Wrapping Up This Midlife May

As May draws to a close, I find myself looking back on a month filled with blooming flowers, longer days, and making plans for the summer months ahead. I reflect on the days I've enjoyed and the lessons May has taught me. It's a perfect moment to look back on the memories we've created in May and look forward to the coming season.

The most popular post on the blog in May (by a huge margin) was when I shared my April Empties.  I also told you about the Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Self.  And we talked about the real meaning of Memorial Day. 

In May we celebrated Mother's Day.  My family outdid themselves this year. I was showered with some lovely gifts and a great breakfast. My daughter planned a day trip for the two of us with coffee, pastries, crystals, and books.  It was a wonderful weekend. 

Of course, we had the long Memorial Day weekend.  Ours involved working on our home renovation project, some yard work, and delicious ribs cooked on the grill by my amazing husband.  

May has been ending on a celebratory note for 27 years now. Ever since the birth of our son. I couldn't think of a nicer way to say goodbye to the month. 

During May, I read "Weyward" by Emilia Hart, "The Light In Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron, and "Two Old Women" by Velma Wallis.  Our read for book club was "The Marsh King's Daughter " by Karen Dionne. My husband and I have been reading Stephen King's  "The Institute" to each other just before we go to bed each night. And I am currently reading "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen.  I have also been listening to another Sarah Addison Allen book - "The Girl Who Chased the Moon."

Some of my favorites and finds for May include:

Laura Geller Jelly Balm Hydrating Lip Color: The wear is incredibly comfortable. It lasts surprisingly well for a balm. My favorite shade is "In The Buff," a lovely neutral pink. 

Peonies:  I was so fortunate to have inherited a patch of pink peonies when we bought our house. All these years later they are still thriving and put on a beautiful show every spring. 

HIXX Smart Bird Feeder with Camera: This was a Mother’s Day gift from my husband.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I am obsessed!  I should probably be a little embarrassed by how much of my day I spend on my phone watching the birds at my feeder.

How are you celebrating the closing chapter of this beautiful month and preparing for the summer days to come?

Thankful Thursday: May 29, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Ice cream

Sunshine

Finalizing the new kitchen design

My sweet little dogs

Feeling better

Not getting hit by that car

My husband coming home early from work

Pizza

Waking up from a nice dream

Funny dog videos

Homemade lasagna

My dad dropping by

A rainy afternoon

My husband

Enjoying a cup of tea in the predawn quiet

Listening to the birds wake up

New library books

Memorial Day

Wishing each of you a restful and reflective Memorial Day.

Many think of Memorial Day as a day off and/or the unofficial start of Summer.  But it's much more than cookouts and pool openings. 

Today, I hope you remember the people who gave their lives in order to free us from a tyrannical king.

Remember those who fought, even against family and former friends, to preserve our country.

Think of those who gave all to protect our world from a fascist dictator. 

And the countless others who sacrificed in service to our country.

In their honor, observe the "National Moment of Remembrance". At 3pm local time, pause and think about the meaning of this day. 

Then get back to enjoying whatever fun summer-type activity you have planned for today!

Sunday Inspiration: Accept

Thankful Thursday: May 22, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Beginning demo work on the dining room renovation 

A salad with baby spinach that I grew

Watermelon

Saturday mornings

Yummy coffee drinks

Grilling season

My husband working on the new kitchen layout

My new bird feeder is up and running

Trying something new

Waking up to breakfast already made

Putting on the shorts

Bird videos

Library days

Not vomiting

A long afternoon naps

Rainy mornings

Sunday Inspiration: First

Thankful Thursday: May 15, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Sunshine

Reading with my husband

Tasks completed

Feeling better

Weekends

Mothers Day breakfast

A new bird feeder

A day with my daughter

A delicious coffee drink

Independent bookstores

Book Club friends

Feeling cute

Afternoon thunderstorms

Discovering new books

The tree and stump are gone

Rain showers

A new meal idea

Happy Mother's Day

 

Thankful Thursday: May 8, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A craft project completed

A Spring breeze

Treating myself to a coffee

New lipstick

A lunch date with my husband

New sunglasses

My peonies are blooming

Transplanting my herbs

The sound of falling rain

A beautiful sunny morning

Huevos Rancheros

The smell of peonies

A brand new week

Laughter

A margarita

The next phase is scheduled

Baby bears caught on our security camera

Five Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

Anyone remember the song "Oh la la" by Rod Stewart that goes "I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger"?  For some reason it was stuck in my head the other day, which got me thinking...  what would I tell my younger self if I could get a message back to her?

Here are five things I came up with.

1) Some of the things you'll go through are definitely going to suck.  You'll make mistakes.  Some big ones.  You'll face some challenges. You're going to be hurt. But in the end it will all be ok. You're going to learn from all of it and grow as a result. It's going to make you the woman I am now.

2) Stop trying so hard to fit in. You don't have to like what everyone else likes or do what everyone else does. Not everyone is going to like you, no matter how hard you try. You might as well like yourself. (And, by the way, you're pretty damn spectacular.)

3) You're spending so much time worrying about things that don't matter. 99% of the things you're worrying about right now will either never happen, will turn out fine, or won't even matter one way or the other in a couple of years.  

4) Travel. Whenever and wherever you can.  It doesn't matter if it's an hour or two down the road or across an ocean. Go! Spend the weekends away with your husband. Take the road trips with your sister. When the opportunity comes up for that trip to Japan - take it! Make some memories!

5) Getting older isn't as scary as it seems.  In fact, it can actually be pretty great. Being in your teens and 20s is fun.  But being in your 50s is so much more fulfilling. Life doesn't end at a certain age.  It only ends when you stop getting older. So quit dreading every year that passes and start embracing them.  We're having so much fun now! 

What would you tell your younger self?

Sunday Inspiration: The Unexpected

 

My April Empties

I finished up several skin care and beauty items in April.  Some were old true-blue favorites.  Some were hit or misses.  Let's take a look:

Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil:  This is my go-to for the first part of my skin care routine.  It easily removes all my makeup and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily. This wasn't my first bottle and won't be my last

Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum:  Good Molecules Serums are my ride-or-die.  I have tried many other hyaluronic acid  serums, but I always come back to this. 

Loreal Midnight Cream:  The jury is still out on this one. It does feel thick and luxurious when you apply it.  But performance-wise, I'm not sure if it lives up to the hype. I did purchase one more container. After that's gone, I'm not sure if I'll continue using it or not. Also, the fragrance is quite strong, so if you're sensitive to that, you may want to give it a pass.

Laura Geller Original Spackle Primer: I absolutely adore Laura Geller makeup, and this primer is no exception! I have a couple of other great primers in my makeup arsenal, but this is the one I reach for over and over. 100% a repurchase!

Have you tried any of these products?  What were your thoughts?

Thankful Thursday: May 1, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

A good check-up for doggy #2

Listening to the birds welcome the morning

Homemade pizza

A new washing machine

The weekend

Rootbeer

The new moon

Lunches prepped for the week

Misty mornings

When my husband grills dinner

Wildflowers

Selecting the next book to read

Working on a craft project

Volunteer appreciation at the library

Meeting new people who are passionate about books

Sitting outside at sundown