I’ve had my windows open for days now, letting in this streak of dreamy weather… highs in the low 80s, nights dipping into the 50s. In August. In Georgia. I keep waiting for the air to thicken again, but for now I’m letting it all soak in, but also staying aware of my default of loving the solitude here a little too much…
Living all the way out on this 9 acres makes it easy to slip into hermit mode. I have to be careful. I can spend whole stretches of time perfectly happy with nothing but my dogs, farm crew, plants, and the ol’ hammock. This little slice can keep me as busy as I wanna be, but I need to keep my social gears oiled, so I made myself a rule: one night out a week. No excuses.
Pool days don’t count because they’re practically deserted. There isn’t a whole lot of socializing happening there. It’s usually just me and maybe one other resident floating around pretending life isn’t busy. I was at the pool Wednesday with zero plans at all when texts started rolling in. First, a guy from our friend-group inviting me out (which I declined - it was Wednesday after all, and that’s not usually a night I even consider going out). But then (!!!) my gal gang texted… birthday plans at the farmers market for our friend Ali, which just so happens to be held at a brewery... how could I say no to that?
We laughed ourselves silly, and at some point (thanks to a few drinks), decided to attempt that TikTok “candid walking” challenge. We galloped right through the crowd, laughing, wondering what do we do with our hands while galloping (??), and here’s the best part - not a single person gave us a second glance. Nobody even blinked. The videos are posted on social media if you haven’t seen - I don’t know how to post them here). Athens is apparently unimpressed by a group of stunning older women trotting through a brewery like we’re filming a Poise pads commercial.
I was home and in bed by a respectable hour, but not before the group chats carried us into the night with pics, vids, and more giggles from under the covers. Honestly, it was the kind of evening i needed - good friends, ton of laughter, genuine connections, and a scene that felt just right for the older-ish crowd …. fun, but without too much chaos.
Sometimes I think people look at my life and what I post on social media, especially if they don’t follow the blog, and assume I have it all together. And sure, on the surface it might look that way. I’ve got this secluded slice of heaven surrounded by picturesque pastures on a dirt road. I work for myself doing what I love. I’m healthy, I’m strong. But what doesn’t always show are the years of hard work and heartbreak it took to get here. I’ve had to make tough, uncomfortable decisions. I’ve taken my fair share of hits. I have built this life I have, brick by brick, hard lesson after hard lesson.
And yet here I am. Still figuring it out, piece by piece. And right now, what I want is a simpler life… I love my quiet life, the freedom of not answering to anyone, borrowing a resort style pool session after work most days, my old farmhouse with her open windows letting in cool night air, dogs happily dreaming next to me - either in the hammock or in bed under the covers, and the nights out laughing too hard with girlfriends…I like what is happening currently.
It’s Friday night and I’m winding down, watching the new Dexter episode, and having a decaf coffee and a little debbie oatmeal cream pie before bed because that is one of my little guilty pleasures as of late…
I’ll be back Sunday with a fun little update. My sewing machine got some love today and I have some plans for it tomorrow ;)
xo
-s
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