Idle Hands

With time on my hands, what important project has been keeping me busy? Shopping, of course!  I actually don't shop all the time. I rarely buy on impulse, but I figure I deserve a few treats once in a while. Now I'm anxiously awaiting my packages to arrive.  I ordered a book I have already read, but it is so good that I had to own a copy.  The other things will be new to me. Now I need to keep up with the household chores to not feel guilty about my purchases.   

When Given Time

I'll have some time off this summer to do whatever I please.  My daughter will be in preschool a few days a week, so I'll even have some uninterrupted time to myself.  People ask me what I will do with all that time.  I feel like I need to do something significant so I don't waste that time.  I do have some news tasks and projects I am anxious to get to.  This free time is like a gift.  I can get a head start before I have to go back to my busy schedule.  

But what I want to remember most is that I need to find a balance between goals and enjoying life without deadlines or pressure.   

My life is usually so rush rush that I don't usually stop to enjoy the little things.  My daughter is great at reminding me of this with her love of nature.  Is it so wrong to just stop and BE for a bit?  It's not that I want to get out of doing things (well, maybe a little).  My accomplishments don't have to define me.  I want to recharge my batteries so I see life the way my daughter does. Appreciating the small miracles and allowing thoughts and questions to flow.  Enjoying every moment for what is, instead of what "should" be done.  Not all day every day, but just stopping from time to time.   Balance and moderation.

Risky Business

Last night's Ugly Betty finale hit home for me. Betty tends to play it safe.  She is hard working, creative, and ambitious. She's been an assistant for a while now and is content, but in her heart she wants more than that. Now that Daniel lost his position, who knows what will happen to Betty.  It could be the kick in the pants that she needs. She's also torn between two men.  Either choice will be drastic, but certainly an adventure.

We all need to take some risks once in a while.  Sure, we become comfortable with our lives. But we do need to remember the goals we once set for ourselves if we have not met them yet.  Are they attainable?  Can we make them happen?  I say yes.  I have a few goals I want to achieve, but I have not taken action.  It's not too late for me, and it's not to late for anyone else get out there and go for it. If not now, when?

I'm Still Here

I've been loyally following my favorite blogs, but sadly neglecting my own. 

Just finished Eat, Pray, Love.  It was much more than I expected.  Work is very busy, but I'll have a long vacation in a few weeks.  Looking forward to a festive Memorial Day weekend! 

Cherish Earth Each Day

Earth Day was last week and many people attended events that promote environmental awareness.  I have never actually attended such events, but I am an advocate for making changes to help alleviate the stress we are causing our planet.  For decades, some people have been talking about the damage we are doing to Earth.  Finally it is becoming trendy to "Go Green."  I'm all for this since many people will get on board.  It's especially important to influence children since they will eventually have to deal with the consequences of our current actions.  

I recycle what I can.  I refill my water bottles before dropping them into the recycling bin.  I have a few reusable chico bags and canvas bags that I will take with me next time I go shopping.  I've been getting more tips from the eco-hip blog, but I just want to do more.  Any suggestions?

A Heartbreaking Tale

I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan this weekend. It was based in 19th century China and well researched.  I actually stumbled upon this book at a library book sale, and snatched it up since I heard good things about it.  

I just started reading Eat, Pray, Love.  I've heard mixed reviews about this one, but I'll give it a chance.  

15 Minutes a Day

The Flylady says you can do anything for 15 minutes at a time.  I think about daunting tasks at home and don't know where to start.  But just doing a little bit, just 15 minutes, can put a dent in a project.  I've conquered a few paper piles in the past few weeks by doing this, so I know it really can make a difference.  Now I want to add writing daily into the mix.  If I can do more, great.  I imagine getting into the habit of this will help my writing tremendously.   

Ice, Ice, Baby

When I go to the gym, I bring my ipod and have a playlist ready to go.  I still can hear the music the gyms plays, though.  They usually play top 40 type music.  I imagine they have a their own playlist so no one has to bother changing the songs.  When I got there on Sunday, they had some easy listening song on which just didn't seem right.  Oh well, I thought.  Maybe it's a fluke.  But the rest of the songs were flashbacks from the 90's.  Some songs were ones I really liked from way back when, so this was better than being subjected to mostly rap and hip hop songs for an hour. (I used to like that kind of music many years ago, but now I've broadened my music library.)  Of course this flashback mix would not have been complete without a Vanilla Ice song thrown in.  I thought I would have seen more snickers.  I kept picturing Jim Carrey's parody of Ice, Ice, Baby on In Living Color.  Glad Carrey's still entertaining us, but I miss that show!  And you could catch Vanilla Ice on a Surreal Life rerun.  

Good at Starting

I like getting started on new tasks or programs.  I can envision what the results will be and that keeps me going.  To a point.  Then I find something else to begin and put the current projects on hold.  I have been successful with exercising at least 3 times a week for a few months now, so all is not lost.  I want to fit in writing and decluttering daily.  Maybe even alternate days for each.  Hmm, that seems possible.  Well, I'll give it a whirl this week and see how it goes.  

Back Home Again

Getting away was just what I needed.  Now I'm back and refreshed, ready to work on organizing my home and cooking healthier meals for my family.  

When I was with my parents, I spent some times cooking a few special meals with my mom. Working side by side, we were able to have some bonding time.  Since they have been living in another state for 2 years, moments like this help us reconnect.  We had agreed upon making tamales a few days into my visit.  We had all the ingredients and set up a plan to get 'em done by the afternoon.  We made at least 45 tamales and shared some with my uncle and his wife.  They were just as good as any other batch we've made before.  I was tempted to take a couple back with me, but there were hardly any left by the time I had to leave.  I haven't tried to make tamales on my own, so I think I'll give it whirl before they visit us in a few months.  I don't expect them to come out as delicious as those were, but at least I could try. 

A Little Free Time

My second week off work and I'm a total slacker.  Well, I'm also out of town visiting my parents, so I have somewhat of an excuse.  Between homecooked meals and continuous babysitting, I can read a book or surf the web without feeling guilty.  I leave in a few days, so this oasis will fade soon enough.  I've been stressing out lately, so I really needed this. 

An Update

I made it through that 10K and plan to do more runs this year.  Now I've been slacking off of my work out routine because I felt I deserved it.  But now I have a cold and definitely can't work out for a few more days.  

I've been writing in a journal lately.  I'm having trouble transitioning to blog writing again.  I  read all these thoughtful blogs and want to hide my own words until I have time to work on my contributions a little more.  But if I do that, I'll never have a post up.  So on that note, here's to imperfection...

 

Feeble Attempt at Blogging

So, I've been neglecting my blog again. I wrote a few posts on paper, but just haven't typed them up yet. But the good thing is that I'm still going to the gym and being fairly good about avoiding 'bad' foods. I've got a 10k to do in a few weeks, so that's my focus.  

Slowing Down

Couldn't get to 3 miles during my running session today. I did get to 3.5 miles on Tuesday. I'll try up to 4 miles this weekend. Woohoo!

Making Time to Write

I had a glorious two weeks off, but now I'm back to work. Getting to any writing or reading has been tricky these last few days. Today I'm finally feeling a bit relaxed after work. I'm getting things done early so I can have some 'me' time after my daughter goes to bed.

The Gym is Full!

I've been going to the gym consistently for about 2 months. I rushed to this morning's strength training class. I was annoyed with myself for getting there a bit late because the class had doubled since the last week. Lots of new members. I wonder how many will actually stick to it. I do miss the smaller class size, but it is awesome that people are trying to get fit.

Workout Update

I've worked out at the gym three times already this week. I ran/walked on the treadmill about 3 miles today. My pace is getting faster and I don't get exhausted as quickly. I actually got a burst of energy right after my workout, but later needed to take a nap. I need to go shopping for new workout gear, so that will get me motivated to keep going!

Anyone else getting their exercise on these days?

Free Rice

Check out Freerice.com. While you play a vocabulary game, you donate rice to the WFP. I'm slightly addicted to it, but it is for a good cause!

A Fresh Start

I love the first day of the year. I've been thinking about what I want to change and what I can do to accomplish my goals for a while now. I've already started to make changes, so January 1st is more like a symbolic day of beginning anew. I started a list of 101 tasks to complete in 1001 days, but have not completed it. One of my goals this year is to get more sleep, so I'm off to get some kitchen cleaning done before I can hit the hay.