California

i’m your holla back girl

The littlest things make me giggle.

I hope you all know that when you check back and there isn’t a new post it is never because I’m leaving you high and dry. Quite the opposite. I think about Blue Lollipop Road 24 hours a day. I have since the day I started it (and we are coming up on 2 year anniversary! Wahoo!)

Since deciding to stay in Napa 10 days ago (that is a story I still have to share too.) I’ve been networking, meeting, interviewing, working, organizing, feasting and running (as in jogging) my butt off. I’ve been the best kind of slammed busy. I at least wanted to sit down, say hi and give a teaser until I have some more catch up time this weekend. Just a few things out of the pile about these past yummy 10 days.

1.) Chowed down and hung out at a 2nd annual chili cook-off/Bocce Ball Tournament with a crew of new friends here. Bocce is the thing to do around the parts. Where else in the world would you have items on the wide open and shared picnic table like southwest braised lamb chili and cheddar scallion skillet cornbread accompanied by delicious wine mostly made by the people who there that were playing?

2.) I went to/worked at the Mighty Summit last Friday. Yeah; awesome. The top lifestyle bloggers and women in media were there. Big time funny, smart, and accomplished chicks who take social media to a whole new level. One in attendance bought a cat years ago from the animal hospital a mile from my parents house in Vermont. I love random connections.

3..) Off to this castle tonight to work at an event with my friend and now new roommie. I’m sure sipping some wine too. Yes, it really looks like this. Yes, all of Napa looks like this. I’m still waiting for someone to yell “That’s a wrap guys!” -and roll the scenery away as if it’s a movie set. GORGEOUSNESS everywhere.

The above is just a measly taste of my past 2 weeks here.. That means I’m in the right place for this point in my life. It was a 9k mile drive to get here, and what a treat at the end. Can you believe I have finally caught a clue at 32? Pay enough attention to myself, go where feels right and take advantage of all that’s offered and it’s like ping ping ping with awesomeness falling in my lap. Oh the learning curve.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

Off to unpack the rest of my car and hit the showers. What to wear to the castle…

what a difference a picnic makes

I’m happy. In a happy way I have never been before.

And I’m not even trying.

It’s the most odd but peaceful thing to make zero effort and feel like you belong.

Stick a fork in me, I’m done.

Napa~ I think I’m home. (At least for now anyway…)

it’s like a party

Resumes, refinancing car loans, moving credit lines for better rates and all that fun stuff the past couple days. It’s a regular fiesta!

Ok, not really a party, but when a appetizer/wine dinner, relaxing with new friends outside by a fire at an amazing restaurant pops up randomly that you’re invited to out of nowhere that rules. Having a productive day of crossing a bunch of big important things off a to do list then going to relax because you’ve earned it feels great.

Farmstead; Yum.

People; Interesting, well traveled, generous and fun.

Weather; Perfect

Best of all mixed in there; Landing some work that will be totally interesting and a great learning experience. Also, being able to move some (blech!) debts and monies owed around so they can be paid off quicker, easier and at much less of an interest rate.

Scores left and right!

You know what they say (yes, those phantom “they” people); Do what you love and the money will follow? Yeah, what they really meant to say was do what you love and the…

Money
Right people
Opportunity
Good food
Laughs
Fun stuff
Happy days
Healthy lifestyle
Less worry and stress
Feeling like you are “home”
Aha moments
Contentment
Going to bed feeling accomplished
Waking up feeling excited
(Do I need to go on?)

…will follow.

The phantoms don’t lie. We just don’t listen to them for some reason.

If you’re not doing what you love- you should at least give it a school kid try. I’ve decided to listen to the phantoms and have been no less than pleasantly surprised at the outcome so far.

Enough said.