So the mom’s and I just got back from a long over-due road trip.  It was a good one with lots of shopping, amazing, food and of course laughs.  We headed North East and found ourselves in Colorado to pick up my Momma Julie.  Momma Julie was like a second mom to me growing up and it has been almost 15 years since the 3 of us par taked in any trouble.  Let me paint the triple threat trio to you.  I’m head back, all the way to my high school days when the two of them, as adults, would throw peanuts at us kids at the local Logan’s Road House.  Did I mention this was all while sipping long island ice teas and debating what tattoo they needed next……  Absolutely horrifying as a teenager who couldn’t be bothered with embarrassment.  Much to my chagrin, I survived, only partially scarred, but none the less here I am.  Slightly skewed and a bit crazy.  I owe it all to those two ladies who helped jade my formidable years in only the best way.

You see Momma Julie, moved to Colorado at the end of my senior year.  I was devastated.  She was everything to me.  If it wasn’t for her, I never would have high school rodeo-d let alone survived those akward years of adolescence.  I mean whose back door would I walk through now, unannounced, open the cupboards, and proceed to make myself instant mac and cheese?  What was a girl to do?  And not to mention she was the rock and best friend to my mom. 

We missed Momma Julie.

So this trip was a long long long time coming.  I mean we had only talked about us 3 vacationing for probably 5 or so years.  But this year it was a go.  The mom said to me “hey you wanna go on a road…” and before she could finish her sentence I had hotels booked, an itinerary made, and of course a much need massage scheduled at the Tapitio Cliffs Pointe Hilton- more to come on that.

So we headed to Colorado, stayed only the necessary amount of time, kidnapped momma Julie and headed for Taos.  Taos was better than I had remembered from 22 years ago.  Yup, you read that right.  The last time I was there was in 1997.  I feel OLD!  We ate amazing food, visited the pueblos, and adorned all our appendages in way too much turquoise.  This is what dreams are made of.  Off to Scottsdale we went.  Now if you have been following for a while, you already know, that Scottsdale is my happy place.  My Never Land.  I love Scottsdale.  Even when it is 115 degrees.  We ate at Tapas, if you never have you need to stop whatever you are doing, google the nearest Tapas, or just go to Scottsdale and get you some.  We sat at the pool, ordered room service, enjoyed a cabana and poolside dining.  Ahhh my heart is already missing that place.  The Tapitio Cliff’s is where it’s at.  But before I get to the reason of the blog, I have to tell you one more story….  Of the two ole cripples I had with me.  So you see Tapatio Cliffs, the name would indicate possible hilly terrain, not to mention gorgeous views.  Being August is hotter than Haities in the desert and it is off season, so we had our pick of rooms.  To which I told the hotel attendant, “surprise us”.  He thought he was doing us a favor and gave us a room up the “hill” that had a view of the whole city.  SWEET!  Well it was dark when we arrived, and the Tapatio is like a small city.  Mom was driving, she is blind at night, and well ya.  Insert palm to face emoji.  We checked in, proceeded to try and find our room, the operative word be “try”.  And found ourselves lost on the tippy top of the “cliff”.  Mom, the 4 wheeling jeeper in her younger days, had that hinny seat clenching, I’m gunna strangle you once I get my hands pried off this steering wheel look on her face.  Julie in the back seat was going “man look at this view” “wow” and well I was just trying not to laugh hysterically at my moms “puckered” state.  We found the room.  Had to park on a side hill, I proceeded to say and I quote “hey if this is too steep, let’s just go back down the hill, and I will have them move us” …….  Oh no, we had to spider monkey limp down the hill “check out the room” all to end with them telling me “it’s too steep”.  BIG SIGH.  It is now 9:30pm, I’m HANGRY, and just want my long awaited room service.  Yes, I am that person.  Camping to me is a hotel without room service.  I am embracing my inner city girl who is so often not allowed to rear her Dolce and Gabanna loving head.  Long story longer, we got a new room, order room service, and my inner high maintenance mean girl was stowed away.  THE END.  Well that part of the story.  And you are welcome for the laugh.

Okay, to the meat and potatoes.  Catch that “meat” since we raise beef.  Okay, ya, I’m done with puns.  So on Wednesday we went to Cave Creek.  Go, NOW, book your trip.  Shopping and Cave Creek are one in the same.  It was hot that day and we found ourselves in Peg’s shop.  This is where the magic of the trip happened.  Mind you, I am a past ag teacher, ranchers wife, and all to accustomed to “come on we gotta go”.  So sometimes it takes me a while to slow down.  And this was one of those days.  You see, when I shop, it is the likeness of sorting cattle, in and by.  Have what I want, great, in the bag.  Don’t see anything that catches my eye in the first 30 seconds, walk on by.  In and By, that is my shopping style.  Well Momma Julie, she loves to look.  And on this day, I am so blessed her browsing style caused me to pause just long enough to get to know Peg. 

Peggi left corporate life 13 years ago to open her darling little western store called Western Delights Gift Shop.  And her love for this place is felt the moment you walk in.  It is curated with over 75 local artisans and children entrepreneurs.  She said something to me I will never forget.  She said that she has been blessed enough to have this little place for 13 years, why not share it.  Boy, just writing those words makes my heart race.  Pay it forward my friends.  Her story of the journey her store has taken her on in her early years of “barely making ends meat” and having to wear a straw hat every day because she couldn’t afford to do her hair.  The “other jobs” she takes on just to help make the rent in slow seasons.  The genuine love she has for what she does.  The stories she tells about her artisans and their craft.  The pride in her pieces and artwork.  I remember the smell when I first walked in, it was like being at Nonnie’s house when Christmas cookies were baking.  It just felt like home.  Peggi had this sparkle and smile that is unforgettable.  And the most humbling part of her business is she does it old school.  No smart phone, no Instagram or Facebook page, no trade shows.  Just her and the love she has for her artisans and passion for beautiful works of art.  As our visit of an hour and a half slowly ended, I knew I had to share how special she is, even if it was just sharing it with my small little circle.  So I asked Peggi, “Can I give you a shout out on my blog?  I just love what you are doing and I think your story deserves sharing.  I have been blessed with the love to write and share my story, and I believe part of paying it forward is sharing other people’s stories and their unique blessings too.”  I will never forget the look on her face…..  she said, “Well sure, I am not real sure what a blog is, but no one has ever asked to do this for me before.”  And so here I am.  If you are ever in Cave Creek, Arizona please go visit Peggi.  If for no other reason, to meet one of God’s so special children.  I promise you won’t regret it. 

Friends, God gives us blessings in more ways than one.  Sometimes we need to pause just long enough to really see them.  Take it from a professional at “being busy”, something I am not always proud of, force yourself to pause.  Take in those moments that allow your heart to fill with passion.  You never know who you will meet or how they will change your life.  I told myself at the beginning of this year, that whether it be a stranger or not,  I wanted to tell people that they are amazing,  when I think what they are doing is wonderful.  I wanted to spread a little more kindness and grace.  We all need to hear that we are doing a great job, because let me tell you, you ARE.  And this in turn, has also allowed me to begin to show myself,  that it is ok to extend that grace inwards too.  Remember the Hangry Mean Girl, she lives with me daily.  Choosing to focus on the treasures life offers us in all the hidden places, has really helped to shift the perspective from “I need more” to “I have all I need”.  Thankfulness and gratefulness is a blessing if we choose to see it. 

Peggi, you have touched my life in insurmountable ways.  You my friend, are a gem.

Julie, you my second momma mean more to me than you will ever know.

Mom, you are my hero.  I am beyond blessed to have you not only as my mom, but as my best friend.  Without you and the sacrifices you have made, I would not be who I am today. 

My list of people and things I am so grateful to them for could go on forever.  But today, this was about our girls trip.  One I will cherish forever.  It opened my eyes to things I need to have more grace towards, things I need to do better, things I want to do, but most importantly it opened my eyes to truly how beautiful this life is and how blessed I am.  Oh and Mr. Cow Boss thank you for being the best hubs out there.  You not only held down the fort while I was gone, but remembered to smooch Ellie every day.

That’s all friends, I know this was a long one, but I just had to share with you my trip.  It was amazing for all the reasons, but it truly became inspirational when I finally got over myself and embraced the blessing in disguise.  Remember, have a little grace and pause. You deserve it.