If you haven't figured out by now that I am a highly stressed person, well I'll just let you know right now that it's true. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a stress junkie and without it I wouldn't be able to function. At other times I wonder how I am functioning at all. So, what gets me through? Little bits of comfort.
*Morning Star Incense - I especially like the patchouli but I also burn lavender, pine and cedar.
*Dark Chocolate - sneaking a little piece here and there makes me feel divine!
*Music for my Soul - there is too much to list but I listen to Kings of Leon, Eddie Vedder-Pearl Jam & the Decemberists alot.
*Natural Oils - I wear patchouli everyday but just ordered rosemary and CAN NOT wait because I love rubbing fresh rosemary on my skin in the summer!
*My quiet time in the morning watching the news with my coffee, two fried eggs and piece of dry toast.
*And of course the very thing that keeps me alive - red wine.
What gets you through it?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
the young
All weekend long I encountered youth, and it made me smile big.
As I was driving around I saw a young couple in a front yard. The man was taking a picture of the girl standing beside a SOLD sign.
I convinced the other to take me to a music festival. The streets were filled with people of all ages, but what made the biggest impression on me was the young people. They were crazily dressed, some were crazy tipsy and mostly they were crazy happy.
One of my fitness instructors ran in a marathon. I parked on the side of the street watching and waiting to see her go by. I got so excited when I saw her that I jumped out of the car and ran up to her. When she looked up and saw me her face lit up and she thanked me for the support. I ran a little ways and then let her go to the finish where I quickly drove to and parked myself in a good spot to watch. I couldn't help but feel a little choked up as if this were my kid or something. It was raining cats, dogs and for a minute, hail. And it was awesome.
As I was driving around I saw a young couple in a front yard. The man was taking a picture of the girl standing beside a SOLD sign.
I convinced the other to take me to a music festival. The streets were filled with people of all ages, but what made the biggest impression on me was the young people. They were crazily dressed, some were crazy tipsy and mostly they were crazy happy.
One of my fitness instructors ran in a marathon. I parked on the side of the street watching and waiting to see her go by. I got so excited when I saw her that I jumped out of the car and ran up to her. When she looked up and saw me her face lit up and she thanked me for the support. I ran a little ways and then let her go to the finish where I quickly drove to and parked myself in a good spot to watch. I couldn't help but feel a little choked up as if this were my kid or something. It was raining cats, dogs and for a minute, hail. And it was awesome.
Friday, April 29, 2011
here's the drill
I love working out. Going to the gym is part of my weekly routine. There is no bantering of maybe I'll go, maybe I won't. I go. My workout buddies always know that Liz will be there. So, what is my routine?
Monday - Kickboxing
Tuesday - Spin
Wednesday - Kickboxing
Thursday - Step Aerobics
Friday - Off
Saturday or Sunday - Eliptical
In the spring I used to do various organized bicycle rides but kind of got away from doing that. I hope to get back at it soon. During the summer I try to ride my bike to work as much as I can. It's a good 30 minute ride 1-way. I think this summer I'll do that on Fridays!
Monday - Kickboxing
Tuesday - Spin
Wednesday - Kickboxing
Thursday - Step Aerobics
Friday - Off
Saturday or Sunday - Eliptical
In the spring I used to do various organized bicycle rides but kind of got away from doing that. I hope to get back at it soon. During the summer I try to ride my bike to work as much as I can. It's a good 30 minute ride 1-way. I think this summer I'll do that on Fridays!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
letting it go
I have never really been an animal person. In the past I have turned my nose up to those who have 'indoor' animals. I just couldn't take the hair or the smell.
I have a dog, Sprout, who I love dearly. She was given to me by the other a long time ago. Surprisingly, I absolutely love my dog. She is an outdoor dog and she would have it no other way, and neither would I. I do let her in in bad weather because she asks to come in and it would be mean not to. However, she prefers the outdoors.
The oldest asked for a cat for years. An 'indoor' cat. I always stuck to my snobbish ways and said "Hell NO!"
I guess I need to tell you that the oldest suffers from depression. At times it's crippling. So.....I let it go. I let go of my now ridiculous rules on indoor pets and I got her Sheba. This animal literally saved her life. I am completely convinced. And what may sound light-heartedly written on this blog - should not be read as such. This cat who is almost human has brought so much joy and love into our home - it's unbelievable.
So, lesson learned. Let go.
I have a dog, Sprout, who I love dearly. She was given to me by the other a long time ago. Surprisingly, I absolutely love my dog. She is an outdoor dog and she would have it no other way, and neither would I. I do let her in in bad weather because she asks to come in and it would be mean not to. However, she prefers the outdoors.
The oldest asked for a cat for years. An 'indoor' cat. I always stuck to my snobbish ways and said "Hell NO!"
I guess I need to tell you that the oldest suffers from depression. At times it's crippling. So.....I let it go. I let go of my now ridiculous rules on indoor pets and I got her Sheba. This animal literally saved her life. I am completely convinced. And what may sound light-heartedly written on this blog - should not be read as such. This cat who is almost human has brought so much joy and love into our home - it's unbelievable.
So, lesson learned. Let go.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
food FOOD FOOD!!
I started out the biggest damn junk food junkie there ever was. I loved nachos, Taco Bell, canned tamales, McD's fries & chili dogs. Over the years, I became aware of exactly what I was shoving down my throat. Naturally I discovered this awareness after the birth of the three - when I was quite a bit larger than I am now. ahem. In fact at my 10 year highschool reunion, I got voted "Most Changed" with some cackling from my former flame and first love. *sigh*
I began reading anything and everything I could get my hands on about nutrition and exercise. Go ahead, ask me anything, I can probably give you the answer. I lost every bit of that baby weight and was my old, too skinny, highschool self again. Over the years, I gained a little back and recently I lost 31 pounds. I have reached my goal weight and yes I am happy about it. It's things like this that help you to realize you really can do anything you set your mind to. My whole life I was told that once you turn 40, there is absolutely nothing you can do about your weight. Add to that a hysterectomy and you are doomed to hell. Well, I'm 43 and I have proven that wrong. Yay for me!
Currently I am exploring all kinds of foods that are different than what I have known. I don't go for any of those fad diets or ridiculous berry claims. I stick to the basics and believe in eating ALOT less processed foods and of course exercising. I know, boring. It's much more exciting to think there is some magic pill or method to morphing into looking just like the rich and famous, but there isn't. My Mom always said use it or lose it - this goes for your metabolism too. Eat people! Just know what the heck it is you are eating!
I began reading anything and everything I could get my hands on about nutrition and exercise. Go ahead, ask me anything, I can probably give you the answer. I lost every bit of that baby weight and was my old, too skinny, highschool self again. Over the years, I gained a little back and recently I lost 31 pounds. I have reached my goal weight and yes I am happy about it. It's things like this that help you to realize you really can do anything you set your mind to. My whole life I was told that once you turn 40, there is absolutely nothing you can do about your weight. Add to that a hysterectomy and you are doomed to hell. Well, I'm 43 and I have proven that wrong. Yay for me!
Currently I am exploring all kinds of foods that are different than what I have known. I don't go for any of those fad diets or ridiculous berry claims. I stick to the basics and believe in eating ALOT less processed foods and of course exercising. I know, boring. It's much more exciting to think there is some magic pill or method to morphing into looking just like the rich and famous, but there isn't. My Mom always said use it or lose it - this goes for your metabolism too. Eat people! Just know what the heck it is you are eating!
i'm not speshul
Did I ever mention the fact that I fantasize about being someone else? well, I do. The kids like to make fun of me for it. So here's my list of people I want to be:
Alice - Main Character in Resident Evil
Maggie - woman boxer in Million Dollar Baby
Mattie - young girl in True Grit (the new version)
I have a friend at the gym who has an awesome blog. She is the real McCoy. Truly talented and absolutely beautiful. She's a graphic artist and VERY successful and good at what she does. I swear if I had the money I'd pay her to re-design me. Seriously. Anyway, you know how you always think you are the only one? Well, my friend also sees herself as fantasy characters. She often mentions Laura Croft from Tomb Raider and to tell you the truth she could totally pull it off!
So, my point is, I'm not special. I thought I was the only freak who fantasized about this kind of stuff. It's actually not as silly as it sounds. Notice a recurring theme in my characters? They are all strong women. So, I guess I see myself as a strong woman! huh, go figure.
Alice - Main Character in Resident Evil
Maggie - woman boxer in Million Dollar Baby
Mattie - young girl in True Grit (the new version)
I have a friend at the gym who has an awesome blog. She is the real McCoy. Truly talented and absolutely beautiful. She's a graphic artist and VERY successful and good at what she does. I swear if I had the money I'd pay her to re-design me. Seriously. Anyway, you know how you always think you are the only one? Well, my friend also sees herself as fantasy characters. She often mentions Laura Croft from Tomb Raider and to tell you the truth she could totally pull it off!
So, my point is, I'm not special. I thought I was the only freak who fantasized about this kind of stuff. It's actually not as silly as it sounds. Notice a recurring theme in my characters? They are all strong women. So, I guess I see myself as a strong woman! huh, go figure.
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