Rambles

Pulling up and out again.  Guess my hormones are stabilizing a little.  Rain and possible storms in the forecast today so plans are a little iffy.

I want to go to the park this morning to do a bit of running (5K is days away) and I have an 11:30 URBAN 2 hour "hike."  It's on a paved trail so it's totally a walk, not a hike and it'll be on the slower side.  Since the weather looks very iffy as the day goes on, I don't want to count on the walk for any movement.  I'll only run a couple of miles at most.  Let's see if the weather holds for any of this -- rain is one thing, thunderstorms are a no-go.

Library holds are coming fast and furious.  5 in the last few days.  I finished 3 and picked up 2 new ones yesterday.  I've been lazy about pictures -- none of the 3 I read were fabulous.  More on the 2 when I start them.  (I know -- riveting talk about books lol!)  Promise more details when I get my act together.  I read Gretchen Rubin's new book about the 5 senses.  Its wasn't my favorite of hers (Better Than Before is my favorite).  I read the book by the Holistic Psychologist -- good, but it's work I've already done so it wasn't very captivating to me.  An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (Hank Green) -- science fiction.  Creative story, but I didn't think there was enough character development to really love the book.  It was his first, so job well done and maybe improvement as he writes more (I think a sequel is already written).

Anyway ... rambling this morning. 

I guess I'll call it -- what's left to say lol!  Hope you have a good Tuesday.  Later gators.

New Week

Mother's Day was nice -- although it was a lot of "mothering."  Taking care of 4 dogs, cooking for the family.  Still, I had a nice time (and MY celebration was last weekend).  

We are down to 2 dogs this morning and the morning was exponentially easier when you divide the number in half lol!

But, just in case my life looked "too good" (hah) ... woke up with my monthly.  Cramps, headache, massive night sweats, anxiety, low energy.  I mean, seriously.  I even have a pimple -- I never get pimples!  It's so hard to find a day where I feel myself.  I'll say it a thousand times -- hormones are no joke.  Good news is it'll be almost over by the 5k race this weekend.  That's a bright spot.

I have a hair appointment and a visit to Lowe's (screen door doesn't fit our other door so back to the drawing board) on the agenda today.  I wish I could stay in bed instead, but alas, it's better than needing to go to work.  I'll sweat like a bass-ass under the hair robes today.  Good lord.

We added a little fun to dinner yesterday.  Hello, taste tests.  I love doing these.  First up, 20% vs 15% for the burgers.  I made itty bitty patties and pan fried.  Boys tasted and they picked the 20% -- better flavor AND more juicy.  Winner.  Guess it does make a difference.

Then radishes.  One from the market and I picked a straggler from the garden (I have a few still growing). Fresh picked was the best -- crispy, spicy.  Of course.  Fun to taste side-by-side.

Garden on left.  Isn't she cute?!?

I have a full week.  It's good, but my anxiety is saying differently.  I'm choosing to ignore it -- it's all hormones, a total fake-out.  Breathe.  

Hope you're set for a good week.  Later gators.

A Little Pump List

It's been an interesting time lately.  A lot of poopy stuff going on (sick, hormones, energy, back) that's frustrating, but simultaneously FS stuff is coming to play.

Everything is little, but I'm noticing it and it's stuff I've been working to cultivate.  Might be easy or obvious to others, but it's not stuff that comes easily to me.

Here's a little brainstorming list ... a little pump up list ... a little reminder of what works to make me feel good.

(1) A friend texted me last night and asked me to join her and another friend for a 5k race through mushroom farms in the mountains.  A total mushroom themed event.  What?!?!?  Yes, please!  Checks so many FS boxes. (Cultivating friendships that are interesting.  Yes to nature.  Yes for variety.  Feels good to be included.)

(2)  Better conversations.  I'm listening more.  Asking better questions.  Pausing before I talk.  I'm learning so much by approaching casual interactions differently.

(3)  Reminding myself to expect to be delighted.  Delights are everywhere when you remember to notice.

(4)  Reaching out to people with little touch points.  Thinking of you moments.  No agenda, just small connections.  Compliments or comments to casual contacts too.  

(5)  Sharing things I'm excited about.  Got everyone excited about Tinto del Verano drinks from Spain -- even though I'm not drinking.  Got a text and cheers picture last night.  Fun to share.  Touch points again.

(6)  Focusing on my interests.  If something checks more than 2 FS boxes, I give it a lot of energy and effort.  Like asking my aunt and DILs to go on the garden tour in June.  4 checks on this event!

(7)  Making an effort for friends.  Travel log for Madrid and my girlfriend is enjoying the recommendations.  She and her husband are texting us with pictures each time -- connection.  Shared travel experience even though we aren't together.

Okay -- dogs need me so that's the list for now.  It's good to focus on the good.  Happy Mother's Day!

Dog Days

Already a long go with my "sweet," tiny, 6 lb, very old, full of spit and fire, chihuahua grand-dog ... so I'll keep this short today.

Fun time with the aunties.  I "retirement edited" shopping and came home with just one pair of new readers.  Good on me.  Pouring rain turned to clouds and finally a little sun.

Today is a grocery store run for tomorrow's grill out and a little food prep.  Oh, and a LOT of dog stuff.  Still trying to get the 100 meds into our little grand-dog this morning.  She can smell it a mile away hah!!  Lord give me strength :)

Happy Saturday.  Later gators.

Thanks, Past Self

As I expected, I had a great time yesterday -- even with a long "dread everything" stage.  Full circle, ending with happy (I first wrote this as a "happy ending" ... word placement matters lol!!).

The hike was fun and not hard ... good jaunt through the trails -- guess I was ready enough.  Lots of conversations about travel, retirement and hiking -- plus enough silent intervals to enjoy the mountain.  I met one of the other hike leaders and he gave me the lowdown about his hikes -- l'll be on the lookout for some interesting ones.  The Happy Rocks we left on Sunday were gone -- that always makes me smile.

Random old kitchen?
Would love to know the story.

Hike leader.  She's 78 -- amazing.

Heard from my girlfriend who had her first vacation day in Madrid yesterday.  She was at a restaurant we recommended, eating what we recommended.  Sharing an experience with good friends -- weeks apart, but still together.

Before I left for the charity event, I texted the woman who introduced me to Refuge Coffee.  She was an adopter through the dog rescue who happened to be wearing a shirt that caught my eye.  Anyway, we had a really nice text exchange and she's expecting to move back to ATL this fall.  If so, we are planning to reconnect.  I'm very glad I reached out -- FS thing.

The drive to the charity event was easy.  Parking was no issue.  I met incredible people, had deep conversations and silly conversations, ate delicious food prepared by refugee women working to get their restaurant license and learned a lot about this community.  So much fun.  

There's a mural on the wall that I enjoyed.  Artist signed it and turns out I know her (also through the dog rescue).  Small, small world.

The drive home was horrible.  So much construction for this massive project that's about a decade long -- hard to see lines and lanes and exits.  My new glasses prescription is still an adjustment too.  I JUST got though the closure of all the exits for overnight work.  The police were behind me closing off the roads.  It was a little white knuckling the first half of the drive, but I made it.

Shout out to my past self -- she hooked me up with a great day. 

Happy Friday.  Off to lunch and shop with my aunties.  Then dog sitting begins.  Later gators.

Future Self Circle

I've been a busy beaver working on "things that future self would do."  Fake it 'til you make it.  Or you are what you practice.  It usually feels good when I make the plans, followed by a "being outgoing" hangover and then regret when the time comes ... and ends with feeling good when I do it.  It's a complete circle!

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What I'm working on for a future date, for future self ... 

Starts with the volunteer position.  Looks like I'm moving on with next steps (provided the others boxes are checked) -- i.e. I passed the essays.  In person interview after the background check and references.  

Garden planning.  It's a big plan with a big expense and I need to start it this summer.  Decisions are getting made and it's a little scary because there's a risk it won't be right -- after spending $$.

Master Garden home garden tour.  I signed up.  Then I invited my aunt.  Then I invited my DILs.  We're meeting at their neighborhood and I'll do the driving to each of 4 houses.  I know it'll be fun, but a quiet afternoon is now me being cruise director.  BUT ... it checks FS boxes.  Putting time and effort into areas that are important to me.  Building connections.  Sharing experiences.  

I signed up for an Urban hike with the hiking group.  I was going to pass because my calendar is getting full, but I thought that's NOT what FS would do.  Signed up for next week.

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Today is brought to me by my previous FS burst of planning.  Here's what's on the agenda ...

Fitness hike -- 6 miles, fast.  Am I ready to breath hard in the first heat-up of the summer?  This is the very popular hike that's super hard to get in -- so no backing out, but I'm not in great shape after the bronchitis.

Then a NIGHT EVENT (clutch my pearls).  Long drive into the city at rush hour.  It's an event supporting 2 charities I already support.  A couple of bookclub gals are going too.  The part that checks FS boxes are not letting a drive, at rush hour, in the evening (after dark on the way home) stop me from doing something I want to do.  It's a DON'T ACT OLD future self push or PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES moment.  (Also, not drinking at a social event ... oldie, but goodie.)

Two big-ish things in one day.  Geez.  As I sit now -- totally regretting both, dreading both, wanting to hibernate at home.  But I'll do both and love it.  My past self who loves my future self knows my present self is an introverted chicken.  Two against one.  They win.

I'll leave with a picture.  First of the season.  Takes a full year to start producing.  Past planning for a future time to bring joy in the present.  Sound familiar?!?!?

Random Tuesday Updates

I survived 1st dose of the shingles vaccination.  Literature says it's the 2nd dose that gives a stronger reaction, but everyone I know had issue on the 1st dose.  Overall achy and the night sweats -- not bad.  I feel a bit drained this morning (recovery numbers were tanked) but I don't feel unwell.

My youngest bought me an art class and I chose painting a wine bottle -- $35 (you bring your own bottle). I wasn't super happy about going it alone because these kind of classes are mostly "do with your friends" social nights.  That happened with the Paint Your Pet class too.  It felt a little uncomfortable being by myself, but I decided that's a good learning lesson for this time.  I only FELT alone -- lots I can do to not feel that feeling.  Here's the extra sweet part ... when he registered, he noticed that it was usually a group activity so he registered 2 seats for me to bring a friend.  What a thoughtful son -- I love how he notices things like this.  Already asked a friend and the "alone" lesson can wait for another day lol.  Class is in June.

Hubby is golfing so I arranged a SCS coaching call today.  There's a chance he'll be home, but I want to take advantage of using the weekly calls.  He knows about them so I shouldn't feel like I need to hide it, but I sort of do.  Getting used to this new normal.

Then I have a catch up call with an old friend (going to HH with her this fall).  Easily an hour of chatting, probably more.

I filled out an application for CASA yesterday and it was a lot.  Essays on philosophy about parenting, rights, responsibilities, government, etc.  And they wanted a little too much information.  Past employment -- supervisor, contact numbers, etc.  I put retired and didn't give that information.  They wanted the same with volunteer jobs too.  I gave organization names, but nothing else.  They said I'd need 3 references with emails.  Needed 4 with FULL information (phone, address, etc).  No relatives and 1 of 4 had to be someone other than a friend or a colleague.  Seriously?!?!  They gave educator, community leader or church leader as examples.  So who knows if I'm for them -- maybe not and I'm totally okay with it either way.  And a catch was there was no saving or going back on your application.  I spent 45 minutes on the essays only to move to needing all this very specific information.  If I stopped, then I'd lose everything I wrote.  Geez.  

If this isn't a match, I have a couple other ideas.

That's a wrap on this Tuesday.  Hope you have a good day.  Later gators.