Welcome to Mid-Life Livin’!
Hello friends! Welcome to Mid-Life Livin’! Thanks so much for your interest in our adventures.
Mid-Life Livin’ is a lifestyle and travel blog encouraging you to enjoy livin’ life to it’s fullest – wherever and whatever that might entail.
This is gonna be fun! Come along with us as we show you how you can be livin’ it up in the mid-somethings!
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.
About Connie
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.
About Ernie
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
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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 2My goal for this blog
isn’t to become rich (although Walmart needs their undeclared $100 entry fee and Amazon Prime now expects my weekly shopping sprees). My goal is to share some of our experiences, knowledge and adventures, so that you’ll be encouraged to live the life that you’ve always dreamed of…NOW, not years down the road.
Some things you’ll find in my Mid-Life Livin’ 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
- remodeling, woodworking and craft ideas
- photography tips
- vacation rental marketing & management tips
- car shows and car restorations
- renovation ideas and tips
- RV and camping ideas & tips, campground reviews, and guides & printables
- motorcycling ideas and tips
- just a little bit of everything that has to do with mid-life livin’
My goal is that YOU:
- become inspired to be a doer, not a planner
- stop existing and start thriving
- 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
