God, or the Devil, is in the details…depending on how you choose to look at it. We are down to the last details before putting our house on the market. We didn’t intend to be here this long. What started out as a 2-year plan turned into a fixer-upper that needed much more fixing-up than we bargained for. Being the type of people who believe wholeheartedly in karma, with a capital K, we did our best with each new challenge we ran into. (Maybe it is the Devil…)

Ten years after we started, we are almost through. The trim is touched up. Closets are being cleaned. Furniture is being sold. New carpet is going in the master suite. The pool is gleaming. The garden is lush. As much as we’ve looked forward to this, it’s bringing us to a new place in our lives, and yes, we are both excited and scared. 

It shows up in funny ways. I just spent weeks looking for the “perfect” new car, stressed out, and sick over it. But I had to make a decision because my lease was up. I finally decided on a Mini Cooper 4-door Countryman because it’s adorable and it can be towed behind an RV.  Kind of “cart before the horse,” I know.  But, being a good Boy Scout, I am now prepared!

And for the first time in 22 years, I am driving a manual transmission again. This car is fun…so much so that my sweetheart keeps asking to take it. Another benefit: I feel more engaged while driving it – no talking on the phone or drinking coffee on the way in to work. You need both hands.

I always conduct informal surveys, and I’ve learned than most women close to my age can drive a manual. Almost none of the young women I’ve asked are able. (Although nobody can drive them in platform wedges! Jeez. Who knew?)

Can you drive a manual? Was it your first car? Who taught you? Let me know. Informal survey stuff, you know. (Actually, I’m just nosy.)

So, that’s me. Mid-air. I used to love change just for the sake of change. Now I am open to change for the better. Change for the experience and excitement. I hope to remain this courageous and open for as long as I get to be on this big blue marble!

XO Donna