Day 45

Ten things I'm thankful for today...

- Warm clothes fresh out of the dryer...

- Good workouts...

- Hot showers...

- Motivational friends...

- Convenient, microwavable meals for lunch... (so I don't have to think about cooking!)

- Not setting an alarm and still waking up on time...

- Coffee...

- Fresh bed sheets!

- My quarantine partner : )

- Long foot soaks in hot water...ahhh!

Day 44

Well I survived the "Murph Challenge" from yesterday and had a great run outside. The morning was foggy during my run but the early afternoon was a glorious, 70-something degree, sunny day. I took advantage of that and went for a short walk knowing I must appreciate these things in the moment based on our future Chicago forecast! When you're under "house arrest" and good weather is one of the few exciting things to look forward to, you get out in it!

Did you take a moment to appreciate the sun or nature today? 

Day 43

I've been challenged to complete the workout below some time this week. The goal is to time myself and then re-do the challenge on Memorial day to see how much, or if, I've improved. I cannot do pull ups, so those will have to be modified and I'm surely not looking forward to push-ups but I can struggle through them. The run...well... yeah. Let's just say I'm already looking forward to an improved time!

While I am not signing up for the official challenge via the website, and have no plans to wear a 20 pound vest while doing the exercises, the Murph Challenge is a great cause and a good way to keep you on your fitness toes! 

Day 42

They say never miss a Monday. First off, I don't know who "they" are. And second, some Mondays are just harder than others. Don't "they" know that?

Today is one of those Mondays for me. It's not a bad Monday, but it's a very unmotivated Monday for me. Despite not wanting to work out, I did. It was not my best effort. I mean, lets face it, it was barely any type of effort but I did something. And something is better than nothing.

I am hoping to get outside for a lunch time walk to partake in the sunshine before it disappears for the week. I think the sun will help motivate me. Or, at least that's what I'm hoping for!

How do you push through your Monday? What are you doing to take care of yourself today?

Day 41

Here is the progression of a recent "Paint and Sip" party I attended virtually. It was a lot of fun and was a nice activity to partake in. It felt like a "normal" girls night out from the comfort of home. I haven't painted in years so it was a welcome creativity outlet. I freely mixed paint on the canvas instead of on a palette and made sure to not overly stress about placement and strokes. While I wasn't sure I'd like the final outcome I refused to let that thought overwhelm the night and just "went with the flow". Turns out, I don't think my sunflowers are half bad!

~ Sunflowers ~

Day 40

Well, today is day 40 of me (and many others) working from home as well as being under a "Shelter In Place" order. I can't help but think, at day 40, of the forty days and nights that Noah stayed on his ark loaded with animals.

I appreciate that I have access to land and an animal poop-free place to live. Even on this gloomy day I know, just like Noah, that the end of our seclusion will come. In the mean time, we need to recognize this trial is for our own good, continue to count our blessings and have faith.

You might feel as though you have no blessings and that life is a disaster right now, and no doubt it's hard. But I urge you to reexamine the things you do have - health? The ability to stand and walk and be mobile? A roof over your head? Healthy loved ones? Work - or at least unemployment coming in? I assure you, there is something to be grateful for no matter how small.

As for faith, it doesn't have to be religious and if you prefer, you can call it hope instead. I have faith in God, and hope for a better tomorrow. Whether it's a cure to COVID, an uplifting call or text from a friend, birds singing their morning songs - there is always something that helps to keep me hopeful. 

Hang in there my friends, our rainbow is right around the corner. 

Day 39

When you have no idea why you bought a can of Chick Peas or what you're going to do with them once you have them at home and a friend posts the recipe below on Facebook you make a roasted snack! 

Of course, I've completely ruined my dinner now by snacking on them but it gave me something new to try and was super simple!

Day 38

Thankful Thursday...

Day 37

I think I'm getting the hang of all this virtual stuff, or at least a small piece of it! Tonight my running club hosted a Zoom call happy hour. It was a great "get to know you" of members and good running and health information combined. I am looking forward to a virtual "Paint and Sip" event later this week and some scheduled video chats with friends. Things like this help to make me feel more socially active and involved instead of "stuck at home".

What about you? How are you staying connected to those around you? Or, are you enjoying the solitude instead? I am doing a bit of both! 

Day 36

~ Perfectly Stated  ~

Day 35

I'm grateful for friends who stop by to drop off baked goods and art supplies...

Lemon Bars and Oatmeal Scotchies 

Day 34

I finally completed reading a book! And because I liked it so much, I bought a second novel by the same author. I can't wait to relax away the mornings getting some more reading in while listening to the birds sing.

Day 33

Grateful for a healthy meal I didn't have to cook!

~ Egg Drop Soup & Cashew Chicken w/ Sauce on the Side ~

Day 32

I am not sure who needs to see, read and let this message "sink in" right now, but if it's you just know you're okay and will continue to be okay! 

Day 31

Well, it's been a full month of me working from home now, two weeks of which I have helped a teen with daily e-learning and cooking assignments for Culinary class. I've learned a lot of things. Ok, what I've learned isn't so much about 9th grade school work, but I've learned a lot of new things about me like... 

I like to read first thing in the morning...

I actually like Nutella after avoiding it for years...

I prefer to listen to the birds chirp and sing over the blare of the television during the day...

Goat cheese and grapes are one of my new favorite snacks...

Running outside isn't half bad (but don't tell anyone I said that)...

I enjoy the ease of my unscheduled schedule these days...

I have learned to Zoom and update Google spreadsheets...

I do best when checking things (tasks) off of a "to-do" list...

I am lucky to be surrounded by really supportive friends (but I already knew that!)...

COVID-19 isn't the end of the world, it's just a new and different beginning...

Day 30

Speaking of shopping (in my last post), I was grateful to find toilet paper and paper towels during my last grocery trip! After not having bought any of either item for close to two months (I usually buy them at Costco), I was starting to run low and was hoping that it would not come down to a store-to-store emergency search. It was a welcome surprise that my local grocer had finally been able to restock these products and, like a decent non-hoarding human being, I only bought one of each. I was also ecstatic to find corn tortillas back on the shelves! Although not my normal brand, I am happy to be able to make breakfast tacos for myself once again! Sadly, I am still on the search for any type of Lysol/Clorox wipes, hand soap and Tylenol, but I'll take my victories trip by trip! 

What products are you struggling to locate as a result of people hoarding them? 

Day 29

These "essentials" for stress relief found their way into my shopping cart the other day. 

Can't wait to put them to good use! 

Is COVID-19 stressing you out? How are you finding ways to cope with the stress? I've added yoga to my weekly exercise routine, added some new self care products and apparently wine, too!

Day 28

I recently received two fun shipments in the mail! And let's face it, these days receiving packages on my door step is the new "fun and excitement" in my life. The first package included amazing self-care products from Nourish. I ordered a sage room spray and hair thickening spray. Along with these products Jamie, the founder of Nourish, also creates all natural immune boosting products, room sprays and lotions. I have previously ordered hand sanitizer, yoga mat spray, multiple roller blends and brow and lash growth serum and been pleased with all of them. If you have time, check out her website linked above.

Secondly, I ordered and received my running club shirt. I wanted to feel a part of the "team" and thought the shirt would help motivate me, too. It helps me feel a part of something bigger than me, the club, since I am currently forced to participate virtually. 

Any fun items you've come across or shopped for yourself lately? 

Day 27

May you be blessed with the gifts He gave us - Hope, Peace and Love today and every day.

Happy Easter!

Day 26

I was supposed to run outside today to complete day 6 of the Couch to 5K program. Sadly, I procrastinated and it began to rain just as I headed out. I am disappointed in that, but believe everything happens for a reason. Did my body need an extra day of rest after 7 days of biking and running? Maybe. Or at least that's what I am chucking this part of my day up to. I am grateful though that I was able to sit outside earlier today, read and soak up the sunshiny, warm rays. And, I will get my run in first thing tomorrow! I remind myself to focus on progress, not perfection.

In other news, I'm reading. If you remember, reading more is part of my new year's revolution. I am now in a book club with a girlfriend which has prompted me to start reading "Then She Was Gone" by Lisa Jewell. It's keeping me motivated and is a fast, suspenseful read!

I continue to look forward to my virtual workouts and am starting to appreciate being at home. Of course I miss going out to the movies, getting a professional manicure and pedicure but I don't miss the morning rush of racing out of the house to get to the gym, the bus stop, work, the chiropractor - or any other myriad of destinations scheduled. 

What are you missing out on during the COVID-19 outbreak? What is a new "normal" that you've come to appreciate? Taking up a new hobby? 

Day 25

Today is Good Friday and everyone in the house, except me, has the day off. While there is not much to do outside of the house these days, I still can't help but to be a bit envious. Work, no matter where it takes place, still takes a mental toll (especially when combined with helping out with e-learning!). I'm ready to sleep in, relax and welcome the idea of not having to log onto a laptop! Bring on the weekend, I'm ready!

Day 24

- Sunny days...

- Thunderstorms...

- Sitting outside and sharing time with nature and the one I love, in peace...

- Being able to exercise and being able to find my stride and motivation...

- Not being under "house arrest" alone...

- Yoga...

- Pain-free days (no headaches!)...

- Healthy eating and a happy tummy (most days)...

- Amazon!

- Book club...

- Self pedicures...

- Working for a company that is a part of the COVID-19 solution...

- Netflix...

- Padded bike shorts!

- Being able to have all the windows in the house open...

- Birds chirping in the sunshine...

- Supportive friends!

- Virtual running club...

- Social media for helping me stay motivated and connected to others...

- Peloton workout app!

Day 23

The weather was AMAZING yesterday, sunny and 79 degrees! I got out and just sat in the sun, soaked up some rays, ran in the evening and appreciated the nature around me. Of course, I didn't mind a visit from this neighborhood friend either! 

~ Evie ~

Day 22

Day 21

I think I'm finally finding my groove while being under the "Stay At Home" act. 

- Shop early to avoid the crowds = less stress!

- Get up, work out and get dressed. Regular clothes feel good!

- Call, Zoom, FaceTime or text with friends - it makes a difference.

- Make lists! I find myself so far out of my "normal" routine that I end up forgetting to do some of the most basic activities, like flossing my teeth. I now create a daily check list of things to do to make sure I'm not forgetting any important tasks!

- Have grace on yourself. If you have a meltdown, acknowledge it, apologize if you have to and move along. There is no manual on how to get through these "unprecedented" times!

Day 20

Today is day 20 of quarantine and working from home. When I looked at the calendar to count the days, I was sure it had been over a month by now. It feels like a month. I sadly don't have high hopes that the current-proposed April 30th end date will be the actual end date of the "Stay at Home" order. I suspect it will get extended out. In the mean time, I'm doing as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot suggests, staying the f*ck at home (unless in need of groceries). What are you doing to get you through this "unprecedented" time? 

My Favorite Lightfoot Meme 

Day 19

Today I completed day 3, week 1 of the Couch to 5K training program. 

I still don't like running outside, and it's cold, but at least I'm moving.

Day 18

Happiness is when your Amazon packages arrive a day early!

Day 17

I participated in my first running club event this week! It is sadly "virtual" based now due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but thankfully my husband joined me for company. Even though I don't get to struggle with the other club members in person, it was great to be held accountable online via social media and other GPS apps! 

Though I have participated in many, many and I do mean many 5K events in the past, I've never trained outdoors in order to run one properly. I prefer treadmill running and even with an incline, it doesn't prepare one for outdoor inclines and wind resistance. I can't say the run was fun outside in the cold but I was happy to get out, get some fresh air and move! 

What are you doing for exercise today?

Day 16

- The chives that, despite their poor care each season, always come back healthy, bright and green...

- Tulips that I have tried to eradicate the past 4 years, return right on time...

- Crocus flowers that litter my lawn with purple spots...

All unwelcome, welcomed signs of life and Spring ahead!