Lady Traveler celebrates 71st birthday -- traveling!

Lady Traveler celebrates 71st birthday...traveling!

Winter deco lingers at my house through January

"Happy Birthday to me,

Happy Birthday to me,

Happy Birthday, dear Sharon,

Happy Birthday to me."

And many more....

Yum!

Christmas is past,

so winter rings in my birthday with a shout,

"Another year older!"

Actually, I'm one of those gals who don't mind getting older.

It's better than the alternative.

(you've heard that famous saying many times, I'm sure)
When people ask what my secret is to a sassy senior life, I whisper,
"I won't let that old lady in."

One of my favorite Christmas gifts:

You know me and my coffee.
We've walked hand in hand through life for 55 years. 

My 70th year was one of my favorites.

In a nutshell:
I celebrated early with both my son and daughter here to 'party-down' with me.

Summer of 2015, early 70th birthday celebration with Shawn and Jacquie
Boating on Lake Murray, karaoke night, and lots of cafe hopping.

Then in January 2016 Rob and I took a leap and bought a beautiful
American Tradition motor home.

Our motor home, Moon River
(ornament: gift from daughter Carrie)

 We hit the road to Hunting Island, SC, then to Dreher Island.

In February I met some wonderful ladies when I spoke at a women's brunch.

In April I went to the hospital and came home with a bionic knee (replacement).

Since May we have traveled through 22 states, at last count.
Okay, as I'm writing this, I can see that this is going to be more than a nutshell,

so you'll just have to read my previous blogs of 2016 for more details.

I love campfires!

As I write, I'm back here at Dreher Island for twelve days,

enjoying God's beautiful creation,

Writing. Remembering. and Hoping.
Writing:  blogs, 'thank you's' to birthday wishers, and my book, LADY on the RUN.
Remembering:  the wonderful memories of my 70th year gone by.
Hoping: for a better tomorrow, a brighter future.
Hoping: to do my small part to make America great again, hand in hand,
with all my fellow Americans.

Rob and I are in the process of planning my 71st year.
Lots of traveling involved.
Places to see.  People to meet.
I hope you are part of my journey.
You can follow me on my Facebook page and my blog.
Or just hop in Moon River with us and travel to places unknown!

I wish you oceans of 2017 blessings!

Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

www.sharonleaf.com

Daughter's 50th, and other Surgical Moments

Sunrise at Hunting Island, SC 2016

May your footsteps set you upon a lifetime journey of love.
May you wake each day with His blessings
and sleep each night in His keeping.
And may you always walk in His tender care.

Hello... how are you?
Now, may I ask,
when does one have the time to write?

I know, I know,

a writer must make time to write.
Just as a
painter must make time to paint that priceless picture,
or the photographer must make time for those magnificent photo shoots,

So, lets talk a little about guilt
because I know we all go through this
at one time or another.

Confession:
I'm guilty of sleeping until after 7,

sipping my first cup of coffee until 8 or 9 while reading, watching TV,
or watching a sunrise.

By the time I put on my face,

get dressed, make the bed,

eat breakfast, clean kitchen,

put in a load of laundry or two,

take Popcorn for her morning walk,

It's lunchtime.

And so the days go.

However, I do have lots of fun in-between.
No guilt there.
After all, I am retired.

Between the process of all my long-awaited 

pre-op surgery appointments, classes, etc.
over the last two months,

I have been spending lots of time at the gym

swimming and working out

to prepare my body for my upcoming knee replacement surgery.
Brownie points here.

Jacquie's 50th Birthday Bash
Family & Friends
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!"

And then there was my daughter's big

50th BIRTHDAY KARAOKE PARTY
last Saturday night.

I always over-extend myself at her parties

because I have so much fun

singing old and new songs from

all genres.

Now I'm hoarse and my knee really hurts.

But worth all the pain for a night

of pure celebration.
More brownie points.

Speaking of age...
Golly, I don't feel 70 until

I realize that I now have a daughter who is

50!

I'm old,

But young at heart.

And that's what matters.
More brownie points to feeling young.

As I continue to prepare for my surgery,

which shall FINALLY take place this Monday morning,

My heart is full of thankfulness

for the many blessings in my life,
including the best ortho-surgeon in the south
(thus the long waiting list for surgery).
I also know that I am in the hands of the great physician,
Jesus,
not to forget my Robinski and family and friends.

Then after three weeks of in-house rehab,

Robinski will gently load me into 

Moon River,
(I named her just the other day; so appropriate, don't you think?)

our 40-foot American Tradition coach,

and off we'll travel to Myrtle Beach for a week...

or more.

Moon River is ready to travel

I know I'll find time to write on the road.
Then: no more guilt.
But don't expect too much while

I'm mending from my surgery.

Strangely, as I write this blog,
I feel the guilt melting away.
After all, what is really meaningful in this life anyway?
Yep,
God, Family, and Friends.

So as you read this,
I hope you are being set free from the guilt you may be feeling.
Make sure your priorities are in order,
then go out and make this a beautiful day.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

I shall soon return as
Lady Traveler aka the Bionic Woman!

Until next time,
Keep traveling on your journey of love

Stand at the crossroads and look...
ask where the good way is,
and walk in it, 
and you will find rest for your souls.
Joshua 6:16

Here's wishing you oceans of springtime blessings.

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's Last Day ...

The last day of my "60's decade"!

Saturday, January 30th 2016.
the Last day of my 60's.

This day is special because

my precious Mother

went to heaven when she was 66.

So I feel like I've broken her family's rules.

You see, most of Mom's family die at

early ages, mostly due to heart disease.

That is why I always encourage women

to get regular check-ups,

eat right, and keep those bodies movin.

Tomorrow I will enter the decade of my s-s-seventies!

On the beach at Hunting Island, SC (lighthouse in background)

The month of January has flown.

Robinski officially retired January 15th!

Yay!

And now I introduce LADY TRAVELER, Rob's retirement present:

Rob bought me a fireplace for Lady Traveler to keep me warm and cozy
on those cold, beachy nights.

Lady Traveler by American Tradition

We recently spent a week at Hunting Island, SC
We didn't want to come home.
Could it be that God is preparing us for some
cross-county traveling?
We are ready for anything.
At our age (remember, I'll be 70 tomorrow)
we want to spend our golden years keeping active.
Active for God!

Away we go in our 40-foot home on wheels,
pulling my little red Christmas gift behind.

So our new year begins.
God is good...all the time.

True to Your word, You let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Psalm 23:3

I'll start fabulous February off by speaking
at Red Bank Baptist Church www.redbankbaptistchurch.com