Hey! Welcome to 52 weeks until I’m 50 years old! Actually it’s now 2 weeks until I’m 50! If you are new to my blog, to the right are other subjects I’ve written about. Some may resonate with you or at least give you a chuckle. If you are counting down with me…I started last January 2013 and have counted down 50 weeks!!! I can’t believe it’s almost here! Holy crap!!!!

Ever need some help with courage? Sometimes we need a little more of a nudge to get us to execute. Some use mantras, some prayers, some wear special shorts or glasses, some have items they carry that they believe bestow luck. I have hats. Yup, hats. It’s amazing how a hat can provide assistance when I need additional courage. I have a few that when I put them on, something changes. A kind of transformation power or maybe the faith to make me believe a bit more in myself. Sounds a little ridiculous but I’m thinking you get me on this.

At two weeks before turning 50, I find myself saying “step into it, the rest will happen.” And, sometimes, I need to muster up additional courage when I’m not completely committed. If you know me, indecision drives me nuts. I can come to terms with a choice pretty quickly if I have the information I need. And, once I make it, no turning back baby! I am in! So, when this chick needs to find courage, I guess I call upon one of my other egos. I think…”What’s the worse that can happen? You will figure out you need to work harder, do more or hey…I’m not cut out for this one?” Yup. Don’t be a wussy, you’re almost 50 and that in itself has courage written all over it from the battles I decided to step up to.

I want to believe I am “heading towards courage” and my many hats may be my symbol of this work in progress. I collect them.There could be worse things to collect; shoes, signed autographs, jewelry or art. All of those are great but hats are easy to purchase, don’t take up a lot of space and are easily accessible for when you need their power. Each has a specific meaning. I know if you get me you have a special one (hat) stored where you can easily access it just in case. All my hats have history and a story. Yep. Stetson. Yup. Fedora. Of course the baseball cap, the GATOR, and the ever so cool ski woolly.

But the Stetson, this one has super powers! What a beauty. She’s remarkable. I don’t know what it is but anyone who tries her own feels some immediate courage. Maybe it’s because of the story that goes with her. It took me six trips to Colorado and a ridiculous amount of visits to Kemo Sabe before I could talk myself into buying her. Why? It’s a process to purchase a Stetson. Not just a throw it on kind of thing. She was calling my name from the moment my eyes set upon her. She wasn’t negotiable. Nor was the band of beautiful beads that sits upon her. But, I did it. Pulled the trigger. What a rare beauty. She’s distressed. She’s black, branded with my initials and she provides some serious courage when on my head. Case in point, took her to karaoke the other night. She, Stetson, was passed around the table and pictures started clicking, behavior started changing and courage was found! The same happens when I put on my Minnie Mouse Paris fedora. It’s my concert hat. Never been washed because I’m too spooked something will change. Disinfected yes. Washed no. Saw 3 Widespread Panic shows in it, a Wanee Festival, a Sunshine Blues Festival, Bob Dylan, Big Head Todd and so many other favorites in it! Throw in my Gator baseball hat and you have memories and courage that would take a seriously long time to list. Yeh…eccentric. That’s me. And I’m two weeks away from 50. What the?

Sometimes I find myself clicking my running shoes for courage instead of my Stetson but I think it may just be from all the practice I’ve had at trying to “step into it” over my lifetime. I think that’s one of the things I’ve learned this year through the blog. If I don’t step up now, then when? Really Randi…almost 50, whatcha waiting for woman?

I hope you had a chuckle. You can subscribe to be notified when I blog below by signing up, follow me on Twitter @GatorgirlPress or Twitter @Diningduchess, follow me on Facebook @RandiAileenPress or Facebook@DiningDuchess. Or if you’d like to write me directly, my email is randi@52TO50.com.