2014 - The Year of Use It or (and) Lose It

I wanted a theme for my 2014.  If your a regular reader, you know I considered The Year of Reduction but discarded it because I've used it before (and it really hasn't worked). 

I'm calling this year The Year of Use It or Lose It.   I've posted about needing to reduce the amount of clutter and excess that I have in the house.  And as in most year, I also have goals for weight lost - so the Lose It fits in nicely with that.

I'll post more when I have more time - right now I'm in the thick of organizing the Christmas stuff and making decisions on what I can part with.   But I've made up my mind for my year's theme and wanted to get it out to the world.

December Time for Myself Review

This post deserves more than its going to get for the last Time for Myself for 2013.   I will try to get a more meaningful wrap on this challenge, but its a crazy time at work and Christmas is closing in faster then ever so I can't get to it now.

So just the basics - its another stop in the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  This time for their Christmas Lights - which has been on my minor bucket list for at least 2 or 3 years and possibly longer than that.   It was nice - and if they were closer I would say do this every year.   Luckily for me I arrive shortly before dusk was begining to set in so I was able to do some walking around before it was dark, and still able to see the Christmas lights at the peak against the darkening sky.

But they are expensive ($25 to park, $12 to see the indoor Christmas trains) and it's a drive (80 miles?) and they only light up a small area.   Now the area they do light up is stunning.  Its worth a stop in if you are already in the area.  And while the parking is outrageous - they don't charge an entrance fee so if you can find someplace close by to park and walk then it worth it (did that in the summer). 

Wonderland Train- Cute

Outdoors in the Japanese Garden - bitterly cold that day

Snow falling captured in the spotlights

Gorgeous Tree

Laughing Selfie

Love, Love, Love that blue sky

Me, Wally and the mouse in my house

It made me happy to find this email.  I had sent it back in October of 2001 - just a couple of weeks after I had adopted Wally.  I went looking for this write up shortly after his death (in March of 2011) but it had been rolled off my yahoo email history.  I thought I had lost it forever.  I'm so glad I found it!

 Here’s a little sorry about me and Wally that you may enjoy…..  

 Sunday afternoon I was doing laundry and Wally kept trying to get between the washer and the wall. I couldn’t figure out what he was doing, in fact I thought he was just stupid because the ironing board was in the way and he would never fit. But right about then, a little mouse that he was trying to reach ran out and tried to get into the closet across from the washer. I screamed a high-pitched yell that even surprised myself. I wanted a chair to jump on and a broom to wave at the mouse. Since no chair was nearby, I instead jumped and high-stepped around, continuing to yell things like “you don’t belong here!!” and “Get out of my house!!” to the mouse. All of which did nothing but make the mouse run around more and scared Wally. The mouse quickly ran back under the washer, Wally kept a vigil watch and I went outside to plant bulbs in the garden – I did not want to be in the house. I stayed outside until I left to go to Don and Jane's for dinner.  

 After coming home from Emily’s b-day dinner I sat in the living room. The laundry was done but I had no desire to get near enough to take it out of the dryer. While I was sitting there and trying to get my courage up, I hear this “squeak, squeak” and in strolls Wally with the mouse in his mouth. I jumped up on the couch and Wally sat down right in front of me, keeping the mouse in his mouth the entire time. The mouse was still alive making squeaking noise and whipping its tail around Wally’s whiskers. I quickly yelled and jumped from the couch over the coffee table and beyond Wally, ran into my room and put on a pair of shoes. If I were to face this creature I need to have shoes, it would kill me to have it touch my toes. I ran back out, closing the bedroom door so it wouldn’t get in. Wally had guessed that I was yelling at him and let the mouse go, so we had the mouse running around the living room, and Wally and I chasing it, with me making the most noise, followed by the mouse and Wally getting into the spirit of things with several load meows.  

 The mouse hid under the couch. I tilted the couch and called for Wally to “Go get him!” and Wally ran under the couch and chased the mouse out. I ran into the kitchen and retrieved an empty butter tub to try to use to catch the mouse. So now you have me running around bent over with the butter tub near the floor, but jumping up and away as soon as I actually get near the mouse. I needed more space between me and the mouse, so I quickly searched the basement for a box, all the while Wally is chasing the mouse around the family room. I can hear the two of them running around and making noises as I frantically search for something to catch the mouse with because I was not going to touch it directly with any part of my body.  

 Just as I was coming up from the basement, Wally chased the mouse to the front door. I joined the two of them and slammed the shoebox upside down over the mouse and scooted it back so I could open the door and lifted the box so the mouse could run outside.  

 I picked up Wally to thank him and give him a little love. He was a happy boy and wanted to kitty kiss me but he had just had a mouse in his mouth and I had to push his face away. He had to settle for some kitty treats instead of a kiss, that will have to wait until he brushes his teeth!

I'm Blue ..... but in a good way

This color test has been going around Facebook.   My results are Blue - and they match up pretty well with my personality - but I'm also sure the write ups are like predictions from Astrology, Horoscopes, Tarot, Psychic Readings, etc --- all generic enough to fit any personality.

Here's the test if you want to take it yourself - http://www.quotev.com/quiz/1366538/What-is-Your-True-Color-Aura/

Your Aura is Blue!

Personality: Blue’s are very loyal and can be the truest friend any aura could hope to find. On the inside, blues tend to be emotional and even a bit moody. However, you know that other auras depend on you, so you put on a strong front. They tend to live a quiet but enriching life. Blues are very giving of them and is hard to let go of relationships. They believe the key to living a good life is simple: Be as honest with yourselves and others as possible. They value the truth over everything else. Blue will remain loyal to those who are honest with them, even if their honesty hurts. Compared to most other auras, blues handle the truth very well. They take every event into stride. Blues are the calm spot in a sea of chaos. They think that the solution to most problems is open communication; they wish that people would be more real with each other. A Blue personality uses its five physical senses to access information. An emotionally driven personality, you need to be liked and accepted. It is one of the "needs" that can cause apprehension in your personality. You are a polite, cooperative person who seeks to create conflict-free surroundings. You possess highly developed powers of observation. Family is important to you and you sometimes find yourself in the role of being a caretaker. You are conservative, reliable and trustworthy - you are quite trusting of others although you are very wary in the beginning until you are sure of the other person. You are not impulsive- you always think before you speak and act and do everything at your own pace in your own time. You take time to process and share your feelings. You are genuine and sincere, and you take your responsibilities seriously. You have a deep need for peace and harmony in your everyday life. You appear to be confident and self-controlled, but may be hiding your vulnerable side. You are generally fairly even-tempered, unless your emotions take over - then you can become either moody and over-emotional, or cool and indifferent. You are sensitive to the needs of others. While you are friendly and sociable, you prefer the company of your own close group of friends. You are a rescuer and love to be needed. You can be rigid - you like to stick to what is familiar to you- you stubbornly do things your way even if there is a better way. Untidiness and unpredictability overwhelm you. You don't like to draw attention to yourself. While you don't like to have discord or conflict in your life, you are often the cause of conflict with others; you can be quite manipulative but in a very subtle way.
You make a loyal and faithful marriage partner and you are an honest, trustworthy and sincere friend. You are aware of others feelings and sensitive to the moods of others. You are approachable and friendly, always making people feel welcome in your life. You have a thirst for knowledge in order to gain wisdom and appear knowledgeable in whatever area interests you. You can be too cautious and worry about every little thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love Life: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone.

Yellow: Too annoying to even take a liking to

Pink: You are very lucky if Pink even pays attention to you, their reputation may be in the way to start a relationship with them

Green: Another perfect match for blue! They have one of those personalities that make you want to be around them all the time.

Orange: They believe they are way too good for blues, which is not true at all!!

Purple: Without Blue there would not even be a purple, they are the best bet at finding your soul mate

White: Their studies get in the way from every flirtatious move you make to them

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perfect Color Love Match: Red: Committed and Passionate they are definitely a good mate 
Friendship Color: When you and purple are together no one can stop you!
Color Opposite:Your color wheel opposite is Orange. Orange people may be opinionated, but you feel they lack the depth to truly understand what they're saying

Words that Describe Blue: Emotional, Affected, Sensitive, Peaceful, Tranquil, Connected, Spiritual, Experimental, and Deep

 

Purpose of Life:Showing Love to Other People

Time for Myself Updates

This is very overdue - but it has been an on going focus.  So even if I'm not posting about it I've still been actively making it focus.   So here is the summary for a number of missing months.

August - The big one was Stonehedge.   I've wanted to see this since I was in grade school.  On my trip to London, I made sure we included this.  My niece was abivolent about going but understood I wanted it included.   She was not impress - I was.   Although it is just a bunch of rocks - it rocks!   very cool and I'm glad I went.  This was on my bucket list!
The little one for August was going to Cave of the Mounds.  This is another spot I've wanted to see for a long time.  I'm not sure why - but its been on my Wisconsin bucket list.   After camping at Governor Dodge State Park we made a stop on the way home to see the Cave.  It was not spectacular but I did enjoy it, and I'm glad I went.   I would go again - and make some extra time to explore the trails above ground.  

September - Two little one - but they fit the idea of Time for Myself almost perfectly.   The first was volunteering at Ironman Wisconsin. I used to do more things by myself and this was good to have the day to myself.  I had the opportunity to contact the niece, nephews, and/or sister's family - but I choose not to, and just keep it solo.  Volunteering for this type of stuff makes me happy - I do love the free stuff (shirt, food,

etc) and I love seeing the athletic power of an everyday person completing something as challenging as an Ironman.  The second thing was choosing to skip book club in September and instead go see the Captain Philips for free.  First, I love movies and my frugal side especially loves free movies, and second the book club group had been growing tiresome to me.  The original September host had to cancel and asked me if I could host - I am so glad I choose not to accept hosting.  It would have frustrated me - at a very low level - but it wears away at that threshold of what you can put up with.  And the movie experience was near perfect.   This was a late preview - they had already had many previews in our area - so that meant there were not a lot of people.  At some of these previews its jammed with every seat taken and often times jerks are taking saved seats while people are getting popcorn, etc.  It has happened to me in the past and that is highly frustrating -- anyway there was none of that going on this night.  The movie was great (Oscar buzz) and seeing it in a theater enhanced the experience.  The big screen helps, but also the crowd reaction to key scenes enhances the watching experience.  It was a great choice for me personally to choose the movie over the book club.    

October - Another small Wisconsin/Milwaukee bucket list item - the Whitefish Bay Pumpkin patch!  This was added to my list many, many years ago.  My mother first told me about it.  It used to be one gentleman in Whitefish Bay that carved hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins - they would be on display near the WFB Library and you could drive by.   Now its become a mini fest with food and bands.   The night I went it was cold and I got a hot cider to sip as a walked around.  The band was good.  Overall a night night.  I'm glad I went and will be back.  Next time I'll probably coordinate with friends.




November - this was another month with 2 small time for myself events.   The first was walking through the Milwaukee Holiday Lights after a book club dinner at John Hawks Pub.  It was a nice walk - with good friends - on a crisp, cold night.  The only thing that could have made it better would have been a little snow on the ground.  Many of the lights are cheesy and snow would have improved them.  This had been another item on my Milwaukee bucket list.  And again - nothing major, but something I wanted to do and with this challenge I did it.   The second event was seeing the Catching Fire (Hunger Games 2) movie on my terms.  I saw it early Sunday morning - 9:15 am show -- not sure why that timing

greatly pleased me.  I'm guessing because to many that was 'too early' for a Sunday morning.   I got to see it opening weekend -but did not have to be in a overcrowded theater.   And I really enjoyed the movie - it made me tear up at several points.  I've read the books but its been a while so the movie was fresh.  I now need to reread the books - and have already requested it from the library - should get it before Christmas.

So the overall is - these things are still happening, which is a very good trend.  I need to be good to myself and these little things do make a big difference.  

I have a few things targeted for December - with a little luck you'll actually read about close to when they happen and need to wait a couple of months.

Weirdest Resolution

This is the weirdest resolution I've ever made.  But before I get it to it some background info....

I feel a bit overwhelmed with the volume of stuff I own.   I've written about my clutter before, and my attempts to reduce it.  I am conflicted by my frugality and not wanting to get rid of something that is still usable, and also conflicted because I still want to pick up 'good deals' even if I don't need it right now.  I've also written about my Zen side that makes it hard for me to donate my stuff when I'm not sure it will be treated with love and respect.  That's a whole different challenge to deal with. 

So back to the weirdest resolution ...  for the next year I will not purchase soap until Nov 11, 2014.

Weird!

I know - very weird.   But I have so much here and its time to use it up and reduce the stock pile.  I have a deep love for Bath and Body Works scented shower gels.  And my frugal side kicks in when the have a good sale and stock pile too much.  So I'm going to do something about it.  I'm not going to add more - I'm forcing myself to use it up. 

This includes the shower gels, bar soap ( have a ton of that too, especially gift and travel sizes), shampoo (I have a lot of travel size), and hand washing soap.   This does not include laundry soap, dish washing soap.

I can use it up, throw it out, or gift it away; but I can't purchase more until next year's bday or if I run out before that.  I will accept soaps when they are given to me or included with other items. 

I need to get rid of anything that doesn't work for me.  Some soaps try out my skin too much.  But it does me no good to keep them - so if they don't work then git them out of the house - donating, trashing, gifting are all possible options but they can't stay here. 

I am going to make one exception - holiday scented shower gel.  These do add to my enjoyment of the season.   And my frugal side kicks in to say I should purchase these at the super discounted day after Christmas sale.   Otherwise I would be purchasing them at full price around Thanksgiving - and that would bum me out.   So I'll do a check on what I've used up this year (I have more than enough for this year, maybe even enough for 2014) and see how much remains - then make a decision on if I need to purchase more for 2014's Holiday Season, or if it can wait till the 2014 day after Christmas restock.

39 and Holding

I played with my Wii Fit today.  First time in a long time - probably over a year, but I didn't watch the number of days between last workout too closely - I can tell you the it was 300+ days.  The nice thing is I was 13 pounds down from the last time I played it, and my wii fit age is 39 - 9 years younger that I am.  For

being obese that fit age is somewhat surprising.  And it's one of my problems - I am fit. So that makes me think my extra pounds are not that big a deal.  And they really are - I have to get my head around that fact.  I think once I truly come to terms and accept that - then I'll be unstoppable at losing the weight.  But I do continue to struggle with accepting that because I know I am overweight at the same time I know I am more physically fit, stronger, and more capable that many of my thinner friends.

Going back a bit, one of my returning volunteers (at the marathon) had lost 30 pounds since last year's marathon.   She did it by following one of the PX90-Guy's program.  I think it may have been Beach Bodies but I'm not sure which of their programs she used.   She is now working for that company and leading on-line support groups.     She sent me a message offering to give me more details for her next session coming up on November 4th.

I thought about it for a good while, but it seams like its another case of me chasing the next thing.  I know what to do.  I already have enough equipment, DVDs and tapes.  My problem is not knowledge, or equipment, or even time.  My problem is staying committed and following through.

So today for the first time in a long time, I pulled out the wii and ran the wii island - twice! Set a new goal to get me back to 'onederland' in two months (in time for Christmas).  The goal sounds small - only losing a few pounds -- in reality, it's not only losing those 6 pounds but also keeping off any new weight which tends to creep up this time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all having treats and over indulgences.

The current plan - do the wii 4 days a week.   I'll rotate between the wii Fit, wii Active, wii Sports, and My Coach.  If things are going well - ie, I'm using it regularly and seeing results, then I'll reward myself with a new game or two.  Not necessarily purchasing new games - instead I'll look to borrow from family or friends, at the library - although my local doesn't carry video games and the library system doesn't allow them to be reserved so I'll have visit one of the others (Muskego, Delafield, and Sussex-Lisbon seam to have the most), or I'll buy from a 2nd hand store (half price books, game stop, etc).

I have found that small changes and commitments lead to bigger changes - it's the spiral affect, do something good and it leads to more good choices.    Wish me luck in making this small change and having it lead to bigger things!

3 Parts to 2 Parts

I'm torn on what to do.  The Indigo Girls are coming to Milwaukee and playing with the Milwaukee Symphony.  Part of me would love to go to that concert.  But another part of me actually really, really dislikes live performances - they change the words, timing, etc and I usually don't like it near as much as I like their recordings.   Weird, I know.  And there is a bonus part of me that wants to be frugal and not go if I'm not sure I'd like the live performance - why waste the money when I could make my own concert of my favorites of theirs from recordings I already own.

I had been planning on going to this concert with a friend - but that friend has been getting worse and worse about following through with commitments.   As the picture says - they've been treating me and others like options - and if something better comes along she changes plans and cancels.   She's done it the last two years for the Marathon.  She's doing it now for this concert.  And so many other events.  It's become too much of a pattern and its causing a few of us to laugh and talk about her behind her back.  I've tried to talk directly to her about this - but she blew me off. 

Part of me wants to go to the concern without her - I hate that her lack of commitment is keeping me from doing something I want to do.   I tried to get someone else to go, but she's not really an Indigo Girls fan and while she would go to support me, she doesn't really want to go and I don't want her to go under those circumstances.  

I could go by myself and I'm mainly ok with that.  In fact there is a part of me that really likes that idea - I used to do more by myself and I think its a good trait and skill to have the confidence to go alone.   But the theater is assigned seats and the web page keeps putting me in the middle of the row - it selects the 'best available' seat.  While that may very well be a better seat but I'd still prefer to seat on an aisle if I'm going alone.   And preferably with the row to myself.

So I'm up to 5 parts of me - part 1 wants to go because I like the Indigo Girls music, part 2 doesn't want to go because I don't like all the changes artist tend do when live,  part 3 doesn't want to spend the money (really an offshoot of part 2);  part 4 wants to go to get back at Nancy, part 5 wants to go because its good to exercise and strengthen those 'confidence when alone' muscles-- I may be Sybil with so many points of view?!?! LOL.

The math says I should go - 3 parts to 2 parts.   I'll keep you posted on whatever I end up doing.  

Struggling ....Again

Yes, I'm struggling again.   Overwhelmed the amount of things I want to get done and it feels like my ability (to get them done) is shrinking.  Things are taking longer to get done; but even more significantly they are getting harder and harder for me to even start --- that's a mental problem, not a physical problem.  But in any case it puts me on a downward spiral.

I'm starting to dig myself out - which is why I'm able to post here; even just a few days ago I was too overwhelmed to even post.   I feel like I've turned a corner.  And I really need to focus on the little victories I have in getting things done and not focus on the long road ahead of me.

I have much to say, but again am too busy to take the time to sit down and write.

Time for me to focus on Sharpening the Saw

The Problem with a Good Heart

I have a huge heart and more I feel more empathy than anyone I've ever met.   That puts me in vulnerable positions where I often get hurt.  The hurt and pain has made me want to close off my heart to my family and friends.  

There are times I want to change this about me - life would be easier if I didn't have so much empathy and feel others pain, especially since I have enough of my own.

The bottom line is I can't change this about me.  If I dig deep, I know I don't actually want to change this about me because it makes me a good friend, a good person, and a good citizen. 

So I have to realize my big heart will keep getting hurt.   But I have to go on and keep loving.

July's Time For Myself - SWAP and Madison day

July's Time for Myself was an enjoyable day in Madison doing several things that had been on my minor bucket list.

I got up early and was in Madison/Verona before 8 am for my first stop.  I'm not sure why but I do love getting up very early and on the road.  I definitely a morning person, but think I like it because it's something not everyone is good at - and I am good at that so it feeds my competitive spirit.  A little weird - but that's me.

First stop was the University of Wisconsin's SWAP.   SWAP stands for surplus with a purpose.   SWAP sells off the items (often tables, chairs, desks, etc) from UW departments that no longer need or will use these items.   This helps keep those items from going into a landfill.   It's mainly open to other UW departments but has public hours on the 2nd Saturday of the month.  A couple times a year SWAP has specialty sales - this weekend was the UW Athletic surplus sales - they were selling off jerseys uniforms, and warm up clothes.   I purchased a vest from the Rowing team (I expect to use this for cold mornings taking the dog out), a softball jersey, and a soccer uniform shirt.   Nothing I needed, but still fun to have a greater connection to Wisconsin.   The Rowing vest is a bit tight.  One of the things about the sale is they are in off sizes - the 'main' size for that sport is taken by the student athletes and this sale is for the stuff no student selected.  The vest still fits well enough for the intended purpose (which is under a jacket and not seen publicly), and it will be a good weight loss target and reminder for me.

The next stop was the Farmers Market at the Capital- although it turned out to be Art on the Square and most of the fruit and vegetable sellers were absent.  It didn't make much of a difference to me since because of my upcoming trips I would not have wanted to purchase much.


I think it was only last year that I got reminded of the very nice observation deck at the Capital, and now no trip to the Capital square is complete without a lap or two on the deck.   Funny, I had a hard time figuring out streets and directions - I ended up pulling out my iphone maps to double check what was what.

My morning at SWAP was planned, but the rest of the day was unplanned and open for any adventure.   Memorial Union called me - as it calls out to so many alumni.  The Union is under construction and bit of a mess but the terrace is still the perfect place to sit out at the lake.  

From the Union I headed out on another of minor bucket list items - Picnic Point!  Surprisingly I never went there as a student or in any of my many trips to Madison.  It's just over 3.5 miles from the Union to Picnic Point.   I had on my sandals, which are comfortable but not the best for walking that far (and back) on crushed gravel.  No major problems, just wished for running shoes and socks a few times as I had to take off the sandals and shake out a trapped piece of gravel.

Even if I had been at Picnic Point as a student it still would have been new to me - it has gone through a major upgrade the last year.  They now have 5 or 6 fire pit areas, some more rustic than others.  The one at the point is very nice and large.   And as a bonus, they have stations of cut firewood ready for the burning; what a nice touch.  Surprising I did not see any picnic tables or places where you could easily seat and eat - a few benches but that's about it.  Maybe that part of the upgrade is still to come.  Overall I'm glad I went, and would like to go another time with a group and have a fire there.  I think that would be fun. There are more trails and woods to explore around the picnic point peninsula - but it didn't feel safe to hike them alone so I skipped them, but it would be nice to discover them in the Fall - beautiful colors and cool weather.

 My last stop was at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  This was my second time there; I had gone in winter to see their Christmas Train display and walked through the outdoor gardens - not too much to see in Winter but I could tell it would be nice to see it in full bloom.  It was nice, but a big hot and humid and the pedometer was already at over 10 miles for the day.  And as a bonus the outside gardens are free.  There is a small charge for the conservatory but I skipped that this time.   

All and all it was a good "Day for Myself".  I got to do several things new to me that I had wanted to try (SWAP and Picnic Point), and several things I enjoys about Madison (Memorial Union, Capital Observation Deck, Olbrich).  It was a good exercise day for me - by the end of the day I had walked over 10 miles. 

These days for myself are working to help rejuvenate me.  Without this challenge, I would have gone to SWAP and then rushed home and started working on household tasks - and would have felt tired and overextended.  Well, I felt tired but that was because it was a good physical tireness coming from lots of walking, and while I still have a larger and ever growing to-do list, I'm less stressed about it.   Overall that was the goal of this challenge - take time to 'sharpen the saw' so you can get more done.

Being Awesome Reminders

 Just a short, personal reminder that you've been doing awesome lately in a number of ways.  There is always room for improvement, but there is also always room for acknowledging how awesome these little things are - because as we all know, little things become big things.  So little awesome becomes big awesome!

• You've been doing great at wasting less food.  Americans waste an astonishing amount of food.  Part of the problem is Americans buy things that are good for us that we don't like and so the salads and fresh veggies go uneaten and go to waste.  Americans also tent to buy in bulk because its cheaper - but when you waste a third of it what was your real cost?  In any case, lately you've been doing real well at keeping track of things, always having staples available so there have been less last minute fast food dinners, etc. 
• You've been doing well with the Endomondo bike challenge.  It kind of got off to a slow start but you've been making it out on a regular basis - which can only be good for the waistline and it keeps adding points.  The beauty of their scoring system is you get 20 points for any ride over a mile, and additional point for every mile.  That means for someone like me that is usually only riding 2 to 5 miles on those weekdays, I'm still racking in the points.  And you were awesome to set a realistic goal of 1250 points for the challenge period.  Its a stretch, but you took into account the almost 3 weeks your unable to ride, so its doable.  Keep it up!
• You're dog expirences have been challenging, but things are going well.  You're doing your best to keep him happy and healthy, and it's working.
• The yard is really taking shape and you have a good habits and plans to keep it that way.
• You've been motivated to make long term plans - remember you not likely to get where you want if you don't know what you want!

As always there is room for improvement, but you're doing well and I hope this is a good reminder and pat on the back to help keep you motivate and striving further!  Go Barb Go!!!

Out of Karma and into Grace

My friend Jose posted this article Bono on Jesus.   It's interesting and this quote really touched me:

no: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.hGVKH1RP.dpuf

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
- See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.hGVKH1RP.dpuf

Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.

Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

I believe in Karma and I desire to be more graceful.  I love his point that karma is in physics " every action is met by an equal or an opposite one" - it makes the inner science geek in me happy. And my personal philosophy on religions - almost all religions - is that they can be basically driven down to try your best to be good and you will be rewarded here and/or in the after-life.  Or in other words, karma - what you reap you will sow.

It opens my eyes to see the transformation from karma to grace.  Grace is a character trait I wish I used more often.  I will say on my behalf, I'm getting better at being graceful - improving, but still with lots of room to grow.

And I do love this line Grace defies reason and logic, because I have a niece Grace who does on a regular basis defy all reason and logic with her choices!  Which makes her fun and joy to be around.  

preretirement thoughts

I'll been reaching my toes into the 'pre-retirement' phase of life.  

It's something that has been on my radar for a while.  My financial planner and I have talked about this - and the how to plan for becoming a snow-bird with two houses - one here in Wisconsin and another someplace warmer for the winter.  We've talk all types of possibility.  My expectation is that I'll move from my single family home within 4 to 10 year into a condo-- probably being closer to 5 or 6 years than 10 years - but anything is possible and (so far) there is no driving need for the move.   The condo will give me a lot more freedom by taking away much of the outside maintenance and upkeep.  Right now I don't mind the grass cutting, snowblowing, etc.   Those tasks reduce my freedom to take off.  My job can be done from almost anywhere with good internet and phone connections and it would be easier to leave a condo than my house for a couple of months at a time.  With a condo, I wouldn't have to get coverage for the snow removal, grass cutting, etc - things are needed to make the house not look abandoned and ripe for thieves.

Over the next couple of years I plan to rent a place in the February and March time frame.  Rent for at least a month and maybe 6 weeks or the full 2 months.   Time to try out living in some of those areas while still working my job full time - basically with no changes except the contact phone number.  Be there long enough to check out the tourist /key activities and also have enough nights and weekends when nothing special is going on - rent a movie, take a neighborhood bike ride, etc so that you can get the full feel of how it really would be to live there.

I've started the search, although not very effectively for Austin, TX for the spring of 2014.  That area makes the most sense because I have family there, it fits my warm weather requirements, etc.   I hope over the next couple of year to also do this for Columbus, OH; where I have lots of friends that are like family to me. I also would like to do this in some vacation spots for me - Canyon country in Utah, Lake Norris in Tennessee, Washington DC are Virginia area.   Most of these locations make more sense for me to do after I've moved into a condo here in Milwaukee.  

The dog also impacts this.  This plan started when I had Wally.  And then all I had to check was that the rental place allowed for cats.   With dogs its a different story, or at least with Zeus it is.  I'll need to have an area to take him out multiple times a day, need to find a dog kennel and dog day care place for him, and frankly he is more destructive than Wally ever was so I'm not sure about leaving him alone in a place he doesn't know.  May need to create him like when he was a little puppy.   And it changes what type of rental I'm willing to take - with Wally I would have been comfortable with an apartment style, but with Zeus and his barking it make me nervous to be that close to other people.   Not sure what to do, but Zeus changes my plans.

And even with all this plans - the most critical task (to me) is reducing what I own.  I have too much stuff.  I need to reduce and declutter what I already have - it will make it easier to move and downsize into a condo, and it will help make the house more attractive to buyers.

It's also easier said than done.   Reduction and decluttering have been on my list for a while and honestly have been some of my top desires - but its to a point where it is so overwhelming that its hard to start and hard to make enough progress to make the process motivational.   Plus I really do have a zen-budda personal philosophy deeply ingrained in me that I have a very hard time throwing away things that are still usable - and this stretches to giving these items to a Goodwill type place - if I don't think someone will appreciate the items then I don't want it to go there.   I really want to 'use-up' all the excess I have - have it lead a good life, thank it for its service and let it go in a respectful way.   Now how many people think about that when considering pens with more than half their ink gone?   I know I feel too much.  But this is hard for me.  And I need to start working on it now to have the retirement I want.

June's Time For Myself - Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park

Well looky here - its only June 3 and I already have done and am posting about June's time for myself! 

This past weekend I completed the Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park.   It was a great hiking experience - challenging and enjoyable.  It was certainly a tough physical day.  There were lots of ups and downs, and many miles of the trails were 2 to 6+ inches of muddy muck and of course the water crossings!!  The water crossings bothered me - first I really think the Illinois park system should (and easily can) add rocks or boards to make those crossings less wet.   It was inefficient, and if your a reader on my blog you know I hate inefficiency!! Plus they had us hike those water crossing canyons first of the day and also first after lunch (when some of the group had just changed to dry shoes)

My iphone died before lunch so there are limited photos. 

This first picture is from Illinois Canyon - the 'waterfall' as less than 18 inches tall and about 2 to 3 feet wide.   And to get there we needed to cross the stream 3 times (and 3 more times to exit the canyon).   Some of the crossing had the water up to just below the knees.  My hiking boots are waterproof but not when the water goes up and over the top!  Honestly this waterfall was so small and such an uncomfortable trip to get there that they should rethink this as the first canyon.  It makes for long day of hiking in wet socks and shoes - not a good start.  Because the next two canyons were still flooded (Ottawa Canyon and Kaskaskia Canyon), they had the trolly pick us up and drive us to the parking lot across from Hennepin Canyon.  While on the trolly I changed to dry socks - it helped but since the hiking boots were submerged and drenched the feet were still wet - better with dry socks but still not the best.   If I do this again next year - may want to wear keen sandals or other water shoes and change to boats after exiting Illinois Canyon - from what I understand this always requires 3 stream crossings and it will always have water in it.  Again the best approach is if Starved Rock added some larger stepping stones or some wood planks to keep you from needing to submerge your boots.

Nice water flow near on the
connecting trail to Hennepin Canyon

A few more thoughts.... this was a nice break with a mid size drive (3.5 hours each way) which gave some good self thinking time and an evening alone in the hotel.  I thought I would get more self reflection and planning done - but it was still a good rejuvenation evening.

Orange mushroom fungus

This was an unusual Mega Hike for them - it was rescheduled from the April date because the Illinois River  had flooded the park.  They have never had to skip canyons before - they skipped 2 canyons because of the flood damage and we had to backtrack in and back out of a couple of connecting canyons because of flood damage. In April the park was filled with wildflowers, which had all finished blooming by our June Mega Hike.  So going during their regular time would change the expirence - also normally there is much less mud than we encountered - maybe as much muddy area, but not the deep shoe stealing mud we fought through.  Less of the deep mud means you can hike through it - we spend time bushwhacking our own path along side the supper muddy sections - and therefore cover the distance faster.

Another point was this is a challenge to go by myself to these things and make friends/interact with the group.  Overall I did well and felt like I fit in.   But the flip side of that is that I'm glad I went alone because not many of my friends could keep up with the group's pace and would be able to deal with the mud and water.  I'd rather be by myself than have a friend along that is slowing down the group or complaining about the conditions - as that would stress me and reduce my enjoyment.

I'm not sure I feel the need to go back here on my own again for a Spring/Summer hike.  But I am interested in either coming back in the fall to see the trees in full color, and its peaked my interest to see this in winter - apparently even some of the waterfalls that only run part of the summer will always have ice waterfalls.  Out guides said you must wear Yaktrax on your winter boots.  

And I would do their Mega Hike again - I probably can't do their Fall Mega Hike this year since it is the same weekend as the Wisconsin - Ohio State football game and I expect to be Columbus that weekend.  But I'll watch for it on their calendar and try again in 2014 - either their Spring Waterfall one, or their Fall Colors one - or both.  This was a good physical challenge.  I'm tired today, but happy about the experience.