Life

I took the summer off. It was the decision I didn’t know I needed to make until I leaned into it.

So good.

I spent the summer lying around, chilling in the pool, reading books, and doing whatever my heart desired…within reason.

I’m on the other side well rested, optimistic, and just feeling good.

I spent a great deal of time pondering how to show up creatively and authentically on my platforms. I love this creative outlet, but not really feeling where social media has gone. Good thing is I have come to realize that I can stay true to myself. I may not grow a huge following, but I’ll always have this community that I love so much as well as a creative outlet for myself when I feel up to it.

While I was gone a few things major happened, the one that has me like did this just happen is my son got his drivers license. I’m not sure how we got here and so fast.

The children have gone back to school, our oldest just started nursing school, Adrian Jr. is now in 11th grade, and baby Addison is pulling up the rear in the 7th grade.

As a result of me taking some time off, there are many house projects around here that have been neglected but are now works in progress. First up is primary bedroom. We are looking to have it painted and the flooring replaced. Because we are going with hardwood, I want it painted first and that should happen within the next two weeks, hopefully sooner. Once I have a firm date on the paint then I can schedule the floors.

Then there are so many other projects around here that need attention and we’ll get to them. My plan is to document here as well as on my socials.

Speaking of…I finally joined TikTok. I’ve made it more of a style diary sharing my outfits almost daily and working to build some affiliate income over there. I’ll be adding in some additional content as it feels natural. My confession is I like it better over there, no worries I won’t be ditching Instagram like I did Snapchat!

As always, thank you for being a part of this community!

Today is my birthday. My 39th to be exact, the very last one I will ever have in my 30s.

*lets that sink in*

I mean I still remember eating this cookie

No matter how real and unkind life can get, another year of life is the greatest accomplishment. Nothing is promised except birth and death and what we manage to do with the time in between, the dash as they call it, is truly what matters.

Seems like I’ve been in a space of trying to figure out the next steps in my “dash”  for a while now and instead of rushing the process I’m learning to sit in it, learn the lessons and work toward my ultimate goals hoping God sees fit to put some of his super on my natural. I’m learning all those things we thought we would have figured out by age so and so was sheer foolishness.

I’m going into 39 doing the rest of the hard work in learning to love and deal with myself, faults and all, telling folks no a little more than the years before, drinking my water, unapologetically telling folks to worry about their gray hair and not mine, minding my business and trying to get that real glow up so I can roll into my 40s  fresh faced, gray streaked and free if the good Lord sees fit.

Blouse | Thrifted    Jeans | Thrifted  Shoes | Gucci (affiliate link)  Cape | Vintage, as in was my Mama’s  Bracelet | Gifted

ISSA CELEBRATION!!!!

The turn up commenced at midnight and shall conclude on Sunday at 11:59p.

Catch me in the Instagram streets. Have a great weekend y’all!

Creating content is work. It is constantly trying to keep in mind what your readers like, and how to bring that content to life in way that speaks to you as the content creator as well as the reader. Unlikely Martha was recognized for some amazing things this year, and I’m finally feeling like I’m getting  the groove of creating the level of content that I’ve been working toward, a level of content that is both useful and entertaining…..or at least I think so!

As I work toward putting together my 2018 editorial calendar,  I want to know what makes you anxious to click the link to an Unlikely Martha post. I need to know what type of content  you like and dislike, I want to gauge where your thoughts are so I can tweak the content to highlight what is working well and lessening what isn’t.

If you would please take about 2 minutes of your time to fill out this anonymous survey I would be extremely grateful!

Create your own user feedback survey

I will never shake the feeling that Sunday’s are made for lounging in the bed all day watching movies and sporadically napping. Perhaps it’s because that was my reality before children. Every now and again I get that leisure on a Sunday, usually when I’m sick but who’s keeping tabs.

Last night I opted not to come home. My husband was out of town and the kids  with my dad. I saw an opportunity to change my scenery for the evening and I did. I stayed in town with my bestie spending the evening with her and my god brother. We walked to a bar, pulled some chairs out of said bar and sat them on the sidewalk and people watched over a few round of drinks.

[WPGP gif_id=”16125″ width=”600″]

[WPGP gif_id=”16129″ width=”600″]

Today, I felt my extra hour and I was grateful. Pretty sure it was because I wasn’t home. No one asking for breakfast, or what was for dinner.

I woke to a slight breeze from an open window, peace and a slight crook in my neck because old bones don’t sleep so well on sofas anymore sooooooooo……..

We leisurely gathered ourselves and hurried down to Thumbs Up, one of Atlanta’s hot little breakfast spots. We were  seated immediately, in Atlanta speak that is like seeing a unicorn. I’ve never been there and not waited forever.

Over breakfast, my husband texted his flight was delayed so we trekked over to one of the better Goodwill stores in the area.

Had just checked out when he texted again that he landed a whole 30 minutes before he should’ve according to my calculations.

From there it was picking him up, the kids up, grocery shopping….

My son is maturing so fast. I can’t help but want to spend as much time with him as possible cause I’m sure he’ll be packing up for college tomorrow. He asked me to take a bike ride with him so off we went in the neighborhood.

I walked my bike  home for what it’s worth.

I’m not really sure what my legs are going to feel like in the morning but I am grateful for this little memory that I created with him today.

A new week dawns and with it uncertainties, hopefully those of the joyful variety. Either way, our reactions and mindset are powerful in pressing through.

I hope your Sunday was well, and I wish you a great week ahead.

See you tomorrow friends.