Day 266

 

Day 265

Today would be my typical Sunday-Runday but I am continuing to give my back the break it has requested. While I feel much recovered from my "pull" from this past Thursday, I am not yet 100% and will continue to hold off on the workouts and runs. It mentally pains me to not be outside and running but I know I need to hold off and think about the long game (full recovery) here. So, what does one do instead? Watch Sunday football and eat Buffalo Wild Wings, of course. In a house divided, I am glad the Bears and Packers are playing two separate games today!

Day 264

It's Saturday December 5th. I'm sitting outside of a local downtown wine shop next to an (ineffective) outdoor heater. I enjoy a bottle of wine with my significant other despite the fact the temps are in the low thirties. This arrangement is COVID induced of course, since indoor seating options are not available. I take a moment during the chilly-chill session to mention and appreciate that the temperature isn't any colder than what it is.  As I see shoppers and future diners wandering about, I wonder how much farther into the winter season we'll still be seeing people bustling about and staying active.

I reminisce and am reminded that a hiking guide once told me, during a -30* snowshoeing and dogsledding adventure, that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Thankfully I've learned how to layer effectively since then so I can continue to enjoy outdoor activities such as running and (hopefully) snowshoeing. Do the dropping temperatures make you hunker down under the covers waiting for Spring to arrive? Or do you embrace the chill and find joys in the outdoor world despite the cold? What, if anything, is your outdoor winter activity of choice?

Day 263

It's been a week since Black Friday, a day that I happily stay home and relax versus shopping. Do you, or have you, ever participated in the shopping madness? What was the best deal you found? The one time I was convinced to partake in the early morning madness, I was disappointed with the "bargains", lines and crowds and came home empty handed. I've been shopping primarily on line ever since. 

How do you choose to get your holiday shopping done? Do you shop early, or are you a last minute gift finder?

 

Day 262

Nothing like the simple act of bending over to retrieve an item off the floor and feeling that dreaded twinge of electricity shoot through your back that lets you know you're heading to the chiropractor today. It's learned far too late in life that youth is indeed wasted on the young. I remember hearing that phrase as a kid and paying no mind to it, but now it indeed resonates. 

When did I become my parents? When did I become old? I remember my vision getting worse seemingly over night on my 40th birthday. I can't eat whatever I want without consequences these days and things that shouldn't creak and crack when they move do just that. I feel like the Tin Man in need of an oil can some days. I suppose the trade off to all the physical aches that come with age is that typically we're all better off mentally and financially by the time the physical woes start to set in. That counts for something, right? 

Cheers to another day above ground I suppose, and knowing that things could be worse! I mean, I can actually walk to the car to drive myself to the chiropractor so that's a good thing! What are you dealing with that makes you feel old? 

Day 261

 Wordless Wednesday

Day 260

It's been 18 days since I left for vacation and 18 days since my last blog post. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about blogging. Although it's been a nice break, I've missed blogging. Blogging helps me celebrate the good things occurring in 2020, helps keep me accountable to a routine and above all, makes it easy to track the days of the year instead of letting them all go by in a Covid induced blur. In the past 18 days I've done a few things...

- Visited Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom for the first time ever and Epcot for a second time. The warm Florida weather was refreshing as well as the get away from work and home. I most enjoyed riding The Tower of Terror and eating Mickey Mouse cupcakes!

- Found a new wine favorite at a near-ish by winery...

- Ran a personal best in a Thanksgiving day 5K Turkey Trot...

- Worked together with my sister-in-law to produce an edible, holiday dinner!

- Decorated, for the first time ever, two Christmas trees in one house...

- Continue to realize and appreciate, despite the struggles this year has brought, how truly blessed I am. Every day.

In true, social media fashion the above items are my highlights of the past 18 days. This doesn't mean there haven't been struggles to get out of bed in the mornings, wondering what it is I'm doing in my career as a manager because all my virtual team interactions seem less impactful or beneficial. My highlights don't change the fact I've gained 7 pounds due to stress and emotional eating, either or that I've been a virtual witness to those I care about losing loved ones who I can't even offer a hug of comfort to in person. 

There is life to be lived despite the extreme circumstances going on around us, it's just different these days of course. Focusing on our problems magnify them, or so I think - so I do my best (not always successfully) to not focus on them. I face and fix what is needed and focus on the positives the best I can. Highlights don't mean I'm perfect or that I don't have issues going on, I just choose to blog happy! I hope you can take a moment today to reflect on your positives and blessings, too.