New Year; New Start; New Me

I am a free-spirited woman with roots that grow deeply into the red clay soil of Georgia. I love my home, but it was over a decade ago that I decided the life I was living wasn't the one I was meant to lead, and proceeded with changing the course of my sojourn. My dad blames my first computer (he purchased for me Christmas 1997) for opening my mind, heart, and adventurous spirit to the world . My husband, at that time, had shown he wasn't the partner he defined himself to be, so with the extra time on my hands discovered that I could chat with people all around the world. It blew my mind that I could literally share my life with so many, and vice-versa. I wound up visiting a friend in the UK one summer and that was 'all she wrote'. That experience began the development of who I've become... a bohemian spirited, eclectively motivated, vivacious, fearless, open-minded, spiritual, sojourner... During my stay in England I crossed paths with my closest friend and confidant... my sister spirit, Sharon. I don't want to cry this morning, so I won't be able to write much about her right now, but she has redefined the meaning of friendship for me. The unusual facet of our relationship is that over the decade that we've known one another we have never met face to face. You see... Sharon lives in the land down under; Australia. Okay, dang... the faucet just turned on for thinking of the many ways my life has been blessed just by knowing her. (Big stuff for not too many things in life move me to such emotion these days.) I love you my friend, my sister, my muse, and inspiration to keep on keepin' on.

My daughter and I set our course to discover the great western frontier of our beautiful country in the autumn of 1999. We drove through a few new states on our adventure westward: Western Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and a windy Kansas. Our destination... Denver, Colorado. We actually took up residence in a suburb west of Denver: Lakewood, Colorado. We lived there for fifteen great months before I transferred, with my employer, to the fascinating pacific northwest region; Seattle, Washington in December 2000.

While living in Denver met some great friends (Jilly, Tiffy, Schelli, Dan, Barb, Dave the Beermon, and Ryan!) Living in Colorado enabled us to see so much of the great west via many road trips. During C's Spring Break, and school holidays we set off on many adventures in search of the elusive tumbleweed. We visited Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. We departed Colorado on December 13, 2000 and landed in Mill Creek, Washington on December 17th. We traveled four states of solid packed snow covered roads. We experienced our first 'white out' (thanks for the warning Ryan! Not.. lol), and learned how to conquer a fear of driving through mountain passes on icey roads; to perservere and land safely to our destination... the Puget Sound region of Washington.

We lived in Mill Creek, Washington until December 2005. I began college while Courtney trudged through middle school and began high school. Through my associations with work and school we met so many cool new friends that have made such wonderful impressions in our life's journey (Andi, Mary, Ryan, Matt, Barry and Ashley, Courtney, Kim just to name a few.) We moved south to Lakewood, Washington (two Lakewood's in one lifetime.. curious) in December 2005 and here we still remain.

With that little bit of history spoken, I'll move on to the good stuff... the new stuff... with sheer glee.

The new year has begun, and so do the continued efforts toward my personal 'do over'. I've already begun the process back in October with a major decision to kick his arse to the curb. lol There comes a point in a one-sided relationship where enough... is quite enough, and that point found me quite suddenly. I won't type out the ugly, nasty, details here, but suffice it to say I have enough evidence to sway any judge/jury in any land to understand my plight, thus my decision to 'let her have the jackass'.

I have decided there is no more time to pussyfoot around or procrastinate with regards to my future success. I put college off the first time around for a man and a marriage and have a lovely daughter; my best friend to show for it. The second time around left me with nothing more than battle wounds. The clarity of vision hit me like a sledge hammer upon the nose. Wow!!!

The end of 2008 I found a wonderful working relationship with the hospital to which I work, and that relationship will help see me complete one of my personal missions... actually, two; financial rebuild, and college degree. Both of which are absolutely critical to secure a happily employed future.

On top of those two huge goals I will continue moving forward with the escavation of Simple Lisa... Over the last three years I invested into a relationship that was meant (by someone else) to change me into something preferred rather than accepting and loving me for me. As a result, I lost touch with my center and fell spiraling through a vortex of crazy, absolute, chaos.
This year will no doubt be challenging in many different arenas. I vowed to my mother (speaking it sealed it an expectation spoken) there would be no building of relationships that can be classified more than friendship. I am feeling a little nervous about all this change, but confident in my abilities to achieve whatever I set my mind, heart, spirit, and soul to accomplish.
I am also reconnecting with family and friends back home in Georgia and on the east coast. I can feel the path of my sojourn making a drastic U-turn. I miss home...

With that said... I'm off to get some organizing started, and maybe even a nice workout. Until next time...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!