Tuesday Tune: #NCHalloween Challenge

My “Tuesday Tune” this week is an encouragement for the #NCHalloween and a hint as to what my costume will be tomorrow. 

Think back to the 1940s episode of One Tree Hill and this song: 

Please read yesterday’s blog post (https://bit.ly/2SunYEd) 

Are you taking the challenge? Happy Halloween Eve!  

#NCHalloween #capefearlesschallenge

#NCHalloween Challenge

                                        CHALLENGE:

(1) Dress as your favorite NC character for Halloween

(2) Post a picture of your costume with the hashtag: #NCHalloween

(3) If someone asks about your costume: tell them how they're still rebuilding after the storm, tell them donations are still needed through #capefearlesschallenge , American Red Cross, Gleaning for the World, etc. 

I could be too late as Halloween is just two days away; I'm going to try anyways. This Halloween, please dress as your favorite character from a film or television show filmed in North Carolina; in honor and remembrance of those still rebuilding after Hurricanes Michael and Florence along the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Post a picture of it with the hashtag #NCHalloween along with a link to #capefearlesschallenge or https://bit.ly/2x9bCIk of how they can help. Share this challenge with your friends across social media. 

 WHY:
            (1) To bring a little light to everyone's life this week after so many tragedies in the last few months. (Who doesn't like remembering their favorite film or movie moment)
       
            (2) To help everyone remember that recovering after a hurricane devastates a community happens over months and years; not just the first few days and weeks.

IDEAS:
            Your costume can be as complex or simple as you want. It could be a simple t-shirt with a particular film or TV quote. It could be a couple's costume from Dirty Dancing, Dawson's Creek, or The Notebook. Whatever it may be; just whichever is your favorite.

So please SHARE & on October 31st - make it a #NCHalloween

So many highs and lows

Ever have a day that has been so full of emotion it leaves you exhausted from the elations and sorrows. That was my yesterday. I might have made some progress in finding answers to why I’ve been so sick lately, but I was also reminded that there’s still work to be done. And overwhelming joy, pride, and happiness as my best friend, the woman who stood by me through so much turmoil, was a warrior woman and gave birth to a precious baby boy. (He’s so perfect - it’s too much cuteness) She’s amazing. 

As I reflect on the day, I’m reminded of two things: a lighthearted quote

 And this song; just take the time to listen and reflect on a new day.

Truth

I’m really good at playing a part, putting on a brave face. But here’s the Truth: I’m freaking terrified by life and my place in it most of the time. There you have it: I just named my biggest secret 

Looking for the Silver Lining - Carolina Style

If you've been reading along in the blog or following my #authenticityjourney, these last few weeks have been incredibly difficult for me and my IBS has run amok of my life. However whenever I've needed a pick me up in the past; North Carolina always gave me one.

• Watching my first romantic comedies (A Walk To Remember, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, etc.) with my sister whenever I was down or teenage angst or whenever the fear of losing our dad because of his cancer became too big. - My sister always protecting, loving me and creating a bond that has weathered so many storms. We are a team, have always been a team, will always be a team; no matter how many years are between or miles apart. 
• Going to visit my Grandma in Durham, my Mimi in Winston-Salem, visit with cousins, aunts, uncles, and more at a family reunion in the mountains of NC or in Lexington, family beach trips to the Outer Banks - my roots always giving me strength. 
• Hearing my parents and family tell me stories of the real Bull Durham, where Wake Forest got its start, and all of the family history - deepening my bond with both of the state's I grew up in.
• Going to Meredith College in Raleigh, where I became apart of long, proud history of strong women surrounded by amazing people that encouraged me to learn and grow, in and out of the classroom. Formed incredibly tight bonds with sister/friends who laughed, cried, and pushed me to be all I could. And when my whole world came crashing down when my father died in my sophomore year that whole campus community surrounded me with so much support, encouragement, and light until I could once again see that light again myself. - So much love and laughter along with cherished memories. Bonds we share even miles apart and distracted by complicated lives. 
• Going to the concerts or blasting out to music by Scotty McCreery, Anthony Hamilton, Britt Nicole, Kellie Pickler, Eric Church, and more, lots of artists, all genres as I drove down 40, 86, 29, and 440. 

As I've felt beat down these past couple weeks, I've tried to remember all that those memories, people, and moments that have gotten me this far. I'm so grateful for them, all of them and they continue to help and strengthen me. And then I'm reminded that there are still so many people suffering in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina because of Hurricanes Florence and Michael and the floods after the storms.

So this Halloween, I want to start a trend to help support those who are still rebuilding and shine a light on their strength. You can find other ways to support through this article; The Women of OTH have already started a great challenge through #capefearlesschallenge . Can we keep the momentum going? I'm asking.

Halloween is a time we celebrate with friends and family over pumpkin spice coffee and candy. What if we turned our much loved excuse to dress up as a way to help others to raise awareness? This Halloween, dress up as your favorite NC film, television show, or artist and share that picture on social media with the #OTHhalloween or #capefearlesschallenge. If someone asks about your costume choice, tell them why that's your favorite show or movie and how they can still help people rebuild. But do y'all agree, lets keep the ball rolling.

**I'll post some more ideas in a couple of days**

(Images Sourced from Google Image Search)

#capefearlesschallenge

Beyond exhausted like past physical exhaustion at this point

Well I've been MIA for a bit. I've been so tired lately, I'm on like day 16 of IBS episode and on day 4 or 5 of a test for my specialist. Normally I have an episode for a day or so and I'm able to work throughout and I'll have a week to a couple of weeks before I have another one. But no not anymore. And I'm so over it and so mad it's not even the slightest bit funny.

Ever reach that point? You're tired of hurting, trying of cabin fever and you're whole life forced to be contained to within four walls.

Fall is starting here and I live in the foothills of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. I want to go out and hike. I want to go to my favorite orchard, climb on a hay bale, pick some gourds and pumpkins, feed the donkey that's been around forever, and stuff myself on amazing apply doughnuts. I want to play on my friend's farm and hear about their recent birthday.

What I don't want is to be stuck indoors running between my bed, my couch, and my bathroom. Going to doctor to doctor to lab for what. What's gonna change? More medical bills, more visits. I'm so tired of this stupid merry-go-round. This "Hope's Still Here" girl is barely holding on to a silver of hope that I pass out from exhaustion before my head begins to spin and my body finally stops trying to kills me or at the very least make me miss my favorite season.

#realtalk

Tuesday Tune - Tired Rebel Heart

Still getting beat up pretty bad by my IBS and GERD. I wasn’t getting worried in the first few days because well I’ve had this thing since I was 12 so years of experience, really great nurse mama, and brilliant doctor - we’ve got a protocol worked out. I know what to do with what trigger or symptoms occur. Even if those symptoms change drastically for a few days, I probably just picked up a bug and it’ll take longer to get rid of. The thing is this is week two of change of new awfulness and I’m starting to get a smidge cranky. I’ve missed work (and I don’t miss work or school - I took 2 finals in high school while I had the flu and IBS only to pause for bathroom break once); last time I missed this much work I had to have my gallbladder out. All tests are coming back normal which is good but I’m still in hella pain. And it sucks. 

Ever get to a moment in your life where you’re staring at the sky, “Hey, what else am I supposed to do? I’m checking all the boxes and really none of it is enough. Really. How many more rounds are you going to make me go through?” And I know how lucky I am that I’m talking about IBS and not something a lot worse; I truly know I got an easier load to carry here. I don’t know lately it just feels harder, more draining. 

So as I look up a couple times this battle round  my shuffle mode lands on this song “Rebel Heart” by Lauren Diagle. First off: the girl can SANG! But also I just want to hope the song is like a wink from God; “Hang in there, I know you doubt sometimes and are feeling beat down but rebel I SEE YOU.” 

Isn’t that what we all want, especially the rebels: to be seen?