Literally Inspired - merit badge [ roam where you want to]

This week's Merit Badge Challenge from Literally Inspired is "Roam Where You Want To".

There are three (3) places I want to visit.

1 - Virginia where my daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren live.
2 - Disney World with my grandchildren, daughters and son-in-laws.
3 - Niagra Falls

The badge steps are:
1. find your dream destination
2. are you going alone or with someone
3. get in the know of where you want to go
4. make time
5. start a travel fund
6. learn the lingo
7. get your ticket

#1 - "Find Your Dream Destination" - I'm going to work on Disney World for this badge.

#2 - Am I going alone or with someone - Definitely WITH someone.

#3 - Get in the know - I grew up in Central Florida. My family was one of the first visitors to Disney World. (see pic below) I'm front row on the right & my two younger sisters are to my left. We learned every nook & cranny of Disney World. We visited often. I loved it - I still love it. I believe my grandchildren will love it.



What I have to do now is get up to date on the changes they've made. Their website is a great place to start - Walt Disney World.

#4 - "Make Time" - I believe this part is on my side. My grandchildren are 3, almost 2 & 5 months - I have time to plan.

Got to admit though - Granddaughter #1 looks like she's about ready to visit.




#5 - "Start a Travel Fund" - once again time is on my side. I can save for the experience.

#6 - "Learn the Lingo" - I believe the additions they've made (i.e., Disney's Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon) are good. I just need to figure them out. I can do that. Their website Theme Parks & Water Parks looks helpful.

#7 - "Get Your Ticket". Realizing it will be a little while until I actually "get" our tickets...I've subscribed to a newsletter "MouseSavers Newsletter" that keeps me up to date on good deals. They're even on FaceBook.

Ok, Walt Disney World. I'm about to introduce another generation to all you have to offer. I hope you're ready for us!

Things look Brighter after "Quitting".

I'm so thankful that I took Ms. Ginger's "Literally Inspired" Merit Badge challenge on and earned my [Quit It] badge.

My bare garden looked so much better to me today. I was able to focus on the beautiful part of it and not the bareness of the entire picture.

In my garden I have a beautiful Coral Gladiola. I've enjoyed it all day. I want to share it with you.

Literally Inspired - merit badge [ quit it ]

Okay, Ms. Ginger - I'm on board with the newest Merit Badge challenge you've given. In my many years, I've started and "quit" many things. Usually the things I started were bad for me and the things I "quit" were good for me. I'll try to get it going in the correct direction with this.

---

I agree with you - trying to do too much too soon is a recipe for failure. I'm going to list five (5) things to "quit". Most of mine are internal.

1 - I'm going to "Quit" punishing myself for the orderly stacks that are such a part of my life. I'm a "stacker". I have a stack for articles I've saved, bills that need to be paid this week, bills that need to be paid next week, coupons I'm collecting for my daughters and friends - you get the idea.

It's not horrible so I'm going to lighten up on myself and embrace my "stacks".

2 - I'm going to "Quit" feeling bad that every now & then I just need some chocolate. Maybe not a whole Easter Bunny in one sitting but at least an ear here & there.

I'm going to embrace the happy feeling I get when the Valentine hearts and the Easter bunnies arrive and buy one - just because it makes me happy.

3 - I'm going to "Quit" feeling bad that my family never gets their cards and gifts before their birthdays and holidays. I don't like my children disappointed and the "Nurturer" within me knows...after the envelopes and the wrapping paper have gone into the trash, my family has something to look forward to - one more gift or card - from me.

I'm going to embrace my "lateness" because it's done on purpose - with love!

4 - I'm going to "Quit" feeling bad that I don't have the lush landscaping and garden that I thought I would have when we moved back to the Deep South nearly 7 years ago. The truth is we live in "onion" country and things that I wanted to grow - just don't grow here.

So I'm going to embrace the bulbs that do seem to grow here (I know...like onions) and spend another year creating "good soil" for the things I may plant in the future. (After nearly 7 years of creating "good soil" - it's looking pretty great!)

5 - I'm going to "Quit" feeling bad that I live 8-10 hours away from my daughters, their husbands and my grandchildren. They are amazing adults and make me VERY proud. They know I'm here. They barely post a photo or thought on FaceBook that I haven't commented on or "liked" within seconds of posting.

I'm going to embrace the fact that this was a good move for us. We don't have to deal with snow, stairs or traffic. This is my home - my happy place - and I like it here.

---

Thanks Ms. Ginger of "Literally Inspired" for once again allowing me to work through some of the emotional "stacks" in my life. I now have two badges under my belt and my insides feel happier.

Merit Badge - Dare to Dream

Ginger of Literally Inspired challenged her readers this week to complete the "Dare to Dream" badge from the book "You Can Do It".

I've been thinking about this for a few days. I realized that as I'm nearing my mid-fifties, my dreams are a wee bit different from Ms. Ginger's.

My family is grown and now they're starting their own families. My husband & I downsized nearly seven years ago and life is simpler. So are my dreams. I still will Dare to Dream them and list them to earn my badge. So far I have a few - I'm still thinking...

1 - Be a vital part of my daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren's lives (even though miles separate us physically).

2 - Find the missing pieces to my large tree of ancestors. I'm working on this now.

3 - Continue to learn something new - every day. Today I learned - Eggplant can actually taste good if prepared correctly.

4 - Take my grandchildren (& their parents) to Disney World.

5 - Visit Niagara Falls. I've always wanted to see this powerful place.

6 - Take a moment during my day to breathe slowly and appreciate the life I have. I am actually living my dream.

7 - Continue to appreciate the small things in life (i.e., a sunrise, a small child's smile, a butterfly on a bush).

There are more I'm sure. I'll add them as I think of them. I do know that this quote by William Arthur Ward is true...

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.”