Full Moon

This was the moon yesterday with some clouds.  A minute later, all the clouds cleared -- they were MOVING.  It looked this pretty -- as they say, no filter (I don't even know how to use a filter on regular pictures).

23 for 2023 FINISHED -- I'll do a post this week.

Watched more of Echo 3 and it's stupid, but I want to know what happens so looks like I'm "watching" it.  Fast forward is a godsend.  

Picked this book from an older pile.  Only one chapter read, but I'll do some more of that today.  It's a decided summer read, but I picked a number and counted the pile and this was the winner.

All 4 dogs slept in my bed last night.  Oh boy.  It was an adventure.  Hubby is sleeping in the spare room because he's lucky lol.  Looks like we are set to survive this weekend with the chihuahua.  Kids are home tomorrow evening.  

I realized yesterday that I'm knee-deep in lazy land because I'm overwhelmed -- and it's all in my head.  The goal list has some projects and we have a few "big" things that need attention this first quarter.  I clumped it all in my head and completely shutdown at the enormity I made it.  I'll make this a post this week too.  Best way to get rid of this feeling is to take ACTION and get doing things.  Nothing is as big as I'm making it and it's actually mostly fun things.  Good lord.  I do this too often.

I'm thinking of quitting SCS coaching.  Most of the coaching calls are business problems.  I mentioned before that she used to separate out those questions, but is allowing them now.  Brook's coaching during the month is also mostly business focused.  I think that's rapidly becoming a shift in the entire program.  Her "best" coaches are rarely doing anything (they all have their own programs).  I also tried last week to book a couple of coaching sessions for the month and there was nothing.  A few times in the middle of the night (for international) and nothing set for the rest of the month.  I figured it was a delay with the holidays, but it's STILL the case.  I emailed and the response was they are hiring more coaches and I need to schedule further out -- um, there's NOTHING listed as far as the eye can see.  Coaching sessions are the reason I'm hanging on.  I'll give it another month and if there's no improvement, I'm out.

Oops -- dogs need me.  Have to run.  Happy Sunday.

Hanging On ...

Kid gloves with the chihuahua in the house, but so far we're surviving.  

Pictures for their parents.

Sweet -- but don't let this fool ya!

Camo

Pretty girl missing her mama

Yoga

Bedtime

I need to find some level of productivity today.  What I'm not sure.  I finished Ugly Love (Colleen Hoover) and I'd give it thumbs down.  New book pick today.

I also made a decision to NOT read the RGB bookclub pick.  It's dry and overly detailed.  I'll skim some, rewatch the documentary and call it a day.  Life's too short.  Also, the bookclub hasn't been set yet, so I may not be able to go anyway.

We started watching Echo 3 on Apple and it's just okay.  Very slow going first episode and it's all a little cliche.  We'll try a few more and see if we're sticking with it.

Next week is a turbo jump into ALL THE THINGS so I have 2 more days to get ready.  23 for 2023, back to Spanish, workouts, social stuff, appointments.  I've been veggin' hard and it's time to get back at it.  My back has played a big role in these last couple of weeks.  It's just about okay enough to handle a regular schedule. 

Hope you have a good weekend.  Later gators.

So Many Books!

Good morning.

A few hours away from grand-dogs coming over (they decided to drop them off this morning instead of yesterday).  Fingers crossed.

I'm still a bit of a mess -- especially my mouth.  I burned the roof and it's taking forever to heal.  I have an "emergency" appointment for Monday for a probable cavity which is becoming a problem now.  No hot foods (burn), no cold foods (tooth).  It's an annoying little problem.  I haven't had a cavity since I was like 10 years old (maybe younger).  It's hard to crew anything too.

Monti cuddles to the rescue.  Look at this adorable, smoochy faced boy.

Recovery numbers are the worst they ever been.  What is going on?  My sinuses feel better though -- COVID test was negative.

In the name of something soft to eat, I made a vegan baked oatmeal.  Dang, this was GOOD -- too good.  I love blueberries and it was perfect.   Layer of blueberries on the bottom too.

My goal list is on the last revision.  I'll have it finished this weekend.

I've been reading quite a bit.  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was excellent.  A bit melancholy, but such a good story.

Then I read this in a day.  Total edge of the seat with a crazy ending.  Over-the-top, but exciting.  Sequel is out in February.

Started this last night.

I caved and pre-ordered Spare.  It's too juicy to pass on.  I'm a royal news junky and for the record, I love Kate and William.  

Okay, I need to get going to be ready for 6 lbs of TROUBLE hah!  Happy Friday.  Later gators.

Weather (Under and Bad)

I feel like I have a sinus thing happening.  Right side only and only at night through the morning.  I think it's allergies -- I haven't been anywhere for long and always in a mask, but I'll test for COVID just in case.  I also have a tooth sensitivity on that side when I use mouthwash.  I think I have a cavity.

Ugh.  Suddenly, I'm falling apart.  

My Oura stats are TANKED.  Hours of big thunderstorms didn't help -- only 10 minutes of deep sleep.  My temp and heart rate are elevated overnight too.  This could be hormones.  Maybe getting sick.

Duke and I were able to get our first park visit before the storm yesterday morning.  5 miles (3/4 mile of jogging) and my back is okay today.

This storm is relentless.  Still going, but should be moving out by late morning.  It's a doozy.  I wonder if the change in temps and weather is causing my sinuses to act up.

Anyway -- I've been working on my lists for the year and overnight had a massive panic moment of overwhelm.  That's hormones.  It'll be tricky finishing the list while I'm spinning a little.

I went deep diving into some podcasts that talk about some of my interests for inspiration.  So many good ideas and that might be causing overwhelm too.  Everything doesn't need to be everything.

One podcast talked about calming spaces in your house.  I love two rooms here in GA and one of my goals is to love the master bedroom in Asheville too.  It was decorated with leftovers and I want to finish it this year (hence listening to this podcast).  The rooms here are my office and bedroom -- totally me and every time I walk into them, I notice how much they make me happy.  BTW, the spare room in Asheville gives me this feeling too.  I sometimes just stand and look at it.  I want the master to feel the same way.

I'll have the list finished by this weekend.  Indecision can become a thing and I'm overthinking things.

Today is my last nothing-on-the-calendar day for the post holidays.  Tomorrow comes with a bang.  Very early cleaning crew and grand-dogs over for the weekend.  Little Zoey (all 6 lbs of her) is giving the hardest time with everything.  Biting, hiding, total freak out.  She's on some medications, but is going back to the vet next week to see if something can help.  That's an old lady chihuahua for you.  This is going to be a stressful 4 days.  She MUST wear a diaper because she marks and pees everywhere.  Lately, she's only letting my son diaper her (not even her mama).  Wish us luck.

Have a good day.  Later gators.

Boring is BORING

I'm making progress on planning 2023 goals, but not there yet.  Why not?  Because it doesn't excite me enough.  Usually, I'm pumped up over the list and the year ahead.  A lot of what I was planning was just meh.

What's forming is more broad categories which gives me agency as the year goes on.  Example: Hiking.  I have a list of possible hike goals, but I don't want to choose one hike.  I want to know what it is about a hike goal that interests me and make THAT the goal.  Trying to figure it out is taking a lot of thought for each.  Yet, it needs to be specific enough that it pushes me to do it.  I hike already so ANY OLD HIKE isn't what I want on the list.

I'm also less interested in numbers game -- like hike 50 times.  Then the focus is on numbers only and I miss too much of the experience.  Yet, it needs to be measurable in some way or how will I know I did it?

Hmmmm.  So much thought, but it's kind of fun.

Also, from the time I wrote a sloppy copy, I've already done a few of the simple things.  Have a Christmas cactus and get it to bloom.  Turns out that's super simple lol.  I thought it needed a year of care before it bloomed.

My list is usually a mix of easy, fun, boring (but I want to get it finished) and bigger pushes.  But everything makes me excited -- even doing the boring things.  This list the boring is BORING.  Nope.  Not what I want.

The list needs to feel different year to year.  Not just a repeat of last year with a small tweak.  That's why I think some of the list needs to have a totally different flavor.  How do I want to show up?  What am I working on as a person?  What interests me?  What do I want to try on?  Finding things in that vain -- almost like a treasure hunt to find things over the year to achieve the goal.  Does that make sense?  Not every item, of course, but some of them.

I've been doing this since 2018 and I think that's why it's needing to morph a little.  That said, I don't know if the list will look different from the outside, but it will have intentions that make it different.  Maybe I'll include that on some of the items too.

Hope your week is going well.  Start of the week for many today.  Later gators.

2022 In Review

Let me start by saying, I modified a few goals after the back injury.  Since there was no way I was going to golf again, run a sub 24 5K or hit Peloton specs, I figured I'd change to something else.  After all, the list is for ME, for FUN and to remind me to move forward.

What I DID ...

Curing iron appointment to learn about hair -- I did it but it was a bust

Garden to share -- I was able to share with the kids and my aunt -- goal is more sharing this year

Bean's Bee Tour -- This was FUN

Renew RN license -- First thing finished

Sign up for Spanish class -- Biggest OVERACHIEVE for the year

Share rock painting -- Yep, and it continues to be fun

Vacation -- first in 2 years

Entertain Asheville neighbors -- happy hour!

Speak to a Spanish speaking person -- Many times, scary, but fun

Play board games in Asheville -- a couple of times

Family girls' weekend -- Chattanooga 

Fill out 5 year One Sentence Journal -- yep, year 2 started.  It's more interesting than I expected.

What's I SORT of did (with a little modification) ...

Bookclub lunch -- I hosted bookclub, but it wasn't THE lunch I was planning

Eat at Plant in Asheville -- changed this to Laughing Seed because Plant is too pretentious.

What I MISSED ...

Dinner party with intention -- missed because of COVID and my back injury

Little Free Library -- The BIGGEST procrastination of a generation lol.  

Girlfriend trip with Stacy -- I invited and planned, she declined.  Trying again this year.

Back to bedroom -- in the works, conversation had, waiting on a little MD help :)

Fill out family recipes for box my sister gave me -- Nope, another procrastination.

Proper English Roast -- ran out of time, postponed after back injury and never got to it.

Christmas lights on front porch -- simplified decor this year.  Maybe next year???

Most Fun:  trips -- Hawaii and Chattanooga

Most Proud:  Spanish goals

Most Surprising:  STILL didn't do Little Free Library

First one:  Renew RN

Last One:  Hawaii vacation

Most Underwhelming:  curling iron hair appointment

Most Disappointing miss:  bedroom or the trip with Stacy

Miss I don't care about:  Christmas lights

Not bad considering the flow of the year (back injury, COVID prevention for trips) -- I was able to get through a chunk of list.

I'm STILL planning the 23 for 2023 list.  I'll have it soon, but maybe not tomorrow.  I thought I had it close, but when I reviewed the options, it wasn't as exciting as I remember.  I need more FUN on the list.  

Moving forward ...

Hello, 2023

Happy New Year!

I don't have any of the recap lists finished yet and still figuring out what fun I'm doing for 2023 goals.  But I have been thinking a lot and I like where it's headed.

This week will be looking back, looking forward posts.  Who doesn't love a good retrospective and some predictions (goals) for the year!!

In the meantime ... here are a few bits of what's happening.

I listened to Gretchen Rubin yesterday.  She's the queen of practical, books, quotes, inspiration -- if you're planning out a year of goals, she's your go-to gal.  I mentioned she LOVES children's novels and I took 2 of her recommendations.  I ordered a vintage copy of Heidi from Etsy and ordered a used copy of The Second Mrs. Gigconda (never heard of this one).  P.S. I finished The NeverEnding Story and I liked it a lot.  

In the name of FS stuff, I forced myself to run a gift to my neighbor.  I had it all of December and never made the effort (she was away for a lot of the month too).  I almost bagged it with the thought, "doesn't matter because I ended up not needing the favor which was the reason for the gift."  I did it though (it wasn't a big thing) and had a nice conversation with her.  Later in the day, a warm loaf of banana bread showed up at the door.  Connection.  Taking time.  Doing what I said I was going to do.  That's how I want to show up.

I ended up going immediately to Whole Foods after I finished the post.  Got a big list of stuff (at an empty store) for soup recipes.  I made roasted tomato yesterday.  

4 new VEGAN soups to try.  I might not have time or energy to make the Sweet Potato soup (it was an afterthought because I happen to have all the ingredients).  Stocking up the freezer again.

    Leek Potato

    Moroccan Chickpea

    Sweet Potato

    Buffalo Cauliflower Chowder

Decorations are put away in record time.  Simple might be my new normal for a few years -- a break is nice.

I watched the Netflix docu-series on Pepsi and the jet.  I don't remember the story, but those years were some of the busiest in my life and I watched almost no TV and definitely no news.  Guess I missed it.  It was interesting and well done.  Worth the watch.

My girlfriend's Christmas gifts arrived.  Some fun stuff.

Smells so good.
A littler nervous about the wooden box and fire.

Rainbow glass.

Bread warmer

Books and a necklace
made from a 1970 penny
(the penny is on the back)

Foot massager

Today is SOUP all day and podcasts.  Maybe a short Peloton ride (but my back isn't happy so I'm not sure).  I'll do a new book pick too.  

I get to start over on the one sentence journal.  NOW it gets really interesting.  What did I write last year?  What was I doing?  What was I thinking?  I'm glad I stuck with it.  5 years on one page.  Year 2 starts today.

Happy 2023.  May this year be just what we need.  Later gators.

This is a quote I took from Gretchen Rubin and wrote in the back of the One Sentence Journal.

"The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." -- William Morris.