Saturday Upsides: A Simpler Life

Last night we said so long to the old Honda Silver Wing. I said good riddance under my breath. My hubs has had this bike for a very long time and it has been sitting in the corner of the garage ever since I met him 18 years ago. I went for a ride twice on it before something went wrong that never got repaired. Earlier in the week, I thought I had another home for it, but the guy who was going to trade landscaping services flaked out on me. I fired him. That's a first for me. The upside is that today I have the ability to recognize bullshit when I see it and I called it. The hubs was happier with this deal because he got a little jingle in his pocket.

 

Later this week, I hired a neighbor's girlfriend to help me with the landscaping. She's a freakin' work horse and together we're getting it done. With every rock I move, and every hot shower to wash the dirt off, I am convinced we are heading in the right direction. We are moving to almost exactly half the living space we have now. No garage. No lawn to mow. Low, low, low maintenance.

 

I have been longing for a simpler life. It's complicated and physically challenging right now as move towards it but as I was telling a friend last night, we have experiences that we tuck under our belt so that when things get hard, we can say we've been through worse. I've been through much worse than this move, trust me on that.

 

What are you moving towards? What experience do you pull from to get you through current hard spots?  Tell me.

 

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

Sunday Stealing

Just got back from a long week of road tripping. Feeling like writing but not much energy so I'm going to do a little Sunday Stealing.  You can play here.

1. Has anyone ever made fun of your taste in music?
Well, yes. My hubs. Ask me if I care? I love me some Prince and I'm not about to apologize for that.

2. Is anyone’s birthday coming up?
Probably. I can barely keep track of what day it is.  Happy birthday if it's yours.

3. Do you remember who you liked in grade eight?
Bill Busby.  He was the first boy who ever kissed me.

4. When was the last time you burned any part of your body?
Recently got a little sunburned. Sometimes I miss a spot with the sunscreen.

5. If I gave you ten dollars, what would you spend it on?
Without hesitation, it would be a coffee. And, I'd buy you a cup, too!

6. What are you most excited about right now?
I have a new grandson.

7. Does / did either of your parents serve in the military?
My dad was in the Navy. He only did one tour but he spoke fondly of his experience in the Korean war.

8. Are you somewhat of a perfectionist?
I like to think not. I do, however, like to have things done the way I want them done. Does that count?

9. Do you like sour candy?
I do love sour patch candy. It makes my mouth water just typing those words.

10. Are all nighters something you have grown used to?
Absolutely not. I'm an early to bed, early to rise kind of girl.

11. Do you usually wear sunglasses when you’re driving?
Always. The eye doc says I have a little bit of damage to my retinas from the sun and encourages me to always wear sunglasses outdoors, and so should you.

12. Do you wear your shoes around the house?
No.  You should see how dirty my feet are. It's a badge of honor and an embarrassment at the same time. I was born barefoot.

13. What clothes are you most comfortable in?
Sleeveless loose top and baggy shorts.

14. Are you good at painting nails?
Not at all.

15. Smoothies or slushies?
Neither but if I have to choose, it would be smoothy.

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