As I’m sitting there looking at the window, it’s much higher than I pictured. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But if you know me, you know I am a pretty determined person and won’t give up easily. I evaluated the situation and started looking around. We have two matching outdoor chairs with cushions in front of our hot tub that faces our woods. Ya know, because we have all that extra time to go out and sit and watch our wildlife. Haha.

I thought one of these chairs could be the ticket. I picked it up and carried it over by the window. I then realized that the coal chute in front of the window is gonna be a problem. I not only have to get high enough now, but I have to reach over to slide through this window.

The chair sat in front of the coal chute. I snapped a picture to my fellow watchers on Snapchat. It read “First Attempt.” I climbed up into the chair and leaned over. I knew before I even tried that it wasn’t going to work. I wasn’t quite high enough. I started skimming the yard again; my gears were turning.

Next to our hot tub is a glass table with six high chairs. I thought they would definitely be high enough. The only problem was they rocked back and forth. This could be challenging.

I carried it over to the window and sat it down again in front of the coal chute that was below this window. I snapped another pic labeled “Second attempt.” After looking at the photo and thinking it through, I thought maybe it wasn’t a good idea to have it straight in front of the window. If I did topple over, I would land down in a hole below the window. So, I moved the chair over to the left side of the window. Then, all I had to do was lean over and crawl in. I slowly and carefully climbed onto this chair. It felt like I was trying to level out a seesaw. “Easy, girl. Easyyyyy,” I said to myself. Once I stood all the way up, I knew this was a bad, very bad idea — no way I could make this work. I would either bust the chair or bust my rear. I just wasn’t sure which and didn’t want to find out, so I put the chair back.

I stood on our patio feeling defeated. I thought about getting all the brick stones around our fireplace and bringing them all over to build steppingstones. But that sounded like a lot of work on a very hot day. I was already battling enough. I wasn’t ready to battle my upper lip sweat. I kept looking around. I looked down at my husband’s garage and wondered if it was unlocked. Then I thought, “Why didn’t I think of doing that first!?”

As I walked down through the yard to the garage, I tried to open the side door. It opened!

Success!! I looked around and guess what on earth I found!? A ladder. Well, gee, that would have come in handy about two tries ago! It wasn’t the sturdiest ladder but better than a tall chair that rocks. I carried the ladder up through the yard while catching up with the people who were now invested in me breaking into my own home on Snapchat. People were willing to come over and help, and people who were cheering me on. They had faith in me. I told them I found a ladder and was off to try it. Third time’s a charm! I said if this didn’t work, I guess I was pulling out my husband’s brand-new Kubota tractor that I haven’t even learned to drive or work the buckets yet. I knew I could figure it out by calling Chris for phone instructions.

I can pretty much drive anything.

I reached the window again for the third time and placed the ladder off to the left-hand side. I snapped another phone that read, “Third attempt.” I climbed up the ladder, but it felt very unsturdy. I slowly reached the top and struggled to push the window up. I had to get it up high enough for butt clearance!! No joke. Do you know how trucks have a clearance under bridges? Well, big butts have clearances for windows, for sure. Ba-haha! Thank God I had been lifting weights because I had to pull my body up in the window. I leaned over and had to get the girls up over the window ledge before I could do anything else. (I hope I don’t need to explain what “the girls” are — just use your imagination.) *enter cheesy smile here*

I had half of my body in, and the whole time had my phone in my hand. I turned on my camera and videoed the last part of me sliding down through the window, yelling, “I made it! I’m in!!” This whole storyline on Snapchat was pretty epic — great entertainment for the lucky people I sent them to. Everyone was happy to see me in the house safe and sound — especially my husband and son.

When they both started seeing my Snapchat, they texted me. I know they were concerned. Tyler called me after he saw I had the rocking chair next to the window for the second attempt.

“Mom, I’m worried about you. Do you want me to come home? I’m concerned for your safety,” he said, as serious as can be. “Do I need to call 911?” my husband yelled in the background. I told him I had everything under control. Where there was a will, there was a way!

I honestly can’t believe they didn’t watch me slide in on the camera. They seriously didn’t believe I was OK because when I got back to the river, they looked me all over for scratches, bruises, or any signs that I fell. They didn’t think I could do all that and not hurt myself.

Well, I am here to say that ONE, I did not hurt myself. TWO, my butt cleared that window just fine and dandy! THREE, I did it by myself. No man. No one else. Just me and a not-so-sturdy ladder. I had to reheat my Dunkin’ breakfast and didn’t get back up to the river until after lunch, but daggone; I made it! Not easily. But I did it. Windows are back to locked, and we have a backup solution if it ever happens again. Hey, at least I know I can squeeze through a window, which feels amazing. Lesson learned, though. Lesson learned.

Peach Cobbler
Ingredients:
Filling:
• 2-3 peaches
• 1 Tbsp of Stevia (or your favorite sweetener)
Topping:
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 4 Tbsp. Stevia (or your favorite sweetener)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
Directions:

Preheat oven to 300.

Slice the peaches.

Place them over a baking tray or cast iron skillet and sprinkle with Stevia.

In a bowl, mix butter, vanilla, Stevia, baking powder, baking soda, and almond flour.

Cover the peaches with the batter irregularly.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.Serve with ice cream or cool whip. Enjoy!