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Turning 50 and Hugs…New Orleans style.

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Well this is the year that me and all of my best girlfriends turn the Big 5-0. As luck would have it, we’re all New Orleans ladies. With the exception of myself, who is a Texas, California, Texas transplant. Everyone else however, still lives back home. My family included. So I’ve had the pleasure of traveling back to New Orleans quite a bit this year. For that matter, I even had my own Big 5-0 Unicorn Rave there! I mean that’s where all of my family and lifelong ride or die peeps are, so why wouldn’t I?

Now that you have The backstory for this post, I’m going to tell you my absolute favorite thing about going back home to New Orleans. It’s partly the food, but it’s mainly the HUGS! If you’re not from there, you’re scratching your head right now. If you are from there, you totally get what I’m talking about. You see, we are huggy people! I guess because most of us are part Italian, Irish, Spanish or French. And by “huggy” I don’t mean the barely lean in with a little awkward pat on the back type, I mean, full body, long, strong, heartfelt, soul cleansing, energy transferring, I’ve missed you sister type! The kind that say, “We love you, you are missed, we’ve got your back no matter what, you’re always a member of this tribe!” Kind of hugs. Sometimes they are probably inappropriately long. (Nah) And you will get these hugs from every member of the family! And time nor distance will dial down the huggyness, They are rejuvenating.

So if you’ve never been to New Orleans, put it high on the bucket list and go! Go for the food, the ambiance, the charm, the culture, the history, the party. But mostly go for the people…they are good people, the best kind I know.

They will ask you “How’s ya mom anem?” They’ll ask you if “you ateyet?” And then they’ll give you a big soul cleansing hug! I can’t think of any better “Lagniappe” than that.

Hugs to y’all.

M

Quiet time.

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INFJ. Yep according to Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, that’s me. Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judgement. If you read any form of the description, I fit it in every way and shape possible. We are rare. We are complex, and personally I feel if society ever collapses, we would rise like the Phoenix from the ashes as the New governing body, and the world would forever live in harmony! Okay, maybe a dramatic stretch there, (but not really) We generally like our quiet time and space, don’t hate being alone, and our intuition levels are so sharp, we can feel things in the air before they happen. And can see straight through a con artist at 50 yards!

Having said all this brings me to the point of my post today. Disclaimer: This is not a cry for help! Just hopefully a message for anyone else suffering in silence. You are not alone.

My husband and I some years ago were forced into a non-traditional family situation with him working halfway across the country, while I stayed home in Texas to raise 3 kids, mostly solo. He was only home a couple of months out of the year and holidays. We did this for, wait for it…6 Years!!! Looking back now, I don’t know how we/I survived it. I’m thinking that whole INFJ dna thing helped, and the fact that I would literally hide in my bedroom occasionally to get away from “those people” err I mean kids, somewhat helped. But I will not lie, It. Was. Hard. The challenges it presents are enough for a whole series of blog posts! I probably should write a book. I’m thinking it would go straight to the bestseller list in a week. (Insert blended family drama here) By some stroke of God, we made it through, no one went to jail, and the kids are awesome functioning adults.

Skip ahead, 5 years later. Today, I’m sitting here all INFJ, alone (my natural habitat right?) My hubby as fate would have it, is on the road again for work till June. Not indefinitely like before, just June, a light at the end of the tunnel. According to Meyer-Briggs, I should be in loner heaven. So why am I struggling? I’m here to attest, alone time should only be taken in small doses. If not, it will manifest into loneliness. Demons will arrive uninvited, and your mind, well your mind can turn into a corrupt spirit from Hell! This is a big pool to have to tread around to long in. You’ll drown, and dammit no one will be here to notice! I miss him, I miss the kids, I miss the occasional chaos, and frankly I’m all out of people to silently diagnose from across the room. A part of me wants to quit my job and fly cross country to just be with him. This of course is not feasible because he works 12 hours a day, I would still be alone and I happen to like my job! But trust me, the voice is there.

I don’t know how we did this for 6 years, I’m sure having kids to raise, and working full time, was a distraction even though that at the time was a struggle in and of itself. (3 teenagers at once!) it’s crazy how right now, I would love to be surrounded by the crazies instead of just me. It’s an ode to “careful what you wish for.”

I go visit him in a couple of weeks. It can’t get here fast enough. He’ll still have to work, but just knowing I will see him every day for something as simple as dinner sounds amazing! I will be wearing my sassy extrovert pants! (But just for a little while) In the meantime, I’ll be driving my kids crazy with extra visits. Because what 20 something’s don’t want to hang with mom on the weekend! (Eye roll here!)

M.

The INFJ/Occasional Extrovert

Zion. The Bucket List trip.

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We’ve been to Zion a few time’s now. Once in the Winter, once in the spring, and our most recent trip, in October. As it turn’s out, October is the most popular time for hiking in the park. The weather is perfect. Having said this, it is CROWDED! The last two visit’s were off season and we had the luxury of driving into the canyon in our vehicle. This trip, we had to use the Shuttle service. Not a fan! If you don’t get in line by 7am, expect a parking nightmare, and over an hour wait and standing room, (actually squeezing room) only once on board. I imagine these crowd’s are as bad as the summer time as well. (Thank you social media for letting the entire world in on the beauty) okay rant over.

This was our check off the Bucket List trip to Hike The Narrows and Angel’s Landing. This is how it went.

We always fly into Vegas, and drive to the park. We flew in early to have a day of recon, and I am glad we did. We decided after assessing the crowd and transportation situation to rent our dry suit gear the day before to save time on hike day. We only had to rent pants, socks, shoe’s and walking sticks due to the weather conditions. It was a whopping $43. Worth every penny. In the summer, I would imagine you could do without the pants, but it can be a cold hike. The Virgin River is on average 55° and you’re in it 95% of the hike, sooooo, rent the dry suit. It’s roughly 10 miles round trip, for the “bottom up” hike. The Top down hike requires a permit. Pack in plenty of water (Camel Pack) and food, I don’t mean a granola bar, pack in FOOD! Cliff Bars, jerky, pb&j, etc. You will burn calories. And any special medication you may need. It will take a few hour’s to complete the hike. It. Is. Amazing! Bucket List check!

Day 2, we decided to tackle Angel’s Landing. Again, you need to get an early start, not just to beat the crowd’s, but if it is sunny, you will be subjected to unrelenting sun, with no shade to escape in as your lung’s are exploding from tackling the 1500ft gain that starts almost immediately! (Way before Walter’s Wiggles) personally I thought the front face of the hike was way tougher than “the wiggles.” Now let’s talk about the chain rail that gets you to the very top of Angel’s Landing…this is not for the faint of heart, inexperienced climber’s, or someone who has the slightest fear of hights! But the worst part is the amount of people trying to tackle this part of the hike fighting for one chain rail, hiking both up and down! I made it through the first section of climbing the chain, until I got to a section of no chain, and my brain went nope!!! I’m not up for plummiting 1500ft to my death today! I’ll just sit right here honey, have fun, and Godspeed! So my husband continued on, and I sat and made a new friend who thought the same thing I did. We had a high altitude picnic, while we waited for our determined daredevil husband’s! Thanks Jenn for hanging with me! This is a tough hike, but worth it, because the view’s are spectacular! I guess. That’s what my husband said! But I’m still going to call it a Bucket List check!

Skagit Valley

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Pedicure = blog post. I’ve been wanting to post this one for a while, but you know, life! We are stationed for a couple of month’s just outside my favorite Washington locale, Skagit Valley. What can I say, this place just stirs my soul. I can’t explain why. It’s probably the lush fertile family farmland nestled in a beautiful valley. Postcard stuff literally. It’s also because it’s the gateway to Anacortes, and the San Juan Island’s. Whidbey Island is a fav of ours also. But I can’t talk about Skagit without mentioning the waterfront town of LaConner. Resteraunts, I mean great resteraunts, antiques, and shops galore. And of course Conway. Little town, best antiquing and grilled oysters in literally 3 states, all in a 5 block area. (Insert Conway Pub here. If you’re a biker, you know this is true)

It’s April, so The Skagit Valley Tulip festival is in full swing. Fields and fields of every color Tulip you can think of. Make sure to check out Roozengarde Garden’s for the best access to the fields and a breathtaking garden’s. Be warned however, once the tulip’s make their entrance, the crowd’s they will come, especially on the weekends! The festival’s official start is April 1st. But don’t make the journey expecting to see tulip’s on that exact day. Mother Nature, and the tulip’s decide when they’ll show, usually later in April. So plan accordingly. 

If you’re doing a Washington vacation, which I highly recommend you do a Washington vacation in this lifetime. You absolutely must break away from Seattle and make the drive through Skagit to Anacortes. The ferry terminal to the San Juan Islands is located in this awesome little gem of a town, which can hold it’s own in quaint factor. If time allows, I recommend you make the trip down to Whidbey Island and stop and take in the awe inspiring Deception Pass. It is a sight to behold. There are great view’s from the foot bridge, or you can make the hike down to the beach. It’s a steep hike in some spots, but not to bad overall. (We’re supposed to elevate our heart rate every day any way amiright?) There’s also Mt. Eerie, and the views from the top do not disappoint. 


Getting here is pretty easy. Rent a car, hit I-5, head North. It’s about an hour and a half drive. If you are going to make the trip to Friday Harbor in the San Juan’s. I highly recommend making reservations online for the ferry. I also recommend driving on, you will be happy you did, because there is so much to go see on the island outside Friday Harbor. (That’s a whole blog post in itself) You can also rent bikes or those 3 wheel little buggy thing’s to get around once you’re there as well. 


Well I guess I do know why I love Skagit Valley so much. It’s everything! I know you will love it too. 

Love and safe travels.

M. 

http://skagitvalley.com/

It rain’s here…a lot.

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Ahhh Washington. You’re beautiful! I love you! But it rain’s here, might be an understatement. My husband and I have the pleasure of spending a lot of time here because of his job. For him, month’s, for me, usually a week or so here and there and usually in the summer when it’s spectacular! This year however since we’re empty nesters and all, I’ve had the opportunity to travel with him here for a few months. It’s winter, which means rain. Now don’t be confused, it’s not the Gulf Coast tropical rain most are used to, it’s more of a annoying misty drizzle. Just enough for a never ending bad hair day. 


The locals don’t even seem to notice it. I guess if they did nothing would ever get done. So life goes on, in the rain. They do however have a special appreciation for the sun. Walk into a store, it’s the first topic of conversation, “sun’s out!” and so is every single living soul. I’m not a fan of our life giving Sun, I’m much more suited for rainy overcast day’s. But I have to say, after 10 straight days of non stop drizzle, I’m a little more stoked about the sun more than usual. (But just for a day or two.)

I can tell you that people here put up with this weather, because the fruits of it come summer are beauty you cannot imagine. Lush, evergreen, fertile landscapes, backdropped by mountains and water. Just pick a direction and go. From Seattle, to Mt. Rainier, Skagit Valley, Mt. Baker, Leavenworth, The Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Washington you are splendid, and I love you! đź’š