Don’t be so structured that you miss out on the spontaneous things in life and new adventures. Sometimes not having a plan is the best plan.
You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go, and see what happens.
~Mandy Hale
Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash
What is about a high five that makes you feel so good? The high five is a hand gesture where two people raise their hands and slap palms, usually in regard to a celebration or congratulations.
When playing sports and your teammate scores or makes a great play you give them a high five. I played basketball and softball and getting a high five when I made a basket or scored a run was so rewarding. It gives you such a good feeling. One because you did something great for your team and two you get some recognition from your coach or teammates. Even sometimes when things go wrong, getting high five can give you a little pick me up to get motivated to do something better.
I grew up in a family that loved playing and watching sports. As you know, my grandfather was the coach for our local college team. He also coached my friends and me growing up. He was so passionate about the local sports team and all of the Pittsburgh professional teams but especially the Steelers. Therefore, I learned at a very young age about celebrations and letdowns when our team won or lost. I also learned very early how sports fans are very superstitious. If my grandparents gave their Steelers tickets away to someone else, he said the rule was if they lost you weren’t allowed to go back to another game! If they were on the road, Gramps spent a lot of time in his bedroom NOT watching the game because he felt every time he watched they played terribly. Isn’t it funny how much we believe in these things?? Like do they really have any impact on the outcome of a game?
This past Sunday, we watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints. It was a big day for high fives because our team was playing really well which made us Steelers fans very happy. My prince and I are spending a month in Wilmington, NC. We are enjoying the beach, the breweries, and quality time with my best friend and her family. Even though she is a Browns fan, her husband is a huge Steelers fan. Therefore, we were very happy to high-five each other during the game as the Steelers made great plays!
Even though the Browns and Broncos lost (my husband’s team), the Steelers fans enjoyed the evening giving high fives and relishing the win in our 3-7 season. And you better believe that as true Steelers fans we still think we can win out the season and make the playoffs. I mean why not?
Photo by Boxed Water Is Better on Unsplash
Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t worry if you are doing it right. Do what you feel is right for you and do the best you can. That’s all we can do.
I spend an insane amount of time wondering if I’m doing it right. At some point, I just remind myself that I’m doing my best. That is enough.
~ Unknown
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Some people cross your path and stay for a lifetime, others cross your path and are in and out of your life, and others cross your path and you never see them again. Whoever crosses your path, you have memories for a lifetime. All of these relationships are beyond treasured for me.
Some people cross your path to give you beautiful memories for life.
~ Sangeeta Rana
Photo by Tina Bosse on Unsplash
As you know we try to eat better to move better. We had the best avocado toast at a little breakfast place in St. Augustine called Uptown Swinery. It was so good! Today, I made breakfast at our beach condo in Carolina Beach, NC. I added an over-easy egg to it. So it becomes messy but so delicious! Try it out!
Wouldn’t it be nice if we empowered each other and were happy for each other’s successes instead of jealous and envious? Let’s build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
We are more powerful when we empower each other.
~ Unknown
Photo by Massimo Sartirana on Unsplash
I saw this quote and felt it needed to be reposted. Many people try to take care of others first…their children, their parents, their spouses, but you truly have to take care of yourself first to be able to take care of others.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.
~ Unknown
Photo by Peter Schulz on Unsplash
Yesterday my dad would have turned 71. He has been gone 10 years meaning he was only 60 years old when cancer took him from us. It is hard to believe he’s been gone that long. We miss him every day and wish he was here to spend time with us and his grandchildren. He would have such a blast watching them play softball and baseball.
My dad fought lung cancer for 9 years. Again, it’s hard to believe that he was only 51 years old when his battle began. I was in my twenties when it started. He wasn’t old but it seemed he had lived a lot of life. Now that I am four years away from being 50 I realize how young he was and how much of life there was still to live.
I have said it before but the lesson learned from him passing away so young was that I promised myself I would live life to the fullest. I was going to be a Yes Girl! I was going to be responsible with my money but also spend what was needed to travel and see the world as much as I could. I was going to enjoy myself and be as happy as possible. Back in my twenties and thirties, I was probably also a little more daring about how risky I was going to live this life! Oh, how times have changed.
Now in my forties, I have much more freedom from a work schedule to live life to the fullest, but my mind and fear also get in the way of doing things that 10 years ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about doing. I also met my Rock who enjoys life as much as I do. Sometimes I think we have too much fun but I think that’s better than not enjoying life at all.
So today I just wanted to give a shout-out to my dad up there in Heaven. I hope you all celebrated with a nice big campfire. I hope you had a shot and beer. And I hope you keep looking down on all of us and know we are living our lives to the fullest because of you. Love and miss you, Dad.
Life is short and can change in a heartbeat. Don’t go through life anger or holding grudges. Forgive, forget, and move on.
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never know when you may not have that chance again.
~ The Wise You
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Two weeks ago, I went to one of my best friend’s daughter’s wedding at the beach. It’s hard to believe my friends’ children are now old enough to be getting married. But I guess the older they get the older we get. How can it be??
There are four of us from my home town who are very close. We have known each other since Kindergarten, and we have kept in touch throughout the years. Even though our paths have gone different ways when we get together it’s like nothing has changed. And honestly, even though it’s been 28 years since we graduated high school I still feel like we all look and act the same! So how any of us have young adult children is beyond me.
When I moved back to my hometown in 2016 I had the pleasure of coaching two of my best friends’ daughters in softball. It was a lot of fun to get to know my friends again and to get to know their mini me’s. I am so proud of them for raising such wonderful kids. Their children are happy, confident, and funny. I know they had hard times and probably thought they would lose it now and again, but I hope they feel a sense of accomplishment and hope for their little ones. I feel like their children are some of the sweetest, smartest, and most compassionate people I know. And hopefully, my friends know it’s because of the hard work they put in. And I like that the kids like to hang out with us! (Even if we embarrass them a time or two!)
It’s amazing how fast time goes! I remember when they were born! And now they are growing up and starting their adult lives. I am beyond happy for all of them.
The wedding was in Sandbridge, Virginia. The weather was absolutely perfect all weekend. The sky was breathtaking and the pictures were amazing. The bridal party and families stayed in a huge house right on the beach. We stayed in another one called the “Stupa.” A few other family members stayed close by. It was such a nice relaxing weekend. (For us anyway:))
I also realized as old as we get, we will probably never grow up. We had so much fun at the reception around the pool that evening. We sang we danced, we laughed, we gasped when the “kids” played some songs with some very shocking lyrics, and we even shed some tears. One of my friends and I sang one of our favorites by the Jets called “Crush on You“. Everyone must have been a little tipsy because no one told us how awful we sounded! We knew every word by heart and decided we need to repeat the performance at the hometown reception later in October. We might even add some dance moves.
I can’t say enough how much I appreciate these friendships with these amazing women. We have been there for each other through thick and thin. We have suffered loss, had health scares, had weddings, and been through divorces. There is no one I would rather do it with than these three. Love you, ladies!