Another year on the books: "42 BEFORE 43" Recap

May 24, 2017 Kirsten Akens

Hey, it's my #42before43 birthday list recap!

Yes, I know it's a bit behind (my birthday was in April), but my excuse is that I was finishing up Item No. 38 and literally could not post anything new to my blog. I'd say it's a pretty good excuse. Of all the items on this list, No. 38 was the one I wanted to make absolutely sure happened this year. And I did!

One thing I did learn this year is that I really enjoy items that involve (or can involve) friends — see Nos. 6, 12, 20, 21, 32, 33 and 34. And I love talking to people about the things they dream of. So, I'm putting this out there: Can I help you in any way? Whether assisting you with developing a list that works for you, or doing an activity with you — I'm up for most anything but jumping out of a plane — I'd love to be a part of your life goals and challenges. Comment below, or pop me a note.

Anywho, per usual, I've bolded completed items, and added italicized explanations on many that I either completed or started ... or changed my mind about. And, if you're new to all of this, find the what, why and how my birthday lists began here.

What have you been up to lately when it comes to your bucket list? Let me know what you've accomplished and what you're dreaming of in the comments.

• 42 BEFORE 43 •

Visit Greece — This is where I was for a couple weeks during May 2016, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. And will continue into next year. My hubby and I are watching together, and, dang, there are a lot of episodes.
Read at least 90 books — I wrapped this cycle with ... 91 books!
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project — I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now. I also participated in the Un-Fancy 10x10 Challenge, constructing 10 different outfits out of just 10 items, and wearing them over a period of 10 days. It was pretty eye-opening. Learn more about that challenge here.
Get will and living will in order (OMG I still haven't done this. Next year. Seriously. For sure.)
Attend a Switchbacks soccer match — Done. Super fun.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.) — Also didn't happen this year, but I'm on tap to do this in June 2017.
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10)
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — Hoping to get into the August 2017 session so this will go on the next list again. I did take her 21-Day Savasana Intensive.
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — Done! Modeled for GOCA's annual art fundraiser Brilliant. It was super fun, aside from the fake eyelash removal, which was kinda painful. #firstfalsiesat42
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys) — Talked with Barb, my instructor, about this. She's all in for reviewing my choreography when it's ready. I've picked a song and am working on the choreography. Leaving on next year's list.
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants) — My plants are doing really well! And I keep adding more to the house because I love the greenery. I forced daffodils (see picture at top!) and have an indoor basil plant in addition to a new bonsai and aloe plant.
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread — So much fun! Made a variety of breads, rolls, sourdough in a pot. AND, bonus, butter! Thanks to my friend "Chef Steffi."
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them) — I did this in December. And they were BRILLIANT in fancy Old Fashioneds. And the, ahem, cherry on top of it all? My chocolatier friend Stephanie (see "Chef Steffi" above) and I took some of the berries and made chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine's Day. Heaven.
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment — I really enjoy this process, even if I don't hit every single week.
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping — Did really well with this!
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat) — Been chatting with a couple different people about this. I think it's going to be further out for me but someday!
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in Utah — I did attend the Best Friends Annual Conference on behalf of A Voice for Lil Olive last year, and that was pretty cool. And I've found a friend to make the trek to Utah with me. It may not happen before April, but next summer for sure.
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason. — Done.
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month — Didn't do so well with this, but I did share a gifted bottle of Dom Perignon with some friends, which counts for, like, 12 bottles, right?
Play Catan with friends — Done! Oh my gosh, way fun. And the couple who joined us is up for a monthly Catan evening.
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak) — Added red highlights. (Honestly, not a super fan. But that's part of doing new stuff!)
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness — Also done!
Wear "grown-up" clothes to bed — Haven't done this every night, but I've done a major clean-out of what I've often worn as pajamas, and am spending more time thinking about wearing something comfortable and cozy, not just pulling whatever I happen to find in the drawer.
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website — My biggest accomplishment this year. And you're lookin' at it!
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities — Admittedly, I haven't interviewed from my bucket list. However, I've interviewed some amazing people this year. You can read my interview with Mary Roach here, and my interview with Shaka Senghor here.
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online) — I pitched a ton of new places, and added Rodale's Organic Life to my portfolio. Will keep this goal next year.

(You can read all about my lists, and the former ones, here. And how I did on last year's list here. Bottom line, I love to try new things, and formalizing the process has helped me do more of them than ever.)

P.S. I'm out of town and completely off the grid next week, so I'll be sharing my #43before44 list the first full week of June.

Two months to go on "42 before 43"

February 23, 2017 Kirsten Akens

42 Before 43 Birthday List | Kirsten Akens

As I mentioned in my last "42 before 43" update, the first six months of this project were unexpectedly chaotic. First, my husband and I moved. Then we prepped our former home for rental.

Then we adopted a second dog.

A breather never came.

I got promoted from writer/researcher on the documentary I've been working on to executive producer. [It's been good, but I could definitely insert a huge bug-eyed emoji here.]

And then the election happened. Amid trying to focus in and act on my personal social justice priorities, and trying to not be taken over by the constant stream of quick-bite news and social media, I upped my reading even more than usual.

More recently, though, our first pup Lucy got sick, and it's been a long haul to figure out what's been going on and how to best care for her.

What I've chosen in my downtime over the past months was not to go chasing after dreams and desires, but to rest. To sit. To snuggle my pups. To binge-watch new TV series. To settle into 20-minute restorative yoga poses.

So, as you read on, you'll find I've checked off just a few more items since my last report. (Honestly, some of the easier, don't have to go anywhere for them, ones.)

From my perspective, it's all good. This list is just something to keep returning to, and keep revising. And to remind myself of all the cool things I have accomplished. In two months, it'll all turn over again.

Anywho, per usual, I've added italicized notes where I've begun or completed an item. And for ease, turned an item green if I have already completed it.

What have you been up to lately when it comes to your bucket list? Let me know what you've accomplished and what you're dreaming of in the comments.

• 42 Before 43 •

Visit Greece— This is where I was for a couple weeks in May, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket-list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. My hubby and I are watching together. We got side-tracked with the move, but will be getting back on track once we let go of our HGTV obsession.
Read at least 90 books — Last year I hit 81 so I've upped it again. To date, I've read 69 books, with five in progress. It's gonna be a race to the end but I'm still confidant. My favorites of the year so far? This.This.And this.
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project— I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now. I did start a new revised cycle on October 1, and I've been aching to set up something new again for March. I also participated in the Un-Fancy 10x10 Challenge, constructing 10 different outfits out of just 10 items, and wearing them over a period of 10 days. It was pretty eye-opening. Learn more about that challenge here.
Get will and living will in order — Found a lawyer. Taking the next steps.
Attend a Switchbacks soccer match— Done. Super fun.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera — Not gonna happen this year.
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.)
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10) — Not gonna happen.
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there — We could still make it to the Beaumont, but Blue Lakes is going to have to wait for another year.
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — Not gonna happen as she only teaches this level two course once a year. Hoping to get into the August 2017 session. I am, however, currently taking her 21-Day Savasana Intensive.
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — Done! Modeled for GOCA's annual art fundraiser Brilliant. It was super fun, aside from the fake eyelash removal, which was kinda painful. #firstfalsiesat42
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys) — Talked with Barb, my instructor, about this. She's all in for reviewing my choreography when it's ready. I've picked a song and am working on the choreography.
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants) — I've done some reading, and so far my plants are not just living but actually thriving.
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them) — I did this in December. And they were BRILLIANT in fancy Old Fashioneds. And the, ahem, cherry on top of it all? My chocolatier friend Stephanie and I took some of the berries and made chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine's Day. Heaven.
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment — Plugging along on this.
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping — Doing really well with this!
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat) — Been chatting (again) with my French friend Tamsin about this. I think it's going to be further out for me but someday!
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in Utah — I did attend the Best Friends Annual Conference on behalf of A Voice for Lil Olive last year, and that was pretty cool. And I've found a friend to make the trek to Utah with me. It may not happen before April, but next summer for sure.
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason — Three sent.
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month — Um. Not doing so well. Ah well.
Play Catan with friends — Done! Oh my gosh, way fun. And the couple who joined us is up for a monthly Catan evening.
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak)— Added red highlights. (Honestly, not a super fan. But that's part of doing new stuff!)
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness— Also done!
Wear "grown-up" clothes to bed— Haven't done this every night, but I've done a major clean-out of what I've often worn as pajamas, and am spending more time thinking about wearing something comfortable and cozy, not just pulling whatever I happen to find in the drawer.
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website — I've been working on a new layout in Squarespace. If I could have this launched before my birthday, I'd be a happy girl.
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities — Admittedly, I haven't interviewed from my bucket list. However, I've interviewed some amazing people this year. One story is yet to come out, but you can read my interview with Mary Roach here, and my interview with Shaka Senghor here.
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online) — I've pitched a slew of new places. Nothing confirmed yet.

Halfway through "42 before 43"

October 24, 2016 Kirsten Akens

Wow. It has been one crazy ride over the past six months. My husband and I decided to purchase a new home and turn our old home into a rental.

Finding our new home was a huge process.

Cleaning up, cleaning out and boxing everything not cleaned up or cleaned out was a huge process.

Moving itself was a huge process, as was painting and prepping the new space (thank goodness for friends who helped with all of these tasks!).

And then there's been the process of readying the old home for rental — which we are SO close to. I don't want to jinx it but if all goes as planned, we'll be on the market in a few days.

And because all of that wasn't enough, we adopted a new pup from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Finnegan is a one-year-old Boston terrier, and he's as much trouble as he is adorable. (See above. Lucy's in the front; Finn, with the floppy ears and long tail, is in the back.) We're now in dog training classes with him — which if you've ever trained a dog, you know is more about training us than him. It's fun, and exhausting.

All this to say ... my list fell by the wayside. Far, far by the wayside. I didn't travel as much as I'd hoped. I didn't hike as much as I'd hoped. Heck, I didn't even think about this list as much as I'd hoped — except wistfully.

But that's life. And that's OK. I may not have made it to yoga training (No. 11), or to Best Friends (No. 31), or anywhere near Ouray (Nos. 9 & 10), but I have a pretty awesome new hot tub for soaking beneath the stars in (and drinking bubbly with friends in, see No. 33) and a second warm puppy to snuggle with (when he's not barking at our new neighbors). I've still got six months to go on this list ... and there's always next year.

Per usual, I've added italicized notes where I've begun or completed an item. And for ease, turned an item green if I have already completed it.

What have you been up to lately when it comes to your bucket list? Let me know in the comments. (And, more importantly, what's keeping you from moving on them!)

• 42 Before 43 •

Visit Greece— This is where I was for a couple weeks in May, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket-list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. My hubby and I are watching together. We got side-tracked with the move, but will be getting back on track once we let go of our HGTV obsession.
Read at least 90 books — Last year I hit 81 so I've upped it again. To date, I've read 35 books, with three in progress.
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project — I came home from Greece and spent a heavily jet-lagged day cleaning out my closet again. I'll blog more about this later, but I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now. (I did start a new revised cycle on October 1.)
Get will and living will in order — Found a lawyer. Taking the next steps.
Attend a Switchbacks soccer match— Done. Super fun.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera — Not gonna happen this year.
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.)
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10) — Not gonna happen.
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there — We could still make it to the Beaumont, but Blue Lakes is going to have to wait for another year.
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — Not gonna happen as she only teaches this level two course once a year. Hoping to get into the August 2017 session.
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — Done! Modeled for GOCA's annual art fundraiser Brilliant. It was super fun, aside from the fake eyelash removal, which was kinda painful. #firstfalsiesat42
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys) — Talked with Barb, my instructor, about this. She's all in for reviewing my choreography when it's ready. I've picked a song and am working on the choreography.
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants)
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them)
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment — Plugging along on this.
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping — Doing really well with this!
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat) — Been chatting (again) with my French friend Tamsin about this. Yay!
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in Utah — I did attend the Best Friends Annual Conference on behalf of A Voice for Lil Olive earlier this year, and that was pretty cool. And I've found a friend to make the trek to Utah with me. It may not happen before April, but next summer for sure.
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason — Two sent.
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month — Geez. You'd think this would be easy, but with the move, it hasn't been. I had better get on it for the next six months at least!
Play Settlers of Catan with friends
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak)— Added red highlights. (Honestly, not a super fan. But that's part of doing new stuff!)
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness — I've been shopping. And trying on oodles of dresses. Haven't found the perfect piece yet.
Wear "grown-up" clothes to bed— Haven't done this every night, but I've done a major clean-out of what I've often worn as pajamas, and am spending more time thinking about wearing something comfortable and cozy, not just pulling whatever I happen to find in the drawer.
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online) — I've pitched a few new places. Nothing confirmed yet.

Checking in on ’42 before 43’

July 5, 2016 Kirsten Akens

Oh hey there, blog friends.

Popping in with a two-month-ish "42 before 43" update. Adding italicized notes where I've begun or completed an item. And for ease, turned an item green if I have already completed it.

What have you been up to lately when it comes to your bucket list? Let me know in the comments. (And, more importantly, what's keeping you from moving on them!)

• 42 Before 43 •

Visit Greece— This is where I was for a couple weeks in May, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket-list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. My hubby and I are watching together and we've just started season six. (There are 11.)
Read at least 90 books — Last year I hit 81 so I've upped it again. To date, I've read 14 books, with three in progress.
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project — I came home from Greece and spent a heavily jet-lagged day cleaning out my closet again. I'll blog more about this later, but I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now.
Get will and living will in order — Found a lawyer. Taking the next steps.
Attend a Switchbacks match — Determined not to miss this one this summer.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera — Same goes for this. Already talking with the hubby about when we can go this summer/fall.
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.)
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10)
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — It's in August, so we'll see...
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — Done! Modeled for GOCA's annual art fundraiser Brilliant. It was super fun, aside from the fake eyelash removal (see photo above), which was kinda painful. #firstfalsiesat42
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys) — Talked with Barb this past Sunday. She's all in for reviewing my choreography when it's ready.
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants)
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them)
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment — Plugging along on this.
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping — Doing really well with this!
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat)
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in Utah — So, it's not the sanctuary, but I AM attending the Best Friends Annual Conference on behalf of A Voice for Lil Olive and I couldn't be more excited.
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason — One sent.
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month — June's was with Lucy (does that count?). July's with Joy. Need to make up for May still. :-)
Play Settlers of Catan with friends
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak) — Chit-chatted with my stylist about this at my last visit.
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness
Wear grown-up clothes to bed (or no clothes — TMI?)
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online) — I've pitched a few new places. Nothing confirmed yet.

The new birthday list: "42 before 43"

June 3, 2016 Kirsten Akens

Greece sailing ship cruise, credit Kirsten Akens 2016

It's birthday list renewal time!

Actually it's a month beyond birthday list renewal time, but I was traveling much of May (checking items off the list!) so I'm just now getting this up on the blog.

You can read all about my lists, and the former ones, here. And how I did on last year's list here. (Bottom line, I love to try new things, and formalizing the process has helped me do more of them than ever.)

Take a gander at my list and let me know what would be on yours in the comments. (And, more importantly, what's keeping you from moving on them!)

• 42 Before 43 •

Visit Greece — This is where I was for a couple weeks in May, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship (pictured above) and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket-list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. My hubby and I are watching together and we've just started season six.
Read at least 90 books — Last year I hit 81 so I've upped it again. To date, I've read seven books, with three in progress.
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project — I came home from Greece and spent a heavily jet-lagged day cleaning out my closet again. I'll blog more about this later, but I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now.
Get will and living will in order — Found a lawyer. Taking the next steps.
Attend a Switchbacks match — Determined not to miss this one this summer.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera — Same goes for this. Already talking with the hubby about when we can go this summer/fall.
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.)
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10)
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — It's in August, so we'll see...
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — I responded to a call for models for a local runway event. Crossing my fingers I get picked!
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys)
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants)
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them)
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat)
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society in Utah
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month
Play Settlers of Catan with friends
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak)
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness
Wear grown-up clothes to bed (or no clothes — TMI?)
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online)

HIYA, I'M KIRSTEN

I'm a professional writer and restorative yoga instructor who blogs about the joys and challenges of life. I'm so glad you've popped by. If you enjoy what you find here, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter and follow my journeys all about the interwebs.