… a new coat of paint..

My birthday week is officially over, and honestly, it was a good one. I got to see friends I hadn’t hung out with in a while, danced my ass off, ate cake, spent time with my family, cut a little grass, and soaked up plenty of solo time on the farm…

On my actual birthday, though? I did nothing grand. I hiked with dogs, had a slice of cake, and made zero plans on purpose. Instead, I gave myself space to think - about the past year, about how things might look different this year, and about the harder questions too… What do I really want? What do I actually need? How do I feel?

It still catches me off guard sometimes, being single at “my age.” I never pictured this version of life, and I still trip up saying “we” or “our” when I’m talking about my life - the farm, the animals, or this old farmhouse.

But life keeps moving, and little things shift. Some of the projects I mentioned in my last post - the ones left undone for years, are finally finished. The living room is painted, the birthday banner came down, but the stairs and the loft are still waiting on me. I’ll get to them eventually.

The funny part is I pieced together why the living room sat half-finished for FIVE YEARS. It was that I ran out of paint. When I finally snapped a pic of the lid to get more mixed up, I saw the date: February 2020. Suddenly, it all made sense. And because the universe has a sense of humor, one of my all-time favorite songs, Tom Waits’ New Coat of Paint, played while I painted. Sometimes life really does provide the soundtrack.

Outside of the house projects, life was a mix of big and small joys. I binge-watched Dexter: Resurrection, fell into some new music, and remembered how good it feels to get out dancing (and that I should do it at least once a month). For girls’ night, I literally cut up a $10 clearance dress, paired it with a vintage slip and a wide suede belt, and turned it into the most fabulous animal-print outfit. That kind of creativity makes me feel alive. Thrifting, sewing, altering - taking something mediocre and making it fabulous - is in my bones. It’s what inspired the title of this blog many moons ago…. because even with dirty jeans, cowboy boots, and a messy bun, this gal can be a fashionista on a budget when she wants to be.

And somehow, in the middle of all that, I’ve even grown the most fabulous nails of my life. Long nails! On me!! with this farm and all these dog hikes. Honestly, it feels like a birthday miracle.

Farm-wise, the horses have been moved to a new field while their pasture rests and regrows, and they are decidedly not pleased. Ellen, however, is thrilled to have them close by. Meanwhile, the Joro spiders have completely taken over the back half of the property, so that slick of land is officially being left to grow wild until winter. Some battles just aren’t worth fighting.

And then there’s this space. this blog. A lot of you have reached out, saying you’re glad I’m back here writing again, and I can’t tell you how good that feels. For a long time, I didn’t have the mental capacity to explain what I couldn’t even sort out myself.

But I’m not just writing again. I’m also gearing up to bring back some of the weekly segments that made this space feel like home. Think Sweet Stuff Sunday, Midweek Mixtapes, and the Worn posts. They won’t all roll out at once, but I’m definitely excited to be more active here and to reconnect with the rhythm of sharing regularly.

So here I am, a little older, a little steadier, and stepping into the next chapter.

I won’t pretend I don’t wonder… will I make the same mistakes again? It’s possible. But at least I know I’m asking the right questions this time around.

I am off to hike with some dogs….. have a lovely day, you!

xo

-s