This Past Week in Pictures (9)

 

The Past Week in Pictures (8)

 

Reclaiming Myself and Where Have I Been?

 I've been here. Except not. In an effort to understand myself better, I've taken some time off of here and most of the socials (except for Instagram because I talk to myself in stories, it's free therapy ha) 

Last week, I had a conversation with a stranger and it showed me that my self esteem is still very much a mess from 6 years ago, which led me to do an emotional deep dive...and think about what's healthy and unhealthy for me. 

What happened over the last 6 years hasn't been my fault: not the pandemic, not the infidelity, not Hurricane Helene, or my mentor's health issues, or my own health issues last Fall. But the way I've reacted to any and all of it has been so unhealthy, and I need to own that. 

So, little by little, I'm doing more of the things that I love and putting order to my emotions, and my house, and my life. It's been a lot of saying "no" to things and people and places. It's been a lot of saying "no" to myself. too. 

Slowly but surely I am getting to where I need to be. I should be back on Sunday with my weekly picture post, and on Monday with Happy Homemaker Monday, and maybe one day a recipe or something fun. It's hard to create when you're living in survival mode, but I'm determined to leave that mode behind. 

I just wanted to tell everybody I'm not pulling a disappearing act. I'm still here. I'm just processing. 

Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures of flowers from the past few weeks. 

This Past Week in Pictures (7)

 It's been a weirdly emotionally harrowing week, but I'm doing my best. 

Happy Homemaker Monday: August 31, 2026

 I'm late, of course. Not as late as I was last week, but still late. I'm on my overnight at work, and I just finished watering the dahlias. I'm supposed to head out on an errand with a friend in a little bit, so hopefully I shall get this post done before then. 

Here we go! 

The weather: We're having a mini-heatwave. (Which means mid-80's in the mountains). Boooooo. That messes up my schedules because then I can only work early and late. 

As I look outside my window: The sun is setting on the farm. There's no movement in the willow tree branches because there's no breeze. The sky is orange and blue. Pure bliss. 

Right now, I am: Typing up this post and watching Jerk-cat (the work cat) sleep on my laptop bag. Watching the clock for when I have to leave. Taking all the deep breaths. 

Thinking and pondering: This week's work schedule. The fact that I am constantly mentally overwhelmed. Congratulating myself a little for holding it together (though yesterday was HARD). 

How I am feeling: Pretty well, considering the emotional mess I was yesterday. 

On the breakfast plate: Leftover Mexican chicken. 

On the lunch plate: I had a piece of Tiramisu. Suuuuper healthy, I know. 

On the dinner plate:  A friend delivered me a sandwich to work, and I had some Zuppa Toscana as well. 

What I'm wearing: Black shorts and a tank top with a picture of the sun on it. My ratty gray Converse which you can pry off my cold dead feet. 

On my reading pile: Literally everything, ha. Still in Psalms. Still not finished with anything. And  I borrowed "Imaginary Friend" by Stephen Chbosky from a friend. So, even more books I'm not reading. 

On my TV  this week: Uhhhh...not much of anything. Dahlia season is not a TV watching time of year. But Goose and Ella want to finish "Medalist" (it's an anime on Hulu) and Goose really wants to finish Mr. Hiiragi's Homeroom (which I will happily rewatch another 80 times, haha). 

On the menu: I made Zuppa Toscana tonight. Tomorrow is breakfast for dinner, Wednesday is Cabbage Roll Casserole. I have a surplus of rice and potatoes so I will be centering meals around that stuff. 

Looking around the house: It's the house at the farm, not my house, ha. It's quiet and the work cats and work dog are all asleep. It's dark because I prefer to keep my room here dark. There are a few things I'm going to tidy up first thing in the a.m 

To-do list for the week: I have to check in with clients, deliver some flowers, tie up some flowers at the farm, make sure the mums at the hotel don't die with this heatwave, go through Goose's clothes and decide what to keep and what to donate. 

What I am creating: A bunch of flower arrangements. 

From the camera: 

The goldenrod is blooming! Another way I know Autumn is coming soon!

Have a lovely week! 

This Past Week In Pictures (6)

 What a week, y'all. Emotionally, it's been a whole mess, and there are things I guess I'm not as "over" as I thought I was. Ugh, such is life. But here are some pictures.