The Adventurous Introvert

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Breakdown of Goals by Categories; 2023

Published on December 13, 2022February 19, 2023 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I felt it would be easier if I broke my goals down into categories. I’m sure my goals will change as the year progresses and I’ll update as those changes happen. *

Goals completed will have a line through it

PERSONAL

Establish a nightly skin care routune.

Get back into blogging. Ive been blogging off and on for the last 20 years. Writing has been something I’ve always loved doing; whether anyone reads my blog posts or not.

Go on adventures (alone) 2-3 times per month. Hiking and camping is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I would love to start something that would encourage others to join in.

Read 1-2 books per month.

Learn more about my culture and history; especially here in my hometown. African American Heritage. National Museum of African American Culture and History.

Travel to meet some of the most kick-ass women I’ve come to know.

Therapy sessions 1 x’s per week.

Continue to set boundaries. The Importance of Setting Personal Boundaries

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Getting Healthy; Take 2

Published on January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

First post of the year! Whoop….

Not off to the best start butI’m going to get there. My problem? Not watching what I eat on the weekends. I start out the week getting down to about 177 and find myself over 180 after eating out over the weekend. The only way to deal with this is….discipline.

Even when ordering food that’s “healthy” it ends up not being when I look at the calories. My plan is to start ordering off the kids menu and making sure I’m eating throughout the day. Of course I want to have a healthy relationship with food and I want to enjoy going out. However, when it’s all said and done, I end up feeling miserable; especially when I consume gluten.

Even if I do eat something labeled “gluten-free” there’s a disclaimer, usually, stating that the food may be in contact with gluten. Unless you are sensitive to gluten and dairy, you will never understand how badly those things affect those that are senstive to them. I’am sensitive to them both. As I type this, I should probably get tested for celiac. Gluten sensitivity.

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It’s Okay to Not Celebrate

Published on December 13, 2022December 14, 2022 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

The holidays have not been the same for me since the death of my mommy. Never in a million years did I think she would get cancer; considering everything that she endured and survived through. It was unexpected and her passing happened quickly after it was discovered; less than 2 months.

Before her death, I was finally at a place of peace (and could celebrate the holidays) after losing my late husband (5 years prior to my mommy’s passing) to brain cancer (Glioblastoma IV). His diagnosis was a total shock. He survived for 2 yrs and 2 months after his diagnosis. I wrote about that here – Losing a Spouse and here – Loving Someone With Cancer: blog about our journey after his diagnosis.

My mommy’s death shook me to my core and 9 years later, I continue to find myself in tears. I miss every.single.thing about her. I had/have never experienced that sort of pain since the death of my niece and nephew who both died in a house fire. Even then, there’s still no comparison to the loss of my mommy. Her passing still knocks the wind out of me.

*Picture beloww* Shortly after her diagnosis. I had just got done greasing her scalp as she was watching her Westerns. She was a big fan of Gunsmoke.

I miss her. I miss her. My heart and soul misses her.

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Oak Mountain State Park; Review

Published on November 29, 2021January 30, 2022 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

This was a spur of the moment trip for me a few weeks ago. Oak Mountain is about 3 hrs and 45 minutes away from me; one way. It’s located in Pelham, Alabama. By the time I arrived home, it was around 10 p.m and I’d hit the road around 6 that morning.

Upon my arrival, I would come to see how huge it is. Since I was short on time, I didnt see nearly half of the park. Taken from the website: “From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park.”

Cost to get in was $5.00 and cash only.

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My Journey to Getting Healthy; Update

Published on November 28, 2021November 28, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

My initial goal weight was 180 but I’ve changed it to around 170 to give myself some wiggle room. I havent been as focused on getting down to 170 over the past month or so. Mainly due to my final class which had me rethinking my whole life as a student. Pissed off was an understatement. I know 140 is the “recommended” weight for my height, but 140 does not look good on me.

Now let’s talk about Thanksgiving! Whew lawd the struggle was real. When you can’t cook and eat some real home cooking….let’s just say I went from 178.8 to 182.4 (over a 2 day period) LOL! I’m currently at 180.4. For the most part, my weight has been between 177 – 180ish; which is still within my goal weight.

I won’t make the mistake I did for Thanksgiving but so not beating myself up about it. I didnt eat, like I normally do, so I could pig out for dinner. Later that night, I ended up being miserable as hell from over-eating. I will do better for Christmas dinner though.

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Bellingrath Gardens and Home

Published on November 27, 2021November 29, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is about an hr and twenty minute drive from me and also one of my favorite places to visit. There arent as many flowers in bloom during the fall/winter months compared to spring and summer. It’s still worth visiting to see what is in bloom as you can see from the pictures I took at the end of my post.

You can read about the history of the gardens by clicking the link. Bellingrath Gardens and Home

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Tuskegee Airmen National Park

Published on November 25, 2021November 25, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

As I was headed home from my visit to Chewacla State Park, I realized that I had enough time to visit the Tuskegee Airmen National Park located in Tuskegee, Alabama. Visit the website for more information: Tuskegee Airmen National Park

I knew quite a bit about the Tuskegee Airmen before visiting but to learn even more, brought on so many emotions; sadness, happiness, and anger. I was short on time but will definitely be going back. If you have never visited, I highly recommend that you do.

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Chewacla State Park

Published on November 24, 2021November 29, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

With most of the state parks that I want to visit over a 3 hour drive, I get up between 4 – 4:30 a.m. to be on the road no later than 6 a.m. One of the perks of going to bed early, so that when I hit the road, I’m not tired.

Chewacla State Park is about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from me; one way. Keep reading for my review.

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Fun Time At The Farm

Published on November 17, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

Sweet Season Farms, which is located in Milton, Fl., is by far my favorite place to visit during the fall. The corn maze is amazing + the attractions + the food. I’ve always had a great time out there.

There’s a bit of everything for the kids and the adults. We always do the whole cob admission which is $14 + tax. I purchase our tickets online because it saves you $2.00. It includes: unlimited access to: Corn Maze, Hayride, Children’s Playground (12 and under), Corn Popper, Sunflower Speedway, Hop-A-Long Rodeo, Country Carousel, Double Cow Train, The Beeline, Farm Games, Sunflower Paths, Picnic Area, Hay Bale Maze, Animal Barn, Barnyard Ball, Mini Barnyard Ball, Tetherball, Duck Races and more!One (1) Turn at Corn Cannon also included, but not unlimited.
*pumpkins and pony rides NOT INCLUDED with admission.

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Thrift Store Fashion Click Pictures To Enlarge

Published on August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

**Jeans (from Ross) are now too big. Bodysuit from Ross. Shoes from Goodwill.**

I’ve been searching for work clothes and shoes at severa of our thrift stores. Sometimes I have luck and sometimes I dont; like on this day. However, I did find a pair of “cute to me”, shoes for $7.00. I can walk in this just fine because they have the thick heels.

And because I’m extra, sometimes I end up doing a photo shoot; in a wig and all…..LOL!