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Allergy Season

Allergy season is in full effect here in South Florida. It’s particularly bad for me right now as the mango tree is in bloom. High pollen levels always cause problems for me, but it’s worse when it’s pollen from the mango tree. There’s just so much pollen outside right now as everything is in bloom. In fact, our Mazda is caked in it. The car is black, so the pollen is super noticeable. Goalielocks is going to wash it later today to get the coating of fresh pollen off the car.

The boys and I are taking Zyrtec daily to stave off the worst of the allergies. Nevertheless, I couldn’t stop sneezing after I came back from walking the dogs. Usually, I have sneezing fits when I eat too much. Well, not today. Today’s sneezing attack was sponsored in whole by pollen. Meanwhile, the Mayor has been coughing incessantly all week. I’m hoping the Zyrtec will help minimize the coughing fits. Fortunately, I haven’t had any trouble breathing due to the increased pollen count. Sometimes it will trigger my allergy-induced asthma, but that hasn’t happened yet. I’m crossing my fingers that it won’t happen.

The boys and I leave for the Bahamas Friday for a short spring break getaway. I’m hoping we leave allergy season behind in Florida while we galavant in the islands. According to the weather channel, there will be none of the major pollen types present while we’re there. Coming from Florida where several pollen types are in the high to moderate space will make this destination a real winner for us.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Work Hard Play Hard by Wiz Khalifa

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March Madness

It’s March madness time in more ways than one. This daylight savings time shift has thrown me for an absolute loop. Thus far, the mornings this week have been sub par 0-10 wouldn’t recommend the experience. I know it’s only an hour, but losing any amount of sleep at this stage in the game is no bueno. It’s also time to complete your March Madness bracket. In fact, I just completed mine and have Purdue winning it all. I’m sure I’ll finish in the bottom five.

I did make it to work on time today, which is good. It will take some time to fully adjust back to the time. I had gone to bed early Saturday not feeling great, but also hoping it would stave off some of that time change ickiness. Spoiler alert, it didn’t work. When I finally managed to climb out of bed Sunday morning it was 9:00 am. I usually wake up between 6:50 and 7:30 like clockwork, but not Sunday morning. Hopefully, by the end of the week, my body will be acclimated to daylight savings time.

My lunch was spent getting our TSA precheck interviews done. Well, it’s not really an interview. They verify your information, take your fingerprints and a photo and that’s about it. Usually, it takes three to five days for the process to be completed. I’m hoping and praying that it’s complete before we head out to the Bahamas Friday morning. Honestly, I’m not concerned about having it for the trip there. I am, however, really hoping we have it for the way back. Last year we spent three hours in security lines at Nassau’s airport. I’m not looking to repeat that nonsense. Otherwise, I’ll be hurling imprecations everywhere.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: insight. After gaining insight into the long waits at the Nassau airport, I decided to get pre-check.
  • Today’s song is Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
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Ugh

Ugh!!! Ugh was what came to mind as I woke up at 8:07 am realizing I had slept through my alarms. Which as it happens is seven minutes into the start of my shift. Thankfully, I work mere feet for my bed. Nevertheless, I still had to get ready, get coffee and take the dogs out. The puppies start singing as soon as they hear me stir. Unfortunately, they don’t stop singing until I take them out. Goalielocks opted to sleep in the loft last night and was less than impressed with their early morning singing.

I hate waking up late because I feel like you’re playing catch-up all morning. It still takes time to shake the cobwebs off and let the coffee take hold. Fortunately, it was not a busy morning, so I had plenty of time to find my bearings. Once I found my bearings, the wheels decided to call off anyway. In accordance with Murthy’s Law, my VPN started crashing as soon as I got my ish together. Truly, I’m hoping that my VPN is stable this afternoon. Otherwise, it will be a very long day.

Sunset at the Cove Atlantis summer 22

Goalielocks is home for spring break, so I’m able to make some appointments this week. We’re going to get our TSA pre-check down tomorrow. Later in the week, I’m finally going to get my eyebrows down as they are severely overdue. It’s a long shot, but I may even try to get my hair done in a pinch before we leave Friday. The Mayor meanwhile will start his high school spring practices tonight down at Ice Den. Since we’ll be in the Bahamas this weekend, he’s going to skate with Joni Thursday morning.

Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

If you wrote a letter to yourself at 100, what would you say? I’d write that I told you there’d be no flying cars in our lifetime. Moreover, the crazy cyborg Elon Musk is never going to make it to Mars. Do like how I assumed in 60 years he’d be a cyborg? It kind of feels like that may be his character arc as he plays the role of an eccentric billionaire to a tee. Naturally, I’d also write about how blessed I’ve been to live a life full of love and happiness. My family has been and will always be the center of my universe whether I’m 43 or 103.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Free Your Mind by En Vogue
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Nostalgia

I’ve felt a bit of nostalgia this past day as the Mayor, Hubby and I watch the Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament. There’s nothing like it and the hockey is incredible. It’s been fun to reminisce about the state of hockey when we were in school. For example, we talked bout our school@/ conference and section rivals and the private schools that poached some of our star players. Unsurprisingly, these schools are still major forces in high school hockey. Also, who could forget about the all-tournament hair team? The lettuce at this tournament is legendary.

Hubby and I went to the state championship games in 2004 when our high school made the final. The Excel was packed to the gills and the energy was electric. There are a lot of people that pride themselves in going to the tournament every year. Who could blame them? The hockey, as I said, is incredible. Last night we watched Hill Murray take number one-seeded Minnetonka into overtime. Ultimately, Minnetonka won on an incredible shot from the point. I’m sure the boys will watch the semi-finals tonight while I’m at the Panther’s game. Meanwhile, both the Mayor and I are watching the Class A semi-finals while we work.

What is the last thing you learned?

The last thing I learned is that timorous means showing or suffering from nervousness. One could say that Anakin is quite timorous when the company comes over. The other thing I learned is ballyhoo is more than a bait fish. In fact, ballyhoo is a noisy attention-getting demonstration. The word made me think of Basil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers. Ah, now I’m feeling nostalgia for one of my favorite shows. And now back to hockey as I watch Warroad take on Orono.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Closing Time by Semisonic
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Nice Night

I had a nice night celebrating my birthday with the Mayor and Hubby. It’s funny that as we get older we’d rather spend our birthday relaxing at home instead of painting the town red. Of course, it would be hard to paint the town red with the school night bedtime of 10:15. I’m in bed even before the Valencia folks (snowbirds) have left the local restaurants. Nonetheless, it was a nice night made even better when Jake and Goalielocks called to wish me a happy birthday. Of course, the Wild beating the Jets didn’t hurt either.

The Mayor, however, was annoyed that I wanted a disgusting (his words not mine) HelloFresh me instead of going out to dinner. The Hubby cooked up some delicious beef tostadas. The Mayor also spent most of the day trying to convince me that we needed Pub subs for a birthday lunch. As if this now 43-year-old woman can afford to eat that much bread in one sitting. I certainly wish I could, but I’d like to keep off the weight I lost. After all, it only took four years to lose the thyroid weight. I did, however, enjoy some flourless chocolate cake and ice cream.

What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.

So today’s daily prompt made me glad to now be in my forties. Throughout the entirety of my twenties and thirties, people always asked me if we were going to try for the girl. First of all, I have three beautiful sons. Second of all, I feel no need to throw up for another nine months. Also, kids are super expensive. I’m already hockey poor, I don’t need to be hockey poor and dance poor. What annoys me the most is that no matter how many children a woman has or the sex of her children, people always want more. Now that I’m as old as a quill pen, the question would just be silly.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: festoon. I don’t know why I thought of a spittoon when I first saw this word. Our lanai is festooned with our passion flower vine.
  • Today’s song is Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones

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Birthday Blessings

Today has been full of beautiful birthday blessings from family and friends around the world. I love hearing from Jake, my niece P, and getting birthday wishes from the Mayor. Honestly, I’m glad they remembered my birthday because I’m usually the one that sends reminder texts to my hubby and kids. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do that today. I do, however, need to follow up and make sure they wished their aunt Mo a happy birthday yesterday.

I remember as a kid thinking forty years old was ancient( (like a museum piece old) and that life would be over at forty. Fortunately, it turns out I was wrong. In a lot of ways, life begins at forty. You’ve outgrown the silliness of your twenties and thirties and have learned plenty of life lessons. You know what’s important and have already cut out the things and relationships that no longer serve you. To be honest, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies in forties town, but it’s pretty good. I mean, You’ll definitely hurt yourself in some humiliating way like sleeping or reading.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

As to today’s prompt, I was laid off at thirty-nine right before the pandemic. It could be classified as a failure, however, I’d classify it as a gift. As I mentioned before, at forty you’ve learned to cut out the things that no longer serve you. Apparently, at thirty-nine I hadn’t learned that lesson. Well, at least not until I was laid off. I stayed at a job, with amazing people by the way, that stopped being healthy years prior to my layoff. Truly, I should have left earlier. That experience has taught me how to create the work-life balance that I want. Of course, it helps that I make more money at my new job and have no commute.

Thank you to everyone for the beautiful birthday blessings!

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: risible. Me water skiing behind my dogs as I attempt to walk them is a risible scene.
  • Today’s song is Hell Yeah by Rev Theory

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Weird

It has been weird seeing all the tryout bulletins for hockey clubs around the state. Since the state championships ended the season Sunday, organizations could send out their tryout schedules Monday. For the last decade or so, we’ve planned our spring around those tryouts. The anxiety tryout season induced is something I will never forget or miss. You never really knew where your kid stood down here because the politics of the game were overarching.

I had hoped the Mayor would opt to play at least a year of u18 because a part of me isn’t ready to move on. Also, I think playing u18 hockey gives players a good path to play hockey while finishing and focusing on high school. Needless to say, the Mayor wanted no part of that idea. So now it’s looking at the myriad of junior options that are out there. It’s like sailing the high seas without military protection during the heyday of pirates. No matter which way you turn someone is going to take all your money. Fortunately, we have plenty of time to figure out where he’ll play next year.

You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?

Speaking of weird, I found the grossest meme on Twitter. It actually belongs on Reddit’s horrible Facebook meme forum. I mean what in the fresh hell is this nonsense? As if a woman wanting to have equality and their own opportunities are what has destroyed our “country.” As if I go to work to serve my boss. Bitch, I go to work to get paid. Unfortunately, the weird incel that gave provenance to this meme’s belief is rooted in deep-seeded and misguided misogyny. Thankfully, social media has given the town idiot the loudest voice. Additionally, why is it impossible for women to work and love their families? Do you know what the opening sentence of my autobiography would say? It would say, “I chose a path that allowed me to raise a family while carving out a successful professional career.”

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: apricity. The dogs and I enjoyed the apricity during our lunchtime walk.
  • Today’s song is Going Under by Evanesence
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Spa Time

It was spa time for me this afternoon. After a long absence, I finally spent some time at Massage Envy where I have probably 30 plus services built up. Since my favorite masseuse wasn’t available, I opted to get a new type of facial with my favorite practitioner. This time I got a nourishing light facial, which uses a bright led light to treat your face.

I wasn’t sure how I’d like the facial especially when she first out the lights on my face. The last was so bright that it felt like I was looking directly at the sun even with pads and goggles over my eyes. I’m sure I looked like an oddity. Before she put the lights on my face she did a cleanser, masks and a gel. While the lights are on your face, they massage your hands and arms, which feels spectacular. Afterwards, they put a cooling mask on your face and massage your face with cooled globes. It feels absolutely exquisite after the heat of the lights. I’ll definitely get a nourishing light facial again.

Before I went for spa time, I hit the spin bike. Today I did an hour class on the JRNY app. Unfortunately, Apple Fitness + doesn’t have classes over forty five minutes. The shorter classes are perfect for weekdays during lunch, but I wanted a longer class for the day off. Today’s class was a ass kicker. It was sixty minutes of intervals, hills and sprints. By the end of the class, I was toast. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the jump from a forty five minute class to sixty minutes.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 60 minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of JRNY
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: intransitive. Intransitive is a type of verb that reminds me how much I hate grammar.
  • Today’s song is Everybody Talks by Neon Trees

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Thrifting

I spent my morning thrifting with my dear friend Terri. Although to be fair, at this point she’s more family than friend especially since her daughter will be marrying my son. Needless to say, it’s wonderful to have a friend that’s also family. We spent the morning looking for treasures. Truly there is some gold to be found in our local thrift stores. They have everything from designed clothes to beautiful glassware.

I didn’t end up buying anything. At Goodwill, I found some “Paige” jeans, but I don’t think they were authentic. They also had a pair of 7 For All Mankind, but they weren’t my size. To be clear, I’m not a prolific thrifter although I could easily become one. Years ago, I’d shop the Goodwill on Palm Beach Island that has since closed. You could literally find gold in that store. They had Gucci and Jimmy Choo shoes along with other super high end designed clothes. Honestly, it was weird seeing shoes priced over $100 at Goodwill, but Jimmy Choo shoes don’t come cheap.

I love the idea of thrifting, consignment, or reselling stuff on eBay or postmarks. First of all, if you donate clothes, the profits they create help the less fortunate. It also provides families with an affordable way to buy clothes in a difficult economic time. I sell my higher end clothes on eBay because it gives them second life. Consequently, there’s less waste. Just because I no longer have room for an item in my closet doesn’t mean it won’t look good in somebody else’s. It drives me nuts when people throwaway things that could be reused.

Before I headed out to my fun day thrifting with Terri, the Mayor and I headed back to Boca Ice. Let me tell you, 5:30 comes early on Saturday morning, but that boy is worth it. He loves working with Joni and I can tell he’s always giving 100%. It’s easy to out of bed early and spend the money when you see the effort he puts into the lesson. Moreover, Coach Joni puts a ton of work and thought into each lesson. I love how he’ll film the Mayor doing a drill and then show him the video immediately, so the Mayor can see what he did well and what he needs to adjust. It’s phenomenal.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: rest day!
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: whiskers. Anakin, Arrow and Athena have very cute whiskers.
  • Today’s song is Sauvemente by Elvis Crespo
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Player of the Game

The Mayor was the Florida Panther’s player of the game last night. The Florida Panthers Scholastic Hockey League (FPHSL) chose him for the honor last weekend. They provided a number of questions for him to answer for the feature. His first answer to why you love hockey was “hookers and blow,” but obviously that response didn’t make the Final Cut. (In case you’re curious, there’s actually a book on Amazon called Hookers and Blow Save Christmas.)

We’re quite proud of our player of the game. Meanwhile, he was a bit embarrassed and asked me not to post the picture on Instagram. To everyone that texted, messaged, or hit me up on social media last night, thank you. I loved hearing from so many people that have been on this hockey journey with us. You guys have made our hockey experience incredible. At any rate, it was a nice way to cap off hockey season. Although it did keep me up way past my bedtime.

Prior to the Panthers game, I was calling all my previous PurpleStride team captains that haven’t registered. It was all part of our national registration day. Fortunately, it was a success. Our efforts yesterday have paid dividends and will continue to do so as the week progresses. Honestly, we have the best working group ever. I love being a part of our PanCan affiliate. We have the best volunteer group in the world. If you or your teen is looking for service hours in the South Florida area, please let me know.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: exoskeleton. As in I heard the spider’s exoskeleton crunch as I stepped on it.
  • Today’s song is Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World