Day 106

Today is day two of being back in the office building. With what feels like only 2 other people in attendance, it hasn't been a bad adjustment in total. The peace and quiet (for now) allows for extreme focus. I had forgotten what it was like to work on two large desk monitors versus a small laptop from home. It took a while to get used to the big screens again and I felt as though I was reading a large-print edition of Reader's Digest for the aged. 

The down side? Due to my inability or lack of desire to get out of bed and to be on a routine schedule before my work day starts, I found myself rushing to get out of the house in order to make it to the office on time.I'm waking up earlier than desired, rushing to workout, do any household tasks that need to be done, eat breakfast and am constantly watching the clock as I get ready. How do you make this stop? The extra hour I had due to lack of commute was put to good use while working from home! 

As my office hours will rotate and vary, I have time to figure this all out but I can already tell my overall mood about returning to the office is BAH-HUMBUG! As additional people come back on board the noise will rise, the interruptions will begin and well...BAH HUMBUG!

Day 105

Due to requirements beyond my control I am going to back to work in my office building today. After 104 day of working from home, I packed a lunch and snacks and plastic-ware for my day ahead. I packed my "work bag" with computer and accessories. I packed things I shouldn't have to be concerned with as well. I packed a mask, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. With them, fear and stress (and surely boredom) are packed in my bag too. 

Day 104

Golf anyone?

Day 103

I appreciate when a healthcare professional shows compassion far beyond and above their scope of requirement or expectation. No one enjoys going to a doctor or having "procedures" done. No one wants to pay for a doctor's visit that ends with you being poked and prodded. And sadly, most physician visits are "business as usual" and results oriented. As they should be. For the most part. Or, maybe not really at all.

Sure doctor's have jobs to do and push forward with seemingly no emotion and a far lacking bedside manner. They have their reasons. I get it. But I was grateful for my recent encounter with Hazel. I don't know what her official job title is, but she served as part care giver, needed friend and confidant and even part mind reader. She was there for me when I had to play the role of patient and made me feel like less of a lab experiment and more like a human being. For that, I am grateful.

I say thank you to those who have not lost their humanity and still see patients as humans, humans who are more than likely angry or scared at their circumstances. Thank you to Hazel for being my nurse. Thank you to Hazel for truly, being my angel. 

Day 102

If I send you a request via email and you spend more time questioning it 

versus just doing it, this is what I think of you...

Day 101

Today, I took a boxing class for the first time.
It included disco lights and loud music.
It was awesome.

Day 100

Wow, 100 days of "lock down"! Things feel normal to me at this point. Not the old normal I used to know 101 days ago. It's a new "normal". Of course, I don't enjoy all aspects of the "new normal" like wearing a mask in public, constant fear of infection of COVID-19 and an abnormal use of hand sanitizer but there have been benefits and other discoveries I appreciate. New friendships forged, new hobbies gained and a healthier version of myself.

Of course, all good things must come to an end as I am being asked to start a rotational return to my office building. Starting next week I will be working from the office for a week and then work from home for two weeks. I assume this rotation will slowly ramp it's way back to the "old" normal. I am not excited about the changes this will bring to my current routine and am stressing over how to maintain the best of both "normals". 

What changes are you encountering as we are starting to "open" the state back up? Any concerns? 

Day 99

Today I tried a new gym. My current gym remains closed so after 97 days of "at home" training that consisted mainly of cardio, I dipped my toe into the outside world. Boot Camp. It was intense. The people were welcoming. The Coach was amazingly energetic and fun. The amount of sweat was surreal. Seriously. The sweat.

The best part of class was the energetic encouragement from the Coach. I've missed that. I've missed that far longer than the 97 days that my gym has been closed. My regular gym is a large franchise and formatted. Some days the Coaches seem robotic, having to repeat the same format/class over and over. It was refreshing to get an amazing workout today and really "feel it" - the energy. The passion. It's contagious and it's what keeps you going when you can't feel your legs anymore. 

Day 98

Day 97

I'm back from my 4 day get-away and loved every minute of it. We were blessed with beautiful weather and good experiences. It was a much appreciated and welcomed relief to get away from our COVID-quarantine lock down! Here is one of my favorite pictures from each day I was gone, in no particular order from days 92-96 of lockdown... 

Day 92

As of 5pm...

Day 91

Do you believe if you are intended to meet your significant other that you would meet him/her no matter what life decisions you made or make? Or, if you have already found that person, do you reflect back on the choices you've made and think if you had chosen differently (school/college/career path, etc) that you'd never have met them? 

Day 90

I ran across this quote over a month ago and it has resonated with me so deeply, I decided to (finally) share. Sometimes we question "what went wrong" or why things happened the way they did in our relationships and never come to any good conclusions. Whether it's been a past employer, a romantic or family relationship, I found this quote relevant to and soothing. I hope it helps you too.

Day 89

~ Rose All Day ~

Day 88

I'm on day 3 of the Illinois Endurance Challenge and have so far biked, ran and walked to earn my 17.21 miles. I am looking forward to continuing this expedition as I soon return to working from my office building. I fear my return to the "new normal" will impede my ability to be active so any motivation to keep moving, such as this challenge, helps to curb that concern for me. 

Currently without a commute, I've been able to work out twice a day and I am enjoying the lack of stress from dealing with traffic. Time will tell what the future holds, and nothing is constant but change, right? 

Day 87

New challenge now that my C25K program is complete?
 300 (virtual) miles across Illinois!

Day 86

Day 85

Today is the first Tuesday in 10 weeks that I don't have a specific running plan set out for me. There is no more Couch to 5K program, it's been completed. There is no more race day, I earned my medal on Sunday. Today's run was "just a run". 

What I've learned in the past 10 weeks is that I can do hard things! There were days I swore about how much it sucked, but 10 weeks later I don't have a thought in my head when I run, I just enjoy my surroundings. It's my down time. It's my "me time. 

The added bonus of my 10 week expedition was inspiring others. I've had friends reach out and share their own "come back" stories with me. It's been an unexpected but much welcomed  to know that I can help others by just being me. I'm not sure what my next adventure will be, but I hope it helps someone along the way, too! 

Day 84

This past weekend I brought a sad little wall flower to life and lots of smiles to its owner! It was a bit intimidating to correct and paint over something on a bedroom wall but it was fun. It was fun to let some creativity loose and to know I was in part doing a "good deed" of sorts that would make someone else happy. Thankfully the subject matter was something I have had practice painting lately (if you remember my virtual paint and sip party!). What do you think? Happy sunny sunflower Monday my friends!

Day 83

Sunday Runday! Thanks goes to the Busse Woods Running Club for getting me off the couch. Over the past few months I’ve lost weight, had a sense of purpose during “lock down” and feel accomplished in finally completing the Couch to 5K program. I shaved 3 minutes off my 5K from the week prior and had a great run today. Happy Sunday my friends - get outside, it's gorgeous!

Day 82

"Yoga with Adrienne" is a lock-down find that I've been practicing lately. You can find and subscribe to her free and somewhat quirky videos on YouTube. I'm pretty sure there's a yoga session for any situation or length of time that you prefer, go check her out!

Day 81

Best quote I just heard?

"When you do stupid things, you win stupid prizes."

Day 80

Thankful Thursday...

I'm thankful for my life-supporters; my husband and friends who continue to cheer me up and cheer me on during difficult times. I am grateful for the fluidity of friendship that continues to touch my life on so many levels and in so many different ways.

What's gotten you through the last 80 days of COVID craze and world chaos? If it's a friend or loved one, be sure to thank them and pay it forward when you can!

Day 79

When social media gets too overwhelming...

Day 78

The cardinal bird is known for representing celebration, rejuvenation, hope, health, and joy. I hope this little guy helps rejuvenates hope and health in all of us.

~ Seen On My Run ~

Day 77

It's June. 

I hope and pray that this month shows a better side of humanity than the last.

The depravity of humanity is exhausting.