True Confession Time: I Was Out to Prove Something With My Florida Vacation

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about my upcoming vacation to Florida. Just me and my two peeps. We made it there and back safely, all the while sharing giggles, snuggles, annoyances and all the other things people families create when they travel together. As far as experiences and adventures go, the trip is at the top of my list.

But I must confess that I had an ulterior motive when I planned the trip. Yes, I wanted to take the peeps on a grand adventure and spend some quality time with them. But, I also had something to prove to myself. You see, I was afraid I had gone soft. And I wanted to prove to myself otherwise.

Not too terribly long ago, my Real Reality was that I was an independent woman. I owned my own home, paid all my bills, and navigated my way through the world (both literally and figuratively) without very much help. Not so much as a GPS (only because GPS hadn't been invented). And I liked it. No, I loved it.

Then, I fell in love and got married, and I discovered how awesome it can be to have some help in this world. I started living a different Real Reality. My guy takes very good care of me every single day. Over the years, I've come to rely on that care, which is both good and bad. You see, I started wondering if I still had what it took to make my way alone in the world. I started missing independent, adventurous me. I was scared that my old Real Reality had somehow become my Ideal Reality. I realize that probably makes no sense to any but me. And I'm OK with that.

So, the Florida trip was also a test. I passed with flying colors, despite the fact that I drove (very briefly) the wrong way down a one-way street. I felt independent, confident, in charge, and adventurous again. I discovered that the parts of me that I really like are still in there. They've just been tucked away. Perhaps I should pull them out a little more often.

What about you? Are you hiding parts of you that you really like? (I'm not talking body parts, folks. Keep it clean.)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Drop Some of the Bricks: Great Advice on the Eve of My Epic Adventure

Image courtesy of zirconicusso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As part of my Project 2013, I just began reading Missing May by Cynthia Rylant. It's a short, simple novel that packs a punch. Rylant say so much while saying so little.

 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book so far.

 

Drop some of them bricks you keep haulin around with you. Life just ain't that heavy. - Cletus Underwood to Summer.

Wow. Me to a big ol' capital T. So my mantra as I prepare to depart for a week in Florida with my two little peeps is DROP THE BRICKS.

What about you? Do you need to drop some bricks, or do you just go all Bob Marley, knowing that "every little thing gonna be all right."

Wherever you are, whatever you do ... Keep It Real.

Making It Count: Connecting & Experiencing



photo credit: m-c via photopin cc

In January, I wrote a little post about my theme for the year: Make It Count. You can read it here. I vowed to connect, pay attention, find my direction, and create extraordinary experiences from ordinary ones.

Most recently, my focus has been on connecting and experiencing. Mainly because out of the four areas I threw down, those are the easiest to wrangle.

Connecting. Over the past few months, I have made a concentrated effort to actually use my phone to ... get this ... talk to people. Real actual phone calls. I'm finding it's rather efficient for taking care of my bizness. I've also sent more snail mail birthday cards. My sis-in-law made this feat easy peasy for me when she presented me with a box of her handmade all-occasion cards for Christmas. They are totally gorge (as in gorgeous). In fact, they are so beautiful that I sort of hate letting them go.

What else? I made a lunch date with my sister for the first time in, well, ever. Not FORever. But, EVER. (Hanging my head in shame.) We had a great time, and I think we'll do it again. After school, instead of running around tackling tasks while the peeps veg out on PBS' Wild Kratts (very cool show, BTW), I started watching with them. Sometimes I'll work on my jigsaw puzzle (love those things!) of Greece (sigh), but we'll talk about the show, laugh and just be together.

I'm trying to check my calendar every few days for birthdays and events so I don't miss as much as I used to. Probably the most fun connection I've made is beta-reading novels for a couple of  my aspiring author friends. I feel so honored that they would share their writing with little ol' me! I just finished one manuscript, and it was delicious! I wish my friend all the best as she starts submitting!

Experiences. Last month, I knocked an item off of my Bucket List! My friend, Dayla, and I saw the Zac Brown Band in concert. Best concert I've been to, hands down! THE BEST! The opening act, Blackberry Smoke, rocked the arena as well. Gotta get some of their tunes.

My biggest adventure to date starts next Monday. The peeps have a week-long spring break, so the three of us are trekking to Florida. We gots our plane tickets, we gots our rental car,, we gots our snackies, and we gots our navigation tools. We are good to go. My aunt graciously offered to let us stay with her for a few nights. I am excited and nervous. I really want this to be a great trip!

What about you? Did you set a theme for 2013? If so, what is it and how are you doing with living in it?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.