Welcome back to SOLO at SIXTY!
Ever had one of those weekends that just left you thinking, “that was the best weekend ever,” where everything went perfectly and was so much fun? Well, I had one last weekend. As you know, I love being around my kids, but having them all under my roof at the same time is pure heaven for me. Everyone arrived Friday night in the pouring rain which, at the beginning of the week, was forecasted for the whole weekend. Not ideal weather for football, and my boss had graciously given my family and me tickets to Saturday’s UNC vs. UVA football game (I can always count on him for UNC tickets when they play UVA). Now, y’all know my daughter and her husband are the masters of tailgating, but due to the forecast, we were going with Plan B, prepared to tailgate from the comfort of my house instead of the game. BOY was the weatherman wrong (imagine that!). The sun came out and blessed us with a beautiful football Saturday! NO rain. My daughter and her husband set up an early tailgate since the game was at 12:20. The rest of us arrived shortly thereafter and we started the tailgate breakfast of chicken and waffles (used Chick Fil A nuggets!), scrambled eggs, fruit, pumpkin muffins, blueberry muffins, sausage balls, and Mimosas. Played corn hole, watched Game Day, threw the football, and just hung out together. SO MUCH FUN! Loved having all of my kids together. We had great seats for the game which, as has been the case these past 2 seasons, was a disappointing game for us. But still, it was a beautiful day and we were all together. There’s always next week! (Just bring on basketball… PLEASE!)
“Time spent with family is worth every second.”
After the game, my son took his girlfriend around the UVA grounds (aka campus) and “the Corner” and met the rest of us downtown at a local brewery where we got a table, amazing pretzel bites, and drinks. Watched some football games on the big TV’s, visited with friends we ran into, and enjoyed the late afternoon together before walking to dinner on the downtown mall. Another amazing restaurant experience for us all. (Charlottesville has great restaurants!) We weren’t quite ready to call it a night after dinner so we all walked down to Draft Taproom where you self-serve yourself beer from over 60 taps. Luckily for me they have these small glasses (just my size) so I could try a couple – found one that had a hint of blueberry and lemon. Had a small glass as I was the DD – first time I have used all 3 rows of seats in my new car (the only reason I got the bigger model!).
We stayed up late both nights, or should I say early the next morning, just talking, laughing, and watching funny YouTube Videos. Loved every second of it.
“Sail on, sugar, good times never felt so good!” (again… Commodores 1979)
Sunday morning we all slept in, had brunch at my house, sat around the table and visited a bit more before everyone headed out. I know I have been saying this for the past few weeks, but my favorite thing truly, is watching my kids together. It does my heart good seeing them as adult siblings who love each other and enjoy being together. A mother cannot ask for more than that.
After dropping my younger daughter back at her house, I went to my office to clean up my desk and get ready for the new week. When I found myself SOLO 2 ½ years ago, my office became my “safe haven,” a place I could (and did) go at any time to find solace and have something to do to get my mind off of “things.” Sunday afternoon found me feeling a bit lost after such a great weekend with my kids, so I decided to go for a good late afternoon, head-clearing run. After all, it was still light out (for now!). I felt much better. Besides, we will all be together again in a couple of weeks! Always have something to look forward to.
“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”
I’m not sure I would have been able to get out of bed that Monday morning after becoming SOLO without my job. I immersed myself in work, which provided a strong sense of security for me. Took me awhile to realize I would be ok and I began to step out of that comfort zone. I decided at the beginning of this year that I would have no regrets come year end, and that I needed to balance out my life a bit more evenly. I started visiting my kids and my family more often. And I found myself at the beach. A lot. I have found what “balance” looks like for me. I need my work, exercise, the beach, time with my kids and family and friends, and plain ole fun. Yes, I stay very busy (keeps my mind from going “there”), but now I do so in a way that includes lots of fun. I am doing so many things I would never be doing if I was not SOLO – tennis lessons, trying new restaurants, visiting wineries, movies, traveling. (There is always something to be thankful for in every situation!) And I am always planning something – be it a family get together, a trip to the beach, a movie, a show, dinner out, you name it! Rarely do I find myself at home in Charlottesville without plans. If I have no plans, I head to the beach.
“Balance is not something you find… it is something you create.”
How do you balance out your life? Do you get enough sleep? Exercise? Spend time with your loved ones? Have enough fun? I know I do not get enough sleep – never have. I definitely get enough exercise. Spend as much time as possible with my loved ones. And I definitely have fun. So I almost have my balance plan worked out (need to work on the sleep aspect.)
“Balance – never let success go to your head and never let failure go to your heart.”
One more thing… I know today is Halloween, but Christmas movies have arrived on the Hallmark channel and the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel – 24/7! If you ever need a “lift”, watch one of these. They are uplifting and encouraging, always with a happy ending. We all need the happy ending in our lives.
So… get your life in balance before the holidays arrive. Find happiness in every day. Get enough sleep and also enough exercise. Be thankful for all the blessings in your life. And spend time with those you love, because as we all know, none of us is promised tomorrow.
Best,
Leslie
PS – Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour this weekend and relish that extra hour of sleep! Maybe that will help my lack of sleep!
SOLO at SIXTY 
Glad I found your blog! Didn’t know you are in C’ville We have two sons living there and love to visit the area.
Mark Shutt
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
Hey Mark! So good to hear from you! Maybe I will see you sometime when you are up here!
LikeLike