A Gypsy Soul , the Dreamer and the Realist.

So...what's going on in my life?  Hmmm, nothing.   That's both good and bad.  Good in that I don't necessarily want drama, strife or stress to grace my door .  Bad in that it feels like I'm going through the motions of living  or I'm in some sort of holding pattern.  That's a little concerning given the fact that I'm a live out loud typed of gal.  I've always lived by the creed that life is meant to be lived not watched.  

Maybe it's the weather??

All I know is that I need to shake it up a little bit...do something out of the ordinary. Something to get me out of this holding pattern.   But what, is the question.  Dye my hair pink?  Get a nose ring or another tattoo?  In truth, Spring always gives me a bit of wanderlust.  I get antsy; I want to go barefoot, throw open the sunroof and play the stereo loud, take a road trip or sleep out under the stars.  

Gypsy soul rears it's head and screams to be let out.   It's nothing new for me.  It's happened time and time again.  I'm usually able to talk to her and calm her down....I guess that is what I'm doing now.    

Dreamer in me walks hand and hand with the gypsy soul.  The dreamer teases her an says ' ahhh, but imagine if you were free to wander, couldn't you see yourself in Bora Bora teaching yoga on the beach? Or hiking in the Grand Tetons, or riding bike across the US.

Realist in me says "ahhhh, but who is going to pay the bills?  You have responsibilities and obligations....You're 56 - you're not supposed to have wanderlust.  Grow up child.'

Then I smile.  The Realist, the Gypsy and the Dreamer need each other in order to live life...my life. 

 Realist keeps the other two girls in check and speaks to their sensibilities, while the other two dare the realist to walk on the wild side from time to time.   

The three sisters, Gypsy, Dreamer and Realist....walking hand in hand with me as  ...I Live.

Monday - After Daylight Saving Time

Ok...here's the deal.  While I am ALL for more sunlight in the evenings, I am definitely not a fan of losing that hour of sleep.  Holy Smokes was it hard rolling out of bed at 5:00 am this morning.  (The snooze button may have been pushed a few times!)

It was actually a good day.  I absolutely loved the warmer weather.  I believe the weatherman said we had 63 days of sub-freezing temperatures (since January 7th).  So today's temperatures of 19 degrees was greatly appreciated.  I even ventured outside without wearing a neck scarf and gloves!  Talk about living on the wild side!  

The sun is gaining strength.  Even though Jamestown received 9 inches of fresh, heavy snow on Saturday, the sun is melting it off roadways and driveways.  It's  welcomed and needed as the weatherman is predicting the potential for another winter storm or, dare I say...Blizzard...to hit our region again on Wednesday and Thursday this week with the potential for another 4-8 inches of snow with heavy winds.   Wonderful. Mother Nature's last hoorah?  Hopefully.   The best part is that I'm on annual leave Thursday and Friday.   Boy, did I time that right?!   I'll get to finish my last winter project all while watching the blizzard from indoors!

Over the weekend I heard this beautiful song by Danny Gokey that I'd like to share with you all.  Enjoy, blogstalkers….and stay tuned for more blog posts to come.  

Phenomenal Woman

Today is the day we celebrate International Women's Day.   

I was honored to receive a Facebook post from a young lady whom I admire greatly.  In truth, she's as much an inspiration to me as she says I am to her.  It brought both tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips.  

It got me to thinking about what it means to be celebrated and to be a Phenomenal Woman - as the great Mya Angelo says we are.   

The definition of Phenomenal is: "Very remarkable; extraordinary" (Exceptional, outstanding, amazing).

Given the definition of Phenomenal, what does it mean to be a phenomenal woman?  Who is a phenomenal woman?

In my mind, she is the woman who.....

•  gets up at the crack of dawn and makes sure her family is ready to face the day (clothed, fed, organized) before she takes her clothes herself or even has a cup of coffee.
• is a  single mother who works three two jobs to make sure her child is fed while putting herself through school so she can make a better life for her child.
• has the courage to leave an abusive husband to protect herself and her child
• commands a shift 0f 26 in a prison
• goes to medical school and graduates with a double Ph.D.
• graduations with a Ph.D.in Chemistry then becomes a patent lawyer
• the young woman who leaves her home,  moves to a state on the opposite side of the country to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. 
• a widow who must suddenly face life alone
• is battling cancer or illness with remarkable poise and courage
• overcomes anxiety and depression to become a pro bodybuilder, and now expectant mother
• over comes addiction to become an inspirational speaker, helping others through their addiction
• shows up at the gym every day because she wants to be a healthier version of herself
• follows her own path and lifts weights, heavy weights, is trained in CrossFit and mentors others in their fitness goals
• has a special needs child and sees to his needs making sure he has everything he needs to have a happy, safe, productive life.
• runs for a political office
• runs her own business
• is caregiver to a loved one
• prays
• is wife, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, friend
• loves life, 
• doesn't take no for answer, 
• puts her best foot forward every day
• dreams
• loves with her whole heart

I've had the privilege of knowing every one of these women ..and they Are...Phenomenal Women!

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