Happy Halloween

I have an extra lot of NOTHING to chat about today.

Hubby is home, safe and sound.

Weather is FABULOUS, cold and crisp.

Ready for the few trick-or-treaters tonight.  Three bins, divided by type of treats, choose one.  I'll have a mask on, a book in hand and sitting on my front porch.  This passes my safety bar well.

Arm yoga today for a leg rest day.  They are jello this morning in the BEST way.  It's so nice to have tired muscles, not injured muscles.  

I have a little housecleaning today because my back was tired yesterday and too twingy to risk bending and pushing for the floors.  

That is all.  Hubby and I might take the pups somewhere.  I took them to the park yesterday since the ballfields will be crowded today.  The ground is saturated from the storm, so I'm not sure hiking is a good option yet.  Maybe a drive-thru Starbucks??

Happy Halloween.  Stay safe, be spooky.  Later gators.

Lucky Day

A lot of the area is without power and with some serious storm damage.  Boy, I'm lucky.  Power might take DAYS to be restored (a friend said Sunday night -- ugh).  We weathered the storm with some blown porch furniture and only quick power interruptions.  

I'm going to attempt a Trader Joe's run this morning.  I'm not sure if I can get there with the road closures. I called yesterday and they have power, so I'll try.

I made goodie bags for trick-or-treaters.  We won't get many (last year was 4 kids) and I'll wear a mask.  Bags for the little kids and a choice of a lanyard light stick or Halloween sunglasses for the older kids.  It's cool stuff and I hope it's a hit.  Finger puppets (animals and dinosaurs), stickers and a wind-up "monster."  No candy.  Why??  Because I didn't need the temptation during PMS week.  Also, we have no idea how many kids this year and this kind of stuff saves for next year too.  I have a lot of leftovers of the little stuff.

Hornet Flight (Ken Follett) is a great book.  He's such a fantastic author.  I've read a lot of his books -- Pillars of the Earth is a favorite.  I read World Without End too (sequel to Pillars).  He has the PREQUEL to Pillars too.  It's a mighty long book and it gets just so-so reviews.  Maybe one day, but not this year with my very, very long reading list :)  Still no JH bookclub box, but it should come in the next few days.  I have a few more days to finish Hornet Flight anyway.

I did another Peloton ride yesterday.  It's so fun!!  I'll be doing other workouts for the next couple of days, but when I ride again, I'm trying a "regular" 30 minute class to see what's different.  I think it's only how much they explain what's what.  Maybe it's harder -- I'll see with fresh legs so I should be able to do it.  I'm already riding better.  

A neighbor is having their INDOOR Halloween party tonight.  45 people going.  Stupid is as stupid does.  If just one person has COVID, they are all at significant risk.  Totally irresponsible.  It was an evite so I can see who's going and I'm surprised at some of the names.  What are you thinking??

Hubby comes home tonight.  

That's all the news from here.  Hope you are happy and with power.  Stay well.  Later gators.

The Green Dress

She ZIPS (!!)  This is a monumental milestone.  It's still too tight on the top, but I've never been able to get the zipper up.  When I started (a year ago), the zipper wouldn't move past my waist.  It goes all the way up the back and I had a moment of panic that when I zipped it that I wouldn't be able to get it unzipped.  I had visions of a walk of shame to my neighbor, but I was able to get it off easily.

Spurred on by the zipper, I FINALLY tried on the backup dress I bought for the kids' wedding.  My "real" dress was lost for about 6 months in China and then at a port in NYC and I was worried so I ordered another dress online.  I knew it wasn't close to fitting, so I never tried it on.  Sad, but true -- it's much less expensive and I actually like it a lot.  (I need to go for my other dress fitting soon.)  The "real" dress might end up being way too formal for a modified wedding.  I'll do some pictures soon (I didn't think of pictures until just now.)  The only thing that dress needs is a fancy belt -- Etsy has a lot of good options.

Well, we're getting a STORM this morning.  High winds, heavy rain and it's scary.  I wonder if we'll keep power.  It's flickering a lot.  The worst should be over in a few hours.  

Ended up doing a Costco run yesterday because I was finished with my workout and still had time to get there for opening.  The rain was light in the morning and I got stocked back up on the usual suspects.  I also got Christmas wrapping paper (we finally ran out last year) and tissue paper (that also lasted years).  In and out just as the masses arrived.

I made another batch of the veggie lentil soup -- dang, it's so tasty.  It freezes well too.

I JUST panic made a couple of espressos and full boiled my tea water in case the power goes out -- phew, gotta have my morning drinks.  Now I'm all set for any power issues :)

Taking a big turn ... here's a rambling story.  

This year has been a lot of letting go of people for me.  People who have shown themselves and they're not who I want in my life.  Letting go is a big deal for me and this year feels that much more lonely given the isolation necessity.  One of my biggest "wishes" is a community of friendships at a deeper level with people who are thoughtful and inspirational, etc.  It's hard to build "new" relationships when I'm not doing anything.

I decided to reach out to a couple of people yesterday.  This is WAY out of a comfort box for me.

The first was a woman I met through a dog adoption.  She works very closely with a refugee community in the city.  I love her activism and her kindness -- someone I'd like to know (at least a little).  We give a donation every holiday and the last few years have been to the dog rescue.  This year we'd like to help a family that has been singled out by the hatred of this current administration.  I reached out to see if she knew of a family/person who could use some help this year.  Anonymous gift.  BTW, the gift isn't about getting to know her, but reaching out to see if her community has someone in need was the out-of-the-box for me.  Since I don't know her well, I normally wouldn't have contacted her.  She already has an incredible family in the works -- fingers crossed.  

The ATL chapter of the JH bookclub has a new member who just moved from Florida.  She doesn't know anyone (what a tough time to move).  She mentioned how she loves gardening and someone in the group suggested she try Gibbs Gardens.  I decided to reach out and invite her for a walk at Gibbs.  No pressure, just a friendly invite.  This is also way out of the box for me, but I thought, she made a point to tell us all of this and maybe that was her way of being vulnerable and hoping for some connection.  We're planning next Friday -- she seemed happy for the invite.  This might not be a "friendship" but it felt good.  Reaching a hand out to someone (I now how lonely moving feels) and taking an opportunity to meet someone new is a good thing for both of us.

So, this long rambling sorry has a point.  I have no expectations that either of these "reach-outs" are anything but an isolated moment, but building ANYTHING starts with taking a step forward.  Life has been so much letting go, this felt nice to step into something new -- even if it's just ONE MOMENT of connection.  I was proud of myself for ACTING on my thoughts.  Often, I think of these things and then think I'm being silly and don't follow through.  There's a reason these thoughts keep tapping me -- not sure what the reason is, but I'm listening and ACTING on them.

Okay -- lots of chatting today as I sit through this storm.  Have a happy day and stay well.  Later gators.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

I've been to the holiday light show at night at ABG and it's beautiful.  This was my first day visit and it was underwhelming.  Nice to walk around and see some fantastical displays, but not worth the drive.  We wore masks as did everyone else (thanks, Mayor Bottoms and ATL mandate for making it safe). It wasn't crowded at all and that was nice -- it gets packed for the holiday nights.  My aunt had a hard time walking, talking and wearing a mask.  She got very winded so it wasn't as animated as usual.  Overall, I'd give the experience a C-.  Not worth going back anytime soon.  Some of my review was because I wasn't feeling well with hormone stuff -- headache, stomach issues, energy, etc., but my aunt felt similarly.

The storm is here as expected.  Heavy rains for the next couple of days.  Grocery shopping is up-in-the-air.  No outside walks either.  Hunkering down, making lentil soup, riding the Peloton and reading.  Of course, there are the picture bins, but I feel a procrastination coming again.  Maybe this is a project for January??  At least I need to find the framing stuff for my bedroom wall.  That feels more urgent.

My sister sent me the nicest surprise package in the mail.  "Famous" chocolates from PGH, dog decor mask, dog treats, stickers and something special to clean my toilets lol.

Still no bookclub book in the mail, so I started a fiction read.  I wasn't in the mood for the nonfiction I have on my shelf because I need fantasy right now.  I bought this book for my hubby -- I LOVE Ken Follett.  Hornet Flight.  I don't THINK I've read it before, but if I did it was so long ago.  Feels good to read a WWII book right now.  Liberty and justice CAN prevail.  I saw this quote about fiction and it wasn't sourced, but here it is:  "Fiction is truth, even though it's not fact."

I also started rewatching the last season of Schitt's Creek.  Things are heavy right now and I need to find a little light balance.  This is my 3rd time and it doesn't get old.

Hey, did you hear the news?  Dexter is coming back.  The original creator felt the way it ended didn't do it justice (he left after season 4) so he's bringing the series back "10 years later."  This is something to look forward to in 2022.

We are tabling horseback riding for our anniversary.  The act of getting on and off the horse is the type of movement that throws out my back.  We'll give it more time to stabilize and try again when I'm ready.  That's disappointing.  Plan B is a hike, weather permitting.  Plan C is going to the kids for supper if the weather is bad.  Plan D is nothing LOL.

Wishing us happy and good today.  Stay well.  Stay safe.  Later gators.

Another Hurricane Remnant

Apparently, the storm path this year falls over Atlanta.  Another hurricane remnant heading our way tomorrow.  Stormy rain for 2 days.  No walk with my girlfriend tomorrow (duh) and I might postpone grocery shopping too.  No need to go out in rain saturated streets.  Looks like soup making is in my future.

Today is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with my aunt and looks like we picked the right day.  Maybe some sprinkles, but we should be fine to walk around.  I bet there will be even fewer peeps to contend with today.  Not the best weather week to go.

I need to pick a new book.  The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was great from start to finish.  Oh, the last line of the book.  So clever and interesting.  I hope the JH bookclub selection comes today.  I might start on a non-fiction until it arrives.  

Rain for two days SHOULD get me going on the photo bins and finding a few things to frame.  I can't seem to get moving on this project though so I'm about 50-50 it will happen hah!

Yesterday was a nice day.  Finished the book, took dogs to the park, run and a long walk outside after.  Decided to wait on painting my toes -- it's so HARD!!!  They can hold up for another week LOL.  

Plugging along on a week with potential to be blah, but I'm doing well making the most of it.  This has been a big takeaway from my experiment time -- how to find contentment in a variety of situations.  Situations that constantly change.  Handling changing circumstances is not my super power, but practice works.  This week is PMS, canceled plans and  heavy rain (so no outside options) -- finding a way to make it an overall good week though.

Have a happy day -- I'm looking forward to some good company and a pretty walk today.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Lite, Breezy Day

It's a Monday with nothing on the calendar and I'm here for it.  As I said, strange that I've had some "busy" days in this life-in-quarantine.  My mood is good enough (given PMS) and I've made the transition into the week alone (always takes a day).

Here are some updates ...

I texted my son about Thanksgiving.  They might be reconsidering going to the wedding giving the rising numbers.  Fingers crossed -- not for just Thanksgiving, but for their safety.  I think it's a risky decision to go.  I'd be happy to have them for Thanksgiving again too, of course, but I won't let it ruin our day if they aren't with us.

I found a dangerously good "recipe" for roasted chickpeas -- as in you eat the entire can in one night.  Can of chickpeas (I peel and dry them on a towel), sesame oil, ground ginger, garlic powder and salt.  Roast 400 for about 30 minutes.  Lordy -- so crunchy and delicious!

Given up on The 100 -- dumb and overacted.  I watched one episode a few days ago and about 10 minutes of the second before I quit.  I started The Queens Gambit (limited series on Netflix).  This looks promising -- I watched 1/2 of the first episode, but was more in the mood to read.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (VE Schwab) is a great book.  I have the last third to go and I love it.  Such a clever story and well written.  My book lineup is LONG behind it and I need to get reading or I'll need to go on a buying freeze.  I'm waiting on the November Jen Hatmaker bookclub pick to come.  We're having our Atlanta chapter meeting early with Thanksgiving so I need to read it sooner than later.

Bookclub was good.  I need to speak up more.  I have the thought, decide not to say it, then someone else says it and I feel wall-flowery.  Dang, I can relax and speak up.

I rode another Peloton Advanced Beginner 30 minute ride yesterday.  I think that's my sweet spot right now.  It's hard enough for a workout, but not too much.  Two rides in a row and then a break from the bike also seems to work for now too.  It's going to take a bit to figure out a schedule of what's what without getting hurt.  I'm doing a treadmill run today so see how tired biking legs feels running.

The rest of my day consists of dog walks and painting my nails (toes included which is no easy feat/feet LOL).  The weather is another week of humid, rain-ish and warm temperatures.  Back to "southern fall" days.  This puts a wrench in afternoon dog adventures because it's too warm.

I expect to read, check out horseback riding options and that's about all today.  The week is relatively chill too.  The Atlanta Botanical Gardens tomorrow with my aunt, walk on Wednesday with my girlfriend (which will be probably rain canceled) and Trader Joe's run late in the week.  I have some other homebound things on my list too.  Picture bins (can I procrastinate any harder??), work on picture wall for my bedroom and put together the Halloween goodie bags.  I'll make another veggie recipe too.  Maybe another round of lentil soup.

Have a great day.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Pasta Making (Fail)

Well ... it was a partial success in that we know we don't want to make pasta at home again (!!)  It's a lot of work, a lot of mess and the noodles were way too thick.  The sauce was as we remembered so that was good.  The bruschetta and aged balsamic were good too.  It was fun and a lesson learned.  If we ever dared to try again, we need to do better hahahaha.

It's getting much easier to not drink at family functions and I was glad I didn't last night.  That was a lot of work and adding alcohol would've had me a hot, sweating mess.

The night ended on a strange note.  Kids told us they are going to a family wedding up north the weekend before Thanksgiving (can we watch the dogs -- of course).  The side of the family that's attending doesn't think COVID is real -- ouch.  The kids have to quarantine when they get back.  What that means is no Thanksgiving with them.  I won't risk it.  I thought about postponing until Saturday, but I'm not sure that gives us enough time as well as if anyone from the wedding gets sick, Saturday is also a no-go (and then we postponed for nothing).  Everything is indoors because it'll be cold in NY.  I need to tell them today.  Last they mentioned it, they weren't going.

I need to pull together some problem solving.  This is a tough one.

So needless to say, today is a downer day.  Hubby leaves for VA.  I'm bummed (and a bit annoyed) about Thanksgiving.  I need to tell them about Thanksgiving today which is also a bummer.  PMS is in full swing.  Did I mention I'm glad I didn't drink??  That would've made today's mood 10 times worse.

I took a "real" Peloton class yesterday.  Beginner advanced 30 minute -- meaning you have some fitness, but are new to the bike.  That was a good push without hurting anything.  Lordy, this is a fun bike.  I had a run on the schedule today, but my legs feel good.  I might take another class instead.  I think my mind could use a guided workout.

I have virtual bookclub this afternoon.  I'll be better organized with the dogs.  They eat at 3 o'clock usually and that created an issue last time.  I'll feed and potty them early so they'll be in full nap for the meeting.

Tomorrow has nothing on the calendar and I need a low-key day to regroup.  This week was a lot and PMS zaps me too.  The good news is I'm back to having full enough weeks that I need a quiet day.

Looking for some happy today, but I'll settle for allowing my low feelings.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Celebration (Part 2)

We're have the second part of my DIL's birthday celebration today.  PASTA MAKING.  This time last year we were in Italy so it's sort of fitting.  Rain today so the timing is great for indoor activity.  Everyone is making their own and I'll cook them separately because, you know.  Bruschetta and parm cheese with the balsamic from Italy as a starter.  Pasta with Tuscan Red Sauce for the main.  An Aperol Spritz cocktail or two.  Dessert is a classic Italian -- gelato with hot espresso poured over.  

I will modify for me.  No drinking and just a little of the pasta.  I will have the meat sauce -- it's been awhile since I've had meat and I'm looking forward to it.  Bruschetta on GF flat bread crackers instead of the Tuscan loaf I bought -- that's the hardest one.  I LOVE bread, but my joints feel good and I don't want to mess it up.  I stay totally clear of dairy gelato LOL (everyone is grateful for that!!).

Anyway -- lots of peeps in my house yesterday.  I sprayed Lysol (I have about a 1/3 of one can left), vacuumed, cleaned countertops and floors, aired the house with ceiling fans on, washed my bedding.  Apparently the painters come later (after the drywall is dry - duh).  They'll be back in a couple of weeks and THEN that will be the last of inside work.  Geez.

I was tired yesterday -- even with a workout rest day (just some lite yoga stretching).  The mini-turbo clean was a back breaker.  I ran errands to get liquor for today, gas and hubby a milkshake.  By evening I was beat.  I planned to sleep in this morning and sort of got there.  I was up by 4:30 but I didn't have my usual sleepless hour during the night.  It felt like a good sleep.

Peloton ride this morning.  I'm going to do a regular 30 minute class and see what that feels like.  I think you can search beginner level.  I don't want to hurt ANYTHING and am still building up using muscles that way.  I can't believe how much I like it -- hopefully, that continues.

Oh, almost forgot.  The plastic photo-type of my ring is finished.  Next step is the real thing.  The designer had the photo-type person take a picture on her hand so I didn't need to come in again.  It requires some imagination, but here it is -- I've never had a custom piece and this is exciting (!!)  It's different from anything I wear and anything I "see" on the regular.  That exactly what I wanted -- out of MY box for my 50th.  New decade, signature ring.

Today is a nice day because my morning is relaxing.  No rush on my routine.  I have "work" to do this afternoon for the celebration, but nothing ALL morning.  It's been a week of rushed mornings and this feels good.  Looking for those HAPPY things, good moments.  Happy Saturday.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Worry Day

Today we have drywall and paint contractors ALL OVER the house to do settlement repairs.  I've been dreading this since the pandemic started.  I'll stay clear as best I can and air out the house after.  They'll wear masks, but I'm not sure if they are strictly wearing them (ie are they pulling down over nose).  The biggest repair is in our closet after a roof leak.  That feels invasive, like there's no safe spot in the house.  This should be the last of the indoor work.  Fingers crossed.

Jen Hatmaker did a collaboration with Susanne Stabile to offer a discount on an audio Enneagram program.  I chose the Safety and Security 4.5 hour long presentation and listened to the entire program while I cooked and cleaned yesterday.  It was a deeper dive into how numbers behave and it was super good.  The deeper I go into Enneagram, the more I see how it's helpful -- like self-therapy.  

Tuscan red sauce is finished and ready for Saturday.  I forgot how unusual it is --  no garlic, no spices, no basil.  A little red onion, celery, carrot, cup of wine, beef and tomato puree.  It's simple, but the process is important and it takes about 3 hours to make start to finish.

I made a new vegan dish for dinner and it was delicious.  I didn't have the pepita seeds and planned to use almonds instead, but I forgot -- didn't miss it at all.  I have enough of everything to do an encore meal.  Roasted sweet potato half moons, black beans, lime, cilantro, green onion and avocado.  It's good warm and leftover.  I ate all I made, so no leftovers (!!)  Picture before I added the avocado.

Sweet Potato Salad

I LOVE the Peloton.  I did another ride yesterday and it felt much better.  I ended with a 1/2 yoga session to stretch and get some arms going.  I expect I'll be ready to ride regular classes by next week.  The intro classes are 20 minutes total time and very basic -- still fun though.

New Trader Joe flowers.  All these for $10.  Can't beat it.

Brooke Castillo had a good podcast this week.  Desire.  Lately, her podcasts miss for me, but this was classic Brooke.  False desires verses true desires.  Worth a listen.

It was a productive day (I also got some reading time).  I can't wait for the work to be finished today so I can disinfect the best I can and be DONE with it.  Speaking of a worry day, I'll leave with this poem Hoda posted on Instagram.  I love Mary Oliver's work and have a book on my nightstand.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Peloton

My first ride was so much fun (!!)  The hardest part was putting on the dang shoes.  I'm going to try a different way next ride -- they were already clipped into the bike yesterday.   I'll put them on first and then clip in -- that's probably more graceful.  I see what the Peloton fuss is about though -- they know what they're doing.  I'll chat more about it once I do more.  There's lots to learn about options for rides (heart monitor, music, ride choices, etc).

I did a 20 minute intro class -- expecting to need to do "something" else.  Nope.  I was zonked.  This is going to be so good for my cardio.  When resistance goes up, my back starts taking notice though.  That's an area I need to watch.

I really, really, really want to do another intro ride today.  I SHOULD do yoga that stretches my back.  What to do ... what to do??  I thought I'd be sore today and that would decide for me.  I'm not.  Maybe a 20 minute ride followed by 20 minutes of easy stretching.

Hair appointment was uneventful.  I still go to a solo appointment and that's fantastic.  I got another walking trail suggestion -- she loves to give them, I love to hear about them.  Next appointment is in December.  A year ago, my December appointment was when I made all the appointments for the wedding.  Kind of crazy, kind of sad.  I have no idea what's happening for March, but I guess I should plan on some sort of wedding and hair needs coming up.  I also need to get my dress fitted soon.

Flu shot of 2020 in the books too (my arm is only a little sore today -- I heard worse).  Publix has a good system this year.  Fill out a form and then they text you when they're ready.  No lining up with the masses.  Covered by insurance and $10 Publix card.  Not bad.  We went to an area that follows mask rules more consistently.  You can also make an appointment.  Fortunately, it was only a 15 minute wait and we just went back outside until the text.

My car was finished yesterday too.  Thousands of dollars later (on an under 5 year old car).  Bummer and I'll miss driving the loaner car.  It was super comfortable to drive.

Today is a Trader Joe's run and sauce making for Saturday.  Hubby is voting and golfing so I'll be alone while I cook (yea!!).  I'll get some fresh flowers -- mine are wilting after 2 weeks.  I've been getting a "treat" each time too.  Last time was a frozen açaí bowl.  I might go that route again.  Or, I might get macrons for Saturday so I can have a dessert option.  Leaning toward the açaí bowl though -- single serving and fresh berries are moving out of season.

I started a new series on Netflix, The 100.  I watched one episode.  It's a sci-fi drama meets teen drama, but I hear it's watchable.  Might be a good filler when I don't want to read.  The first episode was over-the-top and predictable character drama, but it was easy watching.

This has been a MUCH better week mentally and emotionally.  Taking note of the reasons for the down week and the up week -- working to make life a little more even rolling.

Have a happy day.  Stay well :)

Maiden Voyage

I'm up early this morning to try a quick Peloton introduction ride (before my early hair appointment).  It all hinges on IF I can get the shoes clipped in -- I'm not going to go crazy though.  If I need more practice, I'll wait.  I'm excited to try an easy ride and see what's what -- it's super quick and easy so you can feel out the bike.  I didn't try it yesterday because my back was tired.  (BTW, customer service is the bomb -- well done, Peloton.)  Riding is burning a hole ...

Speaking of burning a hole ... I made the carrot soup from the second recipe and put crispy chickpeas on top ... so much for waiting until Sunday.  Yum!  Carrot soup needs to have enough flavor that it doesn't taste like baby food so I used the curry option and upped some of the spices.  It's delicious.  I served it in my new bowls -- I only use white dishes so this is a big change.  I got a set of 4 because I needed something bigger for veggie bowls and salads.  My bowls are too small.  I've been using mixing bowls, but that's not pretty.  These are just for me to use when I make a big plate.  The lighting is a bit dark -- the soup is bright, beautiful orange.  The bowls are a little brighter too -- and are like plates with an edge.  Looks different in the picture.  (Sorry for the bad picture.)

I started a new book.  It's a recommendation from the Pop-Cast (Jaime Golden) and it's a super unusual story line.  Google if you're interested since I won't do it justice -- fantasy about selling your soul to the devil and the price Addie must pay over eternity.  

Flu shot today too.  I hear it's a sore arm for a few days.  This was actually the first year I debated NOT getting one since I'm still so strictly following the precautions.  But ... it's the right thing to do and just in case.  So today is the day.

I started buying stocking stuffers for the family.  I think the kids will be away for Christmas and hubby is buying a watch, so I'm not doing big gifts this year.  Money for the kids.  Stocking stuffers all around.  I think I might do the tradition of a new book and chocolate for Christmas Eve for me, my youngest and hubby.  Something new for a year of everything new.  I'll do a post about some of the stocking goodies -- you know I got influenced (!!)

I'm also going to see if the family would be up for a change in the Christmas meal too.  I've never won this idea LOL, but I try every year.  Move Christmas Eve meal to Christmas day and do a huge sushi platter for Christmas Eve -- that sounds so fun to me.  Play music, relax, read our new books and eat chocolate.  Fingers crossed I can sell it :)

I've been thinking about out-of-the-box for things to do in November.  Our anniversary and the youngest turns 24.  Horseback riding.  I've done this a few times.  Scared every time, but it sounds like an adventure.  So far, only my DIL responded to my group text and it was a maybe because she's scared too.  I'll chat it up with the group this weekend.  Maybe just me a hubby for our anniversary.

Looking for a happy day today, flu shot and all.  Hope we all have a good one.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Fuller to Full

The week got more crowded.  The builder is finally doing the one year warranty fixes on the house and that means a stream of contractors this week.  It'll need a couple of weeks, but I said it had to be when hubby was home.

Hubby and I added flu shots to the week too.  Still nothing on my car.  

It's not horrible, but it does mean rushed mornings all week.  Dang.  That bugs me like nothing else.  Rush and rush and then crickets all afternoon.  Oh well.  It needs to be finished.

I added a little fun for the following week.  I'm meeting my aunt at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  They require masks and limit guest with timed passes.  We'll walk and catch up.  They have an Alice in Wonderland outdoor exhibit that's ending soon.  Next up is their holiday lights and I'll preview the safety measures to see if we can go this season.

Still searching for a couple more things to add to the week.  Maybe solo things, but that counts too.

I finished Big Summer (Jennifer Weiner) and it was a lot of fun.  Mystery meets beach read.  Totally recommend for an easy breezy book.  I'll chose a new read today.  I have a few to pick from.  Stay tuned.

Peloton delivery today and I'm excited.  I won't do a real ride until next week.  I need to figure out clipping in, set the adjustments, etc.  My mornings are so rushed that I can't see having enough time to try it.  Also, I don't want to be stiff (and I will be stiff) while we're doing the pasta making night.  I slept on my neck wrong on Saturday and I'm finally able to turn my head.  Usually, my shoulder and neck get stiff doing initial rides since it's such a different position for me.  I'll just get to know her this week ;)

I found another carrot soup recipe that I might try on Sunday instead of the one I posted.  It seems to have more flavor options.  I'll probably mash up the two recipes.  I like the toppings of the first and the body of the second.   Here's the other one.

Roasted Carrot Soup

I love the lentil stew, but those Beluga lentils have more fiber than the other and I feel it.  It's also a rich dish compared to the lentil soup.  My belly needs a break.  I have zero idea of what to eat today and that's a first in a while.  That stupid chocolate called to me again yesterday.  Not as loudly, but still.  The advantage of hubby in VA is none of that stuff is in the house.  It makes it infinitely easier.  I wish he'd do a "I'm off junk food" kick.

Have a happy day.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Welcome to "The Good Week"

Last week was a doozer -- mental rollercoaster.  It feels good to leave it behind and start fresh with a fun week ahead.  I think I've kicked the Jelly Monster to the curb (for now).

The Mushroom Beluga Lentil Stew was (is) really tasty.  I'd do a few things differently next time.  I cooked the lentils in the pressure cooker and it was a pain to retrieve the herbs.  Everything went in whole.  I'd either chop them or put them in cheese cloth.  The rosemary and whole pepper corns were the hardest.  I also got too heavy handed with the emersion blender.  I would take out more of the chunky mushrooms before I blend.  It tasted great, but looked like a bowl of mush.  Otherwise, it was perfect -- the flavors are spot on.

Next up is the carrot soup.  I'm going to hold off until Sunday to make it since I have leftovers of everything else.

Football afternoon proved to be a craving hell -- damn that chocolate.  I couldn't get it off my mind, so I took Duke for a walk while everyone was upstairs.  That was enough of a change of scenery to knock it out of my head.  I know I would've regretted eating it because it's the kind that tastes overly sweet as soon as you finish.  Not worth it, not my favorite, not very good.  Something about gathering for football makes me want to snack.  I'm trying to change that association.  It felt like I was moving a mountain (!!)

As I mentioned last post, this week has a BUNCH of good, fun things.  We added the pasta making dinner for Saturday.  It's the continuation of my DIL birthday celebration since we couldn't do it all without hubby home.  Thursday (grocery shopping) and Friday (making sauce) and I need to get to the liquor store and to the farm to get fresh tomatoes (fingers crossed).  I might have missed tomato window.  I'll call before I go -- it's an hour away, but they were amazing tomatoes.

Hopefully, my car will be ready early this week too.

I was planning a Gibbs Garden visit and a few park walks, but the week is nicely full.  I have exactly ZERO things for next week so I'm going to spread the love and hold on some of these ideas.  I'll have an adjustment being home alone next week since hubby has been here for 2 weeks and nature time will be good for my head.

Today isn't particularly fun, but it is full.  I have a lot of office chores (aka bills to pay) and errands to run.  Duke needs a booster, Monti needs more eye drops.  Our builder is coming to look at a fix for our warrantee on a warped window.  Lots of little things to fill the day.

Last but not least, the book my girlfriend sent me ... Big Summer (Jennifer Weiner) was reading along nicely and then it suddenly became AWESOME!  I didn't know there was going to be a mystery.  I have about a third left and now I want to savor it.  

Speaking of books -- the JH Atlanta Chapter book club should be meeting this Sunday.  That will be something to look forward to since hubby will be traveling to VA.

Have a happy, good, fun, whatever-you-need day.  Hello, new week.  I'm ready.  Stay well.  Later gators.

The Good List

Since I've been complaining a lot this week, I thought I'd share a list of some of the good stuff happening. Lots of this list is materialistic -- because that gives me a little boost of happy and fun.  Of course, it goes without saying that the best good is health, family, freedom, etc.  This is the shallow cousin list to the important things.

(1)  My RING is in process.  I got the first rendering.  It's a strange computer video of a composite.  Very hard to visualize, but I sent some feedback.  No hearts on the undercarriage filament (makes it look cheesy).  Questioned the size and the material.  I'll get more information next week.  I'm SUPER excited (!!)

(2)  Peloton comes Tuesday.  As long as our household follows safety protocols, they do the full set-up again.  Yes, we do and thank you for doing it too.

(3)  Hair appointment.  What makes this fun is I often get some good suggestions of things-to-do from my hairdresser.  She's a nature introvert who grew up in our town.  She's a wealth of out-of-the-way things to do that don't involve restaurants LOL.

(4) Vegan and plant forward cooking.  I'm totally hooked.  Maybe it's just new recipes??  Maybe it's new flavors??  Maybe it's that it feels so healthy??  I don't know, but it's my jam right now.  P.S.  Mushroom Lentil Stew is DELICIOUS!

(5)  Books.  2020 has knocked it out of the park with good books.  I'm enjoying reading more than I have in years.  Latest purchase: The Cold Cold Ground (Adrian McKinty)

(6)  Green.  I'm quietly declaring it MY COLOR.  Last year I got hooked on green for decor, then started wearing green and, of course, The Green Dress.  To that end, I found a 1920s version of Anne of Green Gables.  Cover is green and this was one of my favorite stories from childhood.  I'm going to use it in my bedroom.  I'll show a picture when it comes.

(7)  Hoka and Oofos shoes.  My heel is healing so well thanks to these "recovery" brand of shoes.  Hoka is my walking and running show.  Oofos are my flip flops.

(8)  Office re-do.  Once hubby retires, I'm taking the bed out of my office and making it a comfy sitting room across from the desk.  I need a private place to read without interruption, listen to podcast without interruption, think without interruption.  Get the idea LOL.  Hubby understands.  He walks in a room talking and doesn't stop.  That's fine a lot of the time, but I want an option of alone space when I need it.  I won't do it until he retires though.  Knowing this is an option gives me a lot of happy feels.

(9)  Fall in GA.  It's never been this nice.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Being outside is saving me.

(10)  Comfortable PJs.  Tommy John for the win.  Man they are comfortable and so nice for sleeping.  Expensive, but worth it to me.  I'm so dang picky about PJs.

There you go.  Good stuff list :)

Airing of Grievances

Yesterday started with the Airing of Grievances.  First, my pricy razor unit broke mid-shave and scrapped my leg.  Then we attempted a dog walk.  Garage sale drivers AND the water company was running the fire hydrants.  Our main street was a river so EVERY DOG walked the same small area.  That didn't work.  Hubby and I were out of sync and kept getting in each other's way in the kitchen.  We decided the morning was jinxed and we went separate ways (I went to workout and he went to Costco).

All is well, but it was a funny morning of circumstances.  

We took the dogs to a park later in the afternoon and we had a good walk on a nice day.

I watch a couple of movies on Prime.  Boys of '36 -- short documentary about the Olympic rowing team. It was interesting.  Then, People Like Us.  It was a bit overly dramatic and a little too sweet, but not bad.  The acting was good.  Neither was free, but I wanted a break from reading.

Today is family, fancy lentil stew and football.

I'm still noticing some cravings that had all but gone away.  Today will be interesting.  Kids bringing pizza, hubby got the mother-load of chocolate from Costco and everyone will be having a couple of drinks.  Eating well is harder with hubby home and then the junk "calls to me" LOL.  I'm steering from the pizza because of the gluten -- my joints feel good and I want to keep it that way.  I won't drink because there's no wine in the house (it's day 46 of no alcohol).  Chocolate is an option if I choose, but I can get carried away.  

Last night I was still in Pity Party mode with the Jelly Monster.  Saturday night and I'm in bed by 7:30 reading.  It happened to be a weekend where a bunch of peeps were doing extra special things.  Normally, that's my dream evening LOL.  It's all perspective and mind shift.  I think I'll be in a better way come Monday and a full enough week ahead.

That said, today will be a fun, happy day.  Hope you have a good one too.  Stay well.  Later gators.

The Green Jelly Monster

I've been battling the Jelly Monster all week.  Envious, jealous -- lots of mature feelings hah.  He showed up at my Pity Party and we've been hanging out.  I took a deeper dive into those feelings and some insight into why I'm feeling this way.

Everyone is socializing, but me.

This is true and a big part of this is my choice to stay safe in GA during a pandemic.  If you live in other parts of the country, you have some SAFE freedom and that's just a fact.  But my fellow "careful" people seem to have some good fortune that I don't have -- hello, Jelly Monster.  Vacation homes, extended family that live within a drive, friends who are being careful, boats to hang out on, vacations in the mountains. etc.

Deeper dive and I think this stems a lot from insecurities when I was young, awkward and had very few friends.  It makes me feel less-than if I don't have validation from socializing.  See, I am likable.  See, I have friends.  See, I do fun things too.  Something about people asking about my week when the highlight is a Trader Joe's run makes me embarrassed.  Especially when they have a big list of fun, social stuff.  I need to remind myself I am NOT that person anymore.

I'm the only one doing hard things and keeping promises to myself.  

Okay, probably not true, but it feels like it.  I'm working hard to build healthy coping mechanisms, clean up my eating, strengthen my body, LEARN something from the pandemic.  It's hard (and worth it, I know) and I'm looking for a partner in crime.  Someone who gets it.  Someone who shares the hard.  Someone who can hold me up a little when I feel like throwing in the towel and I'm glad to do the same in return.

Except my peeps are throwing in the towel on the regular.  Not even trying to "improve," saying it's too hard to do anything except hang on right now.  Cope by eating and drinking.  Never mind anything hard.

And they are contradicting themselves (not holding those "promises").  "This pandemic made me re-evaluate eating at a restaurant" ... then eating out all week before the weather turns and outside is colder.  "I'm not having the cleaning crew back -- too risky."  Never mind, they're back.  "I'm not getting my nails done."  Oh, I went last week and I felt safe.  "I'm not socializing."  Except for that small party I attended.

Some days I run down my own tank and I look for an outside hand up.  I don't have one friend that can offer that these days and that makes my own path a bit harder.  Community and connection and camaraderie are important parts of self-improvement (even though that seems like a contradiction).  It's not any one else's job to help me, but I wish I had someone to give me a pep talk when I run low.  No one wants to pep talk when they are deep diving into a bottle of wine.  Instead, they want you to come back to "the dark side" with them.

Of course, it's totally my choice and I really DON'T want to throw in the towel, but there are times that that seems so awesomely easy and I'm jealous.

And, it's important to say, that they are showing up how they can show up.  No judgement -- you do you.  This is me wanting some help, that's all.  And, for about 4 months that's how I showed up -- don't even look at me to do something hard.  It's not that I'm doing "better" but I am doing "different" and I don't see that reflected in my friend group.  That's why the Jelly Monster came to play.

Sitting in this feeling and reminding myself of my WHY is all I can do to make the Jelly Monster go away.  I made a list of my GOOD things this week and there are quite a few.  

Change is tough and solo change is even tougher.

I don't like to feel this way because I feel like a bad friend for being envious of my friends.  The angel on my other shoulder is super happy that they are able to find fun and connection and things that get them through these hard times.  I wish the same for ME TOO, but with MY RULES lol.

My fun and connection looks VERY DIFFERENT than it did a few months ago and THAT IS MY CHOICE.  It's okay that everyone isn't exactly like me.  Logically, I know this ... but sometimes I don't FEEL it.

That's my ranting ramble and my vent and my Pity Party with the Jelly Monster.  Thanks for listening.  Maybe writing about it can help it go away.  

Date Night Success

Even though our "happy hour" never materialized, we had a fun date night.  I made a redo recipe of salmon in a parchment pack -- potatoes, zucchini, onions, olives, lemon, feta cheese, arugula and seasoned oil.

We watched Casino Royale (James Bond).  Neither of us had seen it.  It was way too long, but otherwise, not a bad free watch.  Dogs cuddled and slept through the entire movie which is first.

Only (sort of) downside -- I ate an entire canister of potato sticks.  Remember those?  I found them at the store recently and bought them again.  I swear it feels like I'm PMSing based on my mood and food cravings.  Anyway ... no junk food today.  The Green Dress is calling and I'm not going to mess it up over flavorless potato sticks.  Why was I so fixated on those yesterday?  I might have been "eating" my mood LOL.

Today is beautifully crisp and cool outside.  I have a treadmill workout and then we'll take dogs for some fun.  Unfortunately, with the garage sale, a long neighborhood walk outside is annoying so that will have to wait until tomorrow.  We might head to the park or the wooded trails.

I finished Burnout (Emily and Amelia Nagoski).  Here's what I need to remember.  When Brene Brown interviews someone, she hits the good stuff -- all of it.  The rest is filler and adds little to the value.  This is the second book I've bought and read after listening to the podcast and got exactly nothing else from reading the book.  You could argue that supporting the author is important and I'll give you that, but it was a waste of time and money.

House is CLEAN -- woo hoo.  Back is OKAY -- woo hoo.  Glad to have that finished this week.

I'm making a new recipe tomorrow.  Lots of relatively expensive items so, hopefully, it's delicious.  It is vegan (cream is from coconut milk).  Expensive mushroom and fancy lentils.  I'll let you how it tastes.

Creamy Mushroom and Beluga Lentil Stew

I also bought the ingredients for a quick carrot soup.  I'll try this toward the end of next week.  I'm still eating the lentil soup.  I've never made a carrot soup.  I like carrots, but not sure if I'll like it as a soup.

Carrot Soup with Tahini and Chickpeas

I looked for tofu options from Trader Joe's and they had a few.  I thought I'd need to go to Whole Foods to get a variety and that would be tough during COVID and the holidays.  I bought a package of firm tofu and a package of marinated tofu.  I'll try both in a couple of weeks (expiration dates are in December).  Silken tofu was missing though -- that's tougher to find.

Still figuring out what November's cooking challenge should be -- I'm leaning heavily toward tofu.  I think January should be a broader category -- vegan recipes.  That leaves December -- maybe just repeats since it's the holidays and lots to do and bake and make.  Not as much time for new stuff.  Sounds like a plan, Stan.  

I'll leave with pictures of my sweet boys.  I think both show their personality.  Duke is feisty and always on alert.  Monti is easy going and chill.  They were sitting on the bed in our front room watching the garage sale people drive by.

Have a happy Saturday -- hope you are enjoying great weather too.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Up In The Air

I slept until 6 o'clock and I needed it.  All of a sudden my body is pooped.  Cleaning?  Extra walking?  I have no idea, but I'm taking a full rest day today.  I have floors to vacuum and mop and our "date" dinner to cook -- but no big leg action.

My car needs to stay in service for a few days (of course) so I might go to the grocery store today -- or not.  I didn't want to bring the loaner car.  Up in the air.  I can't decide.  Probably should go since I'm not working out (makes it a little less hectic in the morning).

Monti has a big old ear infection.  The vet instills meds in the ear (which lasts 2 weeks).  He's already feeling better.  Poor baby.  The vet says it looks like he's had lots of ear infections that weren't treated timely.  We got you now, sweet boy.

Neighborhood garage sale today and tomorrow.  I hate neighborhood garage sales.  So much traffic in the neighborhood -- all day long, starting stupidly early.  Cars driving slowly to see which houses are participating.  Cars parked every which way and that -- totally not caring about blocking the street.  And TWO days -- why??  It also draws attention to our neighborhood that's tucked away off a country road.  Single sales -- no big deal.

I'm a bit feisty this morning -- hormones?  It's early for PMS, but I feel PMSy.

I got a full refund for my Italy airfare.  Car repairs and vet bill totally wiped the credit.  Funny how the money universe likes to play those games LOL.

Monti is now on my lap sleeping and it's hard to type.  I'll keep this short and sweet.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Turned It Around

Yesterday was one of those days that had potential to be a downer day.  Voting got my stress up (thinking about possible results), friend declining invite and nothing "fun" on the calendar for the next couple of days.

Since I'm doing these 50 day challenges about feeling better, I forced myself to do some of the things on the FEEL GOOD list.  Guess what, the list works.

First up, took a 6.5 mile power walk in a park.  I didn't go to Gibbs Gardens because I wanted more solitude.  Sunshine, walking, nature and time to think did the trick -- specifically thinking about GOOD things that are in my life right now.  Might not be seeing friends, but I got 2 surprises in the mail from people this week.  Might be worried about the election, but I voted and am much more informed.  Things like that.

Then I got productive and did some cooking.  Made more lentil soup -- yum and made egg salad for the hubby.  I also bookmarked more vegan recipes.  I need to decide if November is vegan month or tofu month.  Still loving lentil month -- mushroom lentil stew is the next recipe.  Soup is another possibility for November.  That goes well with Thanksgiving.  Vegan or tofu will require a lot of new grocery shopping and that might be tricky over the holidays.  Choices, choices. 

I tried on The Green Dress and I'm further than I have been since I started (so, so long ago).  It's such a cute dress -- I totally love it and can't wait to wear it.

I listened to Brene Brown's new podcast on stress -- Emily and Amilia Nagoski and their book, Burnout.  Five bucks on kindle -- sold.  I'm about halfway read.  It's a super quick read and very interesting.

I also read more of the beach read my girlfriend sent me ... Big Summer (Jennifer Weiner) and I really like it so far.

Overall, not a bad day.  Paying attention to what makes me feel better and what works me up is helping figure out how to have a happier day.

Today is CLEANING!  Oh boy.  Starting is hard, but once I get into it, it's very satisfying ... and lentil soup to keep me energized LOL.  As long as my back holds up, I'm good.

Crappy sleeping last night.  I think Monti has an ear infection and he was unsettled half the night.  I'll look at his ear this morning and vet appointment if it looks infected.  It might just need to be cleaned.  And, we are up super early this morning -- Murphy's Law.  

But ... morning routine was rushed yesterday and it's nice to get the time this morning. 

Hope it's a happy day all around.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Early Voting Day

Maybe, hopefully.  Lines in GA have been MANY HOURS long.  I'm heading out to wait in the first wave of a line before the polls open -- unless it's packed.  I can't wait that long in the morning because my dang bladder.  If the morning is that crowded, I'll go back in the afternoon and try my luck then.  Fingers crossed.

UPDATE:  Back from voting.  In line at 7:15 (first in line) and 10 minutes later it was around the building (about 40 people).  Polls opened at 8 o'clock and it went smoothly.  Most everyone in line in a mask - woo hoo!

Coaching was nice.  More validating than informative, but I needed it.  Validating my mind shift of looking at this time like an experiment.  Getting to have stretches of time when I get to see exactly what I want, with no space sharing with ANYONE.  How deep diving into my Enneagram number is helping me understand myself and make changes with a lot more clarity.  Things like that.  My coach is changing her focus and probably won't be doing this kind of coaching come 2021.  Maybe that will be a good reason for a split to do something different for me.  Who knows.  I'm not worried about it (yet, LOL).

Geez -- side note, I'm not sure I'm up early enough to go vote first thing.  THIS is the morning Duke sleeps until 5:30.  He's been up, at the latest, by 4:30 for a month.  

I finished The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett) and it was good.  Interesting story, characters and reads very easily.  My girlfriend from college days sent me a couple of books she read -- started one last night and can't remember the title.  More on the new book tomorrow -- total fun beach read.

I saw an Instagram recommendation for Deaf U on Netflix.  Follows deaf students at a college for hearing impaired.  Stopped about halfway into the first episode.  It's all about hooking up, mean girls, "frat" boys, etc.  It's snarky and stupid.  Total teenage drama and I'd be bummed my kid acted that way and then said those things on TV.  Can you tell I don't like it?  

Today is up in the air since my priority is VOTING.  If that goes smoothly, I'll head to Gibbs Gardens this afternoon for a little nature time.  I'm feeling sluggish this week.  Maybe hormones?  Maybe I need a little quiet time after dog sitting and lots of activity.  Not sure, but I'm not fighting it.  I might get a flu shot later today too.  Get all my community duties at once.  I'll play it all by ear.

Tomorrow is definitely the heavy cleaning day since my car is getting serviced.  Nothing but being home after it gets dropped in the morning.  It always amazes me that an hour long service takes 2 hours if you're waiting and 8 hours if you aren't.  Why call it an hour service?  Never understand it.

BTW, still haven't heard back about a happy hour on Friday.  Not that it's a big deal since "happy hour" is simply sitting in my backyard -- I'm not doing anything special, but, come on.  Even hubby rolled his eyes -- yes or no, how hard is it? 

UPDATE:  I heard back and they are going out with other friends for a boat gathering instead.  This feels crappy.  If they already HAD plans, no big deal.  Basically, they chose to wait and see if BETTER plans happened and ditched our invite.  We haven't seen them in over 9 months AND we are working around hubby's schedule in VA (they can't do Saturdays because of college football and we can't do Sundays for NFL) which limits options a lot.  I'll "get over" it and I need to focus on backup plans that are fun too -- it's a drag though.  I understand boating is more fun than sitting in a backyard, but I thought the circumstances would have leaned our way.  I guess I'm missing seeing people -- it's a lean couple of weeks while I'm watching so many others socialize and have fun.  I'm partying too -- just PITY partying LOL.

Got to get moving and get my VOTE on.  I'll need to look under a lot of rocks for HAPPY today - hah.  Heading to Trump land to cast my dissension vote.  You should've see the trucks in the parking lot for the primary -- all flagged up and decorated.  Anyway ... stay well.  Later gators.

Six Hours

Hubby heads out to golf and that gives me a window of about 6 hours for just ME.

First up is my coaching call -- he's leaving at 11, my call is at 11.  Good timing -- hopefully.  I might take a walk at Gibbs Gardens after the call.  It depends on the weather.  We are in a soup pot of humidity and if it's bad again today, I'll take a pass on the that walk.  The woods holds the humidity and that would make for an unpleasant walk.  Plenty of time for cool weather walking.  I thought the storm would pull out the thick air -- dang. 

P.S.  I was up with Duke and it seems a bit cooler out, but no telling yet.

I'm working on plans for this week.  One of the things that I need to watch is looking OUTSIDE of my control for something fun.  Case in point this week.  Plans with a girlfriend for a walk "this week" are postponed (for good reason, but disappointing especially since we made the plans knowing this hiccup already).  I asked friends for a backyard happy hour on Friday and they need to get back to me -- they might go to the lake on their boat instead.  Also a little disappointing given they can go any day to the lake (they're retired) and they haven't ACTUALLY made other plans.  This is nothing new though -- it's almost always a contingency "maybe" if you ask them more than 24 hours in advance.  That said, we haven't seen them as a couple for 8 months -- you'd think that would make the invite a little more of a priority.

I could get upset about those situations given they were a big part of my FUN ideas this week.  But I have backup plans for both.  Gibbs Gardens for the walk (today or later in the week).  Movie night with hubby on Friday if happy hour is a bust.  Not AS FUN as the first choices, but not bad backup choices either.

Keep FUN in MY CONTROL.  That's how I can keep my spirits up when there are few choices WITH friends.

If I don't head to Gibbs Gardens today, I'll spend time brainstorming new ideas for the next few weeks.  Getting out of the house is a MUST for me to stay happy.  It's something I have to force myself to do.  Lots of fall things available during the week when nothing is crowded -- even doing it alone counts as getting out and about.

Absolutely looking for some happy today -- it's a worthwhile effort.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Enneagram Rabbit Hole

Jen Hatmaker is a fan of the Enneagram and did a podcast series recently.  One of the big bookclub peeps asked for Enneagram podcast recommendations.  I'm falling down the rabbit hole and I'm totally here for it.  A bunch of recommendations added to my list.  My podcast listening has been a little skimpy because I'm not in the mood for some or the subject matter isn't particularly relevant to me (business talk, etc) -- that kind of thing.  Glad to have some I'm excited about again.

I started The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett) yesterday.  Turns out my DIL has read it and loved it.  It has over 12K reviews and gets super high marks.  Yea!!

It's Monday and a new week.  I like to plan the week out -- either Sunday night or Monday morning.  A loose plan helps give structure to life in a pandemic.  

Looking for a balance of just-for-fun and productive stuff.  Thinking of trying to get a friend-together in the backyard for Friday night (the FUN).  I have a coaching call tomorrow -- something just for me.  I want to take a Gibbs Garden walk this week too -- time in nature.

The productive is CLEANING.  Oh boy.  This time I'm planning to spread it out over a few days and see how that feels on my back.  I also need to revamp my bookshelf in my office closet.  Now that I'm buying more actual books instead of kindle, I need to reallocate some space.  

Surprising enough, productive and fun BOTH feel good.  One without the other doesn't feel as good.

I'm going strong on my second 50 day challenge.  The day the kids come over is the hardest eating day -- I always want to eat more than I need.  The kids brought back gourmet donuts from their trip to Charleston.  We cut them in quarters -- so I got to taste a few.  I was able to rein it in after the tasting, thankfully.  Unexpected throws me for a loop sometimes -- especially with eating after I "plan" out my meals.  That was the first time I had "social" pressure to eat something -- they were so excited to share.  It worked out well, but it reminds me how much I like eating what/when I want WITHOUT any pressure.  That might not be a big deal for other people, but it is for me.  (BTW -- it wasn't the donuts that were the issue, it was that I wasn't in the mood for sweets yesterday.)

Anyway ...

Good weekend.  Now working on a good week.  Hope we all find our version of HAPPY and make it a good week.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Lentil Soup

OMG -- so ridiculous and easy and amazing.  I'm in love with lentils.  Here's the recipe -- so good I'm putting the link.

Curry Lentil Soup

It calls for 2 cups of the soup blended or stick blended.  I used my stick blender and chopped up the bigger pieces -- probably more than 2 cups worth.  What was left were tiny lentils, little bites of carrots and onions and the greens you add after (I used spinach, not kale).  I also added more lemon than it called for because I like lemon and acid.

This soup is vegan and you'd never know it didn't have meat in it.  Can you tell I liked it?  Makes me want to hunt for some more vegan or vegetarian soup recipes.  I wonder if I'll make November VEGAN options as my try-on for the month.  (Not Thanksgiving, of course.)  Or even some hearty casseroles.  

No pictures because it looks like barf LOL.

I'm enjoying this plant based kick a lot.  Surprisingly more than I expected.  Wonder for how long and how far ...

Yesterday ended up being a pretty good day.  I finished Ghosted (Rosie Walsh) and it was good-ish.  I didn't like it as much as others on the bookclub main page.  Twists and turns that you thought you saw, but you didn't.  It was clever and enjoyable -- not earth shatteringly fantastic though.  Worth a fun read.

I started Human Nature on Netflix.  It's a documentary about CRISPR.  Very interesting, exciting and possibly scary in the wrong hands.  The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to 2 people based on their work on CRISPR.  This might be the cure for sickle cell anemia and many other genetic diseases.  I'm about halfway.

I also started down the rabbit hole of Enneagram again.  The Enneagram Journey with Susan Stabile podcast.  Each episode gives you the number of the guest so I loaded all the SIXes and started listening.  It's a deeper dive into the nuances.

There were breaks in the weather so we managed a couple of dog walks.  I made soup, hubby watched college ball.  Grand-dogs last night and I'm excited to get more real-estate on the bed tonight.

I have a Trader Joe's run this morning -- on a weekend!!  I have to get the fixings for game day today.  

It's muggy, foggy, soupy mess outside.  Looks like another front today and maybe that pulls out the humidity.  

That's all from here.  Making the most out of the rainy weekend.  It's turning out pretty well.  Have a happy day, stay well.  Later gators.

Transitioning

I have a tough time transitioning the home-alone to home-with-someone and visa versa.  It's frustrating.  I'll go through something similar (and opposite) when hubby leaves in two weeks.

For this transition, it's the boring bits that create the dilemma.  Hubby ended up home by 9:45am (instead of noon) -- that cut my cool down walk short which was a bummer.  Then a few hours later, we were bored senseless (he had the day off).  He sat in the family room sort of napping, sort of not.  That meant I couldn't relax into anything.  He had his eyes shut and would start randomly talking -- interrupting whatever I was doing.  I suggested he go nap in the bedroom, but nope, wanted "to be with me."  

The things I use to fill the bored spaces don't work with him sitting/sleeping in the room.

Finally, I suggested an afternoon movie.  He picked Enola Holmes and it was super good.  That took us to the rain and the evening and we went our separate ways (he played video games and I went to bed and read).

Today is FULL rain and NOTHING for him to do (not even dog walks).  Ut-oh.  My plans are a workout and make soup -- not exactly day filling.  We'll (I'll) need to work this out today.  Tomorrow is a football day, youngest over and eldest dropping by to pick up the dogs so it will be better.

I think having the dogs is adding to the transition.  Four dogs in a bed with two people makes for hard sleeping.  Monti and Zoey got me up individually last night and it's a process with the pouring rain.  Also, I can't spend much time in my office because all the dogs want to come in too.  This is somehow the "pee room" and I can't have the little chihuahua in here.  They are back to bed with hubby right now so I have a little office time.

It sounds like I'm complaining, but it's more PROBLEM SOLVING thinking.  There's a way to transition better and it starts with understanding the actual issue (in this case, boredom).  Best news -- I didn't eat my way though the uncomfortable bits yesterday.  

Duke had me up at 4:00 this morning AGAIN.  Dang, Duke (!!)  A long day ahead.

I keep saying ... one more sleep and we'll be down to our dogs again ... one more sleep and I can have a good night's sleep.  Rain will be finished by Monday.

I think the answer is TV today.  I haven't been watching much and a rainy day screams some movies.  Hubby will probably watch a little college ball too.  There's always the picture bins LOL -- lord, I'm lazy about this project.  Yep, a little problem solving will go a long way.  I'll finish Ghosted today too.  Got to the first 2 big twists -- wow.  It's fun to pick the next book too.

This was yesterday morning -- waiting for daylight to start the pup walking shifts.  Four-dog cuddle and a long selfie arm stretch.  Happy Saturday.  Stay well.

Outnumbered, but Holding On ...

FOUR dogs is a lot for ONE me.  I'm surviving, sort of LOL.  Hubby comes home early today (he drove halfway last night).  Then balance is restored hah.  

I met a girlfriend for coffee yesterday.  It's a big nursery, farm animal, decor shop with outdoor seating.  We had to go way out in the woods with chairs, but we found an isolated spot.  Only us, a few chickens and pot belly pigs.  It was fun to hear the pigs make snorts.   Masks required inside, but it was populated and masks were a little hit-or-miss.  I got an iced tea and was out of the shop in just a few minutes.  I think it's fall break here and that's why it was so crowded -- tons of school aged kids walking around.  We stayed clear.

Hubby is home for 2 weeks now.  I'll need to adjust some of my routine.  Have to figure out that balance, but I'm glad to have him home.  Two weeks in VA is a long time.

I'm down to one book ... Ghosted (Rosie Walsh).  It's getting good now and reviews from the big book club continue to be fabulous -- Part 3 and the ending.  I'm on Part 2.   BTW - Caste (Isabel Wilkerson) is one of the most important books I've read in a long time.  I urge anyone and everyone to read it.  

Yesterday was a good day despite being outnumbered.  I walked dogs in shifts, did a little housecleaning, cooked some plant-based meals, read a lot (finished Caste), had a couple of good phone calls, coffee in-person with a good friend.  Not a bad day at all.

It's suppose to rain all weekend and my plans are curry lentil soup (!!)  I have a HUGE bag of lentils so I hope I like them.  I've had them before, but not often and I've never made them myself.  I'll also try some lentil salads this month.  I think November is going to be tofu month.  

That's all from here.  It's only 4:45 in the morning.  We got up at 3:50 -- good lord.  One up, they're all up.  Dogs fed, potty x2 and now sleeping in bed.  I'm wide awake.  Funny how that works.  It's good to be a dog in my house.

Have a happy day.  I'll need to do some searching today.  Happy to have hubby home, but it's a big change in my routine and "aloneness" -- that takes some creative thinking to find my space.  Stay well.  Later gators.

50

Every decade my bestie and I spend the last year of the old decade doing "improvements" or challenges to be our best as we enter the new decade.  This year 49 got away from us for a number of reasons (some good, some lazy) so we decided to focus on the year we turn 50 instead.

Then COVID.

There went that idea.

I still wanted to try a 50 day challenge because I like numbers and counting to the finish line.  I started and failed about 5 different times.  Workouts, meditation, daily habits, diet.  A couple of times I only made it to single digit count.  Oops. 

I was flopping and feeling a funk and realized I needed to try something to pull myself up since we have another year of this at least.  I started a 50 day challenge with ONE GOAL -- feel better than when I started.  Not the usual goal challenge (measurable, well defined, etc).  I could never "fail" and need to start over ... I could just learn and move forward.

It was a super slow roll.

I wrote down what I did to make myself feel better.  Sometimes making a new recipe.  Sometimes reaching out to a friend.  Sometimes reading a funny book.  Sometimes watching a funny movie.  Sometimes going for a walk.  Sometimes buying a new goodie.  Sometimes letting myself feel upset.  Sometimes looking for evidence of GOOD in the world that day.

You get the idea.  Nothing big.  Little activities of daily life that brought me UP in someway.  Habits build and I started repeating and adding.  Finding FUN in new places and new ways.

I also paid attention to when I felt yucky too.  Too much news.  Something canceled.  Seeing a new Trump sign.  Negative phone conversations.  Too much time alone.  Too much time inside.

It was about 2 weeks in when I started feeling noticeably better in a regular kind of way.  I kept pushing to add the HAPPY things in and started controlling some of the negative things (not answering a phone call, no news, etc).  It's not about being happy all the time, but I was rarely happy at all.  Month after month of being that low is not okay.

The biggest feel better or feel worse thing that changed me physically, mentally and emotionally?  DRINKING.  So I stopped.  

I don't have an issue with drinking, but I was fast on my way to one.  Using alcohol to buffer feelings, something "fun" for the evening ... multiply this for months.  A few days?  A week of buffering?  Not a big deal.  Month after month -- that's a problem.   

It's been over 5 weeks and it's the best quarantine decision I made.  I don't know when I'll drink again (and I will), but for now, this feels good.  Better physically.  Better mentally.  Feeling my feeling instead of drinking my feelings.  No questioning whether I should have a drink or not -- I'm just not right now.  That's freeing.

I also started eating a lot of plant-based meals.  For some reason, I'm not loving chicken (this started about a year ago) -- the texture makes me gag sometimes.  I'm enjoying playing around with a different way of cooking.  I'm still eating meat, but a lot less.

The BEST part of my diet changes?  NO ONE needs to know.  That means no comments, no judgements, no explaining, no pressure.  Quietly eating and drinking as I WANT -- how refreshing.  I never noticed how much outside influence changed how I ate/drank.  When COVID is finished, I need to set some boundaries on this (for me too) -- it's about ME after all, nobody else's business.  Just as what they chose is not my business.  This is a COVID plus.  When will I ever have this chance again?  Eat/drink with no social calendar obligations, no one else's opinions, no one else's pressures.

That brings me to the last big mindset change from my 50 day challenge.  View this time as an EXPERIMENT.  What can I do differently?  What can I try?  What can I let go of?  It's almost like a start over in a way.  Look at life through a different lens and start moving forward.  Somethings I'll keep, somethings I won't, but I get to try-on a bunch of new stuff.

Making this a temporary experiment rather than something that I'm longing to be over, makes things mentally manageable.  

I'm playing with sleep times, eating schedules, reading times.  How I cook, what I cook.  What I do for fun, what I do to relax.  What I watch, what I read.  House chores, grocery shopping.  Friends.  All an experiment in WHAT I WANT.  Somethings are a home run and somethings are one-and-done. 

Bottom line -- it's INTERESTING.  Feels like moving with a purpose -- a purpose to get to know myself without the distractions that used to fill my day.

I know this is possible because I have 2 weeks a month totally to myself -- living with only my decisions.  Then a weeks with hubby and family days.  It's a great balance.  

There's my 50 day challenge in an overview.  It's helped a lot.  I continued on with the next challenge with the same goal -- continue to feel better, get to know myself in a way I never have AND I added a focus toward The Green Dress.  The key word is TOWARD.  Progress is the idea ... end the 50 days in a better position than at the start.

Good Day

It's worth mentioning when a GOOD DAY happens.

Trader Joe's was a success.  I bought flowers to go in my new flower bucket (it was a pack of two from Amazon -- the other one was for my DIL's b-day sunflowers).  They're so pretty.  This bucket is fantastic for long stemmed flowers.  I think the pack of 2 was under $20.  TJ's is allowing bags again -- didn't know this time, but I'm set for next time.  I got organic blackberries again -- probably the last time before they're out of season.  They're my favorite berry.  Good score.

Then the pups and I went to the park for a walk.  That zonks them out so they were cuddle bugs all afternoon.

I STILL can't seem to pick up Ghosted (Rosie Walsh), but I started Caste, The Origins of Our Discontent (Isabel Wilkerson) and it's an incredible book.  It's a history lesson of the caste systems of the US, India and Nazi Germany.  It reads very easily and nothing like a history book.  Perspective shifting and eye opening.  This was a recommendation from the ATL JH book club.

Then the day was phone calls.  Good calls.

BIL home from the hospital and, hopefully, that was the last piece to cancer-free forever.

Hubby had a GREAT visit from the board and is happy (for now LOL).

Long catch up call with my bestie until past my bedtime.

Three HAPPY calls in a row.  Wow.

Duke had me up at 4:30 again today.  Morning is a workout and a zoom call for the final 50th birthday of our group.  Gibbs Gardens is a possibility depending on how tired my legs feel.  I'm pushing a workout today so I can have tomorrow as a rest day.  Not sure I can do a run and a hike today with my heel.  It'll be a last minute decision.

Picking up the grand-girls for babysitting -- 4 dogs, one me.  I'm outnumbered, but I'll be the boss hahaha.  Hubby is leaving early on Friday to drive home so he'll be back by late afternoon. 

Remember I said I got influenced on floss?  My go-to has been really cheap lately -- breaking and not getting stuff out of my teeth.  It came and I'm hooked!  This feels amazing in your teeth and totally gets them cleaned out.  My only negative -- the flavors are barely noticeable.  I can smell the mint, but the coconut seemed basically flavorless.  I ordered one for everybody's stockings.  Got to start collecting gifts.

That's all from here.  Have a happy day.  Stay well -- later gators.

Tuesday Rambles

I need a t-shirt that say "I survived coffee OUT."  It was fine.  There was no one on the back cement area.  I was distanced from the gals, wore a mask inside and got a quick cold brew order.  Turns out, not a big deal.  It was nice to have an in-person chat.

Today is TJs run -- super early in the week, but it's the only day I can fit a first-thing-in-the-morning shop. No Publix needed since hubby hasn't been home.  I'll get everything I need for the lentil soup -- yum.  I need a change up for a few meals.  Probably a good Friday meal (rain and in the 60s).  Already can't wait!

BTW, Pleasure Activism IS a sex book with a little "other" mixed in.  Nothing wrong with that, but not what I thought when I bought the book.  I scan-read the rest last night.  If you want some liberating body image talk, sex is wonderful inspiration, self pleasure is a key, queer is fantastic -- this book is your jam.  It was interesting perspectives and very direct *blushing* ...

I'm finally getting into Ghosted (Rosie Walsh).  This is the Jen Hatmaker October selection.  Many peeps read in one sitting, stayed up until the wee hours to read ... and I couldn't get into it.  Someone posted about the it being a slow started and EVERYONE said READ ON, it gets fantastic.  

I watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix.  Super interesting, especially the part about elections and conspiracy theories and how things have become so out of hand.  Well worth a watch to keep a healthy perspective on what you digest, how you digest and the importance of balanced information.  Social media is not just about your friend's dog pictures -- even if you are an educated, reasonable, adult person.

Taking a left turn -- can I say how much I like my new undies from Gap and American Eagle.  Why do I wait so long to replace something so important?  It's so nice to have NO HOLES, no tears, no strings pealing off.

I'm planning to take the pups to the park for a walk early afternoon today.  Tomorrow, I want to push myself to go to Gibbs Gardens before I pick up the grand-dogs for some quiet nature time.  Getting OUT in nature and getting OUT of the house has been a key to feeling better mentally.  I have to make an effort or I don't do it.

Hope we all find some happy today -- stay well.  Later gators.