That One Time I Didn’t Have a Midlife Crisis

Nov 13, 2018 | 14 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

There I was, minding my own business. Or, rather, minding the business-business. Yup. I was in a team meeting when all of a sudden, instead of taking notes, I turned to the last page in my yellow pad. You know, the ones we all have at the office. They call them legal pads, although everyone uses them for everything. So, really. Shouldn’t they be called everything-you-need-to-write-down pads? (How’d I do with those hyphens, Mermaid?)

Frankly, My Dear . . . That One Time I Didn't Have a Midlife Crisis

Frankly, My Dear . . . That One Time I Didn’t Have a Midlife Crisis

Anyway. Yeah. So I start a quick calculation of how much I owe. Like student loans. And credit cards. And car payments. And things like that. Then I figure what my house is worth. My small, older, fixer-upper house that I haven’t really been able to fixer-up like I would like. Is that a word? It is now!

Now, I’ve not usually been too good at math. I mean, I’m no rocket surgeon or anything like that. I’m more of a Words Girl. But, hey. I do know pluses and minuses. And I was liking what I was seeing. I wrote a few more numbers into the mix. Things like moving expenses, living costs, set up fees.

Then I wrote the date. And one word.

Pray.

I folded the paper and tucked it into my purse.

Flash-forward to a few discussions with trusted people, unofficial-followed-by-official notice at the office, two realtors, 52 hours, five showings, two offers, and one sale. And voila! Thirty-seven days later I’m driving into South Carolina. Well, actually, my awesome brother is driving as I’m trying not to fall asleep in the passenger seat because it was 1:30 in the morning.

I know to some people it seemed like a rash decision. A spontaneous, what-is-she-doing moment. But the truth is, we all know this has been brewing for nearly five years. I mean, poor Beckie and Spartacus. When we flew home from Blue Ridge in 2015 and I just cried all the way. It was the first time I’d not wanted to come back to California. Do a keyword search on the blog for Blue Ridge, and you’ll see just how much it’s affected my life. Seriously. It’s like, a lot.

The drive itself was worth it. Not that I’d want to do it every year, but hey. Now there’s a thought. I mean, who doesn’t love listening to Pet Sematary on Audible while driving a lonely two-lane highway at night? Or crossing the Mississippi River and stopping for a coffee at Graceland? Meteor Crater, Mojo Coffee, Cadillac Ranch, Tupelo, Atlanta. And old country music. Seriously. We have been the only two rocking out to Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” but in the scheme of things, it was totally memory-making.

Not to mention I am now within driving distance of ohsomany people. We’re talking besties. Work and writing peeps. Church mentors. And did I mention my new apartment is located just down the block from Target, Hobby Lobby, and Cracker Barrel?

This is where I belong. With my writing community. With four seasons and leaves that change color and drop in the wind. With a balcony with a view. With coffee and friends and cable TV and the Hallmark Channel. There’s a crazy wonderful energy in the atmosphere out here. It’s my Bohemian Hurricane Territory, and I was made for such a moment as this.

Sure, there’s still a ridiculous amount of boxes to unpack and organize. I’m nowhere near finishing the second draft of NOLA. But I’m surrounded by like-minded people. And not just for five days out of the year. I mean,

This is my life.

And, well, It’s a Wonderful Life.

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Here’s a few photos from the past two weeks:

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Welcome Home.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Welcome Home.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : My New Morning View

Frankly, My Dear . . . : My New Morning View

Frankly, My Dear . . . : I collected a mug (or more) in every state we drove through.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : I collected a mug (or more) in every state we drove through.

Frankly, My Dear . . . Crossing the Mississippi

Frankly, My Dear . . . Crossing the Mississippi

Frankly, My Dear . . . My New Mantra

Frankly, My Dear . . . My New Mantra. And New Jewelry.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Greenville Falls Park

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Greenville Falls Park

Frankly, My Dear . . . This Thing Called Mist

Frankly, My Dear . . . This Thing Called Mist

Frankly, My Dear . . . : A Window With a View

Frankly, My Dear . . . : A Window With a View

Frankly, My Dear . . . Look, Meowma. There's a bird in the tree!

Frankly, My Dear . . . Look, Meowma. There’s a bird in the tree!

Frankly, My Dear . . . South Carolina Squirrel

Frankly, My Dear . . . South Carolina Squirrel

Frankly, My Dear . . . Paris Mountain

Frankly, My Dear . . . Paris Mountain

Frankly, My Dear . . . Goose at Paris Mountain

Frankly, My Dear . . . Goose at Paris Mountain

Sweeten my tea and share:

Myrtle Beach is Calling

Sep 15, 2012 | 8 comments

Yesterday, I got this fabulous tweet from Trekaroo:

If you click on their button on my sidebar, you’ll be taken to my Trekaroo page where I’ve written a few mini-blogs for this great family-based review site. Activities, lodgings, eateries… you name it, they review it. And the best part is, it’s written by parents for parents.

And they do these great giveaways every week.

Lo and behold. I won a big one. Awesome, right?!

Here’s the Good Part:

“Winner will receive a 3-night, 4-day trip to Myrtle Beach, complete with accommodations for two persons, a restaurant giftcard and a pair of tickets to choice attractions.”

Now here’s the Bad Part:

“Airfare and/or all other travel to and from Myrtle Beach and charges for items of a personal nature, including, but not limited to gratuities, discretionary hotel and dining charges, phone calls, optional excursions, gift shop purchases, spas, beverages, meals, travel insurance, etc., are the sole responsibility of the winner and his/her guest.”

and

“Prize must be redeemed and travel completed by Dec 31, 2012. Prize is subject to blackout dates including holidays (e.g., Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).”

What this means is, although I’ve won a trip, unless I come up with airfare and expenditure funds really soon, I won’t be able to go.

I know right now you’re thinking to yourself, “Why did you enter, then?” Honestly? I never thought I would win. I was just trying to help Trekaroo get more support and recognition.

I believe in this website. I believe in the people running it, and the volunteer blogger/reviewers who contribute to it.

I just know, if Dot and I are meant to take this trip, things will work out.

My friend Beth, who is quickly earning her way to being my Personal Assistant/Front Line Cheerleader, suggested I find a travel agent or airlines to sponsor my Blog. She’s full of great ideas like that.

I’m seriously thinking of holding a Bake Sale. I already bought a lottery ticket.

How would you raise funds for a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this?

You’re thinking, “It’s not once in a lifetime.” “It’s only a few hours by plane.” “You can find a way.” But it is once in a lifetime. I haven’t even begun to work my new day job yet. And there’s no guarantee of full-time hours when I do start. Plane tickets are expensive. And let’s face it, who wants a vacation without funds for the little extras like postcards and keychain souvenirs?

Myrtle Beach is Calling… how do I answer?

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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