Tag: new

dare to be different

Stripped

2chicksandapen

Have you ever thought about stripping your life down to the basics? Wiping away the comforts of this or that and replacing those with wonder and curiosity? I didn’t really think about this per se but I made a plan and took action and the reality is I was stripped. 

I wasn’t stripped naked as in bare skinned. I was less full of the extra fluff in life. Down to the bare minimum allowing myself to immerse in new surroundings. I spent some time in nature. I enjoyed deer up close and to show how close I snapped a pic of their doo doo. Yes I’m that weird. I listened to sounds. Sometimes just the quiet of the day or the night. The peaceful air when stripped lets you reflect a little differently. No TV blaring. No dogs barking. No kids demanding attention. I even met some nice new people but I also met some folks that were not as nice. The latter being a great view of people weighed down in life. 

Peeling back the onion on people. How an environment can cause somebody to be bitter or how life can just make a person salty for this reason or that reason. At the end of the day I choose my reaction to those that may be in their salty stage of life! I can choose to greet them with the mirrored version of themselves or I can sprinkle a little pixie dust on their day in hopes they may see light vs darkness in the rest of their day.

I had no idea how wild the feelings would be. A fresh slate to paint awaits. My four walls became an amazing canvas to paint my life sparkles on. No real boundaries. It like going off to college for the first time to experience life yet I have all the life experiences to apply to my new found canvas. Interesting and odd at the same time. Stripped is the new state I encourage for all those in the almost golden era. A new kind of naked. Some may fear the boldness associated with stripping but I embrace it in a full Monty kind of fashion.

A shift. A little distance. An awakening. A reset of the mind, the body and the soul. A feeling of thankfulness floats in the air. A rumble in the tummy indicates the hunger to see all that’s new and near. The jolt of energy that sparks the day knowing today is a new day full of what’s surprises lurking around the corner for me.

This rambling is about a life shift. A transition of living for my kids and what’s best for them to the collective space for me to start living those golden years before I am too old to embrace the wonder of today. I’m choosing to make those memories now to fill my memory bank for the days that I am forced to live viewing what’s in the rearview. That day may come, but until then I’m chasing what’s ahead vs dwelling on what’s behind.

Don’t let today pass you by. Try the new foods. Make the new friends. Join that club that stretches your comfort zone. Undo your comfort zone. Get naked in life! Be extraordinary. We have one life in front of us. We can make it an adventure or we can make it a carousel that just spins round and round.

Off to see what’s on today’s horizon.

celebrations, dare to be different

31 Days: The 2025 Edition

2chicksandapen

Oh the beautiful life we are given and the blank slate we have to write our story as we live each day. For this reason and many more I am continuing my tradition of my list of 31. The list that summarizes a glimpse of my month or 31 days each year. It’s fun to see what makes the list, but it’s just as fun to review the lists of years past.

It’s a great way for me to see that I am constantly evolving and also for others to take a peek and see if they are stuck in a way or maybe want to feel enlightened to try x, y or z. I’m always moving forward but I’m always looking back to remember how far I’ve come. 

1-I put a property under contract.

2-I closed on said property.

3-I planned a relocation.

4-i planned a trip.

5-I booked a massage.

6-I ate brunch with friends.

7-I made some new friends.

8-I read a new book.

9-I did some writing.

10-I did some strategic planning.

11-I made some donations.

12-I had many hard conversations.

13-I dealt with plenty of adversity personally and professionally.

14-I played tennis in the frigid cold.

15-I was a Good Samaritan in an ice storm.

16-I played in snow not once but twice.

17-I spent time with my mom being silly.

18-I spoiled my dogs.

19-I got a BIG ASS calendar for 2025.

20-I spent a lot of money.

21-I watched Trump take his presidency.

22-I went to North Carolina.

23-I was assigned Lori as my tennis alter ego.

24-I dealt with a leaky windshield for the first time ever in a car.

25-I sold two motorcycles.

26-I ate some good home cooked meals.

27-I initiated several new projects.

28-I learned how to connect a stove to a smart house.

29-I worked hard to bring home the bacon.

30-I played equally hard outside the workplace.

31- I started the countdown to retire.

This year I didn’t really elaborate on any of the 31 items. Not really sure why I kept it simple, but I just did. When I reflect on my state of mind this month I’m summing it up as happy. 

I’m a at peace with so many things in life. I’m finally settled into the role of empty nester. It has been a process to get fully untethered, but it was worth the wait I suppose.

The blue skies.

The less travelled road.

The quiet car rides to new destinations.

The allure of chasing the new in life.

The freeing feeling of letting go of things.

The warmth of a good cup of coffee and

the ambiance that it’s entangled with.

Just a few notes for me to recall down the road. Nothing fancy, but a blissful state of mind. Off I go into the sunset somewhere day dreaming of what’s near but also what’s far. Just a day in my life to share.

celebrations, challenges, change

31 Days – 5 Years Later

2chicksandapen

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.

  1. Rehabbed a property in short order
  2. 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.

  1. I began training as a distance runner.
  2. I logged a lot of miles.
  3. 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. 

  1. I did some fundraising for local sports.
  2. I did tax paperwork for business/personal.
  3. I paid bills.
  4. 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. 

  1. Made time for family & friends.
  2. Checked in on those who are sick or challenged in life at the moment.
  3. Took some time off for just me.
  4. 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.

  1. I met some new people.
  2. I traveled by plane.
  3. I experienced new things.
  4. I floated in my hot tub on cold days.
  5. And boy was it cold this month.
  6. I signed up for a half marathon.
  7. 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?

  1. I would like to have more sunshine in January. My older skin needs the warmth of the sun more so than rain and cold.
  2. 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!
  1. I played the lottery. Not something I usually do but felt compelled to give it a go. I didn’t win. No surprise.
  2. I said farewell to a workout buddy and work partner. Not gone gone but far enough away to say it’s bye for now.
  3. I started mentally preparing for my big trip to Greece this year. Started the countdown now that 2024 is here.
  4. 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.
  5. I reviewed at a quick glance my list from 2019, 2020 and 2021 just to see what’s different, if anything. Interesting task.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.

adventure

Water Play

2chicksandapen

A random adventure in South Carolina on a sunny Sunday afternoon was set in motion. No long term planning. Just a quick 1 day getaway. The weather was perfect. The timing seemed to just fit into the schedule. The spontaneity of the day was one of the highlights of the excursion. Music cranking while having an open air concert was also so much fun both in and out of the water.

Zoom zoom. The girls took off for the day on the water. Riding topless….in a convertible for those thinking otherwise. Wind in face. Sun glistening on their skin. Sunglasses required. Hair swaying back and forth as they make the trek from one state to another. One could say the ride itself could have been the day’s climax yet it was merely a starting point.

Ultimately these Chicks had other plans. The adventure consisted of trying out hydro bikes for that day’s fitness and fun. A new-to-us thrill of sorts. Upon arrival one bike had technical issues creating the option of one kayak and one hydro bike for the afternoon. Off to the water the girls went. A day of water play with no have to’s. Just what the doctor ordered. Nothing too strenuous.

The cove was simply peaceful on this a day. A short paddle or pedal to a sandy beach area to explore or dip in the water to cool off. A band was playing at the nearby marina adding a mini concert to the water play day as an added bonus. Just some good old fun and relaxation on a Sunday. A perfect time to reset for the work week ahead.

There was plenty of time to just float. Soak up not only the sun but the cloud and sky views for miles. the gentle waves. The sun reflecting off the water. Observing the local boats trying to catch a fish or two. It brings a different kind of peace to one’s mind and soul. 

Days like these are encouraged for those who spend time in a busy fast-paced life or a life that has challenging days. A slower time of any day breeds success or productivity in other areas once a fresh outlook is achieved.

Such a simple idea. Grab a friend. Spend a day outside. Smell fresh cut lawns. Plant a garden. Take a walk. Feel the sun on your skin. Move freely. Inner peace comes from within. Sometimes you need to reset your mind, your environment, your outlook or even your surroundings to see the beauty of your life. The life you live each day to the fullest.

Pause. Reflect. Enjoy. Repeat. 

I opted outside.

I played in the water:

I’d do it again.

adventure, fitness and nutrition

Pickled

2chicksandapen

Ever been in a pickle? 

I have been in many pickles or jams. I’m not even sure why one refers to a situation in that way. Nonetheless I was asked by a friend to play pickleball and of course I jumped at the chance. Why not? I enjoy a good pickle. It’s the hot trendy thing too, isn’t it?

I had really no clue other than it looked like a cross between ping pong and tennis. Of course that’s how they came up with the name pickleball. Pretty funny to me but I went to trusty old amazon and ordered a starter set of paddles and balls. Bounced a few around my driveway with an unwilling soul. I can do this. I got a feel for the ball and the paddle. It’s all good. 

Hopped on to YouTube and watched a few videos. Skimmed the rule books online. Eew the scoring sounds weird. Not at all like tennis. Who makes this stuff up? Who picked the ball for that matter?  Good lord I have to learn record keeping on top of the game itself. Oh well. I said I would play so I will.

I’m on a team of strangers. All new faces. All different ages and abilities. Talk about a fish out of water. It’s okay I can make friends easily. First practice is called. The team votes for learning vs. competition. Oh no. That’s new for me. I’m super competitive. I showed up and it was so much fun! The scoring was much simpler in practical application than reading it. The game is fast paced. The strategy is as interesting as the kitchen.

Yes, I said the kitchen. Who decided the area by the net is the no no zone anyway? sort of cracks me up. The kitchen has rules of entry. It’s easy to accidentally enter the kitchen especially if you are hyped up in a game and don’t have great body and spatial awareness. It’s sort of fun to watch and I’m not referring to me. Stay out of the kitchen. Easy for me I hate to cook anyway so the rule is simple for me to comprehend. Do not enter. 

Sweat fest is how I would describe my first day on the small court. Day two would be sufficed as the same. Day three was game day. I was playing mixed doubles for the first time with a partner that was new to me. That in itself brings challenges. Then add the newness of the game and our inexperience and boom we lost all three games. I even sweated hearts on the court. See picture below for a giggle. Despite losing I couldn’t wait to play again. Also the sweat session is no joke. It’s the type of sweat where you must immediately change and shower. 95 degree heat could be a factor, too.

We improved each time but we lost as a whole. What an experience. I’m so ready for more. This may be my new summer addiction. Not only am I getting a workout but I’m getting challenged in multiple ways. It’s also new enough in my area that I can share my knowledge with friends.

This is just a fun post to hype you up to try something new. Go get a paddle. Find a friend to hit with. Join the pickleball craze, but don’t break anything.  When you’re ready, join a team. It’s a lot of fun, I promise. And a friendly reminder don’t break anything. Medical professionals maybe ready to cash in on injuries! 

Knee replacements are the prediction. I’m sure due to many older folks showing an interest. Couch to pickle ball.  A sure way to get injured. Why not? Life is short.