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There’s a reason we never say, “Thank God it’s Monday.”

For most of us, the first day of the work and school week actually begins the night before. Sunday evening rolls around and instead of soaking in the last bit of weekend peace, the mental to-do list starts forming… and it refuses to hush.

Did I pack everything?

What meetings are on the calendar?

What did I forget?

By the time Monday morning arrives, it can feel like we’ve already put in a full day.

And then we actually walk into Monday.

No matter how organized we try to be, that neatly written to-do list often goes right out the window. Last-minute emails. Unexpected schedule changes. Someone needs something “ASAP.” Phones ringing. Deadlines shifting. Before we know it, we’re juggling more than we planned and running on sheer determination and caffeine.

By the end of the day, nerves can feel a little frazzled. Smiles might be more forced than fresh. And Monday once again earns its well-deserved title: Manic Monday.

But here’s the silver lining.

If you’re like me, by late afternoon there’s a quiet sense of accomplishment settling in. One more Monday has been put in the books. We showed up. We handled the surprises. We adapted. We survived the chaos.

There’s something powerful about that.

Monday reminds us that we’re capable — even when the day doesn’t go as planned. Especially when it doesn’t go as planned.

Now we find ourselves in the home stretch of the evening. Shoes off. Deep breath. Maybe a quiet moment watching the sunset over the Gap, letting nature calm what the day stirred up. The same sky that saw the rush of the morning now paints a softer ending to it all.

And that makes me wonder…

What will Tuesday hold?

Maybe it will be smoother. Maybe it will bring its own surprises. But tonight, we rest knowing we conquered Monday.

And that’s no small thing.

Mary

Over the past five months, I’ve made some huge lifestyle changes — and they’ve completely transformed how I feel. I’m down 50 pounds, but even more importantly, I feel better than I did in my 20s. More energy. More clarity. More strength. And that feels like a true gift.

Because of my extensive food allergies, my journey hasn’t looked like everyone else’s. I no longer consume corn products (and if you start reading labels, you’ll realize that takes out the majority of the grocery store!), dairy, gluten, grains, almonds, and traditional sweet treats. With my corn allergy, that also means no medications derived from corn — so no GLP-1 shortcuts for me.

This path required research. Lots and lots of research.

I’ve spent countless hours learning what I can eat instead of focusing on what I can’t. And surprisingly? I have some terrific, delicious options. Brands like Siete, TruBar, and Yum Earth have been wonderful finds. Organic produce, safe nuts, and discovering new clean products have turned into a bit of an adventure. There’s something empowering about knowing exactly what fuels your body well.

But the biggest change hasn’t just been what I eat — it’s how I eat.

I stopped eating out of boredom.

I stopped eating just because it was “time.”

I stopped eating simply because food was there.

Now, I eat when I’m actually hungry. I wait for my body to say, “Hey, it’s time.” When it does, I grab a small portion of something healthy — maybe a palmful of walnuts — and move on with my day. No guilt. No overthinking. Just fueling my body intentionally.

That shift alone has been powerful.

All of these changes combined have made me more active and energized. I don’t feel weighed down. I feel motivated. And that motivation spills over into every area of life.

Here’s my Wellness Wednesday challenge to you:

What small change can you make to improve your health?

It doesn’t have to be drastic. Maybe it’s drinking more water. Maybe it’s walking after dinner. Maybe it’s reading labels more carefully. Small, consistent changes add up in big ways.

Your body is the only one you get. Take care of it. Listen to it. Honor it.

And as always, I’m cheering you on right here from the Gap. 

Mary

February is National Heart Health Month, and it’s the perfect time to pause and remember just how valuable our hearts truly are. Not just the physical organ that keeps us alive, but the heart that carries our memories, our stress, our love, and our resilience.

Heart disease hits close to home for me. In my family, it’s far too common. My Grandpa passed away before he ever reached his 60th birthday due to heart disease. My dad endured a quadruple bypass. My Grandma had heart surgery. And sadly, the list goes on. These experiences have shaped how I look at health and how intentional I try to be about taking care of my own heart.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so drawn to photography and nature. Being outdoors, slowing down, watching the light change, hearing the wind, and capturing moments through my lens brings me peace. It lowers my stress and recenters me. It’s my happy place. And it’s one of the many ways I work to keep my heart strong and healthy—both physically and emotionally.

We live in a fast-paced, high-stress world. Our days are full, our minds are busy, and too often we put ourselves last. But stress takes a real toll on our hearts. That’s why it’s so important to find what brings you calm. Maybe it’s a walk in nature, time with loved ones, prayer, exercise, music, journaling, or simply sitting quietly and breathing.

This Wellness Wednesday, let this be your reminder: your heart is worth protecting. Find your happy place. Make time for the things that bring peace to your heart. Small moments of calm can make a big difference over time.

Take care of your heart—it carries you through it all. 

Mary

Monday is all about motivating yourself. It starts the moment you wake up and realize it’s the beginning of a brand-new week. You motivate yourself to get out of bed, get ready for work, school, or wherever the day may take you. You motivate yourself through traffic, drop-offs, and the mental checklist already running in your head before the day truly begins.

Then the workday starts. You muster up a smile. You find the energy. You face emails, meetings, responsibilities, and the unexpected twists that always seem to show up on a Monday. And let’s be honest—Mondays can be a doozy. But through self-motivation, grit, and determination, you push through. One task at a time. One moment at a time.

So when the day winds down, pause and give yourself some credit. You showed up. You kept going. You motivated yourself through another Monday—and that’s something worth celebrating. 

Mary

With cold weather rolling into Texas this weekend, I can’t help but feel especially thankful. Thankful for warm blankets, hot coffee, and cozy nights—but most of all, thankful for having someone to stay warm with.

I’m a romantic at heart. Always have been. I believe in soulmates and in true love that stands the test of time, seasons, and storms. I believe there’s something incredibly special about finding your person—the one who feels like home no matter where you are.

And if you’re lucky enough that your soulmate is also your best friend? Well, that’s hitting the jackpot. That’s the kind of love where laughter comes easy, silence is comfortable, and life’s ups and downs are faced hand in hand. It’s knowing someone has your back, warms your heart, and makes even the coldest days feel a little brighter.

As temperatures drop and winter nudges its way into the Gap, I’m choosing gratitude. Gratitude for love, for companionship, and for the simple blessing of not facing life alone. Whether it’s sharing a blanket, a conversation, or just a quiet moment together, those are the things that truly keep us warm.

This Thankful Thursday, I hope you pause and appreciate the people who bring warmth to your life—romantic partners, best friends, family, or even the memories of love that remind us what’s possible.

Stay warm, friends. And stay thankful.

Mary

It’s Christmas Eve, and there’s a special kind of magic in the air. For many, today is filled with arrivals—family traveling near and far, pulling into driveways with full hearts and packed cars. For some, it’s the first time all year they’ve been able to hug those they love, to sit around the same table and truly be together.

For others, Christmas looks a little different. There are empty chairs and familiar voices missing. We quietly mourn the loved ones who won’t be with us for another Christmas. Their absence is felt deeply, woven into the memories we carry and the traditions we continue in their honor.

Today is about hugging necks a little tighter, catching up on life, laughing about old stories, and yes—eating far too much. It’s about playing Christmas games, exchanging gifts, and doing our very best to slow down and savor each moment, knowing just how precious they are.

Christmas Eve reminds us that joy and sorrow can exist side by side. It’s okay to feel both. What matters most is love—shared, remembered, and held close.

From my heart to yours, I wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas filled with warmth, comfort, and moments that stay with you long after the lights are put away. 

Mary

Life has a way of getting busy—especially this time of year. The calendar fills up, the to-do lists get longer, and before we know it, we’re moving from one day straight into the next without ever slowing down. That’s where a Simple Saturday comes in.

Occasionally, we all need permission to take it easy. A day for self-care. A day to reset both body and mind. Not a day to see how many work projects can spill over into the weekend. Not a day for running errands, attending parties, or rushing from store to store. Just a day to rest.

Simple Saturday looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s having a drink or two. Maybe it’s sitting on the porch with a tall glass of sweet tea, watching the beautiful sunrise or being amazed by all the colors that arise from those wonderful Texas sunsets. It’s taking a moment to look around and notice the beauty that often gets missed when life is going 90 to nothing.

2025 has absolutely zoomed by. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and suddenly we’re wondering where the time went. Don’t let every day blur into the next. Give yourself a pause. Breathe. Be still.

This Saturday, choose simple. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you. 

Mary

Celebrating the Magic of Christmastime

It’s officially December in the Gap, and you can feel Christmas everywhere you turn. Twinkling lights, beautifully decorated trees, wreaths on doors, and festive displays around every corner—there’s just something about this season that fills the heart a little fuller.

If you’re anything like me, this time of year means decorating… a lot of decorating. From work locations to little corners around town, I’ve been spreading Christmas cheer wherever I can. And of course, I always make time to bring that magic home to the Gap, too. Because what’s Christmas without creating a warm, sparkling space of your own?

And then there’s the shopping—oh yes, the shop, shop, shop season is officially here! Local businesses, small-town treasures, and all the goodies that make gift-giving extra special this time of year.

But in the middle of all the glitter, gift bags, garland, and go-go-go… I always try to slow myself down and remember what Christmas truly means.

For me, it’s a celebration of Jesus’ birthday. It’s time with family, laughter, love, and gratitude. And this year I’ll also be celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary with my husband on Christmas Day. A double blessing wrapped into one beautiful holiday.

So this month, my goal is simple:

Stay focused on the good.

Stay rooted in the meaning.

And savor every twinkle, every moment, every breath of my favorite time of year.

Here’s to a December filled with joy, purpose, and all the feel-good magic the Gap has to offer. Merry Christmas, friends! 

Mary

This week, let’s talk about something many of us quietly struggle with: learning to conquer our past so we can fully enjoy our present. We all carry things—old hurts, buried anger, moments we replay even though they no longer serve us. They weigh us down in ways we don’t always notice, stealing joy from the life happening right in front of us.

But here’s the powerful truth: you don’t have to stay tied to what once was.

You can face those memories, acknowledge the pain, and then choose to release it. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting—it means freeing yourself from the grip of what you cannot change.

When you stop dwelling on what went wrong, you make room for what’s going right.

When you shift your mindset from heavy to hopeful, your world opens up.

And when you allow yourself to focus on the good, you start to see just how much good there truly is.

So on this Motivational Monday, give yourself permission to step into the light of the present.

Let go. Breathe deep. Choose positive thoughts.

Enjoy all the beautiful things your life has to offer—because they’re waiting for you to notice them.

Here’s to a fresh week, a fresh mindset, and the freedom that comes from conquering your past. 

Mary