DelightStruck

Hello, my name is Jen, and I just tried  Café Patachou for the first time EVER. Is there a support group for that? It was on my 39 Adventures list and time is growing short to get that wrapped up, peeps. I don't usually write about each of the 39 adventures, but this one calls for its own feature.  How have I never been here?! Okay, I know. Coach Man. He'd say it's girly food and suggest something else and I'd give in and think I'll try with my sisters another time, but I never did. Their website says they're "A Student Union for Adults Since 1989," and I am  pleasantly surprised... that statement, 100% accurate. I stopped in today at their Hazel Dell, Carmel, Indiana location for lunch. A chilly winter Wednesday, why not treat myself to a delish lunch? Everyone should have a date with themselves once in awhile. I've passed the location tons of times and always thought it looked cozy. Stepping through the door didn't disappoin...

Hello 2019, a fresh year... full of things that have never been . - Rainer Maria Rilke Oh the joy of a fresh year! My favorite thing to do on New Year's Day each year is to explore the adventures we want to embark on during the next 12 months and pencil them in on a fresh new wall calendar. It's one of my favorite Christmas presents under the tree each year that I give to myself. A fresh new Susan Branch , Gooseberry Patch or Mary Engelbreit calendar. It makes my heart giddy. Simple things, peeps, simple things. I think it goes back to my sweet mama. She always gave me a new calendar each year for Christmas. I miss her deeply, but I feel like she delights up in heaven each December as she sees which one I pick for the year ahead and how we fill it as a family. Now in the few days before New Years Eve, I ponder the year past and my word of the year ahead. This year's word is conquer, and because I can't play by the rules with a single word, two supporting words...

Over the course of my life, I've often had thoughts run through my head that started out, girls like me don't... Girls like me don't wear sleeveless anything. Girls like me don't become cheerleaders. Girls like me don't bust a move at wedding receptions. Girls like me don't wear red lipstick. Girls like me don't hang out with girls like her. Girls like me don't give presentations up in front of everyone. Girls like me d on't become the boss. Girls like me don't dabble in fashion. Girls like me don't do sporty things. Girls like me don't go in front of the camera. Girls like me don't  karaoke. Girls like me don't  succeed at diets. Girls like me don't have their dreams come true. And so on and so on. There have been times when I've overcome some of those don'ts , but for most of my life I've often let fear win. I've believed the lies of the don'ts . I have a feeling it's happened to you a time ...

So I turn 39 this week. Where the heck did the years go? I find Five for Fighting's 100 Years playing in my head often. Well, okay, I admit it... it's on my Spotify playlist. I've been thinking a lot about this 39th year of my life and what I want it to be. Where do I want to be when I get to 40? Who do I want to be when I get to 40? I'm not fearful of the big four zero. I kind of like the woman that I've become over the years. I'm totally in awe of the milestones she's tackled. Yes, there's a few things I'd love to improve, but overall, I like her. After some serious thought, I've decided to celebrate the year of 39 for twelve whole months! I'm going to savor each moment of 39, and I'm going to take you all along with me. Oh, and there's a list. I love lists! 39 adventures. Things I've never done, things I haven't done in forever, things I just want to do more of just for the heck of it, and things that I dream of b...