It sounds so cliche and pretty cheesy, but I feel like I’ve waited my entire life to be thirty-five. In the past I’ve always dreaded my upcoming Birthdays. Not because I was getting older, but because I felt like I hadn’t accomplished the things that I had set out to do. Whether it was not finishing school, not being in a “forever” relationship, or not excelling within my career. I was a pro at finding reasons why I should be better, smarter, thinner and cheerier. Not this year, I’m exactly where I was meant to be; home. I’m still an undergrad and I’ll blame the ditsyness to mom-brain. I’m unemployed, but working harder than I ever have. I am cheerier, but that may be due to the antidepressants that I have been on since last year, and I’m at my heaviest due to those tiny little happy pills. The difference between my past Birthday’s and this one is that I’m finally 100% happy and proud of who I am, what I look like and the things that I’ve accomplished. That’s it. This is my thirty-five; all the sweat, all the love and all of the chunk.
My family and I are finally back in Charlotte. My daughter is surrounded by a million people who love and adore her. Our little family is happy, supported and thriving. Yeah, I’m a year older. I’ve gotten a few more grey’s, I’m constantly sweating in this Carolina heat, but my soul is happy. From the top of my humidity filled tresses to the tips of my swollen and unpedicured toes – I am on fire. Literally and figuratively, holy fuck its hot down here. Have I mentioned that already? If you see me in the street, don’t be confused by the sweat and the “resting bitch face,” this is just how I look like now.
On top of being the newest member of the “stay at home mom’s club,” I’ve been steadily collecting pieces here and there for our new home. In just a few short weeks it will be finished and I’m sure my parents are ready to kick us to the curb. At the end of the month we’ll be making a home and placing our unique little mark onto a neighborhood just twenty minutes away from Abuela. I’ve been plotting and collecting little odds and ends to create a fun, colorful and unique home for my little and big stinkers. I had such a different idea in my head of what I wanted that I started designing my own signs and wall art for our home. My crafting skills and abundance of nerdery has been brewing all summer long. So much so that I’ve decided to start an Etsy shop. My colorful schemes and bilingual slang is definitely different than the white farmhouse trends that are taking over every Target and Home Goods store, but I’m hoping there are some fellow weirdo’s out there that would love a custom piece made by yours truly.
Below are some of the signs that I’ve made for our new home, my mother’s home and a few just for fun. I can’t wait to see how my side of what retry-Cuban will look like when we get moved in. Check out my Etsy page when you get a chance (which is still under major construction), show me some love and give me some feedback. As always, I appreciate all of your love and support. Once we are finally settled into our home I’m hoping to return to my weekly posting schedule. For now, I’ll be momming, sweating and painting for the remainder of the summer.
His, Hers and Yours,
~Melvi
