Home Sweet Home

Good morning (afternoon?), my Lovelies! I sincerely hope this day finds you healthy, happy, and hopeful! It is so easy to get caught up in and be solely focused on our tomorrows and what's ahead of us in life, work, and our relationships, that we tend to lose sight of the beauty of our present. I am horribly guilty of this and I'm finding that I'm missing out on many of life's enjoyable and precious moments. 

I want you to do something with me. I want you to close your eyes, take a deep, soul-cleansing breath, imagine your relaxing spot or activity, release your breath slowly, and repeat until the tension in your shoulders lessens and your body calms.

Did that help? I hope so. You see, I don't normally have much trouble relaxing, but every now and then I can't seem to push past the things that stress me to truly reach that feeling of relaxation. I stress over my never-ending list of things to do, my job, my writing career, my children and how much I've probably fucked up as a mother, over my elderly parents and their failing health, over my marriage and how much I suck at being a wife most of the time - I could go on and on!

I feel like my stressors are much the same as everyone else's and this pandemic has increased them to the point that we are all losing our minds. I'm exhausted, irritable, and miserable. I need a break and with any luck, I'm going to get that break here in a couple of weeks. 

That job situation that I've been stressing over? Well, I think there is about to be a big change and I'm so looking forward to it. If that change does actually happen, I plan on taking a little time off and going on a trip. My children have decided that they will sit this one out (bummer as we usually have quite a bit of fun together), so I'll be going solo and I couldn't be more excited.

My author's weekend to Ocean City in February was wonderful and just what I needed at the time. (I'm sure I'll be going back after the summer tourists have returned to the city.) And I'm hoping that taking this trip (which will be 7-10 days long, depending) will give me the mental, physical and emotional break that I need before turning the page to the next chapter in my work life. 

Yes, I'm headed home. Y'all know I have to get my Kentucky infusion every so often or I lose it. This time, as it is just me and I'm not in any rush, I'm thinking I may just slow things down a bit and see what I can find to do along the way. Even if it is nothing more than finding some beautiful scenery, I'm going to do more than just drive through the boredom of that damn interstate for 14 hours straight.

Hopefully, while I'm there I'll be able to spend a little time with some of my friends and catch up with what has been going on in their lives. And with any luck (cross your fingers, toes, eyes, and any other body parts you feel necessary), I'll be finishing one of my current works in progress.

My friends keep reminding me just how short life truly is, and to do what makes me happy. You know what? I have some very wise friends. (That's not just the tequila talking...)

As always,

Much love from me to you!

Shelly (a/k/a Dawn Love)

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