December 2018 – Liz's Gypsy Journey

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December 31, 2018 Liz's Gypsy JourneyLeave a comment

As we say good bye today to 2018 I find myself looking back over the past year. It was a year of love, hope, travel, sadness and learning more about who I am. I love reflecting on the years past. I love to look back and see where I was and where I am today. My goal for 2018 wasn’t to be anyone but me. I wanted to focus on myself and do what I wanted to do. For me traveling gives me the time to think and ponder about life. It is my me time. The time that I give to myself to think through life.

This last year I learned to say no to things I didn’t want to do. I learned that you can be yourself and that the people that love you will still be by your side. I learned that even tho you love someone it doesn’t mean that you are always going to agree with them but you can still respect them. I learned that diversity is one of my favorite things now days. I learned that I am a total gypsy. I would rather be traveling, learning on the road and seeing new things every day then staying in one place for a long time. I have learned that you can be a good person and love your family and friends while you are on the road.

I have been in big cities, small towns, listened to the waves crash in the Pacific ocean and listened to the waves crash in the Atlantic ocean all in this year. I have met people that would give you the shirt off their back and people that wouldn’t. I have come to love the noise of the big cities. The sounds of cars, people talking, tall buildings surrounding you and just the amazing sites you can find in the big cities. I find myself feeling so small in those busy cities and sometimes find myself standing against a building just soaking in the hustle of the busy streets and smiling.

I learned that even while being away from “home” you can find home wherever you are. You can still be a true friend that is only a phone call away. You can be an aunt that is trying to show the little people in her life that it is ok to chase their dreams and if there is a will there is a way. Life isn’t about being unhappy or money but life is to be lived. My all time favorite quote is “To live would be an awfully big adventure!” and believe in that quote full heartedly. I have coached some of the greatest girls in little league and learned that even while being competitive it is ok to just fall in love with the game all over again.

This year has been a learning year. It has been a year where there were moments where I just wanted to sit down and cry while other days I couldn’t be happier. I think that is how every year is but this year I feel like I grew more into the person I wanted to be. I quit thinking so much about what others think and just let down my guard and said this is me. I pierced my nose after wanting it for years and one of my best friends told me “hey it’s your life and you have to do what makes you happy and forget what others think, just be you.” Thanks Em for always having my back and supporting my crazy ideas. I love with everything I am. I try to see the best in everyone. I would give anything I had to the ones I love and overall just try to be a good human.

I am definitely not perfect and I have definitely made my mistakes but everyday I try my best to find the good in the world. I try to find the happy in every day. I try to be there for my people and I try to be there for myself. As I continue to say goodbye to 2018 I also want to thank this year. Thank you for teaching me, opening doors, keeping myself and loved ones safe and thank you for the memories. There is so many amazing memories that happened this year. Thank you for true friends that are there no matter what. I have some of the best in my corner and I don’t know where I would be without my support system.

So here is to 2019! A year of more change, travel, friendship and a year of becoming more of myself. Happy New Year!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year..

December 27, 2018 Liz's Gypsy Journey2 Comments

As December came in fast I feel like it is leaving just as quick. After only a couple of days home I headed to Billings Montana for a quick trip to pick up a couple dogs for some friends. The drive was beautiful and showed an amazing winter wonderland. One the way back from Montana I was able to stop for the night and visit with Arlene and Kelly. It is always great to see them. I even got to stop and give my sister Britt a quick hug which is always worth the trip.

One December 9th I got to board one of Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 and was once again Seattle Washington bound to visit family. This time my carry on bag didn’t hold the normal extra things you need to travel but instead held my new digital camera that my dad gave me for Christmas. I definitely couldn’t wait to use it in Seattle. A quick one hour and thirty minute flight and I was safe and sound in one of the best cities.

The trip was amazing as usual. Christel took me to all the tourist spots, we hit the Seattle Underground tour, the museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass and Smith Tower. I also took a afternoon to walk from my cousin Kirsi’s building where she works up to the Gum Wall and Pike Place Market. The gum wall was definitely a sight to see. I found it so interesting and just artistic in a weird way.

The Underground Tour was very neat. They taught us all about how Seattle started and all the struggles that took to build it. It was so neat to see the buildings that were still under the newer buildings and how they built the underground. After the tour we decided to walk across the street and tour the very first skyscraper built which is the Smith Tower. It has a amazing bar at the top of it that once you go through the self guided tour you can ride the elevator up and have a drink as well as walk around the top of the building and see the sights of Seattle.

The Museum Of Pop Culture is definitely always a favorite of mine. I love to go see the exhibits that showcase the bands that are from Seattle. This time the main exhibit was the Pearl Jam exhibit. I loved getting to learn more about the band and all the trials they went through to get to be where they are today and some of their stage props and instruments. Along with the Pearl Jam exhibit they also have an exhibit that showcases Nirvana and Jimmy Hendricks. It is definitely a place to check out.

After the Museum Of Pop Culture we went to the Chihuly Garden and Glass. This exhibit was absolutely incredible! Chihuly’s glassblowing is absolutely breath taking. His work is above and beyond what I thought it was going to be. I loved every room in the exhibit. Each piece left you wondering how did he decide to make that piece. I loved that in some of the rooms they actually featured the painting that went with the blown glass art work. He has an incredible talent!

The rest of the time I was spending time with my family. Enjoying my cousins and learning about photography from my cousin Ken. The last night I was there I met up with my cousin Kirsi and her friends. We found this bar called the Pie Bar and yes they served homemade pies and alcohol. How can you go wrong? I spent my last day in Seattle with Kirsi attending the farmers market and eating amazing Italian food before I had to take off back home.

Once I was home I had got to pick up my puppy. I couldn’t wait to have Sounders home with me to snuggle and love. He is a pretty cool little guy and I definitely am in love.

I also had a week to get everything done and ready for Christmas. This year I actually wasn’t shopping last minute. I spent some time in the wood shop finishing up the gifts I wanted to make. I spent Christmas Eve with my friend Alecia and her family. It is always a great time with them. I love the laughter that happens and just getting to spend time with them.

Christmas Morning I got up and went to Dave and Connie Simpson’s home where I married them in front of the Christmas tree in a short ceremony in front of their closest friends. It is always an honor to marry couples and this one I couldn’t be happier for. I spent the rest of Christmas visiting the neighbors who are like family and went to Jen and Jon’s to finish up the afternoon and evening. It was my fourth year with them and I love spending Christmas with them.

The day after Christmas it was time for Christmas with my dad and my sister Nicole’s family. We had a great dinner and enjoyed spending the evening together. The kids are definitely fun to watch open their gifts. Christmas through a child’s eye is definitely a great way to celebrate.

As we say good bye to 2018 in a couple days I can definitely say the last month of it was a great one. I will try and do one last blog before the new year reflecting but if I don’t get a chance to get it done. Happy New Year!

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December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 Liz's Gypsy JourneyLeave a comment

Wow what a crazy past two months. I always feel bad when I get behind on my blog because I always have friends and family members asking what I have been up to or that they are waiting for my next post. So finally here it is! This blog post I am combining October and November.

October was a busy month but nothing like November. In the month of October I was still hauling for fires and enjoying puppy kisses from the cutest Boston Terrier. I also had the opportunity to go to Reno for Girls With Guns clothing and that turned into weekend of fun with friends in Reno. Jessica, Paul and I got to attend the UNR homecoming game against Boise State. We always laugh a lot when we are around each other. After a quick couple of days at home I was packing and getting ready for whitetail deer season in Nebraska and some time in Indiana.

The being of November was here before I knew it and I was east bound. My first stop was going to be Pueblo Colorado where I would be dropping off some of Kathy Woolley’s amazing furniture to one of her clients. Then I spent two days in the Denver area with some friends before making the decision to go visit Ruth and Greg in South Dakota. The South Dakota trip wasnt planned but with Aunt Ruth it is always fun. She took me to a winery, Mount Rushmore (which is incredible in person), Deadwood and Sturgis. It was a fun packed 3 days that I am so thankful to have had with her.

A short drive and I was in Nebraska. When whitetail deer season comes around I get excited. This year I learned how to rattle and grunt call so I couldn’t wait to get in the tree stand. The first two days I saw numerous bucks but this year I was after an old, mature and heavy horned buck god willing. I spent two days in the treestand with a few hikes in the afternoon. But still hadn’t seen the one. Finally on day three I decided to sleep in and hike when it warmed up a little bit. I went for a hike on the east side of the ranch and spotted my buck through the trees. After taking some deep breaths I end up coming up with a game plan. Which included crawling in the snow under trees and hiding in the down trees. After some time I was able to harvest an incredible buck. A buck that would not only fill up our families freezer but would also be on the wall for a lifetime. The hike back to the house seemed like it took forever and I couldn’t wait to put my hands on this incredible animal. Needless to say I was shaking like crazy and grateful. After some work and the help of my dad we got the buck field dressed and loaded in the truck. The hunt in Nebraska was a success.

After my time in Nebraska was over I loaded up and headed farther east to Indiana. I did some work stuff and decided to take a trailer to Connecticut. But before I left I took my “brothers” to a hockey game. Two of the three of us loved it but the time together was totally worth it.

I was able to have a safe driver through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. I just missed the fall colors but there is still something beautiful about the east coast. The old homes, old towns, and lets not forget about the amazing New York Style pizza.

By the time I got back it was a few days before Thanksgiving and I was supposed to spend it with Martin and Jenny but due to the weather that was coming in I had to leave earlier then expected. I made it to Wellington Colorado on Thanksgiving and got to enjoy it with my friends from Denver. It was a great day with laughs and wine. I ended up being stuck in Wellington for three days due to high winds.

I finally made it back to California a few days later was able to be home for four days before I was off to Montana to pick up some dogs for a friend from home.

The trip back east added three more states to my check list. I always love getting to check off new states. I have now seen 76% of the United States and have enjoyed every moment of it. I find myself being so thankful that I have the opportunities that I have and a job that allows me to travel. Here is to the already busy start of December and hopefully I will get the December blog up faster than I got the October/November blog up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!