Are you ready? It's here!! A new start - time to take a good look at the things in our lives we want to change, make better, do differently.

Maybe this year, if each of us chose to make one solid positive change, the world would become a little bit of a better place to live.... or what if each day, we looked for one opportunity to do something nice for someone else, stranger or friend...even anonymously....what do you think that would do?

I don't know. We always think of the things that will make our lives more organized, healthier, happier - maybe also add something outside of ourselves and see what happens. I tend to think that the reward of enriching another's life would be enough to keep us going throughout the year...

Don't get me wrong...I have some lofty goals to de-clutter (much needed), simplify, and reach a new level of fitness with my mountain biking...but to serve others and look outside myself will be more beneficial to me and my circle of influence....  I would love to have you leave comments of ideas we could try to help others, or things you have done or been the recipient of. So...

                                                             HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year coming up.... During all the craziness of trying to keep up with school parties, work cookie exchanges, trying to make sure I bought all the ingredients I was going to need for Christmas day dinner and goodies....we went out riding the weekend before Christmas. Now, of course, my first instinct was, what? I can't budget that into the limited time left to make sure I have absolutely every little detail organized, as being driven by my relentless OCD right now.

But....it was beautiful. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was just what I needed.

This season has been really sad and dark and frustrating for me. Not gonna dwell on that....it's just that the ride was a place of solace for me in all the chaos that was mostly in my mind. When you confide in someone about sadness, depression or anxiety...meaning well, they usually immediately suggest medication. I know that it is necessary sometimes, but, if you can boost your endorphins naturally, why wouldn't you? Because it's harder. It takes effort. But, the outcome and benefits far outweigh the extra work it takes. Natural therapy.

So, put your arm and leg warmers or tights on, some ear warmers and head out... it is something you will not regret....

 

 

I've been out of it for a while now. I hate how I feel during the holidays and when I shop at Walmart. :) It's a humanity thing......

Anyway, in all seriousness, I am in need of a fresh start. A clean slate in my mind. I have been in a serious funk.

My husband and I have been talking about how chaotic the world has become - crazy consumer debt, terrorism, high stress in everyone's lives, the powers that be keeping society divided against itself - angry and fighting about everything, everyone feeling entitled to whatever they want and not wanting to be productive members of society, and it goes on and on.....

I have found myself wanting to just retreat, hide from everything, and become more and more of a recluse.....the option is being very, very angry and lashing out at people in public. In turn, I have been becoming more and more depressed.

So, being completely transparent, I need to refocus. I know God wants better for me and my family. I have let myself become so distracted and disillusioned with all that is going on around me and in my head, that I have wandered far and taken no responsibility for my own journey. I love this quote in the picture above. I can complain and be sad and remorseful about how the world is right now, or I can start making a change.

I have a huge responsibility to my little boy, to be an example on how to live, cope and relate to others and the world around me. I have to show him how to love as God loves us, how to take care of this world He has entrusted us with, how to be a productive member of society and how to live his conscience and values.

And this is Christmas. Maybe not the exact date, but the season chosen to take time to stop and think about the fact that God came to us, as a man like us. I owe Him nothing less than my whole mind and life and heart. It just takes faith. But faith takes action. I am responsible for that.

I want to be good to people, give when I see a need, follow God's prompting, spread peace, take care of this earth and this body He gave me, be the best friend my husband deserves and raise my child without regrets.

so, let's see how this plays out. It has to start today.

 

My Motivation

 

This kid..... So, I started late. Well, actually God had it planned out perfectly all along. I had decided that God had led me into the field I am in to help fill the void in my life of not being married and having a kiddo of my own. I work on the OB floor at my hospital and specialized in the NICU. Best job ever! Or so I thought......I was wrong, because being a mom is by far the best thing I have ever done - hands down.

I was 37 when I married a most amazing man, who didn't let me run him off... :) I was also blessed to get two very cool, full-of-life, talented and smart stepsons in the deal. Definitely had a full life then... but there was still a missing piece. But, that's okay. There's a reason for everything and I could accept that. So, when I did, I got a surprise - best surprise of my life.

So, here came Khyber. I have never loved anyone so much in my life. What a trip. He keeps me going all the time - he challenges me to be a better person because I know kids learn by watching us, He is my inspiration to stay healthy and do more and try more things. Because, I don't want him to be afraid to try new things, or be intimidated by the unknown, or let his fears dictate his decisions. I want him to remember his mom as the one who took some chances, wasn't afraid to say sorry or admit her mistakes and was always pushing him to be and do his best and love who he was.

These are big things. I don't want to fail because I just didn't try. Sure, I'm tired sometimes and I get overwhelmed, but the rewards are over the top! This kid has made my life so full, and fun and blessed and I am enjoying every day with him....

 

Grab em While You Can Get em!

 

 

 

 Today was beautiful! We had some snow this past week, and another storm system is supposed to be heading in this week, so.....Thankfully, it was pretty on a weekend day so my hubby and I could get a ride in. The trail was perfect and the temperature was just right.

         This is a self portrait of Andy and I.... :)














                                                 

   

        You can see forever!                                                                        

 

Living the Dream.......  :)

 

 

 

 

So, my name is Rodi and this is Devil Dog....the source of my check with reality earlier this summer and the most growth I've had in many years. I am a (48yr old) mom, wife, nurse, pursuer of becoming wiser, healthier and nicer, traveler through my world as I know it. :)

 

It's funny how you see yourself one way and one day your reality is redefined. My rude awakening came earlier this summer when my husband built up this amazing, so light and fast-I-can-climb-anything bike for me. First ride out on the trails and flying down my first hill on my rocket, sent me flying off my bike when I failed to give it the proper respect and handling it needed. See, I was, in my head, still the rider I was pre-kid 8 years ago. So, now I know. So, after weeks of padding and duck tape on my hand so I could grip the handle, and many walks down hills I used to give no thought to, I had to work through a lot of fear and head games and decide who I wanted to be. Did I want to just accept, as so many do, that I am just getting older and need to take it easier and grow older gracefully.

Um , no. Thanks, but, I cannot do that. I accept I am not 24 anymore. But, what is age? Why does it matter? My husband always says, "you're no different from any other human being. You can do whatever you set your mind to." So, I don't see myself as an age - I am going to be active and make healthy changes and stay on top of my game, so I can enjoy every bit of this life. I have an amazing husband who truly loves me unconditionally, a crazy smart and sassy kid I love more than life itself, and a whole world out there with many years to see it all with. What a journey....

So, my point to all this is that.....this blog is for me to hold myself accountable to these goals and ideals, and maybe meet some new people and learn from them as well.

Oh, and I'm riding again, better than I have in a lot of years and having a blast!

Life is Good!