Wardrobe Capsule (not quite) Goals

I have not slept well since last Wed.  What is up with that?

This year I have redone my wardrobe.  I have been doing this a little for the past 10 years as my job has become more casual and since I let my hair go gray.  2017 is the most money that I will ever spend on clothes/shoes/accessories in a single year again.  For sure shoes/accessories.  My clothes purchases were not too bad.  I am sure I have spent more when I was just shopping for fun and with no plan.  I had so much chaos.  I have always been a shopper and just bough stuff on a whim or because it was on sale.  But now I am downsizing fairly effectively.  Other than couple strategic purpose (coat/workout/golf) I don't plan to buy much for a long time.  I won't ever shop like I used to.  I now focus on classic pieces and not trends.  My accessories and shoes purchases this year were high, because I totally revamped both my purse/wallets and shoe wardrobe.  I also bought a pair of diamond anniversary bands that I have wanted for several years.  I do a lot of painting/yard/gardinging at RH, that I don't want to wear my diamond ring when i am wearing gardening or motorcycle gloves.  I sold off a bunch of my shoes (boots, really) and bought 2 more very nice pair that should just about last the rest of my life.  One last year and one this year.  The savings in space is huge!  I also got rid of about 8 various tote bags, all cheap and some falling apart for one really nice vintage leather overnight bag, 1 vintage work tote, 1 vintage leather tote for workout clothes for my trunk and 1 no name leather all purpose tote.  I realize this past year I have spent a lot of time and energy and focus on doing this wardrobe overhall, but I have been strategic and planned, bought smart and second-hand when I could and feel that now I can pretty much just maintain my wardrobe going forward.  No more time/money/desire to shop aimlessly.  I want to focus on more important things - like helping my husband pare down his closet and getting all our stuff moved and organized in our new, smaller RH.  P.S.  I have sold about $10k of stuff in the past 2 years paring down furniture, hunting accessories, boots, purses, jewelry, motorcycle gear, sporting goods, coats, kitchenware, seasonal decorations, misc furnishings/antiques and 2 sets of dishes.  Overall, I feel like this is a huge win and an absolute necessity for us to be able to fit comfortably and without a bunch of clutter in our new place.  Since I have had 2 years to do it, it was easier.  I would do it all over again.  Even though it was a lot of work, it felt good purging.  My DH thinks selling stuff is my new hobby, but I would much rather have a less cluttered space that is easier to clean and maintain and find time to get back to reading!  My sales proceeds have gone into replacement pieces, doing remodeling at RH and savings.  I have funded most of my wardrobe overhaul in cash/some sales proceeds.  I will likely not make the same income again for a couple years, so this has worked out well.

Here are my breakdowns of what I bought in 2017, so far.  I still have about $500 I expect in clothes sales and I am also trying to sell a custom piece of jewelry I have listed for $1100.  So we shall see how that shakes down.  I certainly do not think I will have to do such a pare down ever again.  (Sure does give me incentive to stay same size!).  The next time I pare down, it will be pretty much to get rid of the last of my professional work clothes/shoes/bags.  I have about 6 pair of shoes left that are for work and I can prob get rid of about half of those.  I will keep one pair of black pumps and one nude.  I will get ride of 2 more purses and 1 tote bag.  It will be exciting to purge last of my suits/slacks/dresses and just keep the fun stuff.  I am really into stuff that can double duty casual or be paired with jackets/shoes/accessories and dressed up if i need.  I have bought 4 dresses in the past 2 years, but i like to have them for church/weddings/graduations.  Over the last 10 years as I have been strictly a temp, I have probably gotten rid of 15 pair of heels, about 10 suits, 4 dressy coats and 3 briefcases.  I also got rid of about 20 pair of boots and numerous business separates and several dresses that were too young/specific.  One thing i have done to try to help myself pare down, now that i have gray hair, i don't wear brown anymore, so that was about 1/3 of my wardrobe.  I also find that as much as i love navy, it is dressier than i want to be now, so i got rid of a bunch of navy stuff.  Now I am way more focused when I do shop and don't buy anything but black, gray or denim.  I buy a few colorful accessories (scarves and costume jewelry that are easy to change out).  I figure i won't keep much costume jewelry at all either, once i am not working.  Jewelry and accessories do not take up nearly as much space, but they are still clutter if they start to take over.  Looking back I am sad that I was such a hoarder, but glad I have felt this shift.
total $2159 (less 1000 rings = $1159)
   clothes:  409
   shoes:  467
   accessories:  1283
PM & Thred up
   clothes:  59 (misc, incl 2 pair white jeans - this is a tricky category for me, hard to fit and white is unforgiving)
   shoes:   124 (2 ankle boots (warm for work - I freeze there and I walk 2 blocks, 1 motorcycle boot (a need - I got rid of 3 others that were not working for me), 1 sneaker, 1 basic pump - I got rid of several cheap sneakers and pumps and got good leather ones)
   accessories:  48 (mostly scarves, 1 tote bag and 1 clutch - I never owned a clutch!  I bought it for a formal wedding, but picked a basic enough piece, I can use it forever)
ebay
   clothes:  45 (2 golf shirts, 2 golf shorts & winter coat - I got rid of 6 other coats)
   shoes:  35 (nude pump, black med sandal, 1 med wedge sandal I got rid of 3 pair brown sandals)
   accessories:  150 (leather duffle bag and pair of aquamarine stud earrings)
amazon
   clothes:  10 (tee)
   shoes:  175 (Frye boots and flat sandal - my black pair broke)
other internet purchases:
   clothes:  (super warm sweater) $60
   shoes:  (snow boots, 2 sneaker that did not work out) $87
   accessories:  underwear and bras $25
brick and mortar
   accessories:  1060(jewelry, scarves and a golf hat)
   clothes (pj's and workout stuff, golf pants, another pair white jeans, 3 dresses):  235
   shoes:  50 (2 pair sneakers - I walk a LOT, I buy about every 3 - 6 months)
future wish list for 2018
   warm winter boots/house shoes
   black pashmina/cashmere type wrap
   warm winter hat
   hiking boots & day backpack (maybe 2019)
   rain parka (may not need - I have a golf rain jacket and I can just use over layers when I walk/hike in the weather)

Post Thanksgiving

I just love Thanksgiving, because it is all about getting with family and thinking of our blessings.  It is not as stressful and the expectations as high as Christmas.  I seem to have more conflicted memories and sadness associated with Christmas, mostly because of the people who I miss who have passed before me and because I am sad that I don't have children.  I would have made an awesome grandma.

We had a great Thanksgiving.  We went to the facility where my grandmother (DG) lives and had a lovely lunch with her and my aunt (PA).  Then we drove to our retirement house (RH) and got there about 6:30 and unloaded the car and went and said hello to DH parents.  We went to football game the next day with my sister, it was so much fun!  Then Sat we hung out with DH family.  There are not a lot of children in DH family, just 2 nieces and 2 nephews.  The 2 nieces were there, so that was fun spending time with some young people. 

We had too much food and so many laughs.  We took some photos.  We had a great time.  I am so lucky to have married into such a wonderful family.  I hope you are having a wonderful Cyber Monday.  The only things I bought for black Friday and Cyber Monday were things I needed for the house (a Pampered Chef order and literally a Walmart supplies order).  I have mostly finished what limited shopping I do for the holidays.  My DH retirement gift I bought him we agreed no more Christmas gifts for a few years! 

I did pick out pieces of estate jewelry (more on that later).  I brought home a few leather pieces from my Sister In Law's MIL estate to help sell on line.  I sold a couple more things and so that is good to get anything moved out.  That's about all for today!

Full House

Today, life has given me a full house.  Or, maybe a full heart and a Royal Flush.  Beats a full boat.  It is just me and DH.  More on that story later.

I Thessalonians 5:18 
In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

Today I accept that God gives me what I need instead of what I deserve

Looking for Love is Like Gambling

16 years ago I moved home to the Midwestern city I was born in, from the Southwest.  I had lived in a large Southwestern city for 3 years with my job.  I liked it there quite a bit, but I was struggling in a few areas of my personal life and so I needed a change.  Part of my motivation was to take the focus off my career and meet someone, get married and have kids.  I did not want to meet a person from the another state out West and then never have a chance to make the move back to the Midwest.  So, I was essentially on a quest to meet a husband and have a baby. 

I moved back and stayed focused on my career long enough to get established and buy a house.  My job was going well and I got a promotion.  Then I started looking to meet someone about 9 months later.  I had a lot of family back here, so I met people through them.  That was really different from the other 3 cities I had lived in where I had no family.  I really liked the feeling that my family was there and loved get togethers and holidays.  I had a lot of fun with my cousins and my aunts.  I met people everyewhere I went, I was so excited to be home where I had roots as a child and my parents had roots and their parents.  Even though my mom was gone and my dad lived 3 hours south, I felt like I was home. 

This was still sort of early internet, pre Myspace and pre Facebook, at least.  The online thing felt weird.  Like people put their best foot forward and kept other parts of themselves hidden.  It felt like it was not authentic.  So, I decided I would have to meet someone the old fashioned way.  One night while I was studying for a huge test, I took a break and went to a concert with my cousins.  This was late July.  I met a man who was my cousins' friend.  He was very nice and funny.  He sort of followed me around that night and I did not mind.  He was very sweet to me and he was funny.  I could tell my cousins and their friends liked him a lot.  I ended up being the designated driver and drove my cousins, their friends and this guy home, in his large Lincoln sedan.  I had never driven a car that big.  It was fun.  We had all the windows rolled down and we sang songs at the top of our lungs.  Eventually I agreed to go out with this guy and he took me to an amusement park.  This would have been early August.  We had a great time and I enjoyed his attention.  We dated the rest of the summer and I met his kids in late September or early August.  His kids were adorable.  I loved the way he was with his kids.  He loved them so much, it was so sweet.  He was a really great dad.  His kids were really sweet and polite and were very sweet to me too. 

We got serious, mostly, things were fun.  There were warning signs, but I ignored them.  Part of me felt like this was my last chance to have a family of my own.  Part of me felt that I had given up too easily in past relationships and become a "runner".  I really wanted to try to make a relationship work.  I should have listened to my conscience and bailed.  Things went very, very wrong and took me down a really dark and horrible path.  I should have folded.  I tried to fold many times, knowing that I did not have a good hand.  But he convinced me to stay or my own conflicted feelings prevented me from getting out of the situation that I knew was not good for me.  I loved his kids and I loved his parents.  He had a business.  He was stable financially.  What I did not know was that there were a lot of secrets kept from me. 

Some of meeting a person and building a life are timing and luck, sort of like playing poker.  But there are also ways we can increase our odds and part of increasing our odds are knowing when we should fold.  I should have folded, put my cards down and ran.  But I just continued to ante up.  How could I have known he was keeping so much from me.  Did I know deep down.  The signs were there.  Why did I stay?

Overwhelmed?

Today I read an anonymous prayer "I pray that I may not be overwhelmed by material things.  I pray that I may realize the higher value of spiritual things..."  I have failed to mention lately that I am bringing that last of 2 boxes of old records to shred at work this week.  I had a single last paper box full.  I divided it by 3 because I only work 3 days this week and I bring an armful in a day and they get shredded.  I can't carry the entire box at a time, because I walk 2 blocks to work!  I also brought 2 envelops to mail a vest and a purse.  I also was inspired last night to get up during a commercial while watching my favorite show and grab about 8 items that I was on the fence about out of my closet and put them in the pile. Funny this is the prayer this morning.

The weekend was pretty busy...I need a weekend of nothing but rest.  So maybe the 1st weekend of Dec I will do that.  Have a total pajama day Sat!  Part of the problems i have are cyclical...i start feeling really good, I eat too much or not enough good "whole" foods, i.e. too much processed junk/sugar and then I crash and burn.  I went to bed feeling pretty bad last night.  My tummy was really upset, some abdominal and upper acid reflux and my joints were sore, right knee was throbbing.  Also some things I don't mention in a blog telling me my Candida might be back.  I know I need to do elimination diet...but it is the week of Thanksgiving...really?!  Oh well, I will just focus on lean meat and veggies this week...try to give up sugar.  It is hard, but feeling like this is harder. 

I did a 2 hour yoga class yesterday.  it was not solid 2 hours of flow, it was focused on using props (blocks and straps...and even the wall) to reshift your practice to sharpen up your poses.  Not just push for the ultimate twist so you can say "I did it", but really think about aligning the spine and opening the shoulders and gain from the stretch.  I liked it.  I would have never followed through with it, but I signed up and paid for it last week!  I ran home from church, put 2 home made pizzas (dairy free) in the oven and told my husband to take them out...then ran to the yoga class.  I was too tired to walk.  I really prefer to walk if I can, esp in the winter on weekends, because I like the sunshine.  I can't get home early enough during the week to walk in the daylight. 

so far rest last evening helped my knee, so i am planning on hot yoga after work.  We shall see.  Hope you get some sun on your face today and don't get overwhelmed by stuff!

Health Schmealth

DH went to a health fair at work this week.  He got a free pill compartment thing-a-ma-bob. He showed it to me.  We looked at each and laughed.  We might get one day worth of pills and supplements in that thing!

I was doing real well last week tummy-wise.  Did some lazy/sloppy food choices starting thurs night and now I am paying for.  I will benefit from structure of the work week. Either I need to do full elim diet again, or the Budwig protocol wont work for me unless i can find suitable dairy free sub.

Celebrated a full life this weekend.  Went to see BIL3 band fri night, great time shopping/lunch with (maternal) aunts sat then quick walk in the cool but sunny afternoon.  Awesome anniv party sat evening. Helping a new friend.  Church and yoga sunday.  No new purchases, few more clothes items sold.  I am eyeing a pair of Uggs, my first.  But 2-3 pair of shoes will go a d i wont get them till i can pay for them with PM credit.

Short week next week.  Love this time of the year!

Rate of Reduction Slow But Steady

Rate of Reduction Slow but Steady
I have slowed somewhat the rate of selling shoes/hats/clothes on PM.  But, not the rate that DH is clearing out his stuff.  Due the level of my down/slash right-sizing, I was able on couple hours notice to clear out 1/2 the upstairs closet.  This works perfectly, because now my husband can put his daily essentials in the upstairs closet and more easily see what he does not need/use downstairs.  Things happen in their own sweet time, not nec when I am ready!

I have rid my home of a barely used exercise mat (I still have 2 more!), 2 large display jars to my friend at work, a camel hair coat of my husbands and a couple other bags to my aunt.  I also got rid of a large amount of homecooked food to my good girlfriend who just had neck laminectomy surgery.  So, that was nice.  I just cooked my usu sunday thing for my husband and doubled everything so I could take her a few meals ready to heat up.  I finished the apples - thank good ness.  I made 2 crockpots of applesauce but I added too much cloves to the 2nd batch - just a  will do when it comes to cloves.

The sun has been out for last 2 days.  So nice, even if I am stuck inside working.  My DH played golf again yesterday with BIL3.  They had a much better outing that our cold drizzle of Sunday.  I considered it, but I need the income right now to pay off stuff (have a bit charged for my winter yoga increase) and stash a little for next year.

Tonight will be quiet.  I have a credit at a nearby home store when I am thinking of buying a couple of those versatile poofs or bean bags for impromptu seating.  Hope you are having a great Thursday!  I applied for a couple of positions at my RH location - keep your fingers crossed!

Whirlwind Weekend

So tired when I got home Fri, DH decided we would order delivery Chinese.  Works for me!  The place we like delivers really good food and a lot of it!  So for about $25 we get 2 meals each and I have my lunch today.  So, that is 5 meals out of it!  Thurs night and Sat night I did 2 more crockpots full of chunky cinnamon applesauce.  I shared with family and friends and froze 5 quarts in bags laid flat.  Sat/Sun I finished backing up my entire computer (music, documents, pictures) and erased one of the accounts that was acting up.  The computer repair people I talked to about my computer issues said 2 accounts on one computer won't affect speed or updates, but I think it did.  My original account when I bought the laptop  4 years ago evidently had something wrong, because a year later when I was trying to be able to watch Amazon Prime videos on it, I called Microsoft for help and they set up a whole different account.  Well, sometimes I would get error messages or the updates would not download for one or the other.  I never moved all the music, docs and photos over to the new account, so I still went back and forth.  Well, NOT ANYMORE!  WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO.  It took me a couple of weeks (off and on) to get all the stuff off the old account and on to the new account (plus backed up to thumb drives!.  I got that finished yesterday and loaded the new giant storage thumb drive for music for my car.  Then I deleted the old account.  So fingers crossed, we shall see.

Sat late morning while DH was still hunting (he got up at 4:30am), I cleaned house, did sheets and towels.  Went to grocery store.  Then when he got home (sans deer).  He wanted to play golf, because he and his normal golf partner (his brother - BIL 3) could not play earlier in the week, like they normally do on Wed.  So, since they played Sat, I was off work and I got to play too!  It was cold, but not too windy, about mid 40's.  We have played in the 30's, so we don't mind.  But on about hole 3 it started a steady drizzle.  On hole 5 I still had feeling in my fingers and par'd the 4 par.  Not only that, I chipped a 50 foot chip shot right off the green and it went right in!  Plop!  Nothing but net!  Didn't even bounce!  Right in!  It was thrilling.  I got on the green sev more times to put for par, even one birdie...but I really need to work on my putting game.  My BIL3 says I will shave many points off once I lock down my putting.  Boy were we freezing!  It just drizzled on all afternoon, nothing showing up on radar, but we continued on.  Downed a cup of coffee for the back 9.  It just got too dark and by hole 17 I was done.  I drove, it was nice and right down the middle but too hard to see, esp if we went in the rough!  So we called it.  Sat night I did the applesauce.  I processed 3 bushels of apples this fall and didn't waste any!  I hate waste.  I wanted to take a bit over to my friend, but she was being released from hospital and preferred for me to come by Sun.

Sunday I got up and started cooking at 8 after I walked the dogs and had a cup of coffee.  Got the broccoli casserole assembled, apples ready and pork roast/veggies in the oven while I went to church.  Got home, baked corn bread and DH and I ate while apple brown betty baked.  Then, DH went to hunt more and I took my girlfriend soup, cornbread, roast pork and veggies, broccoli casserole and apple brown betty.  She is doing well after neck surgery, except for nausea.  She is going to check in with the doctor today.  She has a friend of her husband's staying with her, we will call her Gemma.  My friend is a dear person.  It is hard to see her feeling bad, I wish I could help.  I told Gemma even if T can't eat then the food can help all her family and friends helping check on T.

Sitting at work today.  Waiting for my assignment.  Will prob get more relaxation here at work.  Is still dark and drizzly but church inspired me yesterday (Peter 4:10-14), it was about being of service to glorify God.  I enjoyed the sermon with my friend C and church regular P.  I am looking forward to hot yoga tonight.  Hope you all have a great week!

A Photo I will Describe

Tonight I posted a cool photo.  My commute took an hour and a half (its usu 25-35 min).  Oh well.  I am going over a bridge with ornate railing, looking west at geese flying in sunset and lights of city beyond.  What a gorgeous sky to remember our veterans, past and present.  Thank you.  And be safe all you hunters out there tomorrow!

At Least we Had Sunshine Today

But my DH golf partner (brother while we still live here in the city) was unavailable today and I was in the office all day.  But I am grateful for the income.  He will be busy dear hunting this weekend to go, and I am going to cook for my dear friend who had surgery yesterday and see if I can help her in any other way.  I am also planning to run to IKEA for a few things, but might have to put off for a couple weeks.  So busy! 

Tomorrow supposed to be really cold.  My DH gave my work friend a super warm coat.  It is well made and fabric has camo - which is funny because this friend moved here from West Coast and literally laughs because he has never owned anything camo before, but also said it is the warmest coat he has ever had.  We laugh because DH always buys best quality.  I have spent my first 45 years buying discount or sale stuff, based mostly on price and availability.  Now, I buy quality - pay once and have one.  Don't spend time running around wishing I had bought something else, or buying duplicates/multiples of similar.  I buy what I want, but I research and find best buy.  Sometimes that means vintage or thrift, often ebay or Poshmark.  And my closet is not stuffed to the gills with stuff that I am not satisfied with.  I almost NEVER buy anything just becaue it is on sale now.  I buy something because I plan ahead.  My husband is trailing along with me on the reduction mentality, but he is coming along in his own time and without me saying anything.  I just love that about this man!

Anyway, so glad I got in a great yoga session last night.  it was dark going in, so that was not as weird as going in to class daylight, coming out dark.  Then I visited my friend in hospital.  Work is busy.  2 more weekends till it will be Thanksgiving.  Crazy.  My DH has day off tomorrow, I do not.  Again, I will take a paycheck.  Thank you God.  I am a temp.  We were in a hiring frenzy this summer.  Things are slowing down.  I have seen a few mass exodus in my 10 years in this gig.  I have met some people I like and see then leave and get other stuff willing and leave not willingly.  We are starting to see some worried people around us.  I will be one of those people looking for somethine else soon.  It is hard.  Change is hard.  Everyone hates rejection.  Uggggghhhh.  I just have to pray my next chapter is out there...waiting.  Have a great Thursday evening.  I like Thursday evenings, if I can ever just relax and live in the moment!

The Days Are Getting Shorter

I feel better today, had a rough day yesterday.  Not eating lunch helped.  Today I am feeling sad because I am really missing my after work walks.  Walking on the treadmill at the gym might have to be my next step since I sold my treadmill and elliptical a couple months ago.  What was I thinking selling it so soon?!  I guess, I am just at the point where I am ready to clear things out because as much as we plan, who really knows what kind of time table we will actually be on and the sooner stuff goes, the better! 

So, I missed hot yoga Monday since I was hurting and had killer headache.  Yesterday I was still pretty sore, so I went home and took it easy.  Except, I did clear out a bunch of room in upstairs walkin closet so my husband can start putting his stuff in the closet upstairs and can start cleaning out the basement walkin he has used for 10 years.  It was HIS idea when we moved in!  But it has been nice, his and her closets!  Not down in RH (retirement home).  We are going from 2 large walk in closets to one small one.  Oh well, we don't need near as many clothes!  He has been a real trooper letting go of stuff as he sees me clear stuff out and strategically move carload by carload.  He even came up with a few things to give my work friend who has a large farm and an unfinished house and seems to be missing his heavy coat right now (said it is all dirty).  My husband has plenty of coats.  He and I both have (had?  I hope) a coat thing.

I may try to do a gentle yoga tonight.  I hope you are having a great week if you are reading.

Health

11/6/17
Health

Yesterday was my colonoscopy.  i have had about 12 in tge past 10 years.  I am having them about once per year.  But, at least I now have a good specialist that does not tell me there is nothing wrong or that I need to take Prozac.  Nothing against Prozac, but I am not depressed and an SSRI will not help my stomach stop hurting.  I did have a doctor (a specialist, mind you) tell me all these things.  The one who could not find anything wrong with me, found something wrong, but denied that it was a condition.  He told me I needed a food allergy work up.  So I did that and then no one could help me, except for the person he referred me to, for $800 out of pocket.  I never did pay the $800.  I do not disagree with the concept of an elimination diet, but I believe my issues need a holistic approach.  Good luck finding a specialist that signs off on that concept.  So, when I have had specialists who tell me nothing is wrong, or I need to take Prozac...I just stop going to them, keep going back to my primary for her referrals, and I keep trying elimination diets, supplements, getting rest, reducing stress, yoga and mediation, prayer and anything else I can think of!

Well, my latest specialist does seem to make me take a lot of tests, but she at least explains her reasoning and discusses strategy with me and listens to me.  And for that I am truly grateful.  However, this latest exam seems to have really set me off into a flare, unlike any other recents ones I can remember.  I just eat less, get more rest and try to stay positive.  I think this will pass too, the flares usu do.  Sometimes in a few days, sometimes in a few months.  Fortunately, I have been doing well enough that I have gained weight, so if I lose even quite a bunch of weight, it won't be a big deal. 

So, yesterday after my test it felt decadent to be off work on a Monday.  I had lunch with my maternal aunt's and we did a tiny bit of shopping...some of it in my house (do you want this?  do you want this?  do you want this?  hahahaha).  I am so lucky to have them.  I skipped yoga and went to bed early, today I am at work but feeling like I have been punched in the stomach by a prize fighter, but I am hanging in there.  Only 1 more hour to go.  Then I can go home early and my husband can have the leftovers from the food I fixed Sat downhome at RH. 

I hope everyone has a great week!
stomach, Prozac, specialists, exam, allergies, diet, rest, stress, holistic

Fall Hunters Moon Rising

11/4/17
Tonight’s full moon will be bold, bright, and brilliant.  Almost a Super moon, and also called the Hunter’s moon (the first moon after the Harvest) it was named for the  hunters who would go out to stockpile meat for their families for the upcoming winter. Whether used as a guiding light for those dressed in camouflage, or simply as a beautiful moon to reflect on, on the night that Daylight Savings Time ends, I love it.

Today I got up and moved some ornamental grass to each side of the driveway from a couple of planters since it had grown so big and was drying out too much.  Then I planted a catalpa tree and a fig tree given to me by 2 of my work friends.  Now I am off to do some trimming on a way overgrown wisteria and move some rocks fir some future landscaping.  Have a productive Saturday!

Moon, daylight savings, ornamental grass, catalpa tree, fig tree, wisteria, rocks

Giggles Remembered

11/2/17
Giggles remembered

During our recent family weekend, my sister D3 told us a story...her husband helped her cook recently and commented on how hard she worked to feed him and the kids over the years...she replied "yeah, I did".  Hehe, this made all us women giggle.

All Souls Day

11/1/17
I dedicate my post today to my mom, God rest her soul.

I cannot even believe that it is already November.  It is cool and gray outside, but not as cold and windy as Halloween.  I did manage to bundle up and take a walk after work.  Next week ends daylight savings time, so will be too dark for me to walk after this week.  I will still walk on Sundays though.  I do not walk in the dark.  I live in a nice suburb of a large Midwestern city and probably would be safe walking even in the pitch black, but my husband and I just do not think this is a good idea, so I avoid it.  My husband walks with me sometimes, but I cannot depend on him to walk with me.  So, I guess I will increase my yoga to twice a week and walk weekends. 

I have walked regularly since I graduated from high school in the 80's.  I used to do it just to keep my weight down, but over the years the benefits have become so obvious, that I do it to stay active and healthy.  Perhaps more important even still are the benefits it has on my psyche.  I feel better mentally and my mind shifts into a relaxation mode when I walk regularly.  I listen to podcasts, books or music and I just really enjoy it.  I have a beautiful walking area on a parkway at my CH (city home).  It goes in between 2 golf courses and so I find balls all the time and it is also in between to cow pastures so we see lots of wild animals, along with the cows.  There is a stream and a pond that is a constant source of animals.  We have seen (or heard) owls, an eagle, hawks, ducks, geese, kingfishers, egrets, cormorants, coots, herons, cranes, bitterns, all manner of other migratory birds, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, beavers, otters, muskrats, possums, skunks, deer, turtles, frogs and...I think that about covers it. 

I hope it stays nice enough today to walk again when I get home.  Last night after my walk we pretty much lay low while the kids trick or treated, we have 2 small dogs that go crazy, so we don't turn our light on.  I hate it, but I feel like our neighbors would be disturbed by the barking because we are the middle unit in a patio home.  Then, we both wanted to watch different shows, so my husband ate his fish meal in front of the TV in the living room and I enjoyed my pumpkin smoothie in the bed room.  We hardly ever do that, but I enjoyed catching up on one of my shows.  I think tonight I will fix him either left over pancakes from Sunday morning or a taco salad. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot...yesterday was the last day of overtime for me!  I have been on overtime since June and I am tired of it.  I added it all up and I have done an extra 182 hours of overtime and I am ready to wind down a little.  Next week I have a colonoscopy on Monday and I have decided to just take the rest of the day off!  That is a rare thing for sure.  It will be sort of like a reward.  I am going to eat lunch with my aunts and then putter at home.  I dread it so much, I just want to get it over with.  I have had like 8 in the past 5 years, but I am doing a lot better between diet, medicine and supplements.  And I just have to accept that I need a lot of rest, esp while I am working full time.  My stress over the years has been reduced since I changed careers and I hope to downsize the stress even more when my husband retires.  Stress is a killer when you have a constant medical condition like I do.  Have a great Wednesday, I hope you get to enjoy what ever thing reduces your stress and gives you some joy!

November, yoga, exercise, golf balls, birds, animals, nature, dogs, CH walking, health, career, stress