Grab your coffee ... it's a LONG one! *Looking back over the past decade*

I have been reading others posting about their last decade. Now if I had written this for 80-90 --- well I would have had the marriage, the kids, travels, etc. As for the past 10 years, well … they have been 10 years of growth, learning the true meaning of choices and love.

Some think I've always been a 'farm' diva, but that is not the fact.  My Mom was raised on the Imana River, just outside of Joseph, Oregon and I grew up in Yokohama, Japan (Navy Brat).  In Japan, I attended Sancta Maria International School -- girls only from fifth grade on.  Back to my Mom --- she instilled in me the values of a hard working farm family.  She was my  instant 4H leader -- teaching me to bake, cook, can, sew and so much more.  The family history of riding horses --- well it is just in my blood.  Although I will admit, I'm terrified to jump on my horse (I value my hips!) and I'm more of a lets get the cattle in and get 'er done (my husband instilled that in me!).   My wonderful friends, Heather & Jamie, encourage me to do more (i.e. not be such a chicken butt!).
So ... here is a look back and also an idea of how I came to "The Big Red Barn" ....

Over the past 10 years, I (tried to keep this in order – but some things overlap others):

• Job hunted … a lot … and I despised it! Do you know how hard it is to find a job if you’ve held jobs for long length of time & you’ve a college degree (yep, some gal – won’t mention the agency said their agency only helped those who could NOT hold jobs and were uneducated!)

• Watched my first born graduate from high school

• Discovered my passion for scrap booking & made my first Design Team this year!

• Turned 40

• Divorced

• Moved to a dinky little apartment in a not so nice part of Spokane

• Began a job as a Life Activities Director, discovering my passion for working with elderly and those nearing end of life

• Discovered that happy hours meals, especially when one is single, are great for the budget!

• Traveled back east to visit my kids ALOT (and they’ve been out as much)

• Watched my other two children graduate from high school

• Celebrated the college graduation of our massage therapist

• Celebrated my girls (affectionately referred to as "the sisters") getting married (to best friends who are both active duty Marines) and my son Jake's engagement to Kait.

Met this really incredible man (more to come) ... and I mean, really!!!! incredible!

• Moved to a home on a farm out in the middle of nowhere and LOVED it! *the bet was (amongst my friends) if I could live there for a year without whining & complaining, my now husband would ask me to move in with him

• Discovered my weekends on the cattleman’s ranch were just an indication of my life to come … the life I fell in love with

• Rediscovered my passion for yoga & become a yoga instructor

• Won Blue Ribbons at the County Fair (had Mom coaching me from Above -- reminding me of our days winning Blue Ribbons at the Salinas County Fair)

• Fell in love and learned what ‘love’ really is all about in a relationship.

• Discovered a man can be honest, sincere, genuine, faithful, and so much more.

• I continue my annual pilgrimage to The Imnaha River to visit “Mom” – her final resting place. Always placing rose petals and my annual letter to her into the river.  This year I added a bouquet of lavender for my Aunt Sue who passed away in December of 2008.

• Applied for & was given an opportunity at a new job doing what I love to do – talk, teach & visit with people

• Moved, once again, emptied all storage sheds and am now living with the man who became my husband

• Become a cattlewoman (must have been channeling my Mom who loved her life on the Imnaha)

• Learned to help cows calve and can now do it independently ... well for the most part, if no one else is around to help.

• Became a regular farm hand (except for the mechanic’ing part)

• Reconnected with ‘new’ old friends

• In addition, this past year …. Became the wife to the man who is genuine, sincere and so much more. A man so kind. A man that leaves an impact on those he meets. A man who has never met a stranger

• Was blessed with two wonderful son-in-laws --- Mark & Jayson, both U.S. Marines who have each served in Iraq twice

• Welcomed our two Grandsons’ into the world – Gavin Liam & Mason Nicholas. Who knew that being a Grandparent was so ‘perfect’

• Married my wonderful husband this past summer on June 22.

The past 10 years has had its ups & downs. Moreover, through these ups & downs, I’ve learned to come home to the basics – to the values my Mom taught me and more importantly, these words “Wait four seasons before making a decision”. Of course, not on something that needs to happen now … but if it is a life changing ‘choice’ --- then yes, these words have worked for me. I have learned that Love is a real thing. Not just the love of a mother and child or the love between friends … the love between two partners who are willing to support each other, make sacrifices, try new things, and more importantly …. Agree to disagree.

Cheers to a new decade. A decade to be filled with life, new adventures, good health and above all … LOVE.