Surviving my 20s and Life in the Scenic City.

Vanezza is a Midwestern gal transplanted from the city life back to small town Iowa. She lives in Iowa Falls in a super rad stone house on a limestone cliff along the Iowa River. She's a wonderful dog mom to #cocothebeagle & #jojotheterrier & wife to this dude named Michael. She's seeking out the greatness of the scenic city while trying to survive her 20s. Stay tuned.

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Life: It goes on.

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

- Robert Frost

A year ago I would not have thought so. Life has come a long way since then. I did not think I would or could ever get back to happiness. I can honestly say, I am happy. And that is the best feeling.

I am so thankful for family and friends who were there for the long haul. Without your support and encouragement, I would not have made it. That low point in my life seems like such a blur now, in fact, I can look back at a couple parts with humor.

Living back in small town Iowa has been different and challenging at times, but getting to pursue my dreams and doing what I love is worth the trade off. I have met some pretty cool people and joined an art club that I really enjoy. Plus, I live in the raddest house and I never get tired of my backyard view of the Iowa River!

I venture back to Des Moines whenever I need a city fix. My friends are still there and are still awesome! :-)

I enjoy being around my family and watching my little sister grow up. I have fallen in love again with my husband. Our relationship hasn't been this good in years. It is incredible what a little time can do and the best feeling to be able to say that.

As my dad says, "Shit happens and you just move on, you have to."

Life can definitely knock you down and make you feel like you just cannot go on. BUT you must try to find the best in every situation no matter how terrible it is.

I have also learned about forgiveness. It is not always easy, but it is what helps you move on. You cannot dwell on the past, the energy used to do so is not worth it. (This was something I struggled with a lot, but I have learned that it is vital & necessary and does make a difference.)

Life goes on and it does get better with time. Results might not produce as quickly as you want them to, but they do eventually show up. Take it from one of the most impatient people you will ever meet, if I can do it--you can too.

--V

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Out with the bad.

I think it's safe to say winter is finally coming to a close. The sun is shining, snow is melting and traces of ground are starting to peek through. Spring ahead happened yesterday and a new season is just around the corner!

I let my healthy habits stray away from me these last few months. BUT I'm done with that. I'm moving onto a NO EXCUSES ATTITUDE. I'm incorporating this will my health, wellness, and organizational skills--or lack there of. I'm tired of feeling gross, exhausted, and unorganized. I'm ready to start fresh: get fit, healthy and accomplish a lot!

I purged my cupboards & pantry last night and worked out for the first time this morning in I don't know long. I'm already sore...but this is what I need to do and I'm sticking to it!

Here's to Day 1! I'll keep you updated along the way.

--V

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#%*! YOU Winter, #%*! YOU!!!

Well, we're officially into March and you would never guess that spring is supposedly just around the corner. It's still a damn frozen tundra here and I'm over it!! And so is everyone else! I don't know what's worse: the fact that it's only 3 degrees out, yet feels like -8 OR that the snow is frozen to the ground so hard that Iowa probably won't be fully thawed out until July?!

The snow is no longer pretty. It's just a pain in the ass! Side walks can't be scooped, my deck door barely opens and closes, our wood pile requires a hammer and chisel just to separate the logs, and I've gone through 3, yes THREE ice scrapers this season! 

I've fallen down more times than I can count, been home-bound for days and have had my car chiseled out of my driveway twice. Bundling up has been a serious understatement and no amount of layers provide adequate warmth.

PLEASE spring, get here soon before I freeze to death!

--V

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It's okay to hang out with older ladies! (Sometimes, it's best!)

Booze & soup night was a success last night at my grandma-in-law's house. So good to see so many ladies that I haven’t seen in years. We laughed, we drank (drank some more), we ate soup—delicious soup, & we caught up! Lovely.

I also learned that when you drive home hours later & get pulled over by a state patrol (2 blocks from your house—what are the odds?!) for a license plate light out, just be completely honest—because how many twenty-something’s spend their Friday night eating potato soup with a bunch of post-menopausal women? You can’t make this stuff up people!

***side note (also mentioning how you ate like 6 fudge brownies with frosting scores some “well she hasn’t been out drinking” points too!)

—V

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The 8 Things You Don't Need To Stress Out About In Your 20s | Elite Daily

Happiness: something everyone hopes to achieve in his or her lifetime. Such a simple concept, yet many have trouble realizing how to obtain it.

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A quarter century is almost up.

In about two weeks I'll be 26. TWENTY-SIX!! I'm not ready, but I'm never ready to grow older. I've encountered a lot of life crazy during my 25th year of life. I hadn't really envisioned the way it has turned out so far, but I'm not much of a planner. I've learned that shit happens and you deal. Life can be quite insane, but you must try to make the best of it. People deserve second chances. Death happens A LOT. I've lost many incredible people over the course of seven years--all who have shaped me in some way.

With all that said I've decided to take a new course throughout this blog. I will still showcase life (my life) in Iowa Falls, but I also want to include how I'm dealing with life as a twenty-something. It's not a walk in the park, unless I cross the swinging bridge...

--V

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A case of the winter blues.

I've been in Iowa Falls a little over 2 months now. It's been an adjustment. I wouldn't say I'm in love. Sometimes, I flat out HATE it. BUT I keep reminding myself and so do my friends and family that IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO MONTHS!! Things take time. Life takes time. There will be ups and downs. But it will be okay. Life is not perfect, but hey, what is? I'll admit, I've had a few melt downs. They are expected. And this damn winter! Worst one to date. When it's not a frozen tundra, it's grey skies for days. A constant combination of the two is bound to make even the happiest person crazy!

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Washington Bridge from the park. ⛅️ #iowafalls #iowariver (at Assembly Park)

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"Visages" Pat Clark Art Collection

Last night I went to an art opening for works owned by Pat Clark at the Carnegie-Ellsworth Building. An Iowa Falls native, Pat now resides in California, but visits periodically to share pieces from her collection. "Visages" was a display of different works that portrayed faces. Each piece was unique and shared a story of how she acquired and/or a memory related to the work. She shared memories of her past about worldwide travels and incorporated humor whenever she could. Pat was a pleasure to meet and to share the love of art with.

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Winter gloom has hidden beauty. #iowafalls #nofilter

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It's still winter, but I never get tired of this view. ❄️❄️ #iowafalls #iowariver #stonehouse (at 1014 Rocksylvania)

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Silver-grey this time. Thanks Lisa! #weeklynails

One of my friends, Lisa Leibold, does nails at Salon Underground in town. We do the typical lady chatter and gossip about nothing while I get a lovely manicure. :-) Check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lisaleiboldsnails

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Newest obsession: almond chocolate milk.

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Today I conquered a fear & walked on the #iowariver. Even got a little footage of the #stonehouse in the clip. (The part that’s not included is me hugely biffing it in my driveway as soon as I got back…my palms hurt as I type this) #beatingcabinfever #riverwalk (at Suspension Bridge)

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Preparing for the brutal cold ahead. Meteorologists predict some of the coldest winter weather in years for the next couple of days. Many schools have already scheduled closings for Monday. Bundle up Midwesterners, we're in for some subzero temps & frostbite. Stay warm my friends! ❄️❄️ #iowawinter #midwestfreezer

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Just a little brisk afternoon walk. #iowafalls #iowawinter (at Suspension Bridge)

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Getting back on track.

It’s so easy to put off healthy habits. Especially when one is so busy. I’ve gotten so far off of the healthy wagon, that I haven’t felt very good for quite awhile. Eating poorly, not exercising, poor sleeping habits…my body is ready to get back to feeling good again and so am I! After a conversation last night with my husband and today with my aunt-in-law, I’ve decided to cut the crap and get back into shape. Eating & healthy and getting fit are both important to me and I want to feel good again. So here’s to Day 1 of healthy eating & exercise. Plus, it’s 16 degrees outside (a heat wave compared to yesterday) so I have no excuse to not go on a walk, right?

—V