Currently: Love That

One of the nicest things to happen this week was a visit to the vet with my border collie. This was our first appointment to establish care and get updated on  vaccines. I was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail by the vet tech who assisted the doctor. First of all, the tech was super friendly with Abbie, and then went on to tell me he has an 11 year old border collie, which endeared him to me even more. This breed is special and to have a BC in your life means you are special! The vet tech stayed in the room with us when the doctor came and he was very efficient in perusing the 34 pages of medical history that I had emailed to them just an hour before we arrived. He was able to pick up on the highlights of my dog’s needs and didn’t miss a thing. LOVE THAT! The doctor was really great too but she paled in comparison to her great assistant, in my opinion. If only people doctors and assistants were as concerned. Seriously. 

The roofing crew came a week early to complete the roof project. Checking that off the list. The owner of the company came by late yesterday to take photos of the finished product and I gave him a big, fat check only made easy by his great smile and adorable dimples. Have I told you what a sucker I am for cute Mexican men? His is a family-owned business that he inherited from his father. One of the roofer crew is his cousin. When the crew broke for lunch, they had a portable bbq grill they used to heat up their lunches. LOVE THAT! I’m relieved to have it behind us now. My next project will be getting new blinds installed. I will put that on my list for next week. I can only hope the blind people are as sweet and hard working as the roofers. 

We made it to the library this week so I have two hardcover books to plow through over the next 3 weeks. This will compete for time I’ve been spending watching This Is Us on Hulu. I’ll use this paragraph to say I had a flare up of knee pain and spent most of Thursday just laying around so I could allow my knee to stop hurting. Not sure what is causing it but I am opting to start with what I know for sure causes inflammation for me ... too much sugar. Nonetheless, it was a great excuse to watch an entire season of This Is Us and got me into season 2. This goes along with my 2020 resolution to relax more. Not easy for me but I’m working hard to learn to relax.

The weather is definitely warming up here in southwest Arizona. We’re in the mid 70’s now. Last night we sat outside at our friends’ place to visit for an hour before dinner. I sat with my face to the sun and enjoyed the reason I wanted to move back here. 

For a week that started out with only 2 appointments, lots of other things happened and here we are ... Saturday already ... again. Today we’re going downtown to the Medjool Date Festival to walk around and just be outdoors for a while. Gonna take my camera and see if I can muster up some creativity. 

So, that’s about as “currently” as it gets. Hope you are enjoying where you are in life. I always love hearing from you in my comments or on FB. What’s happening in your world?

Love, Susan

Currently

WHAT'S THE FORECAST ... numbers this week are 94, 99, 93, 96, 97. I love this time of year. It's cool in the mornings and it takes all day to get to the high temp. Fall is in the leaves already.

 

MY FAVORITE MOMENT FROM LAST WEEK ... We drove to Yuma to look at the house we are buying. It was a quick trip but I really enjoyed the afternoon with my aunt, and the next day I got to spend time with my cousin in her pool. I think time in the pool during the summer is my favorite thing to do. I also took an overnight trip over to Portland and spent a little time with the grandkids. Dinner at Carl's Jr. with the youngest was treasured time.

 

WHAT'S RIGHT IN THE WORLD ... Well, we're getting things cleaned out and some stuff has gone to the thrift store, a bunch of camping gear went to a good friend who has 3 kids, one motorcycle should be rehomed tomorrow.

 

WHAT I'M RESISTING ... Quite frankly, I have to resist blowing my top every day while we are in this transition period of moving. I've been through many moves before so I know it is stressful and I just need to remember to do what is right in front of me. I am resisting future tripping. It's all going to be okay.

 

WHAT I'M THINKING ... I have had a lot of race brain lately. Lots of appointments on my schedule. A lot to think about. I have started saying no to social engagements because my time to get stuff done is dwindling. I always hate missing out on fun things so I won't say no to everything but will be selective in how I use my time from now until we move. I am amazed at how busy I have been since my last day of work.

 

Yuma, AZ sunset

WHAT'S ON MY CAMERA ... I went out early (6:00am) to photograph a friend and her family. She had a great idea for props and posing. It was fun and I was glad to do it for her. Tomorrow I am doing some puppy photos for the animal rescue team. It will be my last shoot for them.

 

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS ...  I'm not sad we won't be spending another winter here. I look forward to warmer, sunnier weather on a daily basis. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Winter visitors. Old friends. Zero seasonal affective disorder.

 

IF THIS IS MY LAST DAY, MY FINAL THOUGHT IS ... I am going to try to be nicer  today. I have been on edge a lot and it's not how I want to be. I wouldn't want my last day to be like it has been lately ... me yelling at my hubs over stupid shit. Life should be enjoyed every day. I'm glad I'm writing this now so I can change my attitude before the day gets rolling.

love, susan

Currently: Thriving

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ... There has been a hint of fall in the early mornings here in eastern Washington. Temps this week are 93, 97, 98, 89, 94. My favorite part of August is when the fennel in my back yard gives off a licorice aroma. Mmmm.

 

MY FAVORITE MOMENT FROM LAST WEEK ... I had a lot of favorites but probably my most memorable are the photos I am receiving from my son and daughter-in-law of their new son. The updates are that he is gaining about an ounce daily. And, this week we got to see his beautiful head and hair because they took his cap off. He is thriving. I cannot say that enough times. I love that word.

 

WHAT'S RIGHT IN MY WORLD ... Well, our real estate agent came over Friday to take photos for listing our house. She commented that I had taken her advice to heart by cleaning up my closet spaces for the photos. She likes to show storage space. She has sold 204 houses in her 10 year career and is one of the most down to earth people I've ever met. Our listing goes up Sept. 5. Trudy, if you are reading this, I'll be a distant neighbor soon! It's really happening.

 

WHAT I'M RESISTING ... I am trying hard to not future trip. We are in Arizona this week looking at a house to buy. The tentative plan is to pack up and move in mid October ... finally. I have been resisting perfection lately. Getting my house is order for others to come see has produced some stress. I always think I have it under control but then, and I know this is too much information, I end up with horrible hemorrhoids. Some people lose their hair, I get the Big H. Keeping it real, folks.

 

WHAT I'M THINKING ... I remember when we got ready to move to Washington, we worked hard on our place and the last thing I did was hire a friend to come and clean it. I remember thinking, "Gosh, this place looks nice enough to live in." While cleaning out stuff this time, I have been thinking that I am glad I started minimizing my stuff two years ago. Even doing that, I still have too much stuff. I am tired of being a slave to it. How many sweatshirts does a girl need? I have taken bags upon bags of stuff to the community thrift store. We are downsizing in house space. There is no room for junk.

 

WHAT'S ON MY CAMERA ... I haven't been out with my camera much this summer. I use my cell phone a lot. I'm hoping to get some good shots while on the road trip this week.

 

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS ... I have been super busy this summer and I suspect I won't be slowing down until November. Trying to keep my feet planted in today.

 

IF THIS IS MY FINAL DAY, HERE IS MY FINAL THOUGHT ... My new grandson is in my constant thought and I can't wait to meet him. If I never get to meet him, I have loved him already. My heart is full. And, somebody please take care of my dogs.

 

love, susan

Currently

Outside My Window ...  we had clouds and rain yesterday, which is unusual for this time of year. It did clear up in the afternoon and today is a most beautiful day in eastern Washington. Temps this week are 84, 85, 93, 91, and 87. Not too bad.

 

Pondering ... we got some great news last week that I can now share. My son and daughter-in-law have been in an adoption pool just a little under a year now. They were supposed to leave for a trip to South Africa yesterday but early last week they were chosen to become parents to a newborn baby boy. Naturally, they cancelled their trip. Baby was born prematurely and won't be able to leave the hospital NICU until October but they are going to visit him every day from now until then. Because of the pending adoption, I am unable to share photos but I can tell you that he is beautiful and it's just about all I can think about right now. Dreams do come true.

 

Watching ... while I am dog sitting for good friends, I am continuing watching Orange is the New Black on Netlfix. I'm in Season 3 right now. I have 3 more days of dog sitting and I think I'm going to make it through the rest of the seasons. I have tenacity.

 

Reading/Listening ... I picked up where I left off on the book called Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon. It is heavy. That's about all I can say about it right now. I've got many books on my Audible app that I need to listen to. I think I'll start listening to books rather than podcasts on my future walks because a) I'm using up too much data when I listen to the podcasts, and b) I need to listen to the books I paid for already. I discontinued my membership in Audible for the time being because I've got enough books to last me for months.

 

Podcasts ... I have no recommendations this week. I listened to 10% Happier, Here's the Thing, and Armchair Expert but nothing stood out as mentionable. That's how I know I need to switch over to listen to Audible for awhile. Sometimes the guests on these podcasts are people I am just not interested in hearing. Would love to know if you have a favorite podcast you would recommend in the comments below.

 

Eating ... I am still doing the 31 Day Oatmeal Challenge. But in full disclosure, I did not eat oatmeal this morning. I am housesitting and although they have oatmeal in the cupboard, I didn't have the other things that I like to go with it. I'm remedying that today so I can have oatmeal the next 3 mornings. It may seem like a silly challenge but it helps me stay on the right path to good diet.

 

This week ... My car is going into the shop tomorrow for a warning light that needs investigated. Dog sitting. Continued clean up and repairs at my house.

 

Favorite thing ... I've been through a couple pair of ear phones because I have a hard time finding the most comfortable ones. I finally found the perfect set and I would genuinely be upset if I lost these. I'm glad I photographed them so if I ever do lose them, I should be able to replace them. I'm the biggest creature of habit so I put them in the same place when I'm not using them. Still, I am surprised I still have these after a year plus of owning them. They are on my Top 10 list of favorite things.

 

Embracing ... I have been a volcano lately due to some unmet expectations of other people. I am not embracing the anger but I am using it to power through some hard conversations. I am not comfortable when I am mad but it gets me off the passive side of things and into action. Ugh. I don't know where the middle ground is in all of it. Just call me passive aggressive and that would be accurate. Oh, well.

 

Quote ... “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
― Mark Twain

Currently

Outside my window ... over here in eastern Washington it's a little darker each day. I am someone who notices these things on a molecular basis. Clear blue skies and hot temps make me smile. Remember last week I said maybe we wouldn't go to the hundreds this summer? I lied. This week:  102, 105, 105, 97, 92.  I love it!

 

Pondering ... I learned a new phrase last week that I've been saying a lot since I heard it. Get off zero. I wrote a longer post about it but haven't finished it yet. The gist is that with anything that I want to accomplish or move forward on, I must first get off zero. Move. Take action. Or kill the idea. Simply get off zero.

 

Watching ... I'm slowly watching episodes of Orange is the New Black on Netflix. It has been too nice outside to spend any time sitting in a chair but I try to watch at least one episode every day. It's hard to do after a long day ... once I sit or lay down, I am out.

 

Reading ... I am back into my book called Bright Line Eating by Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD. I am on day 5 of this eating plan after a year of falling off the wagon. Long story short, when I cut out the sugar and flour completely from my plate, I suffer zero cravings for sugar. The science behind it is fascinating. I am tired of being a slave to sugar.

 

Podcasts ... I loved an episode of 10% Happier with Dan Harris where he interviews a father of a teenage girl who committed suicide a year ago. I enjoyed listening to his discussion of coping skills he has used to survive. Warning: it is sad. You can listen to it here. The father has started a blog you can find here. We need to keep the conversations about mental health. This father has zero clues his daughter was depressed.

 

Eating ... oatmeal every day in August in an effort to get back to a life of automaticity in my diet. Today is Day 5 back on Bright Line Eating and I feel so much better. Bloat is gone. Cravings for sugar is gone. Foggy head gone. Three pounds gone. The struggle is gone. Gone, gone, gone.

 

This week ... I have a doctor appointment and breakfast on Wednesday with the retirement group. That is all for scheduled events. Love that.

 

Favorite things ... my Fitbit is on my list of Top 10 favorite things. My kids gave it to me for my birthday 3 years ago and I have gone less than 10 days out of a 1,000+ without wearing it. We are in two competitions every week for most steps. One is called the Workweek Hustle and the other is called Weekend Warrior. It clips onto my bra during the day and at night I clip it to my nightshirt so if I get up to pee I won't miss out on counting those steps. It syncs up with the app on my phone so my kids know I am alive and walking. I've said it before, sayin' it again ... the Fitbit has been a game changer for me.

 

Embracing ... change.  There are many changes coming up soon and instead of dreading them, I am choosing to embrace them. Embracing change lets me be in control of it.

 

Quote ... Get off zero!

 

How about you? What's happening currently in your life?

 

love, susan

Currently: Go Take a Sunday Drive

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ... Clear blue skies here in Eastern Washington. Temp numbers this week are impressive: 95, 98, 94, 93, and 99. Not sure we've hit 100° yet this summer and quite possibly won't.

 

PONDERING ... I learned a valuable lesson at dog class Monday night. There is such a thing called "extinction burst", which my dog exhibits on a regular basis. The short of it is that if she doesn't get what she wants with her bad behavior, she amps up the behavior until it works for her. Kind of like children do when they are not getting their way. I always give in to it because a) she is very annoying, b) it is extremely embarrassing behavior, c) I didn't know better. I am very excited to put to the test the things I learned at class. If you have small children with behavior problems, you might be interested in doing a little research on extinction burst. I'm no expert but I can see where it is a match of wits and who is going to win. Give me a challenge any day of the week!

 

WATCHING ... While dog sitting last weekend, I started watching Orange is the New Black. I know I am late to the game watching this series but I have a personal rule that I will only watch one series at a time. I am into the second season now. I like the characters and how the series goes back to where these prison women came from, how they got there. It has heart.

 

PODCASTS ... My favorite story this week has been on Alec Baldwin's Here's the Thing and his interview with reporter Julie Brown regarding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. It will make you shake your head and wonder how such atrocities toward young girls was allowed to go on so long. If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now ... I love Alec Baldwin's interview skills. He's got a great voice and if he is opinionated about something, he doesn't force it in your ears. I also really like this episode on Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations When You Know Better, You Do Better. It was a good one.

 

EATING ... So, I am starting a challenge beginning tomorrow for the entire month of August to eat oatmeal for breakfast every single day. You may think this is extreme but it really isn't. Oatmeal is almost a perfect food, in my opinion and research. One of my doctors practically begged me years ago to start eating oatmeal to help lower my cholesterol. I'm there now. Wanna join me in this challenge?

 

THIS WEEK ... This is the first day I've really been home since last Wednesday. I have zero on my calendar for the rest of this week but plenty of things to do. It's only 10:30am as I write this and I already have my 10K steps on my Fitbit. The plumber came yesterday and fixed a problem in our kitchen and now I am able to use my dishwasher for the first time in about 7 years. We're attending a celebration of life on Saturday for a mutual friend of many. I typically don't go to such events but after talking with my travel buddy extensively about attending funerals and celebrations of life, I will go with a different mindset. I like the idea of laughing and hugging with our many mutual friends. I want to go on record right here, right now that I don't want a service or celebration of life when I die, okay? Go take a Sunday in my honor. That's what I'd want. Just sayin'.

 

FAVORITE THINGS ... I've been wearing my Doghouse sweatshirt a lot lately. When you live in a place where there is a/c on in every building you go into, you really need to carry a long sleeved shirt or in my case, a sweatshirt. I not only love this one because my friend T gave it to me, it is good quality and it goes with everything. T and I know a lot of people in common and every time I wear it, they want one. I think she ought to sell them! This is one piece of clothing I would grab if my house caught on fire.

 

EMBRACING ... One of my tribe asked me why I walk so fast (in dog training). I quipped that I am 60 years old and I got stuff to do before I die. She thinks I should slow down a titch, especially when my dog is at the end of my lead. This is not easy for me but I'm going to try to embrace that feedback and see if it serves me to take it down a notch. I'll get back to you on that.

 

QUOTE I WANT TO SHARE ...

“When someone shows you who they are,

believe them the first time.”
― Maya Angelou

love, susan

Currently: Summer is Half Over

Newest intake to rescue. He is paralyzed in his back
two legs. Sweet, sweet disposition!

Currently is a weekly update of what's happening on the home front. A little of this and a little of that.  

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...  This morning we had thunder, lightening, and rain. This should make for a very hot and humid afternoon with the numbers this week looking like this:  99, 99, 88, 94, and 98. Hot dog! 

PONDERING... my loss of sleep over a sciatica nerve. I'm fine during the day while I am upright and moving but just after I relax and fall asleep, I have an ache so bad starting on my backside buttock all the way down my leg that it wakes me up. I have had to start sleeping in an "L" shape to get it to subside enough to sleep. Even then. This is a self diagnosis. I'll complain to my doctor the next time I go but I don't see any point in going before my regular yearly physical. And, oh, SUMMER IS HALF WAY OVER. There's that. 

WATCHING... I have been dog sitting all weekend through late today. I have watched the first 2 seasons of The Ranch. Can I just tell you how much I love Sam Elliott and Debra Winger in this series? Some of it reminds me of my upbringing. I wasn't raised on a ranch but the small town references are not lost on me. You can catch this series on Netflix.  

READING... I am listening to Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers on Audible. It is a medically technical book but not so technical that I don't understand it. Basically, I am learning how different hormones affect our health.  

PODCASTS... I added a new-to-me show to my playlist: Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.  Last week I listened to him interview Dax Shepard (who I obviously has a star crush on right now) and Howard Stern. I think I'm going to love this podcast because in just these two interviews I've learned a lot about Conan O'Brien! Did you know he is a Harvard graduate, Magna Cum Laude? I have been hearing Howard Stern a lot on various podcasts and dying to read his book. You may think Mr. Stern is a jerk from his past radio spots but he has many hours of therapy under his belt now and has a lot to say. I believe in second chances, do you?

 

THIS WEEK... I am finishing up a dog sitting job today and start another one on Wednesday. That gives me tomorrow to be home and taking care of things. I do come home every day for a short visit with the hubs and my dogs when I'm dog sitting for other people. I also need to edit the wedding photos I shot Saturday afternoon and get those to the bride.

 

FAVORITE THINGS... This fan. I have to sleep with a fan on for both white noise and comfort. When my friend and I did our road trip last month, I threw this and another fan in the rented SUV and we decided we will never travel again without fans. This particular fan throws great air and has the right amount of sound to lull me to sleep. This is on my Top 10 list of things that I'd never live without.

 

EMBRACING... I am embracing the fact that summer is half over. We typically have a very nice September and I always look forward to that month but I am really enjoying the here and now of today.

A QUOTE TO SHARE...

 

I wonder what it would be like to live in a world

where it is always June. 

L.M. Montgomery "Anne of the Island"

Currently: I Am Not Bored

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... as you can see from this image, we're experiencing some non-blue sky weather. The numbers this week are 86, 89, 89, 89, 85. Still have yet to reach 100°.

PONDERING... I intended to get a birthday card in the mail last week to my friend in Alaska but it never happened. When I finish this post, I'm going to write a long email, hopefully to make up for the fact I failed at sending a card. I used to be so diligent about sending cards.

WATCHING... Over the weekend, I dog sat for friends and watched Netflix. I watched a couple movies but I'll be darned if I can remember the titles. I also watched several episodes of The Ranch. Loved it. I need to watch it again though because I discovered I started the middle but didn't realize it until I watched the last episode in the 6th season. Not sure what happened there. It is really good but if you are offended by the F word, this series is not for you. 

READING... I did zero reading last week. I spent a lot of time outdoors hoeing up weeds and listening to podcasts.

PODCASTS... I listen to about 10 hours of podcasts every week while I'm walking my dogs. I'll leave you my favorite episode that maybe you'll want to check out. This morning I was "wowed" by a 25 minute talk on Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations. The episode is called Pastor John Gray: The Bridge. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a religious person by any means at all but I am a very open-minded, loving human being who loves love and I love the language of love. This talk is soooooo good, I highly recommend it if you just need a warm fuzzy today. Here is the link to  SuperSoul Conversations. I use the Stitcher app on my phone but if you have an iPod, I believe there is a podcast app that comes with your phone that will get you there. P.S. I may have liked this particular episode because Oprah didn't speak a word in it.  

THIS WEEK… There are a couple of days with nothing on the calendar but it likely won't stay that way. Today, I am going to photograph a new dog socialization class that is doing a trial run. Tonight, Remi and I have dog class. Later this week, I am dog sitting for a friend. In between, I'll be doing more clean up on an area that has been neglected. I have not been bored even one minute since I retired.

FAVORITE THINGS... I stopped at my favorite thrift store downtown as they had a 50% off sign and I physically could not drive past it without going in. I almost squealed when I found these hardly-worn Eddie Bauer skorts on the rack in my size for $2! I have the exact same pair already that I live in all summer. These skorts are $65 brand new. You'd squeal too, right? And, don't tell my other dogs, but Remi (pictured here) is my favorite.

EMBRACING... I don't know what I am embracing right at this moment.

A QUOTE TO SHARE... “The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” – M.K. Clinton

love, susan

 

Currently: A Life List

CURRENTLY is a great idea I snagged from a fellow blogger I follow, Paula over at  Smidgens, Bits, and Snippets. Hope you'll read something here that inspires you to do something, try something, or be something different.

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...

The sun is up and there are some humid clouds hanging out. We are below the average temp for this time of year in Eastern Washington. We have not hit 100° yet.

 

PONDERING...

This morning I got a video chat from a friend who works out of town. Yesterday she experienced racism up close and personal and she shared the experience with me. If you don't believe that racism is alive and well, you must be living under a rock. My heart hurts for her. Ignorance and fear is a powerful force.

 

WATCHING...

Over the weekend, I watched several episodes of My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman on Netflix. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. There are only 2 seasons and the episodes are about 40 minutes each. David Letterman is an excellent interviewer and you'll see a side of him that is far more human than what we saw on his late night show. I especially loved the episode with Ellen DeGeneres. Keep Kleenex handy.

 

READING...

Oh dear. I have a couple of books going right now. Ugh. I am committing right here, right now to finish reading The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen this week. I rarely read fiction but this book was my book club's pick and although they already read it and discussed it on Saturday, that discussion has prompted me to finish it. I've been into podcasts lately so I am adding that as a topic next.

 

PODCASTS...

My favorite thing to do now that I am not working is to take long walks with my dogs and listen to podcasts. I have several queued up in my Stitcher app and could write a whole post about podcasts. My favorite last week was a series on Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations with Eckhart Tolle using his book The New Earth as the topic. They talked about several chapters in a 10-part series. I'm not always a fan of Oprah ... something about her voice really bugs me but I loved this series and if you are looking for a spiritual shift in thinking, I recommend this free series. I also listened to a couple of interviews on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Dax is always a little naughty in his podcasts (warning for anyone who might be offended easily) and he doesn't keep it a secret that he was sexually abused as a child. He has been sober for a lot of years and talks a lot about that with his guests. I love, love, LOVE listening to him.

 

EATING...

I've been trying to eat better but it is a struggle right now. Never give up, that's my motto.

 

PLANNING...

I'm taking a friend to a doctor's appointment today. I have dog training class tonight with Remi but other than that, my calendar is free. I am doing a dog sitting job Saturday/Sunday. Beyond that, I am working in my back yard pulling weeds every day and trying to make it look better. I have been tackling little projects inside the house when it gets too hot to work outdoors. The podcasts help me with things I don't love doing.

 

FAVORITE THINGS...

So, I have a ceramic Starbucks cup I use for my coffee every morning. I always heat it up with boiling water before I pour my coffee and warmed-up creamer in.

 

EMBRACING...

I am embracing the here and now.

 

A QUOTE TO SHARE...

You never get what you don't ask for.

 

love, susan

 

What's on your current life list?