Polar Vortex 01-11-2024

 Can someone tell me why I live in the frozen tundra?  You'd think I'd have gotten smarter in my advanced years.   But no, here I am, piling on the layers, eating soup and strategizing on running my errands in one day so I can hibernate for three (of my four days off).  

I took Friday off so I could get a jump start on the weekend.  I have a couple of tasks that I absolutely want to accomplish: 1) purge items from my closets (yes, I have two), 2) clean and organize my office.  

I suffer from S.A.D and the month of January is usually when my seasonal depression gets away from me.  From past experiences, I know that keeping busy and active will help create a diversion in my mental state.   With the addition of teaching fitness classes at the gym, and being Blaine's primary transportation during the winter months, I'm holding it bay (so far).  I feel good. I'm focused and motivated; dare I say - thriving. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself!)

2024

I try to live each day as a new beginning and don't wait for the new year to change things. I don't make resolutions for drastic changes.  I hold firm with the belief that we should make each day better than the day before.  That said, there is always room for improvement in any aspect of life.  We are, after all, a work in progress, right? 

The holidays were pretty great.  Tom and I hosted my sister and her family on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day, we hosted our nephew Robert, his daughters and their mother.  New Years Eve was another family gathering with Robert.  We ate, drank, laughed and genuinely enjoyed our time together.  That's what it's about; celebrating and being with family.  

What have I been up to?  Work, gym, home. Pretty boring.  But you know what?  The older I get, that is absolutely the way I want it.  I have no desire for drama or trauma in my life.  I like being in my cozy warm home watching a movie, reading a book or enjoying a glass of wine.  I was just telling someone the other day that normally January is a tough month for me with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  But this year I seem to be doing well and optimistic that I will continue to do so.  I've been doing a lot of meditation, journaling and am aware when my mood tanks. Also, the combination of upping my vitamin D and daily exercise helps tremendously. 

The picture below is of Tom and I in West Virginia.   Robert, Tom and I went to visit Tom's brother (and Robert's father), Doug.  It's one or the rare pictures that Tom is actually smiling. Definitely worth sharing!

Happy New Year!  May it be one filled with good health, love, family and friends.!

Today's the first day of Autumn.  Wasn't it just July?  Seriously though, as much as I love summer, I do love
the beauty of fall.  The shift in season is welcomed; the cooler temps and early nights give me permission to downshift a bit.  I'm always aware of my S.A.D but know my triggers and how to do self care.

Today is a self care day.  I had every intention of going to the gym but my mind and body said No.  I unexpectedly lost one of my best friends last week. She was an amazing lady; her heart was pure gold.  She put everyone's needs before her own.  I miss her deeply and I'm trying to navigate through the days, weeks, months ahead.  

Today is a gloomy, rainy day; I'm giving myself permission to sit in my emotions, thoughts and memories. 

July is upon us;where has the time gone? I'm a glass half full type of person. I'm preferring to focus on cramming as much life as I can in to the remaining months.

I started my weekend on Wednesday night.  The Stutsman County Fair opened with Johnny Holm.  Of course I had to take Blaine on our annual Fair date.  This year we had a few tag alongs (hubby and Blaines best friend, Tyler). 

Thursday by hosting the DOCR Crisis Incident Response Team for a potluck picnic.  I've been the Chair if the team for a year and feel Im settling in to the role nicely. The work we do is crucial to staff experiencing trauma after responding to incidences in the prisons.  Lately there have been far too many incidences, ie fights and staff assaults. The staff assaults are so tough on responding staff but also staff who cannot respond and have to hear it play out on the radio. We talk staff through their trauma and guide them to further services if needed. I'm proud of the team and the work we do.

My friend Georgia is out of town as her mother passed.  I always check in on her cat. Zoey.  Well, Fridays checkin resulted in a trip to the veterinarian and medication and Zoey coming to stay at our house so I can keep an eye on her.  It's been awhile since we've had a house pet so it's been a bit of a change for us.  She's settling in though and I even assisted her with a video call to her human! Lol

My best friend, Rick, had rideo tickets for Tom and I so off we went on Friday.  It was a beautiful evening! When we were ranching, we were a sponsor. 

Saturday was a quiet day and today has been as well.  Other than harvesting rhubarb and making rhubarb crisp and giving all my flowers a midsummer trim, I really haven't done much.

I wasn't smart enough to take tomorrow off; I'll be one of the lucky few that will work Monday.  Tuesday is July 4th aka Independence Day of America 🇺🇸. We'll be celebrating with a shrimp boil in the backyard with nephew Robert and his family and possibly going to the stockcar races and maybe the fireworks afterward. Happy Birthday, America!!