The New Year - Same Me - but 50.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lots of lessons learned in 2017, lots of tears shed, tons of laughter, many memories made.  Just like every single year of my last 50.

So this year this mom turns 50.  It's going to be at times AMAZEBALLS, it's going to be at times sad, it's going to be at times fun, it's going to be at times filled with questions, it's going to be at times filled with badassery, it's going to be at times filled with amazement.  I always want it to be filled with love, laughs and experiences that are unforgettable.

There are so many things about my life, family and mind that make me so different from the typical mommy blogger, and I finally understand that all of that is okay.  You can go read the same 15 blogs that say all the same stuff from all the same places.  All of those blogs are great, and are great advertisements for the local area.  I am able to do a lot of their recommendations, but they aren't really autism friendly places for the most part, so I have to consider what my kids can and can't do and what places truly welcome them, and all of that is okay.

I will have a post at least 2 times a month of autism friendly places that are safe and welcoming to our kiddos.

I will have a posts this year for what us caretaker moms need to CARE FOR OURSELVES.   We matter too.  It is important to care for the caretaker.  That's been a big lesson I've learned the last two years.  Of course my husband and kids are the most important and I give them almost all I have all the time, but there are times, days, minutes I need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and answer the screams of my body and mind.  Because there is no one that will care for the caretakers.  I had a surgery last week and seriously it was a shit show.  While most moms can at least get their children to bring them an apple out of the bowl or a bottle of water - with autism - that is a hit or miss.  I had no one here during the day.  There were 2 days of incredible pain, but it ended up being okay.  My house just looked like I lost a serious game of Jumanji.

I will have posts of keeping my body fit and healthy.  This will be my 8th year cancer free, and I'm ready to kick things up a notch.  Don't go crazy, I'm not going to go vegan or anything but I'm going to go less toxins, less processed, less junk, more whole, more outside, more care, more steps, and more healthy.  If I can't care for this body, I won't be able to care for the kids later.  I have really taken a loving to essential oils, I will share me experience strength and hope for what benefits they are bringing my boys and family.

We were fortunate enough to take some amazing trips on our Harley's this year, and I want to share that for moms.  It empowered me, it focused me, it helped my mind and my soul heal some deep wounds.  I read a sign somewhere "4 Wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul".  And I swear nothing couldn't be more true.  I think it was the only thing that kept me from punching people in the head this last year.

So while it will be a new different blog this year, it will be an experience, and I hope you're on board for the ride we're gonna take with it.


REBECCA

It's here - I'm not ready but I'm willing

The race I was supposed to be training for for the last 8 weeks, is now arrived.  And it's not that I haven't trained, but I haven't trained properly.  You see, my life gets in my way of this athlete that I dream of being. I'm working out, eating good, and I actually have run okay, just have skipped all my LONG runs.  .  I'm sort of nursing, what I hope is not a bad injury.  I am hoping KT TAPE is going to be my savior.

The OC Half Marathon is my first half marathon, this will be the 3rd time I've run it, and I plan on running all 3 Beach Cities half marathon in the next 12 months, because I'm becoming a bling whore, and want the special medal.   The OC Half Marathon is the most gorgeous course you can imagine,  You spend the first 9 mile looking at the ocean/bay or ridiculously beautiful Newport Beach real estate.

So I will run it, walk it, or crawl my way across the finish line.  As life got in my way, and I lost my focus for awhile, I'm a runner, I'm a slow runner, but I like it.  I love what running has done for me.  Running brought me back to life, it kept me out of the dark place after cancer, and it was my big coping mechanism for autism.  I NEED to run.  I'm a better me when I run and train and am doing something solely for me.

So hopefully, I'll see you on the course, or you'll pass me.  But wait for me at the finish line because even though I'm slow, I'm still running, and I will finish.  I was so inspired watching the Boston Marathon this week, I feel invigorated, ready and looking forward to my next race, and training appropriately and making running and me a priority, and having fun doing it.  Because lets face it, I have to take care of myself, or I will not be around to care for those that really need me.

Happy Trails!


Rebecca