The GOOD of 2020 Year in Review

We all know what a weird year it has been.  So for this year in review, I'd like to tell you all the GOOD things that have happened this year. (in no particular order)

We got to go to Amsterdam before everything shut down! (one of my bucket list places!)

Fun girl/sister trip to Cabo!

We had a beautiful kitchen/bath/floor remodel

Lots of great aerial yoga classes with my sister!

Took a trip to North Carolina to see family!

My sister took me on an adventure course!  Terrifying but fun!!

So many fun concerts, outdoor music, hooping times!

I turned 49!!!😜

I learned a little bit of the ukulele!  So I can learn new things! haha!

Got to vacation in Dominican Republic!

I had my 2nd grandson born (my 4th grandchild)!

Many trips to go see grandkids!

So I guess it wasn't such a bad year after all!  Like the old song goes, "You've got to accent the positive and eliminate the negative and latch on to the affirmative and don't mess with mister in between." 🎵

Here's to a great 2021!!!!  

🎉🥳😘💗🙏

Lamentations 3:23-24 

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness, “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Dance Dance Dance

Having fun in a marriage is KEY!  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the honey do's, the kid raising, the chores etc.  But how often do you and your honey just go have a fun time?   Just enjoying the moment and each other's company.

Something we do almost every weekend is go out and listen to live music.  Talk about FUN!!  We know a lot of local bands from going around the metroplex every weekend. Just getting out and hearing live music (finally it's back!!)  and then dancing is just so much fun!!!  

Last nite was just such a nite.  As we sat outside, the moon rising over the lake, the band began to play all our favorite Fleetwood Mac songs and we just boogied and grooved.  I hooped, Larry danced, I danced, we danced together. 

Everyone else just sat on the grass in their social distanced circles but here were Larry and I just hooping it up and having a blast!  

There's an old saying, dance like no one's watching--and that's what we did last nite.  The band was playing just for us.  The moon was rising over the lake just for us.  

Life's too short to wait for the next song.

Life's too short to care what other people are going to think about us.

Have a blast together.  

Enjoy each other's company.

Get into the groove.

It'll bring out the kid in ya.  It's good exercise.  It'll relax ya.  It'll bring you both closer together.

It may even bring a smile to someone else's face and inspire them to get up and dance too. 😉

Dance like no one is watching! Dance in the rain!

So things are starting to open back up.  And with that comes LIVE MUSIC!  It's one of my favorite things to do on Friday and Saturday nite!  Go hear a live band, local bands, some kind of tribute band!  It's so much fun just dancing with my hoop.

My hoop has made me a different person.  You see, I'm an introvert.  I'm not a "Look at Me" type person.  AT ALL.  

But somehow the hoops brings out my creative side!  It's freeing!  It helps me dance like no one is watching. 

I love this about my hoop.

I love that it's my circle of fun.

My circle of safety.

I can dance and move in my hoop and shut the world out.

Even though they are watching.  

I want people to be encouraged.

I want to bring a smile to someone's face.

I want the band to know--y'all are ROCKING IT!! C'mon!!

So breaking out of my comfort zone, I grab my hoop and start to dance.

Even last weekend, the rain came in.  Everyone ran for cover and I just stood there hoopin' and dancing in the rain.  THE BEST FEELING!!  

So even though I never thought I'd be THAT person in the crowd.  I am.  And I love it.  

And I look forward to every weekend.

Does your comfort zone need to be pushed a little?  What's something you thought you'd never do but find yourself doing now??

Peace and love my friends.

💓💕✌

Introverts and Hoops

I can be in a roomful of people and feel so alone.  I know I should go up and talk to someone.  If I do though they may not engage in a conversation with me.  They may only talk all about themselves.  They may walk away.

So I stare at my phone, or look awkwardly around the room.  I get up and walk. 

The problems of an introvert.  I want to be included but I also don't.

But I must not be defined by my personality bents.  I can change, I can grow.

So I say hello to someone.  I ask them a question about themselves.  I listen.  Even if the conversation doesn't ever get back around to me, that's ok.  Maybe I'm the listening ear to another introvert that needs to talk.

I have to push myself to get out of my comfort zone.  Thankfully, I am married to an extrovert so he stretches me to get out of my own little world.

I also love the hoop.  It stretches me so much to get out there and just BE! 

Be me.

Be free.

Be who I want to be.

To some, it's just a silly little toy that makes me a "hippy".  But to me, it's real.  It's life changing.  It's a tool to help me get out of my introvert head.

So if you see someone sitting alone.  Gather up your courage and go say hello.  Ask their name.

If you see me hooping, give me a smile and some encouraging words.  It goes a long way.  It makes me bolder for my next people-y encounter.

My dearest Hula Hoop

My dearest hula hoop,

I really haven't meant to ignore you these last few months.  It's been cold, and rainy and well, I could use a thousand excuses, but I just haven't picked you up like I've wanted to.

You see, I do think about you a lot.  I hear a good song on the radio and I think of all the happiness you bring me when I'm dancing with you. 

I watch Instagram hoopers and FB hoopers and I dream of the things we could do together some day.

You've taught me so much about myself.  That I can be bold.  That I can feel free to play and have fun regardless of my age.  You've shown me how to step out of my comfort zone and be free to dance in a group.  You help me not to succumb to my eeyore-ness.

Spring is just around the corner!  I see the sun peeking out today!  It'll get warmer and before you know it there will be outdoor concerts and sunny days again!  I'll take you down off that wall and we will go for a spin again.  I promise!

Your greatest fan,
Me

Nature Hoopin'

I love hoopin' in pretty places.  I take my hoop everywhere.  This past weekend we went to Branson, Missouri and saw some absolutely gorgeous waterfalls and scenery!  Hoopin' in these places is relaxing, inspiring and so enjoyable.