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!
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.
So instead of flying home from Seattle the GWG crew flew me out to Kansas to drive some merchandise home for me. I picked up a Uhaul and my friend Barb and it was a 24.5 hr straight drive home. One thing about driving with Barb you can always guarantee it will be entertaining. We made it home in time for Callie to set up for the warehouse sale which is always fun but this year I ended up coming down with a cold so that didn’t make it to much fun. The evening after the sale Alicia and I went to the Thompson Square concert in town. It was a great show and I have found that there is something about an acoustic show.
On top of enjoying a night out with my sister my friend sent me photo and my new Boston Puppy was born. So this mom was excited and couldn’t wait to go visit him the next day. I went over the next morning and got to hold and love on him. Sounders is definitely loved already.
Liz's Gypsy Journey 