Thursday, June 28, 2018

Fit

I'm off to my happy place in about a month.

What better time to think more about what I'm eating and which exercise I should be doing.

I've started a program called Visibly Fit in 84 days. Nope. It's not a diet. It's a completely different way to "Keep an open mind to necessary endings and new beginnings to become the best version of myself."

"Think of eating as a privilege-the cleaner I eat the better my mind, body and spirit will operate."

I'm on day 12. From time to time, I'll update you on my progress.




Monday, June 25, 2018

Present

This past week, I've spent lots of time with my writing "peeps."

My friend Stacy held her book launch for her 4th novel, Open Circle.
If you'd like to take a peek at the trailer for her book, look up Stacy Monson on the web!


Over the weekend, I traveled many miles to a writing retreat where I reconnected with friends from Dallas, Texas and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I love when I can gather with like minded people who get me and my need to write. It's such a gift.

Most of these writer friends know my fascination (okay, maybe obsession) with England.
I walked into the retreat wearing one of my favorite shirts. It simply states...

England is my Happy Place. 

The group shouted out, "That's such a Gail shirt!" I was pleased! See...they know me!

I've been struggling with social media and how I am going to deal with it while on holiday across the pond. Do I leave my phone at home and only take my Lumix camera?
Stay off Facebook completely while away?  To me, the dilemma was real! That is, until my friends gave me a piece of their minds!

You see, I so badly want to just stay in the moment. I want to look for the swans and watch them glide across the Thames. Really watch. I want to be like that elderly woman I saw on someone's post the other day. She was standing among all those folks taking selfies and snapping pictures on their phones. They were completely missing the joy of the moment.

I don't want that. I don't want to miss a thing.

Enter those writer friends...

Two gasped as soon as I remotely suggested I might not post! Eeeek...

"You can't do that to us!"

They shouted at me! Really. They did!

"We've listened to you talk about going to England for how long, and you are not going to "bring us along?"  "Why would you do such a thing?"

I sighed and stated, "I don't want to brag. It seems like all I would be doing is bragging!"

They laughed. Yep. Laughed.

"You brag? Anyone who knows you knows that's not even remotely like you!"
"You must post. We are going to be so mad at you if you don't!" "In fact, you should facebook live when you get to Downton Abbey!"

I have not a clue how to do that, but I'm going to try and figure it out.

I have my answer.

I'll be posting!









Monday, June 18, 2018

Must sees

Our itinerary is just about set, with Windsor being among the must-sees of places and things to do while in the United Kingdom.

Found this video of the castle. The excitement is mounting.


https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/windsor-castle-tour-england/index.html


Also, the Royal Ascot takes place this week.
I was just watching a video clip of last year's festivities. The commentators waited with bated breath to see which color the Queen would be outfitted in as she rode by carriage into the arena. She does have the fashion sense down. Last year it was a jade color. I'm voting for yellow this year.

The royal fascination continues.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Making Memories

My daughter is in Iceland. ICELAND. I'm over the moon excited for her.

She is there with her college roommie and having the time of her life.

Whale watching, hiking, tracking down puffins...it's almost surreal as I look at her photos.

There is a whole world out there, people. Amazing, wonderful places to visit. All you have to do is believe you can get on a plane and then land somewhere you've never been. Whether it's Iceland, Spain, England or Israel. 

Start dreaming it and don't stop until your feet hit the ground on a land you never dreamed you could possibly go.

What are you waiting for?   

Monday, June 11, 2018

Counting the days

The countdown has begun.

48 days to my happy place.
I wonder how many photos I will take on this holiday? Hmmmm...


Thursday, June 7, 2018

Huge Fan

From glasses to purses, earrings and planners, I'm a huge fan of Kate Spade.

How devastated I was to hear the news her life has ended so tragically.

I'm still processing. I think we all are. And we should. How could someone who seemed to have had it all, been so unhappy?  We just can't know what is going on inside someone.
Once upon a time I was visiting a Kate Spade store and found this post card. I had to have it. It screamed 'Dare to dream.' I brought it home and soon framed it. It sits on my desk right where I can see it everyday.

If only Kate knew just how much her creative genius made so many of us smile. I love my planner. It's so colorful.
And my earrings...
A gift from my daughter at her wedding rehearsal dinner.

I'm sorry Kate Spade felt she had no way out. I'm sorry for those she left behind.

Mental illness is raw and ugly and real. It makes no difference whether rich or poor, young or old. I pray some good will come out of this tremendous loss. My prayers are with her family.



Monday, June 4, 2018

Passions

My nephew graduated from high school and thus, we celebrated his milestone this weekend.

Graduations stimulate much pondering. Its about the 'what-ifs.'

I've read the question What are you passionate about? much in recent weeks due to this season of one chapter ending, and another beginning. 

So, what am I passionate about?
It's a loaded question.

I've finally named my Mini. After several months of pondering, meet Diana!
I love my car. It's not that I'm passionate about a car.  They rust and break down and definitely don't last forever.
Maybe its the years I've dreamed about having one. I'm not sure. But, as Dr Seuss would say...
Oh the places you'll go.

I believe now more than ever you must dream big dreams. And then, go after them. Because no one is going to do it for you.  
For reasons all my own, I love England. I was with a lot of family this weekend and it was the first time most had seen my Mini.
I found it satisfying when they said, "Of course you bought a Mini. It is so you." None were surprised when I told them I was soon off to my happy place. My family associates me with England.

I'm researching exactly what to do while there with great anticipation.
Oxford is on the list.

Specifically, Blackwells.
It's a famous bookstore in Oxford that's older than old.
Miles and miles of bookshelves are waiting for me to peruse.

Mostly though, its about a dream. A big one. And maybe I will never achieve it, but it's my dream. My passion. To have a book on a shelf with my name on it. And to say it out loud somehow gives it possibility.
I just don't want to get to the end of my life and say... I should have gone after that dream. What if I had?

I never thought I would get to England once, let alone three times. It seemed too far fetched to even consider such an outlandish dream.

I'm having the time of my life pondering all that is in store this holiday. It's right around the corner.

What if I didn't go after the dream of traveling to England? I shutter the thought! 

Passions. What are yours?