There have been way too many weeks in a row where there are things I have been stressed about – work things, personal things, too many commitments, expectations, etc. I aim for a quiet life…but I never quite seem to get there.

Remember last year when I wanted a white summer dress? Still do. Remember last year when I couldn’t find one?? Still can’t. This Marks&Spencer white linen dress seemed right up my alley – linen, simple lines, no waist constrictions. BUT…it only fit around my hips at the cost of being too big in the bust and shoulders. It’s already gone back.

Then there’s a gorgeous white dress at Anthropologie but it’s $$$. I saw this one at WomanWithin for a fraction of the cost and a similar look. Nope.

Moving on.

I was back at the tire center this week visiting my friend Guillermo to replace a tire that has had a worrisome bubble since last September. I thought I was going away for the weekend and before I drove 100 miles away by myself I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to get a blown tire on the way. Unfortunately, it keeps being the same two tires that go bad so it’s not like I have all new tires at this point.

Tire center artwork.

This week’s Gwynnie Bee item. Not so good and it went back unworn.

I’ve finally been able to enjoy some time on the patio, except that I’ve outgrown my chairs and I can’t sit there long without getting very uncomfortable. Janey likes sitting out there with me and I’m considering getting her a harness so she can walk around a bit. There are pros and cons to this idea, so…

The Parent Association at work treated teachers and direct support professionals and staff to a bagel breakfast on Thursday in honor of Teacher Appreciation Month. Right after that I had to go to a center in another town where some of adult clients go a couple times a week for a program. This week I was presenting a class on photography to three classes and I had been a nervous wreck about it for a week! It went well, I guess, the teachers said it did, anyway. I wish I could share some of the pictures from the presentation but I can’t.

The reason I’m sharing it here is the nervousness so exhausted me that when I got home that evening, I tried to work on my blog post for Friday and within about ten minutes I literally could not stay upright at the computer. I did sort of a half walk/half crawl over to the bed, had a serious hot flush, thought I was going to be nauseous. That part passed, but it was 6pm and I never got back out of bed. I had HIT. THE. WALL. The weeks of extra work events and social activities and anxiety about this that and the other…had just done me in. It sounds so silly, but…it was a real thing that night.

Fortunately the extra-long evening of bed rest helped, and while I didn’t feel entirely back to normal the next day, at least I could walk! Also, good news/bad news…my weekend away was canceled, so…it was just as well, under the circumstances, as now I was able to have a quiet weekend to sort of get back on even keel.

Saturday I did a little erranding and finally planted some patio pots. I always forget that trick of scraping some bar soap under your fingernails before working in the dirt til it’s too late!

When I’m home on the weekend I get to see the light come in at different places.

I watched A Star is Born. I’ve never seen any of the earlier versions…and I doubt I ever will. But I really like this new version. I recommend.

Janey spends a lot of time in the window watching for our chipmunk.

I went to a nice garden this morning. I always love Japanese elements in a garden.

I spent the afternoon reading on the sofa. We had a brief thunderstorm. Hearing thunder always brings me joy.

I don’t think there’s anything to dread in the week ahead. And it’s a short week. And I feel somewhat better after my quiet weekend alone. Fingers crossed it’s a calm week.

xoxo