Thankful to the nice woman who thought it was ingenious to create a kids yoga program based on popular movies. Check her out at Cosmic Kids, available on YouTube.
Downward Cat, if you will
State flower of Texas. In every home there exists a family photo, no doubt of children crying as their parents tell them they can’t pick the Bluebonnets. I know this to be factual, firsthand experience.
Examine them for bugs first
Speaking of flowers, check out the beautifulness happening in my backyard.
All the decorations!Late bloomers
Anyone else have a deep love for their bookshelves? Just me? You’re missing out on something good!
Send books!
___________
I ask you –
How are things with you?
Own any bookshelves? If so, how many?
What’s one photo that accurately depicts your life right now?
Working out at home just isn’t the same. Can I get an amen? You would think since it’s only a room away, I’d be more inclined to get it done. No driving, no getting dressed (if I’m being honest), no major changes to schedule. Somehow it just doesn’t work that way.
Finally found the twin to my dumbbell collection
As ridiculous as this sounds – par for the course – when I purchased the above dumbbells, there was only one. Who only buys one?! But instead of giving up on the fact I was probably going to be working out at home for quite awhile, I went ahead and bought the single dumbbell. Better than nothing. It’s been difficult; I continued to tell myself I was training uni-laterally and it would all work out. Puns again. So when I finally had an opportunity to check back, there it was. Two matching pairs of the proper size I needed. What did I do? I purchased one of them. Not the whole pair, because why would I need 3 dumbbells? When in Rhome… I took one dumbbell and left behind a pair and a single. Do I feel bad? Yes. Am I happy to complete my collection? Also yes.
Excuse the darkness, that’s the whole point
I haven’t been taking advantage of being 80% home bound the past 6 weeks. All these opportunities to work out unlimitedly, but noooooooo. Here I am at square uno. It became very apparent the progress I had was quickly becoming undone when I did the same workout I normally would and the next day I could hardly lift my arms. Ridiculous. Of course I know there’s a million factors. Allow me to sulk, please.
Introducing the pajama workout! Once I found the matching dumbbell, my excuses sounded even worse than before. And they were dismal before! Without cause to get out of it, I found myself literally falling out of bed, sipping on a super hot cup of coffee, and lifting my precious dumbbells overhead…you guessed it…in my PJ’s.
At least I got it done.
——————–
I ask you –
What’s your workout routine look like now? Do you have home exercise equipment?
Is your job considered physical or sedentary?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how frowned upon would it be to eventually return to my local gym wearing my pajamas?
Broken record alert. I’m over this. They days all run together and most of the time I don’t know what part of the year we’re in. Oh, look. It’s still March. Wait. April? Great.
Within the past year, I switched from half-caff coffee to a full blend. Turns out I really love Starbucks Blonde Roast. Incredible smooth with this great, deep taste. Mmmmm, so good. However, spending more time at home lends to multiple cups of coffee each day. By accident, one night I realized I was having a tough time falling asleep. This is pretty unusual for me because I’ve had an 8:30pm bedtime since I was a child and my body naturally finds this rhythm no matter how old I am. I’m serious. 8:30. I’ve always been an early riser; my quiet time in the mornings is precious and not to be disturbed. So I was somewhat put off by my inability to fall asleep. Until I realized the culprit: the 3 cups of coffee I’d had that day.
The more I pondered, the more I recognized each day was starting to become the norm for several cups of coffee. Interestingly, the reason I was drinking half-caff was because I had an issue with too much caffeine. Caffeine sensitivity, if you will. Too much caffeine makes me shaky, my heart starts racing, and I’ve passed out on occasion. Not a pretty sight. I don’t drink sodas or energy drinks; I love hot tea but limit consumption to 2 cups/day max. Imagine my surprise and suspicion when it turned out I was ingesting a lot of caffeine via coffee. But instead of downsizing or decreasing the amount of coffee I drink daily, I’m experimenting with making sure I drink said coffee earlier in the day and not within a few hours of bedtime. I’ll keep you updated!
Dalgona Coffee, all the craze
Disclaimer: I don’t drink black coffee. Oh no. I enjoy a hybrid of classy, expensive drinks and keto-accepted beverages. My coffee includes 3 ingredients: coffee (you don’t say!), heavy cream, and sugar-free syrup. It’s keto-approved and tastes incredible! There’s a certain brand I’m partial to; others just taste like sweet nothing.
I’ve been spending a lot of time in my happy place. The kitchen! Trying out new recipes is both rewarding and disappointing. Sometimes they work; other times they don’t. Much like relationships. I think what is most difficult is accepting that no matter how much you want it to be all the hype it doesn’t. For example, the next photo.
AKA yucky cake
Truthfully, it wasn’t yucky. But it won’t be winning any Best in Show awards. The recipe had major flaws to start with and I probably shouldn’t have trekked on when I noticed them. Ever the optimist. “I can make this work!” Even coming from a reputable cookbook, perhaps the writer was having a rough day. Some ingredients were left out of the instructions leaving me to guess where they should be placed. I do have a great background in recipes, but this one was something else. Maybe next time this Butter Pecan Sheet Cake will turn out as intended. Or I’ll just stick with what I know and love.
_____________
I ask you –
Any new trends you’ve been indulging in?
What’s your favorite cake or sweet-something recipe? Want to share the recipe with me?!
How often do you try out a new idea or do something you’re not accustomed to?
I know we’ve discussed this before, but it seems to have even more priority and relevance now – – –
Perusing the digital selection of board games searching for something new and interesting for a tiny tot, it seems they just don’t make ’em like they used to do. What’s with all this silliness?
Oh I know. It’s what sells. To each his own. Again. We’re slowly acquiring a fun selection of my childhood favorites, like Candy Land and Cooties, along with some new editions, like Hoot Hoot. Making every attempt to engage her mind, turn-taking, and energy is quite the feat. I’m still learning.
Monopoly is definitely on my mini’s want to play list; no matter how many times I remind her she hasn’t mastered counting past 18, much less up to 100, the yearning is strong. I see many family spats in my future. A summer-long game will happen. Just not this summer.
As we’ve instituted a weekly game night, I’m reminded of a few childhood friends who had families do the same. Mine wasn’t one. We played games, but mostly it was between my sister, brother, and I. The tradition of Friday night pizza and board games is something I hope mini’s friends will also see the value in as they grow. If all else fails, I’ll bribe with cookies.
_____________________
I ask you –
Favorite game(s)?
Thoughts on digital games, i.e. electronic games or gaming apps?
Have I mentioned I saw my neighbor naked? Unfortunately, this is not a joke. Have I told you I considered registering for the upcoming, maybe, 45th MCM? Have I shared how much I hate teleworking? I need people!
6 feet, I’m sure
If the above answers are all no, then today you’re in luck! And if they’re yes, then sit down and shut upbecause you’re going to listen regardless of your wishes. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.
Where should I start? Definitely with the nude neighbor. The funniest part is I don’t recognize him if he’s dressed. Circa this past summer, I was tasked with wandering around the neighborhood holding a lost, lonely dog looking for its owners. Most houses I visited either stated it wasn’t their dog or no one was home. The final house I came to a nice woman answered the door and invited me in. How kind. As I entered, I noticed they had been having a party because their outdoor pool was full of floaties and food plates littered the counter. Unless it always looks this way? The woman called to a man deeper into the house to check out the dog I was holding. From a back room, I could hear a blow-dryer turn off, then an older gentleman walked down the hallway. He forgot he was naked I suppose. As he told me who the dog belonged to, I did my best to keep my eyes averted. Then he turned away and walked back down the hallway. Lovely. Just wonderful. I quickly exited the front door, dog in tow. My final thought was this: that man had no hair. Why was he using a blow dryer?
I haven’t been motivated to run much. Read: not at all. With every race being cancelled, it’s felt pointless. Though I know running helps me immensely in uncountable ways, I’ve just felt blah. Then I remembered my marathon goal! And if I’m going to bake cookies every weekend, I best figure out how to burn them off pronto. Doing some research, I stumbled across dates for the Marine Corp Marathon. Fall. Right up my alley! The only way I can enter is by playing the lottery. The marathon lottery. However, the lotto rules were a no-go for me. If chosen, there is no refund of the near $200 price tag if, for whatever reason, you can’t make it to the event. There are deferment options, but that seems silly to waste someone else’s time who could have gone.
If only I could find a track
I finally decided to run a local (semi-local) fall race using a quite lenient 6 month marathon training plan. It probably sounds excessive but I know how my body behaves in the summer, as well as the glaring fact I’ve never run a marathon. Sure, two half marathons in two days is an accomplishment but it’s still not the same. In the meantime, I’m building a pre-training base by working on a four-runs-a-week schedule. 2 weeks in. It’s going splendidly. Full disclosure: my weight is a little higher than normal (approx. 10 lbs) and the pace is less than optimal but starting off with some extra weight is good for me because it drops off fast when you (I) get into double digits and pace will improve as I continue training. That summer body is only a training plan away!
As for teleworking, no one cares. I could complain all day, but the overarching truth is I’m employed, out of harm’s way, and get to spend loads of time with my clingy family. I beg for quiet time and wonder why everyone has to sit so close to me on the couch. The expectations are high. In other news, teleworking sucks. But I’m alive and well.
_______________
I ask you –
Give me your biggest complaint! I can listen all day.
Have you ever encountered a naked neighbor? How did you handle it?
As the frustration sets in and I find myself pacing the halls somewhere between bedtime and when I actually fall asleep, it’s not so much not going anywhere, it’s the realization that I can’t. Perhaps this is what a caged tiger feels. Restless, getting angrier, trying hard to find peace and thankfulness yet locating none.
After a lengthy email to my own city council, I was rewarded with a personal reply and an acknowledgement I had been heard. Disclaimer: personal opinion only. Under our county/city order, we have been prevented from purchasing flowers, both seeds and anything in the growing process. Allowed are seeds and plants that produce food sources, i.e. fruits and vegetables. My email clearly states I’m disappointed in this decision because if you expect me to stay home, then at least give me something to beautify my surroundings! How are liquor stores deemed essential but nurseries not? Very clearly I was not the only one with this complaint.
As I made my way within a local big box retailer with receipt of the newly established permission to purchase beautiful growing things, I encountered a very nice employee who stated only one customer at a time allowed on the patio. She also triumphantly shared with me this news: I was the very first person desiring to do so since the revised order. What?!? Did no one else want to plant flowers? Their loss. My shopping cart began to overflow with greenery – half price greenery, I may add – because some were looking sad and unkept with very dry soil and rapidly dying blooms. It needed me!
A small portion of my beautiful blooms
The moral of the story is this: as we take care of each other, let us not neglect ourselves. If you want flowers and are restricted, reach out. What’s the worst that could happen? No? Please note: I’m not saying purchase, beg for, and borrow every damn pot you can find, fill it with whatever strikes your fancy, and leave it lying around another’s yard until they began to feel like a de facto nursery themselves. I can name a few culprits. I’m also not saying it’s your job to rescue every budding plant like this is your ticket to the Pearly Gates. Perilously close to naming above mentioned culprit. My point is to advocate for what you want. This was truly a need, but I’m not arguing semantics.
What’s left to say here? Beats me. I just write a lot of nonsense. Oh yes. Go forth and plant flowers! But not too many. And only at your own home.
May you all find beauty in your surroundings.
———————–
I ask you –
Am I the only one advocating for flower sales?
Are alcohol sales truly “essential”? I will concede this. For some, it might be yes.
With a string of birthday months piled together, my house has seen so much partying! And it probably wishes they would end promptly. Spring is a very busy time: thunderstorms, flowers, parties, and whatever else we can get into.
Decoration skills: sub-par
The real deal is in April though. That’s when my mini me celebrates her rapid inclusion into the aging community. We may only be in the single digits and we haven’t progressed from one hand yet, but her attitude and independence tell a different story. Nonetheless, the show must go on!
Contrary to our plans for a huge get together, a smaller gathering was agreed upon. And by small I mean very very small. Seems the world had other plans for us. Run with it. But with the addition of unicorns, cake, and a photo prop wall, I think we achieved success! Small people just love the surprise of it all anyway. It was a magical day!
Unicorn Princess
Since her birthday was a weekday, she was treated to multiple celebrations! The weekend included a party and the weekday involved making cupcakes and pink jello! Oh, to be young again. Not to mention gifts galore. I must say my birthday was incredible – surely hers could be considered over the top.
Unicorn Princess, take 2
Until next year. 5 is a milestone, right? She seems to think so already.
_________________________________
I ask you –
How much fun are children’s parties?
Do you prefer homemade cake or store purchased?
We’re accepting virtual happy birthday accolades! Send them all!
More Daniel Tiger jokes. Before now, I can’t recall a time I used the word “quarantine”. Or heard it so often. Surely I’m not the first who is completely, madly, irrevocably over this mess. Climbing atop my soap box… The media can shove it. The so called experts can shove it, too. Suddenly everyone has an opinion rooted in fact, or so they claim. Fear hangs around our neck like a scarf of many colors and it’s choking out every ounce of oxygen and common sense.
The more we search for the right answer or those who can solve our problems, the more we find nowhere to run. I don’t know what to tell you. All we can do is find our faith in whatever shape or form it appears. And perhaps remodel our homes with this abundance of time on our hands. Maybe I’ll re-decorate!
With the gym being closed, I’m thankful my trusty treadmill is available 24/7. Most of my exercise consists of rage vacuuming and repeatedly washing the same 2 dishes. And drinking at least 3 cups of coffee. Caffeine can cure anything! More cookies, please!
The power of color
There’s been fishing and puzzles and chalk and wondering if my mini’s birthday party will attract any guests. All I know is we will have cake and hand-washing and enough toilet paper! More jokes everyone is tired of hearing. Again, I’m thankful the tiny princess cares not about what happens in our wide world and she’s unaffected. When I told her church was cancelled but we’re able to watch it online, she didn’t bat one long eyelash. When I said we needed to go to Sam’s Club to purchase butter and I forewarned her it would probably be insanity inside, she stated she would hold my hand tighter. When I said we needed to stay home more and do things together as a family, her smile lit up the room. These things prove time and again that our youth need our attention now more than ever. Most don’t care about “things” – they value our time with them. Slowing down to savor these minutes and days isn’t such a bad idea afterall.
It’s nearing the end of my third week at the new germ-sharing factory (kidding!) so I felt as if even if you didn’t ask, you really must want to know how it’s going. Right?
First, the wildlife are rampant! I haven’t whipped out my trusty camera to take photos because base, but daily I see a jackrabbit – could it be the same one? – and once I saw a huge bull frog. Obviously I know we have many varied species of creatures wandering the plains of Texas so I’m not too surprised to see things. I did stare in shock though.
When I laugh, this is how my coworkers look at me, too
With any new employment opportunity, there’s always going to be a rather slow start. However, in my experience, a slow starts equates to for-effing-ever with every known hiccup that could happen. Ridiculous! My paperwork wasn’t correct, my credentials were invisible, the website wouldn’t allow me to change my password, AND everyone who can help me has vacated the building in favor of teleworking. For the love…
So I did what I do best. I wait. Hahaha, jokes. I have zero patience. Correction: I did what I do best; I winged it! Here’s what happens when I inevitable wing anything: it works out. Which really isn’t good news because it encourages me to wing it again next time and it continues to work. I’m an expert winger. Since I work for the high flying Air Force, “winging it” seems appropriate, do you agree?
This sums it up
Truthfully, the atmosphere is relaxed and I can wear whatever I want. Those pesky limits do exist. Pretty sure cookies are on the agenda soon – can never start too early making friends before secret Santa season. Though nice, the other employees are a hardship to my return to Keto. I wasn’t there 6 hours before a cake appeared on my desk. Day 2 included donuts. I’m such a sucker. Now I’ve figured out not to open whatever box appears and wait for a higher ranking official with a self-described sweet tooth to whisk it away behind closed doors and then I’m safe.
Occasionally I succumb. Whenever the phone stops ringing.
__________________
I ask you –
Name your favorite employee perk!
Are you also the one who has all the problems when it comes to getting started?
The shorter version of a post aptly titled “Nuggets of Hilariously Crazy Things That Only Happen to Me”. Examples to follow.
Who can’t look up?
Working with the US Air Force reminds me of an incident at a local Verizon store while stationed in Florida. A well meaning (I’m assuming) store employee told me I was too pretty to be in the Navy; he said I was more suited for the Air Force. Both flattered and offended, I opened my big Sailor mouth and kindly flung around like confetti a favorite f-word of mine until his smile mostly disappeared to an ‘ah-ha there it is’ grimace. A real shining star, I am.
Ready for the story about the time I was investigated by Homeland Security? Of course you are!
Approximate length, of course
While preparing a paper for a class during the quest for my Master’s degree, circa 2010, read post-9/11, the assignment covered theories, opinions, and the like of terrorism groups both past and present. I was very thorough and created a masterpiece of information. Prior to the due date, I electronically submitted the paper via my student email, per the usual instructions. Several days later, I received an email from my professor stating the paper had been “embargoed due to inflammatory response and dialogue”. And they said Big Brother wasn’t real. Yeah right. I was one of three students who had been flagged by DHS. In the ensuing days, our professor implored the release of the papers with an explanation of our course, topic, and materials. The other two student’s papers were released. Mine, not so much. DHS refused, even with a request for redaction. By this point, the semester was over and I needed a grade for this mysterious paper my professor had yet to read. Ultimately, I printed a copy of said paper and had the post office specially mark it to be delivered to my professor (to be clear, all my classes were online). He gave me an A on principle. Because, seriously, if the government wouldn’t return it, it must have been good! My workplace and boss were also contacted and questioned regarding my loyalty to the US. It was quite a nerve-wracking time! The joke now is my paper ended up on former President Obama’s desk. Maybe it did. Upon joining the Navy, I was personally, extensively questioned about the above incident. And here I am today!
Puzzles also do the trick
In case you were wondering, I do still play Gummies on a daily basis, but I’ve also added a game to my repertoire. Daily Crossword Puzzles. As it has become apparent to me, the struggle to remember other’s names and tidbits of random information – mostly useless – fostered my worries which began to grow. Early onset dementia? The beginning of my memory’s end? This is how it starts? Being proactive, and sometimes logical, I believe as we age, the small boxes inside our minds began to fill up. Some of these boxes contain useless information, like a random stranger’s name or occupation, while other boxes host entire stories and all their related details. More and more boxes are added to the shelves so it takes longer to find the box necessary upon search. I think it’s a fine theory. Nonetheless, the quest to keep my memory sharp has resulted in crossword puzzles. Ehh.Ask me again in 2 years.
Running on Fumes 
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