Thursday, August 22, 2013

Life, Loss, and Love!

Hi Everyone!

It's been way too long since I have talked to y'all! I think the last time I posted we had 24 hours left of 2012. Shew, I'm way behind. These two little fingers had been all over the place the past 8 months. 2013 has been the most amazing, successful, and heartbreaking year yet. When I set my goals for the year, never did I guess they would ALL be achieved. Besides the fact I have yet to win the lottery or hunt my first bear since I've lived in NC, there's still time. Before I bore everyone with exciting news, I want to reflect on losing my bestfriend and rock this past March, my Pa.

In my previous post, I had just got back from TX celebrating his 80th birthday. Now, in 2 days I will have been without him 5 months. While he is in a better place, I would give anything to share the past 5 months with him. Pa was the one who always believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. He would've given me his right arm if he could've, just so he didn't have to watch me do things without letting him help. Granted, that's why I am such a strong, determined, stubborn little 2-fingered girl now. So, thank you, Pa, for everything...I miss you!



While the year started out with heartbreak, Pa was looking over me to make the rest of the year absolutely wonderful!

In January, I met the most amazing man a girl could ask for. He has not only accepted me for who I am, but so supportive in all my crazy life decisions! He's a keeper just knowing he has to put up with me everyday! We will be taking our first vacation together to TX in November....to hunt, of course! I'm sure there will be another fun post about another hunting trip!

In April, I bought my first home. As exciting, scary, and nerve-racking it was, I love it. As I have said before, when people question your ability to accomplish goals outside of your comfort zone, you will find a way to achieve them. Buying a home in the middle of the woods by myself...my ah ha moment! Yep, that means I get to do all of the weed eating, hoeing, snake-wrangling, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with home ownership. Only I do it with one hand. Yea, take that Mountain Men!

In June, my Mom, Aunt T, and Grandma (Sam), set out to NC in a big Penske truck to haul some furniture from TX to my house (thanks T and Pooh). And along for the ride came 2 little (not really) lab/border collie pups, Nora and June. And, my life has never been the same! While they are a pain in my side and keep me on my toes, they have warmed (and dirtied) the house right up! They're just precious..and buying me some time before I have little ones running around that I can't lock up in a crate! :)

And, last but not least, my career. As most of you now I went to school to be in the brokerage business. To ride the wild and crazy roller coaster of investing. To me, it was a no brainer, but to some, it a question of how I would be perceived in the business. Not only as a woman, but a woman with one hand. Apparently, that was reason to do something in my comfort zone, like bake cupcakes or cookies for a living! While that sounds delicious, it's not what I wanted for myself. I knew I would turn heads (what's new?), but you know me.....stubborn as a mule! It was going to happen. I stepped out on a limb and went for what I have worked so hard the past 5 years on....and just like that, I got my break!! In 3 days I will start my new career at a brokerage firm, here in Asheville, paving my way to the life long career goal I knew I could achieve if I never gave up.

So, to all my Lucky Fin families, and those of you who may just need a little advice from a one-handed girl (for whatever it's worth...) don't give up. It's been a long road...some detours...some road blocks...some off-roading...bumps, brusies, battle wounds...but it's all worth it in the end! While the road to success never ends, it will open new doors to things you never thought you could endure or overcome. It's scary, it's fun, you will be anxious, proud, exhausted...Embrace it.

I hope your year has been adventurous and joyful so far. Until next time, enjoy your life however it was dealt to you....there is a reason!

Now get up and get out there, Lucky Fins!!

Love to All,

Bri