Empty Nest Dreams Lead to Wonderland Odyssey

A while back I had the fortunate blessing to meet an Empty Nest Kindred Spirit on LinkedIn. Her response to a question I had asked on a group page let me know I needed to know a little bit more about her! She’s the epitome of the empty nest mindset I like which is to learn and grow after the kids fly the coop.

Today, I would like to introduce you to Rebecca Lacey. She is the creative mind behind Wonderland Odyssey. Wonderland Odyssey is a ‘leadership fable.’ It’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ meets Dale Carnegie’s ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’ While it hasn’t been published yet, she still would like for you to stop by and read excerpts and say hi.

Here’s how our interview went and I hope you enjoy!
I’ll tell ya, Rebecca is a HOOT!

Empty Nest Then and Now Basics

In the section below, please tell me a little bit about what your nest was like when it was full (how many kids, state or country lived in, relationship status):

Once upon a time, I lived in greater Phoenix area. My then husband had 2 daughters who lived part time with us. After we divorced, my daughter spent part of the time with him, and part with me. I remarried a few years later, and my husband’s son also lived with us. In other words, just an ordinary, average American family.

Now, at this very moment of time what is your nest like? Where are you living, who or what are in the four walls with you?

After my daughter graduated from high school and spread her wings, it was time for us to get out of the heat. No matter how many people say, “But it’s a dry heat,” it is still too %#@#^& hot for this human. Let’s face it, if you need oven mitts to hang on to the steering wheel or if you can bake biscuits on your dashboard, you’re living in an oven.

With the type of business my husband and I own, (Pinnacle Management Group we do training, coaching, and consulting) we could go anywhere. So we looked in Montana where we were doing quite a bit of work at the time and Maryland because we were working with the government and California because that is where our heart is. Ultimately we settled in…Missouri! We are about an hour south of St. Louis in a pretty town located near several state parks and within a half hour of about a dozen wineries. What could be better?

The house is our perfect Eden. We spend a great deal of time perfecting the yard to be an oasis where we love to entertain. Guests include friends, squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional raccoon or possum. We have renovated much of the inside, and it is a romantic retreat that we get to enjoy every day.

We have our office in the house so that is where one can typically find me either working on company related stuff or writing. My companions are typically two of our three dogs (Ziggy and Chewie – aka the Schnoodle Bros. Our other dog, Tosha is nearly 16 and doesn’t navigate the stairs too well anymore). The scnoodles like to nap under my desk, and Miss Kitty, who has the annoying habit of wanting to sit on the mouse in front of my computer screen, often joins us. In addition to our three dogs and cat, we have a bird, Corkie. Did someone say something about an ‘empty nest’?

Join me tomorrow as we continue Rebecca’s interview where you’ll learn how this mama is using that empty nest to spread her wings and fly!

Hugs and feathers from the nest~~()~~

Kim Steadman is the COOP (Chief Online Operating Person) for The Re-Feathered Nest. A place of encouragement for moms entering the Empty Nest Zone who find they need to RePurpose and ReDesign their lives now that the kids have flown the coop. Kim can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheRefeatheredNest and on Google+ at +Kim.