Photo a day - August - Take 5

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

1. This cracks me up every time I see it

2. My boy is a stand up comedian :)

3. I love love love this quote

4. Some friendships last forever - Me and Justine

Photo a Day - July - Take 2

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

1. My new fridge

2. Sitting on my sister in laws back patio

3. Took my dad for a pedicure

4. Practically grandkids to me

GOAL 9 - COMPLETE

GOAL 9 - 50 HUGS WITH 50 STRANGERS IN 50 MINUTES

While at Comicon, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and attempt goal #9. 

I felt a little intimidated to start with, but I quickly noticed how happy people were to give someone a hug. There were some that were a little shy, but still willing, and then there was those who threw their arms around me like a long lost friend. 

This goal was a great reminder of the goodness that's out there. It's important not to loose sight of that.

GOAL 55 - COMPLETE

Goal 55 - Be a Blonde for the day

     Let's just start by saying, I'm no Beyonce. That girl could pull off just about anything, but this girl... well, that's a whole different story.

     After trying on a bunch of blonde wigs, I'm not gonna lie, I became a little discouraged. Turns out, I'm not the chameleon I'd like to think I am, and for the most part, I look ridiculous as a blonde. But I did find this blonde bob, and wore it the whole day to complete goal 55 on my Ridiculist. 

     They say Blondes have more fun. I wish it was that easy. Let's face it, we'd all be running to the nearest hairdressers if all you had to do was  bleach your hair to have a good time.

     Regardless of whether I have Brown, Blonde, or Grey wiry strands on my head, my life is fun because of the people I have in it and because of what's inside of me. 

Photo a Day - May -Take 7

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

1.   One of my favorite people in the whole wide world - Sadie Skinner

2.   My sons car

3.   The most amazing (and thoughtful) quilt I've ever seen, Made with love by Justine Ballard

4.   My daughter, Gabby, at dental school

Completed

Goal 16 - Go to Comicon in Costume

Comicon 2019.

     I was supposed to go to Comicon as the Mad Hatter, and I had spent hours, and I mean hours, working on my costume. Unfortunately, after having a major surgery, I had to wear a brace around my torso, which meant my Mad Hatter costume no longer fit right. 

     So here I am as the 13th Doctor, and Amanda is Frya. (And if you know who Frya is, then your'e a bigger nerd then I am. I had to look her up). 

     However, the moment we arrived at Come-on, others were wanting to have their photos taken with Amanda and she immediately had a fan club. I really need to get my nerd on so I can keep up. :)

     It was a FANTASTIC experience, and I recommend anyone that has thought about going to just go. I loved all the costumes, the great atmosphere, and the events you could participate in.

     When me and Amanda were walking from the parking lot to the conference center, people were staring at us like we were idiots. Even while driving on the freeway, people gave us some strange looks. But the moment we walked through the doors for the conference center we were with our peeps. In fact, I felt rather under dressed compared to many that were there. 

     It was a little reminder, that in life there are times that we don't fit in. Take me, for instance. I'm a self proclaimed weirdo, and I love it. I know that I am not everybody's cup of tea, and that's okay. But we all have a place where we belong. We just have to be willing to embrace who we are, and find like minded peeps.

Photo a Day - April - Take 3

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Pic 1. My precious sidekick, Barkley.

Pic 2. I'm rather proud of my Hydroflask now that it's unmistakably mine.

Pic 3. Flowers from the garden of my friend, Stephanie. She brought them over to cheer me up after surgery. 

Pic 4. A get well card from my grandson. A Grandma heart melting moment.

Photo a day - April - Take 2

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Pic 1. Had to sport this rather fetching post-op attire.

Pic 2. Enjoying a microwave dinner and Barkley won't take his eyes off it.

Pic 3. My BFF, Amanda, Being sketchy. Some secrets will just have to die with us.

Pic 4. Well they got the name right, best Ive ever tasted. 

Photo a day - April - Take one

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Pic 1. Hiking with my BFF, Amanda.

Pic 2. Why the sign when we can clearly see there is no plumbing to this sink?

Pic 3. I know it looks boring, but this picture was taken at the top of a mountain. We were literally in the clouds, and I loved it.

Pic 4. The best sign ever. Kinda makes you want to put it to the test.

Turning 50

Accepting 50

I doubt I'm the first woman to dread the big 50. If I'm being honest, I admit that I practically fell apart over turning 40. Yet, here I am, on the cusp of my own midlife adventure.

50 Ways to Enjoy Turning Fifty has been a fun tool in teaching me to not only accept this stage of life, but to embrace all the wonderful changes that happen at this time of life. 

It's easy to notice the grey hairs, and crows feet, the creaks and groans first thing in the morning as you get out of bed, and miss the spring you once had in your step as a youth. But what of the other changes, the upside of turning 50?

1. I care less about what people think of me

2. I speak my mind

3. I'm happy with my own company and learned to embrace who I am

4. I've stopped comparing myself to other women, and begun loving the beauty that is uniquely mine

5. I've accepted that I'm not everybody's cup of tea, and I'm okay with that.

6. I'm proud to be a a British born, English/Jamaican/American Woman.

7. I believe in God. Not because of anyone or anything other than my own personal experiences and conversations with Him. And through my own personal prayers.

8. I no longer feel the need to apologize for who I am, but I'm not too self absorbed to think I shouldn't own and be responsible for the things I do.

7. And best of all, I feel no need to prove any of these things to anyone else, other than by living a good life, being a good friend, and loving my family.

I wish these things for EVERYONE, because we all deserve to love ourselves, accept ourselves, find peace and contribute to the world around us.

Photo s Day - March - Take 6

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

I found Knitted underwear - Not that I was looking for it!

Found my sign. 

The Haunted Hamburger - A must if you're in Jerome, AZ. 

Citizenship Party planned by the awesome Jacki Randall. 

Photo a day - March - take one

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

My friend, Aubree at Disneyland. 

My Disney Pins and celebrating my citizenship. 

That strawberry was both huge and delicious. 

Aubree’s dance performance. She was Amazing.

COMPLETED

Goal #37 - Become an American Citizen

     On March 5th 2019, me and my son, Ethan, became American Citizens. Several things stood out to me on this day, but I want to share just a few with you.

     1.  President Trump gave the most beautiful recorded speech, welcoming us as citizens. He reminded us that from this day, this land is our land, with all the blessings that come from belonging here. He mentioned that we will always have the support and backing of this country, and thanked us for becoming part of it. The speech was really emotional for me. It was worded so eloquently. I know that some people will want to argue my last statement, but it's true. It was one of the nicest speeches I've heard. He reminded us that becoming American doesn't mean you forget your roots, and he encouraged us to share our traditions as we adopt Americas. I really appreciated his words.

     2.  My son is AWESOME. I actually already knew that, but as we sat together I could have burst with pride. He is an intelligent, caring, and hilariously funny individual, with a kind and beautiful soul. It was wonderful to share this moment with him. As we left the group that had come to support us and headed to the ceremony room, he put his arm around me and pulled me close. It was such a tender moment that I will never forget.

     3.  As the guests poured into the ceremony room, I noticed that I had more friends there than anyone else swearing in as citizens. I looked at the faces of my friends and realized they are actually my family. Their love and support was so deeply appreciated by myself and Ethan, and it was a reminder that I was never truly as alone as I thought I was. Since moving here, I have missed my friends and family so much, and that hasn't changed, but I felt a little isolated. I envied others for having family around them, and I often worried that my kids would feel the same way, what with having no cousins around to play with. I know how much I love my cousins, and second guessed myself constantly for moving my children away from family. But as I looked at the faces of my husband and my friends, all of those concerns went away. Because each one of them has been there for me and my family. Each one of them would be willing to drop everything and help me, they have taken care of me after my car crash, they have practically carried me back to safety when I fractured my skull, and they have allowed me to cry on their shoulders. They check on my kids even though they are grown up, dog sat Barkley, been on vacation with me, and stayed up late giggling with me. This is my home now, and I was never really alone. I have been blessed to be loved by some amazing people on two continents. How many people can say that? I'm sure there's a bunch, but I choose to believe there is no-one as fortunate as me when it comes to friends and family.

A photo a day - February - Take 6

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Sheet cookie, made by my good friend, Chad, to celebrate my citizenship

Me and my wonderful son during our oath ceremony

Just a hot air balloon I saw on my drive home

Me and Dori getting crazy with the snapchat filters.

A photo a day - February - Take 4

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Not something you see every day, especially when there's no fire

Mesa Temple is under construction

Gaspard Ulliel - hot French model/actor

Two of my besties

A photo a day - February - Take 3

GOAL 22 - A PHOTO A DAY DURING MY 50TH YEAR

Patriotic wall art from my son and daughter-in-law to celebrate my citizenship

My impeachment - someone leaked my non existent sex tapes

Superstition Mountain gets dumped on with snow

My dear friend, Becca