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Hello Friends!
I want to Welcome you to visit our Mid-Life Livin’ blog! It is a lifestyle and travel site with plenty of ideas for living your BEST in the mid-somethings. If that’s you, then please take a look at the site and subscribe to our emails to be notified when a new blog post has been released.
I am Connie Johnston, a 40-something happy wife, proud momma of two teenagers and a life-long resident of central and rural West Virginia (as if parts of West Virginia aren’t rural). I am happily married to “the perfect husband” and my very bestest friend ever, Ernie, and we have made the joint decision to enjoy livin’ life to it’s fullest – wherever and whatever that might entail. Notice I didn’t say “whenever” – I’m talking about NOW, before it’s too late!
How many people do you know who waited until just the right time, when they had enough money (whatever that means), when they retire, when when when… and then it was too late? While waiting, they developed bad health, or worse. You know, the ones whose life revolves around their career and saving it all for retirement, then suddenly their life ends unexpectedly, just as their retirement dreams begin. We don’t want to be one of those people, and I hope I can convince you that you don’t have to be either.
A little bit about us:
With two high schoolers who kinda do their own thing nowadays, we have made plans, rescheduled plans, put off plans and cancelled plans, in order to try to fit it into or work around the kids’ schedules. But…we don’t do that much anymore. As you know, teens tend to make their own plans, regardless of what we want to do. Call it selfish, bad parenting, whatever (I’ve heard it all). I call it livin’ – and if the kids want to tag along or catch up later, perfect! If not, it’s still perfect!
And we can’t forget about our faithful companion, Braxton. You know…the one who is ALWAYS happy to see you when you get home. The one who never complains about what you make for dinner. The one who never…well, you get the point. Braxton is our miniature schnauzer and he is Ernie’s baby…even though he will never admit it.
Aside from my professional career as a Chief Finance Officer at one of West Virginia’s largest healthcare non-profits, I am a direct sales addict – I’ve sold AVON, Origami Owl, In A Pikle and now I am enjoying being a Scentsy Independent Consultant. The direct sales gig feeds my addiction to office supplies (no joke) and also provides a discount on the smell-good products I LOVE.
I’m also a music addict – I’m not completely stuck in the 80’s, but I land anywhere between Prince and Amazing Grace. My playlist is long and about as varied as it gets. Ernie plays mandolin in a bluegrass gospel group – Soldiers of the Cross. His station is always turned to Sirius Bluegrass.
Ernie is the true “jack-of-all-trades”. He has done a whole lot of everything in his work career – such as operated heavy equipment, truck driver, owned a small construction company, worked in outside sales for a hardware/lumber company and he is now the Facilities Manager for the same healthcare nonprofit where I also work. He is a master at many trades skills and our family is blessed to have his expertise for our home projects. It is especially helpful for ticking off my honey-do list and has saved us thousands of dollars in labor costs.
We have garages and a She-Shed full of “toys” and “tools” to support our hobbies and we enjoy them fully. We camp, kayak, do woodworking, crafting (Cricut, paints and other fun stuff), go to car shows, bluegrass festivals, and ride our motorcycle and Goldwing trike. I’m sure I’ve left something out.
When we’re home, Ernie enjoys playing in the garage with his toys and tools (sometimes I can’t tell the difference).
He has restored antique cars for years. His current project is a frame off restoration of his ’51 Ford F100. A couple years ago he restored a ’69 Cougar convertible for me!
During my fun-time at home, I’m enjoying my new “She-Shed”, thanks to “the perfect husband” :).
I want to be a weatherman when I grow up – zero expectations of being accurate –
about ANYTHING! Am I right?
My dream job: being a bed-and-breakfast hostess
Every chance we get, you’ll find us at one of our two vacation rental homes (Asbury Cottages) in downtown Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Smoky Mountains are our happy place. I don’t think I’ve ever truly been homesick, but I frequently long for the peace and beauty found in the Smokies – those trips rejuvenate me.
Asbury Cottage 2Our goal for the Mid-Life Livin’ blog isn’t to become rich (although Walmart needs their undeclared $100 entry fee and Amazon Prime now expects my weekly shopping sprees).
Some things you’ll find in my blogs:
- hopefully a whole lot of faith and inspiration – that’s #1
- lifestyle tales, humor and advice (or opinions, depending on who’s reading it)
- debt payoff/retirement planning tips & printables
- travel ideas and tips
- Smoky Mountain vacation ideas, tips & printables
- Smoky Mountain travel guides
- woodworking and craft ideas
- photography tips
- renovation ideas and tips
- Vacation Rental Home Ownership tips
- RV and camping ideas, tips and guides
- motorcycling ideas and tips
- just a little bit of everything that has to do with mid-life livin’
My goal is that YOU:
- will become inspired to be a doer, not a planner
- will stop existing and start thriving
- will stop living and start LIVIN‘!
I encourage you to think about your life like this: Stop chasing dark clouds and stop being afraid it will rain – because it will. Do what we do – Suit Up and Keep Riding!
I’d love to hear from you! Shoot me an email at connie@midlifelivin.com.
Happy reading,
Connie