Boxing - I miss the exercise

 Now that we're already one month into the new year, like everyone else I know, I need to start exercising.  I don't mean exercise more, I mean exercise period.  Except for walking the halls at work, I don't really get much else in.  And it's not like I cannot make the time.  I simply don't do it.  That really needs to change.  Even though I walk a lot during the day, I desperately need to improve my cardio.

I guess it was about 10 or 12 years ago that I started going to a boxing/mma gym here in town.  I had been going to one that was pretty far away, but overall it was not satisfactory or cost effective.  This one in town, called Octagon, is great.  David and Kimberly, who run it, are great people and wonderful trainers.  I can't say enough about them, truly.  

Boxing is great exercise.  I know, I know.  People think that its' brutal and yes, it can be.  But, if you're doing it for exercise only it's great.  Most people don't know how much technique goes into boxing.  There was so much for me to learn because I was basically starting from the ground up.  But the workouts are incredible and involve almost every muscle in my body.

I've got lots of boxing equipment and gear.  But, like most things we have around here, they just sit unused.  With all of the exercise equipment and cleaning products we have, we should be the fittest guys with a sparkling clean house.  Ah, well.  Maybe one day LOL  But, I digress.  I really do need to get out into that garage and work on the heavy bag.  It's an amazing stress release and good for my body.  It's simply a matter of making the time.

I'd love to go back to the gym one day and train again. It was fun and, like I said, amazing workouts.  Hopefully one day.  Maybe this year, who knows!  That is all.

I Think It's Going To Rain Today - Nina Simone

 I discovered this song by Randy Newman when Bette Midler sang it for Beaches in 1988.  I was actually listening to the soundtrack this morning when I looked up the song.  That's when I ran across this version by the great Nina Simone.  There's just something so completely soulful about her voice that adds such depth to the song.  I love it and hope you enjoy it as well!

The After Dinner Coffee Cups

As I sat here at the computer trying to think of something to blog about today, I decided I wanted to write about something that was easy.  And by that I mean something that's just simple.  Every where we turn these days it seems to be drama and tragedy.  It's enough to drive me crazy.  Or crazier depending on how you see me LOL  And I just happen to look up at the bookcase portion of my desk.  I use Grandmother's secretary as my desk.  And there in the bookcase is her collection of after dinner coffee cups.  They are also called demitasse cups.

I have loved these cups and saucers since I was a child.  I played with them a lot as a small child and know I broke several.  But Grandmother never got upset with me about it and continued to let me play with them.  Over the years, the number of them have diminished.  I think some of the other family probably have some as well.  But I do cherish them and would love to add to this collection.

Demitasse is French for "half cup" which is exactly what these are.  They are half the size of a standard coffee cup.  That is the kind of coffee cup you would get with a set of dishes and not necessarily the size of a cup you'd get at a coffee house LOL.  They tend to hold 2 to 3 ounces only.  One thing I didn't know was that demitasse was not a drink itself, but only the name of the cup.  You can serve coffee...normally something strong...or espresso in them.  

I never knew Grandmother to use them other than for display.  But I still love them and glad that I can look at them everyday and think of her.

That is all.

Escapades in Adulting - changing my grocery shopping habits...just a little

 When I am trying to stick to my budget...whatever exactly that is LOL...one of the areas that I have to be extremely careful about is grocery shopping.  I love going to the grocery store.  I get that from Mom.  She loved it and I tagged along with her all the time.  She taught me how to shop for food, no doubt.  I may not enjoy the drive to the grocery store.  I may not enjoy the parking lot if it's hard to get in and out of.  But once I'm in the store, I have a great time.  It relaxes me.  Strange, I know.  

Anyway, I am so bad about impulse buying at the grocery store, especially if I go shopping without having had breakfast.  I tend to do my shopping as soon as the store opens, so breakfast is the closest meal to that.  I don't eat it often anyway, but shopping on an empty stomach is never a good idea.  Hmmmm.  Something I need to work on this year.  But I digress.  I am trying to change up how I grocery shop.  Not the physical act of going to the store, though there is nothing wrong with ordering online as many people do right now because of the pandemic, but having a set game plan when I go in.  So far, so good.  I don't buy nearly as much as I use to do.  And I also don't overspend like I use to as well.  Win win!

Also, not bulk shopping or panic shopping means more frequent trips to the grocery store, which as I said before I do enjoy.  Another win for me!  So, when I go in now I have a definite list that I stick to.  Or at least do my best to stick to.  Before I go in, though, I do give myself a few "ok to buy this if it's there" ideas.  For example, if there are some good prices on meat, I will definitely pick that up.  Food Lion has some fantastic sales on meats if you can find them.  Or if I decide that I want to make a salad, I'll pick all of that up.  Or if there's a great sale on frozen vegetables.  You get the idea.  But other than that I will stick to my list.  And more often than not these days, I will end up with less than 12 items and I can go through the express lane.  I don't ever use the self check out but that's another story for another time.

Still, I love going to the grocery store.  Coupons, sales, it's all good to me.  And it helps me to plan meals out a little further, which is something I haven't been great at before but am realizing exactly how much it cuts down on waste...food and money wise.  I love that one of these little tasks of adult life can bring me such pleasure.  Now, I need to finish my coffee and start my next grocery list.  

That is all.

Quote from Maya Angelou

 While I am searching for some changes in life, I found these words to be quite inspiring.  Now, it is time to act upon them.  That is all.

Daily challenge update 1-25

 Now that we're at the beginning of the year again....I mean, where does the time go these days....I'm back to focusing on some of those challenges that I gave to myself last year and need to continue to work on and build upon.  This week, I am revisiting my challenges to drink more water and to take more pride in my appearance.

Yesterday, I managed to meet my water goal and it really was not that hard.  I realize that it's only 64 ounces a day, but you have to start somewhere!  Other than having my morning coffee, which averages to about 2 cups these days....much better than the pot I use to drink each day LOL....I decided that I would not allow myself to drink anything else until I met my water goal.  It worked out pretty well but it can be challenging at work because I have soft drinks available to me at no cost.  Still, I did it and did feel better about things.  Let us hope that today continues that journey.

I also felt I looked more presentable and professional at work.  I just had a neater appearance than I've had for the past few weeks.  For one, it makes me feel better about myself.  But it also makes other people notice me and pay more attention.  I've always heard that you should dress for the job that you want, so that's what I'm doing.  I don't exactly know what that job is but I know it's better than what I have now (that's not a judgment on my position it's a statement about my career path).  And I did feel better at the day's end so there is another trend I hope will continue.

Once I get a better handle on these two, I will look for something else to challenge myself each day.  Until then, have a wonderful Tuesday!

That is all

A prayer for inner strength

 As I search for strength and guidance these days, I came across this little prayer that seems to fit what I'm wanting to say.  I hope you find some inspiration in it as well.  That is all.

Exploring options

 It's Tuesday morning.  I'm sitting here having my coffee and listening to an old time radio show.  I am not procrastinating getting ready for work, I'm simply not motivated yet.  While I am definitely not looking forward to driving on the winter weather covered streets, that is not really the issue.  I am just not in any rush to get there.  I do not feel I will gain anything by going into work today.  Yes, there is the literal in that I will gain hours, thus getting paid.  But I'm talking about career wise.  I feel like I'm in some kind of a slump.  What was once a career path is now just a job.  At least, in my mind.  And I don't like that feeling because, believe it or not, I give a lot of myself when I work.  And right now, I don't feel like I'm getting that returned to me.

Basically, I have realized that I have gone as far as I can go where I'm working right now.  That is, based on my experience level and my education level.  I don't want to go down the ladder, but I don't have any of the requirements to go up the ladder.  So, I'm beginning to explore my options as to what path to start down now.  I am looking at going back to school.  Of course, that could get me better work options but it could also cost me a lot of money, so I need to do research on grants and scholarships for people my age.  And should I look at something online so that I can continue to work?  These are all factors to consider.

This all really started going through my head when our HR director sent a company wide email about a job opening.  It is for a management position that, one day, I would love to have but right now I am nowhere near qualified for it.  And based on their requirements, I won't ever qualify because I don't have any kind of nursing degree.  But I got very upset over it because I don't understand the thought process of it being sent to us all.  About 95% of the people that job opening was sent to are not qualified for it, so why send it?  We don't get announcements when we need waitstaff or housekeepers?  So why this?  Am I suppose to forward it on to someone who is qualified and possibly get my $100 referral bonus?  No thank you.

It just really bothered me because it's something I would absolutely love to do and can't.  So, it's time to get myself out there and find ways to become qualified for something similar.  And I want to find something in the meantime that I enjoy.  Honestly, I don't want to be a secretary for this company the rest of my life and that's pretty much what I am.  There's nothing wrong with the job, it's just not my lifetime commitment and if I want to do something else, it's time to start looking.

Ah, well.  I need to finish up my coffee and start my getting ready for work proceedings.  It'll all be fine and turn out well, it's just what is on my mind this morning.

That is all!

Snow days

One of the things that winter weather inevitably brings for me is memories of snow days from childhood.  As a child I never realized how much interruption snow days caused.  I suppose that is true for most kids.  Part of being a child, no doubt.  It was usually about getting a day or two off of school, which was always welcomed.  As I was sitting watching the news this morning and the closings were being shown across the bottom of the screen, I realized that kids today don't have that anxiety of having to wait for the next closing to pop up to see if they have school or not.  With today's technology and social media, it's far easier for schools to announce closings than it was in my day.  We had to sit there as closings were listed alphabetically.  You couldn't change the channel.  You couldn't walk away from the tv or you might miss it.  Heck, you could blink and miss it and then you'd have to wait for all of the names to cycle through again.  It was so frustrating.  But, in hindsight, that was part of the fun of snow days.

These days, I spend my snow days inside.  I have no desire to be out in the cold unless I'm taking Squirt out and that is maybe once a day when it snows.  He really has to go if he goes out in this weather LOL I enjoy the comforts of being inside and watching the snow fall from my living room window.  I put on some music and have my coffee.  In my mind, I imagine that I am with my parents and my grandmother, as I was as a child.  That was an incredibly secure feeling.  I look back on those times and realize how good my parents were at making sure we had everything we needed.  I don't ever remember panic shopping during impending weather.  We always had a well stocked kitchen.  Now, maybe Mom shopped while we were at school and I just didn't know it.  But I never worried.  If the power went out, we had a working fireplace that was wonderful.  I miss that.  

My thoughts on snow days have changed now that I miss work on account of them.  The way I enjoy snow days has changed in that I sit back and take it all in.  But my memories of snow days will never change.  

That is all.

Recipe of the Day - Shrimp and Tomato Linguine

 I found this recipe in the Southern Living Ultimate Quick & Easy Cookbook.  And it turned out to be pretty easy and very flavorful.  I will definitely keep this one in my canon of recipes.  Enjoy!

Shrimp and Tomato Linguine

1 lb linguine*

1 lb uncooked shrimp

1 can of diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic**

8 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms***

1 small can of sliced black olives

2 green onions, sliced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup dry white wine

salt and pepper

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook the pasta according to directions.  Combine tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, green onions, wine, olive oil and salt and pepper in a pot.  Bring to a boil and add your shrimp.  Turn the heat down and simmer 3 to 5 minutes until the shrimp are cooked.  Serve over pasta and top with grated parmesan.  

Enjoy!

*The original recipe called for fettuccine but I used linguine

**I had a can of regular diced tomatoes that I used and simply added the other spices and it worked fine

***I used a jar of sliced mushrooms and it worked great

Winter weather coming

 The anticipation of winter weather is so different as an adult than when I was a child.  Growing up, snow usually meant there'd be no school.  I didn't worry about going to the grocery store.  I didn't worry about the power going out.  I didn't worry about trying to get to work.  I miss that carefree and excited feeling that came with the possibility of snowflakes falling from the sky.  Now, not so much.  It stresses me out and I'd much rather be in a tropical climate.

Don't get me wrong, I think snow is beautiful....when it's just that, snow.  But when you add ice and rain and sleet to the mix, it's just an awful mess.  It's almost never that beautiful scene you see in movies when it snows.  It always makes me laugh watching White Christmas when it begins to snow in that they open the doors and there's already a family out in a horse pulled sleigh.  It'd only been snowing a few moments and yet there it is.  Of course, that's not the point in the movie, but it still makes me laugh.

And why does snow always come at a time when I actually need to go to the grocery store?  Never fails.  I'll be making several trips over the next few days because, no doubt, I won't find all that I need at one store.  That's ok, but I don't understand why people panic buy.  If your power goes out, it's all going to spoil.  Yes, I realize that your family could be inside for days and you need to be prepared, but ease up on buying every little thing in sight.  I was going to go yesterday after my periodontist appointment.  It was about 2:45 and the parking lot was absolutely jam packed.  I just drove through and went home.  I'll go early in the morning.

And now, with virtual learning such a normal part of people's lives due to the pandemic, snow days probably aren't even a thing.  Makes me feel bad for students and teachers having to focus on school on days like that.  Ultimately, it should be a time for fun and memories but now will be filled with grammar and algebra.  Ah, well.  The convenience of technology?  I work in senior living and we don't shut down because of the weather.  So, no doubt there will be the beginnings of plans put in place today for what may happen this weekend.  Can't wait.

I just hope that this will not be bad.  Hopefully like our last snow that just covered the trees and the grass and left the streets clear.  One can hope!  That is all.

Putting Christmas Away

 

Now that the holiday trio of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany are over and done with for another season, it's time to put the decorations away.  I don't every really look forward to taking down Christmas, but I don't exactly dread it either.  I love my Christmas decorations and putting them away affords me another chance to be nostalgic and walk down memory lane.

This morning, I started taking the trees down.  I'm in now rush.  For one, as I just stated, I enjoy looking at everything and revisiting those memories. But also, practically, our bulk trash will not get picked up for another week and a half, so the tree will just sit out at the curb for awhile.  No need to exhaust myself on it.  This year, we did two trees:  a live one and an artificial one.  It worked out well because the live one was quite thick and dense and did not have as much space for ornaments as we normally have.  So, we put the other tree up in the office and I got to enjoy that one every day as well.

Every year as I'm putting away Christmas, I have the same thought....I should really organize all of this as I'm putting it away.  Put like things together.  Label the boxes better.  Write is all down.  I never do it though.  I convince myself that it's a project for warmer weather because I can do it out in the garage...also something that never happens.  But, at least I aspire to it every year LOL  Who knows?  maybe it will be different this year because when I started decorating this season, I couldn't find half of my things and got frustrated.  Ah, well.

Most of what I put out this year is down now and packed away.  There were new memories made that are now tucked away in my heart.  And, I did pick myself up a few new Christmas items just because I wanted to add to my collection and they were things that I really liked.  And Michael got me another piece of my Nativity set for my birthday, which I absolutely love.  So, all in all, the decorations were good this year.

So, until next season when I do it all over again, Christmas decorations have basically come to an end again.  I enjoyed having them out and I have enjoyed packing them up.  Strange, isn't it?  But there's something satisfying about wrapping these once a year treasures up and knowing that it won't be all that long before they're out again.  Gives me something to look forward to!

That is all

Thought for the day - feeling at peace

 I slept so well last night.  I went to bed relatively early...around 9 p.m....and didn't get up until almost 7 this morning.  And pretty much the only reason I got out of bed was because it was time for Squirt to get up.  He always lets me know when he's ready to get out of bed and go get in his basket so he can continue sleeping LOL

Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I woke up with a wonderful feeling of peace.  I'm not exactly sure if that's the right word or not but that's the one I'm starting with.  I was going to use the word clarity but I really didn't have any specific things to accompany that, so I just went with peace haha!  Yesterday, I feel like I started laying the groundwork with moving forward with life.  As cliche' as that sounds, that's what happened.  And by saying that, I mean I talked through some things about what I want and what I need and that it's ok to be selfish (as I've mentioned in earlier blogs).

I contacted several people that I might be able to use as references.  I am not making any hasty decisions as far as getting a new job, but I am keeping myself open to looking and applying.  And, if I do apply, I will need references.  So, that is something I started doing yesterday and it was, honestly, nice to have people say yes, they would do that for me.  So, I'm definitely going to start shopping around as far as that goes.  It's a scary thing but this is a good time to do it.

I'm looking forward to a new journey, a new path and having this sense of peace continue.

That is all

Thought for the day - Looking Ahead

 And it is Friday, finally.  I cannot say that I am sad to see this week come to an end.  It has been very up and down and, at least for me, those have been on the extreme side.  Yet, I am determined to find the positive and take that with me into the weekend, next week and further down the road.  

Earlier this week, I had an incident at work that totally changed my perspective.  I am not going into the details right now because, frankly, I don't want to.  I will just say that my spirit has been damaged.  Damaged enough that in an instant my goals have changed.  I have been questioning everything that I thought I had learned at work over the past 4 years.  I have become angry again at having a degree which, besides giving me some good friends and connections, is basically only a piece of paper.  The career path I've been working towards at my company does not interest me anymore.  It's been a lot to take in.

I realize that all of this sounds bad.  And, while in many ways it is, it has also opened my eyes to what else is out there.  At least into looking what else is out there in life.  I harken back to the things I wanted in my younger days and they seem so out of my reach now.  And the thing is they shouldn't be.  Yes, I've made mistakes in my journey through life, but I work very hard at whatever I'm doing.  I always have.  And now I have decided that I want to work hard at something that is going to allow me to enjoy life.  Why shouldn't I?  I only get one life and it's time I made the most of it in things that matter to me.  That's what I've got to explore and discover and I have absolutely every intention of doing that.

Anyhow, I've got a lot of thinking and discovering to do.  I am looking forward to what lies ahead.  I need to be selfish in ways that matter to me....not like I've been before.  It's a difference that's hard for me to explain but it makes sense in my head.  Ah, well.

That is all

Maybe God Is Trying To Tell You Something - The Color Purple

 

I wanted to start of my music this year with something that I find uplifting and inspirational.  This scene from The Color Purple is one of my all time favorites and this song moves the spirit in me.  Enjoy!

Heading into 2022 and ready to make some memories!

 

Now that 2021 has come to an end and we have started a new year, it is time to start thinking about what lies ahead for the year.  2021 was a difficult year for many people.  For me, it was hard because we started to get a taste of what life used to be like before the pandemic and then we would have setbacks because of that.  Things would then become more restricted until it was time again to loosen the reins.  It was a cycle that seemed to be happening over and over.  I accepted it because what else could I do.  But it got to be hard watching it happen again and again.

Even with that happening, the end of the year brought some really good times with friends and family.  We spent Thanksgiving with the Abernethy side of the family and got to see some folks we hadn't seen in a few years.  We had our "porch family" Christmas gathering here at the house a few weeks later to exchange gifts and celebrate the holiday. Then we spent Christmas with the Fornes clan out at Topsail Beach and that was a great week.  Very relaxing.

Throughout all of that, I realized that this is what I want.  This is what makes me happy.  Being with the people that I care about and creating these memories that will last my lifetime.  And so I want that to be the focus of the upcoming year.  I want to, carefully and safely, make more memories.  I want to reach out and connect with friends that I haven't seen in a long time, pandemic or none...just life happening.  I want to entertain more. I've always thought that even though actual meals are very important when entertaining, it is the people around the table and not what's on it that is important.  I want more of that.

I want to figure out how to experience life's adventures while navigating through this crazy time.  There definitely is a way to do that and I want to figure out what it is.  That is my main goal for 2022.  Time to create memories not only for myself but for the people I love.

That is all.