Champagne Coupe Glasses-Day 1,437-Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,437 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Sunday – 10/10/2021

Champagne Coupe Glasses

I love new things. My sister Jeni and I tried bubbly out of the new Champagne Coupe glasses that my friend Jill gave me for my birthday. They aren’t what we typically think of as champagne glasses and there are a lot of stories on how they originated including one about Louis XVI. Either way, we enjoyed and had a wonderful evening!

Champagne Coupe Glasses
https://whitehalllane.com/

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

High School Football-Day 1,436 – Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,436 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Saturday – 10/9/2021

High School Football

I’ve lived in Texas for 24 years and finally went to my first Texas high school football game. It was a fun evening for Steve and me with our friends Margaret and Shawn and seeing their daughter dance in the Classics!

High School Football

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Celebrations-Day 1,435 – Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,435 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Friday – 10/8/2021

Celebrations

The celebrations continue. You get a whole month, right?!?! A fun evening with friends and oh my goodness, this cake was amazing! Lots of frosting and cake balls on top. I was in chocolate heaven.

The celebrations continue.

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Last Of The Season-Day 1,434 – Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,434 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Thursday – 10/6/2021

Last Of The Season

The last of the season. Date night with golf will just be date night until Spring! It wasn’t definitely getting dark as we finished up though we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Next week’s date night starts a restaurant tour. Of course, the first place must have Guinness on tap per Steve. I think we can do that!!

Last Of The Season

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Share The Wine-Day 1,433 – Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,433 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Wednesday – 10/6/2021

Share The Wine

It’s fun to have friends visit and share the wine, they got you for your birthday! What a lovely night on the back patio hanging out. Looking forward to repeating these conversations on a dive boat in just over a week from now!

 share the wine

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

Morning Rituals-Day 1,432 – Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,432 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Tuesday – 10/5/2021

Morning Rituals

One of my morning rituals is to write in my journal. I focus on two main areas. The first is gratitude. I write down 10 things I am grateful for from the previous day. In the list, I try to name new things each day, so the list is never the ten same things twice.

The second area is abundance. I have specific “I Am” statements around abundance and giving that I write down each day.

This daily practice helps put me in the right place to start my day. I am grateful for what I have, I focus on what’s good in my life and then I write to manifest abundance into my life.

Morning Rituals

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

My Intermittent Fasting-Day 1,431-Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,431 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Monday – 10/4/2021

My Intermittent Fasting

After taking my last round of blood tests, my doctor and I talked about my Intermittent Fasting (IF) lifestyle. Based on what the blood test showed, she recommended that I try to move away from it because she believed my body would start losing weight. I agreed to see what happened. After 4 weeks of moving away from my IF plan, I’ve gained 8 pounds.

We had talked about it a previous time and I shared with her why I preferred IF for my body and relationship with food. Ultimately, I know my body. Now, I realize it may have been better to have a deeper conversation about it this time.

A return.

I am returning to IF, I feel better when I do. I have a better relationship with food on IF. As I am not tempted as much with emotional eating. I like to be able to eat what I want. I’ve spent a lot of life on a diet and denying myself. There’s a balance out there and IF has helped me find the balance better than anything else. I don’t feel guilty like I did over the last four weeks for eating.

Listen to your body. In a lot of cases, it tells you what you need to know if you get in tune to it. So many times, we ignore what it is telling us. If you don’t feel good, don’t wait, figure out what is happening to you. When I ventured down this path, I hadn’t felt good in a year. So, I went to a doctor specializing in bloodwork and looking at what is happening. Over the past year and a half, I completely feel like a different person. I will continue to work with them though I will also share with them what is working and what is not.

my Intermittent Fasting

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

On The Patio-Day 1,430-Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,430 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Sunday – 10/3/2021

On The Patio

Steve and I spent our evening on the patio. It’s where you can usually find us as it is rare for us to sit indoors in the evening. Neither of us are big TV watchers so we find ourselves in the evening sitting on the back patio chatting enjoying the outdoors. Tonight, we both spent some of the evening catching up on our computers. It’s nice to be together though not having to always entertain each other or have a TV entertain us. We have time we truly spend together and time we are near each other though focused on our own things. I treasure both of these environments we have created.

evening on the patio

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

100 Cards-Day 1,429-Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,429 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Saturday – 10/2/2021

100 Cards

Wow!! I feel truly blessed to have received over 100 cards in the mail for my birthday! I spent the better part of the morning and little bit of my afternoon going through all of the cards and gifts. So many beautiful and touching messages. Thank you for all those that reached out with mailbox love celebrating my birthday. I am truly blessed, and I am grateful for the love.

100 Cards

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.

A Rainy Friday-Day 1,428-Finding Joy in the Journey

Day 1,428 – Finding Joy in the Journey – Friday – 10/1/2021

A Rainy Friday

A rainy Friday kept us away from the golf course though we needed to get out of the house. We weren’t the only ones out on this wet Friday afternoon!

 A Rainy Friday

LovePeopleLoveLife #IInspireFreedom

About “Finding Joy”

And I’m off…. the 16-day adventure begins. The timing of this trip is interesting so I’m naming it “Finding Joy in the Journey.” I’ll be doing one dedicated post each day (at the end of the day or next morning). Since I typically post more than once a day, you’ll find it as a black and white photo. I’ll share the joy of the journey (on the trip or through this season), where I’m finding it and what I’m learning. I hope to inspire myself along the way. And if I can inspire others too, that would be a gift. So let the journey begin…

It was November 2017 and I was ready to head off on a sixteen-day trip.  Nine days before leaving, my mom unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. It shook me to my core.  I had always been told the 40’s are the best years of your life.  And in a matter of three years, since turning the age of 40, I had gone through a divorce and lost both parents. 

I contemplated canceling the trip though I knew my mom would not be happy with that decision. She would want me to continue living my life.  My parents did not raise me to sit back and watch life; instead to fully participate in every moment. So I promised my parents to find joy in the journey everyday on my sixteen-day trip and share my experience with others. 

Little did I know what “Finding the Joy in the Journey” would turn into when I acted on the prompting to share my experience on a daily basis.  It helped me see life differently and my wish is that it will inspire others find joy in their journey.