On to Phase 42 (1.25.19-1.28.19)

Since my birthday was on a Sunday this year, my Bell fam did my birthday decor on Friday.

I absolutely LOVE elephants, so Kim did good!!!

My mom has a tradition of collecting coins she finds on the ground starting the day after her birthday up to a few days before her birthday.    She uses the coins to buy herself a birthday present.  Although I don't do that specifically, I do collect birthday treats from various stores and restaurants that I frequent throughout the year.  So I started my Saturday off with a free chicken biscuit and hash browns from Chick Fil A.  Then it was off to RV store in Mocksville.  I only went into one Class C that I'm interested in getting-a Coachman Freelander 21QB.  I've seen it numerous times online, so it was great to physically go inside of one.  

Once I made it to A'ville, I drove around taking in the sites, and landed at the Asheville Outlets.  Since Dillards Clearance was having a super duper sale, I didn't want to hurt its feelings by not trying on anything.  I left my coat in my buggy outside the dressing area.  I came back to find my buggy missing.  At first, I was very calm, but then I remembered that my keys were in my coat pocket!!!!  I decided to still remain calm, and just asked a store associate to make an announcement.  Within 60 seconds, a very apologetic lady brought the buggy with my coat inside.  Being stranded in Asheville was gratefully avoided.

Next was dinner at Cheddars with my free chips and queso.

After a few other stops, I finally ended up at my hotel.  It was a new Hampton Inn, and it was very nice.

After relaxing for a bit, I ended up in the pool for some late night Agee Aquatics.

I chose to end phase 41 of my life with an overnight date trip to Asheville, NC.  As I hit I-40 West full blast, I really thought about why this solo trip was so important to me.  I've gone on many solo trips in the past, but this one was different.   I don't talk about my past bouts with suicide very much, but as I get further and further into my 40s, I realize that I almost didn't make it this far.  It's just so sweet to know that I now like and love myself enough to spend time with just me, myself, and I.  It was nice for all of us to be together to bring Phase 42 in without distractions.  Since it was so cold, we'll definitely have to return for some hiking and more outdoor activities.

I came home to gifts and visits on top of numerous calls and texts.  

And other than the fact that it's January 28, 40-50 degrees outside, and I'm sitting at my desk with a sleeveless dress on, it feels great to be 42!!!

I was desperately hoping hot flashes and internal temperature increases would skip me, but no such luck.

And here's my gift to myself.....

Icy RV Pops 1.12-1.13.19

I have fallen in love with the Carado Axion, and will continue to accumulate my $75,000 so I can buy one.  Katie and I did some RV tours at D&H RV Center in Apex before heading to MTZBC's pop-up church service in Cary on Saturday, 1/12/19. 

Thanks to my sister, BIL, and Liz Liz for coming to the pop-up service.

Even though the tree tops were covered in ice, I still ventured into the office to complete a bank rec.  Here's the view from the 10th floor.

After work, the girls and I headed to Spare Time with Pam & Makayla.



Sidenote:  not in the mood for typing and verbiage.  Glad to be alive, but feeling pretty "meh" today.

2019 Came in a Like a Bullet

I managed to work both my gigs on NYE.  The coliseum gig was most interesting.  I felt like I had been thrust back in time to a show that merged Studio 54 with Woodstock with Comicon with a hint of modern day Burning Man.  Bassnectar drew in a crowd of over 22k people, and  I had never seen anything like it before in my life.  I finally realized that it was a concert for DJs, and the patrons enjoyed getting high and drunk with extremely loud music.  I do believe I received a contact high from all the weed smoking, and received several hugs and "I love you"s from complete strangers.  I must say that it wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be, but thank God I did leave early to head to the church house.

I made it to church just in time for service to start, and it was awesome as usual.

After returning home from Waffle House, we learned that someone's celebratory gun shooting resulted in the bullet landing in our bedroom.  Thank God that no one was hurt, and there was minor damage.  I really don't understand why people have to celebrate by shooting guns!!!

I'm truly excited for 2019 as I have beefed up my travel plans for the year.  I will live my best life at all costs, well within reason.  :)

Christmas with the Fam (12.22.18-12.25.18)Me

Hanging out with my crew (Dwayne, Dee & Maya), Vicky, Paul, Liz Liz, my dad, Ella, and Paul's parents.  

Vicky & I

My dad & my neicey poo

Christmas Eve started off with a visit to Honey Baked Ham and a volunteer attempt at the animal shelter.  I started off by walking a pit mix named Benji.  He was friendly, and we had no issues.  I proceeded to put him back in his kennel, then went into the neighboring kennel to walk another dog, Massey.  As I'm about to walk out of the kennel with Massey, Benji somehow gets out and grabs Massey by the neck.  He clinched down so tight, and I was struggling to get him off.  As I started screaming for help, some people finally came and freed Massey.    It turns out that a screw on the latch to Benji's kennel was loose enabling him to break free.  I attempted to go walk another dog after the dust settled, but my nerves were just too shook!  I had to go home and gain my composure.

Later that day, Maya & I, along with Pam & Kay, went to the movies.   Bumblebee is my favorite Transformer, and I enjoyed the flick.

For Jesus' birthday (Christmas Day) I whipped up a few vittles, and we had a family lunch.  I relaxed for the rest of the day while Dwayne & Maya went to his aunt's and Dee went to M'ville.