Creative March…

March is ending in a few hours, and my hallway remodel is DONE….

MY journey….

Illustrating…March Is Almost Over

March is almost out the door, and honestly, it feels like it packed an entire year of seasons into one month. Here in Las Cruces, we’ve lived through Fall, Spring, and full-blown Summer—sometimes all in the same day. As I’m writing this, it’s giving Fall: low 50s, cool breeze, that soft gray light. By noon, it’ll be upper 80s and blazing like July. You really do have to laugh at the chaos of it all.

Today’s writing prompt is “Illustrating March Is Almost Over,” and I absolutely illustrated Spring Cleaning—I CRUSHED it. My hallway trim is officially DONE. The only thing left is the ceiling, and I’m covering it in fabric to finally hide that popcorn ceiling. I am beyond ready to retire that outdated design once and for all.

I also dove into decluttering this month and donated a ton. I even redid my closet—no clothing donations yet, but the reset feels incredible. Changing styles, shifting mindsets, refreshing décor, and just resetting my whole life… it feels right. I still have a lot ahead of me, and I am READY for all of it.

I’ve also been illustrating my food choices and getting myself prepped for my doctor appointments in June. This week’s meals are all about soups. Alright, March wraps up in two days—let’s see what April decides to bring next.

MY journey….

Wardrobe Rebuilding…

This afternoon was a whole moment — I went clothes shopping and walked out with 2 shirts and a pair of pants for $10. This officially marks the beginning of my wardrobe rebuild. New style incoming, new body loading. I’ve got two months to drop these pounds and elevate my look, and honestly… I’m ready for this challenge.

As part of the reset, I pulled out 50% of the clothes I can’t currently wear. The other 50% is staying right where it is — pure motivation to get back into every single piece.

From here on out, every two weeks, I’m adding 3 new items to my wardrobe. By the end of this cycle, that’s at least 12 fresh pieces hanging in my closet. I’m excited to see what deals I can score in the coming weeks.

And yes, I have a LOT of clothes to get back into. But donate them? Absolutely not. I’m keeping every last piece — they’re part of the comeback story.

Now let me get up and make some detox soup. These pounds are about to FALL off.

MY journey….

Las Cruces – Finding Joy In a New Role…

Retiring out west? These cities make the dream more affordable than you'd think...

The above article ranks Las Cruces as the number one place to retire in the southwest. Here is the blurb from the article:

“1. Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces has sunshine for more than 300 days per year, along with warm weather that makes it easy to get out and about. It has several parks, museums, and other attractions to keep retirees busy. The city also offers recreational programs for people who are 50 years or older, which makes it easier to meet new people and get acquainted with the city.

Houses are also relatively affordable, with the median price at $350,625, according to Realtor.com. The median rent is $1,700 per month, which is enough for most Social Security payments to cover.

Las Cruces is located less than one hour away from the El Paso International Airport. It's also near the Rio Grande River.”

Starting April 1st, I’m stepping into a new role—the Unofficial Ambassador of Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. I’m giving myself this title because it’s time for me to actually support the place I’ve called home for the last four years. I haven’t always been kind to Las Cruces or the region. I’ve dragged this city more than once, even while running a blog about it from 2021 through late 2024. But now I want to shift my energy. I want to pay attention, uplift what’s working, and track ratings and rankings like the one above.

Las Cruces has been named one of the top retirement communities in the country, and honestly, that label has always made me cringe. It boxes the city into a narrative that keeps younger age groups away. It also discourages industries from planting roots here. Let’s be real—older populations don’t need entertainment like kids and young adults. They don’t need tech companies bringing in jobs. Also, they don’t need a top-tier education or a major luxury retail development. And when a city leans too hard into its retirement identity, opportunities shrink.

So here I am, trying to figure out how to shift my mindset about Las Cruces. I don’t have the answer yet. Maybe I just need a nap before I take on this ambassador role.

MY journey….

Greater Motivation…

Oh, Monday… you weren’t as brutal as some of your predecessors, but you were definitely long, hot, and boring. Honestly, I was ready to be done with you before you even began. Mondays have their own personality, and somehow we all just push through them to reach the rest of the week.

Today’s writing prompt is all about motivation—what drives me, what keeps me moving. I’m motivated by a lot of things, but my greatest motivation comes from being handed a challenge I know I can conquer quickly. And by “quickly,” I mean completing it with purpose and immediately shifting into the next one. Momentum is my fuel.

Right now, my biggest challenge is powering through #The100DayProject. Tonight I knocked out two digital products—a blessings journal and a habit tracker—that I’ll start using next month. I journal all the time, but I’ve never used a habit tracker before, so this feels like a whole new layer of intention. I’m excited to put both of these into action.

Yay me!

MY journey….

Spring and No Suffering…

Yesterday marked the first day of Spring, and I’m thrilled to report that I made it through Winter with zero suffering. And what is “Winter suffering”? It’s the whole miserable package—cold winds, gray skies, snow, ice, storms, and all the other nonsense that usually comes with the season. I didn’t deal with any of it. Not one bit. My Winter was pure JOY.

I hate Winter and those heavy gray skies, but down here in southern New Mexico, Winter barely showed up. The coldest we got was the mid-20s, and we only saw a cup of snow on one random Monday morning. By lunchtime, it had melted away, and temps were already climbing back into the 40s.

Now it’s Spring—90 degrees, sunshine everywhere, and I am genuinely happy. Bring on Summer 2026.

MY journey….

My Next Big Project…

Happy “Almost Friday”...and Happy “Almost Spring”.

I am so ready for Spring 2026 and everything it’s about to bring. I can’t believe the cold weather is finally behind us here in Las Cruces—though honestly, it never truly got cold down here. It was a great Winter, and now we’re rolling straight into Spring with temps already hitting the 90s. I’m excited, energized, and fully geared up for Spring projects and long walks.

Speaking of walking, my next big focus is getting back into those long outdoor walks and soaking up the sun. I love the treadmill, but I need that real sunshine, that fresh air, that feeling of my blood moving again.

So yes—Spring 2026 is all about walking, sipping my apple cider vinegar mix, eating right, and enjoying every bit of this heat. I know old man cold might try to sneak back in April, but for now, I’m embracing these warm days with open arms.

Come on, Spring 2026. I’m ready.

MY journey….

A “path of healing” with distinct stages…

Healing… that word feels heavy. Healing… healing… healing. I don’t even know where to begin with this mess. I’m on a “healing path,” and there’s a lot to untangle. When I lash out—which happens more than I’d like—it comes from a place of old wounds. Old wounds from years of disrespect, broken promises, folks having me fucked up, love that slipped through my fingers, relationships that collapsed, and the general ache of being alive.

My “path of healing” is messy. It means keeping my cool when my anger wants to take over. It means stepping back when I’m fed up with questions. It means dealing with frustration, body image struggles, life stress, and all the emotional debris I’ve collected over the years. It’s not pretty, but it’s real.

And I know this path doesn’t have a finish line. Healing is a cycle—recognizing, forgiving, releasing, and hoping that one day I’ll finally exhale without tension in my chest.

As I move this mess, there are stages to this work. I started in the recognition phase—finally admitting who hurt me and how I passed that hurt along. Now I think I’m in the forgetting phase, or maybe it’s the letting-go phase. Either way, I’m moving.

I will never stop healing. And honestly, that’s okay. It means I’m still growing, still learning, still choosing myself every day.

If you want, I can also shape this into something more poetic, more journal-like, or more fierce. I really don’t care – I just want to HEAL!

MY journey….

I Love…

I love a perfect day—the kind where I sleep in, sip strong coffee, catch up on my favorite YouTube vloggers, wander through Saturday-morning thrift stores, and wrap it all up with an art event. That’s my ideal rhythm.

I love hunting for deals that bring my decorating visions to life. I love being creative, pushing boundaries, and transforming my palace one idea at a time. Deep cleaning, rearranging my cherished finds, refreshing my space—it all feels like magic.

Right now, I’m shifting from my 1970s décor era into a full sun, moon, and stars aesthetic. I’m obsessed with anything space, planets, or celestial. I even found the cutest little Dollar Tree light that projects stars and planets across the ceiling. Instant vibe.

I love discovering vintage VHS tapes, classic DVDs, and anything that taps into my childhood nostalgia. I’m on a mission to reclaim every toy and game I ever wanted.

I love escaping into my own world—a universe of toys, games, décor, cheesy movies, and good eats. It’s my happy place, and I build it piece by piece.

I love...

MY journey….

Fancy Materials or Not…

Thursday has arrived, and I am more than ready for Friday afternoon and the weekend. I’ve got a full lineup ahead—art openings, a Saturday crafts fair, a Sunday car show, and of course, my ongoing hallway remodel. And like any good project, it comes with a mountain of materials.

Which leads me straight into tonight’s writing prompt: “Do I like fancy materials or not?” The answer is simple—I like all materials. I’m not a fancy-materials snob. Sure, I adore the luxe stuff, but give me junk, and I’ll turn it into something gorgeous, dramatic, and downright magical. I am the KING of found materials: coffee cans, newspaper clippings, broken odds and ends, old glasses, random treasures rescued from the abyss. I have zero shame in transforming something pulled from a Dumpster into something extraordinary.

So yes, to answer the prompt again: I love materials of every kind, from the bougie to the busted.

Speaking of materials… let me go wash off my latest finds—some large coffee cans I heroically “rescued” from work.

Time to work on projects!

MY journey….

Are you feeling any resistance…

Happy Tuesday!

It’s rainy and cold here in Las Cruces, and honestly, I never know what to do with both of those elements at the same time. This place is usually all sunshine and warmth, but today is a whole situation. I didn’t walk, I didn’t make it to the gym, but I did work hard ALL DAY. And I managed to read two of my three books, so that’s a win.

Now I’m full of food, sipping on apple cider vinegar water, tucked in bed, and tinkering with blog updates. One thing I MUST finish tonight is decluttering my hallway—no excuses, it has to get done.

Today’s writing prompt is “Are you feeling any resistance?” Not really. I think the weather threw me off because I didn’t walk, and I wasn’t feeling the gym at all, so I skipped it. I’ll make up for everything tomorrow and Thursday.

Alright…off to tackle this hallway.

MY journey….

Confidence…

I am back in the gym...I am back in the gym...I am back in the gym.

I’m easing back into things with the treadmill and the exercise bike, slowly building my way up to weights and the machines. I’m holding myself to a minimum of three gym days a week, and I stay for at least 30 minutes. It feels good—really good—but I also know I’ve got more in me, and I’m ready to push.

I’ve learned that going straight to the gym after work is the only way. If I go home first, that’s it—I’m in for the night. I’m still walking during lunch, and I want to start walking before work, but these dark mornings are not helping.

So yes…exercise is officially part of my life again. And it feels like a comeback.

MY journey….

Spring Cleaning Ritual...

It is officially Spring Cleaning Season, and I kicked things off today with a vengeance. I already have two full bags of decluttered stuff, which feels like a victory… but I’ll be honest, letting go was harder than I expected. I’m in the middle of redecorating my palace, shifting from a 1960s-vintage vibe to a full-sun, moon, and stars aesthetic, so a lot of old treasures are heading out while celestial magic moves in.

Along with the décor overhaul, I’m also creating a new dining area, building room screens, repainting the entire palace, and hunting for new furniture—some to buy, some to build, all to transform my space. The goal is to have this whole project wrapped up by this time next year.

Today I started by decluttering the hallway, and I’ve already prepped the new dining area for cleaning and painting. The “refresh” has officially begun.

I’m genuinely excited for this spring cleaning mission and everything it’s going to open up.

MY journey….

Bridges To Mend…

For context: Today’s #The100DayProject prompt came from the little journal tucked inside my project box. The page I landed on was titled “Bridges to Mend.” Naturally, my mind went straight to the idea of reaching out to an old friend—specifically to ask how her notoriously problematic son is doing. And then, just as quickly, Satan swooped in, snatched that idea away, and reminded me to stay in my peaceful lane. 

He encouraged me to do this...

Bridges To Mend…

NONE!

It’s All About Me

Damn Others!

I burnt every bridge I ever crossed, and I am PROUD of it!

Time to never look back – Time to only LIVE!

No Mending!!

Satan said, “No one is trying to mend any bridges with you. So...FUCK them!”

MY journey….

Listening on a walk outside…

Oh Friday, you showed out!

My day kicked off with work, but quickly shifted into something magical—a horse-and-carriage ride through Historic Las Cruces -Mesquite Street, Las Cruces Street, May Ave, all those little neighboring roads… it felt like stepping into a different era. The carriage rolls up and down Mesquite every First Friday, and the whole area comes alive with gallery openings, receptions, and people everywhere. The fun started right at 4 pm.

After the ride, I headed to the Branigan Cultural Center for the high school seniors’ art show featuring work from more than three local schools. These students delivered—paintings, mixed media, sculptures, pottery, even paper mâché. The talent was unreal.

From there, I hit two more galleries before heading home to switch gears into house projects and #The100DayProject creations.

Today, I’m driving down the street to a Free Giveaway Event at a nearby church. After that, it’s back home to relax, clean, recharge, and CRUSH some ME goals.

MY journey….

Compassionate…

                                    Thursday...Oh Thursday…

I am compassionate—but not in the traditional, outward-facing sense. My compassion is turned inward. I care deeply about my own happiness, my peace, and my growth. I’ve spent years learning how to love myself, even when I didn’t have much compassion left for anyone else. And yes, that might sound selfish. It is. But I have to choose myself first before I can offer anything real to anyone else.

Today, that self-compassion looked like grabbing a Matcha, finishing my latest book, Shameless, eating a little too much, taking a mid-day walk, and hitting the gym after work. All small things, but all for me.

Now I’m settling in to work on #The100DayProject, watch a little YouTube, and update my Notion page. I feel happy. I feel compassionate. I’m learning how to find joy in new places—and in myself.

                       Again, I am compassionate.

MY journey….

Special Spot...

I have special places tucked into every corner of my life—my living room, my bedroom, and all the little pockets of the world I wander through. I find that same sense of “home” in walking, taking photos, diving into forgotten treasures, and discovering new places that spark something in me.

Here are today’s #The100DayProject creations:

My Journey….