Create YOUR Happiness

Feeling especially grateful today and continue to remind myself of this message.

Don't wait for happiness.

Don't search for happiness.

Don't try to attract happiness.

Only YOU can choose to create magical moments that overflow with happiness. Do something fun that you love - if you love live music go to more concerts , if you want to travel just pick up and do it, or try something you have always wanted to do but have never done it before.

Happiness is not a pursuit, it is a state of mind. It's a choice. Create your happiness!!

Healthy Heart & Healthy Life - Why I Wear Red

Why Go Red? Cardiovascular disease in the U.S. kill approximately one woman every 80 seconds. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women. The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. 

I personally have been deeply affected by heart disease in my family and I know many of you have.  My Grandma had Heart Disease and my Dad had various forms of complications with his heart.  Pretty interesting how it was passed down to my dad.  Was it genetic? Or could it have been lifestyle?  I truly believe both played a huge factor.  

Growing up my Dad ate deep southern cooking - and I mean like my Grandma didn't waste the bacon grease because that was used to pour over something or cook with. Because back then that was just how you cooked and people still cook like this today.  Fried chicken is still an American favorite even though numerous facts have come out indicating just how bad fried food is for you.

My Dad was also born with small arteries so he was at a higher risk for developing Heart Disease.  He eventually needed to get a Triple Bypass Heart Surgery because some of his blood vessels that fed the heart were too clogged to function properly.  So, maybe you're thinking he was over weight which led to clogged arteries.  Nope!  He was very active and in great shape but just because you're in great shape doesn't always mean internally you are the healthiest.  My Dad also had a very stressful job which lead to several heart attacks.  With everything combined - the food he ate growing up, genetics, and stress led to his heart conditions.  

Today that is why I go Red. For my Grandma - For my Dad - For all Women and Men.

I stand up to promote living a healthy lifestyle because I believe that is the #1 way to save lives.

Going Red is a movement that starts with you. Lead by example and make the time to “Know Your Numbers.” It’s knowledge that could save your life.  

Five numbers, that everyone should know to take control of their heart health are: 

1.) Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol

2.) Blood Pressure

3.) Blood Sugar 

4.) Body Mass Index (BMI)

Knowing these numbers can help you and your healthcare provider determine your risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. 

It’s time for all women and men to learn the most critical numbers in their life — your hearts depend on it.

Beauty Within the Fog

The hubby kicked off the New Year and planned a surprise trip for my birthday this January to head to Clyde, NC with our friends to stay in a cabin and explore the area. What an amazing trip it ended up being and I was definitely surprised!  Not only surprised at the fact that he could keep a secret from me and plan the entire trip without me knowing, but throughout our time staying in the mountains I learned a lot about myself, our relationship, nature, and life.

I of course had to fuel up for what was going to be a long day of driving and hiking.  We always try to be prepared to have a good meal before we set out for a long day of adventuring and we most certainly pack snacks to have every couple of hours.  No one wants to be stuck up on a mountain with someone hungry!

Chimney Rock Hike

After quite the car ride driving through some of the most winding mountain roads I have ever been on, we made it to Chimney Rock State Park!  

It was a little foggy as we started hiking but we kept an open mind.

We spotted this awesome look out point so we of course had to check it out.  Can you spot Griffin's little head?!

Griffin getting a head start hiking up to the top!

Just a handful of stairs to go!

Top of Chimney Rock View - All Fog!

What we should have seen....

Kind of unbelievable that our entire view was foggy.  The view we should have seen would have been breath-taking.  What a bummer!!!Oh well we said. You just can't predict the weather. Some of us decided to venture up to an even higher elevation called "Devil's Head". 

Still foggy but we hiked up some serious steps to get here!

Devil's Head
So, what do you think? Does that looks like a devil's head?  I was thinking more like an Egyptian artifact of some sort.  But this was right below where we hiked! Of course I had to snag this image from Google because we had no view of it but pretty cool to know we were standing right above it.


So, what did I take away from this hike?

It's not what you're doing that is important, it's who you are enjoying it with.

We could have been so upset that all that time planning, driving, and hiking we just saw fog.  We decided to embrace the new adventure that we experienced together.  We learned to enjoy the little things and I believe we left with a greater appreciation for them.

Be as ambitious as your pet.

Animals have a way at teaching us all kinds of life lessons. Griffin taught me to always keep moving forward no matter how many stairs were ahead and to lead life excited about what lies ahead no matter if the path is unclear.

  The most amazing view necessarily isn't from the top. 

 It's jumping over gates that read "closed due to weather" with friends and dogs to check out what lies off the beaten path. Because there might be something beautiful like a waterfall tucked away within the first 5 minutes of your hike.