Some things NEVER change...

So it has been many years since I have had the distinct pleasure of living with Mom. Some of you will appreciate and understand my saying that life is never boring when living with Mom. And as I have discovered that despite the years that have passed some things never change.

A brief story to illustrate...

So I have this fire detector that is very sensitive. I complain about it all the time, I can not cook bacon in my house with out this damn thing going off. So one night last week Mom and I were sitting in the living room eating dinner and watching Survivor when all of a sudden to my surprise what do I hear...you guessed it...the fire detector was going off. I look at her, she looks at me, I begin to yell "great now the damn thing is going off when nothing is cooking".

It was to my great surprise when I went into the hallway it was not going off for no reason the hall was full of smoke. Then I hear "Oh no...the beets, the beets!!". Really the beets, yes you heard or rather read me right I said the beets. Mom had been boiling beets, which had boiled for so long that the water was gone and now the beets were being pan fried (or burned). We then had to run around the house 1) to save the beets (of course) & 2) try and air out the house so the smoke alarm would stop going off.

When all was said and done she explained to me that she was simply testing the smoke detector to make sure that it would still respond to actual smoke. Thanks Mom.

My house still has a faint beet odor and my pan will never be the same, but I am glad to know that some things in life never change.

Making this real

I have talked about this forever and I do believe that others did not believe I would actually do it. So I had to make it real for them as much as for myself. So gave up the apartment in January. My thanks go out to my landlords as they graciously let me leave early. I am finding that it takes a village of people to support you when you take on the adventure of a lifetime.

Shelly and Dan have graciously shared their home with me. This is what I call my pool table loft, I love it. But it is in the unheated basement and my zero degree bag is getting a workout for sure. To my Navy kids, Shelly and Dan said if you get the opportunity to come home, you too can use the Loft!

Tomorrow is step two - quitting the job, oh my! Why quit you might ask? I did ask for a leave but the employer decided they could not support my quest. That really hurt but all I could do is ask. They have every right to make the decision they did. Oh well.

Will let everyone know how it goes.

Well - it is done. It would seem the employer was hoping for this and are extremely pleased their plan worked. I am sad but will get over it at some point.

Oh well time to move on....

Meet Mom

Hi there, Mom here - how would I characterize me? Single mom first and foremost to five that is right 5 of the most wonderful adults in the world. I love them all and am so proud of the adults they have grown into. All are off on to their own adventures in life, is it my turn finally?

Beyond mom, I would say, a independent women who is willing to take a risk and know that I am going to succeed in whatever I attempt as long as I follow my intuition. It never leads me astray. I started college when my youngest was 8 months old at a community college and then went on to Smith College in Northampton, MA and then graduated with my master's when she was 12. It was a long journey but one that I knew I had to take, I was not destined to work in a factory 12 hours a day every day to support my family. And we made it through all those years poor but with lots of love. What more could you ask for?

I do love the natural world. As a child, I grew up outside, summer vacations were generally involved car camping. I had a horse and rode her all spring, summer, and fall. During the winter it was snowmobiling, ice fishing, sledding, building snow forts that passed the time. No inside play for us. As the kids were born, we too camped, hiked (they all lived in a back pack til they were old enough to hike), and learned about life through the outside world. We had many a great adventure out hiking the local trails. Do any of you want to describe the "Dilly Trail"? Of course I could find your descriptions in the hiking diary but a first hand reflection is much better.

As the kids left to walk their own path in life, I continued to hike and do every year. I set a goal for the summer and go for it! I have done the 50 Hikes series in Massachusetts and Connecticut, section hiked the M-M trail, section hiked most of the Long Trail and even at my uncle's request completed the 90-Miler. A three day, 90 mile, canoe race that was incredible.

Anybody want to add another perspective?

Introduction to Me

I guess I have to introduce myself for those of you who may not know me. Most of you will, but for those who do not my name is Shelly. That's me in the picture (Camden Yards if anyone cares).

I have started this blog for a few reasons, but mainly because my Mom (Donna) is going to through hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). She is leaving in a few weeks and I thought that this would be a great way for all the family and friends who are interested to able to track her progress.

I plan to post every time I hear from her enabling everyone to be updated at the same time. I believe anyone can sign up to be subscribers to the blog and leave her comments as well. She is also an author to the blog, she plans to make posts and read your comments as she is making her way from Georgia to Maine. That's right Georgia to Maine...sounds crazy, but hey that's Mom.

I hope everyone enjoys what is to come...I am scared and nervous about the long trip, but most of all am happy for her as this has been a life long dream, which she deserves more than anyone I know. Hopefully everyone rallies support behind her as we maybe what helps to push her through to the end.

Talk to you all again soon :)