Ultra I got on sale with a coupon are cute and functional and NOT in my sink right now.

For that matter, I’ve let go of feeling like I HAVE to make dinner every night.  Tonight we had leftovers jazzed up with a new box of Rice-a-Roni.  Sometimes we have sandwiches (and sometimes they’re even grilled!)  Often we have breakfast (pigs in a blanket are a food group).  When things are really hectic, cereal is the go-to meal.  And that is okie-dokie, especially with four year olds.

I’m learning to let go of my crazy worries that really aren’t worth my time.  Who cares if I’m not always invited to go somewhere?  Who cares if Madelynne’s socks don’t match her outfit?  Who cares if I don’t iron Joshua’s shirt but hang it up and figure it’ll get wrinkled when he gets in the truck anyway?  Who cares if I grocery shop without coupons?

Okay, I admit, I’m having a really hard time with the last one.  I mean, once you pay less than $2 a box for Kellogg’s cereal and $5 a pack for Pampers there’s no going back.

So, other than that I’m doing pretty good with the letting go.  Just call before you come to my house because neatness was let go about six months ago and is on furlough until further notice.

30 Blog Challenge · Manic Monday

Manic Monday

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

Ah, Monday.  You came too soon this week.  I was still trying to recover from the lost sleep of Amelia cutting her first tooth when you arrived bright and early this lovely (and cool!) morning.  I know I say I don’t mind Mondays so much….but I do mind the feeling that the weekend came and went before I had time to enjoy it, to revel in it, to realize that Monday was coming.  And then you were here.

Not a bad Monday today.  Not so manic.  Just usual business and busy-ness.  Early nursing, lots of coffee, many copies, packing lunches, Madelynne mini-meltdown (she wasn’t ready for you either). 

But you brought me some deep thoughts to ponder.  Just how much do I dread conforming to your schedule?  What am I willing to give up and take on to make Monday just another day in my week?

I’m going to rock my baby now, oh manic of days.  I’ll see you next week.

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Lazy Hazy Daze of Summer Meltdown

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

Nothing says goodbye to summer like a great big water slide, fish in the fryer, and homemade ice cream.  This past weekend we celebrated family and summertime at my parents’ house, aka Paynes-a-plenty Plantation.  Since a gathering of our extended family at this time is becoming something of a tradition, we decided to give the event an official name and the Lazy Hazy Daze of Summer Meltdown was born!  It’s the perfect summary of a Payne (with a little Beeson, Ashworth, Volz, Stephens, Brackett) family event.  And as we all know, it’s not over until…

Amelia takes a dive in the pool…
…but says, “No worries!”
…Uncle Bubby has fried up a mess of fish…
…Heather and I have posed for what must be our millionth picture together since we were born a day apart…
…everyone’s taken a ride on the Flume of Doom…

…can’t get enough of Amelia’s smile….
…Jonah can’t get enough of the sandbox…
…does this count as a meltdown?
…and Calley’s asleep on the couch!
30 Blog Challenge · Frantic Friday

Frantic Friday

Lindsey P. BrackettLeave a comment

It’s Friday. 

I’m tired.

The End.

Does this count toward my 30 Blog Challenge or do I have to actually formulate some deep random thoughts like how can I have so much laundry that is both clean and dirty?  or why do my children not like to sleep under a sheet? or how many Oreos are too many?

Clearly I need some rest.  More to come this weekend.  Water slides.  Tattoos.  Nosefrida.  and a late breaking blog on Bunk Beds.

Hope your weekend has as many interesting things in store!