Day 198

 Almost Wordless Wednesday

Ever park your car and get the feeling you're being watched?

Day 197

 Makes me giggle and think... (sorry for the swear word, I didn't type it!)

Day 196

 A little Monday, autumn humor...

Day 195

 As I sit with my cup of coffee, I flip through the channels just in time to catch the end of the movie, "Rocky Balboa". As you might suspect if you've seen any of the Rocky movies, it's an "over come and conquer" type of story line. One of my (many) favorite quotes comes from this movie. If you're struggling right now, pandemic induced or not, take Rocky's advice below and get up! That's how winning is done!!!

Day 194

Sadly due to a muscle strain, I couldn't do my 5 mile training run for today. While disappointing, I have actually learned over the years (the hard way) to listen to my body and take a break when needed. I spent the day enjoying a seated brunch with friends, resting (kind of) and doing some odds and ends items around the house. In the past, I would continue to push myself, run, and ignore the much needed self care making the recovery process far worse than needed. Hopefully, I'll be back on the road Monday or Tuesday with some continued chiropractic care, heating pads, Advil, massage and lots of stretching! If not, I'll continue with modified workouts on the bike. 

What lessons have you had to learn the hard way?  

Day 193

 This is my Friday night wine-down. A great dinner in Geneva followed by a night cap with Blueberry wine on the lawn. How are you kicking your weekend off?

 

Day 192

 Life is short.

Take the trip.

Buy the shoes.

Eat the cake.

Day 191

 (Somewhat) Wordless Wednesday... 

A flash back to a Fall, Chicago day near the Bean.

Day 190

As the leaves begin to fall at a faster rate and temperatures drop, the change of seasons is making itself known. Whether you're ready for it or not, today is the first official day of Fall. While I do welcome crisp and colorful leaves, cooler sweatshirt weather and all the pumpkin festivities that autumn brings, I also grow a bit sad knowing the longest days of sunlight are behind us. 

What are your favorite Fall activities? Are they impacted by COVID? While I am excited to see the neighborhood pumpkin patches open for business, the large crowds do concern me. I am super excited however to learn of a drive through haunted "alley" experience for those of us who love a good scare. During this event, you stay in your car to watch a scary movie and then have guys and ghouls "attack" your car - with zero exposure to COVID. I have to give it to this business, and a multitude of others, who have been able to adapt and think of creative ways to work around the pandemic in order to survive. 

How do you enjoy Fall? Hayrides? Pumpkin carving? Whatever it is, I hope this new season includes some fun and isn't just about raking leaves for you! 

Day 189

Usually most, including me, groan about Monday. It's a return to work for most and symbolizes the end of weekend fun and relaxation. So today I'm challenging myself to point out a positive instead of a complaint. Today's happy Monday moment? Not having to cook dinner! My mother in law cooked for us and even cleaned up. I appreciate this seemingly simple task more than I can express. It makes for a stress free evening for me wherein I don't have to think of what to make (or make it, obviously!). Did you have a happy Monday moment? If so, what was it?

Day 188

Sunday run-day turned out to be a rest day for me. I choose to take advantage of a few quiet, morning hours with a book and some coffee. How did you enjoy your weekend? 

Day 187

Cool Fall-like weather today means chili on the stovetop! My chili may look a lot different than yours, and that's ok. I love creating this bean, beef and zucchini style chili. It's a Weight Watcher's recipe from a cookbook that defaulted to me when it's original recipient was offended that they received it. Since I was taught to always accept anything that someone is willing to give you and do with it what you will, I found myself perusing the recipes in the orphaned cookbook and enjoy quite a few of them. Of course, for this chili I up the amount of garlic and spice to my liking and top with cheese and sour cream, but over all it's a simple, quick and healthy chili to make. 

What's your go-to chili? I've had white chili with chicken, chili with macaroni noodles in it, all beans and no beef, and all beef and no beans. What do you prefer in your bowl?

 

Day 186

 

I was reminded today to not waste my time on thoughts or bitterness.
Just keep doing what I do, which is...

Day 185

 Throwback Thursday: to the time I soared in a hot-air balloon.

Day 184

 Wednesday Reminder

Day 183

 

It's Tuesday, also known as Taco Tuesday! While not always, I do try to stick with tacos or some type of taco-like food on Tuesday nights. Are there any food "rituals" that you abide by? Maybe a meatless Monday? Or pizza Friday? 

Day 182

I have a love-hate relationship with rain. I enjoy cuddling up on the couch on a gray, Fall day to  hunker down and watch movies. I enjoy falling asleep to the sounds of a good storm at night. I don't even mind running in light rain, I've learned to throw on a hat and embrace it. I always look for a rainbow after the rain, too. It's just what I do.

What I don't like is week-long rain and week long grayness, it's just depressing. I don't enjoy hot, sticky humid days with rain, either. It's just wet upon more wet weather that poses dressing challenges. You know, it's warm enough to wear a tank top or t-shirt, but it's too wet and makes you want to put on a long sleeve to stay dry. 

I'm thankful this week has brought a fresh set of sunshiny days in it's forecast! What are you going to do to get out and enjoy the last week of summer? 

Day 181

 Sunday is for running.

4 miles of pure meditation today.

Day 180

I create a family photo/scrap book every year. In reviewing this year's draft I re-read the page created on the day the COVID-19 restrictions began to impact Illinois and my job. I enjoyed a date night out 180 days ago and stated that I'd be working from home the following two weeks. Two weeks! As we are now on day 180 of COVID-19 induced living and work restrictions, I laugh at the naivety of that expectation! I do know that two weeks was the best "guesstimate" of time given the information we had then, but it made me giggle to see it in review. 

Did you have any COVID ideas or expectations that have or have not come to fruition? Is there anything you can already look back on at laugh at yet? 

Day 179

Never Forget.
19 years later and I still have no words for today.

Day 178

Whether it's a holiday, birthday or life event celebration, at some point you find yourself having to shop for a present to give to someone else. What type of gift do you prefer to give? A thoughtful item that you have personally picked out (that you hope they will enjoy)? A gift card? Cash?

If not provided with a registry or specific wish list, I personally prefer to give gift cards to a favorite store or location that I know the recipient frequents paired with a bottle of their favorite beverage. As a receiver of well meant gifts gone awry, I hope to avoid that same fate for others at all times! What's the next event or gift you have to shop for? Don't have a birthday party to attend or engagement to celebrate? Don't worry, Christmas is right around the corner!

Day 177

 

Day 176

My "Fun Run" subscription box arrived! It was packed full of goodies including a running challenge for the month, a running journal and sample products. Why you ask? As the weather becomes colder and the days a bit more grey, I can use all the motivation I can get to help keep me on track with my running goals. With the fall season quickly sneaking up, how are you planning to stay on track with your goals? 

Day 175

 

Day 174

What is something you collect and why? I personally collect items that I hope will forever trigger memories of years and events past like...

Christmas ornaments and magnets from travel destinations... 

Playbills from all the theater productions I've attended...

Wine corks...

Bibs and medals from races/events I've completed...

Pictures for (placed in) scrapbooks every year...

Day 173

 This or That?

Pumpkin Spice or Salted Caramel?

October or November?

Apple picking or hay ride?

Pumpkin pie or apple pie? 

Caramel apples or s'mores?

Carve pumpkins or paint pumpkins?

Corn maze or haunted house?

Hot chocolate or apple cider?

Day 172

 What's one (or two) popular things that you just can't stand?

Me? 

Pumpkin spice anything. 

Tik Tok dances. 

Ugg boots.

Day 171

If you grew up in the 80's and can appreciate a good sense of humor, a return to simpler times without concern for political correctness or being strapped to the internet 24/7, I highly recommend watching the Netflix series "Cobra Kai". It was in a word, refreshing for me to watch (and hilarious!).   

Day 170

 An oldie, but a goodie.

Day 169

Well here we are. It's a new month and another day surviving a changed reality due to COVID-19. Do you feel that today, September 1st, is a fresh start for you? As I plan my intentions for a new month and set goals, I stumbled upon this quote. 

"The world has slowed down so you can rediscover yourself." 

Of course, if you've read any of my posts you know me and my love of a good quote! Similar to the part of the quote that states "you can rediscover yourself", I've blogged about some of the accomplishments I've been afforded during the past 169 days due to the "slow down" of society. I've been enjoying a more active lifestyle (now running 3-6 miles at a time versus 0), I've taken up the game of golf (or something like it) and have made deeper connections with friends who I may have been "too busy" for previously. While I miss some (not all) of my old "normals", I like this version too. But speaking of "old normals"...

My "old normal" was pretty stressful with very little allowance for "me time" (any thing or activity where my mental sanity came first). But then I read another quote...

"If you don't come out of quarantine with a new skill, your side hustle started or more knowledge - then you never lacked time, you lacked discipline."  

...and I have to say my opinion is it's still lack of time, not discipline. Society's expected schedule does not set up most people to succeed. The previous rush to the gym at 4am, rush home to shower and get ready for the day, get kid and family up, rush to the bus stop, rush to work, rush home for work, make dinner, clean up dinner and basically pass out on the couch for an hour before doing it all again, yeah that sucks. That has got to suck for anyone and it doesn't leave much time or energy for anyone to have "disciplined" activities. I don't think, barring altering other people's schedules, that I could have accomplished golf lessons on my previous schedule. 

With the current changes in my schedule, I no longer have a two-way, 45 minute (90 minute total) commute. I am no longer rushing anyone off to a bus stop or brick-and-mortar school building. I get close to two hours of "extra freedom" in my day now. I've managed to use those hours to better myself, absolutely. I read more, I run more, I golf more, I take better care of my health. Oh, and in between work sessions at home I can do small activities and chores around the house as well. Getting up for a potty break? Ok, throw a load of laundry. Getting up to find a snack?  Organize items for dinner later or take out the trash. The little daily tasks add up to extra free time later, too. 

So was it really a discipline issue stopping me from reading or playing golf before? I'm sure some will say "where there's a will, there's a way", but again, society isn't built for that (in my opinion). I tried reading at bed time but was too exhausted. I tried reading on lunch breaks at work but found the activity would lull me to sleep (not good!). Now I read in the mornings before my day gets started and the only way this would have happened in my previous existence would have been for me to get up at 3am. Umm, no. 

Ok, so what's my point? All in all, I really hope that if you've been allowed a schedule change during these times, that you've been able to add something of value to your life because of it. Whether it's meditating, taking up a new sport or hobby or spending more time with loved ones (if even just virtually) I hope that you can rediscover something you've missed or discover something you've longed for. What are your goals for September?