Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Sipping Tea in the Silence

For years, mornings meant rushing through preparations. Thinking about what needed to be done. Making sure everyone was up, dressed and ready for school. Remembering who needed to be where. All that activity somehow felt like proof I was doing life right. If I was resting, something must be forgotten or going undone.

Midlife has had a way of changing that.

Now, I have time to wait while the water boils and the tea steeps. To sit in the morning quiet, savoring the warmth of the cup in my hands and that first sip.  This slowness isn’t laziness—it’s self care.

Not every morning looks like this. Some days are still busy. But when it does, it helps me remember what's important. It reminds me to be present here, in this moment. And that starting slowly is still starting.

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Sunday Inspiration: More

 


Midlife has a way of  reminding us what truly matters, and this quote from the incomparable Dolly Parton is a beautiful reminder to keep expanding rather than shrinking. We’re never too old to dream bigger, to stay curious, to love deeper, or to step into a fuller version of ourselves. If anything, this chapter gives us the clarity and courage to do exactly that. 

Wishing Ms. Dolly a very Happy Birthday tomorrow! Thank you for lighting the way with your heart, humor, and unstoppable sparkle.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Thankful Thursday: January 15, 2026

 


I Am Thankful For:

A productive week

Getting outside my comfort zone

Learning something new 

Kind, welcoming people

A nice cup of London Fog

Slow mornings

Sunday breakfast

Book Club day

Pineapple

My ridiculous dogs

Morning meditation 

Seeing deer as I leave the house

Waking up late

Diet Dr Pepper

Reruns of my favorite shows


Sunday, January 11, 2026

Sunday Inspiration: Beginning


There’s something incredibly freeing about remembering that every single day offers a fresh beginning. We don’t have to wait for January, a birthday, or some big life milestone to start again. Midlife teaches us that renewal often happens in the small, quiet choices—the moment we decide to speak to ourselves with more kindness, to let go of something that’s been weighing us down, or to take one tiny step toward a life that feels more aligned. Each morning is an invitation to reset, recalibrate, and choose differently if we want to. 

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Thankful Thursday: January 8, 2025

 

I Am Thankful For:

Going back to sleep

Simple, but delicious, meals

Beginnings

Morning routines

Panthers are going to the playoffs

Reading to my grandson

My son trimming the dogs' nails for me

Good news/Bad news situations

Lip balm

A yummy pasta dish

Feeling motivated 

When my daughter calls because my grandson wants to talk to me on the phone 

Seeing progress

My cute pups





Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Finding Joy in Midlife

As you journey through the season of Midlife, do you ever find yourself feeling as if you're clinging to old expectations or a  version of that no longer fits. Do you feel like you've lost your sparkle? It doesn't have to be thay way!  Midlife can be a season of rediscovery, growth, and joy

After decades spent focusing on raising a family, having a career, and all the other responsibilities you managed - this is your chance to rediscover what lights you up and to create space for joy.  In this post, I’m sharing six simple ways to help you live a joy-filled midlife that is true to who you are today.

Stop chasing who you think you're supposed to be:  Let go of old expectations and rewrite what a meaningful, joyful life looks like for you today.

Do what feeds your spirit: Whether it’s hobbies you left behind or new passions calling your name. Dance. Sing. Paint, draw, or write. Make the art. Do the crafts. Pull out those roller skates. What ever makes you smile, laugh, relax, or feel like a kid again.  Do that.

Surround yourself with the right people: Find the people who make you feel seen, appreciated, and supported. The ones that let you be fully yourself. Spend less time with the draining folks. The ones that cause you to guard what you say or how you act. 

Get comfortable with saying "No":   Let go of any people-pleasing tendencies you have. Stop going places or doing things out of obligation or because you think you should.  Create space for more joy, rest, and clarity.

Stay curious: Never stop learning.  That might look like reading about subjects that interest you, taking a class of some sort, visiting museums or historical sites, or traveling. 

Practice gratitude: That could mean keeping a gratitude journal, spending a few moments when you first wake up or just before you go to sleep thinking about what you are thankful for, or being more present and aware of the joys and blessings in each day.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Start small. Pick one thing that makes you smile, create one boundary that brings peace, one moment to savor gratitude. Over time, these choices add up to a life that feels vibrant and joyful. You deserve that. So go ahead - dance, laugh, learn, and live fully. Your best chapters are still ahead!

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Sunday Inspiration: January


In midlife, the New Year can hit a little differently.  For many of us, big resolutions are a thing of the past. This stage of life brings an understanding that younger versions of us didn’t always have. We know what truly matters, what drains us, and what we’re no longer willing to carry. So January becomes less about pressure and more about possibility as we step into the new year and the next version of ourselves.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

The First Thankful Thursday of 2026


I Am Thankful For:
Time with family 
Delicious food that connects you to your heritage
A cute dachshund sweater
Quiet Christmas mornings
Someone else cooking Christmas dinner
A lazy day
Planning for the coming year
Homemade Italian Wedding Soup
A cozy fire in the fireplace
Quiet afternoons
Leftover Christmas candy
When the wind quiets down
 A husband who still makes me laugh
A beautiful view of the moon
Preparing for the future