Inside the

Man, life got in the way of life and everything in between! Life has been so busy lately with a little touch of the unexpected thrown in.

Two weeks ago, I had an unfortunate mishap involving my dogs and me. In the moment it was pretty traumatic for all of us involved.

The loves of my life, my dogs, got into a fight over a stupid piece of rawhide. Maggie was sitting on the sofa with me when Willow walked past Maggie’s crate with a large bone-shaped piece of rawhide. Maggie growled for a half a second and immediately charged Willow. Willow didn’t take any time defending her bone. GIRL FIGHT! Apparently, rawhide is a hot commodity in this house.

When these two girls fight, no, this is not their first fight—it get pretty ugly. It’s frightening, loud, messy, and just all— around anxiety-inducing. Everything you never want to happen in the living room on a random Wednesday night at the Abston’s.

Well, one trip to the ER, two stitches in two different spots on my hand, a broken finger, and about three hours later, I was released to go home and deal with what was waiting for me at home.

Now, the following weekend was Family Weekend at my daughter’s college the University of Alabama. This trip had been planned for almost a year. I still went with my messed up hand; I had to see my baby girl. “#PRIORITIES”

Let me just say that I am so glad that I attended a smaller college. It was packed! People were everywhere. Let mw rephrase this. Female students were “Gameday-Ready” in their most revealing, weird, or fanciest outfits paired with the most uncomfortable shoes they could find to walk around in all day and wear to the game later in the evening. I saw frat boys wearing their suits and mostly normal clothes, from what I can remember. These people take these games super seriously.

It was an okay time. The weirdest part of that weekend was hanging out with my ex-husband number two, who is my college daughter’s dad. Her stepmom ended up not being able to attend anymore. It was actually an okay day…Wait! I’m wrong. The weirdest part of the day was sitting with my ex, daughter, and her boyfriend at the game while my husband and his mom sat in a much lower area in seats with backs to them. I picked out those lower seats! Let me repeat that. I picked out the good seats! Apparently, I am a very thoughtful person. I ended up sitting in nose bleed. I was not a happy camper. I just didn’t have that exciting football game fun people are expected to have.

Besides the dog bite leaving me with stitches and a broken finger and family day, I still had to work and finish up my college course work. Teacher work never ends. There are always lesson plans that need to be done, copies that need to be made, and messages that need to be sent out to parents. Grading papers is like doing laundry; it’s never ending. Papers, dirty clothes—it’s all the same at this point, My college work is almost comparable. I finish one assignment then look to see I have four more assignments left in the module. but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m about to start my final class for my master’s degree. I might have to crawl across the finish line.

Also during this short period of chaos, my son got pinned for his degree in dental hygiene, and I am extremely proud of his accomplishment. He stayed focused and dedicated through the entire process. And seeing that huge smile on his face made this momma extremely proud.

So yes, life has definitely gotten away in the way of life and everything in beween. Between dog fights, ER visits, broken fingers, college football, awkward family situations, teaching, graduate school, and celebrating my kids, life has been a little bit of everything.

But I guess that’s exactly what “everything in between” is all about.