The Gilded Margin

Some weeks feel like they contain an entire month.

Last week was one of those weeks.

Work kept me moving with lab transports, property releases, tours of neighboring agencies, meetings, and all the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with working in Property & Evidence. At home, life didn’t slow down either. There were summer camps, appointments for the kids, an awards ceremony, birthdays, one of my best friend’s retirement celebration, a baby shower, and the never-ending cycle of laundry, animal care, cleaning, and mom life as we prepare for another school year.

Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I carved out a little time for myself and got a new tattoo—a reminder that it’s okay to celebrate milestones and make memories even in the busiest seasons. If you missed it, that’s what this weekend’s Adventure Files Saturday post was all about.

This week isn’t slowing down much.

Today I made the drive to Plano for the Female Survivors of Domestic Violence Conference. It was a little over an hour each way, but I treated myself to a Starbucks on the drive there and grabbed CAVA for lunch before heading home. Conference days are always easier with a good travel mug, my favorite notebook and pens for taking notes, and a portable charger to keep my phone alive after a full day of learning. (I’ve linked the ones I use below for anyone who’s interested.)

The sessions covered trauma-informed AI, digital abuse and intimate partner violence, and resilience in advocacy. My favorite presentation was When Tech Turns Toxic: Digital Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence. Technology has created incredible opportunities, but it has also given abusers new ways to stalk, manipulate, monitor, and control victims. It was practical, eye-opening, and immediately applicable to the work many of us do.

The rest of the week is just as full with SAT continuing education, more summer camps for the kids, meetings, appointments, photography practice (I’m hoping to spend some time behind the camera this week), a trial for a case I previously worked, my annual physical, and a work baseball game. Next weekend brings kid haircuts, and I’m still deciding whether to make time for a girls’ night out before spending Sunday preparing for the Conference on Crimes Against Children.

I’ll be honest—today has felt a little heavier emotionally than I expected. I’ve been battling some self-doubt and imposter syndrome lately, wondering if I’m enough or if I truly fit where I am. Maybe it’s stress. Maybe it’s exhaustion. Maybe it’s hormones. Maybe it’s just one of those days where my inner critic is louder than it deserves to be. Either way, I’m reminding myself that feelings aren’t always facts. Sometimes the best thing we can do is keep learning, keep showing up, and trust that growth is happening even when we can’t see it.

Life has felt incredibly full lately. Some moments have been exhausting, others have been exciting, and many have simply reminded me that this season is one of growth, responsibility, and learning to balance it all.

Here’s to another week of showing up, serving others well, making memories with my kids, loving on my animals, taking care of myself, and finding joy in the little moments in between.

Conference Favorites & Travel Essentials

• Starbucks Gift Card for early mornings and road trips
• Stationary Kit
• Notebook
• Pens
• Portable Charger
• Water Bottle

Books Mentioned During the Conference

• Crucial Conversations
• The Myth of Normal
• Emotional Intelligence

What are you looking forward to this week?