Cigarettes, American Pie, and Becoming More of Me

Happy Sunday (and Father's Day if you care, and not if you don't; either way is fine with me). I am writing from the cutest little Airbnb in Columbia, Missouri, where I am visiting my #1 daughter, Lily, who is spending her first summer away from home, like a real baby grown-up. 

I've been here many times before, but it's always been for move-ins, tailgates, football games, and Mom's Weekend. I've taken in a lot of the college scene, including drinking circles and small talk. That's all good and fine, but this time I have curated the visit just for me.

I spent the long drive finishing my Yoga Nidra certification. An open road and the privacy of being in a car alone provided the perfect place to practice my new yoga nidra language. Slowly..."beggginnnn withhh yourrr righhhttt hannnddd thumb..." There is safety in that car container. My clients are often in cars for their calls too.

I got certified in Yoga Nidra for me and also for you. I hosted a poll on Instagram, crowdsourcing what people wanted in a retreat experience. Meditation was the overwhelming winner. I want to deliver what my followers want! I will offer my first virtual sessions to my Insiders while I practice. You are welcome to 🔗 join. 

I arrived in Columbia in time for the Wednesday evening Farmer's Market. We stocked up for the week. Then I made Lily the best BLT (+ avocado, ofc) of her life. It's her love language. We're having fun playing house and working girl roommates in our sweet, stylish, little bungalow.

I've been able to explore Columbia in the way I want to. The hiking trails, the restaurants, the local boutiques, the antiques, and coffee. I am using the time away from home as a writing retreat. The writing is coming along. 

I stumbled into the most grunge underground coffee shop. The smell of roasting (slightly burnt) coffee with Mazzy Star playing in the background.  I was instantly transported to Racy's Cafe in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1997. The place where the cool hippies studied and you could buy a single cigarette from a huge jar for $0.10. If I could find that amount of change in my car, a single smoke was all mine. If I found half that amount of change, I'd split the cig with my roommate. Win/win.

To think that now I'm eating farm-to-table organic and guiding women towards freedom from alcohol is just the best plot twist. The story has already written itself, really. 

I've been hunting and gathering all my little ticket stubs, receipts, brochures, and more from this trip for my junk journal. I'm loving this new hobby, although I had to quit the other night, telling Lily, "I can't work myself to the bone on what was supposed to be a relaxing hobby!" as my fingers were losing circulation with all my tiny cutting. I just have to be balls to the wall about everything. I'm working on it, ok? Slow summering, that is.

I've always been a fan of collages, magazine clippings, and art. I truly feel I am just becoming more of myself over time, and sobriety really helps with that. We're drinking iced coffee on the porch and putting fresh fruit in our parfaits for breakfast in the morning. We are taking the time to whip our yogurt and savor every bite. We went to a movie, and I finished a book. At night we're sipping 🔗 Aplos Ease as a bedtime drink and sleeping so well while cuddled up together.

This is the life I dreamed about when I was drinking, but I couldn't sit with people, even the people I loved, without taking the edge off. Now I am at peace from the inside out. There is no greater commercial that I can give for sobriety than that. I had no idea the sober life could be so wonderful until I tried it myself. I've done life both ways, and I prefer to live sober. I choose it every day. Ditching the drink has been the single most beautiful uplevel of my life.

Speaking of, do you like the word "sober"?

This blog of mine, 🔗 Why I Don't Call Myself an Alcoholic, is getting quite a few comments on 🔗 LinkedIn. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. 

My client, Susan, introduced me to Jones New Road makeup, and I've never looked back. Check it out 🔗 here. When JNR 💄 asked me to be an ambassador, I said yes for the first time ever, simply because I am a fan of their products and I think every woman should have them. Being an ambassador means I get a small kickback from orders over $85 and also special discounts for you. Free mascara here. Sober treats, ladies. Look good, feel good.

If you feel like a clown in make-up like I do, then you're going to love this no make-up make-up. The foundation and miracle balm are so moisturizing you'll want to take a bath in them. Except when I went to visit the store, they told me I was using way too much. You only need a pea-sized amount, so it lasts forever and feels so hydrating. This 🔗 link will get you a free mascara with purchase. Try it. It is the perfect summer makeup. So light and easy. 

I did something fun this morning and sent my sisters a poem about loss on Father's Day, asking what song they would play to lure Dad down from Heaven for a day. Their responses are making me happy. Adele was found in his Mustang convertible CD player after he passed. He also loved Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You'll Dance." So sentimental!

One of my favorite songs to sing with him was 'Bye, Bye Miss American Pie." It's pretty hard to be sad when singing that and remember sitting in the passenger seat of his truck, him at the wheel and the windows down. Wind blowing through his gray hair, singing with a smile, Marlboro Red smoking, my 6-7 tall Dad. He was a stellar junk collector. What can I say? I get it from him. A wild man, a storyteller (bullshitter) who was loved so much.

And to wrap this up, have you heard about the fridge cigarette (Diet Coke)? 

Let's make it a great week!

Reach out and 🔗 schedule a call if I can support you in any way. 

XO!

-Heather

p.s. Coaches call for IAPRC coaches is Wednesday (not Monday). If you want to learn more about coach training and certification, schedule a call 🔗 here.