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Hump Day

It’s hump day! Today has been good so far. This morning I did a spin class as soon as I woke up. It’s a great way to get me fired up for the day. I’m not sure I ride as hard in the morning as I would in the evening, but getting the work in is still important. I will say drinking Nuun right after brushing my teeth does make my mouth pucker. I fell asleep on the couch after walking the dogs post-spin. Apparently, I needed an early morning nap.

For the first time this week, the phones have been good to me. I needed a solid production day, so I’m pleased. Also had a PPC meeting this morning, which is always great. I love my crew. I put together a more formal document to keep our business straight. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help us become more efficient. Hopefully, the phones will be kind to me for the rest of the day.

Last week I finished Kayla Itsine’s Beginner HIIT workout on the Sweat App. It’s eight weeks of workouts that gradually build in intensity and difficulty. This week I started week one of Kayla Itsine’s HIIT program (OG BBG workout.). It’s so tough, but it’s so good. The combination of strength and plyometrics is exactly what my body needs. Truly, it complements the cardio and yoga work I was already doing. Happy Hump Day!

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

Where does one even start with this one? I think we have a lot of ridiculous laws on the books. However, the one law I would change or create would be to institute term limits for Congress. Happy Hump Day!

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Busy

This past weekend was incredibly busy. We had a diabetes class for the Mayor scheduled all day Saturday. He was super cranky Saturday morning and his blood sugar was sky high. His insulin pod died in the middle of the night and he refused to change it. Consequently, the phone was dinging every five minutes all night long. Needless to say, none of us were well-rested or ready to spend a day in the classroom.

The Mayor was the only type 1 diabetic in the class of mostly boomers. Our saving grace was Winnie a diabetic since 2005 with an A1C of 10. She was the anti-hero of the day because she was such a hot mess, she had us all entertained. The Mayor eventually started chirping her because of the ridiculous things she would say. When the class started, she introduced herself with her A1C like it was AA and not a diabetes education class. She was upset when nobody else felt like sharing their A1C.

Saw Air Force One on the drive home

She was also the antihero because her behavior definitely drove the cost of care. When the nurse educator explained it’s best to eat the protein, vegetables and then the carbs, so the sugar doesn’t spike as quickly. Winnie took that to mean the protein cancelled out the carbs and she could still eat her two pieces of pie. Winnie then scolded the nurse educator for trying to make her choose between pecan pie and strawberry cream pie. The elevator was not making it to the top floor for Miss Winnie.

Fortunately, the nurse educator was able to get through the material quickly. Part of the treatment plan for a newly diagnosed or new diabetic patient practices is one one-on-one nutrition counseling and the diabetes seminar. At first I thought it was overkill, but then I met Winnie. Successfully managing diabetes takes a great doctor, but it also takes a patient who is willing to educate themselves and actively manage their condition.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in-training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Write about your dream home.

I always envisioned my dream house as a large mansion on the beach with several opulent rooms overlooking the water. This house would have enough rooms, so every person could occupy their own beach front room. Rumor has it that as we get older we get more practical. Now my dream home is anywhere my family and puppies lay their heads.

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End of an Era

It was the end of an era yesterday as the Mayor played his last league game of his youth hockey career. This time it’s for real as he’s aging out of youth hockey. There’s no division after u-18. If he wants to keep playing hockey, it would be Junior hockey. If you know me, you know my opinion on Junior hockey, so I’ll spare you the sermon.

The boys won their last league game handily. They played significantly better this weekend than they did the prior two weekends. Moreover, they were moving the puck well. If they’re going to win states, and they can, they’ll need to move the puck and play skilled, structured hockey. I quite enjoyed myself during the game courtesy of the sour watermelon moonshine that I picked up Saturday. Anyway, the moonshine made the end of an era easier to accept.

After the game ended, we headed to the Brass Monkey for some good food and slow service. It’s a dive bar near the rink that serves amazing food. The team took up their whole dining room and the lunch took the entire afternoon. I enjoyed a hearty bowl of their clam chowder, which is good. By the time we left, I was way too full to eat dinner during the game. I still made the focaccia bread and will have the roast the hubby made for dinner tonight.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

The first thing I’d do is tell my immediate family – the hubby and kids. After that, I’d call my parents and tell them the good news. Once they know, I’d tell everyone I know including the postman.

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Easy Sour Dough Sandwich Bread

Here’s my easy sour dough sandwich bread recipe. You won’t even be forced to read a dissertation to get it. You’re welcome.

Easy Sour Dough Sandwich Bread

Tools needed:

Ingredients:

  • 100-110 grams of starter
  • 11 grams of salt
  • 425 grams of water
  • 512 grams of flour

Steps:

  • Combine starter, salt, and water using the spatula
  • Add flour to the mixture, and stir with a spatula or your hands.
  • Once the dough is mixed, cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  • Pull and fold the dough by pulling the dough from one corner and folding it over the center, turn and repeat until you are back at your starting point. Repeat this process 2-3x more times. Then cover and let rest 30 minutes. Repeat this cycle 3 more times. This helps build gluten and improve the bread’s elasticity
The dough before the folds
After the 1st fold
After the 3rd fold
After the 4th fold
The folding process
  • After the last set of stretches and folds, place the dough in the clear cylinder. Measure on the side where the dough comes up. Depending on the time of day, you can place the dough in the refrigerator to rest overnight or leave on the counter until it doubles. If you’re resting the dough in the fridge, take it out the next morning and let the dough prove until it’s doubled. I use measuring tape to confirm when my dough doubles. This can take anywhere from 4-18 hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
  • As soon as the dough has doubled empty onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two even pieces. I use the kitchen scale here.
  • On the lightly floured surface, shape each piece into a rectangle by folding the top corners like a business envelope and using the pastry scraper to pull the bottom up into the middle. Transfer to prepared loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Rub or drizzle the top of each loaf with olive oil.
  • Set the loaf pans on a baking sheet and slip the baking sheet into a baking bag to keep the loaves from drying out. At this point, you can put it in the refrigerator overnight or you can let the loaves prove on the counter until they hit the top of the pan. (I only use the baking sheet to help easily transport the loaves between the garage fridge and the kitchen. You won’t bake on the sheet.). The second proof can take anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on where you live.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 F. Place the loaves pans on the top rack and back for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, turn down the oven to 375 and back for another 20-25 minutes. You want to bake until the bread is golden brown and has an internal temperature of 206-210

  • Let cool on a wire rack for an hour before serving

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

The most important invention in your lifetime is…

There are so many incredible inventions that have happened during my lifetime. I would say the internet is probably the biggest. It’s changed the world completely for better and for worse.

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Wednesday

Well, it’s Wednesday. We’re halfway through the week. The work week had been going well, but today has been an absolute train wreck. Such is life in sales. Tomorrow is a new and better day. I just have to survive the last thirty minutes of my day. My schedule is changing tomorrow. Instead of starting at 8:00, I’ll start at 9:00. This should ensure I’m busy all day.

After I’m going to take a spin class. Starting this week, they reduced our schedule to eight hours a day, so I’ve increased my workouts to two a day during the week. I did my strength workout over lunch and will do my spin class afterward. The extra hour of work wasn’t doing me a lot of good anyway. The extra daily workout, however, will put me closer to achieving my goals.

Once spin class is done, I’m going to bake the sourdough loaves that are currently proving on the counter. I had started the loaves Monday night but had to start over yesterday as I left the dough out overnight. The dough was way overproved and wouldn’t have been edible in any iteration. Tomorrow I’m going to share the sandwich loaf recipe that I’ve been using. It’s easy and tastes great. I think it’s the perfect loaf for a new baker to bake. Anyway, I’m off to finish my fabulous Wednesday.

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

My ideal day starts with some hot Dunkin’ coffee and a walk with my dogs. After the walk, I’ll sip my coffee while watching the Great British Bake Off. I really enjoy spending my time with my dogs and my family. As long as I’m with them, I’m happy. My perfect day ends with me cuddling with Anakin while I read my book.

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Wanderlust

Webster’s dictionary defines wanderlust as a strong desire to travel or wander. I, my friends, am here to announce that I am suffering from wanderlust. It’s a hereditary condition. In fact, I can confirm that my siblings and I all suffer from it. For me, I think it started with the little adventures my grandma and parents would take us on. My mom gave me some pictures of my older brother, my grandma, and myself off the beaten path at Minnehaha Falls. The adults in my life did a test job at creating an appreciation for new experiences and places.

There are so many moments that stick out for me from our Norway trip. Two in particular are my grandmother’s reaction to the scenery. The glimmer in her eye and childlike wonderment at the scenery before her. She was 87 when we made that trip, but her joy was childlike. I would add that both times I had to send Jake after her because she started climbing or hiking off on her own.

My kids have inherited this love of travel and I couldn’t be happier. We had so many incredible adventures in Utah while Jake was stationed there. The Cottonwood Canyons will always be one of my favorite places on the planet. Of course, Southern Utah is also the top of that list. Jake and I had so many incredible adventures through the Mighty Five. The Mayor had a great time in both Detroit and Nashville. I can’t wait to explore more of this world with them.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

As the years have passed, I am amazed at how fast time has flown by. My Instagram feed, which used to be dominated by hockey, kid pics, and dog videos is now dominated by perimenopause videos, hockey, and dog videos. I’m not old enough for perimenopause, nor are my friends. That stuff is for our parents. Except it isn’t anymore, is it? Aging is a privilege denied by many, but damn it is not easy.

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Fabulous

We had a fabulous weekend!! Friday night was spent watching hockey and chilling with the puppies. The Mayor had a “mandatory” practice, so we binged Dexter in his absence. Consequently, we had a restful Friday night, which was the perfect setup for an extremely busy Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday we headed down to Amerant Arena to tailgate with the Kennedys before the Panthers game. For the first time in months, it was actually quite hot outside. The arena was nice and cold. The Panthers took on the Chicago Blackhawks and gave up a goal within seven seconds of the puck drop. Thankfully, it was the last goal they’d give up on Saturday. It’s so impressive seeing Barkov and Tkachuk play in person. Barkov is an absolute magician on the ice.

After the game ended, the Hubby, John and I headed to the casino. Unfortunately, we spent the afternoon losing on the terrace. We decided to try our luck inside but found none. Mercifully, we took a dinner break and enjoyed an amazing steak at Farraday’s. My lemon drop martini was also mighty tasty. After dinner and a double shot of fireball, we were back on the slots. We built up quite the reservoir of credits over a couple of hours but lost it all in a matter of minutes. Oh well, we had an absolute blast.

Sunday we ran to Walmart to get the Mayor some work boots and Dickies for his new job. Afterwards, we crashed on the couch until we had to leave for the Mayor’s game. Last night’s game was one that they should have won. As it turns out, it’s hard to win a hockey game when it’s played as an individual game and not a team sport. Oh well! Learning to lose and lose gracefully is integral to learning to win and to live life. The Mayor’s team is supremely talented, so I’m excited to see how they channel this adversity. Overall, the ending wasn’t great, but the weekend was fabulous.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): Made it into February and I haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, which was great. Tonight I am starting The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.

This question is a bit offensive. It presumes that any of my to-do list gets down. Sometimes I feel like my to-do list is like footprints that get erased by the waves. In my case, the waves would be time.

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Made it

We made it to Friday and the end of eternal January! I will tell you what it seemed like this week and the month would never end. Honestly, I am stoked for a weekend without work. Tomorrow we’re headed to brunch, the Panthers game, and the casino. It should be a spectacular day. Sunday the Mayor has his second to last league game at Skate Zone. His team is playing the second-place team, so it should be an amazing game.

January was long and arduous, but it taught me a few lessons. Importantly, I took two key lessons away from our Nashville trip. First of all, the party bus taught me that I need to stretch before I “get low” again. Secondly, I hate the cold. I legit cannot cope with the cold dry air that winter brings or the icy roads. Outside of the Nashville trip, this January I learned that blizzards can come to Florida. Okay, it wasn’t a blizzard by Minnesota standards, but certainly was by Florida standards. January also taught me that while time flies by on a macro scale, the month of January lasted 17 years. I’m just glad we made it to the end.

Goalielocks at the Beach Volleyball Social

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): 31 days in and I haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m currently reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins– so good.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

I’m afraid to skydive. There’s nothing you could do to induce me into skydiving. I have no desire to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

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Friday Eve

It’s Friday Eve! Thank goodness it’s getting closer to the weekend. Unfortunately, I woke up to the tragic news of the AA crash in DC. As someone who flies and whose family flies a lot, last night’s crash was my worst nightmare. Today my heart aches for the family and friends that woke up to the news their loved ones were gone forever.

I’m so sad for the larger figure skating community that lost many of its own in this crash. We travel all the time for hockey. A lot of sports families travel all the time for their sports. There’s never a moment where the sports parents stop to think they may never come back home with their athlete. So hold your loved ones close and pray for those who lost someone they loved. They’ll need all the support we can give.

Meanwhile, life cruelly marches on. I remember thinking how cruel it seems when the world keeps moving after the death of a loved one. The loss makes time stop for you, but the sun keeps rising like nothing has changed. Anyway, I digress. The Mayor is six days into life with the pump. We’ll do our second pump change tonight. It’s been a smooth ride so far with a few lows in the mix.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): 30 days in and I haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m currently reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins– so good.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What do you complain about the most?

I complain the most about being tired because I’m always tired. I wish there was a lever I could pull that would leave me feeling refreshed and awake. If anyone knows where I can find one, please let me know. And now I’m back to Friday eve.

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Hump Day

It’s hump day. I woke up thinking it was Thursday only to be disappointed by the fact it was hump day. Isn’t that the worst? Just like January, this week is dragging its heels. This girl needs the weekend to rest and refresh badly! Emphasis on the rest part of that equation. I am tired.

I could use a weekend of spa treatments. We have a busy weekend on deck with brunch and the Cats game on Saturday. The Mayor has one of his last regular season games Sunday afternoon. It should be a good game. It’s the only team in the league that our boys haven’t beaten. Last time they played they tied. Having fully enjoyed my day as a hockey mom, including wine and espresso martinis, I may not recall that game at all. Whoops…

The Mayor had his first practice on the pump last night. It looked like his sugar was okay during practice, but there were plenty of low alerts afterward. I’m not sure if those were false lows, which the Dexcom does throw, as I fell asleep before they got home. I’ll chat with the hubby tonight and see. We’d like for the Mayor to be able to drive himself to practice again, but we need to be sure it’s safe.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): 29 days in and I haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m currently reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins– so good.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What would you do if you won the lottery?

There’d be signs. I’d buy a hodgepodge of my favorite things. The first thing I’d do is adopt some puppies and get a bigger space for them to play. Then I’d quit my job to travel the world with my boys and dogs.