Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Just Kidding

Goodness sake I spoke too soon! The buyers of Ricks house, their buyers backed out. Rick called after a nice long hot yoga class on Saturday with "bad" news, I don't know if I was still in my "zen" mode from yoga or the fact that I had a bad feeling about the buyers buyer (we had our own issues with the same couple on Ricks house), but it didn't even phase me at this point. We are now back to a contingent offer, and really hope the people that wanted this house are able to get it. They seemed excited and were very easy to deal with, sometimes you just a have a good feeling and hope it works out for them.

Rick took it harder this time, so Sunday we did the one thing we know how to do best to alleviate stress....get outside!

We got our Nordic on at a place neither of us had skied before, less than an hour away and for a $10 day pass was one of the most beautiful Nordic trails I have ever seen. Massive snow, trees and views of Lake Chelan at every turn!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Oh Dear

We finally sold Ricks house and onto the new one in a month. This is our chance to start fresh.

I went to my old house recently to pick up mail. The new owners had it decorated exactly how I would've loved it. It was an eclectic mix of their life, that fit the 1920's style of the home. As much as I loved my house I had gotten into a rut with the decore as well as laziness to change anything.

The new house is perfect in every way, but I want it to represent us. I don't want a theme or certain style, with everything fitting. I want it colorful, without being obnoxious, cozy and lived in. I don't do non purpose knick knacks, I want "things" to represent who we are and where we've been.

So with the help of my daughter, months ago I started a Pinterest board.

Clearly I may need help, this is as far as I've gotten......

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Appreciation

I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately. My heart is so full and happy, I can't help but feel gratitude for what I've been through, and to see the value in all of it.
Looking back five years ago, I wanted nothing more than my husband to stay. Raise our kids and grow old together. I knew in my gut and my rational mind he was having an affair, but had he said "sorry it's done" I would've let him stay, without a doubt. This wasn't the first, and it likely wouldn't have been the last. We would've grown closer, for a few years, then he would've entered a dark unreachable hole. There would've been more lies, more broken trust, more heartache. I never would've known what it was like to love so fully, to be in a relationship where somebody takes the time to listen and understand me. With a person that makes me want to be a better person everyday. I never would've had the relationship I have now with my ex. We understand each other the better than we ever have. I appreciate the efforts he's made in the last year, as a parent and friend. It's refreshing to talk with him, instead of fight. For that I am grateful.
I was friends with a woman that was sleeping with my husband. I thank God that I no longer have someone like that in my life. There is not a single scenario I could imagine that I would EVER do that to a friend. My friends are solid, good, loving and trustworthy. They've freely given their support to me when in need, with out question or fail. As we age there will be sickness and death. They are the people I want by my side through it all. Not someone the minute there's a weakness inserts herself into your life to take for her own. I want genuine, and because of all the crap I went through I was able to see who my true friends were. My heart is full of nothing but love for those in my life.
Parenting solo, and being responsible for a house was stressful at times. Financially I was able to meet every months needs, but couldn't see beyond that. That's a pretty scary place to be in your late thirties and self employed. The house was full of surprises, and my kids at the time were 13 and 8. We went through a death of my sons friend, coming ridiculously close to failing classes, having to step up and help me with all the chores of the house, fall maintenance, winterization, getting the Christmas tree up, waking up at 6 to help shovel the long driveway, learning to drive, graduation. As stressful as times were, we were together. Step by step figuring it all out. Unbelievably we did manage to figure it out, we even renovated a bathroom, we started traveling together, having our own wacky rituals. I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I loved our five years together, they are my world, and because of all we went through our bond was only strengthened.
Now living with Rick, life has gotten easier. I have a partner again. Financially our future looks promising, together. My daughter gets to enjoy breakfast and a ride to school with him. Our animals even get more attention. I've started going to yoga. Something I have wanted to do but couldn't justify the time away in the evening from Lo or the added expense. Now I am going regularly, loving everything it does for my mind and body and feeling balanced in all areas of my life. I appreciate the ease and certainly do not take it for granted, simply amazed that it's my life. It may seem boring, but I love going grocery shopping for the family, making dinner together and getting cozy on the couch to watch a movie. Love, it's all we need.
Cheers

Monday, December 7, 2015

Air

I got home from Iceland a week ago, and have to admit sleep has been an issue. I sleep anywhere and on most schedules pretty easily so up until this point in my life I have avoided jet lag. Well it got me this time, not horrible but I am in bed at 8pm and wide awake at 3:30. It's sorting itself out thankfully!
I am happy to report my 9 year old German Shepard that almost died last year and had been suffering terribly with arthritis is having a season filled with hiking and back up to as far as 6 mile trail runs. Last week he went out 5 days in a row. He has been by my side on all my outdoor adventures, keeping me company and easing my fears of potential predators, for years. Last year I had to accept that, that time may be over, so to be given this gift of another season with him and to see him so happy, I'll appreciate as much as I get! A large credit goes to my friend that is studying functional medicine, he's now on human supplements but it's working!



Friday, December 4, 2015

A High

I am coming off (or more accurately still on), a travel high. That vacation was nothing less than absolutely perfect. I have exactly the same feeling I did back in October when Lo and I went to NYC. There is not a single bit of regret in me for going. There are no words to adequately explain what a wonderful time I had with my son, in a country we've both fallen in love with.

There are opportunities that arise if you open your eyes to them during hard times. Those hard times for me were my husbands affair, subsequent divorce and the financial strain of single parenting. If I really look back now and think what was it that made me hurt the most, why was I so angry, it's simple. It was not being valued enough to be told the truth. What I was given though was a stronger bond with my children. It was the three of us figuring out life, our house, our world that existed as just us. My son now 18 and doing his own thing, I've missed him. Having 6 uninterrupted days with just him was an amazing gift. This trip was truly one of the best, and I've had a lot of great trips. To be with him, but also to give him the gift of broadening his perspective through travel, is priceless (although I am glad it was a cheap deal).

On the home front, life is pretty sweet here. We've signed on the new house and now just waiting for all inspections and what not to go through. What a relief!

I saw this on Pintrest and it sounded right on...