Goodies and Such (ON HOLD)

I've been trying and rebooting and reloading and I CAN NOT get pictures to import.  Error every single time.  Maybe it's a problem with the blog so I'll try again tomorrow.  If I can't do pictures, I'll type it out -- not nearly as fun, but what can this tech-not-savvy-person do.

Instead I'll chat about my mood.

Yesterday was a tough day.  From wake up through the end of the day.  Things felt heavy and scary and sad.  Good news is I accepted it and went with the flow.  Better news is I woke up feeling good this morning.  I still have no idea if this is hormones or pandemic blues or what.

I met with a friend in a park parking lot and chatted -- even that didn't make me feel better.  Monti had his groom and it went well.  Masks on all but one person at pickup, but he was respectful and kept away from me (groomer is in a Hollywood Feed store) and very few people overall (only 4).  It felt safe enough.

Today is NOTHING.  I planned a possible Trader Joe's run, but I don't need enough to warrant a trip.  Our numbers are skyrocketing so I'm staying home as much as I can.  Meanwhile, our neighborhood is partying away with NO PRECAUTIONS at all.  Fun Friday tonight.  Good lord.  

I LOVE the Hoka walking shoes.  They're crazy comfortable.  I haven't done any long walks with them and I'm not sure which shoes I'll wear when I do anything over a few miles.  I'm trying the running shoes on the treadmill this morning.  Since I haven't run outside in a long time, I decided to try them on the treadmill so only one factor changes.  If my heel is horrible, I'll know it's the shoes, not the outside run.

I'm in the mood for a long walk outside, but that seems to upset my lower back.  It's feeling wonky which is a precursor to going out.  I'm being super careful about bending over too.  The walk has to wait.

I tried a OBE yoga class yesterday and it was okay.  Beginner level, but the first flow was crazy hard.  I ended up doing my own thing and watching the rest.  Not a good one for me.  I'll keep looking -- so many to choose from so I think I'll need to find instructors I like and that will take some time (and some previewing).  But it's still a good option to add VARIETY to my workouts for now.

It's going to be a hot weekend with no rain.  As of now, I have no plans, but maybe I'll see the kids.  I need to clarify the risk level first -- doesn't matter THE WHO, it matters THE WHAT.  

Stay well.  Later gators.

A Little Modifications

My power walk felt awesome -- so incredible I doubled the length and walked 6 miles.  That left my back a bit wonky (maybe it's walking hills that does my back in).  I bagged the arm express workout because arms can be a lot on my back too (planks, etc).  I'm going to do a stretch yoga this morning.

Meatballs became ONE variety with a mix of turkey and beef.  I forgot that I don't like the Costco organic ground turkey.  It's ground so fine it's like mush so I mixed it with the beef -- that bagged my plans for a couple of turkey meatball recipes.  Turned out yummy and I'll FoodSaver the lot of them today.

Groomers are STILL overbooked since the shelter-in and I can't get the boys in for a month.  I'm trying to make a switch anyway so I asked neighbors for recommendations.  Long story short, Monti has a quick groom today (she had a cancelation) and I'll trial the place for our picky boy.

My girlfriend and I were meeting to walk today, but she wants to sit instead.  Probably better for my back anyway.  Our walks usually get changed :)

I pushed back the Enneagram videos purchase.  Yesterday was more full than I expected and there's no need to push things since I only "rent" them for a limited time.  I'll buy them in the next few days -- shooting for tomorrow.

I finished This is How It Always Is (Laurie Frankel).  It got better and moved along.  It's a sweet story and I'd recommend it.  The ending wrapped up a little too cleanly, but happy endings are nice too.  The author has a daughter who transitioned from a son.  The story isn't theirs, but it pulls from her experience.  

I have some new recommendations to share tomorrow.  Books, TV, shoes, gadgets.  Fun stuff.

Until then ... stay well.  Later gators.

Mid-Week Updates

My new schedule is working well so far.

I did my first OBE Fitness workout and I'm sore -- good sore (no surprise).  I did a low impact cardio circuit and it was fun.  Lots of legs and that's what's sore and tired today, but I need that -- use muscles in different ways.  So far, OBE seems like a good option.  Lots of workouts to choose from, workout plans, longer options, express options, live classes.  Variety without a big cost (under $30/month).

I canceled the Pete's Paleo subscription.  I had lowered it to 5 meals every two weeks.  These were a nice, healthy freezer option during quarantine, but I'm tired of them.  My only complaint was SO MANY BEETS and I hate beets -- super duper hate beets and didn't eat them.  Also, the chicken was usually dark meat with skin, but I did eat it.  Also, not my preference -- I don't like the texture of dark meat chicken.  For the price, that was too many "not liking" options.  The only specification you could make was no pork.  That said, great company, great customer service and good delivery.  I still have about 10 meals to finish up.  I wish you could choose the menu since there were a lot that were excellent.

Monti is feeling better.  Antibiotic has all but kicked his cough away.  

Today is a cook up ... ground beef and ground turkey.  Hello, MEATBALLS (!!)  I have a few variations to try -- nothing fancy and I'll modify the recipes with what I have on hand.  The freezer is getting packed again.  I found organic chicken at Costco so next week is a chicken cook up.  Nice to be stocked up with cooked meat.

I'm going to take my "extra" walk today and do some podcast listening.  Hoka shoes are out for shipping -- GET HERE already LOL.  I wanted to wait to do my extra walking until they arrived, but oh well.  Long power walk and a 10 minute express OBE arms workout.  Partially sunny so I'll get some VitD happening.

This Is How It Always Is (Laurie Frankel) is okay.  I'm almost halfway and it's the same thing over and over -- the story needs to move along.  I want to finish it quickly so I can read something else (not a good sign), but shouldn't judge a book until it's over.  Stay tuned.

On the agenda today is to purchase Enneagram videos.  You rent them for a week (I think) so I needed a stretch where I was willing to listen to 6 hours of videos.  It's a recording of a seminar by Suzanne Stabile.  She's one of the "experts" and trainers on Enneagram and believes in figuring out your number through hearing about it -- not a test.  The more I learn about 6, the more I think it fits though.  Also, the more I learn about 2, the less I think it fits.  Jen Hatmaker (my guru LOL) recommends her and her videos.  $40 and since I'm doing nothing social, it's my "fun" money purchase.  I'll do an Enneagram post (or two) once I watch the videos.  

Best get moving before it's too hot.  Dogs and I had our super early walk, but it's time for me to do mine.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Fun??

Bare with me ... it's a ramble ...

I've been actively working on myself for about 4 or 5 years.  Remember My Happiness Project a few years ago -- it was all about having FUN.  And I did for the entire year.  Big, little, etc. and it was amazing. 

Then the fun wasn't as fun and I felt lost again.  So I pivoted the other way -- spiritual growth.  Fun was for rookies.  It was about all IMPORTANT work, inside work, be a better person.

Then that lost its magic and felt hard and boring and obnoxiously self-righteous. 

Of course, the answer was I need both in a balance (sometimes OBVIOUS takes me years to figure out for myself).

Anyway ...

That brings me to my need for FUN.  I'm working hard on the inside stuff in this hard world, but fun is all but gone.  I'm out of balance.  Since this pandemic has some legs and I think 2020 is a wash, I need to find my way to having fun during this strange time.

The good news is FUN is very subjective and very odd things count toward my fun quota.  A new mug.  A new nail polish color.  A different workout song.

The bad news is what is also fun is wine, cake, cheese ... fun AND easy AND ultimately with not-fun consequences.  

My big, usual fun stuff (for a hardy fun fix) can't happen during a pandemic.  Massage, nails, seminars, book tour speakers, gatherings with friends, etc.  My other go-to is physical activity -- hike, trail run, walk listening to podcasts, etc.  My heel is taking me out of these options too.

Yet, there is one area of "fun" that I can control and it brings me a lot of good feels.  Can you guess it?  It's the one thing I'm fighting hard and I know it the one area that I can still find a lot of FUN feeling.  

FITTING INTO MY PANTS (!!)

This might seem super duper superficial, but hear me out.  I feel good when I feel good.  I enjoy wearing ALL my clothes, getting dressed when everything fits and anything is an option.  I like wearing fun PJs to bed, cute exercise clothes.  This is a huge GOOD, FUN feeling producer.

It's not about comparison to others or fitting into a smallest size.  I've spent a lifetime knowing myself and I know when my body feels well -- energized, strong, comfortable.  I'm never really thin (by standards today), but it's a size that I know works for me.

I've been bummed about feeling like I have very few FUN options these days.  Cursing the pandemic (and those abusing the rules), cursing my heel injury.  Telling myself the only option left is cake and wine and cheese -- it is a pandemic, after all.  What choice do I have?!!?

I'm ignoring the obvious because I don't want to DO THE WORK to get back to that place.  Ugh.  But it's my best option to do well in 2020.

So this long ramble to say my path to FUN is through better eating.  I'm not going to talk about what that looks like because I've talked that to death.  I know what to do.  Nothing drastic, just stop stuffing my face with junk all evening.  

I have no idea if this makes sense outside of my brain, but there you have it ... my FUN plan.  Fit back into my pants and maybe even The Green Dress.

I'll leave today with a funny ...  stay well.  Later gators.

Happier Day

As usual, morning brings a better attitude and the worry is washed away for now (I know hubby made it safely to VA -- that was the BIG worry).

Pups and I are already "walked" this morning.  Monti has some kennel cough reappearing -- might need a vet visit so we cut the walk a little short.  I'll see how he does today.  It's a resistant bugger.  Now we're back in bed getting our cuddles and nap (them, not me).  Trying to think outside the box on how to get mornings to run smoothly.  Walking before everything (coffee, dog breakfast, etc) might be the trick.  It was nice to walk before the sun was completely up -- cool, quiet, pretty moon.

I'm excited to try some new workout (activity) ideas.  I'll sign up for OBE Fitness today so I can be ready to go for tomorrow morning.  Stay tuned ...

The next part of re-thinking this quarantine is my afternoons.  As I mentioned, most everything falls in the morning (grocery store runs, long dog walks, workout, etc) and that leaves a long, boring afternoon ahead.  Guess how I usually fill it??  FOOD while watching TV.  Eeeeek.  That's a problem -- so my pants tell me.

I decided that at 3 o'clock, I'll do SOMETHING for an hour that is NOT TV.  Something to break the habit of starting to snack and sit and eat.  Puzzles are making a come back.  I have the latch hook too.  Maybe reading on the porch.  Maybe a Starbucks run with the pups.  Maybe a dog walk if it's an overcast afternoon (like today should be).  I need to change the routine to something NOT EATING.  I've set an alarm on my phone for 3 o'clock.  The GOOD NEWS is I love a routine.  I think if I give this a bit of consistency I'll form a new habit quickly.  

I'm also thinking of moving journalling to afternoon.  The mornings are pressed, but mornings usually give me loads more consistency (no interruptions, etc) so I do my "healthy" habits first thing.  Since I have NOTHING to do, afternoon consistency shouldn't be a problem during quarantine.  I'm often rushed journalling which sound ridiculous since the days are so boring, but mornings are strange.  Switching to afternoons during these weird times might be a good solution.

Next up on my figuring-out-quarantine plan is having some FUN.  This is loads trickier to figure out and might take some trial and error.  More on that tomorrow.

I finished The Ten Thousand Doors of January (Alix Harrow) -- book recommendation from Melissa Urban.  Uplifting fantasy story and I liked it a lot.  Something different.  I started a Jen Hatmaker recommendation This is How It Always Is (Laurie Frankel) about a transgender child and her family.  Good so far.  I have a long list of GOOD books and that's awesome.  I'm plugging along pretty consistently these days.

TV watching is in a bit of a slump even though I'm watching TV still.   Netflix's Bosch.  I don't like the acting -- especially the lead character, yet I'll probably watch all (5 or 6) seasons.  The storyline is okay, but predictable (and horribly acted).  I'm desperate LOL.  I still haven't watched Tiger King and I feel obligated to understand all the memes hahaha so that's on my list too.  I need a new binge series.  

That's all from here.  I have some house chores today so there's that to keep me occupied -- sad state of exciting news.  Stay well, it's a mess out there.  Later gators.

Hello :)

Today is that mix of hubby leaves (I worry for him) and I get to have time to myself (yea, but guilty).  I'm feeling both the big feels and it's once again the hardest day of having hubby away.  This is his rollover week, so 13 days before he's home again.  Our little Duke gets super sad on the travel day too -- dogs know the signs (luggage, pack the car).  Believe it or not, this adds to my sad as well.  I feel for the little guy.

Things are looking bleak in COVID land and flying seems like it's a far, far away reality.  This makes this new job situation feel heavy and hard.  (Of course, it's our choice and we're lucky, etc, etc, etc ... but it still feels rotten).

If hubby can't fly by the end of August, he'll look for another plan that includes some working from home time.  Being home a total of about 4.5 days a month isn't okay longterm.  Driving 8 plus hours one way is the pits too.  Ugh.  

Still hibernating and staying as careful as possible.  Numbers are horrible.  GA doesn't give a rats ass about wearing masks, avoiding large groups, social distancing or washing hands.  Plans for the next 13 days??  Absolutely NOTHING.

I'm working on changing things up since this isn't over by a long shot.  I need to figure out a new normal that gets me doing something.  

Here's the PHYSICAL ACTIVITY changes for my new normal ...

First thing on the docket this week is joining OBE Fitness.  Online exercise classes.  Live classes and a library to choose from.  Cardio, strength, yoga ... also express 10 minute classes for quick add-ons.  I'll chat more about it once I start -- Tuesday is the plan since tomorrow is a treadmill day.  My heel is still wonky, but I'm moving forward with SOMETHING.

I ordered new running and walking shoes.  Both Hoka.  I'll see if that helps with all these nuisance injuries.  I wear Brooks, but haven't been happy with them lately.  They wear rapidly and I don't notice the same support.  My sister is an avid runner and her running group loves Hoka.  One pair for recovery/walking and another for running.

Next up is taking some longer walks.  Monti put a bit of a hiccup in my longer walks, but after I walk the dogs, I'm going to do some longer podcast-listening walks a few days a week (assuming my heel can take it) ... even in the heat.  After my morning run around, I sit on my butt for basically the rest of the day.  Everything I do happens early (grocery store, workouts, longer dog walks, cleaning, cooking).  By mid-afternoon, I'm boring out of my mind and butt plant on the sofa to read or watch TV.  That's not enough movement. 

Tomorrow I'll chat about that afternoon window and my plans to make some changes.  

I have no choice.  I can't continue feeling and being this blah.  Life continues and I need to figure out a healthy, happy way to walk through this pandemic.  

Hope you are well and happy.  I'm back to journalling and that's also a good step.  For now it's me and my dogs.  Luckily this is TRUTH (!!)

Welcome, July

I've been MIA again -- nothing in particular, just this darn morning schedule mashup has me out of habit.

I have lots of updates, but I'm up against my morning again.  Hubby is home all week so I expect to be MIA or very quick until he's back in VA on Monday.

Birthday updates

Book updates

Enneagram updates

Shopping updates

Healthy habits updates

Lots to say.  Getting back into things.  Stay well -- it's a mess out there.  Later gators.

(Have no idea how to add caption with this new format.  Monti on the top.  Me and my high school girls way back in HS -- I'm second from the left on the bottom -- this is the crew that was supposed to go to Italy this year.)