This weekend is the weekend I always look forward to twice a year. I relax at home and listen to the Prophet and Twelve Apostles say the very words I need to hear. It is the most soul-refreshing time of year. After spending a week sick at home, I am a little weary. C took me out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes tonight, and I enjoyed the wonderful clam chowder and sweet broccoli salad. It was a nice break from the soup and smoothy diet I have enjoyed this past week with a sore throat. I didn't think it was possible to have a sore throat for eight days straight, but I am here to tell you it is possible. Thank goodness for narc cough syrup and antibiotics.
Well, C is waiting for me to finish so we can snuggle in to watch a movie . . .that is, if I can get him to put our little chipper bird to bed. Kawi is singing to C's thumb at the moment. Very entertaining.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Productivity and Insomnia
Hi. My name is A, and I am a workaholic. I recently had a work evaluation and was told that I was an extremely high performer and probably worked too much. It's so easy to do everything when you are capable of doing so much, so I usually DO EVERYTHING. Lately, however, I have made an attempt to try to cut back and say "no," but this is like an alcoholic saying "no" to a free drink. If I do manage to let the "N" word fall from my lips, I go into withdrawals, thinking about how much I would enjoy doing that task I just turned down.
I recently committed to write an article for a book being produced by a professional organization, one of two organizations in which I happen to be serving as a leader. What was I thinking? I also have to finish writing requirements for a new software by the end of this month. Yes, two days away.
I came home from work on Friday and intentionally forgot where my work phone was. Saturday morning, I woke, and immediately started grouting and caulking my kitchen backsplash I made a couple of weeks ago. Then I pulled up two pieces of loose slate off the floor (no small job) and replaced and regrouted them. Not very exciting for some, but I enjoyed the work and it kept my mind off of my job.
Normally I sleep rather well, but for the past week, I have been waking up between 3-4 AM thinking about work. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you realize you have a problem. So here is my recovery plan:
Unfortunately, I think I caught strep from a co-worker at a retreat on Thursday. I never eat community food where random hands have wandered (pretzels, bowls of chips, etc.) but I broke my own rule, thinking everyone there was healthy. My bad. The fact that I can't swallow just might be the reason I am writing this at 4:00 AM. Just five more hours until the Dr.'s office opens. . .
I recently committed to write an article for a book being produced by a professional organization, one of two organizations in which I happen to be serving as a leader. What was I thinking? I also have to finish writing requirements for a new software by the end of this month. Yes, two days away.
I came home from work on Friday and intentionally forgot where my work phone was. Saturday morning, I woke, and immediately started grouting and caulking my kitchen backsplash I made a couple of weeks ago. Then I pulled up two pieces of loose slate off the floor (no small job) and replaced and regrouted them. Not very exciting for some, but I enjoyed the work and it kept my mind off of my job.
Normally I sleep rather well, but for the past week, I have been waking up between 3-4 AM thinking about work. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you realize you have a problem. So here is my recovery plan:
- I have removed the e-mail push from work to my personal phone, and when I leave work, I won't look at my work phone until I am at work again.
- Go back and UN-commit to write the article.
- I will work on projects at home to keep my mind off of my job, or spend time on hobbies - if I can remember what those were . . .
- I will exercise regularly to help reduce stress and start taking Yoga again.
- I will schedule "Think" time during my work week so that when I come home, my mind will be able to stop thinking about my job. (This was my boss' idea)
- I will say no to outside obligations that are not "crystal" or critical.
Unfortunately, I think I caught strep from a co-worker at a retreat on Thursday. I never eat community food where random hands have wandered (pretzels, bowls of chips, etc.) but I broke my own rule, thinking everyone there was healthy. My bad. The fact that I can't swallow just might be the reason I am writing this at 4:00 AM. Just five more hours until the Dr.'s office opens. . .
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Now What?
After my 30+ day stint with Jillian's fitness plan, followed by the 4-out-of-7-day-diet-in-which-I-hit-the-wall, I was left feeling a little lost and wanting someone to tell me what I should do to keep it up, or at least a new goal or plan. A quick search on the Internet for fitness plans helped me find my change-it-up solution: FitClick! This is a free website that allows you to enter your stats, and get a new daily fitness plan at the same time. I am thrilled to try it out.
V-Day
As I drove home last night I felt overwhelmed and inadequate about the opportunity at work to be a manager. I was feeling pretty bad, as a matter of fact. While I really love working hard and making things better at work, I don't love some of the considerations involved with management. I was ready to leave work at 2:45, following a meeting with my wonderful manager who is training me for management, but realized I needed to send off a photo and bio for a speaker I am sponsoring for an upcoming conference for advertising, so I didn't leave until 3:30.
I got off the freeway at about 4:00, and called C to let him know that I would be stopping by the store and then heading home, a common courtesy we often utilize. I bought some whole wheat hamburger buns for our healthy bacon cheeseburger dinner, and then headed home. C called while I was at the store and asked if it was okay if he stopped by the gym. I told him I fully expected he would, and asked if he was excited about the bacon cheeseburgers I'd have ready when he got home. "You have NO idea!" he said.
I walked in the door and up the stairs to our home, expecting to find my white stovetop still black with eggwhites I had spilled, only to find it scrubbed clean, along with the counters, and the dishwasher running. I turned to see the dining room table and chairs we had looked at in the furniture store, covered in red crepe paper and topped with a large ruby red vase filled with velvety red roses, peruvian lilies, and palm and variegated greenery, with a pink card with my name on it leaning up against the vase. I started to tear up with joy. My worries of the day faded away, and I was so grateful for the kindness of my sweet husband. He, no doubt, had spent his day cleaning and setting this up for me.
What a good friend and partner I have in my sweetheart! I am so grateful for him! As it turned out, he had barely enough time to finish his preparations in order to surprise me before he left! My stop to the store won him just enough time to complete his plans, and take off so I wouldn't suspect anything.
I got off the freeway at about 4:00, and called C to let him know that I would be stopping by the store and then heading home, a common courtesy we often utilize. I bought some whole wheat hamburger buns for our healthy bacon cheeseburger dinner, and then headed home. C called while I was at the store and asked if it was okay if he stopped by the gym. I told him I fully expected he would, and asked if he was excited about the bacon cheeseburgers I'd have ready when he got home. "You have NO idea!" he said.
I walked in the door and up the stairs to our home, expecting to find my white stovetop still black with eggwhites I had spilled, only to find it scrubbed clean, along with the counters, and the dishwasher running. I turned to see the dining room table and chairs we had looked at in the furniture store, covered in red crepe paper and topped with a large ruby red vase filled with velvety red roses, peruvian lilies, and palm and variegated greenery, with a pink card with my name on it leaning up against the vase. I started to tear up with joy. My worries of the day faded away, and I was so grateful for the kindness of my sweet husband. He, no doubt, had spent his day cleaning and setting this up for me.
What a good friend and partner I have in my sweetheart! I am so grateful for him! As it turned out, he had barely enough time to finish his preparations in order to surprise me before he left! My stop to the store won him just enough time to complete his plans, and take off so I wouldn't suspect anything.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
New Adventures Arising
C has officially accepted the offer to work at the new position he was offered recently. Given the economy, it is a bit of a gamble to leave the safe haven of his current job of the past ten years, however, we both feel good about it and some wise advisors have counseled that this would be an excellent career move for him. How often does one get the opportunity to run the largest facility in the state at his age? It will be a lot of work, but a great platform for growth and learning. He won't start for at least another month because he needs some time to wrap up loose ends and hopefully fit in a little break in between positions for a motorcycle ride, which brings me to my next "adventure."
After spending most of the day yesterday, and some time earlier this week to finish our taxes, I submitted them around midnight last night. I merrily told C that I had a specific plan for part of our refund. C has needed some new boots for riding and leathers for safety, so I told him we would first purchase those items for him. Second, I would get my long-awaited dining table! On Tuesday, C came home early, so we drove to look at the new facility he would run, and also visited the furniture store. We both fell in love with a specific set, and every morning I can visualize it in our breakfast nook.
Finally, my own little adventure - I finally broke through to the 130s on the scale. My self-denial is paying off, because this last week has certainly not been stupendous for workouts. I only fit in two workouts rather than four. But the exciting part is not really the scale, it is the fact that my hips finally fit comfortably into the pant size I am shooting for. Yippee! I am super motivated to keep going.
I also have the great opportunity to teach our little six- and seven-year olds at Church. We have a class of 10, and I am eager to make the most of this opportunity to both teach and learn from them. My last such adventure involved twelve 7- to 8-year olds and when I had to leave, we all were sad to part. We had many adventures together, learning and growing. Upward and onward!
After spending most of the day yesterday, and some time earlier this week to finish our taxes, I submitted them around midnight last night. I merrily told C that I had a specific plan for part of our refund. C has needed some new boots for riding and leathers for safety, so I told him we would first purchase those items for him. Second, I would get my long-awaited dining table! On Tuesday, C came home early, so we drove to look at the new facility he would run, and also visited the furniture store. We both fell in love with a specific set, and every morning I can visualize it in our breakfast nook.
Finally, my own little adventure - I finally broke through to the 130s on the scale. My self-denial is paying off, because this last week has certainly not been stupendous for workouts. I only fit in two workouts rather than four. But the exciting part is not really the scale, it is the fact that my hips finally fit comfortably into the pant size I am shooting for. Yippee! I am super motivated to keep going.
I also have the great opportunity to teach our little six- and seven-year olds at Church. We have a class of 10, and I am eager to make the most of this opportunity to both teach and learn from them. My last such adventure involved twelve 7- to 8-year olds and when I had to leave, we all were sad to part. We had many adventures together, learning and growing. Upward and onward!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Just Ducky
Well, for the second time in our marriage C has rescued a lame duck. The timing couldn't be better, right? Well, the last time was, I believe, in 2003 when C came across a duck with a crippled foot in a bad snow storm. The duck was a wild female Mallard that was limping in the middle of the street. It appeared as though her foot had broken, and then healed incorrectly, rendering her unable to run and take off to migrate with her fellow Mallards. She took up residence in our home while we decided what to do with her. She spent the day in the bathtub, and nights in a large box, occasionally wandering in to watch TV with us. She found a good home on a farm in St. George.
This round was not such a cozy story. C saw a hit-and-run incident and at first thought the bird was dead. When he passed by, the lump of feathers was still moving in the middle of the road, and he pulled over to determine how bad off the little critter was. As he petted it, he noticed the blood on its mouth and thought it must be injured internally pretty bad. He considered for a moment "putting it out of its misery," the only kind thing you can do when an animal is injured beyond repair, but the large corporate building looming before him was cause for consideration. He could see the headlines read, "Therapist and state employee murders duck in public."
Watching him pet the injured little bird, a passer-by commented, "You are such a GOOD man!" Definitely, he is. He decided he would try to get some help if it could be had.
"The eyes are red. I don't know if that means there is hemorrhaging or if its eyes are just red," Chris commented when he called. I asked if it was a white duck, thinking it was albino. It was black, so I thought the injury must be pretty bad. I located a vet that offered to put the duck down if it was bad enough, but mentioned that he would not care for it. Of course, vets must like animals, otherwise they wouldn't be vets. On the trip to the vet the duck's situation improved, and after inspection, the vet told C that he would keep the duck and pass it on to the appropriate Wildlife group, but that it seemed well enough and he could see no reason to put it down. Oh, and yes, the eyes were naturally red.
Once again the hero, C rescued a little life from being further crushed in the street by responding to care for a ducky. Way to go, C! As usual, I am proud of you and all you do.
This round was not such a cozy story. C saw a hit-and-run incident and at first thought the bird was dead. When he passed by, the lump of feathers was still moving in the middle of the road, and he pulled over to determine how bad off the little critter was. As he petted it, he noticed the blood on its mouth and thought it must be injured internally pretty bad. He considered for a moment "putting it out of its misery," the only kind thing you can do when an animal is injured beyond repair, but the large corporate building looming before him was cause for consideration. He could see the headlines read, "Therapist and state employee murders duck in public."
Watching him pet the injured little bird, a passer-by commented, "You are such a GOOD man!" Definitely, he is. He decided he would try to get some help if it could be had.
"The eyes are red. I don't know if that means there is hemorrhaging or if its eyes are just red," Chris commented when he called. I asked if it was a white duck, thinking it was albino. It was black, so I thought the injury must be pretty bad. I located a vet that offered to put the duck down if it was bad enough, but mentioned that he would not care for it. Of course, vets must like animals, otherwise they wouldn't be vets. On the trip to the vet the duck's situation improved, and after inspection, the vet told C that he would keep the duck and pass it on to the appropriate Wildlife group, but that it seemed well enough and he could see no reason to put it down. Oh, and yes, the eyes were naturally red.
Once again the hero, C rescued a little life from being further crushed in the street by responding to care for a ducky. Way to go, C! As usual, I am proud of you and all you do.
Friday, January 30, 2009
What Success Looks Like
Well, Jillian really knows what she is all about, I must admit. She and her crew of health-folk have put together a fine fitness guide. C has been following the diet, albeit with much more vigilance since he started to see the results. He weighed in at 227 today and is looking great. I have some more mathematical results, considering I started with measurements as recommended by J.M. With just two days left on the 30 day plan, I think I have swallowed enough water to fill a swimming pool, avoided enough salt to make one float in a swimming pool (I really love salt), and knocked off some critical inches and pounds. I have lost about an inch on my arms, 2.5 inches on my waist, three inches on my hips, 2.5 inches on my upper legs, and 1.5 inches on my ribs. After a plateau of weight loss (I had to re-read to see what was going wrong), the weight is coming off again, and I am almost down to 140. I have only done one set of circuits on the prescribed days, and minus the run-around at work, have done no other exercise, which totals to 45 minutes per day at about 4 days per week. Not too shabby. Now that I have it down, I think I am going to shoot for 135, which I believe was my marriage weight - maybe. I can't remember back that far. Either way, I am both pleased with the way I feel, and the way I look, and feel much more in-control in my life. It is a great feeling. I am so grateful for the healthy body God has blessed me with and for the amazing healthy food he has given us to eat! I am especially grateful for the strength he's given me to increase my health. Upward, and onward!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
You may also want to read:
