adventure Archives - Inspired & Strong | Making the Best of Every Day with Stacy

Your Death

July 15, 2026 No Comments

Your death is the one thing you can count on. How you live your life is up to you. You can complain that you didn’t get a fair deal or that life is too hard, but it is all what you make of it. If you don’t like your life as it is, change it. Your happiness is a choice. We all know the older we get, the closer it comes. So live life well and do it with grace and kindness. Just do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.

Your death will come on an ordinary day-in the middle of unfinished plans, unanswered messages, and dreams still in progress.

The work will keep turning…But eternity will begin.

So don’t just live a little, live for what lasts. Walk with God. Love deeply. Forgive quickly. Speak truth. Choose what honors Christ.

Because one ordinary day here becomes forever there.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

In Family

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

June 26, 2026 1 Comment

Well, it’s a little late, but Happy Father’s Day to my dad, my Gramps, and to my Prince, who is a wonderful Dad to two awesome sons. And Happy Father’s Day to all the other dads, stepdads, pup dads, etc. out there. I hope you had a great weekend celebrating YOU! On Sunday, we celebrated my Heart with a Father’s Day brunch at our local Riverside Golf Course. Then we did some projects and had dinner with friends at Hitchy’s while watching the end of the US Open. It was a great day! But also a sad day because I didn’t have my dad to call to wish a Happy Father’s Day.

My Dad left us 14 years ago on May 23rd, losing his battle with lung cancer. How has it been 14 years? It’s so unreal. Then, to try to wrap my head around the fact that his battle started nine years before that, when he was just 51 years old.

Fifty-one! And now I am 50. It makes me so sad when I sit still long enough to think about it. It makes me so mad. I wish he were here. I would love for Jeff to meet him. I would love for the kids to meet him. He would have loved being a grandfather. He would have loved traveling and enjoying retirement. He would have loved golfing when he could and teaching the grandkids how to change a tire. I appreciate the 36 years I had with him, but most days I wish it were more. It just sucks.

I was driving to an appointment a few weeks ago in Florida in Ellie EOS the V, which is a stickshift, and I was listening to Y2Country when Alan Jackson’s Drive came on. The song brought tears to my eyes because it reminded me of my dad. As young as we were when we had a boat, he taught us to drive it. When we were 12, he taught us how to drive a car and told us how important it was to learn to drive a stickshift. It made me appreciate all that he taught us, but also made me wish he were here to call when I was thinking about him.

Why he was taken so young, I don’t know. All I know is his death taught me to live life more fully. If you follow my social media, then you see that I do try to live my life to the fullest. I most likely overcompensate for the losses in my life by trying to explore every inch of the world around me. But someone knew what was on my heart, and someone sent me my soulmate, who happens to like traveling and experiencing the world just as much as I do. They sent me someone who opened my world to things I didn’t even know were possible. And for that I appreciate. So thank you, Dad, for sending me someone who loves me as much as you loved us.

My Rock and I want to see as much of this world as possible while also wanting to make as many memories as possible. We love being around people. We love laughing and taking it all in. Of course, life isn’t all roses, but we try to make the best of what we’ve got.

I hope all the dads out there had an amazing Father’s Day, and I hope they continue to be appreciated by their children for all the amazing work that they do throughout the year. For all the dads that need to do the job of both mom and dad, I hope you know how wonderful you are and what an inspiration you are to others. And to those missing their dads like I do, keep your head up and make your father proud by living the best life that you can.

In Family

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

June 8, 2026 No Comments

Today, I want to wish my Prince the happiest of birthdays. I am grateful that 57 years ago, my Heart was born. It’s hard to believe that we met nine years ago at a CrossFit class. I never thought that quitting my career in 2015 would have led me to care for Sweet Gram, which in turn led me to Fort Myers, which in turn led me to this amazing man.

So Happy birthday, my Love! I hope you have an amazing day in Alaska. Although we don’t get to spend today together because of work, we had a great week celebrating you and our summer in Park City. Thank you for always being there for me, for putting effort into our relationship, and for always trying to make yourself and us better every day. Through passion, hard work, and determination, you became a strong, kind, caring man who would do anything for your family and friends. And I am the luckiest girl in the world to be on this lifelong adventure with you!

For the past nine years, we have been nonstop. You have introduced me to people and places I never dreamed of knowing. I am so grateful that we have the best friendships in the world. People always say that opposites attract, but you and I are anything but that. And it works for us. We both love seeing new things, going on new adventures, and exploring the world around us. We both want to travel to as many places as possible, and we enjoy doing that together. So here’s to another trip around the sun and another year of amazing adventures!

Happy Birthday, babe, and thank you for being mine!

In Weekly Wednesday Words

One Day

May 13, 2026 1 Comment

I saw this quote the other day on Facebook, and it hit home for me. I was just thinking now that I am 50, I have probably lived over half of my life. I doubt I will make it to 100 so I need to cherish the time I have left by living life to the fullest. I also need to evaluate what things make my life better and get rid of the things that don’t.

One day you realize you’ve probably lived more years than you have left…and suddenly you stop tolerating things that waste your life.

~ unknown

Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

In Weekly Wednesday Words

Be Present

April 29, 2026 No Comments

Let’s try to stay present in each moment. Enjoy where we are in life. Too many times, we are rushing or striving for the next greatest thing instead of just enjoying where we are and how far we’ve come.

You’re constantly worrying about the next part of your life without realizing that you’re right in the middle of what you used to look forward to.

~ Power of Positivity

Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash

In Pilot's Wife

Decisions

April 22, 2026 No Comments

When I first started this blog, I was posting an inspirational quote every day, as well as a Tuesday post, a Wednesday workout, and a Friday Fixin’ recipe. It gave me an outlet when my hubby was working and Gram and I were sitting around the house. When Sweet Gram passed away in February of 2021, life became very busy, and I found I was Never Home. It soon became too much; therefore, I dropped down to two posts a month and once a week, Weekly Wednesday Words for inspiration. Decisions have never been easy for me, but starting this blog was one of the best decisions I ever made.

This past year, I have found that I am lucky to write once a month, and I started wondering if I should quit the blog. Time just slips away from me. When I am home, sometimes I don’t want to do anything but lie on the couch and watch a mindless TV show. And when we are traveling, I try to be present in the moment instead of being on the computer. Anyway, I thank my loyal readers who have subscribed or clicked on the social media link when I post. I really appreciate it when you send texts or emails to let me know you enjoyed reading a story. Thank you!

It’s been five and a half years since I started this blog, Inspired And Strong, and I love it. I love writing, and I hope that some of my stories have inspired you to go on new adventures, have encouraged you to start a new chapter in your life, or have motivated you to make the world a better place by holding the door open for someone or putting your shopping cart back. Whatever this blog means to you, I do hope you enjoy it.

Recently, I have been contemplating life’s decisions. I know sometimes people have a difficult time when they retire because they end up losing their purpose in life and aren’t sure what to do. I have been “retired” from the field of education for almost 11 years now. I have done remote work for my school system, got my travel agent and real estate licenses, worked in an ice cream shop, and was a receptionist at a chiropractor’s office. Although I enjoyed all of those jobs, nothing has stuck as a career path. I love doing this blog, but it’s not a moneymaker. And I don’t need money to make it worthwhile but I get frustrated because I would love to be a better travel agent or real estate agent, but seems education is the only career in which I feel confident.

I was trained in education and had 16 years of experience. With all of the other careers I have started, I don’t feel like I have a firm foundation. I don’t feel like anyone has taken me under their wing to jumpstart my career. I am at a loss on which career path to follow.

When I had Sweet Gram, I had a purpose and enjoyed caring for her. Since she passed, I don’t know exactly what my purpose is. I enjoy being a Pilot’s Wife and am grateful for all of the experiences I have had. I can’t have a “normal” job because I have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and definitely don’t want to miss out on the next big adventure! But I also want to feel like I am making a difference on this Earth. Hence, my dificulty with decisions!

I enjoy writing, and maybe I should concentrate on writing my book like Jake the Medium said. Or maybe I should get my real estate license again and try to sell houses. Or maybe I quit trying to force it and enjoy the journey.

In the end, one decision I did make was that I am not quite ready to give up my blog. My posts may be few and far between, but I hope you will subscribe and read them when they do arrive in your inbox. I hope they continue to inspire you. I also hope you will go back and read the daily inspirations if you’re having a down day.

Life can be hard. Decisions are hard. But somehow we all end up exactly where we are supposed to be. So let’s try to enjoy the ride.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

In Weekly Wednesday Words

Maturity

April 15, 2026 No Comments

A lot of times, we need to realize that when someone lashes out at you, the problem is really about something that is going on inside of them. They may be having a bad day, and instead of pausing and trying to turn their day around, they take their frustrations out on other people. Maturity is realizing that and not lashing back and not taking it personally.

Maturity is realizing most things aren’t about you. The bad driver is having their own day. The short email has nothing to do with your worth. The friend who didn’t call back is fighting their own battles. Taking things less personally is a skill that creates space for peace.

Photo by Robert Koorenny on Unsplash

In Weekly Wednesday Words

A Reminder

April 8, 2026 No Comments

Scary but true. This is a little reminder of how quickly life can change. We can be going along in our daily routine when Pow! There it is. The Thing that takes your breath away. It could be a phone call, an accident, or a close call. Whatever it is, don’t wait for your wake-up call. Live your life for you now.

Just a reminder that we’re all just one accident, one diagnosis, one phone call away from a life that doesn’t look anything like the one we’re living right now.

That’s the quiet truth we forget in our rush-how fragile everything really is.

We live as if the plans we’ve made are promises. We wake, we move through our routines, we speak to the people we love as if we’ll always have another chance.

But life doesn’t work like that. Nothing is owed to us. Nothing is permanent.

That’s why love can’t wait. Say the words you’ve been holding back. Take the leap that terrifies you. Hold the people who make your world brighter and show and let them know that they matter.

Because the clock doesn’t warn us when it’s running out. And sometimes, the wake-up call never comes until it is too late.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

In Family

This is 50

April 1, 2026 No Comments

Well, today is my birthday. This is 50. It’s hard to believe I am half a century old. How did this happen?? I remember when 50 was so old! And now here I am…adolescent old age, the youngest of the old people, old people Freshman class! (Check out the IG link). But I guess it’s better than the alternative! 50 is daunting because most likely you have lived more than half of your life, which can be sad.

Last year, I read a post by SARK about recognizing birthdays as levels because it is a blessing to be getting older and achieving another day, another year, another level. Therefore, today I am going up to Level 5.0, and I am going to be grateful for it. I am going to be grateful for having spent a week with my family coming out to Utah to see me. I am going to be grateful for friends who made the trip. I am going to be grateful to live in this beautiful world in which we live. So here I am, and this is 50.

I am extremely grateful for the life I have. Even though there have been many losses that have left a few big holes in my heart, I am thankful for the support, the amazing people in my life, and the opportunities that have been presented to me. I wouldn’t trade all the relationships that didn’t work out, all the jobs that sent me down different roads, or all of the choices that led me to where I am today. You are never too old to take a leap of faith. Quitting my career at 39 years old and moving to Thailand was the best decision I ever made!

This is 50, and my bucket list continues. My goal was to get to all 50 states by 50, but I missed it by one, Oregon. I was supposed to go last November, but My Prince’s work trip got changed, and that opportunity was missed. Hopefully, I can get there this summer. I have been to the Minneapolis airport, and that’s my “official visit” so far, but I would like to see more of Minnesota. And there are many states I would like to go back to.

In my fifty years, I am gaining on my goals of getting to all seven continents and as many countries as possible. I never thought I would be a skier, but now I have 29 different ski resorts under my belt on the continents of North America, Europe, and Asia. I have also been to 25 countries, which isn’t too shabby for a small town girl.

So this is 50. There are more lines on my face. There is more gray in my hair. It’s harder to lose weight. There are curves where there weren’t. I am trying to embrace these changes that come with aging. I am trying to appreciate all that I have in this life. I try to create memories instead of collecting stuff (although I do like to buy souvenirs). I try to see the positive of a situation instead of looking at the negative (which isn’t always easy). But life on this planet is short, and we need to live life to the fullest.

I hope that whatever level you are at, you are taking advantage of the opportunities on this Earth. There is so much to see and do, and you never know when your time to go to Heaven will be.