Photo cred: Ryann Beck

I was I glad to say good bye to 2017.  Last year was a challenge, to say the least.  I shared about my health struggles in a June blog post Zest For Life.

I gleefully leaped into 2018!

Before 2017 ended, I immersed myself in self help books, podcasts and youtube videos.  I was inspired to dream again.  I created a bucket list, then encouraged my family to create their own bucket lists to share at Christmas.  {side note:  sharing bucket lists at Christmas is a fun activity.  I use the bucket lists for future presents ideas}

One item on my bucket list is a vacation to Belize.  There is a difference between a trip and a vacation.  My heart longs for a relaxing tropical vacation!  In my mind’s eye, I see a whole house on the ocean with a pool.  I want to feel ocean breezes while I sip cocktails by a pool.  {A pool is ideal, because It is not dreamy to lay on a sandy towel with grit in my crevices.}  I also see hiring a chef to take care of us.  Wouldn’t that be luxurious?

I set my bucket list aside to work on figuring out 2018.  The list lingered in my thoughts as I struggled to live in the present moment.  Although my wellness journey is continually making an amazing difference in my life, personal loss and business struggles were getting me down.  Months later, following the advice of another podcast, I put a price tag to some of my dreams.

I did a quick search of homes in Belize.  Can you imagine my excitement when I discovered most of the homes for rent included a chef?????  In my excitement, I posted a picture of The Villa Groovy Gehko to Facebook.  This property is a perfect match!  So glad I’m an over-sharer on Facebook.  I love sharing dreams!  It resonated with many of my Facebook friends.

Fast forward a couple weeks… enter my adventurous tribe into the bucket list story.  The three of us are world class dreamers!  The time felt right to discuss our next adventure.  We’ve been throwing around a trip to Italy for years, and it will happen one day!!!!  Kelly threw out the idea of Belize.  She shared my desire for a true vacation.  The house I found to rent would be a perfect and could include husbands and friends.  So, we invited Jason and Jeff.  Later our friend Laurie joined the adventure.

After a little prodding from Kelly, Jeff agreed to the adventure.  My tribe truly believes that life is too short… TAKE THE TRIP.  You always need something zesty to look forward to!   I am so glad that Kelly persisted.  This trip has been dripping zest into another struggling year.

Just in the nick of time

As I write this blog post, Texas Antiques Week is coming to an end and our trip to Belize is less than thirty days away!

Flown The Coop will be open eighteen straight days during the spring show.  I absolutely love seeing so many wonderful friends who make the bi-annual pilgrimage to our neck of the woods.  I love junking… but it’s the people I’ve come to know and love who make it truly special.

Honestly, it is the people that keeps me going.  I appreciate all of you!

Unfortunately, the first quarter of 2018 has not been an improvement from last year.  Trends in retail have been harsh on a very small shop struggling to survive in a secret town that often feels like a ghost town.  Burton takes one step forward and six steps back.  I’ve seen businesses come and go.

Thank God for my wellness journey and focusing on Young Living!  It has turned into a passion, keeping me well and in good spirits as I face monumental decisions concerning Flown The Coop.

{credit also goes to all the great podcasts I pour over – keeping my thoughts positive}

The dreamer in me will not give up the ghost.  Jeff and I have long talks about various directions Flown The Coop could go.  There will be slow changes over time.  I believe God will lead me to the perfect plan.  He gave me a rainbow over Burton three years ago as a sign.  He knows the plans he has for me, plans for a hope and a future.  He knew I would need this trip to Belize at this very point in my journey.  God is good!

I can’t wait to get to Belize!  This tropical vacation is the rejuvenation I need to conquer the remaining of 2018.  I will be jumping off the pier in celebration of a dream realized, which symbolizes hope for dreams to come!

“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask “What if I fall?”
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?”
― Erin Hanson

My advice to you… Go for it!  Take the trip!  BE a big thinker in a small world.  Believe in abundance.  See possibilities everywhere.

The end of Texas Antiques WEEKSSSS will bring slight changes to The Coop.

• We’ll be closed on Sundays starting on April 8th.  Jeff and I need a day to recharge our batteries and enjoy adventures together.
• We are also going to start on my beloved Guest House project.  YEAH!!!!
• The Coop will offer more classes.  Stayed tuned!!!!!

We will also be closed the first week of May…. #Unbelizable.

Take the leap… take the trip… go for it!  Fly!

~Tiffany

And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!