Bloom Where You're Planted

The best part of moving to a new area?  Discovering all the new things to do, especially if you live in a touristy area that is trying to attract people to come visit.  Prince Eric and I are throwing ourselves into our new community; we've made the local newspaper twice in the 2 months we've lived here.  Besides doing all the usual beach stuff (tide pooling, crabbing, clamming, whale watching and float finding), we've participated in some of the local festivities (HOA potlucks, Fourth of July sing-a-long, softball games, Chamber of Commerce events, and a local version of the Amazing Race). Yesterday, we were pirates. 

Our little town on the coast is rumored to have been a hideout for famous 16th century captain Sir Francis Drake and a local pirate fan club has hosted an annual all-day pirate treasure hunt as a fundraiser for our local food bank for 8 years.  The cannon blew at 10 am and we were off on our adventure of completing challenges, solving clues and dodging scalliwags!  Our goodwill purchased outfits were good enough to please the tourists and it was fun being asked to pose in  pictures.  I didn't feel any snooty disdain from the more elaborately dressed participants either, some coming from Idaho and Washington to compete.   At the end of the day, we came in 3rd place and won about $300 worth of swag and gift certificates.  Yay team Booty Snatchers!

I was painfully shy as a child, terrified to speak up in class and not comfortable in new situations.  Thankfully, I've overcome most of those feelings and I try not to let that shyness hold me back.  It took me a long time but I'm grateful that I've found a willing and eager partner, Prince Eric, to encourage and accompany me on my adventures.  We can be silly and goofy together as we go beyond my comfort zone.  I regret missing out on things when I was younger because I felt too awkward or that people would look at me.  You realize as you age that people pay far less attention to you than you think and I wish I could impart to my daughter the message to follow your dreams without reservation.  I love that she competes in sports and puts herself out there much more than I ever did.  This move, going into her second year of high school, is not easy for her.  She's leaving her longtime friends at a time when they are more important than anything.  As the new school year is about to start I hope she can embrace this new area and open herself up to the many possibilities ahead.  Ultimately, what you go through in life may be out of your control, but how you go through it is up to you.  I'm determined to make the most of this short ride.  Wanna come along?

From left: Prince Eric, me, a mermaid, and our pirate partner, "Loretta"