Fantastic Book...I say Yes.

I purchased this book on my recent trip to NC. I wanted something for the plane ride home and this was it. I opened it and read the first two pages and that was that!

I love this. Great eye opener...the things she shares about how we are conditioned to things in the world to keep us from moving on...life, relationships, jobs and reaching our goals. I am almost done and ready to read it again...It will be my push to embark on my next chapter in life...

I bought my copy in the clearance section at Barnes and Noble for $7.98 - Worth every penny.

Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

Sunday Personals...Pt. 8

Hello. It seems like it’s been awhile since I’ve done a Sunday post…with my recent trip out of town, I was unable to put something together…Part 7 is where I left off…

Since the move from NC in 2010…life has been one roller coaster ride after another. As I’ve said…these posts are neither rants, nor pity sessions for me…but a way of journaling for myself. Being brave and sharing something so personal to an audience I hardly know…

I share One Piece at a Time….I’ve shared about my Son. My husband and his “news”. The loss of my job. Debt. Losing my house. My disability. Divorce.

What do I say today? Do I feel sorry for myself? NO. I fight the good fight every day. I do the best I can with what I have and who I am.

My recent trip to NC opened my eyes. I’ve never done ANYTHING on my own. I’ve been a mother since I was 17 and married at 18. All of which became my identity. Now…kids are grown. Life stood still with no job. And the Hubs and I are alone. I knew long ago I wasn’t happy. But I stayed. I stayed for all the wrong reasons, and for all the right reasons.

The night before my flight I could feel the fear. It was talking me out of going. The “what ifs” sank in. The “I’ll be so far away” the “Can I?” kind of thinking…seems silly, but fear of the unknown…even though I was going to a place I called home…crept in. I told myself…I wasn’t going to give in. I got up at 5 in the A.M. and proceeded to get ready…had my coffee…did my hair and make-up and finished packing for the ride to Chicago…

The drive… I was nervous. But I had to fight through the fear. I boarded my plane without a minute to spare and down the runway we go! I was so nervous getting out I forgot to buy a magazine to preoccupy my time…so two hours of pure silence! I’m not one for silence…I can talk to anyone…but not today. The plane makes its way to our scheduled destination…I can see the stadium…the streets…I am a kid in the candy store!!!

I get my rental car…I head straight to campus and surprise my friends and old co-workers…I meet a friend for dinner and then the night sets in…I check into my hotel…Alone. Alone Alone…see where I am going? I feel a little panic. I start to cry…thinking, “What am I doing?” I immediately find the “emergency exit” and plot my escape…BUT WHAT FOR? I pull it together…find some comfort...do some self-affirmations and allow myself to feel what I need to feel and see the new day…I get up…get ready…take in the day…and again, the night falls…again the FEAR creeps in…until it doesn't...I think to myself…”What in the world?” And then my courage sounds off like a fog horn! I am Woman! Hear me roar…or something like that…Very empowering this feeling. I get up the next day…Alone…I decide I want to see the Island…and off I go…Alone. It was Grand! I soaked up the sun…came back...and did a little shopping...this night...more peaceful.

The last day…I get up early…it’s Mother’s Day…my son calls me…wakes me…and then my best girl…I climb out of bed and prepare the another day on the Island…this time I stay a little longer…I smile as I type this…the feeling rushes through me and I can see myself driving the two hours down the highway to make my way to the Island…I sing along with my music…loudly! And dance in my seat…not a care in the world….

I conquered something on this trip. I found courage I didn’t know I had…in a place I called home. Funny how the moments where we call home…we find ourselves on shaky ground…fearful…can I, will I, should I…the answer is…Yes. I am proud of myself…let the healing begin…One Piece at a Time.

More to come…Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

Finally...My Big Girl Trip...NC

Hello Ladies...Thank you for your patience as I am on the mend, finally. And Thanks to all of you and your kind and lovely comments...Always appreciated...Hugs.

Here is a preview of my recent trip home to North Carolina...This was my first trip back in over two years. Coming off the plane I was like a kid in the candy store. First things first...you must know this was my first trip "EVER" alone. No kids. No Husband. I'm a big girl now trip...so Empowering.

This is my future Son-n-Law...Yes, my daughter knows I say this...He is wonderful and my little one and him are still quite fond of one another...We had lunch at Panera, hence all the bagels in the background...

This is one of the many loves of my life...She was the first person I went to see...When the plane hit the landing, I got my bags and rental car, and went straight to campus to see her...she had NO IDEA I was coming and her reaction when I came in the room was PRICELESS!! Very Genuine. She is so special.

This was the evening of my first night there...this is my dear dear friend whom I consider a sister...she helped me with my walk with the Lord...I'm a different person because of who she is.

This here is my best good friend...He says to me, "Take my picture. You're in the Presence of Greatness" I'm certain he was talking about me...he he.

HAD to go back to where I worked and attended school...

Thought I would share...when you walk through the pillars, they chime...can honestly say I've ran back and forth on many occasions...not this day. I had so many people to see and had to get a move on!

Since I was alone...this was the best photo I was gonna get...this is how I spent that last two days of my trip...alone on the Island. Loved every minute.

Encountered LOTS of these...

And soaked up this view...

There are no words to describe what this trip meant to me. I had no idea going into it I would be so emotional about a place I call home...The best part was...most didn't know I was coming, risky I know, but seeing the looks on my friends faces will stay with me forever and it's something to look back on and giggle...I'm sneaky, what can I say? I enjoyed seeing everyone and then spending the time alone...and on Mothers Day. My Bo called me at 7:21 am and was like, "Oh you're still sleeping?" But was good to hear his voice...Ten minutes later...My girl called me...I'm blessed. Although in the beginning I was scared...never been alone and so far away from my children...but conquered the fear and embraced my time. I miss it. Home. There's no place like Home. The day after I got back I fell sick. I think because of the stress of travel...plane was cold and not enough to eat due to all the excitement, my body forced me to sit still...I'm not good at it, sitting still that is...or being sick.

Thanks again for hanging out with me...

I've got to get busy for my Sunday post...I have lots to say...for now I have all this to look forward too...

My 18th Anniversary.

My Bo's 19th Birthday.

Graduation Celebration for Bo.

Graduations Period (not attending them all)

Daughter starts college June 4th AND got her first car!

Driving test to drive new car...

LOTS to DO!

Be Good to You!

Smooches,

Lola

Need a Good Laugh?

I have been under the weather for almost a week! Just when I think I'm starting to feel better...I do too much and then BAM! I'm back down...I apologize for my absence...I hope everyone is doing well...I'm still out here...lurking in the background...watching your blogs!

For now I leave you with this little "jaw" dropper....

I hope you smiled. The question is...would you stop?

(my answer: I'd honk and wave, maybe even take a pic...random, I know.)

No judging...it made me giggle and besides...you've seen one butt, you've seen them all.

Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola

I'm Back...

Hello Ladies...

I'm home from my little vacay...which started here in Chicago...Great city!

And ended up here...

Topsail Island, NC

I'm a bit under the weather and need to upload my pictures...soon.

For now I wanted to say hello...lots to say and share...bear with me.

I hope all is well in the world with you.

Be Good to You.

Smooches,

Lola