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!! ;))

Reflecting on the past 2 months......

"In every walk with nature ..one receives far more than he seeks"__Muir

I'm still in awe and wonder about my new home. I can't believe I have been here almost 2 months already.  I have learned a lot about myself and about my new surroundings. My morning walks to Dog beach have been therapeutic for both me and Mali and we have formed a bond that is very special. You dog lovers understand that kind of connection for sure. Of course, I still miss my walks with Sandi...but Chase and I drive the dogs down and I get to enjoy watching her play in the surf with Mali a couple times a week in the evenings. She actually smiles ear to ear!  I am glad she is going to live out her last days in such a dog friendly place.

I have befriended a local artist here in town.  Kip.  He hand paints signs with quirky little sayings and works at the Green Store.  He's been here 26 years...from LA...and his signs are all over town.  We talk most mornings for a few minutes on my walks with Mali and  he throws me little tidbits about OB.  It's become one of the highlights of my mornings because he knows things about the town you can't read online.

 All the streets are named after naturists, authors, preservationists and ecological thinkers.  Just along Voltaire Street.  So I mentioned before I was going to learn a bit more about the folks these streets are named after.

Froude...one street down.  One of my favorites quotes of his "You cannot dream yourself a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one."  Boy have I learned lesson the long and hard way.  So true.

One of my favorite streets....Muir Street.  Another naturalist, said..."When we try to pick out anything by itself...we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."  I had to think about this one a bit.....but it's true.  Think about it.

I have also befriended a homeless woman with a little dog who lights up when she sees me most days.  Just loves being acknowledged and said hello to.  Maybe one day I'll learn her story. So many many homeless in San Diego.  Saw a family of six with an infant in Point Loma.....so sad.  I don't take my journey here and my life here for granted at all......I am so grateful for this opportunity to look at this sunset every night, be with my children, my dogs ...the beautiful weather each day.  I am feeling healthy and happy and I am so excited about the future.

6 Weeks....hard to believe.....but not really.

 Life here is still a little surreal.  I really miss home in VA sometimes,  the familiarity....the routine, my friends.  It's lonely sometimes for sure.  We are finally in a routine and busy everyday. I still can't get passed the reality that I actually live in a place that feels like vacation.  Why would I ever have to go on a beach vacation?

 I do know....I don't like the people invasion of summer vacationers.  I thought I was out of the loop being here in OB.....NOT the case.  EARLY morning walk with Mali and late sunset visits with all three or it's just too crowded with the dreaded weekenders or tourists.  Yes.....I'm becoming an official OB local.  Love it!  Nice  that we live away from all the crowds but within walking distance to avoid having to drive around forever to find that rare parking spot.

 Meeting new people, job search is going really well and I am feeling good. For me it's all about connection.  I've found my new grocery stores and my favorite farmers markets and a few new favorite restaurants.  I've made some new friends. The best part about being here besides the beautiful weather and how good I feel about me is the simplicity of this lifestyle.  I have learned to live with so much less....it's okay for now.   I need my family, my pups, healthful food for all of us, transportation, a home , my health and extra for when we need it.  I am so appreciative especially after what I have seen this summer.   I'm feeling so good about my new little home and I do think I will be staying here for a long while....it's perfect for me.

Happy 4th

Best news ever....Ellie has been found!!!!  It's been weighing on my mind, feeling helpless and that thank God people are good.  She is safe. :))))

Chase had a couple friends here these past few days.  Their visit started with him having severe food poisoning ..long story.  But I have realized that Chase is a trooper like his Mama.  Chin up and even after throwing up non stop for hours...managed a smile and a positive attitude.  Yes, I was worried. So here it is...2 days later and he's himself again.  Playing the ukelele, joking around, and even while he was feeling like crap ...he kayaked and snorkeled and jumped out of a plane......thankful he bounced back so quickly.  I sure loved having Ethan and Darryl here.  I could do my whole nurturing thing ;)

Lindsay and Chase both have great friends that I know they will be friends forever with.  I envy that.  I was sick early in high school and missed out on that lifetime connection.  But I've found some awesome friends in my adult hood and they have been such special gifts.  I'm grateful for my life and the love I have in it every day.  I can't wait to meet some folks to call my friends here in SD.  I have one...she's awesome.  But....that's okay for now.  Sunset was beautiful......hanging with my pups to make sure they are okay with the noise from 3 different firework displays.  Happy 4th......Be safe......enjoy the ones you are with!! <3

Settling in...learning the life here

For some reason,  here in San Diego people find a need to pile up rocks.  They call it "stacking".  I read that it symbolizes a desire to manifest a connection in our every day life, to bring the sacred into every thought, feeling and action.  If you think about it....if this little building of an altar makes someones life a little better......so be it. They are all beautiful in their own way.

I look at them as I have my life.....one step at a time. Balance.  Building blocks.  A big stone, then a little stone and then maybe a medium stone, etc.  I prefer the big stones! ;)

Anyway,  5 weeks here....ups and downs but I'm glad to be here and feeling better than I have in many years.  I have learned to live here means to live simply.  Buy what you need and make the most of what you have.  Huge support for the local merchants and farmers.  I have loved hearing the stories from the farmers markets merchants.  So much talent and so much ambition and dreams......Inspires me to pursue my own ambitions and dreams...and that being true to yourself is so important....no matter what.