Every seashell carries a story, and so do we. This is my story, shaped by the people I’ve loved, the challenges I’ve faced, the lessons I’ve learned, and the life I’ve dared to imagine for myself. A little salty, a little messy, and entirely my own.
Who am I? This is me in a Seashell…
Grew up in a middle class family of the 70’s. 5th child of 6. 1 brother who was the oldest.
I am a Gen-X
Lived in a typical middle class suburban neighborhood, but with our big family, we had the biggest house on the block. Dad worked 9-5 and payed the bills. Mom embodied the perfect 50s housewife who stayed home and took care of the house and kids. My mom was amazing at cooking, baking and sewing and made extra money making cakes for weddings and events.
As a Gen-X, my parents had much more financial stability and prosperity then me or my siblings have had. My father was able to support a family of 8 on his income.
My mother was Strongly Religious and my father was an Atheist.
Me, I consider myself a humanist and an agnostic, though I also feel a spiritual connection with the earth and the universe.
I am a freethinker and liberal through and through as I believe change is the one constant in the universe and we must embrace it. I share my introspections on the world in my World Outside blog
Neither of my parents were political but they were both very conservative. I try to stay out of the propaganda surrounding politics but believe that helping people is more important than greed. While I strive to be a successful business owner, I am completely against the form of capitalism that exists today that makes people uber rich while others have to work 3 jobs to get by. I would be devastated if one of my employees was not able to get by on one job or income. If a business owner is a multi-millionaire or billionaire, then their employees all the way down to the lowest paid, should be able to support their family fully.
Married at 23, first child at 25.
4 kids later, divorced, single mom. Raising good kids was always my #1 purpose in life. Being the best mom I could be has always been my priority. Never knew how much I could love or how much I could be loved until I had kids. Moved my children too many times to count and struggled with providing a stable home.
My children are my Inspiration.
I’ve always believed my four children are geniuses, each in their own way, and honestly, I think they’re all smarter than me. They see things I don’t, understand things differently, and have talents and abilities that continue to amaze me. But while they may have surpassed me in so many ways, I’ve always had something to offer them, too: the knowledge that comes from living life.
In many ways, we’ve grown up together. I gave them the best of what I knew, and they’ve given me the gift of seeing the world through four very different minds and hearts.
Cortney is my rock, my life guru, and the first person I call about everything. She took the first steps of my Florida beach journey beside me, and she’s been beside me through every hard season since. Watching her build her own path, strong and independent, reminds me that letting go of someone you love can be the very thing that sets them free.
Sam is so much like me in so many ways. The shy little boy who wouldn’t say a word to his teacher now talks to everyone and builds schools for young entrepreneurs. He wants to make a difference in the world and his heart in in helping others succeed. When he tells me a story, I hear my own heartbeat in it. He reminds me that success comes from leading and helping others.
Tiger walks into a room and the whole room softens. He feels the earth, loves trees and animals, and has loved me without conditions through every hardship we’ve faced. He has been my rock in my product business and has always been there to help me whenever I need him. He reminds me to lead with kindness and love.
Matthew learned his times tables on a trampoline and solved a Rubik’s Cube in first grade while the school was busy telling him he was behind. He went on to teach himself film history and editing, and now he makes things that move people. He taught me there’s no single right way to learn, or to live. He reminds me that love is powerful and can overcome any obstacle.
They all inspire me to be better because they deserve a mom who keeps growing. To do better because they’ve watched me fall and get back up, and I want them to keep seeing that. To love better because they’ve shown me what unconditional love actually looks like. I didn’t just raise four children. I raised four friends, four teachers, and four reasons to keep walking.
I am Entrepreneur through and through. Can’t stop me from creating!
Persistence is a word that describes me. I don’t quit, push through problems and issues, and believe hard work will pay off.
Passion is my best friend. I am driven by a passion in everything I do and I am attracted to others who have a passion.
Love is my motto. I believe that the world needs more love and less hate and we all need to do our part to unite people.
My spirit animal is the dragon. Proclaimed by my children and embraced by me. I am fiercely protective, somewhat introverted, highly driven for success, and will let my kids fly on their own without hovering. Still working on keeping the fire breathing dragon from coming out now and then!
I set boundaries and have expectations of the way people treat me. Sometimes this can lead to me opening my mouth and standing up for myself in ways that are not so graceful. Just one of my many imperfections.
I love the beach! The tranquility, the sand, the waves, the wildlife, the birds. My goal is to walk in the sand of every beach in the world! This blog is all about that journey.
Exploring and Travel is my passion. My bucket list is huge! I share more in Wanderlust & Footprints.
Florida has always been my home base. I love Florida, growing up in Florida and exploring everything the state has to offer. It has been my passion to share and help small business owners share their stories as well in their local communities.
I love holidays! I believe that holidays bring people together and can unite the world. As the creator of over 100 daily fun and awareness holidays, I believe that the fun is in the unity of having a reason to celebrate together.
I love writing, designing, creating. Millennials seem to think they created the concept of blogging and traveling. Some of us Gen-xers were doing it first. We paved the way.
My kids are now all adults. I started over as a broke Gen-X entrepreneur. Still writing, creating, and pursuing my goals. My daily Midlife Chaos is my journey through this stage in my life.
I’d love to help more people over 50 start living their passions since we all supported our kids while they built their dreams, it’s our time. Learn more and connect with me in my Midlife Womanpreneur Blog.
