Busy Day

I've been going non-stop since 830 am.  It's 6pm now.  I'm tired.

Yesterday I had two yoga classes then picked up an ICAP dog and visited Chris K.  He's had so many health issues and is having a difficult time.  Bringing a dog was meant to cheer him up...and it did.  But what ended up happening was him listening to me vent.  He just listened.  No advice, no judgement. .just an ear.  I'm going to make it a point to visit him more often and bring a dog with. 

Today I was up early cleaning and doing laundry.   Then I tackled getting rid of stuff from the basement.   Four boxes ready to go to goodwill.  And there's plenty more.

I even went for a bike ride at the Pipestem.  It was brisk, but the north Ridge trail is what I needed to clear the mind and burn off some steam. 

So...I'm going to eat, take a bath, drink some wine and relax the rest of the night.  Maybe.

Post Thanksgiving

I'm tired, I'm bloated from too much salt, I drank my weight in wine..but it was great.

This was the first Thanksgiving in 25 years that I hadn't cook for the Schutt family.  With Ella gone and Bill in NM, there really isn't anyone to cook for.

My sister Peg invited us to join the Beckman-Weatherly feast at her house.  At first I wasn't sure about crashing her table.  But I knew sitting at home would make me sad. So we accepted.

The food was delicious, the conversation was witty, wine flowed like a river and we felt welcomed.

And you know what?  It felt just like the Thanksgivings we used to have at home at the (Schulz) farm.  It brought back memories. I have to admit, I excused myself to go outside on the pretense of having a hot flash...but really needed to shed some emotional tears.  I missed Ella and the Schutts...but Mom and Dad too.  Today would've been their 75th wedding anniversary.  

So it was a good Thanksgiving.  Thank you, Peggy and Karen for inviting us.  You made a sad day one of remembrance.

Tired

I'm tired and the weather isn't helping much.  The gale force winds are crazy and exhausting.  I always try and look for a positive in everything,  so I guess the positive is that the temperature is above zero and we don't have snow on the ground.

I am looking forward to the weekend already.  Stress load has been high this week and I need a little recovery time.  Other than yoga Saturday morning, I have nothing planned.

I ran in to my friend Chris Kodiak  (double amputee) yesterday at the grocery store.  He's a prime example of why a person needs to take care of their health...diet, exercise, pay attention to health concerns, etc.  He asked about the service dogs we train.  As he was doing so, you could see the longing in his eyes.  Depending how my weekend plays out, I may pick up an ICAP dog from the prison and go visit him in his apartment.   It'll give him time with a dog, company and help get his mind off of his worries.  Plus, it'll give me time with a dog  (I miss that) and will help me de-stress also.  Anytime with a dog is good time. 

I can make it one more day.

Rain

My mood matches the weather today. ..dark and gloomy.  I haven't slept more than 4 hours each night for the last two nights.  I'm tired and just a little on edge. 

The only bright spot is that I get some artificial sun today and I get to work out with my trainer tonight.  He's pretty good about reading my mood, so hopefully he'll be able to help me work out some of my frustration and anxiety.

What Weekend?!

Today was my half day at work.  I left work and headed to my first yoga class of Seniors at The Legacy Cneter.  We worked on balance today.  The whole time they were saying it was going to be easy, they were sweating it out.  Balance isnt as easy as it looks.  I keep telling them that as we age, the most important thing for us is to keep mobile and stable.  Maybe they'll understand this winter when they slip on the ice and stay upright rather than fall and break something.

My second group was at the Heritage Center.  My numbers there are dwindling.  Several that have been with me through the last three years have died or are too injured to make it to class.  Those that do attend are my faithful followers.  They keep asking me when I'll be back.  I've contemplated stopping going there but I know they look forward to it and so do I.  In truth, it's a stark reminder to me to stay active and not to become sedentary.  Use it or lose it.

Since I didn't get much sleep last night, I need to make sur that I try and hit bed early so that I have a ghost of a chance to get some sleep before I wake up at 3 am (normal waking time).

Tomorrow is one busy day.  I start at 8:30 with my Wakeup yoga, then head to Anytime Fitness at 10:15 for a class there.   Tomorrow I am part of the Women's Expo being held at the Quality Inn and Suites as part of the Anytime Fitness brigade.  My trainer and I are actually doing a breakout session at 12:30 pm.  At 2:00 pm I head to a baby shower for my neighbors son & daughter-in-law.   A little small talk with neighbors, some cake, then off to the Girl Scout Leader's.  They're paying me to give a half hour presentation to their group of 16 scout leaders.  With luck, I'll be done around 6 pm. 

Sunday I'll be headed to the reservoir to set up for the Special Olympics North Dakota Polar Plunge.  It's been a while since we've had one in Jamestown - especially one in open water.  I'm nervous about whether we will pull this off.  We've had very little time - a month? - to organize this.  It will be  !interesting and fun and, as always, I'll do whatever it takes to make the event as successful as it can be. 

So there you have it.  My weekend is beginning and already I'm exhausted.

Guess what..... it's the way I like it.  :). 

Simple Saturday

Woke up today feeling Ok.   Headed to town for a coffee and then my yoga class.  It was supposed to be a gentle, relaxing class but somehow it ended up more of a power class.  I had one guest from another town attending with her sister.  As she was leaving, she stated to me, "that was a great class, thank you."  Small words but it made me feel good.   

I headed up to Anytime Fitness for my class there.  Small group of three, but it was good.  Less movement but still good.

Now, the best part of my day - I got to spend a couple hours with my stylist Eva.  I feel human again after receiving a cut, color and manicure.  She and I have a good friendship as well as a customer/client relationship.  A couple of weeks ago we unloaded with each other, vented and cried.  We were both emotional I guess.   I've been going to her for 12 (?) years now.   When you find someone that you're that comfortable with, you don't lose them.

I called my friend Donna and we met up at Anytime Fitness for a half-hour workout.  She's getting started and I couldn't be more proud of her.  I know how hard it is to make that first step.  I've told her that she's already doing great by just showing up.  I'll try to do my best to encourage her and help her when asked, but I can't make her walk through the door - that, she has to do all on her own.

Tonight we're going to Marasalek's for post hunting supper.   We've been doing that for years.  It's their way of saying "thank you" for letting their family hunt our land.  I'm bringing dessert.  I made scotcheroos....first time ever.  Of course, they didn't turn out for crap.  But at least the epic fail tastes good, just didn't stick together.   

Tomorrow it's ALL about getting out on the bike and hitting the trails around the the reservoir and town.  I don't dare ride out in the country or around the pipestem due to hunting season.   Event wearing bright pink or orange doesn't make me feel safe.   

Hopefully I'll get some great time in on my two-wheeled steed.  It's needed...not only for body, but my mind as well.

Some Days

Some days are better than others.  Today wasn't a good day at all.

I woke up and, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't turn myself around.

Until I went to the gym.  I was able to work out some frustration with the help of Nick...the other man in my life.

He didn't crack a smile when he said, "let's go!".

Yessssir!

So here I am, drinking some wine after just having a hot bath to sooth sore muscles.

I'm not going to worry about tomorrow. .because I'm confident I'll be in a better frame of mind. Know why? Because I have people in my life who truly love me and will make sure I'm ok.

What to Write About

I find myself in my recliner this evening.  I'm tired, my mind is blurred with thought, yet I do not know what to write about.   This is when I start to ramble and hope that it all makes sense.

Friday was the start of my 5th annual yoga retreat.  True to form, I had a list of preparations, including packing clothes, buying groceries and wine (a necessity) and washing the rig.  A true procrastinating perfectionist, I didn't even attempt any of these things until Friday morning.  But first I went to a volleyball game.  My college friend, Jody, was in town to see her daughter play volleyball at the U of J.   I hurriedly rearranged my timeline so that I could attend the volleyball game and catch up with Jody.   We are getting reacquainted after many, many years of not having a lot of communication with each other.  Although we aren't as close as we once were, it's still good to see her.  She introduced me to her son, Aaron (14), as her "forever friend."   I like that and I guess that is an adequate statement.  She and I tend to drift in and out of each others life for some unknown reason.  And just as quickly as we reconnect, we drift apart again.  It used to bother me a great deal.  But l have come to understand this ebb and flow of life and do not question it.  

Later, as I was cruising the grocery store aisles, I ran in to a high school classmate, Rowena (Berg) Monson.  Although we are friends on Facebook, this is the first time I've seen her in the flesh in ten years (if not more).   We chatted like we'd seen each other yesterday.   It was great to see her and hear everything that has been going on in her life   She's quite the talker and covered a lot of ground in a matter of minutes.

I left the grocery store and headed right out to the English Manor Cabin at Lakeview Meadow Resort.  My yoga retreat people were going to show up around 5 pm and I had a lot to do.   Every year I say "this is my last retreat" - namely because it's a lot of work for me both mentally and physically.   But, as in years past, I left this retreat with the anticipation to next years retreat.   However, once the retreat honeymoon euphoria subsides, I'm sure I'll be giving some serious thought as to whether I want to do this again next year.  

My students are the greatest.  Through their witty conversations with each other and me, several ideas for marketing and special events were shared with me.  They were great ideas and well worth investigating.  I'm already working on a Wine and Yoga event for January at The Arts Center.   I'll need to be finalizing the details so marketing of the event can start.   

Daylight Saving time started last night also.  I am, without a doubt, not a fan of this event.  It's 6pm and pitch black.   This is the time of year where I start feeling the affects of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  If you're a blog stalker, you know that last winter was difficult for me. To be fair, it wasn't all S.A.D that had me tanking.  However,  I have managed to climb out of the (emotional) basement without the aid of antidepressants.  I believe I'll be stronger this winter.  (I hope).

So, here I am, sitting in my recliner, sipping Apothic Dark, recapping the events of my weekend.  The memories made this weekend will forever be etched in my memory bank.