Queen Jarrell

I recently came across the word “exhausterwhelmulated,” and honestly, I’ve never related to anything more. It feels like the only word big enough to hold everything I’ve been feeling lately. Some days, I’m just plain exhausted. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. The chores don’t stop. They roll over into the next day, then the next week. Eventually, my to-do list feels…

On Sunday, we woke up to the most beautiful blanket of snow. Everything looked clean and peaceful beneath its soft covering. The snow forced life to slow down and offered a much-needed pause to reset. I used my snow days to catch up on house chores and my art. I made a few Valentine’s earrings. I did a little cooking and a lot of snacking. I took long, hot showers by candlelight. I went on…

Although Dry January was a total fail, No-Spend January was a success! Now that No-Spend January is over, I feel slightly accomplished. I discovered that I can give up my impulse spending, even if I can’t give up my nightly aperitif. At least there’s that, right? Having a no-spend month was planned as a step towards my bigger savings goal for 2026. It seems I overspent last year. Actually, to be…

2026 has arrived with change and momentum. I’m still refining my goals for this year and making them more achievable. And as you have guessed, dry January was a bust. But that’s fine because life is a learning process of trial and error. I spent the first two weeks of January in a total funk because Eric filed for divorce. Although I knew it was coming, it was still an emotional blow. I had my…

Today Was My Original Wedding Date. It was the date so meticulously planned with every careful detail. We had planned a Duke Chapel wedding with a reception at Prestonwood Country Club. It was to be the greatest of weddings…my last time. This wedding was to be everything I dreamed of as a child…the grand finale. After two complex divorces, this was the one….the one that I’d waited for my entire…

Hello. I’m Kathi, in case you’ve forgotten. And I’m coming clean. I’ve hesitated to share because I’m changing my life and figuring out my new standard has been challenging. I haven’t posted out of respect for the situation. But out of respect for my readers and my need to be authentic, I know it’s time to share. I’ve had messages with questions that I’d never dare ask anyone. But I…

What a crazy week, y’all! There was so much stuff. Do you ever have those weeks that you have to just breathe? That was this week for me. At work, I’m working on my Art to Remember fundraiser. Several of my classes regrouped, so that has been a nightmare. I’m on the struggle bus, trying to figure it all out. I had an open house on Tuesday night and taught a class on Wednesday night. Thankfully,…

There is no tired like teacher- tired. Teacher- tired isn’t the same as working-in-the-yard tired. Teacher fatigue is mental. No matter how hard teachers anticipate and prepare, there are always unanticipated curve balls. A teacher must be ready to adjust to change and handle any situation appropriately and immediately. We all did our share of that this week! Life, in general, gave me a couple…

I second-guessed myself after sharing my post, The Fork in the Road. Why I Share Please know that my personality is one of honesty and transparency. While going through my darkest times, I promised God that if I got past those, I’d share to help others who might be going through similar things. I take that promise very seriously in everything I do. I genuinely share to help others. My calling…

*From My Journal* I’m at a crossroads in my life and don’t know which route to take. I’m confused and overwhelmed. My heart is broken into a million pieces because the time has come to choose. Although I’ve been heading in this direction for a long time, my mind somehow tricked me into believing I’d never arrive here. The mind loves the comfort of denial. I’m standing before a fork in the…

I hope all my friends on Debby’s path fared well in the rain and storms. She definitely changed my plans for the last week of summer vacation. I planned all sorts of fun things for my remaining week of freedom, including a good bit of time by the pool to work on my tan. However, nature had other plans. Here are some of my highlights from the past few days… I Made a Plan. On the fly, I planned…

It’s long been taught that you gain weight if you eat more calories than you burn. And if you eat fewer calories and burn more calories through physical activity, you lose weight. That makes sense. Right? Stay tuned, as this might change your mind! In my last blog post, Elevating My Life on the Carnivore Diet, I stated that I could eat far more calories on a carnivore diet. Let’s elaborate with…

What Do You See? Do you see a woman who is too old to wear a red bikini? Do you see the saggy skin, wrinkles, and sun damage that “should be covered”? Do you see a woman who is trying too hard to be young? Do you see a woman who is self-confident enough to “parade around in a swimsuit” all day? Do you see a woman who has everything she wants because she is married to a lawyer? What You…

Hi Friends! Spring break is happening now, and I’m trying to fill my week with fun and productivity. So far, I got my eyebrow tattoos touched up. That was much needed! My morning routine will be so much easier. I bought ferns for the front porch and planted a few things in my backyard. I love seeing all my plant babies popping out of the ground for another season. I always assume I’ll kill…

Hello (Easter) Peeps! It’s been a while! You haven’t seen much of me because I took time off from blogging, social media, and jewelry. I pretty much took a time out from life to focus on things that needed to be done. This is my renewal year for teaching, and my classes have royally kicked my butt! When I transferred to a different county last year, everything transferred as content…

I’m a Rebellious-As-Hell Wife. Hello, that’s me. I said it. I’m not a “good wife” and I am good with that. Being married is so freaking hard when it’s the second (or third time…) Do You Know Which You Are? Question Yourself. As a wife, do you succumb to what is expected? Do you feel fortunate just to have a man? Do you accept what is thought of as the best possible scenario…. or do you…