Week In Review~March 3

Here we are, it’s March 3 and I haven’t changed my calendar yet! Meghan, can I use that as the first thing on Next week’s Week In Review?!  Meghan is our lovely hostess for Week In Review.  Be sure to check out all of the other bloggers who link up at Clean Eats, Fast Feets every week.  I love WIR because it helps me to see exactly what I’ve done in a week.  Makes me feel much more accomplished than I did before I joined in.  Besides, I’m starting to appreciate Meghan’s love of  lists that started the whole thing!

~It snowed!! I realize that I had nothing to do with the snow, but it had an impact on my week and helped to contribute to my general feeling of craziness.  I am truly tired of the snow as I’ve been saying again and again.  You’re probably sick of hearing it, but I’m sick of experiencing it. Ok, that’s off my mind now.

~Another good week of going through the Artist’s Way program.  We completed Week 8.  I did my morning pages every day and I’m amazed that I only have about 6 pages left in my current MP notebook.  I have another at the ready.  I’ve been saving up journal books for years never knowing what I was going to do with them.  Now I know.  I love the exercise of doing the pages.  They are a great way for me to start the day, dump out a bunch of things and I do believe it will be a practice that stays with me.

~We got all of our tax paperwork in the mail.  So glad when that’s accomplished.  Come on Refund!

~I exercised six out of the last seven days.  I feel so much better doing this.  I am now realizing why I always did my exercise bike each morning even when I was still working.  It makes me feel so good. Especially now with my hip issues.  This is truly a wonderful thing.  I’m up to 35 minutes now and I may try to raise that as this new week progresses.  I may even try to add a short ride in the afternoon.  I’m feeling so good about it.

~I have decided that something that is missing in my life is meditation.  I had meditated for quite a while in 2013.  I believe at one point I was up to 109 days in a row without missing.  I’ve downloaded several apps to my phone which are quite good.  Each one has several choices of either music or sound (chimes, chanting, wind, water) that are very good for calming and focusing me.  Today for some reason, it didn’t work, my mind kept moving to things I have to do today.  This blog post was one of those things.  One of the main reasons I usually do it on Sunday is because then I have time to think about it and not be rushed on Monday.  Note to self…Do Week In Review on Sunday…Always!!  Here’s a little look at what I see when I meditate.

 

A flickering candle and the wonderful Buddha that my sister, Ele got for me.  Very peaceful.

~I read poetry.  Not something I’ve done in quite a while.  Monica who is the leader of our Artist’s Way cluster, loaned me a book of poetry by Mary Oliver.  I must confess that I am ashamed that I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her.  She won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry.  However, I’ve found her now and I’m a fan.  I need to read more poetry.  It will probably encourage me to write more as well.  When I get to my project of going through the books at my sister’s house, I need to pull out some of my poetry books and get into them again.

That’s about it for me for Week In Review. I have big plans for this coming week, so I intend to have a much longer list next week!  Be sure to check over at Meghan’s Clean Eats, Fast Feets  to see what everyone is up to.  Have a great week!

Happy Monday!

P is for Peace or Piece or Peas

The Blogging A to Z Challenge comes with a built-in challenge.  Some days, I’m not looking for a challenge, but it seems that life in general poses those for us each day.

Today’s challenge is the letter P.

I seek peace and tranquility.  I live in chaos and confusion.  Some of it is my physical surroundings, some of it is in my mind.  

I have over the past year or so, found meditation.  I am not currently meditating.  For me, meditating is something I have to make part of my routine.  Before going to Florida in February, I had meditated for 106 days without a break.  I was pretty proud of myself for that.  While there, it wasn’t practical for me to do it.  No time when I was totally alone.  Since coming back to New Jersey, I have gotten out of the habit.  I hate when that happens.

I find myself longing for that serenity that I feel when I meditate that carries me through the day.  I think that daylight savings time might be part of the problem.  It used to be dark when I got up.  I sat down arranged things, lit my candle and I was surrounded by shadows except for my candle.  Now it’s getting on to dawn when I get up, the birds are doing their birdy things outside and I find it hard to concentrate.

I need to find a way to do my meditation in spite of these distractions.  I need to feel that peace in the early morning.  Nothing is really stopping me but Me.  I commit now that I will do it tomorrow morning and keep it up.  There are no obstacles except myself.  

If you’ve never meditated, you should try it.  It may not bring you the peace you seek, but it will help to calm you and give you a good start to the day.  Anybody out there with me?  Let me know if you meditate. If you don’t, think about starting.  I’ll report on my progress and you report on yours.  

 

 

 

Wishing you a peaceful Thursday!

Breathe Deep

I’ve mentioned before that I have been trying to add meditation to my daily routine.  I haven’t spoken about it much.  Last time I was working on meditation, I did the recommended 40 days, then I stopped.  I didn’t get back to it for quite a while.  I’m not sure why, that’s just what happened.

When I started again, I decided to log when I did it and figure the number of days I have been doing it.  As of today, it is 106 days without a lapse.  I’m pretty proud of myself.  I’m not sure I’m always doing it correctly, but, hey as long as I’m doing it this consistently, I must be doing something right.

I have an interesting photo as the desktop photo on my computer.

 

I love this and I have it on the screen as I’m meditating.  No other lights on.  It’s usually still dark out.  I do have a candle burning.

 

With my Buddha that Ele gave me for Christmas and my mala beads which I made.  I’m still amazed that I just decided to make them and I did!

It seems that regardless what kind of day I expect to have or if it’s one of those nights that I wake up in the middle and can’t go back to sleep, I feel better after I’ve meditated.  I’m still working on getting the breathing right, but as I say it’s a work in progress.  In fact that’s what I hear so often when I read about meditation.  Just doing it is the important thing. Even if I never get it “right” I’m still getting great benefits from it.

I’ll be going away next week and I hope to be able to continue with this.  I still wake up before everyone else so there’s no reason I won’t be able to.  It is such a calming and positive way to start the day.

 

Every Day.

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheer In The Mail!

That would be Christmas Cheer!  By some miracle, all of the cards found themselves, addressed, return addressed, stamped and in the mail by about 3pm on Monday!  I only have 2 left that need lengthier notes in them.  Then there are the ones that I hand deliver.  They’ll be easier to handle.  I even got a package in the mail that I’ve been trying to take care of since November which should have been done in October.  Is it tacky to send a Christmas card in the package with a Thank You gift? I didn’t think so, thanks. 😉

The rain and the drear are getting the better of me at the moment.  I’m working to keep my Christmas spirit going.  I think I’ll try working on the Christmas tree today.  I’d like to get it up before the end of the World next Friday!

I wanted to share a little drawing that Ralph did over the weekend while we were at Taco Bell for lunch.  Now keep in mind we were at Taco Bell, so the drawing went along with the theme of the restaurant…

A tiny Taco Santa.  wherever we go, he draws.  It handed it to the very surprised young lady who took our order.  I’m not sure that she got it.  I thought I’d share some Christmas artwork since I can’t share the Christmas card yet.  Funny, but I haven’t been sharing much food lately except on What I Ate Wednesday.  For quite a few weeks, I didn’t have much to show so I was saving everything for WIAW…It’s going to be chock full this week!

Well, the sun is up and  so is my side kick!! He’s got lots of work to do to in the form of artwork for family and friends for Christmas.  I need to get to my tree.  I also just realized that BCDC has not one but TWO milestones coming up in a few days.  Need to wrap my brain around what I want to say!  Oh, boy, there’s not much of this brain left at the moment for wrapping.  I need to focus what’s left! 😉

Speaking of focusing, I have really stuck with my meditating which I think is helping.  I did my 40 days (what I understand you’re supposed to do as a goal to start) and I have started on my next 40.  I think it’s also helping me with being mindful with my food.  I am quite amazed at my success with that considering the fact that we’re heading into the Holidays.  Shocked, I Am!

Ralph just brought in Yesterdays’ mail…we’re not confused or anything. 😉  In there a card from some old college friends.  Happy to see photos of them doing so well.

Happy Tuesday!  This is me starting a project!!

 

A Positive To Erase The Negative

It hasn’t been a good couple of weeks due to the Plague (cold) I’ve been fighting.  Although a good part of Saturday was spent with what felt like the beginning of a sore throat (Why?!)  Sunday has dawned with no sore throat and feeling good in general!

Saturday had a positive start.  I got to my Weight Watchers meeting bright and early.  Though reluctant to get on the scale because I’ve been so off track, I stepped on and…I lost a half pound!  I couldn’t have been happier or more surprised!  It was a great gift and helped to make me feel better, if only mentally!  I feel that I can get back on track now.  Of course, Saturday, as it always does, had a bit of off track eating, but that’s practically a rule. 😉  I plan to start my Sunday on a very positive note.

I’ve already meditated and I plan on a good food day.  Healthy and on Program.  Ralph will be watching his football game so I’ll need to come up with something for him.  I expect to be doing a veggie combo for myself for dinner.  I need to start thinking ahead for this week which of course includes Thanksgiving and company.  Even though the company won’t be staying at my house, I still get pulled into the merriment and it almost always seems to be food related.  I need to plan out the week today so that I can feel focused and in control.  I feel I can handle that.

I have to share a photo I took Saturday morning.  You know how sometimes, the sun and the view come together at just the right time and you can actually stop in the street (it was 7am…no one around on a Saturday morning!) AND you know where your camera is.  That happened Saturday!

Ralph and I were riding around Saturday afternoon, marveling at how much color is still left on so many trees.  I love an extended Fall!  Looks like it will be sunny, today…I should get out and take some more photos, while I can!! 

Happy Sunday!! Make it a Positive One!!

Focus On The Weekend

You all hear me moan and complain about focus…most of the time I feel I have none.  I am trying to correct that issue for myself.  I mentioned that I had started to meditate again and I swear it helps.  I’ve been saying my mala beads each day, usually before the sun comes up.  I light a candle and it’s very peaceful.

However I do think that doing a guided meditation would be helpful.  Several years ago I was fortunate enough to travel to Kripalu in Western Massachusetts.  In fact, my header photo with the Buddha was taken there. While there I attended one meditation session with a wonderful lady named Bhavani Lorraine Nelson.  It was a wonderful experience and I purchased her CD.

It’s been sitting here waiting for me to open the shrink wrap.  I decided it was time to do that, but then came the issue of actually playing the CD.  I know I can do it on the computer, but I don’t usually turn the computer on prior to meditating.  I suddenly remembered that there was something hiding in a box in the basement.

It’s a portable CD player that I had gotten for Free at the rummage sale.  It didn’t have earphones, but fortunately I had a set.  I put in fresh batteries and put in a CD.  Like any machine you’re not familiar with, it takes a little trying to get it to work, but in no time…I was listening!  I haven’t used it for meditation yet, but I’m planning on doing that over the weekend.  I know it’s dumb, I know it’s a simple thing AND I know I had all these pieces here…I just needed to get them all togther!! 

I’m going to get used to the guided meditation and fit it into my current meditatin routine.  I think it will be a big plus…and help me Focus!

No clue what Weight Watchers will hold for me when I get there today, but…as long as I get there…that’s all that counts!

Happy Saturday!!

No…No NaNo…

I made the decision Wednesday afternoon.  At that point there was still time to change my mind and that fact nagged me.  I waffled a few more times…the wishy washy kind of waffle not the other kind.  Then…since Halloween was called off in our town and we knew we wouldn’t be here on Saturday when they would be holding Halloween….We Ate Candy…

Not a very adult way of handling it and not a very conscious Weight Watchers way, either, but I got over it…

I decided that I was Not going to participate in National Novel Writing Month this year.  I had participated last year and I enjoyed it so much.  I got closer to several of my blog friends by joining in a writer’s circle with them and I hope they allow me to still participate in that with them so I can stay posted on how they’re doing.  I felt a great sense of accomplishment. 

As I said before, I even had an idea this year, but… I’m not completely sure why I decided as I did.  I think the real reason is, I’ve started working on sorting and packing and that needs to continue.  I can write stories in my mind as I work, then write them down when I’m finished with each day’s project.  I like that idea.

I also feel that I’m accomplishing something else at this time.  I’m back to meditating.  In fact as soon as I finish posting, I will be meditating.  Today will be day number four.  I will probably see what time of day will work best for me, I think first thing in the morning is good.  If I can keep myself organized to have my posts written the previous afternoon, I can meditate as soon as I get up, then work on the computer.  I like the feel of that.  I’ll let you know how it works.

The bad news is that I think I’m catching Ralph’s cold.  The good news is, I will actually do what the doctor suggested.  As soon as he wakes up and tells me where he put the Zicam, I will start with that.  I’ll also keep drinking the honey/lemon/ginger combo.  It’s about two-thirds gone because Ralph has decided he likes it!  With that and the chicken soup I made that he loved…two wins for me!

Although I will not be NaNo-ing this year…in solidarity with my NaNo Sisters and Brothers…

I dug my NaNoWriMo mug out of the cupboard.  I figured it would make me feel a little better about my decision.  Once you’ve completed NaNoWriMo, you’re always part of the club! 

Part of meditation is visualization.  I will be visualizing myself participating in NaNoWriMo next year…In New Mexico!!

Happy Thursday!!  Good luck to all in my NaNoWriMo family!! You can do it!

 

Somewhere There’s A Focus For Me

Friday was another one of those less than focused days.  It started out well.

The makings of a good breakfast…

AND it was delicious!!  Vanilla non-fat yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and Fiber One.  Excellent start.

The rest of the day actually went well in reference to food.  Fruit for lunch, a Clif Bar as a late afternoon snack before I went on an adventure.

The adventure was a meditation evening at Serenity Harbor.  It was really interesting and intriguing.  But it’s been hard to process what actually happened.  I could tell I was in a group of true believers and that makes it so much better.  Everyone believed they’d be experiencing something from the meditation. 

I’ve meditated on my own, but only once or twice with a guided meditation.  Never before with a meditation with a specific intention.  The intention of this meditation was to meet your Master Spirit Guide.  Several people felt that they did experience something and met a spirit.  I have to be honest that I am still processing what happened to me.  I have to do some thinking about it before I share anything about it.  I know that I do want to attend one of these evenings again at the next opportunity.  It was fascinating!

Dinner when I came home was another of my salads with black beans.  It was delicious and I was really hungry…too hungry to take the time for a photo!  I was a little concerned about eating so late, about 9:30pm, but it didn’t seem to have a negative effect on my results at Weight Watchers.

I am happy to report that I lost a quarter of a pound.  Doesn’t sound like much, right??  Well, think about it as a stick of butter, because that’s what it is.  The stick of butter is an easily understood visualization of a quarter pound.  Well that’s pretty good especially since I ate so late.  However,  still have another pesky stick of butter to lose to get to my personal goal.  I’ve been working hard and I feel I should be able to accomplish that in the next week.

It makes me a little nervous talking that way at the moment.  The reason is that I’m reading Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi.

She talks a lot about just getting to that next lower number and how she controlled and limited her food.  It’s scary to hear her talk about it in the book and it is making me think a lot about how I am currently controlling my food.  I feel that I’m doing it in a healthy way with the help of Weight Watchers and I don’t think I’d ever fall into that trap.  It certainly is something to think about though. 

There was another adventure after our WW meeting this morning with my WW tribe.  More about that tomorrow.  Trying to decide if I NEED to go to the county library book sale.  I know I don’t NEED to, but as always…I WANT to.  Which side will win??  Don’t know yet.  You’ll all be the first to know what happens!

Happy Saturday!!

Goals Are Good

I think I’ve made a very wise decision to participate in NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month.  It gives me a goal to work towards.  I’ve talked many times on BCDC about needing to focus.  This will be an additional tool in that effort.

Goals For July 4th Weekend:

In an effort to not bite off more than I can chew, I’ll start small and just work on this upcoming weekend.

1. Spend at least 1 hour each day in sorting and packing.  

Even though I’m not working, the weekends still seem different and are less structured than weekdays.  I will try to get something accomplished in the area of S&P.  I accomplished a lot last week, but then got off track.  Making myself work on it on the weekend will help keep my mind in the game.

2. Stay on track with my eating.

Although I’ve been doing really well with my eating, I’m starting to feel like I’m headed out of control.  With the Holiday weekend here, it could lead to trouble.  I stocked up on fruit and Saturday will be my prep day.  Cutting and chopping.  I do really well with lots of fruit available to snack on.  It keeps me away from other things. 

3.  Get back to meditation.

Meditation really helped me to focus when I was doing my 40 days.  I need to do it again.  I WILL do it again. 

Today is one of those days where I woke up at 2am and couldn’t get back to sleep.  I’ve been up since 3am.  This was happening a lot but hasn’t happened in a while.  I find it very frustrating.  I think getting back to my meditation will help this and get me better able to focus on my goals.

Friday started with my blood tests.  Not being able to eat since 8pm Thursday night made me very hungry and Very thirsty.  After exercising, Ralph suggested breakfast which was my go-to breakfast of late, scrambled eggs and sliced tomatoes.

After that I spent most of the day with Gail and Alice doing something that we love to do…”junking.”  I was proud of myself that I did not buy a lot.  I got one real treasure which unfortunately is out in the car so I can’t take a photo at the moment.  I’ll share it tomorrow.

I’ll be off to my Weight Watchers meeting soon.  I feel that I’ve been very good and hope for a good result at weigh-in. 

No photos today, so I searched for one I hadn’t used before.  It’s me with my favorite little guy, little Michael! 

Of course, it was outside a restaurant…Eating is Always Involved!!

Everyone have a Happy Saturday!! 🙂

40 Days and Odd and Ends

I realized yesterday afternoon, that today would be the 40th day of my meditation practice.  I tend to let things fall by the wayside.  I start things and don’t complete them.  This I completed!  It is a very interesting process.

I started by making my own mala beads…

I haven’t done anything “crafty” in such a long time, but I really enjoyed it!  I think it made the whole process more meaningful to me because I made them myself.

Simple wooden beads, bought at a local craft store.  Nothing fancy, pretty earth tones, capped off with 2 tiny copper-colored dragonflies.  When I’m not using them, they live in the pretty red bag given to me by our family friend, Jim.  When I received the bag, it was filled with…dragonfly jewelry! How appropriate!

I think I’ll take a few days off from my practice and start again on Monday.  I’m proud of myself for having accomplished the 40 day cycle.  I originally started on a Monday so I think it will be appropriate for me to continue that way.  It is becoming a comfortable part of my life.  The book that got me started (Thank you, Ele!) suggested keeping a spiritual journal as you go through your meditation practice.  I’m going to try to do that on this cycle.

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Some days you’re just lucky.  When I first got up I looked out the kitchen window and I was able to quickly go outside to capture this…

I almost didn’t take the shots then, I thought I’d wait until after I did my exercise.  But I did take them and when I finished exercising, the sky was gray and overcast.  If I had waited, I wouldn’t have gotten the photos.  I’m happy I took the time to do it then!  🙂

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After yesterday’s post lamenting my issues with the dreaded mango, I get this in an e-mail today…

It’s an Oxo Good Grips Mango Splitter!!  It’s not that expensive, but do I really need to spend $12.49 for something to open a fruit I’m not sure I like?  I’d have to think about it.  But, I guess it’s nice to know it’s available.  These days I think there must be a specialized tool/utensil/gadget for just about anything you might want to do!  As Ralph likes to say, “it’s a wonderful time to be alive!”

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I’m excited that tonight, Ralph and I are meeting some friends of mine from my old job for dinner.  I miss them a lot, I don’t miss the job, but  I do miss the people.  These are the kind of friends that are friends for life.  I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of that kind of friend.  Many of them read BCDC so thanks to all of you.  You enrich my life in many ways.  Gee, I’m getting serious here…better whack myself in the head! 😉

I’ll have to choose wisely tonight.  I’ve been trying hard all week to have a good result at Weight Watchers tomorrow, I don’t want to sabotage myself.  We’ll see what happens!

Have a great day…Happy Friday! 🙂