Hi Shenanigan Enthusiasts!

We have had some highs and lows, literally lows, -27 degrees here at the funny farm since we last connected! Oh, my goodness, Chip is growing so fast and has earned the nickname Chipper Chip. He walks with a skip in his step to and from the barnyard every day. Rowdy has come around and seems to accept that Chip is here to stay. He even seems to get excited when I bring him down in the mornings. Merle, as always, loves to love. He and Chip are the best of buddies! Betty and June are as sweet as ever but have begun blowing out their coats. Not cute! June is losing hair daily, while Betty only has a few patches missing. I am learning as I go! Last year when I experienced this for the first time, I was worried they were sick, and I was somehow failing my girls. This year I know, while not pretty, it’s perfectly normal. It will never make sense to me why it happens during winter when they need all the warmth they can get. I suppose Mother Nature knows best and so I let go and learn and tell them they are beautiful because every girl needs to be reminded of that once in a while. All of the gang, especially the goats, loved having friends join our daily shenanigans last weekend for my first Thriver Tribe Women’s Retreat. So much to celebrate!!!

 

TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY

It has been on my heart for years to host a retreat for women to come experience the healing magic of Montana. My hope was to create a space to reflect, grow, get clear, get out of our comfort zones, relax and celebrate where we have been, where we are and all that is possible where we are going. I know what it is to walk through life surviving at best. I know this survival walk is how most people move through their days. Last weekend was an opportunity to really LIVE. TO THRIVE!!!

As I prepared to make this dream a reality the song I LIVED played in my pocket one morning while shoveling sh*t and it became the theme song for our retreat.

I LIVED by OneRepublic (click here to LIVE!)

Hope when you take that jump

You don't fear the fall

Hope when the water rises

You built a wall

Hope when the crowd screams out

It's screaming your name

Hope if everybody runs

You choose to stay

Hope that you fall in love

And it hurts so bad

The only way you can know

You give it all you have

And I hope that you don't suffer

But take the pain

Hope when the moment comes you'll say

I, I did it all

I, I did it all

I owned every second that this world could give

I saw so many places

The things that I did

Yeah, with every broken bone

I swear I lived

 

WE LIVED!

Our Thrive weekend was everything I hoped for and more! We really did live! Most of our group were meeting for the first time. Though I felt a kindred connection with each of them, I was meeting half the group for the first time too. Everyone came from different backgrounds, states and seasons of life which added to the gifts each of us brought to the meaningful conversations we had. We danced, we cried, we laughed, we saw, we were seen, we walked through some hard sh*t, we reflected, we witnessed where we limit ourselves, we embraced possibilities, we accepted support, we stretched, we breathed - some of us for the first time, we let some heavy sh*t go, we got uncomfortable, we screamed at top of our lungs on top of a mountain, we sang terribly, we loved, and we celebrated every tiny victory. WE THRIVED.

 

 

Clarity

What lights you up? What sets your soul on fire. Pay attention to it. What would you dare to do if you knew you could not fail?

 

For me what lights me up, what makes me feel ALIVE is ever evolving. Which I suppose is true for everyone. If we aren't evolving, how can we really be LIVING? If you would have told me 10 years ago that my best life would include a funny farm in Montana, I would have thought you were crazy!!! We took a crazy leap of faith that opened us up to one leap after another, which opened us up to all that is possible. There have been so many potholes in the road and sometimes full-on sink holes. But as the song goes GOD BLESSED THE BROKEN ROAD that brought me to you (click to listen). God blessed the broken road that brought me to me. The woman I am today. The woman who knows what lights me up is to feel ALIVE not just survive, the woman who wants to ignite a fire in people's soul so we can all THRIVE. The woman who loves like crazy, shoot there's another song, (click to listen)!  The woman who believes living our best life is simple but not easy. The woman who wants to plant the seed of all that is possible and celebrate everyone's victories.  

 

We don't have to have it all figured out. Even when we think we do, as the saying goes, "we make plans, and you can hear God laughing." We do have to own our sh*t and be open to all the is possible beyond what we can even imagine.

Our power lies in: 

Personal Responsibility - how we CHOOSE to respond to the blessings and the lessons on the crazy journey we call life. Reflect, Let Go, Celebrate!

Gratitude - focusing on all there is to be grateful for is the simplest way to fill our cups, it's so true what we focus on expands, so look for the good and more good, will show up. (Unfortunately, this is true of the bad too so choose wisely).

Action - we don't have to be great to start but we have to start to be great. I have learned the hard way to get out of my own way! The only obstacle between me and my dreams is ME! Sure, there are challenges beyond my control but it's up to me and you to navigate our ship to get to our destination. Get uncomfortable! Do the thing! Wear the RED LIPSTICK, take the leap! LIVE! CHOOSE TO THRIVE!!!

 

Joy

Tears of Joy are streaming down my face as I share my heart with you this week. Tears of reflection on the broken road that led me to me, that led me to knowing love greater than I ever would have without the broken road. Tears of celebration, celebrating turning a dream, that was once just an "if only" thought, into reality. Tears of gratitude that maybe last weekend a seed of possibility was planted for every amazing lady that trusted me and took a leap of faith to be here to make my dream a reality. 

 

 Evolving

My vision is still ever evolving but my commitment, this year is to do four retreats with 6-8 women. I want to make sure it's an intimate experience so it will remain small. If you are interested in a THRIVER TRIBE RETREAT, you can let me know HERE. 

 

 Thriver Tribe Women's Retreat is an opportunity to reflect, grow, get clear, relax and celebrate where you have been, where you are and where you are going! Together we will work on being our best self so we can THRIVE in life and love. Thursday and Sunday will be travel days. We will kick off Thursday evening with a Pajamas & Bubbles fireside celebration!  Food and cozy accommodations are included. Expect an intimate experience with 6-8 other women who are all ready to get out of their comfort zone and THRIVE. Montana is my home and God's Country. A place to heal, grow and be inspired under the BIG SKY!!! Come experience the MAGIC. 

 

 Through my reflection over the last week, I found some clarity. I love sharing all about the LOVE & Shenanigans here at the Funny Farm and my words from the heart with all of you. I am having so much fun sharing heartfelt stories on the V-S-T Podcast, planning retreats, and living life that I think it makes sense to step back, so moving forward I will be doing a blog once a month. Be sure to subscribe to get a Love & Shenanigans update sent to you each month! 

 

V-S-T Podcast

 

 

 

Since we last connected two new episodes are out! Both inspiring stories walking through the blessings and the lessons of life. Be sure to listen in! Also, next Tuesday I will be chatting with the BADASS women who came to the Thriver Retreat sharing about our experience together. So, tune in to learn more about the impact of a THRIVER weekend. Click here for all episodes!

 

 

SHENANIGAN ENTHUSIASTS...

Until we connect again, may you laugh ‘til you snort, take the bull by the horns, give yourself and others some GRACE, live a good story, climb your mountain, dream, do hard things, live like someone left the gate open, make it a good one, love like crazy, enjoy the little things, always look for the miracles to celebrate, be grateful, embrace the messy, turn it into your magic, dance, keep learning, growing, getting better, crossing things off your bucket list, spreading a little love around, chasing your hearts desires, walking through the raindrops, do what sets your soul on fire, choose to take the CHANCE, let go of pride, love like there is no such thing as a broken heart, learn from life’s lessons, LIVE and choose to THRIVE!

LOVE & SHENANIGANS INSPIRATIONS FROM THE FUNNY FARM 

Let’s spread the love around. Use code LOVE for 15% off your order at our Funny Farm inspired Love & Shenanigans store!!! Make someone smile with a little love and shenanigans!!!
 
Click HERE to explore all things Love & Shenanigans
 
  
Much Gratitude, 
Zanna
SHENENIGAN ENTHUSIAST
 
p.s. I will dance in the kitchen every time you share the LOVE!!! Every time you share a post from Love & Shenanigans or the V-S-T PODCAST on social media or anywhere I can feel the love, you will be entered to win a goodie from the store!  Share away, tag us, and we will let you know if you are the lucky winner! xoxo

 p.p.s.  I am so grateful to collaborate with GutPersonal as an affiliate. I can advocate for these supplements with my whole heart because they have truly been a game changer for me. I feel great, sleep great, and all the things great! 💩 I have to feel my best, to be my best, and shovel all the the sh*t every day! If you have gut struggles, I feel your pain. Find joy again with GutPersonal. Click HERE to take a quiz to see what personalized supplements are best for you. Use code ZANNA10 to get 10% off your order!!! 

***Disclaimer*** I receive $$$ for some of the things I promote in this blog. I don’t promote anything I don’t use and love!