Snapshots of Home, Family, and Nature-Inspired Things

A blooming flower with a bee named Hazel pollinating it

Meet Hazel the Bee at the Butterfly Garden in Hammock Park

I decided today would be more like a casual Monday with snapshots of home, family, and nature-inspired things! I rarely do photo-heavy blog posts. I think it's because I have such a mix of random photographs with different film textures and filters.

Today, I thought it might be fun to share what I've been up to lately. As always, hiking is at the top of the list! I've also been trying to spend more time with family for the holidays and such. It's definitely more difficult to get together these days.

My two oldest daughters are coupled up and having babies of their own. My oldest daughter lives far away in the Orlando area, so it's really difficult to see her on a regular basis. Chloe is a teenager so that means she's doing what normal teenagers do, hanging out with friends.

I'm very fortunate that she's a good kid and keeps out of trouble. She'll be turning eighteen soon, which is a hard pill to swallow. If I had it my way, I'd shrink her back into a baby and keep her in my pocket.

I've been spending a lot of time with Veronica lately (middle child) and her daughter, Baby Lillian. V is just at that age where a young woman needs her mom around. Plus, I really love hanging out with Lilly. Being a Nona is the best.

In the meantime, I'm just trying to continuously work on myself and be self-improving. I mean, there's always room for improvement, right?

I wasn't feeling good over the holiday weekend so I did a self-care/spa day for myself. I gave myself a pedicure and painted my nails. I trimmed my hair. I still hate it long sometimes but it looks less stringy.

I did a hair mask and a facial mask, listened to music, and just kind of forced myself to rest. It was good for me. I haven't treated myself this good in a while.

This is starting to sound more like one of my currently posts. In a way it is. I'm catching you up on what's going on in my life.

The truth is, not much. Yet a lot. I'm still looking for a new place to move to since my stepfather sold the building I live in. I have until the holiday season is over to find a place. Fun, fun.

Even though I absolutely love the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season, I've decided not to put up any Christmas decorations since everything is up in the air. I was listening to Christmas music the other day and that helped get me in the spirit.

Oh, and one last thing, I finally got around to starting an Instagram. You can follow me @everydaylauralistar if you'd like to see more of my photographs.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Here are some fun photographs from my life in the past couple of months. Enjoy!