When things get tough, that’s when you count your blessings. Absolutely. True. Literally nothing can get me down because I have so many good things and people in my life. How can I possibly complain? I can’t.

When the waves of life roll in…enjoy the ride.

Before I begin my gratitude list, I must mention I am linking up with Lyndsey, Beth and Charlotte for the What’s Up Weekend Gratitude List.

Here’s my gratitude list;

1. 1. Having friends that ‘got my back’-I’m so fortunate to have friends that truly care…they check in…they offer moral support…they’re simply there when I need them. Friends are the family you choose.
   2. My car. My car is 16 years old now, but it runs like a charm (except for a few things). Other than putting money into maintenance and this year I need new tires, this car gives back far more than I have to put into it.
   3. Having time to work on my creative pursuits. Not everyone has the time to spend creatively and I’m always grateful for my flexible schedule.
   4. Living close to the ocean. It’s my go-to place for relaxation, meditation, play, exploration.
   5. Another day on the planet. As my birthday month is here, I always think about the good fortune of aging. yup, I think I just said I like getting older.
   6. I’m dry. Watching the news I can’t help but feel grateful that we aren’t facing any natural disasters, like Texas is facing now.  We take for granted when mother nature stays calm but we never know when she’ll blow. For now though, my home is warm and dry and I’m truly grateful for those comforts.

What are you grateful for today? What’s on your mind?

You can join the blog link-up today by writing your own grateful list,  and visiting those blogs as well. Have a great weekend, my Escapees!

THIS IS US —  Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) & Rebecca (Mandy Moore) centre with best friends Miguel & Shelly (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

I watched the whole season of the new show This Is Us…I was hooked after episode two. And it takes a lot to get me hooked these days.

One scene struck a chord with me. Jack and Rebecca are getting ready to meet their best friends for a dinner (a standing date) and Rebecca wasn’t feeling festive and wanted to stay home. Jack told her that they had to go because Miguel and Shelly had something they wanted to talk to them about. So, in the middle of their appetizer, when everyone had a drink in hand, Miguel made an announcement. “We’re getting divorced.”

Last year I rounded up a ‘look back’ at The Great Escape blog. It was interesting to see a year in the life of this little blog, so I’m doing the same here with a slight twist. We’ll end on my (and your) hopes for 2017. My theme for the year is building a dream…a year to build a dream on…because why not?

Hello Escapees, want to catch up over coffee? That’s one of my favorite things to do with friends. Even though we can’t do it literally, we can do it virtually here at the blog. Thanks to Shantala over at Shanayatales, for starting this Catch Up Over Coffee theme.  It’s just an informal chat designed to put a more personal slant on the blog.

I think after all that’s been going on it’s nice to take a deep breath and just talk. Shoot the breeze. So, grab your cup a joe. (Ironically, I wrote a similar post almost exactly a year ago Hello! Come On In, I’ll Put Coffee On I guess Shantala and I think alike).

“Lisa, you’ve changed.” he said. I wanted to answer;

“Yes, you’ve changed me.” Instead, I simply stared and waited for him to finish his point, which he did not.

I won’t say who said it or when. I will say that it’s been said by more than one person. I will also say that it’s true. I have changed. Since when? I’m not sure…but I have changed. Here’s the thing, I’m a human being. I’m not an inanimate object. If I’m not changing then I must be dead.

It’s okay to change isn’t it?

image source; southern royalty blog

How are you? As I mentioned in my last post, I was away for a few weeks. My Beau and I had this trip planned for a while and we were really looking forward to it. The last extended holiday we had was in 2012, almost 4 years ago. So, it was time for a nice break and a real holiday. Of course, we go on short road trips periodically which are really fun. However, a short road trip isn’t a holiday in the true sense of the word because, well, you’re back all too soon.

Why feel lost when we’re all here, your on-line supporters and friends? Lisa’s divorce support round-up promises to offer something for every kind of divorce; high conflict, co-Parenting with a jerk, looking for love, having trouble dealing with your off the charts, emotions? I could go on and on because the issues we face during divorce are infinite in their variety.

I saw this quote on facebook the other day and I thought it was so beautiful:

“We rise by lifting others.”

I’m not sure who said it but it sounds very much like the late poet Maya Angelou. I was inspired to paint it on a small canvas to hang somewhere in my apartment…

We’ll lift one another up but when people push us down, we’ll lift ourselves first.

If Jane Austen blogged

I’ve missed you, dear Escapees! So, you may have noticed I’ve been gone for a month. At least, I hope you have 🙂 and you know what? I’ve been doing relaxing stuff; eating juicy peaches, smelling the roses, walking on the beach, seeing my kids, loving summer like it’s my last one. But now it’s time to get back to routine. Do you feel it, too? The fresh, cooler air blowing in, the golden hue to the early morning sunlight? It’s all telling me it’s time to go back….maybe not back to school but back to work and all that entails—writing and blogging!

How many of you are best friends or let me re-word that; how many of you are simply friends with your ex? I know it’s quite a concept—yet, I believe many strive for that.  If we can rise above co-parenting conflict and the division of assets there might be a chance. However, from what I’ve seen it’s about a 20% chance of retaining or working toward friendship post