Well, it has been a while since I’ve taken a minute to catch up with everyone, or even slowed down long enough to gather my thoughts. This week has been a little hectic, stressful, and emotional, so I thought it might feel good to sit down and get some of it out of my system.

Our air-conditioning has been out since last Friday. Something happened during a lightning storm that damaged a transformer, board, or some other expensive-sounding part. We fixed that, and the air ran for a minute. Then it was something else. We replaced that, and then, you guessed it, they found something else.

Basically, we keep replacing things without actually fixing the air-conditioning situation. Every time we think we’ve finally figured it out, another problem appears. I have no idea why it has been so difficult to pinpoint, but they’re coming back tomorrow, so hopefully we’ll finally get some answers.

Luckily, Gary bought three large window units for our bedrooms, and they put out a surprising amount of cold air. The living room, kitchen, office, and kids’ bathroom are still pretty hot, but we’re making it work until we figure out what comes next.

In much better news, I went to the doctor last week and had some very thorough bloodwork done. We were checking for anything that might show signs of the disease my mother had, along with several other things.

When I went to have my blood drawn, the woman looked at all the tests and laughed. She said, “Good grief. She is testing you for everything she can possibly test you for.”

I told her I wasn’t sure whether that was really good or really bad, but she assured me it was a good thing. My doctor was simply crossing every T and dotting every I.

Because the testing was so extensive, I had to wait an entire week for everything to come back. For some reason, I was too scared to look at the results as they appeared. It was almost like a psychological block. I had convinced myself that something was going to be wrong, and I just didn’t want to see it.

Thankfully, I was wrong.

Everything came back wonderfully. Even things we weren’t specifically expecting to improve had improved. I’m no longer B12 deficient or anemic, my iron looks good, my triglycerides are perfect, and everything else looked great too. It was such a blessing and an enormous relief. I truly could not be happier or more grateful.

It has still been a frustrating week in other ways. I briefly allowed myself to get pulled back into some old, unnecessary drama. I got sick and tired of the cryptic comments, little digs, and constant poking, and I finally blew up.

I’m over it now.

I’m back to ignoring it and reminding myself that it doesn’t affect my real life in any meaningful way. It’s silly to let something so unimportant wind me up, especially when I have so many real things in my life that deserve my time and attention.

We’ve also had some actual family tension happening, which is unusual for me. My circle is small, and the people I speak to regularly simply don’t have a lot of conflict with one another. Right now, however, there are some hurt feelings within Gary’s family, and it has been an uncomfortable position for me because I genuinely love everyone involved.

I can see more than one side of it. I understand why some people feel hurt, but I also believe that everyone deserves the freedom to live their own life and find happiness, even when the rest of the family doesn’t fully understand their choices.

Blending families is difficult at any age, but I think it can be especially complicated later in life. When everyone is already grown and there has been another father figure in the past, suddenly having a stepparent can feel awkward. At the same time, no one should have to give up companionship or spend the rest of their life alone simply because other people are uncomfortable with the relationship.

Alan has been a blessing in my life, although I understand that the situation may feel different for the girls. I also understand that he has contributed to some of the tension himself. That’s what makes the whole thing so complicated. There isn’t one perfectly right side and one completely wrong side.

At the end of the day, Regina is the one living in another state, away from the rest of us. She deserves to be loved and happy. None of us can completely fill that space in her everyday life. At the same time, I understand how painful it can be when a mother feels different, visits less, or seems to have less time because she has a new love in her life.

Hearing the hurt in Regina’s voice genuinely made me sad. I love her, and I’m not going to stop calling or being part of her life. She truly treats me like one of her daughters. We talk more often than she and Gary do, and when she calls, she usually calls my phone. We have a very real love for one another, and I treasure that relationship.

Like all families, this one has been through some difficult things. Nobody has been perfect, but I look at everyone now and feel so proud. Regina is a hardworking, independent woman who has built a wonderful life for herself. Her children have all grown into hardworking, successful adults who have created beautiful lives and families of their own.

Gary blows my mind, and I’m endlessly proud of him. I feel that way about his sisters too. This is a family that started with very little and endured a great deal, yet everyone came through it and built something good. I hate seeing them pull away from one another after everything they have overcome together.

I’m going to keep loving every one of them because they are my family. I care deeply about all of them, and I hope this is something that will eventually pass.

It has simply been an emotional week, and I am ready for a little peace, joy, and de-stressing.

Thank goodness the kids are back in school. That has given Gary and me some alone time again. We can have our little day dates, enjoy some romantic time together, and experience a little privacy, which has been wonderful.

Despite the stress, I’m incredibly grateful for my life. I’m grateful for my health, my husband, my children, and the people I love. Hopefully, we can finally get this air-conditioning fixed, let some of the tension settle, and get back to normal around here.

It felt good to come here, throw out some emotions, and get them out of my system. I hope everyone is doing well.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Life is good!! There’s always plenty to smile about!!! Love to all. 🤍