Both/And…keeping it real

We can do hard things. Acknowledging both the good and hard in everyday life.

  • Sometimes, it is good to howl….

    (Oh my heart…be brave my soul.) “I can feel something welling up, deep in the pit of my stomach, a clenching I don’t have a name for. I have spent too many days, NOT caring for myself, AGAIN. Between family needs, schedules and even the joy, I have yet again, put my own needs on…

  • Becoming 50

    Tomorrow is a big birthday. You know how you hear, “age 50” advice throughout your life? Some is well-meaning and sage, some definitely is NOT. Everything from, “tomorrow, it’s all over, Stacy. Your body starts to break down, you feel 80 from the minute you turn 50,” to “enjoy every moment, it all goes fast.”…

  • “Hey John, you need one of those!”

    If you know me or have followed my social media for more than this month, my love and joy in riding my bike is evident. I always relish the freedom my bike gives me, the effort of pushing my overly active muscles and the wonder of feeling my body accomplish this thing I ask it…

  • Becoming a wild wonder woman…

    Recently, a client described her granddaughter to me with the words, “she is a wild wonder woman!” it was one of those moments in counseling that initially was not particularly noteworthy. Important, yes; but not one that I clinically sat back and took note of. After we finished our session, however, I wrote it down…

  • Family…

    We are, in our family of 5, spinning lately between our kids spring sports and events, church events, commitments to friends and family. These are all things we love, and the pace has just amped up! There is a metronome in the back of my mind, slowly ticking as we edge toward summer. But not…

  • Two golf carts…two very different experiences.

    (For my EGM) Spending time with my darling daughter is like getting my cup filled up over and over when it has been significantly hard to find a drink for weeks.  One of our favorite activities together is to go to local craft fairs. We love the creative endeavors, finding so many ideas for her endlessly…

  • The smell of coffee, Gram’s Oil of Olay and Tiffany Rose Gold: oh the memories I have…

    I walked in the door and couldn’t help but inhale deeply. The rich, deep, comforting smell of coffee both assaults and eases into every part of my olfactory system. The funny thing is? I don’t even like DRINKING coffee. But my body, heart and mind are instantly comforted with the smell… Growing up, the coffee…

  • Anger is easier than vulnerable…

    After a week full and by full, I mean 11 sports events for my two oldest kids, my body is completely spent. My muscles have been tight and reactive, causing my back to tighten up and sending everything else into spasms as well. When I walk, I feel like these legs have become sticks, or…

  • Ebenezer

    At the start of the year, for a reason that could only be the Holy Spirit, I came across many posts about “The Bible Recap.” There was ALOT of buzz about the podcast, the host and reading through the Bible in a year. I will NOT usually jump on the bandwagon if something is picking…