Welcome back to SOLO at SIXTY!
Welcome to the “burrrr” months… SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, DecemBER… I’m getting chilly just saying these months out loud! However, one is my birthday month! Just saying!
How was your Labor Day holiday? Did you get the day off? Go to a cookout? I really did not get the day off, it is month-end after all, and financials must be produced. But I’ll take the time off later. I did, however, go to a fun barbeque late afternoon.
“Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.”
Even though I had to work, it was still a less stressful Labor Day weekend than usual because I didn’t have to race. That’s right… for the first time in over 10 years, I skipped out on running the Charlottesville Women’s 4-Miler (always Labor Day weekend). Darn knee. I love running, but I do stress myself out over races. Was it a relief? Well… sorta. But it was sad as well. I run this race “in memory” of my childhood friend Luanne, who lost her battle with cancer, and last year added “in honor” of her daughter-in-law, Jenn, who overcame her battle with cancer in the most courageous way. It was also sad because I run this race with my younger daughter (who moved to Charlotte) as a mother/daughter team, Run Like Mad. I miss her. But we will be back next year when my knee is healed, and I think we’ll be changing the name of our team! That is, since I changed my name.
“And then she realized that a fresh start was hers for the taking, that she could be the woman she’s always seen on the distant horizon – her future self. One step at a time. Starting today.”
My knee is healing though, and I am slowly but happily regaining my pre-surgery life. For me, that means gaining my mobility and peace of mind. My “return to normal activities” date is September 24th, 5 months post surgery (and my late dad’s birthday!). I will be celebrating! And I will not be overdoing it this time around. I was cleared to take a step class this week, and I did, low impact. Been a LONG time since I took step. It was fun and another “step” toward normalcy.
My running limit is now up to 40 minutes so I started running part of my old route through the grounds (campus) of UVA. Can’t wait until I can run the full course! But this is a great start. The students are back at UVA for a new semester and the “Corner” is once again alive and busy. College parents are adjusting to life without their kids. Dinner tables have changed. There’s a hole in the family. I kinda feel that way since my younger daughter moved to Charlotte, but she is so happy it makes my heart full. I am sure these college parents are feeling the same way.
All those kids back at college… you know what that means, college football! And oh my, did Labor Day weekend bring on the start of college football in a BIG way for Tar Heel fans! We were hoping for a decent game and were happily surprised with the win! Had almost forgotten what that felt like. HEAVENLY! Here’s hoping for a repeat this weekend as I head to Chapel Hill with my kids for the UNC-Miami game. Looking forward to the start of our tailgate season. My daughter and son-in-law (professional tailgaters) had a “dry run” on our tailgate, making sure everything is in working order including the Dish satellite… all is ready! We are ready.
“The greatest power you possess in life is your understanding that life gives you a fresh start any moment you choose to start fresh.” – Guy Finley
Speaking of being ready, my sweet great-nephew Jack started preschool this week. He was ready and excited with his new backpack and lunchbox. It’s a whole new world for him. What we are not ready for though is Hurricane Dorian. The governor of SC issued a mandatory evacuation at my beach this week, and luckily my sister and brother-in-law were down there to ready our houses for whatever may come. Praying for all of those in the path of this furious storm. And hoping when I head there in a week, things will be all right. By the way, I will NOT drive into any water this time!
“New month. New beginning. New mindset. New focus. New start. New intentions. New results.”
Remember when LaBURR Day meant the start of fall? Sure didn’t feel that way this past weekend! But it IS the start of the last 4 months of 2019. If you were to stop and take stock of this year so far, is there anything you would want to change to end the year on a positive note? Have any resolutions you made in January that you still want to accomplish? Any new intentions to make these next months the best months of 2019? I plan to be more present in the moment these last 4 “burr” months of the year. Not stress over what I cannot control (example – onset of cold weather!). This journey with my knee made me slow down and appreciate many things I took for granted. I have developed patience (well some). I’m going to enjoy and celebrate life to its fullest. And let life lead me. It’s gonna be a fun ride, right into the Christmas season (my favorite time of the year!). Make the decision today to renew your spirit, refocus your intentions, take that extra step for yourself and your happiness, because as we all know, none of us is promised tomorrow.
“The best thing you can do for yourself is stop saying “I wish” and start saying “I will”. And then do something about it.”
Best,
Leslie
PS A big thank you to everyone who reached out with support after the last blog… made this SOLO girl feel good about that big change.
SOLO at SIXTY 