We made it to Friday! I’ll be honest with you. It’s been a very slow week. My mind and body are still catching up from the seven days Nanny was in the hospital. I spent about half a second feeling guilty about being “lazy,” but then quickly told myself how crazy that was. I’m mentally and emotionally exhausted. Add a potent tablespoon of perimenopause to the mix and here I sit.

In all my psychotic glory.

Meal Drops

We had several friends (family) drop off meals to us this week. Let me tell you, it made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world. I’ve learned (too many times to count) that when you’re in the trenches of trauma – whatever that may be – making grocery lists and shopping and/or cooking is the absolute last thing you have the energy to do. Being able to pop something in the microwave or oven gave us LIFE. Saying “thank you” doesn’t seem like enough. What I will do is pay it forward. I will remember what it felt like for people to take that one (very important) thing off our plate and I will return the favor!

Halloween 2024

Allyson (Jackson’s mom, my cousin) and I took JP and Jackson to Trunk or Treat at my church. Jackson loved it, JP most definitely did not. I could tell JP probably wasn’t in the head space to handle a crowd, but I encouraged him to go because he’d been inside all day. Mistake. He didn’t melt down or anything, but it made for a very difficult night. The crowd was big, the voices were overwhelming, and then everyone tried to talk to him. People at church haven’t seen him in a while so, naturally, they wanted to speak. Everyone means well and cares so much about him, it’s just too much for him to process. Having said that, PRE-LEXAPRO, he would have had a panic attack! Nothing like that happened, so mama’s calling it a WIN!

On actual Halloween, I took him on the Greenville driving tour of Halloween houses. He ended up having a great time, which did my heart good.

One of the drawbacks of being high functioning is, JP is 100% aware of how different he is and the fact that he doesn’t have a real friend group. He was sad about it. Watching him be sad DESTROYS me! Another reason I’m emotionally exhausted.

In other news, Preston and his forever friend, Cale, went trick-or-treating as the Menendez Brothers. Two of the cutest and best kids around!

Mark Your Calendars

Tyler and I will be at M. Judson Bookstore on Saturday, January 18th! We would LOVE to see you! It’s not even been announced yet, you’re the first to know!

Coming Up

We’re covering the Holy Smokes BBQ Festival again this year! We’ll head to the low country next Friday! I’m working to put together one more adventure. Hopefully it’s gonna work out – stay tuned!

Subscribe

This week’s newsletter is a behind-the-scenes photo tour of the old South Carolina State Hospital. If you’ve not already subscribed, you can do so here! It’s the perfect week ~ these places have never been opened to the public before. Plus, we just really appreciate your support!

Alright. I think that’s about it, y’all. Thank you for putting up with my ramblings. Have a PERFECT weekend!