The Gypsy on Adventure

Awareness and Change

The good and bad thing about things coming up and being revisited is to re-evaluate my behaviors and old patterns. And seeing it with some ah-ha moments, that I didn't fully comprehend before. And trying to set up a plan to succeed and not slip back into old habits that do not serve me anymore. And to get rid of the shame I feel about money and finances. This stems from many things, including trying to fill the hole in my soul, and I know that no matter how many 'things' I buy, it will not fill it. I cannot fawn over people anymore, trying to 'give' them things in order to show them I love them.

Unfortunately both my grandmothers did this behavior, and yes, you do get a rush, or a relief from the pain when you shop, but you are left feeling other things in its wake. So I am learning to thank that behavior and say no, I have everything I need, and people love me without me buying them things. 

Over the last 5 years I have made an effort to prefer experiences not things. People not things. And financial health and well-being connection. Acknowledging the struggles and embracing the changes.

 

 

 

 

I'm blogging along with Effy Wild in April. If you'd like to join the Facebook group to read the rules, go here!

Head Games - and not the Foreigner song!

I have been on a journey of getting healthier since June of 2018, I joined WW and I am grateful for their workshops and app, I have been able to lose 27 pounds so far. I am back in my normal fat clothes and I am so excited about that. I tried losing weight on my own, but I have no thyroid and I struggle. I have always eaten really healthy, I love vegetables and fruit, but I also love Cheetos! LOL I haven't had any Cheetos and I gave up my Dr. Pepper. (that addiction was lifelong) But I really want to age as well as I can. My stats are all great, my blood work is good, and I FINALLY found a doctor who is willing to test my thyroid levels every 3 months to make sure my meds are on track!

Today I had a huge moment of "OH SHIT I am an imposter"! I get so excited with everyone sharing their lives in the workshops, some of my friends were doing a 5K and I signed up for my first 5K!!!   I can walk 2.5 miles without too much pain but then I hit my threshold and pain grips me. So of course today I am all up in my head, worse case scenarios storming! The walk is on Sunday morning! The nice thing was when I mentioned this several friends said, that's ok! I will walk with you! So I am doing it! Putting my pain patches on, wearing good shoes and getting out with a group of other women working on themselves so I am doing my first 5K! Who the fuck am I? I would have NEVER have signed up for a 5K before! I have to say with all the head games my inner critic sends me on I am enjoying learning about the new me!

Every thing I love to do, draw, paint, knit, sew, bead, journal all involves sitting. So I have been really trying to incorporate more movement into my life. So today, even though I feel like an imposter, I am proud of myself for trying something new! And I am laughing at myself because I am still paying for the gardening I did on Saturday!!! I hurt! LOL So Sunday is going to be a mindful walk, meditation that I can DO HARD THINGS!

Alcohol Inks

What do you do on a wintering kind of day in March? Have friends over for home made chicken soup and fruit salad, while my friend Judith showed Loretta and I how to play with Alcohol inks!Oooooooh! So much fun! I can see a lot of cards being made! And you can use glossy photo paper! 

 

Another reason to be grateful! Being around your tribe and getting together to play! To be able to share my home and new love of cooking. They had not been able to see the house yet and we were well over due for a visit. 

 

     

 

Natural Bridge Falls MT

17 years ago WGB took me to see these falls and it was not flowing as good as it was today. This is truly a beautiful spot in Montana especially when the water is flowing from the snow run off. WGBs sister Lisa, and her husband came with us with their mom and dad. Beautiful little hike and photo op! Afterwards we had a nice dinner.

I am uploading the photos in an album you will see on the right side called Natural Bridges Falls

Fish tails

 

Today we took a little trip out to an auction, before we got there we went through Fishtail MT and took some photos of the fish tail sticking out of the building!!! I so want to get a fish tail for my studio when I get a home!  It was fun watching the auction,WGB tried to buy me the ORANGE fiesta ware that they had!  But it went over what we were willing. Man it was fun seeing the Orange!

An amazing event was on the way I saw a Bald Eagle flying and as SO close to us! I could really see him! he was HUGE! In real life! HUGE!  gave me goose bumps!

We went to dinner at WGBs sisters place the Thirsty Turtle, with some of his dad's friends. I don't know why  I let my insecurity get to me, I always feel so damn judged...they kept saying how rich we were...this just showed me how some people will always judge us, because we are from California; and worked in government, even if it was local government people don't like it.  I won't apologize for where I am and at what age I am, I worked my ass off and we all make choices in our lives. WGB and I do better together than we would by ourselves, and I will give him his dream of traveling and will not feel one bit bad about it.  I just have to learn not to bite through my tongue. I refuse to talk politics or religion...

Montana Adventure begins

I must say that we did get up early, had breakfast at the hotel, I must say I still get self conscience around people, and I don't know why I get so intimidated by strangers! Especially when they stare at me.  I wish I was more like WGB who doesn't care and believes he belongs every where and that he is just as good as everyone else. STILL working on that...so I grabbed my food and went to my room. WGB says it is because I dress and look different from them and they probably want to be brave enough to dress and be like I am. (Ok...I will try to be more like him and not so damn freaked about my weight).

I was a little grumpy this morning because it was so busy around the Starbucks I didn't get my coffee for on the road and I had the shitty coffee from the hotel. My fault...should have made my good coffee!

We found out what I thought would happen, at some points WGBs GPS on his google phone  does not work, and when I said I told you I should have brought my garmin, he looked at me like I had 3 heads! And said I didn't tell you not to bring it....and ehem, yes he did! LOL  So a little grumpiness occurred when we couldn't find the bank in Bozeman! To be expected, but still hard when you have the space of the cab in the truck and are with each other 24/7.

This is all a learning curve for traveling ...

I must say we kept in front of the rain most of the time. Which is good since my stuff is getting wet! Ha! Ah...my stuff...I pared down and not enough...such a friggin learning curve as to what you can bring and be comfortable! We did find a Starbucks and bought a traveling mug and had a white chocolate mocha! NEEDED that!

We pulled into Big Timber MT about 4:30 pm...yup, gas, nerves, smile...ready!

Up for sale...

Glad we came so we could see the house in all of its glory! They have put it up on the market if you are interested.

I so wanted WGB to see this beautiful place before they sold it. Bob has done a fantastic job in the garden! Wow we were SO lucky to come while it was all blooming. AND they have so many birds!

After lunch Pallie and I went to her studio and made a purse for my sketchbook and phone! OOOOOoh I love it so much...I had fun but I think Pallie was frustrated because we didn't do it from a pattern.

   

Sharing our lives

We spent the day just sharing our lives. Catching up and telling stories. I was able to journal as well. It was a really nice day! Pallie cooked a pork loin and it was yummy! WGB really loves talking to Bob he said Bob is a hidden national treasure! So glad he got to meet him and see their house. They are in the process of selling this beautiful place. Asked if we could stay another night...just to be able to enjoy them!

This is a really nice way to start our adventure!

"We are all in this together"

 

Exploring Oregon

We left the resort and drove the back roads to Crate Lake, unfortunately we forgot it was a holiday weekend!!! (My freedom weekend!) there was SO much traffic we couldn't wait or we would reach Pallie and Bob's place after dark! So when the traffic started to move again we drove straight though instead of turning to go to the crater...we will be back to see it though!

  One long as road!

It was a beautiful drive even if we hit a ton of bugs and had to remember we can't pump or own gas! LOL 

We had a little of a hard time finding the house...we found it and I thought it was the wrong house! But the color was changed and SO much garden I didn't recognize it!

We had a really nice dinner and conversation with Pallie and Bob. WGB loved talking to Bob! he really enjoyed the conversation! I always tell him he needs smart friends! We de-stressed from the road, looking at the river can help calm a soul and didn't get t bed until after 1130pm...so worth it!

Art time

We stayed with Chris and Brian so Chris and I could go to her art meet up. Gail and Cory were there and Brian's sister, Sandra and her best friend Karen! Nice ladies! I worked trying to catch up in my journal. I am so behind! had a little lunch together and just played! It is so nice to meet women and find out you have so much in common!

We had a nice evening with Brian and Chris...before we take off for traveling...