One Month in!

Alright. I am officially moved into my own place.
Which sounds calm and adult… but the process absolutely was not.

Moving is always this strange mix of excitement and chaos. You start with good intentions, a plan, and labeled boxes. And then suddenly you’re sitting on the floor, eating something questionable, surrounded by things you forgot you owned, wondering how it’s possible to both have too much stuff and also none of the stuff you actually need.

Case in point:
I did not pack a single dish.
No plates. No bowls. No silverware. No cooking utensils. Nothing.

For days.

I lived off fruit and beef sticks like some kind of feral minimalist while telling myself, “This is fine.” Eventually I accepted reality and ordered plates and forks. That is… as far as I’ve gotten. Cooking is still a future-me project.

But I’m in.
Keys work.
Bed is assembled.
Coffee is happening (thankfully). Big wins.

What I didn’t expect is how quickly Charlie and I slipped into a really good flow. Our mornings are spent outside so he can run around and burn off energy while I ease into the day. There are a bunch of stray cats nearby who love to taunt him through the fence. He finds this deeply offensive. I find it endlessly entertaining.

Unpacking is actually done — and I did it differently this time. I unpacked as I packed. Anything I realistically won’t be using in the next six months went straight back into clearly labeled, organized totes. No need to unpack things just to repack them again later. I’ll save that for when I buy a place — hopefully sometime in the next year.

Adult logistics update: the landlord never hooked up my washer and dryer when I moved in. That finally got handled, which means laundry is now operational. I also bought a clothesline so I can hang my clothes outside to dry. That was one of my favorite things as a kid, and honestly, it still is. Plus it saves money, so I’m calling that a win.

Work-wise, things are moving in a really good direction. The salon is picking up and my books are filling. Peptides are taking off too — more and more people are discovering just how life-changing they can be. With everything coming into the mainstream (and yes, RFK Jr. backing them hasn’t hurt), people are finally paying attention. They really are a game changer — for recovery, sleep, brain health, longevity… across the board.

I also found a new martial arts school that I absolutely love. It’s an hour and forty-five minutes away, which sounds insane, but the classes are three hours long and the training is incredible — so it’s worth the drive. The downside is getting home around 11pm when I’m usually asleep by 10, but some things are worth adjusting for.

Saturday night we had our salon holiday party. I’m not really a party-or-drinking person, but I actually really enjoyed it. It was great meeting the girls from the other location and spending time with the women I work with outside of the salon. Easy, relaxed, good energy.

Sunday was my birthday, and it was honestly a really good one.

Eighty-five degrees. Full sun.
I worked in the morning, hit a quick workout, then headed straight to the beach. A random woman from Alaska set up next to me and we ended up chatting for two hours. Total stranger, great conversation — one of those unexpected moments that just makes a day better.

After that, I went back to the gym to finish my workout, then spent the evening with my Florida MMS family. It was the best kind of day. All my favorite things — movement, sun, good conversation, training, community — all in one place.

And just to keep things balanced, Florida decided to humble me again. It was 35 degrees when I woke up one morning this week. Thirty-five. I had to turn the heat on. Beach one day, winter jacket the next. Makes sense.

Next week my daughter, my mom, and my stepdad are coming to visit. It’s going to be one very full, very tiny house — but I’m really looking forward to seeing them. Hopefully it warms up so Ains and I can get some beach time in… assuming Florida stops lying to us.

The days feel busy but steady. There’s a rhythm now — work, training, home, repeat — and it feels good.

I’m tired, but it’s the good kind of tired.

So here I am.
Moved in.
Organized.
Eating off real plates.
Laundry drying in the sun (when it’s not freezing).
Driving ridiculous distances to train.
Dogs being taunted by cats.
Family about to descend.
And feeling really good about what’s unfolding.

More soon.