Happy Things for Summer 2026

 Like Monty Python would say; "and now for something completely different".

I love the way the late afternoon sun looks in this room as I read

I am feeling physically and mentally better.

My yards loved the rain - I have healthy looking shrubs out front, including the Crepe Myrtle that I was so worried about last summer.

Took a solo beach vacay.

Working on home projects that spark creativity and create cozy.

Reading good books for two book clubs, and just for me.

Getting regular pedicures and side trips to a winery.

Giving myself more breaks from cooking - leaving the oven off.

Planning a family meal for July.

Focusing on my "best life" goals.

Overall, I feel like I am in a healthier place than I was last summer.  No big worries with the kids, money, or the house. All of my spaces have been refreshed and made to accommodate my comfort. I have a list of things to work on, but I am not pushing myself with time and energy. Looks like summer will be a scorcher so I will prioritize water, relaxation, and self-care.  Right now, life feels good! 

That old familiar feeling

I was telling a friend of mine that every overworked mom reaches a point where she needs a break.  Maybe she doesn't want to continue being not only a breadwinner, but chief cook, cleaner, laundress, and admin.  Maybe she needs a hot shower, a nap, and someone else to pull the load for a bit.

That break never seemed to come for me.  And rather than rock the boat too hard, I just kept doing what I knew I was good at.  Then after Mark died, I found I felt super angry about having to cook for myself.  I tried easy meals, or cooking one big batch of something, or just making sandwiches.  But every time, I felt like I still wasn't getting a break.  And never would.

even simple meals make me feel mad

The male therapist I was talking to (before the current one) said "yeah, but now you can eat whatever you want".  But I was doing that anyway and I still have to do the work: making a menu and list, shopping, schlepping, storing, preparing, serving, loading the dishwasher.  Why did I take it all on?  Maybe it was my love language, or a trade-off for peace in the house.

My question is: when was it going to be my turn to be cared for?  There has never been a time that someone took care of adult me by providing me with meals.  I even made lunches for Mark when he was working from home.  (and to be fair, he did thank me often)  I have so much built up resentment and anger about it.  I feel like I created, or at least contributed, to the problem.

Sitting in my kitchen yesterday, thinking about what I was going to pack for meals over the weekend made me so mad I cried.  So I really need to try to figure this out for myself.  Something tells me its a bigger issue than just cooking.  But for the rest of the summer, I am dropping down to cooking meals for myself only two days a week. 

I am determined to get to the heart of this and resolve it.