Day 15

Because self-care is important...

Thank you Amazon for providing people-free shopping!

Day 14

Well I'm not excited about the extension of the Stay at Home order, now until April 30th for Illinois, but understand and expected it. After my stressful experience at the grocery store yesterday wherein people could not maintain a 6 foot distance away from me (or others) I totally get it. By the end of my shopping trip, after running from and trying to dodge people the entire time, I yelled "SIX FEET AWAY" at someone!  Needless to say, even leaving the house for the bare necessities is something I don't want to do (at this rate anyway!). 

On the brighter side, literally, I'm grateful for the sun today. 

Day 13

It's day 13 of being at home for me, with minimal exits from the house. During this time I've gone to the grocery store and for a walk, that's about it (as it should be). I am contemplating a trip to the grocery store today for more rations, but actually fear going out among the public. It's been a very slow and hard mental shift for me to adjust to the lack of activities I can participate in, but I am working to remind myself to be grateful for the things and people that remain.

Things I'm grateful for? 
- Friends that continue to check in and Face Time with me.  
- Entertaining social media posts.
- Rocky movie marathons on TV.
- Being employed and being able to work from home (despite the ergonomic disaster I am!).
- Virtual running clubs.
- Saving money (due to lack of going out to spend it).
- Tummy issues that seem to be (slowly) resolving themselves.

Day 12

I'm grateful for cuddles, naps on the couch and entertaining Rocky movie marathons.

Day 11

Sending some comfort, fun and happiness through the mail today... 

 (well, via Amazon really!)

Day 10

Creating four little blue birds of happiness to share with others...

Day 9

The St. Louis Aquarium hosted a "Breakfast with Otters" session where they broadcast the otters' morning feeding. They entertained viewers with otter facts and held a Q&A session. Need a mental break? Check out your local zoos, aquariums and museums for virtual tours and events like this.

Day 8

Being positively productive...

Day 7

Saw the above sidewalk chalk art on my walk today. 

Slowly trying to make lemonade out of lemons.

Day 6

It's Sunday.

It's snowing.

It's March.

I am grateful for friends. 

I am grateful for Face Time.

Day 5

It's Saturday and somehow it feels mentally better to not be able to do anything today because it's the weekend, and that's what weekends are for. Normal household chores are done and the traditional blueberry muffins have been baked - today feels "normal". And for me, normal feels good today. 

Day 4

Day 4: Work from home quarantine survival rations.

Reality

I don't appreciate having zero control over what I can and can't do.
#IHateYouCoronaVirus

Wordless Wednesday

~ Looking Back ~

Nonsense

Because we can all use a little light-hearted nonsense...

Steak or seafood: Probably steak...

Italian or Chinese: Italian for sure.

Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi ever since they came out with the "new" Coke in the 90's - it was so gross!

Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream!

How old are you: Probably too old to be filling this out, but hey...

How many tattoos: 5

Ever hit a deer: No, but I've pet one.

Rode in a ambulance: Yes, and why is this question always on these quizzes?

Ice skated: Poorly.

Rode a motorcycle: Yep. 

Stayed in hospital: Against my will and I was not a good patient.

Favorite season: Any time it's not cold or wet. 

Broken Bones: An unconfirmed broken toe (which still doesn't bend correctly!)

Favorite color: Purple.

Sunrise or Sunset: Sunrise

Ocean or Mountain: Ocean view from the mountain top...

Morning or Night: The morning is my jam!

Favorite alcoholic drink: Spicy margaritas!

Favorite sport: Cubs baseball

Movies or music: Movies for sure...

COVID-19: Part 2

How is COVID-19 impacting you? I've had many events postponed that I was thoroughly looking forward to and I'm starting to get irritated! Yes, I said irritated. 

I am irritated at the mass hysteria that the media and government has created surrounding this virus and all the fall out. You can argue about needed safety precautions until you're blue in the face, that is not what I am against here. I feel that the "powers that be" have gone beyond safety and now caused a ridiculous amount of panic that is screwing with peoples lives far beyond health issues and now impacting lively hood and financial well being of many. 

From a "history repeats itself" and somewhat conspiracy theory point of view, how scary is it that we've willingly allowed the government to create a panic and then been all to happy to have them take away many of our freedoms in the name of "safety"? Does anyone see anything wrong here, or is it just me? No doubt based on where this strain of COVID-19 originated from that it is man made. Was it released on purpose? Was it spread for payback against other nations?

You can think I'm crazy, but what I'm asking you to do is think outside of the box that the media paints for you. Question things. Whatever we as a nation give up during this time, we may not get back. I do hope we can learn from this situation and perhaps implement some new safety precautions where the food industry is concerned, but there is so much more going on that I don't agree with.

Everyone has joked about or seen movies referring to a zombie apocalypse and we tend to picture half-dead silly monsters wandering around. But I say the zombies are those who are hoarding toilet paper and blind-fully swallowing the poison that the media shovels at you. Wake up zombies. Stop the insanity. Wash your hands and carry on. 

Grateful

Before I rant in another post about how asinine I think the handling of the COVID-19 is...


Things I am grateful for...

- Weekend movies...

- Beautiful sunrises...

- Working out... 

- Birds chirping...

- Organized sock drawers...

- Good test results...

- Empty inboxes...

- Groceries...

- Sunny days...

- Productivity...

- Winning raffle tickets...

Sad

Seen at my doctor's office recently...

Is this the future of America? 

PS) This person was not too sick to get dressed as they clearly weren't seeing the doctor for any treatment. I know this because I was at an ob-gyne office.

Lesson

Ignoring a person comes in many forms. Whether it's losing contact (intentional or not), or ignoring someone's feelings or ignoring the things they say...it all hurts and teaches the recipient of the cold shoulder how to move along in life without being able to depend on others. Be careful of how you do, or don't, interact with others. You could be teaching them lessons you don't want them to learn.

CVS

My recent encounter when visiting a local CVS Minute Clinic...

Lady Standing at Registration Kiosk: ***doing nothing ***

Me: Hi, are you registering? (points to kiosk)

Lady Standing at Registration Kiosk: No, go ahead.

Me: Ok, thanks! (proceeds to sign in and then heads to the next aisle over to peruse store items)

Lady Standing at Registration Kiosk: (griping to the doctor) I got cut in front of but I was next in line, you should see me next!

Me: (returning to the kiosk area and give immediate look of disgust) Really?

Lady Standing at Registration Kiosk: (gives look of shame) I have to have my child back to school by 3:30, do you mind if I go next? I registered elsewhere and thought I was registered here.

Doctor: (confused)

Me: Sure, you were indeed here first however I didn't "cut" in front of you. So, since you can't understand basic instructions, go ahead.

Doctor: (still confused)

Lady Standing at Registration Kiosk: (upon leaving exam room and walking by) Thank you so much!

Me: Whatever idiot.

Wordless Wednesday

~ Welcome Weekend Visitor! ~ 

59

This coming weekend I will be tackling my 59th movie from the American Film Institute's Top 100 American Films! Can't wait to watch this block buster, the first movie with stop motion animation! I know by today's standards this movie will appear completely antiquated and cheesy, but I will try to mentally set my anticipation to that of a mind seeing this film for the first time in 1933. 

Once again, I am thankful to Fathom Events for hosting the classics for me to see on the big screen, where they belong! King Kong has endured not only the ages of time, but much racial criticism and censorship along the way. Despite it's varied re-releases and editing over the years, including a colorized version for TV, I will be happy to see this in it's original format. 

Having visited New York last year along with the top of the Empire State Building, it will be neat to see the New York of 1933. Fingers crossed and popcorn buttered for a great movie date ahead! 

Monday

I struggle with this, and not just on Mondays. To all my warrior friends, keep your chin up and keep moving forward! Sometimes, you must fight the same battle more than once in order to win.

Roast

Feeling a little domestic today. I baked cinnamon-streusel muffins for a breakfast treat and put this bad boy in the crock pot for later today.  

- Pot Roast ala Crock Pot -

Lemon

I don't like lemons or lemonade but I enjoy lemon cake and most lemon desserts. 

Thank you Starbucks for this sweet treat - yum! 

Work

This also applies to those who don't like their job...

COVID-19

Yes I believe Coronavirus is real but I'm not succumbing to panic and fear. It seems like every year there is a new disease outbreak to whip up a pandemic frenzy. Last year there was Ebola, in the years before there was swine flu, bird flu and SARS just to name a few. And who can remember the effects of those diseases now? They seemingly disappear as quickly as they arise. 

In my local area there are shortages of surgical masks, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. And what for? Common sense tells us to wash our hands to prevent germ spreading and is considered far healthier than hand sanitizer chemicals that can promote super bugs. I am sure this post may seem "cold" to those directly impacted by the Coronavirus and that's not my intent. My intent is to promote common sense, and to reduce panic in those outside the disease's target group.

I won't go on about the conspiracy theories that come about when a "new" virus emerges near facilities that create chemical and biological warfare. And I won't ask you to think about if this is a coo to sell vaccines and to boost the medical economy. In those cases, the manufacturers would want you to panic, don't you think? 

I might not take Gus's (My Big Fat Greek Wedding reference) mode of tackling all things that ail you by applying Windex to it, but I'll do my best to wash my hands thoroughly and avoid germs. And if I get sick? It's not the end of the world. Zinc, vitamin C and lots of  Campbell's Chicken and Stars Noodle soup. I am not rushing off to the store to stock up on a month's worth of toilet paper and gallons of cleanser - where would I store it anyway?

What are your thoughts on Coronavirus? Do you have trusted cold-flu remedies? Stay healthy my friends!

Wordless Wednesday

Look at the "customers" on and under the table!

Progress

My March workouts are booked, both Pilates and Orange Theory classes, I've scheduled a massage, various annual doctor appointments for maintenance, have a brunch date scheduled with friends, will be attending a baby shower and start participating in the running club at the end of this month. I still need to book some "me" time with friends and the significant other, but I'm working on it. So, why am I sharing my "schedule" with you ask? For me, of course. To help keep me accountable for my new years resolutions.

The sad thing is that the list above might sound like a "lot" but when compared to my list of "to-dos" below, I still fall short. I'm not really complaining here versus admitting that I'm human and imperfect, and that's okay. Progress is better than "did not start" and I will allow myself that kindness and grace as you should too! I still struggle to read and be as positive as I'd like, but every day is a new opportunity to try again.  

How are your resolutions going so far? We're in month 3 and Spring is right around the corner! 


Get healthy...mentally and physically. 
- Commit to working out 2-3 times a week.
- Stay away from negative people.
- Make more play-dates with positive people.
- Complain less.

- Participate in one 5K per month.
- Eat clean(er).
- Stretch.

Read more.
- Read one book per month.
- Stop buying new books!
- Set aside 30 minutes a day via lunch or bedtime to read.

Bucket List Items...continued from 2011.
- Attend Cubs Spring training.
- Travel (Italy, Spain, Germany, Bora Bora)
- Hike Piccachu Peak, AZ.

Personal
- Go to the chiropractor more.
- Book a spa service per month.
- Remain grateful and practice gratitude daily.
- Commit to a schedule of chores and add help services as needed to make life easier.

Break

Did you think I got lost? 

Didn't pay the internet bill? 

Nah, just took a vacation. 

See, here's proof! 

~ Seven Mile Beach ~

~ Lake Cave ~

~ Wine by the Ocean ~