Cherish the good times

My summer has included many wonderful opportunities to play and spend time with some of my favorite people who visited me in Oregon...

                       

                        

                                         

                                                          

                      

                        

And I also spent time visiting in Utah

                                       

Love these special summertime memories ❤

There have been some sad and difficult days recently and as I reflect back on these photos I am reminded to cherish the good times because we never know what is around the corner. Ultimately we are a family and I believe our bond is strong enough to outlast the dark days.

New experiences

One reason I moved here was to have new experiences. I love the opportunity to see new places - especially in nature, for the first time. I've also met many wonderful people in my new environment. I am an extrovert and a home body all all the same time. I actually like my own company. It may sound weird but when I have time to myself I can think and contemplate life and where I'm going. However, when I have been on my own too much I look for things to do, places to go and people to hang out with.

This is one of the reasons I joined MeetUp.com because I can meet local folks while doing activities I enjoy. I am most active in the hiking group but I also belong to a Wine tasting group and Vegan group. This past weekend I met with the Wine group and we toured 3 local vineyards and then enjoyed a 2 hour Jet-boat ride on the Rogue River. It was a beautiful day on the river and as a water lover that was my favorite part of the activity. I also enjoyed visiting the 3 vineyards for the first time. There are many vineyards here and I'd only visited a couple prior to this. 

As my new adventures continue here are a few photos of this weekend activity.

Fun in the sun

I've had a great summer so far enjoying the outdoors and activities with friends. It is fun to see the friendships that have developed in my life over the last year. One of my favorite things here is being able to walk thru town and see people I know who want to stop and chat with no agenda in mind other than socializing. Such a different pace and focus than what I experienced in Salt Lake City. I've also been on some gorgeous hikes with my hiking group in June and last week my sweet daughter and her boyfriend came to visit! Here are some photos reflecting the last month's activities:

One year anniversary coming up

I've been away quite a bit the last couple of months. Been to Utah twice to see my family and just returned from Tennessee this week from visiting my daughter and granddaughters. I've had a lovely time visiting with and spending time with my sweet family. I love them dearly.

(See photos below of recent trip to the Biltmore in Asheville, NC and Cumberland Gap, TN with my darling granddaughters.)

There is nothing like coming home. And this place truly feels like home. June first it will be exactly one year since I moved here. Several people have asked me if I am going to stay... I suppose this is a practical question for someone who has moved to a new place and perhaps deciding if they like it. However, for me, I loved this place before I even got here- sounds crazy you may think but I knew this was home, I could feel it in every fiber of my being and all of my senses. And it feels so good to be HOME!
I am very excited to have family coming to visit me in Oregon this summer! I have guests arriving in June, July and August so there will be lots of sightseeing in southern OR to show my peeps around this beautiful place.

Spring is HERE

There are so many beautiful blossoms right now the fragrance outdoors is positively intoxicating!

Quick update

Things have been moving full speed ahead with my new business "Tell Me Your Story". I feel very grateful to be working at something I love so much! I am passionate about helping people share their stories. I've started another website for the business and so this site is going to be a bit neglected while I get that one up and running.
I made a recent trip to Salt Lake City to surprise my daughter for her birthday. We had a wonderful time together. I love spending time with my children and seeing how their lives are developing, they are all such amazing individuals.  I also got to spend lots of time holding my beautiful grandson! (That was the icing on the cake!) Seriously, grandchildren are the  best part of being a parent:)

Glad to see January in the rear view mirror

I'm always happy when the month of January is over. I feel like I've survived my least favorite time of year and it is all an improvement from here on out.
I've been reflecting on how the beginning of a new year parallels my personal life as I experience many new beginnings:
- I still feel 'new' to southern Oregon as I have only lived here 8 months.
- Starting a new business writing and teaching Life Story workshops
- Recently started dating again after a long hiatus
- Turning 50 this year (feels like a new beginning as I turn that half century corner)

Thank God For a wonderful support network of friends and family to do a sanity check with occasionally. I know better than to do one of those stress tests that asks you questions and then rates your answers like, recently moved to a new area? High. Starting a new business? High.
In a new relationship? High. A lot of change in your life? Yes! High! Funny that I don't feel all that stressed out. Most definitely I feel the importance of taking care of myself, balancing my day with fresh air and exercise, healthy foods and meditative and quiet time so that I feel like moving forward to accomplish the tasks that need to be done. I also need to feel the human connectedness with other beings - this always brightens my days, my mind and lightens my spirit.
I enjoy being part of a local hiking group and have done some great hikes and met wonderful people while enjoying the outdoors! Here are a few photos of my favorite hiking spots in the last month:)