Let's Start Legging Up!

In the horse world that means to start getting into shape.  I've become quite slothful in that arena of my life and the buck needs to stop here, lol.


For the last 27 years I have carried the title of "mother" and "wife".  Recently I've added "zoner" (which I've spent an exorbitant amount of money on only to discover that there's no desire for my services as an energy healer.  Still trying to determine how or why I was prompted to follow that dead end but whatever) and yoga teacher (I resonate with this one).  I feel I'm ready to add "Jody" to that list and quit doing my life and begin living it.


So besides the obvious physical aspect of getting ready for my adventure in 2016, I need to get a lot of other items checked off my list:


1.  Start exercising and hiking on a daily basis again CHECK
2.  Quit smoking (wait . . . I don't smoke . . . nvm) CHECK (I think I just like having another check)
3.  Start researching the logistics of this trip i.e. what to pack, how much $$, ideal hike months etc.
4.  Begin transitioning fuel intake to quality grub (might just be the hardest part here)
5.  Abandon my evil ways (no details given here).


Today I hiked in the hills where I live.  Although my ankle was screaming and begging me to stop (I'm pretty sure he was the spokesperson for the rest of my body), I kept going and logged about 4 miles on.  Not too bad, I guess.  I made sure the course was riddled with plenty of steep hills.


So #6 on my list might be to see if I can convince Mr. Weltz to go on some two day hiking trips with me.  I'll sweeten the deal by suggesting we bring the horse trailer with a nice comfy bed to lay ourselves in at the end of the day (oh, and a double bonus would be NO KIDS!!). 


And she's off!!!

On "The Way"

There are times when you make a goal and then have to commit to that goal by telling someone your intention.  I told my sister, my mom and a few family members and now I'm saying it in this sort of public place. 


Right now is the heaviest and most unhealthy I have ever been in my life.  And THAT'S including the years I was a cigarette and pot smoking, alcohol guzzling balls-to-the-wall party animal (that was SO last week, lol).  I've let go of caring about myself amidst a pommeling of injuries, kid problems, financial challenges and various other obstacles.  Depression was starting to become all too familiar to me.  I have become a junk food consuming couch potato (seriously?)   I want to be so finished with all of that and move in the direction of happiness and self love again.


For the next however long, my blog will be predominantly about my goal.  I'm motivated, dedicated and quest for the best (stole that from my Weight Watcher leader of yesteryear). 


So here it is . . . a fellow yogi suggested I watch the move "The Way" on Netflix.  I did (highly recommend) and it has changed my life.  I have always been a bit of a dreamer and outside-of-the-box kind of girl.  The summer of 2016, when the twins are 18 and no longer my responsibility, I will be taking at least 6 weeks away from my life and traveling to France to walk The Way.  It's about a 500 mile journey from France to the Atlantic Ocean in Spain.  It is said to take about 4-5 weeks, depending on how many miles you log on each day.


This is my quest.  This is my "pilgrimage" (word they use to describe the journey).  This is personal and I'm determined.  Whether I make this journey alone or with a companion, I don't know or care at this point.  I have a LOT of work to do to prepare myself in every way. 


Wish me luck!

A Truck Called Happiness

Last night I had a dream that kept going and going and going . .



I had a boyfriend named Gary (wtf?).  He let me use his vintage yellow pickup truck to pickup kids from school or whatever.  I parked the truck on a street and hoofed it from there to wherever I was going.  I came back and couldn't find the truck.  Thus began my search.



I found Danielle and a bunch of family having fun camping.  There were tents and campfire and fun everywhere.  I told her I was looking for Gary's truck and she told me to be quiet because the baby was sleeping.  I found the keys lying in a stack of clothes.  Yay!  Still, though, no truck.



I ended up driving on a crazy obstacle course with gardens and waterfalls and all sorts of nature things and was so concentrated on getting through the course so that I could go look for the truck.  The people in the car with me were yelling at me to slow down and be careful.  I even was on a downhill road and hit 95 mph (yeah, that's fast for me).  I was determined to finish this task so that I could get back to finding the truck.



Then I ended up at a massive outdoor party on a big ranch that Mary Wolf was throwing.  I was so frustrated with getting through all the people that were asking me to stop and visit awhile.  I needed to find that damn truck!  Mary even came out with some targets and guns and was excited that there was going to be target shooting.  She said, "Come on, Jody, it's going to be loud and fun!!"  Nope.  I wasn't going to stay.  I needed to find the truck.



At one point I was in my 64 Plymouth Fury that I owned when I was 16 years old (yep, bought that baby for $350 back then!).  I was just pissed off because the car would barely run and I wanted to get where I had to get quickly.  Then, Skip was sitting in the passenger seat of another car with me and telling me to drive more careful. I blew right through one of those gates that come down at like a toll bridge.  Nice. 



Guntzy (actually her name is Joanne Gunter) who died in 1998 was in my dream as well helping me find the truck.



So, I woke up this morning and was "wtf was THAT?"  While I was sitting in meditation it became pretty clear to me. . . .



I rush and rush and rush through my whole life looking for happiness (the yellow truck, duh).  I never stop to really enjoy where I am and what I'm doing.  Happiness is not a thing or a place.  Happiness is the moment.  Enjoying a pretty righteous cup of coffee or an amazing glass of wine or a playful moment with your grandchild. 



We have had our home on and off the market now for about four years.  We have had our "stuff" in storage for most of that time in order to stage the house.  All I've done is bitch and gripe for these years and be pissed off because we can't move on with our lives.  Honestly, I wish I could go back and enjoy the time I've had here.  I have a great house. 



Moving forward, I hope that I can remember to enjoy more moments to their fullest and just "be" where I am instead of consistently in search of the next best thing.  I read a goofy saying on Facebook awhile back and I think it applies to every aspect of life . . .



"Oh that I could weigh as much as I did the first time I thought I was fat."