Stuck on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving I got to spend in Arizona with my husbands family and it was great! We didn't do a lot but just spending time with them was great. We stayed with his Grandma Mary. I love her. Her and I are two peas in a pod. We love to talk, boy do we love to talk! Our conversations could go on for hours.

Grandma Mary and Troy

One thing we did do was go hiking on Silly Mountain, it was actually a lot of fun. I know, the first thing to your mind is:

Silly Mountain

"Who is this imposter?... Julia doesn't hike!"

And I don't. By no means do I have a desire to go hiking every week. But once a year is good. ;)

It was my idea to go up the mountain. I didn't want go through the Arizona Botanical Gardens... How many cactus's do I need to see?!

So we started our way up. I had Kelli strapped on my back in my fancy Boba carrier (I love my Boba!) and up we went.

Kelli Loves the Boba

Now as many as you know, you can't just go straight up the hill (which in my mind is silly) but you have to walk on a diagonal. So up we went. And we were doing great! I felt good I was excited to get to the top and see the the other mountains and the city from another view.

There was some rocky points, and even a cactus slap tab in the middle of the path. And I kept pushing through

But then I saw a snake.

He was just lounging on the path. Sunbathing. Not a care in the world. Troy says he was maybe 8 inches, but I stand by he was at least 2 feet long!

And I turned around. I started yelling "Done! All done!" And started walking down. Troy kept asking "are you really going to let a little snake stop you?"
And my answer every time was a faithful "Yes!"

So we turned around and started heading back. But then we say another trail. So we started going up that one. And we made it a little over half way. Until it was almost straight up on rocks.

Troy could do it, but I was hesitant with Kelli on back. So again we turned around.

Just before the rocks

We got in the car and drove back to Grandma Mary's. I was bummed we didn't make it to the top.

But it's the journey not the destination, right?
I started thinking about my life. About the times where it seemed really rocky. And how I would sit there and think "how am I supposed to get through this?"

About the cactus's that have been in the middle of my path and I have to find a creative way to get around it.

And yes, the snakes. The snakes that have made me quit and turn around. But there is always another path to try. And when that one fails we walk on a different one with the lessons learned. And we keep trying.

And eventually, some how. We might make it to the top.

The Power of Shoes

Monday night is Horse Therapy night. I have a pair (OK they are technically my sisters. But I wear them and she doesn't.) of riding boots. So every Monday night I lace up my shoes and walk out the door. Monday I walked out feeling all confident with that "I know more than you" feeling.

And I paused on the drive way. And asked my self  "Why do I all of sudden feel all confident?" and then I looked down... "Really?" I thought. "Shoes, Julia?" But I smiled at my self and walked on.

Riding boots

But I kept thinking about it. I've never been much of a shoe person. Up until my junior year in high school I had one pair of shoes: tennis shoes. What else do you need? You can wear them in almost any situation. Then I bought a pair of boots and even had 2 pairs of tennis shoes!

I now have a nice variety of shoes: flip flops, boots, riding boots, crocs, and slippers.

My Shoe Rack

It's amazing how each pair has effected my mood. Or how they represent how I'm feeling.

Slippers are the "I have no intention of leaving this house, or doing hard work." If I'm all wound up or frustrated I wear my slippers. They calm me down, and remind me all is alright.

Slippers!

My flip flops are the flirty, running errands move. I admit, most of my shoes are just different color flip flops. When I was pregnant that's all I could wear. And during the summer (and maybe part of the winter) I usually just wear flip flops. I feel like I need to go to the beach and just lay down.

Flip flops waiting til summer.

Tennis shoes are "I'm on the move!" If you are trying to be more active or want the "I can't sit down" feeling. Just wear your tennis shoes. I feel like a marathon runner when I wear mine. Like I can run that 26.2 miles.... Accept I go maybe two miles.

My "running" shoes.

Crocs... I know they are not the most attractive pair of shoe. But I love them. They are so comfy. And great for your back. They're like my tennis shoes. I wear them if I want to keep moving around the house. I also call them my "swimming shoes" I always feel like I need to go to the community center and swim a mile. They're amazing around the pool.

I like them!

Then there are the boots. It's with the boots that I really feel a huge difference. I really feel confident, in every step, action, or answer I give. "I know it all." Is really what it feels like. But I don't know it all. And someone will call me out on a wrong answer, and it brings me back to reality. But I still feel pretty "large and in charge."

Well loved boots

So next time you lace up your running shoes or slip on the slippers. Think about how they make you feel.

You might be surprised.