#DeathByFun

One of Spouse's dearest friends, Reverend Al, goes on jags of time he titles "Death By Fun", which generally involve a LOT of activities crammed into a short amount of time, with little sleep in-between. I feel that is a great definition of what the last few weeks have been, and this weekend was no exception. 

I was celebrating a milestone of a high school reunion. Twenty-five years. Ouch. 

First Quarter Review

March was indeed fairly awesome - especially when compared to January and February. I thought this would be a good juncture to check-in with my 2014 Intentions and see how I'm doing!

The following are updates on my daily fitness goals, which are to have at least 5 flights of steps logged, at least one mile walked/run for exercise, and at least 8 sessions with personal trainer & friends (or at least 8 sessions at the gym). 

January

• 1 day of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps
• 66.5 miles walked/run for exercise (my unoffical 5k was a walk I took with my friend, Sydney, around Occom Pond in Hanover, NH). 
• 4 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies

February

• 8 days of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps (but then I also had an ear infection + cold + flu for part of the month)
• 60.5 miles walked/run for exercise
• 2 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies (see excuse for flights of steps missing)
• Spouse & I were signed up for a 5k in February, but I overslept and we literally missed it by minutes. Still got our packets though and walked that day on our own. 

March

• 2 days of not reaching goal of 5 flights of steps
• 78.87 miles walked/run for exercise (19.75 were during the time period for the Luck of the Irish Run)
• 8 sessions with my personal trainer & buddies (although 2 were 30-minute solo sessions)

Below are the intentions I set up for myself at the beginning of 2014, with notes on progress made. I asked Spouse to grade my burrito making so far. 

Could be doing worse, could be doing better. I'll be honest: January and February took the wind outta my sails. I am just starting to feel less meh, and interested to be goal-oriented with these goals. 

I also know I'll be seeing Granny (and a lot of my mom's family) in a few weeks. Also be seeing Spouse's dad's family in June (which wasn't on the original list) + getting to see my NH Lovelies again in June, although this time we are meeting up in NYC (which also means, I'll get to see my groovy friend, Yessica, and possibly some other NYC area friends!!!!). 

It's also a good reflection to be gentle with myself, and realize that it's not complete slacking that's involved, and also to note that I am making progress in areas. Reminder: it was never my intention to say I WILL DO ALL OF THESE THINGS! More of a, here is what I'd like to accomplish....

There's always room for improvement, I always say.

I'll check in again in July and see what progress I may have made since April. Looking forward to it!

Did you set any intentions for 2014? 

Have you taken stock of progress?

Reflecting.

It's that point in the year, when everyone seems to be reflecting on the year that is almost over, and looking ahead to the year that is coming. My Pea-In-A-Pod Friend posed this earlier today, and I have to agree with her (as usual - there is a reason we are peas-in-a-pod after all): 

Truth: I've never understood New Year's celebrations. Out with the old, in with the new! Next year is going to better! Now is the time for change! We can finally hope for something different, something better despite the fact that tomorrow is likely going to be the same agent as today! I don't really *get* it. 

I believe that every sunrise is the opportunity to celebrate the newest new, the freshest fresh start and the cleanest clean slate one can have. And I personally like to celebrate that moment from the comfort of my bed, with my eyes closed. I may need to re-evaluate, but for now, that's the reality of my gratitude. Note to self: be more aware & grateful. Also, get your lazy ass out of bed more/earlier/without fuss. 

And so, here we are: the entire world* celebrating NEW! and POSSIBLE! and CHANGE! and BETTER! this *one* day when perhaps we should actually acknowledge this Every Day. 

But then I think, at least the entire world* celebrates together. And THAT, my dear, is truly a miracle. For today, the human race is largely in harmony. AROUND THE GLOBE, people are engaging in local traditions to celebrate the very same thing. Synchronicity. Commonality. Shared humanness-ity. When I think about *that*, it's actually kind of miraculous & beautiful. All the humans rejoicing together, celebrating together, hugging together, hoping together, fireworks at midnighting together ... 

New and Possible and Change and Better: I'll take it. On this and every new day.

Well said, my friend. 

If there was one lesson that I learned from 2013 (and frankly, 2012 too), it's that today is an awesome day, and the perfect day to try anything, especially something new. 

An expensive yogurt batch.

I made a batch of yogurt last night. 

Nothing remarkable about that, really, except that the previous two batches were utter failures, so I felt much relief and joy that *this* batch worked. 

Enter Genius Spouse, who chimed in with, "Sweetie, for your yogurt, do you need consistent temps? Maybe that's the issue, since we turn the furnace down each night". 

Dammit, Beavis. 

He's completely right. I've been wrapping the warmed crock in two thick, nice beach towels, and leaving it to chillax on the kitchen counter, but we like to sleep in a fairly chilly house. Plus even though it's technically not winter until Saturday, it has been winter for a few weeks.

I also suspect my I-have-no-idea-where-I-even-got-it-or-when thermometer may be biting the dust. I was farting around with it while heating the milk on the stove, and it seemed to have differing opinions of temperature at times. I realize I'm imprecise when cooking, but there is a time and place for preciseness. Fermented foods are up there. 

Thank you, Nelson Mandela.

My freshman year of college was remarkable, not just for the obvious reasons of being my first year "on my own", away from my family. I started college in August, 1989, and had no idea of the amazing events that would take place that (academic) year. 

First, in the late fall, the Berlin Wall fell. The symbol of The Cold War, and the ideals that came with it, gone. I remember watching on my 13" tv, in my dorm room, as people came together with sledge hammers and power tools to make it happen, and seeing East Berliners & West Berliners shaking hands and hugging, without guards in-between. It was so amazing to me. 

Giddy with Gratitude.

All of sudden yesterday morning, it hit me. This week is Thanksgiving (and the start of Hanukkah). 

<BAM>

I knew it, clearly, based on the rant from my last post, but the full effect finally reached my soul or whatever. I think it was the snow we've gotten over the last two days. And finalizing the logistics for Thanksgivukkah. And realizing it was a short work week (WOOOOOOOT!). 

But the full effect just hit me and with it, came a really great mood. The kind of mood where doesn't really matter, you just can't wreck it for me. Not only can you not wreck it, I just won't let you. 

<sigh>

Short post with no reason, other to say, I hope you get or stay giddy with gratitude over the next few days. Whether you are celebrating with family by blood, family by choice, pulling the covers up over your head and ignoring the whole lot - be giddy with gratitude as your celebration takes place.

• Say Please. 
• Smile a lot.
• Say Thank You.
• Give big, full-hearted hugs. 
• Sing along to "Over the River and Through The Woods", really loud and off-key. (Bonus points for getting some little kids to join you).
• Share. 
• Hold the door for the person behind you.
• Practice patience. 
• Make eye contact, especially with the harried workers you encounter. 
• Say I love you.
• Be silly. 
• Buy the person next to you a treat - a beer, a cupcake, their lunch, whatever you can manage.
• Listen to your favorite holiday carol or song, then turn it up to 11.
• Go into a locally owned shop you have never been to and just wander around. 
• Give someone a high five. 
• Let another car have *that* spot.
• Listen. Not just with your ears.
• Bring your own shopping bags. 
• Say Thank You (it bears repeating). 

Location applicable: 

• Make a decent sized snowball and smash it into the ground with all the strength you can muster. 
• Clean off the snow-covered car next to you after you've cleared your car. 

I'm not asking you to do everything on the list. Just keep these few ideas in mind, and know that I appreciate you reading my little blog. Thank you. 

I'm giving you a virtual high-five and a silly face. 

post-workout dork face

Be safe on your travels and enjoy the time with your loved ones. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Thanksgivukkah.

Thanksgiving in one of my favorite holidays. The food is delightful, the concept simple yet elegant, and there's no major decorations/presents/buying crap pressure. 

This year we get the special addition of the first night of Hanukkah, so that November 28 becomes the Super Holiday of Thanksgivukkah. 

You had me at latkes, thanks.

Add in the rest of the winter holidays: Saturnalia, Solstice, Christmas, Festivus (you know for the rest of us), Kwanzaa, Hogmanay/New Year's Eve, New Year's and with all of them falling within 35 days of each other, and it is the express lane of holidays. Pretty interesting.