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My adventure this week is that I started a new job! Still in nonprofit fundraising, but grant writing for a new org. So far I’ve been doing mostly onboarding things - reading about the programs, meeting people I’ll be working with, etc. I’ve had a lot of job transitions in the last three years, so I hope to stay out for awhile.

My oldest also moved back into her college dorms, so that changes the energy at home.

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Jan 7, 2023·edited Jan 7, 2023Liked by Holly Rabalais

I spent the week getting back into a normal rhythm post-holidays. My kids went back to school, and after a couple of back-to-back 4-day weekends, I went back to a full work week.

Work-wise, there was some wild weather in the Dakotas and Minnesota that affected our station's operation. That's obviously terrible for travelers, but is also honestly when my job is the most fun.

Dunno if I'd call it an adventure, but we received some new (to us) deicing trucks this year, and I finally got to drive one Thursday. It'll take a bit for me to get used to them-we've had out current ones quite a long time- but it'll happen.

I have Fridays off and spent yesterday busy doing...absolutely nothing. Hung out with my dog, listened to some records, and caught up on newsletters. It was glorious. I need to make a habit of it.

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What a memorable set of experiences for you and your grandchildren! How wonderful. My daughter and I saw a hawk (perched on the iron hook of one of the bird feeders) as we pulled into our driveway-so cool. After we got out of the car, my daughter yells, "Rainbow!" We both ran out into our backyard and witnessed a rainbow undulating in colors (first red, orange, yellow, and then green indigo, and violet many times over. Then, a rainbow appeared above it! My first double rainbow ever! It faded, and the undulating rainbow split into FOUR! We were awe-struck. That night was awful as my daughter received a rejection from one of the Grad schools she had applied to and wanted to attend. The email was so cold and dismissive. We both ended up in a heap of hugs and tears. She was so sad, so deeply sad and I just wanted to take it all away. You know, as a parent, there's no way to do that. I woke up around 11:00 PM feeling sick. (aches, fever, fear...horrible). Today, my daughter has shown remarkable resilience and is in the spirit of "possibility". I am nursing a non-COVID "thing". I honestly think that the stress of sadness sent my body into an absolute inflammatory response. I am hopeful that by tomorrow (with all of my homemade herbal tea) that it will pass.

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Hi Holly! This is a wonderful, beautifully reflective post - what great adventures!

Like many we've been resetting - there's been lots going on. We took the Christmas tree down and made an unexpected plan to declutter the loft (because somehow there was suddenly no room to put the box of decorations back UP there...); at Jim's studio down the road we tried to rescue a starling that had set up home (we can't work out whether it's still in there, or whether it flew out while our backs were turned); I went for a walk yesterday on one of my favourite, very familiar local routes.... and got lost thanks to everything looking different in the woods where they've been doing some tree clearing! And, as always, I've been reading and writing and looking forward to more of the same.

Thank you, Holly, for your posts - I look forward to them every week, and they're always a terrific read.

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So happy to see all these adventures you've been on!

This month is gonna be crazy for me, I'm traveling to a different city every weekend, ending the month with the Lolapalooza India concert. Super excited 😁

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Hi Holly and all! Thanks for the invite. My daughter has been poorly with a viral infection so there’s been no adventuring here other than to the bottom of the garden to let our chickens out for the day and close them in again at night under this month’s full moon! 🌝

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Jan 8, 2023Liked by Holly Rabalais

Nice job prioritizing time and fun with grandkids. 🙂👍

I found my way here via Jen Zug, whose writing I've been enjoying since her old blog. My first week of 2023 was already hectic: ramping up for the first tax season and backfilling positions in a hurry. I better get some fun scheduled on my calendar before the month gets away from me!

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Jan 8, 2023Liked by Holly Rabalais

Good evening Holly!

Great post! Poverty Point World Heritage Site, sounds neat and I would definitely love to see it. Didn't do much adventuring though we did head to the city (Chicago) to look for spots for a new project (carry out restaurant.) Though we are both Chicago Heads, we haven't lived in the city for more than a decade, so every time we make the 40 minute trip we are revitalized. Ha!

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Poverty Point looks like a great historic site to visit. The grandkids comments seem like they have grown up already.

My adventure is finding out yesterday that I'm going to be working 9 straight days. They are having problems hiring more people, so they need people at different times. Three days are early morning starts.

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Happy weekend Holly! What a great adventure and wise grand-children you have! I loved it. My adventures have also been on foot this week...white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawk...some magnificent sightings. Thank you.

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Jan 11, 2023Liked by Holly Rabalais

Late to the party here, sorry, but I did enjoy reading about what's been going on in your life and making me grateful that mine isn't quite so busy. Yours seems very rewarding, though, so it's a great trade-off!

I've been settling back into the work grind. Coming back after 2 weeks off and with no one covering for me, I spent the entirety of last week just catching up to where I could get my head above water.

Thankfully, things are much better this week and getting back to normal. I've also been diligent about journaling and have made entries every day since the new year started. I'm also trying to get back into writing and, to be honest, it's a bit of a chore but one I think is worth it.

Until next time.

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Your first ever double rainbow?! I’m so glad you caught it and the splitting into four. So cool!

It’s hard watching our kids hurt and be disappointed. I’m glad you could be there to comfort her, and very glad she has woken up to a new day of possibility. Now, take care of yourself and feel better soon. The world can’t do without Mary for too long!

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