This year has had a lot of ups and downs and all in-betweens. If I could pick one word for the year, it would be the year of CHANGE.
***
I can remember reading a long time ago on Run Eat Repeat blog that Monica ran the Vermont Marathon with the Cabot Cheese Fit Team and I just knew, just knew, that I wanted to be there too. What an incredible experience she had. How beautiful Vermont looked, how yummy Cabot Cheese is…I loved her photo of the Cabot Cheese car and wanted to feel what it was like to sit in it.
I applied to the Cabot Cheese Team and was denied. Heart broken I applied for a giveaway to run the Portland race. Guess what. SCORE! (Insert a crap load of happy faces here.) I spoke with one of the gals from Cabot Cheese and luck would have it, a spot opened up on the Cabot Cheese Fit Team. I cried of happiness a million times and honestly could not believe that I got on the team!
My trip to Vermont (with my awesome mom, non-the-less) was one of the most joyful, inspirational, kick ass times I have had in such a long time. (Like years people!) I was on a high that whole weekend. I ran a relay throughout Burlington and probably the only chance I will ever have to do that again. Believe me, I soaked in all the glory, plus.
This was the most needed trip I could have ever used. The ladies I met were more than inspiring. If you ever want to meet women who take charge and make something amazing out of their lives, please stalk visit this team. They all have achieve personal levels that just blow me away.
Being on the Cabot Fit Team this year was truly a blessing, inspirational, delicious and honestly one of the best times I had had in five years. I will always treasure that trip, always.
***
By mid-year, we bought our second home.
I have dreamed of this house for many years. I do mean many. I guess it’s not the dream house that people think of when purchasing their second home but it could not be more perfect for us. We have searched and searched for three years. We put offers in on three houses that have fell through due to crazy circumstances. I thought for sure we were never going to get out of our old home.
Then it happened.
The perfect house came in and it completed the tall order I had.
- Nestled next to a chicken farm, surrounded by trees. It’s a quiet neighborhood, I hear nothing. Not even the 4:30 am rooster crowing.
- The school district is unbelievable. The ratings are fantastic. The teachers are great.
- The layout arrangements are perfect.
- It’s a safe neighborhood.
- The companies are on the upscale meaning, there’s a lot of organic, farmers, local businesses nearby.
I finally feel safe in my home. I don’t have to look out my window and wonder whose doing what. Not in the crazy-paranoid neighbor kind of way, but in the way that I didn’t have to set my house alarm for all the day-time break-ins (while I’m home) or that I could put my son on a time-out without having to be shot at through the door by a BB gun. Ish was getting crazy in that hood! I couldn’t believe how fast the neighborhood turned but now I can have peace of mind.
***
Another change was that the kids started school this year. YIPEE!!! I’m pretty sure they love it as much as I do!
***
But not all change feels good or is good. It’s just that change or different than the norm, right?
My father lost his year long battle to cancer on October 4th. I never thought it would happen. I still didn’t believe it on the day I got to say goodbye to him. I saw his pain. I saw him paralyzed and yet, I never for one second believed I would lose my dad. Not me. Not him. No way.
The day I visit him after receiving the news, he looked so sad. I gave him a big hug and said, “Cheer up, dad. You got this.” I knew he believed me as much as I did. I thought we were going to be a team. We talked about owning a food truck together. Dad cooked amazing meals, even throughout his battle.
He had throat cancer and had a trake inserted. He couldn’t eat for the last year of his life and yet he still made remarkable dishes for the family. He was such a strong man.
It’s been almost three months and I still think of him daily. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh at remembering his humor, sometimes I just think about him flying and looking down at me. I’m saddened on so many levels. He has two boys that are my children’s age. I think of them. I think about how lucky I am to have had 30 years with dad while they had only 7. It’s different without dad and for me that is my sad change for the year.
On a positive note, I did get to meet an incredible woman, who I think of as an angel, who moved him into her home and took care of him. My grandparents were there the whole time as well which meant I got to strengthen my relationship with them. There is some beauty in this when eyes are open, eh?
***
On a business level, I felt pretty darn fantastic.
Between Fit Foodie Runs and Mama’s Blissful Bites, I had awesome opportunities to work with companies which was able to pay some bills throughout the year.
Being a stay-at-home mom, that is a dream come true for me to do.
I originally started a blog because we need the income. The cost for childcare vs my paycheck would have been a wash. They evened out or was even more than I was making. With two children, I would have had to put them in a care that would have been less than my standards and this is why we choose to stay home.
Unfortunately, working on one income is a struggle. My husband works crazy hours, sometimes 60+ hours weekly. I become stressed out being around kids (or people in general) for long periods of time. I truly need my alone time to process things. I just do.
And even though I managed to pull in money here and there, I was never satisfied. It wasn’t the job that I truly desired.
I was foolish when I first started out blogging. In my first 8 months of Mama’s Blissful Bites, I had 100k views. I thought this was normal and decided to change direction. This is when I became interested in running and instead of continuing on my vision, I took a turn and created Fit Foodie Runs.
Wow. What not a hit.
Fit Foodie Runs has been a lot of fun. I earned my a certificate to become a Certified Running Coach, yet never used it. I ran to let out my stress, my daily struggles but I never considered and still don’t a true, absolute runner. Some people will boo this theory. They will say that if you run, you are a runner — but it’s not something that comes inline with my heart.
***
For the upcoming 2015 year, there (of course) will be new changes.
Fit Foodie Runs has ended, but they both may stay up for a while longer. Grab your recipes and the good times, it is time for a shift once again.
Before ending 2014, I earned another certificate… I’m a Certified Holistic Life Coach and I plan on using this one. 😉 It has always been my joy in helping others. One way I know for sure how to do so is through food. If you haven’t noticed, I love cook.
I am offering my services as a Holistic Life Coach through a site called The Holistic Foodie.
My plan is to help women on their journey through life by using compassion and love. A life coach is one who guides others on their path. It could be in the area of diet, goals, purpose of life etc.
What makes me holistic is my approach. I have a few tricks up my sleeve (no, I’m not a witch!) and a book that has been in the creating for a long time. I want to create eCourses and host workshops. I want to have peace of where I am and enjoy the moments that come before me. I want to feel alive and shine brighter than I have ever shined before. These are my changes for the upcoming 2015 year.
***
My new word for 2015 year is courage.
It has been a blessing to be able to deliver you recipes and my life into your home. I consider all 500 of my email followers, all 3500 of my facebook followers all my Pinterest and Twitter fans – my family. I’m not saying goodbye but thank you. Thank you for all your comments and heart-filled emails. Thank you for all the friendships I have made along the way.
I wish nothing but blessings and abundance to you for your upcoming 2015 year.
Love Always,
Amber