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!