This past weekend, Sweet Friends, I packed, as little as possible, into my suitcase, and headed to the big state of Texas. I knew I needed a big suitcase with A LOT of extra room because I was going back to Texas to do a little bit of work at “The Inspire Workshop” and A LOT of shopping.

I’ve been to Texas before and you can read about that trip here. The boys stayed with their Dad and the Pups; Oreo and Sofy went to my hometown in Lodi to stay with my parents.

Inspire Workshop!

The Inspire Workshop is hosted by KariAnne Woods of Thistlewood Farms. It is for any blogger seeking assistance on helping to build your blog or helping you create a framework on how to build a successful blog.

Note aside: If you don’t remember KariAnne, you can read my posts about her here.

The trip to Texas was a combination of work and visiting old friends. I signed up to attend the “Inspire Workshop” with KariAnne Woods of Thistlewood Farms and of course, factored in some additional time for shopping and visiting one of my best friends.

My Favorite Shops in Waco, Texas!

As I sat nestled, shoulder to shoulder, in the center seat, on my flight to Austin, a thought entered my mind.  “What is the next chapter in this book of my life?

Will the Inspire Workshop provide me the answer?

With trepidation and excitement I think of the upcoming workshop.  Seeing KariAnne and meeting the other women bloggers creates a bit of fear, but I tell myself, “I got this!’

As the plane begins it’s decent from the sky, the women next to me shifts in her seat.  She seems nervous.  As the pilot lands the plane onto the runway, the women in the seat next to me, gasps in fear and positions her hands in a prayer position. She calls out to her higher power in a language I don’t speak. 

Tears of empathy and understanding fall from my eyes.  My hand touches her shoulder to reassure her all is fine.  As I sit, wiping away my tears, I felt her fear, I had my own. 

I believe we are all fearful, but we all must embrace the suck. I’m reminded of these words over and over again as Brené Brown writes them in my favorite books.   As I sit I’m feeling hopeful, I click over to Audible for my daily does of inspiration and I reflect on what I will embark upon this weekend. 

The women’s hands forming a prayer position, reminds me to stay encouraged, to reach out to my Higher Power and to continue to believe that we are all amazing.  “RockStars”, as KariAnne says!

Once I arrived in Austin, I rented a car to drive to McKinney, Texas. Of course, on the way I made time to stop in Waco to visit some of my favorite shops. 

I thought you might be curious about my favorites as this is my third trip to Waco!

My Favorite Shops in Waco, Texas!

Here is a list of my favorite shops in Waco, Texas:

• Magnolia Market and the Silos
• The Findery
• Harp Design Co.
• Junque in the Trunk
• Spice Village
• Junky Monkey
• The Little Shop on Bosque

On Sunday morning I woke and drove back to Austin to spend time with my BFF and her daughter. 

The Inspire Workshop has been present in my thoughts since the day I left McKinney. I learned some amazing lessons and met some incredible women. KariAnne is an amazing woman and I am so thankful for her lessons. The food and it’s amazing decor of old trucks and evergreen trees trailed with fall leaves and little pumpkins was quite the show. It was all compliments of Barbara from Gasthaus on the Meadow. Don’t forget to check out her website here.

Leaving my home and family of five behind for an inspiring and fulfilling trip put a tad of guilt on my heart.  Balancing my family of five and work always comes with a price.  This trip was a necessary thing for me to do and I am so grateful I had the opportunity.

If you get the chance to visit Waco, be sure to check out My Favorite Shops in Waco.

Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia