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Month End

A couple of years ago, month end (along with cycle end) would have made me crazy. In fact, it took shelf to uncouple from the unhealthy month end cycle after leaving my last job. I certainly don’t miss the insane rhetoric regarding “priorities” that I had to endure there. Thank God none of that same lunacy exists in my current role. If it did, I would have ran for the hills ages ago.

Literally me everyday at my old job

Nevertheless, intrinsically I still want to finish the month strong. I mean the fact my job has a great bonus structure has nothing to do with either…. Or does it. Fortunately, after quite the shitty week last week, I ended February on a very high note. Despite the lack of volume, I still managed to put up a 10K day and put 70K plus more than last February on the books. I’m definitely thrilled anytime I break my previous record for a month.

If I had to pinpoint a cause, I’d have to say it was on a account of my wonderful sales assistants. Today I broke out a new AFLAC duck for them. Anakin took to it right away and naturally got very territorial over the duck. Athena, on the other hand, decided she was absolutely terrified of this new AFLAC duck that is identical to the last one. Ultimately, I had to put the duck up, so Athena would stop hiding behind my hubby.

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New Day

It’s a new day and a new month. Today was a much better day in the office. I cleared 10K easy despite working an hour less. Coincidentally, that’s exactly the kind of day you hope for. It’s still our busy season, but this year’s OEP seems to be less busy than last year. Nevertheless, I’m primed for success and have great support from my leadership.

Naturally, the key to my success is my fabulous sales assistants. They were well behaved today , which is always a bonus. I love having them by my side as I work all day. In fact, they’re really a great selling tool. People don’t always like sales calls, but most people love animals. My puppies are pretty quiet, but when they do bark my clients love it. This opens up the door for them to talk about their furry kids. Happiness is sharing cute animal stories with your clients as they buy from you.

Speaking of a new day, I officially started the Calibrate program this afternoon. It’s a metabolic reset program that led by a MD and coaches. My endo encouraged me to give the program a try to help take off the remaining thyroid weight and normalize my cholesterol numbers. So far the hardest part has been having to give up the Splenda in my morning coffee. They start the program gradually as it promotes success. If you make too many dramatic changes immediately, it makes it hard to sustain.

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Strength

So today’s bloganuary prompt is all about strength today. The old adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is honestly played out. I mean after the last two years, so we even need to test that axiom anymore? Also, if axiom is true, then I’m a fucking Ironman after the last six months I’ve endured. At this point, I’d like to put down the spinach cans and relax a little bit. I don’t need to be flexing my strength like Popeye every day.

From a physical standpoint, I could use some more strength. After a week off, I went back to the BBG workout this week. Honestly, it felt so good to be back at it. If you’re looking for an exercise regimen that balances strength, cardio and stretching, you should definitely check it out. Today was my first day running after a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this run didn’t no go super well. I was definitely sucking wind after only a few minutes on the treadmill. If only our emotional/mental trials, could make us faster and fitter.

Today at work was good. It sometimes all my strength and self-discipline to not be rude to some of these clients. I had a couple today that were quite special. Thankfully, it’s nothing like the awful clientele I would come across at my precious jobs. Nonetheless, they’re still quite annoying. Inspire of those special folks, I still had an awesome day on the phones. Sales is all about perseverance and resiliency. You can’t let one back call or one bad client derail you day.

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Short, But Sweet

This week was short, but sweet. I gotta tell you I like the idea of the four day work week. It’s really nice having a long weekend. Moreover, sometimes a day off is all you need to spark some great production. Thankfully, the long weekend gave me a nice spark. Today started off as quite the dumpster fire, but with perseverance the day turned around.

Meanwhile, the weather has been gorgeous. The mornings have been nice and cool, while the remainder of the day has been comfortable. This weekend the temperatures are supposed to fall dramatically. And here in South Florida that means one thing: falling iguana warnings. That’s right as the temperatures fall into the 40s iguanas will start falling from the trees. Don’t worry they’re not dead, once it warms up they’ll reanimate. Yep, it’s super gross.

As for us, we’ll be back freeing at the rink this weekend. Goalielocks has games tomorrow, while the Mayor has games on Sunday. Fortunately, the time between game is sufficient to ensure we can’t do anything productive on either day. My game plan is to put a pot roast in a crock pot and figure out how to make a Swiss cake roll in between the craziness.

We got to talk to Jake yesterday. He’s had quite the intense week at work. To be honest, it makes me quite anxious. He did send me a picture of the new Dunkin on base, which makes me smile. Obviously, he knows his mother very well. Unfortunately, his roommate has Covid, so he’ll be testing in a few days. If he has the Rona, he’ll have to go into quarantine. Fingers crossed that he’ll be fine. As for me, now that my short, but sweet week is over I’m heading to bed early.

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Perfect Day

So today’s theme for bloganury is perfect day. How fitting that yesterday suck and today was a much better day. Was it perfect now? But on the whole it was significantly better than yesterday. In fact, even the puppies were on board for a better day. To be fair, however, they did lose their morning front yard privileges. Their morning and afternoon trips outside were relegated to the backyard, which apparently is not as interesting.

At work, things were much better as well. It wasn’t the knockout days I’d come accustomed to during AEP, but it was good. Goalielocks was able to go back to school after staying home the last few days with the flu. Tamiflu is definitely a wonder drug. It knocked out the worst of his symptoms pretty quickly. We kept him home until he had been without a fever for 24 consecutive hours. Yesterday would have been just short of the requisite 24 hours, so he stayed home.

Since the new year started, my ability to wake up early and workout had disappeared. Consequently, I ran two miles and walked a mile over my lunch. It’s actually a really nice way to breakup the workday and collect my sanity. Moreover, a good run always helps improve my energy and erase any negativity from the morning. The puppies would love for me to run outside, but the impact is just too much for me at this time. Hopefully, once I get back from Charleston, I can get back into my early morning habit.

Today may not have been the perfect day, but it was a great day! The highlight, of course, was talking to Jake. He looked and sounded really good today. In fact, he didn’t look as tired as usual. Thankfully, work and school continue to go really well for him. I just love getting the call from him and seeing how good he looks and sounds. It definitely puts this mom’s mind at ease.

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One of those days

Today was one of those days that makes you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head. It started off with the puppies simultaneously trying to separate my shoulders and tearing my sandal while trying to greet the neighbor’s dog. Anakin was no better the second time we went out. This time it was over a bird. Needless to say, my sales assistants were not on their best behavior this morning.

As much fun as I had with the dogs this morning, the leads at work were even worse. Now I can’t complain too much as the leads have been pretty good lately. Nonetheless, they were pure and utter shit today. There’s nothing I love more than talking to someone who wants every type of insurance except dental and vision. I did manage to have a semi-respectable day, but was super happy when 6:00 rolled around.

On a high note, the dumbbell set I ordered in late November finally arrived today. This was the second attempt to deliver the product. Unfortunately, the first dumbbell set they sent is still floating around the FedEx facility in West Palm. At any rate, I’m just happy that we finally got the last Christmas present delivered. Honestly, I cannot wait until things go back to normal. Anyway, while today was one of those days, I’m look forwarding to a better tomorrow.

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Great Appointment

I had a great appointment with my endo today. She’s lowering my Synthroid dose (sort of,) which should normalize my thyroid levels. I say sort of because I’ll be cutting one Synthroid pill in half on Sundays. This way I don’t have to throw out the prescription I just refilled. Lastly, I don’t have to go back until June, which is also great news.

The rest of the day was not as great as my great appointment. While work was hopping yesterday, today it was deader than a door nail. I love my job, but I hate being bored. Obviously, I can’t wait until it picks up again in January. I work tomorrow, Thursday and Monday. After that I’ll be off for the rest of the year. Yay!

I was concerned about running with my thyroid levels being off, but my doctor cleared me for activity. Yay! Unfortunately, either my allergies or the common cold starting kicking my arse today. Consequently, I decided to rest today instead of running. I’m still planning on doing my BBG workout tomorrow morning. Unless, I wake up and feel like a truck hit me, which would be super lame.

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Almost Christmas

It’s almost Christmas and I’m nowhere near ready. I think, like most other parents, I find December to be completely overwhelming. The only kid I’ve finished shopping for is Jake. However, I had to finish shopping for him early due to potential shipping delays. As for everyone else, I still have a lot shopping to do. I also have quite a bit of baking to finish.

Tomorrow I see my endo, which I’m excited for. I’m back to being hyperthyroid, which is no good. I’d like to be sure that I still have the all clear to workout. Unfortunately, hyperthyroidism can come with some nasty and dangerous cardiac issues, which is super lame. Nevertheless, I’m hoping I don’t have to wait for my thyroid levels get back to normal before I can workout again.

This is an expected bump in the road. Our bodies are always changing, so the Synthroid has to be adjusted accordingly. Nonetheless, I have so much to do that I don’t need anything else to worry about. I recently saw a meme that speaks to how most moms feel this time of the year… There’s so much for us to do that it can be overwhelming. Especially as we as it’s almost Christmas.

Yesterday Goalielocks had games because the league never returned out coach’s call. We had two kids out sick with COVID exposure, but since we’re not the Makos we played with a short bench. I keep reminding myself that we only have a short time left in this infuriating league. Honestly, I’ve never seen a league that applies the rules so disproportionately.

Moreover, this is the first league we’ve been apart of where the rules that are adopted are punitive or the kids and not the adults. For example, the league penalizes thr kids instead of punishing coaches or organizations. (and Like the Makos U18AA head coach coming into my kid’s locker room to recruit players before our game.) A player has to play single A because the percentage of returning players is too low on the AA team. How about instead of penalizing the kids, you penalize the known offenders?

Anyway, Goalielocks and his goalie mate had great games. We ended up winning the first game 4-2. Goalielocks had the best game I’ve seen him play in awhile. Although to be fair, I’ve missed a lot of his games this season. His goalie partner was equally impressive in the second game. They’re such a great tandem. They really enjoy each other’s company and support each other. It was a great Sunday for our Tendies!

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Milestone

Another milestone moment as we picked out Goalielocks’ senior pictures this evening. I can’t believe we have two kids that are now technically adults. I say, technically because of you know, you know. The whole process took an hour or two. It was long and stressful. Thankfully, his pictures turned out well, which made it difficult to pick.

In the end, we ended up with the platinum elite package or whatever the hell they call it. Senior year and high school graduation is definitely a milestone, but boy oh boy do they bilk the money out of you. All year everyone is coming at you asking for cash. Honestly, is it okay that senior pictures are now the same price as a cheap used car? Is the cap and gown really worth the price they charge? Anyway, I can’t wait to get the pictures that I’m going to pay for by selling my kidney. I’m only sort of kidding here.

Tonight we’re just chilling at the house. The Mayor was supposed to have games tomorrow, but the Makos weren’t fit to play. Naturally, the same league that wouldn’t allow Goalielocks’ team reschedule due to a lack of bodies, gladly allowed the Makos to reschedule. Our league has different rules depending on which organization you play for or are affiliated with. It’s an absolute joke. In just a few years, we’ll be done with this god forsaken league. I look forward to blowing up some of these folks in a book about our Florida hockey experience.

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Rest

I’ve been all about rest since the craziness ended. Fortunately, as busy as AEP was for us, the days following have been the polar opposite. In fact, I don’t remember it being this slow last year. I mean, I’m talking a handful of leads per day, which is insanity. Thankfully, our leaders have been generous with cutting us loose when it’s completely dead. Consequently, I was done with work by 3:30.

Nonetheless, I’m still recuperating from AEP. My body still feels likes it is in overdrive. Well, probably because it is. I got my lab results back and I’m super hyper again. In fact, my TSH is barely detectable. My T3 is way out of range and my T4 is also high. Clearly, my doc will be making some adjustments to my thyroid meds come Tuesday morning.

Well, I’ve been feeling restless. I haven’t been feeling unwell. At least, I don’t feel as bad as when I was first diagnosed. It could explain the issues I’ve been having with my shoulders and legs. When you’re thyroid is off, your tendons can’t function like they’re supposed to, which can lead to frozen shoulder and other tendon issues. It’s also the reason it took so long for my posterior tibial tendon to heal.

I’m absolutely loving my wireless headset. I’ve been so productive at home while work has been slow. It’s nice to feel like I’m finally accomplishing something around the house. Moreover, it’s nice not being tethered to a chair for the whole day. I love being able to be mobile all day long. Obviously, it’s also much better for my back. My back was starting to get angry after those long AEP days.

Jake called this afternoon. He looked and sounded great. We loved that behind him there was a picture of Prison Mike. If you watch the Office, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Anyway, I’m enjoying this well deserved period of rest, so I’m gonna get back to it.