And on that early February morning, there was smoke. And all that goes with it. And my in-laws were wakened by firefighters rousing them in time to get away from the danger.
By the time I arrived on the scene, hours later, all the flames were extinguished. The smell of smoke hung thick in the air. Water from the hoses still swamped the weathered tile. Where there had once been weddings and birthday parties and rehearsal dinners and showers, there was now charred wooden beams and fallen insulation. Memories of what used to stand.
I have never thought of fire as one of my fears but I still didn’t need to linger long in that space. I didn’t want to remember it that way. The very sight of the destruction just repulsed me.
I watched our family review the scene. My daughter was immediately shaken. “Things can be replaced, people can’t” I said, over and over again. I meant it. But that didn’t change the feeling of loss. It is hard to see a place with that many memories just go up in smoke.
Now the work of rebuilding begins. I try to frame it as an opportunity – it will come back better than ever. In the mean time, our family schedules and rhythms shift. Some of us have to be sure to get our steps in when it used to come through the course of work. Sleep interruptions are more frequent. Minds race with very different concerns than before.
I am reminded to be grateful that everything can be fixed. And to appreciate what we have while we have it. And especially, to appreciate who we have while we have them.
5 long years ago I wrote a blog about the 31 days in January as a reflection point. Nothing fancy just a glimpse of life. What I might have thought was important at that time. What I might care to revisit later. A simple way to showcase my mindset at the beginning of year. Just a recap.
Now that I am sitting here five years later I’m a little amazed and feeling fancy. I’m cataloging my life story as it unfolds. Moments I might have forgotten about are captured here in this blog. Five years is a long time. A lot of personal growth. A lot of loss. Many challenges. Many more triumphant moments. As I type away on my keyboard I will once again leave you will a list of 31 moments from my reel of life and some wisdom to go along with it as a bonus. I also love a good calendar humor to start each morning with breakfast. See photo below:
Don’t underestimate the power of starting your day with an out-of-the-box comment or thought to ponder. It gets you stirred up for the day. A little spark. Leverage technology and share with friends near and far and boom you have some instant memories to share. This is my little new year’s tip to you. I’m on about year three for flip calendar fun with friends. We all love it and love to see what new calendars we all start with in January. One day I’ll have my own I’m sure. May be just whispering that to the universe now. Stay tuned.
Rehabbed a property in short order
Listed and closed on property in 14 days
The above is nuts for a timeline. A little bit of luck. A lot of hard work. A positive mindset. An ability to engage resources was all critical. This will to date be one of my favorite quick projects to be a part of. However when I looked back in 2019 I was moving and shaking in real estate as well. A little irony.
I began training as a distance runner.
I logged a lot of miles.
I hit personal bests running.
I don’t like to run but I opted to give myself a goal that would be challenging. I committed to tracking along the way to document the success and/or failures. So far so good. I’m not injured. I’m running happy. I’m confident in my progress. I’ve had a lot of personal growth this month as I pound the pavement with my Clydesdale-like body.
I did some fundraising for local sports.
I did tax paperwork for business/personal.
I paid bills.
I worked out: CrossFit, pickleball & tennis.
These four items on the list are redundant for the most part. Requirements that surface with the new year. Never fun. Always boring and can be hard in different ways. I put in the work nonetheless. That’s the rule follower in me and consistent behavior girl.
Made time for family & friends.
Checked in on those who are sick or challenged in life at the moment.
Took some time off for just me.
Bought some new shoes, of course.
Last year I had a lot of loss to reflect on. People who passed on. This year it seems more about health in general. Mental health issues for some. Serious medical conditions for others. Covid and flu hitting others very hard. I’m more worried about the longevity of some around me this year. Maybe that’s better than loss but the worry part I could do without.
I met some new people.
I traveled by plane.
I experienced new things.
I floated in my hot tub on cold days.
And boy was it cold this month.
I signed up for a half marathon.
I signed up for a DEKA Fit competition.
Competing has been on my January logs in previous years as I usually sign up for the CrossFit Open. Which I did again this year for year #8 however, I’m also doing other events to diversify. Look at me! Fit and fabulous over fifty. How nifty is that?
I would like to have more sunshine in January. My older skin needs the warmth of the sun more so than rain and cold.
I played with my dogs a lot. A real comfort point these days. Many hours with my dogs alone just enjoying each other’s company. Nothing more loyal than a fur friend. They usually even follow you willingly to the bathroom!
I played the lottery. Not something I usually do but felt compelled to give it a go. I didn’t win. No surprise.
I said farewell to a workout buddy and work partner. Not gone gone but far enough away to say it’s bye for now.
I started mentally preparing for my big trip to Greece this year. Started the countdown now that 2024 is here.
I also have a digital countdown for many other flagship events over the years. They seem to be stacked one on top of each over. This just means 2025 will be here before I know it.
I reviewed at a quick glance my list from 2019, 2020 and 2021 just to see what’s different, if anything. Interesting task.
I thought about what big moments I will have this year. Both planned and unplanned. Gives me a little excitement to think about the possibilities.
I thought a lot about retirement. A new one for me. Where will I want to go. What will I want to do. When is the right time. What is the exit strategy. So many choices.
What’s next? The dreamer in me asks. Ponders. Deliberates. Creates. Scribbles. Draws. Plans. Thinks some more. Ah the beauty of dreaming what can be. Then making it be reality. We all have that opportunity but many won’t take the chance on themselves. I do daily.
Me. Just me. For once I’m thinking about me. My kids are adults. They are charting their paths. My significant other likes his things. I like mine. I’m doing more of my likes and wants. Filling those desires that maybe went on the back burner while other priorities were front and center.
This is me. Over the 50 year mark. Some don’t make it to this point. I’m looking ahead next year, 5 years, and beyond. Whether I get there or not is not the question. It’s what will I get to do before my time here is done.
I’m doing all that I can in the time I have left. I’ll report back next January but in the meantime enjoy my interim blogs and look for publications in the future because writing is just a part of my journey.
Feeling flirty.
Feeling fun.
Feeling fulfilled.
Feeling festive.
Feeling free.
It’s great to be in my world this January.
Wonder what you would put on your list of 31? Give it a try. You might surprise yourself. You might get to thinking it’s time to do something exciting with life.
It’s January, which means it’s One Little Word time. In past years, I’ve chosen a variety of words for a variety of reasons to guide me through a year. Some words seem to stick as the year progresses, others aren’t quite as durable.
This year’s choice was not too hard to zero in on: Venture.
I have a lot of travel planned. Ventures.
I am craving new things and stretching myself. Adventure.
I’ve also been thinking (and mulling) about business and trying to develop several of the businesses I am involved in / owner of. I have sort of shirked my responsibilities in this area. Whether writing or creativity or sharing ideas broadly, there are several ventures I need to work on. In fact, one of my businesses actually has Venture in the name.
It’s a spirit of extension. Of growth. Of embracing the new and stretching myself.
In addition, I am trying something new at the beginning of the year. I made a “24 in 24” list instead of a single resolution. They are tasks large and small, fun and tedious, that I hope to get taken care of this year. This is a practice from Gretchen Rubin. You’ll hear about these as the year goes on.
What did you take on for reframing, refocusing, and refreshing at the beginning of 2024?
Something about an out and back course makes me cringe.
Whether it’s a hike or a run, if I see it’s an out and back, I’m immediately turned off. I want to see something new, not the same thing twice but backwards.
My first event this year was an out and back. Why did I choose it? Well, it was local, it was cheap, there was a 5k and a 10k option, and it fit my schedule. The out and back was a strike against, but since I had friends doing it with me, I figured I would survive.
I’ve actually done a couple of other out and back events this year, and there is one more thing to consider. If you’re competing and the course doubles back, you have to see other people who already made it out to the turnaround point and are heading back to the finish. For some, this might be challenging. For a “back of the pack” competitor like me, you get to see MANY people who are WAY ahead of you. Maybe if I cared about my finish time or placement it would get in my head. But for a person who thrives on cheerleading, I take the constant reminder of how many people are ahead of me and flip it into an opportunity.
I cheer for EVERY SINGLE PERSON ahead of me. From the teen cross country star who is flying along to PR or win to some of the older folks who are pushing along to the inevitable 8 year old who is gangly and gasping but waxing the floor with me nonetheless, I wave, I clap, I yell, I encourage. At the absolute least, I smile. It’s the very best part of an out and back race. I am very aware that I running all these races is not a “have to.” I get to come to the start line. I get to move through the miles. I get to challenge myself. And, I get to see others who are challenging themselves.
So, even if a course is boring or repetitive, it’s another chance to reframe your mind and refresh your perspective. You may even find ways this happens to you at work or in your home life. You may be the smile and encouragement someone needs today.
12 days left in the year. I was thinking of traveling, but didn’t have a firm plan. Then I was thinking of binge watching Netflix rolling into 2024. This was the cozy option. Maybe house projects were best suited for my holiday time… the first two options had me smiling at “what ifs.” The latter was a done deal. The house deep cleaning was scheduled. 7 hours of hard work. The yard project ended up being more than expected. Painting was just painting. Out with trash of the year too. All was getting done.
Then a hiccup of sorts. A quick trip you say? I did want to travel. Oh how the mind of a curious girl works. Let’s go. Not just any travel, rather a whimsical road trip adventure. Buckle up! Where to?
One brave soul opted to be my travel buddy. One bold and ready to adventure. I did have some no ways too, but I just needed one yes. Eight states to pass through along the way. Approximately 1,500 miles. Maybe 20-24 hours in the car, one way. Yes please! I’m in. Let’s go for it. How much fun will this trip be? Ending 2023 with a bang and starting 2024 with a pop.
Fueled up in the home state of Georgia. BBQ in Nashville, TN. Edley’s might have been the best burnt ends and spicy grits casserole I have ever had. Full belly rolled on into Kentucky as the sun set for rain, rain and more rain. At the end of the night was a cool stop in Metropolis, Illinois. We just had to catch this iconic stop to see what the hype was about.
Early rise to go see the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle. I don’t even like catsup but was fascinated by the idea of making this stop. It was a bottle. It was a landmark. Photo below.
A quick drive over the river landed us in the heart of St. Louis. Another iconic stop at the Gateway Arch. Cool, crisp air set the tone for a memorable morning at the river front. This seemed like the perfect gateway to the beginning of a midwestern adventure .
Did I mention it was morning? 10am to be exact. St. Louis pizza, you say? Why of course! Next bucket list item is the local delicacy of cracker crust pizza with provel cheese. I wish you could hear the crunch in this post. It wasn’t like a chip but a cracker crunch. A snap. An ooze of gooey cheese. Not too saucy. Not too greasy. A treat to eat. Not too messy for the car. We ate it all. This treat came from Imo’s in downtown, which already had piles of orders at the breakfast hour.
With a full belly in tow, we headed west again and the next stop had educational value. A quick visit to the Weldon Site. An encapsulated waste site where you could climb to the top of the mound of debris. Fascinating. A little eerie. A questionable stop to some. I loved every minute of it. My little walk on the moon. Stairs to nowhere. Once three towns were swallowed by this mound, then beautified to today’s present state. Google it for a history lesson.
Headed west again. Destination Kansas. The land of lonely roads and windmills. The darkness of night illuminated by red flashing lights. The beacon of not one two or three but hundreds of windmills along the road. Wide open skies and open land for miles and miles. That’s Kansas. Miles and miles of open spaces, a Wheat Jesus and a giant Van Gogh replica. Just a day in Kansas!
Onward we traveled to the west. Destination Colorado. The day of arrival was unusually warm. 50 degrees in late December after a blizzard just last week. Good timing I suppose. Beautiful blue skies. Amazing mountain backdrops glistening in the distance. A wonderful end to a couple of days trekking across country.
I hope this post inspires you to travel. Take a road trip. Find the hidden gem spots to stop at along the way. Take the slow and scenic route vs. rushing to your destination. Breathe the air. Smell the flowers. Taste the local food. Embrace the journey / experience.
2 Chicks and a blog 