Now Is The Time

My husband Rick and I recently had a discussion about trips/vacations and traveling in general. We talked about 2022 and how we’ve been locked down and are looking forward to venturing out a bit. I told him that one of my “have to’s” is Caddo Lake in east Texas. Have you heard of it? All of that Spanish moss hanging from the cypress trees, looking all spooky and eerie. I’ve seen so many pictures that I HAVE to see it for myself! I went ahead and booked us (and the kids and grandkids) a place for March. I am really looking forward to this adventure!

Which brings me to the question: Do YOU have a bucket list?

According to dictionary.com, a bucket list is defined as a list of things a person wants to achieve or experience, as before reaching a certain age or dying. Surprise surprise, I have always had a bucket list! When my 17 year old Jeep was beginning to have major problems (and I loved that Jeep), Rick suggested I look for another vehicle. Boy was he shocked when I told him my next car would be a Mercedes convertible! He about flipped his lid. But it has been on my bucket list for a long time, so, no time like the present! And now I am driving my beautiful little black Maybelline (do you name your car? Can’t be just me).

And of course traveling is way up there. Maybe it comes from having lived in a number of places when I was growing up (Newport, Rhode Island, McLean, Virginia, Del Mar, California, even Yokohama Japan!) because my dad was in the service. My mom, even after dragging five kids all over the US and abroad, loved exploring new places and it has definitely rubbed off on me.

So back to our discussion. I asked Rick if he even had a bucket list (I guess I never thought about it because I’ve always been the planner). And the answer was no! How can that be? I thought everyone had some sort of list of what they wanted to do, places they wanted to go, things they wanted to see. As recent events have showed us even more, there is no time like the present to do the things you want to do, and with the people you like. I’m retired and Rick is still working, but I’ve made him think more about things we want to do while we’re able. If you’re like me, you probably know a few friends or relatives that have put things off until their bucket list is a passing thought. That’s such a shame!

As this year is coming to a close, I hope you will reassess your priorities. Take time to make yourself an agenda. Write it down! Do you want to travel? Learn to play the guitar? Visit an old friend? Skydive? There’s no time like the present, as the saying goes!

And of course, you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself! Get in the habit of taking a daily walk, even if it’s a short one. Find a buddy, join a gym, listen to an audiobook while you work out (free from your local library). Do it not just for you, but for those who love you. Believe it or not, you are special to someone!

I almost forgot! This past weekend our wonderful town of Granbury brought back the Living Christmas Cards! We had a great time down on the Square.

THE SCIENCE OF ESSENTIAL OIL PERFECTION

I’ll continue to promote Young Living oils–I think they are the best! The holidays are one of the best times to fill your house with fragrance! Try diffusing wintergreen, peppermint and cinnamon, or something woodsy like cedarwood, frankincense, and orange! Ahhhhh…

Thank you for being a loyal reader! If you enjoy the blog, I would love it if you would Follow Me and I’ll come straight to your email. Until next time!

Three Summer Gifts

It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through August! I have been lucky to be able to travel and get out and about, with minimal contact except close friends and family. I hate that Covid, now with the ever present Delta variant, is keeping people from enjoying their daily lives.

But I realized something the other day. This summer has blessed me with family, travel and new friendships. While our son was stuck working, Rick and I were able to enjoy a week with our daughter, son-in-law and two grandkids in Gulf Shores Alabama. Even the long drive was enjoyable because we went through three other states. We were able to see some sights we would never have seen had we not made the drive. And we loved going someplace new! We also got to take our new neighbors with us to our cabin in Ruidoso New Mexico. So nice to get out of the Texas heat for a while! Our new friends met our old friends there in Ruidoso and we did some sightseeing. Unfortunately time ran out before we could get to White Sands in Alamogordo, but that just means another trip!

And the friendships. I mean, can you have too many? We had an ice cream social in July at our neighborhood activity center. Rick and I were really surprised at the turnout! It seems that a lot of our new neighbors were anxious to meet others like them. We”clicked” with a couple of couples and now can count them as friends as well. We started a wine group which had our first excursion already to a local winery and a distillery. It was a fun afternoon!

So in this day and age of seeing a lot of lemons, I decided to make lemonade. And others were happy to join me. Make sure that you step out of your comfort zone and mingle. Safely, of course!

I’ll continue promoting my Young Living oils (I think they are the best!), but I’m also going to add my “jewels” to each blog. Today’s comes from the latest audiobook I’m listening to: The Guest List by Lucy Foley. If you like a great whodunit in the style of Agatha Christie I highly recommend this one! Until next time, friends!

Essential Oils: Dream Catcher. While this oil is a little more on the expensive side, it combines different essential oils for an amazing aroma. Sandalwood, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang, Black Pepper, Bergamot, Anise, Juniper, Geranium, Blue Cypress, Davana, Jasmine, Blue Tansy, Rose, Grapefruit, Spearmint, Lemon, and Ocotea is designed to give you a way to remember your dreams without the burden of negative thinking. This blend’s aroma will support an environment where ideas flow and your imagination shines.

A Busy Summer–So Far!

Whew! These have been some very busy weeks! I have not been able to sit and blog about all of the goings-on. It seems that one thing led to another which led to another! And believe me, I am not complaining. While I do enjoy my quiet time, I love getting out and about!

It all began with our vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Well, let me tell you, everyone was happy restrictions were lifted because it seemed like they were all with us in Gulf Shores! I was smart to reserve my family a cottage at a resort back in February. We chatted with a couple who told me they waited too long and were sleeping in bunk beds! That made me laugh. But they were still happy to be there. While my husband Rick initially balked at going (he’s from west Texas, so not a big fan of sand!) he caves when it comes to our grandkids. And aside from his losing his personal phone in a very busy grocery store, and leaving just as Tropical Storm Claudette was making landfall, I would count this trip as a success!

There was a weekend trip to New Braunfels to take in a concert with newcomer Kensie Coppin and “old timer” Deana Carter at the Freiheit Store. It was awesome! No Covid fear here!

• 

• 

Next I had to take my convertible for maintenance to the nearby town of Grapevine and decided to make it a little tour.

Strange how my pictures always include beer/drinks and food! Haha!

After a week break Allison and the kids came to visit Gigi and Papa. Those kids are a couple of fish! I told Rick for no other reason than them did we put in the pool. Good thing we’re in pretty good shape because they wore us out! Who’s up for a chicken fight?!

Busy bees like I said! And I am still rehabbing my new knee daily. Being active is the key for sure! More in a week. We are headed to Ruidoso NM for some R & R in the mountains. Until next time!

Essential Oils: I still LOVE and will continue to promote Young Living Essential Oils! If you are new to essential oils, I highly recommend. And I think when you check out the number of companies that are out there you will agree that Young Living is really the best!

Is this apropos or what? Do you wish you could better connect with your childhood self, having no limitations, no fears, and no worries? The sweet fragrance of Inner Child™ essential oil blend can encourage you to connect with your authentic self and help you find emotional balance. Love the blend of tangerine, ylang ylang, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, lemongrass and spruce leaf oil.