Recent Highlight Updates

I'd hoped to write so many individual posts in the weeks that have passed but as usual, sometimes when I'm struggling it's easier to just be quiet and process. The last few weeks have brought many additional changes, much legit honesty, and moments of having to take a hard look at past actions while contemplating current desires (which is still happening....). For a few weeks I jumped from various coping mechanisms, some of which I'll talk about in the following bullets. So what's the highlight reel? What has been going on? Well a little bit of the following:

Beach Club Book Trip--was an awesome time with five other fabulous ladies. My cousin A and I showed up about mid-day on Saturday to my gal N's beach house. N and her SIL S were already there from the night before and our two other gals (E&E) joined us at dinner time at the local pub. We were supposed to have rainy weather so we all LOVED the fact that it was an absolutely beautiful two days on the coast. Many walks along the beach, much vino, delish cookies straight from the oven, an evening fire on the beach, and some great conversations---I'm so thankful for every one of those gals. (This last month's book was The Girl Who Fell From the Sky---interesting read. Now we're reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed about the PCT--enjoying it. And I'm also stoked cause one of my coworkers is going to join BC also!)

Overnight Backpacking Trip--Tall D and I went on a 24 hour, 14 mile, 4000 ft total incline overnight trip in the Ruckle & Eagle creek areas of the Gorge. It was the first major hike we've been on this season and the first six miles included the total amount of incline--whew! But the break from our chaotic lives, surrounding ourselves in nature, enjoying the dogs and views, and much sweating that occurred was desperately needed for both of us. We had amazing vistas, great weather, and we found the perfect little shelter area to shield our tent from the wind in the night. Wildflowers were out in abundance, the birds were hollering, and on the hike down we passed waterfalls and crossed creeks. This was the first use of my new Osprey pack and it was absolutely amazing--definitely glad I sucked it up and made that purchase. I'm also continually impressed with Tall D's UV water purification wand---its such an easy device for clean water. I'm mentally making lists of things I'll need for my own outdoor gear supplies. I was pretty impressed with how well I did with all the heights as I sometimes struggle with that but maybe it was because in the scheme of everything else in life, heights seemed the least of my problems---haha! By the end of Day 2, my feet were shot as I was hiking in my old Vibrams, and we realized that the only two things that we separately lost on the trail were the dogs leashes--doh! But I have to say that Tall D was incredibly supportive the whole trip....and it was a great time together. I'm already itching for the next excursion....

House Happenings--My primary coping mechanism for the last several weeks has been cleaning, purging, and redoing the decor slightly in my house. Z cleaned a few of the carpets, assisted in rehanging artwork, and helped me with a night of painting (thick horizontal stripes and black on the faux bricks surrounding the gas stove in the den). Most of the stuff in the house has been separated now so I've been working on organizing and making the house my own. I purchased quite a few new items (art pieces, area rugs, dishes, etc) and have scoped out some new ideas. Tall D has helped me hang numerous items, fixed the futon, is doing a great job progressing on my coop, and has agreed to get roped into a few more Pinterest-to-real-life projects---bahaha! I'll post a few pictures of the house interior later and I'm excited to finish it up so I/we can get cracking on the backyard!! Also Z will not be moving in after all...I have apprehensions about living by myself this summer (mainly finances but some safety) but in some regards it might be the best thing for me....or I'll post for a housemate at some point. :)

Motherly Support--I broke down and asked my mother to come up for moral support after two days of life changing, rash, but much needed decisions and a bad night of too much vino (which has been a cure for that particular coping mechanism). Mom arrived on a Monday and stayed until Friday...and I have to say, it was great to have her here. I was honest with her about the current mess of life, we had some enjoyable times, she filled me up with our family value of unconditional love, bought me some flowers, and then she headed for home. We spent an incredible Tuesday being tourists downtown visiting one of my favorite little breakfast joints and then going to the Portland Art Museum. Mom mentioned an interest, I'd always wanted to go, and we both loved seeing the combination of historical art exhibits. We spent 4th of July going back to my roots, joining Z and his buddy for an impromptu BBQ, dirt track car races at the small town speedway, and ending with a fireworks display. Mom's flexibility and support arrived at the right time and she was wonderful--able to allow me to cry, chat, or just be as needed while also fueling my thoughts and desires for the future. 

Throw in about two days of uncontrollable crying in there, great daily support from Tall D and via long-distance text my best gal D, a trip to a new church, the tiniest and most glorious day for a wedding I've been to on the Oregon Coast, some online teaching and working from home, a few job applications, a family BBQ yesterday, major thoughts on life goals and travel plans, and a lot of hope, fear, sadness, confusion, loss, loneliness, honesty, compassion, anger, and faith.....and you've got the rest of the last week in a nut shell! I'm making mental lists of things to tackle this summer and hoping that some other great things will pan out as well. The second night I'd gone for a run, finally weeded the raised beds, made dinner, and took care of a few things around the house, I thought I might actually have snapped out of my funk. I'm sure the summer will continue to be a sort of emotional roller coaster as I both try to reacquaint and yet get out of myself....And I'll be back soon with more updates and pictures...continuing on this renewed Journey Authentically....

Hope each of you has been doing fabulously---cheers to you and yours!