Sunday, December 9, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: Do you believe in Magic?
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: Do you believe in Magic?: Do you ever just wake up with a smile on your face, and think that maybe someone finally sprinkled a little magic in your life? This wri...
Do you believe in Magic?
Do you ever just wake up with a smile on your face, and
think that maybe someone finally sprinkled a little magic in your life?
This writing isn’t about some big adventure. This writing is
an evaluation of my last 12 months, with some goal setting thrown in. It’s my
typical December post.
Walking into 2018, I knew I would be making a few life
changes. I knew there was a possibility I would change careers, I knew that
wonderful little convertible I had would eventually die. I knew I would have
grand adventures.
At midnight, I ran around in my fabulous self-made ballgown,
giving hugs to friends, and strangers alike. I felt like there was magic in
those moments, and I wasn’t wrong.
Within the month, I changed careers, and got a new car. The
two biggest goals of 2018 were almost accomplished.
My adventures this year have been plenty, from a weekend
trip to Chicago – with a side trip and tears cried as I walked into Hemingway’s
birth home, a day spent in D.C. with men and women that know what “sacrifice”
really means, and finally finishing off my Ohio castles list.
I’ve had mini-adventures too. I’ve watched a best friend get
married, gone to concerts, and taken road trips to new restaurants. I’ve danced
in new places, and made friends.
This year has been good to me.
The lessons I have learned this year have been plenty. One
of those lessons being, that yes, I am all too often my own harshest critic,
and sometimes that carries over to people I love. I have learned, and am
learning, that their decisions and reactions are their own. We cannot live each
other’s lives, but at the end of the day, I couldn’t make it through without
them to fall back on, to love and to give and take advice from. They’re my biggest
cheerleaders and supporters. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful to them
for loving and believing in me.
This year, my novel was finally finished, editing and all.
It will be published in early spring. As a writer, I thought I knew that my
next novel would be about PTSD. That’s what I want to write about, the subject
of my life keeps popping up though; and as it was said last night, maybe my
story should be told if it would help one person fight to the next day.
The truth is, sometimes I’m astounded by the things I’ve
been through, and how far I’ve come. I came back fighting from the depths of
hell. I want other people to know the fight is worth it.
As everyone knows, because they’ve seen a billion and half
pictures, I’ve lost 32 pounds this year. I finally have a healthy way of
eating, working out every day, and feel (and look) a lot like I used to in my 20s.
I’ve added some volunteer responsibilities to my already
busy schedule, and now in addition to being a literacy tutor, I sit on the
board of Project H.O.P.E., expect to hear more about that in 2019.
I have had moments of sadness this year, but I didn’t let
them break me. I let myself cry real tears, instead of trying to hold in
emotions.
Mostly, I’ve learned this year that it is ok to take some
solitary “me” time. It’s ok to take time to refresh myself. I’m an empath, so
that has been something I never did before this year, just take time to myself
to not absorb other people’s emotions, and just sit in mine. That self-time-
allows me to be better when I am around people, because it helps me to center
and figure out what I’m feeling.
The question as I write this, is what are my goals for 2019?
As always, my number one goal is to have adventures and see
something new, that I haven’t seen before.
In 2018, I started taking a few free online classes, and
listening to podcasts about everything from mythology to psychology. The need
to continue learning still burns, and I may at some point decide to further my
education, and get my Masters. I just don’t know if 2019 is that year.
There will be book signings in 2019, and I hope my audience
takes the right message from “Spoons and Needles- the story of how addiction
impacts a family.”
I will have a new niece born in 2019, and I hope to be a
good role model to all my nieces.
I will let myself be creative in 2019, and revisit my love
for crafts, sewing and all things glitter.
One of the things I’m still working on learning, is that when
things are going well in your life, you can’t always be looking for the other
shoe to drop. That may be a lesson I’m always learning and re-learning.
This year, the smiles have finally been real again, and not coerced and forced for pictures. I think one of the biggest things I am trying to learn in
2019, is to let myself believe in magic again.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: The end of an Era
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: The end of an Era: I didn't have a big epiphany. That's what I always thought would happen when I finally laid my eyes on the last of the Ohio castles....
The end of an Era
I didn't have a big epiphany. That's what I always thought would happen when I finally laid my eyes on the last of the Ohio castles.
Today, I finally ventured forth to the last of the Ohio Castles. This one was a slightly longer drive. I felt it was appropriate that I ended this one as a lone road trip, since the castle adventures began as a lone trip.
Glamorgan Castle is in Alliance, Ohio. The castle, like many of them, was originally built as a private residence in 1904.
Now, the castle is home of the Alliance City School Board, where they offer weekly tours on Friday, starting at 1 PM.
I know, normally my posts are filled with a little more history. This time however; I didn't have a chance to explore the inside due to my schedule.
The trip was worth it though, even if just to cross it off the list.
Often, trips to the castles were about more than just the adventure.
The castles have been bonding time for family and friends. The castles have made me smile, when things were crazy in my life. They've been side trips, to other destinations and journeys.
Through it all, I have loved the rich history, and the architecture. I've loved sitting on a step, and envisioning myself as one of the original occupants of the home. I've lost touching the bricks, and thinking about the past that still whispers its story.
Most times, on the way back, I knew what life lesson I would discuss, what words of wisdom I hoped to impart along with a bit of history. This time, I had no life wisdom scream at me.
I'm not sure where my next adventure lies, and maybe that is the lesson.
To enjoy the trip, even though we're not sure of the future.
By the time I come back here to sit and write, I will have attended Flag City Honor Flight as a guardian. (Tuesday, which I'm excited about).
By the time I come back to revisit this blog, I will be ready to focus on my 2018 accomplishments, and 2019 goals. I'll be ready to talk about my book being published.
This blog as been cathartic to me. Sometimes, I have poured out my emotions, making dear friends cry. Occasionally, I have made people laugh. Hopefully, I have touched hearts with my imparting wisdom.
I'm sure I won't stop blogging. There may be some blog changes and re-structuring after this.
I hope you have enjoyed the castles. I definitely encourage everyone to visit each castle for yourself.
Always life a live of adventure.
Today, I finally ventured forth to the last of the Ohio Castles. This one was a slightly longer drive. I felt it was appropriate that I ended this one as a lone road trip, since the castle adventures began as a lone trip.
Glamorgan Castle is in Alliance, Ohio. The castle, like many of them, was originally built as a private residence in 1904.
Now, the castle is home of the Alliance City School Board, where they offer weekly tours on Friday, starting at 1 PM.
I know, normally my posts are filled with a little more history. This time however; I didn't have a chance to explore the inside due to my schedule.
The trip was worth it though, even if just to cross it off the list.
Often, trips to the castles were about more than just the adventure.
The castles have been bonding time for family and friends. The castles have made me smile, when things were crazy in my life. They've been side trips, to other destinations and journeys.
Through it all, I have loved the rich history, and the architecture. I've loved sitting on a step, and envisioning myself as one of the original occupants of the home. I've lost touching the bricks, and thinking about the past that still whispers its story.
Most times, on the way back, I knew what life lesson I would discuss, what words of wisdom I hoped to impart along with a bit of history. This time, I had no life wisdom scream at me.
I'm not sure where my next adventure lies, and maybe that is the lesson.
To enjoy the trip, even though we're not sure of the future.
By the time I come back here to sit and write, I will have attended Flag City Honor Flight as a guardian. (Tuesday, which I'm excited about).
By the time I come back to revisit this blog, I will be ready to focus on my 2018 accomplishments, and 2019 goals. I'll be ready to talk about my book being published.
This blog as been cathartic to me. Sometimes, I have poured out my emotions, making dear friends cry. Occasionally, I have made people laugh. Hopefully, I have touched hearts with my imparting wisdom.
I'm sure I won't stop blogging. There may be some blog changes and re-structuring after this.
I hope you have enjoyed the castles. I definitely encourage everyone to visit each castle for yourself.
Always life a live of adventure.
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| I love the details on the tower |
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| Imagine walking up these stairs for a party |
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| There are gardens to walk through! |
Add caption
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| Just chilling, thinking of me in my ballgown, coming up the stairs for a dinner party |
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| Are those marble stairs? |
Sunday, September 2, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: There's treasure in the journey
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: There's treasure in the journey: It's starting to be the changing of a season. Soon leaves will change colors, and we're already waking up to crisper mornings. The k...
There's treasure in the journey
It's starting to be the changing of a season. Soon leaves will change colors, and we're already waking up to crisper mornings. The kids have started back to school, and Friday nights are already being spent in the stadium, under the lights, cheering.
Today, I got one step closer to accomplishing my goal of finishing seeing all of the Ohio castles before the end of summer.
We visited the Piatt Castles. The two castles, approximately a mile apart were build by brothers, Adam and Don.
Construction was started on the smaller of the Chateaus (Mac-O-Cheek) by Abram in 1864. The home was designed for more of a family. The larger of the castles wasn't finished until approximately a decade later, and was built to be a much larger, more opulent show piece.
Both of the castles were designed in the popular Gothic style, and display hand painted ceilings. While both of the homes display numerous antiques (no touching please) that belonged to the Piatt family through the years, the older of the homes is in much better condition.
The smaller of the castles was kept in the family, through the generations, while the newer chateau only came to be back in the family's possession in recent years, and has a lot of repairs that are needed. However, you can close your eyes and smell that dusty old book smell in the library, and look up and view the ceilings, and imagine walking into the home in a ballgown when it was first built.
If you decide to peruse the castles, it is $25 to tour both, and takes about two hours to explore both of them. Although the tours are self guided, you will be greeted by staff that are friendly, talkative, and knowledgeable about not only the castles, but history in general.
While we're talking about these castles, earlier in the summer I had a brief visit to Landoll's Mohican Castle. This particular castle was built by a veteran who fell in love with the European castles.
While I was only able to tour the outside, due to it being very early, and the fact that Mohican is a bed and breakfast, the peaceful setting in the woods is worth the drive.
What's interesting to note about several of the castles that I have visited in Ohio, is that the builders were veterans of various historical wars, and that several of them had their hands in the publishing business. (Fun history facts, right? Writers, and our imaginations)
I started this post talking about the changing of the seasons. There is a connection to these castles. See, visiting these castles has been a journey for me since the summer of 2014, when I fell in love with the castle in Loveland and found out about the numerous other castles in Ohio.
At that time, I was full of fresh hope and inspiration about the beginning of a new career, and the possibility of a bigger life, and wanted to share my bigger life with the world.
I'm down to only one Ohio castle left to visit, which I plan to do in two weeks.
During these trips, I have talked with friends about friendship, life, marriage, divorces, break-ups, falling in love. Sometimes I've driven these roads alone, with only the radio, when my soul needed cleansing.
For me, it's closing a chapter of my life. In this chapter I have been through numerous changes, met goals, failed, and gotten back up and tried again. I've made and lost friends, fell in love and let that go, and let my kids learn to stand on their own. I've changed careers, and there are many people who have touched my life and become a part of my own personal story.
For those that haven't heard, I'm currently editing my novel, with intentions to begin publishing in January.(Here is my plug, BUY MY BOOK) This too, will be the closing of a chapter for me.
I'm currently only working one job, but doing volunteering, on a scale that made my sister-in-law chuckle when I said, "Maybe it's that I just don't know how to relax."
Maybe that's true, maybe relaxing is hard for me. Maybe it's because I have goals to be better than I ever thought I could be.
Last night, I spent time with my brother and his wife, just relaxing and watching movies. Today, I will spend time with my cousin's family, after a novel editing session with one of the besties.
This summer I've attended a concert with other besties, and watched a long time friend get married. All of which made me realize, we really do need our girlfriends. When life gets tough, sometimes laughing over a drink, or as you spray CK1 in an ode to your lost teenage years, can lift your spirits. We need the people that understand our own personal histories, and understand the path we're trying to walk.
We're nine months into 2018, soon it will be time for me to evaluate this year's life goals, and work on that five year plan. Do you think I've met this year's goals? (I haven't looked yet. )
So, what should I do after I visit the last castle? Where do you think my road should take me next? I have some ideas, but I'm interested in what my audience has to say.
I do encourage everyone, whether you love history or not, to visit these castles, many of which are historical landmarks, architectural treasures, and have fascinating stories in how they came to be.
Sometimes the season changing takes a little longer. Sometimes our journeys last longer than we think they will, and there are pitfalls and unexpected changes along the way, and sometimes, you find a castle in a cornfield.
Today, I got one step closer to accomplishing my goal of finishing seeing all of the Ohio castles before the end of summer.
We visited the Piatt Castles. The two castles, approximately a mile apart were build by brothers, Adam and Don.
Construction was started on the smaller of the Chateaus (Mac-O-Cheek) by Abram in 1864. The home was designed for more of a family. The larger of the castles wasn't finished until approximately a decade later, and was built to be a much larger, more opulent show piece.
Both of the castles were designed in the popular Gothic style, and display hand painted ceilings. While both of the homes display numerous antiques (no touching please) that belonged to the Piatt family through the years, the older of the homes is in much better condition.
The smaller of the castles was kept in the family, through the generations, while the newer chateau only came to be back in the family's possession in recent years, and has a lot of repairs that are needed. However, you can close your eyes and smell that dusty old book smell in the library, and look up and view the ceilings, and imagine walking into the home in a ballgown when it was first built.
If you decide to peruse the castles, it is $25 to tour both, and takes about two hours to explore both of them. Although the tours are self guided, you will be greeted by staff that are friendly, talkative, and knowledgeable about not only the castles, but history in general.
While we're talking about these castles, earlier in the summer I had a brief visit to Landoll's Mohican Castle. This particular castle was built by a veteran who fell in love with the European castles.
While I was only able to tour the outside, due to it being very early, and the fact that Mohican is a bed and breakfast, the peaceful setting in the woods is worth the drive.
What's interesting to note about several of the castles that I have visited in Ohio, is that the builders were veterans of various historical wars, and that several of them had their hands in the publishing business. (Fun history facts, right? Writers, and our imaginations)
I started this post talking about the changing of the seasons. There is a connection to these castles. See, visiting these castles has been a journey for me since the summer of 2014, when I fell in love with the castle in Loveland and found out about the numerous other castles in Ohio.
At that time, I was full of fresh hope and inspiration about the beginning of a new career, and the possibility of a bigger life, and wanted to share my bigger life with the world.
I'm down to only one Ohio castle left to visit, which I plan to do in two weeks.
During these trips, I have talked with friends about friendship, life, marriage, divorces, break-ups, falling in love. Sometimes I've driven these roads alone, with only the radio, when my soul needed cleansing.
For me, it's closing a chapter of my life. In this chapter I have been through numerous changes, met goals, failed, and gotten back up and tried again. I've made and lost friends, fell in love and let that go, and let my kids learn to stand on their own. I've changed careers, and there are many people who have touched my life and become a part of my own personal story.
For those that haven't heard, I'm currently editing my novel, with intentions to begin publishing in January.(Here is my plug, BUY MY BOOK) This too, will be the closing of a chapter for me.
I'm currently only working one job, but doing volunteering, on a scale that made my sister-in-law chuckle when I said, "Maybe it's that I just don't know how to relax."
Maybe that's true, maybe relaxing is hard for me. Maybe it's because I have goals to be better than I ever thought I could be.
Last night, I spent time with my brother and his wife, just relaxing and watching movies. Today, I will spend time with my cousin's family, after a novel editing session with one of the besties.
This summer I've attended a concert with other besties, and watched a long time friend get married. All of which made me realize, we really do need our girlfriends. When life gets tough, sometimes laughing over a drink, or as you spray CK1 in an ode to your lost teenage years, can lift your spirits. We need the people that understand our own personal histories, and understand the path we're trying to walk.
We're nine months into 2018, soon it will be time for me to evaluate this year's life goals, and work on that five year plan. Do you think I've met this year's goals? (I haven't looked yet. )
So, what should I do after I visit the last castle? Where do you think my road should take me next? I have some ideas, but I'm interested in what my audience has to say.
I do encourage everyone, whether you love history or not, to visit these castles, many of which are historical landmarks, architectural treasures, and have fascinating stories in how they came to be.
Sometimes the season changing takes a little longer. Sometimes our journeys last longer than we think they will, and there are pitfalls and unexpected changes along the way, and sometimes, you find a castle in a cornfield.
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| Landoll's Mohican Castle, Yes, the turret had a chain, but it was a perfect photo. |
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| BESTIES! Reliving our lost teenage years at the 90's concert |
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| Piatt Castle Library! |
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| The Smaller of the Chateaus |
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| Handpainted ceiling, I hope these get restored. |
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| Marble tiled fireplace, you find this in a lot of older homes. |
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| More painted ceilings! |
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| Larger Chatueau |
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| Thanks for our talks about life and history Tiff! |
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| Sometimes there's a castle, in the cornfield. |
Sunday, June 17, 2018
May Life Never Be Mundane
Has it been seven months since I've written?
I kept having people ask me if I hadn't been on any adventures lately, and I just kept saying not really, I'll get around to writing soon. I didn't realize it had really been that long. Maybe that's why I had been feeling so down, so frustrated lately.
See, I have a hard time with the mundane. What to me is mundane anyway. Some people love it. They love to come home, to the same house, at the same time. Some people eat at the same places, because they have their favorites, and want to go to the same hang-outs and grocery stores, and see the same people.
There is NOTHING wrong with that, but I find that for myself, that those routines stifle my creativity. I want to taste different foods, even if I don't like it, it is a story to tell, a memory that makes me laugh. I want to meet different people and remember how diverse of a world we live in.
I want to see rainbows of people, together in one place, and remember the human experience. I want music, and to move my feet and get lost in a rhythm.
It was both the urge, the desire, the drive for adventure, and a need to see the place where Hemingway was born, that drove me to Chicago this weekend.
When I say Hemingway, I always make the mistake of just assuming that everyone knows who he was. So Hemingway was an author, a writer. From everything I've ever read, he was a kindred spirit, who lived, and died, a lifetime before I was born.
His birth and childhood homes, are in Oak Park, Ill, about a 45 minute train ride from downtown Chicago. (I know, because we took the train, and public transportation, thank you to Brittany's stellar navigation skills. )
But, he loved to be near the water, and he suffered bouts of depression, and fought boredom with storytelling. He fought the mundane by living a life of adventure, and writing stories about the human experience. He married, which means he loved, multiple times. The ocean was his friend, along with his cubre libres. I always imagined him to be a very passionate man, who felt often times misunderstood, and sometimes isolated from the people he loved the most. Us writers are a crazy bunch.
The cool thing, is you can visit his birth home, and for $15 a volunteer will give you a tour of the historical Queen Anne home, and regale you with stories of Ernest's childhood, and what influenced his love of writing. (For you architecture buffs, Frank Lloyd Wright is from that area also, and his home is down the street, there just wasn't enough TIME. If you don't know who Frank Lloyd Wright is, look up him, I promise, his homes are worth it).
So maybe, I shed a tear when I walked into the home. Maybe for one moment, I was overwhelmed. The highest compliment I ever got on a paper was when I was told that sometimes, I writing in a Hemningway-esque way, and I always hope I earn those words. (Not today though, this blog is too wordy)
After the tour, we meandered into Chicago, via the train, where we explored "The Bean" in Millennial Park, Navy Pier, The Wit Rooftop bar, Union Station, and while we didn't get to explore the downtown cathedral, we did accidentally stumble into St. Peter's during mass. We were going to go up on the Skydeck, but the three hour wait deterred that.
We explored in that manic way I sometimes get when I'm excited, "I want to see it all, I want to do it all, let's do it all NOW."
I don't know what my rush is. I think it's really just that I want to see it, I want to experience it all. Thank you Brittany for not completely losing patience with me when I'm like that, and for understanding that mania.
See, when the boys were growing up and at home, there was never money, there was never time to go on these road trips. Even if I managed to sneak off, I spent time worried about what they were doing, and I felt guilty. Like, I didn't deserve those moments that my soul needs.
There were family responsibilities that needed to be made priority. I felt like everyone needed me. I never let myself consider what I needed.
It's different now, I turned 40 in March. I'm saying it more often. I turned 40. Sometimes I'm saying it because I'm trying to get it through my own head. There is a disbelief about it. There's a fear of losing my best years, of aging, and not being able to explore. There's a fear that time is running out to make my dreams come true.
There's a fear of living a life of monotony.
My 20s and 30s belonged to my children, and my family, to school, to work. My 40s, those belong to me. This is the decade to make myself happy.
I plan to be writing more. I plan to be editing more over the next couple months. I still have a novel that has some re-writes written. And I'm planning my next adventure.
Here's to dancing to my own rhythm.
I kept having people ask me if I hadn't been on any adventures lately, and I just kept saying not really, I'll get around to writing soon. I didn't realize it had really been that long. Maybe that's why I had been feeling so down, so frustrated lately.
See, I have a hard time with the mundane. What to me is mundane anyway. Some people love it. They love to come home, to the same house, at the same time. Some people eat at the same places, because they have their favorites, and want to go to the same hang-outs and grocery stores, and see the same people.
There is NOTHING wrong with that, but I find that for myself, that those routines stifle my creativity. I want to taste different foods, even if I don't like it, it is a story to tell, a memory that makes me laugh. I want to meet different people and remember how diverse of a world we live in.
I want to see rainbows of people, together in one place, and remember the human experience. I want music, and to move my feet and get lost in a rhythm.
It was both the urge, the desire, the drive for adventure, and a need to see the place where Hemingway was born, that drove me to Chicago this weekend.
When I say Hemingway, I always make the mistake of just assuming that everyone knows who he was. So Hemingway was an author, a writer. From everything I've ever read, he was a kindred spirit, who lived, and died, a lifetime before I was born.
His birth and childhood homes, are in Oak Park, Ill, about a 45 minute train ride from downtown Chicago. (I know, because we took the train, and public transportation, thank you to Brittany's stellar navigation skills. )
But, he loved to be near the water, and he suffered bouts of depression, and fought boredom with storytelling. He fought the mundane by living a life of adventure, and writing stories about the human experience. He married, which means he loved, multiple times. The ocean was his friend, along with his cubre libres. I always imagined him to be a very passionate man, who felt often times misunderstood, and sometimes isolated from the people he loved the most. Us writers are a crazy bunch.
The cool thing, is you can visit his birth home, and for $15 a volunteer will give you a tour of the historical Queen Anne home, and regale you with stories of Ernest's childhood, and what influenced his love of writing. (For you architecture buffs, Frank Lloyd Wright is from that area also, and his home is down the street, there just wasn't enough TIME. If you don't know who Frank Lloyd Wright is, look up him, I promise, his homes are worth it).
So maybe, I shed a tear when I walked into the home. Maybe for one moment, I was overwhelmed. The highest compliment I ever got on a paper was when I was told that sometimes, I writing in a Hemningway-esque way, and I always hope I earn those words. (Not today though, this blog is too wordy)
After the tour, we meandered into Chicago, via the train, where we explored "The Bean" in Millennial Park, Navy Pier, The Wit Rooftop bar, Union Station, and while we didn't get to explore the downtown cathedral, we did accidentally stumble into St. Peter's during mass. We were going to go up on the Skydeck, but the three hour wait deterred that.
We explored in that manic way I sometimes get when I'm excited, "I want to see it all, I want to do it all, let's do it all NOW."
I don't know what my rush is. I think it's really just that I want to see it, I want to experience it all. Thank you Brittany for not completely losing patience with me when I'm like that, and for understanding that mania.
See, when the boys were growing up and at home, there was never money, there was never time to go on these road trips. Even if I managed to sneak off, I spent time worried about what they were doing, and I felt guilty. Like, I didn't deserve those moments that my soul needs.
There were family responsibilities that needed to be made priority. I felt like everyone needed me. I never let myself consider what I needed.
It's different now, I turned 40 in March. I'm saying it more often. I turned 40. Sometimes I'm saying it because I'm trying to get it through my own head. There is a disbelief about it. There's a fear of losing my best years, of aging, and not being able to explore. There's a fear that time is running out to make my dreams come true.
There's a fear of living a life of monotony.
My 20s and 30s belonged to my children, and my family, to school, to work. My 40s, those belong to me. This is the decade to make myself happy.
I plan to be writing more. I plan to be editing more over the next couple months. I still have a novel that has some re-writes written. And I'm planning my next adventure.
Here's to dancing to my own rhythm.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Sometimes it's time to let go
I'm feeling emotional. There have been some really big changes in my life that started after 2018 began.
See, I know I said to some people "I feel some big things coming this next year. I feel some positive things are finally coming my way." And they are positive.
The first big change is that I started a new job. I mean, I didn't quit my old job. I'm still there part time. The new job is something that makes me use my brain, which is something I needed and wanted. It's definitely a job upgrade.
I love the new team I'm working with. It feels like, we really are a team, and the people training us have been so nice and patient.
I mean, I have been nervous because I am older than everyone I hired in with, some people I'm older than by a decade. It's okay though, they're good people and a good group to learn with.
The other change, is today I finally let go of that old convertible sebring, and committed to a newer car. I didn't want to, but she just kept letting me down and leaving me stranded. I hadn't been going on adventures anymore, because I was never sure from day to day if she would start, or if she would stay running.
We have had 100,000 miles worth of adventures, been to a couple different states, and seen so many different things. She went to children's graduations with me, and I can still remember hearing the kids yell "Drop the top mom." She has traveled to wineries and the beach with me, seen different castles, and let me feel a little bit of freedom with the wind through my hair when I was at some of my lowest points. It really is like saying goodbye to an old friend.
That's okay though, I know I haven't blogged about any castles lately, even though I've found a ton that need to be explored and told about. Having a reliable car means that I can do that again.
I was scared to get a new car, for one it's the commitment, and I was afraid that commitment would mean I was tied down, tied to Ohio winters indefinitely. I don't think that's true though, and life has a habit of happening when you're making other plans.
None of this would have been possible without the friends I have in my life. They talk me down when I'm freaking out, pump me up when I'm unsure, and just give me the confidence I need to be as crazy as I am.
So, let me tell you some other positive things that will be happening in 2018. One, my book will be back from the editor next month, so I can start the re-writes on it, and work on publishing it in 2018. My goal for the next year, is to bury myself in research for the next book. The subject will be PTSD. Something else that touches close to home.
I need to sign off for now, but, look for a few blog posts to come out in the upcoming weeks. I'll be showing you guys some more off the beaten track places that you can visit for adventures. Because every princess needs to visit some castles now and then.
See, I know I said to some people "I feel some big things coming this next year. I feel some positive things are finally coming my way." And they are positive.
The first big change is that I started a new job. I mean, I didn't quit my old job. I'm still there part time. The new job is something that makes me use my brain, which is something I needed and wanted. It's definitely a job upgrade.
I love the new team I'm working with. It feels like, we really are a team, and the people training us have been so nice and patient.
I mean, I have been nervous because I am older than everyone I hired in with, some people I'm older than by a decade. It's okay though, they're good people and a good group to learn with.
The other change, is today I finally let go of that old convertible sebring, and committed to a newer car. I didn't want to, but she just kept letting me down and leaving me stranded. I hadn't been going on adventures anymore, because I was never sure from day to day if she would start, or if she would stay running.
We have had 100,000 miles worth of adventures, been to a couple different states, and seen so many different things. She went to children's graduations with me, and I can still remember hearing the kids yell "Drop the top mom." She has traveled to wineries and the beach with me, seen different castles, and let me feel a little bit of freedom with the wind through my hair when I was at some of my lowest points. It really is like saying goodbye to an old friend.
That's okay though, I know I haven't blogged about any castles lately, even though I've found a ton that need to be explored and told about. Having a reliable car means that I can do that again.
I was scared to get a new car, for one it's the commitment, and I was afraid that commitment would mean I was tied down, tied to Ohio winters indefinitely. I don't think that's true though, and life has a habit of happening when you're making other plans.
None of this would have been possible without the friends I have in my life. They talk me down when I'm freaking out, pump me up when I'm unsure, and just give me the confidence I need to be as crazy as I am.
So, let me tell you some other positive things that will be happening in 2018. One, my book will be back from the editor next month, so I can start the re-writes on it, and work on publishing it in 2018. My goal for the next year, is to bury myself in research for the next book. The subject will be PTSD. Something else that touches close to home.
I need to sign off for now, but, look for a few blog posts to come out in the upcoming weeks. I'll be showing you guys some more off the beaten track places that you can visit for adventures. Because every princess needs to visit some castles now and then.
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| Just one of many sunny day selfies through the years. |
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| I was a princess! |
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| Here's to many new adventures. |
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