Secrets of Adulthood- Day 2

“What we do every day matters more than what we do once in a while.”

Have you ever noticed how people tend to point out what they’ve been doing wrong instead of what they’ve done right?

The extra chocolate chip cookie, the missed day at the gym, being lured down the rabbit hole of the latest internet conspiracy all seem to get our attention. We’ve all been there to one degree or another, and we are often quick to beat ourselves up for missing the mark. 

However, when you think about it, it's not the few times we mess up that gets in the way. What makes the difference is what we do most of the time. 

By nature, I've been more of an all-or-nothing kind of person. If I can't do things perfectly, then I'm quick to give up. I'm still learning to extend myself some grace, just as I would to others. 

So now, when I don't measure up perfectly, I remind myself of this little secret and quickly inventory all the things I've done right that week. 

I hope you can remember this too. 

Secrets of Adulthood Day 1

Well, it's October again, and for me that means another 31 Day Writing Challenge. This year I'm using Gretchen Rubin’s book, Secrets of Adulthood, as my inspiration. Gretchen is an author and podcast host who writes and teaches about happiness. She has written several books, but she's probably best known for The Happiness Project.

Each day this month, I’ll be writing about one of the many secrets of adulthood that Rubin mentions in her book. I hope you’ll follow along and perhaps will take a few to heart. 

“Accept yourself, and expect more of yourself.”

About ten years ago, I was sitting in a movie theater waiting for the show to start. I was contemplating something I really didn't want to do and making excuses not to. On a whim, I fired off an email to Gretchen Rubin, convinced she'd agree with me. She always promoted authenticity, and I couldn't help it if I didn't want to do something. I was so sure she would tell me to “Be Shari.”

I was shocked that she actually responded to me, not immediately, but soon after, and was even more shocked by her response. Instead of confirming my instincts just to be me, she responded with the following quote: “Accept yourself, and expect more of yourself.”

Wait! I can't just sit back insisting that my behavior is just the way I am. No questions asked. Was I supposed to expect more of myself?

Gretchen certainly put me in my place, but in a good way. 

As important as it is to be true to yourself. Shakespeare was correct. It's probably just as important, if not more, to rise to the occasion. To push yourself. To venture out of your comfort zone. 

When can you expect more of yourself?

Waco

 

Chuck and I decided to take a little day trip to Waco this week. We needed to stop by Sam's, and after a little investigation, I learned that there was one just seven minutes north of Waco in Belton. 

We had already done the whole Magnolia thing, so we decided to go a different direction this time in spending a day in Waco. 

We started at the Dr. Pepper Museum, and although I'm not a fan of Dr. Pepper, I highly recommend the museum. The story of carbonated beverages goes all the way back to 1767, when an English chemist named Joseph Priestley invented them. 

The unique blend of flavors that created Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas, in 1885 by a local pharmacist named Charles Alderton, one year before Coca-Cola. 

We also learned that Big Red was made first in Waco. It was released in 1937 from Perfection Barber and Beauty Supply Company. 

Before we left, we had a complimentary glass of both Dr. Pepper and Big Red. After my disastrous experience in 1968 at a Stuckey’s (you know, the precursor to Buc-ee's) with my first exposure (and, to be honest, pretty much my last) to Dr. Pepper, I wasn't too hyped about trying the elixir. 

I must say, it wasn't too bad, but I'm definitely a cola girl. Chuck had never tried Big Red before and found it too sweet and candy-like for his tastes.

After we left the museum, we walked over to Spice Village. Did I mention we were able to avoid paying the $10.00 parking fee for the museum by parking on the road? I had visited Spice Village once before with my childhood friend, Ann Marie. I didn't remember it having so many clothes. Boutique shopping has never really been my thing. 

We left and headed for a bookstore that had popped up on my Facebook feed. Fabled is a lovely bookshop, although the advertised cafe turned out to be just refrigerated sandwiches, which were gone by the time we got there. 

Chuck got an espresso, and between the two of us we purchased four books: Jane Eyre, Fahrenheit 451, Writing, Creativity and Soul by Sue Monk Kidd, and On Writing by Stephen King.

We left the bookstore and had lunch at The Olive Branch. Chuck had a delicious brisket sandwich and I had an underwhelming chicken salad. You’ll be happy to know that I jazzed it up the next day with grapes, pecans and Bill’s seasoning and it was quite tasty. I will say their croissant was excellent as was their homemade chips. 

All four destinations were within walking distance. 

From there we headed to Sam's and stocked up on a few things, including the petite pickles that we are quite obsessed with. We picked up a couple of extra jars for our pickle-loving middle grandson. 

On the return drive home, we passed by the mall, which I had forgotten about. Since it housed both a Kohl’s and a Belk’s, I figured I'd be making a return trip. 

The beauty of it is that Waco is only an hour and forty-five minutes down Hwy 6, and it is a peaceful, enjoyable drive. No worrying about the traffic jams of the metroplex. 

A Tale of Woe

 Forty-one years ago on my honeymoon trip to the Bahamas I brought home a small, unassuming souvenir-a thimble. Little did I know that it would lead to a thimble collection that now fills a large printer’s tray. A collection that now requires another tray. 

Searching for thimbles has become a quest of epidemic proportions. Over the years as we have traveled from place to place I have loved the thrill of the hunt. A few years after I retired, we took a trip through Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. I came home easily with eight thimbles. 

However, a few years ago on a trip to Ruidoso, New Mexico, I found it quite difficult to locate many thimbles. In talking with a shop owner, I learned that they just aren’t being manufactured anymore. I guess the demand was just not there. 

Over the years I have kept my eyes open in antique shops for others’ collectionsand I've filled in the gaps with some of these finds. However, after this year’s road trip I've sadly had to accept the fact that souvenir thimbles are a thing of the past. 

Why hadn't I brought home a shot glass from my honeymoon? It appears shot glasses are still a hot commodity. Who knew?

So far in this trip I have been able to locate two and am thrilled about that! I've come to the conclusion that I may have to resort to eBay to continue my collection. 

Day 11

 We headed to Texas today. Our drive was shorter and only about six hours. We needed to get back in time to pick up Ginger and Bluebonnet from the vet before they closed. 

We stopped one more time at a Buc-ee's in Royce City, and I posed for another picture with the lovable beaver. 

When we hit bumper-to-bumper traffic in Dallas, we decided to return home via Hwy 67 to avoid the Mid-Cities, Ft. Worth, and Weatherford traffic. We headed toward Duncanville and had an enjoyable rest of the way home. 

We stopped by to pick up the animals and squeezed them into the car with all our other luggage. It sure felt good to be home. Of course, our family wasn't complete without Cooper, so we drove to Comanche to pick him up. 

We had traveled eleven days and had gone through nineteen states. We could honestly say that our butts had not hurt once due to our new seat cushions. 

I went to the doctor the next day and got three shots for my aching side. Within the day, I felt much better and had been convinced by the doctor to get a shingles shot just in case. 

Day 10

 John and Sally fixed us a delicious breakfast before we left this morning. 

We had a long nine-hour drive ahead of us. We drove through McDonald’s for lunch and ate in the car to avoid wasting time stopping. 

The drive through Virginia and east Tennessee was beautiful. We hit more rain in Arkansas, and the traffic slowed. 

While we were stopping for gas, the GPS alerted us to a quicker route. We took that route and saw the traffic backed up for miles on the highway. It was the fourth accident we saw that day on the slick roads. Thank you, Lord, for your protective hand. 

We stopped west of Little Rock at a La Quinta and ate dinner in our room. That loaf of bread has gone a long way this trip. 

Day 9

 I was in quite a bit of pain when we left Janet's this morning. Our trip out of Connecticut was slow going due to heavy commuter traffic to New York City.

Along the way, we took a side trip to Hershey, PA, to see the Hershey Kisses-shaped street lamps. They did not disappoint. Some were chocolate, and the others were silver-foil. If we had had more time, I would have loved to stop by the Hershey Museum. 

We stopped at the Savory Cafe in Hershey and had lunch. Our meal was tasty, but the loud family overtook the entire restaurant, making the experience less enjoyable for the rest of us. The highlight, though, was the blueberry basil lemonade. 

On our way to Draper, VA today, we drove through seven states. 

We had a delicious burger dinner compliments of John and Sally at their beautiful Virginia home. Kelly, Will’s brother, also joined us for dinner.  We dined out on the back porch, enjoying the nice weather and the fireflies.

Sally gave us a tour of their home, and I was envious of their basement. What I could do with all those extra rooms- craft room, workout room…)

We visited late into the evening and spent the night at the Beahms'.