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Growth Group Workshop Packet PDF

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**Updated in 2024 Growth Group Workshop packet with assessments, habit tracker, and other tools for self-exploration and alignment. This is a digital product I sell own my shop for $27, provided at no cost to Growth group MEMBERS ONLY. Print and work through the worksheets at your leisure, or make it a whole self-care sesh and put on this Rambling Hippie Podcast episode to walk you through it!

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Abundance Flow - Conscious Vibes YouTube Music Playlist

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This is my personal high vibe music playlist & I'm adding new stuff to it all the time. These are the songs I'm playing every day in my car and home, and my kids know most of them word for word lol. Most of them are conscious and encourage positive introspection. It's so important to me to make sure what I'm feeding myself what keeps my spirit in alignment, whether it's food, social media content, or music. If you enjoy this playlist, let me know some of your favs!

Abundance Flow - Conscious Vibes YouTube Music Playlist

Peace and blessings,
Ladye

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Empowerment Playlist - Motivation & Inspiration to Be the Best You

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One of my private YouTube playlists filled with motivation and empowering videos that make me want to be a better me. I go back and re-listen to them often. We all need to be reminded sometimes of our greatness, and this contains plenty of self-empowerment GOLD. If you're new to a healing/self-improvement path, or even if you've been working on yourself for a while and need some great reminders, I encourage you to dive in and find some inspo that makes you want to dig in deep and keep going. YOU ARE CAPABLE OF LIVING THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS.

Rambling Hippie Empowerment Playlist

If you enjoy this playlist, let me know which are some of your favorite videos! I’ll add to this playlist periodically as I come across more aligned inspiration.

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Complete Samadhi Series - Pt 1, II, and III

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Samadhi, (Sanskrit: “total self-collectedness”) in Indian philosophy and religion, and particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism, the highest state of mental concentration or awareness that people can achieve while still bound to the body and which unites them with the highest reality.

Below is a link to the three part Samadhi series. If you are on a path of ascension, curious about consciousness or simply remembering the truth of oneness and who you are, these hold something beautiful for you.

Samadhi 3 Part Series on YouTube

Samadhi 1 – “Maya, the Illusion of the Self”

Samadhi Part 2 – "It's Not What You Think"

Samadhi Part 3 – “The Pathless Path”

This series can be found on Gaia and YouTube, and I recommend it to those just beginning a spiritual path or experiencing an awakening, and anyone who wants to learn more about spirituality and the nature of our reality. It will either blow the lid off of your preconceived notions about this life, or it will confirm all the things your inner being has already shown you.

If you enjoy this series, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments here!

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DIY Medicine: Herbal Tinctures

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Making herbal tinctures at home

There are a plethora of plants that can be used as medicine, from foods to herbs with medicinal properties. I'm going to share with you one of my favorite methods to make medicinal tinctures using some of my favorite plants. If you like the idea of keeping a stocked natural medicine cabinet for yourself or your family for a fraction of the cost, this may be for you.

Many people don't realize that a lot of the prescribed and OTC medicines we see today that have plant origins. For example, aspirin was originally made from the bark of willow tree sapplings. Since then, the recipe has evolved and aspirin is made in labs. Personally, I'd rather use plants and natural alternatives to chemical-laden "medicines" that often come side effects and/or a hefty price at the pharmacy.

For tincture making you will need:

  • medicinal herbs/plants

  • mason jars with lids

  • parchment paper and cookie sheet (only for certain herbs that require drying/heating)

  • high proof clear grain alc*h*l (I prefer a particular brand that is 190 proof. It seems to work best.)

  • tincture bottles with droppers

  • a dark cabinet or pantry

1st Step - Learning. Gather information about medicinal plants in your area.

You may take some time to search different symptoms or ailments you'd like to be able to treat by Googling "herbs or plants that treat ______" ex: inflammation, sore throat, infection, aches and pains, sinus infections, headaches, etc. You may also choose to go out into your backyard or local nature area and take photos of plants and "weeds", then image search them to identify their name, then edit the search to see if they offer any medicinal value. I'll do this sometimes when I see new plants pop up in the yard. My searches are often formatted like this: "dandelion medicinal benefits" or "does goldenrod offer medicinal value?"

Once you identify the plants you'd like to use, make sure you know whether to use the flowers, bark, or others parts of the plant, and whether they can be used fresh or if they need to be dried. If you're using c****b*s, you can make tinctures using any part of the plant from the buds to leaves and stems.

2nd Step - Gather your chosen herbs/plants

Harvest (or purchase) your chosen herbs/plants and make sure you rinse them well with water. You may way to chop them down so they fit well into jars.

3rd Step - Dry or decarb in oven you're using c****b*s or herbs that require drying

You can SKIP this step if you're using fresh herbs/plants.

For c****b*s, you'll need to decarb in order to activate all of the cannabinoids for medicinal use. You can break down your stems/flower/trim leaves and place in a thin layer on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Put the cookie sheet into your preheated oven at 245 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

For other herbs/plants that require drying (I do this with Yaupon Holly leaves), you can roast in the oven using the same settings. **Some dried plants also make great medicinal teas

4th Step - Place herbs/plants in mason jars

5th Step - Pour clear grain alc*h*l over plant matter until fully covered

6th Step - Secure lids on mason jars and place in dark cabinet or pantry

7th Step - Allow to cure in dark cabinet/pantry for 4-6 weeks, giving a good shake every 2-3 days

8th Step - After 4-6 weeks, drain the liquid and discard the plant matter

Final Step - Place liquid into tincture bottles (preferably amber or other dark color to keep light out) with droppers. You can find these online (Amazon or other) in packs of 12-50 that come with funnels and labels.

Use 1-3 dropper doses daily as needed. I recommend putting in your beverage (coffee, tea, etc) because it makes the taste much more tolerable, but you can also place directly under the tongue.

This is honestly my favorite way to medicate with c****b*s, but it has also saved me a lot of money and stress to have several different kinds of medicine on hand for my family. I use garlic, rosemary, and oregano pretty regularly and recently even got rid of a gnarly tooth infection within 2 days! Yes, these tinctures are made with alc*h*l (because it is a great extracting agent), but rest assured that in such small amounts the alc*h*l alone is not going to cause intoxicating effects. Don't quote me on that, but I have used oregano and rosemary tinctures diluted in teas for my children when they have a cold or infection, with great results and no negative side effects. Just use with caution.

If you are very sensitive to alc*h*l you can try a glycerin tincture. It may not be as potent, but can be helpful nonetheless. The intention of this post is really to expand perspective and remind peeps that we CAN make our own medicine and it’s not nearly as complex or expensive as big pharma would have us believe.

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Comprehensive Audible List: My Personal Self-Empowerment Library

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In 2015 shortly after having my second child, I was at a cross-roads in my life. A lot of things seemed to be not working and I was ready to transcend my unfulfilling reality. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, unhappy in my work and relationships, and feeling like I was being called to be a completely different version of myself as a woman, mother, and divine being.

As a pastor's kid and grandkid, this part of my journey led me back to church and deeper into biblical texts and Christian-based books. The more I read and listened to books about Jesus and spiritual freedom, the more I could see that something else was happening.. for the first time in my life I allowed myself to question my beliefs without shame or guilt. I was losing my religion, finding my truest self, and embracing deeper, bigger truths about my personal reality and everything/everyone around me.

This path led me to knowledge about fasting (which I will talk about in another post), meditating, giving up old ways of thinking, doing, and being. I embraced my unbecomin, my deprogramming, and the possibility that all I had learned in church/scripture growing up was merely part of a much bigger truth.

I don't remember exactly how I found Audible. Aside from indulging in several WWII books as a child, I was never really a big reader. Few topics were able to keep my attention, as I found myself getting bored or rereading the same lines over and over trying to process and remember. Audiobooks unlocked a whole new world for me. I started listening to them at work and in the car, and found myself more focused on tasks, less bored with my work, and growing into a more empowered version of myself all simultaneously.

Very early in my Audible journey, a good friend of mine and someone I respect greatly suggested the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. If you've read The Alchemist, you know that although it is fiction, it contains a message of truth that calls for your spirit to realize itself. That is exactly what started to happen for me. After digesting this title, it was like I jumped into a rabbit hole of learning, healing, journeying through my spirit, finding love in the places that previously hurt, getting my sh*t together and embracing the notion that my life was about to radically change.

This was the beginning of a painful season of falling apart so I could ultimately become something greater. I want to share with you many of the titles I've listened to from 2016 to now, as they have impacted me in ways I may never have words to accurately describe. These books (in addition to those I physically read) carried me through myself, through my dark nights of the soul, through my triumphs over sadness and despair, and lifted my soul as no one or no thing ever had.

My personal Audible list contains a range of genres, not just self-help or books on spirituality. Some are novels, some financial how-to's, history, political memoirs, religious texts, regenerative agriculture, psychology, psychedelics etc. I've left out several business and niche-specific titles, though I may put together a separate list for those later. Together, they form a library of thought that comes together beautifully to assist in my unlearning and relearning. It's a fairly long list (90 titles currently), so I hope you find some wisdom here. As with anything I share, please take what resonates and leave what doesn't.

If you have already read or listened to any of these books, or if you do so after reading this, and were/are as deeply impacted as I, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. I'll update it semi-frequently to keep the list current.

Love, light, and truth to you all <3, Ladye

RAMBLING HIPPIE AUDIBLE LIST

Titles listed in the chronological order in which I consumed them.

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Travel in the Time of Corona[virus]: City Hopping With No Money During a Global Pandemic

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For context, let me take you back a sec. Remember that article about my unschooling goals? Remember the hint at a vintage RV? Well, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably already know I recently flew to California to make that Rambling Hippie dream a reality.

I’ve been scouring the internet for about seven months consuming any articles, documentaries, and forum posts I can find about RV living and full-time unschooling / roadschooling. I’ve always had a bit of a gypsy heart, and find myself craving new experiences, culture and environments. Blame it on my grandparents toting me around on their exciting motorhome adventures, my underlying commitment issues, or maybe just my free spirited Aquarius nature, but I LOVE traveling and the idea of nomadic living.

I’ve daydreamed of what life could be like if I was able to mesh my love of travel with my even greater love for my children, and the responsibilities that come with parenting. So.. I decided I want to buy a vintage RV (if you know The Vintage Ladye you know it has to be vintage, duh) and go full-time for at least the next two years. This would be a good amount of time to travel a bit, get a taste of the road life, and see what places and practices work best for us, and see how we like homeschooling.

What does full-time RV life mean to me? It means I would have the freedom to live near my oldest son, who moved to his Dad’s this year about an hour away, for a while until we’re able to do some traveling. Beyond that, I could take my entrepreneurial endeavors on the road, booking clients and selling sustainable merch in other cities/states. I can visit family and friends I want my children to know more about, show them new places and expose them to other cultures and alternative ways of living.

Okay so, rambling aside… let me tell you about what the heck went down when I decided to fly to California to buy this RV..

travel in the time of corona[virus]

I finally found some really great options in Cali, whereas most of the older model RVs close to home and in surrounding states were much higher priced or not running. After conversation with a lady about a ‘78 Dodge Commander, I decided I was going to find a cheap one-way flight and go check it out. I figured it was my best option even if this one didn’t pan out because there were 3-4 other RVs in the vicinity that could potentially fit the bill. So I checked flights over the following days and realized it would be cheapest to fly out same-day…and there the adventure began.

My best friend had been talking about visiting California, and the location of the primary RV prospect was near her sister’s house, so she was immediately on board with accompanying me. Although her boyfriend wasn’t thrilled about us going, he drove us to the airport. We talked about being careful, washing our hands often, etc., but had no idea how crazy the pandemic was going to become over the days we were gone. My primary concerns were making a smart buying decision, getting home safely and in good health.

First Sign

When we finally went to check in and get our boarding passes, I realized I didn’t have my wallet. I must’ve left it in her boyfriend’s car. Sh*t! He was already home by now and I knew this wasn’t going to go over well. And it didn’t. Anyway, my wallet was dropped off to me as the plane was already boarding so we had to book it through security (thankfully there wasn't a long line) and got on the plane just before they closed the gate.

“Phew. Okay,” I thought. “You’re just anxious and need to be more mindful. Forgetting your wallet is not a bad omen, and everything is going to work out. Relax.” I sat back and spent the rest of the flight attempting to chill tf out. ..Which was a little difficult given my lingering sinus cough and hyperawareness of everyone around me who was likely wondering if I had COVID-19. I saw an old friend on the flight and even made a couple new OKC homies before landing. Upon arrival in Denver we had time to use the restroom then board the next plane with a bit of time to spare, and I settled in to sleep through the flight to LAX.

It wasn’t until we were standing up in the isle ready to exit the plane that I felt my stomach completely drop and a lump form in the back of my throat. It wasn’t a contagious illness… I just realized that I didn’t have my wallet. The wallet that had ALL of the cards, IDs, and RV cash I just taken out of my savings account hours before.

*Before you scold me on toting the cash instead of waiting to get in CA, it’s a long story..just know I wouldn’t have had access to the account and needed to carry the cash. I thought about this all already and realize how risky it was in the first place.

“I don’t have my wallet.” I fearfully but matter-of-factly stated to my friend and the flight attendant behind me.

Second sign

Long story short, Frontier Airlines told me there was nothing they could do to get through to anyone from or on the previous plane. I was told the necessary lost item reports online with the airline, Denver airport, and I went on to file one with San Francisco airport as well, because that’s where the plan was headed next. Although I imagined it falling out of my purse on the plane, it reality anything could’ve happened.

I might’ve lost my calm in the airport, but i didn’t cry.

After staying up through the night, walking almost an hour from LAX to get food, and waiting half the day in the airport for news on my wallet (as if some honest person found my wallet full of cash and turned it in right away), we got in touch with my friend’s sister and decided we needed to catch a bus to her place in Victorville, but we had to make it to the Downtown LA bus stop first. *insert shocked face emoji here because I could’ve written an entire article about our experiences at the bus stop alone*

We made it to Victorville, stayed there a couple nights - THANK YOU JENAY - then took another cheap bus to Las Vegas, where we would brave a night without a hotel room and board a plane the following day back to Denver, and eventually fly home to OKC 21 hours later. Nerves were at an all time high, even though we were trying to stay grounded and positive through the experience.

Luckily, my son’s dad and two of my aunts were able to CashApp me money to cover food and other expenses since I was literally out of every form of currency (and dude..shoutout to FlixBus because those cheap rides saved us), then Dre’s dad was able to purchase us both tickets to fly back from Vegas. We also had a couple friends and acquaintances offer to send money for food, people offering up their local family members to give us rides or a meal, etc. I’m still SO thankful for the outpouring of love and concern my friend and I received after I shared some of our struggles on Facebook. Shoutout to kind people!

Third Sign

Did I mention also losing my purse (with no wallet in it) at LAX? No? Guys, I never lose my wallet or purse. This is not just something I do. I’m sure my head was literally spinning on my shoulders from the stress and I was not thinking clearly. When we shuttled to the first bus stop near the airport, I realized I had left my purse behind. I immediately called a new friend I had made in the airport (who actually offered to pay for lodging for us all for one night because they were also stranded) but they didn’t see my purse sitting where I left it, so my friend and I hurried to catch a different shuttle back to the airport to see if we could recover my bag. Although there wasn’t any money inside, I was hoping to get my anti-depressants and phone charger back. Lordt. You’d think I could at least hang on to those items after losing everything else.

When we got back to where I had last seen my purse at LAX, it was gone.

But wait..upon closer inspection of my surroundings I realized my purse WAS there…to the far right…where a detection dog was sniffing it out as two police officers gave it commands.

“Oh my gosh! Um..I’m so sorry guys, that bag is mine.” My face must’ve read despair, because after the initial questions about my bag and why it was left unattended, one of the officers gave me a pep talk and advice on how to handle my lost wallet situation. Shoutout to him for showing genuine concern ..with pity written all over his..face for me.. this grown woman standing in front of him who clearly had none of her sh*t together.

That’s three times in the span of about 24 hours that I lost my purse or wallet. Not sure if the Universe was telling me I didn’t need the RV, or if I just needed a lesson on mindfulness, but either way.. my antennas were up and I was getting the staticky message.

Fast forward through the bus ride thru the Mojave Desert and me getting sprayed with Lysol by another passenger for coughing. We got to Vegas two days before the entire strip was shut down due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases, and since neither of us had visited Las Vegas prior to this, my friend and I lugged our suitcases down the strip for a little sight seeing while we decided our next move. We were exhausted, so we stopped into a casino so my friend could play a penny machine or two. I don’t know the exact amount she played, but I know it was less than $5. Not long after sitting down, she calls me saying “oh my gosh Ladye..Ladye!” It wasn’t a big Vegas jackpot or anything, but she won like $120! We were both excited, but even more tired so we booked the cheapest AirBnb bed we could find and proceeded to walk towards it for about an hour before finally getting a Lyft ride for the last stretch. My best friend DID just have a heart transplant.. so all that walking was more of a challenge than it sounds.

We crashed in our small shared bed almost immediately after arriving at the AirBnb and woke up hours later just before midnight. I would’ve been content to go right back to sleep, but my extrovert bff needed to see what Vegas nightlife was like. *eyerolling emoji here X2*

Did we have any business getting out again with very limited funds, no car, and the threat of COVID-19? Absolutely the hell not, but after I realized she was going out with or without me, I grudgingly got dressed and headed out with her. I’ve let her go out alone before, and it didn’t go well. Losing her was a chance I was not going to be taking in Las Vegas of all places. I gave her two hours. I think we were gone for even less.

After walking to the Palms and realizing we were out of our league with nothing to do or consume there that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, we took another Lyft to the strip and headed to Harrah’s so my friend could try her hand at craps and I could people-watch from the perimeter since I wasn’t allowed on the casino floor without identification. You see where this might’ve been a bad idea right? Well, it was.

The Forth Sign

Before we could make it from one end of the sidewalk to another, we encountered a mob boss doing business with his flunkies (they had to be mob, I swear), we were offered a free limo ride and drinks if we’d go to some club with no name (Can you say sketch?), passed a homeless guy sleeping while clenching onto his 18 pack of beer, and only a few steps beyond that…my friend’s purse was stolen. At least this time she wasn’t sexually harassed (that also happened in Vegas…within the first couple hours..in broad daylight), but omg.. had we summoned some cursed luck or what? As you would imagine, her purse contained her identification, money, and to make it worse..her remaining supply of insulin. After filing reports and such, we were heading toward our AirBnb when my friend slipped and fell, only to be antagonized afterwards by several mean and drunk (and racist, I might add) passersby. Luckily a nice older guy from North (or maybe South) Dakota helped her up to a seat.

Shortly after we resumed walking, we caught up to the jerks who were mocking my best friend for falling, apparently thinking she was as plastered as they were. I confronted them and politely suggested that they apologize to my friend for being complete assholes. This could’ve gone terribly wrong. We were outnumbered by two and outsized by..well..a lot. Instead, my friend received a proper apology and subsequently shared tears, encouragement, and a tight embrace with them…and I shared my spill about having more self-awareness and treating others with respect.

Who knew we’d have such excitement in Las Vegas with no money?

Needless to say, when it came time for our flight the next day we were beyond ready to leave. Lucky for us, security wasn’t very busy when we arrived at the airport since we were both traveling without any identification, together, but with two completely different stories as to how we’d lost our IDs. The TSA agents were super cool and made the whole interrogation and illegal substances search less than miserable. We got through relatively quickly and had an easy flight to Denver.

Exhausted when we arrived late-night Saturday in Denver, I talked her into just staying the night in the airport. It was late. We weren’t in the best financial shape. It made sense. So I found a lounge area upstairs where we were able to get some sleep. Our only obstacles now were getting through the layover without cash or cards for food, Marcy not catching Coronavirus (which I’m almost positive I had just gotten over prior to the trip), and us making the flight home.

Bloody hell. We actually succeeded at all three! We arrived safely back in OKC Sunday. We were both short a few personal items and cash, I was short the RV I went looking to buy, and we were a little beat up mentally, but we overcame and finished the trip in mostly positive spirits, with ample food and toilet paper waiting on us at home.. which I understand was more than some others had at the time.

A shortlist of mental notes to self & lessons learned

  1. Don’t carry more cash than you’re willing to risk losing, Ladye. In fact, buy a lanyard for your next wallet and wear it around your neck if need be.

  2. S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N. - actual advice from a old friend. Wanna stop losing your sh*t? Be more mindful and slow the hell down.

  3. Maybe don’t travel at all during the next global pandemic.

  4. You will find compassion and kindness in most people if you just look. But it’s important to maintain composure and emotional control even when you encounter hate and ignorance.

  5. Plans don’t always work out. You already know this, but here’s a reminder. Sometimes you have absolutely no control over what happens to you…whether it be being robbed, catching a deadly virus, having your dreams shot down mid-air. Sometimes you make mistakes, however stupid or accidental. Whatever the case, you’ve gotta be able to control your reaction. I’ve learned that for me this means being able to meditate in the moment - to be present and detached from both past and future occurrences.

  6. Always keep a small supply of hand sanitizer and a mask for travel..‘Cause you just never know.

In all honesty, although I was pretty banged up and exhausted mentally and physically after such a trip, I’m grateful for the experience, the people who helped, and the challenges I faced. I know I grew in those five days. And I’ve got a pretty interesting story to tell my future grandkids about my travels in the time of Corona.. that is, if we get our proverbial poop in a scoop as a society and make some major changes ASAP.

Stay safe out there friends. Stay home. Stay strong. Meditate. Take care of yourself and check on your peeps. We’ll get through these crazy times together.

Love and light,
Ladye

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Camping at Beaver's Bend: A Serene Family Getaway, Almost

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When I’ve been bogged down, busy with work and kids and everything starts to feel a bit chaotic, I get anxious and start daydreaming of getaways. Usually, these daydreams include picturesque scenes of me sipping hot tea and smoking a [medical] spliff post-massage whilst sunbathing on a tropical beach (after I’ve run away from everyone and everything). But.. for a young entrepreneur and mom of two, a more realistic idea is to get out of town for a couple days and do some grounding with my boys.

What does this grounding look like? More often than not.. tent camping and outdoor activities. Why? Well, camping is arguably the most affordable and natural alternative to expensive hotels since..like..forever, so it’s a go to when you’re on a tight budget. Plus, my kids absolutely love being outside and I love that it gives them space to run around unbridled, being as loud and as sticky as they want to be. I know...Not exactly a close knock-off of that picturesque beach scene I was painting, but I assure you, it can be just as beautiful and good for the soul.

We camp for the bonding experience and the space it allows us to ground and interact with Mother Earth.

As a child I loved being outside, camping, exploring and getting to know the nature around me. There were many nights spent fishing and sleeping under the stars on a boat with my mom, or RV camping trips and roasting marshmallows with my brothers and grandparents while my grandpa told his hilariously flawed campfire stories. (There was one in particular about a girl they called Pee Leg who had to swim with one leg to escape her enemy, need I saw more?)

I hold memories of those experiences close to my heart, and I know the residual value of bonding with my kids away from it all. So, I’ve always made it my mission to give my kids experiences over everything else.

photographed on a previous trip to Beaver’s Bend c. 2010 with my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel &amp; kit lens

photographed on a previous trip to Beaver’s Bend c. 2010 with my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel & kit lens

Fall Break 2019

With tent camping, it’s always a good idea to plan around the weather. This is why Late Spring/Early Summer and Fall are our favorite. The temperature is usually not too hot, and not too cold. I’m kind of a weanie about extreme conditions. Like..on a scale from Roughing It to Glamping, I def prefer something closer to glamping. I like to bring rugs and lights and lots of blankets to make it comfy. Extra points if we don’t have to bring a fan or a heater. So, Fall Break in mid-October is usually a great time to plan a camping trip to one of Oklahoma’s most scenic parks.

I was originally planning to take the boys to the Wichita Mountains in Lawton over Fall Break, but because the weather forecast changed and predicted rain for that area I decided last minute that Beaver’s Bend near Broken Bow was probably our best best bet. Otherwise, we would’ve had to stay home.

For a reason I can’t recall, we left for Broken Bow later than I wanted and I knew that meant we were going to be setting up the tent in the dark (I REALLY miss our Instant Tent). I thought ehh, we have headlights so it won’t be too bad.

When we arrived, I pulled up a map of their campgrounds and found a nice site after a quick drive-thru. I was so relieved, it was even right across from the restrooms and showers! Brylan and I talked about having manifested it. Awesome…but as I went around to get things out of the trunk I noticed something.

It was reserved. I need a stale faced emoji here to accurately convey my disappointment. This is the part where I start to get anxious and slightly irritable. Guys, it took us another HOUR to find a campsite…which by the way, wasn’t even a a designated site!

We drove circles through each of the campgrounds multiple times. The first issue was really the lack of light. Aside from a few campfires and red chili pepper lights, there wasn’t much to guide us. We almost gave up and went to a hotel around 10pm, but after taking a few minutes to defuse, I decided to do ONE last drive-thru. There wasn’t a single open site. But, lo and behold, I saw remnants of an old stone fire ring between two campsites, so we pulled in like we didn’t know any better. Such rebels we are.

Pitching a tent in the dark - WTH was I thinking

First of all, I’d like to emphasize the importance of preparation when camping. I usually run through a checklist to make sure we have everything we’ll need. I even have it stored in my iPhone notes, so why I didn’t do a double-check this time? I have no idea. I guess I thought I had it all in my head. You don’t have to buy every item you see on that blog article you read that lists “57 Must Haves for Tent Camping”, but please - BRING LANTERNS and FIRE STARTERS.

Tent set up was a nightmare, and I’m pretty sure my oldest son would attest to this, because it was just him and I who put it together…in the dark…with sleeping neighbors who were way too close for comfort and very awake thanks to our late set up. Then, after apparently spending a little too long running the headlights, my car battery died…anddd immediately after, my phone. We didn’t even have the tent set up yet. WTH Ladye?!

Thankfully, we had my son’s phone flashlight…and I had a few emphasis words to ease the frustration. I just hoped our neighbors wouldn’t be too pissed about the commotion because I was already planning to ask them for a jump the next morning ….siiince I ran the car battery dead with no jumper cables handy or any sort of roadside assistance to call on. Did I mention you should be prepared in these situations?

BTW, the family next to us was really nice and got us back up and running, and we didn’t even talk about my lack of patience and potty mouth that woke them the night prior.

Another positive note - It turns out the park rangers really don’t care where you pitch a tent, as long as you pay your fees the next morning when they make their rounds. I think it was $12 per night since our site was considered primitive - lol. And thankfully, just after our stay they enabled online campsite reservation, so you can reserve a site here before you make the trip!

 
slightly burned eggs cooked on a Coleman camp stove, oatmeal, and green tea for breakfast

slightly burned eggs cooked on a Coleman camp stove, oatmeal, and green tea for breakfast

 

While I made breakfast that morning, Brylan went down and fished a bit, as our spot was within “hollering distance” of the river bank (that might be a Southern thing..always gotta be within range so if Mom hollers “You OK?”, you can hear her and respond). Dre explored closeby, and made friends (and enemies) with a few critters.

Over the next two days we hiked, Dre got to canoe for the first time, I took lotsss of photos, and made a few friends back at the campsite. One of the guys who was fishing nearby even taught Bry to fly fish! For mid-October, it was pretty warm and the boys even got in and waded around in Mountain Fork River.

Other activities offered at Beaver’s Bend were kayaking, pedal boats, golf, and a nice swim area that was IMO way too chilly for use, but some others were enjoying it. My favorite part was simply taking in the scenery and seeing my kids have fun. I enjoyed relaxing by our campfire with a book and my journal in the mornings. Drinking tea and hearing the sounds of the birds, frogs and crickets is so relaxing.

One con for me was how crowded the campground was. We camped at Grapevine, but I imagine the other campgrounds were just as lively. I enjoy meeting other families and having a sense of community in the woods, but we could hear several different conversations going on simultaneously because we were in such close proximity to other campers. This isn’t uncommon for the busy Fall season, so if you like a little more privacy (and don’t like doing battle with tents, or prefer sanitary bathrooms) you can rent a cabin or stay in the lodge perched on the hill just before you enter the campgrounds.

By Sunday afternoon, all of the other tent campers were gone and we were left with the whole area to ourself. Weeknight camping is usually just for the retired RVers and those who don’t have a job to get back to on Monday, so tent campgrounds were essentially emptied. I needed to work myself and couldn’t access my hotspot from the campground (didn’t have great service in this area with AT&T), so we drove into Broken Bow Sunday evening to grab dinner and allow me a bit of time to jump on my laptop and do vintage listings. I wanted to knock those out so we could enjoy our last day without my anxiety kicking in, telling me I needed to be productive.

After about an hour in town, we noticed the sky was getting unusually dark. Waddya know?!…a storm was hovering and pouring rain over the campgrounds to the north of us (insert facepalm emoji here). So, we stayed at Subway watching it pour down endlessly for well over an hour before it let up enough for us to head back to camp. I knew we were in for a treat because we had left several items outside of the tent, and even if our personal items weren’t water logged, there was no way we’d be able to build a fire after all that rain. Maybe everyone else that left Beaver’s Bend that day wasn’t heading back to jobs? Maybe they, unlike I, had actually checked local news to see that the forecast had changed and rain was coming here, too.

But it got even better than that….

 
Beaver's Bend_OK_57.jpg
 

You see that small pond just this side of the cut tree stump? Yeah well, that is where our tent was (insert ALL of the facepalm emojis here).

As soon as we pulled in, I realized our tent was surrounded by what looked like a mote swarming with crawfish (literally - there was a bucket full of live crawfish Brylan caught earlier, and they were now everywhere), wet supplies and food scattered around because apparently the local raccoons helped themselves while we were gone.

So Bry and I went to work, wading and retrieving all of the soaked clothing and bedding from our tent-turned-water bed. By the time we got all packed up it was almost midnight and we were covered in mud. What a way to end the long weekend! I think the rain might’ve been karma for all the huffing and puffing I did during our tent troubles the first night. I gotta say, the four hour drive back to Oklahoma City in the middle of the night drenched and dirty is the least fun road trip I have made to date.

Would I do it all over again if I had known how everything would go? Probably not. But will I take my kids on another random camping trip and encounter more unexpected troubles for the sake of giving them fond memories? I’m sure of it. And I’m sure we’ll be back to Beaver’s Bend to enjoy more beautiful scenery and trout fishing….but next time our accommodations will be an RV or cabin!

What’s your favorite place to camp or getaway? Have you had to face any challenges that gave you valuable experience? I’d also love to hear from anyone who has stayed at state parks and what activities are your fav. Drop a comment below!

Love and light,
Ladye

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Unschooling Goals: Turning My Daydreams Into a Rambling Reality

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Have you ever paid attention to the feeling you get when you think of a person, place, career, or future possibilities that excite you? Maybe it’s my personality type or something, but I can point out certain things in my life that I’ve learned about and they instantly resonated with me on a deep, sometimes unexplainable level.

As an adult, I’ve come to connect this feeling with things or subjects that are somehow in line with my purpose - aligned with who I am at my core. I’ve experienced this feeling countless times with many things in my life, and I’ll write about those in a later post.

The more I grow and detach from insignificant societal norms and become more aware of myself and the world that could be, the more authentic I feel I am becoming.

Something is happening in my soul.

I find myself dreaming of, journaling, and talking with the Universe more and more about homeschooling my son(s) (unschooling, adventure schooling, road-schooling, etc.) and traveling on a semi-full-time basis. I know more families are doing this now, but most still consider it a pretty radical thing to do.

I told myself 2020 is the year it is going to start, and you guys…my planner and notebook are packed with plans down to the tiniest details. I’m talking vintage RV style…a Rambling Hippie on a mission! It’s something I have fantasized and talked with friends/family about doing for years, but it seemed like such a distant dream, yet alone a real possibility within the next few years.

If all of these self-development and entrepreneurial books I’ve been reading over the last 5 years have taught me anything, it’s that if you want something, you write it down and get serious about a plan..you may be surprised how quickly it will manifest.

I blame this vision of traveling and unschooling on the incredible experiences and insight my grandparents provided me with as a kid, my liberating solo trip to Palo Duro Canyon for my 26th birthday, my ‘86 Volvo station wagon (RIP Pearly), my mom, and the following books in the order in which I read them. All are available on Audible btw - click here to purchase a gift membership for someone to inspire them, or on one of the links below to start your free trial.

…along with countless hours spent researching and reading articles about American school systems and the alternatives, listening to podcasts, reading forums, Facebook group discussions about homeschool and RV living, and just being a whole damn hippie at heart. *Side note - and I love side notes - I believe we’re all hippies at heart, craving love and peace, but that’s another talk.

“ I’m just making my way home. I’m on a path leading to the me I was meant to be,
before external factors and limiting beliefs hindered my greatness.”
— Ladye M

Since I had my firstborn almost twelve years ago, I’ve known I wanted to expose him to more of the world, more culture, more history, bigger ideas. I believe exposure to diversity at a young age - whether through experiencing diverse cultures and religions, history, landscapes, ideas, etc. - when seen through a perspective of love and acceptance (this is where parents/teachers come in), is an effective catalyst to positive change. I didn’t get much of that growing up in the Rural South and it is absolutely something I want for my children, grandchildren, and so on.

I long to give my kids meaningful and impactful experiences in this life. I want them to see love (or God/the Universe if you will) in every human, every animal, every landscape. I want us to cultivate love and change together, even if on a small scale. And yes, I realize this sounds like a romantic hippie dream at this point, but I know the BTS work and at times, utter discomfort that this will require.

How can I turn this daydream into a reality?

Initially I couldn’t quite visualize what unschooling while traveling would look like. Like..do I have to buy a big truck and camper and go back to my country roots to make this a real and comfortable-for-the-kids possibility? Staying in short term apartments or Airbnb’s in different places sounds too irresponsible for a single mother (major eyeroll here).. or at least it would to my family and likely my son’s dad.

So how can I make it happen before my kids are grown? Well, I think I know just the way.

If all goes according to plan - and trust me, I am entirely prepared for many things to not go according to plan - this new reality will kick off with a Spring Break trial run, after which I will share my soon-to-be-excecuted two-year travel plan with deets! (People still say deets, right? IDK…I’m in this Awkward Millenial phase where I’m not quite sure which slang is current and which is outdated.)

I will def be back here for more talks on the subject.

If you or someone you know has gone full-time RV or van life, drop a comment and let me know your take. I love hearing different perspectives and pros and cons! Also, if you’re interested in more of my Audible recommendations, let me know.

Love and light,
Ladye