One year ago Bossy was packing up her Saturn to embark on a 35-day 10,000 mile road trip, alone, to meet people face-to-face she knew only through her comment section.
If you haven’t read Bossy’s day-by-day account of her trip, you really should.
It begins here, and at the bottom of each daily entry is a next post link, which makes it easy to travel with Bossy across Philadelphia, D.C., Richmond, Atlanta, Orlando, Tallahassee, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Oklahoma, Albuquerque, Scottsdale, San Diego, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Eugene, Portland, Seattle, Boise, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Madison, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cleveland, with a special shout out to Rawlins Wyoming.
It’s a tale of fried pickles, Birkenstock interventions, pool halls, fog, lost frown lines, husbands named Joe, support stockings, hyperventilation, lost aviators, Dr. Oz’s nose whistle, melancholy, avalanche advisories, husbands named Eddie, fried green beans, carpal tunnel feet, dehydrated Stroganoff, robot dancing, husbands named Andre, and 2 a.m. sliders with fried onions — don’t miss it!
It was a gargantuan effort — driving an average of seven hours a day and then communing with dynamic people every night — and Bossy has never been more exhausted or more happy in her life.
Bossy could sum up her experience this way:
Truck stop bathrooms included, ’twas an experience of a lifetime.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy about something you accomplished that, when looking back, you can’t believe you pulled off?
Just something that makes you proud. It can be travel-related, job-related, school-related, fitness-related, family-related, or related-related.
And don’t forget to check back later today for the most pride-inducing accomplishments on the web.
BOSSY says
March 24, 2009 at 7:42 amGraduating college in mid-thirties with two kids at home.
BOSSY says
March 24, 2009 at 7:43 amPulling straight As in college with two kids at home.
sugarpie says
March 24, 2009 at 7:54 amHelped my dad through long illness and death without losing it.
BlinkBlink says
March 24, 2009 at 8:05 amGraduated from college. Moved to California on a whim – THRIVED.
Acher says
March 24, 2009 at 8:13 amHubby and I bought first home at just barely 25…
delilah says
March 24, 2009 at 8:14 amafter c-section, birthed 8.8# baby, no epidural, huge head. w00t!
hulagirlatheart says
March 24, 2009 at 8:19 amHalf marathon on ice uphill all the way inadequate training.
Bossy's friend Amy says
March 24, 2009 at 8:21 amafter three tries – i quit smoking – and i’ve been smoke free for 10 years!
MemeGRL says
March 24, 2009 at 8:28 amBirthed ten pound ten ounce baby with no anesthesia–unplanned.
Landed dream job at age 23; loved it eleven years.
Married the man of my dreams after pining a decade.
Not necessarily in that order!
janny226 says
March 24, 2009 at 8:38 amMoving to NYC with job offer, potential roommate’s phone number.
mandible says
March 24, 2009 at 8:41 amMoved from Pittsburgh to Charleston sight unseen – it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Deborah Non Blogger says
March 24, 2009 at 8:46 amI can’t believe I’ve been reading Bossy for a year!
Aimee says
March 24, 2009 at 8:47 amGraduated early from University of Michigan single Mom
Meg says
March 24, 2009 at 8:52 amThree pregnancies, three healthy boys
Lucky me batted a thousand.
Meg says
March 24, 2009 at 8:53 amDad died when I was 14
I survived and thrived.
chocolatechic says
March 24, 2009 at 8:58 amHomeschooling the boy through graduation, he is now on the Dean’s list at college.
Lauren says
March 24, 2009 at 8:58 amGraduated high school at 16, college at 19, married at 20.
K says
March 24, 2009 at 9:01 amTyrannical advisor, crappy locale, finished PhD and got a job.
Homebirth, posterior baby, ohshitmyback HURTS, nearly eleven pound boy. Beautiful.
(the PhD hurt more).
Alwyn says
March 24, 2009 at 9:08 amQuit job, moved to Mexico with two kids…just because.
well read hostess says
March 24, 2009 at 9:12 ammoved to Montana with my dog and nothing else.
merrymishaps says
March 24, 2009 at 9:23 amFinishing my first triathlon last summer – faster than I expected!
Alison says
March 24, 2009 at 9:27 amHelping my mother’s through dimentia and being by her side when she died.
carson says
March 24, 2009 at 9:27 amJumped off the ladder, moved to New Mexico, became rancherwoman.
Lisa says
March 24, 2009 at 9:28 amLived.Then thrived after hellabuse childhood.Hope, faith, inner strength.
jennifer says
March 24, 2009 at 9:36 amMarried.Baby.Divorce.Did it alone.Strong, powerful, noman’s woman.
janet says
March 24, 2009 at 9:42 amThirty-three state foster children (all babies) over ten years.
The Domestic Goddess says
March 24, 2009 at 9:42 amDrove across the US to Utah. With two autistic kids.
BT says
March 24, 2009 at 9:48 am1998: cycled Minneapolis-Chicago for AIDS. Amazing for many reasons.
Jessie says
March 24, 2009 at 9:48 am19 and In charge with mom dying. Made me strong.
Spruce Hill says
March 24, 2009 at 9:50 ambreast cancer age of 41, mastectomy,chemo kicked it’s ass!
http://sprucehill.typepad.com/
Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarm says
March 24, 2009 at 9:54 amCorporate Slave to owning business with husband best decision EVER!
Audubon Ron says
March 24, 2009 at 10:01 amYes, I danced with Amercian Ballet Theater for two years.
Elle M says
March 24, 2009 at 10:02 amTold public school to frack off, educating two at home.
Debby says
March 24, 2009 at 10:03 amTwo babies, 15 months apart. Husband gone 24/7 company IPO
Jenny says
March 24, 2009 at 10:05 amHappily married 6 years despite many hurdles – damn economy.
Black Hockey Jesus says
March 24, 2009 at 10:10 amStarted a blog. Life ain’t nuthin but bitches and money.
JJHappyday says
March 24, 2009 at 10:12 amJoined Weight Watchers, battled through hunger, lost 55 pounds! Yeah!
Debbie says
March 24, 2009 at 10:21 amBreakdown. Psych ward. Two weeks. Great therapist changed my life!
Heather says
March 24, 2009 at 10:31 amPassed 3 hour oral PhD candidacy exam before 6 faculty.
Jamie says
March 24, 2009 at 10:34 amMade NBA dance team. Turns out? Not fun! Who knew?
Dharmamama says
March 24, 2009 at 10:37 amUnschooling despite being single mom. Still pulling that off, actually.
Madness says
March 24, 2009 at 10:44 amFollowed Bossys roadtrip didnt pack up and join her .. woulda!
Kirsten says
March 24, 2009 at 10:51 amTossup between the gutsy divorce and becoming a certified divemaster.
DebbyABQ says
March 24, 2009 at 10:53 amyear of night school for massage therapy license age 45!
Bellamomma says
March 24, 2009 at 11:02 amtoddler and baby, WOOTHM, 3.8gpa, degree in 2 more years.
(WOOTHM = Work Outside Of The Home Mom)
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
March 24, 2009 at 11:10 amBack to school in 40s–will graduate in May. Yay!
enigma says
March 24, 2009 at 11:13 amSanity in check after: husband’s death, three sons, work & school.
Kait says
March 24, 2009 at 11:22 am14 hour life change, still surviving. Childfree to two kids two and under unexpectedly.
Jenni D says
March 24, 2009 at 11:27 amAge 41 and, what the heck, had one more baby!
SnowWhitemommy says
March 24, 2009 at 11:30 amLived & worked in Japan, alone at 22, loved it!
Lori says
March 24, 2009 at 11:49 amWent to Kabul in April 2001, loved it, got out.
MamaMo says
March 24, 2009 at 11:52 amJumped out of an airplane – freefall – pull – (scared of heights!)
renee in seattle says
March 24, 2009 at 11:55 amAdopted child with disability. We are better people for it.
Amelia says
March 24, 2009 at 11:58 amHad five dollars, one suitcase, one infant. Left husband. Hooray!
~annie says
March 24, 2009 at 12:00 pmThrown into single parenthood when my daughter was only 11 months old and now – at nearly 18 – she’s still in one piece! And so am I.
Marjorie of Connecticut says
March 24, 2009 at 12:14 pmOrganized seamless West End cast party. Ended near dawn. Smashing!
Reeb says
March 24, 2009 at 12:17 pmSolo travel: Kosovo, one month after 9/11. Nerve-wracking. Got there.
(SwissAir went belly-up, then revived just in time. Got home.)
Reeb says
March 24, 2009 at 12:19 pmLove “THRIVE”!! Go BlinkBlink/4, Meg/15, Lisa/24, Bossy, all of you!
Vanessa says
March 24, 2009 at 12:23 pmTook in 3 cousins, aunt now 5 years clean & sober.
Niki says
March 24, 2009 at 12:26 pmLost 60 lbs. Walked half marathon. Now running miles!
MariaV says
March 24, 2009 at 12:29 pmworked full-time, school full-time, graduated in four, top of class
Becca says
March 24, 2009 at 12:40 pmDrove to Alaska with my dog and two cats, PHEW!
Shelley says
March 24, 2009 at 12:49 pmJust drove from Phoenix to Denver and back. I’m exhausted!
Spinoff says
March 24, 2009 at 12:50 pmPeace Corps in Costa Rica. Honkin’ big flying cockroaches–wheee!
Shelley says
March 24, 2009 at 12:50 pmLost 40 lbs two years ago. It found me again.
bonnie says
March 24, 2009 at 1:01 pmthree children under six, full time job, graduated business school
Katie says
March 24, 2009 at 1:07 pmThree cities, two countries, one week — all on my own.
tuesday says
March 24, 2009 at 1:11 pmalone with 3 kids while husband worked for 6 months
Melanie says
March 24, 2009 at 1:18 pmFinishing college, surviving a marriage with a (then) drug addict.
Suzanne says
March 24, 2009 at 1:33 pmEdinburgh (Scotland) Fringe Festival, 14 plays, seven weeks, rotating repertory
Suzanne says
March 24, 2009 at 1:36 pmDrove LA to DC in 3.5 days, saw pregnant sister
Maria says
March 24, 2009 at 1:37 pmI pee’ed squatting for three weeks in India.
Franca Bollo says
March 24, 2009 at 1:45 pmCompleted marathon — up and down hills of SF, no less.
Dr. Liz says
March 24, 2009 at 1:47 pmMoved in with to-be-hubby after two weeks; thriving!
Kerri Anne says
March 24, 2009 at 1:50 pmStaying close to friends who live countries away from me.
Kym says
March 24, 2009 at 2:27 pmQuit smoking – smell sweet, save money, a slight weight gain.
Diane G says
March 24, 2009 at 2:27 pmBirthing 10+lb. baby, 38 hrs labor, after: felt like Superwoman.
martha in mobile says
March 24, 2009 at 2:28 pmCalifornia hippie vegetarian moved to Alabama. Still alive = success.
Unemployed Susan says
March 24, 2009 at 2:48 pmFigured my way out of debilitating panic attacks without meds.
Clair says
March 24, 2009 at 3:02 pmHelped dad through end of life without freaking out (yet).
Caroline says
March 24, 2009 at 3:07 pmMoved our family of eight from South Carolina to Hawaii.
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Sharon says
March 24, 2009 at 3:13 pmRaised 3 kids, by myself, who became fabulous human beings.
Lynn in Tucson says
March 24, 2009 at 3:15 pmLeft for Alaska to work on a fishing boat.
Lisa says
March 24, 2009 at 3:22 pmYou have all outdone yourselves!! Me married, children so happy!
Kate says
March 24, 2009 at 3:30 pmTook on school board. Lost, but son knows I fought.
Domestic Goddess (in training) says
March 24, 2009 at 3:33 pmAin’t done nothin’ I’m proud of yet… I’m still young.
Dawn in Austin says
March 24, 2009 at 3:36 pmSingle mom, bought house when no one said I could.
sherry says
March 24, 2009 at 3:43 pmHitchhiked from MA to CO; didn’t meet any serial killers!
Almudena says
March 24, 2009 at 3:58 pmProud to be his wife – seven years and still counting.
Liz says
March 24, 2009 at 4:11 pmSaved money under a bed and moved across the country.
Liz says
March 24, 2009 at 4:15 pmAnd my second favorite:
Packed up and left mean boyfriend instead of marrying him.
Regina says
March 24, 2009 at 4:23 pmBeautiful Baby Daughter
Pride of my life
All Credit MINE!
dgm says
March 24, 2009 at 4:33 pmTaught myself to do a backhandspring when I was ten.
rory says
March 24, 2009 at 4:39 pmThe very first time I sailed our boat all alone.
Robynn's Ravings says
March 24, 2009 at 4:47 pm35 Breast Infections, Nursed Two Babies Anyway, Healthy GORGEOUS teens.
Firefighter Rory J. says
March 24, 2009 at 4:48 pmBurning building; saved his life. Damn near died doing it.
(Also, who’s that “rory” above?)
AuntBaaa says
March 24, 2009 at 4:58 pmTwenty two hour labor.
Huge relief.
Beautiful, pink baby boy!
Leslie Miller says
March 24, 2009 at 5:08 pmKids: College, Husband leaves, Alone but find my passion; dancing.
karen l says
March 24, 2009 at 5:09 pmReplaced disposal, then ice maker in fridge – me & my sis!
Camille says
March 24, 2009 at 5:15 pmWorked as nanny in Belgium for five amazing months. *Sigh.*
RuthWells says
March 24, 2009 at 5:52 pmRaised over $10k for PKD research last year. Which rocks.
anne marie in philly says
March 24, 2009 at 5:54 pmhaving the guts to move out on my first husband.
Beth in DC says
March 24, 2009 at 6:06 pm$35,000 in credit card debt – 16 years, now all gone!
Carol M says
March 24, 2009 at 6:17 pmSelf-defense class. Only one to break boards with my foot.
Jane says
March 24, 2009 at 6:24 pmHome birth after a C-Section. Two healthy boys!
Peg says
March 24, 2009 at 6:39 pmTurned 50, went to Paris, rented apartment, studied at LeCordonBleu.
Ash says
March 24, 2009 at 6:40 pmMoved to Guam, Ate lots of fresh fish, LOVED IT!
TamiW says
March 24, 2009 at 6:49 pmBattled breast cancer, took in step daughter, survived both events.
Well Read Hostess says
March 24, 2009 at 7:18 pmI already submitted my ten words, but I’m back reading other people’s responses.
This is a beautiful thing. I am generally a hard hearted chocolate covered bitch and cynic, but the sum of these responses has moved me to tears. This list should be required reading for everybody.
Wow. There are a lot of cool people in Bossy’s World.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
March 24, 2009 at 7:25 pm1. I survived last year which ought to have killed me.
2. My silly blog spawned wonderful friendships and a Blog Fest.
3. If I survive my own Blog Fest, what an accomplishment.
Alissa says
March 24, 2009 at 8:02 pmTook over current job from totally incompeted bureaucrat!
Emily says
March 24, 2009 at 8:11 pmLaid off, 3 weeks temping, rehired better job (same company)
The Mister says
March 24, 2009 at 8:58 pmAt the age of, 19 we started a music festival
Mr Farty says
March 24, 2009 at 9:05 pmFell in love, got married, raised a son and daughter.
julie says
March 24, 2009 at 9:08 pm1. 2006 no topic, St Louis, baby. 2007, PhD, job, toddler.
2. Shipped my heart to Guatemala, son home after 11 months.
swistle says
March 24, 2009 at 9:16 pmFlew cross-country with baby and three cats. Two layovers.
Adriana O. says
March 24, 2009 at 9:56 pmWas interviewed on TV about a volunteering project I created.
Liz H says
March 24, 2009 at 10:01 pm4 triathlons and phd defense and empty nest in 2007.
Cheryl K. Bennett says
March 24, 2009 at 10:25 pmAre you happy? I just sat and read your entire trip! I haven’t been reading your for very long…this is my first comment. A gal I work with @ IU sent your blog to me and thought I might enjoy it because she knows that I enjoy spying, er, reading about other people’s lives.
o.k. I gotta get to bed now.
You really got Saturn to sponsor you? How did you do that? hugs, Cheryl in IN (Whosyergurl)
kel says
March 24, 2009 at 10:45 pmtwo humbling, healing, joyful homebirths–now i can do ANYTHING
Blackbeards Wyfe says
March 24, 2009 at 11:06 pmWe moved over the Christmas Holidays; tree and all. I don’t recommend it!!
frivolousone says
March 24, 2009 at 11:07 pmRunning and finishing Honolulu marathon, only training for five months.
country mouse comes unhinged says
March 24, 2009 at 11:10 pmOrganized prom for homeschooled kids. They loved it and me : )
crunchmunch says
March 24, 2009 at 11:21 pmFinished phd with two babies–much library breastfeeding –WORTH IT!!!
Queenoqueens says
March 25, 2009 at 12:41 amMade it through 124 comments of very, very inspired reading. Best comments section ever!
Lisa says
March 25, 2009 at 2:23 amFifteen years at home with kids, now movie costume designer.
Catherine McP says
March 25, 2009 at 3:12 amTonight MN daughters b-day, CaveCreek AZ restaurant party, Shes here!
BOSSY says
March 25, 2009 at 6:12 amRead the comments; proud Bossy started this Ten-Word idea.
Sven says
March 25, 2009 at 9:04 pmMoved to Australia with no job or money. Still here.
Dharmamama says
March 27, 2009 at 1:44 pmWishing all commenters had blogs so I could read more.