Recently I had a cold for six weeks.  It was a bad cold, I was “better” for a few days and then reinfected.  During this time, I was traveling, I got some sudden, shocking news from my family.  My oldest son was having trouble finding an apartment for college next year and I was on another continent (thank you dad for your help, you’re the best!)   I arrived home, still sick and getting sicker.  Then I received news about my dearest friend going on hospice.  I was fortunate enough to be able to visit her. Still sick.  The chaos of regular life continued.

I’ve been through my share of issues, dramas and illnesses.  I step up as much as I can.  I try to be “there” for people whenever I can or whenever is humanly possible.

I went to lunch yesterday with a wonderful friend.  We were getting caught up on each other’s lives.  At the end of my update, she looks at me and she says how are you doing?  How are you holding up, holding up everyone else?  It gave me pause.  I thought about it.  Truthfully, it was all compounded by being sick.  Once I started feeling better, I had happy moments between the sadness, the stress of my families issues became just stuff I deal with.  It was amazing to me how hard the cold hit me.

Do you take care of yourself when you’re sick?  Do you take a day off, rest, like actually sleep, drink tea and watch bad television?  Or do you keep plugging along.  Trying to be all things to all people all the time?

I was able to take it easy some of the time while I was sick and I am sure that made the difference between needing antibiotics or being sick for another two weeks.  I haven’t always done this.  I’ve been the mom who was getting up cooking dinner post surgery or going to work before I was released to drive (getting rides).  It’s okay once in awhile.  However, you have to take care of you!  You have to take care of you.  You are no good to anyone if you are burned out, sick, or have nothing left to give!

What are you going to do today to take care of you?  To fill up your well?  I would venture to say that you are giving from a dry well.

Just think about it.  Do something little!

Here goes!  I started a blog because I decided social media isn’t really the place for long, thoughtful posts, I’ve been wanting to write a book, and my daughter thinks I’m amazing and hilarious.  That was really all the motivation I needed!

I prefer to be happy!  I use a zillion exclamation points!!! And I am completely okay with that! I think the number 13 is lucky!  Fun fact: just because they label the 13th floor 14, doesn’t actually make it the 14th floor.  Just sayin’.

Did I mention I prefer to be happy? Love peace.  Still swear, all the time.  And have serious issues driving with all the people out there who are unable to drive well.  I cannot be put into a political box and seriously wish people would not align themselves with a party.  I believe in doing the right thing.  Even and especially if that means standing up to family.  I have no tolerance for hypocrisy.  I don’t like mean people.

I don’t know what we’ll find here on our adventures….probably a little of everything!!