Thursday Things

More like Thursday rambles.  

The MART was a mixed bag -- more good than bad though.  First the prickly part.  It's a production to get into the building -- Fort Knox security, by invitation only.  The jeweler spelled my name wrong by ONE LETTER and they wouldn't let me in.  3 phone calls later, back of the line again, words exchanged, lots of frustration and they gave me a pass in.  Problems with the new parking system too and some general other aggravations.

Now the better.  My ring is being sent out to replace the missing stones.  I tried to modify and/or exchange stud earrings I got for Christmas.  I like them, don't love them and never seem to choose to wear them.  It was a MASSIVE expense to modify (ridiculous really for only a modification) and since I've had them for a year they didn't want to do an exchange (I understand).  Long and short is I got a second pair that was just moderately more expensive than modifying the original pair.  Those earrings need to be sent out to have a part adjusted.  When I have both pairs, I'll show a pictures.  I also got my rings checked and polished.  The new ring was sized in a hurry and the band was rough -- now it's smooth as a baby's bottom.

Something about yesterday (maybe hormones too) was exhausting.  I ended up in bed by 6:30 and asleep by 7 o'clock.  I was drained -- mentally and physically.  It felt like a day that I needed to end.  Long, good night's sleep and I feel better this morning.  I bet it was hormone related.  

I'm grocery shopping today for the winery picnic this weekend and stuff to make a carrot cake from my DIL's birthday.  Rain all day so it's a good day to be inside.

That's all from here.  Have a good day.  Later gators.

To the MART

Headed downtown to Atlanta's MART today to drop my ring to be fixed.  My band ring dropped stones at the wedding -- bad omen, wild dancing ... who knows haha.  I'm also thinking about seeing if I can trade in my earrings for something different.  I like them, I don't LOVE them and I have a design idea.  If I can't do a trade though, I'll keep what I have.  

Some LIFE COACHING updates.  One more month and I reach VIP status at Self Coaching Scholars.  This unlocks other training calls with Brooke and a couple of classes she taught.  I'll watch for a month and most likely leave the program.  I like it, but I've caught up on the back materials and the new stuff isn't enough to justify the membership.  And, while it's helpful to hear coaching calls, it's really the same things over and over.  At a certain point the return isn't the same.  If I were starting a business, it would be a gem to help moving that forward -- and totally see the value.

Also, the 20 minute coaching calls are more a bust than helpful.  Things I want to discuss are nuanced and 20 minutes isn't enough time with (mostly) so-so coaches who are randomly assigned each call.  I'm also having problems actually scheduling calls -- errors out, defaults to the wrong time, doesn't sent reminder calls.

That said, I don't want to be without life coaching so I'm on the hunt for a personal life coach.  I have a consultation call with one of Brooke's graduates next week.  Stay tuned.  My concern is the price -- I bet I'm going to be shell-shocked.  The problem is you often get what you pay for and I'm ready for next-level coaching.  Low lying stuff is worked out and I need someone with more experience = more expensive.  

Too bad this doesn't count as mental health prevention like a therapist would, but I don't need therapy.  I need life coaching.  There's overlap, but therapy is a lot of working on your past and life coaching is more future focused -- in a generalized terms.  

Hubby comes home from a trade show in Vegas today.  Fingers crossed he stayed well.  Bed to myself (and dogs) is over for now, but I'm glad to have him home.

Have a great day.  Later gators.

Extra Regular

This is kind of an extra-extra "regular" week and I'm at a loss about what to chat about (hence no post yesterday).

I met with my girlfriend at a new coffee house for a couple of hours yesterday.  It was good to catch up and try somewhere new.  Beautiful fall day.  Also took the pups to the park for a "sniff."

I finished bingeing YOU on Netflix.  Didn't disappoint and still as good as the first season.  I'm reading The Mother-In-Law (Sally Hepworth) on recommendation from my DIL lol (!!)  Seems like a good, quick mystery.

Grooming day for the boys today.  They hate it, as all self-respecting dogs do, but I pay premium for an express groom so they are in and out.  Barely enough time to run an errand before they're finished.  Errands and another batch of bean burgers and that rounds out my day.

I have a couple of projects on the docket for the next week or so.  Hopefully, maybe, finally paint the Little Free Library -- I've taken "no rush" to another level.  Also need to plant the many (too many) spring bulbs that I ordered this summer and they were delivered for fall planting.  I bought the planting soil yesterday.  I need to plan the plant and then do it this week.

My fall garden is growing, but not well.  I don't think it's going to take.  I needed to start the seeds inside over the late summer and then transplant outside (maybe??).  I'm also going to sprinkle a bit of fertilizer and see if that gets things growing.  Things sprouted, but seem to have stopped (just like my first spring plant).  Lots of learning with gardening.  

I have a December Asheville trip planned with my girlfriend for her 60th birthday.  We confirmed dates and I'll make a few reservations today.  I love celebrating a birthday -- especially a milestone one.

Have a great day and I hope fall is falling for you too.  Best time of year.  Later gators.

Nothing but Nothing

I have a Sunday filled with NOTHING and I'm here for it.  Yesterday I had the carpets cleaned ("pee" room is much better -- just a hint of something-smells-different) so that counted as SOMETHING.

It's me, dogs, morning routine and whatever I feel like doing.  It's cooler today so I want to take the dogs somewhere for a walk adventure in the afternoon.

Nothing means nothing on the calendar, but I plan to have a productive day of things for ME (and the pups).

YOU dropped on Netflix so I started it yesterday.  Major Dexter vibes (more than last season) and I love it.  (Not exactly productive LOL, but I'll watch more tonight.)

I'm about halfway on the Steven King book, Bill Summers.  I like it so far, but it's hit a bit of a lull in the middle.  I assume a storyline will pickup again.  It has two stories going -- one in the present and one that the character is writing about his life (a book -- his cover was an author).  I could do without the book storyline.  Lately, I really appreciate a book that is well written enough that it can tell a story from start to finish.  Not back and forth in time, not back and forth in narrator, not two stories that converge at the end.  I'm disappointed this isn't one of those books.

The kids' wedding video is finally finished.  It's so wonderful.  Took forever, but it was worth the wait.  Such a great memory (!!)  It's under 10 minutes, but highlights the entire day.

I got influenced (Tabatha Brown) yesterday to try a Goli product -- Ashwagandha.  Good for lots of things (so it claims) -- including menopause symptoms.  Last product I tried had no effect (Katie Couric recommended it).  I'll give an update when it comes.  Searching for something that might work a bit ...

I also got a blouse for the holidays from Anthropology.  Pictures when it comes.  Thought it would be nice to have something new and festive for this year.  Crushed velvet in a wine color -- perfect with jeans.  I've had my eyes on velvet since last year, but never found anything I liked -- fingers crossed.  She's pretty :) and I can return to the store if it doesn't work -- major plus.

That's enough rambling this morning.  Have a great Sunday.  Later gators.  

It's Friday

Hubby came home last night and left again for a big trade show through next week.  It's not often he travels over a weekend.  Somehow that feels strange to me even though most days are indistinguishable since the pandemic started.

Full swing routine starts tomorrow -- today is the last of the recovery days after the last two weeks.  It's my regular routine with allowance for not cooking today lol.  Since I'm on EMPTY everywhere (pantry, frig, freezer), I don't want to shop and cook today.  I'll buy something prepared at Trader Joe's and get back to home cooking tomorrow.

I set up the rest of October with a few little social things, a weekend in Asheville and lots of outdoor time. I have a couple more things to check out, but keeping the rest of the month easy paced.

One thing I learned over the pandemic was to stop RUSHING everything so much.  Enjoy the process (of cooking, of meal planning, of walking the dogs, etc).  When I have a full calendar, I jump back to rushing things and so much seems less enjoyable.  Days become task lists between big events.  

I LOVED the 2 weekends away.  It was nice to see old friends, socialize, change things up ... but I miss the pace and quiet of a regular week.

And, I need to clean up my eating -- too much cheese, too much snacking, not enough regular meals, barely enough veggies.  I feel so good when I eat well and so junky when I don't.  

It's kind of like I need a detox -- body, mind and spirit.  I'm still working on how to enjoy BIG things and stay feeling well.  I did a lot of things well, but the sheer number of days away took me outside of the "zone."  It's hard to turn it around again.  My goal is to get to a point that I don't have this kind of rollercoaster.  Making progress, but on the snail trail.

Oops, my computer needs to be plugged in so that's all this morning.

Have a great weekend.  Later gators.

Pictures

I forgot I have HVAC service coming today so I got my booster yesterday.  Feeling fine other than a hematoma from a stick to a blood vessel -- not the best sticker pharmacist.  Next up ... shingles.  I'll wait a few weeks to give my body time to do its thing.

Here are some goodies from shopping in Asheville and 2 new books.

Crazy Faith because of a podcast.
Stephen King also from a podcast recommendation.
Starting it today.

New lite-weight jacket.
I like the color a lot.

Comfy and warm for winter.

Blue was my color this weekend.
Fun fall dress.
Looks more gray in the picture, but it's blue.

Tiny double vase and a crystal.
Both local and I wanted to support the businesses.
Stone is healing energy -- and I love green.
Vase is for the wild flowers (if they bloom this year).

Blasted through my home to-do list yesterday.  A few things left for next week -- like planting the spring bulbs.  Slowly but surely feeling back to my regular self.  I'm super duper grateful for a slow roll back and not feeling pushed.

On the calendar for next week is a cook-up.  Freezer is EMPTY and I need some variety choices.  I'll pull from fall recipes -- that sounds really good.

Have a great day and stay well.  Later gators.

Regrouping and Recouping

You heard it here first -- all this week is slated for RECOVERY.  

Active recovery, but still recovery.  I need to deep dive into my regular routine, eat well, sleep well, etc.  Three days of homebody-ing to get myself back to myself.  

Then I'll be ready for full steam ahead.

I postponed the trip the the MART downtown (to get my ring fixed) because I'm not up for a drive downtown today.  I'm also planning my booster shot tomorrow (assuming I can get an appointment) and that means laying low for a day too.

I have a lot of house chores and little errands to run this week.  I have the luxury to slow roll back to normal and I'm taking it.

I'm also sticking to NO SOCIAL STUFF until next week too.  Regrouping and recouping (just made this up and now I'm changing the title of this post lol -- clever me).

I'll take pictures of a few goodies I got in Asheville -- stay tuned.

That's all from my bed this morning -- dog cuddles so started off back in bed.  Have a great day.  Later gators.