I’ve been one busy girl and I couldn’t be happier about it. Easy enough work stuff lately and I did agree to help out with the podcast. Not sure if it’s going to take off but it’s something different and another way to push me out of my comfort zone. Speaking of which, I attended a Halloween party and I have to admit, it wasn’t all that bad. My friend has been instrumental in keeping me focused and on track with moving forward. Keto has been great, losing inches but that’s fine. I’m not concerned with losing weight so any I do is awesome.

The last couple days I’ve been thinking about my great aunt and uncle. We called Uncle Bob.. Uncle Bob and we were NEVER allowed to refer to her as Aunt. They have been gone for years now but oh what amazing people they were. Kind, generous, gracious. My great aunt had been a teacher then a principle, she was a direct person but still very warm and accepting. Her favorite show was Wheel of Fortune, loved dogs, crossword and regular puzzles and of course, books. She smoked like a chiminey and had a raspy voice. She was the extrovert of that couple. My great uncle I’m not sure about. All I know is he was just as kind and loving and definitely the introvert. We (mom, grandma, brother and aunt) made it our summer vacation visiting them. It was always so exciting, taking a road trip and stopping to visit little towns along the way. It always felt so magical when we finally arrived at their town. Driving up that dirt road, checking to see if that old decrepit house was still up above. We usually got there at night but sometimes we’d get there during day light and there it would be. The reservoir, where we would paddleboat and swim. They had horses for some time, so that’s where I learned how to ride. I just realized how much I miss horseback riding, that incredible high. This was the best time ever. Away from the man who kept me in fear, I could be myself. The library was filled with books, floor to ceiling. She had a collection of miniature furniture in a display case. She always said she’d get her dollhouse built but never did. Grandma and I would sit out on the deck early in the mornings. She had her coffee and I had my tea, that was made in this yellow ceramic kettle. The fridge in the garage was stocked with ice cream and soda and an assortment of goodies just for my brother and I. Great Aunt had no problem spoiling us, which my mom wasn’t too happy about but it being vacation, she allowed. Oh and she made the best M&M cookies, big ones!

We played with the dogs and with the train set that was set up in the basement. Completely took up that basement too. My great uncle loved it so much. We’d watch the 4th of July fireworks from a hill, go to the fair, walk around town and visit the same spots. But they were what made the trip, they even had someone who kept a menagerie of exotic animals on his property. Not sure how that worked (lol). That escape was all I looked forward to all year, until I started going to camp. It was sad when we stopped going every year, it became every other year until, eventually, it dwindled to never. I never saw them again and never got to say a proper goodbye. But oh those memories, that was a very special time and I am so grateful I experienced it.

They’ve just been on my mind and I felt the need to write about them. I miss them, our game nights, her fire and his calming effect. I have been blessed to have amazing people in my life and I praise God for allowing me to learn from all of them. I miss going on vacation, having that journey ahead to look forward to. I need to do more, I need to experience more. I think that’s the take away from this.

Do more and be more