Healthy Spring

Daffodils and growing clover promise a happy and healthy spring is in my future.  My lovely husband surprised me with a Charcoal/Propane combo grill for my birthday.  I am so excited for us to cook healthy foods together on "my" new grill.  This is actually quite comical because a few years back my mother asked for a nice big propane grill for Mother's Day.  Like mother, like daughter I guess.  Most of the time we will be cooking just for the two of us, but it will be a healthier way to eat.  We both enjoy being outside and this is a way for us to cook dinner and still be able to enjoy nature all evening.

Grocery shopping for the week is encouraging me to eat healthy as well.  I have plenty of fruits for snacks and to go with lunch this week.  It should be a basic step in the right direction.  I just need to make sure to throw all of the good foods in a bag each morning so that I don't backslide at lunch time.

My house is still a work in progress.  I will post pictures...eventually.  I am just not ready for that just yet.  We are still purging out many of the things that we do not need or use and are finding creative storage solutions for what we are keeping.  Things will continue to progress in the clean house area over the next few weeks.  Organization and general clean up will move outside as well over the next few weeks and months.

I am happy to report that I have been able to walk an average of 7 miles or more each day because of my new position.  There is an opportunity to pretty much move constantly throughout the day.  Some afternoons I also stay and walk/work outside while knitting.  Being able to combine these two things I am encouraged to walk and get fresh air while keeping my hands busy.  When I am knitting I don't feel that the walking is a chore and I am really just enjoying myself instead of working out.  It is important for me to add in some just walking or swimming time to my regimen to ensure that I actually achieve some cardio work to keep my heart healthy.  I must sign off now and get changed for work and pack some pants so that I can walk "off the clock" this afternoon and get some cardio scheduled into my day.  Everyone can find some way to enjoy a healthy time out in nature.

Clean House=Clear Mind?

Does a clean house help to clear your mind?  I have heard that it does.  The few times that my house is clean I do seem to have a more clear mind and am able to enjoy myself at home.  Today I set out to clean my house.  Baby steps to get me there was the plan.  I actually spent time taking before photos and now hesitate to actually post them.  I should be very embarrassed.  Then again, I don't really give a shit anymore.  Everyone is human.  We all have those places in our homes that we don't want people to see.  There is a select group of people that I feel comfortable letting in my home at any point in time.  The majority of these people are family and childhood friends.  Now, I understand that I need to document these things for myself so that I do not fall back into old habits and let things overtake my life.  

Today after I took pictures I made a list of things to accomplish.  Today I just wanted to knock out the surfaces and not worry about the things behind closed doors.  When making the list I thought that I would go down the list and accomplish things in order.  As soon as I got started I realized that I would be jumping around.  I had set up my phone to play some podcasts in the living room on some speakers and couldn't hear them in the laundry room with the washer and dryer going.  I didn't want to do something logical like move the speakers, instead I decided to jump down the list and work on other items.  Then I got bored and jumped to another item on the list.  Then I decided I was hungry and sat down to write this blog while eating a snack.  When I started I decided that I needed to write the previous random blog to catch up before I actually wrote this blog that was my main reason for stopping the progress.  I am darn good at procrastination.  

It is now time for me to shower so that I can head to my parents and grandmothers for a visit.  I am right in the middle of cleaning my house and will do a bit more after I get clean, but I will be motivated to roll on when I get back home this evening.  This weekend will be a good time for me to continue on with this endeavor before and after work and hopefully there will be a post with before and after pictures.  Now to change out the laundry and hop in the shower.  Challenge yourself to tackle one small hidden space today.  Maybe the junk drawer, nightstand, end table, etc.  Knock it out and relish in the small amount of joy it brings you this evening.  

Goals and random ramblings

This seems to be a place that I come to occasionally.  I would like for this to be at least a weekly event.  Holding myself accountable has not been a main concern of mine.  The remainder of the year I will be posting every Thursday.  Hopefully I will be posting more frequently than each Thursday, but this will be my goal.  I have had some major changes in my life over the past 12 months and I am looking forward to what the new year holds for us.

I will be posting over the next few weeks about clearing clutter from the house, car, yard, mind, schedule, and relationships.  I am feeling a sense of calm since starting my new job.  More on that in a bit.  I have been given a wonderful opportunity that is already changing my life.  We have a goal to move to the country and even possibly downsize over the next few years.  It is time for us to start reducing our possessions and simplifying our everyday lives.  I have been pondering this for months now and it is now time to act on the ponderings.  It is time to let things go, not in the let things take over your life way.  Just let things go.  Get rid of the clutter materialistically, financially, and emotionally.  It shall be a wonderful adventure.

The new and interesting position.  It is the BEST job EVER!  It is rewarding, exciting, and just a big ball of wonderful.  Thankfully I was able to have 2-3 weeks off during the change.  (I say 2-3 weeks because I had some training during those weeks but wasn't working full-time.)  I was able to visit friends a few hours away to the East for a couple of days the first week of the change.  Spending time with my mother-in-law, her husband, her mother, and my brother-in-law and his girlfriend a few hours to the North the second week was a great treat as well.  The third week was spent at home running errands and relaxing.  This time in between was such a welcomed and relaxing transition.  I hesitate to reveal the name and other specifics about the new job, but it is exactly where I need and want to be right now.  I arrive at work with a smile on my face and I leave work with a smile on my face.  Working with inquisitive patrons, coworkers, and supervisors is amazing.  I am motivated in ways that I feared I wouldn't ever see again.  Just know that if you are jobless, in a position that you don't mind, or one that you hate...something wonderful will happen for you.  Fortunately this position kind of dropped in my lap.  I had submitted a resume and application 2+years ago.  This is not what will happen for most people.  Put in applications, apply for promotions, volunteer with organizations that interest you.   If you put forth no effort at all to better yourself you are being complacent and do not want the change bad enough.

Enough ramblings.  I am happy and excited after 3 weeks of working full-time at this new position.  I am motivated and hope to share those things here on a weekly basis.  It is now time to clear my surroundings in order to continue to clear my head.  Search out your happiness and motivation in life.

CMA Motivation

The CMAs just went off the air.  Honestly, they gave me motivation.  Watching that event made me want to put on yoga pants and go for a nice brisk walk.  Mind you, it is after 10:00 pm.  My husband won't be home until 11:30 or so, so I do have time.  I really should get in bed though.  Oh, what the heck?  I am just going to go for it.  I am sure my sweet little dog would love to come, but I don't want any excuses for slowing down and not giving it my all.

I guess it is a really good thing that I live in a tiny town that is pretty safe.  Maybe I will make it back home before anyone notices that I am gone.  There is no time like the present!

Back Again?

So...I started a new job this spring and got a little side tracked.  I really didn't mean to, but it definitely took priority in my life.  This spring I went from working online from the comfort of my home and setting my own daily schedule to clocking in before 7:30 AM every weekday.  I am not a morning person, unless I have stayed up all night long and decide to go for a nice morning swim or walk.  This getting up, dressed, and driving 30 miles really took it out of me at first.

Sleeping is my favorite hobby.  I have a nice comfy bed and really enjoy getting out of bed and feeling well-rested.  I was really excited to get to sleep in till 10:00 AM this morning.  I ended up waking up about ten times, but refused to get out of bed until after 10:00.  It was glorious.  Since I have not been committed to staying healthy over the last few months I have been able to tell that I do not feel as good and energetic.

It is time to get back into a healthy mindset.  The weather is beginning to be so very pleasant.  It makes me want to walk and be outside everyday.  Swimming is something that I miss, but this winter I will incorporate that into my activities.  During the winter months it is more trying for me to be outside.  Indoor activities are much more enjoyable when it is cold outside.  Plus, the locker room where I swim at has a sauna!  That nice warm up is great right after a long swim and cool shower.

I have no idea exactly how much weight I have gained since I started this new job because I am avoiding the scales.  This week I will take the plunge and step on the dreaded measurement tool.  I probably will not be revealing the results.  A trip to the grocery store to get nutritious snacks and lunch foods will probably be in order.

Tomorrow is Sunday.  Sunday is the first day of the week and a good day to get started on getting back on track.  I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and feeling better.  Sunday will be a healthy start to a healthful week.

Cool Waters

My favorite swimming conditions are cool waters!  I was able to get in and have a nice swim today.  I only did a 900 because I was pretty tired.  I had a sleepless night last night.  I did get a few hours sleep when I got back and then another couple this evening.  It is my hope that tomorrow I will get into a routine for the week.  I have lots to do this week and some traveling to add to the mix.  Hopefully I will be able to schedule in some swim time and quite a bit of walking on one of my endeavors this week.  I fully intended to mow the yard today and then the wind made me decide to come inside and curl up under a blanket instead.  It is getting pretty bad so I will have to get at it either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I am thinking Wednesday because it is supposed to be a great deal warmer then.  I guess I just need to be glad that we don't have flooding or snow.

Grocery shopping is on the to do list for tomorrow.  I am planning on getting some things that are fresh and healthy.  I will of course replenish staples, but try to concentrate on the fresh stuff.  I need to get some healthy snacks.  I don't snack a great deal, but when I do I crave and only have on hand junk.  My stupid fault!  Since it is warmer out I will be more apt to eat fresh foods because they will be in season.  It is also more appealing to me to eat lighter foods in the summer versus winter months.  Mmmmmm.......strawberries sound so good right now.  I will put those on my grocery list for tomorrow.

A happy, healthy, and productive week for all!

Not MIA

I am not Missing In Action.  I am back on the blog train.  The trip with my cousins and aunt was a fun and quick trip.  I did get to spend time in the pool both nights that we were at the hotel.  We explored at the City Museum and had tons of fun.  The zoo was another place that we enjoyed.  We walked and walked and walked some more.  I was really relieved that I had been swimming and becoming more active prior to the trip.  I was able to keep up with the kiddos and not get sore and out of breath.

There are always things that do go wrong on these trips.  We were not an exception to the rule here.  We were about 20 miles from home and I realized that I left my camera at home!  The kids and my aunt were not supportive in turning around to go get it so I reluctantly continued on and silently cursed myself for my forgetfulness.  The show went on and it was kind of nice to be able to enjoy the surroundings through only my eyes and not the lens of my camera.  When I saw a mom taking a picture of her child and husband I stopped and reminded her to make sure and get in a picture, too.  I told her to make sure that she wasn't always the one behind the camera because later on she would wish she would have got in the pictures.  She told me that actually her husband is usually the one that is taking all of the pictures and she stopped and made him give her the camera so she could take on of him and their little tot.

Since I have been back I have worked on the yard a bit and the house.  I have not been swimming as much as I had planned, but I did get to go for a dip last week and then again this week.  I plan on going again later in the week and continuing to do yard work as well.  My goal is to make sure that I swim a minimum of three times a week from here on out.  I intend to add on some other lifestyle changes later on once I have made swimming a habit in my weekly routine.  Getting back into the groove is rough, but it is worth it at the end of the day.