It was no ordinary week, but this is no ordinary January.

Two loved ones finally come riding into town in a red Cobalt last Thursday night. Anticipation over this reunion built up over 22-long-months, and it came almost a day early! Hugs like tight, lingering squeezes of relief & happiness were exchanged.
FRIDAY- Sleeping in, the Farmer’s Market, Five Crowns, afternoon naps, Christmas, a walk to the water with the dogs at sunset, Despicable Me, constant chatter plus laughter all day long.

SATURDAY- My second to last shift at a job I’m so ready to leave. Loving the thought that at the end of a long day I get to come home to a house full of loved ones. SEA vs. SAINTS = incredible game. Teasing texts with our friends in New Orleans.

SUNDAY- Mom stuck in bed with a migraine. Meeting with Dad, a wonderful conversation shared on the road, advice given. A true desire to apply said advice quickly. Feeling inspired- ‘if he can do it, I can do it too.’ Loved introducing my Dad to my meeting family. Starting to feel sick on the drive home. Mom is feeling better. Grilled mozzarella on multi-grain plus my favorite brand of box soup for lunch. Southwestern Corn Chowder & Sweet Red Pepper. I burned the bread, and confirmed that ‘a Martha Stewart I am not.’ I think I will always be a little chaotic, messy & imperfect in the kitchen (& most other areas too). I find myself reverting back to my kid self without much of a fight when it comes to letting Mom do dishes after lunch. (I’d do them later, but she can’t let messes be. I should probably work on NOT letting messes be so much…) A community nap hour required. Woke up feeling better & craving Crunch Berry’s. Games played, games are never turned down in this family. Mexican Train introduced… and loved… I spy lots of it in the future. Feeling icky again. Hot bath-time with my herbal soak that I swear by. A hot towel delivered to me by Mom. Straight to bed with hopes of feeling good again by morning. But still, a wonderful day all the same.

MONDAY- A long, sound night of sleep, woke up feeling much stronger. Zane works, Dad sleeps. Coffee + drive to St. Augustine with Mom. I get to show her my commute. Drop her off for some solo shopping while I drive to Emeritus for the first time. Fill out paperwork while it rains + thunders outside. Morning thunder feels like a good omen. I feel calm & strong & ready to take on this new chapter in my life as I meet new co-workers & tour the residence & even meet a few of it’s residents. Repeated remarks are made for a need to have a tough skin; they are internally noted. I want to laugh and tell them not to be fooled by my five feet, but I don’t because I know my skin could be thicker. I’m ready for this opportunity to thicken it, and for my patience to grow.

I probably won’t love my new commute every single day, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It took less time than I had originally thought it would, even tho it’s further into Jacksonville then I had imagined. I like that. I think I’m going to love the feeling of driving into the city.

I came back for Mom. She showed me her favorite store, one I’d never been to. I even found something small & perfect for my best friend. I have high hopes that I can give it to her in person in March.

I showed Mom my store. She met three of my favorites. We picked out something to replace my brothers Christmas present that ‘wasn’t him.’ She tried on a beautiful red jacket that I never would’ve picked out for her, but it was perfect, and now I’ll think of her every time I see it.

Next stop, The Gourmet Hut. It was 70-degrees & overcast. A little breezy, but we were still able to sit outside. Amazing in January. Enjoyed the Montana Panini, a hot apple pie cider, and views of the fort. Dad raved over my leftovers.

Next stop Luli’s for four-cupcakes. Blueberry fields forever, lemon twist, Oreo & PB chocolate. Dad loved his Oreo cupcake, he told Mom she picked out the perfect one for him. Double sweet.

Afternoon of naps and games, and a night of Papa John’s & the Fiesta Bowl. Me against three, go Auburn. FB & football. I couldn’t honestly care less, but I find myself getting caught up in the camaraderie of it all and loving it. Plus knowing it’s something that my husband loves, I vow to be more into it for him. What a day. Full. Complete. Perfect.


TUESDAY – Sleeping in, orange rolls, mom & dad get their first peek of the outside of our house, then browsing at my favorite antique store, Our Old Stuff. I find a 1st edition Dr. Seuss book from 1973 that I’ve never read before, and a retro rollerblading Ken Barbie doll (complete with knee pads & a fanny pack in neon colors!) that knocks my socks off. (Sometimes I get silly notions about collecting kids stuff to have at the house). Next, a drive by our counselor’s beautiful home, and a walk down on the canal. It’s a beautiful, but cold day. Walking along seagulls comfortable with humans & sticking my arm in bird poo all add to the experience. Wendy’s for lunch, conversing about wishes to ‘stock up’ warmth from excessively hot summer days & use them on chilly days like this one. Lowes + Winn Dixie for car remote batteries & groceries. Meals planned. Mom makes pumpkin bars. Games. Benjamin Button. Leafing thru Design magazines to stir up inspiration. Kiss the Groom, a new favorite wedding blog. June pees in the elevator, a hilarious first.

WEDNESDAY – sleep in, Zane has the day off with us, get paid, pay bills online, (sigh with relief), Zane fixes annoying work mistakes via phone next to me in bed while I journal, we take the dogs out, snuggle with them, see the inside of the house + mom & dad meet our realtor, take lots of pics, Rossi’s for lunch & breakfast. We are the only state without snow on the ground today. Lacey texts, she is still stuck in St. Thomas due to weather in the states. I feel so removed from all this crazy weather, even tho it is definitely cold outside. Games, thoughts of naps, couch-sitting, joking, snacking, magazine-reading, picture album-flipping, togetherness. Mom helped me try a new shrimp recipe that was a massive hit. I also introduced my mozzarella + black beans + BBQ nachos. Then I made truffles & a spaghetti casserole for dinner tomorrow. It was an exhausting & wonderfully successful day, just like the previous ones have been.

THURSDAY – the boys go shooting at the range. Dad gave Zane a gun for x-mas. He has been in boy heaven since mom & dad got here between all the guns plus constant sports chatter. Mom & I go on a shopping mission in Palm Coast to outfit her new guestroom since she & dad will soon be ‘empty-nesters.’ It was wildly successful. I even found a perfect polo for work & some nerdy, (but awesome!) comfy work shoes from Beall’s, mom’s favorite store in PC that I never go to. It’s nice to have an excuse to try different things. Thai food for lunch…. she got one of my favorites #53 Pad-See-Ew. Then we crashed at home, shopping bags strewn all over our kitchen & family room. The boys are home too. We all laid low, rested, snacked, chilled until it was time to leave for bible study. Drove thru the Country Cooler for water & Red Bull. Everyone is impressed by the busyness of this little place out in the country on a dark winter night. Mom & Dad meet our bible study family. Fellowship is enjoyed. Plans are made for Sunday lunch. Stories are shared. Spaghetti casserole is waiting at home. We snack too much while playing games & waiting for it in the oven. This perfect little week has drawn to a close, with the comfort of another one to wake up to in the morning.