Photo Side Effects

As I was walking to and from meetings at work today I notice my thighs, my quads, whatever you call them, were a bit tender. I'm like "What the heck? I haven't been doing squats or anything, but it feels like it!"

Guess what? I HAVE been!

Three nights in a row of photo shoots. And three nights of literally SQUAT-ting down to be eye level with my subjects!

I finally put 2 and 2 together... and also realized, holy hell, I am so out of shape!

Tonight I was hoping a few more reps (well, many more) would make my body think this was normal and not to react with pain or discomfort. Did it work? I guess we'll see tomorrow. In the meantime, I took a preventative (??) magnesium pill and am willing to go through the pain. 

I only viewed a random 3 photos (out of hundreds) from my photo card of tonight's shoot and they're all fabulous.

I love having a girl who just wants to be super model from the get-go and is super cooperative. We had so much fun and I can't wait to sift through them all! Since I have one more shoot tomorrow night, I might just take Friday off to soak it all in, sift it all out, and give the moms (and some dads – and some seniors) their previews. 

It might physically hurt me to do this sometimes, but I love it!

My Cardio :: Extreme Hookin'

I know most of us have New Year's resolution for more exercise. And maybe I'll follow suit. But my cardio in the last 24 hours has been "extreme hooking."

As in buying yarn after work last night and hoping to crochet fast enough tonight to finish a blanket.

It's an ambitious goal but several co-workers decided we should put a birthday/get well basket together for a co-worker who just had back surgery and will be out several more weeks. 

Of course on Monday I said "I'll make him a nice recovery blanket." Then realized they planned to deliver this basket at the end of the week. So I had to get hookin' and double-stitchin' at maximum speed.

I probably would've have finished it after work but I was interrupted by choir practice. Now I'm home and am going to power through and hope for the best. 

Whew! What a workout! Can you tell how muscle-toned my fingers are? 

Good luck with your New Year's exercise resolutions, too!

I May or May Not Resolve...

Since I wrote the column for our January church newsletter, I figured I'd share it here since it definitely has a New Year's theme to it.

I Resolve…

Happy New Year! Did you make your resolutions yet? Without fail, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, people find themselves committing to becoming better people. In reality, there’s no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight. But society has decided this is the time to make a change.

Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit bad habits, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution (and usually mine) is to lose weight. Fitness centers are packed every January! 

These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 

In other words, perhaps we should try faith-based resolutions this year – like praying more, reading the Bible every day, or attending church more regularly. Just keep in mind these New Year’s resolutions can fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. 

Why? Because there’s no actual power in declaring a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation and dedication. 

You might not want to hear this, but that means we still have to do the legwork. We still have to maintain our commitment – even on the tough days. 

The good news, as Philippians 4:13 tells us, is we “can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Maybe if God is the center of our New Year’s resolution, it has a better chance for success. We still must do the work and remain steadfast. But if we rely on God’s strength and guidance to help us, we have a better shot at making it last past the month of January. 

Let’s do it! We all deserve a happy, healthy, and faithful 2025!

Spring Chickens

While I'm no spring chicken, I do find more pep in my step when the temperature rises. Yesterday I took a little walk, but the temp wasn't quite there yet. The "I'm going to get some sun AND steps" temp. Just too windy for that.

After work today, though, I was like "Yes, this is more like it!" And while the chickens around the corner were loving the all-you-can-eat buffet of green grass, we were all clucking a bit.

I feel like Mildred here (name changed to protect the innocent) is my spirit animal. Heavy on top with skinny legs but not afraid to strut her stuff – no matter who's watching. Slow your roll, Milly. I just got started trying to get some walks in. I'll crow when I'm ready to strut.

Tomorrow is going to be even nicer. We may set a record here. But I'll be back in the office so that's not going to matter much. I will be racing home though – not for Mr. Deck Chair or the Chicks – but to see our boy and likely help unload the U-Haul. 

We're expecting it to roll down Blue Jay Drive after 10 p.m. tonight. The kids are enroute from Carolina and they'll park here (just them, not the U-haul) for a bit before heading on their next adventure (a.k.a. lease) somewhere. No ideas yet.

For now it seems we're all running around like a chicken with his head cut off. 

Not to alarm my new chick friends down the road. Just keep moving! 

And I'll try to do the same.

Enjoy spring while we have it!

But... Did You Die?

So, I did a thing yesterday. I was finally well enough (read: could breathe without coughing) to join the lunchtime fitness class I signed up for in the fitness center at work.

I could say it was challenging because I missed the first two weeks. But in reality, it was challenging because I missed the first two ... forevers. Mercy! I am so out of shape!

The class is called Reps and Sets. As in using weights, etc, and repeating. I guess that's what a "set" is? All I know is 80 squats, 40 lunges, 30 chest presses, and 24 hours later... OUCH! It was by sheer coincidence that I had my monthly chiropractor appointment today. Oh, I love her! She brought out the big vibrating massage thing and hit every muscle in my lower back and glute. Ouch but good!

Of course, that wasn't the worst part of the 30-minute workout. That came when we had to do sit-ups. Just normal sit-ups, except nothing to anchor our feet, just using those core muscles to get up and down. Guess who couldn't do one? 

This girl! The one without core muscles! 

I just laid back on my mat trying to hold back the shameful tears stinging my eyes. Full disclosure: I didn't die in my workout – but I might have cried. At least after pouring out my soul and hopelessness over my meno-induced weight gain and out-of-shapeness, my fitness instructor gave me a hug. A sweaty one, but I needed it.

She also is meeting with me next week to see if we can work out a plan to reverse my misfortune. I could casually say, "I'll try anything!" But if I had that type of commitment, I wouldn't be in my current predicament. 

And unfortunately, I've learned the post-workout pain doesn't really take effect until the SECOND day. If I don't blog tomorrow, it's because I can't lift my arms enough to reach the keyboard!

Be careful out there. And don't judge yourself by what you can and cannot do. Applaud yourself for trying!

Let's Keep Advancing the Calendar

It's hard to blog regularly when all I have to talk about is waking up to sub-zero temperatures and this stinking lingering head cold and cough. 

This is why I'm convinced January by far is the longest month. We've got the cold, the snow, the illness, the darkness, the cold (oh, I said that).

For the record, I have accomplished the following things so far:

• Haven't missed a day of work despite struggling a bit.
• Correctly wrote 2024 on the one check I've written.
• Am getting through books (audio and physical) at a great opening year pace!

Definitely haven't kept up a daily blog or a daily adherence to healthy habits. Just keep advancing the calendar page tomorrow and eventually it will all right itself. I say, anyway.

In the meantime, be careful in the cold and do your best to stay healthy. And maybe throw in a positive attitude for good measure!

(Disclaimer: That last part not required if you live in the Dakotas, Minnesota, or Wisconsin!)

Mama Smooth

For years, our neighbors around the bend have called Carter "Mr. Smooth." Naturally that means that Jim and I are Papa Smooth and Mama Smooth. And today I earned the title. In a sarcastic way, of course.

I was working out at lunch. Don't be impressed. Today makes a streak of two days. I was doing some fast-paced mountain climbers that involved a kick-through on the opposite side, when the heal of my sneakers accidentally connected with my shin.

Dang. That's gonna leave a mark!

By the time I was back in the locker room and in the shower, the little owie was growing into quite lump. 

It looks like it's a picture of my knee. But it's actually the growing lump. Ouch. That seemed a bit extreme for a bruise, so when I got back to my desk, I decided to ice it. 

I crafted an ice pack using a nearby cleaning glove because not only am I resourceful. I'm also a dork. It helped the pain anyway. And stopped the lump from growing. 

I'm so smooth! Kicking my own ass, er shin!

Pretty sure you rocked your day today if you didn't have a name badge lanyard tied around your shin to hold up an ice-filled vinyl glove. Keep being you! You've got this, rock star!

Never Too Old to Try Something New

Full disclosure: When I signed up for a group fitness class called Yogalates, I was definitely thinking Yoga Lattes. Maybe a chai latte vibe, you know? 

Instead it's a "A brilliant combination of the gentle stretch of Yoga and the core-building strength of Pilates." You know, the perfect East meets West fitness answer for just about everyone. Except people like me who have't done either.

So today over lunch was day one of the class for me. And while I have heard of "child's pose" and "downward dog," the backward and forward swan dive and warrior were new to me. Along with everything else. Then there was all the instructions of when to inhale and exhale. I wasn't the best pupil. Pretty much me...

I am not in the least flexible! And I know this will possibly help strengthen my back and maybe core, but uff da. I have a long ways to go.

Today I'll say you're never too old to try something new. Tomorrow or Friday – when my old body catches up with my young-minded actions – I might think differently.

Be careful out there!

Tough Love

When I came across this a few minutes ago, it certainly hit close to home. Pardon me for being deeply honest and vulnerable here.

I read this and for the 8,000th time wonder how I can be 50+ years old and still haven't found a way to love myself – riotously, deeply, profoundly, or otherwise. 

Yes, it's sad. I also know I'm not the only one. And that's sad, too.

I can talk out one side of my mouth saying God loves us just the way we are, while the committee in my head is whispering in my other ear, "You failed. Again. You set out to lose weight and get in shape so you'd look great in your vacation pictures. And you couldn't stick with it. Again."

I admit I have two major downfalls. One, I place too much emphasis on weight as a measure of self-worth. And the second downfall is that I can't resist sweets! What a disastrous duo. It's like a never-ending hamster wheel I keep spinning and can't seem to jump off.

The struggle IS real. 

It's like I know I need to walk a mile but I forget that it takes 2,000 steps to get there. And I have to take them in order. No short cuts. The question is, what is at the end of that mile for me? Is it the ideal weight, perfect job, self-love, or something else?

I think if we like ourselves, work up to loving ourselves and finding the good inside, then other blessings will come with it. Am I ready? Are you ready?

Maybe this vacation is just what I need to clear my head so there's only room for one voice to take up residency. 

Let's fall in love and make this year the best one yet!

TGIF (Tree's Gone in Fifteen) Minutes

I'm one of those people who loves Christmas and normally hangs onto it as long as I can – usually waiting at least until the weekend after New Year's to take down the tree and any other decorations. But since I'm leaving town in a few days, I figured I better do it now instead of January 21st – the next weekend I'm home.

It was a quick process. Always is faster taking stuff down since I don't have to worry about the artful placement of ornaments that make them look random, yet balanced.

Got the house back to pre-holiday status in 15 minutes. Maybe a little longer. But kitty comes out from her nap and gives that "Where's my tree?" look. Sorry, Princess, your chair – yes, it's only hers – is back in that corner now. 

It's definitely not my style to push the season aside this early. I did watch two Christmas movies today to ensure I still had the spirit even if my halls were un-decked. 

I also created a pile of clothes waiting for placement in a suitcase. I figure I'll look at them again on Sunday to see if I can't downsize that failed attempt to not overpack. But then again, summery clothes are smaller and lighter, so maybe they will fit. I'll wait a few days to bring up the suitcase and see. Hubby doesn't want our green-eyed princess to get anxiety that he might be the one leaving. Trust me, it's a real thing.

And he could go somewhere, too. Today he did a little test drive and went to physical therapy all by himself. The right (newer) knee is coming along nicely. He even got down the basement stairs and back up without issue. A slow process, but that's great news. He'll have no problem getting kitty food and water (and removing litter box gifts) while I'm gone.

Everybody wins.

I mean it's not a competition, but I'll probably have a better January. Let's get through December first.

Enjoy your last Friday and Saturday of 2022. Be careful out there!

Christmas Eve Eve and Festivus Double Feature

'Twas two nights before Christmas and all through the land... it was cold, windy, white, and I was dreaming of beach sand.

OK, seriously, it's pretty – but pretty wicked out. In central Wisconsin, we got just a little snow yesterday and then it was sunny and windy and well below zero today, but I'm not sure why they're still calling it a winter storm here. Other places yes, but we're OK here.

Unless you don't have a brand-spanking-new furnace or you have a job where you have to work outside or you are snowed in because of drifting. Knock on wood, all good here. Only had to leave the house for therapy today – Jim's physical therapy and my massage therapy. Merry Christmas Eve Eve and Happy Festivus to me!

Otherwise home bound today since we both had the day off. Got some cleaning done, some Hallmarking done, and holiday treat-eating done, too. Here comes the Festive Five again. 

It was the year of friends dropping off plates of goodies. We're enjoying a taste of the season as we celebrate all these television-inspired fake holidays leading up to the real one. Based on the volume of calories and sprinkles still sitting on the kitchen counter, we may need to invent a few of our own next week, too. Yum!

Not like we're going to go outside and get exercise. Oh no, no, no. I mean I did go out to the mailbox and back in record time today. Tell me again why we live somewhere where the weather hurts our face.

Be careful out there and enjoy your Festivus and Christmas Eve Eve celebrations!

Walker-ing in a Winter Wonderland

Today was just your typical Friday. You know, work and therapy. I prefer saying therapy over "rehab."

As expected, hubby had a rough first night with little sleep. Even with those magic pills! At least he's managing the pain a bit more proactively this time. But powering through his first physical therapy session this morning was as brutal as you'd think. 

My therapy session after work was trigger-point therapy. Also painful, but short-lived. And I feel loads better after.

Hubby's not quite there. I continue to feel helpless but am doing what I can. He's pretty immobile now and needs some assistance getting in and out of the recliner. I had planned to go shoot pictures of the Royals' double-header tonight, but really can't leave him alone for long. Pretty much how it was last time around.

He'll rely 100 percent on the walker for another two days, I'm guessing. Just grateful he hasn't had to maneuver that magical tennis-ball supported contraption through snow yet. I don't know how we escaped the forecast from last night, but we're OK with that! 

Thanks for the continued well wishes for him. And thanks to our friendly neighbors for delivering fish fries for supper. I certainly don't need spoiling just because he does... Not that I'll turn it down. 

I certainly won't take my healthy knees and mobility for granted ever again! Be careful out there.

Sad Show on TV

Since I can't leave my patient alone for too many hours, I stayed home and watched our Lady Royals on TV (via live stream) instead of going to Athens.

After a crazy comeback Saturday to upset the No. 1 seed Marshfield Columns, our ladies took the Regional championship. Tonight was the Sectional semi-final at the No. 2 ranked team's home court. We lost the first two games and rallied in the third – actually having the lead at one point – but fell short and are done for the season. Sad!

Pretty amazing seniors, though. I'll miss them! Well, until the next sport begins.

That was about the only action around here today. I worked from home to help as the Bionic Man needed me. He went to his first visit to the Torture Chamber (aka as physical therapy/rehab). That after a long night last night in painful discomfort.

I feel pretty helpless. Thank goodness someone invented pain medication years back! It doesn't take away the sadness of losing a volleyball game. But does help the man on injured reserve here. 

Another bright note: Jim is convinced his left leg is now an inch longer. I'm guessing after he has the surgery (and extra inch added) on the right leg, he'll be able to dunk a basketball.

Patience, my patient. One step at a time!

What's Behind Door No. 3?

You'd be surprised what you can live without once you've lived without it for 2 years and haven't missed it.

Since the lovely pandemic hit while I was on vacation that first week in March 2020, I didn't realize my last day in the office before it was actually my last day... for 2-plus years. Therefore, I didn't take everything I needed from my desk, the little fridge in our department or my locker in our fitness center.

From my desk, I realized I only needed my computer and really didn't need paper documents. I haven't printed anything out in 2 years so there's no sense resuming that habit. You're welcome, Mother Earth. As for the fridge, someone disposed of what was left of my daily essential coffee creamer for me. Good call. As for the locker... well that went untouched until today.

Our fitness center finally reopened now that we're repopulating the office. I was a little nervous wondering what was behind door No. 3. Or in this case, door No. 168. I knew I'd have sneakers in there but hoped to god I didn't have some once-sweaty-now-crusty sports bra or socks. I was prepared for it...

And oh-so relieved when I only left the shoes in there – with deodorizer balls in them to boot – and the essentials like shower gel, deo, perfume, and hairspray! That turned my pew into a PHEW! And the shoes are in decent shape. I mean, we'll see when I put them on, but they should work OK after sitting around doing nothing all this time.

That's right. I did not work out. I just was checking the status of the locker so I could reserve it for another year. Don't judge me. Getting there was the first step, right?

I've already beat myself up plenty in the past week knowing that I had 800-some days to reinvent myself but instead, come back to the office out of shape – and out of clothes that fit nicely. Ugh.

If only I liked spinach or kale as much as I like ice cream! 

Strong Hold

I demonstrated my power today. Well my growing power. As in strength. Been taking some strength-building classes and while my body isn't reflecting changes yet, I have graduated from my starting 3-pound dumbbell to a 15-pounder!

Part of today's challenge was pushing this sled...

This is pushing 320 pounds – or the equivalent of Sean Rhyan pictured above, the offensive lineman the Packers drafted in the 3rd round a few weeks ago. Sit down, Sean. I can push you around! Not very far. But I can do it!

And there you have my accomplishment of the day. 

Well, that and getting half a baby blanket crocheted tonight. Because even though I've been planning for a baby shower I'm co-hosting Saturday, I forgot about the gift part. Gonna have to use my newfound strength for some power hooking tomorrow night!

With great power comes great responsibility.

The Return

Today was a return to... everything (almost) day.

I was so tired last night I did not set an alarm. But I woke up at 8:58 a.m. and managed to shower, curl my hair, and drive 15 minutes to church – and got there on time for 9:30 a.m. service. Yup, I can be speedy when I want to (in the shower not on the roads, of course). It felt good to get 8-plus hours of sleep again and return to church in person again since I've been out of town quite a few weekends.

After church, I edited and uploaded the photos for the Lady Royals' return to state. This is one of my faves... 

Running to the student section to show them and share the Sectional Championship trophy!

Today also marked the return to that elusive activity called exercising. Uff da. My face was redder than any sunburn I got last week and not nearly as enjoyable. But I suppose worth it.

This evening was our return to watching season 4 of Ozark, too. Jim and I done with the first half (wow) and now will wait with the rest of you for the second half this summer or whenever.

Not to think fun thoughts so I don't have nightmares about it during my 8 full hours of sleep! I look forward to returning to that!

Shakin' Things Up

Just like Wal-Mart wasted no time switching up from Valentine's Day merch to Easter (and those darn good peanut eggs), Mickey D's followed suit. Thankfully, they didn't skip past St. Patty's Day.

It just happened that Carter had errands to run in to town during his lunch hour. So he did the right thing at McDonald's and ordered a small Shamrock Shake for his mama. Yep. I may have the best son ever. Just sayin'.

Will that be my ONE for the season? We'll see. It was a small after all.

I did my best to work it off after work. We'll also see if that worked! I came home and sorted through pictures from last night's girls games against Manawa. Both JV and varsity dominated. Then I decided to watch some Olympics and never made it to the boys game tonight. But they won. By a lot. Yay! 

So not to shake things up too much, I'll probably head back to my recliner per usual and catch some "live" women's figure skating. Since it's not for the medal tonight, I will also not shake up my bedtime either! 

Shake me if I become too predictable!

Oh, 600!

Would you rather wake up at 0-600 hours every day or wake up and work at home for oh, 600 days? 

Uff da. You know which one I'm living! Yup, 600 days ago was my first in the home office.

600 days and I'm still using 4 empty Cricut cartridge boxes to prop up my laptop and just the right height. And thank goodness at least 575 of those days was in a new (back then) office chair and using a second monitor, full-size keyboard, and mouse. Made it so much easier to adjust and endure!

Oh, 600! On the plus side, that's about 1,000 cups of tasty flavored coffee. But 600 days also means I've been in about 1,000 virtual meetings from Zoom (back when this started) to Microsoft Teams. And my eyesight has gone to Hell in a handbasket. Along with my average of 10,000 steps a day. And my ability to wear pants.

Just kidding on that last one. Had to see if you were paying attention.

The current back-to-office plan might put me out these 4 walls by year-end. We'll see how the plethora of unknowns line up for my company. Well, and the world. 

A friend asked me today, "Will you have anything to wear?" Obviously my state of dress – hole-y jeans and a hoodie – didn't spark thoughts of a corporate marketer.

I said I'd pretty much have to wash everything in my closet since 98.3% of it has just been hanging or sitting there for about 86 weeks, gathering dust. 

So there's plenty to do before my return to the real world. Including getting a lot more steps if I want to fit into my dusty clothes! We've got this, my fellow WFHers.

Deer-Rive-Er's Education

Contrary to popular purple belief, there is one green-and-yellow thing we have a fondness for here on Blue Jay Drive. Our new John Deere riding lawn mower.

I say "new" as in new this mowing season. We had a shed delivered in December and got the rider to go in it this spring. And oh yes, this Owner's Edition hat comes with it. Since then, hubby – who holds the one-and-only key to the shed – has been the only one allowed to operate it. He's the only one who can access it after all. Plus...

His shed. His rider. His rules

He deserves to relax while mowing. Even though we've both done our share with the push mower in the past 20 years. He's older. Ha. And I usually did it for the sun and steps anyway.

Tonight, after eating fish fries at the in-laws, we mowed. I pushed around the close edges of the house and shrubs and stuff while Jim rode. He had one more section left when he whistled me over and said I could drive.

Well yee-haw!

I got scared off as soon as he mentioned a clutch. I'm an automatic kind of driver. Thankfully I shouldn't have to use the clutch once I'm started. I kind of got the hang of and it remembered 4 out of 5 instructions to shut it down.

Jim texted me a lovely photo of me and my John Deere green. As you can see, I am not wearing the hat. I don't know where he hides it. Probably the same place he keeps the shed key. And I don't really need either one!

Ride on, friends!

Circle of Pandemic Life

For some of us, it turns out the circle in the Circle of Life during a pandemic is actually what shape our bodies become. The Quarantine 15 is a real thing. And I've got it.

Since this fun began a year ago, our church has been closed for worship. Instead we've had our services online through Facebook Live and YouTube or on TV through public access. The only one's present at services are the pastor, her husband, the organist, any guest singers, the reader, and the sound booth people. Today I was the reader so I got to go in person.

It was nice to be back! 

The first struggle after having to set an alarm was finding finding something "grown-up" to wear. I think I've only had to wear "real life" clothes a handful times in the 381 days I've been home-ish. All I can tell you is something is wrong with my closet. It shrunk my clothes!

I squeezed into something and found out later that I was on-camera after all, just the scripture words were on screen with my voice.

Next time I won't waste my time curling my hair. Ha. But I did realize with my tight clothes and my double chin that this would be my last post-church latte treat for a while. 

I took a walk around the lake to get some steps in (while hubby golfed outside actually). Still am going to have to figure out something to prevent this Quarantine 15 from sliding up to 20 or worse! Any ideas? Please don't tell me it's something hard like eating right and exercising!