One year later... in retrospect

October 21st, 2011, was the first day of the rest of my life. It's very hard to believe it's been a year.

On October 20th, I left a company and job that had been part of my life for much of my adult life. It was the only life I'd known, as an adult. In upper management, I was in a fast forward life style, a true type -A, trying to not only run my department there, but balance life at home with my family and friends. And I was doing it. I thought. I had a 20 minute commute to and from work, worked on average 10 hour days, and was in a high stress level for most of those 10 hours.

Making the change to staying home, and working part time, has been one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding things I've ever done. A year later, my life is so different. I've spoken about living a "new normal" before, and that could not be more true than right now.

I am working part time at a small store here in town, helping with catering. And I also sub teach. So three or four days a week, I'm working. I work shorter days, and don't take any stress of the jobs home with me. Because I work in town, gone is the 20 minute drive to and from work. We have downsized by one vehicle, and I walk everywhere I need to go here. We live in a small town, so walking is absolutely feasible. So where I used to have a 20 minute drive, I now have a 15 minute walk.Thanks to less stress and walking everywhere, I am down 41 pounds and feeling better than I have in years.

I had a huge garden this year, and canned dozens of jars of food for the winter - applesauce, grape and cranberry juices, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, and more. I froze veggies and fruits also - filling our freezer with amazing produce to enjoy this winter. I am cooking real meals for my family, as well as for several of my friends - using fresh ingredients, making everything from scratch. I have learned to make bread from scratch. (Still a lot to learn, but I'm no longer afraid!).

I joined the LWML at church, and spend more time there. I also was able to spend some time volunteering for CMN and for our parents group through the sports at school (writing articles, feeding the kids.) I do feel I need to do more, and this morning at church felt God was talking to me about it.

Most of all, our entire family has changed. While there have been many things we've had to change - we found that most of those changes were wasteful things we didn't need. We spend less, and we have more. More time together. More quality time. We are all happier. I love being able to cook for my boys, and make sure they have real food for lunch. I love creating quality family time. I love being able to spend a day visiting my amazing daughter. I love having family holidays and events.

In the last year, I've applied for a couple of jobs, but didn't get them. I'm not sure that I at this point want to go back to work in a high stress situation. I have really enjoyed downsizing my life, simplifying, and getting back to basics.

I know there are so many who are shocked at what I "threw away" when I left my job. The money, the prestige, and the benefits. But I also threw away the stress, and am giving back to my family in ways that a working mother rarely can. For the first 6 months after leaving, I didn't work at all. And we learned to live on a lot less. I don't know that we truly want for anything. Sure, I'd have a Kindle, and a smart phone, and maybe a nicer tv and clothes. But none of those things would make me any happier than I am right now.

I don't know that I expected to be working part time when I left my job. We really didn't know what the plan was, just that it was something different. I am so Blessed to be able to do this. I've been doing a lot of introspection this last week, as the impending "anniversary" approached. Time to take stock, of what worked, and what didn't, in this last year.

Most of all, the decision to change my life, to take control of my life, brought me happiness. Happineess I had not known for several years. Gone are the days of feeling obligated. Obligated to do what others expect me to do. I am happy to report that I make decisions on my life now. Decisions that make the best sense for my family and those I love. Most importantly, I need to make sure that happiness is the motivator for all that we do.

I have ideas. Not sure where they will take me. But I have ideas. Ideas I never thought I'd have. Wish me luck. We'll see you in another year, and see where I am at. For now, I'm happy to be here.

the smells of fall...

As my avid readers know, I am a walker. I walk to work, either at the store, or school. I walk to the library, the store, church, and everywhere in between here in our little town. (To some - I'm the crazy lady with the back pack)...

One of the perks is experiencing the walk. Enjoying the sun on my face. The cold, crisp air. And the smell... of fall.

I love the smell of fall. Of the fallen leaves, the wet earth. That smell takes me back to the woods - either the woods at our school forest - or the woods up north at the family cabin. Both powerful, wonderful memories that are triggered when I smell fall.

On the way home tonight, after a 10 hour day, my feet were hurting, and I was tired. But when I smelled fall, that all fell away. It didn't matter. It was all I needed as a reminder, to be thankful for the Blessings ALL around me.

God is so good.

Raising children, hard work, but worth the rewards!

I love some of the conversations that come out of facebook. Today, I have several friends discussing parental guidance, and raising children.

I am extremely proud of both my children. My daughter, age 20, is off at college becoming her own woman. She is becoming a responsible, caring adult, and I am so proud. My son is 15, and is also maturing into an amazing human being. Today was one of those days when I realized just how amazing he is becoming.

This morning he had a couple of appointments to go to before heading to school. So we headed off for town, chatting about the upcoming homecoming festivities, bullying, books, and just about anything I could come up with. While walking into the clinic, my 15 yr old son automatically went ahead of me to get the door. every time. He waited for others to go before him in line at the counter. While waiting, he sat and read. We had breakfast in between appointments, and when I dropped him off at school, he thanked me again for breakfast.

For me, the hard work of raising children is paying off. In two amazing children, who both volunteer at various organizations. Not because they have to "log hours" for something, but because that is who they are. They let others go first. They open doors for others. They help people. Without thinking twice. They say please, and thank you.

And I love it all.

and them.

very much.

favorite things of fall

There are so many things I love about fall.

this weekend, while hanging out laundry, I paused to listen to the falling leaves. what a beautiful sound....

the way the light shines through the colors of the trees...especially early in the fall, when there is more green than turned.

the sound of geese overhead

the smell og the woods

the chill in the air..

football, hot cocoa and Irish coffee, and camp fires

the sound of birds playing in the fallen leaves

what are your favorite things?

life of a foodie on a beautiful fall day....

There is nothing like experiencing the seasons through the eyes of a foodie. In spring, the fresh peas, and greens, then all summer long with berries, summer squash, corn, and beans, oh....so good. Late summer brought me lots of tomatoes, and peppers, cabbage, apples, and squash.

This week's vegetable is cabbage, a big beautiful gift from a friend. So yesterday I found some cooked brown rice in the fridge, as well as some of my fresh tomato sauce (Italian style - with garlic, onion, carrot, and bell pepper). Added some ground beef (from our local farmer), an egg, and made the filling for cabbage rolls. Oh, they were wonderful.

Today I took the rest of the cabbage, sauteed it in butter with an onion, some paprika, salt, and pepper. Once it was soft, I added chicken stock, and let it simmer. Paired it with fresh out of the oven whole wheat bread, and my lunch was AMAZING.

The hubby just came home with a bag of apples from a local orchard, so the rest of the week I will make some apple pies, crisps, and sauce.

I just love the harvest.

the crazy backpack lady....

One of the perks of giving up my high profile corporate job was the commute. I used to drive 20 miles to work. Now I walk 12 minutes.

I LOVE my walk to and from work. On days when I'm working all day, I even walk home for lunch and back. On short days, I get about 25 minutes of extra exercise and fresh air, and on long days - almost an hour! I get to see sunrises, and sunsets, and beautiful clouds. I clear my head, work my heart, and breathe.

I wear a black leather backpack, taking in it my calendar, wallet, etc., and using it in case I pick up any groceries to bring home.

So every day, I can be seen around town, walking to work (or to school, or the library...I walk everywhere!)

Yesterday at work there was an unfamiliar face in the store, asking questions. I chatted with her, talking about the store, about Pittsville, etc., and explained that I walked to work.

She exclaimed "do you wear a backpack??? I've SEEN you!"

It was then that I realized I had become that "crazy backpack lady" who walks everywhere.

And it made me smile.

Could be worse things I guess!

absent....and being thankful.

I know that I've been absent, and for my faithful followers, I apologize! Life has been so hectic these last two weeks - with working a lot, football games, and canning all that amazing produce from my garden! I have several post ideas floating around, but all need photos, so they will come, sooner than later I hope!

This week I am so grateful for the beginning of a new year of Bible Study. The amazing group of (BS as we affectionately call ourselves!) ladies is so good for my soul. And we are brutally honest, discussing where we fall short, where we feel we can do better. I'm amazed at how open we all can be, showing a more vulnerable side of who we are, letting down those tough exteriors.

I have a lot of Blessings in my life, you are all aware. I am not quiet about being thankful for all that God Blesses me with. While I will not name these ladies, they know who they are, and I hope that they get as much from our weekly sessions as I do.