Treasures a.k.a. "Stuff," "Junk," "Crap"

I am tired of “things.”

My garage is full of things that I haven’t looked at since I moved here 6 years ago. Well, I try not to look at it, but it’s a little obvious. “It” looks at me each time I try to sneak in there to do laundry or search for something. I was sick of “it” yelling at me all of the time. “Enough!” I say, softly… but firm.

I have to admit that the task of cleaning out the garage has haunted me for years. “Oh yeah, I will get to that later,” would be my response to people, knowing full well that later meant never. There was just so much crap; I mean “treasures” that I have saved over the years. Who doesn’t need a box full of plastic utensils, corks, paper plates, bottle caps, or other useful miscellaneous items? I know there is another box full of corks somewhere, but I dumped out the one I had to count 644 corks (at an average of $15 bucks a bottle…these corks represent $9,660…I feel sick for some reason..AND there is another box). I saved them to do some sort of project, but I can’t even think of anything now that I did the calculation of cost. Ugh. Anyway, moving right along…

I am getting some cold hard cash today by selling my ping pong table. Helloooo $80 big ones!!

I made some progress yesterday by throwing donated items in my car so I am forced to go to the Good Will instead of putting a pile back in the garage hoping for the best (which I have done too many times before). Ahhhh, PROGRESS! I can even put my arms out and shimmy side to side in the garage and not touch a thing! I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, however.

There are things in the rafters I need to pull
down and look at. Too many things to mention. Looking up there now with the look of panic on my face…ok, must…look…away…

I wanted to redo the entire garage and make it into a guest house. Better yet, there is enough room to push trailie in there, lay down Astroturf, knock down the side wall and put in a garage door…VOILA’!! Instant guest home! Set down some folding chairs and it’s all set. This is great motivation to continue to move through the clutter to a new trailer park heaven. There is happiness in my heart I can’t explain right now.

This is gonna be gooood!

Where Nobody Knows Your Name

I love being spontaneous.

I try and do something new and unplanned all of the time. It could be why I don’t like to make reservations too far in advance. It might mess things up if I wanted to skip town on a moment’s notice. You never know what is going to come up in life. For a week, I decided to get out of town and not tell anyone. Well, sort of. I flew so somebody needed to watch Maggie. So, I told 2 people. Other than that, nobody knew where I was.

Those “sneaky feelings” are exciting. Remember life before you had a cell phone? No really…remember? You had to make an extra effort to reach out to talk to someone. Now, you can reach in your pocket to contact anyone in the world. There is something to be said for getting lost.

I left town not knowing how long I would be gone. For the week I spent away, I explored a new city and grew to love it. I went to a play, walked around different neighborhoods, ate at some amazing restaurants and some not so good ones, bought some clothes, walked in the park, got my hair “did,” drank way too much coffee and unfortunately, laid on my death bed for 24 hours. I must have eaten something that did not agree with me. For those of you who are “lucky” enough to know what I am talking about, food poisoning feels like you are going to die. That’s how I felt anyway. For how horrible it was, I am fortunate it only lasted a day.

There is something to be said for exploring a town where nobody knows your name. I don’t have to worry about anything. I can look lost, I can be myself, I can break out of my routine. I did all of that. For a moment, I didn’t worry or miss anything.

Now that I am home, I am going to be a tourist in my own city. I know it sounds so cliché’ but I am seeing things differently. I am off to jump on my bike and ride along the beach before seeing some fast cars and interesting people.

Also, I will blog about some exciting activities coming up this week…

It feels good to be back.

Changes

I am doing things differently. It's been a while since I posted a blog and there are reasons for that. I do enjoy blogging and I am sure many of you can relate to what I am experiencing. I am human, although sometimes I wonder how open I should be online.

I am a private person.

When I tell people that, they look at me as if I told them a joke since it seems as if my life is posted for the world to see. It is and it isn't. There are few people in my life that have seen me through the ups and downs... even they don't know everything. Probably a good thing. I am sure it's like that for everyone.

I am looking forward to the future. For now, I will continue to live in the present.

For the small amount of time that I have done things differently, opportunities have presented themselves. I am paying attention. I see exactly what is in front of me.

I will continue to write about my thoughts, experiences and lessons along the way.

Stay tuned...

Golf

I would consider myself pretty athletic...for the most part. I grew up playing sports and was always running around doing things as a kid. I guess I was a tomboy...still am. I was a swimmer, synchronized swimmer, fencer, diver and basketball player. I tend to pick up on things easy. Usually. Most sports. Most. Golf? Not so much.

I don't understand how people can go out there and hit balls, play the game and say it's relaxing. I wish I had a heart monitor on me to check my rate as I hit every other ball. Yes, every other. I just want to hit the crap out of it! I had to remind myself (actually, Karen had to remind me) to slow down...control the swing. I was lucky enough to have her there to coach me. She likes to remind me that she was junior all state, played for the Michigan State Women's team and too many more credentials to list here. Oh yeah, she was a instructor as well. You would think that would be enough to make me better. Well, maybe a little. It's good that she is patient with me and knows me well enough to leave me alone and not point out the fact that I missed the ball. I was kind enough not to bend the club over my knee in frustration. If you know anything about golf, you can tell right away which swing is good and which is awful.

The good news is that it was a beautiful day. I did hit a few good shots and that is what I will savor. She says that I could get better if I took the time to learn. That would mean I would need patience. I will work on that.

Thanks for a great day Karen. :)

First String

I am blessed with many things in my life. I am thankful for all I have and especially, I am thankful for my friends. This week, I have been visiting my long time friends in my old collage town. When I first moved here 18 years ago (GASP!), I lived on my own for a short time until I met Rose and Heide. The three of us bonded and moved in together as well as played basketball together. We are lucky that we all got along so well. We still do. I consider Rose and Heide to be my best friends, they've known me for almost 20 years, lived with me, and STILL want to hang out. It's amazing. :) Rose's dog Jake and Maggie even got along. :)


I've known Deana for several years and in the past few years, we have become really close. She even decided to go on a last minute vacation with me last May. I know we will go on a trip again soon.
It was so great to see her and meet her new girlfriend last night. Here she is with her dog, Raffie. I wish this town was closer to home. For me, this is my home away from home. I always look forward to being here and I know I will come back again soon.

Monique Racing Tomorrow

Monique had training on the track in the morning in preparation for tomorrows sprints. The start list is out for the 200m and she will begin her Time Trial at around 3:30pm in Poland (-8hrs in CA or -7hrs in Calgary). To see the results of the race, click here

The Art Of Doing Nothing

Today is a beautiful day. I decided to take a tour of the park I used to work at. Years ago, I was the one sitting on the lifeguard chair nine hours a day telling people not to run, dive or do anything that wasn't allowed. Sometimes I was greeted with a "F*&K YOU LIFEGUARD!" when I enforced the rules. Sigh...the good ol' days. :)Today I was looking at it through the eyes of a visitor. I feel peaceful here. I seemed to forget to enjoy what was in my backyard.

I am amazed at how many people take advantage of a beautiful day. I believe New Yorkers have to take the award for soaking up every inch of a park. People were sunning, reading, walking, eating lunch, playing the guitar, chatting with each other, riding bikes, working out and enjoying every moment. At one point I was thinking to myself, "doesn't anyone work around here?"

I laid there for about an hour. Closed my eyes. Listened to the sounds around me. Remembered what it was like sitting in that chair all day. Besides saving an infant from drowning (mother was passed out on the grass), it was the most boring job I have ever had. The good part was playing water polo before work and being in nature.

I could learn a thing or two from the people here.

Road Trip

Maggie and I are headed up north to visit some of my closest friends in my old college town, while I lend my home to a friend for the week. I lived in this town for 7 years back in the day, so it's always nice to come for a visit. The drive was long, but with good thoughts in my head and music...it was a piece of cake. Maggie and I will share our adventure with you as we go along.

Meeting Strangers Online

Most of us go about our daily lives doing the same things, eating at the same restaurants, playing with the same friends. We usually don’t meet anyone new unless we step out and do something different or you rely on the same friends to do that and introduce them to you. Why are we such creatures of habit? What prevents us from meeting new people in other ways? From what I have heard from my friends, I believe it to be fear based. What if they are a psycho? What if they are going to kill me in some odd fashion? That would be too bad since I wouldn’t be able to blog about it.

When I was on the road for 120 days, I decided to branch out and meet some strangers that I met on the internet. I even stayed in their house, invited one back to a house I was staying in, slept in the backyard at another’s. In the end, I am still here to talk about it.

I am not finished meeting new people. As a matter of fact, I am going to meet another one next week. It’s in a familiar town but at an unfamiliar house with unfamiliar people. It should be an adventure! As I told a friend about it that lives in this familiar town, she said “Where the hell is this place?” “Who the hell is this person?””What the hell is going on?” That’s usually the natural reaction I get. I look forward to experiencing it and sharing it with you.

So back to the people I met while I was on the road.

The first stranger I met was Jen in Ft. Collins. We met online through a mutual blogger. We tailgated, went to red rocks, laughed, had some killer sushi, broke a bike at New Belgium Brewery, tasted Ft. Collins fine microbreweries, watched rafters, went to the lake, laughed, soaked in the spa, had the best margi, laughed some more, ate at the best breakfast spots, and who can forget the day on her motorcycle? It was the first time since high school (when I was stupid and didn’t care) that I trusted someone enough to get on the back of their bike. We became friends and she has since visited me! I am looking forward to another visit! Tell me when Jen...






While I was in Estes Park Colorado, I received an email from a man that lives in his van. There was someone who alerted him of my journey and he noticed that I was in the area so he dropped me a note. Now this time, I was a bit worried. A single guy living in a van. Hummm…. Not sure about this one. Might be a tad creepy. So, I said...OK, great! We met at Estes Park brewery and hit it off right away. After a meal, I invited him and his van to stay the night where I was. Since then we have kept in touch. We met again in Philadelphia and in California a few times. He has decided to hang up the keys to the van and settle down with his girlfriend in San Francisco. They are both wonderful people.






As I shot back across the country, Cat was another person on my stranger stop tour that I wanted to meet. As with Dave, we didn’t talk on the phone prior to meeting. I pretty much showed up at her house, backed trailie in her backyard and settled in for 5 days. We sang karaoke, we pigged out in the park, rode the Hathawaa trail, ate sushi, toured the sights, went wine tasting, toured the peach farms, and had the best people watching in her little town of Spokane. In between all of our adventures, we laughed and laughed. As with Jen and Dave, she has made the trip here to see what it’s like in California. She is returning again soon.

I would recommend taking a chance. Step out of the routine and do something you might not normally do. I will next week and I hope the trend continues. There are a few strangers out there that I am looking forward to meeting.


What have you done outside of your routine that has changed your life?

Monique is Going to the Track Cycling World Championships!

Monique just received word that she is going to the world track championships in Poland next week! Very Exciting News!! You can watch out for her on the their website here. Good Luck Monique!