Category: moving forward

I’ve been doing daily planks since October 1st, 2019. Some days I go longer, some I alternate side planks and straight arm planks. Other days I just do what I can to keep the streak going. Some ask why I do the streak, and I’m not sure I have an answer. I think deep down I remember days, weeks, even months where I didn’t feel like doing anything. Getting out of bed was a struggle. So knowing I’ve got to do a daily plank to keep my streak going, which also helps keep me moving-has helped keep me going.

Do you have any rituals that help keep you going? I’d love to hear about them!!

Cheers,

Michelle

Well, the weekend was a bust, and downloading this image from pexels.com was as close as I got to going outside….still battling a head cold, so switched up my meds today and finally got a tiny bit of relief. Can you believe I went through 2 boxes of Kleenex in one weekend? Sheesh….lol!!!

So to say I am rested and ready for the work week is a complete and utter lie. Lord help me in the morning when that 0530 am alarm goes off. My biggest issue has been sleep…I am not a good sleeper, and add in severe nasal congestion and yeah….the only way I can sleep is propped up on pillows, while laying on my back. I am a side sleeper…so you can imagine how well that has been going this weekend….hahaha!!

Anyhow just wanted to wish you all a very happy Sunday evening, and a wonderful upcoming week!!

Cheers!

Michelle

I’m still thinking about how to update/revamp my blog…more to follow on that.

This week kicked my butt between my daughter leaving, my Jeep needing several hundreds of dollars in repairs, and the kicker was my allergies going hog wild. I can’t even tell you how bad it’s been. But my Crepe Myrtle trees are starting to bloom, so it’s all worth it in the end.

How was your week?

Cheers,

Michelle

I keep hearing women talk about how it takes a village, or how thankful they are for their “tribe” of friends. I find myself wondering if there is something wrong with me because I don’t have those sort of groups in my life for the most part anymore.

In my 20’s I had a huge group of friends. We spent all of our free time together. If we had a little extra money we were out partying, dancing and having the time of our lives. When we were broke, we hunkered down at my house, playing cards, listening to music and talking until way past midnight. We celebrated our youth, and grew up together nearly becoming family as most military friendships do. I am lucky to still have a few of those friends left in my life.

In my 30’s, the group grew smaller as I was married and had 2 kids, yet we still had a blast having driveway parties with our neighbors after the kids went to bed. We were there for each other in good times and bad. We celebrated 1^st half marathons, and grieved when we lost loved ones. We’ve mostly since grown apart, only keeping in touch via Facebook etc. The one close friend I kept from my late 30’s, was also military and we’re still very close.

In my early 40’s, I struggled finding my way after retiring from the military, but found myself a fantastic group of friends in the running community. While the friendships weren’t nearly as tight knit or long term, they served such a wonder stepping stone for me to find myself. We were there for each other to support during races, and even sometimes in regular life. Most of us have since grown apart minus one very dear friend I met through the running community. We were also extremely close with our next door neighbors, and even though we live far apart now we still remain close.

Now as I peak my late 40’s, I used to honestly question why on earth I even cared about fitting in anymore? But I’ll admit, it bothered me for the first couple of years after we moved to Florida. I wasn’t part of the Mom’s groups as my kids are much older, I didn’t fit in with the stay at home Moms as I work full time and trying to make conversation was a struggle, and I couldn’t handle the gossipers or 40 year old something “mean girls” because that’s just not how I roll…

And then it hit me about a year ago. I have never really fit in, in general, and that’s ok. It just means I am now more selective in who I choose to spend time with in life, and that’s ok. Quality beats quantity any day of the week if you ask me. As long as you have a few good friends in your life, you’re ok in my book. And I’m lucky to have a small handful that I talked about in this post. Maybe it just means you finally realize that you deserve the very best, right?! Who needs a village, anyhow?

Cheers,

Michelle

My daughter J was in town this past weekend, visiting from the Chicagoland area where we moved from in 2017. While we may have had some very difficult times over these last 5-6 years, this weekend I was in awe of how much she’s matured and grown.

It was heart wrenching to say goodbye to her this morning, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite photos from the weekend.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I wonder if it ever gets easier? Guessing not, but I suppose you just try to communicate as often as you can when you’re apart from loved ones.

How was your weekend?

Cheers,

Michelle

Cheers,

Michelle

Time sure flies. In the blink of an eye, my kids have grown so much, I’ve survived 20 years in the military and now ten years post military. I often wonder how time can pass so quickly. Often times I still feel like a kid pretending to be an adult and I’m 48+ years old. LOL

I wish I could’ve done so many things, but realize I’ve done the best with the situation and life that I was given. I had a great career in the Air Force and continue to serve Veterans by working at the VA. I think it was always my calling to serve.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have regrets. Shoot. Don’t we all? At this point in my life I’m just trying to make the most of every moment and make memories with my family.

Time flies my friends. Hang on tight.

What are your proudest accomplishments? Does anyone else feel like time is passing too quickly?

Cheers!

Michelle

I joined the Air Force 30 years ago. It’s hard even saying that out loud, LOL. I went to basic training, followed by almost 6 months of clinical medical laboratory technician school, and another almost 6 months of Histopathology technical school. They are revamping all of our technical schools apparently and they’ve been posting pictures on Facebook, class pictures dating back 40+ years.

Here’s one of my class pictures. Can you point out which one is me?

Sometimes it’s hard looking back at the past, but finding pics like these was fun.

Cheers!

Michelle