I have lots of free time lately, and instead of using it for productivity, I spend a lot of time browsing online. One of my favorite sites is someecards, and I found a ton of self-deprecating ecards that I relate to. And I decided to share them.
And that's all you get from me on this ... Tuesday. My computer tells me it's Tuesday. Otherwise, I'd have no idea. Ah, the joys of #funemployment.
Get up by 8 a.m. each day. I set my alarm, but ... I hit snooze til at least nine.
Sometimes later.
Sleeping in is too easy right now.
Go somewhere new to eat. I went to El Rodeo for lunch last Thursday. And I went to Cozy Cafe for Friday's dinner.
Get in five workouts. Success. I had some really good workouts last week.
Spend at least two mornings writing.
I only wrote one morning. Ugh.
Re-organize my closet. I have no good excuse. I've just been lazy.
Well, I broke the 3 for 5 pattern ... and went 2 for 5. Blech.
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Here are my new goals for the week ahead:
Get up by 8 a.m. each day. I'm going to try this one again.I'm still hoping my unemployment will be short-lived. No need to get completely out of normal sleep patterns.
Complete a four-mile run. I'm trying to ease into longer distances. Last week, I completed a 3.5-mile run in good time. I think adding half a mile a week is reasonable.
Spend at least five hours writing.
Maybe if I commit to blocks of time instead of a whole morning, I'll be better. This really shouldn't be too difficult. And I could finish a few chapters in this time.
Re-organize my closet. My shoes are a disaster. And I'm pretty sure I can put away my winter clothes. I need to just do this.
Cook at home at least six days this week. I really need to watch money. And I've made some bad food choices. There's no need to reverse good habits.
I've been kind of lazy about blogging on Sundays lately.
But I've really missed this link-up, so I'm back!!
At least for this week.
Ha ha.
1. What is your favorite kind of surprise?
Something thoughtful. And that really could span a lot of possibilities -- my favorite coffee drink or Scratch cupcakes delivered without me asking for them, a home cooked dinner, tickets to see a favorite band/show or just anything else someone knows I would love.
2. Flowers or chocolate?
Out of these two, I'd probably go with flowers. I can't tell you the last time I got flowers from someone, but I buy them for myself every now and then. 3. What is your favorite summertime activity?
Baseball games. Thank goodness I live in a town with a minor league team now.
I also love farmer's markets, little festivals and outdoor concerts. 4. Do you have any vacations planned this summer?
I was going to go to St. Louis to see the Rangers in June, but since I'm unemployed, that's probably not happening anymore. So ... sadly, no, there will probably be no vacations this summer.
5. Favorite summer holiday?
My birthday. Yep, I totally think of my birthday as a holiday.
6. Dream vacation?
Watching a game in every MLB ballpark. I've been to 10 of the 30 so far.
Even though I'm not working right now, I still look forward to the weekends just the same.
Today, I'm linking up with two of my favorite bloggers.
Check it out!
HAPPIES
1. I'm doing dinner and a movie ("Star Trek Into Darkness") tonight with some of my favorite girls.
I so need this. My interaction with people has been mostly online since my unemployment started. It'll be good to get out and be social. Oh, and looking at Chris Pine for a few hours will be nice too.
2. I had lunch with one of my best guy friends yesterday.
Justin and I have been friends for almost 15 years ... since my freshman year of college. We both have moved around a lot, but since 2011, we've resided in the same towns. I look forward to lots more lunches and other shenanigans.
3. I sent off my Jelly of My Jams package yesterday.
I hope Katie loves the tunes I picked out for her. And I can't wait to see what she sends me. I can always use some new running/walking music. 4. The Rangers are still leading the American League.
I know it's only May, and October is still a long ways away. But that doesn't mean I can't get excited and happy about my boys and their outstanding record. Especially with so many pitchers and players on the disabled list and rehabbing. Come back soon, Colby, Neftali, Alexi, A.J., and Martin!!
5. I have been active almost every day this week.
Exercise is keeping me sane and out of deep depression. Monday, I walked four miles. Tuesday, I did Zumba at home and went to BodyPump. Wednesday, I ran 2.7 miles and went to Zumba class. Thursday, I walked three miles and went to BodyPump. Today, I'm set for another run, and I'm hoping to get to BodyJam tomorrow morning. Sunday will be a good rest day.
6. I enjoyed our apartment complex pool twice on Tuesday.
It was in the mid-90s that day, and since I'm jobless, I decided to hit the pool. It was nice having it all to myself ... especially since I'm still really self-conscious about wearing a swimsuit in public.
This is the only pool pic you're getting.
CRAPPIES
1. My job search is so frustrating.
I wish I could express how worthless I'm feeling during this process. I feel like my skills aren't marketable and that I'm just plain not good enough to do anything. I've actually accepted that I might not get to keep working in communications and might have to learn a new field. Kind of sad about it, but I've accepted it.
2. Those tornadoes and storms in Texas were so scary.
A town I used to live and work in was hit hard. I'm glad no one lost their life in that town, but other areas of the state were not so fortunate. Thoughts and prayers to everyone recovering from the storm. 3. I won't get my car back from the body shop until next week.
A few weeks ago, I was rear ended. The other driver was super nice and took full blame. Ribbie (that's my car) went into the body shop on May 7, and when they took off the bumper, they discovered more damage than anticipated. They had to order a whole new rear panel and then work me back into the schedule, so ... a three-day repair will end up being about two weeks without my car. I'm glad I'm not paying for any of it, and my rental car is fine, but I miss my car!
Ribbie right after we were rear ended.
Hmm ... I guess it's a good week when the "happies" outnumber the "crappies."
The other night, my friend, Danielle (who just moved to Louisiana), texted me and proposed a weekly Skype Pinterest date. I was a bit confused by this, but it'd been a long day. Eventually, I figured out that she wants to Skype weekly and do Pinterest crafts/recipes while we catch up.
Why not? It'll be a good opportunity to chat and also do something somewhat productive, right?
So, I created a Pinterest board that only she and I can see and pin stuff on (pretty cool, Pinterest). I thought I'd share a few of my pins here.
As I've mentioned, I lost my job recently ... for the second time in seven months. So my life is feeling a bit ... uncertain at the moment.
I'm stressed. I'm sad. I'm angry. I'm frustrated. I'm questioning my skills/abilities. I'm feeling really isolated from everything and everyone.
Sigh.
It's just not really much fun, contrary to what my #funemployment hashtag on twitter might convey.
Here are a few things I do when I'm feeling the way I'm feeling lately: 1. I mess up my sleep schedule.
I stay up late (because why not?), and I sleep late (what's the point of getting up early?).
And usually I sleep for way more than eight hours a night.
Last Saturday, I took a three-hour nap. I. Never. Nap.
2. I go long periods without eating.
Some people are emotional eaters. I'm an emotional non-eater.
I have absolutely no appetite, and I will sometimes go a whole day without eating.
When I realize what I'm doing, I'll make myself eat and only then do I actually realize I'm hungry.
3. I shop.
Online. In local stores. Whatever.
Obviously, spending money right now is not the answer to any of my problems.
Yet, I can't stop looking (and sometimes indulging) in things I want or think I need.
4. I avoid people.
I'm already a difficult person, but I can become more difficult in times of stress.
In order to save some of my friendships, I just hide out as much as possible.
I get kind of lonely, but it's better than having people hate me, I guess.
What are some things you do when you feel stressed or down?
Maintain a normal sleep schedule. Stress keeps me up at night. Depression/lack of motivation keeps me in bed in the mornings. Blech.
Get in five workouts. I totally rocked this. I ran twice (including Saturday's 5K), did Zumba once and did BodyPump twice.
Re-organize the fridge. My fridge is so much cleaner now. And I had some bad food in there that needed to go. Finish reading "Reached." I actually finished in about two sittings. You can read my review/thoughts here.
Re-organize my closet. I moved some stuff around, but I have more work to do. So I'm counting this has half-done.
I cannot break this 3 of 5 pattern.
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Here are my new goals for the week ahead:
Get up by 8 a.m. each day. Maybe I need to be more specific to be successful. This might be tough earlier in the week because Rangers are on the West Coast. But I'm going to try.
Go somewhere new to eat. Yeah, I probably shouldn't be spending money. But I need to get out of the house now and then.
Get in five workouts. Keeping this one.
It's become my only social interaction, so I need it.
Spend at least two mornings writing.
I think my readers will appreciate this.
My next novel has been slow going.
Re-organize my closet. I've let things get a little messy in there. Time to do some work.
In case I haven't mentioned it enough lately, the weather in Iowa has been gorgeous. There are very few things I love more than driving with the windows down. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite tunes to blast while cruising with the breeze flowing through my car. Enjoy!
Tim Stop - "Malaga"
Come on. You knew there'd be at least one from this guy. And this one is perfect!
I can't wait for Tim's next album, "Across The Atlantic," which is due out around my birthday (July).
Also, if you live in Chicago and want to be in a music video, he's filming one this Friday. Hit me up for details.
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Matt Wertz - "Get To You"
This song feeds the 80s kid inside me.
Honestly, though, most of Wertz' catalog is made for summer listening.
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Matt Nathanson - "Faster"
"You taste like sunlight and strawberry bubble gum." Swoon.
This Matt also has a new album due out around my birthday.
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Marc Broussard - "Home"
This might forever be my favorite Broussard song.
Takes me back to concert road trips in the summer of 2004.
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Christina Aguilera - "Cruz"
This song was definitely made for summer drives.
But I sing along loudly, so I should probably roll the window up on this one.
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Tyrone Wells - "Freedom"
This song is on my running playlist.
I love the upbeat sound and lyrics.
Oh, and Tyrone is pretty awesome too.
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Todd Carey - "Ain't Got Love"
One of the first songs I ever heard from Todd.
And I still love it six years later.
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Tony Lucca - "Foxy Jane"
Talk about some car dancing.
It definitely happens on this track.
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This list could have been so much longer, but I should probably stop there.
Do you have some favorite tunes to crank up when you're driving?
There has been a bunch of talk about women's body image this week. Thanks, Mr. Abercrombie & Fitch. I vehemently disagree with your stance, but at least it got us talking and standing up for ourselves.
First of all, I have to share my friend, Rachel's post about why the A&F statements got under her skin. I relate to so much in her post. I was never medically diagnosed with anorexia, but non-eating is one of my coping mechanisms when I'm stressed, upset and/or depressed. Not all eating disorders are about wanting to be thin or skinny. In fact, most of them are about wanting to be in control of something ... anything ... when you feel like your life is a little too chaotic or uncertain.
Next, I want to share Sophie's post about strong being the new skinny. Yes!! This is just what I needed. A few weeks ago, you'll remember me commiserating over a little bit of weight gain. Someone suggested that because I had just started BodyPump, perhaps some of it was muscle. They're probably right. And I love BodyPump, so I'm definitely not quitting.
But I am quitting something -- the scale.
I am going to stop weighing in for this blog. If I'm curious, I'll get on the scale ... for me. But other than that, I need to put the scale away and focus on how I feel and look.
And you know what? Even though my weight is a few pounds higher than it was six months ago, I feel stronger and more fit now than I did then. My arms and legs are getting toned -- I've lost an inch in my biceps and a half inch from my thighs since starting BodyPump. My core and shoulders are getting stronger -- I can actually do push-ups from my toes. I can run longer and lift more during BodyPump. And I've gotten tons of compliments on my legs.
I've said it before, but now I really need to take action on it -- I would rather be fit than skinny. Fitness isn't a number on a scale, so why do I keep using that as a measure? No longer. In fact, I'm going to rename this series. It's no longer my weight-loss journey (WLJ), it's going to be a celebration of my new fitness accomplishments and things I learn about myself along the way. I'll take suggestions on the name. I'm thinking it might also become more of a monthly post than a weekly one.
Ultimately, my goal is to be the best version of me -- mentally, emotionally, and physically. I think I'll be able to better achieve that if I stop chasing a number on the scale and instead just continue to take care of myself and challenge myself.
Speaking of challenges, I'm still doing this ab workout:
... and I think I'm also going to try to start adding distance to my runs. I have my sights set on a 10K ... maybe by Fall. Any runners reading this --- how did you decide to increase your distance? Any tips?
Speaking of running, I ran my second 5K of the year this morning.
I had back spasms for about 75 percent of the race, but I pushed through it. Mostly, my body just doesn't want to run early in the morning. I either need to work on resetting my clock a little or only sign up for late morning/afternoon/evening races.
I finally finished the third book in this series. I started it months ago, but life got busy with a new job, baseball and beta reading for a friend. Now two of those are done, and I've had a little more time to read, so I made finishing this book a priority.
GoodReads description: After leaving Society to
desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found
what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet
again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the
borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret.
All too soon, everything shifts again.
My thoughts: I
finally finished this book ... and series. The final book of the
trilogy was probably the toughest for me to get through. I was busy.
And, also, I wasn't really ready for it to end. I liked all the
characters, and even though I was anxious to see how they sorted
everything out, I didn't want to leave them. I really like how the
final book tied a lot of things together and brought back questions I
had in the first two but had forgotten about. There is a bit of a happy
ending, but it's not perfect, and there's plenty of sadness and loss
along the way. That, I think, makes it realistic. Reading this series
really made me think about what it would be like to live in a society
where I didn't have a choice in anything -- what I eat, where I live,
what I do for a living, who I marry and when and how many children I
have. Even though there are times I hate making decisions, I feel
grateful that I have the power to make them.
