Outtakes, episode 9 + Hobbies

For all my complaining the past few weeks about my helper moving on, away from me, the very next session included only 3 short disciples. And they weren’t even my own child! Just 3. Tres. All girls. It was chat time central that day.

lights are on, no one is home

The following weekend they bribed someone to help me. I’m convinced.

Once again mini-less and it was the wildest group ever. I even had to raise my voice once. Trust me, it’s not pretty when I do.

Next topic.

I like to play a little game called Mind Charades. It’s awful. Your brain tells you how many words, anywhere from 1 to 1 billion, you spend upwards of 1/2 the day trying to figure out the word(s), then completely forget what you were thinking so hard about remembering. Welcome to my life. It’s fun here.

Our local arts council has a workshop series titled “Granny Hobbies” and the snort which exited me would have made a farm animal proud. Can you imagine. The workshops include learning to crochet, acrylic painting, and other fun hobbies. I think I have a leg up, though, because my hobby is more self taught than classically trained – puzzling! Next month is my 40th birthday and my granny hobby is well underway!

Mini also has granny hobbies as evidenced by the amount of yarn and crochet hooks perilously perched on every surface. She comes by it honestly because Parts is also a granny, literally and figuratively. When did we become such hobbyists?

And on hobbies … drums, round 2 is going swimmingly! My skills are growing, I (try to) practice 2x/week, and I’m loving the new lessons. I’m sure it doesn’t help my mind charades when I constantly chant one-eeeh-and-uh, two-eeeh-and-uh, etc. As our lessons are being taught by someone with both classic training and self-taught principles, the mix is beneficial. Will I ever be the drum soloist I aspire to be? Eh, here goes nothing.

________________

I ask you –

Share your most recent experience with forgetfulness. If you can remember.

(The post Outtakes, episode 9 + Hobbies first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

When …

When you think you’re taking leave, then they drop the anxiously anticipated fitness updates.

When you thought heights couldn’t possibly get any scarier, then they extend the ladder. (this is 100% not me, but it is a very brave woman!)

When your favorite flowers are ready to explode into bloom!

When you can’t remember if you’ve already shared the photo so you do it again. Because why not.

When you find an unrelated puzzle piece that does not fit the puzzle. Surely it belongs to one of the others previously completed. Right?!

______________

I ask you –

When…insert something of your own!

(The post When … first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Funny (Real?) Phenomenon

Ability to remember the names of your friend’s best friend.

For example, Vivian, Carissa, Krystal. It took no time at all for me to think of a friend’s name then instantly remember their best friend’s name. Yet I can’t remember anything else without writing it down. Perhaps I just have short term memory issues. I blame perimenopause.

Overuse of the phrase “It’s fine” causes psychological minimization.

Admittedly, I did no research for scientific backing. This is anecdotal evidence. For women especially, the seemingly constant reliance on labeling a distressful situation, event, or person as “fine” is not fine at all. We are rewiring our brains to accept mediocrity or, worse, harmful behaviors. With every “it’s fine”, a boundary is blurred, a neuron rerouted to perceived safety, and a not fine situation cemented into our hearts. No more. Stop saying it’s fine when it isn’t. Protect your boundaries, your opinions, your feelings, and your peace.

This is more real than not.

Puzzling retains memory connections and builds coordination.

More anecdotal evidence. I’m not certain of its origins but I do recall my mother and grandparents nearly always having a puzzle at the ready. As a child, I thought it was boring, especially when there was this fabulous invention called the television! Who would want to mindlessly search for the top of a brown hat when you could mindlessly scroll through all 6 channels?! Priorities, I guess. Needless to say, so let me say it anyway, I’m a puzzle convert. I think older people are on to something.

_____________________

I ask you –

Of the three phenomenon listed, which is most likely to be considered real?

(The post Funny (Real?) Phenomenon first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Break from the Break

I didn’t know how necessary it was to take a real break from work. Sure, supervising 20+ staff members is no walk in the park, but I believed I was handling it well.

Until the government shutdown when every person relied on me alone to do it. I’m not upset nor angry. I knew I had to do it and I tried to without complaint because we were all in the trenches together. It sucked but we escaped unscathed. But I knew I needed some time off.

Until I experienced 7 days without my phone ringing, without the group chat dinging any time of the day or night, and zero work-related incidents. I didn’t know how much I needed to rest.

We preach rest, especially in the confines of mental and physical health. Yet the overall toll of no rest on a person’s well-being is immeasurable. I just did not understand. It recently came to my attention I haven’t had an uninterrupted week off work in more than 3 years. During vacation, I’ve always had my laptop and have done work while on leave, either in response to phone calls or out of a misguided need to control the outcome. But it was controlling me.

1,000 piece Elf puzzle, + glitter

Upon return to the workplace, my coworker decided to a) suggest doing a pizzle together, b) leave early that day, which meant I had to sort the puzzle alone, and c) find something else to do every single day so the grand total of days we’ve puzzled together is zero.

Figures.

_____________________

I ask you –

What are your thoughts on needing a break from just having a break?

(The post Break from the Break first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Finding Rest

For the last several years, but only during the holidays, I would find Lindor Snickerdoodle Truffles. This year? Scant a snickerdoodle anywhere. But I found this alternative. I was hesitant to try them lest they don’t live up to what my mind considered was the best. To my surprise, these are a very close match and delicious! You’re welcome.

During the government shutdown, we purchased a time waster from my younger years. Introducing – the puzzle! Mini helped with the border for approximately 17 seconds, then made her way to the television for Dancing with the Stars. She’s invested. Truly, I have enjoyed this project. With sunset so early and a tired soul, this puzzle has kept me excited to come back for more.

Bonus! Find yourself a coffee shop jazz channel on whatever music service you use. Trust me. It’s peaceful and exactly what you need on a fall day.

Update. I found the Lindor truffles. First, I ordered them from Amazon. Then, I found two packages at the grocery store. In a double not blind taste test, the truffles are smoother. However, the kisses taste exactly the same as the truffles. Price? Kisses are cheaper and offer more variety if you want to bake with them.

For some, rest probably isn’t puzzles and chocolate. For some, rest is simply a break from a stressor. Same, same. Whatever it is, take time for yourself. During the holidays, it is incredibly easy to get lost in the going/going/gone, but I believe the holidays are meant for a slower time. Enjoy them. And try the snickerdoodle kisses!

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I ask you –

What is your favorite holiday candy?

(The post Finding Rest first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)