moving forward

Just over a month.

Well it’s been over a month since I’ve moved to Florida. Close to 6 weeks if my memory serves me right. In that time I’ve encountered a new job, dealt with an Air Bnb flood, hurricane Irma and my Jeep having a near death experience.

So today I share the news that we closed on our new home and I couldn’t be happier. We can’t move in until next weekend but will use that time to clean and prep the house. I’ve been working out again and have been enjoying the beach life immensely. While my blogging has new sparse without a computer, I’m excited to check in. I promise to get back to everyone’s blogs soon! Here’s some pics!

How are you? What happened new for you this month?

Cheers!

Michelle

moving forward

Crazy it’s been a week and a half since I arrived in Florida.

It's been a crazy week and a half. Getting acclimated. Fining a house. Starting a new job. It's been hard and exciting and crazy all in one. But I can honestly say having a friend here has made such a difference. Today Kandice took me site seeing to Ybor city, MacDill AFB and we even explored the new area I'll be living. We of course had to visit my new house, too. Look at the gorgeous hibiscus. We ended the day eating dinner near where I'm staying at the Rooster and the Till and it was amazing. With the crazy storms coming it looks like we won't hit the beach this weekend but we made the most of this crazy weather.
My take away from the week is my new job will be challenging but amazing and that I love living in Florida. Lastly I'm in awe of life long friendships. Feeling so blessed.
Here are some pics from the week.

How was your day? Have your explored any new areas where you live lately?
Cheers!!
Michelle

moving forward

Florida bound

Today I drove over 650 miles through five states. Thanks for your support with all my posts. To say this is the hardest thing I've done knowing my fear of driving is an understatement but in my eyes not taking this chance would be even harder. Here's to "onward and upward!!" Y'all rock!! #floridabound

moving forward

My final weekend.

It's my final weekend here in Illinois and my coworker's and friends have sent me off in style. My bags are packed and I'm ready to hit the road on Tuesday. While I'm sad, I can honestly say I'm beyond proud of the fact that I'm taking this leap of faith. Here's some pics that capture my last weekend!

I'll be journaling my journey so stay tuned!! I've even got my running gear packed!

Cheers!
Michelle

moving forward

New adventures!!!

Hey gang, I'm back!!! Big news!! I was offered a job supervising the pathology lab at the VA hospital in Tampa Florida!!! I'm looking forward to sharing this adventure!! Stay tuned!! Here are some pics from our visit to Tampa last month!

Cheers!
Michelle

moving forward

Blogging Hiatus

Hey gang,

In efforts to stick with my mantra of moving forward I’ve realized I also need to recognize toxic situations and when to separate myself from them. Ive learned that not everyone has my best interests at heart, and have decided my personal life needs to be kept a little more private. While I have loved sharing my running and life stories with you, along with some recipes I have created, for now I need to take a little break. I am not canceling or shutting my blog down, just stepping back for a bit to think about where I’d like to see this blog move in the future, if at all.

I shall return, I just am unsure of when or where…

Until then, CHEERS!!

Michelle

moving forward

Happy belated Mother’s Day everyone!!

Here’s some snap shots of my amazing weekend. I hope you all had a great Mother’s Day weekend!

Me and my Mommy

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My baby girl
Being corny with the hubby!
Truffle risotto from Quartino’s….YUM
Grilled Octopus from Quartino’s
View from our room at the London house in Chicago
Aladdin was amazing!

Gosh they take my breath away!

Obligatory bean photo!

So pretty….


My family spoiled me with my favorite food and places in Chicago. Cheers to my amazing family for making me feel so loved and for always being in my corner.

 

Happy belated Mother’s Day!!

Michelle

Celebrate the good, depression, moving forward

Finding my happiness…

This morning I was reading one of my favorite blogs over at Suzlyfe. I love her blog because its raw, its real, all while being informative and entertaining. I needed a little respite from the funk I’ve been in, so when I opened my email this morning to get my daily dose of Suz, I found myself moved to tears.

See, between not getting promoted and not hearing back on any prospective leads I thought I had, along with dealing with some resentment and anger issues (don’t ask, we can save that for another post, or not…) I’ve found myself in a funk. My mood sucks, my running sucks (if you can call running twice a week actual running) and my cooking has even started to suck. The ONE thing I actually think I am half way decent at has fallen flat and left my family (more so me) less than impressed. This has been ongoing for the last few weeks, and with each dish I prepare, it’s either under/over cooked, over seasoned, or just plain blah. And this is quite unlike me, I’d like to think at least. So last night when my hubby had to take my oldest to the dentist, I thought, HEY, I will make the steak for the tacos we planned on having along with getting the beans and corn ready. Too easy, right? Wrong…I cooked the steak with beautiful grill marks and set aside to rest. I then decided it necessary to mutilate the beans, overcooking them by a good 15 minutes. Just before they got home from the dentist I went to slice in to my beautifully grilled and rested meat to find it was still RAW. And not just slightly raw, I am talking, the cow may have had a MOO or two left in him. Ugh…I threw it back in the pan, and sighed a heavy sigh.  

After dinner we cleared the plates and I told my family I was on a hiatus from cooking. If I can’t joy in cooking, I simply can’t cook. With that, I headed upstairs to take a shower and have a good cry but when I turned around my oldest daughter had decided to come up and comfort me. I don’t hide my emotions very well, and my family knows me better than most. She gave me a huge hug and said, “You ok, Mom?” and I broke in to a sob. “Don’t settle in life honey,” I pleaded with her. “Write your books, chase your dreams, just please don’t get stuck like Mommy is. While I was in the Air Force it was ok to have this job, but now I feel stuck.” And she just hugged me tighter, promising she’d chase her dreams. We even pinky promised which is like a golden seal in our house. Yup, my almost 18 year old still will pinky promise with me. ❤ And suddenly I found my happiness again, right there in the comfort of my first born daughter’s arms. Funny how the tables can turn.  

My takeaway from last night was twofold. Yes, I am feeling stuck, and I think RUT might be my new middle name. BUT…I had a beautiful moment with my daughter that no one can take away, and I need to focus on moments like these vs. feeling a little stuck. Because we can’t be stuck if we are still making the choice to get out of bed every day and do our best.

OX10L

 

My time will come. I just know it. And I am so thankful for the beautiful people in my life that have helped me see the brighter side of things. Thanks Suz, this one is for you!

 

Cheers,

 

Michelle

 

moving forward, weekly wrap up

Safety nets

I’ve talked several times about the fact that I have been in the same career since I first joined the Air Force at the young age of 18.  Just three weeks after graduating high school I boarded a Grey hound bus and headed off to basic training.  My job was chosen for me, as I joined “Open General” in hopes of getting a flight line job, but alas.

Here I sit in a hospital laboratory, just doin’ my thing 25 years later.  And while this isn’t my career of choice, it’s a good job, that pays decently and provides for my family. So while I keep talking of taking chances and making changes, I know I need to be smart too.  I’ve got one kid going off to college in less than two years and I don’t want her to have to carry the burden of huge student loans like I have to (still a LONG ways to go to pay for my MBA) in my life.  I’ve got a little saved and will continue to save for her, but we all know they make college nearly impossible to afford in this day and age.

What’s my point? I’m never too old to learn!


Well, those that know me well know of my love of the beach.  I loved the coast of Texas, and love the coast of Florida.  Heck, any beach will do, really! I’ve made it abundantly clear to my husband that if he is going to continue his pursuits in furthering his Army career, my butt would be hunkered down on a beach somewhere while I continue to raise our youngest solo (once my oldest heads to college of course). So six months ago I applied for my Florida licensure, and finally have finished studying and taking my exam!!! Who got an 92%?!?!?  This girl!! All I have to do is send in the paperwork and the check for my license.  WOOT!!

miamibeach
South Beach, Miami-One of my favorite pics from our trip last year
So while this job may not be my dream job, it DOES provide a nice life for my family.  Does that mean I am giving up on my dreams of being in the food industry?  Heck no…that just means I am doing what’s best for my family first.  It’s good to have dreams and goals, but those safety nets sure come in handy!

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photocred: memegenerator.net
Are you a believer in having a “Plan B?” as a back up?

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Who’s with me on starting over and getting back to working out this week, regularly?!?

Linking up with Holly @Hohoruns.blogpost.com and Tricia  @misssippipiddlin.com for the weekly wrap!!!! Please check out their blogs and the other awesome inspiring bloggers!

WeeklyWrap

Cheers!

Michelle

 

 

Deployment thoughts, Military, moving forward, Uncategorized

Has it really been 25 years?!?!?

 

 

I had a post drafted last night and ready for publishing today, but whenever I write a post I always set it aside and step away from it before clicking “Publish”.  I’m glad I did that this time, because I really need to quit being so hard on myself when it comes to my military duty.  I’ll explain more here in a few minutes…
Today is one of my favorite days of the year.  July 3rd.  Yup, you read it right, July 3rd, not 4th.  Why?  Because it’s my enlistment anniversary of joining the Air Force.  Today would’ve been 25 years had I stayed in longer than the required 20 years needed to retire.  But I retired after 20 years for several reasons.  Some of which I still struggle with to this day, but most of which I have learned to let go. 

First and foremost, I retired so I could be there for my kids.  When I get upset over the fact I never deployed, or am reminded I would’ve never been able to make Chief, I look at my daughters and know I made the right decision.  Having 2 parents in the military just isn’t the easiest thing to do so I decided stepping down was more important for the girls.  Yes, I still have to work full time, but I am at least here for them while my husband deploys.
Last night my girls and I kicked off the weekend (even though I am working all weekend and the 4th, I am trying to have SOME fun, lol) by going to military appreciation night at our local Kane county Cougars baseball game.  I submitted my hubby’s photo for the jersey, and they even asked for my photo too!  I felt a little silly next to veterans of this caliber, but I submitted mine anyhow!  I will be auctioning in hopes of winning one, too!!! Here are some pics from the game!
So while that first post really went in to all of my regrets I had about not being able to accomplish the goals I set out for myself while in the military, this post will share a few of my favorite pictures from my military days (see above).  It IS my 25 year anniversary after all, and even though I had to work today I’ll still treat myself to a glass of wine or two tonight.  🙂
How are y’all celebrating the 4th?  Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Cheers,
Michelle