True Relaxation

I just got back from one of the most relaxing times I think I have ever had in my life. Have you ever had one of those vacations or get-a-ways that until you were in the middle of it, you didn't realize how much you needed it? Oh man. I had that revelation over this past month. As per my last post, you may or may not recall that I was just in Florida visiting my mom. She becomes a snow bird during the winter now and we are very fortunate to have a place down there to go. My parents bought it back in 2003 on a whim and for a very low price and it has become one of my favorite places ever!! I literally cry every time I have to leave. I do have a lot of sentimental value and memories tied to this home because it is the last place we have that my dad had been in when he was alive. My childhood home was sold after he died and we had a river house that we also sold a few years later because it was just too hard to hold onto. Too many memories. But this house aside from its sentimental value for me just has a way to make you feel relax and as if you are away from every trouble in the world. I had planned this trip several months ago before I got my new job. I have really taken on the morbid thought of wanting to spend as much time with my mom as possible as neither one of us are getting any younger. And she is the last parent I have left. So we had planned this for me to go for about a month and a half and I truly had the best time of my life. Sure, I missed my husband although he did come down for one of those weeks. I don't think I realized how stressed and anxiety-riddled my body had taken a toll until I got there. Sure I do understand I was able to relax more because I didn't have as many responsibilities to handle there. Mom and I kept the house clean and of course laundry and cooking were still a part of our routine, but it's easy to keep a Florida house clean when most of the house is tile and her and I don't create much mess. The biggest reasons to do laundry were because I would run out of workout clothes or PJs. I was able to really hone in on my diet and exercise which was great. My mom is a great accountability partner. We went to eat about 4 times a week. We shopped. We went out for drinks. We frequented the spa to which she graciously treated me to a few services. It was just the best. I had some real quality time with God. I was able to focus on myself, my marriage, my husband, my friendships. I was able to just really take the time to pray and read inspiring books. I laid by the pool the majority of the time and that was the absolute best times. The house is located on a lake and the neighborhood is very quiet as most folks in there are of the retired age so peace and tranquility just spilled from that back patio. Even now just taking myself back to that lounge chair has been tearing up. I really think I could live there and every time I go I get a sense that maybe one day I will. The happiest of endings to this trip was we are keeping the house. That was another big reason for me going and spending so much time there. My mom was seriously considering selling the house and getting something smaller or even a condo but as we looked around and visited several places, I think she has come to the conclusion to stay. I am very grateful! I can only hope that any vacation or time away that I take from here on out, I can be as relaxed as I was on this trip. Everyone needs to experience true relaxation!

Walking on Sunshine

Good morning bloggers! I hope everyone has had a nice new years so far. Mine has been great! I have been down in FL since January 4th for an extended vacation. This was something my family and I planned a couple months ago when I wasn't working and while UPS is still undergoing after Christmas blues. My mom is a snow bird which in case you aren't familiar with this term means she has the luxury of fleeing to warmer weather December-March/April. Our family has a house down there which makes it nice and it is truly one of my favorite places to go. It is very much located among retired old folks but it's quiet, is in a great walking neighborhood, and has tons of restaurants to choose from. I have been very proud of myself for sticking to working out in 2019. I was the cliche person who said losing weight and making working out a priority was part of my resolution. I also have been working more on myself as I stated from a previous post on discovering me again. Being away from my husband and basically everyone I know except my mom during this last month has been a great time of reflection for me. As promised, I will update on the job front. I got the job!!! I am very excited for this new journey and team to be a part of as they all seem to be close knit. Our little town we live in is kind of that way in general. Everyone knows everyone. I've gone into detail about that already in previous postings as well. I start mid-February which is very nice of them to wait until I came back from this little adventure. I still miss my old team something terrible but this time away has also let me "detox" from them a bit too. I've realized how truly lucky and blessed I have been to have worked with some of the most amazing people and they will always feel like family to me. I don't know how much room that leaves for this new team to reach that kind of level for me but I am optimistic. Not to rub it in to anyone who is handling the brutal winter weather right now but we have had 70s weather with sunshine pretty much the whole time I've been here. I've been able to read books, lay by the pool, and just take in the sunshine. I've still been enjoying my puzzles, plenty of vodka, and lots of healthy snacks. I really haven't had a care in the world during this time and it has been much needed after the entire hustle of Christmas and even before that of moving. I don't think I realized until coming down here how much of a fiasco my life has felt these past few months. It is so important to take time out in our lives to unwind. I realize not everyone gets the opportunity to go away for months at a time but even just for a week. Take books (and really read them), relax under the sun and get some of that Vitamin D, and just listen to nature. It really is therapeutic. Until next time, cheers!