Fall?!?

Hello, Fall. 

We've been not-so patiently waiting.

We're getting a bounce into higher temps next week, but mornings look reasonable.

Yes, yea, hallelujah.

I'm hiking a hard hike this morning. I'm registered for this same hike next week with the hiking club to have a qualifier hike before I attempt the D5 hikes at the end of October. (Today's hike is a D4.) I've never hiked a D5 and it feels a bit scary. I haven't hiked this D4 hike in a very long time though so I need refresher before the timed qualifier. 

Anyway ... here's an update on things big and small ...

Bookstore and lunch was really nice. We have deep, interesting conversations. She's a life coach and you can tell. 

Fall garden is mostly planted.

I donated another 4 pounds of peppers to the food bank.

My new car is already ready, but we're not picking up until next week. We have our grandson for the weekend so the car will wait. 

Life has felt a bit off kilter for a couple of months. Physically, mentally -- probably feeding off each other. It feels like I'm turning the corner (slowly). 

Modifying my calendar is helping. October is more open, more time for quiet me things (like hiking to build up to the D5). Prioritizing what matters to me. The trick is to keep it this way.

I've been noticing ways to modify decisions. Maybe it's not a full yes, but it's a partial yes. (I can't do lunch, but I'll meet you for shopping -- that kind of thing.)

I'm regularly doing upper arm Peloton classes to build up again. Pilates is on hold until I get stronger and my neck settles down. I don't have the pain down my arm anymore, but my neck is so dang stiff. I don't want to get injured minute one on the reformer (or ever *knocks wood*).

It looks like the 2 places that I'm interested in taking Pilates, both offer a starter package of 3 private classes. I'm going to stop into both and get a vibe about the place before I make a decision. I have it slated for October, but I might delay until November because of the focus on hiking. Who knows, if I get really into the Peloton platform, maybe I don't try Pilates. My PT says Peloton has everything I need. 

Seems to me, that the stiller I am (aka the more quiet spaces), the better I decide what's right for me. Catch 22 scenario. Forego the quiet, fill the calendar with too many "junk" things, then no time for quiet, and the circle continues. 

Sometimes I forget to use my agency too. I run on autopilot. Even small things. 

I'm stuck behind 3 library books that aren't interesting me right now. I've been on hold for them for a long time and now that they're available, I'm not in the mood. I decided to return them, knowing I can take them out again if the mood strikes. Reading came to a hard stop because I felt I "should" read the books, but wasn't choosing to read when I had the opportunity. A number of my library holds are books that I'm not sure I'll love anyway (hence the library instead of purchasing). 

That's probably enough for today. 

Even though it's cooler today, I don't want to hike too late. 

Have a good day. 

Oh, my grandson comes tonight and I might not have morning time until Monday. If I'm MIA, it's because I'm playing cars and trucks instead lol.

Later gators. 

I'm a Mess

Power went on/off throughout the storm, but never stayed out -- phew. The drive to court was crazy though. I had no idea storms were in the area. The drip pans held the roof leak. 

I got a few things off the to-do list -- the big ones. That's always a relief. 

I've been looking for a toddler kitchen stool on FB Marketplace. They're pricey though, even on Marketplace. I found one yesterday for $30 (price reduced) a mile from my house. Someone ghosted the pickup earlier so I grabbed it last night. Exactly what I was looking for -- slim, adjustable. Bonus that it's white. Christmas cookie decorating with my grandson this year -- love, love!!

Did I mention I've been eating a country loaf of bread that I sliced and froze. I thought it was the GF bread. It isn't and I'm full on suffering for it. Joints, mood, night sweats (that's from the heavy white carbs, not gluten). My fault. I have a number of loafs sliced from various farmer's markets, etc and I got mixed up. I forgot I gave the GF bread to my DIL. 

I'm cleaning up my calendar. Working on getting a better balance. And I seem to be totally sabotaging my days by eating like crap. The bread mistake aside, I've been snacking and way over eating dinner. I feel it in my body and my energy. 

I swear it's some subconscious decision to give myself an excuse to slow down because I don't feel well. 

This needs to end ASAP. Today. 

I didn't calculate my morning time correctly this morning either. I forgot I need to plant the fall garden and the cleaning crew is coming early. Best get moving.

I'm a MESS (!!)

Do better than me!

Later gators.

Green

Bought a car yesterday (available in next week or so). 

GREEN (!!)

I only buy white cars with tan interior. 

Way out of the box for me and it's kind of fun. And I wonder if I'll instantly regret it lol. Not that color changes anything about how the car drives.

Anyway. I little different version of myself showed up and I like it. 

In other news, I barely touched my to-do list (car buying takes way more time than you think). 

I have a volunteer court hearing this morning and babysitting in the afternoon. I need to get 3 chores finished in-between. It's going to be TIGHT. 

I had lunch plans with my cancel friend today and guess what?!? It helps my schedule, but geez. "It's fall break and I'm needed to babysit." You found out the day before? Come on -- that's BS. We've had this lunch on the calendar for a month. I confirmed with her on Friday. Never apologizes. Never acknowledges how it might inconvenience me. 

She gave me a couple of dates and I'm not available. I didn't offer anything else. Holding space on my calendar for things that come up and she doesn't get those spaces because of her lack of commitment. We bumped out another month and I'll offer dates when it gets closer. 

I'm disappointed. And I'm happy I'm holding boundaries. Happy I'm not barking up an unavailable tree. 

I'm slowly clearing up my "too full" calendar. 

Okay, I need to go -- storms happening and we keep having the power flick off. I need to get in the shower before the court hearing. I MUST be able to blow dry my hair. Eeeek. 

Later gators. 

Hamilton at The Fox

Hamilton (!!)

It was really good (tickets were legit -- phew).

I had a mild panic at the first few rap numbers because I could barely understand a word. Turns out no one could hah! It got vastly better after that, thankfully, since the entire performance was sung. 

Loved the story, especially about his wife (and the actress's voice was incredible). The part of the King of England was my favorite -- comedic relief. 

Seats were high, but good.
Fox Theater in Atlanta.

Home to play with my grandson for a bit. We have him a lot this week and now an extra night for the weekend. Wish us luck entertaining a toddler for days and days lol, but, man, is he fun. Seems like the weather will break and we can get outside to play. Pretty please -- come on fall, you can do it!

Here's the artwork I bought from the Art Festival. I like it a lot. I'll hang it this week. It's fabric and glued metal rings. She's offering a class -- I'll check it out.

Random bit -- violet is blooming again. It was a gift from a friend. It's plant watering day -- boo. I save a favorite podcast for the occasion. It's what gets me through it -- least favorite chore. Love the plants, hate the watering process in this house.

I initially had a long hike on the calendar today, but the weather is turning in a couple of days so I bumped it. Why bother with hot and humid when "much better" is days away. 

The switch means today is a smorgasbord of things which need to be done and I'll be very glad to clean up a lot of the week's to-dos today. It'll be a push to fit it all in though.

I also slept in, or at least stayed in bed later this morning. I was awake and did a sleepy meditation before I got up. Slow, calm, quiet roll for the first bit of the morning. I'm working on bringing space and quiet and FUN back into my days. 

That's all from here. While I sometimes enjoy a later rise, it does mean it feels shockingly late already.

Have a good start to the week. Later gators. 

The Bigger Life

I chose the bigger life.

Had a fun, full day. 

Of course I did. 

It's almost always the happier choice. 

The 5K:

Cloud cover during the entire run -- sun came through when I was walking back to the car. Warm, humid, but not nearly as miserable as predicted. 

I ran okay considering. 

I CAN do better ... maybe next year. 

Two more 5Ks before the end of the year. 

One with Duke so that won't be faster.

Maybe the Turkey Trot for a PR this year??

An incredible community and event. 

Heart of the town.

Behind me at the start.

A friend volunteering.

The one arm waved.
It was welcoming everyone.

I had time after the race to stop at our local Art Festival and walk through with a friend. I bought a few things, including this whimsical mug. The artist made beautiful pottery, but this one was silly and something different. It has a great feel in my hand with the nose as a kind of handle. 

Test drove cars. Looks like there's a lead choice, but still working on some of the details. Checking it out on Monday again.

Dinner out with our neighbors. I liked the GF pasta, but the sauce was way, way too salty. That says a lot because I salt generously. I think most of the salt came from anchovies and it was sort of an off flavor to me. I've had this kind of sauce before and usually enjoy it. I'd go back, but order differently. 

I didn't feel well most of the day, but not horrible enough to let it change anything. My stomach is off this morning again and I'm a little bit stuffy. My dang ear is still clogged. 

I'm going to see Hamilton in the city with my DILs today. I'm slightly nervous because I bought tickets from a 3rd party seller. Fingers crossed it's not a scam -- it doesn't seem to be. Love a matinee. Extra love an early matinee. 

But first, a workout. Then garden time. Best get moving.

Have a great day.

Later gators.

It's Too Hot

I did the pepper donation to the local food bank -- over 4 lbs. 

It was very easy and now I have a place to share extra produce. The food bank says their clients love getting local garden grown produce. 

Then I headed to my aunt's for her neighborhood garage sale. Not as big as last year, but I got a couple of toys for my grandson and a flannel shirt for me (it was 96 out -- will I ever be able to wear it??). Drove past a state park (where I regularly hike). They put up a flag for every person lost on 9-11 (on the big anniversary years). It's a somber sight and a remembrance of a time when we came together. 

My new phone came. Hubby says I'm probably the only person in the world that hates a new phone. Spent hours trying to get everything up and running. More trouble shooting this morning since my Oura ring wasn't connecting again. Practicing the camera too -- me and Duke waking up.

P.S. This was like the 5th photo I took. The others -- whoa, where did that old lady come from hahaha. 

Angle and lighting -- takes off 20 years and 3 chins, but Duke always looks cute. 

I suppose I'll be happy that I have a working phone again, but the setup -- good lord. I still have things to re-sync and such.

This morning is the 5K in the refugee town. It's going to be 80 degrees at the start with full sun. I'm so on the fence about going. Nothing fun about running in that heat. I have to go early enough to find parking, packet pickup, and walk the swag back to my car in time for the start. All in the heat and sun. No one is going with me this year again, so I don't feel an obligation. 

Worth it?? I'm not sure. I also don't feel great -- almost like a cold coming on, but I'm not exactly sick.

Of course it's only 3 miles. I can walk as much as I want -- who cares about finishing time. I need to decide in 15 minutes so I can get out the door. 

Let me go open the door and see how humid it is -- that makes a difference. We were suppose to get storms last night to break some of the humidity, but they never came. 

I guess there's not a bad decision. I'll be fine if I don't go and happy if I do. Probably I should "choose the bigger life" and go ... but, this week's theme is backing out lol.

My afternoon is test driving cars -- I need a new one of those too. Geez. Nothing lasts long. BTW, I don't like getting a new car either and hate test driving. Technology change is overwhelming and 2 things in one month -- ugh. (And, I know, not a problem and we're very fortunate to be able to replace old things.)

Dinner plans with our neighbors. Trying a new restaurant. Italian, but they have "good" GF. 

Have a great Saturday. 

Later gators. 

Slept In

Duke had me up 4 times last night with stomach issues. 

I turned off my alarm this morning and slept until 7 o'clock. This means I'm missing the morning coffee meeting. I guess this is a week that I sag out of things. 

Maybe I needed this. Maybe I needed to reset by allowing myself to pull out of some commitments. I pull out when I'm sick. Maybe I needed this for my emotional health this week. 

When circumstances change, maybe the adjustment can sometimes be in my favor (i.e. extra morning sleep was more important than coffee today). Circumstances out of my control. Choose to be extra tired today or go to the coffee meeting as planned. I chose me today.

Coaching was good. Dare I say, I think she's better than the person running the program. Her energy and what she "offers" is thought provoking. My takeaways were some logistical suggestions and a validation that I know what I need. This requires me to do the work, make choices, etc. but helps me to trust I know what I need and I can figure out how to get it. The way she walked me through that insight was excellent. 

Lunch with my friend was nice too. 

However, the day ran away from me and I didn't get to most of my to-do list. I picked and pickled some of the peppers -- 6 pints I had in the refrigerator. This is from yesterday and I don't have enough jars or vinegar -- it's more than I did yesterday. 

Hmmm ... maybe I should try to donate to the food bank today? I have the donation app now. 

Okay, cutting this short to see if I can make that happen. 

Have a great start to the weekend.

Later gators.