The List (in no particular order)….

Here are a few of my faves… things that make me laugh and lift up my spirits… even on the crappy days…

• Videos of (or actually witnessing live) people tripping or falling (obviously not if they are seriously hurt). I cannot get enough of them .
• People running… there should be some kind of study on this. Like what does it say about a person’s personality when he/she physically kicks his/her own ass while running? And what is the distance one is able to run while doing so? It can’t be comfortable or sustainable. And yet…
• ANYTHING True Crime. I could listen to podcasts for hours. And Keith Morrison?! Come on!
• Animals- specifically our horses, pig (she’s house-trained y’all!), and our puppy- I mean, there’s not much better than the love of or from animals.
• My husband, kids, family, and friends. (Thought these were obvious, but people can be pretty sensitive.)
• Mucking horse shit. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! It’s oddly cathartic. Plus I can put on a true crime podcast and go to town.
• Ok.. If you do not actually look forward to your workouts like I do, this one is going to seem completely insane to you. But, I get a kick from picking out my workout class for the day. Especially if it’s a new one! No judging.
• Dark chocolate. Enough said.
• Lattes or really any kind of fancy coffee or concoction the barista has whipped up. Yes, I know there is a ton of sugar in them. I DON’T FUCKING CARE. They are delicious and I work my ass off.
• And while we are on the subject of beverages…. MARGARITAS. They are the one cocktail I can not turn away. They are delicious and refreshing and my one chosen “shifty” while closing the restaurant. It’s pure love. That’s all.
• Cioppino. I literally have it at every establishment that offers it. I have been all over San Diego and am now starting on the Central Coast. One day I will write some kind of Cioppino guide so that diners can experience what I perceive to be the best. You’d be surprised. There is a dive bar on the list…
• Humorous books about life. Because, let’s face it, if you can’t laugh you are fucked.
• Life coach podcasts.. Mel Robbins and Rachel Hollis in particular. Love them. They have unwittingly talked me off of a proverbial ledge more than once.
• The PING! of my AirBnB app. Another booking! Yippee!
• Mornings! Literally anything is possible! You have the whole day ahead and I like to fantasize that I have all the time to accomplish everything I need to. Haha!
• The sunset in the pasture. I am so grateful for our ranch and the calm it brings in the evenings. It could be a complete shit-show during the day; the horses running through the hot wire, the wind blowing the umbrellas straight out of their stands, the county on our backs for permits, neighbors (not all, just a couple) up in our business, the pig and the puppy rolling in the mud puddles and the puppy subsequently running through the house. It IS a ranch after all. However, the nights are insanely tranquil and I love them.

Make your own list….

These are the things that help me keep sane, and sometimes get me through the tears and fears of the shittiest of days. If you are also on this journey with me, or are simply human, I highly suggest you write your own list. Refer to it as often as needed. Life can be tough.