the winds are a changing

Taking a few minutes for a quick status update and adding a personal (read secrete goal).

The plan is beginning to work; part of what I desired was a change in me in how I approached food and exercise.  I saw that change in action today - and in the venue of celebrating small victories I want to do a shout out and help encourage me to continue on this road.

Today I had the upset stomach from eating too little for breakfast and drinking too much coffee (caffeine) - I get that occasionally.   As per my usual behavior I started poking around the kitchen for something to eat.  Eating balances out the food to caffeine ratio in my stomach and resolves the upset stomach feeling.

I looked around and nothing looked good.  I considered making popcorn, as that is my usual substitution for chips, which is what I really wanted.  I considered having a ridiculously early lunch, which was a bad idea since dinner will be a bit later tonight.  But instead I ate some fruit (oranges) and veggies (the edamame pea pods).

That is EXACTLY how I want to change - going from wanting chips to instead eating fruits and veggies.

Yeah, this is day 3 so it's not that the battle is over. But this is a victory and it does need to be shouted out and celebrated.  Yea for me!

Secrete goal is the number 14.5 -- I'm not telling how this fits, what that measures, or giving you any other clue.  I'll keep this posted and updated as the progress goes.  It's not exactly what I would like - I'd love to blow past this goal and exceed it.  But I'm sticking with something that is both challenging and still realistic.   And I'll keep dreaming and pushing for even more!

Lent 2015 - working on transforming my world

I'm not sure where this will take me, but the journey always begins with a simple step - so here goes with some simple steps.....

I know I titled this Lent 2015 but these challenges are steps to a bigger change for me.  These may start with Lent and give me a time frame to track things, but this is bigger, much bigger than Lent for me.  Some challenges are more Lent specific than others.  All are steps in the right direction for me.

So here goes!

There are 6 and half weeks in Lent - 40 days if you don't count the Sundays.

1) Participate in 7 Lenten / Spiritual activities.
There are a ton of things that fit into this category - Stations of the Cross, walking a labyrinth, attending the Zion Passion Play, going to confession, etc
I think I can average one a week if I focus and make this a priority.

2) No purchasing of chips 

This is hard for me, and to be clear this is not no eating chips - it's no purchasing chips.  I can eat chips if it comes with a meal or at a party, etc -- but I can't buy them and bring them into my house.

3) Limited candy to the skittles on hand
I split the skittles into 7 containers and I can have one a week through Lent.  No purchasing of new candy - with the exception of some things for St Patrick's day.

4) 9 bags of frozen veggies 

This is a crazy non standard Lent challenge.  But like most Americans I don't eat enough vegetables. I first thought 2 bags per week but 12 bags in 6 weeks sound crazy, especially when it's just me eating them and a bag of peas can easily have 6 to 8 servings.   So I compromised and went with 1 1/2 bags per week - total of 9 over that Lent period.  Still a lot, but the point is to try to add them into more and more of my meals - replace snacks with veggies.  And to be clear, listing these as frozen veggies is just an easy way to count - but fresh veggies will count towards the total.

5) Be good to myself at least 7 times
Similar to the first challenge, I'll try to average one per week.   I tend to be too hard on myself and too cheap on spending on myself.   This is one of those longer term goals about needing to be good to myself and celebrate the small victories and celebrate the now (celebrate the season).  I need to make sure this is not only food treats and special meals, etc - just needs to be something I like to do or want to try.  

• There is at list one that is a food item I want to include - having a shamrock shake.  It's been years (maybe 10 years or more) since I had one.  I hear they are really different and very good.  Its time for me to try one and not worry about the calories - just to enjoy the very infrequent treat.  
• I also want to include a couple of movies - aiming to going to the theater 3 times.  That seams like too much and I'm not sure I can fit it 

5) Training

This is is the big one for changing my lifestyle into the type of person I want to be.  And is so very critical for the June hike with Luann.   I'm not sure how to start this.  I worry if I do too little I won't be prepared, and I worry if I try do too much I'll injury my knees and not be able to do anything.  So I'm taking a leap and committing to 4 times per week - that is 3 times with the Couch to 5K program and then 1 additional activity.  I think that is doable, if I keep focus on it.

So that's the plan - wish me good luck

I'll keep you posted on progress as time flies,

 

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

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.

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.

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. 

Chicago Botanical Gardens

Ah, one of the time for myself plans actually worked!  Well, that's only half true....if you remember the first plan was an over scheduled weekend in South Central Wisconsin.  But the Plan B worked great! 

May's time for myself was a day trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Glenco, IL.   This was another shinny example of what this challenge is supposed to be about. The gardens have been on my list for a while, it was something that I knew I probably had to do by myself, and it was a nice day of reflection and introspection for me.

The timing was good - their tulips were bloom and looked beautiful.   Tulips are my favorite flower.

This may be geeky - ok, I know it is - but one of the things I like about these solo trips is 1) it feel stealthy and 2) I love what I learn - not so much about the plants, etc but the learning and deciphering of logistics and and how to do it "better" next time.

Knowing I like to walk and hike, I'm jazzed that I found details on the length of some routes in the CBG.   I was searching for information like that and coming up empty.  Turns out they print it right on their map (and only upload the detailed map).

I also figured out more info about the alternative parking at the train station.  That is a good alternative for the summer/warmer months.  The walk is nice but it is over a mile - that would not work for most of the people that might go with me.  They would view it as too long - especially if it was done both ways.   I figured out more about the timing links between the train and trolly and that the trolly is Sundays only, and the bus is all days except for Sunday.  I'd really like to take the bike and cycle between the train station and the CGB.  I think that would give me more freedom (from the trolly/bus schedule), be more enjoyable and faster than walking, and give me an opportunity to explore the near by bike paths and the streets of Glenco.

I love that I'm capable of saving the $25 parking fee by being smart enough to investigate before and healthy enough to enjoy the walk.  This feeling is a bonus that want to come out from these days of rejuvenation - feeling good about myself.  I can't picture too many of my friends and family that would think or be able to do this.  And I personally think my friends and family are above average - I feel confident even less of the general public would be able or willing to do this checking and walking.

It was sunny but cool (high 50s), which makes a nice day for faster walking.  I dressed in layers and was able to keep adjusting to the ever changing wind and comfort.   Again it made me feel smart to do that - so many people there looked uncomfortable because they were not dresses appropriately for the day.  This pushes on my function over fashion sense -- which is worrisome; function is important but I probably tend to go too much on function and not enough on fashion.  That is an area I need to work on and make sure increasing my fashion doesn't decrease my feeling of intelligence.  I know this is a weird correlation, but it does exist for me and I need to be watchful of it - and not allow myself to go too far in either direction.
I also feel vindicated that I was right in thinking I had to do this by myself.  The drive (combined there and back) was about as long as the time in the garden itself.  Most would not have thought it was worth the effort to go.  So I'm glad I went by myself and not have had people complaining about it.  I'm also glad I went by myself (especially for this first introduction) because I could enjoy walk at my faster pace.  There are too many that would have slowed me down, either because that is their best pace or because they wanted to stop and see every little sign.  Since the place was crowded for Mothers Day, it was really nice to be able to walk by myself and not get my group caught trying to nagivate around other groups of people.   That can get slow and frustrating and it's far from efficient.  The drive and the walking gave me a lot of time to thoughtfully consider my current situations and what I need or want to do.  Perfect for me

Another learning bonus - I put together a Evernote for keeping track of my plans and findings.  I've been wanting to learn how to make better use of Evernote for a while.  Evernote is one of those online software apps that so many of the bloggers sing praises about.  And with this effort, I feel like I have a much better idea of how to use it to make me more efficient.  As you probably know from reading my blog, my key word is Efficiency - I'm sure I have a Logic and Efficient gene that most people do not get.

I worry that the tone of this post is negative towards others - not my intention at all! I'm trying to explain why I like these days, and why they are good rejuvenation for my soul.   I mean no disrespect to anyone else.

Just a few more points...first the day started off really rough - and that update is intended for a different post, but the day ended (as planned) with the Survivor season finale and without the dog - both made it a good day.  I've been watching Survivor since its first season in 2000, and I still really like it.  To end this day with 3 hours of Survivor really was the cherry on the sundae (weird analogy since I really, really don't like maraschino cherries).  And as sad as this still is, it did make me more relaxed to have the dog gone.  I could have rushed and been able to be pick him up Sunday before they closed but knowing it may be too close to make "my day" enjoyable I had gone ahead and booked him through Sunday evening.   I get more done while he is gone - he is a big distraction (although he is getting dramatically better) and he takes work.  I wanted to settle in and watch the shows - it would have frustrated me to get up to take him out, and especially with it being unseasonably cooler.  It does bother me that I'm happier without the dog - I was never happier without the cat.   Zeus is a good dog - and I do love him.  But I'm just not a dog person.