Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Did I mention I enjoy making lists?

Check out my latest find.

Can't wait to use it, starting today.

The List

So here it is. My list of 12 things to do 12 times (or more) over the next 12 months. Anything sound fun or interesting to you? Any goals that you're setting for yourself? 

1) Books
Read twelve books before 12/31/22 (new or existing in my current library).

2) Adventures!
2021 felt overwhelming with responsibilities (real or imagined) and a lot of sacrifices of my free time were made. I am looking forward to 12 new, solo adventures! Whether it's a day at a museum, a weekend Jeep adventure or a silent yoga retreat with a friend, I know my adventures await! 

3) Date Nights
Similar to #2 above, 2021 took a toll on my love life. I didn't feel like I had the energy to plan or focus on time for myself, much less time for my husband and I to reconnect. Planning a simple date night seemed overwhelming towards the end of the year and hence, it was sacrificed. I miss our fun nights out and plan to resurrect date nights - big or small!

4) Physical Self Care/Pampering
Yep. I'm investing in physical self care. You know, spa days. Massages. Facials. Whatever it is, I'm doing it this year. 

5) Creative Outlet
I used to draw and draw well. I even craft, color, paint, and enjoy making things. I don't recall the last time I made anything besides dinner. Lets get back to fun! Whether its coloring a page in an adult coloring book, taking photos, drawing something from scratch, signing up for a new class/activity - time to get back to my artistic roots.

6) Girls!
I need time with my friends. We all do. My friends are available, again I have just felt too overwhelmed to spend the energy planning anything. Time to get back to the fun times! Go for a walk? Sure! Catch up over brunch? You got it. 

7) The Ninja 
This one just might kill me. I received a Ninja Foodi for Christmas of 2020 (yes, 2020!) and have been too intimidated to use it! Perhaps this year I can make 12 new dishes using it! Hey, it's a start!

8) Gratitude and Kindness
So this might be a hard goal to measure but I find myself getting mired down in my own complaints and negativity. I used to be a super positive person but feel like that dastards have torn me down over time and sadly, I've allowed for it. Perhaps 12 positive/feel good posts? Compliment 12 people? List twelve things I'm grateful for each month? In some way, I will honor and practice being grateful and kind.

9) Movies
Because this blog has morphed over time, you'll see there is a header page labeled "AFI Top 100" (go check it out!). I will dedicate this year to watching at least 12 more movies from the list.

10) Exercise
I miss it. I used to do it 6 times a week. I used to run. Injury and post injury depression that followed caused me to give up for most of 2021. It's time to get moving again. And while I cannot return to 9+ mile runs, I can walk. I can ride. I can hike. I will embrace what I can do. So, starting small - I'll dedicate each month to at least 12 workouts or some sort. Anything counts.

11) Learn
I'm a big fan of taking classes so I'm tasking myself to learn 12 new things. Online course for work? Language app for fun? Jeep mechanics? Anything's game!

12) Blog! 
Maintain this blog. Post at least 12 times per month about my list of 12's over the next 12 months!

12 x 12 x 12 in 2022

It's December 30th and I'm already gearing up for the new year. I understand that many might be cautious about getting excited for the new year given our current Covid state of affairs, but I'm ready and hope you take this journey with me. 2021 was not a real treat for me, so I am happy to celebrate the sloughing off of the old and looking forward to making improvements in the new year ahead. 

In ramping up for 2022, I realized I like lists. I like to make them. I like to organize and highlight them. Most of all, I enjoy scratching things off of them. And just like that, I thought I could easily make a list of twelve themes, with twelve tasks to tackle over the next year. So here I am, revamping my blog which is something I thoroughly enjoy, and bringing you my "to do" lists for 2022.

Stay tuned, more to come!

Day 366

20 years ago today, I lost my Dad. I was in my mid twenties then and the quote below, which my father stated often, held true. Coming across it today makes me giggle as I'm pretty sure he sent it my way just to remind me. if even just in hindsight, that he indeed was far smarter than I ever gave him credit for. While I don't think his genius was ever a question in my mind, I'm sure his "cool points" waned often. As I work to help raise two stepdaughters today, I'm sure he is laughing where ever he's at as I now realize I won't be smart or cool until they're probably in their 30's. Late 20's if I'm lucky. I miss you Dad.

 

Day 365

It's officially been one year, 365 days, since COVID-19 broke out and changed the way we live, work and interact. I am no more used to wearing a mask than I was then. While the "lock down" has allowed me to slow down in some ways, I see the havoc it's consequences have brought upon other people and it's horrendous. Not that I am left unscathed by Corona Virus but I feel like I have, somehow, faired better than others. For that I am grateful, but still I grow weary of the enforced restrictions and long for some normalcy. Like, "old school" normalcy. I hope and pray that this summer brings some relief, if only in the way of sunshine and warmer days ahead. In the meantime, all we can do is just keep on hangin' on. Hang in there!

Day 358

Yep, in case you're actually paying attention I just skipped a week of blogging. I worked in the office during the past week so time felt limited to do anything personal. Adding in 90 minutes of commuting time each day and feeling the need to rush out the door in the morning and rush home in the evening, isn't very blog-inspiring. Sure there was plenty of time left over in the evenings after I finished making, eating and cleaning up dinner. Sure there was an hour or so when I wasn't doing laundry, cleaning, watching TV with the family or doing my physical rehab exercises like a goofus in the middle of the living room (insert big yoga ball floating through your line of vision while trying to watch tv for giggles) but I just didn't. And. It's okay.

The past week seems like a blur now that I try to recall any of it in hopes of finding something inspiring to write here. But it just wasn't memorable. It was life. Sure, I did great things at work and felt "managerial". I know I cooked a dinner (or two) that got lots of "Yum!" reactions. I completed a lot of weekend warrior household tasks and even got a car wash. It was a very boring week and ya know what? I'll take it. Sometimes boring is best! There's a safety in being boring (at times), there's a routine to it. There are no surprises to deal with in "boring" and I appreciate that. With that said, I hope you had a "boring" week, too! Have a happy and mundane Monday! 

Day 351

 

Day 350

After a Saturday night of Rage Room smashing and hour long axe throwing, Sunday deserved a more relaxing theme. Wine, cheese and crackers in an outdoor, heated igloo seemed to do the trick. 

Day 349

Today we went to a "Rage Room" where you get to smash and beat up things with baseball bats and crowbars. We had thirty minutes in total, and were exhausted and full of sweat after just five minutes of beating the electronics to death. We carried on, however and made sure that every thing we could smash was thoroughly dismantled. If you need to get some exercise or blow off some steam, I highly recommend it! 

 

Day 348

When looking at the current Chicago-land forecast, I remind myself to not get too excited about the trending warm up. While I will surely do my best to take advantage of it, I remind myself that it's known to snow in April and the "good" weather truly doesn't start until June. I mean, after all there are more than four seasons to Chicago weather. I believe we're currently in Fool's Spring. Happy weekend my friends!

Day 347

Throwback Thursday.

Beaches of Bonaire, 2019

Day 346

Today I went outside in just a sweater. Yesterday I left the house in a long-sleeve t-shirt. It's a heatwave here in the Chicagoland area, it's in the 40s and even hit a low 50 degree temperature, sun included. Admittedly, it can and probably will still snow in April, but for today I'm enjoying the warm up!

Day 345

Between weekend indoor skydiving and physical therapy yesterday my body, which is no longer used to working out daily, is beat. I feel like...

Day 344

I woke up before 5am for an early 6:30am physical therapy session today.

They kicked my butt.

I came home, did two loads of laundry.

Unloaded the dishwasher.

Tidied up the house.

Worked.

Took a real lunch break and got a pedicure.

Worked some more.

Attended conference calls.

Cooked dinner.

Cleaned up dinner (with some familial help).

Passed out on the couch.

Tomorrow's plan looks about the same, minus the laundry.

Happy Monday!

Day 343

We went indoor skydiving today (yes, bad SI joint and all - but it held up). As this is my second experience doing so, it was nice to relive the experience with and through the eyes of my two, teenage stepdaughters. They loved it and can't wait to go back for more, and of course they loved having something "awesome" to post on their social media pages. As I listened to them read comments others made about their flying experiences, they were all but disgusted at the fact that someone commented, "Nice.". 

Umm, I say the word "nice" all the time?! My emotions behind the word are enthusiastic and relay, if only in my head, that I think whatever I'm commenting on is amazing, awesome or very cool! When I defended the "nice" commenter, I was informed that I am old and that if I was a teen and used that expression "no one would talk to you". Wow, wake up call! As I continued to get schooled in all things and expressions that are currently acceptable in the teenage world of today, I found none of my current vocabulary cuts the mustard. I am not "lit". I would give you more examples of acceptable words or phrases here so you could be as cool as these kids but the words they shared were so ridiculous sounding I have apparently blocked them out of my mind! It's official. I've become my parents. 

Day 342

A quiet morning.

Coffee. Favorite breakfast.

Errands and a manicure.
Not a bad start to the weekend.

Day 341

There's an end in sight! Today at physical therapy I was told that I have one more week of my current PT schedule before I can drop appointments down to just once per week. I still have SI joint issues when I sit "weird" so I don't know if I'll ever be 100% back to normal, but strengthening my muscles has helped to keep those issues limited and I've learned how/what stretches work best for my pain. Fingers crossed I can get back to the gym soon...in moderation with modifications of course. 

Day 340

 

Day 339

Seriously, just WHAT do I do in my sleep? I need to set up a video or go for a sleep study because today I woke up feeling like I had been "pulled through a knot-hole backwards"! Anyone else hear that expression growing up? No? Just me and my olden-days references?

Today I woke up with a backache, shoulder ache, neck ache and headache, none of which I laid down in bed with. Man, whoever has a voodoo doll of me, give that thing a break please!

Day 339

What do you do when it's "Taco Tuesday" and someone in your household doesn't want tacos? I mean, first of all I don't understand how you can NOT want tacos, so that right there shows me I live in an abnormal environment of weirdos. But I digress. The night sadly ended with leftovers instead of tacos, and at least one person was happy that the tradition was skipped. Thankfully, there's nothing "wrong" with pasta-night Wednesday!

Day 338

I was up at 5am something to head to physical therapy today before heading back to the office. While I don't like the earlier wake up schedule, or the fact there was more snow to deal with, it was nice to see a few co-workers within the building. I will admit, we probably spent more time talking about all the things we haven't been able to discuss in person than working, but perhaps tomorrow will be more productive? 

Day 337

 What's Valentine's Day baking without a T-rex cookie? 

Day 336

We came up for air, if only for a few minutes (ok, hours) today. The significant other and I went out to dinner with friends tonight but were on a tight deadline to return home, you know, "at a decent hour". Due to unforeseen circumstances that weren't a part of the equation when we made the plans to go out tonight, our night felt forced to me. I couldn't really relax and surely didn't get to talk as much as I would have liked because the task was to eat and get home. 

I don't know what's worse - being rushed through your plans or not having any plans at all? Thoughts? 

Day 335

 

Day 334

When your significant other knows you've absolutely had it with COVID-19 repercussions, gross grey weather and are on general stress overload...

Day 333

In hopes of finding an inspirational photo to post here for, "Wordless Wednesday" I Googled, "best picture in the world" and below is the photo that stood out the most to me from the results. The first random thought that the image brings to mind for me are the song lyrics, "...who says an ant can't move a rubber tree plant?..." (yes, I'm dating myself on that one) but also, on a more serious note, I look at all the beauty in this photo. Although I don't consider an ant a "beautiful" creature, this little guy seems to be a mixture of acrobatic balancing act and functional water gatherer surrounded by beautiful, reflective colors of the globe. I'm reminded of nature's simplicity with this image and am glad for this moment, if only a moment, to focus on something other than my world. 

Day 332

Is it sad or considered over achieving when you find yourself so bored due to COVID restrictions, you sign on to work from home after hours because there's nothing else better to do? 

Day 331

I started my fourth week of physical therapy today and told them I was bored with their exercises. I was, of course, diplomatic when speaking but so yearning for a challenge. Challenge me they did. I got to walk on a treadmill, which may seem like something ridiculous to be happy about but I was ecstatic. I worked on different steps (side, backwards, forward) with inclines and then moved onto floor work with planks and birddogs. It felt great to be physically challenged and I happily went on about my day. 

Sadly, around bedtime I started to feel an ache in my SI joint area. I have no idea if, 15 hours later, the pain was due to the change in exercises at physical therapy or from something I unintentionally did during the day and didn't realize (like sit wrong, bend wrong, etc). Needless to say, the return of the ache is a hard blow for me to take. I walked in and out of my appointment this morning feeling great, feeling invincible and believing that a return to "normal" was right around the corner. And now, I'm currently led to believe that my body can't even handle something as basic as walking on a treadmill? Ugh. 

The one "good" thing is, that the pain is not really pain-like. It's a tightness and ache of awareness versus anything debilitating like I've previously experienced. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd say the issue doesn't even register, or is barely a 1. Nonetheless, it's a concern for me and makes me worry about my future. I've never had to go through physical rehab before so I don't know if this is as big as a set back as I feel it is or if experiences like this are "normal"?  I will inquire and find out more on my next visit, this coming Friday. Until then, it's continuing with my exercise homework, ice, heat and continued frustration. 

Day 330

 Although I quote this quite often, it still remains hard some days.

Day 329

 

Day 328

 Somedays...

Day 327

 Snow it begins...again.

Day 326

"See how many dead plants you've been watering." is a recent quote I heard. The context behind it was to stop reaching out to people via text, calls, emails or however you communicate and see if they reach out to you when (or if) they feel your absence. If they don't reach out to you or miss you, then you know you've been pouring your energy, your water, onto a dead relationship. While I do find this profound, I don't know that it's 100% accurate. 

Yes, communication and relationships are a give and take. Sometimes however, it's more give than take, there's never a perfect balance I suppose. I have some friends who I know love me dearly, but suck at reaching out. It's just not their thing. I accept that and we know where we stand with each other. There are other, less established relationships however that this quote hits hard with. I know some people only want to hear bad news and encourage the quote "Misery loves company". Those are the plants, the relationships, that need to feel the water shortage immediately. There are also those relationships who enjoy being watered, but never bloom. You know, the people who don't mind hearing from you but the conversation is all about them and then ends without any inquiry about you, your life or well being? Just stop watering!

Besides relationships though, the more I think about it, this quote can and should be applied to habits. Bad habits. Stop watering, stop encouraging, stop repeating bad habits. Let them die. Of course, easier said than done but here's your (my) reminder to do so. Like the statement below says, water what is alive and keep moving forward! Happy Wednesday my friends. Get to weeding out your garden! 

Day 325

It's a new month and I'm trying to be positive but... Yesterday I drove 45 minutes, each way, on crummy roads to go to my 7am physical therapy appointment only to arrive and learn my therapist didn't make it in. Due to the snow. Can I just say, it wasn't snowing yesterday? I tried to take it in stride and got a chiropractic adjustment instead (PT and my chiropractor are in the same building) so the trip wasn't a complete loss. Although I didn't feel the need for an adjustment, I convinced myself that it was for my own good since I took on more shoveling the day before and the adjustment was for preventative measures, right? 

I drove home and now had to figure out how to cram all the physical therapy exercises I was supposed to accomplish before work, into my work day. Thankfully I had a long, non-video conference call that I was able to workout through and complete most of my exercises and stretches. This is now week 7 of no work outs. It's mentally and emotionally taking its toll on me. I continue to ask the therapists if I can do anything - ride a bike? Jog? And keep hearing "No, we need you to get stronger first". I listen but with total disdain and depression. I even dreamt last night that I was running. That's how much I miss moving. Of any kind. Yikes.

As the day continued I received an email that, effective the 15th, we'd be back to our 50% rotation in the office building. This means I'll work one week in our office followed by one week at home and continue to rotate on that schedule until either a complete return to work or another COVID uptick. The news of returning to the office is a catch 22. I'm bored out of my gourd sitting at home however, I have no desire to commute or to be on someone else's mandated schedule. And by "mandated" schedule I mean, the pre-work preparation. Having to be in the office by 8:30am means I must have a regimented morning routine to exercise (do my PT), shower, get ready, have breakfast and be out the door by 7:45. Today, I can wake up at 8:28 if I want to and still make it to my computer, downstairs on time. First world problems, right? I don't disagree. 

In forcing myself to look at the "positives"... I am on week 3 of physical rehab. I'm doing all the work I am supposed to and hopefully, I only have between 1-3 more weeks of this until I can be released to do a little more of my own workouts. As for work, although it will be limited, perhaps the interactions with other co-workers will be beneficial and uplifting. The commute will give me more time driving my new Jeep around - which I do enjoy. Except for the gas mileage, which I knew would be a drastic change from my previous, very economical Honda Civic! As each day passes, the sun shines a little longer and sooner than later Spring will be here (despite what the groundhog said today) and all this will be behind me. I'll hopefully only have these ramblings here as a reminder that this ever happened. Thanks for listening to/reading my COVID induced rant today. 

 

Day 324

 

Day 323

Thankfully, pre-snow this weekend we got out to see a movie at the now reopened theaters and had a lunch date with friends. It was so refreshing to get out and do "normal" stuff!  Enjoying a date night and tasting real movie theater popcorn was amazing. I even said, "movie theater microwave popcorn just doesn't hold a candle to theater popcorn"!  It was so good! If you're local, did you make it out before the storm? If so, what did ya do? 

What, if anything, are you missing from your previous "normal" routine? 

Day 322

It's snowing.
Alot.
Are you shoveling?
Snowblowing?
Making snowmen?
Hunkering down inside?
How do you do snow?

Day 321

Caught the moon this morning on my way to physical therapy...

Day 320

 

Day 319

You know you miss working out when you voluntarily shovel your own driveway and sidewalk (three times throughout the day), go shovel the community mailbox area and then shovel a neighbor's driveway and sidewalk just for fun! And yes, I was overly careful when doing so because heaven forbid I report back to my physical therapists this coming Friday that I've hurt myself shoveling - pretty sure they'd kill me! If the snow sticks around for the weekend, I'm strapping on my snowshoes for some weekend walking! (Yes, I was cleared to snowshoe since it's basically exaggerated walking). 

Day 318

Bridges, clamshells, leg lifts, exercise bands - oh my! Let me tell you, this physical therapy is kicking my butt! It's been 6 weeks since I last worked out but despite that I'm still feeling a burn having started week two of SI joint rehab! Muscle soreness "burn" that is, which is ironically, a welcomed feeling. It's a feeling that I enjoy and associate with having accomplished a great workout.

Thankfully I've been without SI joint or back pain for going on two weeks now (ever since I started physical therapy) and I continue to trend in a stronger, healthier direction. My physical rehab is all about targeting muscle imbalances in my glutes and core in order to stabilize the SI joint. These muscles are all currently under or wrongly utilized and let me tell you, a repeated 3 second "butt squeeze" to correct that sure feels like a lot more work than it should be! 

I have pages of "homework" to accomplish every day and while I can't say I enjoy the exercises, I gladly follow directions and know that by doing so I will be able to correct my strength issues and hopefully, return to my favorite activities soon. I still have anywhere from another 2-4 weeks of rehab before I get "released" but time will pass anyways. At least I'll be stronger and better by the end of it!

Day 317

No matter what happened over the weekend or how much you loathe Mondays, today is a new day! It doesn't matter if you magically gained 3 pounds overnight. It doesn't matter that your household's favorite team lost all chances of going to the Superbowl. It doesn't matter if you went to bed early just to end the day's misery. Today is a fresh start! Make the week great my friends! 

Day 316

 All is not well in my household today.

The Packers lost. 

Day 315

A Saturday morning massage, seeing a few friends and a stop for two new pair of shoes - I'd say my weekend is starting off well. It's been a while since the last time for all of those things (friends, massage, new anything) so it felt good to run errands alone, in peace and self-indulge just a little bit. 

What are you doing to take care of yourself this weekend? Are you able to scratch off any of the Bingo boxes below? I hope so!

Day 314

 

Day 313

 We all know where the Big Apple is but does anyone know where the...Minneapolis? 

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Day 312

This knobby and gnarled tree, although not really pretty to look at most days, not even on a Spring budding day, provides a lot of entertainment for me. It plays host to a multitude of birds and squirrels at any given time. While I find the squirrels nothing more than pests (digging up my plants and nesting in car engines), the birds are amazing. At any given time, this tree provides forging space for a Downy Woodpecker, a lone Blue Jay, a couple of Cardinals and multiple little Sparrow and Juncos (I think). Today, most birds blend in with the grey limbs only making their presence known by the snow they knock off the branches as they hop to and from. 

What's the view from where you're sitting? Does it take a second look to discover all that it really beholds? 

Day 311

Never have I been so excited to go to an eye doctor appointment (tomorrow)! I am a year over-due for an annual eye exam since the COVID outbreak cancelled my 2020 appointment (which I never got around to rescheduling). So, between the scuffs and scratches on my current lenses and my new habit of squinting, I can't wait for new eyewear.

This is quite the drastic change from when I first got glasses. I remember attending school in shame with my new glasses many decades ago. I was in first grade when the name four-eyes began. I walked to school in angst, knowing I'd be teased and I never lifted my head while in the classroom, hoping to hide my new facial accessory. I am pretty sure I remember crying, and even putting my head IN my desk to try to hide my new spectacles. Back then, schools had the open top desks that allowed for storage, I was hoping to store my whole head in there along with my feelings (because THAT didn't make it more obvious for others to look at me!). I hated my glasses. They were big and red and took up most of my face, as did most of the eyewear trends of that year. 

It's amazing that we are now in a time where kids actually want glasses (and braces) so they can be "cool". And more so, the bigger and more obnoxious the frames, the better. The nerdy-girl look is "in" and no one would dream of calling you "four eyes". Kids of this decade will never know the old school battles us goggle-wearing nerds faced. You know, the name calling, the getting into a snowball fight and having one land in your face, resulting in the snow being stuck between your frames and face? The pranks where kids licked their fingers and then smeared them all over your lenses? Yep, I experienced it all. Thankfully I survived my childhood trauma and actually embrace wearing glasses today - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

What, if any, childhood growing pain did you experience and survive - even if you thought at the time you wouldn't? 

                

Day 310

Today was my first day of physical therapy for my non compliant SI joint. That's what I refer to it as since it doesn't allow me to do the things I desire. You know like run, exercise or sleep more than 45 minutes at a time. To date I've been resting it, icing, heating, stretching, applying topical ointments (BenGay, BioFreeze, etc) and receiving chiropractic care with only some improvement. Some days, or I should say moments, I feel perfectly fine and others I feel like there are knuckles grinding on the back of my pelvis. It's been a month of these bodily shenanigans and I'm growing impatient. 

During my physical rehab session I performed and received exercises and stretches to practice at home three times a day until my next appointment. These limited movements and about 20 minutes of walking is all I'm prescribed (allowed) to do as of the moment. I hope they help. This activity is a far cry from the amount of running and working out I was happily doing prior to injury. 

If things don't physically improve over the next two weeks I will be getting an MRI to see if something more is going on than just inflamed tissue around the SI joint and general SI dysfunction. While I don't think or feel like it's more than an SI joint issue, I want to be able to rule out more complex issues if the pain continues. 

All whining aside, all I can think is - what is this teaching me? If 2020 in general didn't teach us to slow down and give your life some introspection I can sure tell you a limiting physical injury will. As I wonder what my future holds I think about the condition of my body and will it last me until old age. Perhaps this is my sign to slow down physically and try something "kinder" to my body? Stretch more? I don't know. I am doing my best to follow doctor's orders and behave myself but darn is it hard. I am grateful however, if this had to happen at least it's over the winter during a time that I am not missing outdoor activities (if there are any to enjoy due to  COVID) - so I have that going for me at least! Hopefully by the time the weather warms, I'll find my stride and be able to swing my golf clubs. Fingers crossed! 

Day 309

Ok, indulge me for a moment. I'm a Golden Girls and Betty White fanatic and today is Betty's 99th birthday! While we don't see much of her these days, she has built a legacy of comedic relief since 1939! From The Golden Girls to The Mary Tyler Moore show, Snickers candy bar commercials, numerous movies and even hosting Saturday Night Live Betty proves she can adapt to the ages and has staying power! I hope she, as she is known to traditionally do,  enjoyed a hotdog and fries on her big day! Happy birthday Betty! You may only be 99, but I think you're 100% awesome! 

Day 308

As a new Jeep owner, I am loving the "Jeep Wave". Sure, it's a little silly and not always reciprocal, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Not sure what I'm talking about? The Jeep Wave is pretty straightforward. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the wave. If a fellow Jeeper waves, you are required to return the wave; it’s as simple as that.The Jeep Wave can consist of a vigorous side-to-side motion of one or both hands, a raised hand waving, or two or four fingers extended upward from the steering wheel. However, my favorite and the most seen version of the wave is two fingers raised from the steering wheel. An homage to the peace sign. 

Owning a Jeep doesn’t just open up the opportunity for me to explore the road less traveled, I have also gained an immediate kinship among all other Jeep owners! This camaraderie is on display every time I pass another person driving a Jeep in the form of a wave and it makes me smile. Big time. It's the little things like this that make cold grey days a little better! 

Day 307

As a nation, there seems to be little we can agree on. Except perhaps that Carole Baskin killed her husband. Not sure whether to laugh or just shake my head in shame. Happy Friday my friends!

Day 306

 

What are you thankful for? Me? Specifically today? Some days it's harder to think about or find what there is to be thankful for. Some days there are big things that you can't help to notice. Other days, you have to dig deep like me, today. 

Today I'm thankful for text messages from friends, random dinner invites (even if I can't attend) and compliments and good conversations - if even from a stranger. Maybe tomorrow will hold bolder blessings - but there's always something to be thankful for! Big or small! 

Day 305

In case you were wondering like I was, there are...

61 days until it's been a full year of dealing with COVID-19 induced working from home, 

66 days until Spring,

78 days until the Cubs home opener

and...