For the Last Five Years

Hello, world!  If you don't already know me, I'm Martha.  If you do already know me, I'm sorry?, thanks for joining me.  This is my attempt to start blogging regularly again, only this time on a personal level.  Over the years I've tried fitness blogging, "writing" blogging, and running blogging, which all seemed to leave me disinterested and backed into a hole.  It took a month of an ongoing existential crisis and turning 30 to realize that I am a little more multifaceted than that, and that if I wanted to write for a long time, I was going to need to pull back a few more layers and dig a little deeper.

For the Last Five Years I've Been:

Big A and I at Benezette, PA, checking out the Elk

Engaged to this guy.  Not only has this been the longest relationship of my life, but I'm happy to say it's been the healthiest as well.  The only reason why we aren't married is because I'm lazy.  Our "long term engagement" is a nightmare for our parents, and probably stupid for tax related purposes, but to be honest, I love it.  I love our life, and as of right this second, I wouldn't want it any other way.  Putting it into perspective - I'm not speaking for everyone here, but I am not ashamed to say it - some people out there show up every day because they "have to" - I show up every day because I want to.

Original artwork by local painter, Tom Copella

Running this Joint.  On November 9th, it will officially be five years since we opened the doors to this dream we've been chipping away at.  I am really proud to say I am the co-owner of Jordan's Bar & Grill, because it is really a fantastic place.  We do craft beers.  We do big burgers.  We do farm to table.  We do the biggest chainsaw carving festival in the world (in conjunction with Appalachian Arts studio.)  We do it well, and we have a lot of fun in the process.  You can generally find me in the kitchen slanging burgers, or in the office trying to keep everyone paid and organized.  

I often times joke that when we opened the bar, it was because no one would give me the job that I wanted, so I had to make my own.  Done and done.  

Also, whenever anyone asks me why I don't have children, I can always come back with the fact that I take care of hundreds of screaming drunk hungry babies every day.  And a hundred year old building with equipment that gets a little cranky sometimes.  And a staff of beautiful young women who are my adopted kids.  Right, now, that's about all I can handle.  (We have dogs, too.  Those count for something.)

  Totally cheesy and unflattering.  No surprises there.

Spending a lot of time in the "self help" section.  And the woods.  Which are about equivalent.

Five years ago, I was 70 pounds heavier.  I was depressed.  My hobbies included drinking and fighting.  My friends were people who liked to participate in the same.  My life was a train wreck.  

Moving out into the woods was the best thing that happened to me.  Not only did I embrace the local offerings of trail running, mountain biking, and cross country skiing, but I rekindled my connection with God.  I dumped a lot of weight.  I started biohacking the shit out of my nutrition.  I took up heavy lifting.  I started practicing yoga at home daily. I started working on my finances.  I started writing again.  I learn every day.  I do my best to keep engaged with the things and people that I love. It makes for a really beautiful journey.

These are my long term engagements.  My passions, my loves, and my motivations to get out of bed every day.  The last five years have been the turning point of my life.  I hope the next five are just as inspiring.

Thank you so much for reading and following.  Have a blessed Saturday, and we will catch up soon!