Day 137

Longest. Week. Ever. 

Day 136

Supplies!

Day 135

If stress is running high during the COVID-19 pandemic for you, here's a little reminder that you can handle it. You run your day! 

Day 134

Day 133

Goal achieved! 

I completed the Illinois Endurance Challenge, 300 mile course in the top 20! 

Run = 31.69 miles
Walk/Hike = 34.54 miles
Ride = 237.7 miles
Paddle = 2.5 miles

Time: 34:39:23

 

Day 132

Besides the obvious (friends, family, health...) what are the top 3 things that bring you joy?

Me? 

Working out/running/being active in and outside (bonus if it's outdoors like hiking, running, kayaking or golf!)

Good conversations that you walk away from knowing you've improved someone's day, if not just your own.

A great alfresco meal that is actually worth the calories, that I didn't have to cook while savored with a great glass of wine (and my favorite people).

Day 131

I just celebrated my 20 year anniversary at work. Two decades later, I am still with the company that I thought I wouldn't last more than 6 months with. Well, to be clear, I didn't plan on staying at my initial job within the company for more than 6 months. Thankfully, I was able to move along and move up in position over the years. There have been great years of growth, and a few years of feeling like I was buried under poor management. Thankfully, that's not where I am at today! Twenty years has gone by in a heart beat, or so it seems. Man!

20 Years Ago...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was the biggest movie of the year...love it and own it!

Friends was the most popular sitcom on TV...I never watched a single episode during it's original run.

Only 41.5% of US households had internet...I think I may have had dial up!

Heinz introduced green and purple ketchup...I remember being grossed out by the green version!

Oprah released her first issue of "O" magazine...I've purchased a few in my day! 

U2 made a comeback and released their song, "Beautiful Day"...adore this song.

Abercrombie & Fitch was the coolest store a teen could shop at...never spent a dime at this place!

Peanuts published it's last, original comic...I miss a good comic!

The Nokia 3390 was the most popular cellphone to have...nope, Motorola fan here!

Day 130

As more changes to your routine occur due to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, remember to take time to breathe. Adjusting to the "old normal" (which is not the same as it used to be) is not easy even if you think, "Hey, I used to do this all the time". Give yourself some grace and remember to....

Day 129

A few of my favorite things.

What favorites are getting your through this pandemic?

Day 128

Not sure who said it, but it's true.

Day 127

This is my spirit animal on Tuesdays...

Day 126

Day 125

This isn't the best picture in the world, I'll give you that. But what it is, is a somewhat return to "normal". The picture to the right is of an outdoor, parking lot concert. A limited number of cars were allowed to attend, parked every-other space to allow for distancing and masks were required should you leave your vehicle area. There was no "rushing" the stage or congregating around the band. It was a simple, stay in (or near) your car and enjoy the music. I'll take it! Live music on a summer day felt "normal", if even from the bed of a pick-up truck! 

Day 124

Lately I have heard many a person talk in absolutes, mainly about politics and their stance on the current President. Multiple people in my social circle have stated that they will gladly unfriend (in real life and social media) anyone who voted for the current President of the United States. These same people cry for equality for others and demand compassion in regard to their chosen profession. Yet, these same people have no interest in "seeing the other side" of people who may have voted against their choice of political candidate? 

I suggest instead of speaking in ultimatums, those who are offended should reach out to others with the same understanding they wish to be greeted with. Talk with your friends and get to know them more in depth than you currently do. Ask them questions. Ask them "why" if you need to. But don't assume everyone in your "bubble" is exactly like you and make those who are not fearful to voice their opinions. What ever happened to "we can agree to disagree" and moving on? What happened to unconditional relationships? In a land where everyone is urged to get out and vote, you're ultimately saying it's okay to get out and vote as long as everyone votes like you? 

If you're demanding that your political candidate be accepting of all, please make sure you are an example of those same qualities you wish to see in office. 

Day 123

Note to self, one large bucket of golf balls is probably enough to practice with at the driving range. Two large buckets of balls is insanity. 

Day 122

How do you handle stress?

Scream?

Cry?
Laugh it off?
Nap?
Eat?
Exercise?
Meditate?

All the above?
None of the above?

Day 121

I'd tour Europe for a month and then head to Bora Bora.

What about you?

Day 120

My latest COVID revelations...

I had my first golf lesson and loved it.

Hiking is hard work and even harder when it's 93 degrees out! 

I am addicted to Uncrustable sandwiches.

I like boxing (at the gym).

I've connected and made friendships that I don't think would have happened pre-COVID.

I still miss movie theaters (and movie popcorn).

Running is still fun, even with no particular goal in mind.

Working from home isn't as bad as I thought it would be. 

There's still nothing good on TV.

Getting outside is still some of the best medicine in the world.

Day 119

What good things are you filling your day with?

Day 118

~ Namaste ~

Day 117

Day 116

What, if anything, have you experienced recently that made you feel like things were "back to normal"? Were you able to sit down a restaurant outside? Return to work? Experience a business that was previously closed? 

For me, my "normal" was taking a class at my old gym. Of course, things were far from the old "normal" with the introduction of standing in line for my temperature to be taken, doled out hand sanitizer and mask wearing - but what did feel normal was being back in the studio, running and watching my heart rate get into the "zone". 

Another "normal" for me was sitting down, over 15 feet away from the next patron, at a winery and enjoying a wine flight. Wine tastings are not allowed right now, but sitting down and sampling a delicious flight of wines while relaxing on a cool leather couch - that felt "normal". 

While new normal is different than old normal, I will appreciate the glimpses of any sense of normalcy, period. There are things that I wish would return to the full, "old" normal but also many things that I hope don't! I can do without crowds and I enjoy my own personal space being 6 feet away from others. I appreciate working from home and not commuting. What about you? What do you hope remains the new normal or returns to the old normal?

Day 115

Getting up before 5am doesn't get easier. The workouts that I get up to do at that hour don't get easier either. The encouragement I receive from fellow gym-goers and my instructor get me out of bed. The awesome feeling that comes once a class is completed keeps me coming back for more. Feeling like I have my whole day ahead of me and already having a major sense of accomplishment by 6am is motivating. This is what has kept me sane during COVID lock-down. What's kept you going? What's your motivation? How are you building on your discipline? 

Day 114

Wordless Wednesday

Day 113

In the spirit of continuing to "do one thing every day that scares you", here's a look at my birthday present to myself. Golf is my latest adventure endeavor with lessons starting in a week, can't wait!

Day 112

Yoga outside on the deck when the temperature is 90 degrees? 

Just consider it Hot Yoga!

Day 111

Weekend Farmer's Market finds!

Day 110

I came across the Instagram post below and thought it couldn't be more true. I don't know who needs to read this right now, but here's your sign to go do the things you want to do! I can't imagine how many great things and people I would have missed out on if I had not gone out and done things by myself.  You can do hard things! 

Day 109

This.

Day 108

Today is boxing day and I have my very own gloves! Punching out your stress and frustrations while getting a great workout are worth getting out of bed at 5am on my day off! Being on hold for 20 minutes to book a routine physical with my doctor, not so much.

Day 107

Today is my Friday and I have the next 6 days off from work! 

Looking forward to some good workouts, reading and relaxing! 

~ Picked up this read based on the cute cover art alone! ~