DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

I think I speak for everyone when I say that it seems like we just started 2025 and here we are at the end.  I wanted to challenge you to make it a December to Remember.  

What do I even mean by that?   Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan Dr Peabody Exercise gym yoga

Many people are in a waiting period to get the New Year started before they focus on their health.  I don’t mean that you are all neglecting yourselves completely, but what I do mean is that many are waiting for January 1st to make some big and powerful changes. 

Let’s reconsider this idea and here is why…

Once December starts, we realize that by taking a closer look at our calendar for the month, we oftentimes realize that the entire month is filled to the brim with festivities, fun and family…sometime it is willfully aligned with the obligations and sometimes it is just simply out of obligation.

Soooooo….this also often means that our selfcare and our commitment to ourselves ends up on the backburner waiting to refocus once we hit the New Year. 

BUT…once January 1st rolls around, we are sometimes so deep into eating tasty, AND INFLAMMATORY, foods.  We have had a little too much alcohol, sugar and other processed foods.  We haven’t prioritized hitting the gym, taking walks, yoga, meditation and other things that help improve our health. 

We become stagnant and, I don’t know about you, but it can be VERY DIFFICULT to get the ship turned around and heading in the right direction.

We can hit January 1st and have to make MAJOR SHIFTS, or we can really make it a December to Remember and make some simple daily moves now that gets is some serious momentum heading into 2026!  Dr Erica Peabody - Meals - Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan

Simple moves can be as simple as this:  Drink extra water, walk 20 minute minimum per day, do 15 minutes of stairs inside of your own home, take 5 minutes daily for meditation and stillness, get your workouts put right into your weekly schedule, grab some simple hand weights and start doing some reps, jump rope, clean up your plate by adding a lot more greens and good quality protein, split desert with your partner…so many simple small things- I am SURE you could easily name 10 more.  

I urge you to start today or at least by tomorrow.  Commit to your health and share some of those healthy activities with your spouse, children, other family members and friends to allow this to be a great MOMENUM-BUILDING December to Remember.  

You will be happy once January 1st rolls around and you have already set things in motion.  I am simply putting this message out so that awareness is on it and maybe 2026 can get started off on the right foot! 

If you have some ideas about what things you can change and want to share below, I encourage you to do so!  I want to see and hear your ideas! 

We get one chance in this life and what if you considered making this month truly a December to Remember!!!

GRATITUDE

Dr Erica Peabody - Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Expansion

HI!!!  It’s me again.  It has been a while and I wanted to first express my deep gratitude for you being here, following my adventures and also hanging in with me for this long BETWEEN BLOG POSTS!!!  

It has been a while.  I don’t know about you but I am having a hard time believing we are into the month of November, Chapter 11 in this crazy book we are all writing called 2021!

As my weeks are filled with taking care of patients and staying strong and healthy myself to continue to do that well, I have had many, many conversations about how hard it is to believe how slow AND quick the year has gone by.

I would like to take a moment to re-introduce myself and what I am up to on here with the writing I do (or shall I say “did do” since it has been a while.  I am bringing this up to present-tense right now!).

I was born and raised in Fenton, Michigan, with my 3 brothers on an apple orchard just south of town.  Lucky for me, those three brothers and their families still live around that orchard and I just three miles from there, WHICH allows me a chance to fulfill my role of BEST AUNT ON THE PLANET to all their littles.  😉

After graduating from Fenton High School, I left the area for ten years for a grand adventure around the country following my heart and also for school.

YES!!! I am a Spartan through and through and began college at Michigan State University.

YES!!! I also attending the college with the blue turf, Boise State University, where I lived for over two years.  I love that city, have you been?  

ABSOLUTELY I DID!!!  finish my Bachelors Degree from University of Alaska and YES!!! made the most of all the adventures I could get involved in while I was there for three years.  I have so, so, so many stories I can and will share.  Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan Dr Erica Peabody Puppy Love

YES!!!!  I then drove the AL-CAN highway for the second time and made it all the way to Atlanta, Georgia to start my doctorate…but ALSO finished it in Spartanburg (aka “Sparkle City”), South Carolina.

NO!!!  I did not think I was going to come back to Fenton after all that.  NO WAY, JOSE!!!   

YES!!!!  ABSOLUTELY!!!!  I’m so happy that I did.

In case you haven’t met him yet, this is my Bernedoodle, Louis Holtz Peabody, “Lou” for short, the doggie I never knew I wanted or needed.  He has been a life-saver, no seriously he has saved my life more times than you can even imagine in his short little two and a half year life he has had so far.  He is one of my reasons for living, and when you meet him, you will understand.  

I called this blog “We Only Get One Chance” because I want us all to remember that we get this one chance to go around in this body and make the most of this life.  It is up to each and every one of us to squeeze the most juice out of our days…and I have stories to share along the way.  

My intention in this blog is to shine light on ways that you can live your best life, love with your whole heart, be the healthiest you can be, be vulnerable enough so that you know I am just like you, share heartache, share wins and losses, and LIVE FULL OUT!!!  

I have deep gratitude to you for being here….let’s begin again.  Together.  

NEW

WOW!! Is life crazy or what? It feels all brand new. But not like the super great brand new that we have been wanting and looking forward to, more like a new that hit us smack in the face, shoved our noses into it and said “Here!!! FIGURE IT OUT!!!”

I know we are all in this same kind of boat although we are not navigating the exact same waves, I know that for sure. Some are working from home while also learning to teach school. Some are displaced from life or work or family or whatever it is…but we are all out here doing our very best with the unknows. It literally feels like most of life is filled full of unknowns.

Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan Dr Erica Peabody - New

You haven’t heard from me through this format in a long time as navigating it all has pushed blogging to the back burner. One other stumbling block is my laptop was on its last leg for a few months. I would begin writing here or inside of an office newsletter and in the middle, prior to be able to save it, it would kick me all the way back off and discard all that I had written. Life has taken a lot of extra energy lately and so trying to deal with that as well was just plain frustration.

So I ordered a new laptop and braved the curbside pick-up they had set up and honestly it was seamless and rather delightful!! So I now have a brand new machine to communicate with you better. I am excited to move forward with this blog and creating other content as we all learn to navigate this brand new life.

I take solace in writing and sharing in this manner and hopefully it remains interesting and entertaining as I share tips and trick, but probably more brutal honesty as we move through the stories of life: mine, my practice, friends, colleagues, being a dog mom, my family….on and on we will go. Check back here regularly and of course all of these posts will be shared on my social media platforms.

Years ago, I named this blog “We Only Get One Chance” and I still live and eat and breathe by that tagline in my day to day. Maybe now, more than ever before, others have really increased their awareness around that as well, that we really do get only one chance. It is time to make the very best of it!!

New computer, new life, many unknows and a new commitment to sharing and helping in any way I can. Stay tuned!!

JANUARY

It is hard to believe we are a day away from the end of January!

How are you doing with the year so far?

What changes have you made?

What changes do you want to make?Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - January - Dr Erica Peabody

What things do you want to do this year?

The polar vortex has put a little damper on this week, however, it has also given us a few minutes to slow down and sit still, or at least I hope you are taking some moments to sit still.  This is a great time to contemplate, plot and scheme for your success going forward.

We have been open a good portion of our regular hours this week as other business have chosen to be open, and some have closed.

I was reviewing some things in my life last night as I was trying to figure out whether to be open today or not (we are OPEN!!!!).  First off, some of you know and some of you may not know, I lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 3.5 years, I got my bachelors degree at University of Alaska Anchorage.  It was an amazing experience just to be up in Alaska, much less get a chance to live there and be able to experience it all.  I have a great appreciation for the arctic northern temperatures having to live and work in negatives (-40 for an entire month one winter) for those years.

I watch you all get out of your cars here at the office this week, all bundled up with 1-6 children in tow and I applaud and honor you.  It reminds me of getting bundled up to go to class and work at one time.  I honor you for taking a moment to make it in to town and stop by our office.  I honor you for your commitment to the change you want to make for yourself and your family this year.

If you have cancelled your appointments this week, I honor you for staying home and staying safe and warm, I honor you for respecting that small voice inside that said “not today”.  I honor each and every single one of you and I watch as schedules change daily due to school closings.  I honor you for being resilient enough to shift and change your days around to be able to manage it all.

We are open because I am going to be here anyway.

We are open because cabin fever is a real thing and has set in for many of you and you need an excuse to get out of the house and go do something.

We are open because our shifts are a little slower but it gives us a chance to catch up on other things, like hanging pictures and signs, getting ahead of the endless paperwork and doing a lot of cleaning.

We are open because we are here to serve you, and not as arctic heroes or something, but because we can make it here to the office and we also know you are doing a lot of extra shoveling and shivering and that there is a little extra stress this week that we can help you with.

We are here for you.  We honor you for staying inside your cozy home with your loved ones and hunkering down.  We honor you for getting out in the cold and heading this way.

Old Man Winter took his good ol’ precious time getting here this year but came in with a blast!  When it warms enough to get outside, I encourage you to do so because I believe one of the healthiest things we can do through the winter months in Michigan is get outside and get some fresh air.

While you are inside of these slower moments, take a glance at what your plans are for this year and make a choice today to move you in the direction you want to go.  That can be as simple as grabbing an extra glass of water, taking a few more trips up and down the stairs to get the heart pumping, journalling, reading a book or playing a game of checkers with your child.

Bundle up!!!  Stay safe and warm!!!  Take a few minutes to evaluate how you are doing now that January is coming to a close and let’s connect soon!!!

 

GROUCHY

She is grouchy…or finicky.  Yeah, finicky is probably a better way to describe her.

The old girl, Big Blue as we have so adoringly named her, has been good to us so far.

We are working on week number 3 here and we are enjoying our time and our transition.  It is different than just closing one door and opening another one in a different office space and getting to business.  Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Home - Dr Erica Peabody - Grouchy

It is time well spent feeling her out and figuring out how to manage all of the intricacies and quirks that make her so dang lovable.

She is warmer than would be expected on cold days and colder than expected on warm days except some areas are colder than others and warmer than others. Ugh.

The original builder, AJ Phillips, put the walls together by stacking two by fours on top of one another and then plaster and lath over that, not normal stud distance, like literally one on top of another.  It is pretty astounding actually.  We have a couple HUGE pocket doors and if you look inside the pockets, you can see the construction pattern…and to think those were put in place, by hand, one by one, 130 years ago.  WOW that is some serious labor!!!

AND!!!!  Not to mention the woodwork that adorns the entire space on all three floors  The first floor is our Cafe of LIFE Chiropractic Center and has so many special things about it…but the second and third floors are absolutely spectacular as well.  We are so excited to be able to open that second story to all of you and be able to rent the third story, one bedroom and one bath apartment.  All in due time.

We love how much you all have loved her so far and we invite those that haven’t had a chance to swing by and experience the space to swing in!  We hold open adjusting hours one Saturday per month and although we will have patients here getting adjusted, if you happen to be out and about around town this coming Saturday, October 6th, stop by and swing in!  We will be here 9a-11a.Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - 3 Days In - Dr Erica Peabody (810)69-6023 - Grouchy

 

My staff comes to me with things they have noticed or things they need in this new space.  It seems as though my

lunchtimes have been converted to “repair time” and grabbing lunch while working on a project!  But that is okay, as we know that she will always be a work in progress but we will become a little more familiar with her needs and quirks as the time goes by.

When life took a turn and I needed to move to a different spot to be able to get one of my rentals leased out, I decided I would stay here and get to know her.  My conversation with my mom that evening went “I am just going to triple-dog-dare myself to stay for the night and just see what happens.  If you don’t mind, just please do not lock your door in case I get spooked and end up having to come out there.”  I did fine from the first night but definitely wasn’t such a huge fan of having to go into the basement after dark.  Now my attitude is like “sure girl!  Whatever you need right now is good with me.  Oh you need me to tend to something in the basement at midnight?  Absolutely!!  I will be right there!”

It is the strangest thing that I feel like I should leave a babysitter for her when Mike and I head out of town!  I have never had the feeling but Mike thinks it is ridiculous!!!  I just laugh at myself that the thought even crosses my mind at all.  The great thing is that she sits right in the middle of a town that is so connected and wonderful and I am Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Dr Erica Peabody - Grouchy - Michael Sanockicertain that if there was something going on, 30-50 people would be on the phone texting and calling me right away and so I thank you!!!

 

Please watch out for her.  Mike and I have most of it handled but we need eyes and ears around for this grouchy old gal!!!   …I mean finicky.

She is a gem and I think it has taken a bit for her to get used to all of us!!!  There is a lot of new and fun energy inside of this space during our days and we have already had a HUGE engagement celebration!!  …in fact that party is what gives me so much certainty that 30-50 of you would call and text if something goes bad because of the amount of people that made remarks about that party a couple Friday’s ago, “my kids pointed to that place and said, ‘Hey Mom!  Can we go there?’ since it looked like something fun was going on when we drove by” are the kind of messages we got that following week.

We love her.  We are so excited to plan our wedding to be hosted within these beautiful walls in early March, just 5 months away.

A phrase we hear over and over again around here, from me, my team and all those that visit, “if only these walls could talk!” 

We are continuing to create a story here at Big Blue, stories of healing and health and wellness and life and living and family and the amazing power of the chiropractic adjustment that would make the forefathers of this great profession proud.  There are pictures in the infancy phases of chiropractic that were taken in places just like this.  Big Blue was born in 1889-91 time frame (seems the history was maybe she took 2 solid years to build) and chiropractic was born in 1895.  It feels so, so very right to be here doing what we are doing.

Although she is grouchy, or I mean finicky (just looked that word up in the dictionary: fussy about one’s needs and desires <—sounds about RIGHT!) I think we have an incredible thing started that these walls will want to tell stories about for years to come!!!  Stop in and join us this Saturday 9-11am!!!

 

 

 

PEACHY

From the outside it appears that all is peachy and so simple.

It’s not.
It’s hard, anxiety-driven work to pursue a dream.
It’s long, late night conversations and countless sleepless nights.

It’s questions without answers and conflict without immediate or foreseeable resolution.

It’s stress beyond anything I have ever known.Dr Erica Peabody - Peachy - Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan
It’s wildly uncomfortable and feels like running around constantly short on time.
It’s humbling and frightening.
It’s not just out of my comfort zone, it’s as though I took a rocket ship and split from the Universe my comfort zone is in.
It’s so far off the edge and hoping the ground appears somewhere beneath my foot as I take the next step.

It is tears of frustration and moments when I cannot stand being inside my own skin.

It is giving up beach towels and sunglasses for hammers and drills.

It is a deep breath in not knowing when i will have space to exhale.
…AND it’s not just business, it’s every aspect of life.
It’s building a home that’s gone on far, far too long.
It’s learning to partner inside of a relationship rather than run off on my own and do it all my own way.
It’s learning what being a bonus mom is all about and to triplets nonetheless.

It’s wedding planning and all that comes with that (which i am currently trying to figure out).
It’s a constant battle with my subconscious that wants everything to stay the way it’s always been.
It’s tough and messy and faith-building.

It is somehow trusting that stupid phrase “You will only be given as much as you can handle.”  Everyone please STOP SAYING THAT!!!!
It’s being sure to meditate every day and pray every night.

…and all this I am writing because I got a great hot shower and did my hair and now I’m dreading walking outside into the humidity which will undo it all in 17 minutes flat. …and so this is me procrastinating and writing to you instead of that.
And now I’ve come to the end of this rant.
Regardless of all that I wrote above, I’m going to make it the best day I can anyway.

Building dreams comes with a lot of hard work and not all of it is peachy.

3 DAYS IN

We are just 3 days in to our new location and I have to say it has been beyond extraordinary.  We are over the moon excited about how this space has turned out which trickles down to our ability to serve you.

The space is airy and cozy and solid and grounding and healing and absolutely lovely.

So many people are astounded by our ability to get moved over and create seamless transitions for our patient crowd.

Here is all I know.  We closed our doors at our Leroy location on Thursday, September 13th at 6pm.  We had until Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - 3 Days In - Dr Erica Peabody (810)69-6023Monday, Septmeber 17th at  10am to get up and running.

Mike would say over and over and over…. “Just pick the critical path, just the critical items that you need to get your day started and be able to endure patient care at the level they have come to expect.”  …and so in and amongst a weekend of family obligations we made it happen.

Thursday at 6pm is when the anxiety set in.  How long will it take us to do this?  and is 3 days enough?  It was a little like jumping off a cliff because, although I have moved my business a few times in the past, it had been 8 years and as I mentioned in a Facebook post, I am a pathological underestimator.  I underestimate everything and commit 100% and somehow figure it out.

It was a weekend of moving furniture, unplugging computer systems and wires all throughout the office.  It was filled with wires going every which way and plugging things in and praying.  It was a weekend or rearranging chairs and sweeping floors and dusting everything from head to toe.

Mike had to leave with his children around 6:30 on Sunday evening and head back home to be sure they are all ready to start the week.  I spent 5 solid hours on each adjusting station from one side of the place to the other and into the reception room.

The computer system was working, the music wasn’t.  The tables were ready, the rugs couldn’t be put down because of the finish on the floors.  The front desk was ready, the massage rooms were ready, the air conditioners were working, toilets cleaned and floors swept.  One more faucet installation around 9:30 and we were prepped for my realtor and his team to show up for the unveiling of the signage and the start to our first day!!

We did it!  It was a push but we did it and made it happen.

…and here we are just 3 days in and more inspired than ever before.  Follow your dreams, listen to your heart and that small voice inside as it will lead you in the right direction.  This truly feels like home and we are so glad to be here!

 

 

HOME

We are moving home!!!

I finished my final shift at Cafe of LIFE Chiropractic at 521 N Leroy this evening.  I had 4 patients between 5:45 and 6pm and I could feel myself winding down the service in that space.

This is the fourth location for my practice, so although I am not a big fan of moving, I am familiar with the process.  I bought the Leroy Street location in 2010 and the location prior to that was so super bittersweet leaving because it Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Home - Dr Erica Peabodywas a chiropractic office since the 60s.  My heart ached to leave that location knowing I was moving my practice from the exact location my chiropractor worked in when I was getting adjusted as a kid.  I settled myself knowing that my 521 location would be passed down to another generation of chiropractors at some point.

But it won’t be passed down and I am certain it will get rented to another amazing business other than a chiropractor.  There won’t be little ones roaming the halls there waiting for their adjustments years from now and far beyond when I am retired like I always thought there would be.

But truly we are moving home.  I cannot describe the feeling of our new building, affectionately known as “Big Blue”, except for it is home.  I got a little choked up as I was counting down the final adjustments in the Leroy location but I could sit here now in full on tears to know that we are moving home.

This is home.

I have had a recurring dream over the past 20 years that has driven me to this exact location.  Watch for a Facebook LIVE tomorrow, Friday September 14th, as I share that beautiful story.

How did I get here?  How did this all happen?  How on Earth am I moving my practice and my livelihood to my dream location, no literally the space inside of my dream?  We have a lot of work ahead of us in the next 72 hours as we transition the office to be ready for the practice on Monday, but it is all worth it to move home.

 

 

ENDURANCE

I am fully convinced endurance is the key to success.

I have run marathons, half-marathons and climbed to the rooftop of Africa.  I have done triathlons, 60-90 minute Dr Erica Peabody - Don't Die With Your Daypack - Chiropractor Fenton Michiganextreme hot yoga classes and 50 mile bike rides and ran a thriving family chiropractic office for 14 years.  I endured 10 years of school beyond high school and driven 3,000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska to Atlanta, Georgia.  I have spent countless hours studying, during school and since by doctorate degree and taken many long plane rides, longest being 26 hour plane ride from Detroit to Kilimanjaro.

I never realized just how much endurance has played into my equation for success until a few months ago.

I was sitting down for lunch with one of my mentors in Florida and he says “I am really proud of you.”  He then continues, “Anyone can work hard enough and earn the degree but not many can really do what it takes to run the business the way you have and succeeded in practice and kept that kind of energy doing it all by yourself.”

Here is a clue to my internal workings, I just expect that of myself and I do not give myself an “out” to not do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.  …and that goes for every area of my life.

I was shocked when he said that mostly for the simple fact of the expectations I set on myself but when I really do look back and see how far I have come I have done this all on my own.  Granted I do have an INCREDIBLE support network in my life for sure that pick me up, dust me off and give me a kick in the rear to get going again.  I have to take a

Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Endurance - Dr Erica Peabody

moment to thank my amazing team Nikki, Teri, Stephanie and Laura – you ladies make this entire dream worth living and working so hard for!!!!  THANK YOU!!!  THANK YOU!!!  THANK YOU!!!!

One week prior to that trip to Florida, I was presented with an incredible business opportunity.  The evening before this particular lunch with my mentor, Mike and I were out to dinner and I got wind that the opportunity was actually a reality if I wanted it for the taking.

So I jumped.

I had no idea that the words that my mentor said at that time about my endurance for what I am doing would ring truer and louder than ever before in my life.  I had no idea how much that trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro would help me the past 3 months.  I had no idea that Chicago Marathon in 2005 and all the half marathons and all those miles training out on the trails to prep for those grueling 26.2 and 13.1 miles would help me through this time in my life since March.

As I endured 6 months in that walking boot last year and 3-4 trips to the gym still training, some would chime in and ask “what are you training for now?”

“I am training for LIFE!”  was always my answer.

Yes I have had road races and triathlons and trek and swims and hikes that I have trained for in the past, I have

Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - The Second Strap - Dr Erica Peabody

always had something in front of me that would inspire me daily to keep going…but I had no idea it was all for these past 3 months.  The meetings, emails, lists, meetings, emails and more lists, along with straight up execution on all of these things day in and day out aside from my newly engaged life and busy practice…this is what I have been training for.  If I am totally honest, I have developed slight PTSD opening my email these days in fear of one more list, one more thing, one more meeting that will need to be tended to.

And I still have yet to birth my own children and raise my own family…I hear that takes some serious endurance and I am certain that this time in my life is just mere preparation for those next steps too.

Patients ask me all the time, “What is your next big adventure?”  “What is the next mountain you are going to climb?”  Little did you know I have been climbing one of the biggest mountains in my life and you are all right along side me.

All of this “talking in code” and not being able to disclose this information has been a multiplying factor for the endurance of this climb.  I love being able to bounce ideas off of my people, my board of directors especially, and share.  I feel like when I share I am able to download and reprocess things inside of my mind and being and create some form of order.  I have been unable to do that due to the nature of this incredible plan. Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Endurance - Dr Erica Peabody

HOLY COW DOC!?!?!?!??!!!!!!  Are you leaving us?????  Nope I am here and setting even deeper roots into the Fenton community than ever before.  I am more here than I have ever been before.  I am more excited than I have ever been before.  I am more charged up about life and living and serving than ever before.  We are taking things up to a whole new level and are going to be able to be a beacon of light, a true heartbeat of health and wellness inside of our community and although I need another week or so to really share the plans, trust me it is really, really good and worth all the endurance.Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Endurance - Dr Erica Peabody

Now if you possibly think I could tackle something like this on my own…well thank you and yes I probably could, however I wouldn’t want to without the greatest partner in life walking shoulder to shoulder right at my side.  He props me up, he settles me down, he charges me up and knocks me on my behind when I need it.  He has been a solid driving force since our day one together however even more so now that this kind of rubber is meeting the road and this kind of traction is needed.  There were a few moments during this process that I had to consider if I would do something like this on my own…the answer us YES I would and could and will if necessary.  But in saying all that, I am so so grateful, ever so grateful to you my Love.  Thanks for everything Babe.  Good thing he is a three-time Ironman, I knew endurance was part of the fabric he was cut from since the start.

Stay tuned!!!  It is just getting good.

LAUGHTER

Laughter helps everything.

There has been a lot going on in life lately, all of it really good stuff but keeping laughter at the forefront of it all helps everything! Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Laughter - Dr Erica Peabody

For Memorial Day weekend, Mike and I headed up north to be with my family.  On Saturday we decided to kayak/canoe/float the Betsie River which runs right by my parent’s house.  It was a beautiful day, quite warm for late May in Northern Michigan and it felt great to get out on the river.  I always forget how relaxing and healing a nice float down the river is until I am on it.

Mike insisted that I just relax in the front of the tandem kayak and not paddle and that he had it all handled.  I trusted him completely and he gave me very little reason not to…at least for the first part of the trip.

We had rented a sit-on-top kayak from Crystal Adventures.  The adventure company owners advised that we bring one of their dry sacks with us on the boat and I said “It is nearly impossible to tip one of those things over but we will for sure take one.”

Famous.  Last.  Words.

Mike did and incredible job (THANKS BABE!!!) at navigating the river until one tricky part.  I was so used to sitting back and taking in the scenery that I did not see it coming and I don’t think he did either.  A big tree branch was down in the water and in very slow motion, I remember being in total disbelief it was even happening, the kayak got stuck, the current was super strong and tipped us right over.  I grabbed the stuff that I could and the rest headed down the river to be retrieved by other family members.  We were both soaked in clothes not necessarily planned for dunking in the river but laughing.  I am not sure what else there was to do but laugh.  Mike felt bad but was Best Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - Laughter - Dr Erica Peabodyalso sort of bruised up.  I had some scratches and bruises and we just laughed and went on our merry way.

Around the bend, my brothers were whispering to each other “That must really be the right guy for her if she was that calm, cool, collected and both of them were just laughing.”  They were pretty shocked at our response to the whole thing.

All the weekends, and weeks for that matter, are spent managing things, handling projects and making things happen.  This past weekend was no exception as we framed and wired an entire basement at one of my rental properties.  It is a rather large space and a lot of work.  We finished the project around 10pm on Sunday and were wrapping everything up, finishing laundry and loading the dishwasher.  We sat down in the living room for a few minutes and as we were heading up to bed, Mike put a couple things in the sink.  As he stepped up to the sink, something felt strange.  Looking down was the view in the picture below!

You see, neither of us has had a dishwasher in our lives for over a year.  I am not sure how he did it but mistook liquid dish soap for dishwasher soap and the kitchen was filling up with bubbles.  I just start laughing.  First off, we are old enough and know better, or at least I thought we did.  But secondly, we have both missed having dishwashers in our homes so much it has been something we have looked so forward to!Best Chiropractor Fenton MIchigan - Laughter - Dr Erica Peabody

Here he is standing in ankle deep suds from putting the wrong cleaning product into the dishwasher and bubbles and spewing out the sides and continue to flow.  I am laughing so hard at this point that I think I am actually making him a little irritated.  Through laughter “BABE!!!!  How on Earth did you do this???” both on hands and knees cleaning up the floor.  (Side note: our kitchen floor is extra shiny and nice now!!)

We pretty much laughed ourselves to sleep that night.

Laughter helps everything!!!  Truly lightens the mood, shifts the tone and make it all better.  Mike and I do a lot of laughing together all the time, life is just too short to be any other way.

Look around in your life.  Are there areas you can laugh more?  Are there things you can laugh about instead of get angry or irritated with?  How can you choose laughter more through your days?  We only get one chance in this life!!!  Let’s have some FUN!!!!