And the adventures continue.....

It's official......

I see so many people moving here and there every several months.  I am here to stay.  Starting many changes but excited to see where life leads me.  I'm trusting my spiritual guidance.   Life is challenging but it's wonderful if you use the tools God gives you... so many signs. And  please give back every day in the even if its in  the smallest way. <3

1 month till a year and my thoughts

I've had almost a year here and believe me...as much as I have romanced you all in my fairy dust adventure.  It's been a challenge. That's for my one year celebration page. ;)  I  have adapted well, it's had it's ups and downs but mostly ups.  I 'm very "adaptable" and I'm loving life much simpler.   I do want to share a story.  My friend...Kelly...who I didn't know would be a bigger part of me than I knew....came to visit.  I once again got to see my world as a newbie....through her eyes.  She was like a little kid in disneyland. Really made me appreciate even more how lucky I am to have landed in the perfect place for me to find a new beginning. I only got to spend one day with her but she gave me multiple gifts just being her.....ones that took on a whole new meaning and adventure. It was so refreshing to see someone appreciate the child in me when I first came here..I was reliving it with her my first days in Ob.  So very very amazing to share that with her. ..I am blessed in many ways.  I will never take that for granted. No matter how hard it gets....I remember times like these. Kelly.....bottom photo is lifeguard 5 at dog beach!

Looking forward to 2015!!!!

Happy 2015!!   Excited for this upcoming year.  Reflecting on the past year....Wow..no wonder I went quiet.  What a year 2014 was ....such a huge change....I quit a job that such a negative impact in my health...took  inventory of my life.. and took a leap of faith to start over.

I get so many questions as to why I moved here, etc..etc..and the courage it took. I don't really look at it as courage...  To me it was time..You only get one life....I had to do this. I just kept my mind moving forward and  I made it here ..not without many challenges...but as you know....I tend to thrive on the challenges life brings ..and moving here has been one of the BEST decisions I've ever made.

You've read my journey but here's what I have learned in the past 7 months I've been here.

First...you can do anything you chose to do.  Doing something you are passionate about goes a long way....I'm still working on seeing that through. I've taken the baby steps and now some bigger steps for what I feel I am meant to do. God is teaching me patience and I'm listening.

Second.....I've had to learn about being alone. Fortunately I'm okay with being with me and I do have Chase here. I have really appreciated the one on one's with my kids. But....sometimes I miss just stepping out into the backyard to talk with neighbors or calling a friend to get together. I'm getting there...just takes a while.  Didn't realize it would take so long.

Third...I do have a little paradise here in OB and I so appreciate it.  I will NEVER get tired of these sunsets every nite...I've gotten quite spoiled. But there's nothing like family during the holidays and I missed that little corner of my world. I had Linds and Chase here but there's something about those big gatherings I'm used to having.  I appreciate my immediate family more than ever.  I hope to see my Mom and my Dad this year.  Have them here to share a glimpse of my new little life.

Third...NEVER stop listening to all the opportunities to be better as a person, to give back, do that little deed each and every single day.  Believe me.....I am hoping I teach that with my every day life. I live in a town where opportunity is limited.  But this OB is so supportive of each other.  I love watching the random acts of kindness and the loving support in this community.

I know I have some heartbreak and challenges ahead but I believe that things are definitely falling into place as they are meant to and I am so looking forward to this year!!


Happy 2015......I am back with my adventures here for the new year.

Happy Christmas

SOOOO......my kids are even asking why haven't I "blogged".  I guess to be honest.....I'm just finding "me here".  Does that make sense? I certainly don't want to bore you with my "adventures" with my everyday nonsense.  I want you to enjoy my new experiences through my eyes.

Honestly....this year has been challenging in many ways. But I am glad to have made this move.  I am now far from contact of old friends, but making new friends in different ways. I feel lighter and happier, healthier. I needed to make a change.   Believe me...my choices for my life have not come without consequence and judgement. But it IS my life and most importantly my health. I am optimistic that the sun, my barre class, and walking my dogs at the beach year around will prevent me from being in a wheelchair in my future.  My children are here, I'm feeling better than ever and each day offers another way to learn all about the amazing opportunities here to experience life in so many ways. I am looking forward to 2015.

2015...what is my wish for me? My wish is......stay tuned


stay tuned

Changes

I've been in this kind of funk thing for the past week..trying hard to shake it but also embracing it as a change within me.  I love it here. ABSOLUTELY.....but still finding my way and sometimes....it's a little tough in some ways.  But I get through....just like I always do.

So.....best part of my day.  (Eyeopener and a big hug for me.)  I was walking home from the beach with Mali. A little girl ran up to Mali and hugged her screaming with delight.  Of course....Mali was afraid...she's not used to little kids and ran off.  The little girl was sad that Mali wouldn't let her pet her.  So I did the whole how to approach a dog talk with her Mom and the little girl.  And all was better.  A woman was watching me and said to me....."I remember you" and went into what she remembered about what I had told her about moving here.  I met her after just a few weeks here and obviously made an impression in some way. She mentioned my blog and said she sees me walking all the time and loved my confidence, my air of belonging and the sense of freedom she saw in me. WOW....really?  She said she was inspired by me and looking for her own changes with her life. A wonderful compliment. This woman made my whole week!!  So.....I've made a new friend, I am out of my funk and apparently I am officially an Obeachian.  What more could a girl ask for?  ;)

Her daughter asked me if I knew about the blue disk animals at the beach. Nope....I hadn't seen them but I would find out for her. They are called Sailor Jellies just like your Mom said.  They don't usually make it to shore but because they follow the warm waters and the wind moves their little sails they have ended up closer to shore.  They can't survive on land so if you see one.....throw it back into the water so it can live. I hear they glow at night and cast an amazing blue pathway along the waters edge.

I can't believe I am 55 and still continuing to "grow up".  I believe that this move has helped me as a person in more ways than I ever imagined.  How?  Courage.....I knew I was strong but I never understood until recently. But to be honest....strength is something that comes naturally to me.  I'm a survivor. You do what you gotta do and keep on trucking......with your chin up and with a smile. Secondly.... I have gained more street smarts for sure.  A whole new respect for the world outside of northern VA has opened up and with a little help from my new friends.....I am much wiser.  I have a huge respect for some of the people I've met here.....huge respect for the passion of this town.

I wake up each day to make sure my kids know I love them, do a good deed, learn something new, do something healthy for myself, and write down what I am grateful for at the end of each day.  I've done it for years.  Sometimes I don't do all of them......but I always do at least 4 of them each and every day.  Some people I know struggle with being a better person or making changes....These 5 things.....will make a difference.  And the best thing....they are easy!

Basically.....maybe we all have to grow up anyway......whether we like it or not.  But I am sure enjoying the roller coaster ride!! Always an adventure for sure!!

Yep.....it's been a while.

So...I have been trying to figure out where I'm going with this whole blog thing now that I'm here in San Diego. Right now...... I am just going to write about my life, my thoughts, my new experiences. A journal.....just as I intended it to be.  If you read it .....or not....it's okay......I seem have people who like my story so I am happy to share it.

Summer was busy, getting settled, visitors, etc......now we are settled for the most part and it's beginning to feel like home. Thank goodness summer is over, the summer vacationers are gone and life has begun to get real again. The days now have a regular rhythm for most of us and it feels good.

For all of you that wonder.....Yes....I do get lonely sometimes.  But it's okay.  Fortunately I like being with me and discovering what I am capable of.  I have grown here in a short time in good ways.  Life is changing.....for the better. And I find that I am doing that whole grateful thing again.  Counting not only my obvious blessings each day.....but my little "me" grateful things.  Things are all falling in place and I am actually doing better than ever and so are my children.  I guess there truly is a light at that long dark tunnel after all.  I thank God and my angel every day for helping me along the way. AND..

I just want to let each of you know how much I appreciate all your support and love during this hard and crazy journey of mine.  You have NO idea how much all your letters and comments have meant to me !!  I am happy!!

Big hugs and look forward to the new adventures of summer gal!! Cuz it's always summer in San Diego!! ;))