When Things Are Meant To Be!

     Sometimes things happen to us and we are running so fast that we don't realize this opportunity is about to change your life for the better! Until you stop, take a breath and look around - you realize its happening because this is where your life is meant to be.. for me that is taking a new job, in a new industry, selling my condo in Chicago and moving to Arizona -  - all in 6 weeks!

     My sister and I have been talking about this for awhile... how am I going to move to Phoenix to be closer to my niece and nephew, my family and be able to slow down and create some work/life balance.  I think it's true when you least expect it - IT HAPPENS!  I've been putting it out there for awhile and thought maybe in 10 years it would happen never did I think I'd get a call on July 1st that could change my life as I know it today. 

     My brother in law and I were loading up a moving truck on July 1st - we were about to drive 30 hours with my mom's life and her dog when my recruiter called and said "do I have an opportunity for you!"

     This week I'm wrapping up my current job, saying good-bye to accounts I've been selling to for a long time, people I love working with but it's going to be ok because I know the decision I've made to move to Phoenix and change jobs is the best thing for ME!!!

     I'm leaving on Thursday and will be driving - I told myself I need to use this drive to relax, recharge, see friends along the way and stop, take a breath, take some pictures and know that this drive will take me to my new life in Arizona!!  I'll be stopping in Des Moines (seeing a couple friends), then driving to Breckenridge, CO (staying with friends and soaking up my favorite mountains) and finally driving thru Utah and into AZ!

     I look forward to sharing my pics and drive West!! xo

2016 Starts Now!

     I realized that if I don't sit down and start writing right now I will make another excuse, tell myself I can always begin tomorrow and keep putting off recreating my blog.  I do this more for me - it's therapeutic and gives me a chance to recall all the events in my life.  I travel weekly for work, try and get to Phoenix once a month to see my niece and nephew and when I can, fit in dating a guy that lives in Germany.

     I got home around midnight last night after being away from home 17 days - don't get me wrong, spending 11 days in Phoenix for Christmas and NYE with my friends and family was wonderful and then I flew right to Las Vegas for the CES Show but I was counting down the nights until I got to sleep in my own bed.  I walked into my condo last night, put the suitcases in the corner and crawled into my bed (yes, never got out of my travel clothes) - I woke up to my sister calling me at 10:59am!  I did it! I got over 10 hours of sleep!

     Over the last month I had some blood work done, saw my Dr and found out I have to go on cholesterol medication, get more iron and start taking Vitamin D - between this and living in a hotel or on a plane every week I made some new goals for myself.  As I sat on the plane last night I made some lists -

• Cutting out dairy for 30 days - I'm originally from Wisconsin and if you know me, I LOVE cheese but I want to see if it helps my stomach and cholesterol #'s
• Giving up a soda for a bit - I lean on Diet Coke and need to start consuming more water so for now I am going to say good-bye to the cola of choice
• Stop treating my work travels as though I'm on vacation - that may sound silly to most people but traveling for work is very different and I need to make some better food and beverage choices
• Find 30 min a day to exercise - be it walking, stretching, yoga in my hotel room.. just find that time for something

     I am excited to get back to my way of life - being healthier, happier and making more times for my friends and family!  I look forward to sharing my travels, recipes and healthier lifestyle. xo