Thursday, May 31, 2018
Finally a Down Day
Have written this post 3 times, each time it did not save. UGGGGHHH. So this will be short. DH hand surgery yesterday. I got some errands done while he rested. I went to bed early. My better eating has really helped my tummy. I feel great today. Is already Thursday! Have a great day everyone.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
So Much for Down Day Feeling!
So usually golfing qualifies as a down day, at least it was recreation for a change! We have been consumed with moving and caring for 2 houses last couple years (first world whine). But darn was it hot yesterday! We were just melting. Sweat in our eyes, just humid. Made me really fatigued and my game was bad. But, I did enjoy being out. Then humidity eased a bit and I did about half my normal walk. I was listening to a good FBI crime mystery audio book by Med Gardiner "Into the Black Nowhere". So, I forced myself. I wanted to enjoy the book, encourage some grit and assist in the puffiness my bad eating has caused. Then we ate cool summer food - egg salad, fruit and avocado. I do enjoy summer eating!
Back to work today and then yoga tonight. But I am really glad the last 2 weekends of moving are behind us! DH has hand surgery tomorrow, so I will try to schedule my truck oil change late afternoon. Have a great Tuesday! Can't believe May is almost over. The golf course showed some weird signs of heat, burned grass, moss on the ponds and we could even hear the locusts starting up. It really seemed like late July/August out there - I hope this is not a portend for the rest of the summer.
Back to work today and then yoga tonight. But I am really glad the last 2 weekends of moving are behind us! DH has hand surgery tomorrow, so I will try to schedule my truck oil change late afternoon. Have a great Tuesday! Can't believe May is almost over. The golf course showed some weird signs of heat, burned grass, moss on the ponds and we could even hear the locusts starting up. It really seemed like late July/August out there - I hope this is not a portend for the rest of the summer.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Down Day
We got a full SUV load and my small truck loaded with stuff like bar stools, folding tables, bed head boards, ladders, outside chairs, the smoke and the trailer with our bikes Friday. We had 2 items shift and a strap broke, we pulled over twice and traffic was horrible so our progress slow but steady. We also went through quite a storm front but we made it with no major issues. We were tired Sat but DH put together his shop and work bench. I finally raked the yard. Sunday we picked up 2 piles of wood and I put together my office downhome. We had a nice dinner with family.
Since we are golfing today, we decided to go ahead and come back late Sunday and sleep in today. It is going to be a hot day, but I know our soldiers make such sacrifices for us and for that I give thanks today.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Memorial Weekend
11 years ago we went on a trip on Memorial Weekend and ended up renting a moving truck to haul a broken down motorcycle back 4 states away. We ended up with a much larger truck than we needed because evidently a lot of people move on these long weekends. This Memorial Weekend, we are those people moving. From our city home to our country home. Be safe everyone and make some great memories. I will be thinking about those who give us our freedom.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Still Moving
DH brought trailer home from his brother's land yesterday. We will load bikes and put extension ladder on it, fill the SUV and get as much as we can in back of my small truck. This is first but not the last time we will take 2 vehicles. It is a 4 hour drive from city house to retirement house. We brought everything upstairs from storage room in basement last night to load, but we held off loading since it rained last night. So, the CH is a mess. I am so glad it looks like clear weather today to drive with the trailer. DH will drive SUV with trailer. I will drive truck and prob have the dogs ride with me. I am tired already! The weather is warming up fast here! Looks like upper 80's today and then this weekend and all next week 90's. I hope we don't get bad storms.
Have a happy memorial weekend. I heard about Slabinski of Seal Team 6 getting a medal of honor. I think it is sad the media is focusing on the controversy. I wish our country could be more united. Period. I will just say a prayer for it and move on.
Have a happy memorial weekend. I heard about Slabinski of Seal Team 6 getting a medal of honor. I think it is sad the media is focusing on the controversy. I wish our country could be more united. Period. I will just say a prayer for it and move on.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Needs
Yesterday I talked about learning what our individual needs are. If we don't really know what they are, we could end up using substances or behaviors to make us happy.
The list of all the possibilities given to me as a participant in a nutritional/diet plan are these: (All:) Personal time, give/do for others, recognition, movement, sleep, approval/acceptance, order and closure, time alone, territory (physical space all their own), financial security, being with people, competition, learning something new, anticipation, music, project, physical contact with others, variety of experiences, structured time, unstructured time, one on one attention, group relationships, empathy, humor, spirituality.
I am sure there are others. I never really had the insight to figure these out for myself as a young adult. Now that I am older I have explored these so I can better meet them. I used to rely on substances, superficial experiences, short term pleasure (shopping, eating, spending money) to have pleasure. Now I am not as interested in immediate gratification, but better able to see the big picture and delay for goals and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Last evening I fulfilled several needs and navigated a small obstacle with my DH. My girlfriend T and I were going to take a full mattress and springs we are purging to my dear grandmother's apartment about 25 miles away, then take her set back to T's house. I was giving my set to T, but my DGM had needed another mattress that was not as thick so she could more easily climb in and out of bed. So, I gave my set to DGM and DGM set to T. Well my DH informs me that it all will not fit in our SUV, but it will fit in my small truck, diagonally. Well, I was not keen on the idea of driving down the interstate with mattresses catywompas, so I stalled and consider renting a truck. DH suggests 2 options 1) that DGM at 99 years old "use a step" or 2) "that she just buy a new set". He knows little of the elderly and their ways. Neither option would be optimal. I felt it was up to me to fix this and just leave him out of it. My girlfriend T (who is my hero) borrowed her husband's full size truck and we get it all secured in the back of it, laying flat where we would be more certain it would not catch any air.
DH taught me how to use the motorcycle straps (I had been needing to know this for a few years) and viola - I helped others, we got rid of a bed, my DGM has a mattress set that is newer and at least 4 inches shorter and T got her new-to-her bed (including the frame and mattress pad) - and heck, I even threw in 2 new pillows, and we are all happy. And T and I learned how to use the bike straps, just in case we ever want to trailer our bikes.
I could have had DH help me more from the start on this, but sometimes I just leave him out of things when I know he will get frustrated and want to take the easy way out - usu involves 1) doing nothing, 2) throwing money at it or 3) getting someone else to do it. I want to learn more of direct cheapest way and doing it myself. T and I considered wrestling 2 full size mattresses and springs from my house, to DGM apartment and then to T's house and up her stairs our wed workout. I was only slightly less tired than my Tues night hot yoga! I also took DGM my 2 working lamps to replace 2 of hers that were unreliable. The first thing she said was "'those are a lot smaller!". When I relayed this to DH, I told him it reminded me of something he would say. Funny how DGM is blind until it comes to lamps that are much smaller. They were slightly smaller and her other two dysfunctional lamps were supposed to be the same height, but one was like 3 inches taller. WTH?
The list of all the possibilities given to me as a participant in a nutritional/diet plan are these: (All:) Personal time, give/do for others, recognition, movement, sleep, approval/acceptance, order and closure, time alone, territory (physical space all their own), financial security, being with people, competition, learning something new, anticipation, music, project, physical contact with others, variety of experiences, structured time, unstructured time, one on one attention, group relationships, empathy, humor, spirituality.
I am sure there are others. I never really had the insight to figure these out for myself as a young adult. Now that I am older I have explored these so I can better meet them. I used to rely on substances, superficial experiences, short term pleasure (shopping, eating, spending money) to have pleasure. Now I am not as interested in immediate gratification, but better able to see the big picture and delay for goals and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Last evening I fulfilled several needs and navigated a small obstacle with my DH. My girlfriend T and I were going to take a full mattress and springs we are purging to my dear grandmother's apartment about 25 miles away, then take her set back to T's house. I was giving my set to T, but my DGM had needed another mattress that was not as thick so she could more easily climb in and out of bed. So, I gave my set to DGM and DGM set to T. Well my DH informs me that it all will not fit in our SUV, but it will fit in my small truck, diagonally. Well, I was not keen on the idea of driving down the interstate with mattresses catywompas, so I stalled and consider renting a truck. DH suggests 2 options 1) that DGM at 99 years old "use a step" or 2) "that she just buy a new set". He knows little of the elderly and their ways. Neither option would be optimal. I felt it was up to me to fix this and just leave him out of it. My girlfriend T (who is my hero) borrowed her husband's full size truck and we get it all secured in the back of it, laying flat where we would be more certain it would not catch any air.
DH taught me how to use the motorcycle straps (I had been needing to know this for a few years) and viola - I helped others, we got rid of a bed, my DGM has a mattress set that is newer and at least 4 inches shorter and T got her new-to-her bed (including the frame and mattress pad) - and heck, I even threw in 2 new pillows, and we are all happy. And T and I learned how to use the bike straps, just in case we ever want to trailer our bikes.
I could have had DH help me more from the start on this, but sometimes I just leave him out of things when I know he will get frustrated and want to take the easy way out - usu involves 1) doing nothing, 2) throwing money at it or 3) getting someone else to do it. I want to learn more of direct cheapest way and doing it myself. T and I considered wrestling 2 full size mattresses and springs from my house, to DGM apartment and then to T's house and up her stairs our wed workout. I was only slightly less tired than my Tues night hot yoga! I also took DGM my 2 working lamps to replace 2 of hers that were unreliable. The first thing she said was "'those are a lot smaller!". When I relayed this to DH, I told him it reminded me of something he would say. Funny how DGM is blind until it comes to lamps that are much smaller. They were slightly smaller and her other two dysfunctional lamps were supposed to be the same height, but one was like 3 inches taller. WTH?
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
How to Purge Stress
Nature
Ask
Meditation
Action
Sleep
Think
Exercise
Sorry this is so long. But i guess i needed it. Have been pretty stressed lately. Situational stress I think. But, stress is stress and many around me are stressed, so it has been on my mind...
I just had to google how to spell exercise. It was because I hesitated on it. If I just did it quick, I would have remembered, ha! I cannot overthink or multi task anymore. I think it is a product of age and overload. I have this a lot, plus more and more senior moments! Instead of letting this get me down, the past year or so since I almost lost my Granny - I include the thought that even though I am feeling my age more and more I am privileged to reach late middle age.
I read a post recently on one of my FB groups I like and the person was asking how to purge stress. So I thought about it. I have found myself thinking out this before I read this particular post. I have thought about my own personal needs to try and figure out why I feel stress. I use a coping skill. I went through above and put some of my coping skills into an acronym. These are not in order of importance.
Nature - is what my mother used to tell me I needed. When I was a young woman away from her in the city working on my career, she would sense on the phone if I was tired and say you need to go outside. When is the last time you got out of the city. Now you will even hear people put a label on this called "grounding". My mother was ahead of her time. I think the thing about nature is that it makes me aware the universe is much bigger than I - and that immediately changes my perspective. Whatever problem or discomfort I have, I am not alone and I am not the center of the universe. It will pass even if I do nothing.
Action - can I do something about the cause of the stress? Can I make a list. Can I figure out the worst case scenario and figure out a way to deal with that? Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Maybe nothing even close to the worst will happen, but if I have planned for it JIC, then I am more ready. I wonder if I should give up this philosophy, but old habits die hard. The best action I can take is to just plan sometimes. Planning helps steer me toward thinking before I take action and planning is an action in itself. Can I plan a reward now or later to get me through something hard?
Meditation is sort of the exact opposite of Action, although the better I get at harnessing my thoughts, the closer it resembles action to me. Focus on my breath, my heartbeat, my place in the universe, being still and present and I am automatically calmer. Google the vagus nerve and how important it is. It is truly amazing how much this nerve impacts our wellbeing. And it is amazing how just some deep breathing will affect the vagus nerve. I mentioned this to my cousin who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she laughed and said "Vegas?!". Well, it does sound the same. I do think humor is important and it an integral part of my demeanor - but if I am too stressed, I cannot find the humor at first.
Ask for help. Either from a person or from the universe. To me, asking the universe is prayer. I give thanks for my blessings and ask for God to help me. Even if you don't believe in God, by being a living creature we can look to the universe and to science. Energy is undeniable. If you need to feel better, harness energy. Energy from art, music, laughter, beauty, nature, love. Read an inspiring poem, book, etc. I swear just the power of classical music can reduce my stress. I often listen to celestial space music to help me sleep.
Sleep. I have a chronic health condition and I have been trying to learn how to deal with it for most of my adult life. My condition affects my digestion, my skin, my joints and my eyes. It also gives me brain fog. I get very depressed about my condition sometimes. I have learned that stress and lack of sleep affect me very quickly when I have stress and lack of rest. I have learned that by resting, I feel better. This was a very hard adaptation for me. I have never been one to get 8 hours of sleep. Most of my education and professional life I got 4 - 6. Well, not anymore I regularly get 8 and sometimes I even get 10. And it is ok, my arse did not fall off! Isn't that something I deserve without anything more? Certainly something I have earned after working so hard so many years. I plan to really experiment with this, maybe even take a nap once in a while (gasp).
Think. Think of what is causing the stress. Not the cause of the feeling of stress, but why whatever trigger created a reaction in me. Is it something real? Am I in danger? Am I doing something that is inconsistent with my values? Am i in fear? Am I angry? Am I tired? Do i have a need that is not being met? I took a nutrition course through my temp employer about 5 years ago. It had to do with making good food and eating choices. Many of our food choices are made out of emotion. It taught me that we all have essential needs and if we can tune into what these
needs are, then we will be better able to find ways to meet these needs without food or other harmful substances and behaviors. My vital needs are: spirituality, order/closure, financial security, give/do for others, personal time, being with people, movement.
Exercise. For me, this has been such a part of my personal hygiene that it is as normal as bathing and eating. If i do not move, i pay for it. I have had an active program of movement since i graduated from high school. When i was in public school, we had PE. PE lead to some sports and dance in high school and that caused me to think about how exercise benefits us. I have done it regularly every since - 30+ years. Not only does it cause neurotransmitters to be produced in our bodies - but it causes strength and tolerance, confidence and helps me clear my head. I can't live without it. I plan to be doing yoga and walking as long as I am literally able to move.
I hope someone reads this. I get so much inspiration and connection from the things i read, especially blogs because they are so personal and not agenda driven. I hope someone can connect with me on this entry. What have i left out? What do you do to combat stress?
Ask
Meditation
Action
Sleep
Think
Exercise
Sorry this is so long. But i guess i needed it. Have been pretty stressed lately. Situational stress I think. But, stress is stress and many around me are stressed, so it has been on my mind...
I just had to google how to spell exercise. It was because I hesitated on it. If I just did it quick, I would have remembered, ha! I cannot overthink or multi task anymore. I think it is a product of age and overload. I have this a lot, plus more and more senior moments! Instead of letting this get me down, the past year or so since I almost lost my Granny - I include the thought that even though I am feeling my age more and more I am privileged to reach late middle age.
I read a post recently on one of my FB groups I like and the person was asking how to purge stress. So I thought about it. I have found myself thinking out this before I read this particular post. I have thought about my own personal needs to try and figure out why I feel stress. I use a coping skill. I went through above and put some of my coping skills into an acronym. These are not in order of importance.
Nature - is what my mother used to tell me I needed. When I was a young woman away from her in the city working on my career, she would sense on the phone if I was tired and say you need to go outside. When is the last time you got out of the city. Now you will even hear people put a label on this called "grounding". My mother was ahead of her time. I think the thing about nature is that it makes me aware the universe is much bigger than I - and that immediately changes my perspective. Whatever problem or discomfort I have, I am not alone and I am not the center of the universe. It will pass even if I do nothing.
Action - can I do something about the cause of the stress? Can I make a list. Can I figure out the worst case scenario and figure out a way to deal with that? Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Maybe nothing even close to the worst will happen, but if I have planned for it JIC, then I am more ready. I wonder if I should give up this philosophy, but old habits die hard. The best action I can take is to just plan sometimes. Planning helps steer me toward thinking before I take action and planning is an action in itself. Can I plan a reward now or later to get me through something hard?
Meditation is sort of the exact opposite of Action, although the better I get at harnessing my thoughts, the closer it resembles action to me. Focus on my breath, my heartbeat, my place in the universe, being still and present and I am automatically calmer. Google the vagus nerve and how important it is. It is truly amazing how much this nerve impacts our wellbeing. And it is amazing how just some deep breathing will affect the vagus nerve. I mentioned this to my cousin who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she laughed and said "Vegas?!". Well, it does sound the same. I do think humor is important and it an integral part of my demeanor - but if I am too stressed, I cannot find the humor at first.
Ask for help. Either from a person or from the universe. To me, asking the universe is prayer. I give thanks for my blessings and ask for God to help me. Even if you don't believe in God, by being a living creature we can look to the universe and to science. Energy is undeniable. If you need to feel better, harness energy. Energy from art, music, laughter, beauty, nature, love. Read an inspiring poem, book, etc. I swear just the power of classical music can reduce my stress. I often listen to celestial space music to help me sleep.
Sleep. I have a chronic health condition and I have been trying to learn how to deal with it for most of my adult life. My condition affects my digestion, my skin, my joints and my eyes. It also gives me brain fog. I get very depressed about my condition sometimes. I have learned that stress and lack of sleep affect me very quickly when I have stress and lack of rest. I have learned that by resting, I feel better. This was a very hard adaptation for me. I have never been one to get 8 hours of sleep. Most of my education and professional life I got 4 - 6. Well, not anymore I regularly get 8 and sometimes I even get 10. And it is ok, my arse did not fall off! Isn't that something I deserve without anything more? Certainly something I have earned after working so hard so many years. I plan to really experiment with this, maybe even take a nap once in a while (gasp).
Think. Think of what is causing the stress. Not the cause of the feeling of stress, but why whatever trigger created a reaction in me. Is it something real? Am I in danger? Am I doing something that is inconsistent with my values? Am i in fear? Am I angry? Am I tired? Do i have a need that is not being met? I took a nutrition course through my temp employer about 5 years ago. It had to do with making good food and eating choices. Many of our food choices are made out of emotion. It taught me that we all have essential needs and if we can tune into what these
needs are, then we will be better able to find ways to meet these needs without food or other harmful substances and behaviors. My vital needs are: spirituality, order/closure, financial security, give/do for others, personal time, being with people, movement.
Exercise. For me, this has been such a part of my personal hygiene that it is as normal as bathing and eating. If i do not move, i pay for it. I have had an active program of movement since i graduated from high school. When i was in public school, we had PE. PE lead to some sports and dance in high school and that caused me to think about how exercise benefits us. I have done it regularly every since - 30+ years. Not only does it cause neurotransmitters to be produced in our bodies - but it causes strength and tolerance, confidence and helps me clear my head. I can't live without it. I plan to be doing yoga and walking as long as I am literally able to move.
I hope someone reads this. I get so much inspiration and connection from the things i read, especially blogs because they are so personal and not agenda driven. I hope someone can connect with me on this entry. What have i left out? What do you do to combat stress?
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