Author: stillmeinhere

I think turning 45 unlocked something in me that I didn’t quite expect. It’s this quiet realization that two things can be true at the same time. And for some reason, that feels controversial. Two things can coexist. Nick can be genuinely excited that the Shamrock Shake is back at McDonald’s because he knows I…

Six months ago I started this blog because adhesive chicken cutlets tried to ruin my life. That’s not metaphorical. That’s documented. I had hives down to my hips, lips like I’d picked a fight with a beehive, and a husband who lovingly coined the term “Temu-bies.” And instead of just adding it to my internal…

Our weekend away was perfect and deeply needed. White Pine Camp is exactly that—a camp tucked way back in the forest, surrounded by towering pines and snow this time of year. It’s eerily quiet in the best way. No TV. A gas fireplace for entertainment. And the realization that a tiny space can be more…

The universe has a subtle way of telling you to keep it simple. The other day, I wasn’t even going anywhere. But I wanted to feel a bit more like me, so I sat down to do my makeup. I ended up taking my eyeliner off three times. Three. I was incredibly grateful I’d recently…

Still Something to Fight For It’s been a long week that spilled into the weekend. The kind where the world feels chaotic even if your own house is still standing. Where the noise outside your bubble presses in and you realize how much effort it takes just to stay regulated. I had therapy last Friday,…

A quick note before we begin This post touches on current events—not to argue, persuade, or inflame, but to reflect. I know writing this may cost me readers. But silence has started to feel like compliance, and inaction is still a choice. This is a thinking piece, written with care, kindness, and the belief that…

I was reading Gertrude McFuzz to Evelyn the other day when I had a very adult realization: Dr. Seuss absolutely knew what he was doing. This wasn’t really a children’s book. Or maybe it was—but he wrote it knowing we’d come back to it later with more life under our belts and far less patience…

I started writing this on Sunday and now it’s Tuesday—posting day—which feels fitting because my brain has been operating like it’s already Thursday since about 5:15 this morning. I’ll be honest: I feel a little all over the place. A little disheartened by analytics. A little tired of trying to remember the funny thing I…

Last week was New Year’s Eve, and I cried in my car. Way to start 2026’s first post, Bridgette. But in all seriousness—with some humor—everything will be okay. So, it wasn’t the cinematic kind of cry with swelling music or dramatic timing. Just tears spilling out because my stepdaughter told me something simple: her therapist…

My boobs are on fire with an ache that feels like when I was pregnant. Only this time, I am not. I’m nearly 45 years old, day 22 of my cycle, and we just bumped my estrogen patch up. I fell asleep with a heating pad on my chest, melatonin mixed in with my nightly…