Next destination: Cincinnati Oct 2023

D and I took a whirlwind trip to Cincinnati a few weeks ago. I really didn’t know what to expect, but ended up really loving both Covington, KY and Cincy, OH. There is this very beautiful mix of old and new, tons of art/murals, and a cool college town vibe without the bars every 10 feet.

Yes, I took a pic of the bathroom. So nice!!!

But first, we had to stop at Buc-ees. Twice. Because who doesn’t need a little more Buc-ees in their life?! 

So I have this thing of taking pics with the name Covington, so we stayed in Covington, KY, and completed my fourth Covington photo :) We found a sunflower farm, beautiful view of Cincinnati across the river and a cool old/new mix of buildings. 

Cincinnati was also very beautiful with murals on every surface. It surprised me how much I liked both cities!! Most everyone was friendly, the city was easy to navigate, and very easy to walk. 

One night we drove to this overlook in KY to watch the lights of Cincinnati and the fireworks from the Reds game. It was breathtaking to watch the lights flip on as dusk approached. Very beautiful and peaceful. 

We took a different route home so we could see new sites. Found this adorable place for lunch in Augusta, KY. It was right on the river and we sat outside on the patio. What a great little find on our travels! 

We came home through West Virginia. Enjoyed the Capital building with its golden dome, more river views and this random overlook on some random backroads we were on. And, of course, tunnels!! 

Such a great whirlwind trip for the weekend. Just love hopping in the truck and taking off somewhere - anywhere! Seeing new places and meeting new people :) 

Claim it - my word for 2023.

Each year I try to find a word and focus on this one word, in hopes it would make a lasting impact on my life. I haven't done too well with it for the past several years.  I so hope 2023 is different. 

This year is already off to a different type of start with good things on the horizon.  In my workplace, they allow 16 hours towards volunteering.  Since I was trying to learn the ropes last year, I didn't even attempt to figure out the "giving back" portion of the company. Thanks to a friend who also works at my company asking me to volunteer with him, I kinda rolled my eyes and said - sure, why not. (Just as a side note here: the number one reason people don't GIVE or VOLUNTEER is because they are never asked.) 

So you have here the newest volunteer math tutor for HEART Math Tutoring!  I've met one of the two students I will be working with this semester and she is PRECIOUS.  Adore her. We hit it off right from the beginning. Now, let me say here, I have a tendency to reverse numbers when I'm tired or stressed. I told my student this - let's call her Maggie - I told Maggie and she thought that was hilarious! :)  I'll meet my second student this coming week. 

Today, I scheduled time with a coworker to learn more about my company's match in giving. Holy smokes, you can give up to $2,000 a year and they match this!! And the match can go to any organization you prefer, not necessarily the ones you gave your money to, which is also awesome! I immediately looked up two organizations that mean the world to me: 

• Itmann Food Bank in West Virginia.  They have the most creative ideas on how to help people through difficult financial times. Yes, they give out food. But they also have a chicken project that provides a chicken coop and chickens for those who are willing to try it! 35 families now have chickens! And they provide school supplies, clothing, and more. Love them. 
• The Marfan Foundation.  Likely you have never heard of Marfan Syndrome, but it has a huge impact on my family. This foundation works to advance research, serve as a resource for families and healthcare providers and raise public awareness. I've sat in on a presentation from them and it's amazing where they are taking research and finding new solutions to Marfan related problems. 

So, in addition to giving to these companies, I can also give them my match.  AND I can give my gift in memory of my brother-in-law and Dad! I think that's just AWESOME that I can remember these two loved ones through my gift from work! 

AND FURTHERMORE! I discovered as I volunteer and log my volunteer hours, I can earn Community Care Grants to give to organizations. I earned $50 for signing up to send a card to someone in Maine. I'm so excited about this aspect of my workplace.  This is foreign to me and I love it. 

What else can I CLAIM in 2023? I'm hoping to get my passport and am encouraging Mom, my sister and niece to also get theirs... you know, just in case we should want to travel somewhere! Mom has an interest in traveling and I think I could convince her. And I want my niece to see the world outside of our little state. Or the states around us. I want to have to understand there is so much more to this world and it's so beautiful and awe-inspiring.  For Christmas, I signed her up to receive the magazine, "Faces", which is supposed to be about other countries.  So I hope to instill in her a love for travel and exploration.  

I know this year is going to be tough, going through so many things without my Dad.  Today I found a voicemail on my phone from him and listened to it.  I can't believe it's already been four months since I've heard that voice.  Wow. But he would never want us to sit and mourn. That wasn't him. He loved us so very much, this I've never doubted.  The voicemail was him worrying about me and wanting me to call and check in to let them know everything was ok.  Yeah, 2023 is going to be hard. But it's going to be good, too. Claim it. Claim all the good out there and push through the bad. We got this, right? 

Goodbye 2022 and good riddance.

 Macy said tonight she was sad to see 2022 leave. Of course, Mom, Katie, and I said WHY?!? We are so over 2022. But, I am so thankful Macy sees so many good things that happened in 2022. 

2022 for me: 

— I changed jobs after being at my government job of 12 years. It was scary but so good for me. I worked from home and still haven’t met most of my coworkers, yet developed friendships all the same. 

— I traveled! At least three trips to the NC Mts with family and friends. VA/W Va to see Sherry and a promise to visit Shirley next time!!❤️ (This year’s autumn leaves were amazing!) Dylan and I drove to Iowa, met a few of my coworkers there (Rachel and her kittens!) and saw amazing views of this country. 8 states and another town with my last name!! Rachel came to visit us so we squeezed in Charleston and Folly Beach and a few trips into Charlotte. Hit up North Myrtle for Thanksgiving and enjoyed a quieter Christmas at home. 

— Watched Ellie win Miss Freshman at her high school - she was so confident and poised! I was very impressed! Enjoyed a little time with her and Donna where I was able to see how much she grew up during those Covid years! She’s a teenager now!!! And is such a”good kid.”

— And the toughest event ever - having my Dad pass away in September. Even with this, I saw so many amazing things. How he impacted the medical staff in a positive way. At various times, nurses came in after clocking out to say how much they enjoyed him and his family.  He showed determination. Strong faith. A fighting spirit. So much love for his family. We have loved the George stories, meeting his old friends and coworkers. Seeing family. Yes, these were (and are) very hard days. But for us because our hearts hurt missing him so much. He is healed, happy, with our Heavenly Father! And all the family and friends who went before him. We will see him again. For that, I am so thankful. 

So yes, 2022 sucked. But it was beautiful, too. It took a 10-year-old to remind me of this, but she is often wise beyond her years.