Day 58

Au revoir from Paris

Hello and Goodbye,
    That is exactly how I feel at the moment. I slept for 3 hours and arrived at the airport in plenty of time to take care of all my duty free paperwork (and boy did  I have my fair share!) It went really smoothly and I am happy to report I am coming home with cash in my pocket:)

In the lounge

   Because I used my AA air miles I am travelling in style and am writing the beginning of my blog from the Admirals Lounge. Quite nice, I think this is something that I would like to get used too:) Spending has it's privileges:).

My plane before boarding

I am feeling excited and sad at the same time, an emotion that is unique. When I think about it, the experience I have had I need to carry with me throughout my life and focus on living my life with the same positive energy, spirit and excitement. In work, I need to love what I do and in play, I want to always play hard and play to get the most out of the experience. I am coming home with a fresh, clean slate ready to start rewriting my life, not rewriting but adding too:) I have already had the best career I could ever hope for, raising my kids:) The best thing I have EVER done in my life and my greatest accomplishment and joys have been about my children. Now that I am retired from raising Lauren, Whitney and Landon and I now just reap the benefits of having adult children, I am ready to start my next career. I truly love them more than I could ever express in words, they are my inspiration to exceed in all I do.

Settling in....

   In addition to all the things I got from this trip I forget to mention one of the most important, I have gained a strength I didn't know I had. Don't get me wrong I knew I was strong, just not to this degree. I had no one to depend on  so it was all about me! I realized the importance of research, planning, navigating, asking questions, listening, pacing myself, saying no and meaning no, saying yes when meaning yes and so on and so on. If getting older means gaining knowledge then bring it on because I thrive on it:)
  I was also thinking of the "things I missed from home" not the people because obviously I missed everyone so much. But there were certain things, silly mostly that kept popping up, starting with, ice tea, Mexican food, my car, my clothes, my jewelry I wear every day, cooking, warm weather, sandals, manicures and pedicures, my bathtub, good lotion, shampoo, conditioner, face wash(when I ran out), my curling iron, my Ugg slippers (I love those), and driving just to name a few.
  There were also things I didn't miss, getting gas, hearing an alarm going off at 5 to go to school, homework, going through the mail (thank you Lauren), taking out the dogs (thank you again Lauren), cleaning, doing laundry (well I did bathtub laundry! haha), having to decide what to wear (I didn't have much of a choice), but you know if you don't do those things how can you appreciate when you don't have too?
   As I said I am going to continue to write my blog and if you want to know when I am travelling again send me your email and I will let you know, I will also let you know through my blog as well, my email is .lalawhla@aol.com
  I am planning to travel the world one trip at a time.
  Wish me luck as I transition back home.

Back in the U.S.

  When I arrived at the airport I was greeted by Lauren and Whitney. My little Whitney cried and we all hugged each other at the same time for what seemed like minutes. It was a wonderful homecoming. I was going on 24 hours of being awake but had a bit of a second wind and we went to eat and came home and talked until about 2. It feels strange being back, I think it might take me a while...
  I wish you all the best of everything and I truly hope that my experience will inspire you to follow your heart, chase your dreams and make them reality and never to let fear get in the way. Because If I could do what I have done on my own anyone could.
 and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
  Feel free to contact me through my blog or email and let me know how and what you're doing and if you need encouragement I am here to help.
 Thank you all for making this the best reality I could ever hope for.
  Until next time,
                 Bon Appetit,
                                    Laura

Above and beyond

Thought for the day:

Every one of us has special gifts and talents and it is that unique quality that lets us teach each other and learn from one another. Go out and make a difference!!!!