A Season for Oreos

I've always said there is a season for everything. If you are in a good season in life, enjoy it, it will change. If you are in a bad season in life, good news, it will also change.

This article below captured my attention and I could relate to it on so many levels and the timing of it had me reflecting on what has already been on my mind for a while.

Life for the last couple of decades has been being a single mom raising my daughters doing my best to provide for them and me. We had a good life, but it wasn't easy. Balancing always working full-time, maintaining a home and yard on my own, being young and single, living paycheck to paycheck to hold life together, and always working and stretching paychecks to make ends meet. Both my daughters lost their dads tragically, and in those years I had to help hold everything together when my own heart and dreams were shattered time and time and time again. Most of the time I didn't know how I was going to keep the pieces together, but God always provided.

When I sold my home and Brooke moved out I found myself as an empty nester needing more healing than I realized I needed.

I found comfort in my beautiful, perfectly clean and highly organized apartment.

I found security in my bank account. I found peace in the quiet of a drama-free home with not having another's emotions needing anything from me.

Shutting out the white noise of life and keeping warm by my fireplace, I nestled in for the winter and found enjoyment in cooking new recipes and dishes that only I like and craving the solitude.

I gave myself a free-pass and didn't feel guilty for enjoying the snacks I wanted to eat that I found comfort in during my time of rest and healing.

The same God who provided for me through decades of being a single mom doing my absolute very best is the same God who provided a beautiful and perfect oasis for needed healing. I know it was Him, because I couldn't have planned this this perfectly.

This is a season that I am grateful for and I am so glad I didn't miss it being in the throes of a relationship. Taking a dating sabbatical was a critical piece of this process for so many reasons.

Like this article, I'm not mad at myself for gaining weight. I'm not mad at myself for needing rest and healing. I gave myself grace and did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it because I could.

There is a season for giving yourself a free-pass and a season for stepping out into a better and healthier new normal. I have healed well because I gave myself time to do so and God has been close blessing me the entire time.

Spring is here and I am ready to come out of hibernation. Life is different because everything in my life is different now, but mostly because I have changed the most in my mind. I see things very differently and I want things differently.

To those who allow themselves a season for Oreos, I applaud you. Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. To a season of Oreos and a season for jogging, cheers!

There's a season for Oreos and a season for jogging.Can I be honest?

Ever since my breast reduction, my cancer diagnosis, my husband accepting a new job, packing up the house to move, staying six months and moving right back…
I have not wanted to run an inch.
The truth is, I haven’t even wanted to move.
Mind, body, and spirit were not here for it. I simply didn’t have the reserves.
So for the last several months, I lounged on the couch, indulging a steady diet of fried food and Oreos. I binge watched TV shows. I FaceTimed friends. I read 4 books.

To be honest, I disappeared from the normal world.
And for a season, it was glorious.
But this week at church, my ADD got away from me and I found myself googling Bible verses instead of listening to what the actual pastor was teaching.
I mean, at least I wasn’t on Facebook.
(Sorry, Jesus.)
Anyways, I stumbled across a scripture. It talked about how there are seasons for all different things.
It is a powerful scripture—very Lion King a la “Circle of Life”.
And after reading it, a thought popped in my head. It was rogue and unexpected, and it felt divinely inspired:
“I want to go for a run.”
Just like that, my season of rest was over.
Tonight, I had to dig out some extra large running shorts. That was a little bit of a bummer. But the Oreos and resting cost me a few pounds, and it was a price that I needed to pay.
I stretched in my driveway, I turned my music up loud, and I stepped out into the afternoon rain.
I smiled.
Then, I slowly chugged forward.

I am not mad at myself for gaining weight. I am not mad at myself for being paralyzed, needing rest, and getting my mental health in order.
I cannot resent the choices I’ve made over the last four months with the cards that life has given me. I did my best, and it was a hard freaking season.
That’s what we are all doing, isn’t it?
Trying our hardest with what we’ve been given?
I want y’all to know that there will be seasons in life when you will wear medium jogging shorts. When you will choose the salad, and parent your children gently and intentionally, and all in all, you will kick butt at life.
But there will also be seasons in life when you need to wear pajamas, sit under blankets, and wonder how you will ever get through it all.
Seasons when you lose your temper at your toddlers and feel like a yucky human being, and maybe need a pill and a therapist to keep above water.
Sometimes your outward stressors will overwhelm your inner strength, and you’ll be tired.
But that does not make you weak.
It does not make you a failure.
And it does NOT make you unlovable.
Believe me, friends, when I tell you that there will be seasons again, when you pull up those extra large running shorts, step out into the rain, and reclaim some semblance of the normal life you once had.
Give yourself some time. Give yourself some grace. Because the truth is that throughout every single season, you are still YOU.
You are strong.
You are worthy of love.
And you are doing the best you can.
Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others.
You never know which season of life they are in.
#ASeasonForLaughingAndASeasonForCrying
#ASeasonForOreosAndASeasonForJogging

Magnificent Tucson

 

Tucson is one of the most stunning and unique destinations I've ever been to. My vacation was days spent by the pool sipping Prickly Pear Margaritas, hiking, spa-la-la-ing, dining in fabulous restaurants, laughing to tears multiple times, being in awe in every direction I looked, and enjoying the delicious feeling of the sun baking my skin and being sun-kissed.

The saguaro's, magnificent! 

Wanting to explore, thank goodness ignorance is bliss, we ventured off on a trail into the desert and mountains. Climbing over rocks, through narrow trails, we laughed, took photos and simply admired God's creation. 

Crossing several creeks I was shocked how ice cold the water was. My analogy is ... if you pour a cup of ice water down a griddle, don't you think it would warm up? It's frigid! Creeks were everywhere and we were loving our adventure. We hiked four miles, snapped and shared our photos on social media when multiple people contacted us that the hiking trail we were in was one of the toughest hiking trails AND it's rattlesnake season! 

Like I said, ignorance is bliss. 

On another hike we noticed warning signs to beware of: 4 different types of rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and mountain lions, oh my! I only wonder how close we came with "Thank you's!" going up to heaven!

The mountain view from our balcony.

An 80 foot natural waterfall.

To sipping margaritas by the pool.

And watching the sun rise in the morning over the mountains. 

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is a perfect escape into the wild West. There is nothing I enjoy more than being unexpectedly surprised with the magnificent and Tucson truly is magnificent.

Brooke's Aunt Kim lives in Tucson, 5 minutes from Loews. We had a lovely visit dining on a patio of an authentic Mexican restaurant then she took me on a tour of her home and her amazing back yard. It's so funny I always refer to Kim as Brooke's aunt and as I was sitting there at lunch listening to her give me updates on the family I know so well it hit me, this is Keith's sister. I am so grateful to have these relationships decades later.

Tons of photos, memories that make me smile, souvenirs for my girls and gifts for me, I'm so happy to be home.

Twinkle Little Star

Grief and joy can coexist. As I watch my daughters belly grow with new life and feel the gentle movement of her belly, I am in breathless anticipation of my grandchild that will be arriving very soon.

With my Sofia who I am so in love with, my 3rd grandchild on the way, there was a 2nd one my heart grieves for. I love being a grandmother. It is a role in my life I knew I would love, but I couldn't fathom how much in love I was going to be.

Today is the due date of my 2nd grandchild that didn't make it last summer.

Grandchildren are a crescendo in life. Each one individually absolutely matters and there is one that didn't make it and that little one is who I am desperately missing today.

Even before you were born, I was your grandma and I loved you.

Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are

When the blazing sun is gone
When nothing shines upon
Then you show your little light
Twinkle, twinkle, all the nigh
Twinkle twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
XO

 

*When you were with us. <3

Fire and Beauty

In all her sweetness glory, my granddaughter is fiercely independent and strong-willed and I don't say that lightly. She can unleash fury when things are not going her way and in the next moment she smiles and the room lights up.

Oh, my Sofia, I know you all too well. You are a joy to watch and my soul sings when I am with you.

My poor daughter who has many years of battle ahead with her, call me. I am the "Grand"mother of this little personality and the force to be reckoned with. I have a lot of battle in me and a lot of love and joy with this little one. She is fire and beauty.

Happy 50th Anniversary

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad! 💛💛 Well done! 👏🏻 I know I am so blessed to be able to say this. Enjoy your anniversary getaway and we are excited to celebrate with you when you come home. I love you! 

Cheers to 50 years! 🥂

Luxury Resort Business Trip

I confess I was a bit anxious knowing I was going to be sharing a room on our company business trip. Four days/Three nights with colleagues sharing a bathroom, yikes!

This was our 30th Anniversary Celebration and our company brought 400 management employees from 150 locations across the United States, even in Maui, in for the celebration.

We stayed at the Reunion Resort, a luxury resort that sprawled across 2,200 acres with three golf courses in Orlando, Florida. Our beautiful, three bedroom suite came with a full kitchen, dining room, living room, large balcony, three private bedrooms rooms each with their own private bathroom. Thank, God!

I arrived first and grabbed the large master suite with a bathroom 4x larger than what I have at home. It was lovely.

Seeing the agenda, I still had no idea how above and beyond, sparing no expense, in detail they went to provide us with luxury, gifts, multiple guests speakers (CEO's of the largest in the industry across the country), Surf & Turf dinners, delectable desserts, open bars and food and entertainment.

We had an 80's pool party in the water park with music, food stations and bars set up all over with everything from fruits & veggies, to hamburgers, to lobster, shrimp, and clams.

Even letting us choose the theme park we wanted to go to, they provided gift cards to us to use for food or gifts.

There was not a thing I had to pay for.

It was amazing meeting like-minded professionals in our industry from across the country. There is nothing but growth opportunity as well as transfer opportunities to other locations.

Mostly men, many came up to me already knowing my name because of the professional head shots collected and turned into a yearbook for each of us to keep and know the others by.

One gentleman, I knew his name, but I couldn't place him in the sea of colleagues came up to me and said, "Wait! Let me guess, you are Dawn!" I said that's me. Recognizing me from my photo, he said, "Wow, our regional VP at corporate sings my praises and said I am knocking it out of the park!"

I smiled and thanked him and asked what location he is at. He is a VP at corporate. Yikes! I laughed and graciously fell on the sword of being new to the company, apologizing I did recognize his name and of course I was thrilled to meet him.

There was a waiter that was smitten with me, which provided excellent service throughout my stay and one morning said, "Thank you for being so beautiful and for being here!" I turned to my colleagues and said, "You need to work on your morning greetings when I walk in the room!" ha ha

It was a fabulous trip! Beyond what I expected and walking away I am even more grateful for where I am.

Heading into Universal with some of the guys I work with. 

It felt so amazing feeling the sunshine and hot temps. We had the best lunch at Margaritaville. The outdoor patio with live steel drum music was a perfect destination to dine and fuel up mid-day at Universal.

Last night, everyone together for the Awards Celebration, a view from my table with my colleagues and friends I had the best time with!

Four days, three nights, a whirlwind schedule of luxury and entertainment. I'm worn out and glad to be home.

Well, at least until I head out for vacation next week for fun in the sun, and another luxury resort spa-la-la out west.

I need to sleep.

Packed for the Sunshine

A beautiful resort. A welcome reception. Dinners. Breakfasts. A day at Universal. Evening Party at the pool. A morning of sessions. Awards Celebration Dinner & Ceremony. Several days of sunshine, warm weather and more sunshine.

I'm SO excited! 

To unplug from technology for a couple of hours in an airplane, entering the plane in winter and stepping out into summer. My outfits laid out, more than I need so I have options should I change my mind. Several new pieces. A collection of shoes to match. 

Our management team traveling together, which makes it all the more fun, because we are a fun group that cracks up and just gets one another. It's traveling with friends heading to meet about 500 others. 

I'm longing for that moment when I slip into sandals and step into the sunshine with my face to the sun and feel the warmth tingle my skin.   

Beautiful & Perfect

My daughter posted this photo my Sofia and I laughed at how stinkin' sweet she is! She wanted to wear her bikini top and play in makeup and her Momma let her.

I see this photo of my granddaughter and I think beauty, confidence and femininity. 

Confident and well loved I pray she is always this secure in life. Put on that bikini, sweet girl, and feel as comfortable as you do right now, and happy because you just wanted to wear it! 

You are beautifully, perfectly, fearfully and wonderfully made. God has already determined that and no man or society will make her feel any different.

Every time I see or talk to Sofia I tell her, "I love you and you are beautiful & perfect!" 

Every girl wants to be a beauty and my granddaughter will be raised knowing her worth is already determined, she is beautiful and perfect. 

Ice Ice Baby

Ice ice baby! 🍷 Scoring a perfect 10 for ambience, presentation and flavor at this years Ice Wine Festival is Laurentia Winery.

Well done!

Hot Stone Pedicure

It was a combination of two upcoming vacations this month, a celebration of surpassing my budget goals for all of 2019 by the end of February, to the excitement of having a 2-1/2 day weekend, and the fact that I worked a 12-hour day + event in heels the day before and was up eating Advil at 3:00 a.m. due to my feet and ankles hurting so bad that I couldn't sleep, that I made the executive decision it was time (let's be honest, it was long overdue) that I get a pedicure. 

I wanted to sit in a body massaging chair and soak in a hot bubbling foot bath when the nail technician handed me a brochure asking what kind of a pedicure I wanted. 

With a very pregnant daughter, my heart went out to this girl who was very pregnant herself and thought she may appreciate a generous tip. 

I can't remember if I made it to church last weekend and when I don't make it there and tithe, I seem to find other areas of making a donation to help another who may need something extra. It's kind of my tithing outside of church. 

Honestly, I appreciate she was sweet, quiet and didn't talk much. I wanted to soak, sip my iced coffee I brought in with me, and lose myself in magazines. 

The brochure had a selection of pedicures and the moment I laid my eyes on the hot stone massage with herbal detox massage and wrap (it was worded much better in the brochure), suddenly I knew it was exactly what I needed.

I wanted an unrushed, relaxing experience and that is exactly what she provided. She did an excellent job taking her time and covering every detail. She brought out this mix of fresh herbs in a bowl she blended together in front of me and generously applied them to my feet and legs massaging them in. 

It was an even better experience than I had anticipated. While the herbs were working their detoxing magic she went off to get the mask and oil. A mask was put on next with hot towels laid over top to warm and rejuvenate. After the herbs were washed off, the mask was washed off, and the oil was massaged in, out came the hot stones that was used to massage my legs and feet. It was AMAZING!

Lastly, a fabulous new color finished my pedicure. 

Well, I thought it was lastly. She did such a good job that I stayed for a manicure.

As I am writing this blog post, it came to mind that I need to schedule my spa selections for vacation a luxury spa resort the end of this month out west in the desert. I have fond memories of the unique spa treatments I have experienced through the years at different resorts. It's a luxury I enjoy and the justification for working as hard as I do. 

Work hard. Play hard. It isn't just a mantra I throw around lightly. 

Two vacations this month, both in sunny destinations. I look forward to soaking up sunshine and getting sun-kissed skin after a long, cold winter.