I have been searching for toilet paper for the past 2 weeks with absolutely no luck.  Down to 1 roll.  You know this hasn’t been easy for me since I am still not comfortable winding up and down store aisles.  This morning, I trekked out to the store at 7 am and was determined to come home with TP.  Victory!

Thank you Walmart Neighborhood Market!

This little Florida town, Crystal Beach, is an unincorporated community in Palm Harbor.    The houses are your typical small, old Florida homes next to gaudy mansions with stairs galore and a park full of beautiful oaks hugging you and a pretty cool beach.  It’s amazing!

This morning was one of those days where the water was so calm, you can see every splish or splash.  It was low tide and these ripples excited us.  Watch closely on the right!

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I saw this tree and just had to climb on it.  Not sure when the last time I did this, but may be, never.  It’s like 2 feet high!  Hey, I’m 55 now and brain-challenged.  It was an exhilarating feeling to do it just as long as I didn’t look down.

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Whatever your beliefs, it’s fun to imagine life as an animal.  I like to play the game, “What would you be if you came back as an animal?”  Often, people will surprise you with their answer.  It’s a creative way to get out of your comfort zone, think about your future, the unknown, and to have a laugh or cry.  Getting in touch with your emotions is the easiest self-care.  It’s free and you can do it anywhere.  The hardest part is doing it.

If you don’t know your animal reincarnation, think about it, and see if you find a connection.  You may discover something new about yourself.  For now, mine is the pelican.  I love hanging with my friends, elegantly gliding over the water and crashing down with precision to get my dinner.  Amazing!

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Walking up and down stairs were never a challenge before my vestibular challenges. Now, I am able to walk up and down with more confidence.  Usually, I manage better with holding on to the railing, but today I challenged myself without holding on.  It used to be that walking up was easier than walking down.  I learned to feel and count the steps while walking down instead of looking down.   The good news is that walking down isn’t so bad anymore.  If you look closely, I walk with alternating steps which takes lots of balance.  It took some time to get here but here I am!

We all have to push ourselves to meet some of our goals.  You learn more about yourself everyday when you have to get outside of your comfort zone.  It can be vey tough, but rewarding in the end.  My challenges have taught me to not take anything for granted.

Try to make small, measurable goals and be proud of achieving them!

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I decided it’s time to grow my hair out for donation again.  After all, this is my year of giving back.  It will take more than this year to get at least 8 inches, but I have to start now.  This will be my third time donating my hair to the company called Children With Hair Loss.  I like them because they take grays and only need 8 inches.  Both of my children have donated their hair too.  It’s an amazing feeling to help children get a wig made from my hair. Below are the free wig kits that each child receives from Children With Hair Loss.

I’m using this tree as my inspiration.  Doesn’t it look great on me?  I thought so too!  This spanish moss laden beauty resides in the N. Anclote River Nature Park in Tarpon Springs.  If you’re worried about chiggers, don’t, it’s a myth.

Find your cause and join me in giving back in 2020!