"What will be on your future resume?" (John)

 

"What will be on your future resume?" (Ric)

 

"Have a spontaneous adventure today."

 

John is one of the most spontaneous people I know, which could mean guests that he met at a bar at 2AM coming over for chips and cheese, people spending 3-4 days at our house because he met their son on a plane ride, or someone staying at our house for a month because he got a call from the suicide prevention veterans line asking him to help house someone. I can stop off at the restaurant that we go to all the time and not know what to get John because he’ll want something that he’s never had before. It’s always an adventure. I would not have it any other way!

~ Ric

"Youth has no age."

 

I know Ric is older than me, but he has always seemed to me like a big kid going through life having fun and enjoying each day as best he can. I think a lot of that is because his life as an actual child wasn't like that at all. He wasn't raised in an environment that encouraged fun and play, sadly.

But that is the long-ago past. In the nearly quarter-century I have known him, he has learned to let himself laugh and play and enjoy all that is out there to explore and enjoy. In that way, I suppose, Ric really is proving that youth has no age and you can be a child whenever and for as long as you like. 

~ John

A Little Good News

New Jersey Plumber Drives 22 Hours With Equipment to Help the Overwhelmed Texans Whose Pipes Burst

Labradoodle Has Incredible Bond With 7-Year-old Who Was Adopted Into the Family at the Same Time

Chicago Coffee Shop Owner Has Collected 6,000 Warm Coats for the Homeless–And Delivered Them With Coffee

"Partnership is when two people..." (Ric)

 

"Partnership is when two people..." (John)

 

"Let your heart be your guide."

 

John is an empath, so his heart is always his first go-to indicator when a situation arises. He takes his feelings and then analyzes them with logic to get a fuller understanding of what should be done. Logic is the roadmap but his heart adds the satellite view to any situation. In this way you, get a richer, fuller, better outcome. 

~ Ric

Meme Monday

 

It's tough to stay focused when you're already thinking about next weekend, right?

"Oh, the places you'll go."

 

There are so many reasons for me to love my husband, but one of the best is that he showed me some of the most beautiful, wonderful places on earth and they are right here in California. Because of him, I've seen the most amazing deserts and the most breathtaking mountains. His love for all things outdoors has shown me sights I would never have seen without him and I will always be so grateful for that.

~ John

Death Valley Super Bloom

Joshua Tree National Park

Sequoia - Kings Canyon

Yosemite National Park

Twin Lakes, Bridgeport

Lessons in Love - Meet Sue and Dan

Today is the debut of a new limited series of posts that I'm calling "Lessons in Love." It's my way of recognizing and celebrating the friends in our lives that have created amazing and inspiring long-term relationships. And they've all been kind enough to share a little lesson or two that has helped make their love last. So let's talk about love.

First up, meet my friends, Sue and Dan.

When did you become a couple?

February 21, 1986

What makes your relationship work so well?

First, we crack each other up...constantly. Second, we could talk for hours...even after 33 years of marriage. And most important,  we recognize we are individuals... with hopes and dreams and ambitions, for this one life we're here for... and we support and encourage each other to achieve those goals, even if they are not shared by the other. We are 2 separate souls... choosing to love, encourage, respect and be partners with and for each other... 'til the end of our time here! 

What relationship advice would you offer others?

Don't tie each other down to perceived "convention" or "expectation" from family or friends or even tradition. Allow each other the freedom to live and have adventures/experiences on their own terms... and be their soft place to fall when they need it. Their safe place. Take care of their heart.  

Here's to all the great years ahead, you two. I hope your lives together just continue to get better and better!

"Integrity is the new black."

Another Sunday morning, another opportunity to look back over the week and see what lessons I've learned from my Spiritual AF cards. Today, it's all about integrity.

On the surface, it seems pretty simple. Do the right thing and your life will be better. And easier. And more positively impact on others. So far, so good. 

But in real life, it can sometimes be more difficult than that. Sometimes, you know damn well the impact your actions may have on others but you still continue down the morally murky path. Come on, now. I can even see over the past week that I have done this and just completely ignored the fact that my actions are weakening my integrity and moral credibility.

Knock that shit off, John. You know what the right thing is to do, so do it.

Simple but true. I know what I need to do to be better, so it's time to hold myself accountable.

Date Night and Brau Brothers

As I mentioned last week, every other Saturday, Ric and I are going to sample random beers from Europe in preparation for our September 2022 trip to Italy, Switzerland, and Scotland. But that still leaves two other weekends each month, so I decided to also sign us up for Beers Across America. 

This week, we're sampling beers from the Brau Brothers Brewery in Marshall, Minnesota. We're trying their Moo Joos Oatmeal Stout and their Thresher Bohemia Style Pilsner.

The beers were delicious. Ric preferred the Stout and I preferred the Pilsner, so that worked out great for us.

1,800 miles from my home to Brau Brothers Brewery

As for Date Night, we talked mostly about the different expectations and wants we have looking forward to a post-COVID environment where we can spend time visiting with friends face to face.

Specifically, we talked about how we are going to focus on building and nurturing the friendships that have helped us through 2020. We are going to put energy into the relationships that have truly mattered. So thanks to those of you who know who you are. We look forward to the time ahead of all of us.

And I should say, it was a beautiful 65° and sunny here in San Diego today, so the backyard feels like a private little hideaway and the perfect place to hang out.

"If your lives were turned into a TV show..."

 

Whoopi and Dolly? Seriously?

Affirmators for the Week Ending Friday, March 5, 2021

 My inspiration card over the last week:

So, how did I do?

This one was really tough. It's hard to focus on a specific lesson when that lesson is all about "all things in their own good time." I mean, was I supposed to just leave it all up to the hands of time and trust that they would help me learn this lesson when the timing was right?

Anyway, I did try to keep this idea in mind as I went through the week. I didn't become completely passive, like, "whatever will be, will be," but instead tried to find a middle ground. "Is there anything I can do right this moment about things happening in my life? If so, do it. If not, let go of the worry and trust that it will all come back around in its own good time."

And that kind of worked for me to lower my stress a bit. So I'll consider this a win.

And a sneak peek at next week's card:

"When was the last time you were jealous?" (Ric)

 

"When was the last time you were jealous?" (John)

 

New Music Friday

It's already Friday again, and that means sharing more of the new music I'm discovering via Apple Music. Time for me to play DJ again and spin some new tracks for you.

First up is Lauren Daigle's Hold On To Me. It's a nice you-and-me-in-it-together song and it hit me with all the right feels this afternoon. I like it.

Another keeper from today's new music recommendations is "We're Good" by Dua Lipa. I'll be honest. I knew her name but couldn't tell you a single song that she sang before this one. But I really liked this track and her sound reminds me of Sophie Ellise-Bextor and her track "Murder On The Dance Floor." Dua, I'm a fan.

And last, an artist I have never heard of before today, slenderbodies, and the track "Superpowerful." Nice balance of background dance track and fun lyrics. I like it.

"Creativity is intelligence having fun."

 

John is creative in ways I am not. He is able to craft word and thought into art. He is a story teller. He starts you off in a way that brings you into the story and then brings you along the path to the places he needs you to see until you get to the end with the big finish. He can write in a way that makes you feel emotion. I can show you things I’ve done. John can take you on the full adventure. 

~ Ric

"Master of Patience..."

This one strikes me funny, because Ric is sometimes the very example of patience and others, not so much. For example, Ric enjoys playing video games, and I have watched him replay a single section a dozen times or more as he navigates the obstacles, memorizes the necessary steps, and ultimately completes the task. Me, I would check out after one or two tries.

On the opposite side of that coin, Ric absolutely cannot keep a secret if that secret is a gift for someone else. He has exactly zero patience. He used to give me a present the same day it arrived, even if the occasion was still weeks away. I thought that was bad enough. Now? He'll tell me about it the moment he buys it online. It's not even in house, yet, and Ric has to say something or he'll burst.

Master of Patience? Yes and no.

~ John