Playing a Little Catchup

 

Anyone else feeling like you can't believe that it is the middle of November and Thanksgiving is a week away? Good, I was afraid I was all alone!!! While I have been diligently journaling every morning 5 things from the previous 24 hours that I am thankful for, I have not been diligently journaling them here!

Today is a catch-up day for days 2 - 15 of those 30 days of thanks!

#2 - I am thankful for my Hoka Sneakers

#3 - I am thankful for steaming hot coffee after a cold morning walk

#4 - I am thankful for my Airpods

#5 - I am thankful for the TV shows we watch together as a family

#6 - I am thankful for 1 on 1 time with the girls

#7 - I am thankful for Sunday Night Bowling 

#8 - I am thankful for the COLDEST beer around at the Bowling Alley Bar

#9 - I am thankful for morning walks with my best friend

#10 - I am thankful for all the sweet treats that a friend shares with us on the regular

#11 - I am thankful for all those who serve in our Military

#12 - I am thankful for the app on my phone that opens my garage door

#13 - I am thankful for Kindle Books

#14 - I am thankful for touchpad door lock from the garage to the house - GAME CHANGER!

#15 - I am thankful for Facetime calls with my toddler nephew - "HI AUNTIEEEEEE"

Mrs. November

 

Every November I share Thirty Days of Thanks. Sometimes they are big things, sometimes they are as simple. A hot cup of coffee, a walk with a friend, or clean sheets. For years, I've started my day with a simple gratitude practice. 

Each morning, I open my journal and write down 5 things from the last 24 hours that I am grateful for. In the beginning, you'll write about the "big things" - my health, my family, my job, etc. When you work through those, you'll spend your day on a gratitude scavenger hunt. 

It was hard for me to believe that I had not written here since March. There has been a lot going on since then ... but I will catch you all up on that over the next 30 days. 

Let's get this gratitude waterfall flowing!! 

#1 - I am thankful for my online platform

I am so grateful that I have a place to write and share my writing. Part of the reason I have been so absent here is because I have been focusing on a handful of different projects. Writing is one of the things and, I promise, I have some really exciting news to share .... soon!

For now, suffice it to say, there is a lot more writing and other expansion coming to this online platform. 

#1 - I am thankful for my online platform

Building a Habit is HARD

 

I'm not sure who to attribute that quote to, but it really helps me keep things in perspective. 

I said I was going to write for 100 days straight. If I'm being honest, I knew when I said that -- I was going to miss some days. I didn't anticipate it going off the rails so quickly, but here I am on day #9 - needing to also write #7 and #8. 

The old me would have thought - "well I couldn't even make it through 2 weeks, might as well give up" 

The me of today -- asked "what will it take to get you back on track" and I thought for a few minutes and devised a plan. Write a post before your work day starts and another at lunch. Depending on how the dinner rush at home goes and what others need from me -- maybe a 3rd tonight. I contemplate and think "Ehhh - that might be a little ambitious." You see, waking up at 4am every day -- makes me kinda lose steam around 8pm. I'm not necessarily ready for bed then - but I'm not always feeling creative or motivated to put words on paper. So my "plan b" is that maybe I'll also double up tomorrow. 

I'm also working both weekend days at my parttime job so maybe the double up plan will allow me to get ahead and stay on track. 

That's the thing about building habits - it is HARD. Throwing in the towel, that's easy - but it doesn't move your forward.

If your intention is to push yourself, if your intention is to grow -- you have to change that ONE flat tire and get back on the road.

I bet you can even make up some time.

7 of 100

Signs of Spring

 

I don't know about you, but I am ready for SPRING!!!

Maybe it's because I work on a college campus and the students are off on 2 weeks Spring Break, but I am done with winter. 

There really was nothing to complain about given that I do live in New England and our winter was very mild, but once we "spring forward", I'm all about the Spring. 

Last Sunday, during the children's message at church, our pastor asked the kids (and the congregation) to list signs of Spring. Since she asked that, I noticed that I have been consciously looking for them.

I'm noticing..........

- my crocus and daffodils poking through the ground

- the grass looking a little greener

- the birds chirping away when I walk the dog before I leave for work

- the peep frogs (one of my favorites)

- daylight after work

- more people walking in the afternoons

What are you noticing?

6 of 100

Laughing so Hard

 

I am in a yearlong coaching and mentoring program with some really fantastic women. We're spread out all over the US, but we keep in touch using Zoom meetings and this walkie talkie app called Voxer. Voxer is cool because you can type like a text, you can create groups, broadcast groups, or you can press the button and send an actual voice message. I know you can do this in texts too, but there's something about this app that makes it different to me.

Most mornings, as I'm walking the dog, I send a little voice message - we've nicknamed this "Heather's Hoot", corny I know, but that's where we landed.

This morning I was a little early to meet my Saturday walking buddy. I popped open Voxer and there were some messages to catch up on. There were a couple of links - I watched the first video that was shared, and it was about this inappropriate name of a Cabbage Patch doll from 1987. I mean that post in itself caused side splitting laughter. Then there was one about friendship that made you say "awwww" out loud. 

Then there was a voice recording from one of my friends where she is trying to talk about the inappropriately named doll and she is laughing SO HARD in the recording that when you are listening to it - I mean, you can't not start laughing uncontrollably as she is laughing. You can't even imagine how happy that recording of her cracking up made me. 

I need to download that clip so I can save it on my phone and play it whenever I need a little pick me up. 

It. is. That. GOOD. 

Laughter really is the best medicine. 

5 of 100

Please Let Me Know

 

For years when people I cared about were going through a hard time, I often said "whatever you need, just let me know." For the longest time, I never noticed that one ever really asked for anything. I interpreted it as "they must be all set" when more likely, they didn't know what to ask.

I'm lucky to have lived a pretty charmed life. My parents are still married to this day, no catastrophic family illnesses, or things that tend to knock the wind out of your sails for a long time.

There was my divorce when I was 29, but I was lucky to have friends who didn't ask what I needed, they seemed to instinctively know. It wasn't something that I consciously noticed until years later.

Sometime in the last 10 years, I read an article that talked about how good our intentions are when we say "Let me know if you need anything" but how really unhelpful that can be. The reason being sometimes whatever we're going through or trying to manage is so big, so hard, SO much, that we don't have any idea what to even ask for. The article gave really practical suggestions on how to adapt your approach. As I read, I started to think about times when people had called and offered very specific things and how it actually was so much easier to accept or amend their offer. 

There was the time when I had a new baby, and my cousin came to sit with her so I could walk the dog for an hour on a gorgeous September afternoon. Then there was the 2nd baby and my sister called to ask if she could come over on Mother's Day and we could order pizza for lunch. When she got here, she asked what was on my list that day. 

"I need to go to Walmart." I told her.

"OK, we can go after lunch and get whatever you have on your list" She volunteered.

What a gift. 

When we were building the house, my best friend called during the week and asked if she could take the girls for lunch and to see the Alpacas on Saturday. 

"Maybe you'd be able to paint or pack while they aren't home?" she suggested. 

Unbelievable! 

As I processed that article I was reading, I decided right then and there, I was changing my approach when I offered my assistance. My go to offer is to drop off a meal when a new baby arrives. Especially, if it isn't their first baby. Everyone thinks that first baby is the hardest. In my experience, we had so much help the first time - meals for days. The second baby arrives, and everyone thinks you've got it all figured out. You do, sort of, but now there are even more people that need to eat! I've adopted the "I'd like to drop off dinner next week, I could do Monday or Thursday - what day is best for you?" I can't think of a time when my offer has been declined.

When my friend's daughter was killed in a car accident, we had no idea how to help or provide any kind of support. I kept thinking that in that particular situation, what she needed was her daughter back and that was impossible. She lived in our neighborhood so one morning I sent a text...

"I'm going to Stop and Shop later, if I can pick anything up for you, just shoot me a text. I can text when I am on the way and leave it at your front door."

A little while later, she replied.

"Can you get me a bottle of Dawn? Like the blue Dawn with the duck on the label? I asked my aunt and she got me Palmolive, I know this sounds silly, but it's not the same."

"Doesn't sound silly to me at all. If you think of more stuff during the day, I'm not going until after work. Happy to pick up whatever."

She was grateful to have something familiar - like Dawn - but not have to go to the store. What I never told her was how grateful I was to do something as simple and ordinary as pick up $20 worth of items for her.

I think that's the thing, right? Sometimes we're so tired, frustrated or overwhelmed by whatever - grief, loneliness, anger, pain - that we do need help, but we have no idea how to even verbalize it.

So that's I what do now. I call or text and make a specific offer. I can't think of a time since I've changed my approach when it hasn't been accepted or altered in a way that fits the current need. 

The next time you catch yourself about to say "let me know if you need anything" I challenge you to take a different approach.

4 of 100

Stuck in the Middle

 

Teachers are some of my most favorite people in the world. They were part of the reason that I volunteered to serve on my community's Board of Education. 

For years I said "there is a special place in heaven for Kindergarten teachers" ... then our youngest kiddo started middle school. 

She went to 6th grade in the Fall of 2020, y'all remember what school looked like then? 

I've since updated my saying ...

"There is a special place in heaven for Kindergarten AND Middle School teachers." 

Middle School is NO. JOKE.

The meme above applies to the parents of this kiddos too, not just their teachers! 

I thought it was hard when the girls were 2 and 5, or 3 and 6 but this middle school thing... Oh. EM. GEE. 

I know that this is a season and that someday I'll look back and laugh. There is NOT a lot of laughing these days.

3 of 100

Send the Card

 

I love to send cards - birthday, new baby, thank you, thinking of you and even sympathy cards. I love the idea of someone going to the mailbox and getting something that makes them realize they were thought of. 

I'll add that I have really, REALLY good intentions and them sometimes the moment passes and I never sent the card because it will be "too late." Then there was this moment when my perspective was changed. 

On Sunday at church, there was a young couple and at least one child (this was a long time ago), the wife took the kid(s) to Sunday school and the man was left by himself. We got to the part of the service where the congregation shares their "Joys and Concerns." He raised his hand and was handed the mic. 

"I'm in the military and I have been stationed away from home. This church sent me letters while I was deployed and I should have thank you a long time ago. I really appreciated knowing that people were thinking and praying for me" 

I'm paraphrasing but you get the gist. 

After service, people were shaking his hand and someone said 'There's no expiration on gratitude" 

"Huh, I'd never thought about it like that" but I go back to that still to this day and kind of adapt it to some other sentiments. 

There's this woman at work, we work in very different departments but have served on a few committees together. Her husband died in the Fall and almost as soon as I found out, I pulled out a sympathy card. Then I got busy and I tried to look for her home address. I didn't know her husbands first name or what town she lived in, and their last name -- pretty common. I kept moving this card around on my desk. 

FINALLY, in January, I asked myself "is really that important that you send this to her HOME?? Isn't it more important that she knows you were thinking of her?"

So I just sat down that day at lunch and wrote out the card. I said that I had been thinking of her as she grieved such a significant loss, then said that I had tried to find her home address and that I hoped that she believed that there was no expiration on people sending wishes of kind words. I told myself that maybe getting a card a few months later - when she was, no doubt, still grieving - but when many had returned to their regular programming - might even be a blessing. I dropped the card in an interoffice envelope and sent it on its way. 

Guess what, she emailed me a couple of days later ....

"Got the card - thanks so much for thinking of me! No, there is no expiration on kind words. I'm making it through with the support of all the kind words I've been receiving."

Send the note ... whenever you get to it. I'm putting my money on it will be appreciated whenever it arrives. 

2 of 100

Happy New Year?

 

I sent an email to a friend over the weekend with the subject line "March????"

I literally cannot believe that it is already March, actually, tomorrow is the halfway point. 

2023 didn't really start the way I thought it would or had planned. My dad had a couple of health challenges, and I am so grateful to be able to help my parents navigate that whole journey.  My parents travel quite a bit, and it was a blessing that they were home and close to my sister, brother and me.

I'm happy to report that dad is on the mend. 

I also realized that there are more than 15 more days in March, you don't need to start on the 1st to start. You just need to start. There is plenty of time to start on that 2023 list of "To Do's"

Plenty of time to get somethings done. 

Plenty of time to make forward progress. 

Here we go ... 

#1of100

Happy Thanksgiving

 

I started of "Thirty Days of Thanks" with a bang. I inspired others with that first post. I haven't written since then. Some stuff happened. 

Our schedule got a little jacked up -- the girls had these crazy school and after school activities schedules, someone on my team fell and broke a rib and was out of work for SEVEN DAYS, I took this class that met 4 times complete with HOMEWORK, I started working a part-time catering job and my Thirty-one business exploded. All good things, but things that wore me out.

I'm a firm believer that there is no expiration on gratitude -- which is why you sometimes get a thank note from me months after the gift. I hope that it still makes you feel appreciated. 

So, here's a bit of a catch-up list that gets me caught up through today!

#2 - I am thankful for a reliable car. When I put the key in the ignition, it goes.

#3 - I am thankful for our zero-turn mower with the bagger. I am grateful how it makes it easier to do Fall cleanup in our yard. 

#4 - I am thankful hot, creamy French vanilla coffee.

#5 - I am thankful that I was able to travel to Europe this summer with my mom and my daughter. I will forever treasure those memories

#6 - I am thankful for my Thirty-one business. I have the most amazing group of loyal supporters. 

#7 - I am thankful for Saturday morning walks with a good friend. Not only is it 3.5 miles of good exercise, but it is also 1 hour the best conversation.

#8 - I am thankful for the right to vote. 

#9 - I am thankful for the team - my podiatrist and physical therapists - who helped me heal my debilitating foot pain. I can now appreciate how mentally crippling pain is and how liberating it is when it subsides.

#10 - I am thankful for Central AC. 

#11 - I am thankful for friends who loan you their extra window ACs when your central AC craps out - in a record-breaking heat wave!

#12 - I am thankful for my Inner Circle Family. I never imagined how impactful that you would all be. The personal and professional growth I've achieved the last year isn't possible without your wisdom, love, encouragement and accountability.

#13 - I am thankful for heat and hot water. At my fingertips, consistently. 

#14 - I am thankful that we've been able to build our addition and attached garage. 

#15 - I am thankful that I can open my garage door from my smartphone - something I was certain I wouldn't need and now don't want to live without.

#16 - I am thankful for my Sunday night bowling crew. This has been such a constant in my life and it has so little to do with the actual sport. I am grateful for my team who makes me laugh so hard every week!

#17 - I am thankful for friends who are easy to share a hotel room with.

#18 - I am thankful for family time watching TV.

#19 - I am thankful that my kids friends like to come to our house. 

#20 - I am thankful that we converted our swimming pool from chlorine to salt.

#21 - I am thankful for my Apple watch and the ability to use it to find my phone.

#22 - I am thankful for my student employees - this current group restores my faith in the future. 

#23 - I am thankful for the day before Thanksgiving off with pay!

#24 - I am thankful that my parents are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.

30 Days of Thanks

 

#1 - I am thankful for funding for middle school sports. 

Middle school started off rough for Kristen. She started 6th grade in a new school in September of 2020. She got off the bus, went to a classroom and sat there for her entire day. She had every class there, ate her lunch there, even had gym ... in that little classroom. She was with the same kids All. Day. LONG. Let's just say, they weren't the best influence. 

Thanks to some grant money, sports were added back in for the 7th grade year. I signed her up for the cross-country team (I mean, you know who her uncle is - don't you? A high school All-American runner) she came home the 2nd day of practice and said -"I'm on the soccer team. I need cleats" 

She had something to look forward to at the end of her day. She met new friends in other grades and enjoyed playing. She'll tell you -- they were not great that first year. However, every game, they were a little better than the game before. They encouraged each other, they held each other accountable, they celebrated each other. 

She just finished her middle school soccer career with a celebration for the team this afternoon. Kristen was named "Offensive Player of the Year" and recognized for scoring 3 goals in one game. Soccer gave her something that was missing, and I'll be forever grateful. Also --- you sure do run a lot in a soccer game, and you can't get lost in the woods. 

#1 - I am thankful for funding for middle school sports. 

Reflecting

 At the end of January, I became co-moderator of my church. I actually kind of chuckle when I say that because a few months before, I had made a conscious decision to step away from another board that I chaired. I had decided to focus on some things that were important to me personally and to be "around" the house more - minding the store if you will.

Then not 1 but 2 people asked me if I would take this on. At first, I immediately declined, but then I found myself randomly considering it. So, the Reader's Digest version is that I'm co-moderator with another parishioner for the year.

I don't really keep my faith a secret, I am pretty open that I attend church regularly, that I pray, and that I believe in a higher power. In my case, God. My faith and belief in Him have gotten me through some incredibly painful and trying times. However, I swear a little, ok, a lot. I even have a mug that says "I love Jesus, but I cuss a little" 

I sometimes gossip, I am sometimes selfish, and I am sometimes jealous. 

All of those imperfections did make me think that maybe I wasn't the right person for the job. I reflected on this for some time, not really sure I was good enough to be in that position. Then I had a little nudge, maybe those imperfections make me the absolute right person for the job.

One of my responsibilities is to write a letter for our monthly newsletter. I'm sharing my April letter below. If you're observing Lent and even if you aren't, I hope you find the power of reflection.

Dear Friends,

Lent has arrived and Easter is fast approaching. I’m looking forward to seeing the sanctuary filled with lilies, daffodils and tulips. The warmer weather and the longer days bring a smile to my face. I’m delighted that we will be able to host a Sonrise bake sale this year and that we will soon revive our legendary coffee hours.

I’ve been sort of torturing myself trying to figure out what to say in this month's letter - I wanted to quote scripture and speak philosophically about Lent. I even Googled “What is Lent?” Spoiler alert - this is not my superpower. Personally, I rely on my friends - Margo and May - to have the most perfect reference to scripture or words of encouragement when I need it. It is their superpower for sure.

I will tell you what I have been doing during Lent - reflecting. Especially when I am sitting in my pew on a Sunday. While I wait for our service to start - I am reflecting. What have I done that week to serve? Were there moments when I was not my best self? Was I kind? Was I generous when I had an opportunity? Was I grateful? Sometimes that reflection makes me smile - I have been a good and faithful servant. Sometimes that reflection reminds me that God is Good and I get another chance to do better.

I hope that you are finding a meaningful way to mark this time leading to a joyous Easter Sunday.

Keep the Faith, see you in church!

In Service,

Heather Romanski

#WakeUp100 

22/100

Ice Ice, Baby

 

About 3 weeks ago, I pulled open the freezer to make our pre-workout drinks at 5 am to find the ice maker drawer noticeably lacking. There was some, but it was evident that it hadn't been making ice since sometime the day before. 

I flipped the bar to the "off" position and added that to my list of things to figure out. 

I was surprised how many times in a day I was looking for ice cubes. I was about to send Paul to the grocery store to buy a bag of ice when he reminded me that we had a countertop ice maker in the basement. Brilliant!! He dragged it up for me and I was back in business -- sort of. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to have it, but that machine requires more attention than the one in freezer. Filtering our well water to protect the inside components, having to empty the cube hopper when it was full, and remembering to turn it off when we were gone all day - all things not required by the one in the freezer.

Paul and I spent the better part of a Saturday googling and trying to figure out where the filter was - I was sure we hadn't changed that in way too long and that seemed like the easiest and cheapest thing to try first. We pulled that sucker out from the wall and started looking. We danced around if for a few hours when we decided to walk away for a bit and run to the grocery store. 

We returned and tried for another 45 minutes, uttering a handful of 4 letter words before we decided that we were quitting for that day and pushed it back into place. At least we ran the vacuum when we had it out from the wall, so all was not lost. 

About a week later, my parents came for dinner. They were getting ready to head out when, in passing, I mentioned that our ice maker wasn't working. I shared my theory on the filter. My dad put his coat down and my mom took her seat at the peninsula again. He and Paul pulled the fridge out from the wall and Dad went to work. 

If you don't know my dad - he is the quintessential handy man. He is a skilled carpenter and electrician. He understands how so many things work and he always has a trick up his sleeve for when you encounter a hiccup. He also does things "the right way" - not necessarily the fastest or cheapest - but quality work. 

After about 30 minutes of checking things out and asking Paul for the vacuum, a good screwdriver, a flashlight and a wet rag... he made an announcement. 

"I do not believe that this model has a water filter" and then recommended that we push it back to its usual location. 

"Have you called Whirlpool?" 

"Not yet dad" 

"I think I will have some time on Monday. Please write the model number down for me." 

Fast forward to Monday...

I receive a text message "Good time to call?"

"Yes, please call my office phone" 

"I called Whirlpool - it only took me about 30 minutes on hold until I could talk to someone. I thought that was pretty good. The tech confirmed you do not have a water filter, so that is not the issue. He said it is 1 of 3 things - frozen water line, ice maker needs a reset, or its shot."

I think you should try resetting the unit first. There is a procedure to do this, and it is very specific. You have to do it in the exact order I tell you. I will text you and Paul so you both have the information" 

"OK, thanks for doing that. I know it's a pain to sit on hold. I will do that and let you know" 

He sent the 2.5 screens of instructions to Paul and I via text, as promised that day. This was a Monday. Tuesday he texted -- had I tried the reset yet? I had not -- but I promised that I would soon. 

Wednesday, we had nothing going on when I got home from work and dinner was already in the crockpot. I pulled up the text and started the process.  Step 1 - check, Step 2 - check. The second step was to kill the power to the fridge and I quote "for a minimum of 7 minutes." I did that, checked my watch and then headed to pick Kristen up from an afterschool program. She was not ready when I got there so the fridge was off for more like 30 minutes, so I was in good shape.

I turned it back on and waited. When we headed to bed, there did not seem to be any new ice in the bucket. Maybe it takes a little time? 

Another day or two - nothing. I let my dad know and said I would google "frozen ice maker water lines" and see if we could handle that. He chuckled and told me to let him know how I made out. 

Then, early last week, I was making those water bottles again. I pulled open the freezer and grabbed a handful of ice. I'd been dumping the counter ice maker cubes into the bin. I immediately noticed that there were 2 different shaped cubes.

"I think the ice maker is working?" I said to Paul

Since there were only a few of that shape in there, we held off celebrating until we could be sure it was not a fluke. 

I'm happy to report that the ice maker is running like a champ and Doc Holliday (my dad) has once again, saved the day in Romanskiville. 

He's a keeper for sure! 

#WakeUp100

21/100

Ebb and Flow

 

It happened today, I stopped at a stop sign, glanced over, saw a mini excavator and without even thinking, I looked to see if it was him. 

Of course, it wasn't him. He's been gone since December 28 and most days I know that, but today - just for a moment - I forgot.

In early December 2021, my uncle took a serious fall off a piece of heavy machinery. He was hospitalized, his condition was up and down, until he was gone. 

I wrote about him in early January in a post entitled Ordinary Joe, it was the first time I had posted since November 2021. It was the only post in January. 

I had been noticing the activity on that piece of property for a week or so. I would immediately think of him and similar work that he had done with Stephen and David's help at my house. Every day I pass the spot there is a little more work done. I don't recall actually seeing anyone there working until today. 

I left work a little after 4 and started the ride home. I always avoid Route 32 by going "the back way." I slowed to stop at the stop sign before making the right and the scoop on the little white excavator moved. As I turned to look, for a split-second, I thought it was him. 

Crazy, I know! 

I don't think he had a white excavator, but the man in the seat was built like him, dressed similarly and then, then my brain caught up with my heart. I looked closer and his face didn't look familiar at all. 

Eyes filled with tears, deep exhale, and reality sets in. 

"Grief is tricky" - that's what I said the entire month of January as people would ask how he was, and I would say he was gone.

Grief is like the ocean, and we keep learning how to swim.

#WakeUp100

20/100

Don't Slash all Four Tires

 

I did not write yesterday. I made it 18 days in a row - writing and posting - but I just did not have it in me yesterday. 

The week had been kind of busy and were out later than usual on a Friday night. My Saturday morning walking partner is in FL, so I took advantage of that and stayed in bed until 8am! Paul had an appointment to get 2 wisdom teeth pulled. We were up and getting ready for the day when the phone rang, and they called to ask him to come early ??? 

Paul got home from there and then headed out to practice bowling with Kristen. Their new routine on Saturday mornings. 

We had a 1st birthday party, grocery shopping, the Ridgeline needed a new battery, and before we knew it, we were home after 6pm. 

Then you have to put all that stuff away from Aldi and Walmart. Then the people need to eat. We decided to watch Survivor while we ate dinner - which ended up being a bit of a smorgasbord. Then there is the clean-up!

It was about then I realized, there had been NO writing and there was now absolutely no ambition. 

Is this where it ends? I made it 18 out of the 100 and that's all she wrote? [See what I did there] 

Honestly the me of 4 years ago, might have just stopped. Slashing the proverbial remaining 3 tires because the one went flat. However, the me of today - is writing - post #19 on day 20. 

I've learned so much about perspective these last 4 years. A healthy investment in some personal development courses and a global pandemic will do that for you. 

I've spent a lot of time encouraging my girls to try and try and try again. Why wouldn't I take my own advice. It would have been amazing to write every. single. day for 100 days straight but for someone who is doing so many things and responsible for so much, I'm not sure it was practical. 

So here I am, demonstrating perseverance. Writing post 19 on Day 20.

I hope you looked for a post yesterday and were a tiny bit disappointed that you couldn't find one. I promise, it won't happen often. 

I hope you're glad that you found this one today. 

#WakeUp100

19/100

Gimme Back that Filet o Fish

About 12 years ago there was this McDonalds commercial that ran during lent. When you were lucky enough to see it, you were singing that song All. Day. LONG. 

Please enjoy:

We were lucky enough to have our own movie star .....

This will probably be incorporated into her graduation or wedding video someday because I just CANNOT get enough of her little voice. 

You're welcome!

#WakeUp100 

18/100

You're Welcome

 

In the event that you were not aware, Cadbury Mini Eggs are in the stores. Walmart had this convenient supersize bag in stock when I was there a few Saturdays ago.

These are one of my favorites, and, unlike other candies, there does not seem to be a "flavor" for every season. I only ever see them this time of year. 

I was so grateful that when I bought this bag, there were no children accompanying me on my shopping trip. I declined their help to unpack the bags when I got home. 

Nine of these babies are 160 calories (a decent snack or treat) and 9 at once is plenty. OK, who am I kidding? I could eat a couple of handfuls of these things at once, but I'm going to be 50 in May and weight doesn't drop off that easily - so 9 it is. 

I am not sharing. 

The bag is hidden. 

Do NOT tell on me. I will NOT tell on you.

You're welcome.

#WakeUp100

17/100

Just a Little Competitive

 

I've had my Apple watch for a couple of years now and I'm so attached to it and all that it does, when something goes wrong - it is NOT pretty. 

For example, there have been times when I have not charged it correctly overnight. There have been times - like that time I was in a mediation session - that it started warning me there was low power. Since it was unclear to me how much longer we would be "mediating" that I called Paul and made him bring me my charger. 

The thing that gets me are the monthly fitness challenges. When a new month rolls around, I get a new challenge. Last month it was to record a workout of at least 15 minutes - 16 times. That one was easy. 

For March, I have to double my move goal 27 times - TWENTY-SEVEN. There are only 31 days in the month, I don't have a big margin for error. 

I've been doing pretty well, but this week has been a struggle. 

The last 3 mornings we have gotten up to work out, but the dog has vomited or had diarrhea in his create. Today we were able to get to him outside before a huge cleanup was necessary. We've skipped the workouts to clean or baby-sit him for a bit. 

Add in, it is Spring Break at the college and I am the only coverage for the phones and Service Desk. I'm a little low on the ol' step count. 

So as of this moment -- I am at 581 calories burned, I'm short about 59. Do you know what I am going to do? 

I'm grabbing my fleece, 1 air pod, my Noxgear vest and I'm going to walk up a little bit while I listen to a podcast until my watch signals that I have hit the goal. 

I know, it doesn't make sense to me either. For some reason, I am really committed to this little badge on my watch that signifies I accomplished the goal that my watch set for me. 

I gotta jet -- it's 9:17 and we had to bed at 9:30pm -- I'm going to have to walk fast!

#WakeUp100 

16/100

 

Did you Know This?

Two years ago today, I learned this life changing kitchen hack .... I had been told that you could shred chicken with a KitchenAid mixer but I didn't believe it. 

Then I tried it. I went all those years - killing myself - shredding chicken with 2 forks. 

Chicken tacos, chicken enchiladas, and pulled chicken sandwiches.

In a SNAP!

Apparently, you can do it with a hand mixer, too ..... I have chicken all over the place when I tried it that way. So I'll happily drag out my KitchenAid and shred my 5 lbs of chicken breast in like 7 minutes. 

If you didn't know this before you read my post, you're welcome.

#WakeUp100

15/100

Cheap Bakery

For years I walked right on by that "cheap bakery" rack in Stop and Shop never giving it a look. I didn't just walk by; I turned my head like I was too good for the items you'd find there. I had this perception that they were old, damaged or "bad." 

 When the girls were little, my mother-in-law, would stay with them while we bowled. When they were old enough, she started to show up with treats. She must have mentioned that she picked something up off that rack on her regular Friday Walmart shopping trip. She asked if I ever bought anything from there and I said that I didn't. 

She went onto tell me that sometimes the stuff "wasn't in the best shape" but usually, it was fine and just close to the date -- not actually expired and it was generally a steal. 

I started to pay a little more attention, and don't you know it she was right! I scored some perfectly packaged Naan bread that was close to the date. It was 1/3 of the usual price.  SCORE!!

Over the years - we've ended up with some delicious and unexpected treats. When the girls come to the store with me, they run to scope it out. 

Yesterday, we got a container of chocolate glazed donut holes for $1.99. As we chatted with the cashier, I mentioned my "cheap bakery" find. We talked about how the items are fine and how exciting it is when you get something good. I looked at her and said "Honestly, I never really shopped there but my mother-in-law did and would regularly show up at our house with her treasures. I mostly look there and pick something up because it usually starts some conversation about her. It's my way of keeping her memory and the things that were her - part of us now" 

"I know what you mean" she said with a smile. 

So much more than a cheap donut. 

#WakeUp100

14/100