Change...

Change is a funny thing. 

I am not talking about those pesky metal coins that clink around at the bottom of your purse or somehow get wedged into your couch cushions.

Change, the kind of change that happens after years and years pass – think about 5 years ago, heck think about a  year ago how much have you changed?  How is it that day by day we don’t feel a difference but looking back a year ago, how different my life was, who I was, where I worked, who I was dating, my goals, my future – everything seemed so set in stone and here I am a year later and I have no idea how and when it all changed. 

Isn’t it crazy how that happens – it also blows my mind – what will my life be like next year, in 5 years, in 10 years!

Change is scary, don’t get me wrong I am the first to admit that I LOVE my comfort zone, I love routine, I love planning. Change can literally ruin your day, but it can also be one of the best things to happen to you.

Take this blog for instance, when I first started writing I was bitter, getting over an ex-boyfriend and writing about one drunk escapade after the next. 

Flash forward to now where I am very happy with my life, I have a good job, an amazing boyfriend, the best dog in the world, and I am planning for the future. 

My whole outlook on life is different, more positive, less bitter, same amount of wine... (some things don't need to change) A year ago I couldn’t plan what I wanted for dinner let alone how much money should go into my 401K. 

Do you ever look back at a situation and think why the heck did I handle it that way, knowing how you handled it today would be ten times better. Part of change is growing up, part of change if gaining experience; and a big part of change is who you have in your life at the time.

You know what the worst part of change is – how other people handle it. When they don’t accept change and instead of acknowledging it; they deny it or worse they just get angry. 

You can’t control change, I believe that everything that happens in your life is an opportunity for growth and development and sometimes change shows you a new path that you never knew you wanted, needed, could go down.

I would like to say that I embrace change, but I would be lying. My new goal, however, is to embrace change -  I love where I have been and I can only imagine what the future has in store for me.

Cheers to Change!

Where is my green grass?

So I am currently learning a very very tough lesson…the grass is not always greener.

Have you ever heard this expression – you probably have if you don’t live under a rock. I have been hearing this expression since I was a child. It’s often said as an expression of warning, that you should be thankful for what you have; don’t yearn for what others have because you don’t know the whole 

situation. The grass may look green but it might not be the kind of green you are looking for.

I think anyone who is reading this can relate to a time or instance where this has happened – if you haven’t  - come hang out with me and I can give you some of mine! 

I don’t like to say I have regrets about making decisions, because I really do believe that everything happens for a reason – most of the time even in the worst situation you gain strength, experience, patience, or learn a hell of a lot more about yourself.

Do you ever make a decision and feel more lost then you thought you would? That is where I am in life right now. I made a decision to go to the other side and check out the greener grass and guess what – the grass ain’t all that great! And now I am lost. I can’t go back to the other side, cause I left there not wanting to go back. Now I am on this “green” hill and I don’t want to be there either. And to be honest it kind of just feels like I am rolling downhill, let’s not be extreme and say to rock bottom, but you could say it’s not the top of the hill where I thought I would be!

What’s my next step? Are you ever scared to take the next step when the last leap wasn’t a good one? I don’t see a “greener” hill nearby? How long do I stay on this green hill that is starting to look yellow and brown! 

I know this isn't an advice column and most of my blog posts are often fun, light, or crazy sarcastic - I bounce around, you get it- but this one sincerely is asking for advice. I'm not perfect - shocker! - I make mistakes and like I said before, I don't have regrets but my decisions do make me hesitate in taking the next step...whatever the next step may be...

Cheers to greener grass!

Spring in RVA

As mentioned in my previous post I wanted to highlight some of my favorite Spring Activities…because in case you missed it..Spring is the best…correction Spring in RVA is the best!

One of the many reasons that I love spring is that because it’s still cool enough that you can wear leggings and a light jacket – not hot enough yet to be in tank top and shorts…home girl needs to slowly ease her way into shorts and tank tops…because this glow in the dark winter body ain’t cutting it yet!

You still get warm enough that you have those days where the sun is so warm and it feels so damn good!

When you have days like those let me encourage you to…

find a brewery or restaurant with a porch and grab a beer with friends. It is amazing what the warm weather will do to my attitude and social life. Come spring I crawl out of the cave I have been hibernating in for the past several months – I call up the friends who I haven’t talked to since hibernation and I strongly request brunch or happy hours with them!!

Next - do anything near the James River – walk, hike, run, picnic, layout, heck even get in the river! In a kayak or canoe of course cause if you get in that water now you are frickin crazy and you had too many mimosas at brunch my friend.

Festivals 

RVA is literally known for the festival playlist- there are a ton all year long but they really kick off the Festival season in May

If you haven’t checked out the Dominion River Rock Festival at Brown’s Island – mark your calendar now(May 20-22nd)! Even if you don’t want to, like to, or have the energy to be active there are all these vendors there handing out free stuff, there are plenty of things to watch, participate in IF you want, and of course beer trucks and food vendors (and of course it’s FREE to get in but they encourage donations!). If the weather is nice plan to be there all day!!

Arts in the Park, this sounds cheesy, and for old people and maybe it is but go ahead and mark your calendar and check it out – April 30th and May 1st – its FREE and there are tons of local vendors and vendors from all over the U.S.A. The event is not dog friendly but it’s something that you can check out for a few hours and then head home to hang with your pup!

Friday Cheers  – okay this one is a cheat cause I have never actually been to one, BUT I know I will LOVE this once I go! So this is not a free event and it is not dog friendly BUT it is outdoor concert series at Brown’s island that starts in May and goes throughout the summer ever Friday. They bring local talent, breakout bands, and national acts to Brown’s Island and it usually cost between $5-$10 to attend. You can bring lawn chairs, blankets, or walk around while the bands are playing! Again, I have never been, but what is not to love?!

So the next thing that is clutch about warmer weather is ALL the Farmer’s Markets in Richmond!! I am a huge fan and I have such a tough time finding people to go with me cause usually the best time to go is at the ass-crack of dawn! (Well like 8am which during the summer is the WAY too early!) Richmond has a ton, I suggest you try them all once since they all offer something a little different. My favorite is the South of The James, there is a great set of nature trails right there in Forest Hill Park so I love to walk/run/hike those and then after I am all good and sweaty walk around the Farmer’s market and pick up some local finds!

The Bizarre Bazaar –  I don’t even know how to describe this event – it’s like a MASSIVE craft show but the best part of it this event is the people watching. It’s not my favorite event because it’s indoors BUT again the people watching is on point!! This is the Spring Bizarre Bazaar which is held at the Richmond International Raceway and  is the weekend of April 1st through the 3rd – this is NOT to be confused with the Christmas Bizarre Bazaar which is a whole other monster in itself. I love this event, but before entering, make sure you have a water bottle, wear walking shoes, and take a deep breath because it’s a mad house!!

Side Note: This post was supposed to be posted two weeks ago....sorry you missed this event, mark your calendar for next year!

This post is MUCH longer than I was originally planning but this doesn’t even touch the million of warm weather activities I like to do. To find out more, find me on a porch sippin mimosas this weekend.

Cheers!