Have I mentioned that I am loving waiting tables?! I get to meet such amazing, interesting, and kind people.
I met a man recently who was celebrating completing his first half marathon. He is 91 years old. And he and his wife have been married for 66 years. Just amazing.
I also met a couple recently to whom I mentioned a bit about my story and my blog. As we talked about my unknown future, the lovely lady said she likes to call that “delicious ambiguity.” No matter how things turn out, they will be good. I told her I loved the saying and that I might post about it. Well, here it is!
And here’s to all the wonderful things you can learn from talking with people. Love. It is the absolute most important thing in the world.
I took some time for self care yesterday at the beach. I try to make it to the beach at least once a week, even if only for an hour or so.
Yesterday was 78 degrees, with a light breeze, and only a few clouds. I decided it wasn’t going to get better than that so I grabbed a beach chair and a towel and made the 10-15 minute drive to one of the local beaches.
I enjoyed laying out in the sun, listening to the sound of the waves, watching a family frolic in the waves, watching a pelican float along on the waves, and was lucky enough to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch!!! It was neat to see everybody on the beach standing and looking north to catch the launch. My parents saw a launch from their house on Monday and said they could even see the separation event. This one wasn’t nearly as close as that one. It traveled more east than south. Still pretty cool to see on a random trip to the beach.
I have decided the beach is good for the soul and I must stick to my goal of making it there at least once a week. If not for me, I need to do it for all my loved ones in PA and DE who are enduring the winter!
Do you see the pelican?!The little bright spot is the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch
I’ve signed up to follow some inspirational and positive Twitter accounts. Here’s what my feed looked like at one point recently:
For those of you who know me, you know I love quotes. And I have yours that you gave me close at heart in Florida, figuratively and literally.
Too often social media divides or depresses. But it doesn’t have to.
I like these quotes (and I LOVE the Golden Retriever Channel on Twitter.) These are little touches too that can help make a big difference.
And like the first quote, by William Feather, it’s important not only to bring these little instances of joy into each day, it’s also important to notice and appreciate them.
First, if you don’t already use a navigation app like Waze or Google Maps when you drive, I highly recommend it. I am a fan of Waze, which will update your route based on real time traffic data. Also, users can share information like when there is a car on the side of the road, debris on the road, or a police car up ahead.
Granted, short drives don’t really warrant using a navigation app. Long distance drives, trips during high traffic times, and driving in unfamiliar places are great for using Waze.
Anyway, one of my favorite features is that you can choose different navigation voices. I like using one of the UK English voices. It became a favorite of mine when it pronounced Lititz Pike (“lit-its”) as “le tits” pike.
My sister uses the Boy Band voice option. It sings the navigation. “🎶In a quarter of a mile, go leeeeft🎶.” It’s so silly. And so simple. And just adds a little touch of joy to driving, which could otherwise be mundane, frustrating, etc.
I hope you notice and appreciate the little touches in the world around you. And if you don’t see enough, consider adding some of your own. Like changing up the voice on your navigation app.
One year ago today, I said goodbye one final time to my beloved boy, Ollie.
Despite severe epilepsy, a bad and rare reaction to prednisone, and two ACL replacements, he lived almost 13 years. Unfortunately, the epilepsy slowly took his mind and personality and caused real suffering at the very end. I regret he suffered that last night; as fellow dog mommies and daddies out there, I know you understand needing to be absolutely sure it’s time before you make the ultimate decision.
That being said, I want to spend time remembering all the love and joy he brought to my life. He was such a good good boy. Obedient, smart, silly, loving, and cute. From the way he pranced instead of walked, managed to sneeze in your face and step on your feet, was incapable of being anything but in the way, and how he’d approach you all happy and seeking attention but as soon as you’d try to touch his face he’d turn away, to being the world’s best snuggler, butterfly chaser, and strangest wrestler (putting his butt up in the air as he wrestled with a toy), and so so much more. He was simply, frustratingly, and endearingly the best.
I could post probably millions of pictures of Ollie from his almost 13 years. He dominated my camera roll. The featured pic for this post is one of my all-time favorite pics of him. Here is a collage I put together shortly after he passed away of pictures of him and me together. The single pic of him and me I found later on an old phone. It’s one of my favs too.
Ollie’s passing was the first big step toward me moving to Florida, although I didn’t realize it at the time. The loneliness I felt after he passed was overwhelming. It spurred me to awaken to how much I was putting on hold to prioritize work.
Some final notes, if you are nearing the end with a beloved pet, consider Lap of Love. They come to your home and are consummate caring professionals. Thank you to everyone who sent me cards, gifts, prayers, and love after Ollie passed. It meant more than I can say. Thank you to Trinda, who helped care for my boy in his final months. If you’re looking for some drop in pet care, she’s your lady (message me and I can give you her contact info). And finally, thank you Monica, for being Ollie’s mom away from home and for being there for both of us, always.
I love you Ollie and I miss you. Be a good boy until I see you again. 💙
I am officially a server again! And it feels pretty good. I had my first solo shift last night.
A few of the things I appreciated:
The drive to work, where I cross a bridge and see water and boats. (Florida’s coast is lined with barrier islands. So unlike the Jersey shore, where you’re at the beach once you’re at the coast, in Florida, you need to cross a bridge to get to the barrier island and then get to the beach.)
My first table complimented my smile and my positivity.
Kindness. Everyone at my tables and on staff were super kind.
The drive home. It’s nice enough at 10 pm still to open my sun roof, through which I had a nice view of the stars. I spotted Pleiades and Cassiopeia.
My mom. She just had to take a picture of me as I was heading to work. Then she wanted to hear all about my night when I got home.
View from my car on the bridge. Picture doesn’t do it justice.Ready to work!
First, let me apologize for not posting for the last ten days or so. I went on vacation and am just now getting back into the swing of things. Well, really, moving forward into a new normal.
I saw this Christmas display on my run this morning. And I thought it was a great analogy for where I’m at right now.
Life in Florida is my new normal. It’s not the same as Pennsylvania. It doesn’t have the same feel. But it’s good. Just a little awkward still, and downright silly at times.
I’m still not really settled. I’m not acclimated to my new life and new role yet. To be fair, this is a transition period still so I guess I shouldn’t be expecting too much.
I start my new waitressing job in full force tomorrow. I’m looking forward to that. I can remember being so ready to be done working nights, weekends, and holidays. Sixteen years later, and I’m loving the idea of sleeping in until it’s actually light out and am impartial to working nights and weekends. By the way, why is it so hard to find a long sleeved button down collared black shirt?! Whatever happened to stores that had mens dress shirts aplenty?!
Anyway, with change comes discomfort, uneasiness, awkwardness, and difficulty. With change also comes excitement, opportunity, and growth. I’m doing my best to stay optimistic and not too hard on myself about acclimating to my new normal. I mean, Santa on a jet ski is pretty fun even if it’s not necessarily traditional, right?!
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:12-15 (NIV)
I started the day out by sleeping in until 7:30. This might not seem like sleeping in, but for someone who got up at 5:30 am every work day for years, it is. It was nice to stay in bed until the sun was out.
I decided today would be my first run. And let me clarify quickly that I use the word “run” loosely here. I laced up and headed out. It was gorgeous. 53 degrees, mostly sunny, with shadows cast by the rising sun.
My self talk can be kind of head trashy during runs. Today wasn’t too bad for that. I did have thoughts about wishing I was a faster runner, but then I passed some older folks who were walking and I thought to myself, “they probably see me running and wish they could still run. I should be grateful that I can run, even if it’s not very fast.”
And that’s the crux of today. Gratitude. It’s an attitude and it’s so important. I was inspired by a text from a friend today about being grateful. Instead of being unhappy that I didn’t sleep longer, I was grateful to sleep until the sun was up. Instead of beating myself up for a slow pace (on my first run in weeks), I was grateful to be out running at all. Instead of missing my boy, I’m going to cherish the joy-filled times I had with him.
Appreciate what you have. Especially your health. When you don’t have that, it’s hard to have much else. Be grateful for all things, big and small.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
J.I.L.L. 