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104 Years Young

Today my great Grandma Brown turns 104 years old. Can you even imagine all that she’s seen and experienced in 104 years? Her early childhood would have been marked by the First World War and the Spanish Flu Pandemic. She lived through the roaring 20s only to experience the dust bowl years of the Great Depression. As the Depression ended, the world had plunged again into another Great War. At this point, you’re not even thirty yet and your life has been full of tumultuous events. Not to mention, you’ve already lost your twin sister to an automobile accident.

My Great Grandma, her twin sister Zella and their mother
My Grandma and Great Grandma

When I contrast that to my life as a product of the 1980s, I realized how much easier my life has been than hers. Notably, I’m not speaking of the ease technology has brought us, but rather the relative stability and peace my generation has enjoyed. Well, until the last couple of decades and this year. Apparently, this Covid-19 disease wants to give a Spanish Flu a run for its money in the pandemic space. Unfortunately, we seem to be in a place where we are more worried about the perceived affront to our freedom that wearing a mask and washing our hands presents.

My Father and Great Grandma

I digress, but you get my point. My Great Grandma, who happens to be my kids my Great Great Grandma is an absolute gift. Truly, to share this earth with my great grandma is a rarity and I treasure that time. My fondest memory is of my most recent visit to her on Jake’s farewell tour. She was so moved that we took the time to drive up and visit her. During that visit, she was recounting working the fields and watching “Lindy” fly over practicing and tipping his wings to them as they waved. To us Lindbergh’s legacy is complicated, but to her he was just a local guy that made it big.

Jake and his Great Great Grandma

That visit meant the world to both Jake and my Great Grandma. It meant so much of her that he took time before leaving for the military to make sure he visited her. Moreover, throughout the visit they connected on a level that’s hard to quantify in words. Nevertheless, it forged a link and interconnectedness of love, appreciation and respect that will never be broken. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the big gestures failing to realize that it’s the simple and earnest things that really matter. I hope that we’re soon able to safely travel, so my family I can go visit her again.

Today is also Armed Forces Day, the day where we recognize active duty airmen, coasters, marines, sailors and soldiers. So if you know anyone that is active duty, please make sure you reach out and acknowledge their service. As a military mom, it was the perfect opportunity to text my airmen without feeling like I’m being overbearing. At any rate, I’m super proud of my airmen and so grateful to him for his service to this country.

Tonight’s dinner was pork chorizo sausage enchilada courtesy of Blue Apron. This was another simple and easy to follow recipe. Naturally, I wasn’t sure if my boys would eat it as they can be unusually picky. However, you can imagine my surprise when both boys ate and enjoyed the enchiladas. Yep, I almost fell out of my chair!

My Hubby and His Grandpa


Lastly, please say another prayer for the Hubby’s grandfather. He was taken to the hospital last night after a fall. Fortunately, the x-rays showed no fractures. Unfortunately, the tests did show some congestion in the lungs. Consequently, he was tested for Covid-19 this morning. The test results will determine whether or not he will be able to go back to the memory care facility. As of press time, his Covid test results are still pending.

Grandpa Ed and I – love this man!

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 12 BBG day 6 cardio. Ran 2.7 miles

*Watched Curb Your Enthusiasm and Great

*Redesigned my blog

*Attended Melaleuca’s convection. I’m super excited for their new skincare line including the Vitamin C collection and the rose collection, which comes in bottles with a pretty rosy hue.

*Dancing

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

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Good Place

After a productive day, I’ve spent my evening getting caught up on the Good Place. I love this show. It is so good!! Indeed it reminds me of my airmen as the last time I watched it, he was home. Also, while I binged the show, I was still productive making sure dinner was ready when the hubby got home. Usually, I use find my iPhone to time dinner, so it’s ready to be served up when he gets home. Tonight it was veal parmesan served with gluten free spaghetti. After dinner, I watched some more Good Place episodes.

My productive day got its start with a great run on the treadmill. Today I did 2.5 miles with little to no walking, which was awesome. I had been changing tempo every minute for most runs, but today the majority of my run was steady state. As a challenge, however, I did the last minute as a spring.I’m not back to my pre Graves/injury tempo, but I’m getting there. Naturally, the best part of the run is enjoying Larry’s antics on Curb Your Enthusiasm. This time I had my music on too. Subsequently, I had a great run.

A good run is enjoyable and leaves you with that beautiful runner’s high. I love extending the runner’s high with a productive stretching session afterwards. Moreover, this stretching routine, which includes foam rollers and therapy balls, has prevented injury and kept me healthy. This routine, coupled with my yoga practice, has really opened up my hamstrings and hips. Consequently, I have a lot more mobility and strength in my legs and hips. It’s a wonderful thing!

Yoga class was so good today. We did some wonderful stretches for the hips and legs. It was exactly what I needed. Additionally, I love having yoga class as a functional cool down to my morning run. Importantly, yoga class stretches and works all the muscles groups I don’t always work. I have loved the Zoom classes, but am looking forward to seeing my yoga family once the studio reopens.

For the remainder of my afternoon, I was super productive researching new outlets for my blog and studying through a new and free COVID19 tracer course on Coursera. So far, the course is both interesting and engaging. Naturally, the best part of this course is it’s free price tag. As for spending my day indoors, I don’t feel too bad about it. Specifically, our weather is not fabulous today due to a system NOAA has pronounced likely to develop into a tropical system. Unfortunately, our weather will be deteriorating over the next several hours. Tomorrow will be another indoor day.

You may remember yesterday I was showing off my garden to my yoga teacher Monica. Well, you can imagine my surprise that this morning I discovered a duck egg within a newly dug nest. As a result, I probably will hold off on planting our seeds until we’re sure the mother duck is done nesting in the garden or the eggs hatch. I haven’t seen the duck back in the area this evening, so it will be interesting to see if more eggs show up tomorrow. And now I’ll go back to watching the Good Place.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 12 BBG day 4 cardio

*Watched Good Place and Regular Show

*Yoga For A Healthy Back with Jennifer from Open Heart Yoga Studio

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

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Favorite Day

Wednesday has quickly become my favorite day during quarantine. Usually I do my BBG arms workout in the morning, walk in the afternoon and yoga in the evening. Of course, the best part of the yoga in the evening is that my Hubby grills steaks for dinner. Consequently, by the time I finish yoga dinner is about to be served. Tonight was no exception as the Hubby grilled filets, chicken sausages and some potatoes and onions. Yummy!

Today’s BBG workout was really tougher than normal, but I’m not 100% sure why. My shoulders and arms were quite fatigued going into the workout. Of course, there were more burpees. However, these were of the lay down variety with no tuck jump. Needless to say they absolutely kicked my butt. Next on the hit parade was the spider man push up. While I absolutely hated these last time, I came to appreciate the thoroughness with which they work your body. Also, I was a lot more proficient at them today.

Our weather has remained beautiful albeit a bit warmer and quite windy today. We have a system trying to develop off our East Coast, which is giving us a bunch of wind. Clearly, the last thing we need is a tropical system to add to the fun 2020 has already brought. I took the puppies for a brief walk before and after lunch. Anakin loves observing everything and chasing birds whenever possible.

Monica, my yoga teacher, dropped off some of the books that I’ll need to teacher training, which was great. Don’t worry we observed social distancing rules as we chatted about yoga, checked out the gardens and played with the puppies. Truly, it was super awesome to have in person contact with someone outside my family. My dogs were also excited to make a new friend. Anakin was a bit shy at first, but within thirty seconds he was covering her face with puppy kisses. He is such a loving and affectionate dog.

This evening brought Christine’s last yoga class before maternity leave. Naturally, it was fabulous. Wednesday are my favorite day because I love how Christine’s class makes me feel. In fact, my lower back and hips are now quite happy and relaxed. It was challenging, but oh so good. I am going to miss her classes while she’s on maternity leave. Fortunately, there are some great Wednesday night options for alternate classes. Nonetheless, I’ll be anxiously awaiting her return in the end of July.

Everyday fellow bloggers provide a prompt to help their fellow writes breakthrough writers block. As luck would have it, one of today’s prompts was pedantic. If you’re like me and Family Guy is the background music to your life, then your first thought probably went to the Family Guy episode where Peter wins Trivial Pursuit. Unquestionably, one of my favorite scenes is when Peter refers to Lois’ meatloaf as “shallow and pedantic.” Obviously, this word prompt was perfect for my favorite day.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Agnes Grey by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 10 BBG day 3 arms

*Mid Week Yoga Break with Christine from Movement Yoga

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

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Opinions

Opinions are fabulous and everyone has them. However, it’s important to remember that opinions are not facts. Nor do they override facts. Unfortunately, it seems that we have forgotten the difference during this pandemic. A least according to my Facebook feed. Or we share or opinion, but state that it’s our right to have said opinion. Moreover, nobody should share an opinion that counter the one posted. Rant over.

I started my Tuesday by checking in with Goalielocks, who was awake and in a good mood. #winning. Can you believe it? I couldn’t. In fact, he even made his 8:15 Zoom class. Incredible! Fortunately, traffic continues to be light, so the drive to Dunkin’ was quick. Truly, I always enjoy the drive when the Mayor’s with me. He’s got the most eclectic and fabulous taste is music. In one drive, I could hear TLC, John Paridi, Backstreet Boys, Offspring, Blake Shelton or Bob Dylan.

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This morning’s treadmill run was set to the season 9 finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Certainly, season 9 didn’t disappoint. Consequently, I forgot to start my running playlist. The antics of Larry and cast were enough to keep me engaged through the entirety of my workout, which is amazing. Typically, I need a tv show and my music playlist to get through an indoor run. As for the actual run, it went pretty well. Chiefly, I added additional run time. Likewise, I added more minutes to my cold down as well.

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My morning run and subsequent stretch routine let me right into my Tuesday yoga class. Fortunately, today’s class emphasized stretching, which is exactly what my legs, hips and glutes needed after today’s run. So far I’m enjoying the balance of 3-4 days of gentle/restorative yoga and 1/2 days of vinyasa class. I love the challenge of the vinyasa classes, but also enjoy how the gentle yoga has helped opened up my muscles.
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The post yoga glow took me to Target to pick up a prescription and allergy medicine. Regardless of the weather or season here in Florida, it is always allergy season. Also, I was in serious need of some coffee creamer. No sooner had I backed out of the driveway, when the Mayor texted me to pick up spicy chips for him and a Dr. Pepper for his brother. I decided to tease him by not responding right away.

Of course I was on the phone with my parents when I got to Target, is I left my car without my mask. Naturally, I went back to the truck to fetch my mask. Our Target won’t allow you in without a mask, no would I enter without wearing one. The store was not too busy for a Tuesday afternoon. I literally had no wait at the pharmacy or at self checkout. Fortunately, I remembered the treats for both of the boys and everything else on my list. I’m always happy when I completed a shopping trip to the letter of my shopping list.

This evening was spent cooking another great Blue Apron dinner. Tonight’s dinner was chicken with fried rice farro and ponzu mayonnaise. It was awesome! Again the recipe was easy to follow and full of yummy vegetables. Surprisingly, even my pickiest eater enjoyed the meal! I was shocked. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t eat all the peppers or cabbage in the fried rice farro, but he tried everything. I was shocked and impressed. As for the rest of the evening, I’ll be chilling with the dogs while trying to avoid all the opinions on Facebook.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

*Yoga for a Healthy Back with Monica from Open Heart Yoga Studio

*Watched It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 12 BBG day 2 cardio day! Ran 2.3 miles on the treadmill 

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy of myself and the Mayor. 

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on a walk. 

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Stormy Weather

As expected today brought stormy weather. Albeit, Anakin and I got in a short walk early this morning.  I love running outside, but decided to bring my run inside today. The weather was still okay at run time, but it looked menacing. Moreover, the weather in Florida has a reputation for changing on the dime. So I went to my room turned on Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is my go to show when I run. My decision to run inside was soon vindicated as a severe weather alert popped across my phone during warmup.  This was my first time running on my treadmill since last summer because I prefer running outside.  Fortunately, today’s treadmill run went well and was productive.   Consequently, I logged 2.7 temperature controlled miles with some Larry David humor.

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Red Bellied Woodpecker

Fortunately, I coordinated my run time so I could transition right into my yoga class.  Naturally,  I built in enough time to complete a truncated version of my stretch routine.  Those magic little therapy balls are the best at keeping my hamstrings healthy.  After using the therapy balls, I use foam roller on my glutes, hips, IT band, quads, and shin area.  Post foam roller, I do a several stretches for my legs, hips and glutes.  Thankfully, this post run routine has help keep my legs and hips healthy.

Today’s yoga’s class was absolutely amazing.  I don’t know how these teachers know exactly what my body needs, but some how they do.   After Christine’s class yesterday, my back is feeling so much better and open.  Jenn’s class built on the work we did in Christine’s yesterday, which is fantastic.  Each and every day that I hit my mat, I see and feel the improvements in my practice.  For example, my breath work actually exists now.  Whereas before it wasn’t coming so easy for me.  Another example is no longer needing a block for my hands on the hamstring stretch.  I am by no means a yoga superstar, but I am a yogi improving her practice.  

Post yoga, I sat with the Mayor to go through his daily school work to make sure nothing was missed.   He has not been as diligent as I thought in completing his assignments.  For example, today he had to do an optical illusion drawing based on a Youtube video.  His first rendering was nothing more than an abstract black and white circle.    Clearly, we fixed that right away.  Subsequently, I’ve taken on a micro manager role going through all of his assignments.  Thankfully, his teachers are flexible and are allowing him to complete the work he missed and re-do the work he turned in haphazardly.  As a result, he is almost completely caught up in math extra credit included less one lone assignment.  Tomorrow we’ll do the same exerise.  As for Goalielocks, he’s still living in a third shift world, but is getting his work turned in.

Today was very productive on my end.  I made a few key decisions and took the first steps towards achieving my goals.  First, I will be starting yoga teacher training with my friend and teacher Monica.  I am super excited to be pursuing this path.  Next I signed up for two computer science classes: introduction to networking and introduction to computer science.  After my pep talk from Jake, I thought it makes a lot of sense to pursue an IT education.   Fortunately, I am technologically savvy and will have a great tutor if I need any help.  This will also help me bring the blog to the next level, which is super exciting.  Truly, I am very great grateful for the cheerleaders in my life.

Finally, last night I finished Willa Cather’s My Antonia last night.  After spending the last few months in the British Isles courtesy of my favorite authors, the American Prairie was a nice change of scenery.  In fact, I really enjoyed how the book showcased the experience of immigrants to the US from Norway in the late 1800s.  This coincides with the time many of family members immigrated to the US.  While my relatives did not end up in a Norwegian Settlement in Nebraska, like in the book, I imagine their experience in the Norwegian Settlement in Minnesota was not much different.  After seeing the family homes in Norway and the cities from which they emigrated from, this gave me a deep and unexpected connection and appreciate for the book.  As for tonight, I’ll be back in the British Isles with Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

*Gentle Yoga for a Healthy Back with Jennifer from Open Heart Yoga Studio

*Registered for two IT courses

*Watched Trailer Park Boys

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 10 BBG day 4 run Forest run

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on a walk.  Sadly, the weather hindered our ability to go for walks today.

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Feeling Accomplished

I gotta be honest, but I’m feeling accomplished today. This is a pretty accomplishment given that I barely slept last night. Clearly, my thyroid is a bit off given the insomnia inexperience last night. My morning started off like any other opening with Dunkin’ and a morning meditation. Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t fall back asleep during the meditation.

Afterwards, I went to wake up Goalielocks and get the Mayor started on their school work. No matter how many times I opened Goalielocks’ door and his eyes were closed, his phone off and his laptop closed, he insisted he had been up the whole time. In fact, I didn’t see him downstairs until dinner time. Oh yeah, the post dinner homework check is going to be fun!
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Today was day 3 of week 10 of the BBG workout. Usually I walk to warmup, but today I decided to dance. As for the workout, it was tough. Just like Monday, Kayla Itsines brought the torture devices out. Albeit it wasn’t burpees with pushups and tuck jumps today. Thank God. Instead today’s sorcery included spider man pushups and lay down burpees. Needless to say my arms and shoulders were super sore after the workout.

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My cool down today was a nice walk around the block with the puppies. While the weather was a bit warmer today, it was still pleasant today. Unfortunately, it’s supposed to be a lot hotter and more humid tomorrow. The change in weather should make for an interesting and likely difficult run. Although it is possible that it may be raining tomorrow morning, which means I’d have to run inside or run Friday.

The rest of my afternoon was devoted to productivity. Naturally, the afternoon started with my second cup of coffee for the day. Afterwards, I enjoyed a nice conversation with my folks while drinking my third cup of coffee on the day. Once my coffee and conversation had finished, I headed to my room to complete my afternoon meditation. After some debate, I decided to give the Calm app membership, which is what I used for the meditation.
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Finally, the center point of my afternoon was finishing school work. I swore I was done with school, but FAU was offering a free certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management Certificate through Executive Education in the School of Business. While, I’m not sure I want to work in that industry, there are a lot of opportunities in South Florida within the trade. Excitingly, I finished the certificate and received my credential today. One more thing I can check off my to do list.
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I’m also on a waitlist for a certificate through Cornell, but have no idea when that will start. Basically, I’m trying to take every opportunity I can to better myself during the pandemic. However, I’m staying balanced. After I finished my certificate, I ate the rest of the jelly beans and binge watched Trailer Park Boys.  I love the Trailer Park Boys!  See it is possible to be both awesome and moving forward and a hot mess at the same time. Frankly, it’s called balance. Otherwise, you’d just be calling my an overachiever.

Naturally, it wouldn’t be Wednesday if I didn’t start my evening with a wonderful yoga class while the Hubby fires up the grill. On tonight’s menu was filet mignon with bacon, cheese burgers, grilled gator tots and corn. Obviously, this Wednesday night routine has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the pandemic. Tonight’s class was all about the upper back. Honestly, I swear she’s psychic because my upper back has been a hot mess. Oh it was delicious just like my steak!

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Midweek Yoga Break with Christine from Movement Yoga

*Completed my certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management through FAU

*Watched Trailer Park Boys

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 10 BBG day 3 arms

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

 

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Peaks and Valleys

The funny thing about life in quarantine is that the day comes with many peaks and valleys. Today’s peaks came courtesy of Dunkin’, my puppies, my run, yoga class and a call from my airmen. Meanwhile today’s valleys were brought to us by virtual school, dog diarrhea and projectile vomiting. Doesn’t that sound like a great mix on the day? At least there wasn’t a dull moment.

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Today’s hero was absolutely my middle puppy Athena. Not only did she slay the run with me, less her own bout of diarrhea, she also alerted me to her sister’s illness. While Maya sat calmly by the back patio door, Athena began to ring the bell enthusiastically. (We trained her as a puppy to ring a bell to alert us when she needed to go out.). Over the years, however, she has started to ring the bell for Maya and now Anakin. Per usual, I took Maya and Anakin our first. Thankfully, Athena was timely in alerting me otherwise I would have been cleaning the house for days. Poor Maya was like a faucet of doggy doo doo. Fortunately, this afternoon she’s feeling better.

Our run this morning was fantastic, although I’m still so slow. Albeit I was faster today than I was the previous two weeks. However, today’s mild weather definitely supported a faster run. Unfortunately, the weather will be hot the rest of the week. Consequently, we’ll see how weather impacts my time on Thursday. Either way today was a beautiful day for a run and a great day to be outside. The beautiful blue sky framed by palm trees and Hong Kong orchids never gets old.

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Thankfully, I timed my run so I could complete my stretch exercises with some time to spare before heading to yoga. During this brief break I checked in with the kids, who were still being a bit obstinate and lazy. Since I was headed into yoga, I let it roll of my back for the moment. Yoga was awesome! It was, as it always is, exactly what my body and soul needed. Truly, it is a great compliment to the rest of my workout routine. Also, I love taking pictures of my practice as I can see how far I’ve come and how I’m progressing. It’s amazing how far I’ve come since November!

The remainder of my afternoon was devoted to chasing assignments and managing virtual school. Honestly, I’d rather herd cats or be chased by coyotes at this point. Goalielocks continues to think he works the third shift at Xbox and Minecraft, Inc. I’d stay up to get him to bed if I could keep my eyes open after 5:00 pm, but that’s a whole different story. Meanwhile, the Mayor’s efforts have been even worse. Consequently, I have his phone and will take the Xbox chord for the night. Accordingly, I know check both google classrooms and grade books daily to ensure the work is getting done. Needless to say, I’m exhausted.

And then there was dinner….. The Mayor made us dinner tonight, which was amazing. On the menu was chili con carne. Emphatically, I have to say that having a kid that cooks well is an absolute blessing. Because dinner was again amazing. When he started throwing up after dinner that was not so amazing. He doesn’t feel sick or anything. Likely, he just ate way too much chili and it came back up. It’s not the first time it has happened and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Nonetheless, we’ll be keeping a close eye on him to be sure it’s nothing serious.

To say the boys lack focus when it comes to the work would be, perhaps, an understatement. Most days it leaves me infuriated, but I remind myself that this change is hard on them too. Their social lives have been upended. Their major source of stress relief and physical activity has been cancelled indefinitely. They haven’t seen their friends in over a month and pandemics are scary. The peaks and valleys of a given day give me pause to remember the difficult days in which we live. Yet despite these difficulties the peaks have outweighed the valleys. This too shall pass and we will all be stronger because of it. We may also be a bit chunkier too.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Yoga For A Healthy Back with Monica from Open Heart Yoga Studio

*Ran 2.5 miles with Athena

*Call from my Airman!

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 10 BBG day 2 cardio day

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

 

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Paradise

It was another day in paradise. When I left to grab coffee this morning, the temperature was 65 degrees and the dew point was in the fifties. Additionally, the sun was shining bright and there was not one cloud in the sky. After the scorching heat of last week, this morning’s weather felt absolutely sublime! I, for one, am relishing these last nice days as the heat of summer and humidity of rainy season is right around the corner.

Paradise lost, the epic and long winded Milton poem, is how I was feeling when we got the virtual school part of the day. How soon I fell from paradise to the continual battle that is home schooling. Goalielocks assured me he wasn’t sleeping, but was in class. This in-spite of me having to wake him up multiple times throughout the morning. Meanwhile, the Mayor was hard at work watching YouTube videos instead of doing class work. Oh joy!
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I somewhat recaptured paradise by going to yoga this morning with Monica. Clearly, it was an awesome class as it left my body and mind feeling incredible and at peace. Afterwards, I took the puppies on a short walk before tackling day one of BBG week nine. Oh man, what a doozy that workout was today!! I mean what fuckery is a burpee with a push-up and tuck jump? Peer torture and a hockey mom killer. Needless to say, those combination burpees were no joke. I was fried after the workout. Unequivocally, I’m totally team BBG and would highly recommend the workout and the app.

Sadly, after lunch I returned to Milton’s Paradise Lost. I had yet another argument with the Mayor over his art homework. He argued vehemently that I should have his schedule changed so he could drop art. Obviously that isn’t possible as we are already half way through the quarter! If there was a genie and I could have one wish only, I’d wish that the boys would understand it is much easier to get their work down timely instead of procrastinating or worse ignoring it.

Okay, so I know that eventually they’ll probably understand, but I’d love to compress the timeline. It was so refreshing speaking without airman last night because he’s got a clear path and plan for his career. Undoubtedly, my Hubby and I were so proud when he sent us a list of IT certs he intends to complete while in the service. Truly, the list is impressive and will afford him many lucrative career options in his post military life. I guess the point is that eventually the kids will find their way and their path. Never in my dreams could I have created a better path for him. Obviously, we are so proud of him and happy that he’s found his path.

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This week also marks week three of intermittent fasting on the 8:2 plan. As a reminder, the 8:2 plan means I eat normal five days a week and fast two days a week by only eating 800 calories. So far, it’s going well and I’ve lost a few pounds. A few ponds may not seem significant, but when you have no thyroid every pound lost is a victory. Thankfully, it’s also not difficult to follow and adhere too. When you think about it, you’re only very disciplined two days a week. There are no foods off limits, unless you have a cold allergy or intolerance like me. Consequently, I avoid gluten containing foods, but everything else is fair game!

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Gentle Flow Yoga with Monica from Yoga Mundo

*Facetime with my Airman!

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 10 BBG day 1 leg day

*Virtual school torture with Goalielocks and the Mayor

*Obedience training Anakin courtesy day Goalielocks

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

 

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Hidden Joy

Some days it’s easier to see the hidden joy that seems scarcer during a crisis. Today was one of those days. Admittedly, the end of last week was rough, but today I woke up with a renewed spirit and joy in my heart. Hopefully, virtual school won’t kill the joy by Monday evening! My body and soul felt restored from the fatigue of the previous days at least until about 3:30 pm.

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Like Pinky and the Brain, my mission remains consistent from day to day. I get my Dunkin’ coffee and remain out of the public unless absolutely necessary. Since we were running low on chicken and Prosecco, the Hubby and I headed to BJ’s after coffee. Much like last time, we had to wait in line before we were allowed into the store. Fortunately, there was a nice zephyr and cloud cover to mitigate the heat and humidity.

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For the most part our shopping experience was great. There was a shopper on her phone, who rudely monopolized the meat aisle. Clearly, she was more important than everyone else. Finally, a fellow shopper got tired of waiting for her to move or respond to her. When the other shopper reached over her to grab meat, the Covidiot lost her mind in a profanity laced tirade. If I was quicker and not wearing a mask, I would have recorded the shit show for your viewing pleasure. Outside of that one, selfish Covidiot everyone else was pleasant and nice. Fortunately, we’re fully stocked and won’t need to go back or order until next month.

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Afterwards, we headed to Joey’s Bakery. I may have been craving a bagel with cream cheese. Also, Joey’s has the best gluten free baked goods around. Consequently, I also picked up a baguette for dinner and a piece of cake for dessert. Honestly, I can’t tell you how happy I am to have a good gluten free diary nearby. I don’t eat baked goods often anymore, but when I do they should be tasty I’ve been gluten free since January. Although I’m not a stickler about it, I feel much better when I don’t eat it.
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Once we got home, we started preparing the roast we bought at BJ’s. Thankfully, I had the farm fresh carrots and onion to add into the crockpot to accompany the roast. We also added some small golden potatoes. While I prepared the vegetables, the Hubby browned and spiced the roast. We cooked the roast on high for five hours. While the roast, rested I made the gravy. As I finished the gravy, the hubby sliced the roast. Fortunately, this was another successful culinary collaboration. It was super yummy and we’ll have enough leftovers for lunch and another dinner.
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While the roast cooked, we actually had a productive day. We got the floors vacuumed and mopped. The Hubby got some work done in the garden before a storm blew in. Indeed the storm was a godsend as we badly needed the rain. Of course, a non severe storm would have been optimal. Nonetheless, we used the the time wisely by getting work done around the house. I even logged a meditation for shrugging off negative. For this I used the Sattva app and their free Combat the Crisis- Covid-19 series.

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The meditation left me feeling refreshed and energized for the rest of the day. Shortly thereafter, the roast was done and we had dinner. After dinner on Sunday is always my favorite time because our Airman calls! Could there be anything better? Nope! He’s loving the Air Force and really excelling in Tech School. We’re hoping to be able to drive him to his FDS upon his graduation, but we’ll have to wait and see what travel restrictions remain in place. Let’s pray that the travel restrictions have been lifted by that time!

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Today’s storm did come as a harbinger of things to come.  The rainy season and hurricane season are right around the corner.  I’m not sure we’re ready to face the cone of so death while living under the Spector of Covid19.  It honestly just feels like a lot.  Perhaps it feels that way because again we’ll be remanded to our homes, but with the threat of no WiFi or power.  At this point, it just seems inhumane.  Here’s hoping that this hurricane season is uneventful and full of fish storms!!!

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Grocery shopping at BJ’s

*Facetime with my Airman!

*Morning and afternoon meditation

*Week 9 BBG day 7 rest day 

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

 

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Lazy Day

It was another lazy day. My body and soul are exhausted. An added plus is that I’m sore for yesterday’s ab workout. Truly, is is an affirmation of how hard I worked yesterday. Fortunately, I’m not early as sore as I was after leg day. Needless to say, it’s good to know my workout was effective. The abject fatigue I’ve experienced the last three days is more evidence that my workout routine is effective. Additionally, it also means that I need to be flexible in my expectations around running. I was shooting for three runs this week, but my body was not up for that plan. Hopefully, next week it will be better.

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Nonetheless, there’s something a bit rewarding in a lazy day. No arguing over school work or grocery shopping, which is always a treat. I did take the morning to setup my old Mac for the Mayor before setting up my new laptop. Thankfully, the whole process was quite easy and was over in less than an hour. My old Mac book is from 2017, but it should serve the Mayor well. This new laptop also serves as a replacement for the Hubby’s work computer, which hasn’t worked properly in several years.

Afterwards I got most of the laundry done, but since I only do laundry for me and the Hubby it wasn’t so bad. All three of the boys have done their own laundry for years, which has been a godsend and timesaver for us. When all three boys were playing hockey, we had a lot of trouble staying on top of the laundry. Consequently, I feel pretty good for accomplishing something domestic on my lazy day. My Hubby also helped fold, which made it go a lot quicker. I also sort of fell asleep for a bit. Apparently the magic beans in my coffee weren’t strong enough today.

As for the mental and emotional fatigue, I can always tell it’s presence by a craving for something sweet. Since we needed distilled water for our new steamer, the Mayor and I headed to Walgreen’s to pick some up. Naturally, I was able to find some clearance Easter candy to assuage my craving. Who doesn’t love a big bag of peanut butter M&M’s for $1.68?!? I also picked up jelly beans because I wanted some red and purple ones. I know, I know I’m highly specific here, but I never pretended to be normal. However, this behavior certainly would explain the quarantine fifteen.

I know that I’m not alone in my mental, physical and emotional fatigue. It’s a byproduct of the experience we are all living. That being said make sure you check on your friends and family. People are lonely, so a phone call or text will go along way. Even if you think they’re busy because they have family or work, reach out. Sometimes all it takes to make someone’s day is a voicemail or text message checking on them. Lastly, it’s okay to not be okay right now. Times are tough, but they will get better.

 

 

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather and loving it!

*Morning meditation

*Week 9 BBG day 6 rest day 

*Took Anakin, Maya and Athena on multiple walks

 

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