Really?

Unfortunately, I had to buy a mouth guard due to stress related jaw clenching in the night. While I'm asleep, I clench my jaw. I unknowingly, while I'm asleep, clench my jaw. See the pattern here? I"m unaware that I'm doing something because I am asleep when it occurs. 

Take a look at the package insert language in the photo above. I'd like to thank "Sleep Right" for the shaming language of how one should take accountability of their actions while they're not awake or consciously doing it. Assuming people are already stressed if they're in need of your stupid product and this is the best you can do? Blame it on them? Can't wait to write a glowing review. 

Read

Every year it seems as though "read more" is on my list of things to achieve and every year as of late, I fall flat of that goal. I've dabbled in Audible (audio books) in the car as an alternative but couldn't keep up with the monthly allotment of reading (listening) opportunities there either. As someone who used to read 2-3 books per week, yes per week, I miss them! I miss the time to myself, the stories and the sense of accomplishment when completed.

I've tried taking books to work to read on my lunch break but typically work through that hour instead (or get distracted). You can forget telling me to read once I'm home in the evenings because the last thing I want to do is crack open a book after reading hundreds of emails and reviewing paperwork all day. I've tried reading before bedtime but usually doze off before much is accomplished so, what gives? When do you do your best reading? Any suggestions? My current slow-read is "No Better Friend" which I'm thoroughly intrigued by but have been "reading" since last November! Crikeys!

Wordless Wednesday

~ Out for a Walk ~

Online

I love on-line shopping! I'm not one to spend a lot of time browsing as I'm pretty deliberate in my needs. I hop on, click and buy. That's it. I appreciate the crowd-less ease and quickness of being able to shop whenever my schedule allows. Thankfully, on-line shopping enabled me to take advantage of a soon-to-expire, $35 coupon for new running shoes at 10:30 at night (because I didn't make it to the store during business hours)! These new babies, Brooks Ghost 12, are arriving soon along with my favorite energy drink which is now offered in my favorite flavor, strawberry!  I really appreciate online shopping for my every day needs, and of course holiday shopping too - it's probably my favorite modern day convenience! What is your favorite convenience or invention that you take advantage of or can't live without?

~ New Year Resolution Helpers ~

Questions

1) Brothers: 0
2) Sisters: 1
3) Pets: 0 currently
4) # of surgeries: 1
5) Tattoos: 5
6) Piercings: 1
7) Been to an Island: Lots!
8) Flown on a Plane: Yes, big and small.
9) Ridden in ambulance: Sadly, yes.
10) Ice Skating: Poorly.
11) Been on a Cruise: Yep!
12) Ridden a Motorcycle: Yes.
13) Owned a Motorcycle: No.
14) Ridden on a horse: Yes.
15) Ridden in police car: Nope.
16) Stayed in a Hospital: Eww, yes. And didn't eat a single meal they served, bleeeh!
17) Eye Color: Blue.
18) Last phone call? A friend by the same name.
19) Coffee: With French Vanilla creamer please.
20) Favorite pie: Apple.
21) Favorite Food: Hotdogs!
21) Favorite dog: Currently in love with my neighbor's dog, Evie. As for breed, Rotties perhaps?
22) Favorite season: Late Spring, when the mud clears ups.
23) Favorite holiday: My birthday.
24) Favorite sport: Cubs baseball.
25) Ever been handcuffed: No.
26) Favorite color: Purple.
27) Favorite Beer: Belgian Trippels typically, but a Corona light on a hot summer day!
28) Can you drive a tractor: Probably not, but let me try!
29) Can you drive stick? No, but believe I can in my head.
30) Have you traveled by train: Yes.
31) Have you traveled by bus?: Yes.
32) Have you ridden in a helicopter? Yes.
33) Lived in different states? Yes.
34) Marital status? Married.
35) Children? 2

Bleh!

It's the weekend. It's snowing and cold. I should be running (ok, jogging) a 5K on an outdoor forest trail. My fear however, snow and rainy slush induced, is that I will twist my ankle or hurt myself in some way on the ungroomed path. After talking to friends, I decided not to risk my well being and to forego the race. I'm completely disappointed. As a back up plan, I got a one-day pass to a local gym so I could do an equivalent 5K on an indoor treadmill, safely. Apparently, my body had other ideas on partaking in any activity as I woke up with a new ache in my hip joint. Seriously, what the hell?

As I sit on my couch drowning myself in disappointment and Netflix movies, I highly recommend "Holiday in the Wild" by the way, I receive a text from a friend stating it's gorgeous out. I look out my window for a double take, perhaps she sees something I don't? Nope. It's still gray, wet, cold and snowing. I stand up, open my patio door and take a few photos with my cell phone. Perhaps the camera will show me something more brilliant than what I see with my own eyes? Not the case. I look at my pictures and still see nothing more than boring shades of depressing gray. What is my friend thinking? Today totally sucks.

As I sit here here and wonder what's so great about today, I think perhaps it isn't the weather at all. Ok, it's definitely not the weather. I think some more, wishing I had some warm coffee to accompany me and realize that the beauty of today is, I have a friend who thinks of me often and texts. I have a friend who loves me unconditionally and would appreciate nothing more than time together. That is what is gorgeous about today and any other day that makes me feel like tunneling under the blankets and staying there. Thank you my friend for just being you and shining through even on the grayest of days! 

More?

So I had that stretching appointment I couldn't wait for and I'm not sure what to think about it! I signed up for a 30 minute session expecting the worst because I have tight muscles and assumed some of the therapy would be painful. In reality the stretching was actually just 20 minutes (to allow for a 5 minute pre and post discussion of what occurred) but it FELT more like 5 minutes! It went SO fast! I enjoyed it but left feeling like I wanted and needed more and because of that, I questioned if it was worth the money. 

The pros of my visit include that my therapist was amazing! She was personable and very knowledgeable of her craft. She advised me how I could do the stretches at home with or without modifications and she taught me new stretches as well as how to improve upon old familiar ones. During the actual stretches I felt my muscles being worked, but not to the point of pain, which is a good thing, right?  

On the flip side though, I expected pain. Twisted, right? But somehow, I equated the idea of pain with feeling better. So now my question is, do I go back and try the 60 minute session (really 50 minutes) to see if I "feel" it more? Am I even supposed to "feel" it? Am I a victim of believing the old adage of "no pain, no gain" therefore thinking it wasn't effective when it really was? (Pretty sure I am!) I guess only another session, with a no-pain expectation set, will tell. Wish me luck!