Sharing snaps from @tribeza Interiors Tour, along with some fun news: I just started my second semester of design school! š¤ After four years of writing about everything home for publications like @southernlivingmag and @betterhomesandgardens , Iāve learned SO muchāincluding that I really, *really* enjoy the industry. Iām excited. And overwhelmed. And nervous. But mostly, excited!
Thirty, flirty, and thriving! āØ Hello from Fredericksburg, where I took myself for a long weekend to do everything I never carve out time to do at home, like needlepoint, nap, thrift, and read. My late twenties kicked my ass, but they were also so very good to me. If life continues to progress as it has, I predict that my thirties will be absolutely abundant. More love, more service, more community, more clarityāmore, more, more!
When Annabelle was born, we were supposed to immediately do skin-to-skin. They held her up to me, but I didnāt reach for her. I just said, āThis is bananas.ā Because it was! We were 23 and she wasnāt part of the plan. Iād spent the last nine months in a deep depression, grieving it.
Today Iām grateful our plan didnāt work out, but Iāll never forget the grief. And now as a single mom, I grieve our former family structure.
If youāre grieving today, wishing your circumstances were different for whatever reason, I see you. I promise. We may not have the same story, but Iām holding your hand anyway. š¤
Tried this exercise a couple weeks ago and just getting around to posting the results. š«¶š» When youāre so focused on everything you *have* to do, it can be hard to remember everything you *want* to do. My biggest takeaway surprised meāthat Iām so happy with my life as-is, and everything it could be too.
ETA: In my stream of consciousness I forgot to add my longtime dream of having a Little Free Library. Itās like, half my motivation to become a homeowner. š
Barb was like a mother to me before she was ever my mother-in-law. The memories are like a montage in my head: a forehead kiss after a Fourth of July gone wrong, an impromptu Zumba class, running errands, getting lunch, invitations to the oh-so-exclusive family parties and holidays. When we found out about her Alzheimerās diagnosis, I committed to remembering themāand everything to comeāenough for the both of us.
Her entire world revolved around peopleāher girlfriends, church community, husband, and of course, family. Barb had 10 kids she loved to love, and they loved to love her right back. She also adored Cape Cod, hydrangeas, the Red Sox, wine, Paris, and her golden Millie.
As is typical with Alzheimerās, I spent years mourning the loss of Barb as we knew her. Now that sheās passed, I celebrate that she is finally at peace, once again whole and with her Jesus.
Day four recap of Sea Island. š¢ Early morning, an unforgettable sunrise, a sea turtleās new nest, meeting one of their babies, plenty of shell souvenirs, wondering if Iāll ever be so lucky again, an actually-incredible breakfast buffet, last laughs, goodbyes, one more walk, unending gratitude.
Day three recap of Sea Island. š A view Iāll never forget, my favorite pastime, being nicknamed Sailor for unbecoming reasons, eating our catches for lunch, an actual alligator, a hunting lodge Iād be happy to stay at, pecky cypress, seeing for myself how Dad trains his dogs, a lot of burrata, more dessert to myself.
